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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,342 Likes: 49
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,342 Likes: 49 |
The Regulators are circling I'm afraid. Our Federal Motoring Mandarins have just advised me that "running changes" to our Australian Design Rules (ADRs) - ADR 31/03 (Brake systems) and ADR 79/04 (Emissions Controls) may be an issue for Morgan. Lets hope this can be sorted.... Out of curiosity why is the chassis the main problem here, as in what necessitates the move to aluminium?
Or is it the use of ABS and other electronics that is the issue? In which case can these not be fitted to the old chassis?
Nick I doubt it is the electronics. And it certainly isnt the desire to produce a truly modern car. I would think that the pressure to go to the ally route is a combination of several things: 1/ increasing safety regs both here and in export markets2/ To produce 700 cars a year in three completely different designs is production engineering madness. No commonality, no production volumes, no economies of scale. 3/ The Trad looks old but only certain parts of it actually are old and the new parts, the engine and gearbox for example, dont prevent traditionalists ordering the trad. So why would getting rid of a beam axle do so? 4/ economies that come from using industry standard components 5/ better ride, better braking, more rigid structure so better road holding
A Morgan Identified Fastidious Owner...
2011 4/4 Bespoke, 1981 Delorean, Auburn Boat Tail
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,549 Likes: 67
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,549 Likes: 67 |
Just a simple thought, does anyone have any clue to what these regulation changes are/will be?
Are we all jumping to incorrect conclusions?
Here for a good time not a long time!!
Reg
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12,257 Likes: 317
Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
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Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12,257 Likes: 317 |
Some years ago there was an interview with CM published somewhere (can't remember where) in which ISTR him saying that although the trad cars were good at passing crash tests because they absorbed impacts well, they were problematic in other ways because (a) they weren't good at pedestrian protection and (b) there was insufficient space to mount airbags.
Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
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GaB
Unregistered
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GaB
Unregistered
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From the 'sales person' I spoke to at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb:
"There will be no more trads after 2018".
Methinks there are a number of regulation changes that make the demise of the trad trad a certainty.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,033 Likes: 23
Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,033 Likes: 23 |
Out of curiosity why is the chassis the main problem here, as in what necessitates the move to aluminium?
Or is it the use of ABS and other electronics that is the issue? In which case can these not be fitted to the old chassis?
Nick I doubt it is the electronics. And it certainly isnt the desire to produce a truly modern car. I would think that the pressure to go to the ally route is a combination of several things: 1/ increasing safety regs both here and in export markets 2/ To produce 700 cars a year in three completely different designs is production engineering madness. No commonality, no production volumes, no economies of scale. 3/ The Trad looks old but only certain parts of it actually are old and the new parts, the engine and gearbox for example, dont prevent traditionalists ordering the trad. So why would getting rid of a beam axle do so? 4/ economies that come from using industry standard components 5/ better ride, better braking, more rigid structure so better road holding I still fail to see why the chassis would make any difference to safety regs if the car looked the same, pedestrian impact for example. I mean the crash structures wouldn't be too different either considering how little room there would be to accommodate any extra without changing the looks of it. I just wonder if this is being blown out of proportion without any real facts, the only regulations I can forsee being forced upon companies would be emissions, pedestrian impact, abs, esp, airbags, seatbelt pretensioners etc. All of that can be added to an older chassis, except perhaps pedestrian impact. Just my thoughts. 
Aero 8 GTN #11
"What we do in life.. echoes in eternity."
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,358 Likes: 353
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,358 Likes: 353 |
The demise of the Trad has been spoken about in hushed tones for a long time. It's one of the reasons we went for a new one "while we still could".
For those who are buying the looks it doesn't matter what's underneath and never has. But this group of buyers do provide nearly new Morgans to the used market with low mileage when the looks are not enough.
For those who are buying the experience, knowing what lies beneath, then for many, including me, a modern set of underpinnings is not what we really want from the experience but thankfully there are plenty of trad trads around.
So progress will happen and Morgan will morph.
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,342 Likes: 49
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,342 Likes: 49 |
I am told that while the import approval is still valid, orders for the Classic (Trad) Morgan have been suspended in Australia. Last orders for the Australian 3W will be March 2017 for delivery by October 2017 pending ADR compliance resolution. From the 'sales person' I spoke to at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb:
"There will be no more trads after 2018".
Methinks there are a number of regulation changes that make the demise of the trad trad a certainty.
A Morgan Identified Fastidious Owner...
2011 4/4 Bespoke, 1981 Delorean, Auburn Boat Tail
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,341 Likes: 15
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,341 Likes: 15 |
I am told that while the import approval is still valid, orders for the Classic (Trad) Morgan have been suspended in Australia. Last orders for the Australian 3W will be March 2017 for delivery by October 2017 pending ADR compliance resolution. From the 'sales person' I spoke to at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb:
"There will be no more trads after 2018".
Methinks there are a number of regulation changes that make the demise of the trad trad a certainty. On the other hand, you will be able to buy an Aero 8 S5 in Aus
Formerly Aero S5 #80
Currently 911 (992) Targa in python green
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,342 Likes: 49
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,342 Likes: 49 |
Yep, at just over A$ 287,000 (approx 160,000 Sterling) before you even look at the options list.... I am told that while the import approval is still valid, orders for the Classic (Trad) Morgan have been suspended in Australia. Last orders for the Australian 3W will be March 2017 for delivery by October 2017 pending ADR compliance resolution. From the 'sales person' I spoke to at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb:
"There will be no more trads after 2018".
Methinks there are a number of regulation changes that make the demise of the trad trad a certainty. On the other hand, you will be able to buy an Aero 8 S5 in Aus
A Morgan Identified Fastidious Owner...
2011 4/4 Bespoke, 1981 Delorean, Auburn Boat Tail
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,341 Likes: 15
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,341 Likes: 15 |
er, well.. wait for sterling to tank a little more, around Christmas, when the Feb puts USA interest rates up.
Formerly Aero S5 #80
Currently 911 (992) Targa in python green
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