For those who wish to pay their respects, there will be a thanks giving service of Chris Lawrence’s life at the Great Malvern Priory on the 30^th September 2011 at 2 p.m. followed by refreshments at the Morgan visitor centre at the Morgan factory. All are welcome to attend both the service and the subsequent refreshments. If anyone has any questions please contact Larry Webb at admin@larrywebb.co.uk.

For more images of the Morgan 2+2 coupe EvaGT sports car, or to join the discussion of this positive step forward for MMC, you can visit Talk Morgan.

At a time of global conservation with a drive towards improved fuel economy the Morgan Motor Company introduces a new concept for a sporting family, the Morgan EvaGT. The four seater Coupe takes its inspiration from the British sports saloons of the early 1950’s. Among these were the Bristol 400 series and the Frazer Nash BMW 328. After the Second World War rationing forced designers to conserve and make the most of the materials at their disposal. However the pressure cooker of war had also led to an abundance of innovative engineering ideas. Steel was scarce so lightweight aluminium was used for bodywork. Smooth “in-line” straight six cylinder engines were fitted to give long distance comfort and reliability. Because the engineers had often worked on aircraft development during the war aerodynamics contributed to high but economical cruising speeds.

The Morgan Motor Company is the last survivor of these British sports car manufacturers. Of course the company is lucky enough to have 100 years of continuous success behind it and like Bristol and Frazer Nash; Morgan has a history of successful collaborations with German suppliers BMW, Siemens and Bosch. But Morgan also works with a number of young engineering companies in the United Kingdom and with world class British university research departments.

The new challenge is to make cars that are more efficient than any we have seen so far. The Morgan Motor Company is in a good position to respond to this challenge because the company is small and flexible with a proven track record of fast development cycles. It currently manufactures one of the greenest sports cars in the world, the Morgan Four Four Sport. Morgan achieves this result with the use of the new Ford 1.6 Sigma engine coupled with a light chassis. Morgan currently has a young well qualified technical team working towards a potential 5 engineering PHD’s, who will make full use of research departments at the University of Oxford, Cranfield and Birmingham City to tap into a technical knowledge network to make more efficient cars. This team is helping to develop a high torque electric motor twice as powerful as others of the same weight and size and a powerful lithium phosphate battery with a higher charge density to achieve the most efficient performance for weight so far.

The dynamic team at Morgan has made a commitment from 2010 that they will bring out a new model every two years. The legendary sports car manufacturer will target new niches…..electric sports cars, a fun weekend vehicle and the first of the new cars will be the Morgan EvaGT, a four seater Coupe aimed at young families, with a bit of drama or automotive theatre as we like to call it. This is a revolution for a car company famous for making the same car for 50 years!

The Morgan EvaGT
Brief provisional specification

Chassis:
The Morgan EvaGT makes full use of clever technologies that the Morgan Motor Company has developed to manufacture a lightweight car. Morgan was one of the first car companies to see the advantage of a bonded aluminium chassis to give rigidity but also to save weight. The EvaGT uses a further developed version of the bonded aluminium chassis of the Morgan Aero SuperSports, a chassis that successfully competes in International GT3 Sports Car Racing. Compliant with European and US safety approvals.

Bodywork:
Morgan was the first car company in 1995 to see the benefit of superformed aluminium, an aircraft technology, to manufacture smooth accurate body parts. Morgan Design have sculpted a new shape for the Morgan EvaGT that focuses on natural materials and understands their unique technical properties. Using computer technology in design and in manufacture to ensure accuracy, the parts are then hand finished to make sure they feel as good as they look. A perfect “A” class surface, minimal shut lines, hidden wipers, flush door handles and sharp creases deflect air over the surface of the car. The new Morgan EvaGT represents a philosophy of lightweight luxury that embraces authenticity, sustainability and innovation achieving its final result through the process of skilled craftsmanship.

Technical Specification (subject to change):
BMW 3 litre straight six mono twin turbo with direct petrol injection 306bhp and 400nm torque

• Euro 5 and 6 compliant at 200 gms Co2/km, US FMVSS, CARB and EPA approved.
• 40 mpg / 7.06 litres/100kms
• 6 speed sport automatic or 6 speed manual gearbox.
• Rear wheel drive with fully independent intelligent suspension
• Aluminium body panels with a laminated internal safety structure.
• Predicted weight of 2755 lbs/1250 kg
• Predicted 0-60 mph 4.5 seconds/ 0-100km/h 4.5 seconds
• Predicted top speed 170mph / 273 km/h

Launch
The first public view of the Morgan EvaGT will be at the 60th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Carmel, California, USA on the 15th August 2010.

The Morgan Motor Company will be taking orders worldwide with a request for a deposit of £5000 from prospective clients for an allocated build slot. The first 100 cars of a limited run are planned to begin production mid 2012 and the “on-road” price will be competitive for a car of this class.

“The Guild of Motoring Writers recognises a unique British achievement

Charles Morgan of the Morgan Motor Company has been awarded the President’s Trophy, The Guild of Motoring Writers’ highest accolade, in recognition of the specialist car company’s centenary.

The presentation was made at the Guild’s Annual General Meeting by its president, Nick Mason. Mr Morgan expressed his “delight and extreme gratitude” in accepting the award, and went on to thank the Guild for its members’ help and support during the 66-year association between the two organisations.

Introducing the award, Nick Mason said: Introducing the award, Nick Mason said: “I’m delighted to present Charles with this Trophy in acknowledgement of The Morgan Motor Company’s commitment to British automotive engineering”. In accepting, Charles Morgan replied: “It is an honour to accept this on behalf of all those who have and who continue to make Morgan a success.”. In accepting, Charles Morgan replied: “It is an honour to accept this on behalf of all those who have and who continue to make Morgan a success.”

He added that Morgan has plans for an electric car and a small family vehicle, plus a ‘weekend’ car, hinting it might be a three-wheeler.

The presentation was a highlight of the Guild’s AGM, which was generously hosted by Rolls-Royce at its Goodwood headquarters. After the meeting, members were given a VIP tour of the production facility, and had the opportunity to drive various Rolls-Royce models.”

A warm congratulations to Mr. Morgan from all at Talk Morgan and the Morgan Car News on being awarded this prestigious trophy.

Morgan Motor Company have this to say about their latest version of the original Morgan 3-Wheeler: -

“In our Centenary year no celebration from a car manufacturer as special as Morgan would be complete without the introduction of a new model.

In keeping with the tradition of doing things our own way, we are delighted to announce a new model – The SuperSport Junior Pedal Car: It’s light,  It’s zero emission and it’s fun!

Designed to be built alongside the normal range of cars at the factory, the 2/3rd scale SuperSports Junior pedal car will appeal to the younger element of the Morgan fraternity. Suitable for 6-13 year olds, it requires energetic pedal power rather than petrol or hydrogen for forward motion. True to our core Morgan values it retains our legendary high power to weight ratio.

Made from only the highest quality materials and featuring a cast aluminium look-alike engine, the limited run of 500 are expected to sell as fast as they move! If you are interested in ordering one of these future collectors items please contact  MMC for brochure and ordering information .”

Further photographs of the Morgan pedal car can be found on Talk Morgan, the Morgan sports car site for owners and enthusiasts.

Morgan Roadster Sport in Sport Teal

Hot off the press from Milan, we have just received photos of the wonderful Morgan Roadster Sport from Morgan Motor Company. The photos show the new Sport model in, the fresh for 2010 colour, Sport Teal.

MMC have this to say about the new Morgan sports car: “A new introduction for 2010, the Roadster Sport adds performance and luxury to the basic formula.

With a minimal range of options to add to the comprehensive specification, which already includes a mohair hood and tonneau, black coloured stainless steel wire wheels and tan leather upholstery, the Roadster Sport offers style – pure and simple. 220 Bhp, a wider frame front for more secure handling yet still with 225 g/km Co2 emissions, the new Euro 5 Roadster Sport delivers performance with responsibility (Editor – thereby following in the footsteps of the Morgan 4/4 Sport).”

For more information on the Morgan Sport Range, visit the Morgan Motor Company and see their list of dealers for Morgan sports car sales. To discuss these wonderful automobiles, view photographs and meet other enthusiasts of Morgan cars, visit Talk Morgan.

In his short story Time Machine: One Family’s 40 Year Morgan Odyssey, Dan tackles the retelling of his family’s 40-years of Morgan sports car ownership. Blame it on the sentimental side of me but by the end of the story, I could not help but imbue the Sunset Yellow Plus 8 with a personality all its own. Dan has promised to document his upcoming road trip, through the Carolina mountains, in the Morgan; therefore, I can look forward to hearing further adventures of this bright member of the Stewart family. Until then, I hope you enjoy Dan’s story as much as I did…

Morgan Plus 8 at Road Atlanta 1983

Time Machine: One Family’s 40 Year Morgan Odyssey

by Dan Stewart

The December, 1968 issue of Road & Track arrived in the mail about a month late, as it always did at our home in San Salvador, El Salvador.  My father had been a subscriber for years, and as his career had taken our family first to Europe and then Central America, he and I had become accustomed to receiving the magazine late, and occasionally in tatters.

This issue contained an item that captured my father’s attention more than most.  On pages 102 and 103, there was an article by Eoin Young about a sensational new Morgan, the Plus 8, powered by the Rover 3.5 liter all-aluminum V-8.  This engine was of particular interest to my father, who spent his entire thirty-eight year career working for Alcoa Aluminum; first as a metallurgist, and then in upper management with the company’s international division.  He was an enthusiastic proponent of the aluminum internal combustion engine, and during the war had assisted Packard with their production of the mighty Merlin V-12 that propelled the P-51 fighter aircraft.  He had previously owned a 1962 Buick Skylark convertible powered by the same compact V-8 used in the Morgan before GM had sold the production rights and tooling to Rover.  I should add that my dad was an unapologetic automotive enthusiast, and although he had never owned a British sports car he was more than open to the idea if the right one came along.

Nothing was going to come of it as long as we lived in El Salvador, but our family’s four-year sojourn there was coming to an end.  The following summer, we learned that Alcoa management had decided that my father was just the man they needed to manage their expanding operations in the UK.  So it was that in the fall of 1969, my parents moved to the town of Droitwich, in Worcestershire, and I was sent off to a boarding school in Rome, Italy to complete my senior year of high school.  My sister, three years older than I, was by this time attending college in California.

This being long before the days of cheap, instant communication, the weekly letter from home was eagerly anticipated.  I was especially interested to hear about the new family home and surroundings, as I had travelled directly to Italy from El Salvador.  When one particular letter arrived that autumn, I quickly found a quiet spot to read it.  My mother always wrote her part first, and I got the usual tidbits about the new house, neighbors, and surroundings.  When I came to my father’s section, my heart raced with excitement as I read that he had “…Placed an order for a Sunset Yellow Morgan Plus 8 at the Earl’s Court Motor Show.”  He went on to say that the car would be delivered in the late spring of the following year.  I quickly wrote back to praise my father for the wisdom of his decision and began to count down the days to delivery.

~ to continue reading Dan’s story about 40-years of Morgan Plus 8 ownership, click here

Morgan Plus 4 & 4-Seater Sports Cars

The Morgan range of contemporary sports cars holds true to Morgan philosophy – pure, elegant, light and fast.

Using the best quality materials, aluminium, ash and leather, every Morgan is created with passion, care and dedication by the craftsmen and women at the small factory in the picturesque Malvern Hills.

Incorporating the most modern drivetrain technology, a Morgan will not only perform, but deliver low running costs and low carbon emissions too.

The 4/4 Sport takes purity to a new level. A back to basics car, the elegance is in the simplicity.

Available in a choice of 8 colours and a Saddle brown leather interior as standard, the 4/4 Sport has been designed to appeal to all ages as the iconic Sports Car.

With its peppy 1.6 litre 110 Bhp engine and weighing in at under 800Kg, the 4/4 Sport delivers fun in abundance. Carbon emissions of just 139g/km make this the lowest emitting sports car in the world. The perfect balance between tradition and modernity without the smallest compromise.

If it’s more performance you desire, the Morgan Plus 4’s lightweight hand-crafted body still follows the flowing lines of the original, but these days it’s driven by the latest generation Ford 2.0 litre Duratec 145 Bhp four cylinder engine. This high power lightweight car delivers 0-62 in 7.3 seconds, and an amazing ability to put in fast averages thanks to its balance and power delivery.

The Morgan 4 seater has always been a well kept secret, despite being in production for over 70 years. Available as either a 2.0 litre Plus 4 or 220 Bhp 3.0 litre V6 Roadster, this model adds a new dimension to Morgan ownership, and with just one 4 seater rolling out each week, exclusivity is guaranteed.

Two generous rear seats fold forward to give a large load area. Child seats can be fitted to ensure that the whole family whatever age can enjoy the delights of open air Morgan motoring.

The ultimate development of the traditional line is the smooth, powerful 3.0 V6 Roadster. Weighing only 940 Kg, the 220 Bhp Roadster sprints to 60 mph in around 5 seconds, yet still delivers co2 emissions of just 225 g/km. A very low figure for supercar performance. New for 2010 is the Roadster Sport, which like its 4/4 sibling comes in a standard specification available in 8 colours, albeit with a much higher level of standard specification.

Morgan build cars for people who want a highly individual sports car that’s fun to drive. Although the Classic Range has been shaped by a long heritage, the emphasis now is on modern use, environmental considerations and fuel efficiency.

For more information on the Classic Morgan range, you can visit the Morgan Motor Company and for discussion and to become part of the enthusiasts community, visit Talk Morgan.