Morgan 3 Wheeler

[Vesa Jussila]

Stunting work! Really nice one.

[Fastcat]

Hi s.e.charles

                          Haven't heard the term "bell back" but I don't think it's as descriptive as barrel back which is a term I've seen used many times before. The model is of a beetle back which was preferred for racing where provision for a spare wheel wasn't needed. The luggage rack as far as I know could be fitted to either version and Morgans were very individualistic cars. For road use, the spare could be mounted to the top of beetle back cars.

The suspension was lowered for almost all racing machines. As a result there wasn't enough clearance under the beetle body for the standard wheel to work. Racers cut a hole in the body and fitted a leather cover which let the wheel travel to its full extent without hitting the body. It also allowed larger wheel and tyre combinations to be used if needed.

 

Dave

[Natter]

Very nice indeed, there's some serious modelling gone on there.

 

As an aside a Morgan 3-wheeler was the first car my late father drove at over 100mph.

[Fastcat]

Hi Dave,

                    That's great. The Morgan was always fast straight from the works. Very much a car I'd like to have owned.

 

Dave

[Zephyr]

What a beautiful model, and so nice to see a racing Morgan with the bent front suspension.

I can't afford a real one so I have a JZR 3-wheeler- as enjoyable and impractical as a pre-war Morgan but with more power and far better brakes!

 

Anyway, lovely work. It really captures the essence of the original.

 

Rich

[Fastcat]

Thanks Rich,

                       According to folklore, this car was the originator of the cranked front suspension. Legend has it that the owner damaged the front suspension but noticed that the car handled better. He persuaded Morgans to knock him up a copy and it was so successful that Morgan adopted it on their own cars.

Sounds a bit far fetched in today's world but in the '20s and '30s things were very much less scientific and the owner, Clive Lones was influential with Morgans, so much so that he was invited to join their race team. So it could be true. Whatever, it's a nice story and ought to be true!

 

When I first bought this kit it was with the sole intention of making a race version. I thought it was just a case of leaving off the road bits but as I got more and more into the build I realised that more was needed. I can honestly say that although it took much more work than I expected, I enjoyed it thoroughly and never considered leaving it "for another day". You can't ask much more from a kit...................................... 

  

 

 

Dave

Edited December 21, 2021 by Fastcat
Added a bit.

[PhilX]

Nicely done ... 😍

 

Love particularly the paint job ... 😍

 

Edited December 23, 2021 by PhilX

[Noel Smith]

Beautiful model of an unusual subject. The extra details really bring the model to life.

An earlier poster mentioned that the model was part of the old Auto Kits range ( I have one of their MGTD's to build).

The Auto Kits range was bought out by Wills Finecasf, to become South Eastern Finecast.

I understand that fairly recently the Finecast and Autokits ranges have been acquired by Squires at Bognor Regis the well known supplier of modelling tools and materials, who will be marketing the ranges.

 

Edited December 24, 2021 by Noel Smith

[Fastcat]

Thanks Noel.

Yes, they're nice kits -  a bit basic but able to form the basis for a good model and a unique range of subjects.

I hope they don't just disappear and that their new owners make them more available.  S. E. Finecast are still showing them on their site. Haven't been able to find them on Squire's yet.

 

 

Dave

[Maginot]

Sweet model.

[Noel Smith]

Dave,  Maybe a phone call to Squires might give you an answer.

 

If you have a look at the Motor Museum In Miniature website you might find Ian Knott' s superb build of an ERA that he detailed up from one of the Auto Kits range of interest.

[Fastcat]

Thanks Noel. I'll do that. I've come across Ian Knott's work before and he rarely disappoints.

 

I came across two ERAs by a different builder a couple of years ago at Telford and they were both superb variants of the SE Finecast kit. Both were as good as any plastic kit but I know they needed more work. Still........................that's what we're here for.

 

Dave

[s.e.charles]

took me a bit of hunting:   look under "visit the halls" - lower right 'cyclecar and three wheeler collection'.

 

sorry, my linking privilege has not yet taken hold despite several inquiries ??? 

[Noel Smith]

I was looking at a models website for a company named Wespe the other day and they make 1/8th scale resin kits including a Morgan 3 wheeler. They also do a Plus 4.

[Fastcat]

Thanks Noel.

They look to be very nicely cast albeit representing the modern cars but a good bit too expensive for me. And big...............................................

 

Dave

[galaxyg]

Unusual subject and the result looks very detailed indeed. Great!