MALVERN'S Morgan Motor Company is producing a special limited edition of one of its most famous models.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the launch of the Plus 8, one of the cars that has helped define the Morgan marque.

Since 1968, more than 6,000 Plus 8s have been built and most of them are still in service.

Now, with production of the Plus 8 due to cease next year, the company is producing an anniversary model with a V8 4.0 engine and a number of special trim features.

Morgan's sales and marketing director Matthew Parkin said: "The Plus 8 has become in many ways the definitive Morgan sports car.

"With a high power to weight ratio, exhilarating performance and handling, and a bonnet that seems to reach to the horizon, this is the car that earned Morgan Motor Company the well-deserved accolade of producing the first and last of the real sports cars.

"This will be the last chance for anyone who has dreamed of owning a Plus 8 to own a really important piece of Morgan heritage."

Around 85 Anniversary Editions will be built at the Malvern Link factory for the European market, with a further 100 earmarked for the USA, where the car is very popular.

Morgan's last limited edition, the Le Mans 62 commemorative edition, sold out of all 80 cars within a few days of being announced.

Morgan see Le Mans hope dashed, page 18