Hi,

Have you noticed? Usually the trad-models are officially pictured with round mirrors, a nice steering wheel, without third brake-light and no headrests. I wonder why they are not delivered that way.

Mostly £££££££££££ I think.

Ivo, what you will find is that the cars were crash tested by Morgan, and homologated, using the standard parts. To pass the test, the company will have had to use the parts that are actually supplied with the model.

As an example, on my first Aero 8, I asked for it to be supplied with a chrome rear view mirror (similar to the ones you see on many classic Morgans); however, I was told the car had to be supplied stock to the dealer (by the factory) and modifications had to be made post delivery. It really boiled down to concerns that if the customer had an accident and the car had been supplied in a manner that had not been crash tested, and approved, then the company may be liable.

The headrest are needed for safety crash tests, the third brake light is a legal requirement in the UK, the round mirrors are probably too small to be legal on a production car (I believe this was the issue with the Aero 8 mirror and the chrome one I wanted to replace it with) and the Mota Lita wheels, while looking lovely, would certainly do more damage to a person if you hit it, when compared to the stock wheel.

We may make these cars look better but chances are we are making them less safe in the eyes of the government and the legislation they place on Morgan Motor Company.

Thank you Simon

But as we're at it, please let me express my personal opinion about the different items:

- Third brake light. OK... not exactly "beautiful" but no doubt, that it brings some additional safety.

- Headrests. Considering their distance from the head and the fact, that they are not adjustable... will they really be of any use in case of an accident? I don't understand, how they could have been homologated that way.

- Steering wheel. I find that the original feels really cheap, like made from a piece of sheet metal. I'm more confident with the Moto-Lita. Plus, I see my speedometer now.

Is it right? For some extra money, you can get a Moto-Lita right from the factory.

- Mirrors. My round exterior mirrors are convex, and I see more in them, than in the original "square" ones. The interior mirror is so huge, that it obstructs the visibility. So in that point, there's a clear gain of safety after the change.

But as I said... "my personal opinion" and I love the car

Sunny Greetings,
Ivo