Morgan Roadster (2004 - 2020) V6 2d Owner Review

Not many of the good readers of this site would really want to own a museum piece - which - in reality - this vehicle is. Prospective owners have already made up their mind so I will just give an overview of what the vehicle is like.The basic design has not changed since the year the driving test became compulsory: 1935. And the ash framing, so loved by enthusiasts, is still used. My Roadster has a luggage rack on the back. Unless you have heaps of dosh and are buying a Morgan for a 'Sunday picnic trip' car I would strongly recommend that you have a rack on the back. And even as a Sunday picnic trip car - keep it to a couple of egg sandwiches or find a pub. Apart from a small shelf behind the two seats, there is no luggage space. If you go shopping with someone who suddenly decides to purchase a bale of hay for the pets then you are really knackered without one. And always have some line. As all you have in the car is a small dash compartment big enough for your sunnies and two sucky sweets. And a stretchy pocket in each door for your phone. This 2015 roadster comes with an 'easy up' roof. Now remember - this is relative. The 'easy' bit is relative to the old style which involved two people and press studs and pulling and struggling - this new one just involves clips, and press studs and struggling. But can be done by one person. If you have the time. Its amazing how often a Mercedes convertible cruises past as you are struggling with the roof on the hard shoulder - the driver always turning to look as they press their 'roof up' button. But thats not real motoring. I mean - for a car that comes without a radio or cd player, an automated roof would be over the top would it not? And once the roof is deployed, it is not great at doing it's job. Look in any Morgan and there will be a selection of cloths to mop up the leaks that always find their way in. The official line from Morgan (if one brings this up in conversation with the dealers) is that 'Morgan offers a vehicle that has a degree of weather protection'. So, keep your mac on..... Now to the fun part: the drive. The Roadster has far too much power for an old man like me. They should check your birth certificate every service and once you are over 40, you should forfeit the keys.But most of the purchasers are my age or more - so they would run out of customers quickly, so maybe not a good idea. The V6 propels the unit to 60 in something like four and a half seconds. As it is light (half soddin wood remember) and has three and a half litre engine: it has a bonkers power to weight ratio. Straight line tis great (so by all means go drag racing) but when you use the steering wheel, the back end (for it is rear wheel drive of course) has a tendency to try to overtake the front end. So be very very careful. However - one need not drive like a loony. On a recent (pre covid) trip around the top of Scotland it was wonderful, and I didnt lose the back end once! Driving through the countryside with the roof down and the windows out(yes, no winders in 1935 remember - you take them out!) sitting about four inches above the tarmac - it is the nearest one can get to being on a four wheeled motorbike, very exhilarating. You are not in a steel box looking out - you are actually in the scenery. You will be admired - especially by schoolkids. They will wave and shout to you - after all, not every day one sees a museum piece on the road. A great conversation starter - so many come up to you and start talking - anything from 'I used to have one of these - loved it' to 'what is it??'. So if you have dosh and want enormous fun, get one. If you are looking for something a little more practical - forget it. :-)