Morgan Motor Company has today revealed the 50th Anniversary edition of its iconic V8-powered Plus 8. The family-owned British marque officially unveiled the Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition at the Geneva Motor Show.
Named after the famous eight-cylinder engine beneath the car’s hand-built body, the Plus 8 50th Anniversary edition will be a true V8-powered thoroughbred tribute to the model that has been Morgan’s crowning vehicle for 50 years.
The bespoke sports car manufacturer will produce 50 of the special-edition models, each one hand-built and carrying a unique model number and sold through its existing dealership network.
Born on the racetrack, the Morgan Plus 8 is a special combination of craftsmanship, luxury and technology. Over 6,000 Plus 8s have been hand built at Morgan’s Pickersleigh Road factory in its 50-year history.
At just 1,100kg, the Plus 8 is one of the lightest V8 passenger cars in the world. It is capable of 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph.
All Plus 8 50th Anniversary models will sit on Morgan’s renowned aluminium chassis.  The Plus 8 50th Anniversary will be the last Morgan vehicle to feature the naturally aspirated BMW V8 engine.
Available in both automatic and manual transmission variants, each Plus 8 50th Anniversary can also be specified as a right-hand or left-hand-drive model.
The Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition is available in two striking race-inspired colours and two specifications – blue ‘speedster style’ with an open cockpit, or green ‘traditional convertible’ with a soft- top.
Drawing inspiration from the first production Plus 8, MMC 11, a spun aluminium domed panel adorns the rear of the car. Other accents celebrating Morgan’s motorsport pedigree include towing eyes in yellow, sporty white brake calipers and ceramic-coated twin-cannon- style white exhaust tips. The exhausts have been specially made to amplify and refine the dramatic V8 soundtrack.
The addition of extra bonnet louvres and a leather bonnet belt hint at the aggressive nature of the V8 engine, while the number ‘8’ painted onto the front grille celebrates the racing days of the original Plus 8.
Each car will be individually liveried by Morgan’s craftspeople and finished with a unique number on the exterior back panel of the car. A plaque inside each car denotes its unique number of production.
Morgan’s in-house design team specially commissioned new five-stud wheels for the special edition, reflecting the original cast wheel commonly equipped to Plus 8s throughout the years. The 50th Anniversary edition wheels are refined to handle the increased power of the V8 engine and finished in a specially created celebratory champagne colour.
For the interior, a naturally waterproof black leather has been chosen to provide durability essential for vehicles without a roof. A highly detailed motorsport-inspired, twin-pleated stitch has been chosen for the seat centres.  Specially designed dial faces complete the heritage feel of the matte-finished walnut dashboard.
Continuing the success of Morgan’s partnership with fellow British company Christopher Ward, a C1 Morgan Plus 8 Chronometer Anniversary watch has been specially designed to accompany each Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition produced. Each Christopher Ward and Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition watch contains a small piece of the original ‘MMC 11’ car embedded into the back plate. Each piece will be numbered 1-50 and every owner will receive their corresponding numbered watch for their Plus 8.
The limited-edition Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition will cost from £107,500 excluding local market taxes.
Steve Morris, Managing Director, Morgan Motor Company, said: “The Morgan Plus 8 sits firmly as one of the most iconic and revered models of Morgan’s 109-year history. From launch, the combination of a lightweight roadster combined with a V8 engine has proved a triumph for buyers around the world, be it for road or track use. For many, the Plus 8 is the archetypal British sports car combining handcrafted, bespoke luxury with exhilarating performance – and that’s exactly why the Plus 8 has been a mainstay of the Morgan range for 50 years.
“With half a century of success behind the car, it’s essential that we mark the moment with a limited production range of vehicles that celebrate everything the Plus 8 stands for, emphasising the heritage and history of the model and providing the perfect platform to extract the maximum performance and excitement from the 4.8-litre 367bhp V8.
“The Plus 8 has been a part of the range for my entire Morgan career, and it is an honour and a privilege to unveil this celebratory model here in Geneva.â€
Jon Wells, Head of Design, Morgan Motor Company said: “Firmly established as Morgan’s crowning vehicle for fifty years, the Morgan Plus 8 continues to pioneer new technology within the classic Morgan bloodline. Deriving its name from the famed eight-cylinder engines it has adopted throughout the years, it consistently offers the greatest power to weight ratio of any Morgan. The Plus 8 has always been the driver’s Morgan. Born on the racetrack, and having been no stranger to it since, has meant performance pedigree underpins every Plus 8. When combined with an uncompromising attention to craftsmanship, luxury and material choice, there is no more desirable Gentleman racer.
“Each design detail of the Plus 8 50th has been considered to celebrate the Plus 8’s significance to the Morgan company and its customers over the last 50 years. This famous V8 was a renowned model throughout the automotive industry in the Sixties, and has today evolved into an unrivalled machine, offering raw exhilaration and effortless power delivery. Overlooking the long wide bonnet, sat directly on the rear axle, when driving a Plus 8 you are very aware of, not just its soundtrack, but its significance and its capability. The design of this special final edition hopes to do both justice.â€
