Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Its delayed and its serious

Or somebody at the factory just did a miscalculation translating stones into kilos...

I would be curious to know how much the total engine/drive train package adds to the 3 wheeler.

American motorcycle engines are not known for their light weight and the big capacity V twin produces a lot of torque that probably has required heavier parts to be used in the construction. Incredibly Morgan have chosen an engine that has a similar capacity and power output to a 4/4. The gearbox comes from a Mazda car but has a 90 degree drive fitted to the back of it to use a final belt drive. It would not surprise me if Quaife, for example, could not have produced a nice lightweight sequential gearbox and final drive that would have weighed less. Obviously a motorcycle gearbox is out of the question because it lacks reverse.

It seems to me that for 1000 units a year it would not have been impossible to find a European manufacturer. Forget my Moto Guzzi bias - there is also Rotax who currently produce a modern 1000 cc engine that produces 106 hp, has a 5 speed box with reverse, and is produced for the Can-Am Roadster (trike). Ok the Can-Am is more bike than car and only weighs in at 317 kg but that still gives more than 130 kg to play around with, to still come in under 450 kg, for the larger Morgan frame and bodywork. Probably that particular motor and drive would not be suitable for the heavier Morgan but I am sure something could be organised.

I suspect that the choice of mechanicals was dictated by the origins of the design and the desire of Morgan to crack into the huge American market. In that market the American style engine is no doubt more acceptable than a European engine.

I find the design fascinating and think Morgan have a huge success with the 3 wheeler (I would love to own one) but I can't help wondering if they may not have been better off producing something a little less potent with resulting lighter components.

As mentioned before the S&S engine weighs about 73kg. Not sure the BRP engine would look good on the front of a car like the morgan as its ugly as sin. No clue how much it weighs in at though.

http://www.brppowertrain.com/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-240/380_read-367/

Well it seems the category for matriculation of the Morgan three wheeler would be motocarrozzette which would have it treated in the same way as a sidecar outfit or larger engined trikes.

As far as the category of drivers licence required it does seem a motorcycle licence, A3 type unrestricted, may be required except for holders of a KB licence, professional such as taxi, are ok. This seems to be an irrational contradiction. Within Italy holders of B licences issued before April 1988 also have the same rights as an A3 licence holder, but only within Italy.

It is a bit of a minefield and the rules are not entirely clear. I think the rules have not considered the possibility of a three wheeler like the Morgan that has two wheels at the front and is driven with a steering wheel. Fortunately for potential Italian buyers most of them probably have a motorcycle licence because of the high motorcycle usage in Italy.

On the bright side matriculation does not seem to present any huge problems as it falls into the specific category previously mentioned.

In any case I am sure the importer has it all under control and I am only investigating the subject for curiosity and to inform English readers.

I have left it with our local motorizzazione agent for further clarification and will advise if anything different eventuates.