Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms The Ownership Experience

+1 Simon👍

„The car is the celebrity, you are just the chauffeur!“

That is very much to the point. When people approach me (at the gas station, for example) I don't even have time to develop unnecessary narcissism or boastful pride of ownership (both of which are far from my mind anyway, I hope). Sometimes I'm like the chauffeur and sometimes I feel like an ambassador for the brand when I realize that people are so interested in the history of the Morgan, in the specific history of my car, but then quickly also in the history of the brand.

This perhaps again gives an indication that it is not just about the “object” of the “great car”, but always about the people who are involved with it. In addition to the acquaintances and friends I made through the Morgan, it's also about the factory and everyone who made the car happen. They all come alive in these conversations.

Edit.
I can think of another little incident in this context. And this is of some concern to me, otherwise I would never have gotten around to thinking about it in the way that the last few posts suggest. Germany is a big transit country. When I am somewhere on a highway rest area, e.g. for an unhealthy but tasty cigarette (because I never smoke in cars) then I am sometimes approached by very friendly and interested truck drivers with great kindness and real empathy for the Morgan. Many have never seen a car like this up close. People from Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Romania and many other Eastern European countries. It's not just the transit traffic of goods. It's people in transit who normally never come into contact with the German population. They are also often somewhat shy and reserved. But when they see my Morgan, they overcome their shyness, they come up to me and even if there are language barriers, they are so happy about this opportunity, and they almost always want a photo with themselves and the Morgan for their families, which I am happy to take for them.
Sometimes I think it's a special emotional energy of the Morgan that can break through the boundaries of interpersonal distance that normally exist.
It's exactly the opposite of what a Porsche or Ferrari would trigger in this situation. And that is an inestimable immaterial value of the Morgan.

Love that comment. That's brill!

Dave, I know it’s M3W territory but might be worth having a word with Lauren’s and his good lady - their Treffen adventures to me sum up the ownership very well for the sociable types, they take a travelling mech with spares on the trip so you get my drift 😉

I bought my +8 in late 1983 and in the last 41 years have racked up over 250k miles and 46 countries. It's been a pleasure to own and provided fantastic memories. I will never sell it and look forward to more adventures. Heading back to Greece and venturing through Turkey in the Autumn.

For me the experience centres around the endearing way I improve as I drive it. If I haven't driven it for awhile the first five minutes of it have me thinking that the performance is all wrong...who would want to drive this? But then as I settle so the car improves itself and starts to pat me on the back, congratulating me on being so skilful! And this impression grows the more I drive it. Always more fun and an improvement in skill (which may be an illusion but nevertheless IS the experience).
For me this even outweighs the beauty of the thing, the obvious delight in people's faces when they see it, the young boys yelling "nice car mister", the old men waving or thumbs up, the drivers letting me out at T junctions, the tourists surrounding the car as I return to it even if (especially if) I've parked next to some supercar which the tourists are ignoring, the family feel of other owners, the view over the bonnet, the laughing as the rain drips on my knee....oops, wait a minute, forget that one.....
Nick
Twelve lines of text to describe 33 or so years ownership

I noticed quite a few smiles today as i brought home an eight foot Christmas tree.

My contribution is a valid response to the question posed. Years of experience have caused me to remove the rose tinted spectacles. When I reflect on my Ownership Experience I think of the numerous breakdowns I have endured on European adventures. Although the impact of these is mitigated when travelling in convoy it is particularly unpleasant when it happens whilst travelling solo, as happened to me when driving to Amalfi in 2018. Despite these travails, the mileage I have travelled is testament to my enthusiasm for driving the car and I have no thoughts of selling it.

A vile post is you referring to someone’s daughter as an ungrateful little cretin because she wasn’t happy that he had arrived in the Mog to collect her. Hypocrisy springs to mind.

Isn't it often the case when writing about any matter if its addressed solely to cognoscenti its' already preaching to the converted and so much is inferred and understood without having to be expressed.. If its designed for a wider audience it should IMHO be more open and balanced, not only address the highs but also the lows reflecting warts and all of ownership.

But sometimes people only want to hear and buy the dream. but the reality of ownership soon brings some down to earth. To this day why in the nearly 40 years from first owning a Morgan, there is one continuous truth, in that, the second hand market is often full of low ownership hardly used Morgans.

I never understood it, especially when you had to wait 10 years plus for a car to be delivered, other than people flipping for profit. and often wondered whether the Morgan dream and reality collides and what is delivered is not what was promised or bought into.

By way of example, my beautifully spec'd Roadster 4 seater had it first service 4 years after delivery at just over 800 miles. It then went into storage for a few years and then sold. The second owner upon purchase immediately had air conditioning retrofitted, uprated front brakes . SSL front suspension, spots added, rear suspension uprated, spent some serious money before he took it on a continental tour that year doing 3400 miles and then put it in storage for 7 years never used again. I seen this pattern repeatedly. My current Morgan has been in storage for 6 years before I purchased it. My first Morgan had only done a few hundred miles a year. For a car people may have waited years for, many are not well used, which then begs a question as to why. Of course many people do use their Morgans extensively, but the numbers SORN over winter, is revealing, not only of peoples habits but also the lack of robustness of the car itself, although in fairness that has improved somewhat in recent decades.

I could say the same about Harleys, they are a great ownership experience especially the people you met along the way but an absolute literal 'balls ache' to ride far in the summer weather as the rear cylinder heat can burn your legs. From new you used to have to replace the Swiss market spec'd carb, ignition, hard tyres etc., to get anywhere near the legendary torque of the fabled V twin and for the bike to stop and handle half way decently. I know from experience the myth and reality definitely collided. Still didn't stop me buying another one, in fact another 9 in total, but on reflection I think it was more the people I met through the Harleys, than the bikes that will be my lasting memories. Whilst there were a few very memorable rides, you tend to fade out the hardship and rose tint the journey experience, Do you sometimes kid yourself, trying to re-enforce your original decision to acquire whatever it is.

Don't misunderstand me I've had some great times in my Morgan or Harley, but I've equally got as many if not more great memories driving other open topped cars and motorbikes often with less hassle. Sometimes we may be guilty of waxing too lyrical.

My Morgan's over the years are the only cars that make me smile when I open up the garage and that's good enough for me.

Probably near enough 100,000 miles between the three of them over 21 years and the smiles continue unabated, you either "get" Morgan's or you don't imho.

Well I am having a significant life adjustment and one or both of the Morgans are going on the block I am deeeeeeeeeply sad to say.

I have never retained a car for so long. Nor have I ever created so many beautiful memories in a car. That incudes a few brake downs as well! In truth that is the reason I am selling them now, they are too tightly coupled to some memories that I cannot deal with.

Aero Coupe 2013 as seen on X-Car, Top Gear, Geneva Motor Show stand and various other events as the 2013 Demo car.
Aero S2 2005, as seen in Evo and various other stuff.

Just getting organised at the moment. Not going to be daft about the prices and precious as I know parting with them is going to hurt so I guess it needs to happen quickly, rip off that plaster.

If anyone knows for someone looking for an Aero there is a little commission waiting. I would really prefer to sell to someone on the board or a friend so they remain looked after in the future.

I will put an advert on the correct pages soon but just thought I would post a heads up after making the decision yesterday. Not a good day.