Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum Hello from Bedfordshire

Hello all.
A complete newby to Morgan’s just joining the fold after years of trying out just about every other sports car going.

I have just completed my first day of Morgan ownership. After 4 hours on trains I got to experience 200 miles of motorway in the rain. Probably not the most enjoyable first drive I’ve had in a new car.its a 2017 plus 4 with a leaky roof and what feels like a complete lack of suspension.
As it’s only done a few 100 miles in 3 years I hoping some action with a grease gun etc may make a difference.

I really now need the sun to come out so I can get the side screens & roof off.

Andy

Welcome Andy, a bit of grease might well add some compliance, it does with mine. New tyres were a revelation too, my old set were 11 years old and hard.
I’ve Also become adept at avoiding the worst of the bumps and am rather enjoying the ride now.

Hi Andy,

Welcome and sorry your inaugural journey was a bit damp.

I hope you enjoy your car. They can be frustrating but half the fun can be in looking after them.

There are plenty of people on here to give advice and on the subjects of leaks and suspension plenty of past threads. Use the search above or google talkmorgan and the subject.

Best of luck

Hi Andy

Welcome to TM from another Morgan owner in Bedfordshire. We're lucky to have two excellent choices for servicing here: Allon White in Cranfield and Techniques in Stotfold.

Once you get the hood and widescreen off you'll have a ball.

Enjoy

Welcome Andy
I found it took a good 6 months and about 2-3000 miles for my suspension to properly bed in. Worth the wait though. Or did I just get numb from the vibrations? Who knows and I certainly don’t care coz it’s so much fun!
HB

Welcome to the fold Andy. I am not sure how much grease it might take to convert vintage suspension technology to feel in any way close to a cheap and cheerful modern day car, let alone match the standard of JAG or BM saloon..!!

Perhaps a bit like you I had owned numerous sports cars and my first Morgan journey was on the motorway system in the rain, though I suspect mine was of slightly longer duration and perhaps a tad colder as it was Winter and without the "benefit" of a hood, from Shropshire to Central Scotland, with the spray from many an HGV to keep me refreshed... (-: Perhaps not the ideal first journey to undertake, but then I had bought into the idea of driving a vintage car as the primary reason to buy a Morgan, all be it with modern mechanicals...

Just wait till that first dry day, hood off, driving on your favourite road in the sun, looking at the long bonnet stretching out in front, listening to the engine purr spreading smiles within the general populace as you go, and of course your own smile will grow and grow..(-:

Like many before you, it is possible to spend a great deal of time effort and money to try to replicate modern-day expectations of comfort in your Morgan, or just accept a Morgan for that which it is... Whichever direction you choose I hope you will very much enjoy the process of discovery..

Welcome - not far from you (I'm in Rushden).

Morgans do not like sitting - mine (although much older) had done about 800 miles in 10 years, and the first 1000 miles were like riding my hardtail chop. However with some regular greasing at the key points, and liberal dosing of chain lube on the rear, she became much more compliant. As Luddite alludes to, you can't polish a turd, and there will always be limitiations, but for a few quid you can make some improvements.

Welcome Andy, you will find that all Morgans with the sliding pillar engineering give a 1930's ride as its 1930's or earlier technology!

As many here say, you can improve matters by refining the setup, tyres, dampers, panard rods, ptfe or roller bearings added to the front spring reduces windup, progressive springs, brake reaction bars....etc etc

All can improve ride, Cain at Wolf Performance can add any refinements for you hes in Royston...or like many of us older hands, have a go at refinements yourself!

Its all part of the fun in owning a Morgan!

Hi Andy
Welcome to TM and to the world of real motoring.
First thing to check would be the tyre pressure, your first reaction reminded me very much of my own.
I found the tyres had been inflated to 28psi, I think some folks do this if the car is laid up for a while.
I run mine at 22psi, that along with few thousand miles on the clock has made it a joy to drive.

Hi Andy,

Welcome I have owned my plus for for around two year and I find it changes what you enjoy in motoring. What start as minor irritations end up being character. I now find modern cars, although better in almost every way, uninteresting and lacking in some way. As they are so good they take less driving and certainly get less interest, like a motorway compared to scenic A road.

Stick with it as it does take time to appreciate the bad points. I think this video explains it very well if you haven’t already seen it.

https://youtu.be/ydVtcUzgC-A