These Norton, Caterham, and Morgan Models are the New ‘Classics’

It doesn’t take long to get airborne in Wales. Relative to its population, the country is full of sweeping valleys, smooth pavement, and winding curves. Only the north is a particular attraction, with the surrounding areas of Snowdonia full of cinematic scenery and video game roads. This is where I find myself one winter’s morning, with a choice of three unusual car sales in the UK, in two, three and four-wheeled form.

Even though each of these cars is new, they don’t really look like it. There’s the Norton Commando 961, a parallel-twin thrower; Caterham Super Seven 600, which looks unchanged since the 1950s; and the Morgan Super 3, a retro-futuristic three-wheeler. In addition to the high-end machines made by fellow Brits such as McLaren and Aston Martin, these three modern “classics” are as unique as they come. And that’s a big deal. Norton, Caterham, and Morgan are among Britain’s most famous brands, and each of them does things their own way, with little compromise. But how are they on the demanding, technical back roads of Wales, and perhaps more importantly, how do they make you feel?

These days, Norton dabbles in the craft world. Each of its frames is finished by hand in its English factory, while some parts are cut from solid blocks of billet aluminium. Bikes don’t leave the factory until the hoods and engine covers have been thoroughly polished by hand. His most impressive example is the V4, which is half piece of art, half rocket. The bike has a 1,200 cc V4 engine, developed in-house, which produces 185 hp at 12,500 rpm. On the milder, more conventional side, however, is the Commando 961. The bike most associated with the British brand, the Commando—priced in the neighborhood of $22,000—comes with a slightly intimidating 961 cc, oil-and-air-cooled parallel-twin. motor, which puts 76 hp. But this bike is not an output. You can buy something faster and more capable for less money, but it won’t look, sound, or feel as good as the Norton.

The Commando seems at home on the slalom roads of north Wales. At slow speeds, you’re reminded of the bike’s 507-pound weight, but when it’s fully throttled, the Commando is easy to toss into corners, with its impressive torque pushing you out with ease. It also stops as quickly as possible, thanks to the perfect Brembo system, but the best is the noise. It’s a proper British twin, undisturbed, and the undertones grow into a thunderous roar under high speeds. It’s the noise you think about long after you get off.

As for aesthetics, the Commando looks every bit like an old bike. In the Cafe Racer configuration, the handlebars have lower clips, while the footpegs are set back aggressively. The ultimate result is that you lean forward in the same way the legendary Ton-Up Boys would have in a drag race to the Ace Café, all icons in British motorcycle culture in the middle of the last century. Go for the Sport variant of the model, and it’s a quieter affair, with the handlebars closer to being upright so you can sit in the normal passenger position. Either way, the bike is beautifully finished, with chrome accents, billet aluminum, and handcrafted parts.

If there’s a car that can tempt you off two wheels, it’s a Caterham. Riding one is, in some ways, closer to riding a motorcycle than driving a car. Although they come with a clip-on roof, they’re designed to be driven without, and there are no actual doors to speak of, so you’re pretty much open to the elements. All of them are impossible, and although there is little space in the back of the luggage, it will force you to carry a lamp for a weekend. Get caught in heavy rain and it will take a few minutes to attach the roof, and the small size of the car means other drivers are always standing over you. But what it lacks in creature comforts, it more than makes up for in happiness.

The entry-level Super Seven 600—starting at about $39,000—is all about having a good time. At less than five feet wide and weighing just 970 pounds, it is the smallest and lightest car in the Caterham lineup. It is also slightly more powerful. Its 660 cc turbocharged Suzuki three-cylinder engine produces just 84 hp, but thanks to the Super Seven 600’s light weight, it hits 60 mph from a standstill in 6.9 seconds. It won’t be taking out the biggest cars in drag racing, but it doesn’t need to. It’s all about cleanliness and simplicity, with its short-throw manual gearbox making every turn exciting. Then there’s the lack of power steering, which contributes to the old-school, go-kart feel of the handling.

When it comes to cornering, it’s hard to find anything better. You can throw it into sharp curves and flowing corners at the very last minute and it sticks to the pavement like it’s on rails. Which makes sense, given that Caterhams are often found on the race track. It also has stylish pockets. The Super Seven 600 is the oldest car in the fleet, and comes in a range of heritage colors, lots of chrome, and a small Mono-Lita steering wheel. You can also opt for two large front fenders to give it a more vintage look.

If you want a taste of the 1920s, however, you need to look at the nearly $54,000 Morgan Super 3. The three-wheeled motorcycle was reintroduced in 2011, nearly a century after Morgan began making them. Now, it is Morgan’s most popular model and continues to impress with its unique style and characterful engine. The outgoing model came with a twin V-shaped grille attached to the front bumper, but this new version has been updated with a more modern, but less impressive, engine. It has the 1.5-liter Ecoboost three-cylinder setup from the Ford Fiesta ST, and while that doesn’t sound exciting, it’s one of the best-sounding engines on sale today in my opinion, at least when I’m in a Morgan.

Similar to Norton’s Commando, Morgan’s Super 3 has a raw feel to it. It’s a powerful roar that sounds freely while producing 118 hp, which wants you to give it every time. Acceleration feels faster than it is, given that it takes zero to 60 mph in 7 seconds, but it’s all about the theater. The large steering wheel and short-throw MX5 gearbox only add to the adventure, while the fighter jet-style start button and digital cockpit sounds make the experience even more subdued. And since there is no roof, no windshield, and no doors, that intoxicating sound of smoke coming from behind you fills your head the whole time.

However, that’s what these three cars are all about. As opposed to complex and sophisticated, such simple machines represent the best of what driving can be. It’s just you, the road, a manual gearbox and a smile on your face. In an age where motoring is becoming increasingly quiet and insulated, each of these unique devices provides a delightful escape that may soon become memory lane.