A CHAT WITH A PLUS 8 OWNER

This is more than just a Morgan to Plus 8 owner Phil Cowpland from Gloucestershire

1 Tell us about your family connection!

‘My father’s uncle was H.F.S. Morgan – the firm’s founder. We have a close connection, with this car having been bought new by my late father, Douglas. My late brother Martin took on the car afterwards and now it’s with me. When I bought it, the car had 32,000 miles on the clock but within the first year I’d added around 25,000 more! It’s a daily driver!’

2 What’s the best thing about it?

‘You feel eveything. It’s analogue. No power steering etc. All basic tech but for something that’s largely unchanged since 1968, it’s also a robust sports car you feel part of when you’re at the wheel. I know there are other V8s and smaller, more powerful engines out there but there’s just something about that Rover V8.’

3 So, it’s very much part of the family?

‘Without doubt! Although my partner Karen isn’t that keen, my ten-year-old son Dylan certainly is and particularly enjoys being dropped off at school in it!’

4 Do you work on the car yourself?

‘If I wasn’t hands on, I couldn’t afford to own it! I service the car myself, carrying out all the regular work from oil changes to greasing the kingpins. I have a scissor ramp, so those days of getting down on my back, spanners rolling around in the dirt are gone, thank goodness.’

5 Is it easy to maintain?

‘If you’ve mucked about with Spitfires or MGBS and you’re handy with spanners, it won’t phase you at all. I’m 57 now and grew up in an era when we were able to fix our own cars so easily. The Morgan is a delight to work on. Everything is so accessible. Tilt the seats forward, lift the parcel shelf and you’re looking at the back axle!’