Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Ultimate spec Plus 8?

Nor do I, but find the post interesting nevertheless.

So a trad (+8 in this case) is defined by it's chassis? Can't be it's engine as there have been far too many iterations, but as this car has the Aero family chassis and a trad body it's an Aero?

I personally always felt the trad definition was mostly the body/shape with the cutaway doors, sliding windows and a simplicity of purpose? As such to me, and I accept it's an opinion, and to some others the new +8 is far more trad than Aero?

As to the thousand people giving thousand opinions I accept. I still think the 'ultimate spec +8' is the latest, though for very many reasons, including some stated before it may not be people's favourite or most preferable +8.

I guess it also depends very much on the definition or understanding of 'ultimate spec'

I have met those that think any Morgan less than 30 or 40 years old is not a "true" Morgan.

It has to be accepted that the Morgan company is a living and healthy entity and change to meet modern standards is inevitable. It is only a "dead" make like, for example, Brough motorcycles that can forever remain unchanged. (The term "dead" used in the same sense as calling Latin or Ancient Greek dead languages)

My thought is that the new modern techniques used in the construction and specifications of the New Plus 8 may give rise to a whole new family of traditional style, but still hand built, Morgans. If so this is not something to regret.

I couldn't agree more Peter, hopefully the cars will evolve over time whilst still enjoying that bespoke hand-built nature.

P.S. Written in Milan, not sufficient time to visit Lake Como unfortunately!

Interestingly, it was this very sentiment, and even more extreme versions of it, which brought about the creation of Talk Morgan.

With respect to your other comments, I am entirely in agreement.

My Plus 4 feels as much a classic as it does a 'modern' car.

As we are want to say on TM, a Morgan is a Morgan is a Morgan

No elitism here.

May they still be in family hands and in production for at least another centenary

Hmm I seem to have opened some lively debate. Just to clarify the original question that I had posted was based upon the Trad Plus 8 and not any new versions or one off's, although both the "Aero" plus 8 and the "le Mans" plus 8's are quite stunning.

I was thinking more along the lines of whiche period, derivative, colour combo and upgrades would make the most desireable Plus 8. All subjective of course but it would be interesting to see what trends emerge.

From the initial responses, it sounds like the early narrow bodied cars have the edge. Not my cup of tea as I prefer the later injection cars but i can see the simplistic, original beauty in them.

The new "Aeroid + 8 Extra Large" is a tough and debated subject among the morganic community, and it's not a surprise it surreptitiously entered in your topic.

See my earlier comments

Nothing wrong with a good lively debate, it's always interesting to see how many different and varying opinions there are. Would be a tad boring otherwise

All encompassed up by Simons "A Morgan, is a Morgan, is a Morgan" quote

Hi All,
Except for special versions (Isis +8+, or Merz & Pabst version…), I think that the Plus 8 stays the “Peter Morgan’s incredible car”. I remember when it was released in 1968, nobody believed it was possible to do that, and she lived for 35 years.
The new one looks very nice on pictures (regardless of the lack of louver on the bonnet, the lack of bumpers and perhaps alloy wheels), I am waiting to see a true one to make me a definitive opinion.
I think this car is another car and the only shared thing with the old one is just the engine architecture. The price and probably the ownership cost are in another category.
So, she shouldn’t have the same name, I believe that the old Plus 8 and this new one cannot be compared,
The original Plus 8 is dead, now it is another era.
BR.
Daniel.