I have always had a fondness for Morgans that go back to the 50's, growing up in California, when my older brother had an MG-TD. Read with great interest Dave Stewart's story (on Talk Morgan) about his family's Morgan +8. Brought back a flood of memories that have been laying somewhere in my subconsciousness for many years.
Following my older brothers lead, British cars have been part of my life since the 60 Morris Minor Traveller I had while at university in the 60's. After getting married in 1968, I convinced my bride that a '64 Land Rover 88 Series IIa Station Wagon, would be a wise addition to the family. Then came a succession of vehicles from the other side of the pond (as we say in the States). An '68 MGB-GT a little nicer on the road.
When the Range Rover came out in 1970 I saw one in England while on vacation. To me the perfect vehicle with that lovely little V-8. After writing several letters to Rover expressing an interest and asking when it would make its way to the U.S., I realized it would be a long wait. Then, in 1980, the Rover SD1 arrived to mixed reviews. We purchased a beautiful Richelieu Red one an went through hell for two years getting it sorted out, seven steering racks (yes seven) among some other things. Keep it for eighteen years and ended up being a wonderful car.
Morgan had never left my consciousness, but always seemed just a little more than I could afford. I too had seen the Dec '69 issue of Road & Track with the yellow Plus 8. That magazine was a dream reference for many years, tucked in that pile of magazines and invaluable stuff in my workshop. In the early 80's while on a business trip to San Francisco, I stopped by Bill Fink's Isis Motors on one of the piers near Fisherman's Wharf. He was busy bringing up to Federal Spec several Morgans. Still have a brochure he gave me. I had an enjoyable chat and lent Bill a hand by assisting him bleed the brakes on his wife's Morris Minor that he was working on. I soon realized that the Morgan was still a little out of my reach financially, especially considering the two children we now had.
By this time, after restoring an MGA, I was in the mist of a full restoration of the 64 Land Rover and had a replacement 61' Morris Minor Traveller waiting in the wings for it turn at rejuvenation. So time marched on. In 1990, I purchased a '65 Jaguar MkII and spent the next ten years on restoration.
Then, in 1998 we began to work on a house in Ireland, on a site we had purchased in 1990, near the area my wife had emigrated from with her family in the late 40's. I had shipped the Land Rover over in 98 when I started work on the house. In 2002, after four years of working on the house, two trips a year for 4 to 6 weeks each, we moved lock stock and barrel to Ireland into the granny flat that was attached to the main house and had been finished to a livable state. Our move was accomplished with a 45 foot container with three cars (MGB-GT, Morris Minor Traveller and the Jaguar MkII) and a wood deck built above that held the furniture and personal effects. Took a week to load and one day to empty.
Spent several years finishing the house and enjoying the area. But as the euro gained strength, the dollar became weaker and weaker, and the cost of living in Ireland went higher, we realized our long term plans of living Ireland using dollars was not viable. So in 2007, we sold out and moved to France, very fortunately just before the economic crisis of 2007. We now live in a lovely chaume (thatched) cottage in Languidic in Bretagne, with a newly enlarged garage (The Temple of Eternal Happiness).
Had always had in the back of my mind the purchase of a new or newer Land Rover (Defender), but them I saw an article somewhere on the Web about the new 4/4 Sport. To say the least, I was smitten with the Morgan. Realizing that you only go around once in this life, and with the support of my lovely better half, I ordered a new Sports Grey 4/4 Sport from Sarah Hutton at Brands Hatch Morgan in the Fall of 2009. Took delivery in the first week in August of 2010 and immediately went to Malvern for a tour of the factory.
Have just sold the Jag to help replenish the bank account after buying the Morgan.
Have been enjoying the Sport enormously and am always gratified by the comments from strangers when out and about in Morbihan. There is nothing nicer than the back roads of Bretagne.
Hope I haven't bored you too much.
Doug
