1953 morgan "barn find" | FerrariChat
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1953 morgan "barn find"

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic Region - USA (PA, DE, MD, DC, VA)' started by djblu, Jul 18, 2010.

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  1. djblu

    djblu Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2007
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    philthy
    Full Name:
    sean-michael
    #1 djblu, Jul 18, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    OK so its not a Ferrari and this is Ferrari chat. BUT i have to share.

    What a weekend I flew out to Pittsburgh to see the Morgan that hasn't been started or moved in 30 years! The car was on jack stands with the back wheel off and 30 years of dirt . not covered, only the leather seat had a cover. The body with surface rust but no body rot no wood body rot and even the plug wires were super flexible. I think the fact it was dry and not covered and was on jack stands allowing the air to circulate has done this car well. I got the wheels inflated which are orig from 53 an on the car after 3 hours we were ready to roll it out into the sun. Once down the driveway it was like moths to a flame. People came out of the wood work saying they have seen the back of the car for years and always wondered what it was. After all the talking we rolled it onto the trailer and away i went. with parts to a complete and new gearbox extra tires and records dating back to 1962. I hope u all enjoy the pics. There is so much more i could write but i will keep it short.

    It was an epic weekend for me and i am thrilled to be bringing this baby back to life.

    I hope to have it at c&c in the fall. I will not do a full restoration i am gonna try and keep it as orig as possible. BUT it will be black :)

    thanks to all of you that give me the inspiration to follow a dream.
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  2. turbos7903

    turbos7903 F1 Rookie

    Mar 16, 2006
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    jon walton
    #2 turbos7903, Jul 18, 2010
    WOW Sean, Let us know if we can help in any way. Some of us are mechanically inclined and maybe we have resources to help you with this inspiring effort. This car is so "You". Good luck. Frankly a Ferrari would be way too pedestrian for a guy with your eclectic taste.
    (Thats a huge compliment BTW) Jon in Delaware
     
  3. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    Mar 18, 2008
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    #3 Jedi, Jul 18, 2010
    Speechless.... do please keep this thread going... or even better post in a section
    that EVERYONE on F-Chat can see and follow... I found it only doing a "new post" search.

    GREAT FIND!!!

    Jedi
     
  4. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 20, 2003
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    #4 wax, Jul 18, 2010
    *swoon*

    Enjoy your Labor of Love [Reminder: Don't let Jon in Delaware near it during Winter]
     
  5. Joe Mac

    Joe Mac Formula 3

    May 2, 2005
    2,492
    Newtown Square, PA
    #5 Joe Mac, Jul 18, 2010
    The beginning of a story you will retell for many many years ahead! Congrats! The best advice I can give is to photo and journal document your every step. It will be great to someday retrace your steps on this journey!

    I would love to help in any way possible! Let me know what I can do!

    Cheers!
     
  6. autowerks9

    autowerks9 Formula 3
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    #6 autowerks9, Jul 18, 2010
    AWSOME......GREAT SCORE

    What a beautiful piece of history. Make sure you document to restoration so you can follow your accomplishments.

    David
     
  7. turbos7903

    turbos7903 F1 Rookie

    Mar 16, 2006
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    #7 turbos7903, Jul 18, 2010
    Hey Hey...thats how rumors get started :) Jon in the Scud in Delaware and its 90 plus degrees
     
  8. AlanRS

    AlanRS Formula Junior

    Jan 3, 2009
    387
    DE
    #8 AlanRS, Jul 18, 2010
    Awesome. I look forward to seeing this project come together. Looks like you have a great start.
     
  9. Barry@PresidentialDetails

    Barry@PresidentialDetails Karting
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    Nov 7, 2009
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    #9 Barry@PresidentialDetails, Jul 18, 2010
    I was waiting to see pictures of this! Sean anything you need with bringing that metal back to life call me! Awesome man. I just got a 79 fiat spyder 2000 that I will be redoing this winter. Good luck on your adventure!
     
  10. rcraig

    rcraig F1 Rookie

    Dec 7, 2005
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    #10 rcraig, Jul 19, 2010
    Sean, I know where you can get some really nice photos. Just let me know . Josh and I will run up and thoroughly shoot every inch.

    Bob

    This thing is awesome. What a classy and beautiful piece. If I'm not mistaken isn't the body frame partially wood. If so I have 30 acres of Forrest if you need any.
     
  11. djblu

    djblu Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2007
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    philthy
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    sean-michael
    #11 djblu, Jul 19, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    WOW! Thanks everyone for their excitement.
    I can say it was am epic event getting this thing on the down from the jack stands and onto the trailer and to my home.

    The car really evokes some passion in people. I will gladly report on progress but first to get my wife's new yoga studio in the city open. THEN the car. :)

    Again thanks to all of you who gave me the strength to get this project rolling. You have created a super nice community for one to explore his/her passion.

    Even my wife came around after she called it a piece of junk ;)
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  12. B-26

    B-26 Formula Junior

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    #12 B-26, Jul 19, 2010
    TOOO COOL, Drive it just like it is.
     
  13. BillP00

    BillP00 Formula 3
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    Apr 23, 2007
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    #13 BillP00, Jul 19, 2010
    Sean,

    What a great find and a great story!! Congratulations!! I also would be interested in reading more about your restoration process and seeing photo updates.

    In one of your pictures above, there was a guy walking/standing next to the car. For a quick second, I thought that was Wayne Carini of "Chasing Classic Cars"! :)

    I might be interested in taking a drive up North once you bring the car out sometime next year!

    All the best!!

    Bill P.
     
  14. JoeZaff

    JoeZaff F1 Veteran
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    Aug 5, 2007
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    #14 JoeZaff, Jul 19, 2010
    Sean,

    Congrats once again. What an incredible project. Maybe we can arrange a Cars and Coffee, garage edition, and give you a few extra hands one weekend.
     
  15. SuperJ

    SuperJ F1 Rookie

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    #15 SuperJ, Jul 19, 2010
    That's classic! congratulations. Keep posting your progress.
     
  16. Finer_Finish

    Finer_Finish Rookie

    May 20, 2010
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    #16 Finer_Finish, Jul 19, 2010
    Looking forward to seeing you bring her back to life. Subscribed!
     
  17. michael bayer

    michael bayer Formula 3

    Aug 4, 2004
    1,293
    #17 michael bayer, Jul 20, 2010
    Great find, Great car, you will find the Morgan Club is very active nearly all of them wrenckh on their cars and there is a huge list of suppliers that make nearly every imaginable part at reasonable cost I only pray the wood frame (its not metal) is in tact..........
     
  18. djblu

    djblu Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2007
    319
    philthy
    Full Name:
    sean-michael
    #18 djblu, Jul 20, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thanks for the info!

    The wood (ash) frame is in amazing shape. The car was dry and stored in an open garage and it really kept the car well. Plus all the mechanics looks nice. The car has 21k on the clock and that's actual miles! When i lifted the distributor cap there is just no sign of any rot or even looks like it has even been used. SOOO clean. Quite a nice piece of history to start working with.

    The plan is to get it running and then deal with all the little bits after that.

    I will run it as she looks for now and do ONLY MINOR restoration where needed.

    here are some fun pics when i was getting it to my garage in gtown with a nice rotary lift :)

    Sorry for the quality of the pics we celebrated with many beers which put off the compression tests. But i am having the carb rebuilt next week for the first test to see if she will start. Which i really have no worries.

    Thanks very one for the kind words of encouragement!
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  19. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 wax, Jul 20, 2010
    Yoga, schmoga - the smile on your Bride's face says "Get busy with the Morgan!"
     
  20. mr_bock

    mr_bock Formula 3

    Oct 27, 2006
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    FL full time
    #20 mr_bock, Jul 20, 2010
    Awesome find and story to unfold!!!!!
     
  21. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    Sep 30, 2003
    18,065
    Savannah
    #21 thecarreaper, Jul 20, 2010
    wow, what a cool thread. Sean, i really hope you keep us all posted on this, i LOVE threads like this!

    question: ( i know nothing about Morgans) but is it really safe to turn over and start an engine that has sat for so long?

    what about internal corrosion on mating parts?

    valve spring fatigue?

    not trying to be a party pooper, i am just curious what you *have* to replace due to age, to prevent damage, to make it a driver.

    thank you. great thread!
     

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