RE: PH Blog: Morgan, it's the new TVR

[900T-R]

Lightningman said:

Take a photo with a stupid fish-eye lens and what do you expect FFS?

The S1 Aero 8 had the lights from the reborn VW Beetle - they were a last minute option when BMW refused to supply the new Mini headlights to Morgan.

Which was probably because the new Mini still had a year and a half or so to go before launch (Aero 8 Geneva? 2000, Mini Paris 2001)...

[Lightningman]

900T-R said:

Which was probably because the new Mini still had a year and a half or so to go before launch (Aero 8 Geneva? 2000, Mini Paris 2001)...

My understanding, which may be incorrect, was that BMW wanted to keep them for the Mini rather than they weren't available. There was a perception that having them arrive on another car first (or in conjunction) would take some of the shine off them. That said, the Beetle headlights were always the wrong choice both in terms of aesthetics and functionality. You can retrofit HID to them but from new they weren't a match for the performance of the car.

[jellison]

Garlick said:

jellison said:

I like the bit about you 4.0 having 240bhp!

You mean this?



and

You have a Very good lump then. Definately not the norm.

500's only make abou 35-40 more bhp.

[jellison]

snorky said:

LuS1fer said:

jellison said:

snorky said:

M@1975 said:

Morgans can never take the TVR mantle for one very simple reason.... more often than not they actually work.

another insightful comment about TVR reliability from a non-owner...stick to Datsuns...

Chill - You know he is right though.

Yes but you can only say it if you've owned one.

nah just based on my experience = 10 years ownership - 1 failure - a 7quid Ford part...

How many miles? Do you drive it like you stole it?

[LuS1fer]

snorky said:

LuS1fer said:

Yes but you can only say it if you've owned one.

presumably if you wanted to buy a used porsche, you would canvas Hyundai owners

I would canvass anyone who might have relevant evidence, owner or not, and assess it's bias and trustworthiness. I don't doubt "a TVR" can be reliable but I know three owners who have not shared that experience and have never bought one since - all I am saying is that when choosing a car, you assess all the evidence and all the risk and then determine, based on the financial outlay and POTENTIAL cost, whether you're going to take it and if so, whether it's worth it.

[jellison]

I am pretty pleased I don't run a Chim anymore (very modded or std).

Always something waiting round the corner if you driv'em how you should.

Plus they ROT unless garaged from new. Chassis amd suspension corners get very rusty in no time unless it is JUST a total fair weather car.

[pilchardthecat]

I'd love the new Plus 8...... shame it's rather on the expensive side!

[Garlick]

LuS1fer said:

I would canvass anyone who might have relevant evidence, owner or not, and assess it's bias and trustworthiness. I don't doubt "a TVR" can be reliable but I know three owners who have not shared that experience and have never bought one since

To be fair, in two and a half years mine has only not started once. Not bad really.

jellison said:

You have a Very good lump then. Definately not the norm.

500's only make abou 35-40 more bhp.

So I've heard! Even the chap who ran the dyno (Vixpy) was surprised. I bought it as a standard car, so I'm not aware of any modifications or upgrades.

[jellison]

Garlick said:

jellison said:

You have a Very good lump then. Definately not the norm.

500's only make abou 35-40 more bhp.

So I've heard! Even the chap who ran the dyno (Vixpy) was surprised. I bought it as a standard car, so I'm not aware of any modifications or upgrades.

I bet Charlie was surprised, I think his 500 was a fairly typical 280ish is memory serve me right.

The Mog Class B races with Defender 3.9 and a head skim and spec race cam only make about 250 so you have a very good road 4.0.

Straight through pipes will make it seem like it has 340 and just get you on the back of the NASCAR Grid.

My 500 sold (a few months after having the simple sleeve of the std exhaust done on my first 500) to the first bloke that saw it no questions asked - he was wetting his self on the test drive with the roof down. They do make a goo noise Rv8's - I'll give em that.

[Piersg]

I have a 1961 +4 racer, never been restored and is absolutely brilliant together with a 1967 TVR Grantura (both in Texas), which is slowly getting ready to race, both cars are fantastic,

and I have to agree there are more similarities even with these old ones than you would imagine, although the Morgan is glued together better than the TVR steering box separated from the chassis, diff decided to go on strike due to British Leyland working practices...
Morgan just keeps on going leaking oil as it should!

[m3jappa]

I know i should and i'd love to but i really don't 'get' Morgan's at all. Just not my cup of tea in terms of styling.

I sort of feel the morgan is trying too hard to capture the days gone by look iykwim, it looks like a modernised (very) old car.

Sorry

[Garlick]

Piersg said:

I have a 1961 +4 racer, never been restored and is absolutely brilliant together with a 1967 TVR Grantura (both in Texas), which is slowly getting ready to race, both cars are fantastic,

and I have to agree there are more similarities even with these old ones than you would imagine, although the Morgan is glued together better than the TVR steering box separated from the chassis, diff decided to go on strike due to British Leyland working practices...
Morgan just keeps on going leaking oil as it should!

Great post

Welcome.

[jellison]

Piersg said:

I have a 1961 +4 racer, never been restored and is absolutely brilliant together with a 1967 TVR Grantura (both in Texas), which is slowly getting ready to race, both cars are fantastic,

and I have to agree there are more similarities even with these old ones than you would imagine, although the Morgan is glued together better than the TVR steering box separated from the chassis, diff decided to go on strike due to British Leyland working practices...
Morgan just keeps on going leaking oil as it should!

Hi Piers,

Nice Granny. I have a Griff200.

I presume your Mog has the TR4 engine? You don't want then leaking too much! Mine (TR4) had a leak last year and stupidly I did a qualy for a race (UK's fastest track) and yep did the bearings!

Only now all sorted!