Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Heated Seats: Why can't they be fitted to an ARP4?

In the course of the build process of my soon to be delivered ARP4, I tried in vain to persuade MMC to allow me to add (inter alia) heated seats to the car's specification. (I like a warm bum.) The original party line was that AR's are made to a particular specification with a limited options list and that's it. Finito. It is what it is. I would say that I can respect this stance - it is their baby after all- but over the months I realise that some customers have managed to persuade MMC to vary the specifications list and have gone off piste with their own choice of colour or wheels for example. Well done those chaps. Having pointed this out to MMC I'm now told that it is not possible to have heated seats on an ARP4 as 'there's a different wiring lume' and 'the alternator is different from other plus 4's and won't take it'.

Even now that the car is built MMC have discouraged me from having heated seats fitted as an after-market accessory saying that it is not advisable. Morgan and non Morgan dealerships alike are perplexed at this advice and say that it shouldn't present any problems since the heating element in heated seats draw less amps than the radio for example.

My technical knowledge is less than zero. Anybody out there with the definitive answer? To heat or not to heat? That is the question.
Bob

I have heated seats in my plus 4 and they're great. Talk to Allon White who were doing them before the factory did them as an option.

You can't have them because you've got too many nice things on the ARP4 already

It's being just plain greedy

Heated cushions work well and you can remove them in the summer - Plus they're as cheap as chips and work off of a cigarette lighter socket.🤔👍

I understand that the Cosworth has a bit of a wimpy alternator, as delivered to MMC.

MMC feel that the heated seats and standard headlamps, plus heated screen and so on might overload the alternator.

Specify the LED headlights and all should be well.
Then when you have the car fit a more butch alternator.

That sounds completely sensible. As a further reduction of current loading, LEDs in all the direction indicators, which all run together as hazard lights, is a step in the same direction.

Just don't switch on the heated screen if you want a warm bum.

Unless you have Suzy in the cockpit

Ah but it is written thus:

'And when the North wind blows thou shalt flick that switch and thine bottom shall glow. And behold,a smile shall appear on thine face and shall remain there for ever more.'
Book of Exodus-from-the-garage. Verse 1, line 1

Can't argue with that.

Do I hear an 'Amen' ?

Amen, brother..

Mind you, I have a fine pair of heated seats in my 'lil 4/4

They are brilliant, but I won't rub it in..much..