Among the planet’s diverse animal species, there are some creatures that fill us with wonder, and not because of their size, beauty, or intelligence. Rather, these outliers are so bizarre as to have us question how—and why—they exist at all. Consider, for instance, the lungfish or the platypus. Well, the Morgan Super 3 is their automotive equivalent.
This vehicular tripod is technically a cycle car, in the spirit of Morgan’s first product from 1910, introduced to benefit U.K. drivers who couldn’t afford to buy and license a four-wheel automobile. It took Morgan until 1936 to add a proper fourth wheel, but in the meantime, its three-wheeled models established a strong reputation in motorsport and among the motoring public.
Morgan’s first three-wheeler since 1953 came out in 2012. Made until 2018, it was powered by an exposed S&S V-twin engine (think Harley-Davidson), and was both primitive and viscerally exhilarating. Starting at $47,774, the Super 3, launched in 2022 but just now available stateside, is an entirely different animal, replacing the noisy air-cooled V-twin with a Ford 1.3-liter engine, mounted longitudinally aft of the front wheels. Water-cooled and naturally aspirated, the mill develops 118 hp and delivers 110 ft lbs of torque—a pretty favorable power-to-weight ratio considering the Super 3 is a 1,400-pound machine. The transmission is Mazda’s bulletproof and butter-smooth five-speed manual. Rear-wheel drive is by means of a shaft, scooting the Super 3 from zero-to-60 mph in about 7.0 seconds. As for top speed, that’s claimed to be 130 mph, although unverified by this writer. Both the floor pan and body are made of Superform aluminum, which means no more termite jokes, as there’s no wood to be found on the Super 3, unlike every previous Morgan from day one.
Once ensconced in the cockpit, driver and passenger make fast friends as it’s far from roomy. We drove the Super 3 Malle Rally Special (priced at $75,660), an edition built in collaboration with Malle London, makers of motorcycle luggage, apparel, and adventure accessories, with which the Special is equipped. The car’s beetle-back design, amplified by the Safari Yellow paint job, turned more heads than most supercars on our drive along Pacific Coast Highway. As for cargo space, the Super 3 features flat panels (called “side blades”) that run along the body, adapted for capacious luggage.
Looking over short, yellow-tinted windscreens, occupants are seated low, and the driver must rely on the hood and front fenders as reference points when piloting the vehicle. This is a no-frills roadster. The seats are comfortable but non-adjustable, the pedal box moves to accommodate most drivers. With no top or side curtains, the model offers unlimited visibility, but the subsequent exposure can be unsettling for those new to the three-wheel configuration.
Ventilated disc brakes on all three wheels are tenacious and linear in their application, which is reassuring in a small, lightweight vehicle that maneuvers quickly. That maneuverability is what allows motorcycle-quick directional changes. Acknowledging a kinship of sorts, motorcyclists gave frequent thumbs-up to the Morgan, claiming the three-wheeler as one of their own. And driving the Super 3 is akin to riding a well-equipped touring bike, with the added comfort and stability afforded by the semi-enclosed bodywork.
Things that cannot be ignored in any three-wheeled conveyance are potholes, since straddling these requires careful aim to avoid an unwelcome clunk. The suspension, while compliant and not too stiff, can loosen teeth if a wheel takes a pothole full steam ahead. And at speeds greater than 60 mph, the nominal windscreens do little to deflect the blast of air, and pilot and passenger are advised to wear goggles or a helmet.
It’s certainly not for everyone, but for those who’ve hung up their motorcycle jacket in recent years, the Super 3 might just be reason enough to haul it out of the back of the closet and take up “cycling” once again.
Click here for more photos of the Morgan Super 3.
