Crafted to pay homage to the peak of European barchetta styling, this exclusive release, limited to a mere 50 units, embodies the joint imagination of Morgan and Pininfarina. Together, they have reimagined and honored the enduring silhouette of Morgan.
Midsummer is a unique project by Morgan that highlights the versatility of their design and the impeccable craftsmanship of their artisans who meticulously shape each component of its distinct body. Built on Morgan’s newest CX-Generation Bonded Aluminium Platform, it also boasts a six-cylinder turbocharged engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.
Massimo Fumarola, CEO of Morgan Motor Company, expressed great pride in introducing Midsummer, a special project commemorating both two centuries of coachbuilding and the essence of Morgan’s core principles. This masterpiece truly demonstrates the unmatched craftsmanship of our skilled team.
“Midsummer is dedicated to enthusiastic individuals who will enjoy an unconventional, sensory, and analogue driving experience. By identifying and re-interpreting Morgan’s admired ideals, Midsummer turns our legacy into a charming, sophisticated, and timeless aesthetic.
“The success of Midsummer demonstrates what is possible through collaboration with like-minded individuals, and it has been both memorable and rewarding to work with Pininfarina to help bring this special project to life. Pininfarina, underpinned by an incredible legacy of coachbuilding and design, has introduced the latest design and visualisation expertise, as well as fresh ideas at a time when Morgan is on its own exciting journey.
“It has been a pleasure to welcome new and existing customers to see Midsummer ahead of the public reveal, and we have been overwhelmed by the positive reception achieved so far. This unique example of coachbuilding, which exists between art and design, goes to the heart of what Morgan does best. With two traditions, two cultures, and two hundred years of experience united by a deeply held belief in the principles of craftsmanship, that heart beats stronger than ever.”
A collaborative effort resulting in a coach-built masterpiece.
The partnership between Morgan and Pininfarina sprouted from a mutual goal of producing exclusive models using Morgan’s CX-Generation Bonded Aluminium Platform. These cars would showcase the iconic and varied designs Morgan is known for, while also pushing them forward. Through a fortuitous conversation between coworkers, the two companies discovered their shared history in coachbuilding and their passion for design. This led to the creation of Midsummer as a result of asking, “what if?”
The striking design of Midsummer is the product of intense collaboration, with hours dedicated to thoroughly exploring each brand. This involved educating all involved on the philosophy and story behind each company, as well as understanding their heritage, capabilities, home, and future intentions through reciprocal visits. The end result is a model that stays true to Morgan’s principles while also incorporating key elements of Pininfarina design for a touch of flair and purity.
The Morgan car has long been known for its distinct features: an exposure to the elements, a closeness to nature, and a raw connection to the machine. With its barchetta design, Midsummer brings these qualities to new heights. Using only top-notch materials and offering a truly visceral driving experience, Midsummer provides an unparalleled sensory journey.
Eccentric Elegance
The presence of Midsummer is most evident when viewed from the rear three-quarter angle, where its proportion, new surfacing, and shoulder line can be clearly seen. The delicate yet exaggerated proportions of Midsummer exude a unique elegance, reminiscent of iconic Pininfarina designs and evocative of an era of automotive design from the late 1930s and 1940s. The new surfacing on the front and rear wings provides a subtle preview of Morgan’s evolving design language. Additionally, Midsummer introduces a shoulder line to the instantly recognizable side profile of a Morgan, made possible by incorporating exposed wooden structures as one of the defining elements of its barchetta style.
Looking at the side profile, we can see the familiar Morgan wing shape with subtle variations in its lines. These changes were influenced by aerodynamic needs, particularly evident in the lifted areas in front of the wheels and their sharper angles, working to minimize turbulent air flow. The aerodynamic improvements are a result of Pininfarina’s expertise in this area. As shown on page 7, the Pininfarina Fuoriserie badge is placed on this panel. The unique Midsummer design features distinct front wings and nose that follow the wheel shape, staying true to our signature philosophy of simple primal geometry while setting it apart from other Morgan models.
Crafted solely for Midsummer, the forged 19-inch wheel boasts a weight of only 10 kilograms – a significant decrease of over three kilograms compared to its Plus Six counterpart. This reduction is the result of thorough finite element analysis and the decision to forge rather than cast the wheel. Despite its lightness, the wheel radiates an aura of strength and stability.
The vehicle’s wings are completed with hand-crafted stainless steel lower sills that enhance its overall volume and create an undercut effect. This design element draws inspiration from classic Pininfarina designs and the vehicle’s stainless steel finish allows it to blend in with its environment, as it reflects the surrounding colours.
Morgan’s latest signature headlight units, adorned with silver inserts, frame the iconic horseshoe grille at the front. The distinctive half-moon shape of the grille not only adds to its unique design, but also serves a functional purpose by guiding air through the aperture. Additionally, vertical vents on either side of the grille assist in promoting proper air flow and cooling.
The elongated rear tail of the car is crafted to highlight its sophistication. This element pays homage to the renowned Pininfarina designs, reminiscent of the sleek forms of the late 1930s and early 1940s. The addition of rear lights nestled in half-chamfered light pods further enhances its modern aesthetic.
The Morgan cockpit boasts a distinct view, with a lengthy bonnet leading the eye to the wing tops. This iconic feature provides drivers with a clear understanding of the front wheel placement, allowing for confident navigation through corners. In the Midsummer model, this hallmark remains, but with some subtle variations. The louvres on the bonnet, traditionally stamped lengthways, have been reinterpreted by Pininfarina as a series of elegant ‘piano keys’. These keys, hand-formed and placed widthways along the scuttle section of the bonnet, gracefully dance atop its aluminum surface. Not only do they add to the car’s beauty, but they also serve a practical purpose by allowing air to escape from the engine compartment.
Midsummer now boasts custom analogue dials, specially crafted for this model. These handcrafted dials are made in the UK and come in a soft off-white hue to complement the vehicle’s cozy aesthetic. With the implementation of these new dials, a complete electronic assessment was necessary. The steering wheel has also been redesigned and now boasts a centre made from solid forged aluminium. To top it off, Midsummer is equipped with a premium Sennheiser audio system that can be controlled directly from the dashboard.
Midsummer offers a raw and visceral driving experience, embodying the essence of Morgan sports cars. Its barchetta style intensifies this feeling, keeping occupants in tune with their surroundings and fully immersed in the present. With a target dry weight of 1,000kg, Midsummer boasts impressive agility. The inclusion of adjustable Nitron dampers, designed and built specifically for this model, further elevates its dynamic capabilities.
According to Jonathan Wells, Chief Design Officer at Morgan Motor Company, the Midsummer model showcases the iconic Morgan design while also highlighting the collaboration between Morgan and Pininfarina. It is a tribute to the art of coachbuilding and signifies a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.
Morgan takes great pride in the art of coachbuilding, bringing together creativity, technical prowess, and skilled craftsmanship to create immersive experiences in all aspects of our work. Our shared passion with Midsummer has enabled us to showcase these principles through a collaborative effort with a like-minded partner. Through enjoyable discussions, visits to each other’s workshops, and shared drives through the Malvern Hills in Morgan cars, our designers and the Pininfarina team wasted no time in developing initial concepts.
According to Felix Kilbertus, Pininfarina’s Chief Creative Officer, the development of the Midsummer was a collaborative journey between two renowned brands. Drawing on Morgan’s core identity and rich history, as well as their dedicated community of enthusiasts, the project allowed us to revisit our own roots in coachbuilding with a fresh perspective from a new generation of designers. The result is a stunningly sleek and proportioned roadster that embodies both Pininfarina’s forward-thinking approach and the timeless aesthetics of Italian design. From its aerodynamic features to its sculptural form, the Midsummer celebrates the joy of driving in a way that stays true to our brand’s legacy.
The two teams worked together harmoniously throughout the entire process, starting with brainstorming in an English pub and continuing with discussions over Italian coffee. They collaborated to perfect all aspects of design, utilizing Pininfarina’s extensive VR/AR expertise and traditional craftsmanship to create truly exceptional handcrafted automobiles.
Visible wood
The utilisation of wood in the exterior design of Midsummer is highly significant. Although Morgan sports cars commonly feature wood, it has primarily served as a support structure for the hand-crafted aluminum body panels. This has resulted in its concealment from sight.
The barchetta style of Midsummer offered a chance to use wood in order to highlight the cockpit’s perimeter and showcase Morgan’s skilled craftspeople. This choice was a tribute to Morgan’s longstanding connection with wood, which was an important request from Pininfarina from the beginning of the project.
Inspired by marine designs, the cabin is encircled by exquisitely carved wooden structures that form the desired shoulder line. Crafted by hand with premium and long-lasting teak, numerous layers of wood are meticulously layered together to construct each piece. Carefully chosen and no more than 0.6mm in thickness, every layer of teak is added with precision and care.
The teak sections of every vehicle are meticulously crafted, with a total of nine pieces per car. It takes over 30 hours to skillfully create each section, using a combined 83m2 of sustainably sourced teak. Of particular note are the dashboard tops, which consist of 126 layers of teak, and the door top sections, which have 120 layers each. This method of layering enhances the strength and durability of the wood in order to withstand external factors.
The visible wood elements not only showcase skilled workmanship and the beauty of natural materials, but also highlight Morgan’s advanced engineering approach.
Coachbuilding in the 21st century has evolved significantly compared to traditional methods. Modern technology and materials have transformed the process, resulting in innovative designs and increased efficiency. These advancements have revolutionized the industry, making it an exciting time for coachbuilding enthusiasts.
With Midsummer, Morgan has taken their signature combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology to new levels. This is evident not only within the vehicle itself, but also in the engineering process that will produce each of the 50 models. The pursuit of this bold design has required innovative solutions to overcome obstacles, many of which may go unnoticed. While Morgan and Pininfarina collaborated on the design of Midsummer, Morgan took the lead on engineering due to their distinctive production techniques.
During the evolution of Midsummer, Morgan’s accomplished craftsmen – who also had production line duties – closely collaborated with the engineering teams within the company. This approach is exclusively utilized by Morgan and can be seen in instances such as the use of advanced computer aided design (CAD) software, which incorporates insights from a carpenter with expertise in cabinet making or maritime work. Maintaining this equilibrium is not without difficulties.
Compared to other Morgan models, Midsummer boasts a higher number of hand-formed elements and a more intricate design. Crafting the hand-beaten aluminium body panels alone requires over 250 hours, resulting in a longer production time for each vehicle at Morgan’s Pickersleigh Road factory, set to begin in the third quarter of 2024.
Midsummer, also known as…
The name Midsummer has a two-fold inspiration. Firstly, it represents the peak of summer and the perfect opportunity to enjoy a ride in an open-top barchetta with ideal weather conditions. This tradition dates back to the neolithic era when the midpoint of summer marked various celebrations and customs.
Encompassed within the rich history of Morgan lies Midsummer Hill, a prominent location named after the solstice tradition. This hill is just one part of the expansive Malvern Hills, which have played an integral role in shaping the identity of Morgan. From their peaks, gazing to the west reveals Moreton Jeffries, where HFS Morgan was born in 1881. To the east sits Malvern College, where the initial Morgan car was conceived. And let us not forget Pickersleigh Road – the long-standing residence of Morgan since 1914.
Introducing the Pininfarina Fuoriserie – a one-of-a-kind masterpiece from the renowned design house.
The placement of the Pininfarina Fuoriserie emblem holds great significance. Found on the side of the vehicle, just behind the front wheels, this particular symbol serves as a clear representation of Midsummer’s exceptional standing.
Usually, Pininfarina vehicles will include the ‘Design by Pininfarina’ emblem. However, for Midsummer, Pininfarina opted to use their ‘Fuoriserie’ brand mark instead. This is significant as it marks the first time the brand has been applied to a production car in Pininfarina’s history. ‘Fuoriserie’, which means ‘out of series’, perfectly captures the unique and collaborative approach that contributed to the creation of Midsummer. It symbolizes its one-of-a-kind nature as a vehicle produced outside of the typical series.
Restricted Edition
Only 50 units of Midsummer will be created, all of which have been purchased during exclusive preview sessions. Each customer will receive personalized consultation with Morgan designers to customize their Midsummer. Through these innovative conversations, the unique vision of each customer will become a reality, making every Midsummer completely original. Production will take place in 2024 during Morgan’s 115th year and will end in 2025. If you are interested in becoming a customer for Morgan special projects, please submit your proposal to us. The first public appearance of Midsummer is expected to be at the July 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
I look forward to seeing this stunning vehicle in the flesh – a fan of art deco and styling of these cars, it will be a short lived run and no doubt will sell out quickly.
