Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) ARP4 "Handbook", and other useful information

Yes. What I understood the case to be from Sean is that Cuba, whilst one of the standard colours for the ARP4, it is not available for the other cars. They only ordered what they needed according to how many ARP4 owners actually chose this leather.
So, when they realised that my car's interior was wrong they had to order another batch in especially.

I have seen a nice 4/4 1.5 years ago at my dealer with Cuba leather interior. I'm wondering if it is an ARP4 only option.

I viewed a stunning +4 at Bell & Colvill only a couple of weeks ago - spec'd in prosecco with cuba leather - but not an AR4. Have to say it looked better than the interior of the AR that's heading my way soon.

The ARP4 is aimed at a different market sector where performance counts, not weighed down by "comfort" or "pretty" options... In other words a (semi)racer for the road... Rather than the Plus4's "luxury" (everything is relative here! ) model.

You would be forgiven for thinking that Graham, but then MMC gild the lily with all the options normally associated with allowing dealers to earn a living, like door checks, leather covered cowl and door locks, pump up lumbar support, chrome interior mirror and door mirrors you can actually use, bonnet support stays, brake reaction bars Adjustable dampers, expensive suade steering wheel, extra sound deadening underlay and lined hood etc etc.

What exactly is the ARP4? Tourer, track day weapon, back road scratcher or a combination of all of those?

From my all-too-brief ride in an ARP4, I would say it's anything but a 'racer for the road', the interior is positively sumptuous compared to my car.

I think that over the years Morgans have changed their focus, from simple lightweight sports cars (Vinyl upholstery, rubber mats, simple weather equipment, absence of fripperies) to a more luxurious 'grand tourer' concept, with carpets, lined hoods, heated seats, and all the other features that modern owners have come to expect.

It's clear that this is what the market wants these days, and I can see why, the latest cars are seriously nice inside.

My own view - purely speculating of course, is that Morgan spotted a niche in the market addressing those who have seen and admired the AR V6 track cars on which they successfully developed better suspension, brakes etc with super performance, and decided to offer a road going car with similar characteristics.
Mating the Cosworth engine (such fantastic racing pedigree) to the Plus 4 with the AR race bred features was a master stroke.
However, the average Morgan owner still wants to be able to go out with the wife and enjoy high days and holidays in the car. Hence a little luxury was needed.
I think they have struck a nice balance. The car looks good to the track boys and the wife!
Having said all that, I have still to get my hands on mine and see what the wife really thinks after a bit of a blast - not exceeding 3000 revs of course, for the first few hundred miles!
Picking it up on Thursday!

Yes, but like pretty much all car manufacturers, there's a big difference to what was produced in 1986 and that of today - 30 years later...

And some of the add-ons listed above your post are "performance" orientated, not "cossetting"

From a dealer I hope, the factory's shut this week..

for me as first time Morgan owner, the ARP4 is old school, but with the right 'essentials' to make it perfect for road, fast road and probably track work. And, to my eyes, it looks fabulous and has the right blend of wow factor without too much bling and shoutiness