2009 Morgan Aero 8 Series 4

Released in 2000, the Aero 8 was Morgan’s first properly ‘new’ car since their financially underwhelming Plus 4 Plus of 1964, and personified the fabulous notion of traditional styling with modern underpinnings. Ditching Morgan’s tradition of using an aluminium-skinned wooden frame with a heavy steel chassis, the Aero 8 was revolutionary for both Morgan and the wider sports car world, as it featured an all-aluminium bonded chassis.

The design may have contained some traditional styling cues, but beneath the skin modernity had arrived with independent suspension all round utilising double wishbones and inboard dampers and AP Racing brakes. That specification meant the Aero 8 offered a huge step forward in terms of its driving dynamics, and the 286bhp BMW M62 4.4-litre V8 driving through a 6-speed Getrag gearbox, could propel it from 0-60mph in less than five seconds and on to a top speed of 160mph.

The Series 2 Aero 8 arrived in 2004 and offered more interior space, as well as more power from the N62 4.4-litre V8 which had been boosted to 333bhp and 450Nm torque, mated to an uprated gearbox. This variant soon morphed into the facelifted Series 3 which was most notable for the departure of the much criticised 'cross-eyed' headlights to be replaced by vertical units from the Mini.

The fourth generation of the Aero 8 was introduced in 2007 with motivation provided by BMW's 4.8-litre V8 (N62B48), the third new engine in the life of the model. The power unit now provided a healthy 362bhp and 370lb/ft of torque, representing a 13% increase over the Series 3 and the power to weight ratio of 315bhp per tonne was almost in 'supercar' territory. A first for the Aero 8 came in the form of an optional automatic transmission, the ZF 6HP26 6-speed offering even better performance than a manual gearbox due to its special lock-up clutch, low power-loss design and instant change characteristic.

In addition to these technical changes, a repositioned fuel tank (to improve the weight distribution), revised instrumentation (from cream dials with blue numerals to black with white), an increase in luggage space, revised air vents, a move to a conventional handbrake lever and air intakes and exits on the front wings distinguish the Series 4 Aero 8 from previous models.

The car presented here is a 2009 Morgan Aero 8 Series 4 automatic, first registered in March 2009, and ordered new in a very attractive two-tone (a £995 option) Black and Velvet Green finish, complemented by a stunning tan leather and turned aluminium interior with desirable extras including bonnet louvres, hard cover, leather-covered wheel top and cowl. Its comprehensive service history inspires confidence, with regular stamps in the accompanying service booklet right up until May 2025, only a few hundred miles ago. In great condition, this regularly driven and enjoyed Series 4 has covered just under 49,000 miles and is all the better for it as these cars perform so much better when regularly extended.

Only 178 Series 4 cars were built and we imagine that very few, if any, other cars were finished in this stylish colour combination. For all its advanced technology and motorsport pedigree, this is still a Morgan at heart, built using traditional techniques at their fascinating little factory in Malvern. As Morgan itself put it in the handbook for the Aero 8: ‘Your car is as individual as you are.’ Offering enticing value at this guide price, there is much to recommend this rather handsome British sports car.