RE: PH Blog: Morgan, it's the new TVR
Wednesday 14th March 2012
Similar cars....As one door closes another opens. On Monday morning I was still smarting over the fact my Chimaera had to be recovered to Fernhurst due to non-starting, when Dan offered me the keys to the Harris/PistonHeads Morgan for a night or two, and that's an offer I just couldn't refuse. I'm not saying I instantly forgot about the broken TVR, but it certainly went to the back of my mind. As it turns out, the TVR was easily fixed and will be back with me sooner rather than later, but more on that saga in my next fleet update.
....different daysYou've got a slightly awkward gear change, a clutch that gives your leg a workout, a roof doesn't fold as elegantly as it could, a steering wheel that won't adjust to where you'd like it, no storage to speak of (unlike my golf friendly Chim) and you get many and varied smells from the engine and bodywork as the car warms up. There is way too much power meaning the rear wheels will spin at will, you can't hear the stereo, people stare at the car as it passes, the headlights aren't great and getting in and out should be added to the list of Olympic sports.
PH Blog: Morgan, it's the new TVR
No, no - in a good way, or so says our resident TVR owner Mr Garlick
Similar cars....
My Chimaera weighs in at 1,060kg and produces 240hp from the 4.0-litre V8 engine. It's made in a traditional way (by hand), has two seats, has more than its fair share of quirky charm and you can buy one from between £6,000 and £20,000. The Morgan in comparison is 1,100kg, produces 367hp from a 4.8 V8 and has similar characteristics as listed for the TVR, only this one will cost you in the region of £80,000.
Driving the Morgan reminds me of what a modern TVR would be were they around today. In all probability the Blackpool nutters would have been producing 800hp monsters with interiors from outer space and more vents than ... er ... the Morgan's bonnet, but if they were still making cars like the Chimaera and Griffith this would be it.
....different days
So it's terrible, right? Absolutely not. It has character, it has soul, it has charm and it gets under your skin making you want to drive for the hell of it. Point out the faults and many won't understand, but they aren't the sort of people reading PH. We are, and we know that British-built V8 sports cars are the only way to travel, their faults just make them all the more adorable and that is why I love the Morgan dearly and can't wait for my TVR to return.
Garlick
Discussion
Morning all,
A few nice, thoughtful articles lately on a motor that I always imagined wouldn't be well received here.
I'm the wrong sort of fella to love Morgans'. I'm 6'4" and REALLY struggle to get in.. and, with the roof up.. well, forget it..!
But, they are British, and we should treasure them They have astonishing kudo's, the world loves them [and PH too I hope]. Tho' I suspect they don't fit PH cos' they haven't 1000 bhp and swimwear models aren't queueing up to get in.. In yer dreams boys..
When the money comes [lottery] as it surely will [ my dreams].. I'm going to see the Morgan man at Lanchester and I'll ask for a go in the new[ish] V8 and the 3 wheeler. If they fit and I'm not crippled.. getting in or out.. I would wish to order one of each. In Ludlow Green, to special order.. a Ford colour from the 1950's. Lovely.
And yes, I'm fully aware £85k is a lot of money. But a new 911S will be similar without extra's.. and it'll shed value like a falling girder.. 3yo= £40k or less. You won't be buying a 3yo Morgan V8 for £40k anytime.
So, there we are then. It's my birthday today [truly] and I really have WISHED very hard.. but the lottery didn't and Mr Morgan at Lanchester hasn't either. Bugger eh..
Ratbags.
Best regards
WF
A few nice, thoughtful articles lately on a motor that I always imagined wouldn't be well received here.
I'm the wrong sort of fella to love Morgans'. I'm 6'4" and REALLY struggle to get in.. and, with the roof up.. well, forget it..!
But, they are British, and we should treasure them They have astonishing kudo's, the world loves them [and PH too I hope]. Tho' I suspect they don't fit PH cos' they haven't 1000 bhp and swimwear models aren't queueing up to get in.. In yer dreams boys..
When the money comes [lottery] as it surely will [ my dreams].. I'm going to see the Morgan man at Lanchester and I'll ask for a go in the new[ish] V8 and the 3 wheeler. If they fit and I'm not crippled.. getting in or out.. I would wish to order one of each. In Ludlow Green, to special order.. a Ford colour from the 1950's. Lovely.
And yes, I'm fully aware £85k is a lot of money. But a new 911S will be similar without extra's.. and it'll shed value like a falling girder.. 3yo= £40k or less. You won't be buying a 3yo Morgan V8 for £40k anytime.
So, there we are then. It's my birthday today [truly] and I really have WISHED very hard.. but the lottery didn't and Mr Morgan at Lanchester hasn't either. Bugger eh..
Ratbags.
Best regards
WF
My love affair with TVRs started back when I had just started out as a car hack and the Dutch TVR/Morgan importer lent us a Chimaera and a 4/4, which we duly took to Calais for a photoshoot.
The Morgan was a rather dramatic mismatch with my 1.89m frame - I had nowhere to go for my left foot, the pedals were rather awkwardly placed and with the roof up, I could not see out of the side windows (too low). My drive was very short and tentative as a result.
The TVR however felt like it was tailor made for me from the outset. And then I started the engine...
Ergonomics - and how they match ones physique - can make or break a car. I never took to the T-cars in the same way as the humble Chim for the same reason. I would have been nice to still have the choice - although you won't hear me complain about having to drive my Chimaera until the end of times...
The Morgan was a rather dramatic mismatch with my 1.89m frame - I had nowhere to go for my left foot, the pedals were rather awkwardly placed and with the roof up, I could not see out of the side windows (too low). My drive was very short and tentative as a result.
The TVR however felt like it was tailor made for me from the outset. And then I started the engine...
Ergonomics - and how they match ones physique - can make or break a car. I never took to the T-cars in the same way as the humble Chim for the same reason. I would have been nice to still have the choice - although you won't hear me complain about having to drive my Chimaera until the end of times...
Garlick loves his Chimaera, however, its sound bites like the start of his article which spread unecessary reliability rumours.
The Chim didn't start after winter lay-up because it was left without a trickle charger in a garage with an alarm drain - of course the battery won't start - not the fault of the TVR though!
To the point about Morgan apart from the V8 I disagree they are similar cars. I would still love to drive or own one of the new 3 wheelers, this seems one of the best ways to have load of fun within the legal limits on British roads.
It makes me happy that British companies like this continue to thrive & continue to produce new and quirky designs while maintaining there trad customer base.
The Chim didn't start after winter lay-up because it was left without a trickle charger in a garage with an alarm drain - of course the battery won't start - not the fault of the TVR though!
To the point about Morgan apart from the V8 I disagree they are similar cars. I would still love to drive or own one of the new 3 wheelers, this seems one of the best ways to have load of fun within the legal limits on British roads.
It makes me happy that British companies like this continue to thrive & continue to produce new and quirky designs while maintaining there trad customer base.
Andy JB said:
The Chim didn't start after winter lay-up because it was left without a trickle charger in a garage with an alarm drain - of course the battery won't start - not the fault of the TVR though!
Incorrect sadly. Battery issue dealt with a few weeks ago, new battery and immobiliser reset. Car was fine for a week or so. Story about that here, so I've already had my say over the battery and hoped that was that: http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=173&i=252...
Current issue was non-starting due to reasons we couldn't fathom. Turns out it needed new coil pack and amplifier and we couldn't diagnose at the roadside. Therefore, it was a new issue that resulted in this
And hence my comment of
article said:
but more on that saga in my next fleet update
Not sure why you think I would try and talk up the unreliability issues of my own car 
900T-R said:
Coil pack? Do you run one of the two Chimaeras that came with GEMS management perchance? 
't Would go some way towards explaining the 240 bhp RR result...
I must have! To be fair I was told this over the phone....will get the full story when I pop to collect it at the weekend. Quite likely I have got it wrong. You know me by now, that's why I have to get an appropriate adult to look at my cars. 't Would go some way towards explaining the 240 bhp RR result...
Anyway, enough about TVR reliability!
But always worth mentioning this again.....
900T-R said:
't Would go some way towards explaining the 240 bhp RR result...
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