Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Photo Gallery 'Esmeralda' (purists look away now).

2017 was a busy year for me and Esmeralda, a steep but very enjoyable learning curve. I make no apologies for the occasional modifcation during the restoration, most of the resto had already been done in the U.S. prior to my ownership. Approx 90% of the wooden framework had been replaced as was the tinwork where neccessary.

To keep costs down I did the Deep Brunswick Green paintwork myself in cellulose. A young local trimmer did the black leather seating for me but everything else has been done by my own fair hands.

There are still various bits to do but for now I am enjoying driving her on the Lincolnshire roads even though I have to play dodgems with the potholes.

Regarding modifications, I know that a lot of people who restore classic cars prefer to maintain originality where possible and I respect and admire their tenacity with such projects. My car however has an alternator fitted for improved efficiency, and a bonnet mod to allow air filters to be fitted to the standard S.U. carbs. I still cannot understand why the TR engined Plu4s where sent out with no air filtration system. I know there is another mod available which allows the original bonnet to be used but it has potential problems (air starvation).

If anyone has had an attack of the vapours whilst perusing the pics then I can only refer you to the posting title.

Nev.

Nice work

Good job.

I like the name. It reminds me of my beloved Ducati Pantah which was called Desmorelda.

Lovely job, Nev!

Looks a very good job done. Are the one piece side screens without frame original? Anyway they are really nice.

Sorry, now I see they are not original but nevertheless they are nice.

Looks good to me, practicality over originality every time, you have to live with it and drive it after all.

Brilliant result - well done.

As far as the purists are concerned - I suspect that very few left the factory identical so who is to know. Anyway, it is your car, you have done the work so you should get to enjoy the outcome.

Top work Nev

As has been said, originality with Morgans is pretty unquantifiable as the factory makes them up as they go along (that’s no critisism, just development) and it’s great that owners and dealers through the years have always customised Morgans, that’s their appeal

So who knows what’s original and who cares as long as it is enjoyed and driven

She looks great by the way

Absolutely! Peter Morgan always saw his cars as being a starting point for the owner to develop.

In his book 'Original Morgan', John Worrall pointed out that no-one could be cruel enough to restore a Morgan to the condition it left the factory.

Brilliant! I’d forgotten about that quote

Many thanks for all of your kind words, they are appreciated.

I love the comment made by John Worral regarding Morgan restorations, thanks for that Tim it's very encouraging.

Regarding my decision fit air filters, for me it was a no brainer. I have spent 20 years of my working life repairing farm machinery here in South Lincolnshire and I know only too well how dry silty soil can scour out an engine. I have seen pistons with rather wide grooves and wafer thin rings due to tractor drivers not refitting air cleaner elements correctly.

Nev.