I bought my Morgan in the early seventy's, when I was stationed at RAF Woodbridge. I would visit the factory several times in those years. The doors were always open then, and one could just walk in, wander around and talk to the factory workers. They would often stop and explain what they were doing--nearly always working in teams of two, with one master and an apprentice-type younger guy. The wood shop folk were especially accommodating, and they would offer my wife and I a cup of tea, brewed right there over the glue pot fire. I have some old photos of those visits somewhere. The Spares Department, also, were very friendly, and I often bought a part or two there.
Things changed somewhat in the mid-eighty's. I flew to London in 1985 on business, rented a hire car and drove to Malvern Link. Walked in to the same dusty Spares Department with a little list of small parts I needed. The owlish older man behind the counter looked at my list and kept repeating, "This is highly irregular, quite unusual!" I believe he wore a green eyeshade and sleeve garters. I explained that I was just there for a short time, and besides, I saw several of the windscreen rubbers that I needed hanging on a nail behind the counter. I pointed this out. "Highly irregular, quite unusual! You must write a letter to the Spares Department stating your requirements and then you may collect your parts!" says he. So I grabbed a pad and pen from the counter and began writing my list. "No, no, no! You must POST the letter! You Yanks are all alike! You just can't come in here and buy parts like this!" Hmmmmm. So I left, checked in a nice hotel in Banbury (across from the Cross), had a pint of the best at the bar and wrote my requirements on the hotel stationery and put it in the afternoon post.
Next afternoon, back at the Spares Department, the same little man was all smiles. He had gotten my letter, put together all my parts, had them boxed up neatly and had my bill ready. Couldn't be friendlier. I thought, well, this IS Morgan Motors.
Now I understand that parts must be bought through a dealer. Must we miss these experiences? Sigh.
Allen
'69 4/4
