Morgan Motor Company has unveiled the Midsummer Coupé, a fixed-head special commission that the company describes as one of the most technically ambitious projects in its history. The prototype shown today, referred to internally as the "artists' proof," will serve as the design and engineering reference for nine client commissions to follow.
The car originated from a single client request. Following the launch of the open-top Midsummer in 2024, a customer approached Morgan with the idea of a coupé version of the concept. That proposal developed into the project unveiled today, and interest from other clients led Morgan to commit to a total of nine commissions, each to be individually specified.
Design
The exterior was developed in collaboration with Pininfarina, continuing the partnership formed during the original Midsummer project. The brief called for more than an enclosed roof: Morgan and Pininfarina worked to introduce a new roofline, revised proportions and a more resolved silhouette while keeping the character of the original barchetta recognisable.
Visual details carried over from Midsummer include polished stainless-steel lower body panels and a centre-line stainless graphic running from the bonnet to the rear. The Coupé also introduces new elements, including a machined-aluminium beltline that integrates the door handle, a drop-glass side-window system in place of Morgan's usual detachable sidescreens, and a set of 19-inch forged aluminium wheels described by Morgan as its most detailed wheel design to date. The prototype's interior makes extensive use of teak, along with materials Morgan said were drawn from marine applications, though future commissions may use alternative wood finishes.
The car carries the Pininfarina Fuoriserie badge — used for vehicles built outside Pininfarina's standard design programme — rather than the more common "Design by Pininfarina" mark.
Engineering
The Midsummer Coupé is built on Morgan's CXV-generation bonded-aluminium platform and retains compatibility with the BMW B58 "O1" engine used in the recently launched Supersport 400. Morgan said the fixed-roof structure required new engineering solutions not present on its open-top models, including billet-machined aluminium A-pillars, bonded structural glazing and a stressed-skin aluminium body that contributes to the car's overall rigidity.
According to Morgan, bonding the windscreen directly to the body — rather than using a rubber seal, as on its other models — reduces peak structural stresses in key areas by around 50%. The roof glass is similarly bonded into the structure. Despite the added structure, Morgan said the car weighs only 2.5% more than a Supersport fitted with a hardtop.
Production
Each car is built using a mix of traditional coachbuilding and digital production methods. Morgan said the centre body is hand-formed from flat aluminium sheet using English wheels, with panels shaped to close enough tolerances to minimise the need for filler material. Joining methods include filler-free TIG welding and countersunk solid aluminium rivets. Morgan said each body is assembled on a laser-scanned surface table accurate to 0.3mm, with digital measurement used throughout assembly alongside manual finishing by hand.
The car's wood frame, including laminated wheel arches and machined ash components, is described by Morgan as load-bearing, helping transfer structural loads alongside the aluminium body and contributing to noise damping.
Commissions and display
Each of the nine client cars will be developed individually, with owners working directly with Morgan's design team on colours, materials and trim. Morgan said it will begin building the first client commission shortly, with details of individual cars to be released over time.
The prototype will be placed on display at the Louwman Collection in The Hague before client deliveries begin.