Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Electric power steering

Peter, for once I'm in total agreement with you and your father in law.

This is worrying!

Huh?
I was once berated by a former Flat Rad owner in a Devon car park that my '97 +4 was not a real Morgan.
He shut up and pee'd off after I suggested that as I owned a '76 4/4 as well as the +4 and he didn't own anything from MMC that maybe he couldn't really give me grief...
Sue just called him a rude sad

Tongue in cheek yes. Of course it's a Morgan as it's made by them......but many fans of Trad Morgans and what they represent, would not consider an Aero chassis Plus 8.........nor justify the cost.........and the OP can't get them where he lives!

This bit of thread drift raises a raft of philosophical questions around the question "What is Real Morgan?"

Some research suggests the answers might cause more debate debate...

A Veteran car is, according to the Veteran Car Club, one made before 1905. So there are a few 3 wheeler Morgans that qualify.

A Vintage car is one made between 1905 and 1930, so most of the 3 wheelers but none of the 4 wheel cars as the 4/4 arrived in 1936.

A Classic car has no formal definition that I can find, but it is generally considered to be a car that is more than 20 years old, BUT which is no longer in production.

So, all flat rad Morgans are clearly Classics.

BUT what are the present "Trad Morgans"? The +4 has been in continuous production since 1950 and the Series II 4/4 since 1955.

Many so called Classic Car "experts" would say they are just cars, and old ones made in the 1960s are not Classics, but just "old cars"!!
Others say that they are a continuation of a Classic, rather like the LR Defender.

Now, to the Aero based cars. The Aero Plus 8 is a Traditional Morgan body on a new technology chassis.
It is no more "Classic" than a 2014 Plus 4, or a 1968 Plus 8, it just happens to have a different chassis and some other modern features.

Where does this get us all? I think it proves that trying to divide Morgan cars up into somewhat arbitrary categories achieves nothing. They are either pre 1950 or post 1950. Yes, the Flat Rad is a clear historical change, but since then it has been evolution.

My Plus 8 is a Real Morgan, as is your Roadster as is DW's 4/4...

I'm sure there will be further evolution of the Chassis and we may see a modern Plus 4 with a chassis that has elements of the Trad and the Aero. That will also be a Real Morgan... and as is the M3W.

OK, back to power steering....

As the first Morgan was made in 1909 I don't see how they would qualify for Veteran status if the rquirement is pre-1905 Peter?

The +4 had at least one break period in production, too

Made at Pickersliegh Road?

Then it's a Morgan - end of!

I think you are all missing the point about 'real' Morgans. Surely the last 'real' Morgan had a V twin and only 3 wheels? The current 3 wheeler could perhaps be seen as a continuation model [in the modern parlance], and to being it back on topic, none of them had power steering, just a bl**dy great steering wheel.

Plus 4 was not made between 2000 and 2004.
Huge changes were made to the Trads in 1997............

My ARP4 was fine without power steering, albeit I only had the car for 3 weeks!
However, I found the power steering on my Roadster too light at all speeds and without sufficient "feel" for my liking. So, after a test drive of a non power steered Roadster with Suplex I opted to have the power steering taken off and suplex fitted. I much prefer it this way but accept "each to their own"!
I understand MR11MOG also found the standard power steering not to his liking on his new "ARV6" Roadster. However, he has had a quick 3 turn steering rack fitted to replace the 3.5 rack and is now very much happier.