Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) ARP4 anyone ?

Then there are others who like their ARP4 very much as is the way with cars ....

Actually, I would refine that last statement, and say it is undoubtedly a track engine, in a comfortable (for a Morgan) touring car, and that was the problem - dual personality.

I have traded in my Caterham and 4/4 80th for the ARP4 at Williams
To be delivered on Friday, can't wait, hopefully it will be a good replacement for both cars.
Andy

Andy,
It sounds a perfect replacement to your two cars and if you enjoyed the Caterham you'll love the ARP4. Just don't be unduly influenced by others expressing arbitrary guidelines on what is/is not acceptable.

I was almost put off buying my ARP4 by 'race car only' 'track day only''lack of torque' comments on TM and was amazed when I first drove one myself. Both Mike Duncan (my dealer) and myself were really impressed how easy it was to drive, well sorted, not fussy, not temperamental at all. I would say it certainly rewards a sensitive right foot but in terms of low speed driveability, acceleration etc and it has the torque you would expect from an NA 2.0l 225 bhp engine.

By the way - if you manage to get the handbrake working please let me know :-)

Ian, the beauty is you got exactly what you expected from reading the owners whing whoops, I mean owners reviews and why people changed so early. At least 2 ex owners have bought new 3.7 Roadsters for example, which might explain what they thought they were getting, and in fairness, hardly anyone had a chance to drive an ARP4 before taking delivery, so we were all reliant on MMC marketing. Need I say more.

Now however the truth is out there and what we have is a hooligan in a nice suit, a James Bond perhaps? The catch is that as the miles go on, it becomes even better, obvious really, as the engines are all handbuilt at Cosworth and are tighter and more specialised than a run of the mill production Duratec.

As Ian has commented, and which I don't think has been previously mentioned, they are beautifully mapped and apart from the popping and banging, which can be moderated anyway, they drive really smoothly from tickover to max. revs. I marvell how well they have done it every time I drive mine. I have an idea that MBE themselves, whose ECU is used, organised that.

So Andy, enjoy your new car and get back to us after a few weeks and let us know what you think, it is a bit of a marmite car, and you will either love or hate it - though I think you will love it.

By the way, I have put a small extension onto the driving light switch, so I can hit it first time every time, in the dark, when it needs to go off.

Great quote, Paul..!

Perhaps more Vinnie Jones than James Bond, maybe..?

I have to say, that having heard Pail’s ARP a few times, it sounds glorious.
Lovely car.


Not sure if it had a reverse gear though!
Maybe Paul can confirm?
(Fossil’s in joke!)

Its probably the nearest Mog to a 7 but still not in the handling league of a 7 , they take some beating !

Very succinctly put! Agree entirely with Paul. I loved the look of the ARP4, still do; particularly loved the dashboard, the alloys, the LED lights, in fact the whole car. When specifying my Roadster I was almost tempted to try and replicate the ARP4 look as one other ex ARP4 owner did when changing to a Roadster. However, I decided to stick with a retro conventional look rather than clone the unique look of the ARP4.

I am delighted that those who are now buying secondhand ARP4s are doing so after long reflection, and in full knowledge of what they offer, warts an’ all. In which case, they should hopefully enjoy the car for what they are and hold onto them for a long time.

Well The ARP4 has just been delivered, however I only drove it off the transporter and into my storage unit as I had to get back to work, but she looks fantastic.
Williams confirmed the previous owner did trade it in for a Roadster
Hopefully not something I will be doing!