1967 DHC “BENE” Makeover

After eighteen years (it’s now 2026, we acquired BENE in 2008) and after many miles touring Bene deserves a major refresh. In addition to the usual, the plan is to convert it to a four seat DHC.

Current Status: 28 July 2026

Engine/gearbox, radiator battery and other stuff installed

More or Less Chronilogical Images of Project

Handbrake modification (for more info see: **Options for the Rear Handbrake** in this website.)

And today the body was assembled to the new chassis………… ta da!

Begin the framework for the Four Seat configuration

initial layout and fitting of rear bulkhead

Side Windows

the four seat DHCs built by the factory did not have rear side windows. Melvyn Rutter’s example is shown here. Also note that the spare wheel is covered.

Very pretty ideed, but it’s not what I want…

I’m rebuilding BENE because we USE it so personal preferences take priority over “originality”. After all, there are plenty of Morgan lawn sculptures already out there. The rear side windows I’m planning will always stay in place just like the door mounted windows. We drive hood down unless it is raining straight down. Having the side windows in place will provide a bit more wind protection for those longer jaunts (Rome to Brugge for example) that we occasionally do and will make the back seat more habitable those rare times when it will be occupied. Also; Kathi needs the luggage rack for when we travel (the shoes, you know).

forming top piece of 316 stainless steel around pattern

Top/Hood Bows

Probably the most difficult design task in this conversion is the layout of the top/hood mechanism. It has to be a hybrid of the two seat DHC and the four seat roadster designs. For initial design of the linkage I made a CAD file; it’s easier to move electrons around on a screen than to cut and weld metal.

Seat Belts

Front Seat Belt retractor on new bracket

New supplemental Facet fuel pump added.

Sheet Metal

The factory four seat DHCs had an enclosure over the spare. One reason for that was probably the challenge of making a single piece of sheet metal from the wire opening around the spare, wrapped around the wheel arch and hemmed into the recess at the door jamb. It is about 6′ with fussy fits at both ends. So why not make an already difficult job really HARD? l chose to join the left and right panels, add the wire form opening for the spare and hang the 12′ panel in one shot. Hmmmm……… good luck.

A Little Annoyance

It was only after the differential was installed in the new chassis and the body mounted that the differential pinion seal decided to leak. Normally I would send this job out to be done but… rather than taking everything apart again I bought a new seal from Morgan Spares and did it myself. What a pain!