Bill's delight as his identical Morgan three-wheeler is featured on The Simpsons - The Malvern Observer

Bill's delight as his identical Morgan three-wheeler is featured on The Simpsons

Malvern Editorial 25th May, 2016 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

A MORGAN car enthusiast has recalled the memorable day he went on a 1,000 mile round trip to get his hands on a rare and vintage three-wheeler – one completely identical to the one which featured in The Simpsons on American TV.

Bill Higginson from Hastings Road in Malvern owns a 1930s green Super Sports Morgan, which thousands of TV viewers across the pond saw Homer Simpson driving wildly in the streets of Springfield earlier this month.

Mr Higginson, 62, who works part-time as a Morgan Motor Company tour guide, recalled the moment he made the long trip to a farm in Inverness in Scotland from his former home in Evesham around 15 years ago on a cold winters day after hearing a rumour that one of the rare models was available to buy.

“I heard a rumour there was a vintage three-wheeler in Inverness – crazy I know but we decided to go,” he said.




“It was snowing while we on the way and remember thinking whether it was a good idea or not.

“When we got there we found it in bits and paid a few grand to take it home. I picked the parts up and then rebuilt it back at home. The trip was worth it at the end because we got what we came for.


“It’s a lovely car and drives really well, I’m proud to have it. Like any these cars they are very noisy but I’m fortunate to have nice neighbours who are very good to me.

“People say to me how small it is but what people don’t realise is that there were more small people back in those days.”

Mr Higginson, who has owned several Morgan cars in his lifetime, drives the three-wheeler occasionally around Worcestershire but said it was too valuable to use as a main everyday car.

“It’s invaluable and too precious to use every day and not ideal with the traffic that’s about these days,” he said.

The car reaches a top speed of around 65mph and are rarely available to buy. Anyone wishing to buy one would have to pay a figure of at least £25,000, possibly much more.

Mr Higginson said he was thrilled to see an animated version of the car, which he has stored in his garage for many years, on The Simpsons and said the clips of Homer driving the Morgan would live long in the memory for everyone associated with the company.

“It’s hard to believe that a Morgan car would feature on a show such as The Simpsons,” he added.

“It’s amazing how many people respect the Morgan brand all over the world. People come up to me and say ‘ooh is that a Morgan you’ve got?’”

Mr Higginson said it was a dream come true when he was given a job by the famous firm which is based on Pickersleigh Road.

“I couldn’t believe it when they offered me a job as a tour guide,” he added.

“It’s a great place to work and everyone there is so enthusiastic about the cars. I absolutely love it.

“Everyone in Malvern should go on the tour, it’s a fascinating insight into the work they do.”

Mr Higginson’s revelations came a week after the Observer reported Morgan bosses were ‘hugely flattered’ after the three-wheeler featured in one of the world’s most popular TV shows.

It is not yet known when the episode will be screened in the UK.

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