England’s Morgan Motor Company got its start 101 years ago, building three-wheeled cyclecars that were both frugal (they were taxed like motorcycles, but seated two in relative comfort) and sporting (they achieved trials and hillclimb successes, and were the foundation of the Morgan sports car legend). The introduction of the four-wheeled 4/4 in 1936 opened the automaker up to a new and more affluent market, but the “trike,” or SuperSports as it was officially named, remained in production until 1952.
This car was recalled in charming fashion by the 2009 SuperSports Junior, the Morgan-authorized 2/3-scale pedal car designed for children aged 6 through 13. This fantastic recreation was limited to 500 units, and was built in the Malvern Link factory using real aluminum coachwork with hand-formed louvers and an optional leather seat. It was geared with three forward speeds, and it had a cranked pedal design like a recumbent bicycle. The cost? Approximately $3,400.
Morgan had recently sold the design license to build its real three-wheelers to Seattle, Washington’s Liberty Motors. This American firm has taken the concept and expanded upon it to create their stunning American Cycle-car Endeavor, or the ACE cycle-car.
Cycle-Car images courtesy Liberty Motors
The Ace Cycle-Car is made with state-of-the-art materials and techniques, and is powered by a modern Harley-Davidson V-twin engine.
PistonHeads has followed up on a report in England’s Daily Telegraph that recently reported that Morgan is now licensing back its own design, and will begin producing a limited series of SuperSport trikes, powered by locally-assembled V-twin engines, to further commemorate the automaker’s centenary.
For a company that is famous for keeping one foot in the past – and with their recent Lifecar and EvaGT concepts, another in the future – this is a truly unique “retro” concept!