I don't think anyone should get his knickers in a twist over the
appearance of the new Morgan based on Car & Driver's slant. Take a
close look at the "photo" of the "Shockingly modern Morgan GT".
The image is a computer-aided and abetted mixture of the blue US market
car in the other photos and a Car & Driver art department version of
Charles' supposed sketch. Why is the door mirror sprouting out of a
side curtain bracket? Why are the luggage rack and the tail light at
impossible angles compared to the longer rear fender? Where are the
front turn signals? Why is the door handle so low? What's holding the
windshield on?
Furthermore, the Plus 8 GTR is not top secret. Have a look at the two
year old MMC web page. Also, the alloy chassis with long wishbone
suspension was under the Plus 8 GTR racecar during the 1997 GT
Championship race season including the two US races.
I talked to Chris Lawrence and Charles Morgan about the car in May 1997
in the factory service shop (before the GTR development moved to more
discreet quarters). At the time, Charles' concept for the GTR was that
a customer could opt for the advanced chassis under a more-or-less
typical Morgan coach-built body. Meanwhile a test car with GTR-type
streamlined headlights and a more sophisticated top (hood) was and is
often seen around Malvern and at the factory. In other respects this
car looks like a normal Morgan +8.
Maybe the C&D article was designed to cause curiousity followed by
relief when Morgan enthusiasts see the real article roll out of the
factory.
--Steve
|