Adam,
In terms of Morgan ownership enjoyment, whilst it's nice to own a pristine car, it's very use often brings its own problems with our fixed mileage insurance, to requiring regular paint touch ups for the inevitable stone chips and so on which can detract from the ownership experience.
My first Morgan was the former Sunday Times competition prize car, it was pristine, low miles and in fabulous specification, but being an 85 car it was from the days when the wings were attached to the bodywork before being painted, so the wing beading was spray painted. Every time I went for a drive with the chassis flexing, the paint on the beading would crack and require touching up. It drove me to distraction, trying to maintain the pristine condition, so much so I got rid of a really nice car and bought an older 4/4 a bit rougher round the edges. but a reliable car. I used it everyday for 3 years no matter what the weather was and enjoyed every minute of it. Just had the annual service and used it without a care in the world as to what it really looked like.
It was a Morgan from the period when it was not unusual for them to require rebuilding before too long, and at the end of my period of ownership I sold it to someone who immediately rebuilt it as it had suffered the then usual corrosion to the chassis, inner wings and wooden frame all accelerated by living in a coastal environment..
What it taught me with my later Morgan purchases was to understand and come to terms with why you bought the Morgan in the first place , for example if its to drive the car rather than polish it, accept the inevitable stone chips etc and to be less precious about the car. Have protective film put on, or accept the inevitable paint touch ups that will be required..
Too many Morgans IMHO languish in some form of hibernation, the lack of regular use usually brings its own reliability issues. They are cars meant to be driven and enjoyed to the full, they will from time to time capitulate and elevate your driving experience and enjoyment and occasionally and invariable let you down, A. long as there are far more highs than lows it's a great place to be behind the wheel of a Morgan
