Howard
Damper blades were used up to about 2007. A bronze thrust plate sits between the bottom of the coil spring and the top of the stub axle. Attached to the thrust plate is a shim steel extension which fits into an adjustable slot in the horizontal section of the chassis. This allows up & down movement as the shim steel flexes.
As the coil spring compresses, it will twist around the vertical plane, so the thrust plate, being fixed at the chassis end absorbs the twist, so not transferring unwanted rotation to the stub axle.
On a bumpy road the spring will twist each way as it compresses and rebounds, and without the thrust plate you would feel this as wobble through the steering wheel. When you first look at this arrangement, it's hard to see how it works.
Later cars don't have the damper blades - (they damp wobble/unwanted movement). They have steering bearings, so between the bottom of the coil spring and top of the kingpin is a conventional ball race with dust covers.
Mulfab do a conversion kit which is a very worthwhile modification. It makes the steering much lighter.
You can see some pictures on this thread:
http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/55460/3Hope that helps.
With regard to Lotus ownership in retirement, I'm presently fit, 5'8" and average weight, so don't see a problem in terms of access although I did try one for size last year and it's obviously an acquired art. MrsW may not be so keen.
But as a touring car it appears to me more practical than the Morgan in dodgy weather, but obviously I might be proved wrong. But my biggest dilemma as I've posted elsewhere, is whether to get another Morgan and have two. The temptation is massive.
I've had one pal, admittedly after a hip replacement, stuck half way in and half way out of mine and it took 15 mins to get him back vertical. 
