More petrol-based stuff I'm afraid but Sunday was my baptism of fire concerning the Morgan Trike. My bro-in-law has recently purchased one of these devices, a Morgan Aero circa 1932. The occasion of our journey was a meeting of The Morgan Three Wheeler Club in miserable weather conditions but taking us on a wondrous route through darkest Sussex. Eccentricity is the name of the game where these game little cars are concerned. Fortunately, 'ours' has three speeds and reverse, whilst earlier models have two speeds and no reverse which makes for interesting manoevering. The ice generated around the carburettor on such a day as Sunday would have gladdened the heart of Frosty the Snowman and seriously increased our fuel consumption. Naturally, once we had become lost a couple of times we ran out of petrol, and whilst contemplating our lot, what should hove into view but a half-timbered Morris Minor, the jovial driver of which made free with his spare can of the precious fluid. On our way once more we fair scuttled along scattering leaves and squirrels before us. The sensation of speed is heightened by the vehicle's being so low - you can place the flat of your hand on the road from the seated position when stationary. Nevertheless it will achieve around 80mph which I should imagine is a truly trouser-changing experience. Not being the sort of fellow who is naturally clubable I was pleasantly surprised by these Mogmen and women...a usefully eccentric bunch, they more than matched their cars which happily took them on jaunts across the Channel to places such as Latvia. Suffice to say we had such fun in this car that I have to say I wouldn't mind one myself. The game's afoot!
6 comments:
Oh yes! What a little beauty! Those pillar-type sliding kingpins, the JAP engine (I hope!!), that beautiful elliptical windscreen: it looks fantastic! I have never ridden in one...I so envy you!!
I can think of nothing better than getting lost in Sussex in one of these. I've always loved their sheer eccentricity, and can see myself pushing one up a snowy hill in an S.R.Badmin landscape, perhaps past a signpost on the Downs above his home in Bignor.
Indeed, indeed. Or to have our photograph taken by George Garland of Petworth. Yokels with chinstrap beards and short clay pipes attempting to control the cart horses as we dash by. Hot toddies in 'The Noah's Ark' as we warm ourselves with backs to the roaring fire before once more resuming our dare devil antics on the open road.
Yes, yes. And J.J.Hissey with his Invisible Chauffeur and a portmanteau of over-wrought descriptions to monitor it all.
Oh lust, thy name is Morgan. How my intrepid explorer brother and I have wished for one of these under our Christmas trees, and still do. Love the 'flat of hand' note; I hadn't realised they were quite that low. The Telegraph motoring chappie is supposed to be building a Tri-King, with a Guzzi engine, which must be pretty close to the real thing but with fewer leaks. Also, these are so great to see at VSCC meetings, where their almost total absence of weight makes them such effective racers. Brilliant!
Fred, you are so right about the Morgan. Idiosyncratic, tiny and extremely fast...perfect in fact for quick vintage motoring without resorting to stratospherically expensive cars. The Triking is an excellent device; being designed by a Morgan enthusiast it has all the DNA of the original but with the more reliable and gutsy Guzzi engine if you see what I mean. It also has brakes!
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