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A version of the +4, designated the +4+, was made from 1964 to 1967
with a contemporary fibreglass coupe body. The light weight and reduced
drag characteristics improved the performance of the +4+ over the
regular +4 in every aspect. However, the traditional Morgan enthusiasts
did not embrace this departure from Morgan custom, and mainstream
enthusiasts did not embrace the seemingly archaic +4 chassis. Only 26
+4+ cars were built. Morgan 4/4The 4-4 was replaced by the 4/4
in 1955. The 4/4
now uses
the +8 chassis and a Ford engine. Morgan +8
Faced with the decreasing availability of large
four-cylinder
engines for use in their +4 models, Morgan began to install the
recently-available Rover V8 engine in their cars in 1968, giving
these cars the model designation +8.
The engine displacement jumped from the 2.3 L of
the
Triumph TR4
engine to 3.5 L, then 3.9L (1990), 4.0 (1998-2004) with an optional
4.6L (1996-2000) all based on the same Land Rover block. However, the
V-8 was no longer than the Triumph. These features made the +8
accelerate much more quickly than the early +4 and also improved its
road-holding capability.
Horsepower (143-204 bhp), weight and
performance
varied with
emission and structural laws through its history. In its final form,
the GEMS Land Rover V8 produced 190 hp (140 kW). Thus
powered, the car could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.6
seconds.
Many enthusiasts work on the engine, exhaust, carburettors or EFI
systems and improve this figure.
Roadster
In 2004, Morgan came out with a trad model to
replace
the
departing Plus 8. The new model, named the "Roadster" is
powered by a Ford UK Mondeo V6 producing 212 bhp
(158 kW;
215 PS). In 2007, the Mondeo engine was replaced by a US
version
of the same engine in the Roadster II.
Morgan Aero 8
A Modern Morgan Aero 8 at the Scarsdale Concours
In 2000, the Morgan Aero 8 was
introduced and,
as always,
the wooden body substructure was ash. (Contrary to popular myth,
however, the chassis is metal; aluminium for the Aero 8). The Aero 8,
with a BMW V8 engine in a car weighing less than a BMW Z4 and
considerably less than a BMW M3, is even faster than the Plus 8,
delivering what Autoweek magazine termed supercar
performance. The newest Aero 8 (Ser. IV) puts out 367 hp
(274 kW) at 6100 rpm giving it a top speed of over
170 mph
(270 km/h). Due to the Aero 8's light weight it can do
0-62 mph
(100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds.
Morgan AeroMax
The Morgan Aeromax is a coupe variation of the
Aero 8.
Production
was limited to 100 cars, each costing £110,000. Customers have
included Richard Hammond, Rowan Atkinson and Paul O'Grady.
Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is a sports car produced by Porsche AG of Stuttgart,
Germany. The well-known, distinctive, and robust design is notable for
being rear engine like the Porsche-designed Volkswagen Beetle it had
been based on. The car was also air-cooled until the introduction of
the all-new Type 996 in 1998. Since its introduction in autumn 1963, it
has undergone continuous development. The basic concept has remained
little changed throughout the years.
Porsche Boxster
The Porsche Boxster is a mid-engine roadster produced by Porsche. The
Boxster is Porsche's first model designed by Harm Lagaay from the
starting as a roadster; all previous Porsche convertibles were based on
hardtop coupes.
The Boxster 986 was introduced in late 1996 as a 1997 model; it was
powered by a 2.5 litre flat six-cylinder engine. In 2000, the new
Boxster S variant was introduced with a larger 3.2 litre motor, and the
base model received a more powerful 2.7 litre engine. In 2003, styling
and engine output was upgraded on both variants.
Porsche Cayman
The Porsche Cayman is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive 2-seat sports car
built by Porsche AG of Germany. First launched in the 2006 model year,
the Cayman is a coupé derived from Porsche's second generation Boxster
convertible. Like the Boxster, most Caymans are assembled in Finland
for Porsche by Valmet Automotive (the rest are assembled in
Zuffenhausen near Stuttgart, Germany). Porsche's Deputy Chairman,
Holger P. Haerter confirmed that their contract with Valmet Automotive
will end in 2012.
Porsche Cayenne
The Porsche Cayenne is a five-seat mid-size luxury sport utility
vehicle manufactured by the German automaker Porsche since 2002, with
North American sales beginning in 2003. Its platform was developed and
is shared with the Volkswagen Touareg. It is the first V8-engined
vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928 was
discontinued. Since 2008, all engines have featured direct injection
technology.
MG T-Series
At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, production of cars at
MG in Abingdon had given way to production and maintenance of machines
of war, as it had at most other engineering plants over the whole
country. A very wide variety of jobs were undertaken, ranging from
servicing guns and production of aircraft parts to overhauling tanks.
No job was too large, too small, or too difficult for the workers at MG.
MG Midget
Back in the 1920's, the M-Type Midget had been developed from the baby
Morris Minor. The result was a basic, cheap, fun two-seater, with
sporting pretensions which triggered a whole dynasty of Midgets. It was
the Midget series which had established MG as a manufacturer of sports
cars with an excellent reputation in motor sport. This range of cars
had culminated in the TF which was seen as a Midget too far. By the
time it was laid to rest in 1955, the design was out of date and out of
step with what was required, since sports cars were becoming bigger,
more sophisticated, more powerful, and more expensive. It seemed
doubtful that we would ever see a Midget again.
MGA
When the MGA arrived in 1955, it must have come as quite a shock to MG
aficionados who had become used to the pre-war look of the company's
sports cars. Even the revamped TF left nothing to doubt about its
1930's-style design. The MGA was a complete departure in styling for
MG. Its beautiful streamlined body was right up to the minute in terms
of appearance, and it was powered by a new engine, as MG had decided
that the old XPAG unit had had its day. The MGA was powered by the much
more modern B-series engine that had made its debut in the recently
announced Magnette saloon.
MGB
When the MGA had been announced in 1955, it had set new standards for
MG in terms of performance and styling, but by the beginning of the
1960's it had become slightly out-dated. Sports car design had moved up
a gear, particularly in terms of comfort and the prospective sports car
buyer was demanding more sophistication than the MGA was able to
deliver. For MG's sake, the replacement needed to offer better
performance and a greater degree of comfort. History has now shown that
the new car did have these features, for it was the venerable MGB, a
car which was to sell over five times the numbers of MGA.
MG RV8
The MG RV8 is one of the stranger chapters in British motoring history.
Just as we like to ponder how it would be if dinosaurs walked the earth
today, a similar thought might have been running through the collective
consciousness at Rovers Special Projects division in the early
nineties. To be fair to these enthusiasts, they only had a shoestring
budget and a keen sense of historical rectitude to work with, but it
seems the fruit of their labours has become something of a forgotten
venture.
MGF
The MGF was unveiled at this years Geneva Motor Show, and is the first
all-new MG since the MGB way back in 1962. Unlike the recent MG RV8,
which was little more than a facelifted MGB, the MGF is a thoroughly
modern sportster bristling with the latest in auto technology.
Mustang
The Ford Mustang is a sports car produced by Ford Motor Company.
Starting the car was a variant of the Ford Falcon, in 1960 a unique
partnership has resulted in the new Mustang Shelby Cobra GT 500, which
repeats the symbol of one of the most powerful version ever created the
"pony car" in 1960 (see story). When a legend like Carroll Shelby joins
with a renowned sports division, as the SVT (Special Vehicle Team)
Ford, the result can be dizzying. The unique partnership has resulted
in the new Mustang Shelby Cobra GT 500, which repeats the symbol of one
of the most powerful versions already created the "pony car" in the
1960s
Rover
Speaking of the history of the Range Rover implies explain the context
in which the project has been developed. Moreover, it is necessary to
return to the marketing of the Land Rover in 1948.
The Second World War had left the Rover factory with a huge (the target
of several expansions in order to meet the needs of arms in times of
war), but the number of cars it sold the brand did not justify the huge
space that was available for their production.
The chief designer, Maurice Wilks and his brother, Spencer Wilks
(Director General of the Rover) had the idea of launching a car
four-wheel drive that had as main objective the military market and the
agricultural market. The Land Rover was inspired by the Willys Jeep and
immediately became a success worldwide, due to their capacity
all-terrain and the simplicity in its design (panels welded to a
separate chassis).
This car has boosted production in Solihull and was also greatly
responsible for helping England to recover from the war, as represented
most of the exports from that country.
But there was a problem that concerned the Wilks brothers. As the
economy recovered, was expected to lower sales and the only way to
counteract this was to make the Land Rover more pleasant and likable
for its driver and passengers. This concept led to the launch of the
first "station wagon" at the end of 1948. With some extra equipment and
less simplistic interior, the 80-inch Station Wagon "had a higher price
and this was reflected in sales. There were produced more than 641
units, and the model was withdrawn in 1951.
But the brothers did not give up the concept and the idea of a car
all-terrain more civilized pursued further with the 1951 Road Rover.
This car was quite different from the "station wagon" before and
capabilities off-site were as a secondary consideration compared with
the durability, practicality and driving on roads that were expected of
this model.
Instead of the Land Rover chassis, this model used a shorter version of
the platform used in the Rover P4, keeping the back of this
transmission.
SIMCA
The first project of Simca debuted in 1951: the sedan, with 1.2 liters
engine and structure, which achieved great success. That was a good
decade for the French company, which acquired in 1951 still the only
one - former car manufacturer, then focused only on trucks. Three years
after Ford bought the SAF (Ford Société Anonyme Française), the French
subsidiary of the American brand, including the plant in Poissy - who
in 1961 became the official production of Simca. It is said that it
took a weight from the back of Henry Ford II, who wanted to get rid of
this plant. In 1956 it was the turn of the acquisition of Saurer and in
1958 from Talbot, who at the time produced beautiful sport.
Triumph
Triumph makes us think of the beauty of British sport cars. Names such
as Southern cross, the Spitfire and TR series, are the definition of
pure and classic convertible (roadster). Please join us in this brief
history of the automobile brand Triumph, expression of an industry and
art, striking in the automotive world and the British world.
We consider that the Triumph as a company was formed by German,
Siegfried Betteman that came from Nuremberg in 1885 settled in
Coventry, England, at the age of 23 years. It started with a business
selling sewing machines. With capital of White Sewing Machine Company,
and originally dedicated to the sale of bicycles, has created his own
company along with the engineer Mauritz Schulte in the year 1887. Chose
a name simple and easily recognized, TRIUMPH CYCLE COMPANY.
Triumph produces its first motorcycle in 1902 and established a
subsidiary in Germany next year, so there also start manufacturing
motorcycles. This production remains at about 20 a week coming in 1909
to 60. In 1925 he had already produced 30,000 motorcycles.
In 1913 Mr. Betteman involved in such a way in business and social and
cultural life that comes from Coventry for a year to be the "Mayor of
the city, which is significant considering its pedigree and the
proximity of World War 1 II.
With the market crisis caused by the war, Mr. Beeteman is successful in
convincing Colonel Claude Holbrook of Staff of the British Army, to
select their bikes as elected to the Allied Army.
After the war Colonel Holbrook joined the Company in place of "General
Manager", in order to lead to the production of a motor vehicle.
Triumph produces its first automobile in 1923, 10/20 in two versions,
saloon and roadster.
In 1924, a year later, introduced is a 13/35 with a more powerful
engine. It was the first English car to be manufactured with hydraulic
brakes (Ford will only use hydraulic brakes from 1939 and Jaguar only
from 1949!).
It was later replaced by the 15/50 model, introduced in 1926, two years
later was named Light 15 and produced until 1930.
In 1927, Triumph assaults the market with a "light car" highly
competitive, Super Seven, offering better features, style, power and
equipment (at a higher price) than their direct competitors in the
Austin and Morris. The production remains low due to higher costs and
Triumph exhaust their financial resources. However, the Super Seven
wins a large number of fans and enthusiasts who promote racing and
rally across Europe, Australia and the United States. One of these was
Donald Healey enthusiasts who began his career in 1929 and achieved
great successes in ralies Europe and England.
Jaguar
Founded in 1922 as Swallow Sidecar Company by two motorcycle
enthusiasts, William Lyons and William Walmsley. The Jaguar name first
appeared in the model 2.5 Liter SS Jaguar saloon, days before the Motor
Show in London in 1935. The name SS Cars Ltd was in all models of the
brand, but was renamed to Jaguar Cars Ltd after the Second World War,
the negative connotation of the abbreviation SS.
After several mergers and splits with other manufacturers in 1989
Jaguar was bought by Ford that, due to losses in its investments,
eventually selling it in March 2008 [1].
Originally installed in Blackpool, moved to Coventry in 1928, to be the
heart of the British motor industry, concentrated region where several
companies of the automotive sector English. Today, their cars are
assembled in Birmingham and Liverpool. The former Coventry factory
stopped producing in 2005.
Jaguar also owns the automobile manufacturer Daimler Motor Company (not
to be confused with Daimler-Benz) in 1960. Since then, the most
luxurious models of the Jaguar Daimler began receiving in their names.
Lotus
The British brand Lotus was founded in 1952 by Colin Chapman. In 1947
Colin Chapman, also a college student, built his first car based on the
chassis of an Austin 7. This was a very light car designed for
competition, this model would be called Lotus MK I. Colin Chapman would
create new versions of the same model, with the Lotus MK III was a
success in competitions. The great advantage achieved by Lotus MK III,
led to the modification of the rules in those tests.
Due to the huge success of models launched, Colin Chapman is associated
with Nigel and Michael Allen Allen, beginning the Lotus brand in 1952.
Lotus launches its first real car that year, Lotus MK VI, this model
had an engine built by Ford with 1500 cc. |
