Wings are the most distinctive and dramatic Morgan 4-wheeler feature. Their shape has brought the Works from 1936 to 2006 intact. No one will argue that without them, the company would have Peter'ed out (pun!)  decades ago. As with any Morgan project, opinions/experience is gathered, options sought and therefore knowledge levels increase. This new stuff all settles in and compliments one's own experience. In a nutshell, speaking with the wing makers and their repairers in the last few weeks have given me a deeper perspective on these signature parts.

1. VINTAGE WING & RADIATOR (VW&R) Steel Wings
http://www.vintagewingsandradiators.co.uk/pages/home.html

This is the original supplier of Morgan wings until the Superforms (reviewed below.)

Pros: My opinion of steel wings has risen. They are impact resistant, protect the paint finish and if properly prepared, are slow to rust. After our accident, I took my old front wings (18 years), had them sandblasted and we could find no signs of rust. I primed them to protect them. (Shiny mild steel rusts in hours). and they are now in use on another car.

When they do rust, one easily can weld in a patch.

They are inexpensive.

All wing styles from any eras can be made.

Cons: They can rust. As well, they come poorly made with a wide variance in dimensions, fit and preparation time. They
crack at the wing light and corrode at their stays/braces if proper measures are not taken. However, all of this is repairable.
 

2. VINTAGE WING & RADIATOR (VW&R) Aluminum Wings

Pros: Lighter than steel..but much less than has been officially reported in the past.

Corrosion resistant outside of the infamous edge.

Can be welded (but with a higher standard of care than steel).

They are inexpensive.

If one starts from scratch, (no pun) and prepares them very carefully (as described below). They can last many years. However, that type of prep cost puts them in the range of Superform wings without Superform advantages.

Cons:

a. The way the steel wire is installed in the edge, coupled with the Factory prep normally pre-determines the death of these wings. Unless they are redone before it is too late and very careful steps are taken to completely seal the wire from moisture, corrosion MUST occur. The combination of steel, aluminum, water and the vagabond electrical charge all cars have throughout spells doom for these wings as, to date, when the edge goes, so does the wing.

In some countries and climates, namely the UK or the North American northwest coast, one can only retard the process as the only way to stop the electrolytic reaction is to open the edge, remove the steel wire, remove/repair the corrosion, and replace the wire with something else of sunk in non-reactive sealant, then the edge must be refolded, a covering flange welded over the seam and the tabs replaced.

b. Their soft alloy cannot protect the surface paint. Star fractures are common. Welding extra plates on the underside has not proved to help. The best solution seems to be one I have seen developed independently on both sides of the Atlantic. That is an impact coating, (which can be covered with 2 pack black) and glued rubber padding in the key areas.

c. Their soft alloy is prone to crack. Spot/fog lights, stays and braces wing lights. It is in these areas that extra plates can help.. not with the star fracturing but the stress cracking.

d. Like the VW&R steel wings, they are awkwardly made and inconsistently finished..adding to the costs of prep.

IMPORTANT!! Additional information. Click HERE
 

3. SUPERFORM Aluminum Wings

Pros: Made from an extremely hard aluminum alloy that has proven itself to be VERY resistant to star fracturing. I have been traveling 4 miles of gravel road at speed almost each day during the season for 3 years without a fracture yet.

Very light..more so than VWR alloy wings above.

Very easy to weld.

They arrive (almost) perfect. So little prep or putty is necessary that their much higher price is mitigated by a saving of £350-400 per set in saved labor.

Instead of a steel stiffening wire at the edge, they employ a grooved aluminum molding that is bonded on. Ergo no corrosion anywhere, assuming you do not prejudice that with a steel to metal add-on and a bit of care is taken with the fittings through the wings (easy to do).

They have a plate welded on the underside at the wing lights, offering greater protection there for cracking. If the pressure is spread with the use of a large washer, that is sufficient to prevent spot/fog lamps from cracking the wings.

Not much need for wing protect underneath, save a quick coat of black impact paint, more to cover the Factory overspray
than anything else.

Cons: There is a limited choice in styles. With the Superform process, each wing style requires a very expensive
mold and that has limited the choices.

The delivery time is long.

They are very expensive. More than double the price of the VW&Rs (but then there is the large prep work saving).  Only purchasable through the Morgan Factory or their Agents.

They require special paint preparation or bubbling quickly occurs. On this issue click BUBBLING CURE

IMPORTANT!! For additional information click SUPERFORMS