Monday 4th October 2010

'Classic' Morgan Three-Wheeler Returns

£46k 90hp tricycle to celebrate historic firm's centenary

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The classic Morgan three-wheeler is scheduled to return this year, in the form of a re-engined Liberty Ace, built in Malvern with a modern version of the original Morgan's JAP engine.

According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, the new trikes are already in build at Morgan's Malvern factory. As we understand it the Liberty Ace is basically a Morgan original design made under licence in Seattle since 2009, where it comes with a Harley Davidson V-twin engine. The terrific pictures here are all courtesy of the Liberty Ace website.

According to the Telegraph, it was the success of the Ace that prompted Morgan to want to have a bash at its own 'new' trike, with the result that it's had to re-licence its own design back from the company it issued the licence to - which all sounds like a wonderfully British muddle but doubtless makes perfect sense to all concerned.

The article claims the new 1,000cc (or more) engine is likely to be assembled locally to Malvern, and with 90hp out on the nose should easily 'crack the ton', as PHers would have been pleased to note back in 1952 when the last Morgan trike was sold.

Come to think of it, we're pretty pleased about in here in 2010.

[blackpoolrocket]

WTF 50k is someone having a laff

[BelperJim]

I was out watching these tanking round a wet Donington Park (and winning) yesterday.

[shoestring7]

A lovely idea, but how is something with that level of mechanicals on the outside ever going to get Type Approval or SVA?

SS7

[Mini1275]

Awesome things, i'd love one but near 50K?

[kambites]

The Crack Fox said:

Fabulous, and I'm sure the quality will be superb, but how on earth did they arrive at that price ?!

Same way Porsche did with the new 911 "Speedster", I'd imagine.

[Hugo a Gogo]

shoestring7 said:

A lovely idea, but how is something with that level of mechanicals on the outside ever going to get Type Approval or SVA?

SS7

Have you ever seen a motorbike?

[Simbu]

shoestring7 said:

A lovely idea, but how is something with that level of mechanicals on the outside ever going to get Type Approval or SVA?

SS7

I was thinking that - first pedestrian that thing hits is going to get shinned by the motor!

[ian_touring]

Looks fun. But with a Harley twin of low lazy torque? Shirly a higher revving bike engine (e.g. Ducati) would suit better?

[ian_touring]

Looks fun. But with a Harley twin of low lazy torque? Shirly a higher revving bike engine (e.g. Ducati) would suit better?

[mat205125]

The Crack Fox said:

Fabulous, and I'm sure the quality will be superb, but how on earth did they arrive at that price ?!

... possibly because the components for the build will be expensive at the likely volumes, and the labour hours will also be very very high.

[Insight]

Why don't they just buy 10 of them off the American company and then sell them on as special editions! Not going to sell that many at that price anyway and seems like a lot of effort to go to building their own. This isn't Morgan's future, so why waste time developing it?

[sa_20v]

Mini1275 said:

Awesome things, i'd love one but near 50K?

Do you have any idea what an original would set you back?!

[srob]

sa_20v said:

Mini1275 said:

Awesome things, i'd love one but near 50K?

Do you have any idea what an original would set you back?!

35K.

I'd have this one:



Available here http://www.verralls.com/

I've been lucky enough to have a few trips in three-wheeler Morgans. They're awesome

[shoestring7]

Hugo a Gogo said:

shoestring7 said:

A lovely idea, but how is something with that level of mechanicals on the outside ever going to get Type Approval or SVA?

SS7

Have you ever seen a motorbike?

Err, not one with the engine infront of the front wheels, no.

SS7

[soad]

Wouldn't even consider buying it until I turn older I guess...
No idea how much it cost to develop or build but seems steeply priced for what it is.

Price aside - looks fun, although I'd prefer something like T-Rex (or whatever they're called).

[Gary C]

shoestring7 said:

A lovely idea, but how is something with that level of mechanicals on the outside ever going to get Type Approval or SVA?

SS7

Thats exactly what i thought

[Chris71]

I like that. But I'm not sure I like it £40,000 more than a Triking or JZR replica.

[Ozzie Osmond]

soad said:

Wouldn't even consider buying it until I turn older I guess...

How old will you need to be?

I still reckon I'll never be old enough to own a Mercedes....

[Hugo a Gogo]

shoestring7 said:

Err, not one with the engine infront of the front wheels, no.

SS7

this car doesn't have the engine in front of the wheels either

as long as there are no spinny whirly things it's fine

[shoestring7]

Hugo a Gogo said:

shoestring7 said:

Err, not one with the engine infront of the front wheels, no.

SS7

this car doesn't have the engine in front of the wheels either

as long as there are no spinny whirly things it's fine

You've never had to prep a car for SVA, have you?

SS7