As may be apparent on the M3W forum, I purchased HJP's M3W in April '16. I have had massive fun with it, as have the family. It has had quite a few extras added to it, some of my own making, but especially the Fairbourne screen & G56 pipes. However, when I got it I thought that my wife's orthopaedic knee problems would improve following some operations last summer and she would then be able to come out in it for runs. Unfortunately, they haven't improved for various reasons and the indignity of her getting in and out is not something that is fair to inflict. In a way, Thumper has become a bit of a selfish toy.
So having been infected with the terminal Morgan virus I was thinking of a 4/4 four seater. I almost went to see a very attractive 1978 4/4, but was totally put off by trying to get into a similar vintage 4/4 when I visited the factory a few weeks ago. Actually, it was rather more challenging than the M3W as it had short doors and the scuttle / dash seriously impeded entrance and exit.
But you keep Googling around, as one does, and I recently found a very well sorted 2000 4/4 four seater. This of course has all the advantages of long doors and some changes I think around the scuttle / dash. Well we went to see it last Monday and Cecily actually got into and out of it easier than our Polo! Our time was very limited and so the test drive was a bit tricky as I hadn't got into a comfortable position. The performance seemed a bit sedate compared to Thumper. How much improvement can be made to an 1800 Zetec? The four seater arrangement gives lot's of extra space and I think I could quite easily stow a wheelchair in broken down form for longer trips, whilst the two extra seats could be great for grandchildren. So on many counts, the practicality and fun side of the equation are balancing better.
My oldest friend (our best man) is keen to buy an M3W. He had a new one on order, but has cancelled because of the Euro 4 shenanigans. He is going to see Melvyn Rutter's cream and red demo model which is for sale, but I think Thumper might yet win the day (much better car!) and it would be nice to keep the M3W in the family, so to speak.
So this rambling post is where my thoughts reside, currently.
Tim
