The Morgan Garage, Samsø

An intimate Morgan world in a village street

The Morgan Garage sits on Besser’s main street, but stepping inside feels like entering a different universe. The former repair shop has been lovingly restored and turned into a compact, atmospheric museum where every corner is filled with character. Sunlight falls across polished bonnets, old tools and enamel signs, while the faint smell of oil and leather lingers in the air. Rather than a vast hall of anonymous exhibits, this is a personal space, curated by a dedicated enthusiast who has gradually turned a private passion into a carefully composed collection. The scale is human: you move at walking pace between cars, displays and curiosities, able to take in details without ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Nearly a century of hand-built sports cars

At the heart of the museum is an impressive line-up of Morgan cars spanning roughly a century of production, from early models of the 1920s and 1930s through to much newer examples. You can trace how Morgan’s famously traditional silhouettes evolved, spotting the progression from three-wheelers and slender early bodies to later four-wheeled sports cars with more power but the same unmistakable profile. Many visitors are surprised to learn that Morgan still builds cars largely by hand, including the use of ash wood in elements of the frame. Here you see that craftsmanship up close: exposed chassis details, neatly riveted panels and interiors trimmed with tactile leather and polished wood. A race-prepared Le Mans car adds a more adrenaline-tinged note, connecting this rural Danish island to historic circuits far away.

Playful details and thousands of small stories

Beyond the full-sized cars, The Morgan Garage is packed with things to discover. Pedal cars and small electric vehicles for children echo the main collection in miniature, while rows of model cars line shelves and windowsills. Vintage tools, badges, posters and signage evoke different eras of motoring, from pre-war engineering benches to post‑1960s road trips. Look closely and almost every object hints at a story: a race plaque here, a worn steering wheel there, an old club sticker fading on a side window. The owner often shares background tales about specific cars – where they were found, how they were restored, or the journeys they have taken. It feels as much like a three-dimensional scrapbook as a conventional museum display.

English workshop atmosphere with a Danish twist

The interior design consciously nods to English industrial style: brick, steel, timber and the odd splash of heritage paint colour. Yet the setting is very much Samsø. Outside, the village is quiet and wind turbines are never far from view, a reminder that this island is known worldwide for its renewable energy projects. That contrast between green island and petrol-powered classics is part of the charm. The Morgan Garage does not try to hide the contradiction; instead it highlights the durability and craftsmanship of machines that have already outlived several generations of more disposable cars. The result is a space where engineering heritage and contemporary environmental awareness sit side by side.

A relaxed visit for enthusiasts and the simply curious

A visit here is unhurried. You can comfortably see everything in under an hour, but many people linger longer, drawn into conversations about design, racing anecdotes or the intricacies of restoration. The scale makes it approachable for children, while older car lovers appreciate the depth of detail on show. With simple facilities and a friendly, informal feel, The Morgan Garage works as a gentle highlight in a day exploring Samsø, especially if you are already touring the island by car or bicycle. Whether you arrive as a long-time Morgan admirer or with only a passing interest in motoring, it is hard to leave without a new appreciation for these hand-built sports cars and the quiet dedication that keeps them shining in a small Danish village.