Formerly the property of DJ and Radio Presenter John Peel...

1974 Morgan Plus 8 four-seater Roadster
Registration no. RDV 419N
Chassis no. R.7817
Engine no. 48110991D
• Purchased in January 1976 by John Peel for his wife, Sheila.
• Factory restored and converted to four-seater specification for John Peel
• Restored at the Morgan factory in the 1980s/1990s
• Three owners from new
• Recently recommissioned by British Marque expert

Searching for new engines in the 1960s, Morgan concluded a deal with Rover for supply of its all-aluminium 3.5-litre V8, thus creating a car that combined Vintage-era charm with Cobra-like 'grunt': the Plus 8. Morgan's Plus 4 chassis, strengthened and extended, formed the basis of the new car, while the existing Moss, four-speed gearbox was retained also. After a successful debut at the 1968 London Motor Show, production commenced at the rate of 15-or-so cars per month and continues to this day, although now with BMW power. While the traditionally styled Morgan's aerodynamics restricted top speed to around 125mph (more than fast enough for most people driving an open car) the Rover V8's 168bhp and 210lb/ft of torque made for supercar-league performance through the gears. Indeed, in its later 3.9-litre form, the Plus 8 proved quicker to 80mph than the contemporary Porsche 911 Turbo.

This rare and desirable Plus 8 was purchased by the much-missed and loved radio DJ and presenter, the late John Peel, for his wife Sheila. It was gifted to her on the birth of their first child, William, in January 1976. Originally a two-seater finished in red, the car was re-sprayed green while undergoing restoration at the Morgan factory in Malvern (having been sent there because there was rot in the body's timber framework), and converted to four-seat specification by the factory at the same time. The Plus 8 remained at the factory from circa 1980 to 1996. Photographs on file show the Morgan before and during the rebuild, and after completion with John and Sheila. All bills relating to the conversion/restoration are on file.

Currently displaying a total of circa 26,700 miles on the odometer, it is described by the current vendor, and third owner to be in very good cosmetic condition both inside and out.

After a period of storage with the family of the late John Peel, the current vendor has undertaken recommissioning works with bills from a British marques expert for £3,250, dated July 2022. With the vendor living abroad less than 100 miles have been travelled since his purchase and commissioning.

Built for a man known for his connoisseurship in groundbreaking, offbeat music and performers, this four-seater example is now ready to be enjoyed by a dedicated John Peel fan in the coming summer months. If listening to innovative music isn't your forte whilst motoring, you could always enjoy playing Dick Dale's 'Lets go Trippin' as used as the introductory music to BBC Radio 4's programme 'Home Truths'.