Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) The ARP4 has landed

I collected my ARP4 today and have driven about 100 miles in it so far, so I thought I’d share some thoughts on my initial impressions. I have posted a few pictures in the photographs section.

Firstly, I know this is all down to individual taste, but I am very pleased with the way my car looks and the choices made. My car is Prosecco with black interior and gloss black wheels. I think it looks very smart, and while not the boldest choice, should age well and stand the test of time. I have also made a further few tweaks which I’m very pleased with.

The luggage rack is powder coated gloss black. I think it is now far less intrusive and suits the look of my car. I have also had an ‘organ pedal’ fitted along with Wolf bonnet stays.

Finally, I have had some pockets, made to fit across the centre console and provide some storage (you can see this in the pictures). This provides a large pocket on the passenger side, a pocket on top, and two pockets on the driver’s side. The concept is similar to the ‘softbits for sevens’ tunnel bag. I had this made to store my mobile telephone, wallet, and maps etc. and I am pleased with the end result.

So what’s it like to drive? In short, grin-inducing and great fun! This is my first Morgan so I have no real baseline. It’s sharing a garage with a GT4, which is a little unfair to compare it to. Some of my comments may fall into the category of ‘they all do that, sir!’ and reflect my inexperience with the marque.

The engine has bags of character. It is a little lacking at the bottom end, but even with a self-imposed running-in rev limit, it is quick enough. It does feel tuned for the track rather than touring and wants to rev. I’m looking forward to the first run through the gears to the redline once it’s properly run in!

I am pleasantly surprised by the steering. I went without power steering and so far I am pleased with this choice. The steering has plenty of feel, although the rack is a little slow for my taste. The wheel 'shimmys' a lot at motorway speeds. I’m not sure if this indicates a wheel balance or tracking issue, or whether it’s normal.

The brakes are very good. The feel improves once they get a bit of heat into them, and the car stops quickly and in a straight line. I’d prefer the pedal a bit firmer buts its fine.

The biggest surprise is the ride quality of the car, which is actually pretty good (although in fairness I had prepared myself for it to be terrible!). It is very firm but it rides the bumps, ridges and potholes in what passes for roads in North Wiltshire very well and is surprisingly comfortable. The dampers are currently set in the middle setting. It would be premature really to comment on the way it handles until I am used to the car and the suspension has settled, but I am very pleased so far and it is a lot of fun. The front ‘bobs’ a bit and it does understeer at quite low speeds. The latter may be tyre pressure related, as it was very cold today and I could not really get any heat into the tyres. It may also be down to driving style, with a need to get a bit more weight transfer over the front axle. My instinct at the moment is to try the tyre pressure a little higher and soften the front damping a little, but I will resist the urge to fiddle with it until it’s got a 1,000+ miles on the clock and the suspension (and driver) have settled.

It took me a while to adjust to the clutch and pedal box. The clutch bite-point in very high and quite sharp. This seems much better after a few miles, which could be things bedding in or just me getting used to it (or both).

The headlights are very good, and driving it at night adds another dimension to the experience.

I have not tried the sound system yet and suspect it may be a little pointless expect for providing background music at picnics or when stuck in traffic.

I love the sound the car make and the way it pops, bangs and f*rts – made Mrs T and I laugh out loud more than once. It is quite loud, with induction noise, exhaust noise and road noise making conversation hard above motorway speeds. The car does make a strange, high pitched whining noise from time to time. I initially though this was coming from the front brakes, but it might just be the air across the bonnet louvres at certain speeds.

Niggles?

I need to invest in some better clothing: Had to make a pit stop for a hat and scarf, and the heater seems less effective than in a Caterham. Some sort of lightweight his ‘n’ hers windcheater jackets and the full ‘biggles’ ensemble is on the cards,

I am not sure about the removable steering boss, which brings the wheel in very close. Further experimentation is needed for me to find the best driving position.

My car did not want to tick over and spluttered to a stop a few times after a hot restart. One to watch.

It’s very easy to leave the immobiliser in the slot when you get out of the car and forget it’s there.

Finally, the car seems to have been fitted with an ‘auto wave’ device which was not specified by me and was not on the specification sheet or options list. This causes people to smile and wave at the car, and for me to feel compelled to wave back. The GT4 does not have this feature. I’ll see how this develops with a few more miles on the clock.

Dave , the hot start issue is probably down to the fact its a tuned Tb'd engine , mine does the same , in fact it makes all sorts of pops when starting. Didn't know you had a 7 , which one ? Thanks for the drivers analysis, the ARP4 will grow on you , infectious drug may be a good description especially when overtaking dull tintops as in the 7 ?

They all do that sir.

The occasional whine - if it's similar to blowing across the top of a bottle, is likely to be wind passing into the headlamp surrounds. It can be stopped with the obvious product.

Enjoyed your write up. Wait till you have to switch on the wipers, I bet Mrs T
laughs.
Re the front 'bobs' my car when t was new did that. The dealer advised that it would go away at about 1000 miles. He was right. I guess it is the king pins needing to wear in.

Congratulations on your car.

Great write up. Just a thought about the heater, if it is the same as other trads the adjustable vents are well down in the foot wells- might be worth checking that they are in the open position.

Great write up.
Hope the car continues to grow on you.
Enjoy.

Worthers +8

Wishing you many safe, fun miles. Looking forward to an update when the running in period has passed.

And also that you have the heater control the full 'five clicks' open - when new, it can feel as if you are going to twist the knob right off, but it does get easier once regularly used.

Hi, Thanks for the comments and advice.

I'll check the heater controls. I've not yet experimented with the wipers 🙈

I think you are right about the throttlebodies, I do love the character these give the car, and the engine is very docile and tractable around town.

I had a Caterham Academy and Roadsport race car a few years back, and more recently a Caterham CDX (K series super sport) which I sold late last year to help fund and make space for the Morgan.