LALLOUZ INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

Sorry, guys… A weekend round of golf simply doesn’t cover this. (Although, some of those outfits you come up with out there certainly provide some dicey moments for those of us driving by!)

If you really want to merit that Cohiba, Corvoisier – and that mysterious woman (Remember, ‘Mystery’?!) – and you don’t happen to belong to the Explorer’s Club or play polo in the Argentine, then please… at least have the decency to pull up with some interesting wheels!

No, no… not a Corvette. Even a Ferrari would be too pat here… (A bit too ‘easy’. You know, anyone can simply write out a check.) An Infinity? Ha! A new Mustang? Forget it.

No, What we are striving for here is nothing less than a totally different category of transport.

by S. Thomas

“JAMES BOND 007”

by Elyahou Lallouz

Time for another classic. And here’s one for the ages.

The Morgan +8 and its recent reincarnation, the V6 Morgan Roadster will guarantee you the ride of your life, the woman of your dreams, and the admiration of anyone whose establishment you grace. When I had one, the drinks, cigars – and even the invitation to join the Explorer’s Club – were all on the house. (I won’t tell you about her, except to say that when the car was history, so was she.) It’s that kind of car – more of a life altering experience than just another vehicle.

The French have a great word for the effect this car has on anyone who encounters it: Eclat, meaning: Glamour, commotion, all around great fuss! In a nutshell, it’ll knock their sox off.

At any event where “The Arrival” is a critical component, the Morgan outdoes them all.

Pull up in this and the Ferrari owners fade a bit… You will see many more of theirs on the road than you will of this -- and this one is five times cheaper than theirs!

The sound of that raspy engine shoehorned into such a tiny vehicle reminds you of something… The opening scene from ‘Casablanca’? A WWI-era biplane? And there’s something about that long hood, sweeping fenders, and curved grill from another time… The Roaring Twenties? The Gatsby Era? That guy with the goggles (have to have those), is he some modern day Lawrence of Arabia? The English Patient? Gatsby himself?

Some years ago, it was listed in a Fashion Magazine under the title, “100 Things They Haven’t Ruined Yet.” A good heading. In a time when so many things are being watered down, puffed up and over-advertised it is with some trepidation that I ask you to go for a test-drive in one of these… After so many years of thinking that you were driving a car, you may develop heart palpitations from the moment you pull out in 1st gear with this one. My hair still stands up when I recall mine. I had no idea…

From the moment you sink into the soft leather bucket seat and stare down that long louvered hood, you know you have entered another world. The limited production, handmade quality (And smells! -- No plastic!) hits you right in your driver’s soul -- which, at long last, is reawakening.

After that first gear, you can’t believe there are still 4 to go! At the end of second, the RPM’s finally catch up with your heart rate. In third, you look for cops. In fourth, you glance over at your wife, girlfriend, whatever… And she is speechless, a smile frozen in place. In fifth – if you ever get there – you see what it is you have been missing all your life as you commune with nature, the Power of the Sun… The Universe!

Now a car this cool must have a great history. And it does. A small, (needless to say, eccentric) family-run business -- now into its 4th generation -- located in the heart of England, has been producing hand-made gems since 1911. Slow to build, the waiting list for one of these has been as long as 12 years. But, lucky you, Morgan Motorworks, like Möet, produces a unique vintage every year. So just go out and find a good used one!

Investment rating: Double A. Mine did just that: Double in value.

Lifestyle Rating: Triple A. Be prepared for come-ons from women of the Anna Magnani/Beryl Markham/Oriana Fallaci class.

True enough, the car comes with a warning and a promise: after one jaunt in this, your life will change forever. New and mysterious friends will appear out of nowhere; that once trendy looking Porsche crowd will appear a bit dull to you now; your appreciation for vintage ports and claret wine will heighten as will your penchant for Agatha Christie and John Le Carré reading matter. Your significant other will notice a new edginess in your wardrobe -- as well as some added ‘heat’ in your dance step.

The danger part? That was covered when you drove up for the evening. And because of it, the nights are longer these days. Much longer.

Where The World Meets™

+

8

-- Late 19th and 20th Century definition of a (British) Gentleman

Ah, Intrigue!! Where have you gone?!

You may own the swankiest home in town, but most people will come to know you by your mode of transport. If you choose to ferret yourself around in a symbol – the Mercedes Star or the Lexus ‘L’ – everyone assumes they know something about you. Something about America – ABC: Always Be Closing, Always Be Classifying (methinks they’re related.) We like to know whom we’re dealing with.

But the Morgan is the great UN-classifier. Show up in this and let the bewilderment begin!

Electric writer, Thomas R. Sebastain, penned S. Thomas, is the author of racing cult classic, ‘Miracle at Monaco’ reviewed as the most accurate portrayal of the ‘Formula 1’ experience currently available in the book world. He is also one of the few automotive journalists who actually owns the cars he writes about. His Formula 1 racing experiences have been featured at GrandPrix.com. Thomas can be reached via email: plus8mog@yahoo.com

Painting of “JAMES BOND 007” (Portrait of Sir Sean Connery) by Elyahou Lallouz.