Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Morgan Aero 8 Design & Ownership

Too late for that

I did try to do that.

Too late for that? Quite probably, but I shall not lose any sleep over it! In my 45-odd years of Morgan ownership (for 20 or so of which, the then current Mog was my only non-vintage road-car and, yes, I did carry anything from bricks, garden compost, family and dogs in them) the Morgan was always an international calling card bringing me into contact with wonderful kindred spirits world-wide, many of whom have remained very close friends. Regrettably I feel no kinship with people who would drive an ostentatious monstrosity like the, thankfully discontinued, Aero 8 How long its progeny remain in production is anybody's guess.
In my daily life I help design and market very special Land Rover Defenders (the JE Zulu, Liberator and Saluki) in addition to preparing Bowlers for international all-terrain rallies. Unfortunately I also occasionally have to deal with owners of blinged-up Kahn Range Rover Sports who imagine they share a common interest in Land Rovers! The analogy is obvious. Perhaps I should leave Talk Morgan to the new breed of Morgan owner

Boshers,

Despite the opinions of some closed minded persons, this Paddymog(a trad owner) is happy to have you as friend!

Cheers!

Likewise Boshers, but as the owner of a couple of Aero's obviously my opinion does not count for much!

Best wishes
Brian

Robbie, thank you.

You and many many others like you, are what makes owning a Morgan such a special deal and I have met many.

I certainly don't feel any sadness, bitterness or anger by anything spoken, inferred or posted by anyone who would judge me, or any other, by what car they drive. In fact they make me smile as I pity their poor 'important' lives.

I have made as many good friends here as anywhere else, and whilst I may speak my mind, or argue the toss, I feel that the good relationship many here have with each other, despite liking, or not liking, different things is testament to the real Morgan, and TalkMorgan community.

Onwards to Geneva and I may even organise that trip to Wales

and you're in so much trouble with all your history! I mean, fancy supporting the factory like that

Colin, I put a wink after my statement to lighten the post, as it really isn't as important as that, and when I started reading your post I first thought "oh no, he's missed my smiley..." but then I soon realised it doesn't really matter

Quite frankly as far as I'm concerned, go, stay, hover somewhere in the ether, do whatever you want. I know I will never hold anything you say with any value whatsoever as I've seen all I need or want.

Good luck to you whatever you do!

I still don't believe Colin has defined the "type of client" he believes MMC are "pandering to".


I find it difficult to believe that he means all owners of a single type of car can be lumped into one pile? However, perhaps reading this latest post - and the following quotes - perhaps that is his defining criteria?



If that is the case, I should, as I have to do from time to time, lay my cards firmly on the table.

Approximately 5 years ago, I purchased my first Morgan - an Aero 8. As with previous cars, I sought out other enthusiasts and owners so that I could learn more about the manufacturer and become involved in the community.

I found a few discussion groups, joined them, read and listened. After awhile I joined the discussion on one board and mentioned I was waiting for the delivery of my new Morgan. When questioned as to what it was, I explained - with the passion of a new owner about my factory ordered car and how excited I was about the impending delivery. This prompted direct email from a few members (not via the discussion group) which boiled down to a simple message "you haven't bought a REAL Morgan". Reading between the lines, it was quite apparent that I wasn't welcome.

Unperturbed, I made myself scarce, took delivery of my car. Soon enough I had the opportunity to attend a Morgan meet. Again, I encountered negative reaction to the car and in the extreme cases, simply rude behaviour and comments. In short, something I would have never expected from a 'Morgan owner'.

Talk Morgan was started as a result of this experience. Aero 8 owners were not being welcomed in other Morgan circles - as the experience of almost every Aero owner at the time will verify - and therefore, it made sense to start a forum where all Morgan owners and enthusiasts were welcome. Despite the early influx of Aero owners, we soon gained members of every Morgan model and I'd like to think this is a reflection of the spirit of community, lack of heavy moderation and mutual respect we show each other on Talk Morgan. I often hear comments from people praising the open and superb atmosphere of this forum and that makes me proud.

I started Talk Morgan with the belief that A Morgan is a Morgan and I stand by that to this very day.

I do not have to moderate this forum very often (neither do Brian or Andy) as I (we) believe adults should be able to post, debate and disagree without the need to be offensive (and therefore do not require moderation). No topic (using common sense) is off the table and differing opinions are common place. Again, these are aspects of TM that we receive positive comment on and a fair few of our members have run foul of on other forums; therefore, they welcome the lively and open debate here.

Based on my perception of what is being said on the thread above, it would seem the opinion being posted, by Colin, is one of the very reasons I started this forum in the first place. While we all have differing tastes, likes and dislikes, I personally find it quite strange to stereotype people by focusing on one material purchase they have made. Thereby using this one choice to lump them into a negative group as a result. The concept is foreign to me.

I'll close by saying: enjoy your Morgans gentleman, and ladies; after all, be they old or new, pristine or a work in progress, 3 or 4-wheel, a life's legacy or an impulse purchase, a weekend treat or a daily driver, isn't enjoying them and the company of others what it is all about?

Has no-one read 'Origin of Species' recently? What will happen when production of the "Classic" Morgans are (with the help of Brussels) legislated out of existence? Despite how green it is. MMC evolved away from 3 wheelers in order to meet customer demand and to survive as a manufacturer and is evolving again through the Aero in all its guises yet already this genus is coming to an end as fewer cylinders are being demanded (the latest product to evolve has only 2 - oh horror!) and the Classic has already reached dinosaur status in the timeline (it cannot evolve in form or function any further).

Now, just remember before fingers start flying on keyboards that Darwin wrote with a pen. I owned a +8 for 10 years and loved it and everything that went with the ownership (except for getting wet) but I love my Aero S3 more as it is - for me, a more practical Morgan and I intend to keep it for as long as I can and enjoy the Morgan ownership fraternity. And I still get wet.

So why did I add my little rant to this thread? Life's rich tapestry of original thought and individual choice I suppose. I have been on the receiving end of Aero8 abuse and absolute adoration (the car not me) so I agree with a previous statement that a Morgan IS a Morgan however many wheels or cylinders. You cannot please all the people all of the time but thank goodness for healthy discussion.

I'm also on a really heavy dose of painkillers at the moment and cannot even get into my Morgan - I must be suffering from morgan deprivation.
Now how am I going to evolve out of that ?

Intolerence and Morgans are not two words I would normally have associated. If Colin doesn't like Aero 8s I can respect that, but to state that he "can feel no kinship ...." seems a bit excessive.

I have never met you Colin, though as a Morgan owner for the last twenty years have often come across and admired your exploits. That have strong views is clear, but you do remind me a little bit of some Ferrari owners I have met who are only capable of knocking Lamborghinis as opposed to accepting that some people may prefer them to Ferraris.

What this thread demonstrates I suppose is that there are all types of Morgan owners and Morgan people in the business.

Cheers

Morgan has had to adapt to survive, and has done so very well. Maybe it was Sir JHJ who was the catalyst, but the marketing of limited editions in small numbers has worked. When I had MG's, there were many models which I would not have entertained, but I could respect the choices of those who did not share my allegiences. The MG Car Club was guilty of rejecting new designs in the sixties. For while, their Beaulieu event was for pre55's only. The lesson was learnt, and new models became welcome into the club. Think about all the designs which have inflamed traditionalists...... The MGB was one, before that it was the MGA and before that the MGTF, In fact there was a hell of a fuss when Morris Motors replaced the Wolseley derived ohc units for their own pushrod units in the 30's. Then of course there was the Rover SD1, the TR7, MG Maestro and so on. There's something about the human psyche which resists change, and sets itself apart from those who embrace change. I sit in the 'modern trad' pigeon hole. I like stainless steel bulkheads and superform wings. I like stainless wires. I prefer four wheels plus a spare. But at the same time I can marvel at those who run the old trikes. I can marvel at those who rebuild old four wheelers, especially having one total rebuild under my belt, and having no intention of making it two. Well, not really . I can appreciate the Aero8, especially the S4 and Max, but from a hands on point of view (and the cost) they are not for me. The new trike is very alluring - BUT - I'd rather have a second four wheeler trad.
Had Morgan continued along their path after the visit by Sir JHJ. I doubt that they would be in business today, and that would have been a tragedy.