Not known at the time was that the airbag supplies used for Australian cars were starting to run low at the factory and that the supplier was no longer in business.

With production slots for the traditional cars booked well into 2008 and with only a few markets requiring airbags, the factory stopped taking orders for such cars, preferring to keep the balance of airbag kits for aftermarket supply.

Alternative sources of supply were sought, but the 6-month search has now proved to be unsuccessful.

Consequently, all Australian orders in the production queue have now been deferred to 2009, at which point in time, significant technical changes will be made to the “traditional” Morgan 4/4, Plus 4 and Roadster models.

This includes the fitment of the latest “smart” airbags. Indications are that a variation of the modern all aluminium Aero 8 chassis will be adapted for the “traditional” models.

Fortunately, earlier this year the Morgan Aero 8 became available once more to the Australian market after a 3-year ADR induced hiatus. For the next 18-months, Morgan Cars Australia will be able to deliver Aero 8 models as the only product in their current catalogue.