Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 3 Wheeler photos from the U.S. launch

As has been said above, the vehicles on show aren't the finished product; therefore, I'll judge the product finish on the customer production vehicles, not the pre-production versions.

I think the factory are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea - they need to show the 3Wheeler because customers are clamouring to view it, sit in it and paw over it; however, the vehicles they have available aren't the finished article, so you can find fault.

Having seen the new PDI booths, Quality isn't a PR word the factory are throwing around. I've been through their quality procedure for build and PDI inspection and when coupled with the new booths, I believe MMC are actively, and consistently, looking to exceed customers expectations (I know they do not always get this right and customer feedback helps improve the process). With that said, I can't imagine they letting the customer M3W leave the factory until they are happy with the quality levels.

Simon, I hope you're right on this. Frankly this is about as simple a road going machine as any I can think of. It's not a complicated vehicle or build process, and there's no excuse not to get it right for every customer prior to delivery. This is especially true considering the price they're asking.

So when do the customer cars start leaving the factory?

Yes, you are right about the devil and the deep blue sea. What ever Morgan do it will be the wrong descision in some peoples eyes. There is no easy solution and at the other end I am very happy that so much has been shown to us threewheelerwannabees.

Still think it is a pity that the dealers demonstrators look like this. These cars are the samples that customers will see, test drive and take their "investment" decisions from for years to come (I guess dealers do not change their demos that often?).

Let's hope for perfection when it comes to customer production. All TalkMorganeers with long experience in Morgan seems to be more calm than us Morgan Virgins.

I was at the factory today having a good look at the three wheelers. They seem to still be completing the dealer demo cars. There was a batch of chassis stacked which appear to be spray coated, not powder coated. The finish on the cars, ie body, interior, rear suspension and engine looks great and the bodywork paintwork in particular is up to the normal Morgan high standard. The chassis and front suspension finish is another matter....thin and with traces of rust on many.
In respect for Morgan's normal high standards I'm sure that these must be classed as pre-production models. However, these are the cars that will sell the M3W out in the dealers and the finish should be spot on in my view.

I've taken some photos and will post them later along with some shots of the Plus8 which sadly I ran out of time to test drive it although a certain other TMer did......but I'll not take the wind out of his sails and let him tell you all about it!

Jay,
I would agree powder costing is the way to go. When I rebuilt my T140 V Bonneville the frame was powder coated & rust was not an issue despite it being stored outside in Holland.
John

Having owned a Morgan for the last 6 years, my experience is that any issues with the car have always been dealt with promptly through either the dealer or Factory.
The differance (and delight) of owning the Morgan is you are made to feel like a friend and not just a customer. All the people I have dealt with do genuinely care about what they do.

The production 3W on our (MSCC) stand at the NEC was to a high quality. I think the issue is that you can see the suspension on the M3W so you want it to present well. On the trads, the cross tubes soon look tatty, but are out of sight. It's nothing that a blow over of paint or Tectyl/Dinitrol won't fix.

I'm no fan of powder coating in exposed positions. It will chip, and water will get under and it will lift. Paint is much easier to maintain, and a tin of satin black would be the first thing I would get if I was to have an M3W.

Moving parts will generate rusty stains if unprotected steel is in the mix, even if that's just a washer or nut.In my concours days the suspension had to be kept perfect, and the only way to do this was repainting, and regular replacement of nuts, bolts and washers. Some can be replaced with stainless but not where there are safety critical issues. With regard to track rod gaiters - it's common practice these days to use cable ties. The days of a nice metal clamp with a protective cap on the protruding thread are gone. Even BL used to do that. I understand that buyers want the suspension to look good because it shows, but however well protected it is at the outset, it will get grubby quite quickly. Look under any car after three months and you'll get the picture.

To a certain extent DaveW you have a point, but it doesn't stop the likes of Caterham being able to keep their front suspension looking good for years. Yes it will need a bit of a freshen up from time to time, but not to the extent that the 3 wheeler demo cars in the photos already need.

It is hard, but not impossible to do, but whether Morgan know how to do it is another matter.

Thanks for your insight. Are there any material alternatives that you know of that would alleviate the rusting issues? Could you use forged aluminum in the suspension components or titanium nuts/washers? Certainly the steel that's being used is at least galvanized, right?