Ah, Jack behind the wheel of a proper Morgan (Morgan owner for 50 years here). Your smile at the end says it all. Your comments about handling are very interesting. Many of us in the US are more familiar with Morgans from the 50s and 60s, with four cylinder Ford or Triumph power. Those cars are very well balanced, and easily transition from understeer to mild oversteer (sitting in the car with your posterior so close to the rear axle helps!).
New cars of today will be old cars of the future, and with time, they will age and gain character. This logic can be applied to any time period to shit on contemporary cars and glorify old cars for no good reason frankly. I love old cars as much as the next person, but don't foolishly glorify them.
@@hiepphambui3941they are made to lack character, it's because it must sell to everyone, that's why almost only black or white car are sold. And car design as stayed still since the 2000s so you can understand why we are bored.
@@puebespuebes8589 who's "we" here, don't lump people into your argument to support it. I know nothing about car design but I can tell you a car from the 2000's does not look like a car from the early 2020's. And I have no problem with cars being utilitarian. It just happens that they can also be really cool and fun. But unlike music, cars have an utilitarian purpose first, and their enjoyment purpose is second.
@@jackaubrey8614 nah that's just a lie. Unless you grew up between 1890 and the dawm of the Ford Model T, it has always been about utility. Enjoy cars but don't lie to yourself about what they really are. Just look at the sales number of Toyota Corolla and Camry vs Toyota's turbocharged fun cars throughout the years. Stop crying, face up to the fact.
Wow, that view out over the bonnet! Just lovely. And the sound from that engine!!! Sadly, because of local regulations Morgan cars are no longer available new in Australia. According to the Australian Morgan cars website, the last classic Morgan was sold here in December 2020 and the last three-wheelers were sold here in 2021. It's all a bit silly because even the least safe Morgan is still safer than a motorcycle, and they're still sold new here. Anyway, great video, great car. Thanks.
You really need to try a car with none of these modifications. The steering is not that heavy, the suspension works quite well and the whole experience is more co-ordinated.I waited seven years for my first Morgan!
I agree, even if I have a relatively young Morgan from 2014, a small nicely balanced 4/4 I changed nothing at the suspension in principle. I only got the right spring rates from Peter Mulberry. With some mild reprogramming of the engine ECU plus a sports manifold she has 145 HP on 790 Kg. I like her much more than my 3.0 litres Roadster before her.
Been my dream car - the Plus 4 Since i was 16. £848 was how much i didn't have at the time. The closest i ever got to buying one was in 1976 when, with the imminent arrival of son number 2, the Spitfire had to go and something with four seats replace it. There was a three year old four seater in BRG and i don't know why but sense kicked in and a new Citroen Dyana - in a much wilder shade of green, was purchased and turned out to be and amazing car. Still Morganless and approaching my 70th birthday a couple of years ago, i suggested that my many Facebook friends could fundraise even though FB would not recognise the gift as a charity. A few days before my birthday, a very good friend said he had a birthday present and brought me to see a beautiful Plus 8 and said happy birthday. Brought tears to my eyes. Two years on, we've travelled many miles together - open top and quite comfortably too. Running costs - zero. Me behind the wheel and my bright red 1/43 scale moggie in the storage compartment beneath the armrest of my '07 Megane Cabriolet.
I went on an organised trip to their factory a few years ago. What a wonderful experience! The beautiful smell of wood and hand beaten panels over wooden bucks. Really skilled dedicated craftsmen, and to top off the whole day, warm scones and jam in the canteen. No wonder they have a two year waiting list!!
I can't help but love Morgan on principle. Can you imagine the smile on someone's face driving one of the first Morgans against their rivals at the time? The fact they are this beloved now tells me this is more than just a vintage throwback. I've not had the opportunity to drive one myself, but I suspect they are much like a Porsche in that they shouldn't work today as well as they do, but honestly, they just do.
Nice video , the Morgan grows on you , I found one & shipped it here to Hawaii for a friend of mine who loves it , it's a 1964 plus 4 with the 1500 Triumph lump , my first drive was 100 miles from Hilo port to Kona & I was smitten , the balance of the 1500 with the chassis is perfect in my opinion , we have a lot of windy , hilly roads here & the Mog eats them up . As my friend is 94 years old , yes 94 , he drives with more restraint but drives it every weekend , his family have said he is a changed man & really loves his old Morgan . I made a few mods , live put in a traditional emergency brake between the seats , easier on hill starts , other than that it is perfectly standard. Thanks for the video & I'm glad this Mog grew on you .
The US version brought in by Isis Imports was purely propane. There was no provision for gasoline. The propane tank replaced the gasoline tank. The fuel line ran up to a pressure regulator, thence to the carb, which was adapted to use propane. It made the tailpipe emissions much cleaner though it cut into the distance one could drive before refueling. On the other hand, it was reported in the car magazines that spark plugs lasted far longer and even the engine oil stayed clean for many extra thousands of miles. As if practicality entered into the equation at any point.
I think it was John Harvey Jones who helped get Morgan back on track sometime in the 90's. He wasn't trying to reinvent the design but did change some working practices. I wouldn't want the design changed too much anyway, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.I did think you would like the car more as you drove it, it's one of those sort of cars. Thanks Jack for a good review.👍👍
I recall watching the BBC Troubleshooter program that featured Morgan. On watching it, I was left with an impression that the Morgan Company was doomed to fail if it continued to produce the 'same car in the old fashioned manner' . It's rather ironic that its one of the few truly British manufactures that's still producing cars that are in demand and truly unique.
I think the Morgan factory episode was the one where JHJ was frustrated, perhaps because he missed the point. They make their money from producing a quirky, anachronistic, handmade car. Far better to have a sellers market, with guaranteed work for the foreseeable future, and workers with secure employment. I think he must have succeeded to a certain extent, as they have increased production by about 7 cars per week, in the thirty plus years since the programme was made. Their waiting lists have decreased to less than a year, and that is something they need to keep an eye on. When it gets too low, production has to decrease at some point, so hopefully they’ve found a happy medium.
Jack, your extensive experience with driving, handling, and assessing the qualities of a wide variety of vehicles ALWAYS makes for very informative & entertaining presentations. It becomes sublime when a little bit of the school boy enthusiasm sneaks out.
@Number 27 // I learn from all of the car auto type presenters and individual auto topics. You are in the top 3 of regulars in terms of enjoyment. Leno is cool, but he has 100s of cars, staff, his machine shop, & sophisticated vendors at his disposal. There is Big Car and, & Ed's Auto History. The wind in your hair & seat of the pants driving experience is conveyed well to your audience. Just a perspective by an old guy from Detroit & motorsports fan.
I have that motor in my 3,800 pound 205 inch long 2018 Taurus. It certainly has guts and likes to rev. In that comparatively light Morgan body it must no doubt move with authority.
I am always stunned by the sheer beauty of that car. Its just so perfect. I feel the same about the Jaguar XKE. I am so glad that I was around when these cars were made and I got to enjoy them. Thanks for the thoughtful review Jack.
Back in the seventies I owned a few odd-ball cars, as we called them in the States. A 1962 Corvair Spyder convertible. A 1956 Small Mouth TR3. And a 1968 Fiat 124 Estate which wasn't really that odd but I never saw another one the whole time I owned it. Come to think of it, I never saw another of the other cars while I owned them, either. But I always wanted a Morgan. That, and a Lotus 7.
@@silvermane1741 True. Not in Great Britain. But over here they're rarer than hen's teeth. I've only seen them at The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Never driven on the street.
That engine, from about 3k rpm up, sounded gorgeous! Looking at Wikipedia, I found the following: - Engine - 3.7 V6 Cyclone produces 280hp @ 6,000 and 280lb⋅ft @ 4,500 - Weight (curb and depending on spec) = 940kg 280hp in a 940kg car - fantastic!! And from this video, it sounds like, if you install a quicker steering rack and address the clutch feel, this car would be even better! Not bad for a car built in a 109 year old shed! Honestly - search for the Morgan Motor Company production facility!
Ah, Jack...Another great video that brought back memories. Back in the day, I had a cobbled together Morgan 4/4 that had the lightweight panels of a Super Sport plus a breathed-upon 1800cc version of the Ford Kent engine. Had a forged crank and rods and an alloy head (Holbay if my memory still works) with two 40DCOE Webers and a good cam. Gearbox was out of a Cortina GT, and was a vast upgrade from the TR unit; to this day, it had the shortest throws I've ever experienced. Anyhow, this thing had been assembled by Lew Spencer, who'd won an SCCA national championship in a Plus 4 Super Sport. His homebuilt was lighter and had about 40 more horsepower. Up to about 80 it would stay with an E-type...after that, the dreaded aerodynamics kicked in! Of course, the car displayed decidedly 1930s handling and stiff was not an operative term for the chassis. But it was fun on a sunny day. And it HAD to be a sunny day, as the car had no side curtains, no top and no heater. It was like a racer on the street...but it would really sneak up on the unaware. Spencer had been trying to convince Morgan to make a production version of this thing, but Morgan at that time was overwhelmed with various government regulations and the demise of the TR powertrain, so nothing happened. I always wondered why they didn't make a version with the 2.0 litre TR 6-cylinder and its lovely gearbox. That would have been economically feasible and would have been a delight to drive.
Sounds like great fun! The Kent-engines are easy and relatively inexpensive to spice up! Regarding the TR6-engine, I believe the engine bay didn't have room for a straight six engine at all, and they didn't have economy to reconstruct the chassis/body. I bet the people at Morgan were relieved when they discovered the Rover V8.
When I recall it right there must exist a one of with a BMW 2.5 straight 6 from the 1990s, a private swap of the engine, not MMC. There was a thread on TalkMorgan some years back.
Oddly, leaf springs at the rear are not altogether a bad thing. My wife has a natty 1961 Italian roadster that has a leaf-sprung rear. These days, Morgan is more of a pastiche than it was decade or so ago, but it still makes swift, enjoyable cars. You are quite right about the view over the bonnet. And it feels very special having your arse so close to the rear axle and so far from the front ....
Nice video: glad you learned to love the Morgan a little more as time went along. The old "Edwardian Bedstead" chassis may be primitive, but it performs far better than it has any right to. And they're better without modification - especially electric PAS. On a decent surface they handle sublimely, corner flat and never fail to evoke a smile! As I've just learnt to my cost however - they don't get on well with the modern curse of our time - the Great British Pothole! 😖
Nice review. I had a 2011 Plus 4, and upgraded suspension front and rear. Also replaced the manifold and exhaust system, and got the ECU remapped. Ended up as a great fun car which cornered brilliantly, with a bit more horsepower, and usable torque from lower in the rev range.
8:25 "suddenly switch to oversteer"!! Well, Cruella Deville's car in "101 Dalmations" was said to be based on the Morgan, and if you remember the way she drove, there was plenty of both understeer and oversteer, so it seems fitting that Disney chose the Morgan for her.
In 1974 I had a 4+4 for 7 years. I waited 2 years for it to arrive. It took me 10,000 miles to learn how to drive it. But looking along those louvres was just terrific. There was a long tunnel near where I lived & i used to go through fairly fast & double de clutch down the gear box as I went through & the sound was fantastic.
I would have to disconnect the turn signal beeping. It's like one of those musical birthday joke cards that don't stop. But these Morgan's have a romantic charm that's very hard to resist. Great video Jack!
Thanks, I really enjoyed doing the factory tour, still very inefficient all on different levels etc, but the end product remains true to what was British 50 years ago. I remember the Troubleshooter with Harvey Jones, but they have improved, but not a car for me.
I had a 1998 Plus 4. Which rattled my fillings out. Changed to a 3.7l Brooklands Roadster with SSL suspension front and rear, power steering, factory sports exhaust. Obviously huge difference. The torque mean that I spend 80% of my time in third on country lanes. Keep the tyres, religiously, at 22psi. Harsh clutch? Remove the return spring and enjoy the difference.
I rented one for a week from Wykhams sp? in London 15 years ago. Loved it had a blast. People smiled and waved at me. Even took it to the factory to do the tour. I particularly remember how hot the receptionist was. Car line was fun too, told not to talk to or bother the guys on the line. That ended quickly, they all wanted to talk.
Love these cars because there is a rare thing going on here with the customer and the manufacturer its loyalty and trust, loyalty that the customer will stick by the company and that the customer trust the company to stick with the design. excellent video
I like the fact that it has a genuine heritage while at the same time it has the power to match modern driving. The fact that it is the original design and not just something pretending to be retro makes the lack of dynamics completely forgivable.
I didn’t get Morgan at all - until I did the factory tour. Seeing these beautiful cars being hand fettled by craftsmen really changes your perspective on them. They are utterly gorgeous things! I’d love to drive one (which you can do - Morgan hire out both 3 and 4 wheelers for days and weekends). If I ever had the opportunity to buy one, I would. So much more exclusive than just about anything else - who else offers hand-made bespoke cars, built by craftsmen these days?
I believe that has a diaphragm clutch. I had a 1970’s Chevy Nova with one. It felt very odd as you let the clutch out but was very easy to hold the pedal to the floor.
A diaphram clutch is used in the vast majority of vehicles that employ a manual gearbox - so nothing unusual. I'd say that the clutch pressure plate may need to be replaced if it's acting up.
Yes the clutch needs a bit of extra care…but there is another detail which plays into this…the throttle pedal is very sensitive in its zero position. So the slightest pressure on the throttle pedal keeps the revs apparently “hanging” at gear up-changes. But in fact it’s just responding to a bit of throttle.
My 4/4 series V was built in 1963 and has required some modification such as 5 speed Transit transmission and other relatively easy upgrades to bring it up to contemporary freeway standards. Easly will go where ever is needed with gusto.( If that is the right word)
The Ford 3.7 was also used in the Mustang. They can be made to sound a little meaner with some proper pipes and an engine tune. They can sound insane… if that’s the way ya want!😂😂
Sorry to see Morgan not using Coventry climax fire pump engine. Those engines designed to rev all day long! I know Morgan's used to offer 3 different engines for their roadsters. Hope the Ford is as peppy as Coventry. Enjoy!
Running an engine on propane is a HUGE advantage. It sells for the equivalent of $2/gallon gasoline, runs much cleaner, was readily available during the gasoline embargoes, and has a higher octane rating.
Why on earth would you get a Morgan and then muck about with the suspension? I'm perfectly sure that after all these years the factory has got it right. What a wonderful car.
I always fancied these Plus 8 Morgan as a teenager in the early eighties when the costs in Germany between it and a Porsche 911 SC were nearly equal the Morgan was 59800 DEM and the 911 was 63.000 although Morgan had 157 bhp versus 188 bhp for the 3.0 911 SC in 1979.
I had a '59 4-seater in '68. It had the TR4 four, a tunnel to fit the space between the clutch and the Jaguar transmission, and a Volvo rear end. To remove the engine to change the clutch one needed to saw through the frame. I wonder if the bodies are still framed in ash. . . .
On my list. I would like to own the latest Morgan. Ideal garage, Morgan, Lotus Elise (no forced induction) and a Porsche Boxster 4Lt., a Toyota Ute, BMW Tourer and Bentley Continental GT oh of course a Lexus LFA. Thanks for the video Jack. It was good to see you smile.
I live on an island with ridiculously winding roads, I approve of this car though its the wrong-side driving for me, it is a beautiful car and a great video folks! Cheers from PNW Canada!
There is a 1959 Morgan 4/4 for sale at my work (in Rouen in Normandy), these Series II (which were the first with that body style), started with a Ford 100E engine, a 1.1L flathead 4 cylinder making a whopping, 35hp. If you wanted, you could get the upgraded Aquaplane version (which this 59 has) with dual SU carbs for 5 extra horsepower. It's very interesting to compare the very early ones to the newer ones, they're not very different. The steering wheel is huge, and very close to the dashboard, a couple inches at most. You can't drive it if you have big hands.
Developing the basic running gear and chassis of the Morgan would of course destroy the whole point of buying a Morgan! Apart from very frustrating government legislation, Morgan have done a miraculous job of preserving the whole Morgan experience. Very proud that they are truly British designed cars 🇬🇧
The sliding pillar suspension is lighter, far lighter, than double wishbone, so you shouldn't be surprised by how well it works…over bumps. It works great, in a straight line, but the tires suffer during body roll, so it doesn't do so well when cornering… And the pillars will wear, so before it was refreshed, that thing was probly scary, since loose toe would be making steering very sloppy.
What can you say about this car beyond it's fun to drive! It doesn't handle nearly as well as a modern car, it's not particularly well made ( the front mudguards still don't match!), and don't get caught in the rain! But yeah, how fast do you really drive most of the time, (15- 25 mph over posted in the twisties, 100, 120 tops in the sweepers?). It certainly delivers the joy!
I must admit I'm torn. There's something completely lovely about the smell and feeling of an old school petrol engine with side draft carbs. There's also something lovely about a car that works properly when you turn the key.
What did you think of the seat , seemed quite short of leg support ? Potentially not that comfortable? Or do you not notice after a while …if you can recall ?
All I think of when I see a Morgan is Toad from Toad hall😂 I'm sure he drove a Morgan 😂 ...... The Morgan isn't my cup of tea but I enjoyed watching as always Jack buddy,👍
Morgan slogan should be "if it isn't broke why fix it" l an glad Morgan are still going because they still build them as they did many years ago except for the engine as long as they keep building the same life is good
drove my dad's morgan for the first time at easter, it has sliding pillar suspension, + it was built in 1935. it has wire wheels as well, but only 3...
The Ford 3.7 V6 is a good engine and very reliable. Having said that, it needs a proper exhaust system to bring out the sound. In the Mustang, it puts out 306 hp.
Buying a Morgan, to me is sort of like purchasing a Mona Lisa Painting. I could just sit down with a beer or coffee and just admire its looks. I'm thinking the steering would have probably been a lot better with a Rack and Pinion, of what the old MG's and Jaguars had.
I have seen a Morgan with a 3.6 litre Jaguar engine. It was done by one of the companies associated with Morgan. The owner wants to sell it or swap it for a Vincent twin ( motorcycle)
The Roadster with its wider stance does not compare with the 4/4 for an oxiginal experience, maybe you should have tested one of these. I had access to one several years and the shear raw joy of driving left a long lasting smile on the face.
Bought a new 4/4 in 1980s. Great fun to drive but let down by poor finishing - aluminium body corroded where inappropriate filler had been used around head lamp nascelles and other joints - . Turning circle was terrible - securing pegs for the hood and side screens pulled out of the bodywork. Both pleased and sad when I sold it..
So now that it has a modern Ford transit engine, how's it supposed to break down at the side of the road, bellowing clouds of steam and creating puddles of oil?
really fast was 1986 the 3.9 liter Plus 8 with190 bhp, 6.3 seconds to 100 kmh and later the 4.6 liter 220 bhp with 5.5 seconds but the latter were with 90.000 DEM in 1988 out of any dream.
Seasoned Morgan owner here, no power steering is better, more in touch with the road, balance is good and as for the clutch well you're obviously used to being cosseted in modern cars. There's nowhere to put your clutch foot and as it is so heavy as you put it you can rest your foot on it without any detrimental effects. If you want a car that drives like a modern motor then don't buy a Morgan. That is the very reason us Morgan owners do buy them.
Lovely car, but I believe the spirit of this car would be better served with a 225 Slant-Six sporting six Weber 45mm Carburetors as seen down under in Australia. that beautiful sound.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Morgan is rooted in the fine British motorcar tradition when drivers donned caps, goggles, & and half gloves, Hail Britannia.
Ah, Jack behind the wheel of a proper Morgan (Morgan owner for 50 years here). Your smile at the end says it all. Your comments about handling are very interesting. Many of us in the US are more familiar with Morgans from the 50s and 60s, with four cylinder Ford or Triumph power. Those cars are very well balanced, and easily transition from understeer to mild oversteer (sitting in the car with your posterior so close to the rear axle helps!).
Without such strong demand from U.S. and Canada, we would never had a U.K. Sports car industry back then. Thank you so much! 🙏🇬🇧
Turkey!
The design of these old cars was so much more beautiful than today's cars, whose main concern is coefficient of drag, safety, and lack of character.
New cars of today will be old cars of the future, and with time, they will age and gain character. This logic can be applied to any time period to shit on contemporary cars and glorify old cars for no good reason frankly. I love old cars as much as the next person, but don't foolishly glorify them.
@@hiepphambui3941they are made to lack character, it's because it must sell to everyone, that's why almost only black or white car are sold.
And car design as stayed still since the 2000s so you can understand why we are bored.
@@puebespuebes8589 who's "we" here, don't lump people into your argument to support it. I know nothing about car design but I can tell you a car from the 2000's does not look like a car from the early 2020's. And I have no problem with cars being utilitarian. It just happens that they can also be really cool and fun. But unlike music, cars have an utilitarian purpose first, and their enjoyment purpose is second.
@@hiepphambui3941 Funny that - when I was growing up that "utilitarian first, enjoyment second" was the other way round....
@@jackaubrey8614 nah that's just a lie. Unless you grew up between 1890 and the dawm of the Ford Model T, it has always been about utility. Enjoy cars but don't lie to yourself about what they really are. Just look at the sales number of Toyota Corolla and Camry vs Toyota's turbocharged fun cars throughout the years. Stop crying, face up to the fact.
Wow, that view out over the bonnet! Just lovely. And the sound from that engine!!! Sadly, because of local regulations Morgan cars are no longer available new in Australia. According to the Australian Morgan cars website, the last classic Morgan was sold here in December 2020 and the last three-wheelers were sold here in 2021. It's all a bit silly because even the least safe Morgan is still safer than a motorcycle, and they're still sold new here. Anyway, great video, great car. Thanks.
You really need to try a car with none of these modifications. The steering is not that heavy, the suspension works quite well and the whole experience is more co-ordinated.I waited seven years for my first Morgan!
I agree, even if I have a relatively young Morgan from 2014, a small nicely balanced 4/4 I changed nothing at the suspension in principle. I only got the right spring rates from Peter Mulberry. With some mild reprogramming of the engine ECU plus a sports manifold she has 145 HP on 790 Kg. I like her much more than my 3.0 litres Roadster before her.
Been my dream car - the Plus 4
Since i was 16. £848 was how much i didn't have at the time.
The closest i ever got to buying one was in 1976 when, with the imminent arrival of son number 2, the Spitfire had to go and something with four seats replace it.
There was a three year old four seater in BRG and i don't know why but sense kicked in and a new Citroen Dyana - in a much wilder shade of green, was purchased and turned out to be and amazing car.
Still Morganless and approaching my 70th birthday a couple of years ago, i suggested that my many Facebook friends could fundraise even though FB would not recognise the gift as a charity.
A few days before my birthday, a very good friend said he had a birthday present and brought me to see a beautiful Plus 8 and said happy birthday. Brought tears to my eyes.
Two years on, we've travelled many miles together - open top and quite comfortably too.
Running costs - zero.
Me behind the wheel and my bright red 1/43 scale moggie in the storage compartment beneath the armrest of my '07 Megane Cabriolet.
I went on an organised trip to their factory a few years ago. What a wonderful experience! The beautiful smell of wood and hand beaten panels over wooden bucks. Really skilled dedicated craftsmen, and to top off the whole day, warm scones and jam in the canteen. No wonder they have a two year waiting list!!
I can't help but love Morgan on principle. Can you imagine the smile on someone's face driving one of the first Morgans against their rivals at the time? The fact they are this beloved now tells me this is more than just a vintage throwback. I've not had the opportunity to drive one myself, but I suspect they are much like a Porsche in that they shouldn't work today as well as they do, but honestly, they just do.
Nice video , the Morgan grows on you , I found one & shipped it here to Hawaii for a friend of mine who loves it , it's a 1964 plus 4 with the 1500 Triumph lump , my first drive was 100 miles from Hilo port to Kona & I was smitten , the balance of the 1500 with the chassis is perfect in my opinion , we have a lot of windy , hilly roads here & the Mog eats them up . As my friend is 94 years old , yes 94 , he drives with more restraint but drives it every weekend , his family have said he is a changed man & really loves his old Morgan . I made a few mods , live put in a traditional emergency brake between the seats , easier on hill starts , other than that it is perfectly standard. Thanks for the video & I'm glad this Mog grew on you .
The view over the bonnet whilst driving is incomparable! Anachronistic but lovable.
The US version brought in by Isis Imports was purely propane. There was no provision for gasoline. The propane tank replaced the gasoline tank. The fuel line ran up to a pressure regulator, thence to the carb, which was adapted to use propane. It made the tailpipe emissions much cleaner though it cut into the distance one could drive before refueling. On the other hand, it was reported in the car magazines that spark plugs lasted far longer and even the engine oil stayed clean for many extra thousands of miles. As if practicality entered into the equation at any point.
I think it was John Harvey Jones who helped get Morgan back on track sometime in the 90's. He wasn't trying to reinvent the design but did change some working practices. I wouldn't want the design changed too much anyway, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.I did think you would like the car more as you drove it, it's one of those sort of cars. Thanks Jack for a good review.👍👍
I recall watching the BBC Troubleshooter program that featured Morgan. On watching it, I was left with an impression that the Morgan Company was doomed to fail if it continued to produce the 'same car in the old fashioned manner' . It's rather ironic that its one of the few truly British manufactures that's still producing cars that are in demand and truly unique.
Yes but they did change and reluctantly took much of his advice on board.
I think the Morgan factory episode was the one where JHJ was frustrated, perhaps because he missed the point. They make their money from producing a quirky, anachronistic, handmade car. Far better to have a sellers market, with guaranteed work for the foreseeable future, and workers with secure employment. I think he must have succeeded to a certain extent, as they have increased production by about 7 cars per week, in the thirty plus years since the programme was made. Their waiting lists have decreased to less than a year, and that is something they need to keep an eye on. When it gets too low, production has to decrease at some point, so hopefully they’ve found a happy medium.
Excellent video, as ever, Morgan are a fascinating enigma, but I am pleased that they are still in production.
Jack, your extensive experience with driving, handling, and assessing the qualities of a wide variety of vehicles ALWAYS makes for very informative & entertaining presentations. It becomes sublime when a little bit of the school boy enthusiasm sneaks out.
Way too kind and I think you sow what overestimate my abilities.. but thank you!!
@Number 27 //
I learn from all of the car auto type presenters and individual auto topics. You are in the top 3 of regulars in terms of enjoyment. Leno is cool, but he has 100s of cars, staff, his machine shop, & sophisticated vendors at his disposal. There is Big Car and, & Ed's Auto History. The wind in your hair & seat of the pants driving experience is conveyed well to your audience. Just a perspective by an old guy from Detroit & motorsports fan.
@@adrianmonk4440 well thanks again Adrian and I hope you’re enjoying the summer in the USA 🇺🇸!
I have that motor in my 3,800 pound 205 inch long 2018 Taurus. It certainly has guts and likes to rev. In that comparatively light Morgan body it must no doubt move with authority.
I am always stunned by the sheer beauty of that car. Its just so perfect. I feel the same about the Jaguar XKE. I am so glad that I was around when these cars were made and I got to enjoy them. Thanks for the thoughtful review Jack.
Back in the seventies I owned a few odd-ball cars, as we called them in the States. A 1962 Corvair Spyder convertible. A 1956 Small Mouth TR3. And a 1968 Fiat 124 Estate which wasn't really that odd but I never saw another one the whole time I owned it. Come to think of it, I never saw another of the other cars while I owned them, either. But I always wanted a Morgan. That, and a Lotus 7.
124 familiare were never that popular, even in Italy, so I think it still qualifies as fairly odd. Nice list, though! Including the ones you wanted.
Lotus 7 aren't that odd, in fact the 1967 British show The Prisoner, the protagonist was driving a Lotus 7 in the opening credits.
@@silvermane1741 True. Not in Great Britain. But over here they're rarer than hen's teeth. I've only seen them at The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Never driven on the street.
@@NoelSquitieri Well there is the Caterham 7 that's practically a clone of the Lotus 7.😁
That engine, from about 3k rpm up, sounded gorgeous!
Looking at Wikipedia, I found the following:
- Engine - 3.7 V6 Cyclone produces 280hp @ 6,000 and 280lb⋅ft @ 4,500
- Weight (curb and depending on spec) = 940kg
280hp in a 940kg car - fantastic!!
And from this video, it sounds like, if you install a quicker steering rack and address the clutch feel, this car would be even better!
Not bad for a car built in a 109 year old shed! Honestly - search for the Morgan Motor Company production facility!
Ah, Jack...Another great video that brought back memories. Back in the day, I had a cobbled together Morgan 4/4 that had the lightweight panels of a Super Sport plus a breathed-upon 1800cc version of the Ford Kent engine. Had a forged crank and rods and an alloy head (Holbay if my memory still works) with two 40DCOE Webers and a good cam. Gearbox was out of a Cortina GT, and was a vast upgrade from the TR unit; to this day, it had the shortest throws I've ever experienced.
Anyhow, this thing had been assembled by Lew Spencer, who'd won an SCCA national championship in a Plus 4 Super Sport. His homebuilt was lighter and had about 40 more horsepower. Up to about 80 it would stay with an E-type...after that, the dreaded aerodynamics kicked in!
Of course, the car displayed decidedly 1930s handling and stiff was not an operative term for the chassis. But it was fun on a sunny day. And it HAD to be a sunny day, as the car had no side curtains, no top and no heater. It was like a racer on the street...but it would really sneak up on the unaware.
Spencer had been trying to convince Morgan to make a production version of this thing, but Morgan at that time was overwhelmed with various government regulations and the demise of the TR powertrain, so nothing happened. I always wondered why they didn't make a version with the 2.0 litre TR 6-cylinder and its lovely gearbox. That would have been economically feasible and would have been a delight to drive.
Sounds like great fun! The Kent-engines are easy and relatively inexpensive to spice up! Regarding the TR6-engine, I believe the engine bay didn't have room for a straight six engine at all, and they didn't have economy to reconstruct the chassis/body. I bet the people at Morgan were relieved when they discovered the Rover V8.
When I recall it right there must exist a one of with a BMW 2.5 straight 6 from the 1990s, a private swap of the engine, not MMC. There was a thread on TalkMorgan some years back.
Great review. There is so much misty eyed romanticism surrounding the brand it’s nice to hear an objective opinion.
Oddly, leaf springs at the rear are not altogether a bad thing.
My wife has a natty 1961 Italian roadster that has a leaf-sprung rear.
These days, Morgan is more of a pastiche than it was decade or so ago, but it still makes swift, enjoyable cars.
You are quite right about the view over the bonnet. And it feels very special having your arse so close to the rear axle and so far from the front ....
Thanks Jack, great to see a Morgan on your channel & that it won you over! 3 wheeler next if possible please! 🙏🙏
The company who told Sir John Harvey Jones where to go, although they did make up in the end.
Just looking at it, it has a massive character, the V-6 sounds great. It's very nice, and very British. What a great car.
Nice video: glad you learned to love the Morgan a little more as time went along. The old "Edwardian Bedstead" chassis may be primitive, but it performs far better than it has any right to. And they're better without modification - especially electric PAS. On a decent surface they handle sublimely, corner flat and never fail to evoke a smile! As I've just learnt to my cost however - they don't get on well with the modern curse of our time - the Great British Pothole! 😖
Nice review. I had a 2011 Plus 4, and upgraded suspension front and rear. Also replaced the manifold and exhaust system, and got the ECU remapped. Ended up as a great fun car which cornered brilliantly, with a bit more horsepower, and usable torque from lower in the rev range.
Morgan factory the only honest one left in GB. Not practical but FUN! Great video!
Haha wow, that's quite a lovely noise from that v6, just glorious
Another great video!
Thanks for educating us who never get to see or drive these cars!
8:25 "suddenly switch to oversteer"!! Well, Cruella Deville's car in "101 Dalmations" was said to be based on the Morgan, and if you remember the way she drove, there was plenty of both understeer and oversteer, so it seems fitting that Disney chose the Morgan for her.
In 1974 I had a 4+4 for 7 years. I waited 2 years for it to arrive. It took me 10,000 miles to learn how to drive it. But looking along those louvres was just terrific. There was a long tunnel near where I lived & i used to go through fairly fast & double de clutch down the gear box as I went through & the sound was fantastic.
I would have to disconnect the turn signal beeping. It's like one of those musical birthday joke cards that don't stop. But these Morgan's have a romantic charm that's very hard to resist. Great video Jack!
Thanks, I'll add it has a gorgeous 'stance' viewed from the front! I like it and as an 'adaptive' sort of hoon I'm sure I'd like it.
The beeping noise from the indicator is for blind drivers to know when they’ve finished the turn.
Thanks, I really enjoyed doing the factory tour, still very inefficient all on different levels etc, but the end product remains true to what was British 50 years ago.
I remember the Troubleshooter with Harvey Jones, but they have improved, but not a car for me.
I had a 1998 Plus 4. Which rattled my fillings out. Changed to a 3.7l Brooklands Roadster with SSL suspension front and rear, power steering, factory sports exhaust. Obviously huge difference. The torque mean that I spend 80% of my time in third on country lanes. Keep the tyres, religiously, at 22psi. Harsh clutch? Remove the return spring and enjoy the difference.
I rented one for a week from Wykhams sp? in London 15 years ago. Loved it had a blast. People smiled and waved at me. Even took it to the factory to do the tour. I particularly remember how hot the receptionist was. Car line was fun too, told not to talk to or bother the guys on the line. That ended quickly, they all wanted to talk.
Love these cars because there is a rare thing going on here with the customer and the manufacturer its loyalty and trust, loyalty that the customer will stick by the company and that the customer trust the company to stick with the design. excellent video
I like the fact that it has a genuine heritage while at the same time it has the power to match modern driving. The fact that it is the original design and not just something pretending to be retro makes the lack of dynamics completely forgivable.
I didn’t get Morgan at all - until I did the factory tour. Seeing these beautiful cars being hand fettled by craftsmen really changes your perspective on them. They are utterly gorgeous things! I’d love to drive one (which you can do - Morgan hire out both 3 and 4 wheelers for days and weekends). If I ever had the opportunity to buy one, I would. So much more exclusive than just about anything else - who else offers hand-made bespoke cars, built by craftsmen these days?
I believe that has a diaphragm clutch. I had a 1970’s Chevy Nova with one. It felt very odd as you let the clutch out but was very easy to hold the pedal to the floor.
A diaphram clutch is used in the vast majority of vehicles that employ a manual gearbox - so nothing unusual. I'd say that the clutch pressure plate may need to be replaced if it's acting up.
Yes the clutch needs a bit of extra care…but there is another detail which plays into this…the throttle pedal is very sensitive in its zero position. So the slightest pressure on the throttle pedal keeps the revs apparently “hanging” at gear up-changes. But in fact it’s just responding to a bit of throttle.
My 4/4 series V was built in 1963 and has required some modification such as 5 speed Transit transmission and other relatively easy upgrades to bring it up to contemporary freeway standards. Easly will go where ever is needed with gusto.( If that is the right word)
The Ford 3.7 was also used in the Mustang.
They can be made to sound a little meaner with some proper pipes and an engine tune.
They can sound insane… if that’s the way ya want!😂😂
Those bonnet cam shots are sublime
Sorry to see Morgan not using Coventry climax fire pump engine. Those engines designed to rev all day long! I know Morgan's used to offer 3 different engines for their roadsters. Hope the Ford is as peppy as Coventry. Enjoy!
Running an engine on propane is a HUGE advantage. It sells for the equivalent of $2/gallon gasoline, runs much cleaner, was readily available during the gasoline embargoes, and has a higher octane rating.
Great video. That bit of acceleration at the 11min mark was fantastic.
That is one beautiful automobile! Something to take out on a drive on a sunny summer's day.
According to the subtitles it’s fitted with "a Torquay engine" which I suppose is a replacement for the Essex V6? 😉
😂
I don't believe that Morgan ever used the old Ford Essex V6. It was powered by either Ford 4 cyl Kent engine or the Rover V8.
Why on earth would you get a Morgan and then muck about with the suspension? I'm perfectly sure that after all these years the factory has got it right. What a wonderful car.
I always fancied these Plus 8 Morgan as a teenager in the early eighties when the costs in Germany between it and a Porsche 911 SC were nearly equal the Morgan was 59800 DEM and the 911 was 63.000 although Morgan had 157 bhp versus 188 bhp for the 3.0 911 SC in 1979.
I had a '59 4-seater in '68. It had the TR4 four, a tunnel to fit the space between the clutch and the Jaguar transmission, and a Volvo rear end. To remove the engine to change the clutch one needed to saw through the frame. I wonder if the bodies are still framed in ash. . . .
The bodies on this one are!!
Wow, I'm number ONE today.......Go Jack go !!!!
Nice vid. Gotta love a Morgan
That Cyclone engine is a peach. I want to drop one in an RX-8; one with with a dead rotary
One of the unique things about Morgans is termites could be a bigger issue than rust :)
Well, they always had a steel châssis (until they switched to aluminium), so not really. The wood is only used for the body frame.
On my list. I would like to own the latest Morgan. Ideal garage, Morgan, Lotus Elise (no forced induction) and a Porsche Boxster 4Lt., a Toyota Ute, BMW Tourer and Bentley Continental GT oh of course a Lexus LFA. Thanks for the video Jack. It was good to see you smile.
In the 1990's here in the US, we had the Plymouth Prowler that was reminiscent of the Morgan Roadster, it was even powered by a V-6.
I live on an island with ridiculously winding roads, I approve of this car though its the wrong-side driving for me, it is a beautiful car and a great video folks! Cheers from PNW Canada!
They make left hand drive ones as well.
It would be very interesting to see how you would judge it against a Hawke (Morgan) replica with a Rover V8 fitted to it.
That is very cool. Needs a flat cap for driving though.
Those wheel-arches. Perfect.
There is a 1959 Morgan 4/4 for sale at my work (in Rouen in Normandy), these Series II (which were the first with that body style), started with a Ford 100E engine, a 1.1L flathead 4 cylinder making a whopping, 35hp. If you wanted, you could get the upgraded Aquaplane version (which this 59 has) with dual SU carbs for 5 extra horsepower. It's very interesting to compare the very early ones to the newer ones, they're not very different. The steering wheel is huge, and very close to the dashboard, a couple inches at most. You can't drive it if you have big hands.
Developing the basic running gear and chassis of the Morgan would of course destroy the whole point of buying a Morgan! Apart from very frustrating government legislation, Morgan have done a miraculous job of preserving the whole Morgan experience. Very proud that they are truly British designed cars 🇬🇧
The sliding pillar suspension is lighter, far lighter, than double wishbone, so you shouldn't be surprised by how well it works…over bumps.
It works great, in a straight line, but the tires suffer during body roll, so it doesn't do so well when cornering…
And the pillars will wear, so before it was refreshed, that thing was probly scary, since loose toe would be making steering very sloppy.
Apart from wear issue I believe biggest problem with suspension is tightly wound coil spring is the problem
What can you say about this car beyond it's fun to drive! It doesn't handle nearly as well as a modern car, it's not particularly well made ( the front mudguards still don't match!), and don't get caught in the rain! But yeah, how fast do you really drive most of the time, (15- 25 mph over posted in the twisties, 100, 120 tops in the sweepers?). It certainly delivers the joy!
I must admit I'm torn. There's something completely lovely about the smell and feeling of an old school petrol engine with side draft carbs. There's also something lovely about a car that works properly when you turn the key.
What did you think of the seat , seemed quite short of leg support ? Potentially not that comfortable? Or do you not notice after a while …if you can recall ?
All I think of when I see a Morgan is Toad from Toad hall😂 I'm sure he drove a Morgan 😂 ...... The Morgan isn't my cup of tea but I enjoyed watching as always Jack buddy,👍
Morgan slogan should be "if it isn't broke why fix it" l an glad Morgan are still going because they still build them as they did many years ago except for the engine as long as they keep building the same life is good
drove my dad's morgan for the first time at easter, it has sliding pillar suspension, + it was built in 1935. it has wire wheels as well, but only 3...
I recognize those gauges! 2005 to 2009 Ford mustang. Not sure if GT or V6 gauges or if that makes a difference
I prefer this car to the Corvettes. Good looking car, good engine, well done to the Morgan Co!
It sounds really good, especially for a V6
you need to line a few differnt morgans then run through them back to back
Glad you took a Morgan. Thnks.
I would love to hear what you have to say about the Beck Spyder replica. I have no idea if they're available in the UK, though. Still, I can hope...
The Ford 3.7 V6 is a good engine and very reliable. Having said that, it needs a proper exhaust system to bring out the sound. In the Mustang, it puts out 306 hp.
Great cars, went on the Morgan factory tour last year, well worth it .
Buying a Morgan, to me is sort of like purchasing a Mona Lisa Painting. I could just sit down with a beer or coffee and just admire its looks. I'm thinking the steering would have probably been a lot better with a Rack and Pinion, of what the old MG's and Jaguars had.
I have seen a Morgan with a 3.6 litre Jaguar engine. It was done by one of the companies associated with Morgan. The owner wants to sell it or swap it for a Vincent twin ( motorcycle)
Would love to see you review the Aero 8 if you can get your hands on one. Or the Plus 8.
The Roadster with its wider stance does not compare with the 4/4 for an oxiginal experience, maybe you should have tested one of these. I had access to one several years and the shear raw joy of driving left a long lasting smile on the face.
Bought a new 4/4 in 1980s. Great fun to drive but let down by poor finishing - aluminium body corroded where inappropriate filler had been used around head lamp nascelles and other joints - . Turning circle was terrible - securing pegs for the hood and side screens pulled out of the bodywork. Both pleased and sad when I sold it..
Jack- Like to see you try a completely stock version v8?
My neighbor has the mustang convertible with that 3.7
My dad had plus 8 in the 60s. I’ve never got to drive one though
Such a pretty car, one for my bucket list!
So now that it has a modern Ford transit engine, how's it supposed to break down at the side of the road, bellowing clouds of steam and creating puddles of oil?
If my brother ever saw this video, he'd be buying one. He loves eccentric cars.
Nice car but I couldn't live with that loud beeping indicator.
That's the very first instance someone called the ford 3.7 V6 "refined".
They Should have stuck with the Rover V8 it suits the character of car!!!!!!!!!
1:51 :Interesting looking towers.
really fast was 1986 the 3.9 liter Plus 8 with190 bhp, 6.3 seconds to 100 kmh and later the 4.6 liter 220 bhp with 5.5 seconds but the latter were with 90.000 DEM in 1988 out of any dream.
You keep improving upon perfection
very nice video of my favourite car,thank you
Seasoned Morgan owner here, no power steering is better, more in touch with the road, balance is good and as for the clutch well you're obviously used to being cosseted in modern cars. There's nowhere to put your clutch foot and as it is so heavy as you put it you can rest your foot on it without any detrimental effects.
If you want a car that drives like a modern motor then don't buy a Morgan. That is the very reason us Morgan owners do buy them.
I'm not sure I could live with that indicator sound...
A Ford " Barra " straight Six would go great under that LONG Bonnet .
Lovely car, but I believe the spirit of this car would be better served with a 225 Slant-Six sporting six Weber 45mm Carburetors as seen down under in Australia. that beautiful sound.