Midsummer Speedster Limited Edition Vintage Car Introduced

SAUDI ARABIA : Morgan Motor Company and Pininfarina have introduced an exclusive two-seater barchetta named the ‘Midsummer’. This vehicle, built on the chassis of Morgan's Plus Size model, boasts a stunning new hand-crafted body, a collaboration of design excellence from both automakers.

This partnership between Morgan and Pininfarina celebrates their combined 200 years of coach-building expertise. The name Midsummer is inspired by Midsummer Hill, part of the Malvern Hills overlooking Morgan’s historic Pickersleigh Road factory, where the company has been crafting cars since 1914. Only 50 units of the Midsummer will be produced, all of which have already been sold to dedicated enthusiasts of the brand.The price of the Midsummer varies depending on the owner's specifications. The vehicle is powered by the same BMW-supplied 340hp straight-six engine as the standard Plus Six, delivering a 0-100kph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 267 kph, ensuring it retains impressive performance credentials. 

Production of the 50 Midsummer units will follow Morgan's established manufacturing process for its Plus models, with completion expected by early 2025. Despite the limited production, Morgan CEO Massimo Fumarola emphasised the company's broader goal of creating a series of limited-edition specials, a strategy initiated nearly three years ago with the Morgan CX-T, an overland adventure model.

Both Pininfarina and Morgan are eager to highlight the traditional coach-building skills showcased in the Midsummer. Many future owners have visited Malvern Link to view the prototype, engaging in personalised consultations with designers, including Morgan’s chief design officer Jonathan Wells, who has overseen the two-year project. These sessions allow buyers to customise their cars' equipment, colour, and trim specifications.

The Midsummer features a unique version of the esteemed body-side badge, marked Pininfarina Fuoriserie, indicating its bespoke design status. While it shares clear lineage with existing Morgan models, nearly every exterior detail has been reimagined or redeveloped.

A standout feature is the extensive use of sculpted and laminated teak mouldings around the cockpit, giving the car a distinct interior character and a refined exterior profile. Crafting these teak laminates, with each sheet composed of up to 120 layers no thicker than 0.6mm, takes about 30 hours.

Externally, familiar elements have been refreshed. The round headlights are larger, now incorporating indicators and daytime running lights, while the rear lights, exclusive to Morgan, have been simplified. The radiator features an aerodynamic shroud reminiscent of historic Morgan racing cars, and the long bonnet now sports horizontal air extraction louvres redesigned by Pininfarina. 

The aluminium front wings have been subtly reshaped to accommodate the larger headlights, enhancing the car’s purposeful stance and improving aerodynamics. The rear wings include a chamfered leading edge for better airflow, and a discreet diffuser under the rear counteracts lift at high speeds. Hand-formed stainless steel finishers along the sills add a touch of coach-built elegance, and the uniquely designed wheels help keep the vehicle’s dry weight under 1,000 kg.