Tuesday 2nd December 2014

Morgan Plus 8 Speedster: Spotted

They don't make Brit sports cars like they used to? Manual Speedster proves different!

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December is a reflective time of year, the opportunity to look back over the highs and lows of the past 11 months as working life slows a little at Christmas. Seasonal retrospectives will follow but right now I want to draw your attention to the Morgan Plus 8 Speedster. Because even amongst the incredible cars we have been privileged enough to drive this year, it stands out as a highlight.

'Right' hand drive, manual gearbox - we're in!

When we tested the Speedster back in August the loan was only for a weekend. Obviously being that time of the year the weather was miserable for the most part. The tonneau cover collected rain on the Friday night meaning Saturday was spent with towels drying out the footwell. Then on the Sunday journey to Wilton House I was congratulated by strangers on battling through the torrential rain with no roof. My tweed has never quite been the same since.

But unlike a lot of cars, you sense the Morgan is a slow burner, one whose charms gradually accumulate over time rather than making themselves immediately obvious. Or rather that sense of happiness and pride doesn't wear off for a very, very long time. It's possibly the most overused catch-all phrase of them all but it's encapsulated by the Plus 8 Speedster; it's a 'feel-good' car.

In fact the whole experience is one for your motoring journalist Brit sports car cliche book. Ready? Rather iffy ergonomics with quite a few buttons that make no sense? Check. A purposeful V8 rumble? Try the optional Aero exhaust, sir. Significant annoyances that patriotism could pass off as 'character'? Let's make a list.

The kind of car to inspire patriotic fervour

The Speedster does have flaws, undoubtedly, but there are more than enough good points too counteract them. Furthermore, two of the biggest (and related) gripes I personally had with the test car are rectified here. The slow-witted BMW auto is gone and the standard manual is in its place, meaning a steering wheel more in keeping with the car's aesthetic returns as well.

Now you've got a Speedster. Big power, low weight, three pedals and six ratios. Don't be deceived by the retro styling either as the Plus 8 is more than capable of holding its own. On manufacturer's kerbweights the Morgan is 565kg less than an F-Type V8. Five six five! And yes, the chassis isn't the most sophisticated but all those benefits of low mass that we carp on about are here. In my experience of the car in mostly damp conditions the predictable front-engined, rear-drive balance is certainly there, albeit with the proviso that the Yokohama Advan tyres do relinquish their grip quite suddenly when it's wet. Oh, and being sat what feels like on the car rather than in it doesn't do a lot for confidence.

Back in August Morgan had built half of the allotted 60 Speedsters so it would be surprising if there are any build slots left now. Many already completed were LHD cars destined for Europe so there can't be more than a handful of RHD manual Speedsters.

As with all Morgans you would expect residuals to be excellent, this featured car already for sale at more than list price. But it really is an experience like no other. Wary that I may be really slipping into cliche and stereotype, the Morgan is just an event car. Driving one any distance won't fail to put a smile on your face for one reason or another. And isn't that why we all started driving in the first place? Because it's fun? The Speedster isn't perfect but it is totally beguiling and there are many more expensive and powerful cars that can never match it for that.

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MORGAN PLUS 8 SPEEDSTER
Engine: 4,799cc V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 372@6,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 370@3,400rpm
MPG: 26
CO2: 256g/km
First registered: 2014
Recorded mileage: 500
Price new: £69,995
Yours for: £73,950

See the original advert here.

[arkenphel]

Lovely, lovely car. Definitely a feel good motor. I always smile when I see one!

On another note:" Manifest annoyances that could patriotism can pass off as 'character'? "

This sentence makes no sense to me...