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A Visit to the Morgan Motor Company, Ltd.

The Home of the Classic British Sports Car!

By Ben Scheiwe                                                              

As part of a sojourn to England, it was only fitting that my wife Jann and I should stop and visit an old friend, Charles Morgan, whose grandfather, H.F.S. Morgan, had founded the venerable Morgan Motor Company in 1912.  Up to this point, we had logged almost 2,000 miles in our rented Morgan, a new, dark blue Plus Four-model roadster.  In spite of the daily fall monsoons, we developed a real appreciation and affection for this wonderful (if eccentric by today’s standards) mainstay of British sports cars.

Our Rented Morgan

Photo by Ben Scheiwe

Morgan sports cars have been built continuously by the same family, in the same factory for almost ninety years.  The Morgan Motor Company, Ltd. is the oldest, privately owned car company in existence.  It is also the last, true, British owned and operated auto manufacturer of significance.

The original Morgan sports car dates back to 1912 and was assembled as a three-wheeled, two passenger, front-engined (“V” – overhead valve design) platform.  The three-wheel design allowed for economical ownership (having a lower road-tax than it’s four-wheel counterparts) and good (50-60 MPG) fuel economy.  Their favorable power-to-weight ratio and low-center-of-gravity, provided sporty acceleration and handling compared to contemporary cars of the period.  The Morgan three-wheelers (or “trikes” as they were sometimes called) were also popular in hill climbs and speed events, capturing numerous championships and world records through the 1930’s.  This basic design stayed in production for twenty-two years until after World War II.

However, 1933 would become a pivotal point in the development and evolution of the Morgan sports car as we know it today.  The 1933 Morgan “F” Super Two Seater featured an in-line, 10 HP Ford four-cylinder engine, coupled with the distinctive “flat radiator” or grille, which would later become synonymous with the marque.  It also established a relationship with Ford Motor Company as an engine supplier that continues today.

In 1936, the first four-wheeler was introduced, called the Morgan Four-Four roadster (four wheels/four cylinders).  The car had a “Z” sectioned, full width steel chassis with lowered cross members, and aluminum body draped over an ash frame.  It is still being manufactured the same way in 2001.

During the war, production was suspended in favor of wartime manufacturing and only the Parts and Service Department remained open for business.  In 1945, production resumed with the three-wheelers finally being retired the following year.  At this time, the British government encouraged coalitions between steel suppliers (steel was in short supply) and manufacturing firms with exportable commodities, in order to “jump start” the post war economy.  This was a mighty incentive for the Morgan Motors Company, Ltd., to expand production and export their new models.  New sales venues were established in North and South America, South Africa, Europe and Australia.  To this day, foreign customers provide the basis for the majority of sales (ironically, they are most popular in Germany!).

Vehicle development has continued during the past 55 years with numerous improvements and updates, primarily, in powertrain, chassis, emissions, safety and electronics.  Otherwise, the Morgan remains a custom, coach built and hand assembled sports car for a discerning and intensely universal and loyal customer base.

Charles Morgan warmly greeted us and we withdrew to his father’s office for refreshments and updates.  Peter Morgan, now retired, still visits the factory daily with his golden Labrador, where he reads the mail and keeps “young”.  His office is a reflection of the family’s love and enthusiasm for their car and customers – a veritable museum of the company history!

Our visit proved timely, as Charles enthusiastically reviewed in detail the stunning progress of the next generation of the Morgan sports car, the Morgan Aero 8, the world’s first all aluminum coach built car.  Charles is the proud “father” of this technically sophisticated platform; a blend of Formula race car suspension and brakes, coupled with BMW’s latest V-8/six speed transmission ― all encompassed in a traditional but re-styled Morgan body design and is slated for production later this year.  Production is already sold out for over two years (at $70,000 each)!

 

Charles Morgan (left) and Ben Scheiwe (right)

Photo by Jann Scheiwe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Morgan Factory

Worcester, England

Photo by Ben Scheiwe

For the next two hours, Jann and I were on the receiving end of a remarkable and very personal tour of the venerable Morgan factory, from the CEO, President and Chief Engineer himself ― where else can you find this in the global automotive industry?

Each section of “The Works” as the Morgan factory is referred (which was built in 1918) houses separate workstations except for the newer water-based paint facility across the alley.  The following photos give you a virtual tour of the production lines.

 

During our visit, we ran into German, Australian, American and Japanese Morgan owners, who, like us, were making the "Pilgrimage.”   Such is the history, mystique and demand for Morgans, that they build 550 units annually and are “sold out” for two-three years plus! (Not counting the new Aero 8).  Most Morgans are recycled (restored) and are still on the roads and highways of the world in the hands of rabid enthusiasts ― and we now know why!  The Morgan may not be a “classic” as defined by the CCCA, but it is a “classic” automobile from every other perspective.

 

You can get more information on the Morgan Motor Company, Ltd. at
www.morgan-motor.co.uk.

 

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