Time Travel is Possible (And It Smells Like Leather)
If you visit the Morgan factory in Malvern Link, England, you won't see robots welding metal in a spark-filled frenzy. You will see men with chisels working on wood. You will smell sawdust, high-grade leather, and tea. Morgan is an anachronism, a company that refuses to let go of the pastânot because they are stubborn, but because they believe they got it right the first time.
For the American driver accustomed to mass-produced appliances, a Morgan is a shock to the system. It is a car that vibrates, smells, and communicates. It has no lane-keep assist, no giant touchscreens, and definitely no "autopilot." It demands your attention. Driving a Morgan isn't just transportation; it is an act of defiance against the digital age.
The Wood Myth: Do They Really Use Trees?
Letâs clear up the biggest misconception about Morgan: They do not have a wooden chassis. If they did, you would die in a crash. The chassis (the part the wheels and engine bolt to) is a high-tech, bonded aluminum platform known as the CX-Generation. It is incredibly stiff and light.
However, the body frameâthe structure that supports the aluminum body panelsâis indeed made of English Ash wood. Why? Because wood is naturally dampening. It absorbs vibration better than metal, giving the car a unique, compliant ride. Plus, it is tradition. The skills required to shape these curves are passed down through generations. A Morgan is literally coach-built.
The Models: Three Wheels or Four?
Morganâs lineup is small, eccentric, and brilliant.
The Super 3: The Tricycle of Joy
The Super 3 is the modern successor to the famous 3 Wheeler. It has two wheels in the front, one in the back, and no roof. It is powered by a 1.5L Ford 3-cylinder engine (the "Dragon" engine). It looks like a fuselage from a WWI fighter plane. You don't get in it; you lower yourself into it. Driving it is a visceral experienceâwind in your face, bugs in your teeth, and the exhaust pipe right next to your elbow. It is arguably the most fun you can have on public roads at legal speeds.
The Plus Four: The Sweet Spot
The Plus Four looks like it drove out of a 1950s movie, but it is brand new. Under that long, louvred hood sits a 2.0L Turbocharged BMW engine (the B48). Because the car weighs next to nothing (around 2,200 lbs), 255 horsepower makes it fly. 0-60 happens in under 5 seconds. It is agile, quick, and usable enough to drive every day (if you are brave).
The Plus Six: The Hot Rod
If the Plus Four is a sports car, the Plus Six is a muscle car. It takes the same aluminum platform but stuffs a 3.0L Turbocharged BMW inline-six (the B58, same as the Toyota Supra) into the nose. With 335 horsepower, it is terrifyingly fast. It requires respect. It is a gentlemanâs racer that can embarrass modern Porsches in a straight line.
The "Replica Car" Law and the USA
For years, getting a new Morgan in the US was impossible due to safety regulations (airbags, crash testing, etc.). However, thanks to the FAST Act (Fixing America's Surface Transportation), Morgan can now import a limited number of "replica" vehicles. This means you can actually buy a brand-new Plus Four in America. The waitlist is long, the deposit is hefty, but the exclusivity is guaranteed.
Buying Advice: You Are Buying a Relationship
Owning a Morgan is different from owning a BMW. You will get wet when it rains (the roof is "optimistic" at best). It will rattle. It will have quirks. But the community is incredible. Morgan owners wave to each other. They stop to talk at gas stations. They wear leather helmets without irony.
If you want a car that works perfectly every time, buy a Lexus. If you want a car that makes you feel like a pilot from the golden age of motoring every time you turn the key, there is only one choice. Discover Morgan.