Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 The unthinkable....

You're probably right there, Peter. If MMC decide to use the high-end PDK system on their M3W's, it could bump the price of these great machines up by a fair amount.... (Arrrgh!)

However, in the previous entry (to Paul - check it out ) in this thread, I have suggested using the stock MX5 automatic box. For starters, this [auto] box has its selector lever right where the manual gear lever is (on the transmission tunnel) - and like with all auto box selectors, can be used to change gears manually.

But consider this too: As the footwell on the driver's side is quite narrow as with all Morgans, having one less pedal (the clutch!) means that the remaining [pedals] are better spaced apart so that the driver wouldn't have to catch the adjoining pedal with the edge of his shoe!

Would this be a more sensible alternative for the M3W?

Not entirely true: skill is how to handle a car properly and safely regardless of the presence/absence of a clutch pedal.

Of course, that goes without saying, but in the context of using a clutch and gearlever, it is an entirely different skill, that must be blended seamlessly into the car handling, and if done correctly will increase the satisfaction to be gained.

One must always be in the right gear at the right time, which must be thought about, whilst the auto will do that, well, automatically, as well as being able to perform the actual physical movements required to mesh cogs either up or down the box, see what I mean?

I really cannot see there is any satisfaction to be gained changing up or down with an auto box in manual mode, I do it out of necessity, not because I want to, for example drop a cog to descend a steep hill, or to overtake, where as it is just sheer unadulterated fun to change down the box for a corner using heel and toe, getting the revs just right for the lower gear, whilst braking hard at the same time, and being abler to modulate the brake pedal to get exactly the right pressure. That is a skill that takes a lifetime of practice to perfect.

Hear Hear to that.

I love driving my Mog, exactly as described: a nice pair of leather soled shoes are best...

But I had to drive a manual diesiel VW recently: give me an auto box any time. My BMW appliance has a brilliant auto box, it has "flappy paddles" but do I ever use them? Hah, why bother?

But the sheer pleasure of driving a Morgan....improved 1000 fold by a nice old fashioned gear box.

Always drove a manual. But after some lower back discomfort (clutch in clutch out constantly in traffic) my daily is a VW R32 with the great slushbox.
Manual for sport.
As for Ferrari's, the main reason for the autos is the light flywheel. Casual shift without keeping the R's up and your face can get close to the windshield !