Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum Hello from Oklahoma

Hi!

My name is Kevin Martin, I’m 49yrs old and live in Woodward, Oklahoma. Spent most of my adult life in Altus OK so if anyone has trained on 141’s or C-5’s or a few other AF heavy variants you may have passed through, if it was since 92 I probably waited on you or your family at one time or another, my father in law owned the McDonald’s restaurant for many years.

I’m here because my dad used to race Morgans. He’s an avid car guy, has watched NASCAR since before it was cool and other races, I’m not sure because I wasn’t interested. He’s got Car and Driver, Hemmings and other related magazines going back decades..maybe you get the idea but he’s never had the money to indulge in his love of cars. He’s always been a company man with a company car and now retired they’ve got a sensible mini-van. He’s not getting younger, in fact I’m concerned because he’s aging rapidly before my eyes. I’d say we’ve got 5-10 years.

I can put together money to buy him a car and the urge that started about 6 months ago is stirring urgently for some reason. I want to buy him a Morgan but I need advice because I know absolutely nothing. My first thought was buy an early or mid 60’s driver but the more I read the more I’m afraid it may require maintenance that he certainly could do all his life but not now. Imagery was muscle memory kicks in, Sunday drives, running to the store in his first car love. I then thought maybe a newer one, they look similar (I’ve never to my knowledge seen a Morgan- new or old in person) and it seems to me they either hold value very well or owners really don’t want to sell...they price them pretty high, maybe thinking if some guy (or gal I guess) will give me XXXXX they can have it or maybe they just do hold value.

I’ll try to attach a photo, maybe it’ll help but I want advise. Year, model, price, why. I clearly can’t ask him- no way I will tip him off.

I work so I can do stuff for others, this would floor him and I very much want to make this happen in the next month or two if possible.

Thanks for your time, hate to trouble anyone but I just don’t know where else to go.

-Kevin
kmartinusa@cableone.net

Welcome to TM Kevin. Good luck in your quest.

Hopefully one of our members from a little closer to you will be along soon.

The only advice I can offer is to make sure you look at more than one car. They vary a great deal. Depending on the climate the car has been kept in, there are lots of things to look out for. Condition is the most important factor in determining value - not age. Up until the late 90's there are lots of spots to look out for as the bulkheads and the wing beadings corrode. From the introduction of the Stainless Steel bulkhead and Superform wings (I've forgotten the year), then there is very little to corrode. The chassis was galvanised from that period also (the year may be different - I am sure someone more knowledgable than I will be along soon with facts!).

Also be aware that the padding below the doors can become waterlogged and cause the wooden frame to rot - less likely on post 1986 cars as the wooden frame was treated with a preservative as standard from then on.

I am not sure if there is a Morgan club in Oklahoma - but its worth seeking one out - you really need someone knowledgeable on hand to help you inspect any car.

Kevin,
welcome. you certainly live in a nice state. I love OKC both Brick Town & the Wild West Museum.
This may help
gomog.com is US based and has a lot of info , particularly on older cars.
https://www.gomog.com/

Allon White is a UK dealer but they have a buyers guide that I expect they would send you.

https://allonwhite.co.uk/classic-morgan-car-buyers-guide

Lastly of course on here are other N American owners who will help.
John

Welcome Kevin.
Good luck with your search,

Hi Kevin. I guess Texas is your nearest (albeit quite a distance) affiliated Morgan Club. Contact is Bill Boyles 214 321 1648. web www.texmog.com email secretarytexmog@att.net. Good luck in your quest.

There is a British car club in Dallas with quite a few Morgans. There is also a British car club in NW Arkansas and they do a "Brits over the Ozarks" show in Fayetteville late September-early October every year. We used to live in Tulsa. Might add, I worked in Enid 2015-17.

Sorry, couldnt resist :-)
Welcome, Kevin

Bonesie, I see you fighting right in Branson , Missouri.

I’m still reading the replies but that Dirty Rotten Scoundrels clip completely cracked me up!

Cork on the fork out here.

I placed a photo of dad in his race car in the gallery section, no idea what model or year the car is.

So if you were me would you look for a restored 60’s model that one might be reasonably sure will not require extensive maintenance or repair or would you look for a newer model?

I’ve got my eye on several. Because I’m in Oklahoma and it’s entirely possible there isn’t a single Morgan in the state (I guess unlikely but possible) if I buy a vintage car I’m going to have to do some traveling or hire someone who will inspect for me. If it’s a newer one (90’s?) maybe that isn’t as necessary?

I’m less interested in perfection than I am with nice and drivable, something he’d enjoy.I don’t want a museum piece, I’d like him to drive it...I think I’m repeating myself.

Thanks for the replies. I really don’t like bothering/asking for others time, it’s the one commodity we can’t get back. I just want to get this right- I’ve got one shot so I sincerely appreciate your advice. I’ll look into the DFW club.

Here’s a few I’ve marked...I’ve been watching BAT auctions too but that forum kind of makes me uneasy. Seems like you really should know your stuff if you’re legitimately looking to buy and there’s a lot of ways that can go south.

Here are a few links, hope they work with one click each.


https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/morgan/4-4/2310724.html

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/morgan/plus-8/1896938.html

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/morgan/roadster/2373285.html

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/morgan/4-4/2380340.html