My first experience in Morgan
Discussion
Hello,
Like @baldshap I test a rented Morgan for a few days… it’s a +4S, Ford Duratec 200ch. I compare to the Caterham which has a similar architecture. I find it way harder to drive than the Caterham, heavier, larger, less precise and breaking is hard. The gear shifter is also less accurate. Despite the size, there is no trunk.
On the positive side, it is way more comfortable, more roomy, less wind inside, even without the side windows. Also, the mirrors are not on the windows, so always have them, which is not the case of the Cat.
It looks really gorgeous and people like it, got many thumbs up!
Like @baldshap I test a rented Morgan for a few days… it’s a +4S, Ford Duratec 200ch. I compare to the Caterham which has a similar architecture. I find it way harder to drive than the Caterham, heavier, larger, less precise and breaking is hard. The gear shifter is also less accurate. Despite the size, there is no trunk.
On the positive side, it is way more comfortable, more roomy, less wind inside, even without the side windows. Also, the mirrors are not on the windows, so always have them, which is not the case of the Cat.
It looks really gorgeous and people like it, got many thumbs up!
Every couple of years I get a hankering for a Morgan. (Saw two through our town, Oban, today).
Then I think of the stories of rot, both the wood and the steel, and the comments of a pal who ran a garage and had to deal with one.
And the TV series of the two actors from the Vet series crammed into one.
Am I wrong, should I try one? Would be looking for a pre 1985 car, what should I expect to pay for one not needing a full rebuild?
Thanks
(ex Lotus 7 and Caterham owner, now aged 72).
Then I think of the stories of rot, both the wood and the steel, and the comments of a pal who ran a garage and had to deal with one.
And the TV series of the two actors from the Vet series crammed into one.
Am I wrong, should I try one? Would be looking for a pre 1985 car, what should I expect to pay for one not needing a full rebuild?
Thanks
(ex Lotus 7 and Caterham owner, now aged 72).
In answer to your question, should I, as a 72 year old ex Caterham owner buy a Trad. Morgan. I might be the perfect person to answer that question as I am a 72+ year old ex Caterham owner who currently has not one but two Morgans, (the ARP4 is currently for sale).
I have built and owned multiple Sevens (and a 21) for over 40 years, but am finding it harder and harder to exit gracefully, sometime not at all, so decided that the only thing even remotely close, was a Morgan. Yes it is twice the weight, and down on power in comparison, has little or no suspension and will only corner well on a race track, but it still retains that joyous driving experience that no other modern sports car can. It is a bonus that all and sundry seem to love the looks too, you get let out at junctions, little boys shout "Nice Car' when you drive past and it is still a possibility to spanner it yourself if the mood takes you.
In an old car, such as the one you are indicating would be in your price bracket, you must be prepared to be working on it a lot. It is not only old, it is a sports car and as such driven hard, laid up for long periods and sometime generally neglected. If you are OK with this go for it, if not save up a bit more and get the youngest car you can, preferably under 10 years old and with lowish miles.
In short, it is no more a Seven than a Seven is a motorbike, but it is the next best thing around, but, a big but, it is an acquired taste. Be prepared to buy and sell a few before you land on the one that suits you. If you buy right, then you should lose very little on sale, and, after all, isn't that the true cost of car ownership?
Good luck in your research.
As a final thought, "it is a truth universally acknowledged" that a Morgan will find its' owner, not the other way round.
I have built and owned multiple Sevens (and a 21) for over 40 years, but am finding it harder and harder to exit gracefully, sometime not at all, so decided that the only thing even remotely close, was a Morgan. Yes it is twice the weight, and down on power in comparison, has little or no suspension and will only corner well on a race track, but it still retains that joyous driving experience that no other modern sports car can. It is a bonus that all and sundry seem to love the looks too, you get let out at junctions, little boys shout "Nice Car' when you drive past and it is still a possibility to spanner it yourself if the mood takes you.
In an old car, such as the one you are indicating would be in your price bracket, you must be prepared to be working on it a lot. It is not only old, it is a sports car and as such driven hard, laid up for long periods and sometime generally neglected. If you are OK with this go for it, if not save up a bit more and get the youngest car you can, preferably under 10 years old and with lowish miles.
In short, it is no more a Seven than a Seven is a motorbike, but it is the next best thing around, but, a big but, it is an acquired taste. Be prepared to buy and sell a few before you land on the one that suits you. If you buy right, then you should lose very little on sale, and, after all, isn't that the true cost of car ownership?
Good luck in your research.
As a final thought, "it is a truth universally acknowledged" that a Morgan will find its' owner, not the other way round.
Edited by kitcat7 on Sunday 1st June 16:28
Thanks for the info Kitcat7.
Every time I see one (there were two through Oban on Thursday) I think "yes, one of them is definitely on my list" but I recall a garage owning pal decrying the build quality and they do look tight in the cockpit area. Can imagine wife grumbling about the noise affecting her tinnitus too.
I said pre '85 to bypass the VED etc but believe the later chassis cars are much stronger and a bit of VED may be cheaper than major body off repairs!!
Recently sold a Boxster, incredibly capable but totally soul less. Owned 5 TVRs over the years - character aplenty there.
Waiting for the right Morgan to find me now.
Every time I see one (there were two through Oban on Thursday) I think "yes, one of them is definitely on my list" but I recall a garage owning pal decrying the build quality and they do look tight in the cockpit area. Can imagine wife grumbling about the noise affecting her tinnitus too.
I said pre '85 to bypass the VED etc but believe the later chassis cars are much stronger and a bit of VED may be cheaper than major body off repairs!!
Recently sold a Boxster, incredibly capable but totally soul less. Owned 5 TVRs over the years - character aplenty there.
Waiting for the right Morgan to find me now.
" I recall a garage owning pal decrying the build quality and they do look tight in the cockpit area."
The build quality has only recently got better with the bonded aluminium chassied cars, but still very expensive. In fairness most older Morgans have had the build quality sorted by previous owners and are pretty reliable. There is more room than even an SV Seven, but then again, that's not saying much, but they do have a glove locker.
"Can imagine wife grumbling about the noise affecting her tinnitus too"
My wife now uses ear plugs for all trips, even down to the shops, it more or less stops her talking as well, so it's always a peaceful drive.
"I said pre '85 to bypass the VED etc but believe the later chassis cars are much stronger and a bit of VED may be cheaper than major body off repairs!!"
Unless you can find a re-chassied car, I would just pay the VED. It's only for the summer months after all so isn't quite as expensive as it sounds. My 2016 ARP4 now cost me £22 pm.
"Recently sold a Boxster, incredibly capable but totally soul less. Owned 5 TVRs over the years - character aplenty there.
Waiting for the right Morgan to find me now.
[/quote]"
It will, but you may need to help it just a bit.....................
The build quality has only recently got better with the bonded aluminium chassied cars, but still very expensive. In fairness most older Morgans have had the build quality sorted by previous owners and are pretty reliable. There is more room than even an SV Seven, but then again, that's not saying much, but they do have a glove locker.
"Can imagine wife grumbling about the noise affecting her tinnitus too"
My wife now uses ear plugs for all trips, even down to the shops, it more or less stops her talking as well, so it's always a peaceful drive.
"I said pre '85 to bypass the VED etc but believe the later chassis cars are much stronger and a bit of VED may be cheaper than major body off repairs!!"
Unless you can find a re-chassied car, I would just pay the VED. It's only for the summer months after all so isn't quite as expensive as it sounds. My 2016 ARP4 now cost me £22 pm.
"Recently sold a Boxster, incredibly capable but totally soul less. Owned 5 TVRs over the years - character aplenty there.
Waiting for the right Morgan to find me now.
[/quote]"
It will, but you may need to help it just a bit.....................
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