ALWAYS ON 3 WHEELS
Clubbing their passion for automobiles with a strong connect with India, a British couple drove 5600km across the country raising funds for the NGO Goonj
We experience the unique, quirky Morgan 3-wheeler on mountain roads just outside our home base in Pune
XOTIC CARS ARE ALWAYS intriguing and a delight to look at. Be it the intimidating proportions of the G-Wagen or a growling Italian convertible snaking through a sea of staring jaywalkers, both attract the crowds. But I never imagined something as humble as a 3-wheeler to have the same magnetic effect! Except, this is no ordinary 3-wheeler. We’re trundling up Lonavala’s winding road leading up to Aamby Valley and every head and neck is craning to get a glimpse of this vehicle that looks like a Spitfire, with chopped wings and three tyres instead. This, folks, is a Morgan 3 Wheeler. In the company’s gorgeous portfolio, this is the rebel child, the ‘say-noto-four-wheels’ kid. And the roadster was not here to wander. It was here for a cause.
It belongs to Alan Braithwaite who, along with his wife Pat, will have driven 5600km across the Indian heartland by the time this issue hits the stands. Alan, 73 years young, is driving the Morgan 3 Wheeler across India, aiming to raise close to `2 crore for the Indian NGO Goonj that works towards improving the livelihood of rural communities by recycling and reusing tonnes of urban discard. While most of us would fall for the comfort and assurance of an SUV for such a ginormous adventure, Alan’s steed instead is this yellow and black Morgan. “My father drove a Morgan 3 Wheeler in British rallies in the 1920s and ’30s and since then I have continued the family passion for the British marque”, says Alan.
Alan’s family connect with the Morgan is one thing. Then there’s, what he calls, an “emotional connect”, with India. “My grandmother was born in Mysore and my grandparents were married in Mumbai. My mother is from Belgaum while my parents tied the knot in Shimla.” I’m sitting next to Alan in the cramped passenger confines of the Morgan as we climb the twisties leading up to Aamby Valley. The sound of the growling V-twin is deafening and the Morgan’s floor doubles up as a foot massager. The ride is incredibly stiff for Indian roads, similar to that of the other yellow and black three-wheelers omnipresent in our country. You’re seated supercar-like low, there’s hardly any shoulder room and absolutely no space for my left arm to rest on. There’s even an unusual view of the front control arms and coil springs bobbing up and down while the roadster goes over bumps.
But, boy oh boy, the cabin feels creamy. Classic touches like analog dials, the ‘bomb-release’ starter button and aircraft-like switches make you feel like you’re seated in a lap of legacy. But, with just three wheels and a stiff ride, would it survive the Indian roads? Well, the 3 Wheeler has survived 20th century’s worst – two World Wars, the Great Depression, and even the Cold War. Indian roads that also demand battlefield-like precision, will just be another feather in the Morgan’s hat.
No complaints though. It turned out that the roadster is planted and the suspension is quite strong. The 3 Wheeler has a hand-crafted tubular spaceframe that has the strength to handle Indian roads. Making it so zippy is the S&S 1983cc V twin engine (seen on many custom Harley-Davidson bikes) that pumps 82bhp and 140Nm of torque. With a dry weight of just 525kg, the little Morgan sprints to a 100kmph in just six seconds and has a top whack of 185kmph. Power is sent to the single rear wheel via a Mazda sourced 5-speed manual gearbox and the power delivery is thoroughly enjoyable. There’s no lag and as you pin the throttle you get an instant shove in the back. Even 50kmph feels like 100, but the darty handling and a raw overall feel makes the 3 Wheeler very unique. Alan even has official support from Morgan Motor Company. “The suspension was raised by 50mm and there’s even a crash plate upfront. There’s also a set of spares and parts provided to us by the dealers”.
Last minute visa arrivals, custom clearances and logistic hurdles – the team did not have an easy time preparing for this drive. But what you sow you reap, and in the very first week, the team received an overwhelming response from people across the country. The nature of Alan’s adventure, that clubs his automotive passion and his urge to make a difference in rural India through NGOs is something rarely seen. As I got out of the Morgan and rearranged my windswept hair, I realised that driving across India’s diversity in an open-top two seater toy, is probably one of the best ways of exploring this country. And knowing that your roadtrip supports a cause, induces an unparalleled sense of purpose. Also, if you’re someone who seeks great pleasure from delightful exotics, maybe it’s time for you to think beyond just four wheels, or even two. ⌧
THERE’S AN UNUSUAL VIEW OF THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS AND SPRINGS BOBBING
UP AND DOWN