MORGAN Roadster Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Morgan was the oldest car manufacturer owned by a single-family in its entire history. And the word manufacturer suits best for it since all of their cars were built by hand.

Morgan started its business in 1910, and the first car was a tricycle with a single seat. It launched the first four-wheeled car in 1936. In 1937 it introduced an extended version, with four seats. Over time, the car manufacturer offered 4-seat versions for its vehicles, but the main products were suitable only for two occupants.

The 2006 model still had the same lines as the old models, but they never seemed outdated. Despite the extended, curved wheel arches and the narrow and tall engine compartment, they never looked old. A curved and tilted radiator grille with vertical slats was typical for most of the Morgan vehicles. Compared to the pre-War models, the big difference was the headlights, which were incorporated into the front fenders and not attached to a bar. The car's back was extended to accommodate another set of seats, and the trunk lid was almost vertical.

Due to the extended cockpit, the carmaker installed a pair of seats in the back. For the 2006 model, these were placed lower. The exposed wooden part that ran from the front to the back of the cabin was a statement of preserving the original design, with wooden components for the chassis.

Under the hood, Morgan was up to date with new engines and technologies. It featured a 3.7-liter V6 engine. It was paired to a 6-speed manual only.

While the exterior design remained pretty much the same, the Roadster featured modern Ford V6 mechanicals. The new engine was lighter, thus performance was increased the the fuel consumption was reduced.

Also new for 2004, the Roadster was offered as a 2-seater or a 4-seater.

The new engine was a 3.0-liter V6 borrowed from Ford, developing 223 hp. In the sprint to 100 km/h, the Roadster only needed around 4.9 seconds, as the classical modern vehicle weighed only 940 kg.

The old-fashioned look was maintained in the cabin, with beautifully trimmed chairs wrapped up in red leather. The controls were not very practical, with some of them being hidden to avoid spoiling the look.

Storage space was not one of the Roadster’s strong points, with its focus being on the classical open-car experience. The only place to store things was a shelf placed behind the seats. For buyers interested in using the Roadster for longer journeys, an optional luggage rack was available and it was mounted over the rear-mounted spare.

Other improvements included the shorter engine back in the chassis, thus the Roadster’s balance got better.

The Roadster was not the most comfortable vehicle, with every bump and pothole turning into harsh kicks. However, that was not a reason not to buy it, as the Roadster was designed for a distinctive experience, rather than for using it for daily driving.