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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Forums39
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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 37,490 Likes: 994
Tricky Dicky Member of the Inner Circle
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Tricky Dicky Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 37,490 Likes: 994 |
Famous for its cross-eyed squint courtesy of the reversed VW Beetle headlamps, which were used as a way to allow the leading edge of the front wings to be forward of the radiator, thus providing space to incorporate a front splitter (providing much needed downforce) during the extensive wind tunnel testing at MIRA The decision not to have pods (headlights) on the new Morgan was taken during the time that they were using Plus 8 development cars and I think there was a Yellow Plus 8 that had Porsche lights fitted! The choice of headlights was very much a question of what was available at the time, initially I believe that BMW were thinking about Morgan using the Cooper S lights, but decided against it as they wanted their own model to be the first to launch these lights. I believe this is mostly incorrect and a long standing untrue rumour, the quoted text is correct as I updated it yesterday from the Morgan literature I have, and that was quoted from Chris Lawrence himself. Whilst there is some truth behind using what was available at the time, it was not down to BMW as to why these were chosen but rather the odd shape. Chris saw the lights and noted the ascue angle was perfect as it solved an aerodynamic problem at the front of the vehicle. I will have to double-check my source and make sure just incase either way..  Before posting I confirmed with Steve Morris this morning, who should know as he was involved at the time. You pays your money and you takes your choice.  Here is a picture of the car your referred to Brian and she now resides in Norway with another Morgan collector/user. ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2020/05/04/unusual.jpg)
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: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,363
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,363 |
I haven't sort it out yet. And I read somewhere that wikipedia is pretty picky with images.
I am a newbie as well and I am learning by trying. Well done Ale, I've just looked at the new Aero 8 Wiki site and there's some great content. However, there are also some bloopers including in the first sentence on the Series 1 "and designed by the firm's designer Matthew Humphries." I'm afraid that this is incorrect as Matt Humphries was not involved in any way with Morgan at this time. Matt's first Morgan car design was the AeroMax, he sent the basic design of it to CM when he was at Coventry University and joined Morgan on a KTP programme, see LinkedIn Incidentally, I picked up my first Aero 8 - Series 1 'Kermit' in 2002, having delayed the build somewhat. The Aero 8 shape evolved in the traditional Morgan way of form follows function and the main players were Chris Lawrence, Charles Morgan and other members of the Morgan Engineering Team, and Norman Kent of Survirn Engineering Ltd - especially for the tooling of the Aero wings. Radshape were heavily involved in the chassis (Graham Chapman, the current MMC Development Director was working for them at that time) and Superform with much of the body panels, both companies eventually producing for MMC when the car was launched. I'll reread the Wiki entry and let you have any possible other comments in due course. This is correct, I have the literature to confirm but haven't gotten around to updating it yet! It was on my to do list but I made so many edits I forgot this one and lost track... Will try to do it later if I can. I know it's correct, it was checked too and also confirmed by Matt Humphries on his LinkedIn account! 
Brian
1970 Morgan Plus 8 - Moss Box (Indigo Blue)
2014 Morgan SP1 (Rocket Red)
2015 Morgan Plus 8 (Rocket Blue)
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,914 Likes: 354
Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
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Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,914 Likes: 354 |
Here is a picture of the car your referred to Brian and she now resides in Norway with another Morgan collector/user. Looks good in yellow!
Graham (G4FUJ)
Sold L44FOR 4/4 Giallo Fly
'11 MINI Countryman Cooper D All4
'90 LR 90 SW
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,363
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,363 |
I believe this is mostly incorrect and a long standing untrue rumour, the quoted text is correct as I updated it yesterday from the Morgan literature I have, and that was quoted from Chris Lawrence himself. Whilst there is some truth behind using what was available at the time, it was not down to BMW as to why these were chosen but rather the odd shape. Chris saw the lights and noted the ascue angle was perfect as it solved an aerodynamic problem at the front of the vehicle. I will have to double-check my source and make sure just incase either way.. Before posting I confirmed with Steve Morris this morning, who should know as he was involved at the time. You pays your money and you takes your choice. Here is a picture of the car your referred to Brian and she now resides in Norway with another Morgan collector/user. Thanks Rich, looks good doesn't it! Also as Graham says, the yellow colour is super! Well hunted down... P.S. do you know the owner Rich?
Last edited by Aeroman; 04/05/20 04:36 PM. Reason: to add PS
Brian
1970 Morgan Plus 8 - Moss Box (Indigo Blue)
2014 Morgan SP1 (Rocket Red)
2015 Morgan Plus 8 (Rocket Blue)
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 318
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 318 |
This yellow Morgan is for sale in Norway. https://www.finn.no/car/used/ad.html?finnkode=143640412Rudolf Waiting to collect Tango at the factory.
Morgan Aero8 S4 «Tango»
Fisker Ocean
Harley Davidson Livewire
BMW R100/7 , R100R
Moto Guzzi 254
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,033 Likes: 23
Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,033 Likes: 23 |
Famous for its cross-eyed squint courtesy of the reversed VW Beetle headlamps, which were used as a way to allow the leading edge of the front wings to be forward of the radiator, thus providing space to incorporate a front splitter (providing much needed downforce) during the extensive wind tunnel testing at MIRA The decision not to have pods (headlights) on the new Morgan was taken during the time that they were using Plus 8 development cars and I think there was a Yellow Plus 8 that had Porsche lights fitted! The choice of headlights was very much a question of what was available at the time, initially I believe that BMW were thinking about Morgan using the Cooper S lights, but decided against it as they wanted their own model to be the first to launch these lights. I believe this is mostly incorrect and a long standing untrue rumour, the quoted text is correct as I updated it yesterday from the Morgan literature I have, and that was quoted from Chris Lawrence himself. Whilst there is some truth behind using what was available at the time, it was not down to BMW as to why these were chosen but rather the odd shape. Chris saw the lights and noted the ascue angle was perfect as it solved an aerodynamic problem at the front of the vehicle. I will have to double-check my source and make sure just incase either way.. Before posting I confirmed with Steve Morris this morning, who should know as he was involved at the time. You pays your money and you takes your choice. Interesting - I can't remember who told me before but I am sure I recall being told it was an old wives tale so to speak, in reality it seems it was likely a culmination of both! I shall update the wording, thanks for checking.
Aero 8 GTN #11
"What we do in life.. echoes in eternity."
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,033 Likes: 23
Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,033 Likes: 23 |
I haven't sort it out yet. And I read somewhere that wikipedia is pretty picky with images.
I am a newbie as well and I am learning by trying. Well done Ale, I've just looked at the new Aero 8 Wiki site and there's some great content. However, there are also some bloopers including in the first sentence on the Series 1 "and designed by the firm's designer Matthew Humphries." I'm afraid that this is incorrect as Matt Humphries was not involved in any way with Morgan at this time. Matt's first Morgan car design was the AeroMax, he sent the basic design of it to CM when he was at Coventry University and joined Morgan on a KTP programme, see LinkedIn Incidentally, I picked up my first Aero 8 - Series 1 'Kermit' in 2002, having delayed the build somewhat. The Aero 8 shape evolved in the traditional Morgan way of form follows function and the main players were Chris Lawrence, Charles Morgan and other members of the Morgan Engineering Team, and Norman Kent of Survirn Engineering Ltd - especially for the tooling of the Aero wings. Radshape were heavily involved in the chassis (Graham Chapman, the current MMC Development Director was working for them at that time) and Superform with much of the body panels, both companies eventually producing for MMC when the car was launched. I'll reread the Wiki entry and let you have any possible other comments in due course. This is correct, I have the literature to confirm but haven't gotten around to updating it yet! It was on my to do list but I made so many edits I forgot this one and lost track... Will try to do it later if I can. I know it's correct, it was checked too and also confirmed by Matt Humphries on his LinkedIn account! Rightio - updated the headlights section, let me know if you think that reads ok Aeroman. Rereading my post earlier it might have come across as though I was being slightly pedantic, not intentional merely a lack of sleep with a very little one - but I feel I should clarify to remove all doubt. I will try to update the designer section tomorrow morning, I feel I probably need some sleep to get it worded correctly. If you have any more interesting info on the Aero's that isn't mentioned elsewhere, i'd love to hear it - even if it doesn't make it into the Wiki. Cheers
Aero 8 GTN #11
"What we do in life.. echoes in eternity."
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,363
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,363 |
Interesting - I can't remember who told me before but I am sure I recall being told it was an old wives tale so to speak, in reality it seems it was likely a culmination of both! I shall update the wording, thanks for checking. It could well be a culmination of both, but knowing Morgan I’m sure the Porsche headlamp was rejected based on cost, but the Beetle headlamp was available and the right price and the ability to incorporate a front spoiler was probably serendipity! Who knows?!! As regards Aero info/stories, after buying six Aero’s from the factory I do have loads of these though most of them are not capable of being published! Cheers
Brian
1970 Morgan Plus 8 - Moss Box (Indigo Blue)
2014 Morgan SP1 (Rocket Red)
2015 Morgan Plus 8 (Rocket Blue)
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,363
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,363 |
I know it's correct, it was checked too and also confirmed by Matt Humphries on his LinkedIn account! Rightio - updated the headlights section, let me know if you think that reads ok Aeroman. Rereading my post earlier it might have come across as though I was being slightly pedantic, not intentional merely a lack of sleep with a very little one - but I feel I should clarify to remove all doubt. I will try to update the designer section tomorrow morning, I feel I probably need some sleep to get it worded correctly. If you have any more interesting info on the Aero's that isn't mentioned elsewhere, i'd love to hear it - even if it doesn't make it into the Wiki. Cheers OK Nick, no issues - most of us have been there there (little ones that is!) at some point! Have read the amended Wikipedia, but leave it to Ale to act as Editor so there is some consistency on the Wiki. As said before loads of Aero stuff over the years, but most of it is unprintable!  Cheers too
Brian
1970 Morgan Plus 8 - Moss Box (Indigo Blue)
2014 Morgan SP1 (Rocket Red)
2015 Morgan Plus 8 (Rocket Blue)
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,508 Likes: 57
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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OP
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,508 Likes: 57 |
No please tell me what is crap and where. The combo of language/time/sections is driving me mad. I am not sure anymore of what shall I update where. Nick and thecustomer are really doing a great job on the wiki page itself. Thanks again to everybody. For the input and the updates. PS adding pics it's supereasy
2010 Violet Aero Supersports | 2012 Green Vantage S Roadster
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