Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Too precious towards the car?

I try not to leave my 4/4 under cover for no more than 3 to 4 weeks if I can, even though it’s on a battery conditioner I like to get the engine properly warm.

Went for a blast at 6pm this evening, now she’s tucked up in bed again

I'm a driver as said above life is too short not too. The only time I don't take a moggy out is when there is ice or over 4 inches of snow on the lane, it's very steep and narrow with over a 100ft drop off on one side

Im with RBW

I dont mind cold, as long as its dry. I get no enjoyment from driving in wet weather. If it does rain while I'm out its not a biggy, just prefer if it didnt :-)

Also, getting my car out of the garage is a PITA as I have to juggle some cars around so that puts me off too. Havent been out in it for over a month

I'd planned to go out Saturday morning, but someone had parked too far over my dropped kerb so it would have been 20 mins of edging back and forth so took the Corsa out instead.

Did fire her up Sunday and got the engine nice and warm and did some wiring, but CHRIST it was cold. Oh for a garage......

I try to take mine out at least once every two weeks in the winter although its a carefully calculated balancing act for reasonable conditions. Less concerned if the car already needs a wash but very wary of salt on the roads even if they are dry. In my M3W I could taste it on my lips and once its on the car it mixes with general dampness in the garage to create surface rust anywhere the paint protection has weakened, and suprisingly quickly. Almost as bad as if car had been put away wet!

A good wash underneath followed by drying run on local non-salted roads seems to work the best.

Mechanical sympathy would never have me start the car and run engine stationary. The only way to warm an engine up quickly is to drive it, warming the cold oil as quickly as possible. Even after a longish run I put the car on a smart charger once in a while and am always surprised how much more energy the battery will take.

That I have Michelin Cross Climate tyres on the Plus 8 makes it clear how I use the car, as does this photo....



Hood up, heater on and heated seats warming me the Plus 8 is a nice place to be.
On dry roads, hood down, it is even nicer!

The car is all aluminium, the underside is undersealed and the upper surfaces are painted. It is no more likely to suffer from winter use than any other car.
BTW, the car is now washed and looks as it normally does!

What with us being in almost continual lockdown this year the Morgan has had very little use. Like most I would not go out for a "fun" drive in the rain but it doesn't bother me and I have been out in some really biblical downpours.

As for snow I have driven it in the snow several times and in northern Italy we are obliged to carry chains in the car or have snow tyres fitted from 15 November to 15 April. I do have a set of chains but I can't imagine actually using them. Four years back I decided to fit Michelin CrossClimate tyres which are certified for the snow. I loose a very small amount of dry road braking (no problem in cornering grip) but gain enormously in wet weather handling and they are nearly as good as dedicated snow tyres when it snows. I would not use them if I wanted the ultimate sports car grip but for me they are a great all year round compromise.

I avoid slated roads if I can, but otherwise I use it. Especially this year. I have done 2800 miles in the Brooklands since Sept.

My only annoyance is that during winter I keep the hood on - the cover fits better and stops the rain pooling on the cover over the tonneau cover (which inevitably leaks!).

Then, if it's a quick hour drive or so, I don't want the hassle of taking off the hood, side screens, sticking them all in the bags, getting the tonneau cover out and then doing the reverse when I get home. As a result, I'm often out with the roof up in winter. On th plus side, the heater is great and the heated seats work fabulously. However, getting in and out is a ballache.....

Like others have said, its all down to what you are comfortable with.
I have motorcycles as well as the car, I ride them and drive the car all year round. I enjoy the driving while I'm out and then the next day or so enjoy the cleaning of them.
I get twice the enjoyment that way