Morgan Aero 8

The first all-new offering from Morgan since 1936, the Aero 8 combined modern mechanicals and advanced construction with traditional looks. Its structure was based on a bonded and riveted aluminum chassis tub, attached to a wood frame for the body. In 2008–09 a hundred of a closed coupé version, the AeroMax, were built, and since 2010 the Aero SuperSports, with lift-off roof sections, replaced the original drophead Aero 8.

WHEN MORGAN announced the Aero 8 in 2000, the shock was considerable. The cars of the small family-run British company had been largely unchanged since the 1930s. They had a separate chassis, a body with a wooden frame, and board-hard suspension, independent only at the front. The Aero 8, developed from a Morgan racing car, changed all that. The aluminum panels on the body were heat-formed rather than painstakingly shaped by hand. But the lightweight aluminum tub was only the start; underneath was supple, racing-type, all-independent suspension with inboard springs and dampers, and the steering was power-assisted. The car also featured electric windows in place of a regular Morgan’s lift-off sliding sidescreens. At launch, the price was twice that of the cheapest traditional models still in production.

THE CROSS-EYED LOOK

The Aero 8 front is dominated by its headlights. The original model, as seen in the pictures , used Volkswagen “New Beetle” units. However, their inward-pointing position gave the car a cross-eyed look that was widely criticized. From 2006 new headlights from a BMW Mini were used. Another prominent feature, the traditional Morgan radiator grille, is a dummy. Air is fed to the engine through the splitter below the license plate.

THE EXTERIOR

The Aero 8 was styled by company managing director Charles Morgan. An updating of traditional Morgan lines, the body features

a “splitter” in the front apron—a shaped  spoiler that aids stability at speed. The apron  also incorporates the air intake for the radiator. At the rear, the opening trunk—a first for  Morgan—has a lip forming an aerofoil.

The aerodynamics are a considerable improvement on those of earlier Morgans.

THE INTERIOR

The well-equipped interior marks a departure from traditional Morgan style.  It has an engine-turned aluminum dashboard in place of the wood, leather,  or simulated leather that was previously used. A modern echo of past practice  is the beautifully crafted wooden dashboard top rail. On all but the last cars  the handbrake is fly-off: Pull back and press the top to lock, pull back  again and it disengages.

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