Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 My Car is Ready with some Production Changes

Visited the factory today to take a butcher's at my new 3W. It was sitting outside a bit grubby after its road test, but looked finished. I'll add some pics when I can get the file sizes down a bit...

Generally looked great, but there were still a few bits that I hope will be sorted by the PDI team. Bonnet / cowl didn't fit very well, small stone chip noted near front end, tonneau fit not the best. Paint finish in some places was a bit dubious too. But overall looked pretty good, and can't wait to have a go. There was a note in the docs with the car (from the road test team) that the Bevel Box noise was "'acceptable' (just)" with the (just) added in by hand. Sounds like this isn't quite sorted yet! However the word was that they seem to be much better overall.

On the other hand there were some recent changes to the car that I noticed, and a couple I was shown by a nice guy from the QA team. Not sure when they all came in but thought it might be useful to note them.

1. Steering rack has been changed - the new rack looks fairly similar but there is a hole in the top centre of the rack. This is a very recent mod.

2. Shock absorbers are now Spax at the front - don't know when this was changed but not long ago. Possibly the 2 changes are to improve the bump-steer??

3. There's a small black box at the front of the car near the number plate with a ribbed front. Don't really know what it is (sorry!) but it is now mounted with better mountings.

4. 12V power outlet is now next to the centre of the car rather than on the outside of the dash.

5. Fixings for the body to the frame have been changed towards the front of the cockpit.

6. The front wheel arches have adjustable mounts and can now be removed much more easily than earlier cars.

7. The boot liner is now screwed in with better fixings.

8. The boot itself is now strengthened internally with a painted bar that is welded to the underside of the boot.

9. Engine is now a water-cooled V8 - the BMW lump from the Aero. This does make the car a bit nose heavy but improves the power to weight ratio and is actually more economical than the V twin. It also solves the problem of having a few too many of these engines lying around.

Hope you notice that one of these changes is a joke! Ha-ha.

Production line pretty busy - lots of cars left-hand-drive and bound for the US of A. 10 cars being assembled at a time. Originally the line was meant to accomodate 4.

All sorts of colours. To my casual eye the solid colours seem to be slightly better applied to the panels than the metallic ones.

Great to see the factory buzzing, and of course lots of trads and quite a lot of Plus 8s being put together too.

The factory is short of storage space at present and cars are being transported to a holding area before being sent to dealers.

look forward to your photos, thank you for taking the time to make a write up with the recent changes!

I was at the factory today getting the bevel box on mine changed for the non banshee model. Transforms the car, the only screaming now is passengers wanting to get out

The ribbed bit at the front is the rectifier and yes new mount is more substantial. You might not have noticed but the chassis has been altered from the earlier cars, this offers about an inch more width at floor level in the footwell, but most importantly for all those put off by the drivers leg room means the pedal box can be moved back another two inches or so.

Thanks - hadn't heard about the chassis. That must help too.

Interesting that you've had a nice quiet bevel box fitted today, but that mine on a not yet delivered car is still possibly noisy. I'll post more when I know but will be a bit disappointed if someone is still using boxes that are known to be not quite ok.

Will be keen to try it at BHM next week.

How long did it take to change a bevel box - looks reasonably easy compared with some jobs (gearbox change / clutch?)

Enjoy your newly refined bullet.

Interesting dit on the changes, Wiscos, thanks. Obviously a joke that they've moved the power outlet, but I'm really looking forward to the V8 development.
On the bevel box point I guess we always knew we early takers would be the guinea pig team, but Asbo's experience seems to be that the factory do sort out the problems. I had a Caterham with the old Morris Ital rear axle that screamed like a stuck pig above 80. 'Correct noise for the part' said the factory...
My M3W was transported down to BHM in Kent yesterday. Only one more sleep till I pick it up, then up the Great North Road to Northumberland on Sunday . Look out for the black and teal one. Pics to follow.
Notlob

Wow, I was worried about a 180mile trip on Sunday (I get mine today as well!). But Sevenoaks to Northhumberland is 350 miles!!!!

I would be really interested to hear how you get on!

Good luck with the car.

I must have seen both your cars at some point on at least one of my two trips to the factory over the past week, Mike and Notlob.

All the cars I saw looked great, and I hope the weather where you are is M3W conducive for as long as possible.

That is great new and goes a long way to counter all of that negative stuff about the factory posted a while back on that now defunct GoMog news-sheet.

Re the Bevel Box, I thought this link posted on Facebook by Morgan Drives is just about right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAcrIKNqrrY

If I get a chance over the weekend ill get some video footage with the new bevel box, and edit it in with the old one so you can listen to the difference yourselves.

I know someone wIth a Caterham who just had a loud dIff rebuilt wIth no effect.

If you're travellIng back via the M11 / A14 PM me and we could meet up.