Morgan Motor Company

The Morgan Motor Company is a British car manufacturer of sports cars in private hands. The company is the only one that still structures with frame made ​​of ash wood used in automobiles, a manufacturing technique that dates back to the Kutschwagenbau world. The Morgan 4/4 holds the record as the longest continuously -produced car model. The very light and sometimes very strong vehicles of Morgan have cult status in a large fan base. Approximately 1,000 vehicles will be built per year; Germany is the second largest market of Morgan; the conversion is a total of about 48 million euros.

• 2.1 Morgan 4/4
• 2.2 Roadster
• 2.3 Aero 8
• 2.4 Roadster 4 - Seater
• 2.5 Aeromax
• 2.6 Plus 8
• 2.7 Three Wheeler 2012/14

History

The company was founded in 1909 by Harry Frederick Stanley Morgan ( * 1881 in Stoke Lacy Rectory, Hereford, † 1959) in Malvern Link, a suburb of Malvern in the County of Worcestershire, West Midlands. After the founder's death in 1959 his son Peter took over the management. Peter Morgan died on 20 October 2003. His son Charles manages since 1999 the fortunes of the company.

2009 has committed its 100th anniversary with numerous events in Malvern Link and Cheltenham between July 24 and August 2, the Morgan Motor Company. A total of 75,000 vehicles were built. Today there is a museum and factory annually around 25,000 visitors.

Three Wheeler

First, three-wheeled vehicles have been built, with the motor and two steered wheels in the front and a driven rear wheel. The weight of the first model was indicated at 178 kg. Over the years a large number of models were built: " Simple " two-seater, four-seater also, even with van box body. Until 1934 there was only air or water- cooled two- cylinder engines from different manufacturers (so-called " built-in motors "). Often the engines were installed freely in the wind standing in front of the front axle, others had a hood or the engine behind the radiator.

Well known are the JAP engines, but also engines of Matchless and Anzani. There were also sports and racing versions. Thus, already a three-wheeler on the Brooklands race track in 1928 reached a top speed of 180 km / h As of 1934, the F- series was added with the other body style, which was produced as a two- seater, four-seater and in a sports version. "F " stands for the used Ford engine, a four cylinder in-line engine. 1952, the production of the Morgan Three Wheeler was terminated.

Morgan 4/4, Plus 4, Plus 4 Plus

The first prototype of the four-wheeled automobile was tested in 1935. The series production of the Model 4/4 ( four-cylinder, four wheels), which was first called 4-4, began in 1936. This model is built today, although modified a little, but conceptually unchanged. Mainly modern engines and transmissions have been built with model changes again and again, so that the vehicle could be the applicable laws and regulatory information requirements. The 4/4 is the longest built to date in production car in the world.

The so-called Drophead Coupé was an independent body style, built by 1938 until 1968. Characteristic was provided with a rigid windscreen frame windshield, the fixed structure mounted on hinged roof, raised doors with fixed window frames and sliding doors. This model was built in different versions: as a 4/4, 4, 4-4, including a four-seater Drophead Coupe ( " coupe with removable roof ," according to the German understanding of a convertible, more comfortable than a roadster ) was in 52 or 53 copies built.

In 2009, with the 4/4 sport is still a purist variant on the market, equipped with the 82 kW (111 hp) 1.6 -liter engine from Ford and, with further simplified equipment at a starting price of about 39,500 euros to to make the driving experience of this British classic a less affluent buyers available.

The first model with a fixed roof was the only 26 - times built Morgan Plus 4 Plus from 1963.

8 / Plus Eight

1969 was introduced as a second series of 8 ( or plus 8) with the developed unspünglich of Buick Rover eight-cylinder V- engine with a displacement of 3.5 liters and an output of about 110 kW ( 150 hp). In a vehicle weight of about 900 kg ( curb weight ) were found for that time very good performance. In the acceleration he could keep up until the end with most sports cars. Because of the not very sporty designed motor (31 kW / l) the car has a good torque - it can be driven at low speeds in high gears.

This model was with displacements of 3.5 liters with carburetor, about 110 kW ( 150 hp) from 1968/69 until 1987, when injection engine with 140 kW (190 hp ) from 1984 to 1990, as a 3.9 -liter injection, about 140 kW (190 hp ) from 1990 to 2004 and as a 4.6-liter injection engine with widely varying performance data from about 140 kW to about 166 kW (190 hp to 226 hp) produced from 1998 to 2001.

But the popularity and ongoing popularity of this model, it is thanks to them that the Morgan Motor Company was spared in the 36 years of production ( 1968-2004 ) from a bankruptcy.

In the mid- 1970s in the U.S. emission limits for engines were introduced, they all upgraded from 1974 to 1992 to 8 introduced to LPG operation. As a rover finally a new, low-emission engine introduced in the 90's available, could also be 8 resold with petrol engine in the USA. But were from 2006, new security policies in terms of body and airbags, they tried in vain to obtain an exemption from these laws, which dropped sharply to import classic Morgans.

Current Models

Morgan 4/4

This vehicle is still under construction, currently with a four-cylinder engine from Ford 1.6 L engine.

Roadster

Since the setting of the V-8 engine production by Rover in 2004, the new Roadster is instead of 8 with Ford and Jaguar three-liter six-cylinder V-engine ( about 160 to 170 kW, or 220 to 230 hp). As of November 2007, output decreased by the incorporation of other catalysts at 150 kW ( 203 hp).

The Morgan Roadster is also available in a lighter version to 100 kg. This version is powered by a 170 kW ( 230 hp) V -6 engine driven.

Since 2012, a completely new engine is installed in the Morgan Roadster: a Ford -3 0.7 -liter V -6 engine with 209 kW ( 280 hp ) and Ford 6 -speed transmission.

Aero 8

February 2000 at the Geneva Motor Show in 2001 began shipping the Aero 8 with 4.4 liter BMW V8 engine and dramatically modernized lines. It was intended for the discerning client. It accelerates in 4.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h

Most recently (as of 2006) Morgan standard equipment in the Aero8 airbags and ABS. In addition, a facelift with a reduced air intake below the grille and round indicators has been introduced.

In the last Aero 8 version, a 4.8-liter BMW V8 engine with 270 kW was ( 367 hp ) are used. He is in 4.2 s to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h and reach a top speed of 273 km / h.

In ten years of construction, four versions of the Aero 8 were built, a total of about 700 vehicles and 100 Aeromax. Series production ceased in 2010, now special limited versions are still being built.

Roadster 4 - Seater

Since the Geneva Motor Show 2006 Morgan model is offered as a four-seater with the Roadster 4 - seater again. The revised design of the new four-seater comes from Matthew Humphries, a young British designers. The car is also available as 4 with 2.0 -liter Ford Duratec engine with about 107 kW ( 145 hp).

Aeromax

Introduced in 2005, Morgan Aeromax at Geneva to, having built on the Aero single piece that was built for a friend of the Morgan family, Prince Eric Ioan Sturdza. Designers of this car was Matthew Humphries. The car is a coupe with a hatchback, which in the middle line has a striking fold similar to the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic.

Morgan Motor Company appealed the Aeromax similar model in small series parallel to the Aero8. It was limited to 100 copies and was - like the Aero 8 - with a manual six -speed gearbox or ZF six -speed automatic available. The delivery took place in spring 2007. Few copies to have been, possibly through early 2010 to the owners in the jubilee year 2009. A Aeromax of the model year 2010, achieved in an auction the following year, U.S. $ 209,000.

Plus 8

In March 2012, Morgan presented at the Geneva Motor Show before a new edition of his eight-cylinder roadster under the traditional name Plus 8. Like the first series of the Plus 8 has also the 2012 model over the classic Morgan body with wooden frame and aluminum skin. Is powered by the new Plus 8 from a purchased BMW 4.8-liter V8 engine, which is offered with engine outputs of 270 kW and 291 kW. The standard six-speed manual gearbox is fitted, there is an optional six-speed automatic. According to the manufacturer speeds up the 1100 kg light vehicle in 4.5 seconds from zero to 100 km / h top speed as are 250 km / h indicated. The 2012 Plus 8 meets the latest European safety and emission standards.

Three Wheeler 2012/14

On 3 March 2011 Morgan presented a new three-wheeler at the Geneva Motor Show. The homologated as a motorcycle vehicle looks like its historic predecessor. It is powered by a 82 -hp V- 2 engine manufacturer S & S, which is for custom bike engines and tuning particularly known for Harley -Davidson. The transmission comes from the roadster Mazda MX -5 and has thereby - for the first time at Morgan Threewheelern - even a reverse gear. At the annual " Motorcycle Live " which was updated in 2013 presented " 2014 Edition".

Technical features and characteristics

All Morgan models still have a wooden frame for the body on a steel frame - Morgan is now the last car company that still used for passenger cars, the classic hybrid design, as is common in boat and coach building. Older Morgans tend to body damage, because the structure is not very dense and was painted only on the outside. Therefore, the sheet metal will rust from the inside and the ash wood frame rot as soon as water enters.

The longer already built Morgan models have a steel fish belly frame outwardly bent Z- profiles. The independent front suspension consists of two rigidly connected to the frame cross member tubing with a Geradwegfederung, a patent of Morgan from the year 1909. Rear solid axle suspended on leaf springs, it is equipped with the more powerful models with a limited slip differential. The frame is running ( " underslung " ) fro under the axle.

The patch on the frame structure is clad with steel or aluminum sheet from a skeleton made ​​of ash wood, depending on model and year.

The model Aero8 is of more modern style. Spring Leading designer of the Aero8 was Chris Lawrence, who already won on a personally modified and tuned by him Morgan 4 Supersports the 2 -liter class of the 24- hour race at Le Mans in 1962.

When Aero8 the chassis is a composite bonded aluminum sheet and riveted frame, front and rear wheels are independently suspended front with push rods. The structure is still made ​​of ash wood, clad with aluminum sheet.

Motorsport

Morgan has always been - to varying degrees - involved in motor sport. So a factory team has participated in the 24 - hour race at Le Mans in the GT2 class in 2003 and 2004. In the years 2007 to 2009, a turn -sponsored by Bankhaus Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza team participated in five races of the FIA GT3 European Championship.