Following on from the success of his first book Tipping Point – Designing a Great British Underdog, which looked at the history of the Reliant Robin, Andy Plumb has just published his second book Super 3 – Design by Adventure. This detailed new book covers the history of Morgan’s 3 wheeler, from the very first model launched in 1910 right up to latest Super 3 of today.
Obsessed with cars from an early age, Plumb always knew he wanted to draw them and even wrote to Ford to ask how to be a car designer. They replied with a detailed list of the qualifications needed along with educational establishments. And sure enough, Plumb followed his passion and graduated from Coventry University’s Industrial Design (Transportation) degree course in 1994 and landed a job at Reliant at the age of 25 as a design consultant. Having returned to Coventry to obtain his Postgraduate Degree in Auto Design, he then went on to work at Mitsubishi, Ford, Bentley, VW/Audi, Jaguar, TATA, MG, Dyson and Morgan.
Being a member of the Super 3 design team, working as Digital Surfacing Designer, Plumb wanted to write a book about the Super 3’s development, and so thanks to Morgan he was allowed to use original design and engineering files and data so that he could create this in depth beautiful coffee table book that includes numerous images of the design process in Morgan’s top secret Design Centre. And many of the fabulous photographs contained in the book have been provided by world class photographer and car enthusiast Nick Dimbleby.
The book also includes the stories of two of the grandsons of the pioneering racers from the Brooklands era, including E. B. Ware, who was the JAP Experimental Department Manager and set many records in Morgans. There is a link between him and the pioneer of flight, A. V. Roe, and possibly Tim Birkin (Bentley Boy) who’s first car appears to be a Morgan three wheeler and very possibly the inspiration for his famous racing career.
This behind the-scenes look at the creation of Morgan’s three-wheeled Super 3 provides an insider’s perspective along with never-before-seen photographs and renderings that provide a rare glimpse into the world of design and engineering at Morgan. It reveals the challenges, inspirations and triumphs that shaped the Super 3.
The book opens with the foreword written by Morgan’s Chief Design Officer, Jonathan Wells, who says:
“For Morgan Motor Company, the Super 3 marked a pivotal moment – not just another eccentric three-wheeled vehicle in our lineup. It represents a bold new approach towards our design, blending our rich heritage with modern innovation to deliver an unrivalled motoring experience. Super 3’s unique aesthetic is a direct result of the collaborative effort involving designers, engineers, and the skilled craftsmen who make every Morgan special.”
He goes on to say that:
“Leading the design of the Morgan 3 was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my career.”
As you turn each page, you find yourself immersed in a comprehensive account of Morgan 3 Wheelers and the Super 3’s journey, celebrating these unique and exhilarating machines.
It begins by tracing the legacy of Morgan’s three-wheeled lineage, covering over a century of innovation from the first models in 1910, right up to today’s cutting-edge model, starting with the 1910 Runabout. A year later, the Runabout Standard was launched, followed by the Runabout De Luxe in 1912. Also, in the same year a Family Prototype was created as H.F.S. Morgan was getting requests for his cyclecars to carry more than two people.
By 1913 the De Luxe had a rear wheel cover added that partially hid the top of the rear wheel, preventing mud and horse muck spraying other road users and made it look less like a motorcycle. This year also saw the Sporting was introduced with different bodywork and a lower seating position, as a tribute to Morgan’s competition successes.
A year later a Commercial version was created, featuring a container over the rear wheel so that it could carry weights up to 90kg, making it the perfect vehicle for local delivery services and tradesmen.
In 1918 the Runabout continued as the base model but with doors available as well as an optional windscreen and fold up roof so as that the occupants were not so exposed to the elements. In the same year, Morgan introduced the Grand Prix so as to further enhance the marque’s competition pedigree.
Introduced in 1919 was a 4-Seater version that could carry upto 38 stone, which put a bit of a strain on the small 8hp engine. But it meant that two adults and two children or three adults could be accommodated.
In 1920 the Aero was introduced as a new model, available with twin Aero screens, whilst a year later the Standard Popular was re-introduced, capable of a top speed of 50mph, which was more than double the speed limit at the time.
Incredibly front brakes were still an option in 1923 and not even really fitted to competition models. But by 1927 the new Aero model was capable of speeds of upto 70mph and was fitted with a better flowing front wing. In the same year the Super Sports Aero was introduced as the new top of the range model with a lower chassis, underslung rear spring and a new front axle.
A family model was introduced in 1928 which had a rather clever interchangeable van body and by 1929 the bodywork now completely covered the rear wheel on the new Family model. Also, this year, a Sporting new two-seater model was launched replacing the Standard and De Luxe models.
A new shape of body was introduced in 1931 with a rounded bonnet, raked windscreen and new radiator with cycle wings. By 1933 a three speed transmission was available. A year later a new front-mounted 8hp Ford engine was available that sat in a new chassis, making the 4-seater F4 slightly larger. By 1935 engine choices now included a 10hp version of the Ford engine and by 1937 the demand was mainly for water-cooled engines.
Production resumed after World War II but as a result of the war, prices had almost doubled due to the shortage of materials. However, demand for three wheelers dropped after the war as people moved towards four wheeled cars, which Morgan were also producing. The following year the last few three-wheelers were assembled as kits by enthusiasts.
It was then in 2011 that Morgan decided to revive their legendary three-wheeler with the M3W that was inspired by the Super Sports Aero of 1927. It was a completely new model fitted with an 82bhp 2-litre V-Twin ‘X-Wedge’ S&S engine exposed up front, giving incredible performance with a power to weight ratio of 159bhp per tonne.
In 2014 Morgan developed two EV3 electric versions of their three-wheeler but they were unfortunately cancelled due to supplier issues with the powertrain.
In 2021 the 3-Wheeler P/101 was launched which was a run out of the unique and long-standing M3W. It was constructed with traditional craftsman based techniques and offered a choice of graphics and disc wheels. However, regulation changes meant that this was the end of the line for this particular model, making if a collector’s piece.
The following year a completely new model was constructed from the ground up, returning Morgan to its innovative roots with a Super formed aluminium monocoque structure and Ford engine mounted with the bodywork as before but with the suspension on a set of lightweight castings.
The book closes with the launch of a fully functioning experimental vehicle: the XP-1, in 2023, which was based on the Super 3 architecture but with a BEV drivetrain, moving Morgan’s electric technology forward with an important testbed for the future.
Super 3 – Design by Adventure is a must-read for car enthusiasts, fans, collectors and anyone just fascinated by the unique appeal of Morgan’s three-wheeled cars.
Publication date: 29th November 2024
UK price: £50.00
ISBN: ISBN: 978-1-7385-3261-2
Format: 210 x 297mm, Hardback
Pages: 260 pages in full colour on quality paper
Super 3 – Design by Adventure
By Andy Plumb
Published by Lead-in Design Limited
Super 3 – Design by Adventure is available from the publisher Lead-in Design, at the Morgan Motor Company Shop and Hatchards, priced at £50.00.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is a UK-based motoring and travel journalist and editor, a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and former saloon car racing driver.
Photographs courtesy of Morgan Motor Company and Lead-in-Design
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