Discussion
Picked up my Aero last night, it's absolutely fabulous and I'm grinning like a cheshire cat.
Obviously "this thread is useless without pictures" but as you can appreciate taking photos was rather lower on the list of priorities from driving last night. I've added a total of around 100 miles to the meagre 1600 on the clock, and it feels great.
This car is poised, the controls are considered, but heavy - sure they'll loosen up a bit with use, but figure the clutch is always gonna be heavy.
So far I'm getting used to it, but the clutch is rather less progressive than the MAserati clutch, thogh the throttle is easier to deal with - stalled it at traffic lights a couple of times missing the bite point, but ultimately there is so much torque you can just gently let out the clutch and be on your way with no throttle requried at all. (Just like the Masser).
Handbrake is an odd one - its a pull towards you lever, but I'm getting used to that without that much hassle.
Grip is phenomenal, in the dry at least. LE you know more when it rains.
Most of all though you are basically a rolling side show - people stop and stare a bit, and I've had a fair few waves. Not seen abother morgan on the road yet, not sure what the done thing is when I do - flash lights wave or smile or is that all a bit ott for morgan types? I'm sure I'll work it out.
So far I've got the following list of things to sort :
1. Booster seat for mrs tony - she cant see much out of the bucket seat!
2. Mota Lita wheel (looks better)
3. Sports exhaust - though it's got a healthy growl to it at the moment.
4. Quick gear linkage.
5. Stainless gear knob.
Other observations are that theres a fair bit of heat coming into the cabin from the engine - the air con struggles to compete, let alone cool things down. Mostly seems to be coming though around the steering column, so possiblity for a bit more trim there to block the worst of it I think...
Reversing - not as difficult as you'd think, but easier hood up rather than down as down you can't see sod all behind you!
Obviously "this thread is useless without pictures" but as you can appreciate taking photos was rather lower on the list of priorities from driving last night. I've added a total of around 100 miles to the meagre 1600 on the clock, and it feels great.
This car is poised, the controls are considered, but heavy - sure they'll loosen up a bit with use, but figure the clutch is always gonna be heavy.
So far I'm getting used to it, but the clutch is rather less progressive than the MAserati clutch, thogh the throttle is easier to deal with - stalled it at traffic lights a couple of times missing the bite point, but ultimately there is so much torque you can just gently let out the clutch and be on your way with no throttle requried at all. (Just like the Masser).
Handbrake is an odd one - its a pull towards you lever, but I'm getting used to that without that much hassle.
Grip is phenomenal, in the dry at least. LE you know more when it rains.
Most of all though you are basically a rolling side show - people stop and stare a bit, and I've had a fair few waves. Not seen abother morgan on the road yet, not sure what the done thing is when I do - flash lights wave or smile or is that all a bit ott for morgan types? I'm sure I'll work it out.
So far I've got the following list of things to sort :
1. Booster seat for mrs tony - she cant see much out of the bucket seat!
2. Mota Lita wheel (looks better)
3. Sports exhaust - though it's got a healthy growl to it at the moment.
4. Quick gear linkage.
5. Stainless gear knob.
Other observations are that theres a fair bit of heat coming into the cabin from the engine - the air con struggles to compete, let alone cool things down. Mostly seems to be coming though around the steering column, so possiblity for a bit more trim there to block the worst of it I think...
Reversing - not as difficult as you'd think, but easier hood up rather than down as down you can't see sod all behind you!
Not a handbrake mechanism I've seen before - but it works suprisingly well once you get used to it!
Gutted I had to miss VMAX as would have been a great chance to catch up with all and show off the new beast.
Oh well, I'm sure it will be soon - probably get myself over to one of trackdemons early morning jaunts - may well need a co-pilot!
Gutted I had to miss VMAX as would have been a great chance to catch up with all and show off the new beast.
Oh well, I'm sure it will be soon - probably get myself over to one of trackdemons early morning jaunts - may well need a co-pilot!
I did get some free caps with the car but no thong - I will ahve to complain! 
Silica may be an option, but unusualyl the Aero has heated window all round (Even the side) so steaming up shouldn't be an issue (touch wood(en frame)!)
Can't wait to get home and get out there again in it, great fun to drive, not the best in traffic (lurch clunk etc) but very livable with all the same! Get a good bit of lightly traffiked (and twisty) A rod and it's truly devastating as a driving machine!
Silica may be an option, but unusualyl the Aero has heated window all round (Even the side) so steaming up shouldn't be an issue (touch wood(en frame)!)
Can't wait to get home and get out there again in it, great fun to drive, not the best in traffic (lurch clunk etc) but very livable with all the same! Get a good bit of lightly traffiked (and twisty) A rod and it's truly devastating as a driving machine!
More of a Calvins man myself but I can understand the moisture levels in torrential rain - fat tyres no ABS 100kg and more torque than lambo tractor is a recipie for perspiration of the first order I would imagine.
I'm sure I'll find out as I'm off to bonny scotland next week! (fingers crossed for fine weather!).
>> Edited by mr_tony on Wednesday 20th July 15:59
I'm sure I'll find out as I'm off to bonny scotland next week! (fingers crossed for fine weather!).
>> Edited by mr_tony on Wednesday 20th July 15:59
Madness I tell you!
Driving this thing really does turn you into a mobile sideshow (or even freakshow). I mean short of driving a white LP5000S you couldn't get more stares looks and thumbs up from random strangers.
Being a practical sort of chap I gave a temporarilly carless mate a lift over to homebase last night to pick up some diy bits. (luckliy nothing of any size!)
On the way a journey of approx 3 miles though urban Harrow, we received about 5 waves, a bunch of thumbs up and several shouts of nice car mate and the piece de resistance 'Now TAHTS what I call an automobile' from a young chap in a Nova. (MAxxers can't be all that bad if they can appreciate a handbuilt british icon eh!)..
AFter pootling round homebase getting tired under the flickering sodioum and inhaling a damp mixture of cement and plant food, off to the KFC drive thru.
Now the car isn't made to do stuff like this, but it copes with the ramp better than the Masser ever did, I did block 2 lanes slightly irritating a few people in a rush (tough!) but drive thru was picked up no problem - in fact easier than the guy in the zaffira in front who was to high to speak to the speaker thingy...
Whilst int he drive through more murmurs of appreciation . shock / bewilderment at the sight of Clarance. Its certainly got impact at least!
Looks damn funy parked on my street too - caught several groups of kids just staring at it so far.
Overall I'm loving it. Slightly miffed regarding the stereo - it's complete crap. Think a full on custom installation is required. Not sure who I'll get to do it, but I'll need something along the following lines :
1. New speakers in the front wings replacing existing ones.
2. Speakers behind the seats in luggage tray section. Custom installation job. Big ones that thump it out so can be heard above wind noise at speed.
3. Remote steering wheel control for CD player.
4. Might need an amp to drive those big speakers.
Would love remote locking but no central locking on board so might not be possible...
Being able to turn the light on remotely would be nice though.
Enough daydreaming, looking forward to goin out for a spin again tonight, then at the weekend its visiting relatives (sick gran) upcountry, then on to Scotland for a week of rampaging around the glens...
Driving this thing really does turn you into a mobile sideshow (or even freakshow). I mean short of driving a white LP5000S you couldn't get more stares looks and thumbs up from random strangers.
Being a practical sort of chap I gave a temporarilly carless mate a lift over to homebase last night to pick up some diy bits. (luckliy nothing of any size!)
On the way a journey of approx 3 miles though urban Harrow, we received about 5 waves, a bunch of thumbs up and several shouts of nice car mate and the piece de resistance 'Now TAHTS what I call an automobile' from a young chap in a Nova. (MAxxers can't be all that bad if they can appreciate a handbuilt british icon eh!)..
AFter pootling round homebase getting tired under the flickering sodioum and inhaling a damp mixture of cement and plant food, off to the KFC drive thru.
Now the car isn't made to do stuff like this, but it copes with the ramp better than the Masser ever did, I did block 2 lanes slightly irritating a few people in a rush (tough!) but drive thru was picked up no problem - in fact easier than the guy in the zaffira in front who was to high to speak to the speaker thingy...
Whilst int he drive through more murmurs of appreciation . shock / bewilderment at the sight of Clarance. Its certainly got impact at least!
Looks damn funy parked on my street too - caught several groups of kids just staring at it so far.
Overall I'm loving it. Slightly miffed regarding the stereo - it's complete crap. Think a full on custom installation is required. Not sure who I'll get to do it, but I'll need something along the following lines :
1. New speakers in the front wings replacing existing ones.
2. Speakers behind the seats in luggage tray section. Custom installation job. Big ones that thump it out so can be heard above wind noise at speed.
3. Remote steering wheel control for CD player.
4. Might need an amp to drive those big speakers.
Would love remote locking but no central locking on board so might not be possible...
Being able to turn the light on remotely would be nice though.
Enough daydreaming, looking forward to goin out for a spin again tonight, then at the weekend its visiting relatives (sick gran) upcountry, then on to Scotland for a week of rampaging around the glens...
Hi William,
I'll be travelling though Glasgow, then on up to Skye for a bit at some point. Not sure if thats your neck of the woods though - forgive me my Scottish Geography is pretty appauling!
Mail me via your profile and if you fancy meeting up (if it's vaguely convenient) if woudl be nice to say hi to a fellow pher / Morgan owner whilst I'm in the neighbourhood so to speak!
cheers,
rich
I'll be travelling though Glasgow, then on up to Skye for a bit at some point. Not sure if thats your neck of the woods though - forgive me my Scottish Geography is pretty appauling!
Mail me via your profile and if you fancy meeting up (if it's vaguely convenient) if woudl be nice to say hi to a fellow pher / Morgan owner whilst I'm in the neighbourhood so to speak!
cheers,
rich
I rather have havent I Chris!
Only problem is that I really ahven't taken any yet.
I'll call the garag and get em to mail me some and I'll put one up just for you!
Drove over to Surrey this am in it, I'm getting used to this beign started at lark now, must be what it's like to be Michael Caine or something...
Only problem is that I really ahven't taken any yet.
I'll call the garag and get em to mail me some and I'll put one up just for you!
Drove over to Surrey this am in it, I'm getting used to this beign started at lark now, must be what it's like to be Michael Caine or something...
cheers for the spotted! Car is awesome, over 1500 miles in a week driving up to skye and back from the smoke and not a foot wrong. Few hairy moments (sideways at a tollbooth / taking off on some bumps!) buit all safe and not a scratch (so far anyway)... New pic on my profile for the nosy (near a very nice scottish backdrop not far from Glencoe).
Felt like a celebrity, everyone wants to know waht it is (lost times of the times I've had to say "Actually it's a Morgan"
- been photographed, videoed all by other motorists on the move. Only gripes so far - slight bit of water leakeage on todays return, but rain was terrential, lack of ABS also a little bit of a worry after an emergency stop in standing water today, but heart in mouth held it on course and pumpd the pedal for my life and all was well...
Also I don't seem to ahve the hang of the hood yet, I'm sure theres a better way to put it down than I'm using! Tonneau cover seems to be a must (along with the sports pipes, mota lital wheel and shiny allow gearknob)...
Also someone has bought my 3200 from the dealer I traded it too - be nice to hear from them too!
Apart from that = positives - traction is simply awesome, it really does hang on, power is excellent and instantly available - overtaking in scotland a complete breeze... Right, having just got home theres a copy of evo on the dormat unread with an article on the Maserati Birdcage. Speak to the lot of you Monday am - in the meantime heres that pic.....
>> Edited by mr_tony on Saturday 30th July 18:26
STEREO UPGRADE
Well my faithful stereo people got the call this week, so I'm having the morgan completely decked out with a new head unit and additional speakers.
I did um and ahh for a bit wondering whether to fit speakers in the rear shelf as it's takign the car away from being 'stock', but I need to be able to hear the stereo, and I need a phone solution too so....
Stereo
Pioneer Bluetooth P70BT Head Unit (does handsfree interaction with bluetooth mobile phones - ideal cos no wiring / cradles to fit cos no space for it!).
DLS269 - 6x9 rear speakers in parcel shelf.
DLS R5A 5"mid/twt - in the front area where existing speakers are.
Should be a great setup and a darn site louder than what I've got right now...
That also means I've got a sat nav head unit for sale.
Well my faithful stereo people got the call this week, so I'm having the morgan completely decked out with a new head unit and additional speakers.
I did um and ahh for a bit wondering whether to fit speakers in the rear shelf as it's takign the car away from being 'stock', but I need to be able to hear the stereo, and I need a phone solution too so....
Stereo
Pioneer Bluetooth P70BT Head Unit (does handsfree interaction with bluetooth mobile phones - ideal cos no wiring / cradles to fit cos no space for it!).
DLS269 - 6x9 rear speakers in parcel shelf.
DLS R5A 5"mid/twt - in the front area where existing speakers are.
Should be a great setup and a darn site louder than what I've got right now...
That also means I've got a sat nav head unit for sale.
UPDATE
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Stereo Fitted - sounds great - the 6x9's ina custom built bok on the parcel shef work brilliantly - though slightly muffled with the roof down.
The front speakers ahd to be reduced to a 4" as a 5" just won't go.
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Had a blown headlight bulb from collection (hadn't noticed as not really driven in the dark) so had that replaced - good old dealers cost of bulb 5 quid no labour charge - great!!!
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Got a garage lined up - figure the beast needs good conditions for winter time. So better look after Clarance I guess!
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Still waiting for my cover from the factory - taken 6 weeks so far and still not here. Figure parts like this are probably slower to turn up than those for the MAserati from Italy!
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Need to start looing around for a runabout car now as obviously won't be driving clarance all winter. Woudl love an old audi quattro, but I think smart car more likely, or an old fiesta to replace my last one...
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Stereo Fitted - sounds great - the 6x9's ina custom built bok on the parcel shef work brilliantly - though slightly muffled with the roof down.
The front speakers ahd to be reduced to a 4" as a 5" just won't go.
-----------------------------------------------------
Had a blown headlight bulb from collection (hadn't noticed as not really driven in the dark) so had that replaced - good old dealers cost of bulb 5 quid no labour charge - great!!!
--------------------------------------------------
Got a garage lined up - figure the beast needs good conditions for winter time. So better look after Clarance I guess!
----------------------------------------------------
Still waiting for my cover from the factory - taken 6 weeks so far and still not here. Figure parts like this are probably slower to turn up than those for the MAserati from Italy!
----------------------------------------------------
Need to start looing around for a runabout car now as obviously won't be driving clarance all winter. Woudl love an old audi quattro, but I think smart car more likely, or an old fiesta to replace my last one...
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