Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Roadster- - To buy or not to buy?

It depends very much on what you want to achieve but an idea that may be worth considering for people who are thinking about an upgrade is to upgrade your existing car.

Let's start by assuming that your existing chassis and bodywork is ok but you just want something a bit more powerful. Why not consider putting in a Ford Duratec (MZR) VVC 2.0 engine with throttle bodies and putting out 195hp or 215hp. This is essentially the same engine as was used in the Plus 4 SS. Or a 220hp version of the Ford Duratec 2.5L VVC engine; fantastic torque for cruising.

You may need to consider wider tyres or improved brakes if the car is a 4/4 or an older Plus 4 but the more recent Plus 4 should be ok.

Other than that some new carpets and a pair of reclining sports seats should not cost the earth.

Then if you were thinking about suspension improvements too, new kingpins and an SSL front spring set plus a rear SSL 5 Link suspension and you would finish up with a very personalized and special car.

All that would remain then is a trip to Italy to have one of Borghi's dashboards installed

All good advice Peter, except Ken is thinking of changing his Plus 8 for a roadster.....

I would have no problem converting My +8 Bitsa to a +6 Bitsa. But the "Market Value" would not equal the cost of modification. Or even come close. The advantage IMO would be nil. I have driven a 2005 Roadster. I have also driven a 2000 Bog Standard +8. Being a DIY sort I like My +8 Bitsa. At the moment looking for Cow Hide for the interior that looks like a Cow. Starting to look for a Tanner that can do the job for Me. After all I live in the U.S. Northwest. I want a Morgan that looks like I live in the West. No I am not going to mount cow horns on the bonnet.

A Winchester repeating rifle in a holster on the outside of the driver's door Bill?

Button,
you need to have been to Big Texas Steak Ranch in Amarillo to mount the Horns on the bonnet.
I was thinking of it but $99 for a plastic set put me off.
https://www.bigtexan.com/
The beer is good , steak didn't impress.


John

Now I like that idea. But guns scare Me. Maybe I could get one painted on the driver's door. I do have those "Stickies" of a bullet hole. I gotta think about this one.

Button

Amarillo did not impress Me either.

Definitely a place to drive through. Give me Santa Fe , LA or OKC anytime.

Did you have to stop and ask the way to Amarillo perchance ?

I have a new 3.7 Roadster, bought new in August 2017.
What a fantastic machine, So much torque, it's a joy to drive.
I had the Suplex front suspension mods fitted by Berrybrook and this certainly improves the roadholding.
It's Ivory colour with red soft-top, a very pretty combination.
The real reason I bought the Roadster was to get rid of my awful ARP4.
What a dreadful car (sorry Paul)!
No Morgan dealer wanted to buy them unless you bought a much more expensive Morgan in part exchange.
Morgan themselves only offered £47000 if I bought a new Aero at a £108000! ,the ARP4 cost £63000.
I wonder if any ARP4 owners still exist in the UK, I understand most of them went to France , for some reason the french seem to like them!
So thats the real reason I now own Roadster.
It's worked out Ok in the end but via a very expensive mistake.