While visiting Knockhill to grab a few pics during a tack day, and dressed in waterproofs with a wooly bunnet loking like something the cat dragged in, I spotted a McLaren in the paddock and was trying to grab a pic of it when a chap came over and asked if I would like to see it with the doors opened, he even fired the engine up and gave it a few blips, what a nice guy...???

I may have typed this story before, if I have please forgive me.

I type of one who is nothing more than a one time m/cycle enthusiast who "progressed" to be come a car nut. Sure it felt good to enjoy machinery I had restored from close to scrap, however, I did not enjoy the "pose value" of interesting machinery to the extent that not even my neighbours were generally aware of whatever classic I might have to hand for rare jaunts out in the sun, as I ever kept whatever I had at the time tucked away in the garage.... none of that parked out front for everyone to admire...!

One day a few years back my good lady was driving my then circa 11 year old 1982 guards red 911, a car I bought with vandalised paintwork, inoperable clutch, broken valve springs and more, which took a fair bit of my time effort and money for me to resolve... Sitting at traffic lights had not noticed her brother sitting at the same lights on the opposite side of the road with a few of his colleagues sitting in his car.... One of them on seeing the 911 across the road said look at that rich bi.ch sitting in her Porsche... The rest is history.

I also have an acquaintance who could be the ENVY of many a wealthy chap, yet unfortunately such is his nature that he occasionally displays envy relative to others on occasion... Go figure.

A window cleaner I once knew through my conversations with his boss about classic cars etc, once said during one such conversation, I know you guys enjoy your cars, and I will never have one, but my wee baby boy gives me all the pleasure in life I need ...... The sad truth is the child died waiting for an ambulance some years back....

Yeah I could have made all these little tales up, but it is all so very true..both good and bad.

The mix of human nature is such that I suspect those who suffer envy are indeed poor souls, when they may be partially blinded by THEIR nature, to the extent that they fail to feel any kind of joy out of seeing someone else in or on any kind of interesting machine... ?

BTW... My old +8 is of the handbuilt variety which is important to me, given it acts as a "modern" substitute for the truly vintage vehicles which I greatly admire but am never likely to afford to buy..

Of course those interested in a T70 are more likely to be inbterested in an McLaren M8 from the same era, rather than a modern McLaren. But we arent talking of a T70 but of a pretty kit car imitation. So the argument is still valid.On the one hand you have a kit car and on the other you have the product of an F1 manufacturer in carbon fibre with a racing engine and all the facilities and civilities you might want in a daily user.

I have driven a couple of modern McLarens - they really are something special. But I accept that not everyone thinks the same way. Morgan are a tribute to that!

I did in fact start this thread with an eye towards something to replace the Fezza. Its a magnificent piece of design and engineering but with all the speed traps and congestion even where I live near the Brecon Beacons, it isnt as useable as I would like. The key is fun and I used to have most fun in the old Lotus, a long way from the fastest thing around but brilliant at bend swinging. Almost as good as a motorbike.

Well, despite the title of this thread, I think a Morgan would be a good choice. Not a new one - one that has been set up with decent suspension, and has a roof that doesn’t leak!

Is there such a thing?

I swapped out the Speedster for a 981 Spyder. Whilst few cars can match the automative theatre that the Speedster provided- the 3.8 Flat Six, manual provides a satisfying alternative- adding in a little more comfort and sublime mid- engined handling.