Built in Ireland: Des McCracken’s 1937 Leinster Trophy Winning Morgan 4/4 | Season 4 – Episode 52
Wheels Jul 16, 2024
In April 1937 Gorman Brothers Garage, located at the corner of Upper Rathmines Road and Maxwell Road in Dublin, imported the first Morgan 4/4 “Completely Knocked Down” CKD kit car to be assembled in Ireland. The Irish Free State Government CKD scheme was as an attempt to build up local light industry. Chassis, bodies and drivetrains were imported duty-free with tyres, interiors, glass etc. sourced locally.
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Known for their V-twin 3-Wheeler, the Morgan 4/4 (four wheels, four cylinders) was its first four-wheeler and remained in production up to 2018. Equipped with a 1,122cc Coventry Climax engine producing 34 bhp, the 4/4 had a rail frame chassis with an ash chassis and steel body panels. Chassis number ‘265’ was given the Dublin registration ZC1176.
Four Morgan 4/4’s were assembled by Gorman’s in 1937 and three were entered into the 1937 Leinster Trophy at Tallaght. They were driven by R.E. Campbell and Freddie Smyth from Belfast, and Dublin law student Des McCracken who had won the 1935 Chuairt Bhré “Round the Houses” in a Frazer Nash.
The handicappers at Tallaght were generous to the Morgan entries and they were all assigned the limit handicap of 5 laps and 2 minutes with starting positions 30-32 out of a total of 33 entrants.
The Morgan 4/4s took an early lead and at one point looked set for a 1-2-3 finish. However, on the last lap, Smyth hit the Templeogue Bridge and immediately retired. Campbell in third was slowed by a misfire and finished 5th.
This left McCracken alone in first place from the MG of RD Cox and the CMY Special of Dave Yule in third He had several more successes with the Morgan placing 5th at the Phoenix Park and the GVB Trials Cup.
Des McCracken was born c. 1913 and was educated at Wesley College and Trinity College Dublin. A solicitor, he practiced on Grafton Street until his death in 1967. He appeared older than his mid-20s when he won at Bray and Tallaght and was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1938. He sold the Morgan 4/4 to motorcycle ace Stanley Woods who campaigned it successfully in 1939.
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After World War II, ZC1176 was sold and disappeared until 1990 when it was discovered in England. It was sold again in 2001 to Channel Islands millionaire Tom Scott who completed a frame-off restoration bring the car back to its original green paintjob. Scott died in 2012 and his entire collection, including the Morgan, is being auctioned by Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed meeting.
It is hoped that some deep-pocketed Irish enthusiast will bring the famous McCracken Morgan 4/4 back home.
Story by Brian Manning
Brian, a biotechnology professional and motorsports enthusiast, officiated his 40th Formula One event at the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. His interest in motor racing history led him to identify errors in the Leinster Trophy’s record. He received the 2023 RIAC Dudley Reynolds Award for preserving Irish motor racing history. Brian moved from Dublin in 1992, lived in Paris and London, and settled in the USA in 1996. He lives in New Jersey with his wife Amy and their children, Andrea and David.
Photo and Video Credits:
British Pathé
1, 16, 27 – Michael Connaughton
4-8, 17-20 – Brian Manning Collection
2, 2b, 3, 9, 9b, – RIAC Archive
11, 12, 14, 21-26 – Irish Times
10 – MotorSport Magazine
13 – Bonhams Auctions
