Non Morgan owner visits factory.
Discussion
I went to see the Morgan factory Yesterday.
Now, I've been keen on cars for 50 years, and I know what a Morgan is. However, until yesterday I didn't 'get it' in terms of 'Why?'
I knew that the Morgan Classic is hand made, has a steel chassis, ash frame, and an aluminium body. I didn't realise that they still had live rear ends, or sliding pillar front suspension. So I'm sort appalled by the technicalities, and start wondering just why do people buy these cars?
As I walk round on the 'do it yourself wander about' official factory tour, I see craftsmen actually fitting things together. Making the wooden frame fit onto the chassis by adjusting each bit until the fit is correct, then the same process is completed to make the aluminium panels fit unto the frame. The whole car is pieced together, not by robots working to dimensions, but by a person working to feel.
As I watched the cars being built, and appreciate the processes involved I began to understand. It isn't just the car, a Morgan is more thah the sum of its' parts, it's craftsmanship. It is a collection of all those hours that have gone into the making of it. There is a real pride in production, each car seems to be more than a chassis number, it just happens that this is one superb example of craftsmanship that you can also get in a drive - amazing, what does that feel like? That must give you such an amazing grin everytime a wheel turns.
I still think the Morgan Classic is very old fashioned, but that isn't the point. I understand them much more now.
Now, I've been keen on cars for 50 years, and I know what a Morgan is. However, until yesterday I didn't 'get it' in terms of 'Why?'
I knew that the Morgan Classic is hand made, has a steel chassis, ash frame, and an aluminium body. I didn't realise that they still had live rear ends, or sliding pillar front suspension. So I'm sort appalled by the technicalities, and start wondering just why do people buy these cars?
As I walk round on the 'do it yourself wander about' official factory tour, I see craftsmen actually fitting things together. Making the wooden frame fit onto the chassis by adjusting each bit until the fit is correct, then the same process is completed to make the aluminium panels fit unto the frame. The whole car is pieced together, not by robots working to dimensions, but by a person working to feel.
As I watched the cars being built, and appreciate the processes involved I began to understand. It isn't just the car, a Morgan is more thah the sum of its' parts, it's craftsmanship. It is a collection of all those hours that have gone into the making of it. There is a real pride in production, each car seems to be more than a chassis number, it just happens that this is one superb example of craftsmanship that you can also get in a drive - amazing, what does that feel like? That must give you such an amazing grin everytime a wheel turns.
I still think the Morgan Classic is very old fashioned, but that isn't the point. I understand them much more now.
I've put some pictures on Flikr:
www.flickr.com/photos/drawmer/sets/72157594199713315/
Please post if I've made any errors - you know the cars better than I do!
www.flickr.com/photos/drawmer/sets/72157594199713315/
Please post if I've made any errors - you know the cars better than I do!
Wacky Racer: The photographic build history sounds like a bargain! That must be a real treasure to have with the car. A real pride of ownership thing. If I was having one built, I'd deffo go and see it 'in build' as well.
Boshly: The Aero 8 I find easier to understand, since it is not old fashioned in its' engineering, only in its' build values. There are two cars I really would like to place side by side, and that's the Morgan Aero 8 and the Weissman coupe. Very similar offerings, both with passion in the building.
What are the differences between a Mk1 and MK11 Aero 8? I saw at least three different exhaust treatments on them at the factory. Twin rear, Quad rear, and side pipes. If it was me, I'd probably be really childish about it. Many years ago I had a Sunbeam Tiger, I've never lost that wish for the V8 beat!
Boshly: The Aero 8 I find easier to understand, since it is not old fashioned in its' engineering, only in its' build values. There are two cars I really would like to place side by side, and that's the Morgan Aero 8 and the Weissman coupe. Very similar offerings, both with passion in the building.
What are the differences between a Mk1 and MK11 Aero 8? I saw at least three different exhaust treatments on them at the factory. Twin rear, Quad rear, and side pipes. If it was me, I'd probably be really childish about it. Many years ago I had a Sunbeam Tiger, I've never lost that wish for the V8 beat!
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