- Flexible 3.0-litre Ford V6 engine
- Light, agile chassis
- Impressive dynamics
- Excellent steering feel
- Poor ride quality
- Awkward ergonomics
Overview
Released in August 2004, the Morgan Series 1 Roadster was a two-seat convertible with a canvas roof. Hand-built in Worcestershire, England, the rear-wheel Roadster was powered by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a single dry plate clutch. The Roadster was withdrawn from sale in Australia in 2007 due to non-compliance with the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), but ADR-compliant models returned in 2011.
Like the Morgan Plus 8 which it replaced, the Roadster had an aluminium body (including the scuttle) on a galvanised steel Z-boxed chassis with ash (wood) cross members. Compared to the related Plus 4, the Roadster was distinguished by its more powerful 3.0-litre V6 engine and 6.5J alloy wheels (compared to 6J spoke wheels); 7J spoke wheels were also available as an option.
Duratec 30 V6 engine
Manufactured by Ford, the 3.0-litre ‘Duratec 30’ V6 engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) tappets and a compression ratio of 9.35:1.
Dimensions and suspension
The Roadster was 4010 mm long, 1720 mm wide, 1220 mm tall and had a 2490 mm long wheelbase; kerb weight was 965 kg. The Roadster had independent, sliding pillar front suspension with coil springs and gas-filled telescopic shock absorbers; the underslung live rear axle was suspended by semi-elliptic leaf springs and lever-arm dampers.
July 2005 production changes
From July 2005, the Series 1 Roadster had a ‘quick-fit’ soft-top canvas roof with a revised 25-degree windscreen. The new soft-top provided better sealing of the sidescreens due to the firm cant rail in the roof folding structure, while access to the rear parcel shelf was also improved through the fitment of a quick release lever. Other changes introduced for July 2005 production included lighter aluminium fuel tanks (previously steel), stainless steel kingpins for greater durability and flocking material in the tool trays to reduce noise on rough surfaces.
Visually, these post-July 2005 models could be identified by their ‘Le Mans’ filler cap (like the 1962 Le Mans Morgan Plus 4 class winner) and clear undercoat for body protection (previously black).
| Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadster | 2004-07 | 3.0-litre petrol V6 | 5sp man. | 168 kW at 6150 rpm | 280 Nm at 4900 rpm |
| 2011 | 3.0-litre petrol V6 | 5sp man. | 170 kW | 290 Nm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Roadster consisted of dual front airbags.
Brakes
The Roadster had 280 mm front brake discs with four-piston AP calipers and 230 mm rear drum brakes.
Features
Standard features for the Roadster included 15-inch alloy wheels with 205/60 R15 tyres, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, an electrically heated windscreen and a polished walnut dashboard; air conditioning was an extra-cost option.
The Roadster was also fitted with a limited slip differential as standard.
From July 2005 production, lower front sports seats with leather upholstery were fitted as standard (previously available as an extra-cost option).
For 2007, the Roadster was fitted with a radio and CD player as standard (previously optional). The 2011 models, however, omitted the CD player.
Brochure
Related links
