Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms 2014/2015 Plus 4

I'm with Jays on many issues. I wanted a traditional car and love the 'set up'. I just feel that kingpins are a bit of a hair shirt these days and having had to recently replace them it seems the only way to look after them is a very traditional approach which shouldn't be necessary any more; ie greasing virtually every time you've done a couple of hundred miles.
This is what you did in the 'good old days' when car ownership was unusual and miles covered were relatively few compared with now.
I accept the 'thrill' of being able to tinker but if we have a 4/4 capable of flying up the motorway with BMWs, meeting many modern safety and control standards etc. etc. Why should I have to pack a grease gun and overalls to go for a few days to the Lake District, then find somewhere to park up and crawl under it? That's why I've got remote greasing now but have I 'crossed to the other side' by fitting that? It's a very fine line which I know many of us have crossed.
I think we could replace kingpins without losing the integrity of the marque. That would satisfy me and I suspect a few others who after all would still own an amazing piece of history and enjoy a very thrilling 'traditional' machine.

Hi Clipper,

I personally put the Plus 8 in the Aero line up rather than the trad line up.

I guess that there will always be progress, look at a 50's 4/4, a 60's 4/4 and so on. The question is where next.

Why have so many 4/4s been sold? Various reasons I am sure. Why did I buy an older one? Not least so I could "tinker". I guess my skills would not allow as much tinkering with a new engined model. I guess I am not alone with this.

That said many owners would not want to tinker and like the history etc.

I guess evolution will and should happen, but I think modern "upgrades" should be options.

One thought: are they so bad they need (note need not choose) these significant changes to the trads? I think not...

I am also withy Dean on this one. Both the aero and M3W models have done wonders for the Morgan brand and publicity. It has also pulled up the qualtiy and manufacturing methods for the traditional models.
How to get the younger generations involved is key for the long term future of the company and whether we like it or not, the only way is forward in terms of development of the brand and new models.

British manufacturing has a long list of famous brands who failed to accept this and they are now long gone.

Interesting views and I respect them. But surely Morgan have been here before and it was their stubborn refusal not to change that kept the brand alive when so many great British sports car manufacturers went down in flames? MG, Triumph, Singer, TVR - these companies were producing cars more advanced and arguably superior to Morgan. Where are they now?

I think Morgan have done the right thing. Keeps the Trads 100% trad and innovate in other model lines such as the Aero.

One of my long term thoughts with developing a particular model in to profit, is to first introduce the car as a high end model with lots of Gadgets and power, then after a couple of years bring in a base model, not to be done the other way around as i wouldnt want to purchase a suped up anything.

So bring on the baby model Aero i say

Cloth interior
Steel Wheels prentendy alloy wheel trims
2 wiper blades
1 exhaust
2 ltr 170 bhp
165x 65x15 Tyres
nil A/C
Plastic Front Wings

would anyone like to place an order

Not for me and I would think that this would not help the residual value of current Aeros.

Bud

__________
2003 - 4/4

In my post earlier where I suggested using self lubricating bushes on the front, I should have added "in combination with chrome steel kingpins" to complete the low maintenance concept.

Great thread you started here Peter

Lots of views, all valid in their own way and quite difficult for MMC to distil the "Golden Thread" (oops drifted into management speak )...

Maybe MMC could set up a "Focus Group" (oops more management speak )...

Always supposing MMC do read this and would consider their customers views?

Chrome king pins or I believe stainless, last several hundred thousand miles and good shocks (Leda for example) improve the ride. A long term ownership allows for a lot of personal development ( I need a course of that) and I am sure that for a lot of people that is what maintains the interest in the car. I think the question centered upon what one wants from the company is a valid one BUT what I do not want, and the more people I talk with suggests there is a feeling that I am not alone, is a Morgan costing more and more. I don't know how to make them a realistic and sensible price but I do feel that they have already moved away from it. I recently rejoined MSCC so that I could monitor mid eighties plus eight prices, so far it seems that I will be sticking with and continue to develop my Plus Four. What I will aim for next is more unstressed and something simple.
This is, as has been noted, an interested thread, with sensible, rational contributions. I might be in a position to buy a more modern Morgan at some time but bangs for bucks will rule. Think on this, would you rather have a lovely home or an expensive cat.

My thoughts on this are go for a lovely but conservative home with a large garage and no mortgage with with the expensive cat!