I guess what I failed to mention when I described my run up an unmade road in what was a concours condition car that Kevin had put so much effort into creating his idea of a perfect +8, was that I had not set out to buy a perfect Morgan, in fact I spent a few years trying to find one in need of restoration at a time when in the UK it seemed downsizing and de-layering had created a mass of early retirees many of who were looking for a simple project to keep them occupied, and which equated to seemingly creating a situation of supply and demand that to me appeared out of proportion on a cost benefit analysis...?

T`was Lorne who found that Kevin was thinking of selling his Morgan and informed me that I MUST buy it...(-: I have to admit that I did feel very guilty as I drove towards the unmade road, knowing just how much effort that Kevin had put into what had been his +8, I had pics of the restoration process with Kevin`s good lady scraping the paint off the fuel tank for it to be re-coated in two pack gloss enamel..! So heading towards that unmade road, yeah I was feeling guilty indeed, but I was determined not to be restricted in my enjoyment of what was now MY Morgan, so a blast up the road got it over and done with in no more than half a mile or so..

All the above over and done with, some months later my +8 won a concours Trophy at The Lakes weekend, and now circa 21 years later I have to say I think it still looks pretty smart, even though it has travelled on a few unmade roads since, all of which indicates the degree of Morgan knowledge and craftsmanship that Kevin put into recreating his vision of an ideal Morgan at that time... I suspect had I been in a similar situation to Chris in terms of seeking to have a machine restored to perfection, then there is no way I could have headed up that unmade road at speed...However in my situation I just wanted a Morgan to drive and enjoy in my own way, and not to feel it came with restrictions built in...Been there done that with sports cars I have restored myself, and know well that there are many out there who enjoy being on the verge of OCD about their cars, but the idea of my day being spoiled by a stone chip just did not appeal at that stage in life.

Enjoying our machines in which ever way we can and do, and sharing tales and pics of that enjoyment works well for me.. smile
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