SafetyFast! March 2018 by MG Car Club

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP

March 2018 Volume 62 Number 03 £3.95

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ABINGDON-ON-THAMES FO U N D E D 193 0

‘OLD SPECKLED HEN’ MAINTAINING THE SENSE OF FUN ● THE BMC B-SERIES ENGINE ● THE SIX APPEAL

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Inside this issue 7

Club Matters and Kimber House News 8 News 12 Postbag 14 Products 66 Race Torque 68 MGs on Track

69 73 85 94 98

MGCC Speed Championship Centre Updates Register Updates Classifieds Looking Back

Features 16

MGLive! 2018 Tickets now on sale for the biggest MG event of the year

‘Old Speckled Hen’ Maintaining the Sense of Fun Inspired by MGs at Abingdon Ian Williams recalls the story of his involvement with the OSH brew

The BMC B-series engine Mike Allison looks at the long-lived B-series engine

The Six Appeal The lure of the MG6, a unique build with an automatic conversion

Le Mans ‘65 Peter Browning recalls the MG entry in the 24 Hours in 1965

The Manchester XPAG Tests The Problems with Modern Fuel – Part II

A fast (muddy) run in County Antrim Gordon Buckley reports on the Derek Walker Trial

Overseas News News from the MG Car Club Deutschland e.V.

Newsletters 45

SVW Newsletter SVWs Unearthed, Tickford Wedding! and The Sports Car Magazines 1935 to 1939

MGA Newsletter Scottish MGA Day, The White Lady Down Under: An Australian MG Adventure and more

The MG Car Club, Kimber House, PO Box 251, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1FF Tel: 01235 555552 Fax: 01235 533755 E-mail: mgcc@mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk. If visiting The MG Car Club using Sat Nav please use OX14 1AS

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Welcome

The ‘Old Speckled Hen’ 14/28 photographed outside Kimber House whilst ﬁlming ‘Cars that Rock’ with Brian Johnson. Photo: George Woodward

@mgcarclub

FO U N D E D 193 0

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The offi cial publication of The MG Car Club Incorporating ‘The M.G. Magazine’, ‘The Sports Car’ and ‘Brooklands Track and Air’, Safety Fast! Copyright MG Car Club 2018

March is the month when the weather starts warming up, or so we hope. It’s also traditionally the month that the MGs that have been tucked up over the cold winter months break cover and venture back out on the roads, ready to attend the numerous events that the various MGCC Centres, Registers and Branches put on for our benefi t. If you are recommissioning your car after a winter lay-up it’s worth checking that the MOT and car tax, if applicable, are still current before looking at taking it out on the road. A few other items I always check are the tyres, both pressure and condition, making sure there are no fl at spots and the no cracking in the tread and sidewalls. I’ve known of cars stored in garages that vermin have made their winter homes, so it’s worth checking that nothing’s nested under the bonnet or chewed through the pipes/hoses. Assuming the battery is charged and raring to go, before I turn the key to start the engine I check all fl uid levels. The fi nal check I perform is going over the brakes, which may have seized on if the car was left with the handbrake on. Try putting into gear and driving gently before heading out to one of the numerous Natters or events put on by the MGCC. For those of you who have had your car stood for a while, we’ll bring you an article in next month’s issue detailing other items to consider before recommissioning it. Included with this issue is a booking form for the premier MG event of the year; MGLive! held at Silverstone on June 2-3. It promises to be a great event with lots for everyone to enjoy. More details are published on pages 16-17 of this issue or why not visit the dedicated website www. mglive.com which is updated on a regular basis. Finally, in the centenary article by Peter Cook in last month’s SF!, he mistakenly stated that one of the joint authors of an important study of early MGs is Phil Jenkins. The correct name is Phil Jennings. Until next month, drive safely. Andy Knott

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CHAIRMANS NOTES BY IAN QUARRINGTON

Activity. A wise man once told me that the motor car is like the human body: if you don’t exercise it and give it some activity it will get poorly. I would like to take that theme a little further and say the same is true of all our activities in all parts of our Club. There are immeasurable examples of things we do extremely well. These range from huge one-off projects such as the MGB Marathon Car, due to be unveiled this month at the Practical Classics and Restoration Show at the NEC, a great example of a huge number of widely varying parts of the MGCC working together, to the small group who lead our Mems and Arts Committee which has worked hard to review the organisation and management of the Club. I could go on to talk about almost any activity run by our CRBs, whether it comes to a pub meet (or Natter) or an event on the scale of MGC50. All this needs volunteers to make it work for the benefit of all of the

members. It is all too easy to comment that this or that promised activity or project hasn’t yet happened and when we look at our current active members and the number of members in total it seems to be the case that the needs of the many are provided by the deeds of the few and in some cases when the many are approached to ask if they will volunteer to help the problem and the people mysteriously disappear...well at least for a short period of time. There is a great worry in the whole Classic Car movement that if all of us don’t take some action soon enough then in just a few years’ time the movement will be in very serious decline (and you could argue it is in decline already) and all those wonderful cars will end up as museum pieces and never be active again. This brings me nicely on to two matters we will be talking about this coming month at our Spring Council meeting at Cowley. I have made it very

public and very clear that we will be having a concluding vote on the motion for debate brought by the Midget Register on the tenure of CRB Chairmen. Please make sure that if you have an opinion on this or some experience of holding an Office in a CRB that you let your committee know so they can represent your view at Council. The Young Persons Initiative or group is the second matter that requires some more activity injected into it and I am grateful to Lorraine Noble Thompson for stepping forward to volunteer to help the group in the coming months. We need to instil in our younger enthusiasts that the MG Marque is alive and kicking and that being part of our great Club is not only fun, it is a great source of a myriad of activities, from learning about car maintenance to racing around some of the best tracks in the country. If you have any experience of working with younger people and would like to help out in this major activity please get in touch. Let’s keep this Club and the MG Marque active.

KIMBER HOUSE NEWS The latest MG to be given a coveted display spot at the Club’s Kimber House headquarters is Mark Ellis’s last-of-the-line MGB GT LE. One of just 580 GT LEs built, Mark’s example has covered a mere 68,000 miles and has been beautifully restored. Finished in distinctive Pewter Metallic, it still boasts all of its original LE features such as the chin spoiler and Stagtype alloy wheels, and comes with a bustling history file. The LE was purchased from Bicester Sports and Classics at the beginning of February. “It had previously been owned by someone in Oxfordshire,” explained the Wantage resident, who also owns a final edition Rover Mini Cooper from 2000. “I looked at several auction examples, but preferred something with a better history rather than taking a gamble.”

www.mgcc.co.uk

Mark Ellis’s GT LE on display at Kimber House

The MGB was a fitting choice for Mark, whose grandfather worked at the Cowley plant from the end of World War Two right up until his retirement. “I’ve always had a keen

interest in cars, and especially local automotive history,” he added. “So the fact that the B was an LE and one of the last batch to be produced in Abingdon only added to the appeal.”

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 7

NEWS

Caledonian Centre AGM Venue: The Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4HG Date: Tuesday April 3 2018 Time: Starting 7.30pm Tea/Coffee and home baking will be available from 7.00pm Agenda 1. Apologies for absence 2. Approval of the 2017 AGM Minutes 3. Matters arising from previous AGM 4. Chairman’s Report 5. Secretary’s Report 6. Treasurer’s Report 7. Election of Office Bearers and Committee Members 8. Events for 2018 9. Motions for debate 10. Any other Competent Business 11. Date of next Annual General Meeting Nominations for Office Bearers, Committee Members and Motions for debate should be forwarded to the secretary no later than Monday March 19 2018

Sir Stirling Moss to retire from public life Honorary MG Car Club member Sir Stirling Moss has decided to step away from the limelight to spend more time with his wife and family. A statement from his son said Moss had made the decision because of his “slow recovery” from recent health problems. He spent 134 days in hospital after suffering a chest infection while on holiday in Singapore in December 2016. The 88-year-old is most often associated with sports car and Formula One racing, but in 1957 he also catapulted himself into MG folklore by shattering the class F world land speed record at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in

8 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

Go around the world with the MG ZS! If you’re looking to embark on the ultimate adventure, but can’t decide what vehicle to choose, then look no further than MG Motor UK’s brand-new CompactSUV, the MG ZS. The MG ZS comes with a fully transferable seven-year/80,000mile warranty – which is enough to circle the globe three times. The exciting warranty means all those long, fun-filled family road trips can be taken with peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that there won’t be a nasty repair bill should something go wrong. Daniel Gregorious, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG, commented: “At MG, we strive to add value and provide a cost-effective experience for our customers. Therefore we chose to back the MG ZS with our best warranty yet. “The warranty allows for worry-free driving, meaning all those spontaneous weekend breaks can be undertaken without the trouble of an unexpected repair bill. Should anything go wrong, then our extensive network of dealers will be on hand to get you back on the road.” The seven-year/80,000-mile warranty is an extension of the manufacturer warranty and gives customers complete peace of mind. Like the MG3 and MG GS, the MG ZS also comes with the option of a six-year anti-perforation warranty covering against corrosion.

the streamlined MG EX181. Class F catered for cars between 1100 and 1500cc, and saw Moss beat the existing record set by Goldie Gardner in the MG EX135 by over 42mph. However, Moss’s title of ‘world’s fastest MG driver’ would be short-lived, as in 1959, Phil Hill set a new record in the updated, higheroutput EX181. Moss is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time, and though he did not win a World Championship, he was victorious in 16 of the 66 grand prix he entered. In 1955 he became the first Briton to win a British Grand Prix, taking victory at Aintree ahead of illustrious Argentine teammate, Juan

Manuel Fangio. In total, he won 212 races from the 529 events he entered in various categories across motorsport. Here at the MGCC we wish Sir Stirling all the best for the future.

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NEWS

MG & Triumph Open Day - April 2018 On Saturday April 14 2018, Black Country based parts supplier David Manners Group (DMG) will be hosting its first ever MG & Triumph Open Day. The event is open to owners and enthusiasts alike, and will be a great opportunity to display your car, or simply meet likeminded people for a coffee and a chat. DMG have hosted its Classic Mini Open Night for thirteen years, and anticipate that its brand new MG & Triumph event will prove just as popular. The DMG parts experts will be on hand throughout the afternoon to provide help and advice, and there will be a special discount on all MG & Triumph parts bought on the day. DMG will also be awarding prizes for the Most Loved MG and the Most Loved Triumph, as voted by attendees, and the Furthest Travelled car on the day. There will be refreshments available to buy, and entry is free. The event takes place at the David Manners Group Headquarters, 991 Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 4RJ from 1.00pm on Saturday April 14. For

updates you can join the DMG Facebook event page, just search for David Manners Group on Facebook. DMG are official partners of the MG Car Club, offering a special discount for all members. www.davidmanners.co.uk 0121 544 4444

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MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 9

NEWS

MGC Register AGM Venue: The Fairmile Inn, Cobham, KT11 1BW Date: Saturday April 7 Time: 4.00pm to 6.00pm

John Bolt in his RV8 enjoying a parade lap at Snetterton. Photo: Ian Quarrington

John Bolt It is with sadness we have to report the death of John Bolt, a well-known V8 Register member and past Committee Member. John was passionate about the RV8 and spent many hours reviewing the production records and producing a comprehensive history of the owners of these cars. He owned Nightfire red 1228 an ex-Japanese model and enjoyed driving it on many events such as the Regency run and Classics on the common in Harpenden with his great friend, John Taylor. John supported the V8 Register, serving on the Committee for several years as the Historian, as well as being a regular attender and supporter of MGLive! and MGB 50. John contributed to the V8 Register workshop notes and was always happy to stand and talk about the RV8s to new and prospective members. John’s knowledge and friendship will be missed by many.

MGCC Registers fly the flag at MG and Triumph Spares Day Five of the MG Car Club’s Registers enjoyed a successful day at the International MG and Triumph Spares Day, which took place on Sunday February 11 at Stoneleigh Park tin Warwickshire. This popular curtain raiser for the event season proved to be well-

10 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

attended once again, with plenty of bargains to be had amongst the many stands for both marques. The MGCC was very well represented on the day, with excellent stands from the MGB, MGF, T-type, Triple-M and Zed Registers, plus a display from MGs on Track. Attracting plenty of attention on the Triple-M stand was a genuine barn find, rescued from storage after many years and

Agenda 1. Apologies for absence 2. Approve 2017 Minutes 3. Matters arising from 2017 Minutes 4. Chairman’s Report 5. Treasurer’s Report 6. Approval of Accounts 7. Secretary’s Report 8. Election of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee 9. Any Other Business Nominations for Committee and AOB items to be submitted to the Secretary before March 24 2018 at mgc_mike@btinternet.com

boasting a fantastic patina! John Watson of the Club’s MGB Register said: “We had a great day meeting MGB friends and answering question about future events and dealing with technical queries, and with a mix of MGBs on display, from a 1964 MGB Roadster to a 1979 MGB GT, we covered all models. We look forward to returning in 2019.”

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OYT 787F MINERAL BLUE 1967 MGB ROADSTER

I owned and restored a mineral blue 1967 roadster in the early 90s. I eventually had to sell the car due to the pressures of children/money/ space/time in the late 90s when I lived in Manchester, but would dearly love to find out what happened to it

and maybe even buy it back. DVLA records indicate that the car has been on SORN since 2014 but I have no other information, other than its MOT history indicating that the car resides in or around Eastleigh, Southampton. It would be hugely appreciated if anyone could help me to establish contact with the current owner. Below is a photo of me driving the car in the mid-90s on track at the RAC Classic Event. Best regards, Clive Austin clive.austin@aimr.co.uk

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS CAR? I am the current owner of KYP 511D, a BRG wire-wheeled MGB Roadster, built August 2-3 1966 and supplied to University Motors, London, on August 12 1966. It also features in a Wilson and Pritchard advert of unknown date as the ‘model’ for their MGB Sebring GT hard top, so may well have belonged to them in 1967. It has had at least two rebuilds to date, the latter of which happened in probably the mid-80s, as I have pretty good MOT and service bills from 1989 on with no reference to a rebuild. At various times the car has been in Lincolnshire, Surrey, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Essex and Yorkshire. When in Cambridge it was serviced by the MGOC workshop but there are no records at the Club going that far back. If anyone has any recollections of this car, owned it or has pictures/ memorabilia connected to it, please make contact. Regards Alasdair Enticknap alasdair.enticknap3@ntlworld.com

LONG LOST V8 I’ve been a member of the MG Car Club for 33 years and have yet to set eyes upon the MGB GT V8 that my father bought new in July 1974. It was said to have perhaps been in Scotland, during the early 1990s. It was collected from Lex Motors, Cardiff, on the last day of the summer term, in 1974, which I think would have been July 12 or 19. Originally it was registered PUB 2, but when it was sold it was given a number OHB ???M (I think there was a six in the numbers). It was Citron yellow, with black trim, overdrive worked only on top and the number plate lights were on the bumper over riders. If anyone has a car answering to this description, I should be most grateful to hear from you. I am not looking to buy the car back, as another V8 has been in the family since 1985!! Regards, Martin Evans, martin.harford57@yahoo.com

12 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

MOT EXEMPTION Dougald Ballardie, in his letter in a recent issue of Safety Fast!, is one of the few people to speak up for the extension of the MOT exemption to all historic vehicles. It’s clear from polls and the DfT consultation that the majority of classic car enthusiasts are against it. All I have discussed this matter with are concerned about the safety implications. The DfT have dismissed these concerns because they say historic vehicles are well maintained; however their own statistics show that 26% of cars registered between 1960 and 1977 fail when submitted for MOT test. I feel strongly that all classics from this era should be subjected to the same stringent requirements for body structure, brakes, steering, suspension and lights as modern cars. Take the MGB, for example. It weighs a tonne and can touch a ton (100 mph) and like the Midget is a sportscar not an old relic. Another point to consider is that the home enthusiast, however diligent, does not have the facilities of an MOT test station. I would like to illustrate this from my own experience. My MGB failed the MOT this time because of an imbalance in braking effort across the rear axle. It turns out that one of the wheels’ cylinders was seized but I was blissfully unaware. A reason for the extension that is often given is that mechanics these days don’t know how to test older vehicles. In my experience this is false; the testers know exactly which requirements of the test classics are excused from (eg emissions and safety restraint systems). I’d be surprised if the VOSA computer system didn’t make this clear to them. A final point: it’s apparently OK to carry on driving an historic vehicle after it’s failed a test. The law requires that all vehicles be kept in a roadworthy condition, so surely this cannot be the case. Would your insurance company cover you if you had an accident? Paul Hollingworth

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PRODUCTS IF YOU HAVE A NEW PRODUCT THAT WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO OUR MEMBERS, AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT IN SAFET Y FAST! WHY NOT CONTACT COLIN GRANT AT COLINGRANT@MGCC.CO.UK

MG - MADE IN ABINGDON: ECHOES FROM THE SHOPFLOOR

By Bob Frampton

MG - Made in Abingdon recounts the inside story of the famous factory, recognising that the most important aspect of MG’s success was its team – the tea-boys and girls, the shop fl oor workers, the engineers and racers, the apprentices and management. From memories of the production line to recollections of racing incidents, the untold story of MG from the men and women who worked in the Abingdon factory is revealed for the fi rst time in a book that is both nostalgic and historically important. Written by Bob Frampton who is an active volunteer at Abingdon County Hall Museum, Oxfordshire, where his research has uncovered much of Abingdon’s unwritten history, and has resulted in the unique collection of personal stories that appear in this book. A must read for every MG enthusiast. Will be available in the Club shop around mid-March, priced at £14.99 plus £3.00 post and packing. To pre-order phone Ineke on 01235 849737.

MGF/TF FRONT WINGS FROM RPS

RPS launched their front wing for the MGF/TF at the recent MG and Triumph spares day at Stoneleigh. Forming part of their RPX bodykit, they can be bought separately, coming supplied in a white gelcoat for spraying, with fi tting the same as the original wing. Cost per wing is £115 plus p&p (no VAT at the moment). Dispatch is two to three weeks from placement and payment of order. For more information contact RPS on tel: 07900 431244 or email: enquiries@rps-ltd.info

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14 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

www.mgcc.co.uk

MGLIVE!

MGLIVE! LATEST

ith the weeks fl ying by, the Club’s plans for this year’s MGLive! on June 2 and 3 continue to gather pace, with more announcements on the motorsport action, musical entertainment and the amazing cars on display. Book your tickets at shop.mgcc. co.uk to make sure you don’t miss out on this fantastic weekend of good friendsand great cars. The Candy Girls return to MGLive! After a successful fi rst visit to MGLive! in 2017, we are delighted to welcome back The Candy Girls. Bringing their vintage glamour to the Village Green on Saturday and Sunday, they’ll be performing classics from the 1940s/50s right through to modern chart hits that have been given a retro makeover. Expect to hear songs from the likes of Glen Miller, The Andrews Sisters and Vera Lynn, as well as a vintage twist on music from artists such as Beyoncé and Britney Spears. With authentic

16 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

costumes, tight choreography and beautiful, blended harmonies, you’re sure to be shoo-whopping and bee-bopping along with these retro girls in no time! More musical acts will be announced soon, including the Saturday night showstopper! Lifestyle Marquee The Lifestyle Marquee will once again give visitors a change of scenery with an exciting arrangement of quirky stalls that will certainly catch the eye. Bookings have just opened and are selling fast. We’ll be adding exhibitors to the MGLive! website as soon as they are confi rmed. Traders We’re working really hard on our Trade Area for 2018. If you know of anyone who would like a trade stand, email us and we’ll get in contact. Traders will be announced across all of our communication channels once they have booked and we’ll be continually

updating the website with those that will be joining us for this year’s event. FREE ACTIVITIES Make the most of your weekend at MGLive! by taking part in our free activities. Everyone from novices to professionals are encouraged to enter! California Cup Autotest The MGLive! California Cup Autotest makes a very welcome return to the heart of the event, and is once again being jointly organised by our Tyne Tees Centre and the Hartlepool Motor Club. It will take place in two sessions on Saturday June 2, and is completely free to enter! Half of the entrants will compete in the morning session and the other half will compete in the afternoon session. The regulations and entry form will be available for download soon. The California Cup Autotest is run under permit so the rules and regulations must be strictly adhered to. But you don’t need a specialised vehicle to compete – in fact, all vehicles must be road-going and drivers may be required to present their MoT test certifi cates at scrutineering. The Chief Scrutineer and his team will also check Club membership cards, correct operation of throttle closing springs and general roadworthiness. The California Cup Autotests comprises a series of tests laid out

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MGLIVE!

on tarmac, run concurrently to avoid waiting time. The organising team are familiar with the quirks of the MG breed – so the tests are designed to provide a challenge to the modifi ed Midgets while at the same time providing plenty of fun for the more sedate vehicles… if you end up doing a three-point-turn, even in your 18/80, then you’ve probably done something wrong! The California Cup is awarded to the fastest team of three MGs representing their geographical Centre. Entries do not have to be ‘offi cial’, just fi nd two friends from your Centre and make up a team! Some Centres take the event very seriously and formally select their teams! The Register Trophy is contested by teams from the Vintage, MMM, T-Type, SVW and Y-Type Registers. Again, entries do not have to be ‘offi cial’ – just join up with a couple of old friends and enter. Moreover, you’ll get a bonus entry to Centre competition if all three members of your Register team are from the same Centre too. The BMC Trophy shall be contested by teams of three drivers from the Magnette, MGA (including the Twin Cam Group), MGB, MGC, Midget and V8 Registers entered in the name of the Register and driving MG cars from those Registers. The Longbridge Trophy shall be contested by teams of three drivers from the FWD, MGF, ZR/ZS/ZT and 6.3.5 Registers entered in the name of the Register and driving MG cars from those Registers.

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Cars entered for the Team Trophies do not necessarily need to be on the offi cial Registers’ lists to enter, though as MGCC members, most cars obviously will be. With a maximum of 50 cars taking part, make sure you get your entry in soon! To fi nd out more information about this year’s California Cup Autotest, please feel free to contact the organiser, Noel Lindford. Noel can be reached by email – calicup2018@gmail.com We will also be running an Autosolo on the Sunday, and will be bringing you more news on that in the next issue of Safety Fast! Pride of Ownership and Concours Once again, MGLive! will play host to both a Concours and Pride of Ownership competition on Sunday 3rd June, both supported by Meguiar’s. MGLive! would not be complete without these popular events, which are organised by the Anglia Centre. Concours cars are needed to preserve the originality of MGs and set standards for future generations of members. They also provide fi rst-hand reference for members rebuilding their cars. The Concours Classes are: A: Premier 1955 and onwards,

B: Premier Class pre-1955, C: Roadsters pre-1955, D: Roadsters 1955 and onwards, E: Saloons including GTs and Coupes pre-1955, F: Saloons including GTs and Coupes 1955 and onwards. The Pride of Ownership is open to all models and encourages members to take pride in their MG and present it to its best advantage. The spirit of the competition is to encourage new entrants. The Classes are: A: Vintage/MMM/SVW, B: T-Types, C: Y-Types/Z-Types, D: MGA, E: MG Saloons 1959 to 1991, F: Midget, G: MGB Roadster, H: MGB GT, I: MGC/V8, J: MGF/MG TF, K: MG ZR/ZS/ZT, L: MG SV, M: MG6 and MG3. Supported by Meguiar’s, the MGLive! 2018 Concours and Pride of Ownership are both free to enter. For the Concours, you need to book in advance through the Club’s MGLive! ticket shop. For the Pride of Ownership competition, you can either book in advance through the Club’s MGLive! ticket shop or enter on the day. For either competition, cars must be driven to and from the event. To fi nd out more details, visit www.mglive.co.uk As always, in addition to the above there will be a full programme of racing on the GP Circuit, plus displays from the very fi rst MGs to the latest models from MG Motor UK and much, much more. Advance Member Day ticket - £18 Advance Member Weekend ticket £28 Take advantage of huge savings by booking your tickets in advance! shop.mgcc.co.uk

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 17

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FEATURE

‘OLD SPECKLED HEN’

MAINTAINING THE SENSE OF FUN INSPIRED BY MGS AT ABINGDON

By Ian Williams

n addition to the recognised day-today duties of what would now be a human resources department, the personnel and training section of the personnel department at MG’s Abingdon Factory was also responsible for organising factory tours, local press relations and maintaining links to MG enthusiasts. For those visiting the factory a variety of souvenirs were on sale at the personnel department counter. The souvenirs had been funded by the factory after the senior management team had been persuaded to provide £1,000 to purchase some initial stock. The money was provided on the understanding that it was to be considered an interest-free loan that would have to be repaid and the souvenirs would become self-fi nancing. Our fi rst major purchase was 600 T-shirts which were in brown and cream. We had produced a quick design of a brown MG Octagon on a cream T-shirt and a cream MG Octagon on a brown

Tony Day (6th from right) and Ian Williams (2nd from right) with the last intake of apprentices at the Abingdon MG factory

T-shirt. Quotes had been obtained from a number of potential suppliers, some of which had been over £3 per shirt and could not be funded, while one Portuguese supplier quoted something like 26p but we had no idea of the quality, how the supply chain would work or whether this was a loss

The original ‘Old Speckled Hen’ beer mat

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leader. We therefore went with a local supplier who had visited the factory and could personally deliver the T-shirts to be paid cash on delivery. The fi rst T-shirts were delivered just before lunch on a Friday, and after excitedly opening the boxes a tannoy announcement was made to the workforce. It told them that MG T-shirts were for sale in the personnel department at £1.40 each. We had already made the decision to sell the T-shirts at £1.65 with a 25p discount for employees. By the time work fi nished on the Friday the £600 we had taken from the fi nance department in the morning had been largely repaid. The T-shirts were the fi rst of a range of items, all of which had been designed within the personnel and training department and were unique to the factory. It naturally followed that the

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 19

FEATURE

department would be responsible for any Jubilee memorabilia, and a list of possible items was presented to the senior managers for their consideration. I had the idea of an octagonal MG beer mat whilst waiting for food at The White Hart in Fyfield, where I thought that an octagonal beer mat advertising MG Cars would be so out of place amongst beer adverts and ‘don’t drink and drive’ messages that it was bound to create some discussion. A beer was added to the idea when presenting the Jubilee items to senior management, and although the beer was given a positive reception we were not asked to progress it further. The personnel and training department had taken on a range of responsibilities in preparation for the Jubilee, so I gave no more thought to the beer until I received a call from Tony Day who was at the BL Cars Haseley Manor training centre, just outside Warwick. It was around 4.15pm and his message was that he had forgotten to tell me that the Plant Director, Peter Frearson, and Personnel Manager, Pat Whyton, were expected at Morland’s Brewery first thing the following morning. The brewery expected a beer label design for the anniversary beer. After our initial presentation of ideas Peter Frearson had contacted his opposite number at the brewery and the production of a beer had been agreed. We ceased work at 4.30pm, so by the time I had finished my conversation with Tony I would normally have been preparing to leave work. Having put the phone down I gathered a

Ian’s drawing of the beer label

20 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

An early 90s advert for Old Speckled Hen

number of books about MGs, did some research on what needed to be on a beer label and got something to eat. My first scribbles were to reflect the factory’s anniversary, and I initially worked with such headings as ‘Anniversary Ale’ and ‘Jubilee Brew’. The word golden was appropriate for a 50th anniversary and I felt the word golden also seemed appropriate to a beer. The problem was that the word golden seemed cumbersome when attached to any of the anniversary phrases. Asking for “A bottle of ‘MG Golden Anniversary Ale” at a bar felt too much of a mouthful. It was with

some personal amusement when just over 30 years later Greene King introduced ‘Old Golden Hen’ to their Morland’s coop. From the moment I had put the phone down and collected the MG books together my aim had been to find a suitable name with an MG connection. The use of a racing team name had real attractions. Amongst my first attempts I used the racing teams of the ‘Three Musketeers’ and ‘Cream Crackers’. The name Cream Cracker rolls off the tongue very satisfyingly, and as I scribbled away I could envisage a customer asking for a bottle of ‘Cream Cracker’. The problem for me was the word cream. I had grown up where grandmothers primarily drank milk stout or cream stout and this didn’t match the beer being produced, or the MG customer base. I was more attracted to the idea of calling the beer after the ‘Three Musketeers’ racing team and spent some time designing a label entitled ‘Three Musketeers’. I had some concern that the title was very male-oriented and my thoughts went to whether this could be a beer targeted at the men and a perhaps slightly different version for women. A very successful TV drama entitled ‘Rock Follies’, following the fortunes of an all-female group called ‘Little

The famous Cream Cracker PBs. The name ‘Cream Cracker’ was considered for the brew

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Bob Slatter in his Midget with the Morlands float in the background driving down Ock Street, Abingdon during the MG 50 year celebrations in 1979

Three Cream Crackers and Three Musketters participating in the 1935 Abingdon to Abingdon Trial

Ladies’, encouraged me to find out if there was a female racing team with an appropriate name. The first I found was the all-female team established by George Eyston called ‘Dancing Daughters’ which I really couldn’t envisage as a beer name. With time seeming to fly past, common sense said that it was not productive to look for an appropriate female team name, as to make two beers would almost certainly be rejected since it would mean twice the investment and twice the capital tied up in stock. I continued from a scribble to a basic design for

22 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

the ‘Three Musketeers’ name before deciding I really didn’t like it, as the name suggested a musky, lifeless beer. Returning to the books, I was interested by a reference to the “owld speckly un” a factory demonstrator/ runabout in Oxford prior to the Abingdon move. I had read elsewhere that this car had been called the hen by some who had misunderstood the Oxford dialect and the phrase ‘speckly hen’ seemed a lively phrase. In my head I could see the colour of a speckly hen being similar to the beer. Although I recognised that the word ‘owld’

signified affection for the car more than its age, the word ‘old’ had an attraction. We had been working with Leonia, the company responsible for MG sales in North America. They were bringing several hundred of their sales staff to Britain for the Jubilee and I thought the word ‘old’ would give the beer a kind of provenance that would appeal to this group. Changing the word ‘speckly’ to ‘speckled’ reinforced the idea of age and I quickly did a rough sketch of a beer label with the words ‘Old Speckled Hen’ on it. The sketches I had made of the possible beer names had got rougher as the evening had moved on, but I decided that ‘Old Speckled Hen’ sounded good and looked good on paper. Having satisfied myself I had found the right name, I prepared a beer label to be taken to the brewery. I finished the design well after midnight but I was still first in the office the next morning. I had gone to bed content that I had found a name that everyone would love and I was still congratulating myself when I arrived at work. Tony Day came into the office just before 8.00am and although he discussed some other work we were involved in, he seemed to have forgotten about the beer label. I had left the design in my bag and decided it would have more impact if I didn’t show it to him until he asked for it. At around 9.20am he took a phone call and came over to ask for the design, explaining that Peter Frearson was in Pat Whyton’s office ready to go to the

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FEATURE

WL3450, the Old Speckled Hen MG 14/40

brewery for a 9.30am meeting. I got the design out for Tony expecting a positive reaction, but what he asked was: “OK, where is the real one?” After explaining that it was the real one and that there were no alternative designs, he took the design on the basis that it was only a concept design to have the beer given a name connected to MG history rather than just one saying MG Jubilee Beer or similar. I gave a quick briefing on where ‘Old Speckled Hen’ came from and it was clear that I had no support. Forced by circumstances to present the ‘Old Speckled Hen’ beer label to the Directors and Marketing team at the brewery, not only was the concept accepted but the name and beer label was enthusiastically received. By the end of the meeting it had not only been agreed that the beer would be produced under the ‘Old Speckled Hen’ name but that Morland’s would arrange for a production design of the label and market the beer in some of their public houses. It was also agreed that a beer mat would be produced with a copy of the label on one side and text of approximately 40 words from MG and another 40 from Morland’s on the reverse. This text would reflect the history of the two organisations. I still wanted an

24 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

octagonal beer mat but this was not possible as there was no octagonal cutter available. Back at the factory Pat Whyton was clearly upset that the name had been adopted by the brewery, and was unhappy with Tony Day and myself. At the time I thought it was just that he hated the name, but months later I realised he was concerned that the ‘name’ had been derived from a factory runabout and he was nervous that the press and other media would negatively portray the car. I don’t believe he ever liked the name, but had the car been a record breaker he would have been more relaxed about it. Following this uncomfy meeting Tony Day instructed me that I should make sure the 40 words on the beer mat justified the use of the name. After several false starts and a final discussion with Tony, I sent the following wording to the brewery: “Cecil Kimber, founder of MG, brought MG’s fabric-covered car, the ‘Old Speckled Hen’, to the Abingdon factory in 1929. During the last 50 years over one million sports cars have been produced by MG – around 75% being exported.”

I believe that it is the responsibility of each generation to accurately record events for future generations, but when the sharks are chasing your tail, tomorrow is not at the forefront of your thinking. In this short piece I had said that the car’s name was Old Speckled Hen and that the car had been at Abingdon. While the original name was recorded elsewhere, I had no evidence that the car had ever been transferred to Abingdon. It seemed a reasonable assumption that the car had come with the rest of the factory equipment, and a few months later this was confirmed by H M Charles, the designer of the original Midget, when he returned to the factory for a nostalgic visit. Under normal circumstances the ‘Old Speckled Hen’ name would not exist. Had Tony Day remembered that we needed to produce something before that final evening, and had he, Peter Frearson, or Pat Whyton asked to see the beer label more than a few minutes before the meeting at the brewery, they would have insisted on a label with a different, less memorable name. From the start, the beer was represented by cartoon hens (later a fox) and the sense of fun around the name quashed fears of a negative press. The senior managers at MG got behind the name and sales in the area meant that the brewery had to increase the supply, starting a process which has preserved the Morland name and maintained the sense of fun inspired by MG cars.

A pint of Old Speckled Hen flanked by a 1979 bottle and a 2012 MGB50 celebration bottle

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FEATURE

THE BMC B-SERIES ENGINE Having already reviewed the A-series engine in a previous Safety Fast!, we now look at the larger displacement B-series unit which was produced alongside the smaller unit, having a very long life too. By Mike Allison The original B-series engine was laid down for the Austin Motor Company, and arose from war-time designs of Bill Appleby’s studio which also included amongst his team Hubert Charles, who had been working on aircraft engine installations at Castle Bromwich and Longbridge from about 1942. The basic plan was completed during 1944 and conceived as a 1200cc pushrod overhead valve engine, replacing pre-war side valve power units of similar capacity which had powered the Austin Ten and Twelve range. The post-war years were seen by Leonard Lord as those where ex-servicemen would expect to have their own cars of modest size, but the pre-war Austin designs were due for replacement, which would require heavy investment in new plant, much of the old having being scrapped during the war to help provide the space and material for the war effort. Despite the new Labour government’s austerity measures which greatly restricted the purchase of both materials and machines, the engine went into full production towards the end of 1946, and was fitted to a completely new car design called the A40 Devon. The engine itself had a bore of 65.5mm coupled with a long stroke of 89mm, in line with

26 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

Diagram showing the workings of the MGA Twin Cam engine

then contemporary thinking, giving a displacement of 1199.6cc. Actually, all dimensions were drawn in imperial units as the Austin Motor Company had not yet translated to metric measurements, so some “odd” sizes resulted. Its power output was 39bhp at 4300rpm, using a single Zenith multi-jet carburettor. The crankshaft had three main bearings using whitemetal lined shells, while the big-end bearings were similarly endowed. It featured an in-block camshaft, chain driven with a tensioner, and the valves, of small size, were operated via

bucket tappets, pushrods and rockers. It was a low-stressed unit with some development potential, but quite how much potential was probably not fully realised at the time: and although it must be said that there were design faults within, that knowledge is with the benefit of hindsight, which is always wiser than the people who laid the design down originally! I well remember at a staff meeting Syd Enever saying: “All the cleverest buggers are those endowed with 20/20 hind-vision!” How true is this, especially concerning motoring writers?

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FEATURE

The B Series fitted in a ZB Magnette

In 1953, the A40 Devon was replaced by the A40 Somerset, still using the same engine, but with an updated body styling, covering the same chassis. However, this was a time of change, for the Austin Company had merged with the Nuffield group of companies over 1951/2, and this was a sensible time for rationalisation of power units. Within the new Corporation, there were several engines reviewed all falling in the 1100 to 2000cc range. Specifically, these were the Morris XP series of engines, which had gone into production in 1938, of 1250cc, and producing around 40bhp in Morris form, although tuned and more powerful versions were fitted to the MG sports cars. The other Morris engine was a side-valve unit of 1802cc, with origins back in 1920, although it had been subjected to a lot of improvements since, but was obviously â&#x20AC;&#x153;long in the toothâ&#x20AC;?. Next was the Riley 1496cc, which had its origins in 1933, and produced at the time of the merger, but only fitted to Riley marque cars. Still considered a good engine, it was however relatively expensive to produce, and was very heavy. There

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MGA engine getting fettled on the Abingdon line

was a Wolseley 1476cc engine, but although it was a genuine post-war designed unit and had overhead camshaft, it had not been developed and was only fitted to the Wolseley 4/50 model: it was also expensive to produce as well as being regarded as something of a nightmare to service by the after-market. Lastly in this range was the Austin B-series unit. It was decided that the sensible engine to develop was the B-series unit, eventually to be fitted to all cars

requiring a 1500cc unit, since it was by far the cheapest engine to produce, and compared with other units had much lower warranty claims against it. Ways of increasing the bore size were investigated, this requiring a complete redesign of the cylinder block and head, and the 1489cc unit was obtained by increasing bore size to 73.03mm and designing the block in such a way that further increases in bore size could be adopted if needed in the future, but the stroke remained at 89mm.

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 27

FEATURE

The new engine was introduced in twin SU-carburettor form in a new car, the MG Magnette Z-series in 1953. This was almost certainly done because the Magnette had a relatively low production rate, and engine production had not yet built up, nor had the revisions to the Morris and Austin models been completed, while the MG was a brand-new model. The Wolseley version using a very similar body was fitted with the 1250cc XPAW engine, and called the 4/44, replacing the older 4/50 model. A new common body was being designed to replace the Austin Somerset and Morris Oxford cars, and this was introduced in 1954, powered by a single carburettor form of the engine, SU for Morris Oxford Series II and Zenith for Austin Cambridge A50. Also in 1954, the MG TF had its engine size increased to a nominal 1500cc, by boring out the XP engine, but this merely emphasised the engine’s inherent roughness when compared with the unit fitted to the Magnette, as well as the fact that the old Morris engine was difficult to keep oil-tight. In 1955 the new model MG, Series MGA, sports car was introduced to great acclaim, its introduction being marred to some extent by racing accidents at Le Mans and Dundrod, in which the MG was not actually involved, although Dick Jacobs was severely hurt in a separate accident at the French circuit. From this date on a whole raft of variations were introduced, but we are dealing with the power units rather than the cars. A great improvement to the engine was when Harry Weslake’s organisation reshaped the combustion chambers and porting of the engine resulting in an increase in power and torque characteristics. Meanwhile a diesel version was produced to power, if that is a strictly accurate term, tractors, vans, boats and a few cars. A twin-cam cylinder head was designed to fit the block; in fact

28 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

The rubber bumper MGB was one of the last to use the B Series Engine

IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE SENSIBLE ENGINE TO DEVELOP WAS THE B-SERIES UNIT, EVENTUALLY TO BE FITTED TO ALL CARS REQUIRING A 1500CC UNIT, SINCE IT WAS BY FAR THE CHEAPEST ENGINE TO PRODUCE, AND COMPARED WITH OTHER UNITS HAD MUCH LOWER WARRANTY CLAIMS AGAINST IT there were two possible designs, one from Bill Appleby at Longbridge and another from Eddie Mayer at Coventry engines. The Coventry design won the approval of the board of directors, and was intended to be fitted to both the MGA and Magnette. The Longbridge unit was in fact a completely new engine, which would have made it more expensive to produce. The MGA Twin Cam was marketed from 1958, and while it was well received it became a warranty liability and was dropped after just two years, by which time most of the problems had been cleared up by the Abingdon development department. The engine was increased in capacity to 1588cc by increasing bore size to 75.04mm, but this followed the introduction of the 1600cc engine to all the pushrod versions except the diesel, which

The MGA Twin Cam engine.

remained at 1500cc, from 1958. Naturally the MGA had the same capacity, as did the entire saloon car range fitted with the B-series unit, although the diesel Morris Oxford continued at the lower capacity. In 1961, the 1600 engine underwent a further increase in bore size to 76.20mm, which made it exactly 3.00”, which suited the Longbridge machine shop, although some wags suggested that this was to use up vast stocks of pistons held from the old A35 days! The engine capacity went to 1622cc, which gave marginal increases in power in all specifications. At the same time, BMC were manufacturing cars for its export markets in South Africa and Australia as well as in Belgium for the European countries. In the Antipodes, where journeys were much longer than

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FEATURE

those in European countries, required the A60 model to have a six-cylinder engine, so a locally made 2433cc six was produced with the same bore and stroke as the 1622 engine. At least one of these was tried at Abingdon in the MGB, at the start of the MGC project. The following year, 1962, the capacity was again increased, again by increasing the bore, this time to 80.26mm, giving a capacity of 1798cc, this engine size being used initially only on the next generation of sports cars, the MGB. Various other detail modifications were introduced at the same time, and just two years later a completely revised block and fivebearing crankshaft were introduced for the same car, removing a harsh vibration period at around the cruising speed of the engine, which led to failure. This paved the way for the Morris/Austin/Wolseley 1800 model, ADO17, a large Mini-inspired saloon car. During 1964, the United States, where large numbers of MGs were sold, had started to agitate for exhaust emission controls to be applied to all passenger cars, and these were first introduced in 1966, for the 1967 model year US market MGB. This was done basically by blowing air into the exhaust ports to burn away the pollutants and convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. As the compliance limits were lowered, more and more modifications became necessary, and the requirements for homologation for new units put the engineering department under great stress so new units became less likely for the foreign markets, extending the production runs of engines way beyond their original intended life. In 1971, the Morris Marina was introduced fitted with either A or B-series engines, but the car was under-developed at introduction, although quite a few were sold in the US as the Austin Marina, fitted with

30 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

B Series being lowered into a late MGB on the MG line in Abingdon

The Austin 1800 used a B series engine.

the fully homologated MGB engine. However, in truth, the car found few friends across the pond, even if the car was no worse than any of the alternatives on the market and it sold well on the home market, eventually being re-vamped as the Morris Ital, introduced in 1977, but this variation was fitted with choice of A or O-series engines, the latter sounding the deathknell of the B-series unit. In 1975 the ADO 17 range was replaced with a new Princess model initially fitted with the B-series 1798cc engine, but in 1978 was replaced by an O-series unit, the model being renamed the Ambassador.

The MGB survived until 1980 and the closing of the historic Abingdon works and was the last model sold with the 1798cc petrol engine. However, a diesel version, still 1500cc, of the unit was still in production until the break-up of the British Leyland Group, for use in some commercial applications, including a marine version, still much favoured by the canal boating fraternity. Like its smaller stablemate, the engine enjoyed a long and successful life over 54 years, often out-performing more exotic units in competition as well as proving reliable and economic to run in everyday service.

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FEATURE

hen the MG6 was launched to the gathered motoring press in 2011, anticipation was high as this was the fi rst all-new MG to be launched in the UK by the Chinese manufacturer SAIC. The MG was generally well received, although at

the time a few motoring titles knocked the lack of a diesel engine, and the fact that it was only available with a manual gearbox. Towards the end of 2012, MG addressed the issue of a diesel engine by fi tting a torquey 1.9 DTi Tech engine which was mounted to a manual sixspeed gearbox.

As MG started to move into the SUV segment, fi rst with the MG GS and latterly with the MG ZS, both with an automatic gearbox option, the MG6 was discontinued in 2016, much to the frustration of a loyal band of followers. One of those was long-time MG enthusiast, Paul Pickering, whose fi rst foray into the MG scene was with

THE SIX APPEAL By Andy Knott

32 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

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an RV8. Since then he’s been smitten and owned numerous MGs, mainly purchased from John Newey at Summit Garage in Dudley. Paul prefers automatic cars and did own an automatic MG GS that he purchased from Summit Garage, but the SUV just wasn’t for him. From the moment the MG6 launched Paul loved the shape, styling and size of the car, and so Paul, who’s no stranger to modifi ed MGs, having owned a K Series MGB, commissioned John Newey to create him his own MG6 Automatic. John, himself a lifelong enthusiast, knew just the man to talk to about creating such a car, Chris Flanagan from Retro Sports Cars. Chris has created several bespoke MGs over the years, and has recently taken on supplying spares for one of the rarest MGs, the MG supercar, the SV.

Building the Six Chris wasn’t fazed when tasked with building an MG6 automatic, but fi rst needed to source the donor cars for the project. With John Newey’s help, a stunning top-of-the-range MG6 Mk1 TSE with only 6,000 miles on the clock, and an automatic 1.8 turbo Rover 75 were both soon residing at the Retro Sports Cars premises. Both engines were removed from the cars, and the N series turbo unit found in the MG6 was checked over before being mated to the freshly refurbished auto gear box from the Rover 75. This all went very smoothly and the engine and

gearbox were soon fi tted in the resplendent red engine bay of the MG6. Now the fun began! Chris Flanagan and his colleagues at Retro Sports Cars had to don their thinking caps when it came to the electrical side of the installation. This proved to be the trickiest part of the build, due to the MG6 using different ECUs to the Rover 75, so trying to get the engine to communicate with the gearbox was a challenge. In China the MGs aren’t road tested, they’re all tested on simulators which doesn’t pick up the real stress put on components such as the manual gearbox. The MG6 gearbox is a known weak point for those wanting to tune and up the turbo boost of their Six. To keep the boost at a level that doesn’t cause the box to self-detonate, the Bosch Engine Management System fi tted has lots of torque limiters. Converting the MG6 to the proven JATCO Rover 75 automatic box meant that the torque

CHRIS WASN’T FAZED WHEN TASKED WITH BUILDING AN MG6 AUTOMATIC, BUT FIRST NEEDED TO SOURCE THE DONOR CARS FOR THE PROJECT. www.mgcc.co.uk

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 33

FEATURE

limiters weren’t necessary, so Chris and his team decided to retro fi t the proven MEMS 3 management system. The Modular Engine Management System, or MEMS, is an electronic control system used on engines in cars built by the MG Rover Group. MEMS 3 were fi tted on their post-2000 K series engine cars, including the 1.8 turbo used in the MG ZT and Rover 75. With the electronically controlled gearbox now talking to the engine, and the fact that the gearbox could handle more power, Retro Sportscars took the opportunity to up the boost on the turbo and remap the MEMS 3 ECU with one of their Kmaps packages which would not only improve performance, but would also improve fuel economy and add a crisper throttle response to enhance the driving experience. With these improvements

the 1.8 turbo is good for 200bhp, as well as adding a nice increase in torque which was noticeable on the test drive. With the mechanical side of the build all working in harmony, attention turned to the interior. It was the electrical side which again took the time, trying to get the internal MG6 electrics to talk to the auto gearbox. The MG6 Controller Area Network Bus (CAN), which is a specialised internal communications network that interconnects components inside a vehicle, had to be gatewayed together with the Rover 75 CAN. Retro Sports Cars wrote a programme to allow them to do this, and even reconfi gured the clocks to display the correct auto symbols such as D for Drive, and S for Sports mode. The dials and displays all look as if they were factory-fi tted inside the car, as does the auto

THE MG6 WAS GLEAMING IN THE SUNSHINE AS WE PULLED UP AT SUMMIT GARAGE AND WERE MET BY JOHN NEWEY, WHO WAS KEEN TO SHOW US THE CONVERSION

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Retro Sports Cars Retro Sports Cars is run by husband and wife Chris and Dawn Flanagan. Chris is the technician with over 20 years’ experience in all aspects of vehicle repair, especially mechanical and electrical. He began his career as an apprentice in an MG Rover Main Dealer in December 1992, just as the MG RV8 was launched. This beautiful car started his love of MGs, and he bought his fi rst MG at 18 – a 1972 MGB GT, in Old English White. He attended all the training courses at Longbridge, Cowley and Studley Castle, and by the time of the MGF launch in 1995 he was hooked. Chris likes a challenge and in 2004 he decided to put a KV6 into his 1997 Nightfi re Red MGF. Since then he has also undertaken many engine conversions, including K Series Midget, a KV6 MGZR, a 2 litre Turbo MGZR, and – several more KV6 MGFs! Retro Sports Cars Ltd, Unit 1 Clifton Mills Sheds, Clifton Mills, Bailiff Bridge, West Yorkshire, HD6 4JJTel: 01484 715851 www.retrosportscars.co.uk

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 35

Summit Garage A family-run business established in 1945, founded by Robert “Jack” Newey and his wife Olive, before passing the business to their son, John Robert Newey. Summit Garage has been caring for their customers’ cars for eight decades and aim to provide a friendly, caring service for all your motoring needs. Now in the hands of the third generation, brothers John and Nick Newey carry on the family tradition. Summit Garage has a wide range of both new and used MG cars to suit your budget and is an authorised MG service and repairs centre too, so can look after your MG, new or cherished. Summit Garage (Dudley) Limited, 413-415 Himley Road, Lower Gornal, Dudley, West Midlands, DY3 2RA. Tel: 01384 259 555 www.summitgarage.co.uk gearstick, located in the standard MG6 manual gearstick surroundings. The fi nish and fi t of the whole job is wonderful, but looks can be deceiving; would it drive as well as it looked? The Driving Experience The MG6 was gleaming in the sunshine as we pulled up at Summit Garage and were met by John Newey, who was keen to show us the conversion. Jumping in the MG6 I was instantly at home – my dad has owned his 1.8t petrol MG6 for three years and I’ve been lucky enough to drive it on numerous occasions. The TSE is a comfortable place to be, and looking around it was clear to see that Chris and the guys at Retro Sports

36 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

Cars had done an excellent, seamless, automatic conversion to this already tidy MG. Foot on the brake, key in the ignition and the 6 burbled into life, an aftermarket backbox added to the engine soundtrack, and with the Park P displayed on the dash I slipped the gearstick down into Drive before gingerly heading out on the road. The auto was a joy to drive. As we drove through the built-up 30mph area the 5-speed auto was changing confi dently below 3000rpm. Heading out to a road with a national speed limit gave us a chance to really put the MG6 through its paces. With the road clear ahead the sports button next to the gearstick was fl icked on, the MG changed down and with the right foot planted the turbo pulled the needle towards the redline. I found the turbo pick up very smooth, something that’s noticeably different to the manual cars where the boost is very ‘on and off’ when accelerating hard. As the revs

rose, the auto changed up a gear with a reassuring feel, and started pulling hard again with no notable turbo lag, something the manual car suffers with due to the torque limiters. Heading back towards Summit Garage, sports mode was switched off and the MG6 became a subdued cruising car again. As we pulled back onto the forecourt and slid the gearstick back into Park, I began to wonder what the MG6 could have been had they introduced an Automatic one to UK shores. John Newey summed it up by saying: “There’s been a lot of interest in the Auto MG6 at Summit Garage. When the 6 was launched a lot of people said if MG Motor had released an auto one they would have bought one”. With the prices of petrol MG6s very reasonable now it makes it quite a viable conversion, and you’ll be pleased to hear that Retro Sports Cars are able to offer the conversion to your MG6 for £4,000-£4,500.

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DRX running with the famous droop-snout nose in the 1965 Le Mans.

LE MANS ‘65 Peter Browning recalls the MG entry in the 24 Hours in 1965 when he managed the lone works MGB entry.

G made a return to post-war motor racing in 1963 with a single car MGB entry at Le Mans. This was a semi-private but works-supported effort, challenging the ban on works racing participation by the BMC management at Longbridge following the 1955 Le Mans tragedy. After a successful sortie (12th overall and second in the 2-litre class) the team retuned the following year with an official works entry and, with another MGB entry, again returned with a creditable result (19th overall and the ‘Motor’ Trophy for the highestplaced British entry). Aiming for a hat trick of finishes with a lone entry, we returned in 1965 for what was to be Abingdon’s final

38 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

visit to Le Sarthe. Le Mans has always attracted worldwide motorsport interest and by the mid-1960s, while the main interest was on the new generation of sports prototypes going for outright victory, and in particular the muchheralded contest between the sevenlitre Ford GT40s and the Ferraris, there was still keen support for the fortunes of the regular British ‘production’ sports car entries – MG, Sunbeam, Triumph, Austin-Healey and Lotus. The performance differential between the new era of sports prototypes and the less sophisticated production cars, however, was starting to be signiﬁcant. Minimum qualifying criteria set against the fastest car in each class had been introduced and certainly the speed differential was perhaps becoming dangerous.

It was certainly the new qualifying regulations which caused us the only real challenge of the weekend, because the MGB was as always in the same highly competitive two-litre class with the more highly modified Porsches. The qualifying time around the circuit (with no Mulsanne chicane in those days) was just under five minutes representing a 100mph lap. Despite running Stage five tune and with some weight reduction, the MGB needed a lot more top speed and this was achieved by fitting the now-famous droop-snout nose designed by Syd Enever from Abingdon’s Development Department. This produced exactly the right result, giving the car a top speed of 126mph and a comfortable ‘cruising’ lap time close on the 100mph mark. It was interesting that Syd‘s pre-race calculations and predicted top speed worked out exactly right! Just to make sure, in qualifying we did have words with one or two of the British drivers in the front running prototypes to try and give us a tow down the Mulsanne straight if the occasion arose. This certainly produced some ‘cheaty’ quick laps but the drivers did have to be careful to pull out of the slip stream well before the sharp Mulsanne corner itself because the MGB brakes were not quite up to GT40 performance! On the subject of the droop-snout nose, used on all three Le Mans cars (1963-1965) there is some doubt today as to whether the same nose section was used on all three cars or whether one or more were built. Certainly we know that one nose was written off on the ex1964 Le Mans car which was driven by John Sprinzel and Andy Hedges on the Tour de France. More than one reputed ex-Le Mans MGB has appeared in recent times claiming to have the original droop-snout nose which is confusing. The final (1965) car, DRX 255C, certainly had its nose removed when it was sold and the car

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FEATURE

Peter Browning (left) confers with Paddy Hopkirk (helmet), Andrew Hedges (right) and Dunlop’s Oliver Speight (centre).

runs with standard bodywork. This is just one of the many unresolved mysteries of what actually happened within the Competitions Department at the time when memories today of those involved (including myself) have faded on things which at the time did not seem to be that important! Compared to today, the MG equipe to the 24 Hours 36 years ago was a very small and unglamorous outﬁt. The race car was towed to the circuit on an open trailer, two or three works mechanics came from Abingdon, while our pit equipment, tools and spares were pretty modest. The average Club MGB racer today probably goes to the circuit better equipped! There was no lavish team catering or hospitality, friends bought along a small caravan to provide simple food and drink. The all-important Mulsanne signalling team was run by a regular group of MG enthusiasts, dedicated volunteers who camped out each year and whose only contact with the outside world was the French ex-army ﬁeld telephone land line to the pits, which provided a totally unreliable means of communication (no mobile radios in those days!). After satisfactory qualifying by both drivers – Paddy Hopkirk and Andrew Hedges – our race plan was established and was very simple. We divided the 24 hours into 10 sessions of two hours and about 20 minutes this being dictated mainly by the fuel

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consumption. With a 20-gallon tank and fuel consumption of around 14mpg, we had a range of around 280 miles and planned on maintaining a 100mph race average. As with all of our racing activities with the works MGBs, we were only there really to put on a display of reliability. Our chance of success was to be there at the ﬁnish to hopefully pick up a promotional class placing plus the best overall position that we could achieve when the others fell by the wayside. The only time when we actually

went ‘racing’ was if one of the other British teams got too far ahead and then we would put on a bit of a spurt to keep them in our sights. This meant that we would be in striking distance if towards the finish we could ‘attack’ if they were still running. Compared to today’s race strategies it was all very simple, and with the almost total reliability of the MGB we very seldom veered far away from outset race plan. Certainly in 1965 the car ran like a train and we finished 11th overall and were runner-up to a Porsche in the two-litre class, which actually pulled into the pits on the last lap with a blown engine! The MGB just failed to win the ‘Motor’ Trophy again being beaten by the whispering Rover-BRM gas turbine which finished in 10th place. The hat trick of Le Mans finishes with a lone entry achieved exactly what John Thornley told us to do – demonstrate MG reliability using a car that basically used off-the-shelf competition tuning parts available to any owner.

Hopkirk and Hedges enjoy their parade laps (mechanics driving!)

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 39

FEATURE

MANCHESTER XPAG TESTS THE PROBLEMS WITH MODERN FUELâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;PART II By Paul Ireland

Introduction In the previous article, I described the first of two problems caused by modern petrol Weak Running and discussed how the Manchester tests had shown a second problem, Slow Combustion. This article describes the Slow Combustion effect and the evidence from Manchester that suggests the cause of this problem. Running Lambda To remind readers: the carburettor suction piston heights give a direct

40 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

measurement of the volume of air/ fuel mixture flowing into the engine and the profile of the tapered needle controls the volume of fuel leaving the jet for each suction piston height. The graph below shows an ideal plot of how Lambda would be expected to vary with carburettor piston height where each dot represents an engine RPM / throttle setting that corresponds to that piston height. The white horizontal band is the ideal range for lambda. Lambda values greater than 0.98 represent a weak mixture and less

than 0.83 a rich mixture. Even though Lambda was set to 0.95 for each test at Manchester, it is possible to calculate what Lambda would have been delivered if the engine had not been retuned. The graph at the top of the next page shows this data with the jet adjusting nuts set at four flats down from fully closed, running with a standard ES needle and using the same brand of 95 octane petrol. The first thing to notice is this graph looks very different from the ideal above. The five points circled in red (two green, quarter throttle and three red, half throttle), correspond to the carburettors delivering an exceptionally weak mixture which was discussed in the previous article. The four points in the blue circle, on the above graph, show the carburettors delivering different lambda values for the same piston height. Simplistically, this is not possible as the volume of fuel is determined by the needle diameter at that piston height, i.e. same piston height, same volume of air, same volume of fuel, hence the lambda values should be the same. These provide the evidence for the Slow Combustion problem.

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FEATURE

Slow combustion Slow combustion is something David Heath and I postulated as a problem with modern petrol after running various tests using our TA and TC cars. Anomalies in the carburettor test data and other test data support this view. However, while I refer to the problem Slow Combustion, modern petrol does not actually burn more slowly than classic petrol, this is an apparent effect caused by cyclic variability discussed in previous articles. This effect can be seen more clearly on the data from all the test

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runs (below) in the region, highlighted by the blue oval. At piston heights between 0.3’’ to 0.4’’, the full throttle tests (blue dots) consistently show a richer mixture than the half throttle tests (red dots). The Suck, Squeeze, Bang and Blow article helps to understanding this. The airflow through the carburettor is not constant, it is pulsed as each cylinder undergoes its “suck” cycle. With a single carburettor, there are two “sucks” per rev, and one “suck” per rev with a twin carburettor engine. The gases in the inlet manifold and inertia

of the suction piston normally act to smooth out this rapidly pulsing airflow, allowing the carburettor to function as expected. However, readers will remember “valve overlap” where the inlet valve starts to open in advance of top dead centre during the final phases of the exhaust stroke. If the charge of fuel burned “slowly”, the pressure in the cylinder will be high when the inlet valve opens, resulting in a pressure pulse entering the inlet manifold. This pressure pulse causes the suction piston to drop so that it is too low when the next induction cycle starts. This, in turn, causes the carburettor to deliver a richer mixture. The data clearly shows this effect for the full throttle tests below 3000rpm. Indeed, during some of the full throttle, lower rpm tests the suction piston could be seen to be vibrating around a point rather than floating at a fixed height. As engine revs increase so does the velocity of the air flowing through the carburettor and the turbulence. This improves the breakup of the petrol droplets and their dispersion in the air stream, which in turn reduces the magnitude of the cyclic variability and size of the back pressure pulse. This is why the mixture can be seen to be returning to normal as piston height (engine revs) increases, ultimately, delivering the correct lambda of around 0.95 above 3000 rpm, full throttle. These tests support the “modern fuel burns more slowly” comment made by many classic car owners; however, this problem only occurs in the XPAG on high throttle settings below 3000rpm. Supporting evidence for the slow combustion hypothesis comes from the other test runs with the same branded 95 octane fuel. In one set of test runs a nebulizer was fitted into the inlet manifold, in another set, 10% kerosene was added to the petrol.

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 41

FEATURE

The graph below shows the full throttle data for these tests where each dot represents one test run. What can be seen is that, below 3000rpm, the enrichment caused by slow combustion is significantly reduced by the nebulizer (green line) and by the addition of kerosene (blue line) compared to the tests with the 95 octane petrol alone (red line). The main effect of the nebulizer is to atomise the petrol and improve its dispersion before entering the engine, in much the same way as a fuel injection system. Better atomisation reduces cyclic variability, the number of late combustion cycles, the

42 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

magnitude of the back pressure pulses and their effect on the carburettor. Ultimately, reducing the enrichment of the mixture below 3000rpm. The addition of kerosene appears to have a similar effect. When I originally tested adding kerosene to petrol with my car on a rolling road, all present comment on how much smoother the engine sounded. This I attributed to a reduction in the magnitude of the cyclic variability, something now demonstrated by these tests. Other evidence comes from the carbon monoxide emissions. In Suck, Squeeze, Bang and Blow, I described

how high levels of carbon monoxide in the exhaust are an indicator of poor combustion. As the engine was fully retuned for every test, the levels of carbon monoxide are not an indicator of a poor state of tune and only reflect what is happening in the combustion process. High levels of carbon monoxide are the result of poor mixing where pockets of rich mixture do not burn properly. The graph at the bottom of the page shows the carbon monoxide emissions for these same tests. On this graph the lower the levels of carbon monoxide, the better the engine is running. Again, below 3000rpm, the results are striking. The test run with the 95 octane petrol (red line) produced almost twice the level of carbon monoxide as that produced by the tests run with the same fuel but with the nebulizer and added kerosene (green and blue lines). Interestingly, this data suggests the combustion is more complete with kerosene than with the improved mixing produced by the nebulizer. I do not have an explanation for this. Above 3000rpm full throttle, where slow burning does not appear to affect the engine, the nebulizer and addition of kerosene have a lesser effect. As the engine was retuned for each test, the differences highlighted above are not due to changes in mixture as is shown by the virtually identical values of Lambda and unburned hydrocarbon data for these tests. Hence, the differences in carbon monoxide can only be the result of changes in the combustion process. The final supporting evidence comes from the large reduction in exhaust temperatures as the ignition is advanced, reported in an earlier article. Advancing the ignition timing reduces the number of cycles that occur late and the volume of fuel burning in the exhaust. Although there is no data covering throttle settings between

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FEATURE

half open and fully open, it can be assumed that as the throttle is opened the magnitude of this slow combustion problem will increase until it reaches the level shown by the full throttle tests. The negative effects of slow combustion are to increase exhaust, cylinder head, exhaust manifold temperatures and ultimately the under bonnet temperature. All factors which contribute to the hot restart problem. Additionally, hot inlet and exhaust valves can cause pre-ignition or pinking seen in some engines. Unfortunately, slow combustion occurs in the rev range between 1750 to 3000rpm at part to full throttle, conditions typical of normal road driving. Conclusion This data from the Manchester XPAG tests clearly demonstrates two problems with modern fuel that ultimately lead to the hot restart and â&#x20AC;&#x153;overheatingâ&#x20AC;? problems that many classic owners suffer from. The temperature measurements show the engine carburettors typically run at temperatures very close to the point where the Weak Running problem will become prevalent. When an engine stops, the tests also show that hot gases leaking back into the carburettors from open inlet valves can make matters worse and are probably a significant factor that contributes to the hot restart problem. Slow Combustion compounds matters, particularly at normal road driving speeds, by increasing cylinder head and exhaust temperatures and ultimately the under-bonnet temperatures. But all is not doom and gloom: the tests have also suggested ways in which these problems can be mitigated. Wait for the next articles. The MG Car Club takes no responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material or information in these articles, and the opinion of the author is his own and the Editor and the MG Car Club are not bound to agree with those opinions.

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MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 43

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SVW NEWSLET TER Paul Campbell svw.safety.fast@gmail.com www. • svwregister.co.uk

WELCOME TO THE SVW NEWSLETTER Your committee is made up of group of SVW owners who volunteer to support other owners of SVW cars that are members of the MG Car Club of the UK. They are a hardworking bunch and, without their efforts, the Register would gradually fade away to nothing. One of their tasks is to produce our Yearbook, The SVW Review. The current editor is Charlie Plain-Jones, a man with a full time job, who is also organizing the 2018 SVW Event to be held in Bristol-Bath. He is also in the middle of putting the engine back in his VA ready for a February wedding. In addition to Charlie’s efforts, John Bannister works hard getting in the advertising revenue. This, together with sales of back copies, has always covered the costs in the past. We produce 300 copies each year at an all up cost of about £1000 including mailing costs, i.e. the cost is about £3.30 a copy. I say all this so that you can appreciate the hard work that goes into the Yearbook and the financial commitment the Register is making every year. If you are reading this column as an SVW owner and an

MGCC member, you are getting the Review FOC every year. Please don’t regard it as a right, it is only possible for as long as your committee members are prepared to put in the unpaid hours and can make the sums work. Partly so that we will be ready when and if either the effort or the money defeats us, we have been considering an alternative approach. This is to change to an electronic version, emailed to members. Some other Registers are already doing this. It has obvious cost advantages and means members, especially overseas members, get their copies more quickly. It also has downsides. It is virtually impossible to prevent pirate copies being sent to non-members, so not only would we lose income from selling back copies, the incentive to join the MG Car Club is reduced. We have always felt that SVW owners should join the club. Indeed, the Register exists primarily to support them, not SVW owners who choose not to join, although we do like to stay in touch with them. Also, we know that many owners like to keep and collect their copies of the Review and refer back to

them, especially for technical advice. Although this is theoretically still possible with electronic copies, it is just not the same, somehow. We will be able to continue with the hard copy version for one more year at least and have the financial muscle to soldier on for a year or two longer, even without the advertising income. We are not in crisis. However, we do not know how long we can do so, nor, with any precision, what the owners really want from us. So, please, as soon as you read this, email us with your thoughts. How important to you is it that you continue getting a free hard copy every year? Would you prefer an electronic copy? Would you be prepared to pay for your copy should that prove the only way we could continue? And most of all, how valuable to you is the Yearbook in any form? Do you enjoy reading it? Do you rely on it for authoritative advice? Is anything wrong with it? We want to know, indeed, we need to know. Please get in touch, we’re only a mouse click away. John Dutton SVW Register Chairman

THE SPORTS CAR MAGAZINES 1935 TO 1939 The SVW Register obtained complete bound volumes of the Sports Car magazines from Gordon Vogtherr, one of our New Zealand members. SVW Register committee members have spent considerable time in extracting information from these volumes before they are presented to the Archive at Kimber House. John Bannister has scanned all the pages having an interest for SVW owners. Gary Perry has updated the Register database with any new information. Jim Andrews has created a complete index of articles of interest, photographs with registration numbers, and the chassis numbers from the cars for sale adverts. There are 449

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chassis numbers listed, 128 photographs with visible registration numbers and 160 articles of interest. A detailed article will appear in this year’s SVW Review. Jim has also completed his usual Christmas job of updating the index of SVW articles. There were 35 additional entries this year and the updated index can be found on the Register website. The above demonstrates how important it is to stay in touch with the Register as more and more information comes to light about our cars.

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 45

SVW NEWSLET TER

SVWS UNEARTHED Last month Barbara Dark told us about her late father’s VA Tourer (chassis 314) that he bought in 1968. After some 28 years of storage it has again seen the light of day and I now have space to show you two photos of the car. One shows Barbara with her father shortly after he bought the car, the other shows Barbara’s husband Stephen with the VA as it is now. The car is for sale! Barbara has asked for all enquires to go to the above email address to be passed on. Lee Jacobsen in Michigan, USA has found another SA! SA2184 was located via ‘word of mouth’ while completing the purchase of a 1952 MG TD, also stored at the same garage. This SA Saloon came to his attention while loading the TD, tucked in a dark corner. Once seen it just had to be rescued after having being mothballed some 58 years ago! Lee describes the car as having the original maroon paint and interior in presentable condition, with no rust other than some storage surface rust here and there, which will be clear coated to stop it progressing. It does not have the optional rear bumper, as the original ‘fill plugs’ are still in place. The boot area is pristine. The condition of the engine is unknown. The mouse nests in the radiator will be cleaned out! SA2184 will not be restored to the fanatical level of Lee’s SA2333

SA2184 after some 58 years of storage

Barbara and her father Jack in VA0314 circa 1968

Stephen Dark with VA0314 recently

Tickford. He says “That’s okay, there is a need for some original examples of SAs to be running around as a reference source. The goal is to have SA2184 running by May and on the road for the summer, raising eyebrows from other drivers. It’s a rare beast to be seen on the road”! One additional note: MG SAs and WAs are considered to be a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America, a big deal in the States.

DVLA FORM V888 Many of us will have used, or at least be aware of, this form to obtain details held by the DVLA about your car. Unfortunately, the DVLA have changed their policy relating to releasing details of previous keepers for ‘historical research’ or similar as this is no longer meets reasonable cause criteria! There seems to be an ongoing battle between FOI and Data Protection. It appears that the DVLA are making sure they’re fully compliant with the current Data

46 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

Lee Jacobsen with his concours SA2333

Protection Act 1998 and the new General Data Protection Regulations (an EU initiative) that comes into effect in May 2018. You may remember that May 2018 is also when the historic status of a vehicle and it no longer requiring an MOT become aligned. There are also moves afoot to redefine what will be regarded as an historic vehicle in terms of originality, so if you’re planning to put that V8 engine into your SVW I would wait until things are clarified. I believe the FBHVC is looking into what has changed relating to V888 requests and why.

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SVW NEWSLET TER

The Jane Austen, Bristol, Bath & Brunel Tour The 2018 SVW Event will take place from Tuesday 10 to Thursday July 12 based at the magnifi cent Tortworth Court on the edge of the Cotswolds, north of Bristol. It is easily accessible from the M5 and M4 and has ample secure parking in the arboretum grounds. This is a 2-night stay, but can be extended before and after at a discounted rate. The 2-night stay with b&b and both evening meals will be about £360 per couple with additional nights from £99 b&b (prices subject to adjustment based on numbers attending). Room upgrades possible. Distances from ferry ports: Portsmouth/Southampton 110 miles, Dover 200, Harwich 220. Breaking with tradition, the SVW Register AGM will be on the Tuesday evening, when there will also be a buffet meal. The Gala evening on Wednesday will take place in the glorious Orangery and everyone is encouraged to dress in the period of a 1930s Country House Weekend! Leisurely drives through the South Cotswolds countryside and delightful villages will take us to Bristol and Bath with lots of photo opportunities. De Vere Tortworth Court, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 8HH. Tel: +44 (0) 1454 262000 tortworthreservations@devere.com Please quote reference: Georgia Phillips 19232548 Once a reservation has been made please email Charlie Plain-Jones, SVW Event Co-Ordinator, to conﬁrm your entry at Cplainjonesmg@gmail.com Looking forward to seeing many of you there.

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MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 47

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SVW NEWSLET TER

SVWS IN FILM At the end of December Chris Cox advised us that Freeview Channel 81 was screening an old government educational film about safe driving. It was rather tongue-in-cheek, featuring a bad driver referred to as ‘Wooden Head’. Language has

evolved such that these days we may use a different first name! We think it was filmed in 1946 for that year’s release of the new Highway Code. Of most interest was the fact that the two main cars featured were an SA Tickford (reg. DXC 688) and a WA Tickford (reg. FYF 92). Both of

these are included in the Register’s database, but little is known about the SA. The WA however is welldocumented as having been restored in the USA in the early 2000s and is last known of residing in Pennsylvania. If the owner reads this, please get in touch.

TICKFORD WEDDING! Surely our SVW cars are the best MGs for weddings! This was well demonstrated when Andrew Pearce in his SA Tickford and Richard Colston in his VA Tickford were on chauffeur duty for the marriage of Andrew’s daughter Suzie to Richard’s son Mark at the historic Chenies Church in Buckinghamshire. Andrew drove his daughter to the Wedding and Richard took the Bridesmaids. Thanks to Richard for sending in these superb photos.

Richard Colston’s VA1615 with SA1944

Mark and Suzie with Andrew Pearce’s SA1944

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MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 49

MGA NEWSLET TER Edward Vandyk Tel: 01488 608810 Email: mgascribe@vandyk.co.uk

WELCOME TO THE MGA NEWSLETTER

Leaving Marysville Garden Cottages, a beautiful location

THE WHITE LADY DOWN UNDER: AN AUSTRALIAN MG ADVENTURE At the first dinner at the Land’s End Hotel in 2015 my co-driver Derek and I sat with some of the Australian contingent who had shipped their MGAs half way around the globe to join the tour, 20 cars in all; we were mightily impressed! Later on the LEJOG trip one of the Australians, Mike Ellsmore, suggested that we come to Perth to join their next MG National Meeting. I took Mike up on his idea, registering for the Australian MG Natmeet in Perth, WA, at Easter 2016 and taking up Tony Ford’s kind offer to drive his MGA Mark 2 de-luxe, the same car he had shipped to UK, for

50 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

the Kimber Run and the Observation Run. It was then I decided that I had to find a way to bring my own MGA to Australia for the 2017 National Meeting in Adelaide. Applying for a Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD) is the preferred route to follow for the temporary import of a car to Australia. After much research I found a company called CARS (Classic Automotive Relocation Services) which took most of the hassle out of the whole exercise. The MG needed to be road registered in South Australia after arriving and my old pal Dave Anderson, from Jakarta days, kindly offered his help on this task. An initial quote just

shy of A$1,000 for registration gave a rude shock! The Registry Office staff could not remember the last time they had issued a road registration for a temporary car import; eventually A$150 was agreed. I had wrongly believed that road insurance for the MGA would be the least of my challenges: Shannons had been mentioned as the Insurer to help any classic car owner in Australia. Friendly, but unable to assist – you must be resident in Aus. Hagerty insures my four MGs in the UK and they were approached: sorry, Aus. is outside our territorial limits! RAC – they use Hagerty! AA – no idea! MG Car

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Club – suggested Peter Best, helpful, but unable to assist! Getting nowhere fast, I asked CARS, who ship cars around the globe on behalf of the ERA (Endurance Rally Association). Tysers of London will help, I was told. Tysers advised that they provide insurance cover for all the cars on an organised rally worldwide, but cannot help an individual! At that point I had written to all the usual suspects, Brokers and Principals, with no success. I was heard to mutter: “It must be easier to insure a car to drive on the moon than in Australia!” MG Car Club South Australia’s Geraldine came to my rescue: Geraldine persevered for five weeks with local broker Cowdens who came through with a policy from Allianz. TPPD (Third Party Property Damage) was covered but fully comprehensive out of the question, no fire or theft. It was then that I learned that the road registration actually included CTP (Compulsory Third Party) insurance. So, all ready to go! The MGA had arrived on Australian soil in Port Adelaide but challenges remained. Mysteriously, the rear brakes were almost non-existent, the reservoir virtually empty; the starter solenoid switch was jamming; a new brake light switch failed; the diff. pinion seal was leaking, throwing oil onto the batteries; the tonneau cover zip broke; the speedo decided it did not like Australia. Everywhere was closing for the Easter holiday. By good fortune we found Rick at Bowden Motors, owner of an MGA himself, a true gentleman. Rick sourced two brake cylinders on Saturday morning, fitted a new pinion seal, and changed the brake light switch. However, even after bleeding, the brakes were still dodgy. On Sunday I called MG Guru, Bob Bazzica, but before I could say a word, Bob told me he knew all about us and our MGA problems! Come straight over to West Beach, Bob instructed. Bleeding the

52 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

The White Lady at Rangers Run Cottages

brakes Bob’s way worked a treat, as was seeing his MG J2, pre-war N-type and a beautiful Aston Martin DB5. The National Meeting itself started with the Rocker Cover Racing and Natter evening. The Concours d’Elegance was held at the Wigley Reserve in the upmarket Glen Elg, a beautiful park open to the public, set beside the sea. Hundreds of MGs from around Australia were on show, with the White Lady being the sole MG from overseas. Unlike the 2016 Concours in Perth, where rain dominated proceedings, Adelaide brought out the sun all day long. The Kimber Run took us around the McLaren Vale wine country with superb motoring and wonderful scenery. Returning to Adelaide from Strathalbyn, I foolishly ignored my partner and navigator Yani’s advice, and headed for the Murray Bridge, driving 75km due east, the wrong way! Although my plan had been to join marathon MG driver Dave Godwin and Laurel with six other MGs on their return leg home to the Gold Coast, a last-minute change of plan had us heading off by ourselves for Melbourne. We started with a short drive to the German settlement and amazingly picturesque village of Hahndorf for the first night; we felt we could be in Germany, possibly Bavaria. Extracts from our Road Trip diary follow. April 25 2017: Two days good driving, from Hahndorf to Robe yesterday, and today from Robe to Port Fairy crossing from South Australia into Victoria. Yesterday we had suffered rain, although not heavy; today sunny periods, breezy and dry all the way. The roads have been good, straight with long curves, although many of the surfaces have at times rough ruts, presumably from the massive trucks, and the little MG skids across them. Very

few places today to stop for a coffee and snack, Mt. Gambier, Portland all passed through quickly and we pressed on to Port Fairy, arriving mid-afternoon in bright sunshine. Within an hour the heavens opened, rain poured down and we found ourselves stuck in a Greek cafe for a couple of hours. Tomorrow we start on the Great Ocean Road and fingers crossed for no rain; the hood is still down and we hope to keep it that way. April 26 2017: Hopes for a sunny day were dashed with dark storm clouds, and the hood of the MGA was raised, not always an easy task, especially with the seat belts where we need to disconnect the fixings and reroute the belts. Very stormy weather with heavy rain showers, meaning that we missed some of the superb views of the ocean. From Port Fairy a short drive to Warrnambool then on to the start of the Great Ocean Road proper at Allansford. We continued past the Twelve Apostles and inland to Lavers Hill, the road now spectacular with extremely tight bends through the rainforest, heading away from the coastal stretch. April 27 2017: We departed Apollo Bay late morning and enjoyed the part of the Great Ocean Road where the road follows the coast non-stop to Lorne and onward to Torquay. This is likely the most dramatic section, where steep cliffs on the land side are prone to rock falls. One has to remember that this road was hewn out of the cliffs by returning Australian soldiers after World War I, from 1919 until 1932, and is considered the world’s largest war memorial. An incredible feat resulting in extreme hardship for many. April 28 2017: Leaving Torquay we skirted Geelong and headed north-west towards Macedon, driving long, straight roads on hilly ridges to Bacchus Marsh, Gisborne and arriving at Ian Northcott’s home at Macedon.

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COYS AUCTION

Techno Classica 24th March 2018

ENTRIES ARE INVITED OVER 200,000 VISITORS WILL MEET FOR THE 30TH TIME AT THIS WORLD TRADE FAIR IN ESSEN, GERMANY, FROM 21st TO 25th MARCH 2018. NOW RENOWNED AS THE MOST IMPORTANT EUROPEAN EVENT FOR VINTAGE AND CLASSIC COLLECTIBLE VEHICLES, COYS WILL BE HOLDING THEIR TRADITIONAL AUCTION ON MARCH 24, 2018. THESE TWO EVENTS UNDER ONE ROOF OFFER YOU THE CHANCE TO OFFER YOUR CLASSIC MOTOR VEHICLE TO AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE.

ALREADY ENTERED FOR 2018:

1928 Bugatti T 44 Fiacre By Gangloff # 441141 Ex Uwe Hucke and Helmut Schellenberg

1976 Porsche 911 (Ur)-Turbo 3.0 # 9307700060 Porsche certified

1934 Alfa Romeo 6C # 700200 Ex John Lawson

1965 Ferrari 275 GTS #6817 Meticulously maintained, and offered with Ferrari Classiche and Marcel Massini report.

1975 De Tomaso Pantera GR. 5 # THPNZU 09204 Original German Registered 8000 Km - Mint

1963 Ferrari 250 GTE Series III #4611 Superb matching numbers car with much recent restoration work.

1989 Ferrari F40 # TBA Supplied In Desirable NonCatalysed, Non-Adjustable Specification. 25,000 Kilometers From New.

1936 The Brooke E.R.A with Bedford ERA Transporter # 7CHF Recently driven in the Goodwood Revival 2017 Offered at no reserve

COYS LONDON Manor Court, Lower Mortlake Road, Richmond, TW9 2LL, United Kingdom Tel. +44 (0) 208 614 7888 Fax +44 (0) 208 614 7889 auctions@coys.co.uk www.coys.co.uk

COYS EUROPE Michael Haag Elisabethstr. 4, D-68165 Mannheim, Germany Tel: +49 (0) 621 412004 Fax: +49 (0) 621 415551 coyseurope@web.de

COYS ITALIA Giuliano Fazi +39 335 148 8303 giuliano.fazi@coys.co.uk

COYS FRANCE Jacques Morabito 34, avenue des ChampsÉlysées 75008 Paris +33 (0)1 4076 5798 +33 (0)6 0203 6792 jacques.morabito@coys.co.uk

Rick fitting new rear wheel cylinders, Easter Saturday

April 29 2017: Nearby Mount Macedon is the site of a privately funded war memorial consisting of a huge cross atop the mountain with 360-degree superb views. 30 April 2017: A visit to the goldmining town of Bendigo, with a city tour on the old trams to view the historic centre of town –a highlight. May 1 2017: After four wonderful days at Macedon staying with Ian, we left for Melbourne. However not before making good use of Ian’s hoist to check our MGA’s underside, the newly fitted diff pinion bearing seal checked for leaks, spark plugs looking good after the long drives, suspension trunnions lubricated, tyre pressures checked, rebound strap nuts replaced; thanks Ian for all your advice and expertise! After a good run to Melbourne and a trip into the city, where we encountered the ‘hook right turns’ unique to Melbourne, we decided to explore the Mornington Peninsula wine region, with an afterdark drive in heavy rain and a night stop at Mornington town. May 2 2017: On to Sorrento, a lovely coastal town near the tip of the peninsula. Driving into town tested the Rainex on the MGA’s windscreen as heavy rain entered the hood top rail and our knees were soaked. A long cafe break and we enjoyed blue skies and light ocean breezes. Onward to Cape Schank and to Flinders, driving

54 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

superb winding roads up and down steep hills with hairpin bends through the forest, suited perfectly for the MGA, and especially with virtually no traffic either ahead of or behind us. Booked at the Flinders Hotel; we were unaware that the Italian restaurant in town was closed Monday and Tuesday and that Flinders itself closes at 7.00pm. A hotel room picnic made a change! May 3 2017: From Flinders we visited vineyards around Red Hill. First stop was Montalto, then Red Hill Estate, with views of Philip Island, and finally Port Philip Estate. A few bottles of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were somehow squeezed into the last remaining corners of the MGA and we set off to find a night spot, a surprise indeed as we drove an unsealed road in what seemed the back of beyond to Rangers Run Cottages and a locked gate; a mystery code after a telephone call and the gate opened on its own. May 4 2017: A clear blue sky and not a single cloud. Our first opportunity since Adelaide to enjoy proper top-down MG motoring. Hood lowered and stowed, squashy bag and lots more stacked in the MGA’s tiny boot space, red bag strapped to the rack and off we set, destination Warburton, skirting Melbourne, for a pizza at Joe’s. At 4.00pm, a tad late, we wrapped up and set off to Marysville. The road ascended through

dense pine forest, with tight hairpin bends, ever upwards. This was true MG driving, serious concentration to manage the correct line, maintain throttle control, enjoy the moment, anticipate the next corner... be thankful that over 50 km of winding, twisting mountain roads we saw less than 10 other cars. Massive straight trees with no foliage covered the mountains on the approach to Marysville, then the road plunged downwards into the valley, long wide curves and finally into a clean, treelined village. May 5 2017: It was hard to believe that Marysville had been devastated by bush-fires back in 2009, with 90% of the town destroyed and dozens losing their lives. Our next stop was the Yarra Valley Wine Region and an awe-inspiring drive first to Buxton and onwards to Healesville. The huge trees of the forest gave way to open rolling hills with grand vistas and the autumn colours of a long avenue of manicured trees leading into the town. We continued on to Yarra Glen and for dinner at Dixon Creek. May 6 2017: A visit to the Domaine Chandon winery, opened in 1986 by Moet et Chandon, and which reflects the prestige and fame of its parent. Arriving with open top with clear skies, it was not long before the distant hills disappeared in approaching rain. No time or shelter to erect the MG’s hood, we set off with water, water everywhere. After a short drive the owner of Coldstream Dairy was most hospitable, allowing us to drive into an outside covered shed, where the hood was once again raised. About 5.00pm we experienced what we had been warned about. Two large kangaroos suddenly sprang out of the bush on the right side of the road, and, with two jumps, leapt in front of the MG; luckily our speed was low and the two ‘roos were well clear of the radiator. A night stop back near Healesville at the Maroondah View Motel.

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MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 55

May 7 2017: Packing up the MGA for departure, I was suddenly aware that the car’s tonneau cover was missing; retracing the previous day’s movements by memory, I recalled hanging the cover on a rack at the Dairy to dry whilst erecting the hood, then driving off when all done! A short drive back to pick up the tonneau cover, where we were greeted anew like long-lost friends. In turn, we purchased sufficient cheese to hinder entry into the car. Then on to the Yering Station Winery, where we purchased another six bottles; now we definitely needed a Dave Godwin-style trailer for the MGA! The late afternoon drive into Melbourne through Jumping Creek proved a scenic alternative to the Freeway. May 10 2017: The MG Car Club Victoria held its monthly meeting, including the Club’s AGM, at the Club Rooms in Nunawading. With a membership base of over 1,800 this is a substantial Club. The Club Rooms are impressive, including a library, a car hoist with the Club’s two MGs for youth driving (starting for children 12 years and over); a large conference room and several meeting rooms. As overseas members visiting Victoria we were invited to join the monthly meeting and were treated like visiting Royalty! May 11 2017: An early start to the Epworth Richmond hospital for an operation on Yani’s, knee, followed by seven days downtime; poor Yani struggling but happy to spend hours watching ‘Downton Abbey’ on television. May 15 2017: Today lunch with the President of the MG Car Club Victoria, Ian Prior, preceded by a visit to Ian’s workshop where we were treated to the spectacle of the ‘Sebring’ MGA 1600 Coupe which Ian rescued in Florida in 1977 and painstakingly researched and rebuilt. One of the two team cars built up at the Competition

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Department in Abingdon and entered in the 1961 Sebring 12 Hour Grand Prix of Endurance, it came First in Class and 14th overall in the hands of Jim Parkinson and Jack Flaherty. Ian also has a beautiful MGA Twin Cam in Glacier Blue under wraps, awaiting completion, as well as a recently acquired MG PA. May 17 2017: We are now back on the road in the White Lady, with a late departure from Melbourne, driving past Macedon and continuing on through Redesdale, Heathcote, missing Bendigo, on through Elmore, Rochester arriving at Echuca on the Murray River and the NSW border. May 18 2017: Warnings of very heavy rains by late afternoon curtailed a planned drive on to Robinvale; instead a drive to Swan Hill. First a quick stop at the port in Echuca to view the paddle steamers which offer trips on the Murray River. The drive along the Murray Valley Highway took us through Gunbower, Cohuna, Kerang, past Lake Charm on the left side and Lake Boga on the right, and in to Swan Hill; still no sign of the rain. May 19 2017: Swan Hill to Mildura along the Murray River Valley via Robinvale, where we crossed into NSW and joined the Sturt Highway. Initially through vineyard country, mostly dry with occasional showers. We somehow managed to get a table to dine at Stefano’s in Mildura, having earlier been told we would be on a waiting list. An experience not to be missed! May 20 2017: Mildura to Murray Bridge. Sun, no rain; warm and bright all day. The map showed a long straight road heading due west, the Sturt Highway. Never-ending straights where we could see the road ahead well into the distance; and on left and right sides flat land to the horizon. This is Australia - and not even the Outback, just a small stretch of road that seemingly never ends. Massive nine-axle trucks occasionally overtake us and, passing in the opposite

Ian Prior’s Sebring MGA, #44

direction, the wind effect of their huge mass slams into our hood and sidescreens, shuddering our vehicle. Crossing from Victoria into South Australia we encountered our very first check-point... were we carrying any fruit? No ma’am! Guilty of smuggling five plums into SA. Before Renmark we opted to leave the Sturt Highway and turn south to Loxton, a smaller main road with close to zero traffic, yet with long straights stretching far into the distance. A longer drive today, passing through place names like Alawoona, Wanbi, Sandalwood, Borrika and a short rest stop at Karoonda, all farming communities. A stop at Murray Bridge before a return to Hahndorf tomorrow. 21 May 2017. Our final day, bright sunshine as we headed off from Murray Bridge. The Freeway cuts through hilly, wooded landscape with views not dissimilar to England’s West Country. Our first stop was the unique and hugely picturesque village of Hahndorf, a virtual German village in South Australia. Entering the village through a treelined avenue of autumn hues, we could see the progression of autumn since our first stop here a month ago, less leaves on the trees, deeper browns, golds and yellows, but a warm, sunny day nevertheless. Departing Hahndorf for the second time, the last sector again included winding forest roads into Flagstaff Hill, south Adelaide. Despite the initial list of minor issues with the White Lady after she arrived from England, she has performed superbly, never missing a beat, carrying us without complaint over winding mountain roads, across hundreds of kilometres of flat, open country. Oil consumption has been close to zero.

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 57

Yani, Doug and the White Lady at the concours, Adelaide 2017

May 24 2017. Before flying out of Australia, a final winery visit, back to McLaren Vale and the Wirra Wirra Winery for lunch. May 25 2017. Time today spent cleaning the White Lady after the long drive, wire wheels off, body washed, chammied, waxed and polished, engine bay cleaned, all checked prior to shipping.

An early evening drive along the superb coastal stretch, through Brighton and the long esplanade to Glenelg. May 26 2017. Hoping to meet Bob Bazzica before leaving Oz, we drove to West Beach. Sadly, Bob was out of town and we drove off after leaving a bottle of Coonawara on his doorstep. May 28 2017. Final Day. Our last

STOCKFEST CAR SHOW AND RARE BREEDS TOUR 2018 We will be running this again in 2018 and the date will be Sunday August 19 2018. The format will be as in previous years, with a road run in the morning, returning at lunch time and a car show with live music, beer, wine and soft drinks and a selection of food offerings in the afternoon, along with a craft and vintage fair and other attractions. Entries for the Rare Breeds Tour are now

available by visiting the website http:// rarebreedstour.co.uk/rare-breeds-tour/ rare-breeds-enquiry/ which also has more details of the event. MGs, and in particular MGAs, of all descriptions are particularly welcome and the organisers’ thanks again go to the MGCC MGA Register and Twin Can Group for allowing the Tour to run under their aegis.

MGA REGISTER AGM An important date in our calendar is the MGA Register AGM to be held at Kimber House, Abingdon, at 10.30am on Saturday April 7. I will not hide from you that attendance, apart from the MGA Register committee members, has been somewhat sparse over the years but we really would like to see you and give you the opportunity to meet the committee. Indeed the committee is always looking for new blood, so why not come along to the AGM and sit in on the committee meeting afterwards to see how the Register functions – you never know – by the end of the day we may have persuaded you to join us! So that we can cater for the numbers, if you are minded to come to the AGM and stay on afterwards please let Colin Manley know so we can ensure you have some sustenance during the day. Colin can be contacted on colinmanley99@gmail.com

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chance to enjoy the Indian summer weather with a coastal drive in the open MG before entrusting her to Symons & Clark, the shipping agent in Port Adelaide, for the long trip back home to the UK. Thank you again to all our MG friends for helping to make our 2017 Australian visit memorable in so many ways, our 59-year-old MGA performing superbly despite the minor hiccups at the start of this Ozzie adventure.

MEMORABLE JOURNEY AWARD 2017 The Memorable Journey Award, given annually by the MGA Register, has been awarded for 2017 to Doug Wallace for his trip in part of which has been published above. Doug lives and works in Bali, but his MGA ‘The White Lady’ is permanently UK-based, in Norfolk. Doug participated in the 2015 Land’s End to John o’Groats trip, he was on last September’s Autumn Weekend in Hampshire and he will be on the forthcoming Spring Weekend in the Yorkshire Dales.

MG ERA AT BROOKLANDS Sunday April 8, is MG Era at Brooklands at which we hope to see many MGAs, although whether we will get under Concorde’s wing again this year remains to be seen. However, 2018 is the 60th anniversary of the launch of the MGA Twin Cam and, in addition to a re-enactment of the launch event at the Chobham test track in July, MG Era will be specifically commemorating this important milestone in the evolution of the MGA with a display of eight representative Twin Cams at the centre of the event. More details of the re-enactment, at which spectators are welcome, are available on the Twin Cam Group’s website at www.mgcc.co.uk/mgatwin-cam-group/events-2/

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MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 59

MGA NEWSLET TER

THE EAGLE POSTER George Dutton, previously your Scribe and now responsible for the Register merchandise, reports that customers who have recently ordered the Eagle poster usually start by asking: “Am I too late? And are there any left?” The answer is currently “no and yes”. Of the limited run of 101 posters there are still 40 available. Order now before the answer becomes “yes and no”! Details are on the web site at www. mgcc.co.uk/mga-register/wp-content/uploads/ sites/22/2018/02/MGA-Register-MerchandiseCatalogue-Feb-2019.pdf

SCOTTISH MGA DAY George and Wendy Rome have organised the Scottish MGA Day for a number of years. The event has proved popular and has acted a focus for the MGA community north of the border. Despite trying, George and Wendy have failed to find someone to take over the organisation of the event from them and have reluctantly decided that if they cannot pass the baton to someone else there will be no Scottish MGA Day in 2018. It is, as George points out, not too late to organise a 2018 event but time is now short. Volunteers to keep this important MGA event alive, please!

HOW MUCH IS MY MGA WORTH: PRICING REVIEW - FEBRUARY 2018 HOWARD QUAYLE: ARCHIVIST, MGA REGISTER The first MGA pricing survey was carried out in January 2016, and (as far as I am aware) was the first attempt to analyse the value of our cars in the marketplace. As I commented at the time, the sources were probably not exhaustive, but came through a reasonably wide variety of advertisers. The majority of the MGAs were taken from the website: www.carandclassic. co.uk – which is generally a good indicator of the state of the classic car market. I also searched eBay for other MGAs for sale and not on the Car and Classic website, and finally augmented the list from classified adverts both from Safety Fast! and from Enjoying MG. The January 2016 survey covered 79 MGAs (63 roadsters/16 coupes), while the latest review covers 284 vehicles (218 roadsters / 66 coupes), which hopefully will allow for greater pricing accuracy. There are, however, a number of caveats to be taken into account in any survey of this type: Most entries cover UK vehicles only (with some European and US vehicles included if their licence plates could be identified). Any vehicles requiring restoration (or not identified as being ready for road use) were excluded, as these would “skew” the pricing tables. The pricing data is based on the

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advertised price only and, in this survey, does not differentiate between dealer vehicles and private sellers. (The 2016 survey showed that 75% of MGAs were being offered by dealers – this aspect will be covered more fully in the next survey, as a brief analysis suggests that the number of private sales is rising). It might be thought that an incremental 205 MGAs coming on to the market, over a two-year period, is not a substantial number, but care has been taken to ensure that only new entries are added to the database each month – it is interesting how many cars have been offered for sale, by the same vendor, for more than two years! (Equally, this survey may have missed MGAs being advertised and sold within a few days, particularly if this has happened mid-month). The attached table gives the detailed results on a model/year/RHD/ LHD basis, but the following summary will be useful, as it shows the average prices in the 2018 survey (with the same data for 2016 in brackets): 1500 Roadster: £25,550 (£25,550) 1500 Coupe: £22,550 (£22,000) 1600 Roadster: £26,700 (£25,000) 1600 Coupe: £22,250 (£17,300) 1600 MkII Roadster: £24,900 (£24,600) 1600 MkII Coupe: £23,650 (£28,500)

1600 De Luxe Roadster: £46,900 (£47,500) 1600 De Luxe Coupe: £39,450 (£40,000) Twin Cam Roadster: £41,250 (£36,000) Twin Cam Coupe: £35,850 (£32,850) The above makes interesting reading, especially in respect of the 1500 and 1600 models, which together (219 MGAs) make up 77.1% of the survey. This shows that the average price for 1500 roadsters has remained flat over the last two years, and perhaps confirms that some buyers find the 1600 roadster more desirable than the 1500. Prices of 1600 coupes have risen, although (for the 1500 and 1600 models combined), there is still a pricing differential of 14% between the coupe versions of both models. With Twin Cams and De Luxes making up less than 10% of the survey, drawing conclusions about pricing levels of both is difficult, but De Luxes still appear to command a premium of more than 10% over Twin Cams, almost certainly on account of their rarity. As before, I hope that readers will find this analysis enjoyable and interesting. Any thoughts or comments please contact Howard on 01284 766909 or at hquayle1947@btinternet.com)

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Mud, glorious mud! Jay Colville & Matthew Chambers Photo: Ray Brown Photography

A FAST (MUDDY) RUN IN COUNTY ANTRIM

utotesting is something that traditionally takes place on a sealed surface such as a large car park, and that remains the case at the highest level of the sport. However, it is the nature of the competitive beast to want to try something more challenging and to test its driving skills on a number of different surfaces. And thus the multi-venue autotest was born. The competing cars would all be road legal and simply drive from site to site, much in the way of road rallies before the introduction of special stages n those days, competitors

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By Gordon Buckley

would carry out periodic driving tests, the forerunner of the autotest. The multi-venue autotest does not, however, have any timing element when travelling from site to site, so it is not a rally. About 30 years ago, our annual multi-venue autotest event was named after an extraordinary Club member, Derek Walker. Apart from being an excellent driver in all disciplines, Derek epitomised everything that a good Club member should be. He had a contagious enthusiasm and always helped in the setting up of events. Best of all, he was a true gent.

And so the Derek Walker Memorial Trial came into being and still runs, stronger than ever, to this day. On Saturday February 3 this year, the Ulster Centre ran its 29th DWT, as it is known. Being the Golden Jubilee year of the Ulster Centre, we were keen to kick off the competitive year with a bang. Our competitors didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disappoint and entries came flooding in, using a new online entry and payment system. We managed to achieve our maximum entry of 70 cars that were to tackle 21 separate tests over a route of 65 miles. Among them were 14 MG Midgets and Sprites,

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including one immaculate Frogeye. Hard to believe that these little cars are still hard at it on their 60th birthday this year. With our headquarters being at Ballymena Livestock Market, located in County Antrim, we had the use of a working canteen and we were able to provide a full Ulster Fry breakfast for our small army of marshals and for the crews to help keep the front wheels on the ground. Outside in the market from 7.30am the cars were scrutineered and crews signed-on. The first tests ranged from car parks, one concrete yard with lots of blocks waiting to be hit, to a factory with some tricky reversing into sheds. There then followed a morning drive

through the town of Ballyclare to the next test. The event then moved to a nearby business yard and the cars ran through a shed at full speed before reappearing in the yard to finish the test. Farmyard lanes (again through a shed) were then tackled in the muddiest conditions I have ever seen, but the drivers loved it all. On this event all cars carry a passenger who not only navigates the driver on the roads from site to site using simple tulip diagrams, but also guides them through each test using the test diagram provided by the organisers. This can be tricky to do in a car spinning around and jumping over rough ground and it is around this stage that navigators begin to question

the wisdom of eating the Ulster Fry earlier. Having a good navigator is essential as crews must work properly as a team to get the best results. A fast driver going in the wrong direction is of little use. After a couple of tight tests in a Driver Training Centre near Belfast International Airport, along came the quarries. Boydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quarry in the hills above Belfast is something of a local legend in motorsport circles, as in the 70s it regularly hosted televised international rallycross events. For the first time in 30 years, the hills and quarry basin once again reverberated to the sound of drifting cars and revving engines. After a test on a tarmac surface at a garden centre, it was on

Perhaps we should have kept the side screens on, Mike Armstrong & Zak in Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TD Photo: Ray Brown Photography www.mgcc.co.uk

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 63

to another quarry, this time Ladyhill Quarry, Antrim, where the tests were muddy and fast. The temperatures had plunged and the sleet and rain pounded down. Spirits were, however, far from dampened. In the quarry basin, when taking the time card from one competitor, the navigator was positively shaking with laughter, having so enjoyed the craziness of the fast run. All then back to the 21st and final test at Ballymena Market, before getting a very welcome hot cup of tea and the all-important results. Winners, once again, were Will Corry and Pete Moreland Moore in the beautiful K Series engine Midget generously loaned to Will by Jordon Fox of the Lincolnshire Centre for the event. Congratulations to them. Certainly the spectacle of the day was the combination of Ulster Centre President, Mike Armstrong, and grandson Zak in the formerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MG TD. With Mike at 80 years of age, the crew managed to achieve both oldest and

Robert Dickson sets off in his Mini Cooper S. Photo: Leslie McMullan

youngest competitors in one move. Mike looked quite a picture swaddled in what looked like a red blanket, balaclava, MG beanie hat and... er... sunglasses in the open top car. Zak, on the other hand, seemed to be wearing little more than a light jacket over his T shirt to keep the cold out. Absolutely priceless! Most unlucky competitor was Robert Dickson in his beautiful Mini

Cooper S. Robert broke a drive shaft on the first test, fixed it and promptly broke a crankshaft on test two. An amazing day with great scenery and hard driving. Our sorely missed friend Derek Walker would have been beaming all over his face. Everyone agreed that the best men had won and, along with it, the best car â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an MG Midget of course!

Will Corry and Pete Moreland Moore in the beautiful K series Midget, overall winners of the Derek Walker Memorial Trail. Photo: Leslie McMullan 64 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

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RACE TORQUE

RACE TORQUE By Ron Gammons

IMPORTANT for ALL Competitors: FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

he MSA have recently changed the date for all fire extinguishers to be serviced every two years from January 1 2019 to January 1 2018. The date given in the Year Book is incorrect. The requirement is for any fire extinguisher carried on board a car in competition to have been serviced to the manufacturer’s standards within the past two years. Many competitors will have products sold by Lifeline or their agents. Most Lifeline agents can offer a service in line with Lifeline’s standards at a modest cost. A 2.5k AFFF handheld service can be under £20. Recently 10 extinguishers were turned round by one agent in 24 hours. But don’t delay; there could well be a log jam as the season commences. The Club has no commercial involvement with Lifeline! For other manufacturers please contact direct. We understand that extinguishers over 10 years old cannot be serviced. Don’t risk failing scrutineering – check your extinguisher now It might also be an idea to check that your helmet, gloves, balaclava, boots, socks, and underwear are all in date and serviceable. And by the way, the car as well! By the time you read this the entry forms for our first meeting at Silverstone on the National Circuit will be available online or via your coordinator. Please make our hardworking Competition Secretary, John Hutchison’s, life as easy as possible and

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The Trophy Race, Donington Park 2017. Photo: Dickon Siddall

enter as soon as possible. Entry forms for the later meetings will follow as soon as possible. The Club was present at the giant Autosport Show in January and by the time you are reading this will also have been at the Race Retro Show at Stoneleigh. As with most things, attendance at the shows doesn’t just happen, it needs the assistance of a number of members. Thank you one and all; as well, of course, our thanks to John Hutchison who is the mastermind behind the Club’s attendance. Many competitors will have realised that for 2018 the Club has very reluctantly reduced the British Motor Heritage Relay due to a small entry in 2017, but with hopes of resurrection in 2019. The Club’s meeting at Donington in July, running in partnership with the Morgan Sports Car Club, looks like being a really good weekend of motor racing. Bill Silcock has been busy and is arranging camping and discounted entry to the fabulous F1 collection. Already a number of Registers are intending to be present.

A recent visit to Donington revealed the extent of the significant upgrades at the circuit, now under the control of MSV headed up by Jonathan Palmer. The paddock has been fully tarmacked, with other alterations, new toilet blocks and the infield now revamped after the ravages of the previous plan to take the Grand Prix there. The Equipe GTS Three Hour Relay will be running at the meeting. Entries for this are already open and filling up fast. It’s really good to be able to advise that our friends at BMH have agreed to sponsor a new race at our Oulton meeting, now entitled The British Motor Heritage North West 100. This, as the title suggests, will be a 100-mile race on the International circuit. Full details to be announced shortly. BMH are also continuing to sponsor the hospitality unit at our race meetings, as well. Our thanks to them. Their support is much appreciated. 2018 race competitions are about to commence – it looks like being a great year.

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MG on track

NEC SHOW AND CADWELL PARK

Gs on Track will be on stand 5-430 at The Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show 2018, to be held at the NEC Birmingham on March 23-25. You will find us adjacent to the MG Car Club stand so if you’re at the Show please take the opportunity to say hello. Whilst at the time of writing our exact plans are not finalised, we do hope to present at least a couple of interesting cars for you to inspect. One of these may be our Chairman’s MG Midget, complete with an original Lenham fastback hard-top for that classic GT look. However, the theme of originality does not continue through to the mechanical components; you will find a K-Series engine coupled to a Quaife gearbox, full Frontline suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes...perhaps not one for the purists, but Victor Frankenstein would surely approve! We will also endeavour to display a more standard vehicle at the Show, one which will be more typical of the type

68 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

that most of our members use. Any MG is suited to participate in an MGs on Track event, and I can assure any owner who has not yet tried a track day that your unmodified car will do just fine. Obviously if the bug bites there is the temptation to make a few improvements to suspension, brakes or engine, but usually these tweaks can only add to the enjoyment of driving on the road as well as on a circuit. We have an event at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire on Monday April 16, and this is a track that is completely suited to standard MGs as the emphasis is on handling rather than outright horsepower. The undulating circuit winds through a very pretty part of the Lincolnshire Wolds, is as scenic as any that we visit, and not for nothing has it earned the nickname of the Mini-Nürburgring! There is a hint of old-world charm surrounding the venue as the paddock area is formed of grass terracing with hard standing rather than the more clinical pit garages of a circuit like Silverstone. Clearly, should it be raining Cadwell is at a disadvantage, but otherwise the open layout lends itself

to easy socialising between sessions on track....and there’s always the excellent café to take shelter from the elements and eat cake. MGs on Track have one dedicated session per hour on this day organised by MSV, but rest assured that normal MGoT driving standards will apply, with overtaking only on the straights and by consent. The other two sessions are often taken by motorcycles or a random selection of enthusiastically driven ‘performance’ cars, so plenty of entertaining spectating available to fill the time when not out driving. This circuit would make an ideal introduction if you have never tried a track day before and, as always, tuition will be available from ARDS-qualified instructors at modest cost, and helmets will be available to rent for the day. Snetterton in May is another event where we have taken a dedicated session on an MSV day. Naturally, in a single MG session there will be a spread of driver experience and of vehicle performance but, as at Cadwell Park, the MGoT rules of etiquette will ensure a safe and enjoyable day for everyone. Snetterton has a couple of longish straights for those with an abundance of power, but some very ‘interesting’ corners ensure that it is just as much fun for those with more modest BHP; again, I would suggest that this circuit could be another great introduction to an MGoT event for the novice. If you are wondering if track-days are for you I can only suggest that you please give one a try. MGs on Track is run by and for MG drivers just like you, so please study our calendar, visit the website, book yourself on an event, and see what you’ve been missing!

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MG CAR CLUB SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP MGS ON TRACK – 2018 CALENDAR Please visit www.mgs-on-track.com to register, check

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availability, or to book a track day. Registered members will receive regular newsletters and notification of event opening dates. Silverstone – March 19 Everyone should drive at the home of the British GP at least once. Cadwell Park – April 16 A twisty and hugely scenic circuit in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Snetterton – May 21 A fast and open track; long straights combined with a challenging infield section. Croft – June 15 A shared day with Lotus on Track on a great circuit, set between the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire moors! Castle Combe – June 25 The first of two annual visits to this very friendly circuit in Wiltshire. Blyton Park – July 23 Not a traditional racing circuit, but very popular with all who’ve tried it. North Weald – August 10 An introductory activity day for those who have not yet tried a full track day. A chance to explore the capabilities of driver and car in complete safety. Castle Combe – September 10 A second opportunity to enjoy the thrills of this everpopular track which includes a couple of chicanes and technical corners!

2018 MG CAR CLUB SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR March 25 April 8 April 15 April 28 May 5 May 5 May 6 May 6 May 12 May 19 May 20 May 26 June 3 June 9 June 30 July 7 July 7 July 8 July 29 August 5 August 25 August 26 September 8 September 9 September 15 September 16 October 7 October 20

Rockingham Sprint BARC (M) Curborough Sprint MGCC Midland Harewood Hill Climb BARC (Y) Goodwood Sprint Bognor Regis MC Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb MAC Anglesey Sprint MGCC (NW) Anglesey Sprint MGCC (NW) Rushmoor Sprint Farnborough & DMC Llandow Sprint Bristol Pegasus Wiscombe Hill Climb Torbay MC Scammonden Hill Climb MGCC (NW) Prescott Hill Climb Bugatti Owners Club Silverstone Stowe Sprint MGCC (NW) Abingdon North Sprint Sutton & Cheam MC Aintree Sprint Liverpool MC Barbon Manor Hill Climb Liverpool MC Castle Hill Climb Camel Vale MC Castle Hill Climb Camel Vale MC Three Sisters Sprint Longton & DMC Curborough Sprint MGCC Midland Loton Park Hill Climb H & DLCC Loton Park Hill Climb H & DLCC Wiscombe Park Hill Climb MGCC (SW) Gurston Down Hill Climb BARC (SW) Harewood Hill Climb BARC (Y) Harewood Hill Climb BARC (Y) Eelmoor Sprint Farnborough & DMC Castle Combe Sprint Bristol Pegasus MC

Donington – October 1 A flowing, historic circuit in the Midlands, featuring the fantastic Craner Curves and Old Hairpin sequence. Anglesey – October (date to be conﬁrmed) Experience this challenging circuit on a day shared with the Lotus 7 Club. Overlooking the Irish Sea and with views to Snowdonia, this track offers something for all. Goodwood – October 29 A second visit in case you missed the first due to popularity! Brands Hatch ‘Indy’ – December 3 Our last event of 2018. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy this undulating circuit including Paddock Hill Bend!

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MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 69

NEWS FROM MG CAR CLUB DEUTSCHLAND E.V. By Markus Ormanin, Photos: Freunde Hamburg

Even 60 pages of MG content four times a year in our Club magazine “MG KURIER” are not nearly enough to tell about what’s going on in the German MG scene. So, let’s try to give a short overview here. We have 900 MG Car Club members with around 1,400 MGs. We organise 50 Natters all over Germany which delivers so much remarkable stuff, like dashing through bends in the South, combining cruising and industrial culture in the West, enjoying castles and manor houses in the North, and exploring new impressions in the East of Germany. On the whole we have 25 MG events a year which all attract international guests. We also organise nationwide gatherings like technical workshops, racing and our annual main event, the “Pfingsttreffen” at Whitsun. Germany has always been an auspicious market for our beloved marque MG. In the 1930s, Germany was the largest export market, just behind Australia! Bobby Kohlrausch maintained his MG racing team, Cecil Kimber was a guest of “Renngemeinschaft Offenburg” (Offenburg Racing Team) at a dinner of the German MG Car Club; the initial presentation of the MGA took place in 1955 at IAA in Frankfurt. Stories about the “Hausach Meetings” with lots of international participants, organised by Gerhard Meier in the 1970s and 80s, still provide a topic of conversation today. So, what’s coming up? Should you plan to visit any of the German classic car shows and

70 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

gatherings listed below in 2018, please let’s meet up. The Club are attending: Bremen Classic, Techno Classica Essen, RetroClassics Stuttgart, Vintage RaceDays Rastede, Pfingsttreffen Rendsburg, Schloss Dyck Classic Days Jüchen or Oldtimer Grand Prix Nürburgring, just to mention a few. All details and updates can be found at www.mgcc.de/veranstaltungen Preparation of a particular gathering in 2020 has already started.

Why so early? Well, we’re proud to be hosting the multinational European Event of the Year between August 5-9 2020 in the area around Würzburg, Franconia. We’re hoping to have 251 teams, and we’re eager to show you our very impressive landmarks and historical places in this famous wine region, while also celebrating our 50th anniversary of MG Car Club Germany. We’re looking forward to welcoming you.

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26th Old Speckled Hen Run Sunday May 27 2018

Mr / Mrs / Ms...... First Name ...................................... Surname .............................................. Address .................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................... Post Code ............................................ Phone ......................................................................... Mobile .................................................. E-mail ......................................................................... MGCC Membership No:....................... MG CAR INFORMATION CAR TYPE.................................................................. REGISTRATION No............................. MANF. YEAR .......................... YEARS OWNED ........ .............................................................

Cheques payable to: MGCC Abingdon Works Centre Entries to Richard Martin, 26 Medlicott Drive, Abingdon, Oxon. OX14 5PS. Tel: 01235 529331 e-mail: r.martin@mgabingdon.org.uk If no e-mail address above, please include a stamped addressed envelope.

72 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

Entries limited to 100 cars Entry Fee: £25 per car To include light refreshment at the start; detailed tulip route book; rally plate and one cream tea per person at the ﬁnish. LAST DATE FOR ENTRIES: MONDAY MAY 21 2018

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CENTRES

ABINGDON WORKS

RICHARD MARTIN sfscribe@mgabingdon.org.uk www.mgabingdon.co.uk To err is human and I am guilty! An entry form for this year’s Old Speckled Hen Tour appeared in last month’s magazine, but quoted the wrong date. It should read Sunday May 27 and I’m sorry for any confusion that this caused. A correct entry form can be found on our website or the page opposite. Due to ill health, activity on our website has been delayed, but I’m delighted to say that our downloadable 2018 calendars are now available at www. mgabingdon.co.uk/for-ourmembers/printable-a4-calendars/ You’ll also see that we’ve been adding to our Events Calendar, so

please keep an eye on what’s on as we’ll be updating this as we learn of fresh activities. During the month, Gill and I have attended three of the Centre’s evening Natters, plus one lunchtime one and a breakfast gathering, and a very entertaining few hours they proved. Should anyone be hesitant about going along thinking that the only conversation will involve cars and engines, that certainly wasn’t the case during February. Yes, there was some car talk, but we also heard about holiday destinations, cooking chips in a microwave, crime dramas on TV, Virgin versus

ANGLIA

ROB MUIR 01206 862619 Email: scribe@mgccanglia.com Website: www.mgcc.co.uk/anglia-centre

Anglia Centre Rolling Road Mike Pelling, our competition secretary, organised a fantastic day at LSD Ltd Rolling Road facility. 12 cars were in attendance, ranging from a 1954 TF 1500 to Midgets, MGBs, V8s and modern TFs. The first car was on the rollers at 9.00am and the LSD staff worked tirelessly with us until after 3.30pm.

We will have the full write-up in next month/s issue, with some very surprising power figures. The day was such a success that planning is already under way for a similar event next year. P & A Wood Visit April 14 There may still be some places left for the tour of the Rolls Royce restoration

Members with their MGs outside P&A Wood

www.mgcc.co.uk

Sky, whilst also pondering why some cafes now serve coffee in a bowl rather than the more practical cup/mug! In other words, whilst MGs had brought us all to the pub, it was typical pub talk producing fun evenings. They’re all listed on our website so why not pop along to one? Through the year, Natters also organise events and here are just some: Chesham: Spring Chicken Run: May 6 2018 from Ashley Green to Broughton Castle. Pride of Ownership: June 26 2018 at Ley Hill Golf Club from 6.30pm with BBQ. Quiz Night in the autumn, date to be confirmed. Details from Richard Colston 01494 728253 / r.colston@ btinternet.com Aylesbury: Monday July 2 Pride

of Ownership Adrian Bennett 01869 246457 Beachampton: Thursday July 12 Pride of Ownership Dave Storer 01296 712518 Keep an eye open for other Natter events taking place during the year and also let us know if your Natter is organising something you’d like us to publicise. Coming up, we have our AGM which is at 2.00pm at Kimber House on Saturday March 10 and we’d love to see you there. No, we won’t press-gang anyone into taking a role; it just promises to be an entertaining afternoon with Anne Allison telling us a bit about the MG World through her eyes at the side of author and racer, husband Mike, who no doubt will be tempted to chip in!

workshops on Saturday April 14. Contact Andrew Woods at andrewwoods@mgccanglia.com if you would like to attend. There was a hitch with the email address last month, but it is all now working correctly and it is the one to use to contact Andrew.

MSA has worked hard to put the event on. If you would like to spectate and obtain details of the route, which will be in the Clacton and Tendering area, search Corbeau Clacton Stages Rally and support the MG drivers.

Corbeau Clacton Stages Rally A very interesting and historic event that will take place on April 22. Although run by the Chelmsford Motor Club, several MG Car Club drivers are entered to drive and some are also marshalling. It is bound to be a memorable occasion as it is the first competition event to be held on closed public roads since legislation permitting road closure for motorsport competition was passed last year. Essex County Council along with Tendering Council and the

East Anglian Tour One of the Anglia Centre’s main events of 2018, the East Anglian Tour, is now open for bookings. The three-day event has a full itinerary each day and runs from Friday 21 to Sunday September 23. Based at Ufford Park Hotel, Woodbridge. Enjoy a weekend of driving, socialising and exploring the Suffolk and Norfolk countryside and coast. Full details can be found on page 71 in the February issue of Safety

Fast! magazine, or for further information and booking form go to eastangliantour@ mgccanglia.com

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 73

CENTRES

CALEDONIAN

BOB MACGILLIVRAY 07870 407111 mgcarsscotland@gmail.com www.mgcaledonian.com

It’s a very pleasant thought to enter March and realise that the dark winter is now behind! So let’s get the MGs out and about! This month we have a lunch on the 11th at Airth Castle, near Falkirk. These lunches are always very pleasant and you might still be in time to get a place. Check the website please.

Also, you might be very lucky and still get a place at the Elvis weekend in Pitlochry on March 23-25. If you are interested then contact Nancy, our secretary. And don’t forget our AGM in Bridge of Allan on April 3. It’s not too formal and you will learn more of what is planned for the Centre.

The Caledonian MGCC stand at ‘Thirlestane 2017’

DEVON & CORNWALL GRANNY JANNER www.allegropeter@aol.com www.mgcc.co.uk/devon-cornwall-centre/

As you may know, this is my last set of Devon and Cornwall notes after doing this for over three years, so a new broom sweeps clean. I thank everybody who has helped me along this journey and trust you found the items interesting. The webmaster would like some input as to any events that your Natter is organising, so that members are informed of events they may wish to visit. Peter Opie will be pleased to receive anything to put on the website. The AGM is taking place on March 24 at the Callington Bowling Club. The photographic competition winner will be announced. There will also be a Fun Quiz, a bar and a free buffet at the end of the meeting. Nice to see friends old and new.

74 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

Make a date to come and support your Club and input to what you would like to participate in over the next year. There are vacancies on the Committee – please, please volunteers are needed if the Centre is to ﬂourish. The Land’s End Trial is being held on March 30 – a good day out, plenty of excitement watching the bikes and cars trying to reach the summit. Offers to marshal the start to Bob Slatter, please, bobslatter@hotmail.com Drive It Day is on April 22, finishing at Lifton Strawberry Farm for a late carvery lunch. All Natters are invited to join up at this centrally placed finish. Ask your Natter leader what they are organising for this event.

Our first major run is the Satellite run on April 15, which will have three starting points and will converge on Perth. Not long after that, on April 21-22, there is a new Classic Car event in Perth which sounds really good. From our point of view it will be combined with the now-annual Squareriggers event. Details are on our website. I mentioned last month about the show season. We had intended to attend the Inverary Festival of Performance in June, but have had to decline our invitation. However, at the other events we will mark several V8 anniversaries. For the V8GTs it’s 45 years, for RV8s it’s 25 years and for 260s it’s 15 years. I have emailed all the V8 owners I’m aware of, but if you have a V8 and have not heard from me

then get in touch and I’ll keep you posted as to our plans. Of course, ALL MGs are welcome at our shows, not just V8s! The first show is Thirlestane Castle in June and the booking form is on the website, please book early. We also need help to set up our stand, etc. before shows. Our previous regular squad has declined recently for various reasons, age mostly! So if you think you could help then let me know please. The Five Day Tour in August is filling up well but we would like to see more Caledonian members entering. Again, check the website, please. Finally, I’m still looking for email addresses! If you are not receiving regular email updates then let me have your address and you will be included. Thanks.

Atlantic Coast Express Run is on May 20, starting at Okehampton Railway Station and finishing at Tiverton, Petroc College for cream tea. Arrive in time for a very fulfilling breakfast. Entry forms from Bob Slatter from March onwards. If you do not have a computer, please inform Bob on 01752 558085 and he will send you a hard copy. The Powderham Castle Classic Car Show on July 14-15. Plenty to see and do. Bob Slatter would like volunteers and vehicles for a display. One can also stay the night, camping. Torbay Old Wheels Classic Show on July 22, on Paignton Front. Contact Alan Turner 01803 557543 if you would like to be part of the tea party and display your MG car; this does get filled up quickly. On September 2 Alan and Verona Davis are putting on a new

event: the Tamar Old Bridges Run. It starts near the source of the River Tamar and criss-crosses it as it meanders along to the sea. DEVON AND CORNWALL CENTRE AGM Venue: Callington Bowling Club, 38 Liskeard Road, Callington, PL17 7JE Date: Saturday March 24 2018 Time: 7.30pm for 8.00pm Agenda: Apologies for Absence Approval of the 2017 Minutes Matters arising Chairman’s Report Treasurer’s Report Secretary’s Report Competition Secretary’s Report Election of Officers and Committee Points for Discussion This will be followed by a Complimentary Buffet and a Fun Quiz.

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CENTRES

LINCOLNSHIRE

IAN MACKENZIE 01529 497849 MaccaV8@aol.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk

March Natters: Wolds Wednesday 7; Abbey Lodge Monday 12; Wishing Well Wednesday 14; Three Horseshoes Thursday 15; Lincoln Tuesday 27; Red Cow Inn Thursday 22. Luncheon Club: Wednesday 21. March Event AGM Abbey Lodge Thursday 1. What a glittering event! Despite unfortunate absences due to illness, over 50 members and non-members attended the annual Dinner and Awards presentation, organised by Bob and Carol Welch. As well as our local Centre trophies, two of the Club’s national autotesting awards were attained by gallant teams

from Lincolnshire. The team of Bryan Pack, Nigel Pack and Matt Walbran in MG Midgets contested and won the BMC Trophy in June last year at MGLive! held at Silverstone, whilst the team of Ena Fox, David Stonehouse and Robert Taylor in MGF/TFs claimed the Register Trophy. And that’s not all! In addition to the Centre’s regular annual awards, generally attained by attendance at Centre events (let Susie 01529 497849 MaccaV8@btinternet.com know when you’ve organised/ competed/attended, and in which vehicle) a collection of very impressive annual Concours

MIDLANDS JOHN FRY jcfryza@gmail.com

Midland Centre Members should have received with this edition of SF! our calendar of events for 2018, ably put together by Andy Robson. The information (and any updates) can be found on our website www.mg-cars.org.uk/ mgccmidlandcentre

A J2 and NB photographed at the ABFM (All British Field Meet) Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, Vancouver, May 2017

76 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

The Centre’s first event is our Spring Sprint at Curborough on Sunday April 8. Note – due to Easter this is the second Sunday in the month. Figure of eight circuit – entries please to Martin, and if you can help with marshalling speak with Simon. Spectators are admitted without charge, so why not come along and enjoy the atmosphere, visit the pits, and partake of the good food available on site. The following Saturday, April 14, is the Pride of Longbridge, where the Centre will have a pitch. A fun day out. Sunday April 22 sees the National FBHVC Drive it Day. Speak with your local Natters for details. Always interesting, seeing a stack of classic cars going the

awards were also up for grabs. This year’s event will again be organised by Geoff and Vicki Edge at Doddington Hall, near Lincoln, in August. Keep a look out for details emerging shortly. The awards were presented on the night by Club President, John Day, who was kind enough to join us, and brought the irreplaceable silverware to the Dinner. If you wish to try your hand at autotesting, the next event in the Centre’s calendar is on April 9 at East Kirkby. Please look on our website, or contact our Competitions Secretary, David Stonehouse, on 01790 754774 (davidstonehouse1@btinternet. com) for more details. For those of you who would like to try it out, but aren’t too sure how to conduct yourselves, our very experienced autotester,

Malcolm Clark, has offered to coach novices. What have you got to lose? And you could come away with some silverware. For a more sedate form of driving, David Stonehouse will again be organising our National Drive Your Classic Day event on April 22, with runs converging on Nene Valley Railway for a steamy day of nostalgia with a treasure hunt thrown in for good measure.

other way – just don’t join them if you think you are lost! Lastly, for April 29 we have our second ‘Taster Trial’, again to be held in Bromsgrove on nondamaging grass fields. Aimed at introducing folk to the delights of Trials with instruction given. Great fun and improves one’s car control. Later on in the year, we’ve a few new events. We have a midweek Coffee Morning at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, and an Autosolo at an ex-RAF aerodrome with the second-longest runway in the UK! Autosolos take away

from Autotests the hassle of remembering whether one goes clockwise or anticlockwise around a pole, or even where the course goes to, and there is no reversing! Great fun. Your scribe, who in April will have owned Shorrock Supercharged (and still 1098cc) COP 700C for 50 years, parked next to ABW158D on September 6 2015 at Eastnor Castle following the Midget Register Run. The black Midget interestingly appears on front cover of Safety Fast! for February 2018

The gathering at the Ferry Boat, Washingborough

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CENTRES

NORTH WEST PAUL GOODMAN 01625 876300

The clocks will be changing this month and we will have light evenings again. Meanwhile, there is a range of events in the North West this month. Our three regular meetings will start at The Old Hall Farm Pub on Tuesday March 13. A week later, on Tuesday March 20 the regulars will be gathering at the Plough and Flail to plan out a summer of events. Finally, on Wednesday March 28 we will have our lunchtime gathering which will

be at The Frozen Mop, Faulkners Lane, Mobberley, WA16 7AL. The speed and race drivers will be putting the finishing touches to their machines before blasting into action. The Speed Championship begins at Rockingham on Sunday March 25 and then continues at Curborough on Sunday April 8 and Harewood Hillclimb on Sunday April 15. Meanwhile, the Cockshoot Cup race championship gets underway

Midget Line-Up at the Plough and Flail, June 2017. Photo: Paul Goodman

SOUTH EAST JO RUFFELS joruffels@gmail.com www.mgccse.co.uk

Spring is fast approaching and with it a number of events are now being finalised. The new MG SE web page now has a complete page dedicated to events. Local groups are also using this to showcase their events, as well as the main group events such as the Spring Run (April 22), Brands Hatch Race Meeting (April 28/29) and Isle of Wight Rally (May 4). It’s now your last chance to enter the Spring Naviscat on March 18 (Peter Lamb 01892 661969). MG Era at Brooklands is on Sunday April 8. The Club is looking for owners to volunteer their MGA Twin Cam for the display. If you are willing to do so please contact

www.mgcc.co.uk

Jon Glover (jongloveractor@gmail. com) The MGA Twin Cam was first launched at the Chobham Test Track in August 1958, producing 108bhp in high compression set up, very advanced for its day. The test hill will be open as well as the new ﬂight centre at Brooklands. Again, full details of the day are on the web page: https://www. mgccse.co.uk/2018/01/10/springbrooklands-events/ The main event is being organised by John Davies 01737 241971. The Spring Run is scheduled for Sunday April 22 with details still to be confirmed – Simon Julliard (simonjulliard@outlook.com). Keep an eye on the web page for updates.

at Silverstone on Saturday April 7. This will be a great meeting for spectators. With the short National Circuit in use, the cars will be round very frequently during 20-minute races so at any point on the circuit there will be action all the time. Looking further ahead we have selected Barton Aerodrome as the destination for Drive it Day on April 22. We will have our own roped-off car park and will be able to inspect the historic aircraft in the hangars. There is a café on site and ﬂying will be taking place. Members can either go direct to Barton or follow a scenic route from the Plough and Flail. Final details will be included here next month or look on our website. The Centre will be organising speed events again this season. The first is the Anglesey Sprint weekend taking place on Saturday May 5 and Sunday

May 6. The competing cars run against the clock over two laps of the short version of the track on Saturday and single laps of the full layout on Sunday. As well as MGs from our own Speed Championship, there will be guest drivers from many clubs, including Austin Healey, Porsche, Westfield and TVR. We need lots of members to help run the event – either with off-track administration and paddock marshalling and or on track helping the experienced marshals with ﬂag waving and radio operating. Please get in touch if you would like to help. Spectators are also welcome at the event. Finally, we are going to assemble a list of garages and mechanics in the North West who are able and prepared to work on MG cars. If you know of anybody suitable for the list, please email paul.goodman7@ntlworld.com

The MGCC SE awards luncheon is being held on Sunday April 15 at Heavens Farm, Furner’s Green, TN22 3RG. Options for a 2- or 3-course meal are available. Contact Austin Banner (austin.banner@gmail. com Tel: 07850 769506) This has replaced the dinner and dance; a great lunch for the MG enthusiasts. The second ladies day is now being planned on Saturday May 12 2018, which will entail a trip to Lullingstone Castle and World Garden in Dartford, DA4 0JA. Lullingstone is set in 120 acres of beautiful countryside and is one of England’s oldest family estates. Tom Hart Dyke has designed a World Garden based on the ideas of his dream garden (envisaged when in captivity in the Colombian jungle!). It has been described as

a walk around the World in under 80 minutes. A tour of the house, garden and visit to the tea room is planned. This is open to all lady members and accompanying female friends. The cost will be approx £12 with reductions for senior citizens. We very much hope that you will join us on the day. Contact: joruffels@gmail.com The North Downs Natter is holding a summer BBQ on Thursday August 23 2018 (evening) at a cost of approx £10 per head at the Plough Inn, Stalisfield, Kent, ME13 0HY. This is a lovely rural area of Kent and camping facilities are available if you wish to extend your visit http://theploughinnstalisfield. co.uk/stay/ Contact: Will and Dianne Opie willopie@aim.com or tel: 01795 521846

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CENTRES

SOUTH WEST

DAVID MOTHERSDILL davidmothersdill@aol.com Website www.mgccsw.com Facebook www.facebook.com/MGCCSW March will hopefully bring a bit of spring sunshine, time to dust off the MG and get out there to enjoy it! First this month is the AGM, held on March 6 at the old School Room, Compton Martin. This may not sound very exciting but it is the main opportunity to inﬂuence the direction the Centre is going in, what events you want organised, who you want on the committee and find out how the Centre is doing financially. As with any organisation, the more you put in the more you get out, and the meeting is only an hour before we retire back to the Ring of Bells for the rest of the evening.

The competitive calendar starts with the Kimber Classic Trial, starting again at Lanes Hotel, East Coker, on April 7. This is always a spectacle with a predominantly pre-war entry, although MGs of any age are welcome. The event covers approximately 70 miles of stunning Somerset/ Dorset countryside, a stop for a pub lunch, with a bit of mild competition along the way. As usual, marshals are needed, and competitors welcome; all details for volunteering or entering are on the website. April 28 is that time of year again: the now infamous MGs

TYNE TEES

TONY WOOD anthony@scrutonvillage.co.uk

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz; I wonder where the members is? Well, good people, we offer you the chance to answer this burning question by taking part in the “Cobweb Run” on Drive It Day, Sunday April 22, an extravaganza of good fun, good scenery and good fellowship, presided over by that good chap Ian Graham. Start and finish are at Brocksbushes Farm, just off the junction of the A69 and the A68 near Corbridge, with a scenic route round the finest roads in Northumbria. How can you resist? Contact Ian on 0191 413 6321 or preferably email ianmggraham@gmail.com Entry fee is £17:50 per car; please try to pay by BACS or by cheque made payable to MGCC Tyne

www.mgcc.co.uk

Tees Centre. Yes, I know you know, but there are still a few Grandmas out there who can’t suck eggs and make cheques out to the organiser! As spring hopefully is rushing headlong to meet us, don’t forget that the Pride of Ownership competitions will again commence at the May monthly meetings, a fun, self-judging trip round the car park culminating in the relevant Natter awards at the Prize Dinner in December. See how quickly another year has gone! Coulby Manor starts on May 3, Ridley Arms on May 14. Be there and prove all that winter work was worth it. Our Breakfast meetings continue to be popular, but these are an ever-changing feast with

on Grass will be held just north of Bath under the stewardship of Peter and Victoria Jones. A gentle romp around cones in a field, undamaging and suitable for all MGs, and usually over in time for lunch in a local tavern. Real grass-roots motor sport in every sense of the word! Hot off the press are details of the Wye Valley event, a change of format this year as there won’t be a set route, just a destination which is Croft Castle, just north of Leominster. Date is May 20, the castle is National Trust and refreshments will be available or take a picnic. We are promised lots to see and do, reserved parking for older cars in front of the Castle and hopefully an enthusiastic group of people to talk to. No excuses for not using your car over the next few weeks.

As always, keep up to date with all happenings, and get contact details for all event organisers from the website at www. mgccsw.com. Photo is of a sad occasion, trying to load my TA after nearly 30 years of ownership to go to its new home. Even the dog said don’t do it! I hope its new owner has as much fun with it as I have had. The dog prefers the 18/80 anyway!

a different venue every month (3rd Wednesday in the North and 4th Wednesday in the South, 10.30am on for both). Please make sure that Noel has your email address so you receive our electronic newsletter, Tyne Tees Tidings, full of “wise saws and modern instances” but also the up-to-date venue information and much more, which the lead times for this

esteemed publication render difficult to transmit. Noel’s email is noel.lindford@btinternet.com Drop him a line and join the electronic age! Finally, just a couple of quick mentions for events in May, Saturday 12 sees the Northern Treasure Hunt and Supper run, and on Sunday 13 another Production Car Autotest at Hartlepool; details next month.

Charlotte ﬂags away Ian and Justine in TC on the Cobweb Run 2017

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 79

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CENTRES

YORKSHIRE

DAVID COPEMAN 07920 064585 www.mgccyorkshire.co.uk North – Nick Mann The first Natter meeting of the year took its customary form of the AGM. A large turnout with only a handful of apologies ensured that constructive and lively debate would ensue. The main focus of the evening was the election of officers for the forthcoming year, and the most important office of all, the leader of the Natter, was officially handed over from Paul Croft to Colin Brear, who I’m sure will be well suited to the position. Mike Payne kindly agreed to act as deputy leader. The whole Natter owes a huge debt of gratitude both to Paul and his wife Rosemary who have worked tirelessly on the Natter’s behalf for over 10 years, and it was only

fitting that they were presented with a small token of our appreciation. The remainder of the meeting was taken up with discussion about Natter night themes, and future MG-orientated events. 2018 looks like it’s going to be another busy year of MG-ing for all connected with North Yorkshire Natter. Roll on the spring! South – Geoff Norcliffe Organisers Pete and Keith put on the traditional year opener with the Chilly Willy Run on New Year’s Day, starting with breakfast at the Bank View Café at Langsett and in good weather, too. Just nine days later Pete swung into action again, organising the traditional annual ten pin bowling match and was

ULSTER

CAROL WILLIS (028) 9079 9997 or 07831 345560 www.mgcculstercentre.co.uk carol.mgulster@hotmail.co.uk

Starting with a full Irish breakfast to warm up the crews and marshals, the Centre blasted off its Golden Jubilee Year on February 3 with its 2018 Derek Walker Trial. Who better to lead the full, 70-strong entry than the Centre’s President and a founding member, Mike Armstrong, in his hard-driven MG TD with grandson Zak on the maps. In freezing, wet conditions, Mike and Zak completed the arduous test route mostly with the top down and the balaclavas and woolly hats up! He is surely the very epitome of the spirit of the MG Car Club.

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The Committee put in a tremendous effort to ensure this event would be a DWT to remember. It included 21 different tests over a road route of nearly 70 road miles starting and finishing in Ballymena and visiting sites at Ballyclare, Nutt’s Corner, Mallusk and Antrim. Tests included a great variation in driving conditions with eight on the loose in quarries, several in concrete/tarmac yards, an oval speedway, car parks, farm yards and lanes. Following Mike was a high entry of Midgets, Spites and BMC machinery with the moderns taking up the rear.

also our top scorer in the second game. We have Drive it Day coming up and details will be announced at the Natter. East – Chris Moore Organisation is well under way for The Wolds Way Run event on Sunday May 13 starting from Hull, UK City of Culture, and finishing in the Fruit Market, Hull’s modern, vibrant and unique culture quarter. As there is an entry number restriction for both run and optional meal at the finish, early booking is advised. Roles and activities were allocated at the AGM. The usual suspects falling for the traditional Natter events. Scribe and Contact person: Brian Rylance. Secretary: Greg Thornton. Competition Sec: Chris Moore. Social Runs: Greg Thornton. West – David Copeman This month’s Natter (meeting)

West Yorkshire will be hosting the Centre’s Annual General Meeting. We are looking for a good attendance; the usual complimentary supper will be provided. Let’s hope we have a greater turnout than January’s Natter, when a total of seven hardy members braved the treacherous, snowy conditions to meet around the log fire at the deserted Star public house. Now on to sunny times. The first main run of the season, the Daffodil Run, will take place on Easter Sunday April 1, so don’t be an APRIL FOOL – make sure you’re booked on. Yorkshire Centre updates it would appear that many members have changed their email addresses. Please update me at d4ccopeman@aol.com if you wish to continue receiving Centre information.

With very few retirements, the event’s overall winners were Will Corry and Pete Moreland-Moore in the well-known light blue K-Series Midget, closely followed by Eamonn Byrne and Joanna Lenehan, and Paul Mooney and Mark Bell taking 3rd overall. A massive thank you to all those who helped with marshalling on the event and helping in any way, some coming at the last minute with friends and family to fill the voids created by cry-offs due to illness. We couldn’t believe the number of smiley-faced people who appeared back at HQ absolutely soaked and freezing cold asking was there anything else they could do to help. It is all of you who make events like this happen and there are not

enough words to describe how much we appreciate what you do. All in all, the event was a resounding success. Dates for your Diary: February 28 Nosh ‘n Natter, The Poacher’s Pocket, Lisbane at 12.30pm March 3 Dinner and Prizegiving, The Ivanhoe, Saintfield Rd, Belfast 7.30pm March 23 AGM, Shandon Park Golf Club, 8pm

Mike Armstrong, in his MG TD with grandson Zak. Photo: Ray Brown

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 81

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REGISTERS

VINTAGE

JOHN VENABLES 01865 862573 johnandtriciav@gmail.com

March is here and the days grow longer, summer time begins on the 25th. It will be nice to see the longer and hopefully warmer

days ahead and to get the cars out of their hibernation in time for the AGM this weekend on March 4. All details were in last

month’s issue, so let us hope we are blessed with a nice, fine day. Our Spring Event is now fast approaching at the end of April, the 23rd to 27th, at the White Horse at Pickering, ably organised by Debbie, and there are still a couple of rooms available. This

promises to be a very good event with visits to the National Railway Museum and Castle Howard on the agenda, so if you are hesitating go for it now. MGLive! has now been confirmed and we are hoping to have our usual table on site somewhere. We are still awaiting details, but understand the improvements of 2017 are being consolidated and improved upon. I note that the California Cup is now free to enter – yes, FREE! So how about a team again. I will be pleased to organise it if the interest is there. The other, quieter, area is the Concours and Pride of Ownership. My old girl polishes up quite well, although a bit oily rag in places. I have not seen a Vintage car in this event before; maybe this year? Enjoy the coming season, wherever your fancy takes you.

The pictures show the collection team (my friends, Mick and David, and me) at Witham Specialist vehicles with J2 and trailer; J2192 in the garage with my MGB. It will be a long-term undertaking, but I’m hoping to bring it back to life in no more than 12 years.

been well supported by raiders from this side of the channel in past years. Details and application forms can be had from: bob.nosbusch@gmail.com and triplemtour@gmail.com On April 7, and needing no further introduction for MMM types, the SW Centre Kimber Trial. Details and entry forms from: www.mgccsw.com/event/kimberclassic-trial-2018/ If you think you can beat “Team Phoenix”, come and have a go!

Vintage MGs line up in an MG timeline at a previous Silverstone event

TRIPLE M

JEREMY HAWKE +44 (0)1225 863934 mgk3007@btinternet.com www.triple-mregister.org

J2192: MGCC member and now MMM convert, Rob Paisley, has taken on the task of resurrecting the Salisbury Plain J2 mentioned previously in this column (with a fair bit in the National media to boot). He writes: I bought the car from the MOD in December via an online auction. I love the history behind

www.mgcc.co.uk

it and the J2 is my dream project – I’ve been looking for one for a long time (naturally! – JH). The J2 now lives safely in my garage next to my MGB. I have been a member of the MGCC for over 17 years, owning MGs since 1983, competing and participating in many events with my Midget, MGB GT and current MGB Roadster.

Upcoming Events: News from Luxembourg. The Cercle MMM will be holding their bi-annual MMM-Tour from Thursday 26 July onwards. This international event, with tours on Friday and Saturday, will be located in Hotel Meyer in Beaufort with its medieval castle. The area often referred to as the Little Switzerland of Luxembourg, Mullerthal, or Mëllerdall in Luxembourgish, owing its name to its hilly landscape reminiscent of Switzerland. This event has

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 83

REGISTERS

T TYPE

JOHN WARD 01621 773606 johnw.ward@yahoo.co.uk www.tregister.org Stoneleigh MG International Spares Day Sunday February 11 A very busy day as hundreds of visitors once again proved the long-lasting appeal of all matters MG. Naturally the T Register was very much in evidence with a large stand, banners, posters and regalia. Many thanks to all and particularly Barry and Glenys Knight and Alan Wakefield for their early hour attendance and setting up before the punters arrived at 9.30. Many members took advantage of the facility to bring along their unwanted spares and offer them for sale on the stand, and judging by the activity and

brisk business this proved to be a worthwhile exercise, with many sales being made and a happy band of brothers scurrying home with their prized purchases. Future events The 38th T Register Rebuild Seminars Saturday April 14 at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire, CV35 0BJ, just off junction 12 on the M40. Having whetted the appetite for MG 2018 and picking up spares at Stoneleigh, time to consider the next event. With Easter being late in March it was considered a good idea to move Rebuild on into April; the weather will be warmer and it could coax

Y TYPE

JERRY BIRKBECK jerrybirkbeck@btinternet.com www.mgccyregister.co.uk Tel: 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325 By the time you read this the MG events scene will be picking up pace. The next national event that is worth visiting will be the Practical Classics Restoration Show at the NEC (March 23-25). It is organised by Practical Classics magazine which has been actively promoting the classic car movement for 38 years. It is a very varied show and worth a trip, if only to marvel at the restoration projects that committed individuals have undertaken on everything from the mundane to the magnificent. British eccentricity at its best! The MG-specific scene begins with the MG Era Day at Brooklands (Sunday April 8). Over 20 Ys turned up last year as a precursor to

84 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

the Round Britain Relay and all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Whilst the Y Register has no formal attendance there are several owners who turn up each year. Any photos or a few words will be welcome, both for our Facebook account and website, and of course this column. Where are they now? The black YB featured in last month’s Notes, YMG 198, was spotted by a former owner, Paul Davis from London. He phoned to kindly provide an update. He explained that he owned the car from 1976 until 2015, when he parted with it through lack of regular use. Paul mentioned that

one or two T Types out for a spring run. The British Motor Museum has proved a very popular choice for members for the T Register’s annual Rebuild event. Entry will include admission to the Museum and we will keep you well fed and watered with coffee and bacon rolls on arrival, together with a buffet lunch and tea and coffee throughout the day. As last year, the single strand throughout the day format, which proved popular, will have two morning sessions and one in the afternoon plus a Question and Answer session. It will be followed by the T Register’s AGM. The programme will include a full update by Paul Ireland on the work on ethanol and XPAG engines undertaken at Manchester University and will include a ‘solutions’ section which will include carburettor adjustment,

ignition timing and fitting a programmable 123 distributor. It will be complemented by a session from Barrie Jones, our TF Registrar, with a complete run-down of T Type electrics and modern replacements. Always a popular topic. The cost will be £44 for MGCC members and £48 for nonmembers. You can download an application form to print out, or this year you can now complete an online form and pay by bank transfer. The paper application form was also available in the January 2018 issue of Safety Fast! As usual, the T Register AGM will follow on immediately after the final presentation at about 4.30. There will be a first year’s report and review by your new chairman who, together with the officers, will present their reports and outline proposals for the coming year. See you all there…

it was very much a part of the family and he outlined how all the family were taken to a range of events over the years. They also camped at Silverstone and used the capabilities of the Y as a true family sports saloon. Paul sold after 39 years of loving care and attention to a French gentleman in Brittany. Thank you for the story, Paul.

some years back in the Yorkshire Dales. Andrew and Arlene Coulson arranged a Ys gathering in James Herriot country, the environment for the well-loved TV series All Creatures Great and Small. The Ys were parked up and a local, after admiring the cars, came into the pub and chatted up Mary, much to Alan’s chagrin, and took her outside to show off his mobility scooter! Mary jumped on and drove around the square – much to the amusement of everyone. A lovely lady and a smashing couple who will both be hugely missed by the Y Type community. I will leave the last words to Alan Chick (the younger) the nephew of Alan. “Mary was a very clever person with a razor-sharp mind and sense of fun, more than a match for Uncle Alan. They were a great team.”

Mary Jackson I am sure that all of you who knew Alan Chick (the elder) will recall his constant travelling companion, Mary Jackson. They were an inseparable couple and Mary attached a sense of style to each occasion she attended. Her son Mark wrote to us at the beginning of February to inform us that sadly Mary had died. Those of you who were fortunate enough to have met Mary may recall an event from

www.mgcc.co.uk

ebuild and T Register AGM

2018

Saturday 14 April 2018 Held at the! British Motor Museum! Gaydon CV35 0BJ Entry includes! admission to the! Museum

What’s on the Agenda Paul Ireland on the problems of modern fuels and how to mitigate their effect! Barrie Jones our TF Registrar with a complete run-down of T Type electrics and modern replacements! Question and Answer session! The event will include information on carburettor and distributor settings and modifications to take account of modern petrol. So if you have ever wondered why your T Type keeps spluttering to a stop, or at a deeper level, are confused by cyclic variation in combustion, then …

T Register Rebuild 2018 is the place to be

Cost Members:! ! £44.00 MGCC Members: Non Members ::! ! £48.00 ‘Next Generation’ Relative/Future Owner (accompanying a full Member): Member):! £34.00 All info at: http://www.mgcc.co.uk/t-register/2018events/ www.facebook.com/mgtregister email: barglen@ntlworld.com Tel: 01252 875740

THE MGB Register Spring Run 2018

Supported by British Motor Heritage ALL MG MODELS ARE WELCOME TO ENTER This year on Sunday 15th April we will be starting and finishing at the award winning Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford Somerset

Entry is £28 to include a full route book, rally plaque and entry to the museum on your return as well as a cream tea. The event is limited to 100 MG’s online booking is available at www.mgbregister.org in the events section, from Oct 1st 2017. OR - complete the form below and post with a cheque for £28 made payable to:- MGCC – MGB Register You can start at Haynes or if you wish from your home and join us at Haynes Closing date for entries will be Friday 30th March.

Any enquires or questions email to springrun@mgb-register.org Postal entries to go to Roger Cooper 74 Great Bowden Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DG Tel 01858-463417 – If you have not included an email please enclose a stamped addressed envelope

POSTAL ENTRY FORM FOR THE 2018 MGB SPRING RUN Driver’s Name Co-drivers Name

MGCC membership number if a member Telephone / Mobile

Address

Email MG Model Registration Number

Start Location HAYNES or HOME

REGISTERS

MAGNETTE

STEPHEN TICKELL 01737 760330 stephen.tickell@gmail.com www.magnette.org

Apologies: it’s taken a bit longer than usual to nail down the events for 2018, but I’m pleased to say we’ve confirmed Magnettes and Steam, the first one on the UK calendar. It will be on Saturday March 31 at Wallingford station on the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway in Oxfordshire, from 10.00am. This is a former rural branch line offering a short but scenic journey between the two towns, with various local attractions as well. As if all that wasn’t enough, we’re also planning to have a barbecue (probably a first for us in March) so if you let me know you’re planning to come we’ll make sure there’s a sausage with your name on it!

New members There’s already several Magnette owners around my bit of Surrey, but even so it was nice to discover Ken Belton just down the road, who’s recently taken on a ‘tin-top’ ZA (chassis no. 1058) rescued some years ago by Peter Martin. It’s in remarkably original condition – Peter only needed to do a few localized repairs – but having acquired David Johnson’s car as well as his own Varitone, he’s wisely decided to let the tintop go to someone with the time to finish the restoration. Ken had the body in primer when I last saw it, debating whether to go with the original metallic green. As you may know, there were some unusual paint

MGB

DAVID BROADHURST 01209 614704 newsletter-editor@mgb-register.org www.mgb-register.org Living in the far west of Cornwall, we really don’t need to worry about the vagaries of winter other than an increased risk of more heavy rain, more mud and bigger gales. It came as a shock, therefore, to wake up to frosted windscreens on our daily cars recently. This is an extremely rare event for us, twice last winter as I recall, but it made me consider the fitness for use of my MGB as we approach more clement weather. In particular, I decided that I should check the age and condition of the tyres. We all know that there must be a minimum of 1.6mm of tread around the entire circumference but what about the sidewalls?

www.mgcc.co.uk

If the sidewalls are showing any degree of crazing or cracking, this potentially makes the tyre unfit for purpose as the rubber has hardened. This can occur over a relatively short period if the tyre is exposed to too much UV. I had a newish trailer wheel tyre rot through in 18 months as it stood unused whilst exposed to the weather. Our cars can rest for prolonged periods, whether under cover or not, so it is worth checking the condition, including for ﬂat spots caused by standing, reduced pressures and age. If the tyre is more than five years old, even with loads of tread and only nominal mileage, it is worth checking for your own peace of mind

choices only available on early production cars; however there may have been good reasons why they went out of favour... Looking forward to seeing what Ken decides on, and the finished result. Also adding their cars to the Register recently are Tristan Cook in the US, and three Australian owners: Rhys Timms, Adam

Paterson and Andrew Williams. Not sure whether the sudden surge of interest from Australia is at all connected to ex-chairman David Halliday’s recent trip back home, and of course Australia was a popular export market for Magnette production, but anyway it’s still very gratifying.

Peter and Ken with the tin-top ZA

and to avoid being in breach of the law. That’s without any considerations for safety. John Watson went to see the cars passing through the Midlands on the Historic Monte Carlo Rally. It was a very cold February 1 morning when we left Abingdon to drive to wave the 2018 cars through the centre of Banbury. They had left Paisley in Scotland the afternoon before and had driven down through snow and rain to arrive mid-day in Banbury. A group of us from the MGB and Midget Register and some local AWC members watched the cars arrive and after an hour’s break they drove off towards Dover to cross to France and then two to three days to Monte. We welcomed a James and Norma Watson (no relation) from Dunfermline in Scotland

to Oxfordshire in their MGB GT, as well as MGCC member Andy Smith in an ex-B&G MGB. I wonder how many of us would be brave enough to take on that challenge. Our MG3 would cope very well, but I am unsure about the MGB, even though I have driven it 1,200 miles in a long weekend without any problems. A round trip to North Yorkshire in autumn is one thing… Monte Carlo in winter is something else! Hats off and Bon Chance! Thinking of trips out, do remember the Register Spring Run. There are some places still available. This year, on Sunday April 15, we will be starting and finishing at the award-winning Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford, Somerset. Cost is £28 and the booking form is on the website. Now, go and check your tyres!

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 87

REGISTERS

MIDGET

Dennis Wharf 01296 714232 dennis@loisweedon.net www.midgetregister.com We have our AGM on March 11, and to reiterate our Chairman’s remarks in the February Newsletter, some attendance and offers of help would be greatly appreciated. It’s no exaggeration to say that things are reaching a critical stage, with most of our few present committee members turning out and doing things for the best part of 20 years, and whilst unfair to say, we have become stale; clearly some new input from younger drivers is long overdue. It’s your Register, and for it to continue, let alone thrive, now is the time to act. One of our younger members, Alex Stanley, recently dropped me a line to say how he

is getting on with renovating his 1500 Midget, which he bought last April. After he and his father sold their Triumph Stag, he fancied a classic of his own to use in the summer months, so the opportunity to buy a littleused MG Midget from a family friend, which seemed in relatively good condition, seemed just the thing. Stood for a few years in a large barn-cum-garage, straight off it failed its MOT, with corrosion in the usual places, although in 2015 had passed following the fitment of new sills. So with the car needing some paintwork and what he thought would be light recommissioning, he drove it directly to a local

restoration shop: “A grand total of three miles and, well, I haven’t seen it since….!” He greatly underestimated the amount of work involved. “For as we took the car further back, the larger the restoration became. The car is now finally nearing completion, with new stainless exhaust system, wiring loom, brake and clutch master cylinders, hood, carpets, lights, and of course a lovely new paint job.” I think a lot of people underestimate just how much work is required when restoring, the classifieds so often listing part restorations and abandoned projects, but at least Alex is seeing his through, and hopefully will send another picture or two once he has the car back home. Enjoy the summer, Alex. Our friends at the Midget & Sprite Club have invited us to join

them for Spridget 60 to be held on August 26 at Wroxall Abbey, in Warwickshire. Full details on our website, and more words from me next month.

I hope you all saw Classic and Sportscar magazine, which featured your Chairman Colin Howes’ C Roadster. It more than held its own against the competition. Colin will be signing copies at various events throughout the year! Bit of a warning here. If you are in the market to buy an MGC, beware of some scammers on a well-known auction site. There are a couple of adverts for

Cs that keep popping up, that are not what they seem! Our Registrars – Barrie and Ginny – have basic details, and often much more information, on a huge number of MGCs. So if in doubt, contact us first and we will try to help. Talking of ‘help’, this month’s photo shows the team hard at work – Chairman Colin, Historian Tim, and Technical Vic – giving Tim’s engine bay a little wash!

MGC

MIKE HAUGHTON mike@btinternet.com

It’s nearly spring, and while classic car events have been a bit thin on the ground, plenty of planning has been going on over the winter for those bright and sunny summer days and weekends that are just around the corner now. This year our MGC Day is four weeks after MGLive! – to give you all time to recover! If you haven’t booked yet, details are on the MGC pages of the main Club website. Fawley Hill is a great location, so we hope to C lots of you there. The Register AGM – the date and venue had to be changed, but the correct Notice was in February Safety Fast! The meeting is now at the Fairmile

88 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

Inn at Cobham on April 7. Then those staying over will be at Brooklands ERA Day on the 8th. To arrange tickets, please contact Jon Glover – jongloveractor@ gmail.com – who is very kindly helping to organise us (also see February Safety Fast! and the web page). New car window stickers are now available – one with the traditional C Register logo, and also a 50th Anniversary one – again, see the web page for details. Only £2 each including postage! As well as these, some other Anniversary regalia is still available – grille badges, key fobs, pin badges, polo shirts, and a few caps. Contact Mike with your requirements.

www.mgcc.co.uk

REGISTERS

VICTOR SMITH 0208 392 9434 victorsmith@v8register.net www.v8register.net V8 Technical Day 2018 The next V8 Technical Day will be on Saturday July 14 at Club Office in Abingdon, commencing at 10.00am. The event will include re-chipping an RV8 engine with

At the cellar door at Hook Norton

Mark Adams of Tornado Systems, a specialist in engine management technology with a particular focus on the Rover V8 engine. Another topic will be the replacement five-speed Mazda gearbox and conversion kit available from Vitesse, including how the ratios compare with those of the original four-speed box, how it performs, what the installation involves and the cost. With the availability of replacement parts and original complete gearboxes for the MGB GT V8 increasingly difficult to find, it is becoming an option enthusiasts will increasingly need to consider. The day will also include an update from our Pricewatch volunteers on MGV8 price trends and a Q & A session

FWD

BEN HATTON ben2692@hotmail.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk/fwd-register/

My MG Metro Turbo The car was first registered on January 23 1989 and I saw it advertised on eBay in June 2009. It had been dry-stored for around 14 years and was purchased by a car detailer in Walsall from

www.mgcc.co.uk

the original London owner. He had detailed the outside of the car and fitted new tyres, got it running and MOT’d. I went to see the car and thought I must have it. So money changed hands and I collected it, along with some

V8 40th Anniversary 2018 With several anniversaries in 2018 celebrating the 40th anniversary of the formation of the V8 Register in 1978, the launch of the MGB GT V8 model in August 1973 and the launch of the RV8 in 1993, there is a programme of anniversary events in the week running up to MGLive! The events include a visit to the Birmingham Symphony Hall on Wednesday May 30 when two organists in the V8 Register will contribute to this event. Further details of the location, timing, access, costs and parking arrangements will be available in a briefing web page for the event on the ‘More’ web page. On Thursday

May 31 there will be a visit to the house and gardens at Packwood House, south of Birmingham. On Friday June 1 there will be a guided tour of the seven-storey brewery at Hook Norton, followed by lunch at the brewery cafe. In the evening we have a V8 Dinner at Sulgrave, near Silverstone. This year the V8 Tour will be in Derbyshire from Sunday 2 to Thursday September 6. On Saturday September 8 we have a meeting at Aldon in the West Midlands, with rolling road sessions including a fuelling setup check, timing adjustment check and at least two power plots. Members will need to book a session and spectators will be very welcome. Full details and booking arrangements for all the events are available on our ‘More’ web page at www.v8register.net/more.htm

spares, in July 2009. At that time it had 45,300 miles on the clock and unlike many Metros of that age, very rust/rot free. Once I got it home I carried out a complete refurbishment of the fuel system, as it had a tendency to cut out if pushed hard. The carburettor was rebuilt with the aid of a Burlan SU repair kit and I replaced the fuel pump, fuel regulator and all of the under-bonnet pipework. The engine was then tuned at my local MG dealer using their 20-year-old Krypton Tuning System and ran very well. The car was used mainly for shows and social runs but also used on a couple of track days with MGoT at Castle Combe. In 2013 I noticed rust starting to show in the bottoms of the doors and it went to the body shop for refurbishing and

a partial respray of the doors, bonnet, roof and tailgate due to rust getting under the paint. Once I got it home, the car had copious amounts of polish and wax and now all it needs to keep it clean is a wipe over with some instant detailer. In 2015 it started to lose power and removing the head I discovered badly pitted exhaust valve seats. These were replaced with hardened inserts and both the inlet and exhaust valves lapped in. Once back together, it was once again running as it should. The car has appeared in several national classic car magazines. This model is now very rare and therefore in great demand when magazines require a Metro Turbo for an article. The last time it appeared in print was in Modern Classics in April 2017. Jim Lott

based mainly on questions sent in by members ahead of the meeting. Further details of the event and how to submit questions are on our ’More’ web page.

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 89

REGISTERS

ZR/ZS/ZT

part of his renovation story appears in last December’s fourJOHN THOMPSON Tel: 07854 275541 johnt5@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/zedregister page spread. Completing the trio was my own ZR Trophy SE. Overall, we had a very good day, beautifully clean trio of display Our 2018 events calendar began lots of interest and enquiries and cars were filthy when they arrived on Sunday February 11 at the we made some new contacts. for setting up on the Saturday MG & Triumph Spares Day at More importantly, we got the afternoon, thanks to salted roads Stoneleigh. Having been the Register out there and noticed. and heavy rain. Louise Allen’s traditional season opener for We even got a mention in Classic Sunspot ZR 105 made its public us for many years, it was good debut after extensive bodywork to return to Stoneleigh after a Car Weekly. repairs, as did Ray Kemble’s gap of three years. In a classic With the Stoneleigh show Trophy Blue ZS 180 – the first example of a certain law, our behind us, our attention now turns to the Practical Classics Restoration & Classic Car show

The ZR/ZS/ZT Register Committee with Ray Kemble’s ZS

MG6.3.5

STEVE HAINES Steve-haines@live.co.uk www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register https://twitter.com/635register There’s lots going on with event booking and organisation behind the scenes on the Committee for 2018. BTCC Media day at

Donington is on March 27.It will be interesting to see our new drivers in the AMD Tuning MG6s for the year…

The ZR/ZS/ZT Register stand at Stoneleigh.

Our first big event for 2018 will be the Pride of Longbridge at Cofton Park on April 14 and we have booked a large stand for 6, 3, GS and ZS. All are very welcome to come along. If you have any queries or ideas for events, please either check out the Facebook page events tab

It was great to see Russ Swift doing his thing in an MG3 along with two ZSs on The One Show on Valentine’s evening. A brief but very welcome feature!

90 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

in March. Our stand will include three Zeds, two of which have received a huge amount of renovation and TLC to return them to prime condition. We have also managed to secure a ZT 260 to make up the three. I won’t say who owns the display cars, but it will be another eyecatching mix of colours. We are located in Hall five on stand 535. We are adjoining the main Club stand and we aim to create one big space with the area we both have.

or the MGCC web page on our Register micro page, where there is a full list of events for the year. If you are going to an event, please indicate attendance so we can account for numbers on stands and allocate enough space for everyone. The 635 Register has been supporting new MG GS and ZS owners since the model’s launch and has set up a Facebook group specifically for the SUVs, with a view to the formation of a new Register. Any events supported by the 635 Register this year will also include anyone wishing to attend with their GS or ZS. New owners most welcome! If you have any ideas or wish to promote any events, please contact Sean Round: sean@ seanround.co.uk We look forward to meeting 6, 3 and GS owners at a gathering very soon.

www.mgcc.co.uk

Telephone 01753 644599

Mobile B32 - MIKE ROLLS SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS(07836) SERVICES 13/12/2012 09:50 Page 1 222111

Email: martin@runnymede motorcompany.com

www.runnymedemotorcompany.com

Aston Martin in the Thames Valley

MIKE ROLLS

2016 1979 MGB Roadster ﬁnished in Burnt Orange with contrasting black interior piped in red. Undoubtedly the best rubber bumper MGB we have ever seen. The

SERVICES FOR MGs

car has had just 4 owners from new and with the car is a comprehensive history file containing service invoices going back to 1981 and mot certificates since 1989. From what we have gained from reading the file is that the car has never been the subject of a complete restoration but has always been extremely well kept. It has the benefit of a new hood and the seats have been re-trimmed and the car now sits on Minilite alloy wheels. Having only covered 44,000 miles from new, the mechanical aspect of the car is without fault and the overdrive gearbox has perfect synchromesh. Whilst the chrome bumper cars have always been more desirable, this particular late model MGB is in a condition rarely found and well worth viewing. Realistically priced at £8,995 TRADEisMEMBER

Specialising in all MG’s

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

Please view our website at www.runnymedemotorcompany.com for further information 23/9/09 16:22 Page 1 or contact Martin Brewer on 01753 644 599

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm

DONHOODS-SFAug07.QXD:Layout 1

DON HOODS UNBEATABLE QUALITY – UNBEATABLE VALUE! DIRECT FROM THE MAKERS – WITH OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

•BETTER THAN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT QUALITY •STITCHED AND WELDED FOR MAXIMUM LIFE •WIDEST CHOICE OF COLOURS AVAILABLE •ALL FASTENERS & FITTINGS INCLUDED D PRICE FOR LEAFLET AN LIST CONTACT Ltd Don Trimming Co.

MIKE ROLLS

2016 201 6

SERVICES FOR MGs

TRADE MEMBER

Specialising in all MG’s

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm

Choice of heavy duty PVC, ICI Vynide, Everflex, Duck and Mohair AL MAKES & L incl: MG, MODELS Tr Escort, Giumph, olf etc.

mingham B23 7JJ Hampton Road, Bir

13 Tel: 0121 373 13FICE OF SOUTHERN SALES

00 Tel: 01202 7422

MG TD, 1951 CARPET SETS FOR MOST

MODELS

www.donhoods.com

NEW MGC Steel Crankshafts

www.bighealey.co.uk

For the ultimate performance and reliability

MG TF 1954, 1250CC Red with original red interior and black carpets. This car was originally exported to Switzerland and was always been right hand drive, in 2001 it was re-imported to this country after having a mechanical restoration over there. It is a very genuine car with a great MG number plate, lovely history with black and white pictures of the family that owned it when new, it has recently had new wire wheels and tyres ﬁtted and comes with good weather gear and heritage certiﬁcate. This TF drives beautifully. £28,995.

Old English White, Originally RH Drive car exported to Switzerland from new, restored over there and then re-imported in 2006. This car won pride of ownership at the MG International Show, held at the NEC in 2008. Still in ﬁrst class condition with excellent paint work, beautiful red leather interior and smooth running mechanics. We are re-commissioning this car at the moment with a brake overhaul, battery and full service, it is still carrying some of its original export features, ie semaphore indicators. It comes with a tan hood, side screens and full tonneau cover all in excellent condition, and some history with MOTs and invoices. This TD drives superbly. £24,995

MG RV8 ROADSTER 1995

12 bolt steel crankshaft £3950.00 +VAT

For the ‘best’ in MG high-performance parts Parts Hotline: +44(0)1543 472244 E-mail: sales@bighealey.co.uk DENIS WELCH MOTORSPORT, YOXALL, BURTON ON TRENT, STAFFS DE13 8NA, UK

www.mgcc.co.uk

Finished in Woodcote Green MG RV8, Manufactured in 1995 but not registered until 1997, Woodcote Green, re-imported from Japan in 2008. Just over 26,000km from new which is approx 15,000mls, it comes with a good services history, a very nice MGR registration number, windstop and matching hood cover. This is a superb example one of the best we have ever seen, it has just had a service and MOT so ready to be enjoyed. £26,000

Units 9/10 Fifehead Business Park, Manor Farm, Fifehead Magdalen, near Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5RR

E-mail: mikerolls4mgs@compuserve.com • www.mikerolls.co.uk Mail Order “Friendly Quality Service”

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 91

CL ASSIFIEDS

CARS FOR SALE How to Advertise Members can advertise their cars free of charge in Safety Fast. The advert will also be posted on the Club website in due course. This is for one insertion only. To place an advert or for additional insertions email colingrant@mgcc.co.uk with details of your car, around 60 words, together with an attached picture, your contact information, price of your car, the area where you live, and membership number. Cost for non-members to advertise is £20. All adverts should be submitted by the 10th of the month for the following months issue.

1931 MG F1 Magna

Restored 25 years ago. Rebuilt engine with new Phoenix crank & steel con rods 2008. Matching Numbers. Original M G No Plate. Owned since 1960. Used regularly £45,000.00. Phone 01805 938365 (North Devon)

MG ZS

Reliable myself si age, 200 clock. W enthusia or arra Contact beat53@ 8866 53

2000 MGF 1.8i Mk 2 1951 MG YA

In same family since 1957 (original log book). Good condition externally much work having been done (receipts and photos available) since 1994 after it had been laid up for 15 years. Interior entirely original and would benefit from renovation. Owner now given up driving. £6500 open to offers. More information phone Jim 01884840693 or marion.prit80@gmail.com. (East Devon)

In Solar red with black leather interior, complete with wind-stop and half tonneau. 55000 miles. MOT to July. Owned by my wife since 2005. Always garaged and in excellent condition (agreed insurance valuation £3000). A well sorted MGF that is a delight to drive and is consistently admired. £1400 or reasonable offer. Contact Simon on 07717 606610 or 01404 815316 (Devon)

1954 M

LHD N.Amer registere Frame restorati Cream original gearbox untouch previous Frame a build rec done af Hood, sidescree carrier. books a Chris o Sussex)

1968 MGC Roadster

1966 MGB ROADSTER

Mineral blue/black trim. This Roadster was the subject of a body and mechanical restoration in 1997. All the receipts for this project are on file. After a few years, each with minimal mileage, the car was laid up for nearly 20 years until 2017. Subject then to re-commissioning by Camberley Marine and Sports Cars Ltd, including a replacement clutch and gearbox overhaul, the car drives superbly with overdrive selecting smoothly. The interior is finished in the period of the car, black with blue piping, together with an excellent hood with new half tonneau cover. Wire wheels were an original factory option. The Heritage Certificate shows that the car left the factory on 27 June 1966 and was delivered to the supplying dealer Marshalsea Brothers Limited, Taunton. £11,995. Tel: 07780 953132 or email pw.carpediem@gmail.com for more information and pictures.

92 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

In its original colour of tartan red with black leather interior, my MGC has a huge history file with photographs and a heritage certificate, and is in absolutely excellent condition throughout. Many extras are included in the sale, and it must be seen and driven to be appreciated. If you would like more details or have any further questions please call me on 01603 720772. £25450 ovno. (Norwich)

2004 MGTF 135

X power grey, leather seats, 37500 miles believed genuine, MOT July, Much recent expenditure on brakes, tyres, head gasket, water pump, timing belt, alternator, stainless coolant pipes. £1650. Tel 01260 270589 (Cheshire)

www.mgcc.co.uk

1973 M

Heritage Roadste For initi stephen

2005 M

37k miles being M hence l maintaing no advis need bel and som on 01235

Rebuilt crank & Matching o Plate. regularly 938365

leather stop and MOT to ce 2005. excellent valuation that is a nsistently ble offer. 06610 or

rtan red my MGC e with heritage solutely oughout. in the d driven ould like further n 01603 rwich)

s, 37500 OT July, ure on t, water ernator, 1650. Tel

CL ASSIFIEDS

MG ZS 2.5 180 saloon,

Reliable vehicle and carefully driven by myself since 2006. Good condition for age, 2004 (04 reg) with 95k miles on clock. Would prefer to sell to an MG enthusiast, happy to answer questions or arrange viewing. £1,600 ono. Contact Richard by email: beat53@tiscali.co.uk or phone 020 8866 5322. (Eastcote/NW London)

MG VA 1938

Fully restored 12 years ago and cherished since. The car runs extremely well and is very reliable with a strong engine, gearbox and drive train. Receipts for thousands of pounds of work and parts during and after the restoration. A lovely open 4 seater MG which exudes elegance and character. £35,000 Tel 07900 212210 or timphelps1@outlook.com for more information. (Loxwood, W.Sussex. )

Postcombe Service Station A40 London Road, Postcombe ,Oxon,OX9 7ED

Est. 1986

MGS URGENTLY WANTED TO PURCHASE.

1954 MG TF 1250

LHD export model, lived in N.America for 57yrs, imported and registered in UK by me in 2011. Frame and body / upholstery restoration in 1977 and painted in Cream Cracker livery in place of original almond green. Engine / gearbox done in 1986. Largely untouched and not much used by previous owner to me. No corrosion. Frame and engine numbers match build record. Good history of work done after 1977 but nothing prior. Hood, half & full tonneaux, sidescreens all good. Rear luggage carrier. Includes my MG library of books and manuals. £22,000 Call Chris on 01903 883124 (West Sussex) Email kirkc@globalnet.co.uk

1979 MGB Rally Spec

Left Hand Drive. Fast Road Conversion in 2005. Stage 2 head, fast road cam, twin Webbers, updates springs and shocks. We have the original file of the refit. Less than 5,000 miles since rebuild Interior Rally spec. Very important that this car goes to the right owner as she has been a lot of fun for our family and she needs some tender loving care especially on the inner door panel interior which is coming away - she runs well, throaty and quick for her age. Contact Toby Gran on 07473086581. Price £15,000 (Chichester Area)

MGOC Recommended MG Car club trade Kimble-SF_Nov-09.qxd:Kimble MGE member 1_8 col 3.3

The Great British

Steering Wheel from the original BLUEMEL tooling. It is not a Far Eastern copy and is made using the original methods and traditional materials. The CENTRE BOSS fixing kit, again from the original tooling, not only fits the MG TC and pre-war MGs, but the TD, TF and MGA. There are boss kits for other makes and kit cars too.

NO ABLE Ivo AILry AV

Heritage shelled nut-and-bolt 1973 Roadster. Concours. Private sale. For initial provenance fact sheet: stephen.meadows@manx.net

2005 MG ZS 180

37k miles, 2 owners from new, second being MGCC as used as Safety Car, hence lightbar, no expense spared maintaing the car. One years MoT with no advisories. unmarked interior. Will need belts doing soon as six years old and some tidying. £1,200. Phone Andy on 01235 849730 (andy@mgcc.co.uk)

www.mgcc.co.uk

1952 MG TD.

Original condition. Beige leather interior and complete with matching new hood and new tonneau cover. Wire wheels. 1250cc. 2 axle rigid. Left hand drive, imported from Arizona and stored dry and covered. Price £19,000 Comes with valuation certificate. Tel: 01562 711074 or Email : romsley2004@yahoo.co.uk (North Worcestershire)

1974 MGB Roadster

Heritage shell 11k from rebuild. Excellent condition. Chrome wires. Walnut dash and trim. Garaged. Full and half full tonneau covers. Chelsea Pewter paint. Blue leather seats etc. Drives very well. Lovely car. £15000. Tel. 07817451360. (West Yorkshire)

Steering Wheel

The Brooklands We manufacture the BROOKLANDS

Ww14” ENo Nalso in W

1973 MGB Roadster

26/10/09

Now also 15½ inch wheel

BROOKLANDS AEROSCREENS are made using laminated glass to original specification to suit all vintage and sports cars.

john@johnkimble.co.uk

K KIMBLE

EST 1969

Tel: 01803 835757 Fax: 01803 834567

Unit 5, Old Mill Creek, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 0HN.

URGENTLY WANTED MGA/MGB/MGC/V8/ MIDGET/SPRITE ETC

Any Condition from non runners to rebuilt cars

Please call Edward 01923 840236 or any time on 07774 484497 Email: ejwhitescars@aol.com Website: www.mgandporsche.com (Northwood, Middlesex)

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 93

13:0

CL ASSIFIEDS

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 4Sight Lighting Company.................. 75 Adrian Flux ...................................... 75 Aldon Automotive.............................. 44 Barrie Carter .................................... 97

MGTF 2002

XPower Grey with 85,000 miles. Recent exhaust, cat, front and rear discs, pads and rear calipers. Near new tyres all round. MOT till October 2018. Lots of old MOT’s and history including receipts for replacement headgasket, coolant pipes and cam belt. Black Hardtop included if required. £1200. For more info contact Chris on 01235 813197 (South Oxfordshire)

1959 – MGA 1600 Mk 1 Roadster. Iris Blue with black leather trim. Fully restored from chassis upwards over a 20 year period. Originally a Californian import, converted to RHD. Heritage number plate. Very low mileage since restoration completed, drives beautifully. £35,000. Tel David on 07825 861466 (Hertfordshire)

2002 (52) MG ZT-T 190+

2.5 litre V6 106,000miles; FSH from new; Starlight silver; Leather / alcantara trim; dual zone climate control, driver’s intelligence pack; xenon headlamps; SS sports exhaust; sat.nav; premium sound system; shark fin aerial ; dog guard. New clutch, discs, inlet manifold, gearchange. Digital workshop manual; MoT Jan. 2019; £750. Tel. 01291 691279. (Severn Bridge area)

Beech Hill Garage............................. 92 British Motor Heritage...................... IFC Brown and Gammons........................ 11 C.C.H.L ........................................... 82 Car Cover Shop ................................ 80 Carole Nash Insurance ....................... 9 Chertsey Minors ............................... 80 Church Square Autos........................ 95 Classic Car Hub.................................. 6 Classic Driving Development Ltd ....... 67 College Motors Burford...................... 65 Colne Classics.................................. 96 COYS............................................... 53 Crown Classic Cars........................... 78 David Manners................................... 6 Dennis Welch.................................... 91 Distributor Doctor.............................. 65 Don Trimming................................... 91 Duckhams ....................................... 23 EJW Classic and sports..................... 93

MG ZR 160 2.0 TURBO

2003 MG ZR 3dr in IAR Orange Grove - No. 42 of 76. Shell on approx 79k Miles, Engine on 67k. 2.0 T Series Turbo from Rover Coupe (distributor type), pro fitted by MAD Autocare Huddersfield. Rebuilt turbo from Turbo Technics 2012. Replacement Gearbox (w. steel caged bearings) 2014. All repair and service work carried out exclusively by MG Mobile Mechanics based in DerbyLots of custom/one-off parts - Go to bit.ly/OlliTurbo for full specs. £3599 ONO. Contact Lee on 07525257590 (Gloucestershire)

MGB Roadster 1970

A lovely car having benefited from a sympathetic restoration, with pictorial accompaniment and invoices, in the early 1990s to original factory condition. One family owner for the first 43 years, so there is full provenance, with a Heritage Certificate. Good strong engine with a recent rolling road certificate, so it drives as well as it looks I just don't use it so it needs to go to a good home £11,750 Tel: 01296 712378 or 07715 774489 (Buckingham area)

1954 MG TF

One owner for 54 years. Rear axle overhauled 1965, cylinder head ‘gas flowed’ by Blydenstein 1967, rebuild by Brown & Gammons including Connelly Leather interior in 1980, reconditioned engine 2006. A ‘bare metal up’ rebuild completed in December 2017 and the car is in pristine condition, having been lightly used by the current owner. £32,000 or near offer. Walter Thomson (Cambs.) Call 01354 742643

Fishers Services................................ 75 Footman James................................ 48 Former Glory.................................... 93 Frontline .......................................... 34 Halls Garage..................................... 75 Heathrow Transmission..................... 80 Hoyle Suspension.............................. 65 Just Right Autos Ltd.......................... 59 Kimble Engineering Ltd..................... 93 Longstone Tyres ............................... 56 Manor Garage ................................. 78 Martin Smith Used MGTF Spares ...... 95 MG Mecca........................................ 97 MG Motorsport ................................ 95 MG Sales Centre............................... 31 Midland Classic Restoration................. 3 Mike Authurs Classics....................... 80 Mike Rolls........................................ 91 Mike Satur.......................................... 9 Moss Europe Ltd............................... 51 Motor Passion................................... 37

MGF 2001 1968 MGC 3.0 ROADSTER

In Mineral Blue.Very original excellent condition with wire wheels, works hard top, soft top, recent tonneau, half tonneau, boot rack. Plus a 2 child rear bench seat, with safety belts. Full 7 year restoration recorded in bound photographic album and receipts plus full previous history. Additionally wax oiled underside, electric fan, re-shimmed rear axle diff. Electronic distributor. Smooth six cylinder engine tourer with o/drive 3rd & 4th, very reliable. Current mileage c 15000, fully maintained since restoration. Currently registered in UK with MOT till August 2018. Serious enquiries only at £34,450. Contact Ken on Tel: 07785308463 (Oxford)

94 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

21350 miles. Alumina Green. Virtually unblemished. Owned six years, one previous lady owner, always garaged. Full leather, windstop and rear spoiler. MG Dealer serviced. Head, gasket, cambelt and water pump done. New exhaust. New MOT at point of sale. MU51 ZVG Present registration mark S111 TMG available.Price £1550 ono. Call Tom Gray on 0131 557 1183

1974 MGB GT V8

Original factory Chrome Bumper V8 in Citron. Condition 1. Built January 1974. MOT to June 2018. No VED. Overdrive on third and fourth. Black interior. Britax folding sunroof. Serviced regularly and maintained to a very high standard by the current owner. Heritage Certificate. MG registration number on retention. £27,420 South West Centre MGCC. Contact 07790 388242.

Motor Wheel Services....................... 44 NTG Services................................. OBC Oselli Ltd.......................................... 80 Paul Depper MGs.............................. 51 Peter Best............................ 96, 97 IBC Peter James Insurance...................... 61 Rees Bros......................................... 61 Retro Sports Cars ............................. 72 Rimmer Bros Ltd............................... 67 Robin Lackford Motor Engineering .... 61 Runnymede...................................... 91 Scenic Car Tours .................. 13, 21, 29 SMR ................................................ 96

SELLING YOUR CAR? As a member of the MG Car Club you can advertise your car in Safety Fast for free. Just email your car details, max 60 words, together with a JPEG picture to Colin Grant at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk. Non member fee is £20

Steve McKie Sports Cars................... 96 Summit MG...................................... 44 The Grand Folley............................... 25 The Hutson Motor Co Ltd..................... 3 Torro Sports Cars Ltd........................ 80 Vitesse Global Ltd ............................ 55

www.mgcc.co.uk

MARTIN SMITH www.usedmg spares.co.uk

Quality New and Used MGF & MGTF Spares

“NEW” MGC ROADSTER – HIGH SPEC

Covering all models from 1995 > 2006 All items Supplied - from body panels, interiors & engines to headlights & wheel nuts

OR MGC SEBRING – ROAD or RACE TEL: 01442 832019

FAX: 01442 832029

Hempstead Road, Bovingdon, Herts HP3 0HE

Tel: 07722 175473 East Lydford, Somerset Email: smudgemg@yahoo.co.uk

PARTS - SERVICE - SALES MGB/C’s BUILT TO ORDER. CALL FOR COMPLETE LIST

62B HIGH STREET SHEPPERTON, MIDDLESEX TEL: 01932 241843 / 07836 281493 WWW.CHURCHSQUAREAUTOS.COM EMAIL: MGSALES@CHURCHSQUAREAUTOS.COM

MG TF LE. ex Trophy 190bhp (Cup Car) Racecar

MG TF LE500+H/top(1 owner just 30, 384 miles)

MG MGF TROPHY 160vvc (just 5,900 miles)

2008 (PP Reg) Manual Petrol Finished in: Orange Our MG TF LE Trophy 190 race car 190bhp (dry sump VHPD Cup car racing engine/gearbox), built from a new pre production bodyshell, no expense spared, hardly ever used, ex Dave Woods Luffield car just one of two made. Slicks and wet tyres. Only selling as for 2018 we will be Racing our MGF ‘Racing Red’ in the MGCC MG Cup + the MGF 20th Anniversary race. ......Part exchange considered road/race.......07836 281493..Email csautos@yahoo.co.uk £9,250

2009 (59 Reg)30,384 Miles Manual PetrolF inished in: Intense Blue/Black leather LE500, full spec with a colour coded Hardtop. Having covered just 30,384 miles with fully documented service history serviced including cambelt service/ 4 new Falken tyres /air condition serviced plus a new condenser fitted all at 30320 miles. Just one owner and Superb condition thoughtout. £6,495

2001 (Y Reg) Manual Petrol Finished in: Trophy Yellow/black This is a totally immaculate MGF Trophy ltd edition. Previously supplied by us at just 2,676 miles, now just 5,900 miles. This car is totally original and the only added part being the wind deflector. Full handbook pack as from new, original bill of sale old mots/bills etc even the original dealers key fobs. As seen in MG Enthusiast mag on the front page plus a full 5 page write up inside (Oct 2014 see photos). The very best and lowest mileage Trophy for sale anywhere. £8,995

MG TF 135 Convertible. (Just 11,000 miles )

MG TF LE 500.Best colour,(Just 44,000 miles)

2006 (PP Reg)11,000 MilesManualPetrolFinished in: Xpower Grey Black leather grey inserts Previously supplied by us. Now having covered just 11,000 miles repeat 11,000 miles with full service history 8 services including cambelt/ water pump, just serviced with fresh mot. High spec model fitted with Sports pack 2 16” 11 spoke alloys, Red 4 pot brake calipers Black leather sport seats with grey alcantara inserts. Front fog lights, chrome packs, wind deflector, spare wheel, Engine water level censor etc, Private reg number with car A12 MGN, Repeat totally immaculate. £6,795

Low mileage LE500 with full service history + bills (fully stamped book) + every mot, recent cambelt/water pump, just serviced and fitted with new brake disc’s /pads all round plus rear abs sensor pick up rings with driveshafts, new air condition condenser/ serviced, fitted with black 11 spoke alloys, soft ride suspension, engine water level sensor, black leather sport seats, air conditioning, glass heated rear screen. Immaculate condition £6,495

This is just a small selection from our stock

VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE

www.mgcc.co.uk

Morris Mini Cooper 997cc Immaculate 1962 (PP Reg) Manua lPetrol Finished in: AlmondGreen/Old English White A very rare Immaculate 1962 Morris Mini Cooper 997cc. Carefully restored over 4 years to the highest standard, outstanding detailing, no expense spared, be hard to find a better one. Sold in its correct original colours plus original registration number, with its Heritage certificate and 12 months mot.... Also for sale later this month a 1965 Mini Cooper ‘S’ 1275cc. £26,995

www.churchsquareautos.com MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 95

Insurance for all MG’s classic and modern

Colne Classics

SPARES FOR SALE HOW TO ADVERTISE

MG Power Steering and restoration specialists

Members can advertise their spares for sale/wanted free of charge for items up to £250. Over £250, or for non-members to advertise, there is a charge of £20. To submit your advertisement email Colin Grant at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk. Please remember to include your membership number in all correspondence. All adverts should be submitted by the 10th of the month for the following months issue.

View the website on www.colneclassics.com B1 Seaden Court, Gorse Lane Ind Est, Clacton, Essex. 01255 432693, 07714 675319

Books and Magazines

STEVE McKIE SPORTSCARS CHESTERFIELD

•

DERBYSHIRE

Specialists in the repair and restoration of MG cars Suppliers of parts for • MGA • MGB • MGC • Midget • T Type • MGF/TF

www.stevemckiesportscars.co.uk Tel 01246 454527 • Fax 01246 453681 Albert Street North, Chesterfield, S41 8NP

Steve McKie Sports Cars Hi-Res.indd 1

enquiries@mgsforsale.com

01707 876089

23/06/2010

www.mgsforsale.com

07831 556666

MGB Roadster 1974 Recent Restoration (JRO439N)MGB Roadster 1975 (registered), last of chrome bumper models built in 1974, delightful Midnight Blue coachwork with new Black leather interior trim, Mota-Lita wood rim steering wheel, new GB Alloys and tyres, rebuilt MGB Hive gearbox, overdrive & steering rack and many other components, large history ﬁle with mot’s dating back as far as 1980 making current recorded mileage of only 60k a distinct possibility of being genuine, many invoices both past and present, old tax discs etc. etc., nicely detailed engine compartment having been the subject of full strip down during the 2015/17 refurbishment, drives nicely, just arrived £14,995.00 MGB Roadster 1979 Chrome Conversion (EKV575V) MGB Roadster 1979, chrome bumper conversion, overdrive, mot November 2018, structurally sound, bare metal respray with some replacement paneling, new screen assembly and very nice Black coachwork with Black leather interior trim, good engine and new clutch within detailed engine compartment, good bright-work, recent hood, drives nicely, just arrived £8,750.00

URGENTLY WANTED ANY MG ANY YEAR, ANY CONDITION SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF OUR STOCK

www.mgsforsale.com

Do not confuse the above vehicles with cheaper inferior quality models offered elsewhere. Part exchange any make of Motor Car with generous allowances. Discounted cash purchases. Viewing by appointment only please (available evenings & weekends) no obligation to purchase. All our vehicles carry a warranty, have an MOT and are fully serviced prior to collection/delivery.

96 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

Safety Fast, Aug 1975 to Jan 2018, all but last 3 years in Binders. Original Series MGA 1600 Service Parts List AKD 1215. MGA 50th Anniversary Yearbook, MGA Register. MG the A, B & C, Chris Harvey. MG MGA 1955 – 1962, Brooklands Books. MGA A History and Restoration Guide, Robert P Vitrikas. MG A Pictoral History, John Tipler. Call it MGA, Hubbard and Martin. PAY IT YOURSELF the history of MG at Le Mans 1959 to 1961. The MG Car Club the first 70 years. MG, Richard Aspen. MG Collectibles, Michael Ellman Brown. 13:46 Original MGA Workshop Manual, AKD 6000. MG, Johnathan Wood, Shire Library. MGA 1500, 1600, Twin Cam, F Wilson McComb. Folder containing two dozen magazine articles on the MGA. Offers please. Email; hall.brian@outlook.com Tel; 07805601006 (South Devon)

Supertex A-1

Red cover for any T type. Hardly used. Cost £121 - bargain at £45 plus P&P. Tel: 01728 668962.

MGB Door Cappings

Purchased from PK Veneering. The wood is very much like a Bentley look with unbelievable finish. Would enhance any MGB. £150.00 ONO. Contact Karl on 07789264533 or email karl.bees@hotmail.co.uk

MGC Silver Jubilee Plaque.

1967 -1992. Limited edition Number 32. Showing a MGC Register in between a BMC rosette and MG Car Club badge. As presented at Patrick Motors. £85. Tel: Kieth Taylor on 0121 5503908

Call for a quote today

01376 574000

www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk MG ZS and ZR

New in wrappings with boxes a complete front set of brake discs and pads, never used, that I wish to sell. I purchased them when I had an MGZS and never used them. I'm asking £45.00 + postage and packing, app £8.50. I understand they will also fit the ZR model. My ZS was on a 52 plate. Contact Nick Parks on 07789046460

MGB GT

Rear Wing. Offside lower half outer wing repair panel £50. Buyer collect. Tel. 01308 427021 (Dorset)

MGA Secondhand Parts

Engine parts including pistons, conrods, valves and springs for 1500 engine plus one brake drum and a pair of brake shoes. Free to good home. Either collect from Worcester or pay for postage. Contact Martin on 01886 888300.

MGA 1500

Original wire wheel (painted) 4.5x15 in good condition. Complete with Michelin ZX tyre with approx 4mm tread. £30 for collection or buyer pays postage in which case can remove tyre for boxing up. Contact: Graham Ardern on 01903 774770 or grahamardern@btinternet.com (West Sussex)

MG Midget 1500

Standard cylinder head very good condition Unleaded. £175 Stage 2 cylinder head. Larger inlet valves.Bronze guides polished very good condition. £250 Tow Bar kit. Complete with electrics, very good condition. £70 Contact Ian tel 01566 774426 cameronj-i4644@hotmail.co.uk

MG3

Genuine new spare wheel with Goodyear tyre, tools and Jack £80. Heavy duty formed bootliner £20. Genuine MG rubber mat set for top storage area and cup holders £10 Phone Andy Knott 01235 849730 (Abingdon)

WANTED WANTED MGTF Press Pack and Brochure

in very good condition by MGCC member. Contact: Roger onroger.moran@yahoo.com. Tel: 01502 722122 / 07920 054422.

WANTED

MGA Hardtop. Fibreglass or Aluminium , any condition considered as long as the glass /perspex is OK. Not a trader, for personal use only. Telephone: 07841 321118 (Bucks)

WANTED

MG TC , a passenger windscreen to skuttle bracket or a pair of brackets. Can offer a drivers side bracket in exchange/swap. Contact John on 01224315482 or Email: John.e.inglis@virgin.net

www.mgcc.co.uk

Call for a quote today

B13 - BARRIE CARTER_CLASSIC MOTORING 12/12/2017 12:04 Page 1

Insurance for all MG’s classic and modern B13 - BARRIE CARTER_CLASSIC MOTORING 12/12/2017 12:04

01376 574000

www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk

Page 1

B13 - BARRIE CARTER_CLASSIC MOTORING 20/11/2017 16:36 Page 1

‘T-type’ – ‘T-type’ – ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ – ‘X-pag’ – ‘X-pag’

MG TD 1952. One

We restore and refresh both T-types and X-pag engines, gearboxes, trim, paint; every aspect and we buy and T-types and other classics. owner for sell 25 years. Always and to the garage. Running out of T’s for sale but we have some interesting objects to occupy yourself after retirement andcherished banishment in lovely usable

condition. Smashing 1952. On Let’s hope we have warm snow so we can use our cars MG – TD Merry colour and chrome and fitted with the rare and desirable Derrington exhaust and inlet manifold conversion with a new unleaded head. 60lb oil pressure. Lovely gearbox and weather equipment. £18,950

MGA 1650 Full race F.I.A. engine and straight cut 3 synchro gearbox. The engine is an FIA spec unit built by a specialist race engine builder to the highest standards. Lightweight pistons, steel crank and special rods, big valve head Fiat 124 Coupe 1975 RHD. and cam, triple plate clutch with spider ﬂywheel. It has A beautiful unrestored Australian I love 2CVs. They quick only had one race inare the hands of an … ancientreally! 76 year car, 1 owner for 25 years, soon oldcomfy, and is now for sale to replaced by a more placidget Reliable, quirky and you can here, please ring. lump! It is complete as removed from the car and has a bike inits inlet themanifold, back.newThis one a Dolly. 45DCOE and is special distributer. The gearbox is theplum very rareand 3 synchro c/r straight cut Very unusual and rare cycle car. A Lovely condition, custard, type as used in the works cars. French Poiriet 125cc and 200 miles smashing It would cost at least £15k tohood build thisand ready race unit, indicated delightfully different and nice chassis, price ishistory. £8000. Itv would makeita from fabulous road original, 2 seats and 3 gears and you interior.my Nice Prise me car unit... but ... its up to you. Reciepts of the engine won’t fall off and we have another one! This has done a and smile. £6,950 colossal 600 miles! Both unrestored and nice £4950 each. rebuild are available.

I love 2CVs. They are quick … really! Reliable, comfy, quirky and you can get I love 2CVs. They are quick … really! a bike in the back. This one is a Dolly. Lovely condition, plum and custard,Reliable, comfy, quirky and you can get nice chassis, smashing hood and a bike in the back. This one is a Dolly. Lovely condition, plum and custard, interior. Nice history. Prise it from me nice chassis, smashing hood and and smile. £6,950 interior. Nice history. Prise it from me and smile. £6,950

MARLIN PROTOTYPE. This is the pre production Marlin as built by its designer Paul Moorhouse who built two prototypes. Built on a Triumph GT6 base with a 2 ltr 6 and ally bodied instead of grp, it is soundly constructed. It performs very well. Owned for ten years by the chairman of the Marlin Owners' Club. It represents a significant part of the history of this successful marque. Very sensibly priced at £5,250

Thismy myown ownMk1 Mk1MX M This veryearly earlycar carrestored restore very Westland WestlandHelicopter Helicopterene It Itmust mustbebethe theonly onlyMXM unscuffed unscuffedleather leatherseats sea has a twin stainless ex has a twin stainless uprated brakes, adjustae upratednew brakes, shocks, hood adjus et al shocks, new it. hood et wheels propel These wheels propel it. The experience without the stereo/cd player. Yester experience without th reliability. it…a stereo/cdI love player. Yestq bolide…and reliability. I only love £5,25 it…a

by the chairman of the Owners' Club. It repres successful marque. Ver

MGT’s always wanted. Collection and delivery UK and global, free advice unless it’s classiﬁed then I charge. New and used T-type parts and engines rebuilt outright or exchange.

www.mgmecca.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

MG16 - BUCKS SPORTS CLASSICS_BUCKS SPORTS CLASSICS 26/09/2012

PLEASE CALL NICK ON 01452 730770

bolide…and only £5,

MARLIN PROTOTYPE. Th the pre production Marlin MARLIN built by its PROTOTYPE. designer Paul Moorhouse who built Mar two the pre production prototypes. on a Triu built by itsBuilt designer Pa GT6 base with a 2 built ltr 6 atw Moorhouse who bodied instead of grp, it i prototypes. Built onItape T soundly constructed. GT6 base with a 2 ltr very well. Owned for ten6 instead of of the grp,M bybodied the chairman soundlyClub. constructed. It Owners' It represen successful Veryte very well.marque. Owned for

CM01.18/B13/d

MGTC just arriving from the US, nice restoration and little usage, please ring.

This my own Mk1 MX5. A very early car restored by a Westland Helicopter engineer. It must be the only MX with unscuffed leather seats. It has a twin stainless exhaust, uprated brakes, adjustable shocks, new hood et al. It handles and drives superbly. Alloy wheels propel it. These cars embody the ultimate 60s sports experience without the problems. It also has £1000 worth of stereo/cd player. Yesterday's classic panache with today's reliability. I love it…a quickly appreciating exhilarating bolide…and only £5,250. Put a Lotus badge on…then its 40k.

owner for 25 yea

MG TD 1952. One Always owner forcherished 25 years in lovely usable Always cherished Smash incondition. lovely usable colour and chrom condition. Smashin colour fitted and withchrome the ra fitted with the rare exhaust and inlet exhaust andhead. inlet 6m unleaded unleaded head. 60 andweather weatherequip equ and

Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0) 1953 717850

1995 MG RV8 Woodcote, Stone trim. Superb order. We have repaired a side scrape as car was classed a ‘D’ category by insurance company, but minor1damage, pics available. Reconalised 14:24veryPage trim, new door cards, new screen and exch frame. Refurbed wheels, new mohair hood, new wood dash, caps and console, in fact all the RV8 foibles have been attended to. A superb car and not the usual tired offering £21,995

1967 MGB GT V8 BRG, Biscuit/green leather trim. Fully restored last nut & bolt 5 years ago. Professionally converted to V8 spec, no expense spared. Webasto roof. Moto Lita wheel. 15” minilites. Fast touring car. Rare early GT. Superb! £21,495

URGENT PROOF

Please check this proof carefully for errors in style, content and layout. Although every care is exercised in preparing your advert, we cannot hold ourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook.

URGENT PROOF URGENT PROOF

Bucks Sports & Classic Car Centre

SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE

TELEPHONE BEFORE Please check this proof carefully for errors in style, content and layout. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO. _ _ _ _ _ Although every care is exercised in preparing your advert, we cannot Please check this proofhold carefully for errors in style, content and layout. 1973 MGB GT V8 RACER BRG, full race spec MGC ROADSTER MGC Snowberry White with butAlthough road legal, ideal forcare race/track day/sprint in wire wheels in the original grey-silver colour; hold a ourselves responsible for any inaccuraciescar,you may overlook. every is exercised preparing your advert, we cannot or just fantastic fun on the road. 3.9l race spec chrome luggage rack; moto-Lita steering wheel; responsible forFull any inaccuracies youseats maywith overlook. engine. ourselves Extinguisher system. Race tyres. cage. soft black leather white piping and black SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE Superbly prepped car and fantastic value £18,995 hood; battery cut off. Lots of other work by MG Mecca £34,995 SHOULD YOUNO REQUIRE . _ _ _ _ _ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT

Specialist in MGA, B, C, V8, RV8, Midgets, and MGF. Also specialists in early Minis

TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _charge _ _ _ _ _for AND ADVERT . _ _ which ___ We reserve the right to anyQUOTE alteration to thisNO proof is a departure from the original copy

10STREET Rabans Aylesbury. HP19 BUCKS 8RS HP20 1EB UNIT 18, PARK IND Close, ESTATE, OSIER WAY, AYLESBURY, www.mgcc.co.uk

CC10.12/MG16/p

For friendly advice contact Pete Giles on Tel: 01296 433550 or Mob: 07831 404968 We reserve the right to charge for any alteration to this proof which 1960 MGA Iris Blue, blue trim. W/W, S/S 1974 1275 RWA Blaze,proof Autumn We1600 reserve the right to charge for MIDGET any alteration to this which www.mgsonthenet.co.uk www.mgsonthenet.co.uk email: peter.giles@mgsonthenet.co.uk is a departure from the copy bootoriginal rack. Totally restored UK car. Immaculate Leaf trim. Restored car, totally solid, home isbolt a departure from theDrives original copy inside and out. Last nut and renovation restoration. superbly. Weber carb. Great £42,495 little car £5,995

MARCH 2018 SAFETY FAST! 97

LOOKING BACK IF YOU CAN TELL US MORE ABOUT ANY OF THESE CARS OR THE EVENTS, WE ARE ALWAYS KEEN TO HEAR FROM YOU AT KIMBER HOUSE; CONTACT THE MGCC ARCHIVIST PETE NEAL ON PETERNEAL@MGCC.CO.UK.

The official publication of The MG Car Club Incorporating ‘The M.G. Magazine’, ‘The Sports Car’ and ‘Brooklands Track and Air’, Safety Fast! Copyright MG Car Club 2018 Editor: Andy Knott 01235 849730 / 01235 555552 andyknott@mgcc.co.uk Deputy Editor: Colin Grant 01235 849733 colingrant@mgcc.co.uk Editorial Committee: William Ball, Dennis Wharf, Andy Knott, Colin Grant, Adam Sloman, Steve Clark PR and Communications: Lauran Gallacher 01235 849735, Jeff Ruggles 01235 849731 Advertising: Hine Marketing 01452 730770 Published by: Hine Marketing, Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton Glos, GL2 9LN. Tel: 01452 730770 Distributed by: Air Business. Merlin Centre, 4 The, Acrewood Way, St Albans AL4 0JY Tel: 01727 890600 President: John Day Vice Presidents: Ron Gammons, Don Hayter, Peter Best, Bill Silcock. Chairman: Ian Quarrington Vice Chairman: Dave Tynan

s this a special bodied K3? Where and when was it competing? Who’s driving? Can you help us answer any of these questions? Just to remind us that winter is not quite behind us yet! Let’s hope this TF is sitting in a nice warm garage these days. Please let us know if you recognise this car. John Barrett, MGA Deluxe coordinator of the MGA Register, is trying to trace the

Treasurer: Richard Colston

current owner of this MkII Deluxe. It is thought that 300 CXA presently resides in the UK (last heard of in Buckinghamshire). Any help locating it would be gratefully received by John.

Directors: Dave Saunders, Paul Plummer, Andy Green, Peter Opie, George Wilder, Dave Tynan and Peter Cook Company Secretary: Colin Grant Staff Members: Adam Sloman (General Manager 01235 849732), John Hutchison (Competitions Secretary 01235 849738), Andy Knott (01235 849730), Liz Allsworth (Membership Secretary 01235 849734), Colin Grant (01235 849733), Lauran Gallacher (01235 849735), Jeff Ruggles (01235 849731), Cherina Scarrott (Finance Officer 01235 849736) and Ineke Sherman (Merchandise 01235 849731) Honorary Members: Michael Allison, Ron Gammons, Peter Best, Don Hayter, John Quenby, Sir Stirling Moss, Paddy Hopkirk, Norman Ewing, Rob Oldaker, Steve Hanegan, Gerry McGovern, June Wallis, Ann Hawke, John Dutton, John Day, Julian White, Bill Silcock. Company limited by guarantee The Club, as a corporate body established as the MG Car Club Limited, is a company limited by guarantee. Every member of the Club undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Club in the event of its being wound up while he is a member, or within one year after he ceases to be a member, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the Club contracted before he ceases to be a member, and the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributors among themselves, such amount as may be required, not exceeding one pound. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of going to press, neither The Publisher (herein referred to as Hine Marketing), the Editor, nor the MG Car Club can accept any responsibility or loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in the publication. The opinions of authors are their own and Hine Marketing, the Editor and the MG Car Club are not bound to agree with opinions expressed herein. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Safety Fast! and The MG Car Club badge are protected through trademark registration in the UK and in the foreign countries where Safety Fast! circulates. Readers are warned that if they attempt any mechanical or other modifications or methods referred to herein, they do so at their own risk and no liability will attach to the MG Car Club, the Editor nor Hine Marketing. Neither shall the MG Car Club, the Editor nor Hine Marketing have any responsibility for the accuracy of the content of the editorial, neither the content of any advertisement published in Safety Fast! It should be noted that neither Hine Marketing, the Editor, nor the MG Car Club make any recommendation in respect of any goods and/ or services advertised or featured in this issue. It is the responsibility of readers to satisfy themselves that the goods or services offered or referred to are bona fide and in no instance shall Hine Marketing, the Editor or the MG Car Club be held responsible for the quality or suitability of any such items.

The MG Car Club, Kimber House, PO Box 251, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1FF Tel: 01235 555552 Fax: 01235 533755 E-mail: mgcc@mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk

98 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2018

If visiting The MG Car Club using Sat Nav please use OX14 1AS

www.mgcc.co.uk

classic car insurance PBIS specialises in classic car insurance, as well as insurance for other collectable classic vehicles. We have been supporting the MG Car Club, its Centres & Registers, for over 30 years so we know what is important to you. Our ‘Abingdon’ policy covers classic use for MG’s 3 years and older. The policy includes free agreed value, roadside assistance and recovery within UK/EU, limited mileage options and discounts for multiple car ownership. ASK US TODAY ABOUT OUR CLASSIC MG COVER call now for an instant quote

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Approved Insurance Provider

Peter Best Insurance Services Ltd Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration No. 307045 Registered in England No. 2210270 | Peter Best Insurance Services Limited, 180 High Street, Kelvedon, Essex CO5 9JD

Parts for TA to TF 1936-55, YA YB YT, MGA & Magnette. Secure online shopping at: www.mgbits.com or by phone. Worldwide shipping.

T&Y Type or MGA & Z series catalogues- email or phone for your copy

S106B Fine adjustment control-steering box for TA/B/C £86.40 incl VAT

T190K MGA ﬂoorboard set £105 inc VAT

Exchange shock absorbers available for most models

B027

MGA & Magnette oil ﬁlter conversion to spin-on type

£31.50 inc VAT

NTG Motor Services Ltd 282-284 Bramford Road Ipswich IP1 4AY Tel: +44(0)1473 406031/2 Fax: +44(0)1473 742087 sales@mgbits.com British Motor Heritage Approved - founded 1966