Jeff,
Many thanks for your sensible comments. I was beginning to feel a little
"insecure" as the owner of the first of these $70,000 NAS Plus 8's!
Ten days ago when I stopped by Cantab to see the progress being
made on my car, (I've been in no rush to collect it with all the salt on
the roads in NJ), I happened to meet a gentleman who had just parted
with his $4,000 deposit. He will likely be waiting 12 - 18 months for
a car. This gent was in his late fifties, was driving a late-model BMW
Touring, and was wearing a very nice well-worn leather flight jacket
and flat cap.
Personally, I can't really afford my car, and as a Land Rover Specialist,
probably don't have much more income than the rest of you. There were
five cars there to view in various states of conversion and modification
including mine. The gent asked the reason for the extra cost ($2,900) of
the wire wheels. I explained that it wasn't just the cost of the wheels,
but also the wider body and everything else. (My car is a 16" alloys
wide-body.) There was a standard 15" alloys Plus 8 there, and I pointed
out to him that this graceful car would be the outcome of his order if he
opted not to go for the wires. I suggested that he pay the Works a visit,
look at a few cars on the road in the U.K., and then decide what it was
he wanted. I believe he could write a personal cheque for my entire
dealership!
It would appear that most of Cantab's orders are for Plus 8's with
wires, which is a concept totally beyond my comprehension. But if
my car is the only wide-body to enter the U.S. with proper centre-
lock alloys, that will not bother me either. I know the Brits on the list
will relate to my position. These 16" wires were originally concocted
to satisfy the large German market. I have a Range Rover client whose
order is soon to be filled. His 12 car stable includes a sixties DHC,
Ferrarri's, A Bentley Turbo Coupe, etc., etc. He TOO is opting for the
wires against my recommendation. I believe Cantab has about 35
very firm orders.
Well, Jeff, in my case I just HAD to have the damn car, whether I
could afford it or not. And I can assure you that Morgan Motor Co.
was totally sympathetic to my every special request. With the
exception of the bumper system, (which was a compromise), this
car is EXACTLY what I wanted, right down to the special bought-in
wing beading which matches my leather trim. I could go on and on.
Beside the chassis, the only other two bits of steel in the car are
the cowl and scuttle. Everything else is either SPF alloy, aluminium,
or stainless!!! While the other people who have ordered these U.S.
cars may well have no less ardour than mine, I gather than the
investment to them may well be "pocket change". This is not so
different from some of the late-model Plus 8 owners whose
acquaintance I made at HalMog this past summer, many of
whom I discovered were Managing Directors of large companies.
They WERE totally devoted to their cars and the "lifestyle".
Regards,
Willie
P.S. For those of you on the "List" with lovely, crisp running,
sixties-vintage Plus 4's, can you imagine what it would be
like to drive a tighter and better-riding Morgan which reaches
60 MPH effortlessly in under six seconds, can break the
rear end loose with the slightest prod of your big toe, and
what would THAT be worth to you if the means were available?
At 10:19 PM 3/22/99 -0500, Jeff Webster wrote:
>Lannis wrote:
>"I also don't see how anyone is going to be able to justify $70,000 for a
>Morgan. $35,000, maybe, but never $70,000. That's beyond us regular guys to
>whom $70,000 represents a year or more of hard work, and represents half our
>life savings"
>
>I am inclined to agree with you, that the price is getting up there,
>however, I presume you are talking about a +8 with treated frame, dipped
>chassis and possibly aluminium panels, A car that is being 'hand made' for
>YOU especially ( in this day and age) - a car that WILL last a LONG time,
>and WILL appreciate - how many other new cars can you say that of? So one
>has to ask - what is THAT worth to you?
>
>Regards,
>
>Jeff
>
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