Mog

[bobburns]

I recently saw a car I once owned and foolishly sold for reasons that now escape me 30 years later.
It was a '34 MORGAN MX4 3-wheeler with a w.c.MATCHLESS. I didn't realize how much I missed the old TREPENPOL SPECIAL (name etched in the case)!
Any other MOG lovers out there?

[Pug]

Heh, not much of a story to tell but in the absence of anyone else posting...

My very first proper job (before I left school) I used to work at a garage with a Morgan workshop out the back (Colin Musgrove & Associates, as it happens).
I went to school with Colin's son, so an introduction was unneccessary but it did mean I got to see a lot of Morgans in my time (including a race-prepared Plus 8 that ran on aviation fuel - and developed around 700BHP by memory ).

I do remember a guy turning up in one of those 3-wheelers though {this guy was so loaded (being the son of R.M. Douglas of UK construction fame) and in love with Morgans, he used to work for Colin completely unpaid ...}.
It was a lovely sunny day and the guy was squatting in front of his V-twin Mog, waxing lyrical about it (and it was immaculate) with his arm resting on the front of the bonnet.
Unfortunately for him, he forgot what happens to downpipes after a long run and how hot they can get... after registering the burning smell, he pulled away and left a melted patch of his coat about 4" by 2" on the upper part of the exhaust!


On a similar theme, at the place I worked doing the bikes for the museum, both partners in the firm were Morgan lovers (who wouldn't be) and had a Plus 4 and a 4/4 respectively.

When I grow up, I'd love to be able to say I'd owned a Plus 8 at some stage in my life. I already have a string of vehicles I've regretted parting with though, even at the tender age of 36 (ahem).
My all time favourite so far had to be either my 1956 Leyland Titan half-cab double-decker (modded for living in), my Commer Lambourne (as used by the royal family) 2-stroke diesel 6-horsebox (modded to carry PA equipment) or my 1949 Series I Land Rover though (even/especially with its sacreligious diesel conversion mod) .

I have a hard time leaving anything standard though... I'd probably mod a fourth wheel onto a Mog (or convert it to a bike) or something.
The purist restorers have always looked at me oddly.

[Starbuck3733T]

I wish i was a real car guy. And you lived IN A BUS. that's awesome!

[Pug]

Originally Posted by Starbuck3733T

I wish i was a real car guy. And you lived IN A BUS. that's awesome!

Hehe, not just any bus. ;) Had a custom fitted kitchen (pine Welsh dresser with gas oven & recessed hob) and a four-poster bed in the bedroom too (did a deal with a carpenter for an old Land Rover with a Harvey Frost crane in the back).
It was the sole surviving example of a PD2/12 with Metro Cammell bodywork to retain its original roof (all the rest were either scrapped or turned into open toppers for the London sightseers).
I'll try and dig out some interior pics one day. :)

[mogburner]

Well, this is most interesting, because I AM Colin Musgrove!! hehe. Maybe years of booze and weed have dulled my memory, but I don't recall Jon Douglas ever having an MX 3-Wheeler!
If my racing +8 had 700 bhp on Avgas, I would have won every Morgan race ever, not just most of them.
C'mon reveal yourself! :)
I must say this site looks to be a fine collection of lunatic fellow-travellers, good to be here!

[Knipex]

Colin

Welcome. A pleasure to meet a Morgan enthusiast and one of such prestige. Yet another reason to look forward to the inaugural Wizd meet.

[fillip]

Stature of these forums just keeps on growing don't it.

[Starbuck3733T]

Woah!

[Pug]

Originally Posted by mogburner

Well, this is most interesting, because I AM Colin Musgrove!! hehe. Maybe years of booze and weed have dulled my memory, but I don't recall Jon Douglas ever having an MX 3-Wheeler!
If my racing +8 had 700 bhp on Avgas, I would have won every Morgan race ever, not just most of them.
C'mon reveal yourself! :)
I must say this site looks to be a fine collection of lunatic fellow-travellers, good to be here!

Bloody Hell!!
Hi and a heartfelt welcome to ya Colin.
What a tiny world this is.

Hmm, I was sure it was he... but I guess I could be mixing him up with one of your punters in my own addled memory.
Same goes for the output of your Plus8 - first time I'd called it to mind for an aeon, so I hope you'll excuse me (in divulge what it was in reality - I know it was pretty awesome to me as a young 'un, regardless).

I doubt you'd remember me, though I did work for Mick for quite a while (had Bill's old flat above the garage too) - Richard Pugh is lil old me (though most call me Pug).

Pull up a stein and share any pics you like while I recover from the blast from the past, eh?

Awesome.

[mogburner]

Good grief! So it was "Blind Pugh" !! Sorry about the delay in replying, but I have, er, been detained :( However, better late than never :) What a small world! You are right, almost! The car you remember Jon Douglas immolating himself on was his brother's 'Triking' a Guzzi-engined Morgan lookalike, actually not too bad at all. Much water has passed under many bridges since then. Mick dropped dead after having a pig's heart valve inserted! He was buried with full hunting honours behind our workshop! However, Sue soon got fed up with the Black Widow routine and poor old Mick was dug up in the middle of the night and carted off to Newbold-on-Stour, from whence he came, apparently! hehe:) The garage was sold to a fuel delivery company and we were all booted out on our respective ears:( Loads more to tell if you are interested. I prefer boats these days, but I have built a BMW-engined Mog, pretty cool:)
Take care.
Colin:)