Talk Morgan Forums Thread Like Summary - CX Accidents and seats

I unfortunately wrote off my Plus Four CX last year and in the accident the back of the drivers seat collapsed into fully reclined position, giving me serious whiplash and back problems. I notified Margan about this and got the following reply
"Regarding your details about the Accident and Seat Belt; All Morgan Cars MUST pass very stringent safety homologation testing process before any new model is rolled out in to production. We shall pass on your comments and photographs to our Homologation Manager for their review."
Last week a good friend had a crash in his Plus Six and is in HDU in hospital with serious back and neck injuries. I dont know the details but suspect the drivers seat also let him down?
Has anyone else suffered similar problems with the drivers seat not holding up in a crash???

I've just bought a 3 year old car, with no airbags, no traction control, a wooden steering wheel, a wood covered dash., Lots of hard surfaces and protrusions................a Mercedes R107 I had over 30 odd years ago, probably offered more crash and roll over protection. My Porsche 930 turbo cabriolet was very much of the same ilke, and they were known for throwing you backwards into hedgerows without much provocation and people still queued up to buy them

If you have any concerns which is understandable then don't buy a Morgan. I'm sure Morgan is improving the safety of it's car builds, but at the same time they are putting more powerful engines and raising the performance envelope, which most likely going to get more people into trouble. Even some of the safest cars in the world, do have their inherent weaknesses, electric and exotic brands of performance cars, have more than their fair share of fires etc.

I had a guy wanting to buy my 59 4/4, wanted something to take the grandkids out on and wasn't happy that it didn't have seatbelts, needless to say I suggested the car wasn't for him. These cars are not like modern cars with all the crash protection, they never will be, and that's why we like them.

If you are concerned about modern state of the art safety, a Porsche Boxster may be a better choice for the family, gives the open air experience and is a similar price. Just because it doesn't suit your choices, doesn't mean others will be. concerned.

For me, I ride motorcycles, as well as drive my alternative cars, I don't think Morgan has anything to worry about, just like Caterham, if you want modern safety, buy a modern mass market car, my Tesla is very crash safe, and my kids love it, but it is not a Morgan.

Genuinly sorry to hear about the OP's accident.

Acouple of us were discussing cars a while back. The addition of driver aids came up. Yes, some are superb but others might give a sense of " the car will save me" leading to poor driving. Add in the myriad infotainment and other distractions.
I don't think MMC have major issues as the design process is so much better these days. Add in the manufacturing improvements and doing recalls when necessary are vast steps forward from the " old days".
When you buy a car you look at what it is and decide yes/no on your needs and concerns. A 4-seater? B****y h**l.....rear passenger safety? No wonder they were dropped! An idea.....remove the rear seats, clamshell cover and 2-seater hood.
Want a safe-ish car? Look to Volvo, avoid soft-top.

Very sad to hear of the P6 incident last week. I know the road and I know the driver.

While there is a difference between poor driving and a vehicle’s poor response to circumstances beyond the driver’s control, the outcome may be similar.

Examples of the latter are many and could include an unprovoked rapid downshift, sudden front tyre deflation, a large animal darting into the road, sudden loss of headlights on an unlit road at night or engine rev hang. All could be completely unexpected and at best may give the driver a fright or at worst may be game over.

I wish the driver a full recovery in time and hope the cause of this incident becomes a catalyst for appropriate safety improvements going forward.

To be perfectly honest if anyone is risk averse any MMC product is definitely not for you, we are all grown up's and take our decision to further our enjoyment of life with enriching adventures with friends but it's not for all of course.

Some maybe safer wrapped up in a lovely Polestar instead and good for them it is their choice of a very nicely constructed car..

Chris,

Most of those unfortunate circumstances you describe could happen to anyone at any time and irrespective of what car you were driving, could lead to serious consequences. Certainly, open top cars are more exposed/prone,. as they tend to lack the same structural rigidity of a closed car and literally don't have the potential added protection of a metal roof to protect the occupants.especially if they flip.the car.

There is a risk every time you drive any car no matter what car it is and having said that, just living can present it's own risks. One of Sue's Uncles (In Dublin) was killed .waiting at a bus stop, when the bus for some unknown reason mounted the pavement and demolished the bus shelter killing and injuring those waiting for it.

Add in the driver variable. It is easy to over estimate skill and ability. When the P6 was introduced there weresome crashes on test drives.
Get into a new car for a test.
Heavy right foot before you have learned how the car reacts = scary moment/crash.
I wondered if this was the case in those early tests. The car is advertised as one that has Performance( capital P). The " lets give it a go" mentality sets in too soon? Foot down and lost control is then easy.
I was taught to be careful and only do a foot down in straight lineson a good road. Even then progressive to see response.
I moved from a 1993 4/4 to a 2002 Plus8. Test drive was gentle, foot down in higher gear then in lower gears. Impressive! I bought the car and spent some miles getting familiar. Easy to kick the rear out so that limit was a key learning point. 3k revs in 3rd gear and the car came alive, it felt like the car was saying " thank you".
Same with the Plus Four. Test 1 in a manual car,some gently right foot stuff then heavier on a good road. Tested an auto and went for it. Over 19k miles I've learned normal mode and Sport mode. Tried Sport+ but it's not needed. OK for a track but never tested. Sport is handy for overtakes as it gets done easier and safer PROVIDED the right foot has been educated and conditions are ok.
It's a soft top, no roll bars so flip means serious consequences.
The mindset is important. Driving on the limit is for racing. Yes, on public roads you can get a move on but common sense must prevail.