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thanks all

perhaps the next V8 Morgan with an even more modern aluminium chassis can be a route back into Morgan

IMHO the Plus 4 chassis is a disaster in a crash situation; the body and chassis are not designed to absorb impact forces or deflect impact forces away from the passengers .. those forces travel through you

had I been in a modern car, I would have walked away completely unscathed

I did brake very hard thus reducing speed of impact

As said earlier, the driver of the Passat was in the car when I hit it .. he did not suffer whiplash or anything else. as a result, the impact speed can't have been high

please don't think that the Plus 4 or indeed any car of that vintage design is even remotely safe in an accident .. it really isn't.

be aware of the risks; I was, it was just that I never took in to account other people's stupidity and the possibility of my own sheer bad luck; I thought I could manage the risk by driving sensibly .. after all, I was just over 50 when I dipped my toes into the ARP4 (which I really do miss for its beauty and quirkiness)

Sorry Dean - I just cannot see that as a being logical at all?

I do agree that a crash in a Morgan Trad is likely to have more consequences than in a modern car with all the impact absorption and air bags etc.

But I think the protection afforded by the Morgan in most circumstances is better than a motor cycle and we don't really discuss impact absorption and air bags very much about bikes.

We accept the risks and yes, sometimes they bite.

However I believe one of the mitigating factors when riding a bike is awareness.

We know we're exposed and IMHO we are much more aware of the dangers so we concentrate and hone our vigilance far more than when we are in the comfortable confines of a crash protected car.

Drive a Morgan or any car for that matter as if you were riding a bike and I think the risks would be much reduced although of course they cannot be eliminated altogether.

I agree 1000%... something I've always done. indeed I believe that riding a bike for 2 years should be required BEFORE driving a car.

Another way to mitigate risk is to assume every other vehicle on the road is driven by a homicidal maniac who will kill you if given a chance. So never let them have the chance.

So far the experience of riding a bike for 50 years has kept me largely out of harms way, I've had a few bumps but nothing that I couldn't drive away from and no one has ever been hurt. Most importantly I know the root cause of every incident.

Mostly my lack of attention....

Wow..what a story !!!..missed this first time round.

What a shock...glad you are ok.

We are all vulnerable and as we age any injuries take longer to heal.

I try to drive defensively as I was taught on my motorbike by a Police instructor but this does not account for other road users lack of concentration or dangerous driving.


Be careful out there everybody !!!

Sean,

I think that you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. hard to see you could have done more to avoid the impact.

With the experience of driving the Mercedes at night do you think that had the Morgan had modern LED lights and ABS you would have seen the accident in front of you sooner and been able to stop, or avoid?

Even though I have ABS I don't take Tarka out at night much because the headlamps are poor. I am not certain if replacing them with LED's would be much of a help.

Anyway, glad you are more or less OK and enjoy the Mercedes!!

I think that anyone who wants a car licence should have to prove they have been on the roads on a two-wheeler for at least one year.

So pleased you are now ok Sean.
25 years ago on a narrow country road in a +8, I was hit whilst stationary, head on by a Montego. He couldn't stop and hit me at about 30MPH. +8 took the frontal impact ok, front of car destroyed but I was unscathed. Put a big crease in the roof of the Montego.

Pleased that it is all sorted now Sean and you can get on with your life. I well remember your car going through the factory as I kept track of it!

I always think it is best to consider the Morgan as just a modern alternative to a classic car and accept its shortcomings as far as safety is concerned. I remember braking very hard in my 4/4 on the motorway soon after I got it. Wheels locked and the car starting to go sideways....it taught me a lesson!

Jays - I think you have summed up a Trad up well there..they are a classic car, with better brakes.....