Dieter and Petra - Taufkirchen

Technical data:

Model: Merlin plus 2
Year of construction: 1988
Mohr Straubenhardt
Engine: Ford 2.8 L V6
Power: 134 hp
Special features: Walnut root wood. Approved for 4 persons. Tarpaulin for the folding roof. H licence plate.

There it is again, the thought that has been tormenting me ever since I promised my daughters to stop biking by my 70th birthday at the latest. Just because of the little crash on the Salzburgring. Then I'll just ride on the road! Although then I'll see them again, the not as young as they used to be, how they queue to get on and off the bike. No Dieter - I hear myself say - not you and besides, Regina is no longer travelling with me. So we urgently need an alternative, something that we both enjoy. A convertible is too good and almost everyone has one. Sidecar, i.e. motorbike with sidecar, according to Regina I'm totally crazy now. A nice possibly old roadster yes, exactly that's it! But what is there to consider, they are all far too expensive. So Internet and googling. Hello, what's that, Regina, come and have a quick look, someone is selling a Morgan Merlin, but what is a Merlin? I rang the seller straight away and after a long, informative conversation I knew I had to have a look at it. I made an appointment for the next weekend, organised a trailer and off we went towards Frankfurt to Büdingen. After a journey of just under 5 hours, we reached our destination and were warmly welcomed. However, our excitement and curiosity meant that we didn't have the time or inclination for a long greeting - we wanted to finally see the Merlin. So first of all we went to the garage, our anticipation grew, and it was still covered up. It was almost like the inauguration or ceremonial unveiling of a monument. Then it was there! Just as I had imagined it from the pictures and description. Dark red, porcelain red as I learnt later, black leather, those wooden dashboards - walnut root wood, of course - and the steering wheel by Nardi, beautiful. I had to control myself very well so as not to spoil the basis for a sensible sales negotiation. But when I started the engine, the sound almost blew me away if I hadn't already been sitting behind the wheel. After a short briefing and directions from my co-driver, I was able to test the Merlin on a suitable track for about an hour and was more and more impressed. more and more enthusiastic. I would have preferred to stay seated and drive all the way to Munich, but there were still the necessary purchase negotiations. As it turned out over a cup of coffee, the seller had financial problems due to illness and was delighted that I had concrete ideas, could pay cash and, above all, was standing on his doorstep with the trailer. In other words, the deal was done. That's why he was a little more accommodating in terms of price and the contract was quickly signed after the usual paperwork and plenty of information material had been handed over. Now the Merlin just had to be put on the trailer, which turned out to be problematic with a ground clearance of 6 cm, had it not been for the neighbour who brought a large manoeuvring jack from his workshop. a large manoeuvring jack from his workshop. With a lot of patience and spit, we gradually managed to get my Merlin into the right position. A quick tightening and off we went home. The return journey went smoothly and without any problems, so we were able to enjoy the curious glances of those overtaking us. The next morning - unloading yes, but how? As a true Bavarian, I naturally have several beer garden sets at the ready, with which you can build a wonderful ramp. Only Regina was sweating, because she had to make sure that the bikes were always nicely centred. Everything was fine. Take a deep breath! Registration and re-registration, including new licence plates, were completed the next morning and we were able to go on our first tour into the mountains the following weekend in bright sunshine. and then proudly drive past all our friends and acquaintances. Thanks to Google, I soon got to know our friend Willi, who has unfortunately passed away in the meantime, and and was able to join him on his first Merlin tour the following year. In the meantime, I had little things like a tarpaulin made for the folding roof, licence plate holder, windscreen and deflector renewed or rebuilt. My Merlin +2 (approved for 4 people according to the licence) was built by a Mr Bückreiss with the help of the Mohr company. According to the story, this Mr Bückreiss built two Merlins, one of them for Mr Philipps, from whom I bought it in 2008. The engine is a V6 Ford Granada with a displacement of 2772 cm³ and 134 hp. The colour used was a dark red metallic from Porsche with 2 coats of clear lacquer. We have been on every Merlin tour since 2010 and hope for many more meetings with the like-minded people we have got to know in the meantime.