The latest model Morgan - the 3 wheeler - can be imported into the USA as a motorcycle.
After World War II - GI's brought home stories of the cute little super handling cars in England. Many soldiers brought the cars home with them. Names like MG - Austin Healey - Mini Cooper - Triumph - started to become common words in America.
The one that reminds me of the English way of life is the Morgan. It has been being built in Malvern Link the same way for 100 years. Today - we boarded a train and took the 3 hour trip almost to Wales. Malvern Link sits in the western hills of England.
They started out in 1913 making 3 wheel cars because they could avoid road taxes and register them as motorcycles. Then in 1936 they made the Morgan 4/4 - which had 4 wheels and 4 cylinders. Now they make a full line of cars.
They still make all the cars by hand. The car has an aluminum frame - the body has an ash wood frame. Aluminum body panels are bonded to make a unique structure.
In 2011 - they started making the 3 wheel sports car again - because it was able to get around the rigid US safety standards and pollution standards.
The 3 wheeler today weighs 1000 pounds. It has a 2 cylinder engine made in Wisconsin that produces 110 horsepower. With that power to weight ratio - the car performs like it is a rocket on rails.
There are 18 dealers in the USA and you can buy one for $45,000. There is a one year wait from the time you order one.
Another car I would love - even with it $110,000 price tag is the Morgan +8. It is a classic looking roadster but it has a 400 HP BMW V8. It weighs about 2200 pounds.
The factory tour is magnificent. You can touch cars and talk to workers. You can watch them bend wood to make the body frames. They will paint the car any color you want and fit about 100 different colors of leather interiors.
Most Morgans are worth more than they cost new. Even at $100,000 - it is a good investment. You can drive one for a few years and sell it at a profit.
JP and I took the bus and subway to Paddington Station. Then we had a long train ride through Slough - Reading - Oxford - and finally made it to Malvern Link. The factory is 1/4 mile from the train station. It took us 3 hours.
The Classic Morgan - can be had with a 4 cylinder engine or a fire breathing BMW V8.
The new 3 wheeler sells for $45,000. It mocks the original 1913 car.
For $110,000 one gets a 400HP BMW V8 - that does 0 to 60 in 4 seconds.
The modern looking Aero has an all aluminum body and engine - and a BMW V8.
They only made 100 of this top of the line limited edition Morgan. They cost $120,000 to buy and already the price of resale is up $160,000. They are fast - but lack the classic looks.
Skilled workers at the plant average 20 years of service.
They are using the same brick garages for 100 years.
These works of art sit on wooden saw horses.
Most of them have Ford Duratec engines in different states of tune.
The aluminum body gets 10 coats of paint.
The frames look like pieces of fine furniture. They are dipped in preservative to prevent rot and insect damage.
The ash frame is made of 100 different pieces of wood.
Apprentices work for 4 years - and all of them are hired on as craftsmen.
Any car - any color - 10 coats of water based paint.
Long story - in 1970 I ordered a light blue Morgan with a V8.
It looks like a Harley twin - but it is an S & S made in Wisconsin.
I would be happy with a 3 wheeler - 2 cylinder - roadster - registered in the USA as a cycle. With 11 pounds per horsepower ratio - they can fly - but sip fuel.
They are back ordered 150 of the 3 wheelers to the USA alone.
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