I've remembered one of the reasons I fell in love with Morgan. It was a visit to the factory of course. In those days one just wandered in and watched men making wings,doors,frames etc.
They answered questions and Peter M. wandered around speaking to them using their Christian names. Then, the one man who road tested every car offered to take me out in the next one, which shouldn't happen as it was on trade plates, and we went off round the hills. On return we parked up and he opened the bonnet and adjusted the tickover and something else I can't remember. We dodged a part bodied chassis as it came careering down the slope. In the despatch bay was a man polishing fingermarks off the cars. Above him was a wooden owl;there to keep out the pidgeons.
I was overwhelmed by the friendliness and I remember thinking
"This is the car company I want to support". They knew I wasn't there to order one, but what an effective sales technique it was......a few years later I had my first one.
A factory tour is very different today though I still think watching the cars being made is strongly and strikingly emotional.
Now, 20 years later, the prices have risen in proportion to the number of parts no longer handmade. The new wings may be better, more consistent but I rather liked the way my plus 8 had a wider nearside rear wing, and I definitely preferred that a man had made it.
Am I going too far if I suggest that the term "assembled at Malvern" would be more accurate than "manufactured".....certainly,surely, the m3w can only be described thus.
So, I still love them, but it is a little harder to keep that love unconditional.
Nick
Last edited by nick w; 18/01/17 09:36 PM.
