Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Photo Gallery 3.7 Roadster, first impressions.

OK, here they are.
As you sit in the car, the depth of the dash strikes you. The hand brake looks as if it will be a problem as it's hidden away below the dash, but in practice, it's no worse than the Mk1 Roadster. The footwell is rather cramped. There's a metal channel covered with carpet covering the steering column & I found my foot fouling this when operating the clutch. You either have to use your toe or the side of your foot. I think it's something I will get used to.
The gears are very close together. The total side to side travel of the gear knob is about 1.12 inches (about 28mm to our continental friends) with about .35 inches (9mm) from centre to the left. The change felt fine & after 1/2 hour or so I found where the gears are!
The steering feels rather tight ( not heavy, just tight) as does the engine.
There's no need to worry about the dashboard display, it's so dim you can't see it!
The handbook is for the old model, so using the controls is largely guesswork. I still haven't found the heater control...
The underside of the dash is a lot tidier than the Mk1 roadster, which means I can't see what's rattling :-)
After doing 30,000 or so miles in the old Roadster, I expected to feel quite at home in this one, but it is a very different animal. But I think we will be friends!
Ian

Very nice Ian...well worth the wait !

The dash is certainly a big improvement on the rather bland first attempt but for the money that Morgan charge I do wish that they would update the steering wheel and that dreadful cheap plastic steering column shroud. And they really should provide an up to date handbook with the car, they certainly have had plenty of time to prepare one!

Not quite the weather but I guess you've discovered the heater controls now!

Jays,
the steering column shroud is no where near as bad as the old one, so some improvement. I agree about the wheel. I like a nice thick leather clad wheel ( much more comfortable, especially in cold weather) but I wanted something better looking, hence the Moto Lita on order.

And no, I haven't found the heater control yet

perhaps they haven't bothered - as its unlikely you will be able to prevent heatsoak from that big old lump (my cvh is bad enough) so theres no point fitting a "cold" setting

Try the knobs either side of the hazard flasher switch, left knob looks like fan speed control- off, slow, fast and right knob heat control - should have three or four clicks, off, warm, hot, hotter. Usually quite stiff when new but be careful or you will end up with it freewheeling

Look very nice, i am especially liking the DashBoard, it looks as thow its been cut from a bedroom door off the Queen Mary (Beautiful)

Well done, that man! I hadn't paid that much attention to them & had assumed that they were push buttons as in the mk1, but no! The left one is definitely a multi-stage blower control & the right one feels like a heater control. I'll try it next time I'm feeling cold!
Ian

Looks great Ian.
May you have many happy (s)miles together!

A wonderful looking car - the first picture really says it all.

Many congratulations and best wishes for many happy miles together.

Regards,

John

An update after getting a couple of hundred miles under it's belt...

Now I've added some extra weights to my right boot, I can hear the exhaust. A nice growl lets you know there's something serious under the bonnet, without attracting the wrong attention or being a nuisance on a longer run. I reckon they got that just about right.

The steering is easing a bit. I can't quite see why it feels that way. I jacked up the front end & the wheels turn easily enough. It does seem lighter at higher speeds, so I guess that's the answer

Although I still sometimes wonder where I am in the gears, the closeness of the gears isn't the problem I thought it might be.

I didn't notice the mileage when I picked it up, but assuming zero miles ( some chance!) & a full tank, it did 31 to the gallon, although the computer says 24 Time will tell.

I've started the mods ( as one does ). Sealed the rear of the front indicators & the tops of the screen pillars. Modified the mirrors so I can see other things than the underside of low flying aircraft. Bought a fire extinguisher...

I still get a little worried when I see people looking as I pass. I know it's a Morgan thing, but the last time it happened while I was driving a Morgan was 'cause smoke & flames were coming out the back

All in all, pretty good so far.
Ian

Thanks for sharing! I really look forward to a test drive of the new Roadster. Have you got used to "the cramped footwell"? It is hard do see how much wider the gearbox tunnel is from the photo (compared to a Plus 4). Have you measured it?

Thanks for reminding me about the fire extinguisher.