RE: PH fleet: Morgan Plus 8
Discussion
garypotter said:
...it looks like a kit car rather than a factory built...
Have you ever actually looked at a Morgan as distinct from looking at photographs of one? My experience is that while there are plenty of kit cars which (to a greater or lesser extent) look like a Morgan an actual Morgan doesn't look in any way like a kit-car.Mind you, I'm not sure about the £80K either but (for me at least) those misgivings can be addressed by looking elsewhere in the Morgan range - a 4/4 or a Plus 4 may not be able to match the new Plus 8 in performance or chassis dynamics but when it comes to charm and essential "Morgan-ness" I don't think it gives much away at all and the price is an awful lot easier to justify!
BuzzLightyear said:
^^
Can't disagree with you, Harry, but it does make it a more practical proposition with some more interior room and makes it look a bit more modern (for a Morgan, anyway). So an evolutionary progression which detracts a bit from the aesthetic - some will prefer it, others not?
Fully agreed - and if it drives anything like my Aero (which it will) it will be an absolute hoot. It;s just that I prefer the looks of the Aero 8, or the looks of the traditional - but that's a personal thing! If the Aero 8/Aeromax had never existed, this should have been the way Morgan modernised the range.Can't disagree with you, Harry, but it does make it a more practical proposition with some more interior room and makes it look a bit more modern (for a Morgan, anyway). So an evolutionary progression which detracts a bit from the aesthetic - some will prefer it, others not?
As to growing into Morgans - I completely agree.
I bought my first Aero 8 at 29, when I was looking for a Ferrari. I saw the Morgan, was intrigued, drove it and immediately stopped looking for F355s (depreciation wise that turned out to be a good plan!). I still regarded the trads as a bit idiosyncratic, and not for me.
Two weeks ago (I'm now 34) I drove my Aero 8 (my second) down to Brands Hatch Morgan, and was lucky to test drive not just the 3 Wheeler (which was AWESOME!!), but also a Plus 4 traditional in Supersports spec. And I got it - I really did. 5 years ago, I don't think I would have done (beautifully set up car, by the way - and completely analogue - no power steering, no power brakes, no electronics whatsoever apart from the ECU). As a track car, I'd have one in a shot (but raw for daily use).
There are better cars out there: a Porsche 997 GT3 does everything my Aero does but far better, apart from road presence and noise. Yet I don't own a 997 GT3.
To be fair, I don't fit the typical Morgan owner demographic. I'm 20 years younger than the next youngest I've met...
I bought my first Aero 8 at 29, when I was looking for a Ferrari. I saw the Morgan, was intrigued, drove it and immediately stopped looking for F355s (depreciation wise that turned out to be a good plan!). I still regarded the trads as a bit idiosyncratic, and not for me.
Two weeks ago (I'm now 34) I drove my Aero 8 (my second) down to Brands Hatch Morgan, and was lucky to test drive not just the 3 Wheeler (which was AWESOME!!), but also a Plus 4 traditional in Supersports spec. And I got it - I really did. 5 years ago, I don't think I would have done (beautifully set up car, by the way - and completely analogue - no power steering, no power brakes, no electronics whatsoever apart from the ECU). As a track car, I'd have one in a shot (but raw for daily use).
There are better cars out there: a Porsche 997 GT3 does everything my Aero does but far better, apart from road presence and noise. Yet I don't own a 997 GT3.
To be fair, I don't fit the typical Morgan owner demographic. I'm 20 years younger than the next youngest I've met...
Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 31st January 12:19
As much as I appreciate the build quality and overall quality of Morgans, especially what they've done recently, I could never see myself in one or hanker after one.
Every time I've been on a classic car tour of some description, Morgan owners just appear to be typical Morgan owners.
Every time I've been on a classic car tour of some description, Morgan owners just appear to be typical Morgan owners.
[quote=Harry Flashman]As to growing into Morgans - I completely agree.
Two weeks ago I drove my Aero 8 (my second) down to Brands Hatch Morgan, and was lucky to test drive not just the 3 Wheeler (which was AWESOME!!), but also a Plus 4 traditional in Supersports spec. And I got it - I really did. 5 years ago, I don't think I would have done (beautifully set up car, by the way - and completely analogue - no power steering, no power brakes, no electronics whatsoever apart from the ECU).
both are fabulous, that 200 bhp supersport is something else,love it.
3 wheeler just amazing.
i have onlydone a couple of miles in this plus 8 , but it gives that same feeling !
Two weeks ago I drove my Aero 8 (my second) down to Brands Hatch Morgan, and was lucky to test drive not just the 3 Wheeler (which was AWESOME!!), but also a Plus 4 traditional in Supersports spec. And I got it - I really did. 5 years ago, I don't think I would have done (beautifully set up car, by the way - and completely analogue - no power steering, no power brakes, no electronics whatsoever apart from the ECU).
both are fabulous, that 200 bhp supersport is something else,love it.
3 wheeler just amazing.
i have onlydone a couple of miles in this plus 8 , but it gives that same feeling !
I'm 29 and have great respect for what Morgan are (and have been) doing, the Plus 8 just adds to that. The Aero 8 has been my dream 'lottery win' car for many years (I would now add the 3 wheeler to that list). Not the most conventional choice for somebody still in their twenties...but I also have a Clio V6 Mk1 on that list to balance it out a bit.
One of my favourite motorsport memories (in an admittedly short spectating time-span) remains hearing these monsters at Silverstone several years ago, I also took one of my favourite photos that same day...
FIA GT Silverstone - Morgan Aero Super Sport by Harry_S, on Flickr
One of my favourite motorsport memories (in an admittedly short spectating time-span) remains hearing these monsters at Silverstone several years ago, I also took one of my favourite photos that same day...
FIA GT Silverstone - Morgan Aero Super Sport by Harry_S, on Flickr
Methinks it is about sole.And therefore little between them.Just rather depends on where your heart is or comes from
If any one cares I bought my only ever Morgan when I was 21.Paid 195 cash in huge white 5 pound notes. knocked the seller down from 200. He had never seen so much cash money.. neither had I.
Had a Chris Lawrence tuned triumph 2 litre engine and reputedly led the BOAC 500 mile race at Brands Hatch when every one else fell off owing to rain. I think it might have been in the lead for at least 10 seconds!
Any how it was glorious. racing pirelli tyres Side mount exhaust nil power below 4000 revs and nothing over 5250. Under steered bounced about and
I remember parking it with one front wheel on a curb and you could not open the doors because of the body flex.If you parked with the rear wheel on the curb both doors fell open.
The number plate was MTF which appalled my Grandmother who said that was an expression used in London by young Gals talking about young men in taxis. MTF stood for "Must touch Flesh"
It was a massive car. I sold it after a year and bought a Coombes 3.8 Jag with straight though copper exhaust pipes .and paid 600 for that. The jag was seriously quick, well it was then and had the lot.Leather bucket seats great big rev counter louvred bonnet and no spats and you could hear it at a 1000 yards.
looking back the Morgan was pretty cool
J
If any one cares I bought my only ever Morgan when I was 21.Paid 195 cash in huge white 5 pound notes. knocked the seller down from 200. He had never seen so much cash money.. neither had I.
Had a Chris Lawrence tuned triumph 2 litre engine and reputedly led the BOAC 500 mile race at Brands Hatch when every one else fell off owing to rain. I think it might have been in the lead for at least 10 seconds!
Any how it was glorious. racing pirelli tyres Side mount exhaust nil power below 4000 revs and nothing over 5250. Under steered bounced about and
I remember parking it with one front wheel on a curb and you could not open the doors because of the body flex.If you parked with the rear wheel on the curb both doors fell open.
The number plate was MTF which appalled my Grandmother who said that was an expression used in London by young Gals talking about young men in taxis. MTF stood for "Must touch Flesh"
It was a massive car. I sold it after a year and bought a Coombes 3.8 Jag with straight though copper exhaust pipes .and paid 600 for that. The jag was seriously quick, well it was then and had the lot.Leather bucket seats great big rev counter louvred bonnet and no spats and you could hear it at a 1000 yards.
looking back the Morgan was pretty cool
J
I love the wide stance of the Plus 8 (looks wider than the original). I will never forget my first trip in a +8, the noise and at the time felt seriously quick considering you could almost reach out and touch the ground!
Would be nice to see it with a modern interpretation of the original +8 alloys design too IMO....
Great to see Morgan producing a +8 again, shame it's so expensive, but I'm sure they will sell all they can make.... just need to start saving, a real "want one" car....
Would be nice to see it with a modern interpretation of the original +8 alloys design too IMO....
Great to see Morgan producing a +8 again, shame it's so expensive, but I'm sure they will sell all they can make.... just need to start saving, a real "want one" car....
mph said:
LuS1fer said:
Charming - without doubt.
Anachronistic and all the better for it - for sure.
£80k? No way.
Don't you think the resale value is more relevant than the purchase price ?Anachronistic and all the better for it - for sure.
£80k? No way.
I can see the appeal of the Aero 8 even if I wouldn't buy one.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff