About this episode
Many enthusiasts want to build something unique simply for the sake of “being different”. And while that’s fine, different doesn’t necessarily mean better — or even good, for that matter. Morgan Clarke of MCD1 doesn’t have that problem, though. What he creates is definitely different… But it’s also very, very good. Use MCD100 to get $50 off HPA’s Motorsport Fabrication Starter Package: https://hpcdmy.co/fabpackageb Morgan Clarke isn’t your typical vehicle designer and fabricator — he tends to avoid CAD and 3D scanning, he doesn’t have any formal training, and he’s certainly had a rough road to get to where he is today — yet he’s a highly regarded and sought after builder in the world of offroad vehicles. Starting his career in industrial fabrication, cars were only an occasional side hobby for Morgan. That is, until people in the industry started to recognise his design and fabrication talents and enticed him away from the boring 9-5 and into a motorsport-focused fab shop. Morgan talks us through his challenging journey from directionless troublemaker to the owner of a successful and very much in-demand design and fabrication shop. In this episode, Morgan takes the time to drop some great advice on how we can all improve our fab skills, and discusses why he doesn’t feel the need to use CAD or 3D scanning in his work, bucking the industry-wide trend towards harnessing tech in the build process. We then get into the juiciest part of the conversion, as Morgan goes deep into the details on his most well-known build, an incredible Lamborghini twin turbo V10-powered Range Rover Velar Prerunner, known as the MCD1 Dakar Prototype. This machine is a testament to the idea that beautiful form follows well-executed function, and every inch of the jaw-dropping build is an absolute work of art, from the chassis, to the suspension, to the mid-rear mounted boosted V10 capable of 2000hp. We’re able to dig deep into this project’s inner workings and the concepts that make this desert-destroying weapon what it is. With great discussions around the pros and cons of different materials, off road suspension system choices, what makes his vehicles so fast and capable and plenty more, this episode featuring Morgan Clarke is a must-listen. Follow Morgan here: IG: @morganclarkedesign1 YT: MORGAN CLARKE DESIGN TK: morganclarkedesign1 WWW: shopmcd1.com Don’t forget, you can use MCD100 to get $50 off HPA’s Motorsport Fabrication Starter Package: https://hpcdmy.co/fabpackageb Time Stamps: 4:03 How did you get into cars? 7:00 Where does your engineering knowledge come from? 13:26 What sort of off-road vehicles are you building? 17:47 How did you learn to fabricate? 23:32 Welding Chromoly 31:25 How did you get into motorsport fabrication? 37:06 Tips on how to develop fab skills 41:48 How and when do you use CAD? 47:15 Fabricated vs billet 50:34 What is the Dakar Prototype and how did the concept come to life? 58:56 Pros and Cons of Independent rear suspension vs live rear axle 1:05:09 Engine package 1:09:45 Drivetrain 1:13:42 What electronics are you using? 1:15:30 Designing and manufacturing complex parts 1:18:43 How do you feel about such a work of art being beaten up when driven in the desert? 1:22:44 Overview of MCD and how you got it to what it is today? 1:36:03 Final 3 questions