Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Two Seater Sports Cars

All good additions especially the P4!! As I am neither a purist nor a modernist I can gladly admit to owning 2 SS100's, a C Type and my lastest toy, a 298 Cobra. Got to get them all in before I turn 80.

Don’t think Jaguar will allow commercial companies to make C/D type replicas. They took the Swedish company to court and won - also Suffolk forced to stop making them.

Lowbird, I hope you reach your objective...

applying the usual leeway allowed for thread drift..


I think Harley Davidson were amongst the first to become aware of the fast rising baby boomer market relative to the value and thus protection of their corporate identity, perhaps around the time that the Chinese economic engine was churning on it`s starter motor getting ready to fire up...? HD had gone through the doldrums in terms of struggling to keep up with technological advance even with a loyal and dwindling customer base, I suspect the baby boomers arrived at HD appreciation just in time..?

It seemed others followed HD`s example I remember even the UK BMW m/cycle club were "persuaded" by BMW to stop using the BMW logo that they had used since the clubs inception, though BMW at least offered alternative deigns to the club...

In time it seems the MMC caught on too as to the value of a logo, even when stuck on a watch or leather bag or whatever other non motoring related bit of kit`s desirability and more importantly price could be increased..? The range of HD logo anointed kit is absolutely astounding, of course if one does not have HD aftershave, one is just not the real deal...etc.etc.etc...?

To get back on to the subject of wonderful old cars long since out of production being reproduced by another company... There are numerous examples where this has been achieved wonderfully well through to worse than bad...The growing awareness of marque logo value relative to the baby boomer marketplace seemed to have put a damper on other than the determined to improve on the original...Though some seem to have managed to stay in business by making adjustments and perhaps finding loopholes..?

I recently posted the URL to video of one company who seem to go about some measure of that which many Morganeers have attempted to do to Morgans over as many decades as the MMC has existed in terms of seeking to improve on the rather basic design, which was for some thought to be a relatively easy process, though in doing so some may have inadvertently created a FrankenMorgan perhaps their ideals caused them to create an over powered and somewhat imbalanced machine...?

The company seems in the URL below seems to have spared no expense in seeking to improve on the original, and differ in the production of their car from the companies who need to use the all important identity of an actual original machine by way of using parts of it`s monocoque and the I.D. numbers stamped thereon, in order to use a loop hole to be able to avoid emission and safety regs that followed on from the date of the original I.D`s first registration...or have I got that wrong..?

Interesting that a company which owns the identity associated with one of the most iconic sports car`s of the 20`th century allows another company to manufacture a machine that could easily be mistaken as that which it so obviously appears to be at first glance, all be it much improved over the original, and priced to suit..? As to what effect the updated reproduction or whatever other I.D. you might think applicable to apply to it will have on the company which holds the rights to the original I.D. and all else...?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_U7VRqbxw

The "Long-haired Colonel" has an MB SLC43AMG which has two seats and folding glass roof. 3.0 V6 turbo with 394bhp and a fully manufactured sound-track which is wonderful as it makes all the right noises at just the right time. It cost £165 a year to tax, does 30mpg and costs £40/month on a service plan with MB for 4 years. Very well made now MB have their act back together and drives well although more GT than Sports.

have I missed something, or is this a post on a morgan forum complaining that there are no manufacturers of 2 seater sports cars?

Yes SimonB, you probably have missed something. It's the time honored "Thread Drift" It makes for interesting reading that might otherwise be lost. Have you seen the price of eggs lately"!!!!!!!! ( Sorry, couldn't resist )

Something fishy going on here then

The 911 is really a 2 seater - you ever tried to sit in the back of one? As for the Z4, TT and Merc - to me they are the modern equivalent of the Capri. This quote from Evo rather sums things up "BMW’s second stab at it was an altogether softer machine. Again, not a bad car, but not an overtly sporting one either, even in range-topping sDrive35iS guise. No, this was a machine that was aimed at the TT and SLC rather than the Boxster, and as a drop-top cruiser it was a fine piece of kit provided you didn’t ask too many questions of its chassis. "

Would you take one to your hill climb or sprint race?

As my kids quite happily sat in the back of my 911s they were definatly 4 seaters, as transport back from the pub its acceptable. Each newer generation has got bigger & more practical in the back.
Your quote for the Z4 mentions it was "BMWs second stab at it" - the second generation was a folding hardtop, the current 3rd generation is a soft top & a completely different drive.

No I wouldn't take a Z4 on a hill climb, but then I wouldn't take my Morgan either.

Anyone going into a BMW showroom to look at a Z4 is not a regular at a hillclimb. Probably assumes it is a "fierce" walking event that is really righteous.