ROUGH RIDER

The fact that the ride can be harsh comes as little surprise, given the limited suspension travel. Independent at the front, via coil springs, sliding pillars and telescopic dampers, with a live axle suspended by semi-elliptic springs and lever arm dampers at the back, you’re always aware of the suspension working beneath you, with plots of feedback transmitted into the cabin. Thankfully, the individual bucket seats – Restalls that John sourced during the car’s revival in the Noughties – are well-padded, while offering welcome support in the corners.

Although it’s fair to say that later Plus 8s would inherit improved suspension and the additional torsional rigidity that this car sometimes lacks, the ride in John’s Morgan is not unpleasant as long as care is taken to avoid the worst road imperfections. There were certainly no bangs or crashes on the route that we explored around Ogmore-by-Sea in South Wales.

The trade-off for this firm set-up is tenacious roadholding. There’s a degree of understeer when the Morgan is asked to work at its hardest, but there’s no sense of body roll, the Salisbury limitedslip rear axle no doubt aiding its surefootedness.

The Morgan is not perfect, then, but it’s worth remembering that the term ‘classic car’ was still be some way off in the future at the time of its release. And yet the same people who would have appreciated the Plus 8 in 1968 will have been of a similar mindset to the rest of us – seeking out cars far removed from what’s modern and typical.

So what if the ride could be more forgiving, the gearbox isn’t the smoothest and there are few concessions to practicality? Those same qualities that put people off are part and parcel of why this Morgan has been embraced by generations of fans. That, and because it’s ridiculously quick off the mark.