Guess what we had at work today...

[The Lovely Boyo]

I was doing some contract work at Morgan when they were developing the Aero 8 about 6 years ago (it was called the P8000 then). Ended up doing some project management for them coz they are so laid back - great people, real craftsmen but living in the past - that nothing was coming in to deadline.

Its got a 4.4ltr BMW V8 with vvt - aluminium body, double wishbone all round, and boy does it go like stink - I got to drive one of the early prototypes.

They make the inner tub out of Ash - yup, wood. Its mated into a CNC laser cut, CNC folded, robot welded aluminium tub. The tub is accurate to about 1mm in any direction.

Morgan rejected all of the first tubs coz the wooden frame didn't fit. When measured the ash frames were +/- 8mm, the tubs were still +/- 1mm. You should have been there for the ensuing argument with the supplier, funny as.

I was in the yard there one day. In drives Peter Morgan (the son of the founder) driving a three wheeler Morgan built by his Dad in 1935. Motoring history in the making and no one batted an eyelid!

The company is now run by Charles, the grandson of the founder.

[Slugsie]

Never been a fan of Morgans. Yup, they're fast, and yup, they're very British. But just not for me.

[Apache]

The company is now run by Charles, the grandson of the founder.

About 1/2 mile from my house, and looks like a pre-war aeroplane factory!

Here's 'mine'

(PS Andy, it IS a 4.8, not a 4.4)

[Spoggle]

Way back in the 70s, 1972 to be accurate, I had a Morgan 4/4. Had it for about 6 months then sold it cos I was getting married. Got divorced about 4 years later. Still miss the Morgan. All part of life's learning curve

Spoggle

[The Lovely Boyo]

(PS Andy, it IS a 4.8, not a 4.4)

They must have been allowed to use the newer engine - when they first negotiated the use of that V8 engine (quite a coup!) BMW wouldn't let them use the latest version/technology. They did give them the most amazing support though.

And you want to see those brand new V8's on the pallets waiting to go into the cars, yummy.....

[dirtydog]

very nice Andy - hard life innit!

[Karma Supra]

I really don't like the aero 8... its fast (0-60 4.5 160 top) But its so damn ugly! I actually think its far more pretentious then a 911 which these days is a a fairly "understated" tame supercar....

Still if there was one there, I'd blatantly have to have a go for the experiance!

Vultch thats a really random thing to post!

[Apache]

In terms of todays road cars, it's acceleration isn't that special on paper. My ex-colleagues special edition Scooby is faster to 60 in a shade under 4 secs, and probably would stick to the tarmac long after the Morgan had reversed through a hedge at high speed, but they are so... well... ten a penny, like fast Nissans and BMWs etc. Riduculous performance but with so much computer support you'd have to be a brainless chav to crash one.

Give me the old days, where there was no driver assistance and driving was driving. I much preferred my old non-ABS, non-power steering, non-airbagged Mk1 MR2 to modern Scoobys. It may not have been fast in todays terms but least you were involved in the process!

[Karma Supra]

I totally agree about "real driving" I also had a mk1 MR2, cracking fun car!

I think part of the problem is that these days people only seem used to FWD, certainly all of my none petrol head mates have only ever been used to FWD, put these sorts of people in a "proper" sports car and they stack it...

How many times have you heard tha MR2s have "dodgey handling" and are "dangerous in the wet" - They are not, they are spot on when driven properly!

[Apache]

The Mk1 was incredible, and described by a respected car magazine of the day (I had a copy of the article) as the finest handling car this side of a Ferrari 328GTS! Praise indeed!

The Mk2 wasn't as good - bigger and heavier - but was still better than pretty much any FWD car. My mate who has the scooby now had a Mk2 turbo with methanol injection, upped boost etc etc and in a straight line that was incredible (quicker than his scooby he reckons)! However, my Mk1 could keep pace with him in twisty B roads no problem.

Ahhhh, the good old days. Roads are too busy, and speed cameras are too numerous for those sorts of shenanigans now - and my reaction times are probably not up to it anymore either. Hence the laid back vehicle

[KERRSURF]

In terms of todays road cars, it's acceleration isn't that special on paper. My ex-colleagues special edition Scooby is faster to 60 in a shade under 4 secs, and probably would stick to the tarmac long after the Morgan had reversed through a hedge at high speed, but they are so... well... ten a penny, like fast Nissans and BMWs etc. Riduculous performance but with so much computer support you'd have to be a brainless chav to crash one.

Give me the old days, where there was no driver assistance and driving was driving. I much preferred my old non-ABS, non-power steering, non-airbagged Mk1 MR2 to modern Scoobys. It may not have been fast in todays terms but least you were involved in the process!

Now I'm glad you said "modern" scoobies.

My old M plate WRX was an interesting drive if you didn't pay attention!
No driver aids and lots of grunt mad the B roads a pure joy but it did let go sometimes if you pushed hard enough.

[Karma Supra]

I also had two Mk2 MR2s.. like you say, still very good... but didn't quite have the edge the mk1 did.. I'd have loved a mk1 supercharger

I know a chap that has a MK1 with 3.0 Camry V6 with a super charger, as its an all alloy block teh weight distribution is not altered.. so it has teh driveability AND the power

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/i...howtopic=73509 I love it...

[Slugsie]

I do agree to an extent about the modern car with driving aids, it takes so much away from the driving experience. Having said that, I'd still snap your hand off if you offered my the keys to a Nissan Skyline!

However, my 'sporty open top car with no practicality what-so-ever' option would always be a Caterham 7. With a heritage dating back to Colin Chapman, it maintains all the charm and fun of the original, but with modern power and reliability.

[Apache]

Hmmmm... very nice indeed, and probably a steal at the price! Good standard Mk1's are still fetching upwards of £2.5 - £3k.

[Nick V]

I do agree to an extent about the modern car with driving aids, it takes so much away from the driving experience. Having said that, I'd still snap your hand off if you offered my the keys to a Nissan Skyline!

However, my 'sporty open top car with no practicality what-so-ever' option would always be a Caterham 7. With a heritage dating back to Colin Chapman, it maintains all the charm and fun of the original, but with modern power and reliability.

Do like the Skyline but you can spend a lot of money on one to get big horse power. Always thought my Sierra Cosworth was quick too, but I think the Caterhams, although a good car, are way overpriced for what they are!!

For speed and handling, I built my own 'no practicality' track car - 1300cc, 6 speed sequential gearbox, and 0-60mph in a tad over 3 secs And I bet it didn't cost a quarter of the Morgan!!

Cheers, Nick