Motoring enthusiasts,

Please be aware that Morgan has never had a wooden chassis; all Morgans from 1909 to this day have a metal chassis (steel on the "traditionals", aluminum on the Aero Eights and Aeromax.

Morgans have always had a wooden frame - like your family sofa. This Belgian Ash frame sits on the metal chassis, and is effectively the body skeleton for the cockpit. A smaller wooden frame continues to this day in the Aero Eight and the Aeromax models. British tradition, old chap!

The tradition of building a metal body around a wooden frame is referred to as a "coachbuilt" car. Morgan is the sole remaining coachbuilt car produced in the world - the last previously remaining coachbuilt car was the special model for Queen Elizabeth's previous parade car, which has been replaced with an all metal car.

While not an expert in wooden chassis cars, I believe that the last car with a wooden chassis was a Marcos.

More than you wanted to know, eh?

Slainte,
Alan

P.S. For some photos of coachbuilt Morgans, please see morgan-motor.co.uk, which is celebrating its Centenary this year.