Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Down the Slippery Slope !!

In recent months there have been a number of threads about modern additions such as power steering, air conditioning, double wishbone front suspension and multilink rear suspension. While there have been good arguments put forward about these improvements I can't help thinking about where this will lead. Why not have power operated hood, wind-up electric windows, power operated seats, cruise control, built-in sat nav, Xenon lighting etc. Before long all the charecteristics and old fashioned quirkiness that attracted many of us to this marque will be lost and all that will be left is an old fashioned shape around a box of modern toys.

You're clearly happy with dynamo's and drum brakes, I'd guess..?

It comes back to what represents the best era of Morgans, which we've pondered before. Each to his own and that's the beauty of Morgans. I wouldn't want a Flat Rad or a 3 wheeler. Not practical enough. I wouldn't want an Aero - too civilised.
So to me the Trad as it is with a few minor tweaks is the best compromise. Not overburdened with modernity.......

If we look back at the Morgan evolution over many decades we can see "gradual" progress/changes being made ( to the trad range).

This is sensible - and meets market/customer demand.

So I do not envisage many if any of your list being on cars anytime soon.

Morgans are sports cars, and therefore I believe the universal law of sports cars should pertain, to whit:

Any change that makes the car go faster, handle better or stop quicker is A Good Thing and should be encouraged.

Any change that doesn't do any of these is should be avoided unless necessary to meet the demands of the Finance and General Purposes Committee (ie ) - who may withdraw their permission to continue play if not satisfied.

I think there will need to be changes soon to meet the new demographic that Morgan will NEED to appeal to i.e. the generations that were not brought up servicing and maintaining cars that regularly broke down, and who actually quite enjoy greasing, adjusting and fiddling with things mechanical. The next generation of Morgan owners were bought a new Vauxhall Corsa by their parents who insured it and paid for it to be serviced.
However, I predict that Morgan, and the new generations, will need to meet in the middle somewhere; e.g. Morgan provide power steering and a front suspension set up that doesn't need greasing every 500 (1000) miles, and the next generation can get out to put up the hood and learn to drive properly without too many driver aids.
And eventually use an aero-type chassis for all classics.

Interesting topic this. On one hand I think front suspension that needs a rebuild at 10 to 30000 miles is mad in a new car. On the other hand it is what it is and sells well because of it.
If its modified too much into a modern car perhaps Pur Sang will make a replica of the original like the type 35 they make?
I sold a 37 MG ten years ago because I thought a new generation of people would not want them and then prices would fall - look at them now!
I don't think we should underestimate a generation that wants to get away from modernity..

I used to drive rally cars with dynamos and drum brakes (all round not just on the back) and it was only the demand for more electrical power to drive the 350+ watts of lighting that made alternators a necessity

It all went downhill after cars started getting starter motors.

Some might argue that it started when they introduced the fourth wheel.