In my opinion the trad car as is is a nice mix of development and heritage. Ladder frame, suspension, woods etc. should keep untouched with this particular type of cars.
At the same time especially engines and tyre technologies have moved extremely forward. Also an old suspension profits from this. As the hole construction is one working unit (e.g. hard suspension together with a certain need of a flexing body etc) I don´t see what to change - if not all. In summary the trad car should stay as is. This is all about her charming anachronistic existence which delivers a "feel of ride" second to none in comparison with any more modern solution. And this is exactly the reason why I am a customer.
Off topic, I´m about to sell my 4 y old Elise because the adventure, the driving experience is too modern, always faster than allowed if not on track use and in a paradoxical sense - well, somehow boring. May be more a thrill for 20y younger guys than me. I guess modern expensive "super cars" are in the same way if not more boring when used on the road.
On the other hand the trad car could be a subject of an endangered species. For one reason the customers are getting older in average. Following generations may not see those benefits as we enjoy about. May some of you can compare this matter of fact with an other category. I´m a music- and hifi friend. I love my vintage tube amps and my Klipsch horns. My Kids have had not so much closeness ref this hobby.
But they are now, getting older, "discovering" what is it about - after years living with "mp3 plastic sound".
What could be a solution for MMC?
As I said, keep the trad car, as long they are allowed to build it this way.
Develop some very exiting new model which is AFFORDABLE! and build it in parallel with the trads for some years to come. Affordable means a very different offer but in a 40 to 60K price range.
Save the core heritage where it can be combined with new technologies. Core is wood, freedom of elbow, may be a modern interpretation of the Morgan specific suspension, lightness, an immediately recognizable shape in a modern interpretation but more brave to get it´s own character rather than copying it like an S-Type or a Mini.
Do NOT copy modern technical solutions like KTM, Lotus etc.
Do NOT make a retro of your own breed (the Plus8+ is a step in a may be wrong or at least controversial direction, possibly a good intermediate product but not more than this in my view).
A new product must reach new generations of buyers who have in common with us the wish to drive a car which is more about the joy of ride than about prestige or the last drop of competition with super car brands.
In addition the buyer has to reflect a character of the Morgan car experience which covers full adventure as well as the real feel to suffer for this. A Morgan is not made for any wimp, no free lunch, it´s about that every driver has to to reach those exiting moments of driving by working on it.
I hope my smattering English is somehow understandable...
Beautifully put.
