Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Old style hood

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Not sure where you are but if you can I would recommend visiting a dealer or a local Mog get together, I am sure TM members would be happy to help as well, so that you can see the two alternative hoods as this would give a much better idea than trying to explain it, although here goes.
The traditional hood has a frame attached to the car a bit like a pram hood. The hood itself is separate and is draped over the frame and fastened to the car using a combination of fastenings on the car and windscreen header rail. When not in use the frame remains folded down and the hood is folded and normally kept on the rear parcel shelf.
The easy up hood is permantly attached to the frame and when lowered can't be removed so that it partially covers the the rear parcel shelf like a mini tonneau which, as Ray said, reduces the space for dogs to sit up in the back of the car but for most the difference is aesthetic as it does look bulkier than the old style.
I would definitely try erecting both hoods before you make a decision as I never mastered the old style hood.

I like the old style hood -Everflex with studs.It folds away easily and doesn't fill up the dog/luggage area! If weather looks iffy then it can be folded to form a rear luggage area cover like a part tonneau, saves taking both tonneau and hood .
Swivel pivots are a MUST though....
Especially in cold weather when the hood loses pliability and stretch!
I have put self adhesive foam strip under the front to improve the top of the windscreen sealing.
Just replaced the first type with some different foam to test it.
I have also put new poppers on the lower parts as the ones just behind the door popped loose when hood is tensioned, due to wear of the popper. New ones are a better fit
Woolies/ CarBuilderSolutions sell a good range.
Next job should be taping the insides of the seams as dampness comes through the stitching despite beeswax.

Agree with Cain the swivels make the hood v easy to put up.

A must have IMO!

Almost all has been said here. I had both hoods and prefer the looks of the older hood, erected as well as open. My current car again has the newer easy up, and it is a joy and comfort to use this hood. I value the convenience after having had three years with the old style hood. So, pros and cons for both styles.

One difference was not mentioned. The old style hood has additional side windows which help a lot when driving in city traffic, making turns, seeing bicycles approaching etc.

Here is a link to an old style hood erected with the additional windows.

http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Images-V16-1/Morgan-Plus-8-D.jpg

If you visit the official Morgan website, just have a look at the galeries of the classic cars. The Grey 4/4 shows an old style hood, with all the beauty of total disappearance catched in one of the pics. The Plus 4 shows the easy up hood.

Mr Bumble at rest...........


I have to say that I prefer the easy up for looks both up and down. (to avoid confusion, this is the traditional studded hood!)
We have been soaked with both types of hood.

Easy up simmonds type looks good up or down. Quick and easy to erect ! (Oh er missus )

I like my old style hood - with tensioners/swivels - from John Taylor. When you get used to it only takes a couple of minutes to put up & down.
Also some easy-up hoods only have one window at the back - the trad has 3 covering the otherwise blind spots on the rear quarters.
Basically - look at both - chat to owners & ask to try them out. Then pays yer money - takes yer choice.

I like my easy up hood because A) I can get it up quick if it rains and keep the interior dry and B) when I park up in the sun I can just flip it up to keep the sun from drying out the leather.

I prefer the look of the trditional hood but the convenience of the "easy up" hood.

But having looked at the hood on the new MX5 it is time MMC moved to the "Ever Dry Easy Up".
The MX5 hood can be pulled into place in about 5 seconds whilst sitting in the driver's seat and clipped down. No need to get out....!

Although there's no doubt that modern design hoods are much better than Morgan hoods in terms of speed of erection, water, draft and noise sealing, I wonder whether this is partly because the windscreens on such cars are enormously sturdy affairs compared to our Morgans.

Personally, if getting a better hood on my Morgan meant having to put up with a windscreen arrangement like you see on modern convertibles, I'd rather stick with the traditional arrangement.

Morgans are roadsters, and have hoods that you can put up if you have to. Much better that than modern cabriolets, which are cars that have roofs which may be lowered if one wishes.