Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

The last roadster - Morgan Plus 8 in the (historic) test

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on May 1, 1969

Reading time 10min

Written by:

José Rosinski

Photos:

Archiv

11

Archiv

11

Morgan Plus 8 (1971) - Leistungsdemonstration

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Plus 8 (1979) – breiter als der 4/4

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Plus 8 (1972) – Seitenansicht mit Speichenrädern. Vielleicht ein Vorserienmodell?

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Plus 8 (1969) - ausgestellt auf der London Motor Show von 1969

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Plus 8 (1969) - das Chassis des schnellen Sportwagens, gezeigt an der London Motor Show 1969

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Plus 8 (1970) - mit 3,5-Liter-Achtzylindermotor von Rover - Genfer Autosalon 1970

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Plus 8 (1978) - Rennversion, präsentiert an der Motor Show von Birmingham von 1978

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Plus 8 (1968) - Rover 3500 V8-Motor in einem Morgan-Prototyp

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Plus 8 (1979) – neue Achtloch-Leichtmetallräder

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Plus 8 (1969) - mit geschlossenem Dach, Bild des Schweizer Importeurs Wehrlin

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Plus 8 (1974) – in Gelb

You have only

1 out of 11

images seen in high resolution

Summary

While other manufacturers were concerned with such things as chassis, aerodynamics and space utilization, progress at Morgan consisted mainly of increasing engine performance. After the Triumph four-cylinder had had its day, twice as many combustion chambers were stuffed into the antiquated wooden chassis. As a result, the Morgan Plus 8 achieved driving performance that was not in the least apparent from its aged exterior. This historical test report is dedicated to the newly invigorated Methuselah.

This article contains the following chapters

Technical details
At the wheel
On the road
Performance
Summary
Technical data

Estimated reading time: 10min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In fact, the Morgan is a unique phenomenon in today's automotive industry, because hardly anyone still builds cars that conform to the aesthetic laws of the 1930s. Usually, brands that are reluctant to change the lines of their models are said to be old-fashioned, and it doesn't even take three years to hear such criticism. But that's a pitfall that can be avoided. Mr. Morgan persevered, however, and continued to build his car in the small workshops of Malvern Link in Worcestershire. Normally this would have led to bankruptcy, but here it is quite the opposite. Morgan's customers are still exceptional people, not old gentlemen who like to reminisce about their youth. They are mostly young people who don't even know the "good old days" and aren't just buying this car for fun, because there is a huge range of sports cars on the market today. So what explains the success of Morgan, which still has delivery times of several months? I think the reason is not just its outmoded shape or its originality, which has a touch of snobbery about it; the car has something quintessential about it, a "man's car", a thoroughbred sports car. And it is true that the "Plus 8" model has been compared with exotic cars ever since it was launched because of its speed.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Photos of this article

Source: