The Morgan factory in 1998 (and the plus 8 I bought)
Discussion
As a long time British sports car enthusiast, one of the cars I was always determined to own from an early age was a Morgan 2 seater sports. So, in 1993, I placed a deposit with McDonald racing in Durham (£250 if I recall correctly) and began the 5 year wait as it was at the time.
Fast forward to 1998 and my name had begun to approach the top of the list. I'd actually been offered a car after I'd only been waiting about 2 years but it was someone elses spec and colour and I remember thinking I'd prefer to wait and get exactly what I wanted. As part of the final ordering process customers were encouraged to contact the Morgan factory at Malvern Link and arrange to go down to see various cars, drive a demo or two and generally get the idea of what final spec you'd like. So, around Spring of 1998, that's what I did and whilst there, I took some photographs which I thought I'd share. Apologies in advance for the quality of the photos, I only had a 35mm at the time so these have been scanned and uploaded.
Bodywork under construction:
Partially finished Plus 8:
Same Plus 8 from the rear with a machine used to roll the metal used to make bonnets seen behind:
New engines awaiting installation:
An 18'' centre lock alloy wheel (part of my final spec) on a plus 8 with a leather reclining seat in front of the car:
A freshly painted Plus 8 just wheeled out of the paint booth:
Peter Morgan's car MMC11:
Interior shot of a RHD Plus 8 with the recently available Passenger airbag fitted. IIRC this was a horrendously expensive option at the time (£1000?):
The works demonstrator 4.6litre Plus 8 just before I took it for a test drive:
Almost complete new cars undergoing final detailing:
A very enjoyable day out it was too. At that time visitors could wander freely around the factory, photograph cars being made and chat to the staff. I met Charles Morgan on the day and he seemed pleased to chat to me for a few minutes about the cars and pointed out a couple of useful options to consider. So armed with all this info I went home and drew up my final spec which was a 3.9 litre plus 8, brg with red leather and red wing piping, walnut dash, 18'' centre lock alloys, mohair hood and tonneau (much nicer than the std plastic), clock, maplight and a few other things I can't remember. The car arrived that August and what a beauty she was (see below) I had to sell her after a couple of years to pay for a house move but I will always regret selling this one. Never mind though, I'm happy with what I've got now
I hope you enjoyed the pictures.
Mark.
Fast forward to 1998 and my name had begun to approach the top of the list. I'd actually been offered a car after I'd only been waiting about 2 years but it was someone elses spec and colour and I remember thinking I'd prefer to wait and get exactly what I wanted. As part of the final ordering process customers were encouraged to contact the Morgan factory at Malvern Link and arrange to go down to see various cars, drive a demo or two and generally get the idea of what final spec you'd like. So, around Spring of 1998, that's what I did and whilst there, I took some photographs which I thought I'd share. Apologies in advance for the quality of the photos, I only had a 35mm at the time so these have been scanned and uploaded.
Bodywork under construction:
Partially finished Plus 8:
Same Plus 8 from the rear with a machine used to roll the metal used to make bonnets seen behind:
New engines awaiting installation:
An 18'' centre lock alloy wheel (part of my final spec) on a plus 8 with a leather reclining seat in front of the car:
A freshly painted Plus 8 just wheeled out of the paint booth:
Peter Morgan's car MMC11:
Interior shot of a RHD Plus 8 with the recently available Passenger airbag fitted. IIRC this was a horrendously expensive option at the time (£1000?):
The works demonstrator 4.6litre Plus 8 just before I took it for a test drive:
Almost complete new cars undergoing final detailing:
A very enjoyable day out it was too. At that time visitors could wander freely around the factory, photograph cars being made and chat to the staff. I met Charles Morgan on the day and he seemed pleased to chat to me for a few minutes about the cars and pointed out a couple of useful options to consider. So armed with all this info I went home and drew up my final spec which was a 3.9 litre plus 8, brg with red leather and red wing piping, walnut dash, 18'' centre lock alloys, mohair hood and tonneau (much nicer than the std plastic), clock, maplight and a few other things I can't remember. The car arrived that August and what a beauty she was (see below) I had to sell her after a couple of years to pay for a house move but I will always regret selling this one. Never mind though, I'm happy with what I've got now
I hope you enjoyed the pictures.Mark.
Great pictures. Not that much has changed really, and a visit is always well worthwhile.
I was lucky enough to visit TVR and MG in the late seventies. MG was all bustle and mass production. No photos were allowed. We had a few ladies in our group, and wolf whistles followed us all the way round. A significant number of completed cars had to go to rectification for either mechanical or paint work. The thing which I recall the most is the chap who put a gallon of fuel in the tank, then cranked the engine until it fired. This seemed to take a while. Then the new MG was driven off the elevated track, bounced onto the floor and was driven immediately onto a rolling road where it was accelerated through the gears up to 70mph, and held there for a minute or so to see if anything gave way.
TVR was very different. Tiny production numbers. The wedges were in production then, and the bodies fresh from the moulds were very rough. They were using drums of filler to smooth out the lines, and the factory stunk of resin. No photos were allowed there either. It was much more relaxed than MG.
Morgan is somewhere in between in terms of activity and numbers. Photos are still allowed, and the whole process is fascinating...........
I was lucky enough to visit TVR and MG in the late seventies. MG was all bustle and mass production. No photos were allowed. We had a few ladies in our group, and wolf whistles followed us all the way round. A significant number of completed cars had to go to rectification for either mechanical or paint work. The thing which I recall the most is the chap who put a gallon of fuel in the tank, then cranked the engine until it fired. This seemed to take a while. Then the new MG was driven off the elevated track, bounced onto the floor and was driven immediately onto a rolling road where it was accelerated through the gears up to 70mph, and held there for a minute or so to see if anything gave way.
TVR was very different. Tiny production numbers. The wedges were in production then, and the bodies fresh from the moulds were very rough. They were using drums of filler to smooth out the lines, and the factory stunk of resin. No photos were allowed there either. It was much more relaxed than MG.
Morgan is somewhere in between in terms of activity and numbers. Photos are still allowed, and the whole process is fascinating...........
Nice thread and pictures...
The factory had hardly changed when I bought my last Morgan in 2006:-
... Since the time I bought my previous one, a new plus 8 way back in 1973, except for the addition of an ultra modern paint shop.
They now have a visitor centre/shop, but basically much the same.
Fantastic British success story.
The factory had hardly changed when I bought my last Morgan in 2006:-
... Since the time I bought my previous one, a new plus 8 way back in 1973, except for the addition of an ultra modern paint shop.
They now have a visitor centre/shop, but basically much the same.
Fantastic British success story.
I visited the Factory yesterday (23/08/11) It was a most enjoyable 2 hrs.
It was just as I had imagined, very labour intensive with a great deal of enthusiasm by the crafts people involved.
Morgan must be one of the few British employers who celebrate the craft and skill of their employees.
I would love to order one of the new three wheelers, they look like great fun!
It was just as I had imagined, very labour intensive with a great deal of enthusiasm by the crafts people involved.
Morgan must be one of the few British employers who celebrate the craft and skill of their employees.
I would love to order one of the new three wheelers, they look like great fun!
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