Must have been distracted by the season so have missed this thread until just now. What a wonderful car. I wouldn't change anything except, as you are doing, chase down the missing bits. Jeff please keep posting and let us know what you discover e.g. is that hood original? The stitching in mine is rotten enough to be original and I am planning to take it to someone for repairs. Can't bear to part with it. And what goes in those clips? Also, do the documents tell you whether the ash frame is original? Cheers and thanks.
Thank you very much. I should have a scan of all the documentation to post soon, which will give a good bit of the history. This is reported to be an all original 4/4, except paint and tires and installation of a tachometer. I know enough about British sports cars to believe this all to be true, but not enough specifically about Morgans to be absolutely sure.
I did drive the Morgan for the first time two days ago, just a short ride through the neighborhood. The little Ford engine is plenty peppy, is smooth as silk, and doesn't seem fiddly at all. I at first thought the engine would be a drawback, but it is such a quaint and simple thing and reminds me so much of petite Ford Model A engine, that it is rather endearing.
The shifting pattern (a "backwards" to me H pattern) should keep early onset dementia away! The car really is quiet without any creaks or rattles, but the exhaust sound is throaty enough to be invigorating. It is fascinating to feel the chassis flex entering a driveway at an angle, but without creaking and popping. It feels organic. On the road however, it is tight and responsive, but a bit choppy (not exactly the right word) over highway imperfections. I am used to cars that hit a bump and change direction unpredictably, but the Morgan takes bumps in stride, but definitely signals to the occupants that a bump has indeed been encountered.
This is a first Morgan in the family, after several decades of a steadily revolving menu of vintage British, Italian, and German sports cars. I have very much appreciated the welcome here, and the advice and encouragement, and I am looking forward to keeping in touch.
Jeff
