Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) please clarify morgan production years

I am a newbie to Morgans, the last time I did any service to one was about twenty five years ago when I was enlisted to completely re-wire an older one and another newer one showed up at my shop in Tallahassee for little things from time to time.

The one that is now in my life, a 61 DHC, is presenting itself as an enjoyable effort. So much so that I think that I have been seduced to the point of my looking for one of my own.

I have a couple of the less expensive "all abouts" but I just realized, or I think that I realized, that production of Morgans as I know of them stopped in 1997. After that, apparently the factory started making zummier models that sort of like like caricatures of the originals. I am not knocking the newer cars as they are probably neat vehicles, but the older, more "unique" designs are more attractive to me personally.

I started out to ask a question here and ended up making some sort of a statement, but the original question was, am I in fact correct in believing that the "original" four wheelers were no longer made after 1997?

Jack

I really don't believe so. All the hallmarks that MMC have always had are still there: don't do any R and D on engine but buy in; evolve from previous known position ( OK, to an extent, Aero 8 excepted); Z-section chassis with built- on bodywork around ash frame; same front suspension; same philosphy ie low weight to power output and good torque stats
I started off with my dad's TR-engined Plus 4 and I now run a Ford -engined 4/4. OK, some things change but not the overall philosphy or the way it is translated into action

How much more 'continuity do you want?

regards,
G

Without a lot of exposure to the newer cars I only have reference to photos and write-ups that don't really focus on what I would call the nature or soul of the cars, older or newer.

I am aware of the fact that Morgans came and still come in many different flavors but as I said, I seem to be drawn more toward the more simple earlier spec versions. Do disrespect to any or all here as I was just trying to be more specific before my question actually fell on to the paper.

Jack

...

What do you mean with "the original ones" no longer made after 1997? It depends on what model you talk about and what is personal hallmark for you.

If, for instance, you talk about +4 DHCs, the last one was made in 1968, although sold in 1969.

Other variations on a similar theme are possible. I would be interested to learn which 1961 DHC you are working on.

Hermen

A fair point. Some of the 'modern' bits eg injection not carbs are dictaed to a large extnet by the fact that proprietary parts are used ( although I have seeen a Duratec converted to run on Webers) and other changes such as gearboxes ( 'The passing of the MossBox' diffs and rer axles have aklso been driven by issues of availability and perceiuved improvement.
Again, I don't think that is new in the case of Morgan. It'spossible to find loads of people posing the same question as you pose throughout the last goodness' know how many years.
To take a single example: the evolution of the climax/ standard/ Triumph engined cars

My own view ( for what it's worth)is that the modern trads ( if that makes sense?) do still retain and preserve the character they've always had. OK, you don't get that amazing Plus8 Vee8 rumble with the Ford engine in the Roadster, but there are opther things which it gives that the 'eight' didn't

regards,
G

I didn't mean to stir the pot too much here.

My general reference to automobiles is VIA the cars that were current when I began working on them with a purpose in the mid sixties. The cars that I dealt with then were both "older" from the mid to late fifties and "current" to the late sixties as I was by then, working in the MG/BL dealer system.

I forget sometimes that other folks have difference references for their own reasons and circumstances, but "traditional" for me would be cars with carburettors and manual gear boxes, and in the case of Morgan, many of the other attributes that make it less "refined" in today's context, fuel injected V engines, converters, ABS systems, general compliance to crash safety and that sort of thing. I am not saying that the later cars are any less worthy of being badged Morgan as I do understand the evolution, but for me being stuck in a time warp is a comfort and brings me peace.

My own experiences as I made my way in carland lead me through the evolution of British iron being supplanted by and large by Japanese sports cars and German sports sedans. As fate would have it I migrated from the Brit stuff on into Mercedes Benz and Ferrari until the electronics in the cars and insanely high cost of staying abreast of necessary diagnostic equipment became too much to bear.

All of this discussion is helpful and healthy for me, as from it I think that I will be more able to understand the Morgan society a little better. I thank you for allowing me to participate.

There is going to be a "gathering of Morgans" in Asheville this weekend and if I can get away I will run down there to look at the cars and learn more about Morgan speak and Morgan folk.

Your responses gladly received..... Jack

I don't know where you take your informations, jake austin, but no ABS, automatic gearbox, traction control or other airbags in today's traditional mogs (4/4, +4, tourer and V6 roadster)
(the story is different for the more modern "aero line", obviously)

Regarding the engines and their evolution I remind you that MMC never built any engine in all its history. They bought what they thought to be the best for their car from external manufacturers: peugeot, ford, fiat, etc etc etc...

It's logical that they stuck to an existing offer for their choices of engine.

The buick/rover V8 was a real modern aluminium engine in its time.

Change the engine when it's necessary and keep the traditional shape and architecture of the car could maybe be seen as the identity of Morgan.


Furthermore, modern engines with injection and catalythic exhaust in traditional mog is the key of their compliance with the contemporary rules about air pollution, and the reason we can always buy and drive them in our modern world.


As a conclusion I would say that a 1938 4 wheels morgan is too modern for a 3 wheeler fan, and a 1960 4/4 is maybe a "caricatures of the originals" for a flat rad lover...

Jack's quoted year of 1997 aligns closely with the transitions of:
(this is rough.....because some options became standard, but you get the picture)
Short door to long door
Narrow cockpit to less narrow cockpit
Steel bulkhead to stainless bulkhead
Steel wings to alloy wings
No wood preservative to wood preservative
No cat converter to cat converter
There must be others.

For me, these are reasons not to seek a Mog before 1997....

[quote DaveW]Jack's quoted year of 1997 aligns closely with the transitions of:
(this is rough.....because some options became standard, but you get the picture)
Short door to long door
Narrow cockpit to less narrow cockpit
Steel bulkhead to stainless bulkhead
Steel wings to alloy wings
No wood preservative to wood preservative
No cat converter to cat converter
Dried-out rubber to neoprene
There must be others, some still not used OEM
[/quot]