Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) If not a Morgan??

To love a classic you either need to be a good and enthusiastic mechanic or have deep pockets and a stable of cars so there is a good chance one is always working.

F Type or Plus 8? Let the depreciation make your call!

I've remembered one of the reasons I fell in love with Morgan. It was a visit to the factory of course. In those days one just wandered in and watched men making wings,doors,frames etc.
They answered questions and Peter M. wandered around speaking to them using their Christian names. Then, the one man who road tested every car offered to take me out in the next one, which shouldn't happen as it was on trade plates, and we went off round the hills. On return we parked up and he opened the bonnet and adjusted the tickover and something else I can't remember. We dodged a part bodied chassis as it came careering down the slope. In the despatch bay was a man polishing fingermarks off the cars. Above him was a wooden owl;there to keep out the pidgeons.
I was overwhelmed by the friendliness and I remember thinking
"This is the car company I want to support". They knew I wasn't there to order one, but what an effective sales technique it was......a few years later I had my first one.
A factory tour is very different today though I still think watching the cars being made is strongly and strikingly emotional.

Now, 20 years later, the prices have risen in proportion to the number of parts no longer handmade. The new wings may be better, more consistent but I rather liked the way my plus 8 had a wider nearside rear wing, and I definitely preferred that a man had made it.
Am I going too far if I suggest that the term "assembled at Malvern" would be more accurate than "manufactured".....certainly,surely, the m3w can only be described thus.

So, I still love them, but it is a little harder to keep that love unconditional.

Nick

Well said. I remember those days.

Ah, the old rose tints, eh..?

I was lucky enough to have a look around in the late 80's and yes, it does leave an impression. And as you say, here we are.

I think the factory is all the better for modern times, though.

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To love a classic you either need to be a good and enthusiastic mechanic or have deep pockets and a stable of cars so there is a good chance one is always working.
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Well if that's true Peter I think I'm in trouble on just about all counts!

I suspect you may well get more of the "constant issues" with an F type because of its unnecessary complexity. All the gadgets to go wrong.

I've been reading this thread with some interest. Like you I dont want the frustrations of a true classic and I do want the performance of a modern car albeit without all the weight and extras as epitomised by the Jag. Not sure what the answer is or if it exists

Don't all 'modern' cars have a lot of electronic toys ? My wife's Rav4 is full of them , electric this electric that .... such a pleasure to get back in the Mog when its not freezing on the roads !

I'm not that bothered by depreciation - you'll recall I bought a new Bentley once! That's proper depreciation

If it wasn't a Morgan I think it would be an F Type. Pretty cars. There's not much else out there that takes my fancy. I wouldn't be deterred by electronics that make life easier - I've not had any fail in previous cars. Only in vintage cars.

Factory story: In the Charles days I took the Japanese MD of Suzuki GB to the factory. Charles was a brilliant ambassador and the tour was much appreciated. Prior to the visit I had phoned to see if they could cut me some new carpet mats. On arrival I was told to speak to someone in the Trim Shop, to ensure they used the carpet to match my 4/4. This was duly done and the carpets were ready for our departure. Driving back to Suzuki the MD shook his head when I asked him if he enjoyed the tour. His comment! "They stopped production to make your carpets "


As for the F Type - love them, but the Roadster has less internal stowage space than my 4/4 and the boot is very restricted.

But it does have a boot!