Morgan Motors?

I believe Morgans were higher end cars of their day. But I know very little about them. My usual disclaimer applies here: "...but I could be wrong."

 

The story went that they laid out seven chassis each Monday, and had seven cars by Friday. Eventually that created a long waiting list - but then again the EPA and the NHTSA pretty much stopped their import here.

In about 1968 a new basic Morgan cost about the same in England as a Mustang did here. Always wanted one. I sat in one at the time, and recall the shift lever was about 3" from the steering wheel! Fairly primitive in terms of modern conveniences, but who cares?

The "hot" Plus-8 Morgans had the aluminum Rover V8 at the time. Very fast.

 

A flat-rad Morgan is very collectible, but a pre-war example is really rare. Then this one has some real documented history. Its probably a bargain at that price.
This car needs to go to a regional auction like Mecum, or at the minimum, get listed on Bring-a-Trailer to get the exposure it deserves.
-Donny

 

That's such an inaccuracy perpetuated by Top Gear. Only the framing in the body is wood, like a model A or any car form the nineteen twenties and thirties. The Morgan chassis is steel.

 

They don't have termites in England. The one "invasive" colony was eradicated.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...evon-calls-victory-in-27-year-war-on-termites


The Morgan framing is Ash, as I recall.

 

It seems you have uncovered the conspiracy to ensure Morgan failed using an ingenious method that struck right to the heartwood!

 

It may have been a splinter group.

 

I’ve been involved with a restoration of an early ‘60s Morgan, so have been all through replacing the ash underbody structure. The frame rails are a sheetmetal “Z” rail, probably about 12 gauge metal. When the wood is removed from the “frame”, you realize how flimsy it is. It twists and flexes until the ash planks are bolted in. The most structural metal support on these cars is the stamped steel firewall panel. When that is installed. Everything stiffens up enough to be a car. Much of the body skin is nailed or screwed to the wood framework.
I’m surprised that there isn’t more discussion regarding the frail sliding-pillar from suspension, the most archaic setup I’ve ever seen. It even has a one-shot oiling system that rivals my Bridgeport mill.
I always wanted a Morgan until I was involved with a restoration of one. That changed my mind. I drove that ‘61-ish car when it was finished, as well as a ‘71 +8 with a Rover 215 V8, both very nice drivers.
-Donny

 

A lot more modern than leaf springs.

 

But I think leaf springs are more effective!
-Donny

 

No doubt. But isn't being "archaic" entirely the point of a Morgan? Or anachronistic, at least.

Otherwise we'd be buying Dodge Prowlers.

 

I've been slowly chipping away at working on replacing all of the wood with steel tubing in my 1933 Chevy pickup. Same thing, the entire body is held together with wood. The body panels all screw into the wood, even the doors. the A and B pillars were wood! Thankfully the frame rails were all steel Surprising that this practice of using wood as the structure was still common in the 60's on a Morgan!

 

I’m pretty sure Morgan bodies were still built on a wood frame up into the early 2000’s. They had a substantial steel chassis by that time!
-Donny

 

We can laugh at them using wood. But what would they have said to our plastic cars today?

 

I have a mid-50s Jaguar where the doors and trunk lid are completely wood framed with an aluminum skin. Restoration takes a lot of different skills.
-Donny