Good day All,
First and foremost, I do hope that this finds everyone as well as can be what with all that is going on.
I thought I'd give a short and sweet intro and then a bit more detail on what brought me to where I'm at.
In short, I have traded in my 4/4 80th for a M3W and hope to have this wrapped up by mid-week. The end
How I got to Morgan and why I'm moving from 4 wheels to 3.
I've had my 4/4 since new and just over fours years of ownership. I stumbled into the Morgan world on a chance day that a friend called up asking if I cared to do anything at all. As it was a sunny day and they just acquired a new, a convertible, they simply wanted to get out and enjoy it. As it happened, I was surfing the net pondering the idea of getting myself a toy and truth be told, I was looking at the M3W. Next thing you know I'm sitting in one and was thrilled that I actually could fit, be it a tight one at that! Next up was a Caterham, followed by an Elise and then finally a 4/4. That view over the bonnet was mesmerising to say the least.
I did jump back into the M3W and mentioned/pondered on what fun such a machine would be to have. I had notions of touring and exploring the UK in whatever I chose and was duly told that I would be better off with at least something with a roof. Morgan won out on the short list and it just so happened to be the weekend where the 80th was announced. At this point I was talking with Henry at Williams who kindly sent over the press kit and mins later I put down a deposit for a build slot - never having driven anything at all yet! I just fell immediately in love with every aspect of what the 80th had thrown at it.
The commissioning part start and was a ton of fun selecting my spec, which ironically ended up being a carbon copy of the press car but hey, I picked it
Following the build, visits to the factory...the whole experience was simply amazing and I highly recommend that if you have never gone this route and are lucky enough to be in a position to do it, DO IT!
The following 2 years had me all over the UK doing various car meets with most being private clubs and mixed car meets. Oliver, my 80th, always proved to be an attraction. I lavished a lot of unique details to him and kept it in line with the design features already in place. It truly was the catalyst that brought forward fun meets, great people and all in between. It was the 3rd year that I started to not use it as much and only when I had a drive out with a fellow Morgan owner or my local car club.
I set out to change this on the 4th year with a 4 week cross EU road trip spanning no fewer than 6 countries and several ferry crossings with the final destination being Greece to visit family. The little champ never missed a beat and was greeted with some fanfare at every junction. I was also quite lucky that the whole trip did not once require the top to be raised, however the blistering sun baking me should have triggered the top to be used.
Trip over, car tucked in the garage and fall upon us, I decided to give him a rest. A month went by and I almost had to be reminded I had Oliver locked away. Here again the car wasn't pulling at my strings as it used to. It was at this time I was also looking to scratch the Porsche itch that many seem to get at some point. Like Oliver, I went down the full personal commissioning processes and might I say, it was extremely more difficult to nail down my spec on that than it was on the Morgan! Order placed in Oct and build to commence in Dec with a Jan delivery.
Now with the 718 in it's element, what with being spring/summer, I was itching to get out in it every moment I could find. Covid naturally put an end to that but essential shopping was never more fun. It then dawned on me. We've had 2 glorious months of clear weather and here again, not once was I tempted to take out Oliver. It was at this point I called Williams and asked about a M3W. It so happened that they were about to collect their from the factory the following week. We struck up a deal and that was that. Or so I thought.
I went to the garage to get him ready for the trade, final wash etc and I crumbled. Just looking at him made me weak and I canceled the deal. I just couldn't do it. It just so happened to be that I had a service and MOT booked that weekend and could see that M3W in person to know for certain if this was the right decision. The drive to Bristol from Chester was uneventful as it can be in the pouring rain but soon the skies cleared and arrived sans top. The M3W did look smart. Graphite metallic grey over Mulberry quilted leather and a few bits and bobs in black. I must have sat in that a dozen time and then off for a drive.
It was as I recalled - MASSIVE grin on my face and was literally laughing during the whole experience. But returning to the Williams and seeing Oliver swayed me again. In I got and went home and figured that was that.
Until Sat. It was my first true car meet, just two of us, and time to get Oliver out for what he's meant for - touring B roads. After 2 hours of driving I had to admit it, the car just left me cold. I kept thinking that if I'm going to be driving something with 4 wheels, normal cockpit etc, I must rather be in the Porsche. As lovely as Oliver is to look at, it wasn't ticking any boxes for me from a driving enjoyment point of view. It might have more so last year as it was my only convertible but now with the 718, I had zero sacrifices to make and a choice of what to take and play with. It wast was during our coffee break that I swiftly called and enquired again about the M3W. I could have that unregistered one I drove or commission my own with a Nov/Dec build slot. Having gone through the commissioning twice now and being a massive advocate of it, I figured this time around I'd sacrifice that for the connivence of having it now. If there is one thing that Covid has taught me is you never know what tomorrow brings.
I will miss the little guy but there is no sense in keeping something if it's not going to be enjoyed and used. It's all quite ironic due to it being the M3W that drew me to the brand and now I'm days away from having my own! If someone is looking for a VERY well sorted 4/4 80th, do get in touch with Williams. Happy to send info via PM on many of the unique aspects this one has vs. others out there.
Spec of my M3W
EU3
Graphite Metallic Paint
Mulberry hide, quilted - non XT
Black roll hoops and exhaust shield
Heated Seats
Rear mud guard
Traditional latches
Intercom system - won't ever use that
Exhaust wrap - I think I will quickly remove this and get polishing
Map pockets
Body colour cowl
...I think I'm missing something but those are the major bits.
Apologies for the long story but hope you got to enjoy some of it. I hope to get pictures of both cars together during handover which I'll post up asap.
Thank you and happy to be joining the M3W crew.
P
