Why can't I bring a Morgan to America??

Why can't I bring a Morgan to America??

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Petrus1983

Original Poster:

9,825 posts

169 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
Quite simple really, there are Morgans here in the States so at some point they must have been approved, but getting your hands on a non 3-wheeler is now impossible. Is my information correct, if not does anyone have a contact in the Morgan world that could help? Thanks.

Stu R

21,410 posts

222 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
Fat chance unless Morgan bring them up to federal standards and stump up the chunky amount needed to get them federalized I'm afraid. The fact they haven't suggests it's either not economically viable (I've a hard time believing they wouldn't sell enough), or, more likely it'd require substantial changes to get through the crash regs etc (the aero 8 got in by the skin of it's teeth by being granted exceptions for some of the crash regs).

There's something airbag related that poses a big barrier too with NHTSA too that's made importing older ones bye on impossible.

Edited by Stu R on Thursday 14th August 05:18

sawman

4,963 posts

237 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
You could try asking morgan themselves. but the current new cars are not federalised as far as I know

Alternatively have a snoop about on the talkmorgan forum.

Also the morgan sports car club have an email webserver discussion group,(check out the MSCC website) which you could subscribe to to post your question, someone there will know the answer, there are quite a number of US based owners

Petrus1983

Original Poster:

9,825 posts

169 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. There are Morgans here but all older ones, I had been told there was no availability in America for newer models but was just seeing if there was a reason. The certification issue makes sense.

asbojohn

234 posts

205 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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I believe that some of the modern Morgans have got into the states under the "show and shine' exemption (think that's what it's called) where they can be used for limited a mileage. I also seem to recall that a certain Simon Cowel had a Supersports in the US.

What are you looking for and have you asked Sony of the American Morgan clubs. If you're serious it might be worth asking on www.talkmorgan.com where you'll find a few owners from the US who maybe able to help.

NNH

1,543 posts

139 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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The EPA allows cars in if they are more than 25 years old, which is "modern" by Morgan standards. Would a 1989 Plus Eight suit you?

ETA: Except in California, which only allows in pre-1976 cars

huwp

833 posts

182 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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How do Caterham manage?

NNH

1,543 posts

139 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
huwp said:
How do Caterham manage?
Noble do it by importing the rolling chassis, and allowing you to bolt in your own engine. Not sure if Caterham are the same.

AeroMan

601 posts

252 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
NNH said:
huwp said:
How do Caterham manage?
Noble do it by importing the rolling chassis, and allowing you to bolt in your own engine. Not sure if Caterham are the same.
Morgan West were doing something similar with Morgan Roadsters, which have the Mustang 3.7L cyclone engine. I believe it was called the Roadster '65, but I don't know if they are still doing it? Why don't you speak to Denis Glavis at www.morganwest.net to find out the current position as you may be able to have a new Roadster!

HTH

Aeroman