Morgan 3 Wheeler P101 | Review

24 May 2021 Redazione News

Words Marco Mancino / Photos Morgan Motor

Reintroduced in 2011 as a direct descendant of the Morgan F-Series of the 1930s, the 3 Wheeler is approaching its swansong, celebrating 10 years of a revival that saw 2,500 units produced, an exceptional result especially if we put in account the kind of car it really is. Call it voiturette, tricycle, automobile, or whatever you prefer, the 3 Wheeler actually is the object that more than any other is able to raise sense of occasion to the nth degree, that flavor that makes truly magical even the simplest of all commutes.

In 2021, after ten years in which the English factory most renowned for being closely linked to craftsmanship and in close contact with customers who can interact from the very first production steps, the 3 Wheeler is honored with a special edition baptized P101, the name of the project launched back in 2009. It is an extremely limited edition of only 33 units and available in 4 different liveries, each of which is characterized by special decals that underline the strong link with Morgan’s vision of the world. We have the “Belly Tank” which pays homage to racing cars often used for speed races on salt lakes, the “Dazzleship” which recalls the military world with a ready-to-war look, the “Aviator” which is more inspired by RAF military aircraft and those used in the Second World War and finally the “Race Car” which I think certainly does not need great explanations and celebrates the competitive past of the brand with stripes and round stickers for the number.

Starting precisely from the premise of making an unconventional model par excellence even more special and unique, still escaping any sort of classification, Morgan confirms how much in Malvern they intend to celebrate the pleasure of driving and the deepest relationship between man and machine. If we are talking about a car, because it is clear that the 3 Wheeler is missing a wheel and that the cockpit embodies the spirit of a grumbling adventure sitting in a tub weighing just 525 kg. The 3 Wheeler is a tricycle then, with two wheels at the front and a single wheel at the rear, located in the center of the body. This is also the only driving wheel that is moved by the 2-liter, 82-horsepower twin-cylinder located up front and always ready to crackle its intentions to turn a random day into a memorable adventure, completely exposed to the elements.

The 3 Wheeler asks to be driven with a leather helmet and goggles, possibly with the arm hanging out of the window when not busy working on the 5-speed mechanical gearbox. Thanks to the reduced weight and dimensions, the small engine is able to push it from 0 to 100 kph in 6 seconds flat and at about 185 per hour of top speed, but it is obvious that its customers see this numbers like pure nonsense. The reality is that even the smallest move behind the wheel will be something epic and as in the most frenetic pages of the Iliad it will drag the driving experience as we know it into a whole new world, rediscovering the pleasure of driving a roadster, just with much more style than usual.

The sound plays its huge part and the side sports exhausts (one on each side of the vehicle) do nothing but accentuate the sense of speed and intimate contact with the road. To characterize the special edition P101 there are then exclusive Aero-Disc rims painted in the same color as the bodywork and 9-inch Hella headlights, while we find the iconic visible riveting all over the place and a tonneau that covers the passenger seat, when you decide to go out for a solitary ride. The luxury of owning one of the most famous and at the same time engaging voiturette in history is called 3 Wheeler and as for the 33 P101s which start at around £ 45,000 (excluding local taxes) it is better to put your heart in peace, because they have been placed immediately. Morgan reassures us and confirms, however, that this is not a farewell, but rather a goodbye. The 3 Wheeler will be back. Once again.