Morgan Plus 8 Speedster: Spotted
They don't make Brit sports cars like they used to? Manual Speedster proves different!
'Right' hand drive, manual gearbox - we're in!
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
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.
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.
Sniff Petrol are on the case as well.
While firms like Singer and Eagle enjoy success sympathetically modernising old sports cars, a British company is now offering to do the exact opposite, promising ‘all the appearance of 1914 with all the features also of 1914’.
The Morgan Motor Company of Malvern says it specialises in providing a level of comfort and convenience ‘similar to having rickets’.
Speaking exclusively to Sniff Petrol via electromagnetic telephonogram, Morgan’s general supervisor of works Reginald Scrimshaw explained how their philosophy works: ‘Now look here,’ he said. ‘Our chaps eschew the undesirable elements of the modern motoring car such as a metal structure and a roof, replacing them with proper materials such as wooden beams, horse wefts and wattle.’
‘Stop slouching boy,’ Mr Scrimshaw continued. ‘Our drawing office also insists on the banishment of needless on-board devices such as the radiogram and the ducted warmth system, though if the customer so desires their motor carriage can be installed with appropriate alternatives such as an harpist and an hearth.’
However, Mr Scrimshaw adds that customers unwilling to indulge in the full Edwardian experience will be given the option to specify their car with ‘modern options’ such as ‘electrical lamps, speed reportation dial, and relatively little cholera.’
Conversely, buyers with deeper pockets may wish to delve into the authentically unmodernised options menu to select items such as leather tyres, hand operated brakes and a snub nosed ‘car orphan’ who lives in the boot and regularly pops out to clean your goggles with a rag.
Furthermore, every car is equipped as standard with advanced features such as pipe holder, moustache cloth and driving monocle. ‘These are mere essentials,’ Mr Scrimshaw insisted. ‘We are not savages. For heaven’s sake, I will not tell you again, STOP MUMBLING.’
The Morgan unmodernised range goes on sale yesterday.
Sniff Petrol are on the case as well.
While firms like Singer and Eagle enjoy success sympathetically modernising old sports cars, a British company is now offering to do the exact opposite, promising ‘all the appearance of 1914 with all the features also of 1914’.
The Morgan Motor Company of Malvern says it specialises in providing a level of comfort and convenience ‘similar to having rickets’.
Speaking exclusively to Sniff Petrol via electromagnetic telephonogram, Morgan’s general supervisor of works Reginald Scrimshaw explained how their philosophy works: ‘Now look here,’ he said. ‘Our chaps eschew the undesirable elements of the modern motoring car such as a metal structure and a roof, replacing them with proper materials such as wooden beams, horse wefts and wattle.’
‘Stop slouching boy,’ Mr Scrimshaw continued. ‘Our drawing office also insists on the banishment of needless on-board devices such as the radiogram and the ducted warmth system, though if the customer so desires their motor carriage can be installed with appropriate alternatives such as an harpist and an hearth.’
However, Mr Scrimshaw adds that customers unwilling to indulge in the full Edwardian experience will be given the option to specify their car with ‘modern options’ such as ‘electrical lamps, speed reportation dial, and relatively little cholera.’
Conversely, buyers with deeper pockets may wish to delve into the authentically unmodernised options menu to select items such as leather tyres, hand operated brakes and a snub nosed ‘car orphan’ who lives in the boot and regularly pops out to clean your goggles with a rag.
Furthermore, every car is equipped as standard with advanced features such as pipe holder, moustache cloth and driving monocle. ‘These are mere essentials,’ Mr Scrimshaw insisted. ‘We are not savages. For heaven’s sake, I will not tell you again, STOP MUMBLING.’
The Morgan unmodernised range goes on sale yesterday.
On another note:" Manifest annoyances that could patriotism can pass off as 'character'? "
This sentence makes no sense to me...
Matt
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff