Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Morgan Roadster Lightweight

Any insights on this car?

Price makes it very attractive but I am a bit afraid of its past.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C824993

Thanks!

I don't know the car but it seems it had a rather large shunt to justify a rebuild at 3 years old, it could well mean that it has been put back together in a very good way I wouldn't be too worried about that, Techniques are an established good reputation company.

I would be more concerned about whether the original seats and interior were with the car otherwise it will only be useful as a race car. The one's I have seen are bare aluminium including the door cards. I rather think the Lightweight designation means stripped out.

We have a couple of racers on here that maybe know the car ?

It certainly priced to sell if its as good as it sounds.

If I recall correctly there was an article in last month's (or recent) "Miscellany" from the previous owner which may give some insight.

The Roadster Lightweights never had any interior trim, they were designed as racecars from the outset. They don't make very nice roadcars without substantial work.
I was heavily involved in the first couple of dozen built, and even finished building a few for the factory.

Simon @ SiFab.co.uk

Too late, I've put a deposit on it to replace my race car!🙂

I have seen this car at Techniques. It is in very good condition as the photos show.

As Richard said, Techniques are an excellent bunch of Morgan enthusiasts, and I would buy from them without a moment's hesitation.

The ONLY provisos concern its competition history, the rebuild happens when you compete with Morgans (don't ask me how I know) so that is not an issue. When competing you change parts very regularly , rather than have them fail when on the track , so it will have been maintained probably better than many others. I would ask if the dual mass flywheel has been replaced by a solid billet during one of its engine rebuilds. If not budget for a flywheel replacement at some point in the future as this engine is likely to have spent a lot of time at high revs. The BIG PLUS point is that many parts have been upgraded (radiator , fuel tank and a long list of others) The other perhaps negative is the fact that the car has been lowered and the Roadster is already marginal on ground clearance, a MulFab modified sump will be a must if you live in speed bump land.

If you are looking for a Roadster, you could do a lot worse.

If it was state side I'd buy it!

Thanks Richard for your view.
Indeed full rebuilt can be a positive or negative thing, but considering Techniques' reputation, i would consider it positive.

I'll check in the recent Miscellany, thanks for the heads up Max.

Max5 is correct, this is the same car as was featured in the previous owner's article in Miscellany. Any racer will have had the odd 'racing incident' in its life, but it really isn't a concern when the vehicle is maintained appropriately.

As someone with no connection to Techniques other than as a very satisfied customer of theirs, I would have no qualms whatsoever in buying this vehicle, providing it fitted my requirements.

It does seem to be a very good price: I notice that there are 2010/11 Roadsters (Sport) being advertised at considerably more.

It's the car rolled by a premiership footballer at the Silverstone Classic celebrity race. The factory rebuilt with new everything except the engine and transmission. I am going to race it in class R of the challenge to replace my Class D 4/4 . Last 4/4 outing at the Pomeroy at Silverstone on the 18th of February.
The inside is bare aluminium, with an I trimmed race seat and harness. By the time it was a comfy road car it would be cheaper to buy a normal spec roadster. A shame to destroy a rare race car!

All the fun starts at around 1:38 Football and car racing don't mix..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq3SJhAp3Xc

It demonstrates the strength of the car and the need for a rollover bar on the track adequately.

Wow...that's scary!

Impressive strength of the car, but as you say a roll bar is quite useful....

It wasn't the only Morgan to be damaged in the Silverstone Classic celebrity race. I happened to be helping on the spanners for a friend whose Mog was also used during the event. Just my opinion but it should have never been allowed to take place. Put a load of alleged celebrities, some of whom only obtained MSA authorization days before the race, on race track....bad idea!

Arwyn

And the car is now sold to someone else.

Which isn't dramatic considering the additional info provided here. I think I'll start with a more regular car...

No regrets, only projects !