I don't know whether this happens to you all but recently I have been in discussion which some quite knowledgeable car enthusiasts (not Morgan specifically) who are convinced that Morgan made kit cars for people to build themselves.
And I always get asked by people "did you build it yourself"
Where did this myth come from? who popularized this thought?
it seems to be pretty widespread and they always seem surprised (and unconvinced) when I say that Morgans have never been self build cars that they have always been factory made
I think they may have been pulling your leg a bit Stewart, I often get this sort of thing at classic car shows that go to throughout the year, along with the wooden chassis.
Adrian
Buggered Off, to a modern none leaky car, heart's still ticking
I think they may have been pulling your leg a bit Stewart, I often get this sort of thing at classic car shows that go to throughout the year, along with the wooden chassis.
I know a few Morgan owners who have jokingly come up and asked "did you build it yourself" as a tease, and i did it to a Morgan owner a week last Sunday before introducing myself but with others it is a genuine and strong misconception
I know the wooden chassis was deliberately perpetuated by Clarkson trying to be funny in that 90's programme 'Britain's and their cars' and I can understand the confusion with the wooden frame and the early Marcos but the kit car myth or the idea that some could build their own Morgan from a kit seems pretty ingrained
Last edited by Eric Gill Sans; 12/10/1504:16 PM.
2008 XXVII Platform, Bugatti Blue Roadster 4 Seater
There have been a couple of companies in the past offering a sort of 'Morgan Replica Kit'.
I built one when I was in my late teens. It was called a Burlington SS and it was based on a Triumph Herald chassis and running gear. It was a rather primitive kit. Much of the aluminium skinned body panels had to be made by the builder. The basic materials were supplied, however. The wings and scuttle top were molded in GRP.
One things for sure, it wasn't a Morgan, but perhaps that's where the 'myth' originates.
There have been a couple of companies in the past offering a sort of 'Morgan Replica Kit'.
I built one when I was in my late teens. It was called a Burlington SS and it was based on a Triumph Herald chassis and running gear. It was a rather primitive kit. Much of the aluminium skinned body panels had to be made by the builder. The basic materials were supplied, however. The wings and scuttle top were molded in GRP.
One things for sure, it wasn't a Morgan, but perhaps that's where the 'myth' originates.
Here's a photo of the one I built.
Crikey
That looks pretty tidy
2008 XXVII Platform, Bugatti Blue Roadster 4 Seater
It took me a while, I can tell you. By the time i'd finished it, I had parted with the best part of 3 grand which was rather too much for me at the time, so I had to sell it quite soon after to fund my first house buy.
Still, I did learn one or two things about cars by the time I got it on the road.
I think some of the myth may come from people who restore a Morgan from a very few original parts. On the MSCC stand at the NEC we always have a competition as to which stand volunteer gets the first "wooden Chassis" mention of the day. At the Resto Show this coming year we are thinking of banging a few lumps of 2x2 together with 3" nails as a spoof Morgan wooden chassis.
I suspect that this misconception is grounded on the fact that lotus used to offer this option, and caterham still do - so people assume that it is the case with Morgans.
which was rather too much for me at the time, so I had to sell it quite soon after to fund my first house buy.