Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms The high value of old Morgans - Why?

Please, some translation for the stupid American. "Pension Pots"?

When we retire here in the US we (hopefully) get a monthly payment from our past employer. We can take a lump sum payout, but that is rarely done as the periodic payment is usually estimated to be much larger (and larger still if you live a long time.) This monthly payment can be augmented by personal savings and when of sufficient age, a social security payment, and medical coverage. So having a big pot of money is unlikely unless there are special bonus paid, etc. But again this is not likely to be sufficient to buy a newish Morgan.

Cheers,

Market forces in a niche market and the economic climate.
That's a broad summary and hides a multitude of factors.

Many will contribute theories within this and it's unlikely any will be wrong, each contributing to the sum.
I wrote this after deciding to cut out giving examples as the list would be huge!

Interesting debate and one that I ponder from time to time. I changed both my TT and my Mog last year, I 'lost' £10k on the TT I had owned 2.5 years but 'made' £2.5k on the Mog I had owned for 3 years. While I was very pleased with Mog's performance I don't consider Morgan's an investment but I do find myself watching the used prices very closely now. I was told by a couple of dealers that they consider new Trad's to be expensive 'for what they are' which is affecting new sales with most business being done in the 3 - 10 year old bracket hence the stable pricing.

Very different here in the UK.
It used to be much as you describe, but over the last 10 years most pensions (excuding Government employees) have been changed from "defined benifit" to "defined contribution", essentially a tax adventageous savings plan with no guarantees....

When you chose to retire (no fixed retirement age here now) you can do many thing with the fund that you have built.
The options range from blowing it all on toys and holidays in the hope you don't live long, to buying an income plan. The rules are in a state of flux.

What I think is happening is that those of us that have savings, which used to earn 3 to 6% interest are now finding that on £30K we are offered less than 1%.
So the view is "may as well buy a Morgan"...that is why I now have the Plus 8.

My ten penneth
I bought a very nice 1927 4 seater flat rad 1927 Morris Cowley tourer and "Lost " £4k when I sold it 2 yrs later............
(just as the world of Banks crashed)

I have been away from classic cars since but bought a nice 86 4/4 in 2014 at a smidgen over £17k

I will be keeping this car until I can no longer drive.

I do NOT expect to lose a single £

Such is the Kudos that is Morgan

They are practical(compared to the Morris Cowley) / useable/ classic and an investment to boot

But most of all a drug to which I'm addicted

Maybe if second hand prices creep up due to lack of dealer stock then the differential between new and second hand lessens, this might tempt potential new owners to buy new or existing owners to trade in for new and increase factory orders and demand.

I think someone on this forum said that there is a lack of second hand Morgans at the ideal price of £25K

That's exactly what a dealer near me said before Christmas. All the Morgan dealers met up for a weekend before Christmas so I'm guessing that this reflected everyone's thoughts
There seem to be quite a few nice plus 8's for sale listed on EBay through different sources at the moment

OK, so there is a steady demand for 3 - 10 year old cars which maintain that price, but what about really old stuff, say from the 50's 60' and 70's with TR2 and kent x/f engines, which still seem to sell for upwards of £15,000, which seems like a lot to pay for an old and well worn car. And I haven't even maentioned prewar flat rad cars yet, which I've seen at around £35k - £40k? They are classics for sure, but aren't most classics just 'old cars' with all the trouble they bring?

I'm with Mike here but then you'd expect me to be owning a 'older' car.

There seems to be an ascertion that 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and pre-1980s cars will be 'old cars' and be full of problems. Personally, when I read on TM of all the issues that modern Morgans suffer with complicated electrics, etc., it reminds me of how much fun I can and have had with my car without all the hassle that some experience.

Many older cars have been subjected to chassis and body rebuilds and have benefited from many enhancements introduced by the likes of Mike Duncan,
Peter Mulberry, David Rutherford and others. One could argue that they have more character and can be no less unreliable than a mordern Morgan.

It appears to me that the great majorit of TM'ers, not all by any means, are owners of newish cars, make use of the dealer's services rather than maintaining the cars themselves. I guess that if owners are without the skills and confidence to maintain the cars themselves, then without the necessary skills to establish the detailed condition of an older car, they are likely to orient themselves to buying newer cars from dealers who can offer warranty and full service support.

New Morgans, old Morgans? It's whatever takes your fancy and your budget can afford.

+1 Long may the old ones live on.

I agree with Mike that older cars have a lot going for them, except that later cars with supaform wings, galvanised chassis and stainless bulkheads etc, etc are going to last longer before a rebuild is necessary. When I was looking for my Morgan, I did consider older models but cars from the 70s and 80s were only a few thousand cheaper than those in the later 90s and even 2000s. My 2005 Plus 4 from a dealer was only about £5k dearer than some late 70s and 80s cars which came with a much higher mileage. Initially I was going to opt for a new one to get the spec I wanted but found this one with a really high spec for less than two thirds of what it would have cost new.
Whilst I hope it retains its value, that will only be of interest to my kids as I intend to keep it until...... well, forever!