It can be argued that modern automobiles, no matter how good they’ve become, lack a certain amount of personality, that spark of magic, or even the mechanical equivalent of a soul. We have, it would appear, tossed aside the elemental joys of motoring in search of ever-increasing horsepower and lateral acceleration.
One maker that’s stayed essentially true to its roots is Morgan, the British manufacturer of high-end retro roadsters. Founded in 1901, Morgan still produces cars using ash wood frames for lightness and strength, and craftsmen, not robots, still assemble its cars by hand.
Though Morgans have evolved with the times to meet modern safety and emission standards, they’re still a throwback to an earlier time when driving was considered a pleasure, not a mere chore. You can load up a new Morgan Plus 8 with an impressive array of bespoke options, but chances are its hand-fitted top will still leak in the rain.
On the other hand, its style is absolutely timeless, and a Morgan Plus 8 will look as good fifty years from now as it does today. It’s distinctive, and you’re likely to be the only one on your block (or even in your entire city) with a Morgan roadster parked in his garage.
It takes a team of artisans a full month to construct a Morgan Plus 8, but thanks to this video produced by Britain’s The Telegraph, you can watch the build in two minutes. Be forewarned, though; watching the video is likely to produce an irrational longing to park a Morgan Plus 8 in your driveway.
Since the video doesn’t embed, you’ll need to follow this external link to The Telegraph’s website to view it.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
