Is a Morgan Plus 8 a hot rod?

I think most agree that an Allard is a hot rod. I propose that a Morgan Plus 8 also qualifies, by virtue of:

Classic 1930's styling
Hand build with construction similar to early thirties Fords
Powerful aluminum V-8 engine of American origins (Buick/Olds)
Light weight
No frills
Very fast

If you're not familiar with it, check out the specs on Wikipedia.

Sounds like a hot rod to me. What do you think?

 

Hot Rod: Kinda
Traditional Hot Rod: Definitely Not *

* IMHO, a 1968-2004 production car really isn't fodder for discussion on the HAMB.

 

Not really. Classic British sports car

 

Nope.

 

No...its a production car.
You buy it and drive it...don't matter how its made or how fast it is.

 

Morgan Plus 4 with a Buick 215 = hot rod
Morgan Plus 8 with Rover motor = not a hot rod.

Go figure!

 

Usually if you have to ask if something is a hot rod, well...

 

The Morgan Plus 4 had a Triumph 4 cyl. engine. OK, not a hot rod, in my opinion.
Morgan Plus 8 had a Rover V8. Rover had bought the patent rights from G.M. and developed the Olds/Buick aluminum engine. Hot rod? I'm just askin'

 

It is as much a Hot-Rod as a Prowler or PT Cruiser. Therefore, not a hot rod.

 

My point was if someone had swapped a Buick 215 into a Plus 4 that came with the Triumph 4 cyl,, in my book that's a hot rod. On the other hand, the Plus 8 was a derivative of the Plus 4 with a Rover motor that was a derivative of the 215, but because it was a production car, I don't classify it as a hot rod. Same idea as someone putting a 215 into an MGB as compared to a factory MGB-GT V8

But that's just my opinion and I have to agree it doesn't make any sense I consider my SBF into an Austin-Healey a hot rod, because that's what a lot of rodders were doing in the 50s and 60s. Someone else may not, but last I looked the "HAMB Guide to Bona Fide Hot Rods" hasn't been published yet.

 

No , it's a low volume production car


They are assembled at the factory, parts a 'bought in' from all over.

very little hand crafting takes place, ash frame,interior and some panel work but thats it.

oh and i live 500yds from the factory gate and see these 'hot rods' every day


.


.

 

There is a huge difference between a Prowler or a Morgan.

A Prowler and a PT are wannabe fakes.
Trying to emulate something.

A Morgan isnt.

It is ( for the most part ) built exacly the way it was built.
They just never stopped doinig it that way...

Not that I'm a real fan of them...
When did they finally give up on that weird Sliding Pillar front suspension? ( did they ever?)





Whether its a Hot Rod or not... who cares.

I guess to me, a modified one would be.

 

Healy Rick,
I get your point. Maybe there's no right or wrong answer. But consider that Morgans were hand built, in quantities of 500 a year or so. And the first prototype Plus 8 was made by re-engenering an old Plus 4 in order to stuff in the V8. I have heard the term "Factory hot rod" applied to muscle cars, etc. Anyway, I like Morgans, even though, I'll agree that they may be o.t. here. But in concept, they're not that much different from Allards and Cobras....stuff an American v8 ito a lightweight British car for better performance.

 

I think it's a Hot Rod as used in conversation like "You want to run to the store in my Hot Rod?" and toss someone the keys. It's not a Hot Rod as planned and built by the likes of many HAMB'ers. It's loosely in the tradition of a hot rod, but it's factory built. It's no more a hot rod than a kit car sold as a turn key replicar.

Hot rods are built in the garage or carport and involve personal injury (bloody knuckles) and personal knowledge of what is likely to break when the pedal get to the floor. I don't think the Plus 8 qualifies.

Nice car though

 

No, it's a production car. No more a hot rod than a factory built "muscle car".

 

brocluno wrote:

"Hot rods are built in the garage or carport and involve personal injury (bloody knuckles) and personal knowledge of what is likely to break when the pedal get to the floor. I don't think the Plus 8 qualifies."


Very good point!
I agree.

This does, however,leave out a lot of cars referred to as "hot rods"

 

may have to get started on that one.....

 

No flipping way, it is british and stock

 

Does not meet my definition of a hot rod. And I think the Morgan-o-fites would be offended if you used the term "hot rod" to describe their rides. Sort of like me when someone calls my roaster a rodent rod.

 

wood frame=termites

 

Morgan Plus 8 with a Chrysler 392 Hemi = Hot Rod

 

Factory assembled kit car? Limited production repro sports car? Retro GT?

 

You callin' Morgans woodies? tryin' to piss off traditional hot rodders and woodie owners in the same thread?!

 

The Morgan Plus 4 is a larger and more powerful version of the Morgan Motor Company's 4/4 model and was made between 1950 and 1969. The model was revived in 1985 and filled the gap between the 4/4 and the +8 until 2000; it was again revived in 2005.

Early cars are considered, and rightfully so, a sports car.

The Morgan 8 was built from 1968 through 2004, so it does not fit the definition of a "hot rod" by year, or the fact it;s a factory build. Definitely a sports car, too.

 

dmarv is a very wise man!

 

from an english man,it aint no hot rod,it production car.no more a hot rod than an mg jag or any other sports car,

 

BEATNIK...brother your D.O.A. man just give up and crawl back in your OFF TOPIC hole...POP.

 

May or may noy qualify as a Rod, but cool nonetheless. Thanks.

 

well ,what about an AC Cobra? Is that a hot rod? It's a British production car with an American V-8.the morgan is the same principal.

 

Production cars aren't Hot Rods...don't matter how fast or who makes them!
Why is this difficult to comprehend????

I'm not knocking ANY of these cars...I'd absolutely LOVE to own any that were mentioned and many others like them besides...but that still doesn't make them "Hot Rods".

Has it actually become so common to BUY a Hot Rod that the whole idea of building a car yourself is unacceptable or something?

This thread blows me away.....
People want it too easy.