Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Non-starting Roadster 3.7

dear Ian.

And now: just E N J O Y !!!!

(you´ll soon "detect" what beast is sleeping under your bonnet - believe me! )

I had stainless wires on the last Roadster & I have to say they win hands down on the visual side, but I always felt that they were less controllable because of the weight. I can't remember the size but I think they were the same as the alloys. I seem remember reading somewhere that there was a lot more the a couple of pounds difference between the stainless wires & the alloys. Anyone got any details?
But the wires did look pretty...

The sun's shining, it's warm, I'm just about to hit the road!
Ian

I was told 'half as much again' in terms of weight... they don't bounce over undulations quite as well as the alloys. But, as you say, the look is great. As this will be my first Morgan, I want to go the whole hog!

Enjoy your drive today.

I did much the same with my last Roadster. I first bought a Runabout, just to see if I got on with Morgans. Within a couple of weeks I was banging on the dealer's door telling him to order me a new Roadster & like you, I went for pretty much everything. Having been forced to replace that one, I had the chance to re-consider the options. I kept the same colour & trim but changed a few things such as mohair instead of neverflex and of course, the wheels. I have to say that was the hardest decision! Looks or drive-ability
So far, although I miss the wires (although not the cleaning!) I think it was the right choice.
Ian

I'm sure you made absolutely the right decision on the wheels, as I say, I was strongly advised by a Morgan race driver (and race winner) to go for alloys. Which I ignored of course.

I may, despite the cost, swap for alloys at a later date. I need to get a drive in an 'alloy' car once I've become familiar with mine.

Did you drive today? Wonderful weather for a Morgan.

Oh, yes! Anyway, it takes more than a bit of weather to stop me

You can't easily swap from wires to alloys or vice versa, the hubs are different, splined for wires and 5 stud for alloys also the width of front wings and rear arches is trimmed to suit the wheels.

Unless you can locate some of those rare Plus 8 alloy knock-ons..........

I wasn't interested enough when the Plus8 first came on the scene with alloys, but I bet the old Mogboys didn't think much to them. By the early seventies, alloys were on the up, so it probably seemed fashionable. MGB's didn't get alloys until late on in '79. The V8 wheel (Dunlop) was a composite with alloy centre and steel rim.

Dunlop MG V8 wheels are probably rarer than centre lock +8 alloys. if you spec a Roadster with alloys you need to consider your choice of body colour, red looks best not so sure about silver alloys with sand. Cars with wires are easier to sell second hand, many buyers won't consider a car with alloys - they just don't know what they're missing