Malvern College, a leading independent school and birthplace of the first Morgan motorcar, was the final pitstop for a special Centenary Scenic Run for the Morgan Three Wheelers on Sunday (19 April).

More than 150 Morgan cars of all descriptions drove into Malvern College; there were models ranging from the new AeroMax to the classic three wheelers dating from the 1930s.

For those who know and love the British hand-built sports car, the reason for the destination is obvious: Morgan was established in Malvern in 1909 and is where the family business still thrives today. 

Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan assembled the first prototype with the assistance of the Engineering master at Malvern College, William Stephenson-Peach – grandson of George Stephenson of locomotive and ‘Rocket’ fame.

Charles Morgan explained: “My grandfather, HFS Morgan met William J Stephenson-Peach, grandson of George Stephenson, when he was the Engineering Master at Malvern College. The pair used the facilities to create the prototype Morgan car, powered by a Peugeot V-twin engine that HFS had acquired.”

Antony Clark, Head of Malvern College, was delighted at the turnout. He said: “The relationship of Malvern and Morgan goes back a long way and we are thrilled to once again welcome back these superlative examples of British design and craftsmanship at its best, to our grounds. We are proud that our former Engineering Master and our workshops played a part in the history of a company which, looking here at the array of designs right up to its latest outstanding model, has a very strong future ahead of it.”

In front of the plaque stood a replica prototype Three Wheeler Morgan, lovingly created by Chris Booth, a member of the Three Wheeler Club and owner of 20 Morgans. He took three years to make the replica prototype – a testament to modern-day precision engineering and craftsmanship.

Chris who has a selection of his cars on display at his Kent museum, said: “We had the original idea at the AGM in 2001 where it was suggested that it would be great to have something for the Centenary year.  The first thing we had to do was find the Peugeot engine.  After that, I’ve had lots of help sourcing and making the parts.”

Sir Henry Every said at the time of the unveiling: “It is an honour to be asked to unveil a plaque at my old school.  This makes a double celebration, as it is the end of 100 years and marks the beginning of the next 100 years for this privately owned family business.

 “I started the run by waving the cars off with a Union flag that had travelled to North Africa and up the Italian Peninsula with the 51st Division; I thought the occasion was suitably deserving!  It was wonderful to be driven back to Malvern College where I spent some of my best days running in the hills.”