Thursday 30th May 2013

Chris Harris video: Morgan vs Caterham

Chris explores the wonders of back to basics British sports cars with a Morgan and a Caterham Seven

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I have only ever owned one Caterham and it was perhaps the most exciting car I'll ever have in my garage. It was crazy fast, but the part if owning it I remember most fondly was how different the driving experience was to even the fastest cars I drove for my day job. This sounds glib and obvious, but if you hammer around in something outwardly uncompromising and speed-focused like a 996 GT3 RS, the Caterham always made it feel like a Mondeo afterwards.

Can you get a Morgan sideways? Seems so

Because there really is nothing quite like a Caterham. There are faster cars, there are cars with downforce and lord knows what else, but sitting squished against the transmission tunnel and the chassis bars, gripping the 'ickle wheel, you do sometimes wonder if driving nirvana begins and ends with a small car from Dartford.

This version is a Supersport R. I wanted a non-loopy Seven because I thought it would make for a better on-road video. Then I jumped in it and couldn't believe how fast it was! Over 180hp from the Ford Duratec and a 535kg kerb weight. That makes this supposedly ordinary one about as fast the craziest R500 from a decade ago.

The Morgan 3 Wheeler couldn't be less similar to the Seven. In fact it couldn't be less similar to any other car on sale. It's already a small cult and a few days in one makes you understand why. Feeling the lazy pulses of that V-twin through the bodywork, learning how to place the car (is it a car?), drinking in the responses of people to what must be the best-received machine on UK roads right now. It makes people smile - it is The Happy Car and that's an epithet many drivers' will find hugely attractive.

It's also a right old challenge to drive fast, and having just spent some time in a Jaguar C-Type I now know what inspired the driving position.

You can probably tell that I enjoyed my time with both of them.

Hope you enjoy the vid.

[Alex Gurr]

Couldn't agree more....pure motoring enjoyment.

If you want to have even more fun though, come and join us racing. We had 38 cars on the grid for our first race of the season....just brilliant!

[hufggfg]

Gloves?

[gforceg]

I've liked the Lotus 7 / Caterham for so long I can hardly remember a time when I didn't want one. From the opening sequences of The Prisoner to painting 7s during A level art and day dreaming about them in car mags.

A few articles recently, and now this one, have made it harder than ever to avoid looking for one.

It'll happen one day.

[premio]

That video was excellent, the Morgan looks like an absolute scream

[Rawwr]

I think that's possibly the most beautiful video you've made. Please, please continue this with less hypercars and more sportscars.

[Dr JonboyG]

hufggfg said:

Gloves?

Better than numb fingers.

[tomwoodis]

Cracking video and couldn't agree more with what you said.

A 30 minute drive in this car a few weeks ago was all it took for me to put my name down. The oversteer available with the narrow 6" wheels at the back is just hilarious.

Now all I need to do is put it together properly

[harryowl]

Video idea - drive all three generations of Exige (S1, S2, V6)

[billzeebub]

Brilliant piece, Caterham for me every time. When I was about 14/15, I had a plan to build myself a Caterham kit for my first car..needless to say it didn't happen!..one day when I have the garage space..

Edited by billzeebub on Wednesday 29th May 22:00

[_Batty_]

One of your best vids. Brilliant.

[Blackpuddin]

Probably the clearest explanation of Morgan motoring ever. Wonderful filming too.

[Small Car]

I now want that Morgan.

I bought a 4/4 Sport at the same money thinking I was getting basic motoring. Nah! The 3 wheeler is it. Wow. Loved it. Perhaps the Caterham should have been the poverty spec one in the same spirit?

[Andy Meads]

Another excellent video. On our roads in these times, cars like those have ever increasing appeal. I have wanted a Caterham for a while now and the same goes for the Morgan. Wonderful things, both.

We can only hope that legislation never kills off cars of this breed.

[Layacable]

They both look a right hoot!

[SystemParanoia]

I need an r500 for my commute.. sod the rain/snow ill still be smiling!

[ItsJustARide]

I too dreamed of building a Caterham from about 16 years old onwards. In my early 20's it became a reality - 1700 SuperSprint in Prisoner colours. What a mind blowing car that gave me so many amazing experiences.

For everyone who has it on there list to do "one day" - do it NOW.

[Chicane-UK]

Brilliant vid Chris. One of the best you've done IMHO. Has made me want to get out and driver a Caterham somehow / somewhere!

[Mezzanine]

A wonderful video that just makes me want to go out for a proper drive.

Simple, lightweight and most importantly, fun.

I wanted a 3 wheeler before, but now I HAVE to have one

[bagman13]

Great video. Love the bent tyre of the Morgan when drifting. Of the two I would choose the Caterham, because its more driver focused. But I would love to own a Morgan (it is my first name), it is just pure theater.

[dtrump]

ANOTHER (!) great video and I'd take either















but probably the cat