Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms New Morgan with a boot?

Whilst I have never had anything taken from my Morgans, I have driven soft tops all my life and have had things taken from inside the various cars and the roof slashed to gain access to 2 of my cars Also had a suitcase and detachable luggage rack forced from the back of my MG Midget damaging the boot lid, over the years. But in the context of the number of cars I've owned and miles I driven over the years, its not too bad a track record. I've had a holdall carrying my waterproofs from my rear rack taken off one of my Harleys when left unattended, which was weird as I'd left a very expensive helmet, glasses and gloves hanging from handlebars that were left untouched

But I never try to attract the opportunist, I prefer them to just walk on by.

If you want an open car with power steering, folding top, air conditioning, independent suspension, electronic aids, radio and trunk space, then from the traditional Morgan driver's point of view you are a potential customer for a BMW Z4 and not a for roadster from Malvern. But times have changed, unfortunately.

I have a Morgan and the wife an SLK with everything, each plays an role and fulfils a different need. In fact my Morgan suspension is more compliant and less crashy (at the moment) than the wife's AMG SLK. The SLK is effortless to drive long distances, totally reliable and amazingly economical. The Morgan is more involving, can be more rewarding driven fast down country lanes, but tiring in traffic and suffers terrible heat sink from the engine/gearbox in summer. The steering is heavy and the brakes lack feel, the gearbox being a Mazda box a delight compared to the Ford gearboxes I've experienced. The Morgan is maintenance heavy, requiring frequent re-greasing, retightening bolts etc.if used regularly, the SLK just goes from annual service to annual service, without having to check anything.

My ideal Morgan would have all positive attributes of the SLK with the driving dynamics of the Morgan, as limited as that maybe.

I always leave my soft tops unlocked working on the theory that a radio is cheaper than a new hood. I once watched a scrote open the door of my Suzuki SJ410 and run like hell when Colonel Bogy started up.

I suspect a Morgan today needs far more than a boot even for those who have owned Morgan(s) over a couple of decades and more and who were spanner handy and relied on no one else to either rebuilt or generally fettle their old sports cars over the years, I was one such.... However even in my earliest days of Morgan lust, I was desirous of vintage car attributes with sporting performance, not something to match the comforts of the 911 I had owned previously. While my +8 had the benefit of being restored just prior to my purchase, it had been modified with more leafs in the rear springs and Koni shockers all round, to suit touring with a rear mounted case, however had it still been on lever arms, it would still be that way today.

Perhaps I was not the archetypal mad for mods Morgan owner at the time I bought mine (2002) having gone through the knock-on loaded process of chasing one`s tail having tuned the engine, then to have to upgrade handling, brakes, etc. etc. etc....Evolutionary processes seemed to perhaps alter the processes of Morgan buyers who were now ageing, perhaps adding a few pounds, requiring wider doors, more comfortable seating followed by softer suspension, even power steering and servo assisted brakes...? Add a few more years where cup holders along with mounts and connection points for digital toys became the must have things, no less than expected at the price point, which I can understand.. and so it goes...?

Me, well I have to admit that my rear end thinks it can feel a bit of the seat frame and I think I can`t quite see the extremities of the bonnet as well as I think I used to.... Now whether I`m shrinking or loosing part of my personal padding, I`m none too sure, I guess some more detailed investigation might be worthwhile..?

As I suggested, Kevin the restorer of that which became my Morgan, set it up for touring, he even built a carefully designed colour matching and locking fibre case which it`s self could be secured by four stainless P clips to the rack prior to loading the case with whatever.... That the rack was also secured through the centre of the spare wheel equated to it being close to impossible to steal the case, which provided a degree of comfort while engaged in touring through France Spain and Italy over the years.

Other than using the thoughtfully designed luggage system to carry my good lady`s little necessities while on our adventures, she made good use of the space behind the seats in our mid 80`s +8 to fill it with soft bags over which the tonneau could be stretched with a slight bulge, the excess length just tucked down behind our seats to inhibit dust covering the bags etc, and keeping them out of sight while we sat in a cafe or similar. I often thought about, though typically never got round to having a U shaped zip fitted into the tonneau with some sort of waterproof fabric flap sewn in between the two halves of the zipper, that when unzipped would allow the rear section of the tonneau to expand to some degree yet still keep the space below enclosed and reasonably watertight....?

If you have a look in the local galleries I have posted a pic of the luggage in place on the Mog while touring...Was it really 20 years ago...??? If you view the pic you might understand better my mention of dust protection for the luggage behind the seats, as opposed to rainwater....(-:

Let's come back to the successor to the PlusSix. It should actually have a boot. However, the shape is said not to have been changed all that much. As always, John is right... the engine is said to have remained the same.

Have seen it. It’s fantastic. To see it is to know that it’s fantastic. It doesn’t require any design explanations. It just is evidently impressive. Hard to overstate how much of an improvement it is in every conceivable way. It will be huge for the company. A legitimate cross shop option for 911 and Vantage buyers. I expect significant waitlists on orders within months of the formal announcement. I imagine another big jump in orders when journalists get to have a poke around in it. Whatever hopes or expectations I’d had for it were surpassed. My overwhelming emotion on seeing it was immense pride for the team that worked on it. Their pride was evident as well. They didn’t have to justify or explain anything, the car speaks for itself. I’m sure some of you will continue to decry that it’s not made of Stone Age materials and that Morgan has lots it’s way since the days they were held together by gum and prayers, but those of you who love cars and driving will be smitten. I will absolutely be getting one.

Great to hear!

Indeed it is. Something that can genuinely compete with AM and Porsche whilst preserving the Morgan caché has got to be a winner. Us hairy-arsed purists have got loads of cars to keep us happy.

That sounds so good and convincing, as if you had already secretly opened your Christmas present. When can we expect official pictures?