Non Morgan owner visits factory.
Discussion
I went to see the Morgan factory Yesterday.
Now, I've been keen on cars for 50 years, and I know what a Morgan is. However, until yesterday I didn't 'get it' in terms of 'Why?'
I knew that the Morgan Classic is hand made, has a steel chassis, ash frame, and an aluminium body. I didn't realise that they still had live rear ends, or sliding pillar front suspension. So I'm sort appalled by the technicalities, and start wondering just why do people buy these cars?
As I walk round on the 'do it yourself wander about' official factory tour, I see craftsmen actually fitting things together. Making the wooden frame fit onto the chassis by adjusting each bit until the fit is correct, then the same process is completed to make the aluminium panels fit unto the frame. The whole car is pieced together, not by robots working to dimensions, but by a person working to feel.
As I watched the cars being built, and appreciate the processes involved I began to understand. It isn't just the car, a Morgan is more thah the sum of its' parts, it's craftsmanship. It is a collection of all those hours that have gone into the making of it. There is a real pride in production, each car seems to be more than a chassis number, it just happens that this is one superb example of craftsmanship that you can also get in a drive - amazing, what does that feel like? That must give you such an amazing grin everytime a wheel turns.
I still think the Morgan Classic is very old fashioned, but that isn't the point. I understand them much more now.
Now, I've been keen on cars for 50 years, and I know what a Morgan is. However, until yesterday I didn't 'get it' in terms of 'Why?'
I knew that the Morgan Classic is hand made, has a steel chassis, ash frame, and an aluminium body. I didn't realise that they still had live rear ends, or sliding pillar front suspension. So I'm sort appalled by the technicalities, and start wondering just why do people buy these cars?
As I walk round on the 'do it yourself wander about' official factory tour, I see craftsmen actually fitting things together. Making the wooden frame fit onto the chassis by adjusting each bit until the fit is correct, then the same process is completed to make the aluminium panels fit unto the frame. The whole car is pieced together, not by robots working to dimensions, but by a person working to feel.
As I watched the cars being built, and appreciate the processes involved I began to understand. It isn't just the car, a Morgan is more thah the sum of its' parts, it's craftsmanship. It is a collection of all those hours that have gone into the making of it. There is a real pride in production, each car seems to be more than a chassis number, it just happens that this is one superb example of craftsmanship that you can also get in a drive - amazing, what does that feel like? That must give you such an amazing grin everytime a wheel turns.
I still think the Morgan Classic is very old fashioned, but that isn't the point. I understand them much more now.
I've put some pictures on Flikr:
www.flickr.com/photos/drawmer/sets/72157594199713315/
Please post if I've made any errors - you know the cars better than I do!
www.flickr.com/photos/drawmer/sets/72157594199713315/
Please post if I've made any errors - you know the cars better than I do!
Paul Drawmer said:
I went to see the Morgan factory Yesterday.
See here:-...
www.morgan-motors-cars.com/new.asp
Paul,
Yes, it is an old fashioned car in many ways but none of that seems to matter when you drive one. I drive my 1800 Zetec 4/4 all year round here in Scotland and love every minute of it. Prophets of Doom tried to put me off buying a Mog when I bought mine in 2000, mostly owners of fairly conventional modern roadsters. I can honestly say I have never regretted it and the Morgan Sports Car Club has added so much to the pleasure. You do have to know how to drive to get the most out of it as there is very little built in to help you but it's real fun learning. Something I didn't expect was the sheer number of folks who come up to you to talk about the car or who just wave as you pass by, quite amazing; there's something about a Mog that just engenders friendliness!
Lawrence
Yes, it is an old fashioned car in many ways but none of that seems to matter when you drive one. I drive my 1800 Zetec 4/4 all year round here in Scotland and love every minute of it. Prophets of Doom tried to put me off buying a Mog when I bought mine in 2000, mostly owners of fairly conventional modern roadsters. I can honestly say I have never regretted it and the Morgan Sports Car Club has added so much to the pleasure. You do have to know how to drive to get the most out of it as there is very little built in to help you but it's real fun learning. Something I didn't expect was the sheer number of folks who come up to you to talk about the car or who just wave as you pass by, quite amazing; there's something about a Mog that just engenders friendliness!
Lawrence
Paul Drawmer said:
I went to see the Morgan factory Yesterday....
... I understand them much more now.
... I understand them much more now.
Hi Paul
I had never hankered after a Morgan though I admired the Plus 8. I even thought the Aero was ugly when it first came out and having only seen it in photos.
However something kept drawing me back, and my wish for something slightly different and more exciting made me look at Morgan again.
I've had my Aero about 8 weeks now and I am still as excited as the first day when I get in to drive. It is just a surreal experience that makes me feel I may have an ever so slight link back to those 'Bounders' and 'Cads' driving their Jags and Bentleys in the 30's 40's and 50's - but with more power and modern facilities and reliability.
I really don't know how else to describe it!
Boshly
Wacky Racer: The photographic build history sounds like a bargain! That must be a real treasure to have with the car. A real pride of ownership thing. If I was having one built, I'd deffo go and see it 'in build' as well.
Boshly: The Aero 8 I find easier to understand, since it is not old fashioned in its' engineering, only in its' build values. There are two cars I really would like to place side by side, and that's the Morgan Aero 8 and the Weissman coupe. Very similar offerings, both with passion in the building.
What are the differences between a Mk1 and MK11 Aero 8? I saw at least three different exhaust treatments on them at the factory. Twin rear, Quad rear, and side pipes. If it was me, I'd probably be really childish about it. Many years ago I had a Sunbeam Tiger, I've never lost that wish for the V8 beat!
Boshly: The Aero 8 I find easier to understand, since it is not old fashioned in its' engineering, only in its' build values. There are two cars I really would like to place side by side, and that's the Morgan Aero 8 and the Weissman coupe. Very similar offerings, both with passion in the building.
What are the differences between a Mk1 and MK11 Aero 8? I saw at least three different exhaust treatments on them at the factory. Twin rear, Quad rear, and side pipes. If it was me, I'd probably be really childish about it. Many years ago I had a Sunbeam Tiger, I've never lost that wish for the V8 beat!
Paul Drawmer said:
Boshly: There are two cars I really would like to place side by side, and that's the Morgan Aero 8 and the Weissman coupe. ...
What are the differences between a Mk1 and MK11 Aero 8?
Funny you should say the Weisman as I tried to get a drive/look at one before the Aero. I have only just received a response from the British Agents who are still having problems with SVA. Will still go and view it but definitely wont be letting my Aero go for a long time yet.
The differences between the series 1 & 2 are not huge and mainly to do with US homologation. AFAIK body is 6" wider, twin airbags, ABS, different hood mechanism, full length dashboard and newer BMW engine with 333bhp as opposed to 286bhp. Present series 2 cars also have 'straightened' Mini headlights. Shame in my opinion. Like Gerard Derpadieu (sp?) having a nose job, would completely lose his character.
Twin exhaust is standard, Quad pipes is the spcrts box and side exit is 'what it says on the box'. Side exit must gc back to the factory after vehicle is registered as would fail drive by noise levels. I can vouch for that, it sounds fantastic
Andy
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