Morgan gets into the overlanding spirit with Plus Four CX-T

Morgan is out to show that overlanding doesn’t have to mean big, hulking pickup trucks or SUVs.

The British maker of retro sports cars has unveiled a version of the Plus Four kitted out for overlanding, i.e. the practice of traveling across remote areas, often for months or even years at a time, all while carrying everything you’ll need along the way.

Given its diminutive size, Morgan’s new Plus Four CX-T is certainly more suited for shorter overlanding trips, though there’s still a lot that can be carried. This is thanks to key modifications made by Morgan in partnership with Rally Raid UK, a company that helps build Dakar Rally contenders.

Most prominently, the Plus Four’s rear panel has been replaced with an equipment rack, with unique side body panels designed to be reminiscent of the classic four-seater Morgan. The rack houses a pair of waterproof Pelican luggage cases, a Zarges aluminum tool box, two Rotopax containers, and two spare tires.

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To ensure the Plus Four CX-T can handle rough terrain, the suspension has been upgraded with new wishbones that widen the track and allow for more wheel travel. There are also new coilover assemblies with internal bump stops, as well as lower suspension arms with bespoke bushes picked for increased durability. The resulting ground clearance of the new setup is about 9.0 inches. Underbody protection and an electric differential with three modes, including an All-Terrain mode, complete the package.

Morgan, Morgan gets into the overlanding spirit with Plus Four CX-T, ClassicCars.com JournalMorgan, Morgan gets into the overlanding spirit with Plus Four CX-T, ClassicCars.com Journal

The Plus Four rides on Morgan’s new CX-Generation aluimnum chassis and features a BMW 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 good for 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic and can look forward to 0-62 mph acceleration in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph.

Morgan said it developed the Plus Four CX-T to demonstrate the versatility of the company’s new platform. However, there’s also a historical connection to Morgan’s participation in all-terrain endurance trials dating back to 1911.

Morgan, Morgan gets into the overlanding spirit with Plus Four CX-T, ClassicCars.com JournalMorgan, Morgan gets into the overlanding spirit with Plus Four CX-T, ClassicCars.com Journal

Morgan plans to offer just eight examples of the Plus Four CX-T, with pricing starting at 170,000 British pounds (approximately $236,420). Each buyer will have the chance to work closely with Morgan to arrive at their ideal setup.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

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Back to the Future: DeLorean says it’s coming back, and launches an auction

The reborn DeLorean Motor Company is staging an auction that features 40 NFTs — the hot new digital collectibles officially known as non-fungible tokens — but includes a restored original DeLorean DMC-12 and the pole position for the all-new DeLorean that the company says will be “launching soon.”

“From its rise and fall in the early ‘80s to its inclusion in Back To The Future, the DeLorean DMC-12 boasts one of the most storied histories of all time,” the company said in its news release. 

“This year marks the DeLorean’s 40th anniversary, and to celebrate, DeLorean Motor Company has partnered with acclaimed street artist  MadSteez  to create a revolutionary NFT series of 40 unique DeLorean 1-of-1 NFTs. The collection tells the year-by-year history of the car, highlighting notable years with accompanying one-of-a-kind physical items. 

“In addition to the 40 NFTs, the collection includes 2 special-edition NFTs with incredible physical utilities. The crown jewel of the collection is a Special Edition DeLorean 1-of-1 Anniversary Montage NFT that comes with a fully restored original DeLorean. In addition, the Special Edition 1981 DeLorean NFT will come with a spot atop the Delorean waiting list for the all-new Delorean vehicle launching soon.”

One of the 40 DeLorean NFTs

The NFTs are the work of MadSteez, born blind in his left eye and officially named Mark Paul Deren. DeLorean characterizes him as “a human color wheel spinning on overdrive.

“Currently based in Brooklyn, New York, his doodles and larger-than-life pop-soaked paintings, portraits & multi-layered, massive-scale murals have granted him worldwide appreciation by transforming blank canvases into a voyage of acidic cosmic explosions,” DeLorean Motor says.

DeLorean is among the new or resurrected car companies planning to produce as many as 350 vehicles a year under new NHTSA small-volume manufacturing guidelines.

While waiting for those guidelines to be finalized, DeLorean Motor announced plans to resume production in a facility near Houston, Texas, where the company houses thousands of leftover parts from the original DeLorean program. It also said it had produced two prototype vehicles for testing.

The restored DeLorean offered as part of the auction was done by Cameron Wynne, son of the former mechanic who purchased the assets of the former DeLorean Motor Company in bankruptcy in 1995.

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AutoHunter Spotlight: 1948 Ford F1 custom

Ford’s first pickup in what we now call Ford’s F-Series was the F1, launched in 1948, and AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, has one up for auction.

This 1948 Ford F1 pickup is powered by 350cid V8 that’s been upgraded with a Cragar supercharger, an MSD ignition system, aluminum radiator and additional Edelbrock performance parts. Power is sent to the rear through a 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic 350 transmission.

The body is finished in a shade of Porsche Guard’s Red paint and features a 6 ½-foot step side bed lined with hardwood planks and stainless-steel hardware.

Inside the cab is a tan bench seat with matching steering and lap belts. The door panels, dash and instrument panel are color-matched to the body.

This Ford F1’s auction ends June 3 at 11:40 a.m. PDT.

Visit this vehicle’s AutoHunter listing for more information and a gallery of photos.

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Long-term ownership comes with these AutoHunter offerings

I’ve always been a sucker for the idea of vehicles, especially collector vehicles, being handed down through the generations of the same family, typically father to son or daughter, or perhaps a nephew or niece, and then to that person’s son or daughter. 

One reason I’m attracted to such vehicles is that they are likely to have been well-maintained by the family or, if parked for a few years, the ensuing generation has worked to restore the vehicle to the way Grandpa drove it.

This week, for my turn to peruse ClassicCars.com‘s AutoHunter online auction site, I’ve found two multi-generation family cars, and a vehicle that’s being offered after 47 years of original-buyer ownership.

Here they are:

Unfortunately, we’re not told much about this car’s story, except that it has been in the possession of the same family since it was new. It’s a two-door hardtop from the second-year of the second-generation of the non-letter series of Chrysler’s famed 300 model and is powered by a 325-horsepower, 383cid V8 linked to a 3-speed automatic gearbox.

While parts have been replaced in the past dozen years, the selling family notes things that need to be done. 

The car appears to be in survivor condition and looks good in the photos, which include those of its blemishes. The exterior is black and the interior red. Interestingly, there’s no cutout in the dash for a radio. Pity we aren’t told more about the car’s history. 

This Fox-body Mustang was acquired two years ago by the son-in-law of the original owner, and it has been driven nearly 120,000 miles during its lifetime (the 5-digit odometer shows 19,679 but has rolled over once, we’re told).

Like the Chrysler above, the Mustang is black outside and red inside, and in the case of the Mustang, there is a radio, a stock AM/FM/cassette deck. 

The Mustang has Ford’s 225-horsepower, 302cid V8 and 5-speed Borg Warner T-50 manual transmission

This pagoda-roofed Mercedes roadster is being offered for bidding after 47 years with its original owner. The roof can be removed and the car driven open to the environment.

The car reportedly has been driven only 109,075 miles in all those years, and its 158-horsepower, 2.8-liter inline 6-cylinder engine was overhauled in 2000. The engine’s output reaches the rear wheels through a 4-speed automatic transmission that was overhauled at the same time as the engine. Engine and brakes reportedly were serviced recently as well.

The car has been repainted in its original Tunis Beige color and has a black, wood-trimmed and air-conditioned interior. The car’s original Becker Europa radio has been replaced with a modern but retro-looking unit.

To view these and other vehicles up for bidding, visit the AutoHunter website.

Auto Hunter Spotlight: 1949 Ford utility coupe

Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is neither a Ford Ranchero nor a Chevy El Camino, but a Ford ute manufactured by Ford’s Australian branch but modified in the ensuing years.

We have a farmer’s wife from Gippsland, Victoria, to thank for these utility trucks. In need of a car that was both comfortable and tough, she sent a letter to the managing director of the Ford Motor Company of Australia in mid-1933 that read:

“My husband and I can’t afford a car and a truck but we need a car to go to church on Sunday and a truck to take the pigs to the market on Monday. Can you help?”

1949 Ford utility coupe1949 Ford utility coupe

This 1949 Ford ute example that’s up for auction has been professionally restored and features refinished brightwork, replacement bed planks, Vintage Air HVAC system, modern stereo and Flowmaster exhaust system.

The Candy Cinnamon painted body wears chrome bumpers, a ‘bullet nose’ front grille and dual exhaust outlets.

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Being Australian-born, this ute was originally a right-hand-drive, but the previous owner has converted it to a left-hand-drive. 

The interior was refinished in cream vinyl with matching door panels and a body-colored dash.

Powering the truck is a General Motors 350cid V8 installed under prior ownership. It’s paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and a General Motors 10-bolt rear end. 

This Ford UTE’s auction ends May 12 at 12:20 p.m. PDT.

Visit this truck’s AutoHunter listing for more information and gallery of photos and videos.

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AutoHunter Spotlight: Restored 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air

Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is on a 1956 Chevy Bel Air Sport Sedan that underwent a recent restoration and given numerous upgrades, including power steering and brakes, an aluminum radiate, Bluetooth stereo, a new exhaust system and more.

Click the red buttons on the photo below for an in-depth tour of this Bel Air:

During the restoration, the body was stripped, sanded and repainted in Fleet White over a Grey Metallic paint. A new “Eagle Jet” ornament, “V” trim pieces, new taillights and other badges were also added.

Bel AirBel Air

The all-black interior features ribbed vinyl bucket seats and matching door cards. Modern upgrades include an AM/FM radio with Bluetooth connectivity and a JL Audio subwoofer placed in the trunk.

Powering this Bel Air is a 350cid Chevrolet small black mated to a Turbo 350 3-speed automatic transmission.

The odometer shows 27,833 miles, although true mileage is unknown.

This Bel Air’s auction ends April 22 at 11:0 a.m. PDT.

Visit this vehicle’s AutoHunter listing for further information and gallery of photos.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1969 Chevrolet Corvette 454-powered

Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is on this 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe powered by a big-block 454cid V8, which replaced the original L36 427/390.

Click the red buttons on the photo below for an in-depth look at this C3:

The Corvette’s body, finished in Le Mans Blue, features chrome trim, “Stingray” emblems, side gills on the front quarterpanels, factory removable T-tops, and pop-up headlights.

Matching the exterior, the all-blue interior houses vinyl buckets seats, center console, crank window and an AM/FM radio. 

The new 454cid V8 engine, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission, has Moroso valve covers, a new Holley 4-barrel carburetor, Breakerless ignition conversion, and a fresh radiator.

Odometer shows 79,820 original miles.

This 1969 Corvette Stingray’s auction ends April 20 at 11:40 a.m. PDT.

Visit this vehicle’s AutoHunter listing for further information and gallery of photos.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 2003 AM General M1123 ex-Marines carrier

Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is on a fully restored 2003 AM General M1123 that was once a Marines armored light-troop carrier with a 1,988-kilogram payload. This Humvee is powered by a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated diesel paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

Click the red buttons on the photo below for an in-depth look at the car:

This ex-Marines vehicle received an extensive cosmetic overhaul, including a professionally applied custom matte navy blue UPOL Raptor bedliner finish with ghosted digital camouflage patterns. The exterior also features a removable black cloth top, brush guard, vented hood, aircraft hooks and new aluminum doors.

The interior houses four new seats, an exterior-matching dashboard, aftermarket 3-spoke Grant steering wheel, air conditioning and front and rear cameras.

Underneath the car, you’ll find a military-spec air intake and side-vented exhaust.

The odometer reads 46 miles, though U.S. Military documentation shows 3,700 miles.

This 2003 AM General’s auction ends April 12 at 12:00 p.m. PDT.

Visit this vehicle’s AutoHunter listing to find further information and gallery of photos.

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AutoHunter Spotlight: 1932 Ford Highboy powered by a Chevy V8

Featured as our AutoHunter Spotlight today is this 1932 Ford Highboy built by the seller over a 3-year period and finished in 2019. It’s powered by a performance-enhanced small-block 350cid Chevrolet V8 mated to a Tri-Power 5-speed manual transmission and has just over 1,ooo miles on it since the build was completed.

Click the red buttons on the photo below to learn more about this roadster:

The Highboy’s all-steel Brookville body is finished in black with a magenta cloth top and sits upon a new Ford frame.

Inside, the interior features red vinyl bench seats, matching red door panels, a Grant steering wheel with tilt, Lokar hood and trunk release kit and Billet gas pedal.

The Chevy V8 has a Comp Cams Thumper camshaft, hydraulic lifters and digital ignition from Summit Racing, as well as digital CD ignition, EZ wiring harness and custom aluminum oil pan. Also custom done were the transmission, radiator mounts and a hood hinge/hardware kit.

The auction for the 1932 Ford Highboy ends March 19 at 11:30 PDT.

Visit this vehicle’s AutoHunter listing to find further information and gallery of photos.

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‘Golden Era’ Acura trio available on AutoHunter at no reserve

The Acura brand celebrates its 35-year anniversary this year. Honda launched its luxury brand in 1986 with two models — the flagship Legend sedan and the sporty Integra hatchback. Since then, much more has come.

Acura enthusiasts — yes, there are such creatures — consider the 1990s the “golden era,” not only because of robust Legend sales but the rollout of the mid-engine NSX supercar and the development of the high-revving Integra Type R.

Well-kept examples, reflecting Acura’s “Precision Crafted Performance” slogan, are becoming rare and sought after. 

Thus AutoHunter is happy to add to its docket a trio of such vehicles, offered at no reserve and from the private collection of well-known Acura specialist and ClassicCars.com Journal contributor Tyson Hugie.

A long-time Acura enthusiast, he has had more than 20 Acura products, and reports that each one has provided a unique and rewarding ownership experience.  However, as much as he would love to “collect them all,” he has decided it’s time to let some go.

Launching March 8 on AutoHunter was a 1992 Acura 2.3CL, followed on March 9 by a 1996 2.5TL and on March 10 by a 1993 Legend L coupe. Each will be available for bidding for one week.

The 1999 Acura 2.3CL is a 5-speed sport coupe that, with its tapered rear end and rounded shape, embodied the futuristic CL-X concept car design in production form.  Its 2.3-liter VTEC inline-four was shared with the Honda Accord and excelled in reliability and economy.  The striking Milano Red paint is in excellent shape and the car has records dating back to its original owner.

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The 1996 Acura 2.5TL slotted midway between the compact 4-cylinder Integra and the flagship V6 RL, the TL model literally splitting the difference by incorporating an inline-5 that was carried over from the outgoing 1992-94 Vigor model.  Engineers positioned the motor longitudinally for optimal weight balance, and this example is well-sorted by an independent Honda specialty repair facility.

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The 1993 Acura Legend L coupe was ahead of its time, with actuator-assisted door closing mechanisms and a 230-horsepower “Type II” motor.  This one, in Granada Black Pearl, has been driven only 115,000 miles and was retained by its original owner for 27 years before joining the Hugie collection. It may be retired to a collection, but remains a capable daily driver.

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Each of the cars in this collection is offered at no reserve and will be listed for 7 days.

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