RE: Morgan 4/4: PH Heroes

RE: Morgan 4/4: PH Heroes

Author
Discussion

dinkel

26,884 posts

257 months

Wednesday 28th June 2017
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After a few secs I forgot how 'bad' the ride was: I loved the 3.9 V8!

Quick and proper old skool handling. Not for the faint hearted digital experience pistonheads.

Edited by dinkel on Saturday 1st July 14:30

flowman

103 posts

208 months

Wednesday 28th June 2017
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Drive one! It's impossible to have a go in a Morgan without putting a huge smile on your face. All criticisms are valid but the bottom line is they are great fun.

NDA

21,479 posts

224 months

Wednesday 28th June 2017
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Lagerlout said:
I absolutely love my Morgan. It's an absolute mental beast of a car. It's a +8 with the BMW M5 engine 370 bhp, 1220kg. It sounds utterly incredible especially when you wring it out in 2nd and 3rd gears. Pottering around at 30mph and just lifting off generates the most ludicrous v8 pops and bangs you can imagine. It's also built brilliantly well. It's really lovely and it's very fast. Sure it bounces and hops but that's part of the character, it's not a modern car, but it's more engaging because of it.

The car has the alloy chassis from the Aero with the trad body of the Plus 4/roadster. The brakes are just ridiculous, possibly the best I've had on a road car. It's also ridiculously easy to power slide!!

So if you think a Morgan is boring, I'd suggest they aren't, they are all very, very different. From the +4 and it's loveliness to the crazy 3 wheeler, to the quirky Aero, Morgan makes something different to anyone else on the planet in 2017. I understand not everyone likes the concept but if you've even got a slight interest, I'd recommend trying one!



I have one of these too.... I have had quite a few interesting cars over the years and have settled very comfortably with the Morgan. It's a gentleman's hot rod! It's also perfect for my usage - country lanes for a few hours.

I had a Morgan Roadster before the Aero +8 and can't say I got on with it. Medieval suspension which I didn't enjoy.



alexrogers92

71 posts

93 months

Wednesday 28th June 2017
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Cannot understand how people think this is 'good looking'. To me its hideous.

However if we all liked the same thing, life would be very boring.

sospan

2,468 posts

221 months

Wednesday 28th June 2017
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Not a driver's car?
What is then?
A car full of state of the art gizmos that do the driving for you?
I have a 2002 Plus8.....rover V8.
A totally different driving experience to any modern gadget infested car.
No power steering....not needed.
No abs....I use my right foot for that.
No traction control.......if a car has it and it kicks in you are driving stupidly on a public road.
Mine has extras added to improve....panhard rod, front suspension stabilisers, adjustable dampers, rollbar. Rollbar fitted after a diesel encounter 4 years ago on a roundabout in the wet. Back end kicked out but caught ok. You learn the feel of the car and your senses kick in. Unlike a computer controlled car that gets you out of trouble.
ABS is probably the only upgrade I would consider purely for added safety.
Did a track session a couple of weekends ago. Great time, gave rides to a few as well. They loved it.
The Club scene is good too. MANY events/trips/monthly meets. You can mix with whoever you want. Not all tweed clad fuddy duddies! Worldwide local club centres too. Want to tour Romania? Contact Draculamog the local club...they will help!

Athlon

4,998 posts

205 months

Wednesday 28th June 2017
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I love these cars! They are fro a time when you had to drive them and long may they continue, they are not everyday cars they are high days and holidays cars and I doubt many see a bad day. leave the roof at home, sun glasses on and enjoy a life more simple.
The fit and finish of the body is better than some seem to be making out, they are not however laser built by robots but by genuine craftsmen and the slight differences should be appreciated, not many cars are really handbuilt these days.

A few years back I had fairly regular use of an 80's +8, my job at the time was working on Italian top end sports cars and I would rather take the Morgan when I could, they just make you smile, long may they continue.

You either 'get' them (which as has been said most folk do once they have had a go) or you don't, marmite cars that taste of honey.

RICHYRICH46

1 posts

81 months

Wednesday 28th June 2017
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Nice to read some positive comments about the 4/4. Having grown up with a 1965 4/4 in the family I've always had a soft spot for the simplicity and honesty the 4/4 offers. Over the last few years I've been lucky enough to take the reins and put plenty of road and a few track miles on the car and I have to say I've driven few other motors that feel so well balanced and in tune with the driver.

Morgans come in to their own when driven hard on hilly twisty country roads, late evening with no roof or side screens, tonneau cover on to waft a bit of leather infused heat around your face you just can't beat the sensation. Compared to more modern advanced stuff I've driven the Morgan offers you far more driver involvement and satisfaction and at more sensible speeds.

Agreed the price tag for a new car is a bit heavy but for those who get what the 4/4 is all about its worth it. You will probably keep the car a lifetime and pass it through the generations so long term its not expensive. I'd sell my house before getting rid of the car.

TheRice90

30 posts

99 months

Thursday 29th June 2017
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Driving and owning a Morgan is about the adventure and the spirit of motoring. I think one of the other posters touched on a good point about riding a motorbike and the interaction of machine and rider. Its not always about going fast, being comfortable or even staying dry! Its all about the joy or piloting a machine. A machine that requires you to think ahead and to work with its limitations. Its like owning a classic that starts every morning!
Also on the point of the high cost of the car, yes you could but a used Cayman or M3 or this or that, but you have to consider depreciation too. I sold my Morgan after 4 years and got the exact same money I paid for it. I challenge you to find a "cheaper" car than that.

Also a kid once asked me was I Batman when i was driving it. That made the car worth every penny!

andylane

1 posts

156 months

Thursday 29th June 2017
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Although I've always kind of admired Morgans from afar I'd never seriously thought about buying one, but I was looking for a pre-war car for the RAC 1,000 Mile Trial and a 1938 Series 1 "4-4" popped up on eBay and I bought it - it's the strangest thing; absolutely awful on literally every level yet such amazing fun that it puts a permanent smile on your face. It's a proper workout mind, knackering to drive fast, requires 100% concentration like a motorcycle, burns your leg when the gearbox gets hot, impossible to get in and out of with the hood up, not a single safety feature, kills your back, - well, you get the idea!
But this picture on the recent Hughes Rally sums up the experience.

giveitfish

4,030 posts

213 months

Thursday 29th June 2017
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Thought I'd share this. Seen from the pub window at Applecross in the Scottish Highlands on a sunny day last year - doesn't it look just right?

Scotland April 2016 by giveitfish, on Flickr

Spoke to the couple touring in it and they were very happy. I was just as happy in my Elise, also with no power steering, no power brakes, no ABS, no traction control etc etc yet I was having a totally different (faster) experience of the roads - both have their place.

mikebrownhill

122 posts

197 months

Friday 30th June 2017
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I've got one and can't disagree with any of the comments, good or bad. Mines a Roadster, so bigger engine but same chassis, which makes it slightly terrifying in the wet as well. I, however, love driving it - don't know why really, but I do. It is my third car though so its only ever used for fun and maybe that's the secret of Morgan ownership - if you can afford to have one in the toy box for a laugh, then just do it - if you can't and you use it as a daily, then you could be disappointed.

concinnity

1 posts

125 months

Friday 30th June 2017
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Morgan sure must be doing something right. They are the largest British OWNED car manufacturer.

dinkel

26,884 posts

257 months

Friday 30th June 2017
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concinnity said:
Morgan sure must be doing something right. They are the largest British OWNED car manufacturer.

robtoon

2 posts

143 months

Friday 30th June 2017
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The Morgan has always been something of a marmite car, happily there is still a very strong and loyal marmite following! I have a 1980 plus 8 with the Rover 3.5 engine. Yes the roof will leak a tad if there is a humungus downpour, no the panel fit isn't perfect, yes the brakes are heavy and unassisted, no there is no power steering, yes you have to master the fly off handbrake,and no the heater isn't particularly good. However, it goes like a train, sounds like Thor the God of Thunder with a hangover, drinks like a fish, handles well for a car of its era, is totally absorbing to drive, makes you friends wherever you go and has a character you just don't find in the mass produced market. Its eccentric, lacks a degree of finesse and can be slightly rowdy.........everything I look for in a good friend! Thank God there are still vehicles with imperfections out there amongst the sea of bland sophistication.

alolympic

700 posts

196 months

Saturday 1st July 2017
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A year ago, I didn't understand much about the appeal either. They are definitely a 'heart rules head' choice. Today's world is full of convenience, comfort, effortless gratification, progress chases perfection. But actually, it is the faults in things that provide character and with it, something we connect to. Morgans are like a mechanical watch. Objectively not as good in their primary purpose as a much cheaper quartz watch, but people treasure and covet them still.
Any objective evaluation is barely worth sharing as it just reflects logic. Very few will feel something strong enough to override this logic, which is why most people buy objectively bettter cars.
Me? I actually see a Morgan as a fairly practical choice. I have a comparable anachronism that doesn't have doors or any wet weather protection at all....

josh00mac

319 posts

107 months

Saturday 1st July 2017
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I wish they could produce a cheaper (vinyl?) interior for a cheaper entry model. The cost is prohibitive for the young.

CABC

5,527 posts

100 months

Saturday 1st July 2017
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josh00mac said:
I wish they could produce a cheaper (vinyl?) interior for a cheaper entry model. The cost is prohibitive for the young.
Cost is a lot more than the interior. MX5 represents the ultimate economies of scale in cars, Morgan can't get anywhere close.

CABC

5,527 posts

100 months

Saturday 1st July 2017
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josh00mac said:
I wish they could produce a cheaper (vinyl?) interior for a cheaper entry model. The cost is prohibitive for the young.
Cost is a lot more than the interior. MX5 represents the ultimate economies of scale in cars, Morgan can't get anywhere close.

simonrockman

6,843 posts

254 months

Sunday 2nd July 2017
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I'd strongly recommend doing the factory tour. They run every half hour and are a major part of the Morgan business. They give you a great sense of why Morgan is Morgan.

The tour I went on started with a look at landmark cars, one was a 1960s glassfibre model built to compete with contemporary Lotuses and the like. It was a flop, and Morgan went back to the 1930s designs. It was as though Morgan said "we tried something modern once, won't do that again".

The not being modern extends to running the factory four and a half days a week - finishing early on a Friday. There is very little mechanisation. Where a slightly more modern company would make the bonnets in a press which curved the metal and punched all the louvres in a single operation, Morgan does it all by hand with the louvres lined up by eye and skill.

I left the tour very keen to drive one. I'd have to do that before knowing if I wanted one, but suspect that given my love for things which are basic, I would.


sawman

4,915 posts

229 months

Sunday 2nd July 2017
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josh00mac said:
I wish they could produce a cheaper (vinyl?) interior for a cheaper entry model. The cost is prohibitive for the young.
You dont need to buy a new morgan though, for the 25k you would put into a new mx5 you could get a 20 year old morgan that, for the most part, will have been pampered and covered few miles. Drive if for a couple of years and probably sell for nearer 30k as opposed to the 15k you will get back from the mx5