Two years after discontinuing the Plus 8, Morgan is bringing the retro-styled sports car back through a limited edition set called the Plus 8 GTR. The special edition model is the first in a line of special projects that Morgan plans to release this year. Only nine units of the Plus 8 GTR will be built with production scheduled to begin this summer. Pricing for the model and a delivery timetable will be announced at a later date.

The Morgan Plus 8 GTR is a by-product of fortuitous circumstances. According to the British retro carmaker, a handful of Plus 8 rolling chassis that Morgan built for a third-party manufacturer, believed to be Bristol Cars, had become available. Morgan presumably bought them back with a plan to use them for a low-production special edition model.

Design sketches of the special edition Plus 8 reveal a fixed hardtop and a set of five-spoke, center-lock alloy wheels that are inspired by the company’s race cars from the 1990s.

Aerodynamic fixtures can be seen in the sketches; the front splitter, in particular, adds a modern touch to the sports car. The Plus 8 GTR will also come with front wings, sculpted arches, and a revised rear section that includes a rear diffuser tucked around the ceramic exhaust pipes.

Power will come from a BMW-sourced 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V-8 (N62) engine. Previous versions of the Plus 8 used the same engine that came with an output of 362 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque. Morgan has yet to release the final output for the Plus 8 GTR; it’s possible that the limited-run special edition will have more power on tap. Prospective buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a ZF six-speed automatic transmission. Either way, the output from the V-8 engine will be sent to the two rear wheels. Performance figures have also not been revealed.

Morgan Plus Eight specifications

As part of Morgan’s special projects program, prospective buyers will have the opportunity to visit Morgan’s factory and commission their cars to their specifications.