My Morgan 4/4 Zetec daily
Discussion
Looks good, enjoy.
I ran a cvh powered 4/4 for 4 years and 40k miles as a daily driver, it was a great car. I learnt lots of new skills and spent many happy saturday afternoons fettling, greasing and polishing, made a few quid on it too.
Ps, not sure i would bother with a radio upgrade, its pretty pointless much above 40mph, and always keep a small towel in the car, in case of rain (to dry your trousers, not the car)
I ran a cvh powered 4/4 for 4 years and 40k miles as a daily driver, it was a great car. I learnt lots of new skills and spent many happy saturday afternoons fettling, greasing and polishing, made a few quid on it too.
Ps, not sure i would bother with a radio upgrade, its pretty pointless much above 40mph, and always keep a small towel in the car, in case of rain (to dry your trousers, not the car)
Edited by sawman on Friday 29th July 09:54
Very interested in this as I looked at Morgans last summer when I was considering something a bit more usable than the Griffith.
I was struck by how small they are compared to modern cars.
Looking forward to hearing how you get on with things like de-misting, drafts and general heater matters.
I was struck by how small they are compared to modern cars.
Looking forward to hearing how you get on with things like de-misting, drafts and general heater matters.
lockhart flawse said:
I was struck by how small they are compared to modern cars..
yes, some of the camera angles people use, along with the long bonnet make them look more imposing.It's a quirky car, but having lived with one there are some real benefits:
- the driving view over the long louvred bonnet is awesome
- it's a proper convertible, fully open. modern 'verts have a windscreen right up to yr forehead
- everyone loves you! no envy or antagonism, just the opposite.
It's also a sporty drive on good roads, but exceptionally bumpy and very crude on lesser tarmac.
I have noticed the bonnet is very long and makes some junctions a bit of an issue. That said though it is a very small car, not just to what I've been used to but genuinely small!
For winter the heater seems amazing from a quick go as the cockpit is so small, the heated screen is also very useful. Had a little run out in it today and really pleased, feels just like a go kart with its heavy steering.
I think I have done the wise thing in buying a second set of wheels which will be done black and the chrome ones stored away. Reason being as they were an option I'd like to be able to always put the car back to original spec if required.
Here's a couple of more flattering pics and the great view you get driving
For winter the heater seems amazing from a quick go as the cockpit is so small, the heated screen is also very useful. Had a little run out in it today and really pleased, feels just like a go kart with its heavy steering.
I think I have done the wise thing in buying a second set of wheels which will be done black and the chrome ones stored away. Reason being as they were an option I'd like to be able to always put the car back to original spec if required.
Here's a couple of more flattering pics and the great view you get driving
Podie said:
What's storage like? not just the rack is it?
There's a little space behind the seats and then a sort of parcel shelf you could get a large holdall bag/ bags on. But mainly yes if your away for a while its a case on the rear rack job. Realistically I don't think I'll ever really use the rack as can make it fit inside, but will keep it on just in case.
Hills Alive do specialised bags for shelf behind the seats. each is size of a small carry-on but quite deep. Not cheap but if touring then very useful.
Steering - try over inflating the tyres a bit. certainly avoid under inflation.
are your 2nd wheels going to be steel/alloy? would be nice experience it without the wires, which are heavy.
Steering - try over inflating the tyres a bit. certainly avoid under inflation.
are your 2nd wheels going to be steel/alloy? would be nice experience it without the wires, which are heavy.
Cheers Guys
The wheels are the same size and wire again but will be either satin or gloss black, im leaning towards gloss though.
Here a couple of pics from today. I had to put the car up on rams and axel stands as driving to town was the most unbearable noise, like a child with a bit of card in their bike spokes! I pulled over and checked behind each wheel but could see nothing. Turned out it was the handbrake cable catching on the prop shaft for some reason. So made up a stainless bracket and cable tied it out of the way. Much better.
Spent some time putting cuprinol on the wood panels aswell along with waxoyling the engine bay.
Had a little go with black rubber paint that can be peeled off on a couple of bits aswell to see what they look like. I did the grill and lucas sidelights, but took it off them again as didn't like the look. I'll leave the grill though for a bit as prefer it black.
Remember in these pics this car is 2000 and the current 4/4 is still made the same way!
[URL=http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/tomcalcutt92/media/IMG_2594.jpg.html]
The wheels are the same size and wire again but will be either satin or gloss black, im leaning towards gloss though.
Here a couple of pics from today. I had to put the car up on rams and axel stands as driving to town was the most unbearable noise, like a child with a bit of card in their bike spokes! I pulled over and checked behind each wheel but could see nothing. Turned out it was the handbrake cable catching on the prop shaft for some reason. So made up a stainless bracket and cable tied it out of the way. Much better.
Spent some time putting cuprinol on the wood panels aswell along with waxoyling the engine bay.
Had a little go with black rubber paint that can be peeled off on a couple of bits aswell to see what they look like. I did the grill and lucas sidelights, but took it off them again as didn't like the look. I'll leave the grill though for a bit as prefer it black.
Remember in these pics this car is 2000 and the current 4/4 is still made the same way!
[URL=http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/tomcalcutt92/media/IMG_2594.jpg.html]
Edited by SailingTom on Sunday 18th September 14:17
Just thought i'd give a little bit of a thread update for if anyone is interested.
Cant tell you how its been this last month as a small repaint of some bubbling under the lucas marker lights has ended in near enough a full respray after welding the holes removing them left! Reason being as it was in I thought it better to get all the bits done.
Im hoping to get it back tuesday before I start bolting bits on.
Ive ended up with a fair pile of bits in the garage ready including a lovely new alloy radiator as the other developed a leak. Its also booked in for a full service and a few suspension and steering parts to be upgraded. I'll be having the cambelt changed aswell as would rather get it done fresh.
Cant tell you how its been this last month as a small repaint of some bubbling under the lucas marker lights has ended in near enough a full respray after welding the holes removing them left! Reason being as it was in I thought it better to get all the bits done.
Im hoping to get it back tuesday before I start bolting bits on.
Ive ended up with a fair pile of bits in the garage ready including a lovely new alloy radiator as the other developed a leak. Its also booked in for a full service and a few suspension and steering parts to be upgraded. I'll be having the cambelt changed aswell as would rather get it done fresh.
Looking good!
Under the sidelight on top of the wing is a wing support bracket, the light mount rubbers perish and water gets in, definitely an area to keep an eye on as regular maintenance. On the wing mount, I have cycle inner tube between the wing and mount as a gasket, in addition to waxoyl this helps.
Consider removing the floor boards as the chassis edges are likely corroded if the fastenings have rusted as in your picture. Maybe seal with mastic to keep the weather out?
I tend to replace all fastenings with stainless steel, after 31 years of fettling the car, they are nearly all done!
Under the sidelight on top of the wing is a wing support bracket, the light mount rubbers perish and water gets in, definitely an area to keep an eye on as regular maintenance. On the wing mount, I have cycle inner tube between the wing and mount as a gasket, in addition to waxoyl this helps.
Consider removing the floor boards as the chassis edges are likely corroded if the fastenings have rusted as in your picture. Maybe seal with mastic to keep the weather out?
I tend to replace all fastenings with stainless steel, after 31 years of fettling the car, they are nearly all done!
Good for you Sailing Tom, it is great so see someone using a Morgan as they should be used.
I bought a new +4 in 62. They had a Triumph TR3/Ferguson tractor engine back then. It was my daily driver for almost 2 years. Those earlier Mogs had a one piece back to the seats, & more space behind them. It was enough for my Great Dane to travel with me. You should have seen his ears blow in the wind at 100 MPH.
Not only my daily driver, I raced it as well, setting the improved production 2 litre sports car Bathurst lap record in 1964. It was clocked at 124.6 MPH through the flying eighth down conrod straight. That was without the windscreen, & with about 50% increase in power.
I drove it to & from Bathurst, & to work the next day. Very versatile cars were the 60s Morgans.
It is a pity that the days when you could successfully race your daily driver are long gone.
I bought a new +4 in 62. They had a Triumph TR3/Ferguson tractor engine back then. It was my daily driver for almost 2 years. Those earlier Mogs had a one piece back to the seats, & more space behind them. It was enough for my Great Dane to travel with me. You should have seen his ears blow in the wind at 100 MPH.
Not only my daily driver, I raced it as well, setting the improved production 2 litre sports car Bathurst lap record in 1964. It was clocked at 124.6 MPH through the flying eighth down conrod straight. That was without the windscreen, & with about 50% increase in power.
I drove it to & from Bathurst, & to work the next day. Very versatile cars were the 60s Morgans.
It is a pity that the days when you could successfully race your daily driver are long gone.
Thanks Guys, dont envy you having a great dane in one haha. In one of the previous photo's you can see the engine you said about in its other use.
Thought i'd give a little update as haven't since I got the car back really.
On the whole its been very well behaved, only thing its wanted for was a new radiator of which an alloy SiFab sports one has been fitted. It now also has its brake reaction bars fitted which reduce the movement and soon to have Panhard Rods installed to keep the back in line.
I've decided to scrap the roll cage plan so now have a safety devices cage that will be going spare, as didnt leave much space inside with the hood up. As it's probably only likely to go on a track once or twice this should be ok.
The lower valance has also been fitted along with its black wheels and goodyear tyres now. The original chrome ones are in the garage roof with all the other bits to go back to original if ever I want to.
Amazing how the look has completely changed!
It's proving to be a bit of a love hate relationship though in that I keep finding myself looking at G wagens on ebay and curse its lack of any practicality.
That said when you open the garage and look at it or take it for a drive how can you not love it. Always brings lots of smiles to people aswell
heres some pics (sorry the front belongs on the crappy plates thread)
Thought i'd give a little update as haven't since I got the car back really.
On the whole its been very well behaved, only thing its wanted for was a new radiator of which an alloy SiFab sports one has been fitted. It now also has its brake reaction bars fitted which reduce the movement and soon to have Panhard Rods installed to keep the back in line.
I've decided to scrap the roll cage plan so now have a safety devices cage that will be going spare, as didnt leave much space inside with the hood up. As it's probably only likely to go on a track once or twice this should be ok.
The lower valance has also been fitted along with its black wheels and goodyear tyres now. The original chrome ones are in the garage roof with all the other bits to go back to original if ever I want to.
Amazing how the look has completely changed!
It's proving to be a bit of a love hate relationship though in that I keep finding myself looking at G wagens on ebay and curse its lack of any practicality.
That said when you open the garage and look at it or take it for a drive how can you not love it. Always brings lots of smiles to people aswell
heres some pics (sorry the front belongs on the crappy plates thread)
Edited by SailingTom on Saturday 1st October 17:46
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