Robert, Morgans have ever been shed built with all the limitations that might be associated with that process, when compared to something akin to an almost lights out production facility where raw materials go in one end, and from that point on the whole assembly process is carried out by entirely robotic means... OK so you could have a lit section at the end of the facility where humans check for minor imperfections in the paint etc, but other than that, the eventual output will perfectly match the initial design criteria.... Wonderful.. NO...?
In my limited experience and not unexpectedly, Morgans have never been a match in terms of the expected average output of UK motor manufacturing at any stage during my lifetime.
As I suggested during my initial response to your question, I bought into the idea of a Morgan in search of a pseudo Vintage driving experience, without the extra degree of cost, in terms of that involved in a real vintage machine, along the lines of a Bentley, Bugatti, Aston, etc,etc,etc. Cost in terms of both purchase and the likelihood of reality in terms of maintaining a mechanical assemblage containing high degree of unobtainium in terms of it`s parts. Replacement parts perhaps requiring to be re manufactured by highly skilled specialists, which brings in the question of reliability and all of the many frustrations associated with potential breakdowns...?
The reality of the performance levels of the vintage machines in terms of road speed, is that most of the above mentioned that caught my imagination were designed as race cars in the era they were manufactured, I suspect in seeking to use any of them as road cars today, one must accept some degree of sacrifice, and perhaps in more areas than one might imagine...? Think of the reality of driving a one of todays REAL race cars on the road, not even one such as a GT3 RS, but perhaps a factory car straight off the track designed to run only to run and win on track surface expectations...? I guess that is where vintage race cars may have the advantage on modern roads with pot holes, as they were designed to run on imperfect surfaces...? (-:
I suspect one`s expectations can make or break an imagined ownership dream when the cold light of day arrives, with potential to create a measure of disappointment..?
I spent circa 5 years from the mid 90`s on chatting to Morgan owners on internet forums, all in an attempt to gauge what the reality of Morgan ownership might be for ME. Very fortunately a bunch of very kind folk were happy to share their wide range of experiences in terms of both expectations and frustrations. It seemed to me that in a very generalised measure of cost to benefit analysis, that those who were prepared to accept the likelihood of finding occasional...err... foibles in whatever era of Morgan they bought into, were more than likely to derive more quality by way returns on all they invested in the idea of Morgan ownership.
Having spent decades attempting to restore maintain and enjoy the various old machines that I had owned over that period of time. I was essentially hoping to find an old Morgan in need of repair that had enough, if not more performance, than average traffic conditions found on most types of roads, and use it as a base to improve upon given my newly educated expectations of pre owned Morgans, hopefully adding a bit of extra care in areas where the afore mentioned foibles seem likely to be lying in wait.... For a variety of very fortunate reasons, I was informed of a Morgan where all such processes had already applied by a professional in the motor trade, and which was available, fortunately all the numbers worked out at the time, thus the deal was done, and very fortunately my mid 80`s +8 has served me in excess to that which I might have imagined possible at the time of purchase, and for more than a couple of decades...(-:
I suspect that your expectations will differ for mine.. (-: Thus time taken to determine YOUR priorities is likely to be time well spent..?
It seems that the Morgan motor company`s output has ever evolved with the passage of time, all be it a quite few decades behind other motor manufacturers, however I suspect that regardless of the relevant era those thinking to buy into Morgan, be that either in terms of the era built, or the era when buying, it may be best to do so with their eyes wide opened..
With the passage of time my +8 was thought to be very advanced around the time it was built in the mid 80`s..... for a Morgan... (-: Though I suspect my Morgan was perhaps one of the last to leave the factory with carburettors, after which EFI became the norm, wider doors to improve access and egress for more rotund and/or perhaps the ageing Morgan faithful, additional complexities related to regulatory requirements, cats and ever more digital engine management, increasing safety requirements and ease of driving in terms of servo assisted brakes, power steering, auto boxes and for creature comfort more cockpit room, air conditioning, more compliant suspension and general trim bling...?
Were Morgans built with era matching Porsche quality, then something along the lines of an Aero 8 Max were it available built with late 70`s early 80`s non digital engine tec, then that might be sitting in my garage keeping my +8 company... Well one can still dream...? (-:
Whatever, I wish you and your good lady all the best in arriving at whatever decisions you might make in time...
