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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Forums39
Topics49,896
Posts837,966
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Most Online1,063
Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 321
Learner Plates Off!
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OP
Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 321 |
The comparison is rather pointless. You are comparing a vehicle that is generally impractical, rides and handles badly ( please don’t tell me they handle better than a modern car🙄) but has character by the bucket load, to a modern practical every day car that is comfortable, doesn’t leak, reliable, well built, generally handles well and doesn’t need suspension greasing . You just cannot compare vehicles but there is room for both. “You just cannot compare vehicles”......................you just did! The comparison just reinforces the enjoyment we (or maybe just me?) get from a car which should have been consigned to the fifties, but hasn’t. Why do those fortunate enough to be able to fly a Spitfire in the 21st century say that it is the best plane ever designed in terms of pilot enjoyment? Sorry, there’s another comparison!
3.7 Roadster
Porsche 964 C2
JCW Mini Cooper S Cab
BMW F750GS
+4 4 1995-2002 / LM 62 +8 2002-07
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,224 Likes: 7
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,224 Likes: 7 |
Howard makes a fair point about us seeking to justify our decision to own and drive an anachronistic vehicle. But I think there's more to it. Modern life is de-skilling us in many ways and so by driving a vehicle that requires some skill to make it perform well we are bucking that trend. Then we take things further by driving in conditions that require endurance and exposure to the physical world of wind, sun, rain, heat and cold. In doing this we are quite rationally trying to measure ourselves against the men and women we admire; our role models from the past 1.25 centuries of motoring. We want to experience what they did, even though radar traps and multi-lane highways render that a near impossibility. At least we can escape air-conditioning, ABS and lane-keeping systems. I think we all get it, Howard too, because I'll bet that sometimes he's like me and just wants to whoop with the joy of clipping that apex and snicking second gear on the double clutch down shift. 
1968 4/4 1600
1950 Auster J5B
Kitfox S5 Outback
Jodel D9
1988 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,009
Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,009 |
The comparison is rather pointless. You are comparing a vehicle that is generally impractical, rides and handles badly ( please don’t tell me they handle better than a modern car🙄) but has character by the bucket load, to a modern practical every day car that is comfortable, doesn’t leak, reliable, well built, generally handles well and doesn’t need suspension greasing . You just cannot compare vehicles but there is room for both. “You just cannot compare vehicles”......................you just did! The comparison just reinforces the enjoyment we (or maybe just me?) get from a car which should have been consigned to the fifties, but hasn’t. Why do those fortunate enough to be able to fly a Spitfire in the 21st century say that it is the best plane ever designed in terms of pilot enjoyment? Sorry, there’s another comparison! Yes but if you wanted to fly four people economically somewhere you wouldn’t choose a Spitfire. Just as if you wanted day to day transport you wouldn’t chose a Morgan over an everyday tin top .
Jays
Former Morgan owner. Gone but hopefully not forgotten!
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 37,474 Likes: 988
Tricky Dicky Member of the Inner Circle
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Tricky Dicky Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 37,474 Likes: 988 |
I think Howard is embracing the old man 'shackleton chair' philosophy, where comfort over-rides everything else. The slippery slope to velcro shoes............  He's almost there now and ready for one of these...… 
2009 4/4 Sport Henrietta
1999 Indigo Blue +8
2009 4/4 Sport Green prev
1993 Con Green +8 prev
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 185
L - Learner Plates On
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L - Learner Plates On
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 185 |
I don’t feel the need to justify enjoying driving a Morgan (or similar) just as someone who doesn’t shouldn’t have to justify their lack of enjoyment and I respect their opinion. I’m just glad My DNA put me in the like group and not with the unfortunate others!
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122 |
Howard makes a fair point about us seeking to justify our decision to own and drive an anachronistic vehicle. But I think there's more to it. Modern life is de-skilling us in many ways and so by driving a vehicle that requires some skill to make it perform well we are bucking that trend. Then we take things further by driving in conditions that require endurance and exposure to the physical world of wind, sun, rain, heat and cold. In doing this we are quite rationally trying to measure ourselves against the men and women we admire; our role models from the past 1.25 centuries of motoring. We want to experience what they did, even though radar traps and multi-lane highways render that a near impossibility. At least we can escape air-conditioning, ABS and lane-keeping systems. I think we all get it, Howard too, because I'll bet that sometimes he's like me and just wants to whoop with the joy of clipping that apex and snicking second gear on the double clutch down shift. I have an objection at one point of your insightful text. I avoid such modern multi-lane highways. At least in my surroundings there are still the roads, which let enjoy all the beauty with a Morgan. To look at it philosophically, we (or many of us) also use the Morgan as a vehicle in a figurative sense. Not only as a machine to move, but above all as a world of experience that expands our senses, in contrast to the uniformity of a modern car that stands for objectification and against intense experience and is on the same line with a lot of what determines life now.
'14 4/4 graphite grey
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,370 Likes: 354
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,370 Likes: 354 |
The comparison is rather pointless. You are comparing a vehicle that is generally impractical, rides and handles badly ( please don’t tell me they handle better than a modern car🙄) but has character by the bucket load, to a modern practical every day car that is comfortable, doesn’t leak, reliable, well built, generally handles well and doesn’t need suspension greasing . You just cannot compare vehicles but there is room for both. “You just cannot compare vehicles”......................you just did! The comparison just reinforces the enjoyment we (or maybe just me?) get from a car which should have been consigned to the fifties, but hasn’t. Why do those fortunate enough to be able to fly a Spitfire in the 21st century say that it is the best plane ever designed in terms of pilot enjoyment? Sorry, there’s another comparison! Yes but if you wanted to fly four people economically somewhere you wouldn’t choose a Spitfire. Just as if you wanted day to day transport you wouldn’t chose a Morgan over an everyday tin top . I think as you get older 'economically' is way down the list of priorities!
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,799 Likes: 4
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,799 Likes: 4 |
We are the lucky ones who can afford to play with Morgan's and have the luxury of having ordinary cars for ordinary everyday usage.
The majority have other financial priorities and for many it is easier to knock something than to admit to oneself that really one would love to have the experience but cannot afford it.
Bit like me and a 6 month world cruise. (Not)
Bob
2009 Black Roadster
1999 4/4 2 litre Zetec
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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 |
Howard as a fellow Yorkshireman and as someone who was educated by Jesuits (and survived !!!) I understand your torment and confusion. Stoneyhurst? I had a pal at college from there and he certainly was a bit damaged by the Jesuits. Not that I'm suggesting you are. I agree with Ewn I believe you have lost the joy in seat of the pants motoring..the pleasure of going on mad jaunts like my wet trip down from Newcastle just because I could.
I often do 100 mile bike rides to hurt myself a bit (the Jesuit influence !!) and feel great afterwards..indeed after writing this I will bike 70 miles to Humber Bridge ,stand on the top ,amd say a prayer for you !!!!
There will come a time when I am not fit enough to do these things so I savour every trip..it makes me feel ALIVE !!!
Howard..say three Hail Mary's and 12 Our Fathers and you will be absolved.!!! I can understand what you are saying - after all, racing my boat in strong winds and blowing rain every week from january to April is the same sort of thing albeit less energetic. But you cant race a yacht without being exposed. You can drive a car without the hair shirt. Sorry but I just dont see the point in not taking advantage of modern technology. And by that I dont mean heated seats or bluetooth, I mean proper independant suspension, proper dual clutch box,lightweight rigid body structure, modern tyres , disc brakes etc. In other words Lotus Elise or ( if you can stomach buying French) the new Alpine. Sure I hanker after another Fezza but I know that to buy one would be stupid. Its only about the badge really - no point in a 200 mph car when even being naughty, you arent going to exceed 100.
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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 |
Howard too, because I'll bet that sometimes he's like me and just wants to whoop with the joy of clipping that apex and snicking second gear on the double clutch down shift. Absolutely right - its why I miss the Lotus so much. The sheer pleasure it gave down a windey road or the grin from overtaking some fat Beemer round the outside on a roundabout. And that was what was wrong with the Fezza. Not that it couldnt do the same things but that it was too ballistically fast to use to its potential, and the consequences of making a mistake were potentially too expensive. I think Howard is embracing the old man 'shackleton chair' philosophy, where comfort over-rides everything else. The slippery slope to velcro shoes............ [i][/i] You know how to be cruel!
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