Patrick Morgan of Dawn Treader Performance Engineering in the U.K. has a unique talent for restoring cars powered by his family’s engines to a state of perfection with period-correct restorations. His relationship with these cars goes beyond just mechanical expertise.
Founded in 1983 by Mario Illien and Paul Morgan, Ilmor, with financial backing from Roger Penske, became synonymous with success in the CART IndyCar series with its 2.65-liter turbocharged Chevrolet V8 engine. Patrick, the late Paul Morgan’s son, has taken on significant projects, including restoring the last race-winning Penske PC26 chassis.
Driven by Paul Tracy, this chassis won at Gateway in 1997, marking Penske Racing’s 99th IndyCar victory and the last with a vehicle of its own creation. Following a period of struggle, Patrick acquired the PC26 chassis and its Mercedes-badged Ilmor engine, a project steeped in immense personal and professional meaning for him.
Very few cars from CART’s fastest era exist in running condition today, and the PC26 is a rare exception. After an 18-month restoration, it was fitted with the correct Mercedes-Benz IC108D engine and Delco Gen V electronics package exclusive to the team for 1996 and 1997.
Morgan’s motivation to bring modern filming technology to capture the PC26 in action led to the production of a short film. This was prompted by the lack of onboard footage of Penske cars from that era and the demand for the unique experience of watching and listening to the cars of this period.
Patrick’s description of the cars of this era as “wonderful things to work on, to watch, and listen to” encapsulates his passion for these vehicles. The haunting noise of a single car of this period reverberating around the grandstands of a one-mile oval still makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
For a glimpse of the PC26 in action, watch the film HERE on YouTube.
