H F S Morgan's first three-wheeler of 1910 coincided with an upsurge of interest in cyclecars.

Of simple construction with front-mounted motorcycle engine and two-speed chain transmission, the Morgan was light, fast and economical to run.

V-twin engines from a wide variety of manufacturers were employed, including Blackburne, MAG and British Anzani, though those from J A Prestwich predominated.

Its superior power-to-weight ratio enabled Morgan's humble, three-wheeled cyclecar to outperform many a larger-engined four-wheeler, and its maker was not slow to capitalise on his creation's competition potential.

A Gold Medal in the 1911 London-Exeter-London Reliability Trial with Morgan himself driving was followed by victory in the inaugural cyclecar race at Brooklands the following year, Harry Martin taking the chequered flag three minutes ahead of the field.

Racetrack successes undoubtedly encouraged Morgan sales but by the early 1930s increasing competition from cheap light cars prom...