Morgan unveils exclusive Midsummer Coupé, a bold new expression of contemporary coachbuilding
28-06-2026 10:05 - EVENTS
Introducing Midsummer Coupé, a landmark special commission and defining chapter in Morgan’s coachbuilding evolution. More than a new model, Midsummer Coupé demonstrates the expanding capability of Morgan Motor Company, combining advanced engineering, contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship in one of the most ambitious commissions ever undertaken at Pickersleigh Road.
Morgan will coachbuild nine Midsummer Coupé client commissions in total. Revealed today, the prototype – known internally as the ‘artists’ proof’ – serves as the design, engineering and craftsmanship reference for the project. It will be followed by nine highly bespoke commissions, each developed individually through an intimate commissioning process with a significant degree of personalisation and tailored detail. Together, they represent some of the most personal and technically advanced commissions Morgan has ever created.
Midsummer Coupé owes its existence to the vision of a single client. Following the unveiling of Midsummer in 2024, the client approached Morgan with the idea of creating a fixed-head interpretation of the concept. Working in close collaboration, Morgan’s design and engineering teams developed the proposal into a fully realised vehicle. The strength of the concept soon led to a further eight commissions, each to be developed as a unique expression of Midsummer Coupé, and serves as a testament to Morgan’s unique ability to turn a client’s vision into reality.
The project also continues the creative collaboration between Morgan and Pininfarina, whose designers worked extensively alongside Morgan’s design team throughout the design phase of Midsummer Coupé. Building on the relationship established during the creation of Midsummer in 2024, the partnership supported the exploration of proportion, surfacing and the distinct fixed-head identity that defines the project.
Midsummer Coupé also marks an important milestone in the development of Morgan’s special projects programme. Rooted in the company’s longstanding tradition of creating exclusive, low-volume commissions and special vehicles, the programme provides the freedom to explore new ideas, develop new coachbuilding techniques and create highly bespoke cars in extremely limited numbers. As Morgan continues to invest in its design, engineering and manufacturing expertise, projects such as Midsummer Coupé demonstrate the breadth of what is now possible.
Midsummer Coupé represents the culmination of the original Midsummer concept, which began with the unveiling of Midsummer in May 2024. Limited to 50 examples, Midsummer reinterpreted and celebrated the timeless Morgan silhouette as an open barchetta, demonstrating the flexibility of Morgan’s design and coachbuilding capabilities. Conceived as both a celebration of Morgan’s craft and an exploration of what its coachbuilding philosophy could become, Midsummer provided the foundation for a new generation of bespoke commissions.
Whilst Midsummer Coupé presents a fixed-head expression of the Midsummer design philosophy, it goes far beyond simply enclosing the original concept. Creating a distinct fixed-head identity enabled Morgan’s designers to explore new proportions and develop a more resolved interpretation of the Midsummer theme, with greater visual tension and a stronger sense of purpose. Achieving this required substantial structural engineering and development, with the roof, glazing and aluminium body conceived as an integrated vehicle architecture from the outset. The result is a car that advances the original concept both aesthetically and technically, representing the most complete expression of the Midsummer vision.
“Midsummer Coupé began with a conversation. A client came to us with an idea and, rather than asking how closely we could meet that brief, we asked ourselves how far we could take it. Special projects like this bring together the same designers, engineers and craftspeople who create every Morgan sports car, giving them the opportunity to apply their skills in different ways. Working closely with each client, they explore new ideas, refine new techniques and continue to develop the knowledge that defines Morgan coachbuilding today. Only nine clients will own a Midsummer Coupé, but the impact of the project extends far beyond those commissions and experiences. Every challenge we overcome, every technique we develop and every lesson we learn strengthens Morgan's ability to bring to life distinctive and joyful sports cars.”- Matthew Hole, Managing Director, Morgan Motor Company
The Shape of Midsummer Coupé
Midsummer Coupé’s striking design is the result of an intensive collaboration between Morgan and Pininfarina. The continuation of the two companies working together follows the successful introduction of Midsummer in 2024.
The brief for this special commission was clear. It was not simply about adding a roof. Instead, the ambition was to evolve the concept into something entirely new while preserving the character, proportions and sense of occasion that defined Midsummer, whilst introducing a greater sense of drama.
The fixed-head design introduces a third line to the vehicle’s silhouette. The addition of the roofline allows dramatically different proportions and a more resolved overall form, fundamentally changing the character of the car whilst remaining unmistakably Midsummer.
The initial development process was conducted digitally, allowing proportion, surfacing and structural themes to be explored and refined before the coachbuilding process began. Between the teams in Malvern and Cambiano, countless iterations were developed across several key themes, each challenging established assumptions and testing new possibilities. The resulting design is the product of this shared exploration, arriving at a destination that neither studio would have reached independently.
The new roofline defines the character of Midsummer Coupé. Viewed from the high rear three-quarter, the dramatic silhouette is revealed in full, with an expansive glazed canopy creating a light and airy cabin while emphasising the car’s sweeping proportions. The roof transitions seamlessly into the rear bodywork through a sculpted structure, creating a continuous surface that draws the eye from the A-pillar to the trailing edge of the vehicle. This flowing treatment gives Midsummer Coupé a sense of visual tension and movement, even when stationary.
The roof was never conceived as a purely stylistic addition. Instead, it was designed to enhance the ownership experience, bringing greater refinement, practicality and year-round usability whilst shaping the distinctive character of the vehicle. Full weather sealing and effective climate control support the car’s touring credentials, ensuring comfort across a wide range of conditions.
In profile, the relationship between the roof structure, glazing and body side becomes most apparent. The geometry from the A-pillar rearwards echoes the visual language of the front wings, creating a sense of continuity throughout the vehicle and reinforcing the coherence of the overall form.
The increased door height creates the opportunity for a defined beltline, machined from solid aluminium and incorporating the door handle within its structure. This feature introduces a technical precision that contrasts with the flowing body surfaces, reflecting the interplay between craftsmanship and engineering that defines Midsummer Coupé.
The side-window graphic draws inspiration from Italian sports cars of the 1960s. Framed by the fixed outer glazing, the drop-window system allows the profile to remain clean and uninterrupted whilst contributing to the distinctive character of the fixed-head design.
Along the lower body, polished stainless-steel panels provide a direct visual link to the original Midsummer barchetta, creating continuity between the two commissions while emphasising the coachbuilt nature of the bodywork.
The 19-inch forged aluminium wheels are Morgan’s most intricate wheel design to date. Their highly detailed form introduces a greater level of visual sophistication, whilst the combination of polished and painted finishes creates opportunities for further personalisation. The prototype features a chrome centre cap paired with a contrasting painted outer section, previewing the breadth of bespoke finishes that will be explored across the nine commissions that follow.
From the rear, the central stainless-steel graphic becomes most apparent. Emerging from the bonnet centre strip and continuing uninterrupted along the centreline of the vehicle, it flows between the glazed canopy and across the boot before terminating above the Morgan wings. Mirrored within the interior, this feature creates a visual connection between the exterior and cabin, while providing a unifying theme throughout the design.
A key requirement of Midsummer Coupé was to maintain touring capability central to the driving experience. This is supported by an expansive boot compartment, designed to accommodate fitted luggage and encourage longer journeys.
For the cabin, the designers at Morgan and Pininfarina sought to retain the sense of connection and openness that defined the original Midsummer barchetta, while introducing the comfort, refinement and practicality afforded by a fixed-head structure. Through carefully considered materials, many inspired by marine applications, and an elevated approach to finish, Midsummer Coupé introduces a new level of interior craftsmanship.
The glazed roof floods the cabin with natural light, creating an environment that feels open, spacious and inviting. Teak has been used extensively throughout the interior, creating a continuous visual theme that references one of the defining elements of the original Midsummer barchetta. Whilst teak features on the launch commission, future commissions may explore alternative timber finishes to create their own distinct character.
Intricate details combine to create an interior that is both tactile and purposeful, where every element feels precisely engineered whilst contributing to a cohesive whole. Morgan’s newly developed aluminium gear selector is finished with a delicate teak inlay. The window switches are mounted within the roof structure, transforming a functional interaction into a distinctive feature. Teak-inlaid sun visors and a rear-view mirror are mounted to a solid aluminium rail that spans the width of the cabin, reinforcing the architectural character of the interior.
Beyond its dramatic proportions and carefully resolved details, Midsummer Coupé provides a canvas for individual expression. Each of the nine commissions that follow will reflect the vision of its owner, ensuring every car is a unique interpretation of the concept and a true one-off.
“Midsummer Coupé represents the culmination of an extraordinary creative journey. What began as a celebration of coachbuilding, craftsmanship and collaboration has evolved into one of the most ambitious and rewarding projects we’ve ever undertaken. Working alongside the team at Pininfarina, together with our own designers and engineers, has been both a privilege and immensely rewarding. Midsummer Coupé marks the closing chapter of that remarkable collaboration, but it also represents a defining moment in Morgan’s coachbuilding story. What makes this project special, however, is the people who commission it. Each of the nine Midsummer Coupés will emerge from a close creative partnership with our designers, engineers and craftspeople, resulting in nine completely individual interpretations of the same vision. For us, that is the ultimate expression of coachbuilding. Midsummer Coupé demonstrates what Morgan is capable of today and opens the door to a future defined by exceptional commissions, meaningful collaborations and some of the most ambitious projects in our history. The journey is only just beginning.”- Jonathan Wells, Chief Design Officer, Morgan Motor Company
A New Vehicle Architecture
Creating a fixed-head interpretation of Midsummer required significant structural development and a fundamentally new approach to body integration. The introduction of a fixed-head design created opportunities to increase structural rigidity while also demanding new engineering and construction solutions.
Central to this was the development of a new structural architecture incorporating billet-machined aluminium A-pillars, bonded structural glazing and countersunk riveted construction. The A-pillars carry roof loads into the front structure while providing precise mounting points for the doors and side-window system. Together, these elements allow the roof structure and glazing to contribute to the overall rigidity of the vehicle, increasing stiffness compared with the underlying Midsummer and Supersport architecture.
The fixed-head structure was engineered so that each major element performs multiple functions. The roof forms part of a stressed-skin construction, increasing rigidity while enhancing the vehicle’s distinctive proportions and everyday usability. Despite the addition of the fixed roof structure, Midsummer Coupé remains remarkably light, weighing just 2.5% more than a Supersport fitted with a hardtop.
Unlike other Morgan sports cars, where a rubber seal retains the glazing, the windscreen on Midsummer Coupé is bonded directly to the aluminium body structure. This allows the glass to contribute to the vehicle’s rigidity, helping distribute loads more evenly through the aluminium structure and reducing peak stresses in key areas by around 50%.
The fixed glass roof is also bonded directly into the aluminium structure, allowing it to contribute to stiffness and load distribution as part of the fixed-head architecture. This approach reflects the broader engineering philosophy behind Midsummer Coupé, where each major component is designed to support multiple objectives, whether structural performance, refinement or usability.
The side-window system was developed specifically for the fixed-head body, increasing refinement while contributing to the rigidity of the upper structure. Instead of the detachable sidescreens used on other Morgan sports cars, Midsummer Coupé features drop windows. An outer glass section, approximately 100mm wide, forms part of the side-window assembly, allowing the drop glass to sit within the overall glazed area while preserving the slim profile of the door and the purity of the fixed-head silhouette.
The CXV-Generation bonded-aluminium platform provided the foundation for the project. Developed to support Morgan’s latest generation of sports cars, its strength, low mass and inherent flexibility created the opportunity to explore an entirely new fixed-head architecture whilst retaining compatibility with the BMW B58 'O1' powertrain — as featured in Morgan’s recently launched Supersport 400 model.
The platform’s advanced construction allowed the new upper body structure to be integrated without compromising the lightweight philosophy that defines every Morgan. This combination of structural capability and design freedom enabled the development of a vehicle that remains true to Morgan’s core principles whilst exploring new levels of refinement, usability and engineering sophistication.
Engineering and design are closely integrated throughout Midsummer Coupé. Every major structural element was developed not only to satisfy technical requirements, but also to support the vehicle’s proportions, character and intended use. The result is a car in which architecture, aesthetics and function are inseparable.
Contemporary Coachbuilding
Midsummer Coupé represents a significant development in Morgan’s coachbuilding expertise, bringing together the skills, materials and manufacturing techniques behind some of the company’s most individual commissions. Creating each of the nine vehicles requires a hybrid manufacturing approach that combines traditional craft with advanced engineering and production methods.
At the heart of the project is a centre body hand-formed from flat aluminium sheet. Morgan’s craftsmen and women use English wheels to shape the material with the precision required to create highly resolved surfaces that require only minimal finishing prior to paint. Each body requires hundreds of hours of hand-forming and preparation, reflecting the intensive nature of the process.
Unlike a traditional decorative body panel, the aluminium skin of Midsummer Coupé forms part of the car’s structure. This means every panel must be shaped with exceptional precision, balancing the requirements of both craftsmanship and engineering. Craftspeople wheel the panels with sufficient accuracy to minimise body filing and material removal, preserving the thickness required for the stressed-skin construction whilst maintaining the quality of the finished surface.
The stressed aluminium panels operate well within material limits, with peak loads reaching approximately 30% of the material’s yield strength. This margin allows the panels to perform a structural role, yet remain suitable for the hand-forming techniques that define Morgan coachbuilding.
Delivering the car’s extensive double-curvature surfaces and highly complex handmade structures requires a combination of traditional fabrication skills and modern joining techniques. Morgan’s craftsmen and women use TIG welding without filler material to achieve exceptional accuracy and a clean surface finish.
Where riveting is required, solid aluminium rivets are double-countersunk into the skin, creating the potential for a near-seamless finish, preserving the integrity of the structure.
The use of solid aluminium rivets combines a technique dating back to pre-war aircraft manufacturing with the precision required for a contemporary stressed-skin vehicle. Together, these methods allow complex forms to be created with the material honesty and attention to detail that define Morgan coachbuilding.
Digital scanning and laser measurement are utilised throughout assembly, allowing the handmade structure to be checked continuously against the CAD reference. Each Midsummer Coupé body is assembled on a precision surface table that is laser-scanned to ensure an accuracy of 0.3mm across its length.
This approach allows components to be refined throughout assembly yet still maintaining alignment to the digital model. Digital measurement provides the reference, but the final surface quality relies on the judgement and experience of Morgan’s artisans, who refine each panel by eye against templates and reference forms.
The creation of each Midsummer Coupé brings together the expertise of craftspeople, engineers and specialists across Morgan Motor Company, reflecting the collaborative nature of the project and the breadth of skills required to realise each commission.
The car’s wooden body frame also forms part of the load-bearing structure, combining laminated wheel arches, machined ash and high-strength components to help transfer loads from the lower structure into the aluminium body and roof. The use of wood also brings an acoustic benefit, with its natural damping properties helping to reduce aluminium panel resonance.
In this way, the fixed-head structure brings together aluminium, glass and wood within a single load path, reflecting Morgan’s ability to apply traditional materials in a contemporary engineering context. It is an approach that could only come from a company whose understanding of these materials has been developed and refined over generations.
Inside the cabin, handmade laminated wood panels, constructed from multiple veneers each approximately 0.6mm thick, are hand-fitted to every vehicle. Carefully controlled light lines allow concealed illumination to reveal the depth and character of the material. Each laminated component is matched to the surrounding bodywork and trim, reinforcing the level of craftsmanship required throughout the project.
The project also supports Morgan’s continued investment in specialist coachbuilding, creating opportunities for the next generation of craftsmen and women to develop their expertise alongside experienced colleagues. Across the programme, countless hours will be dedicated to training, development and knowledge transfer, helping ensure these skills continue to evolve.
Beyond the nine commissions themselves, Midsummer Coupé provides a framework for the considered exploration of techniques and processes that may inform future Morgan products, demonstrating how the company’s coachbuilding expertise continues to evolve.
Pininfarina Fuoriserie
The application of the Pininfarina Fuoriserie emblem is a significant detail, positioned behind the front wheels as an immediate expression of Midsummer Coupé’s unique status.
Vehicles designed by Pininfarina typically feature the ‘Design by Pininfarina’ emblem. For Midsummer Coupé, Pininfarina has again selected its ‘Fuoriserie’ brand mark, reflecting the distinctive nature of the project and the collaborative approach behind its creation.
Meaning ‘out of series’, Fuoriserie denotes a vehicle produced beyond conventional production programmes. Its application to Midsummer Coupé continues a relationship first established with Midsummer, reinforcing the model’s position as a highly individual commission created through the combined expertise of Morgan and Pininfarina.
The Client Journey
The client sits at the centre of each Midsummer Coupé commission. Every project begins with a highly personal brief and develops through an ongoing dialogue between the client and Morgan.
Beyond the shared body architecture, each of the nine commissions will be materially distinct. Morgan’s design team works closely with each client to develop a cohesive vision across colours, leathers, wood finishes and bespoke details, ensuring every vehicle reflects the personality and preferences of its owner.
This one-to-one creative process allows Morgan to develop a deep understanding of each client’s aspirations, translating them into tailored details and individual interpretations of the vehicle. The result is a collection of cars that share a common foundation, yet are entirely unique in their execution.
Shaping the Future
Morgan’s special projects programme builds upon the company’s longstanding tradition of creating highly exclusive, low-volume commissions and one-off vehicles. It provides a framework through which deeply personal projects can be conceived and realised in close collaboration with clients.
Operating alongside Morgan’s production vehicle programmes, special projects create opportunities to explore ideas, materials and manufacturing techniques that may not be possible within a traditional production environment. In doing so, they help develop the skills, knowledge and expertise that underpin both current and future Morgan vehicles.
Midsummer Coupé demonstrates the potential of this approach, bringing together contemporary coachbuilding, advanced engineering and individual commissioning within a single project, whilst providing a glimpse of what future special projects may become.
The Nine Commissions
Midsummer Coupé brings together the central principles of Morgan’s special projects programme: contemporary coachbuilding, craftsmanship and close client collaboration.
The prototype revealed today establishes the reference point for the nine commissions that follow, each one developed in close partnership with its owner. Morgan will shortly begin handcrafting the first client commission, with further details of each vehicle to be revealed in due course.
The prototype will join the Louwman Collection in The Hague, where it will be displayed as part of one of the world's most significant collections of historic automobiles. Its inclusion reflects the importance of the project as a contemporary expression of coachbuilding and provides the public with an opportunity to experience the vehicle before the first of the nine client commissions begins taking shape at Morgan's Pickersleigh Road workshops.
Together, the nine commissions represent the next chapter in Morgan’s approach to bespoke vehicle creation, demonstrating how the company’s coachbuilding tradition continues to evolve whilst remaining true to its core principles.
Morgan will coachbuild nine Midsummer Coupé client commissions in total. Revealed today, the prototype – known internally as the ‘artists’ proof’ – serves as the design, engineering and craftsmanship reference for the project. It will be followed by nine highly bespoke commissions, each developed individually through an intimate commissioning process with a significant degree of personalisation and tailored detail. Together, they represent some of the most personal and technically advanced commissions Morgan has ever created.
Midsummer Coupé owes its existence to the vision of a single client. Following the unveiling of Midsummer in 2024, the client approached Morgan with the idea of creating a fixed-head interpretation of the concept. Working in close collaboration, Morgan’s design and engineering teams developed the proposal into a fully realised vehicle. The strength of the concept soon led to a further eight commissions, each to be developed as a unique expression of Midsummer Coupé, and serves as a testament to Morgan’s unique ability to turn a client’s vision into reality.
The project also continues the creative collaboration between Morgan and Pininfarina, whose designers worked extensively alongside Morgan’s design team throughout the design phase of Midsummer Coupé. Building on the relationship established during the creation of Midsummer in 2024, the partnership supported the exploration of proportion, surfacing and the distinct fixed-head identity that defines the project.
Midsummer Coupé also marks an important milestone in the development of Morgan’s special projects programme. Rooted in the company’s longstanding tradition of creating exclusive, low-volume commissions and special vehicles, the programme provides the freedom to explore new ideas, develop new coachbuilding techniques and create highly bespoke cars in extremely limited numbers. As Morgan continues to invest in its design, engineering and manufacturing expertise, projects such as Midsummer Coupé demonstrate the breadth of what is now possible.
Midsummer Coupé represents the culmination of the original Midsummer concept, which began with the unveiling of Midsummer in May 2024. Limited to 50 examples, Midsummer reinterpreted and celebrated the timeless Morgan silhouette as an open barchetta, demonstrating the flexibility of Morgan’s design and coachbuilding capabilities. Conceived as both a celebration of Morgan’s craft and an exploration of what its coachbuilding philosophy could become, Midsummer provided the foundation for a new generation of bespoke commissions.
Whilst Midsummer Coupé presents a fixed-head expression of the Midsummer design philosophy, it goes far beyond simply enclosing the original concept. Creating a distinct fixed-head identity enabled Morgan’s designers to explore new proportions and develop a more resolved interpretation of the Midsummer theme, with greater visual tension and a stronger sense of purpose. Achieving this required substantial structural engineering and development, with the roof, glazing and aluminium body conceived as an integrated vehicle architecture from the outset. The result is a car that advances the original concept both aesthetically and technically, representing the most complete expression of the Midsummer vision.
“Midsummer Coupé began with a conversation. A client came to us with an idea and, rather than asking how closely we could meet that brief, we asked ourselves how far we could take it. Special projects like this bring together the same designers, engineers and craftspeople who create every Morgan sports car, giving them the opportunity to apply their skills in different ways. Working closely with each client, they explore new ideas, refine new techniques and continue to develop the knowledge that defines Morgan coachbuilding today. Only nine clients will own a Midsummer Coupé, but the impact of the project extends far beyond those commissions and experiences. Every challenge we overcome, every technique we develop and every lesson we learn strengthens Morgan's ability to bring to life distinctive and joyful sports cars.”- Matthew Hole, Managing Director, Morgan Motor Company
The Shape of Midsummer Coupé
Midsummer Coupé’s striking design is the result of an intensive collaboration between Morgan and Pininfarina. The continuation of the two companies working together follows the successful introduction of Midsummer in 2024.
The brief for this special commission was clear. It was not simply about adding a roof. Instead, the ambition was to evolve the concept into something entirely new while preserving the character, proportions and sense of occasion that defined Midsummer, whilst introducing a greater sense of drama.
The fixed-head design introduces a third line to the vehicle’s silhouette. The addition of the roofline allows dramatically different proportions and a more resolved overall form, fundamentally changing the character of the car whilst remaining unmistakably Midsummer.
The initial development process was conducted digitally, allowing proportion, surfacing and structural themes to be explored and refined before the coachbuilding process began. Between the teams in Malvern and Cambiano, countless iterations were developed across several key themes, each challenging established assumptions and testing new possibilities. The resulting design is the product of this shared exploration, arriving at a destination that neither studio would have reached independently.
The new roofline defines the character of Midsummer Coupé. Viewed from the high rear three-quarter, the dramatic silhouette is revealed in full, with an expansive glazed canopy creating a light and airy cabin while emphasising the car’s sweeping proportions. The roof transitions seamlessly into the rear bodywork through a sculpted structure, creating a continuous surface that draws the eye from the A-pillar to the trailing edge of the vehicle. This flowing treatment gives Midsummer Coupé a sense of visual tension and movement, even when stationary.
The roof was never conceived as a purely stylistic addition. Instead, it was designed to enhance the ownership experience, bringing greater refinement, practicality and year-round usability whilst shaping the distinctive character of the vehicle. Full weather sealing and effective climate control support the car’s touring credentials, ensuring comfort across a wide range of conditions.
In profile, the relationship between the roof structure, glazing and body side becomes most apparent. The geometry from the A-pillar rearwards echoes the visual language of the front wings, creating a sense of continuity throughout the vehicle and reinforcing the coherence of the overall form.
The increased door height creates the opportunity for a defined beltline, machined from solid aluminium and incorporating the door handle within its structure. This feature introduces a technical precision that contrasts with the flowing body surfaces, reflecting the interplay between craftsmanship and engineering that defines Midsummer Coupé.
The side-window graphic draws inspiration from Italian sports cars of the 1960s. Framed by the fixed outer glazing, the drop-window system allows the profile to remain clean and uninterrupted whilst contributing to the distinctive character of the fixed-head design.
Along the lower body, polished stainless-steel panels provide a direct visual link to the original Midsummer barchetta, creating continuity between the two commissions while emphasising the coachbuilt nature of the bodywork.
The 19-inch forged aluminium wheels are Morgan’s most intricate wheel design to date. Their highly detailed form introduces a greater level of visual sophistication, whilst the combination of polished and painted finishes creates opportunities for further personalisation. The prototype features a chrome centre cap paired with a contrasting painted outer section, previewing the breadth of bespoke finishes that will be explored across the nine commissions that follow.
From the rear, the central stainless-steel graphic becomes most apparent. Emerging from the bonnet centre strip and continuing uninterrupted along the centreline of the vehicle, it flows between the glazed canopy and across the boot before terminating above the Morgan wings. Mirrored within the interior, this feature creates a visual connection between the exterior and cabin, while providing a unifying theme throughout the design.
A key requirement of Midsummer Coupé was to maintain touring capability central to the driving experience. This is supported by an expansive boot compartment, designed to accommodate fitted luggage and encourage longer journeys.
For the cabin, the designers at Morgan and Pininfarina sought to retain the sense of connection and openness that defined the original Midsummer barchetta, while introducing the comfort, refinement and practicality afforded by a fixed-head structure. Through carefully considered materials, many inspired by marine applications, and an elevated approach to finish, Midsummer Coupé introduces a new level of interior craftsmanship.
The glazed roof floods the cabin with natural light, creating an environment that feels open, spacious and inviting. Teak has been used extensively throughout the interior, creating a continuous visual theme that references one of the defining elements of the original Midsummer barchetta. Whilst teak features on the launch commission, future commissions may explore alternative timber finishes to create their own distinct character.
Intricate details combine to create an interior that is both tactile and purposeful, where every element feels precisely engineered whilst contributing to a cohesive whole. Morgan’s newly developed aluminium gear selector is finished with a delicate teak inlay. The window switches are mounted within the roof structure, transforming a functional interaction into a distinctive feature. Teak-inlaid sun visors and a rear-view mirror are mounted to a solid aluminium rail that spans the width of the cabin, reinforcing the architectural character of the interior.
Beyond its dramatic proportions and carefully resolved details, Midsummer Coupé provides a canvas for individual expression. Each of the nine commissions that follow will reflect the vision of its owner, ensuring every car is a unique interpretation of the concept and a true one-off.
“Midsummer Coupé represents the culmination of an extraordinary creative journey. What began as a celebration of coachbuilding, craftsmanship and collaboration has evolved into one of the most ambitious and rewarding projects we’ve ever undertaken. Working alongside the team at Pininfarina, together with our own designers and engineers, has been both a privilege and immensely rewarding. Midsummer Coupé marks the closing chapter of that remarkable collaboration, but it also represents a defining moment in Morgan’s coachbuilding story. What makes this project special, however, is the people who commission it. Each of the nine Midsummer Coupés will emerge from a close creative partnership with our designers, engineers and craftspeople, resulting in nine completely individual interpretations of the same vision. For us, that is the ultimate expression of coachbuilding. Midsummer Coupé demonstrates what Morgan is capable of today and opens the door to a future defined by exceptional commissions, meaningful collaborations and some of the most ambitious projects in our history. The journey is only just beginning.”- Jonathan Wells, Chief Design Officer, Morgan Motor Company
A New Vehicle Architecture
Creating a fixed-head interpretation of Midsummer required significant structural development and a fundamentally new approach to body integration. The introduction of a fixed-head design created opportunities to increase structural rigidity while also demanding new engineering and construction solutions.
Central to this was the development of a new structural architecture incorporating billet-machined aluminium A-pillars, bonded structural glazing and countersunk riveted construction. The A-pillars carry roof loads into the front structure while providing precise mounting points for the doors and side-window system. Together, these elements allow the roof structure and glazing to contribute to the overall rigidity of the vehicle, increasing stiffness compared with the underlying Midsummer and Supersport architecture.
The fixed-head structure was engineered so that each major element performs multiple functions. The roof forms part of a stressed-skin construction, increasing rigidity while enhancing the vehicle’s distinctive proportions and everyday usability. Despite the addition of the fixed roof structure, Midsummer Coupé remains remarkably light, weighing just 2.5% more than a Supersport fitted with a hardtop.
Unlike other Morgan sports cars, where a rubber seal retains the glazing, the windscreen on Midsummer Coupé is bonded directly to the aluminium body structure. This allows the glass to contribute to the vehicle’s rigidity, helping distribute loads more evenly through the aluminium structure and reducing peak stresses in key areas by around 50%.
The fixed glass roof is also bonded directly into the aluminium structure, allowing it to contribute to stiffness and load distribution as part of the fixed-head architecture. This approach reflects the broader engineering philosophy behind Midsummer Coupé, where each major component is designed to support multiple objectives, whether structural performance, refinement or usability.
The side-window system was developed specifically for the fixed-head body, increasing refinement while contributing to the rigidity of the upper structure. Instead of the detachable sidescreens used on other Morgan sports cars, Midsummer Coupé features drop windows. An outer glass section, approximately 100mm wide, forms part of the side-window assembly, allowing the drop glass to sit within the overall glazed area while preserving the slim profile of the door and the purity of the fixed-head silhouette.
The CXV-Generation bonded-aluminium platform provided the foundation for the project. Developed to support Morgan’s latest generation of sports cars, its strength, low mass and inherent flexibility created the opportunity to explore an entirely new fixed-head architecture whilst retaining compatibility with the BMW B58 'O1' powertrain — as featured in Morgan’s recently launched Supersport 400 model.
The platform’s advanced construction allowed the new upper body structure to be integrated without compromising the lightweight philosophy that defines every Morgan. This combination of structural capability and design freedom enabled the development of a vehicle that remains true to Morgan’s core principles whilst exploring new levels of refinement, usability and engineering sophistication.
Engineering and design are closely integrated throughout Midsummer Coupé. Every major structural element was developed not only to satisfy technical requirements, but also to support the vehicle’s proportions, character and intended use. The result is a car in which architecture, aesthetics and function are inseparable.
Contemporary Coachbuilding
Midsummer Coupé represents a significant development in Morgan’s coachbuilding expertise, bringing together the skills, materials and manufacturing techniques behind some of the company’s most individual commissions. Creating each of the nine vehicles requires a hybrid manufacturing approach that combines traditional craft with advanced engineering and production methods.
At the heart of the project is a centre body hand-formed from flat aluminium sheet. Morgan’s craftsmen and women use English wheels to shape the material with the precision required to create highly resolved surfaces that require only minimal finishing prior to paint. Each body requires hundreds of hours of hand-forming and preparation, reflecting the intensive nature of the process.
Unlike a traditional decorative body panel, the aluminium skin of Midsummer Coupé forms part of the car’s structure. This means every panel must be shaped with exceptional precision, balancing the requirements of both craftsmanship and engineering. Craftspeople wheel the panels with sufficient accuracy to minimise body filing and material removal, preserving the thickness required for the stressed-skin construction whilst maintaining the quality of the finished surface.
The stressed aluminium panels operate well within material limits, with peak loads reaching approximately 30% of the material’s yield strength. This margin allows the panels to perform a structural role, yet remain suitable for the hand-forming techniques that define Morgan coachbuilding.
Delivering the car’s extensive double-curvature surfaces and highly complex handmade structures requires a combination of traditional fabrication skills and modern joining techniques. Morgan’s craftsmen and women use TIG welding without filler material to achieve exceptional accuracy and a clean surface finish.
Where riveting is required, solid aluminium rivets are double-countersunk into the skin, creating the potential for a near-seamless finish, preserving the integrity of the structure.
The use of solid aluminium rivets combines a technique dating back to pre-war aircraft manufacturing with the precision required for a contemporary stressed-skin vehicle. Together, these methods allow complex forms to be created with the material honesty and attention to detail that define Morgan coachbuilding.
Digital scanning and laser measurement are utilised throughout assembly, allowing the handmade structure to be checked continuously against the CAD reference. Each Midsummer Coupé body is assembled on a precision surface table that is laser-scanned to ensure an accuracy of 0.3mm across its length.
This approach allows components to be refined throughout assembly yet still maintaining alignment to the digital model. Digital measurement provides the reference, but the final surface quality relies on the judgement and experience of Morgan’s artisans, who refine each panel by eye against templates and reference forms.
The creation of each Midsummer Coupé brings together the expertise of craftspeople, engineers and specialists across Morgan Motor Company, reflecting the collaborative nature of the project and the breadth of skills required to realise each commission.
The car’s wooden body frame also forms part of the load-bearing structure, combining laminated wheel arches, machined ash and high-strength components to help transfer loads from the lower structure into the aluminium body and roof. The use of wood also brings an acoustic benefit, with its natural damping properties helping to reduce aluminium panel resonance.
In this way, the fixed-head structure brings together aluminium, glass and wood within a single load path, reflecting Morgan’s ability to apply traditional materials in a contemporary engineering context. It is an approach that could only come from a company whose understanding of these materials has been developed and refined over generations.
Inside the cabin, handmade laminated wood panels, constructed from multiple veneers each approximately 0.6mm thick, are hand-fitted to every vehicle. Carefully controlled light lines allow concealed illumination to reveal the depth and character of the material. Each laminated component is matched to the surrounding bodywork and trim, reinforcing the level of craftsmanship required throughout the project.
The project also supports Morgan’s continued investment in specialist coachbuilding, creating opportunities for the next generation of craftsmen and women to develop their expertise alongside experienced colleagues. Across the programme, countless hours will be dedicated to training, development and knowledge transfer, helping ensure these skills continue to evolve.
Beyond the nine commissions themselves, Midsummer Coupé provides a framework for the considered exploration of techniques and processes that may inform future Morgan products, demonstrating how the company’s coachbuilding expertise continues to evolve.
Pininfarina Fuoriserie
The application of the Pininfarina Fuoriserie emblem is a significant detail, positioned behind the front wheels as an immediate expression of Midsummer Coupé’s unique status.
Vehicles designed by Pininfarina typically feature the ‘Design by Pininfarina’ emblem. For Midsummer Coupé, Pininfarina has again selected its ‘Fuoriserie’ brand mark, reflecting the distinctive nature of the project and the collaborative approach behind its creation.
Meaning ‘out of series’, Fuoriserie denotes a vehicle produced beyond conventional production programmes. Its application to Midsummer Coupé continues a relationship first established with Midsummer, reinforcing the model’s position as a highly individual commission created through the combined expertise of Morgan and Pininfarina.
The Client Journey
The client sits at the centre of each Midsummer Coupé commission. Every project begins with a highly personal brief and develops through an ongoing dialogue between the client and Morgan.
Beyond the shared body architecture, each of the nine commissions will be materially distinct. Morgan’s design team works closely with each client to develop a cohesive vision across colours, leathers, wood finishes and bespoke details, ensuring every vehicle reflects the personality and preferences of its owner.
This one-to-one creative process allows Morgan to develop a deep understanding of each client’s aspirations, translating them into tailored details and individual interpretations of the vehicle. The result is a collection of cars that share a common foundation, yet are entirely unique in their execution.
Shaping the Future
Morgan’s special projects programme builds upon the company’s longstanding tradition of creating highly exclusive, low-volume commissions and one-off vehicles. It provides a framework through which deeply personal projects can be conceived and realised in close collaboration with clients.
Operating alongside Morgan’s production vehicle programmes, special projects create opportunities to explore ideas, materials and manufacturing techniques that may not be possible within a traditional production environment. In doing so, they help develop the skills, knowledge and expertise that underpin both current and future Morgan vehicles.
Midsummer Coupé demonstrates the potential of this approach, bringing together contemporary coachbuilding, advanced engineering and individual commissioning within a single project, whilst providing a glimpse of what future special projects may become.
The Nine Commissions
Midsummer Coupé brings together the central principles of Morgan’s special projects programme: contemporary coachbuilding, craftsmanship and close client collaboration.
The prototype revealed today establishes the reference point for the nine commissions that follow, each one developed in close partnership with its owner. Morgan will shortly begin handcrafting the first client commission, with further details of each vehicle to be revealed in due course.
The prototype will join the Louwman Collection in The Hague, where it will be displayed as part of one of the world's most significant collections of historic automobiles. Its inclusion reflects the importance of the project as a contemporary expression of coachbuilding and provides the public with an opportunity to experience the vehicle before the first of the nine client commissions begins taking shape at Morgan's Pickersleigh Road workshops.
Together, the nine commissions represent the next chapter in Morgan’s approach to bespoke vehicle creation, demonstrating how the company’s coachbuilding tradition continues to evolve whilst remaining true to its core principles.
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