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Update time!

Finally after a very busy start to the year, I got some time on saturday (and weather to match!) to give the GTN some attention, first of all got it uncovered and woken up from its slumber. Which did require a few extra volts on the battery to awaken the evil, perhaps the battery is the starting issue I am having.



Once outside I gave the wheels a proper clean and inspection, and like everything on this car was pleasantly suprised.

I then gave the underneath a good going over and a wash/rinse, it has (as was described) been undersealed from new which is very rare (was told it was the only one done), so everything looks lovely and brilliantly protected but covered with underseal.
So now the decision of whether to dry-ice it (safely removes dirt and underseal without even touching things like stickers!) or to leave it as-is. It looks so clean underneath I must admit I am tempted to get it all cleaned up, that or I could leave the underseal and just clean all the ancillary components - will ponder this one as I don't want to make it concours, but I don't think it would take much effort to get it 95% there (slippery slope).

Another great stroke of luck is all the places that do not have PPF on have a thick layer of underseal, which looks to have protected all the paint under the car, which is fantastic news as I eventually want to get the entire car PPF'ed to protect it.



Finally I put some protective overmats in place (the original floor mats with the leather etched Morgan logos are unused and I can't bring myself to ruin them ), then at last.. I got to take it for a first drive!



I only did about 15 miles but had a blast, absolutely brilliant. For those who asked everything felt very familiar to my old S1 but somehow tighter and more positive (probably down to the miles, being the last S1 - compared the one of the first, and being a GTN), less transmission shunt was noticeable, and generally less mechanical/suspension noise, things like the fuel pump being quieter than any Aero I have been in before so overall it felt very solid. It has a short-shift from standard which felt nice, the only small issue I found was the indicators are not self-cancelling, so that will need looking into as its confusing enough to motorists when they see it.

The brakes are very much typical S1, you forget just how much effort you need to put into the pedal - which after a few months away always gives you a slight wake up call until you give it the pressure required! Don't get me wrong they work well, but you need to be hard on the pedal to get the best out of them. Good job I have started back at the gym..

Handling wise it felt planted though I was far from pushing it, certainly better than any other Aero I have driven, again very special.

Then the best thing... the noise, it is bonkers. I cannot believe how visceral and angry it sounds compared to my old car, the combination of the Alpina engine and the side-exits are truly brutal. At full chat it is reminiscant of a flame spitting racing car with the pops and bangs, certainly a very different and angry animal. Very much like a track/racing special (which I suppose it is) whereas my old S1 felt more laid back and relaxed. It is also far louder, deafening in fact. It has more performance as well although I was being very cautious so will explore this another day (with ear defenders).

Cruising at low speed it sounds evil and brings an evil grin to your face, and I think everyone you drive past (who isn't deafened).

So next plans are to get a proper set of spare floor mats made, get the glovebox foam replaced - and then decide what to clean up and polish.
Then before having the PPF applied I will have all the paint inspected and any minor defects corrected. Although some of that may need to wait till next year, as I really do want to get out and drive it now!