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It must have been 1970 when Paul, a bartender in a local club in Mechelen (Belgium) who was driving an MGB at that moment, woke up my interest in sport and classic cars. He had a collection of old cars, most of them British and dating from 1930 till ± 1960. One day he appeared in a 1952 flat rad Morgan he bought around Antwerp. Until then, I never heard of Morgan before. But when I saw that car in burgundy with black wings, I was hooked for life. I was 18 than, very enthusiastic, and with only one small problem: money
But things got better, and in the mid 70's I made my first steps in the classic car world. In an early MGB, and until today I still think that is the right choice for a beginning classic car enthusiast. Later on, more MGs Triumphs - Austin Healey and Jaguars came and went, all with their own ups and downs. But no matter what, British cars have always been my favorites, and they still are. Years and cars went on, but with the past in mind, I always kept one mark above them all: MORGAN. Simply because of its authentic looks and charisma, for me still the real thing ".
So when Jean, a good friend, in 1983 traced a Morgan series 1 in Brussels, and rescued the car from demolition, for me the Morgan madness really got started. I nagged him the ears of the head to sell me the car. But nothing helped. He was planning to restore the Morgan itself as a present for his wife, so she could drive it on classic car meetings. But I got the promise, that if he would not implement the restoration, I would be the first one having the chance to buy the Morgan.
And yes, people with a word of honor really exist. In 1990 we saw each other briefly at a classic car show. He asked me almost casually if I still wanted the car, and a simple yes among friends was enough to make my dream come true. Finally it happened! Exactly one week later I went to collect the car, or what had become of it. Now the Morgan 4/4 was completely in bits and pieces, and stowed away in boxes. The chassis was hanging on the ceiling, the two halfs of the body on the wall.
 
Fortunately for me Jean is a talented technician, so not of that "in boxes thing" was a problem for me. The car might have been dismantled, but is was done with logic and sense, I was sure abouth that. And on the other hand, he had some things already done in his own perfectionist way. The engine block was overhauled, the dashboard and gauges were very professionally rebuilt, and a correct set of 6 brand-new tires was also present, among some other small parts.
Up on arrival with my treasure at home, my neighbor asked me if I was starting a old iron business... I told him to start a carreer as stand up comedian. He is not really that funny, so he helped me to unlood the trailer, and after that everything was neatly inventoried and locked away. It had to wait a little bit, because I still had an MGA 1600 to restore for my wife. And MGB for my son.. And after that a Triumph TR 3 that I owned since 1975... Because I realized that the restoration of the Morgan would not be for the near future, in 1996 I bought me a metallic gray 4/4 from '76. So with the Morgan virus re-injected, things would speed up
I thought. But then came a lot of alterations to the house, followed by the restoration of an Austin Healey 3000. Later on we moved to a larger house because I needed more space
And then out of the bleu a nice Jaguar MK II crossed my path, with of course some minor work on it. And before I knew, it was 2010
But fortunately, in the meanwhile I had the great idea to have me build a new skeleton body for the Morgan. Simply because on the 1996 MGCC Silverstone gathering I met two older gentlemen who were engaged in the manufacture of body's for pre war MG's. Two fantastic craftsman who were willing to build me a brand new body, a Morgan was a challenge for them. They were both along in years, so I realised I could not postpone the job for years. That was the little pressure that I needed to act immediately!
 
We made a shortbreak to England with some friends, just for fun, and to deliver the remains of what was once a wooden frame personally in Newcastle upon Tyne. John and Roberts workshop Ashframes International, was located above a local garage. Fully stuffed with machinery, wood, and craftmanship. They used a winch to hoist up and down al what they needed or produced, by a hatch in the floor. Unthinkable for us here in Belgium, but at that time just simple and normal for them.
 
The agreement was that they would bring my newly made body to the next MGCC Silverstone gathering, and so it happened. In June 1997 the wooden body was brought home by a friend with a little van. It was tucked away in a safe and dry spot, and there it stayed, and still is
Just on another more spacey location because of the change of residence, and with a little more dust on it.
So a few months ago, with the ugly number 6 comming in sight in front of my age (altough still 2 to go), I decided I dont have half a life resting to start and complete the restoration. Not that I am planning to die, o no far from that, but I am a bit worried on the practical part of getting in and surely out the car on a minor flexible age...
So in juli - yes 2010 - we decided to take the chassis of the wall, and move it to a good spot in my workspace. There is much thinking and planning ahead, but Finally after 20 years the restoration has started!
01-03-2011, 00:00
Geschreven door Jeff OdH 
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