Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Hello Everyone. I have a question re: Morgan ARP4

Ian, a very good synopsis I would say and very accurate. I agree the fuel consumption is between 25 and 35 to the gallon and whilst it will drive very civilly at low revs. with no flat spots or jerkiness, it does need revs to make it fly, and fly it does, I find 4000 rpm to be the place it really starts to shift and then will go all the way round to 7500, when a red light comes on and you will need to find another gear. When in the mood I drive around in a lower gear than would normally be the case, to stay in the power sector, this becomes quite normal after a while. A bit like the M3W which should never go below 1750 and not lugged, which would seem to be more natural for this engine.

Noise can be tiresome, but I have never felt the need for earplugs, but have substituted a side exit pipe which actually reduces the noise somehow and it does pop and bang on the overrun if you keep you foot very slightly on the throttle, so it is something that can be turned on or off, depending on mood.

I have power steering, but also substituted a smaller 11" Momo wheel, which means I can not only see the upper reaches of the rev. counter, but can get in and out easier too. The steering is now perfectly weighted at both parking speed and on the go.

The story I heard was that MMC bought a batch of 50 of the last 225bhp engines from Cosworth at a very good price, then needed a car to put it in. The engine and the car are not really compatible - the car is a tourer and the engine is a racer, however the two together make an interesting and intriguing model, with the addition of some very nice extras like coil sprung rear suspension, larger front 4 pot brakes, rear disc brakes, double lined quiet hood, limited slip rear diff with 3.9 cwp, dry sumped engine on roller throttle bodies, optional power steering, 16" 3 piece alloys with soft rubber, adjustable dampers all round, a very nice interior with things like upgraded leather, an Amp and 5 speaker setup, sun visors, door check devices a rather nice and unique to this model, dashboard, etc etc.

I keep thinking about changing, but feel I would miss its' idiosyncrasies and character and having installed cup holders and a combined oil pressure and temperature gauge as well as a Pioneer radio head unit, and a few other little mods, feel it is now very much 'my' car.

I would say buy it, use it and enjoy it for what it is and if you have to change down a gear to get into the power band, then do so.

They are interesting comments re the engine supply Paul. I think I heard something similar at the time I got mine. Some kind of cancelled order from Radical if I remember well. As far as the match of engine I know what you mean about the compatibility. However in my experience all Morgan's are a bit flawed (if we take of our rose tinted glasses) but I guess thats a fundamental part of their charm

Enjoy your ARP4. I'll be thinking of you enviously when I am next out in the Plus Four for a spirited early morning drive.

Congratulations on your acquisition - I hope you have a lot of fun with your ARP4 - I'm sure you will. The model isn't for everyone but it is a very special. Having a Morgan was what first made me take the long way round anywhere; having an ARP4 was what first made me take the even further way round so I can find a tunnel, drop her down a gear and hear that engine noise (no ear plugs here) and have the biggest grin on my face when I drive down from Great Malvern into Malvern Link - that hill seems to be the spot where I get the most fun from that backfiring/bang popping exhaust - I love the look on people's faces. I understand the benefits of other models but I think I could only ever add another Mog now, I couldn't get rid of Morag, she is too special.

Look forward to seeing you and your car at future events. Before COVID there'd been a couple of things where we got a few of the ARP4s parked up together, it would be great to do that again.

It's easy to spot mine, it is the only Kingfisher Blue one.

Ian, a very good synopsis I would say and very accurate. I agree the fuel consumption is between 25 and 35 to the gallon and whilst it will drive very civilly at low revs. with no flat spots or jerkiness, it does need revs to make it fly, and fly it does, I find 4000 rpm to be the place it really starts to shift and then will go all the way round to 7500, when a red light comes on and you will need to find another gear. When in the mood I drive around in a lower gear than would normally be the case, to stay in the power sector, this becomes quite normal after a while. A bit like the M3W which should never go below 1750 and not lugged, which would seem to be more natural for this engine.

Noise can be tiresome, but I have never felt the need for earplugs, but have substituted a side exit pipe which actually reduces the noise somehow and it does pop and bang on the overrun if you keep you foot very slightly on the throttle, so it is something that can be turned on or off, depending on mood.

I have power steering, but also substituted a smaller 11" Momo wheel, which means I can not only see the upper reaches of the rev. counter, but can get in and out easier too. The steering is now perfectly weighted at both parking speed and on the go.

The story I heard was that MMC bought a batch of 50 of the last 225bhp engines from Cosworth at a very good price, then needed a car to put it in. The engine and the car are not really compatible - the car is a tourer and the engine is a racer, however the two together make an interesting and intriguing model, with the addition of some very nice extras like coil sprung rear suspension, larger front 4 pot brakes, rear disc brakes, double lined quiet hood, limited slip rear diff with 3.9 cwp, dry sumped engine on roller throttle bodies, optional power steering, 16" 3 piece alloys with soft rubber, adjustable dampers all round, a very nice interior wiHith things like upgraded leather, an Amp and 5 speaker setup, sun visors, door check devices a rather nice and unique to this model, dashboard, etc etc.

I keep thinking about changing, but feel I would miss its' idiosyncrasies and character and having installed cup holders and a combined oil pressure and temperature gauge as well as a Pioneer radio head unit, and a few other little mods, feel it is now very much 'my' car.