Morgans — Cars

~Afor Sun, Nov 2, 1997 (13:49) seed

Morgan began producing 3-wheeled cars in 1909 (or was it 1911?), started making 4-wheelers in 1936, and stopped making 3-wheelers in 1956 (or thereabout). All their cars, regardless of age or number of wheels, use a similar independent front suspension design (with refinements as they years pass) and all (except the unsuccessful Plus 4 Plus of the Sixties) have hand-built wooden bodies on steel frames. The models currently in production are the 4/4, using a 4-cylinder Ford Zetec engine (running on propane in the U.S.) and the +8, using a Rover V-8 (designed by Buick in the Sixties). Despite their antique design, they are fast and nimble sportsters, but special care is needed for their wooden bodies. What are your opinions of these machines? Have you ever seen one? Driven one? Owned one? (I've only seen one myself, never driven one, probably will never own one, but I can dream, can't I?)

~Cafe Tue, Nov 4, 1997 (17:14) #1

There's something about the cut-down doors. The TR2/3's, the TC and TD MG's, and the best looking, the Morgan. What a classy design! Good power & handling too in a classic way. Looks even better from the driver's seat than the Super Seven! See Sam, ya got me!

~terry Tue, Nov 4, 1997 (18:00) #2

When did they stop making these?

~Afor Wed, Nov 5, 1997 (10:29) #3

When did they stop making what? Not only are Morgans still being made, Isis Motors in California imports them and modifies them to meet U.S. regs! The 4/4 uses propane, but the +8 uses gasoline! Components of the Super Seven are still being built by Caterham Cars (who bought the design from Lotus) and are sold as kits. The TR2/3 was replaced by the TR4 (ugly) in the Sixties. The MG-TD was replaced by the TF in the Fifties and the MGA in the Sixties, I think.

~Cafe Wed, Nov 5, 1997 (11:06) #4

You are right sir! I went for the Caterham kit in college; it was and still is pretty expensive, but it's the real thing, unlike the Toyota powered and Buick(!) wannabes I've seen. Love the TR3, should'a bought one when they didn't want 10 grand. Guy I knew stuffed a small block Chevy in one and terrorized himself and others some time ago. Again, the British still have an appreciation for the "good stuff", as you know Sam..

~Afor Wed, Nov 5, 1997 (11:37) #5

The "good stuff" that the British appreciate doesn't, IMO, include FOOD! Yes, the bigggest wannabe (Westland, or something like that) does make a version with a mid-Sixties Buick V-8, which is actually the original version of the V-8 that powers the Morgan +8! When the "compacts" got too big for the aluminium V-8, Buick discontinued the engine. Rover, needing a new big engine ("big" in Europe being very different from "BIG" in America, then as now) decided to save themselves the trouble of designing one and bought the design and the assembley tools from GM. Rover has been making it ever since, and versions have powered Rover sedans, Land Rovers, Range Rovers, TVRs, MGB GT V-8s, British kit cars of all descriptions, and even Jack Brabham's championship-winning F1 car in 1966! A pedigree almost equal to the Ford and Chevy small-blocks, wouldn't you agree?

~Cafe Wed, Nov 5, 1997 (12:28) #6

Actually I didn't know they owned the B.O.P. aluminum V8 tooling. It still hasn't been produced in as great number as the Chevy block. Here's one: Who's your favorite F1 pilot? In my mind it's tough, between Moss & Lauda. I consider Villeneuve Sr. almost a new generation, with all due respect. Schumacher, no dice, I consider him to have been in the right place at the right time. Also: Ever pay any attention to Lord Hesketh? Both cars and bikes, y'know!

~Afor Wed, Nov 5, 1997 (14:14) #7

I have no idea who my all time favourite is. Of current drivers, my sentimental favourite is Gerhard Berger, who unfortunately peaked during the Prost-Senna era. When Senna was alive I was for Schumacher, because I thought he was the only driver who could thrash Senna. After Senna's death I had no more use for Schumacher. I read about the Hesketh Vampire in a book about 10 years ago. It called the Vampire a modern Vincent. I have never heard of it since. BTW, that book also mentioned the H-D XLCR and the Yamaha V-Max. The Rover-Buick V-8 may not have been made in the same numbers as the Chevy smll block, but just about equally spectacular things have been done with it! I think it was Caroll Shelby's first choice for the Cobra, but GM said no.

~sprin5 Sat, May 13, 2000 (08:35) #8

Priceless comments, wither El Sam Blob (Afor)/ ?