Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Steve Morris

Was a management buy out and not a family buy back

Yes, there are parallels. With the discontinuation of the EVO engine and the introduction of the soulless Twin-Cam, Harley-Davidson lost me as a potential customer, just as Morgan lost me with the discontinuation of the Trad. But both, EVO-Heritage and 4/4, remain dearly beloved in my garage.

As Willie G was part of the deal it felt like a family buyback to us '80s Harley Guys ... what with him being so influential in new model development. We were just glad to see the back of the Corporates.



K

I had an AMF SS125. Cracking little bike....

And that's exactly the point ... if Harley were still building EVOs or Twin Cams today, the company would be bankrupt. The emissions regulations simply force the manufacturers to go other ways. Of course, these were great engines, but they are simply no longer legal today.
My parallel from Harley to Morgan is that the existing clientele does not want any changes. But a company can't have a future like that.
If the existing clientele doesn't want any innovations, there are plenty of options on the second-hand market. That applies to Harley as well as to Morgan.

That's right Willy G. was one of the thirteen participants in the management buy-out.

Steve's departure is sad news for old Morganists like us.

I heard he’d been head hunted by Merc F1, they wanted to try sliding pillar suspension on Hamilton’s next car to improve it.


Just in case you read this guff.

Best wishes for your future, Mr Morris,

Steve has a huge pot of experience at Morgan. Talking to Steve at the nuts & bolts level reveals a lot of interesting anecdotes. He could so easily write a hands on book. I wish him all the best for the future.

As for MMC, it may not be doom & gloom, but as we've said often, shift the product, and you shift the buyers. It's an unpredictable trajectory.

Well nobody likes change initially. But nothing ever stays the same.

Thing is, people like myself and a few friends want the modern Morgan’s, with tech and creature comfort’s. I feel Morgan will only be around if they sell loads of new cars to us younger people. They want repeat customers. Not just selling one Morgan for some one to keep for 30 years. They want customers that will buy one, then chop it in for next model in 4 or 5 years time. That’s what I intended to do, and I know that’s exactly what two of my friends will do. And it will be encouraged, with the ever popular PCP deals out there. If the Plus 4 and 6, which is superior to drive, be comfortable in, be it hot or cold, with auto and power steering hadn’t of come along, us 40 / 50 year olds wouldn’t be in them.

Bit of new younger blood is a good thing. They need to keep pushing forward, keeping the looks of the Morgan, which is main reason I bought it, and bring the standards of running gear etc right up to date. Luckily they are selling loads of new cars, even with the 15 to 20% price increase. There here to stay, in one form or another. And the factory workshop is being extended next year for more servicing.

Not meaning to be a miserable sod, but not really interested in clubs or meets, it has zero appeal. We are happy just doing our own thing.

I bet you veterans could rather dislike the new breed of Morgan owners🙈🤷‍♂️