Looking for a Morgan you used to own or your family owned - Start a new Topic here with details and perhaps someone can help. Andy has access to the Morgan Historic Register or a current owner may come forward.
This 1969 Plus 8 took part in the 1969 Tour de France driven by Guy Savoye and Roger Lamoral
It is understood to be chassis number R7038, engine no.C 5673/1A, original colour Lemon Chrome, despatched 11 March 1969 to French Morgan importer Jacques Savoye in Paris, first owner Mr. Lamoral, Neuilly, France.
It would be interesting to know if this car still exists.
Many thanks for posting Mary some fabulous period photos.
This might jog a memory....R7038 had a UK registration number prior to being exported which was XAB 439G. I assume it was registered so it could be driven back to France or did it spend some time in the UK being race / rally prepared ?
I love the photo of the rear wheel cover as used on the TDF... I was unable to use a photo on my FIA /HTP’s papers because I couldn’t prove it was used in period.!!
I have a copy of the results and entry list that proves it. The photos on the link also give some fairly conclusive evidence.
The MMC records should show this if they are prepared to give the information.
Mary, you will know this early +8 is now significant, not just because it was an early Moss box car in competition – but it was being used in Internationally designated events. Without knowing it Savoye and company laid the foundations which allowed the Moss box cars to qualify for their FIA HTP (Historic Technical Passport) papers and hence compete in the myriad of today’s ‘Historic Motor Sport’ events, much like Chris Lawrence did for the +4.
Thank goodness Jacques Savoye and Mr Lamoral got out there and did it !
Thanks for accepting my registration to brake horsepower. As a quick introduction I am a former chairman of the Morgan Club de France and Morgan owner since 1968.
Coming back to the subject, the car still exist. I first saw it in 1968 at Savoye's premises. According to Claude Savoye the engine was tuned by Chris Lawrence who fit 2 Webers carbs then in need of the scoops in the bonnet. As far as the body was concern, bonnet and wings were plastic moulded. I don't know to whom R. Lamoral sold his car in 1970. However in 1980 the car in need of a full restauration, was in the hands of Gerard Welter, designer within the Peugeot car manufacturer, and parked at the Peugeot design center in the west suburb of Paris. Finding no time to take care of the restauration G. Welter sold it to one of his collaborator, Nicolas Arvanitakis. He then start a ground up restauration, respecting the originality of the car except for the body painting, he change the original yellow to red, why is a mistery. He use to drive it not so often but was still the owner 2 years ago.