Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Stanley is Due Back!

Following issues with my health, I took the opportunity to have some overdue work carried out on my 4/4.
As always and since 2005, I use Berrybrook for work that I don’t have the facility or inclination to carry out. I also use them for the annual MoT.
I’ve tidied and swept the garage in readiness.
The weather forecast for East Devon looks particularly good for Wednesday and Thursday, so I am planning some short local drives, to see how well I cope
(The health issues reduced both my strength and stamina)

For those TMers that don’t know my 4/4; it is a well travelled 2003 model, with a 1.8 Ford Zetec engine.
So no power steering, the Ford gearbox, rather than the later Mazda box.
So it has a comparatively heavy clutch and the steering also requires some effort!

However, I can’t wait for it to be back.



I’ll keep you updated.

Bud
4/4 - Stanley

I'm sure you will have great fun. Enjoy the grin.

Great to hear - enjoy the drives in good forecast weather this week

Nice and steady ease back into the harmony Simon, great news

Back on track and out of the Pit Lane now and gathering speed

Enjoy Stanley, Budster!

Good to hear, I'm sure that even just thinking about getting out in Stanley is good therapy. Enjoy the moment!

Out in the Morgan, roof down is a mood lifter, so soak it all up Simon. Enjoy the rest of the sunny days this year!

A 24 hour delay, by mutual consent, has occurred; so delivery is now due on Wednesday morning.
I’ve just been sorting the things I would normally keep under my driver’s seat.
Spare inner tube in a box and a towing strap. Then just behind on the floor, 2 plastic chocks - I have never fully trusted the ‘fly-off’ handbrake!
Bud
4/4 - Stanley

All the best Bud. Enjoy the drive

As for the heavy steering: I have just asked for a quote for the electric power steering to be fitted so I know how it is. Even with the SSLfront end, which significantly lightens the steering, I find it tiring if I have a long series of tight hairpin bends. I wouldn’t mind a power assisted clutch either

It comes to us all in the end, but you will be surprised how resilient most people are when they put their mind to it. I slipped on icy steps December 2023 and seriously hurt my back. After a bit of convalescence I found I couldn't easily depress the clutch on my Roadster 4 seater with the higher seating position without considerable discomfort and the car steering was getting far too heavy at parking speeds. So sadly as much as we loved it, the Morgan had to go.


However within a short time, I was trying out 2 seaters as their seating position is lower and slightly further back, and after a long search I recently got OZZY my 2012 Plus 4 sport. The steering is lighter and the clutch easier to depress etc, getting in and out will still be a challenge. But with an eye for the future, I'm sorting out a removeable steering wheel, may get electric power steering (so Sue can drive it more easily) and so on because we missed the Morgan even though we have a modern convertible. We may use the trad. for the UK only and if we want to do continental tours again, I think an automatic CX will be on the cards in the not too distant future. If we keep the Plus 4 and not change to a CX, if time comes that it needs converting to automatic, which Sue prefers, then all things being equal we will get that done.

So whilst I had to let the Roadster go, I've still kept the Morgan motoring alive with a really nice Plus 4 and are prepared to make it more user friendly reflecting my changed abilities/status, than give upon it all. Best of luck with the journey home, the weather seems to be pretty good this week an excellent opportunity to enjoy it.