Morgan Plus 8 racecar: You Know You Want To
If there's a cooler track car around for £40K, we're yet to see it
And when you think about it, there's a lot going for a Morgan as a circuit project. With the V8 cars you have big power, very little weight and rear-wheel drive - already a good start and, to be frank, the British have always done quite well with eight-cylinder sports cars. Alright, we've made quite a lot, that's probably a more accurate statement.
Then there's this, a Plus 8 modified to be a track and race car. How much fun does it look?! There's surely more than enough of power, noise and performance, on top of the fantastically cool retro aesthetic, to keep a lot of drivers entertained. In fact, we were so taken by the big haunches - well, it's one of the later, wider cars - that it just had to feature.
The ad is a little short of detail, though it's clearly pitched as a racer - look at the windscreen! Look at the stickers too; hopefully, they tell a story of a long and illustrious career. Could it be made to road spec perhaps? There's no mention of an MoT though there are lights, indicators, seats... Can't need much more, can it? Obviously, we're speculating here, though only because the one place this could look better - and draw more attention - than in a paddock is out on the public road.
That's what's key to the appeal, isn't it? The raffish attitude; this is not a track car for finely adjusting the downforce, nailing braking points and ensuring your shift point is spot on. It's for going really bloomin fast thanks to a huge great engine, and most likely having an absolute ball - by dictating everything that the car does - in the process.
What else could you buy? There's the usual range of British suspects for £40,000, though you could be struggling to fully replicate this. A Caterham will of course only have four cylinders, a Radical is a far more serious track proposition and a Zenos is never going to be as cool as this. Meaning you're probably left with a V8 Westfield or something like this TVR Tuscan.
No doubt they will be fun. This potentially looks even more entertaining though, especially with the rarity factor thrown in. Imagine passing someone in their caged M3 with your 40-year-old Morgan - splendid! It looks ready to rumble right now in fact. What's stopping you? Track day season is in full flow!
MORGAN PLUS8 RACECAR
Price: £40,000
Why you should: You need this answering?
Why you shouldn't: Not exactly short of fast, loud, Brit track cars are we now?
See the original ad here
I will buy this machine, but only if provided with a complimentary 100 pack of your cigarettes (that are cleverly marketed with no marketing but messages of impending doom and illness instead)
I was grinning for days afterwards. I'm quite sure there are quicker ways around a race track for the same kind of money but you can't measure fun with a stopwatch.
[1] The owner claimed it was making about 300 BHP, whether that's plausible for a Rover V8 on carbs I don't know, but it certainly felt like a hell of a lot...
Either way it looks like a lot of fun and very cool, but a race car it is not.
I was grinning for days afterwards. I'm quite sure there are quicker ways around a race track for the same kind of money but you can't measure fun with a stopwatch.
[1] The owner claimed it was making about 300 BHP, whether that's plausible for a Rover V8 on carbs I don't know, but it certainly felt like a hell of a lot...
It has been said before on here, but there seems to be far less cars of character around these days. Its all about 'how big are the wheels', what's the 0-62 time, what extras does it have and how badly will it depreciate. Quite frankly I couldn't care less, I think a much better measure would be 'how often does it put a massive grin on your face' or 'involuntary laugh out louds per mile'.
I am so bored of modern vehicles and the perceived 'enjoyment' the manufacturers are telling me I should be getting from them. All marketing bks, in my view. I managed to cut my teeth (in my yoof) by driving lower powered and often larey cars hard and well to get the most out of them, and I enjoyed it very much. This will be a hoot, in a way a lot of the 'latest tech' stuff could never be.
I will buy this machine, but only if provided with a complimentary 100 pack of your cigarettes (that are cleverly marketed with no marketing but messages of impending doom and illness instead)
it's not that powerful, suspension from the 40s but on the right road these cars shift. They're also a great way to enjoy rwd and the rotation you get under throttle mid corner. an old school reminder about vehicle dynamics. every true petrolhead should hire one for at least a day. a test drive won't do as you have to push past the anachronistic ride, find good roads and get to know it. At its best, a great car. Most of the other times a real pita.
This car could well be close to 300bhp with a modified engine from a Rover V8 specialist (John Eales, RPI etc). it is not a race ready car, obviously, due to lack of safety gear and race regs set up. Morgan has its own race series with classes to suit various set ups and alterations. The side exit exhaust will add to the sound experience.
A good looking car though. The price is a bit high for standard road spec and a bit low for a full race spec. There are signs of upgrades having been done......
Extra air intake ducts.
Side exit exhaust.
No full windscreen.
No extinguisher system.
No roll cage.
Interior not stripped back.
Beamish are a well known dealer for Morgans.
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