Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) ARP4 "Handbook", and other useful information

"Mis-marched expectation or lack of test drive beforehand?" Good question!
Being Morganless is not good for the soul, having had two previously. An aberration of judgement made me sell my LM62 +8 in 2007 and buy a Porsche Boxster S. Enjoyed the Boxster immensely but at the back of my mind I was missing the Morgan, and particularly the many friends we had made in the club over the years. I realise I am baring my soul here!
Anyway, when the ARP4 was announced last year it got my juices going and I made the decision there and then that maybe this was the car that would address the yearning in my soul. I contacted the factory immediately and secured my slot. The combination of a Cosworth engine (who could doubt the pedigree?) with a very well spec'd interior (remember all the blurb about the comfortable touring aspects - insulated hood, padded side screens, waterproof leather, sound system etc.?) seemed to meet the bill.
I did, of course, want to test drive the prototype and after two wasted trips due to the car being back at Cosworth for "tweaking", I did finally get a test drive in January. Unfortunately Nick Baker took me on a route which was not really conducive to opening her up. I was a bit surprised at the noise but the hood was up on a rainy day and I guess I just hoped that my first impressions were wrong. I also noted the lack of low down torque but, once again, I was well aware of the fact that the Cosworth engine needed to get the revs up to bring out the best. Once again I persuaded myself that all would be well. I am one of those people who, once committed, i.e. deposit paid, rarely backs out of an agreement. Also, I just loved everything else about the car - the retro dashboard is design genius and the black trim and black alloys on the demo were beautiful to the extent that I replicated the test car's colour scheme in my car exactly.
So, there you have it. Probably a case of heart versus the head? Anyway, the head has had a comeback and the Roadster is the result. Good decision on my part at last!
Thank you all for your best wishes with the Roadster. The good thing about this saga is that the ARP4 is the reason for me being once again back in the Morgan fold and loving it!