Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Is The Seven Year Itch At Play?

Good day All,

While this pertains to my 4/4, I assume it applies to all cars. Or perhaps not?

So, I've had my 4/4 80th for just over six years now have been struggling a bit over the last few seasons in regards to not being drawn to drive it much. The emotional attachment to it hasn't diminished whatsoever!

A bit of background:
It was Easter weekend 2016 when I decided that I wanted to get a weekend/toy car and having been in the UK for a year at that point and settled, it was time. To cut a long story short, I knew it was a 4/4 that I was wanting to order due to budget and was informed by Henry at Williams that Morgan had just announced the 80th Anniversary Edition. He fired over the price list and press release and 5 mins later I placed my deposit. This even before I even drove one!

The whole process was fantastic. From visiting the factory for the first time, to then viewing swatches and spec'ing my car, to countless visits to watch my build in various stages etc. The first year was riddled with a bit of snagging and then the next three had me going on countless drives, attending shows and the pinnacle of the whole experience up until now was taking the Morgan from here to Greece, with visits to multiple places in-between, over three weeks.

The following year had me using my then Land Rover Defender 90 and experiencing green laning, tours etc. The following year had me enter the world of Porsche and the Morgan sat for most of that year. Covid then hit and for the very few times I was allowed to leave the house, it was the Porsche I took. Fast forward to this spring and I sold the Porsche as it was clear having two sports cars for me wasn't working. As mentioned, the Morgan has a place in my heart.

However, I just don't find myself driving it much at all or being tempted to go for a random drive. I do take it out from time to time to keep it moving which normally is a short trip to a cafe for a brew and then back.

Is this normal? I've never had a car this long and question if I'm keeping it just cause of the journey and memories I have in the car or perhaps this is normal and the need/desire to always drive it isn't necessarily important. I've contemplated selling it for a Porsche but I've done that twice already and not as keen as I once was. The Defender 90, previous gen, is a strong pull as well. I know it's not a Morgan but for me it provided that quirky British experience and one that can be had all year round and in all weather conditions. Or perhaps I'm just jaded and bored!

Has anyone else gone through this with their Morgan? Normal?

Thanks for listening!

Perry

Park up your other toys and use the Morgan for absolutely everything for a month ... long trips, short trips, grocery shopping, all weathers ... it'll either re-fire your love or decide you to get rid !! 😁


K

You forgot about your 3 wheeler experience !
But I know what you mean.It is a lovely day in North Wales today and I cannot be bothered going for a ride !
I am sure covid has altered a lot of peoples thinking.
I know two Societies I am involved in are not getting up to the numbers pre covid and a lot of resignations.
I will keep unto mine and there are to many Morgans on the market now.

I think the stumbling block is being tempted enough for a random drive so find a practical reason to take it out. Once in it the joys will return. In my case this works for Mog, LR or motorbike and regularly wonder why I was deliberating before.

Perry,
I just bought another Mog with a bigger engine. Usually I do 6-10k per year so after 5/6 years and buying second hand it is onwards and upwards.

This is something that regularly happened to me in over 40 years of Caterham ownership and why I built and/or owned 15 or 16 Caterhams in that time. Every time I started getting bored and not using the car, I sold it and ordered another car, usually a kit to built, with more power or other improvements, and found I was then using it to its' fullest extent again for 2 or 3 years.

I bought my ARP4 in spring 2016 too, with a history similar to yours Perry (but without the Porsche input) and this year I cannot have done more than 200 miles, in fact it has sat in the garage since August, untouched and practically unloved. I am contemplating putting it in an online auction and getting an Alpine A110 or maybe a 911 Cab. I just don't want to pull the trigger on getting rid of it yet, so may wait until the spring and re-evaluate the whole thing.

So I think it must be a normal reaction, thank goodness I haven't done the same with my wife, after 50 years together, it may not be quite so easy to move on!

Maybe you should try PaulJ ‘s ARP4, the Cosworth engine is worth it on its own. I’ve always fancied the ARP4, it’s the red underwear it has that attracts me I think.
You’d be mad to sell your 80th anniversary though, I doubt very much there will ever be another 80th anniversary car from anybody ever again!



I had a go in an Alpine recently, gave it absolute death, I actually managed to get the brakes to fade! it’s a fantastic drive, proper on the nose handling but I’d buy the lotus Emira if I were in the market.

Reviving an old thread.

Well, it's been almost a year since my ramblings and while the summer isn't quite over, things haven't changed much from my original post. Yes, the car still brings a massive smile to my face but the drives have now been reduced to the odd short trip to a farm shop or pub to meet some mates. All told it's moved about 10 times this year with some being forced so that it doesn't sit.

I've even typed up a for sale ad on here a few times but never did pull the trigger. It's quite hard to detach the heart from the head. Morgans are quite special and I think this is me having pre-FOMO when the day comes it does go!

How about a long trip to the farm shop?

Or an even longer trip to a distant pub, chip shop or whatever with other local Mog owners?

Top Tip

Drive it - before your body stops you from being able to drive it.

I had to give up my Morgan because of a nerve issue in my feet (trad clutch pedal killed my left foot and not in a financial place to get an auto)

I miss my Morgan