Owch. How did I know someone was going to say something like that? Sorry; I wasn’t being entirely serious. Just wanted to flush out some issues. I am sure your suspension design is brilliant and that the work you have done will be hugely appreciated and of benefit to many owners. I also realize that Mc Pherson struts are not the weapon of choice for sports car suspension designers. I was pointing out that for owners who just wanted a more contemporary feel to the car struts were a logical development of Morgans original design and might be compatible with the existing cross head.
However, my real point was perhaps sentimental rather than practical. I guess people buy and drive Morgan’s because they like the vitagey feel of the thing and appreciate its historical continuity. Otherwise they would just buy something else, which as we all know is going to drive a lot better. Morgan is in a very peculiar position producing a car, which is literally a relic from a bygone age but has a genuine integrity about it. Its not a reproduction or replica of something. Its just the same car. So you can appreciate the dilemma. The classic Morgan (I hate that term) is either something that they are going to have to go on producing indefinitely, assuming their is a continuing demand ,or bite the bullet and admit that the inverted sliding pillar is well past its sell by date, in which case the suspension you have designed would undoubtedly make it a better car.
You have also answered my original point which was to question whether some of the less lovely characteristics of Morgan suspension was to do with lubrication issues or whether they were inherent to the design. Since you have tested it I am sure that your conclusion that it is to do with the basic geometry is correct. So it looks like the end of the road for the inverted sliding pillar. Shame but their you go … I am surprised its lasted this long.
Having looked at your photograph I would have to say it looks remarkably similar to my 61 MGA, minus of course the dreaded Armstrong lever dampers. Which since I have racked up around 500, 000 miles in it I can confirm has very predicable handling and been thoroughly tested!
Again apologies for any offence.
