The comment "a more refined product" kinda encapsulates the evolutionary process ..err..forced on the MMC over the years to some degree...?
I well remember JHJ`s attempts at modernisation and Peter`s resistance, which no doubt held things as they were for as long as possible during Perter`s reign, though some change was inevitable given the weight of changing legislation. As for legislation I have a sneaky feeling that there may have been someone at the Dept of Transport in position who perhaps looked favourably on the UK`s oldest one family owned motor manufacturers... (-:
I suspect that surviving fast changing legislative processes was perhaps frustrating but surviving through the evolution in customer desires was perhaps a more difficult tightrope walk..?
As those baby boomer members of the dirty fingernail fraternity aged living with ever stiffening muscles etc. they were perhaps joined by a new breed around the time of industry cost cutting, downsizing, de-layering and lump sums etc.etc. Perhaps those folk more used to the advanced technology and comforts of their mid range to high end saloons, thinking NOW is the time to buy that toy I always fancied...to then find that it did not fit the rose tinted youthful dream, thus it either was rarely used or was modified in an attempt to make it fit more with the needs of ageing long term faithful, and those who became Morgan owners later in life..?
I watched the VBH road test vid, thanks for posting, it was the first time I had seen it and I thought it a rather reasonable assessment of Morgan, for when I bought into the idea of Morgan ownership I had spent quite some time researching, and by the time I took the leap, I well knew what to expect, and VBH`s description of her Morgan experience fitted well with MY expectations.... other that the steering wheel SHOCKER... Jeez a ham fisted kit car builder could surely at least have got that right, let alone the UK`s oldest car manufacturer... !!!
Fortunately such is the appearance of the trad lines of a Morgan that still appeals today on a number of different levels, though the buyers needs and desires of it have altered, sure there will ever be those desirous of a degree of vintage driving experience, though there will be others who need or want, the brakes to require less pedal pressure, the steering to require less effort, the suspension system to be more compliant the trim to be more plush, air con perhaps..Yeah I can well see the desire for all of those things regardless of the initial reasons that lead folk to buy your Morgan...The CX seems an entirely logical step in the evolution of the MMC, as for the stage of Morgan evolution that might be considered the ideal Morgan....? Each to their own.
I sure hope the CX sells well keeping the name alive and all those folk at the MMC in a job for a very long time.
