Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing HERITAGE PARTS by the Morgan Motor Company

Due to my 'settings' I couldn't read the original post, but it seems that MMC are trying to become a Melvyn!

My experience with most Morgan parts is that the mark up is ridiculous and 95% of the time I rely on forum knowledge as to the original source/manufacturer of the part and then buy it from an alternative supplier for a fraction of the price, or modify something similar to suit.

Absolutely. All we need to know is the original manufacturer and application of the parts and we can source them ourselves, or go to Uncle Melvyn. Wheels from MWS, trim from Woolies, electricals from SMC, body components from VSM, brakes from Powertrack, suspension from SSL, the list goes on. I'm really not sure what added value for the customer MMC is able to provide, especially for older cars where their record keeping was so bad they often didn't have a clue exactly what parts they used on any particular car.

That’s a service I’d be happy to use, I’d expect to pay a little more than the direct from source price but at least it takes the guesswork out of the equation, having verification that a part is compatible and compliant is worth the time saved hacking around.
There are lots of owners I meet who aren’t interested in participating in car brand forums, their source of info will nearly always be the manufacturer channels first, they often place a value on manufacturer approved parts and Service too so I’d say there’s plenty room in the market.

It's quite ironic that after offloading the whole old stock onto Melvyn, who has made a huge success of it, MMC have suddenly realised that there's money to be made in looking after older cars.

The basics such as chassis, crosshead, body tubs should be easy enough but start going back beyond Y2000, and the number of parts explodes.

Given that manufacturers of parts are small, what we don't want to see is MMC demanding exclusive supply and cutting off supplies to specialists who have kept the market going for years.

Exactly. I'm wondering what will happen to chassis supply for the older stuff when Terry Foxen (GEE) retires. Hopefully there will be someone to take on the job, but I can't see MMC bringing it back in-house.

I shall keep on supporting my usual loyal suppliers not some vanity project for a consortium of retired folks, after all we owe allegiance to the likes of Cain and the numerous others that are always there and earning a living by it, Melvyn being the fall back I have yet to use..

What a cynical bunch !

It was the previous MMC management, latterly under the stewardship of Steve Morris, that stopped supporting the older models. One of many things they did rather badly.

The new owners/management have reversed that policy. Given that it's increasingly difficult to find suppliers/expertise surely having a commitment from the factory is a positive ?

Well, I think overall its a positive, as long as the MMC work alongside other stockists and do not force them out.. and keep prices at a reasonable level..

I wish MMC would give owners of CX cars a break as well and at least make available parts listings/diagrams. As a CX gen car owner I have zero in the way of info available, other than try to go through a main dealer...

I do agree that it shows a renewed commitment to Morgan owners that may have appeared lacking in recent years. However, much like the new CX range, I don't think I fit their financial demographic.....

Exactly. It is first my worry and stressed to the MMC at first contact. None of us helping have any intention to assist in yet another endeavor to victimize merely to have our brethren ripped off. We are ALL wary. Aftermarket prices are a scandal and the worst perpetrators are those most of the community buys from. I know their sources and am appalled every day seeing profit margins of 10-50 x cost. (no exaggeration) Millions can be made without such ugliness.

The current developed world rightfully breeds cynicism. I can give you my reasons for it..but that would not address our needs.

But beyond such musing, we need reliable parts at fair prices. We want our retailer to assure their continued existence with healthy profits but we do not want to made fools of. We are not the only marque in trouble in this area. Predators are getting ever more bold. The MMC is aware of that too.

L.