Cranmog - Morgan Sports Car Club

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Morgan Stories

If you have any bright ideas or Cranmog stories to tell or something to get off your chest, please email webmaster@cranmog.com

Fancy a trip to Narvik

Narvik is a town in the county of Nordland, Norway, in the Ofoten landscape in North Norway, inside the arctic circle. Reykjavik in Iceland is of course the most northerly city but it is possitively overcrowded compared to Norwiegen towns, but that's just below the Arctic Circle and it was quite warm this spring when I was there with the family. JD has been to Narvik, twice, but not in the snow, and what snow they have there.

Of course CranMog has members in Narvik, Nanne and Magne Schille. Magne writes "We have just come back from a five days and 3600 km round trip from - Narvik - Østerdalen - Oslo - Valdresflya - and back to Narvik. We stayed 3 days in Oslo with Kristine and our son-in-law Dave, and our beloved grand son Bram Alexander."

"By the way, I had some problems with leakage in the cooling system during the trip. (Damaged hose from the heater, and all the coolant fluid disappeared. Result: an over heated +8!!), but when I closed the heater it worked well. I had to call for road assistance!!! See pictures!"

"Normally the roads in the southern part of Norway are ice free in April, but that varies from year to year. In the Narvik region we're ice free from April or May. It can be scary to drive in the evenings when the sun has disappeared after a sunny day (ICE!). By the end of May it is normally dry on all the main roads. One day the midday moon!!! GREETINGS TO ALL CRANMOGGERS FROM Nanne and Magne. Miss you all! See you soon?"


Flasher / Turn Signal Audible Warning Use 2 Buzzers from Maplins £1.51. (85 db fitted on the ply panel in front of the axle under the carpet) (your car your choice where and what you fit) Buzzers work like Diodes. Each buzzer works earthing though the bulb opposite to the signal the draw is not great enough to illuminate the idle bulb or affect the bulb in any way. Click image to see the drawings on a word.doc page which you can print if necessary. This system works on all models with flashing indicators including the latest models & has no adverse affects on the electronics. No buzzing when using 4 way flashers as both buzzers are fed 2 positives signals. I decided on this system as the wiring is easily accessible at the rear of my 2005 car (printed circuits under the dash) and ease of following the harness back in to the tub and the rear panel is closer to the ears than the dash. Other items needed wire, 2 x 4way female bullet connectors, 2 x bullets heat shrink tube, & soldier. Cost under £4 pounds. Many thanks to Hedley Denmark for this one.

Incident on the Hardknott pass" Sounds like a good title for book or film. here's the web page and pictures from Chris Waters.... I first went over the pass in a 1961 Series 111B Hillman Minx about 1970, it overheated on the way home and blew the head gasket ! The second time was in my 1974 MG Midget about 1995, and no problem. So, when I was there this September (2006), with my new wife, I thought I would give her a special treat as we were on honeymoon ! (yeah right) We approached the Hardknott via the Wrynose Pass and started up the steepest part. There are 1 in 3 acute S bends, and as you know, you can't see much in a Morgan when going up steep hills. Well, my rear wheel dropped into a 5inch deep pothole, and then all I could hear was pzzzzzzzzzzz ! I quickly pulled of the road to find the tyre completly flat, so had to change it on the slope. A large rock was found to hold the car while doing this. The almost new tyre was split and had to be replaced. I'm still waiting to see if the Council will cough up ! CranMog used to visit the Wrynose and Hardknott passes on our outrageous long weekends with The Flying Thorpe Brothers - what wonderful times we had. I remember stalling the +8 on one of the tightest and steepest of corners - not my fault honest. It must have been quite a trick to change wheels on that slope though. Webmaster.

Avril's secret recipe for "Norfolk Fruit Cake with Ginger" (A Mary Berry Aga Recipe) Click this picture to get the recipe of Avril's 'Norfolk Fruit Cake with Ginger' in Word format which you can easily print off. I can vouch for the tastiness of this actual cake, it is, nay was, delicious!! (Webmaster) INGREDIENTS 1. 450g (1lb) mixed fruit and nuts, such as apricots, cherries, nuts, raisins, sultanas (dried cranberries are good and I use walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and brazil nuts), all roughly chopped 2. 100g (4oz) butter or margarine 3. 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 4. 175g (6oz) light muscovado sugar 5. 225ml (8fl oz) water 6. 2 eggs, beaten 7. 275g (10oz) self- raising wholemeal flour 8. 2 tsps ground ginger 9. 100-175 (4-6oz) stem ginger, drained of syrup, chopped (If you do not have stem ginger just increase the other fruits - dates are a good substitute). MIXING 10. Grease and line a 20cm deep round cake tin. Preheat oven to 160C/325F/Gas mark 3. 11. Put the prepared fruit and nuts, butter, bicarbonate of soda, sugar and water into a large pan. Bring up to the boil and boil for 3 minutes. 12. Allow to cool. 13. Add the eggs, flour, ground ginger and stem ginger. Thoroughly combine then turn into the cake tin and level the top. IN AN AGA 14. Bake on the grid rack in the large roasting tin on the lowest set of runners in the Roasting Oven with the cold plain shelf on the 2^nd set of runners from the top. After 30 mins, transfer the now hot plain shelf to the centre of the Simmering Oven and place the cake on top. Cook for further 1 - 1½ hours or until a skewer comes out clean & the cake is firm to the touch. (I find that 20-25 mins in the top oven is enough and 1 hour in the bottom - depends on the stored heat.) IN A CONVENTIONAL OVEN 15. Bake for about 1¼ - 1½ hours or until a skewer comes out clean & cake is firm to the touch. 16. Turn cake if it is getting too brown on one side. 17. Cool in the tin before turning onto a wire rack. 18. Will Freeze for up to 3 months either whole or in pieces. My secret's out! Now you all know how easy it is! PS. It's as good as a Christmas cake!

Oil Painting of your Morgan Please see letter below from Michel Coumes, a very interesting opportunity to get your beloved Morgan imortalised in oil. You can use the email link provided to get in contact. Do have a look at the website also. Dear Sir, I am a member of the Morgan Club de France as well as its south-east delegate. As a painter, I now wish to develop creating personalized Morgan oil paintings. Here is the address of my site www.michelcoumes.com where you will find a few examples of Morgan paintings. I believe that many of your members might be interested in having their dearest car painted. The Morgan Club de France has already referenced my site on their own and I now ask you to please link my site with yours in the same way. I thank you for your assistance and your welcome. Very truly yours, Michel Coumes

Footwell Tool Box My Father always said "Have three good reasons for doing anything." I have found two concerns with the nice looking tool tray on the new Morgans fitted under the ply cover over the axle, these make the first two. 1. In the event of requiring tools, the car has to be unloaded and perhaps not accessible on the cold, wet, night without opening the rear of the hood. 2. I believe the axle hits the tool tray, I found the end of jack section nearest the centre was broken, And the third... 3. The Governor wanted a foot rest. So I made a thing! Click image to see the drawings on a word.doc page which you can zoom to read the small print. Many thanks to Hedley Denmark for this one.

Ease that "T" Bar Insertion This is a bright idea from Hedley Denmark to make your life easier. You never know, perhaps the factory will take up owner ideas and incorporate them into new models, or maybe not. Anyway here's the pictures to explain it all.... I have always found it hard to locate the treads of the spare wheel bracket with the "T bar" while fighting the luggage rack. I have made and fitted this little nylon insert to my previous and present car, this has made my life a little easier. On my current car the nylon is tapped and bolted through the bracket. Dimensions are not set in stone but use 23/8" =60mm nylon rod/bar.

Morgans In America

Route 66 begins in Chicago, Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan and runs 2448 miles to Santa Monica, California on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. It crosses Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

On Wednesday 30th June 1999 the "US House" authorised ten million dollars, in grants, over ten years to states, communities, Indian tribes and historical societies to preserve landmarks along Route 66. Route 66 is now under the jurisdiction of the National Parks Service as a National Monument, guaranteeing its heritage for future generations.

Route 66 has been superseded by:

I-55 from Chicago IL. to St Louis MO.
I-44 from St Louis MO. to Oklahoma City OK.
I-40 from Oklahoma City OK. to Barstow CA.
I-15 from Barstow CA. to Rancho Cucamonga CA.
I-10 from Rancho Cucamonga CA. to Santa Monica CA.

By 1970, Route 66 had all but disappeared from commercially available maps and re-designated as local roads. In 1984 the last section of Route 66 in Williams, Arizona was superseded by I-40. However over 90% of Route 66 is still driveable.

It is possible to drive the 2448 miles in a week but to do Route 66 justice six weeks is needed. There is so much to see on Route 66, the possibilities are endless. We are driving the entire length of Route 66, that still exists, the good, the bad and the ugly! We will not bypass any sections in favour of interstates. Daily mileages will be low to allow time to thoroughly explore the many places of interest and still arrive at our hotels in time for a noggin, natter and nosh. There will be a number of 2, 3 and 4 night stopovers with plenty of leisure time.

Route 66, was just two lanes of concrete and asphalt connecting the mid-west and the west coast of America. Since its creation Route 66 has become a cultural icon.

Route 66 crosses eight states, three time zones and the Continental Divide. We cross many rivers including the Mississippi, travel through elevated plains, mountains, deserts, canyons and Native American territories. Visit historic buildings, palatial houses, museums, railroad depots, ghost towns, old cemeteries, mines, lakes and dams. You will experience the flair and charm of the old route, see the relics of old petrol stations, motels and roadhouses from the heyday of the 1930's to 1950's. Enjoy a trip back in time when forecourt attendants cleaned windscreens and checked oil, diners served real food, and vibrant neon signs promised rest, relaxation and entertainment. You will have the opportunity to relive your youth. Drink coffee at famous roadside diners. Visit those places from a bygone era that you have only seen in old movies and on television. Along the route towns and cities vary in size from a lonely wooden sign that was once Barstow to the sprawling streets of Chicago and Los Angeles.

This will be the second tour entirely arranged by Richard and Anita Jordan. This will be the fourth America tour with our Morgan. In 2000 we completely organised "The Eastern Experience". We arrange all aspects of the tour for you.

We are leaving London Heathrow for Chicago on 19th September 2004 to join our Morgan's and drive this historic route. We return from Los Angeles on 31st October 2004.

The response for the tour has been excellent. Places are currently still available.
We look forward to receiving your enquiries and hopefully you will decide to join us.
For information please enclose an A4 self addressed envelope with 2 first class stamps to:
Richard Jordan, 8 Thirsk Gardens, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, MK3 5LH England. Telephone 01908 371245

Richard Jordan

Stephen Wheatley Goes Racing
	In response to my round robin email the other week, Stephen Wheatley replied briefly with... "it is quite sometime since I was a regular Cranmog goer but I have bumped into various Cranmoggers at the Morgan Sports Car Challenge Race Meetings over the years. I still have the 4/4 4 seater (CYL403H) which has transmogrified into a race car (hopeless on the road, now seats one, it is lightened, lowered, fullhouse crossflow, straight cut gear box etc) which I have campaigned in sprints, hillclimbs and circuit races. Currently I am starting a new business so the motor sport is taking a back seat but hope to return to the tracks next year."
What a good thing I still had his email address. Stephen promises lots of pictures and a write-up of his exploits on the track, so watch this space! Who said Cranmog doesn't do racing? I remember the good old days when Philip Bell organised a Cranmog Track Day at Silverstone until they hiked the price up so high you couldn't see it. We should do that again, perhaps we could afford an abandoned air strip or a Go-cart track and a few bales of straw, all we need is a volunteer to organise it, posh lunch and plenty of beer, or is that a barn dance, I get so confused. Andrew Culpin

Write your own Caption This is where I have a bit of fun at your expense. I've dug a few snaps out of my collection, all of which were taken specifically to embarrass the subject(s), see what you can do with appropriate captions and email or telephone them to me. First prize for the best one is an *Aero 8 in your choice of colours.
Picture 1 - Philip & Judy picnicking at Shuttleworth	Picture 2 - Laurie Povey enjoying the Hardknott Pass



Picture 3 - Chris lends a word of advice"	Picture 4 - How did she get those panties on?



Picture 5 - Sheep droppings on the Campsite	Picture 6 - Contemplating sausages!



Picture 7 - Somebody knows, but not me	Picture 8 - At one of Melvyn's parties
*Commission your own painting of an Aero 8 by Toby Culpin, aged 4, I've got one!