Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms The Decline of the Trad !!!

Along with a v2

That represents my current line up, but I'd love a better hybrid! Like a life car.

Phil

Very good points and I agree with all that you, and others have written on the desirability/probability of more advanced Morgan designs.

I still feel however that there is a place for the traditional style of Morgan with less bulk than the new Plus 8. Many have commented in the past that they prefer the narrow style of the 4/4 so there are aesthetic issues involved too.

+1 and don't forget parking issues, bigger is not always better.

+2
And that the new +8 will not fit down my driveway so I could garage it!
There is still very much a requirement for narrower bodied cars.

Other than that, Phil an excellent post It is very pleasing to see that the idea of whole life cycle is beginning to be taken into account - something I've been banging on about for years...

Cheers,

I love this subject…just have to share some reflexions:

My initial thinking was if the “traditional trad” was not longer possible to produce with its present technical solution (say, because of not fulfilling regulations in safety…and no quick-fixes were possible).

Then there is also a cost in NOT being able to produce and sell cars at all…. Then you must sow to be able to harvest –> probably major redesign (remember the quick fixes with gigantic bumbers on english cars exported to the US in the past )! When I earlier mentioned the "scaling down" of the Plus 8 platform (or technical solution or whatever…”platform” in the car industry is a very wide and misused term) I did not think anything of the actual size of the finished car, more of re-using proven technical solutions.

The Plus 8 chassis/suspension is of course heavily over dimensioned for a 4/4 but a “lighter” bonded aluminium chassis should still work extremely well in my opinion. Suspension parts and geometry are expensive in small batches but why not use what’s on the market – yet again proven solutions, cheap spare parts, easy to service and maintain.

For me it is extremely early to already today say it is not possible due to cost/investments, lets say for instance the chassis ends up being 20% more expensive, but due to its construction 30% less work hour are needed in production (or at Morgan subcontractors). Some other cost might be saved in rust treatment,fittings…in the end also less (hopefully) warranty claims. All of which could be calculated into the total sum.

OK, I might sound optimistic about the future and about the power of product development but: I am happy to spend my daily working days in a very creative area. It is very often that product development teams get their products “killed” very late in the pd-process (due to function, design, market, competition or very often the too high cost of the product). But after returning to their creative chambers these teams very often come back with a better and more refined product fulfilling or even exceeding all expectations and with maybe up to 10-40% less cost of the product. I am always so amazed when this happens (at least once a month).

That’s the reason why I am so positive about the future and the coming generations of the trad – whatever it consists of under it’s wonderful regulations fulfilling shapes…that I hope will look very much like today.

But until then, let's enjoy our steel framed beauties /Tony, still a Mog-virgin, hope to have mine delivered beginning of May (rolled into the paintshop next week).

I know that feeling

How is the extras list coming along? I would think that if you send a copy of that photo and ask they would fit the Morgan script badge for you.

Thanks M3W, an interesting perspective on the issues and one that resonates with me.

How do you do research when you have to learn it from someone else?

CARBON FIBRE!!!!!

Oxford dictionary definition of research is "the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions".

Where in that does it say research has to be done by one individual? Ever heard of research partnerships??

Please do not selectively quote me.. I said Magnesium and Carbon Fibre.....