Ciao Tony
We have just about organised everything. We had a few nervous days with the Italian bureaucrazy regarding homologation but that is now all sorted out. With the Italian system it is possible to present all the documents and get the plates issued without even having physical possession of the vehicle. We should have the plates next week and then we can organise insurance. When we arrive in Malvern it will just be a matter of fitting the plates and we can drive away.

I promise there will be plenty of photos and I like your idea of Alis writing a few lines about her impressions too.

Our itinerary is as follows:
Mon, 19 Mar 2012 Arrive Malvern early evening
Tue, 20 Mar 2012 Collect car. Afternoon at Worcester
Wed, 21 Mar 2012 General shake down drive in the region
Thu, 22 Mar 2012 Drive to Bournemouth then Portsmouth ferry to Caen not including ferry 280 km
Fri, 23 Mar 2012 Visit Mont Saint Michel, drive to Ploumagoar 271 km
Sat, 24 Mar 2012 Drive to Jonzac Chateau de Puyrigaud 533 km
Sun, 25 Mar 2012 Drive to Soreze Hotel Abbaye Ecole de Sorèze 375 km
Mon, 26 Mar 2012 Drive to Carcassonne Day at Carcassonne, Hotel de la Cite 49 km
Tue, 27 Mar 2012 Drive to Nimes 310 km
Wed, 28 Mar 2012 Drive to ???? about 300 km (Nimes Mandello 680) km
Thu, 29 Mar 2012 Drive to Mandello (Via Tende if weather is fine 722 km from Nimes)

As you can see we are generally taking it in fairly easy stages so that we have time to stop here and there. We will be one full day in the old city of Carcassonne. The route for the last two days depends on the weather but if fine we go via the Colle di Tende which would be a fantastic drive in the Morgan. If possible we will take some video too.

My 4/4 in ivory/tan should be in the factory too, in whatever stage of completion.
(Build is scheduled to start on Monday 12th.)
Wish I could pick it up myself in April, but could not get enough days off.
Additionally my local dealer has to fit the steering column conversion and the Monolita wheel.
It's been a total waiting time of 10 months, and I'm not known as being patient...

Oh, yeah, just in case someone is keen on knowing:
That's what the steering column should finally look like:

[img]http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq205/talkmorgan/494f97da.jpg?t=1331218299[/img]

Ciao Peter!

Great! That really sounds like a nice and well planned trip! Are you flying with soft bags and then re-pack your luggage into your new leather gear at arrival?

Good idea to to stay in the region first days just in case something pops up. A quick estimation says that you will return home with the clock reading close to 3000km, that is a pretty good shake down, hopefully with most of the kilometers with the top down and Raybans in position (we have snow here today...but I did not se Sweden in your route).

Do you know if there is a special "ceremony" at the pick-up or is it just a matter of "-Here are your keys, sir! Have a nice 3000 km trip home"?

Keep us updated! Best regards/T

Seems to be a very popular, stylish and beautiful combination From what I understand there will be rows and rows of Ivory/Tan trads in the factory in March/April.

The column also gives it an extra touch of class, unfortunately not in my budget...

I'll keep a look out for an Italian plated Mog then around Worcester !

Lets hope weather is as decent as it is at the moment. Your route back sounds great...I've always wanted to visit Carcassonne...even better in a Morgan.

One week today and the plane will have just taken off.

It has been a very nervous time as there was a small hitch with the Italian bureaucrazy and time was looking very tight for getting the plates issued. They have now been issued thanks to some good work from our local agency.

Italian plate "EK543XV". Now that we have the plate insurance will be organised in the next day or so.

Full comprehensive insurance, best quote so far € 1.960,00 €uro. Ouch
To have it insured compulsory plus collision, fire and theft would cost €300 less but I feel like having full insurance for the first year at least.

Now I just hope Morgan have everything ready on time

Cripes, Peter, are you single-handedly propping up the Italian economy????!!!!! That sort of a premium is extortionate. I pay some €480 for full comp in Ireland which is a market known for high premiums!!

I hope you get a more reasonable quote!

Ouch!
That is not cheap.

Just the compulsory third party insurance is €550 and there is no escaping that. Unfortunately I think I have to have insurance from and Italian insurance company if the car is on Italian plates.
Maybe I should have registered it in the UK.