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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,616 Likes: 43
Wave & smile... It's a Morgan Member of the Inner Circle
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Wave & smile... It's a Morgan Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,616 Likes: 43 |
We went on a tour of the Bentley factory last week. They seem to have a really good balance between hand assembled and modern automation. We saw automation assisted cutting out of leather trim followed by hand trimming. There is a wonderful wood shop. We also saw a modern assembly track with jigs and lift assisters. Every one we spoke to took an enormous pride in their work and in the product. One of the highlights was talking to a chap who trims steering wheels at the rate of around 2 a day. The scale of the place was enormous compared to Morgan (4000 people building 11,000 cars a year) but we got the impression that they also have something special there.
That reminds me, I must organise a trip to Bentley I do wonder though that what is presented in the hand crafting section is all a bit false and there for show only and only work on the very highest spec cars If Bentley are producing 11,000 cars a year (30 a day rolling off) and it takes one person to trim 2 steering wheels a day Either there are 15 people trimming wheels all day every day or only a very few Bentleys have hand trimmed wheels I suspect most of the wheels are made elsewhere and bought in But I might be completely wrong
2008 XXVII Platform, Bugatti Blue Roadster 4 Seater
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12,257 Likes: 317
Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
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Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12,257 Likes: 317 |
The scale of the place was enormous compared to Morgan (4000 people building 11,000 cars a year) Intersting productivity comparison. At these figures, Bentley produces 2.75 cars per employee per year, whereas at 800 cars from 150 employees (I think), MMC is nearly twice as productive at 5.3 cars per employee per year.
Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,587
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,587 |
We went on a tour of the Bentley factory last week. They seem to have a really good balance between hand assembled and modern automation. We saw automation assisted cutting out of leather trim followed by hand trimming. There is a wonderful wood shop. We also saw a modern assembly track with jigs and lift assisters. Every one we spoke to took an enormous pride in their work and in the product. One of the highlights was talking to a chap who trims steering wheels at the rate of around 2 a day. The scale of the place was enormous compared to Morgan (4000 people building 11,000 cars a year) but we got the impression that they also have something special there.
That reminds me, I must organise a trip to Bentley I do wonder though that what is presented in the hand crafting section is all a bit false and there for show only and only work on the very highest spec cars If Bentley are producing 11,000 cars a year (30 a day rolling off) and it takes one person to trim 2 steering wheels a day Either there are 15 people trimming wheels all day every day or only a very few Bentleys have hand trimmed wheels I suspect most of the wheels are made elsewhere and bought in But I might be completely wrong Do you intend a TM visit ?
Geneva 2016 plus 8' The Green Godess' 4 side exits .
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,899 Likes: 352
Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
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Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,899 Likes: 352 |
201 employees according to a report in the latest Miscellany - so 4 cars per employee/year Tim. Assuming accurate report, or course 
Graham (G4FUJ)
Sold L44FOR 4/4 Giallo Fly
'11 MINI Countryman Cooper D All4
'90 LR 90 SW
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,017 Likes: 3
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,017 Likes: 3 |
201 employees according to a report in the latest Miscellany - so 4 cars per employee/year Tim. Assuming accurate report, or course At car value per employee Bentley may be ahead of Morgan
Hannes
once: Green M3W; 2013
now: Red 4/4 Sport; 2011
and some practical cars for use in real life
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,945 Likes: 28
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,945 Likes: 28 |
The other would be to find a suitable engine and electronics pack that can be dropped in to the new design. It would have to include ABS and airbags to meet standards that will be required, if not by legislation by the potential market. To do that Morgan really has to get into bed with someone and the choice of front engine, rear drive, vehicles to choose from is not so great. Lotus, TVR, Ginetta, Caterham already do this to some degree. Could be that its easier with a mid engined design using the engine and transaxle of a FWD hot hatch? Or maybe the V6 bits off the roadster. It would make sense for MMC to have a relationship with a big manufacturer because, whilst electrical cars are some way off for them, the time will come when they need to consider that issue.
If there was a mini-aero, as described by Gambalunga, what price point would you replace your existing Morgan and order and spec a new one?
You wouldnt. There is no reason why a new model cant run alongside the "heritage" model. Likely it would have to do so because the type of buyer who wants to have cart springs, grease guns and a link to the 40's isnt the same guy who wants a modern sports car
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12,257 Likes: 317
Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
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Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12,257 Likes: 317 |
At car value per employee Bentley may be ahead of Morgan A couple of more interesting metrics would be Gross Margin per car and per employee.
Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
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Joined: May 2012
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,519 Likes: 60 |
The answer is not down the road of exotica or innovation, but within the realm of what's gone before. The Flat Rad 4/4 with good quality chrome. Quality Lucas tri-bar headlights. Fold flat windscreen with stainless pillars that stay fresh. A low line body shape that MMC is capable of producing, along the lines of a Squire 1500 classic perhaps. 
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,616 Likes: 43
Wave & smile... It's a Morgan Member of the Inner Circle
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Wave & smile... It's a Morgan Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,616 Likes: 43 |
We went on a tour of the Bentley factory last week. They seem to have a really good balance between hand assembled and modern automation. We saw automation assisted cutting out of leather trim followed by hand trimming. There is a wonderful wood shop. We also saw a modern assembly track with jigs and lift assisters. Every one we spoke to took an enormous pride in their work and in the product. One of the highlights was talking to a chap who trims steering wheels at the rate of around 2 a day. The scale of the place was enormous compared to Morgan (4000 people building 11,000 cars a year) but we got the impression that they also have something special there.
That reminds me, I must organise a trip to Bentley I do wonder though that what is presented in the hand crafting section is all a bit false and there for show only and only work on the very highest spec cars If Bentley are producing 11,000 cars a year (30 a day rolling off) and it takes one person to trim 2 steering wheels a day Either there are 15 people trimming wheels all day every day or only a very few Bentleys have hand trimmed wheels I suspect most of the wheels are made elsewhere and bought in But I might be completely wrong Do you intend a TM visit ? I didn’t but I will make enquiries PerryP works for Bentley but he’s been quiet on the forum recently I’ll message him on Facebook
2008 XXVII Platform, Bugatti Blue Roadster 4 Seater
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,465 Likes: 171
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,465 Likes: 171 |
We went on a tour of the Bentley factory last week. They seem to have a really good balance between hand assembled and modern automation. We saw automation assisted cutting out of leather trim followed by hand trimming. There is a wonderful wood shop. We also saw a modern assembly track with jigs and lift assisters. Every one we spoke to took an enormous pride in their work and in the product. One of the highlights was talking to a chap who trims steering wheels at the rate of around 2 a day. The scale of the place was enormous compared to Morgan (4000 people building 11,000 cars a year) but we got the impression that they also have something special there.
That reminds me, I must organise a trip to Bentley I do wonder though that what is presented in the hand crafting section is all a bit false and there for show only and only work on the very highest spec cars If Bentley are producing 11,000 cars a year (30 a day rolling off) and it takes one person to trim 2 steering wheels a day Either there are 15 people trimming wheels all day every day or only a very few Bentleys have hand trimmed wheels I suspect most of the wheels are made elsewhere and bought in But I might be completely wrong Do you intend a TM visit ? I didn’t but I will make enquiries PerryP works for Bentley but he’s been quiet on the forum recently I’ll message him on Facebook Just one detail - group sizes are limited to 6 people.
Paul
Costock, UK
Plus Four 75th - Furka Rouge - Pip
Disco 5
Teddy - 17h1 Irish Draught cross
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