Morgan vs Elan

Post by: **lexi** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:46 am

Dear Jim,
Please please could you fix it to clarify why an elan is better than a morgan.
An on going argument has resulted in tension between friends. We all think the morgan is better looking and more stylish but I still think the elan is better
Many thanks
Lex.

Post by: **1964 S1** » Sat May 30, 2009 3:53 am

Hello Lex,
I'm not Jim
but I'll jump right in,
as this is not, a pm.
Tension,
between friends?

An Elan is better because its handling is SO far superior to a Morgan. Forget appearance, how do they drive? Many beautiful cars drive like crap so let's give the Morgan it's due, an old design on an old body, that drives better than an MGA.
The Elan chassis takes the cake. Name another car that handles better.
If you want to base a discussion on appearance, find a web site that puts Morgan versus... a ...ahh?.... AMC Rambler? BMW?

Eric

Post by: **richgilb** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:07 am

Point the Elan towards a corner that is preceded by a straight long enough to build up a decent speed. Then try and get round the corner as fast as you can. Then try to get the Morgan round the corner as quickly as you managed it in the Elan. You should then be able to report back which is better, perhaps from a hospital bed!

Rich

Post by: **GrUmPyBoDgEr** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:11 am

I suppose the closest comparison you'll get is on the race track.
Assume that both drivers are equally competent & both cars are race tuned.
The Elan does have to fight hard to hold off a Morgan +8 due to the brute force of the 3,5+ Liter engine.
The shear acceleration allows the Morgan to be quicker on the straights but in the bends the Elan runs away from it again.
Compare the 1,6 Liter Elan engine to the 3,5 Rover/Morgan engine & there's a massive power difference.
Apply that to normal road use, dissregarding Motorways, where these toys tend not to play, the Elan wins hands down & does it using less petrol. The Elan feels safer, no scuttle shake, goes around all bends on all four wheels & is equally if not more comfortable to be in.
Note: I've not even taken lesser Morgans with smaller engines into account :roll:

Although not neccessarily in context, over here people usually sell their Caterhams & buy a Morgan when their balls start to shrivel :lol:

I'll have a pint on you :wink:

Cheers
John

Post by: **types26/36** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:03 am

lexi wrote:Dear Jim,
An on going argument has resulted in tension between friends. Many thanks Lex.

Is this a serious letter or just a "Wind Up" ??....I have my doubts :roll:

Maybe it should have been sent to a "Dear Dr Marge" column in a womans magizine..... :lol:

Post by: **mikealdren** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:25 am

Is it simply the difference between those who prefer polishing their cars and those who prefer driving? After all the Morgan was old fashioned when it was first designed and Lotus cars have always been (and still are) at the forefront of performance and handling.

Mike

Post by: **hatman** » Sat May 30, 2009 9:23 am

And the Elan's vastly better looking than any Morgan.

Post by: **GrUmPyBoDgEr** » Sat May 30, 2009 11:55 am

types26/36/74 wrote:
lexi wrote:Dear Jim,
An on going argument has resulted in tension between friends. Many thanks Lex.

Is this a serious letter or just a "Wind Up" ??....I have my doubts
Maybe it should have been sent to a "Dear Dr Marge" column in a womans magizine.....

'tis what I thought also but decided to indulge "lexi" as it would seem he's the one flying the Elan flag against opposition. :wink:

Cheers
John

P.S. So "lexi" why not introduce yourself to us & pull up a chair

Post by: **twincamman** » Sat May 30, 2009 12:57 pm

REASON ONE if you have an Elan you dont have to worry about termites or dry rot --REASON 2 a Morgan is a slow old car a Lotus is a fast old car --ed

Post by: **GrUmPyBoDgEr** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:31 pm

twincamman wrote:REASON ONE if you have an Elan you dont have to worry about termites or dry rot --REASON 2 a Morgan is a slow old car a Lotus is a fast old car --ed

So the +8 or the Aero 8 haven't reached your neck of the woods yet then Ed :wink:

John

Post by: **twincamman** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:48 pm

yep --right after the the elite v8 ---ed

Post by: **GrUmPyBoDgEr** » Sat May 30, 2009 5:08 pm

twincamman wrote:yep --right after the the elite v8 ---ed

Post by: **types26/36** » Sat May 30, 2009 5:25 pm

D.J.Pelly wrote:
twincamman wrote:yep --right after the the elite v8 ---ed

V8 Elite

???......... Guinea Pig

???? .........maybe I'm on a different planet but I just dont get it

(and probably never will) :cry:

what am I missing :?:

Post by: **GrUmPyBoDgEr** » Sat May 30, 2009 6:01 pm

types26/36/74 wrote:
D.J.Pelly wrote:
twincamman wrote:yep --right after the the elite v8 ---ed

V8 Elite ???......... Guinea Pig ???? .........maybe I'm on a different planet but I just dont get it (and probably never will) what am I missing

Will you hold my hand please, "Spencer" is an indicator of when I loose the plot :roll:

I hope "lexi" is sticking with it; if he's still out there.
John