Safety Fast! April 2018

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP

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JULY 2016 SAFETY FAST! 3

Inside this issue 7 8 12 64 66 67

Club Matters and Kimber House News News Products Race Torque MGs on Track MGCC Speed Championship

68 73 85 94 98

Calendar of Events Centre Updates Register Updates Classifieds Looking Back

Features 14

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

18

Event Report Report from Race Retro 2018

20

Metro Man The tale of Ben Hatton and his MG Metro

28

E-Drive Retro’s MGA An all-electric MGA conceived by Michael M. Richardson, E-Drive Retro

36

Out of Hibernation What to look for when getting your car out after a winter lay up

70

Overseas News 40 years of the MG Car Club Antwerp

28

Newsletters 41

Twin Cam Newsletter Fitting a Lambda Sensor to a Twin Cam MGA, Looking ahead and more

47

V8 Newsletter V8 40th Anniversary 2018, MOT exemption for VHIs and Time to get a tracker?

52

MGF Newsletter Anniversaries, The MGF Cup and Abingdon Trophy and South African Brothers

59

MG 6.3.5 Newsletter Looking ahead and the BTCC in 2018

36

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.

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Welcome

Ben Hatton’s recently restored MG Metro in a sunset setting.

Photo: www.aprilbarton.co.uk

47

@mgcarclub

FO U N D E D 193 0

www.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

The 22nd of this month marks an important day in the Classic Car calendar, Drive It Day, set up by the FBHVC. Drive It Day encourages club members and their supporters, plus other historic vehicle enthusiasts, to use Classic vehicles for a day to celebrate the UK’s transport heritage at its finest.

A lot of our Centres and Registers have organised events to coincide with Drive It Day. More details on the events organised by the Club can be found at www.mgcc.com under the events tab.

At the end of March the MGCC had a large presence at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show at the NEC. We had a lot of interest in the cars on display, including the Jean Denton Marathon MGB that had its great unveiling at the show. The ZRZSZT Register also had a stand at the show, and it was great to see the interest shown in the ZR, ZS and ZT V8 we had on display, all three of which are very underrated MGs. We’ll bring you a full report with photos next month.

For those of you looking to recommission your MGs after their winter lay up, there’s an article in this issue which will give you a few hints, tips and safety features to check for before venturing out to one of the many MG events.

Also, in this issue we’ve got an article on E-Drive Retro’s MGA, a completely electric MGA. With the likes of Tesla and a lot of the mainstream manufacturers now producing electric cars, how do you feel about an electric Classic Car? I’m pleased to announce that MGLive! is really starting to gather momentum now. You should have received a booking form with this magazine; alternatively, you can order your tickets and find out a lot more about the event on the dedicated website www.mglive.com As a member of the MG Car Club, by booking in advance don’t forget you can save a considerable amount of money on your admission tickets.

Until next month, drive safely..

Andy Knott

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CHAIRMANS NOTES

BY IAN QUARRINGTON

Balance. Some of you rather enjoyed my recent notes on motorsport and some of you took extreme exception to them. That comes with the territory of this part of the Chairman’s role but, I repeat, I welcome any feedback on these scribblings, but the more polite the better, please. Kindly remember these are my personal notes, not any sort of statement from me or the Board, just simply my personal notes.

Some of you know I have a legal background. I work in high-precision engineering for a living but my passions, other than the Car Club, are music and the English language and its literature. We can find all sorts of parallels in our Club life in the works of literature, and when preparing anything I need to do for the Club as Chairman, my mind races with words and reminders from this background that help me try to find a balance in that work. I could, for

example, in response to criticism say “prick us and do we not bleed, wrong us and do we not revenge?”

Here lies my difficulty, though, because although I know it makes very good sense, I have to disregard this one: “give every man thine ear but few thy voice”. I could go on, but as Eric Morecambe once said to Des O’Connor “no, please, don’t”.

Our Club was originally all about its motorsport activities and I will repeat that motorsport is one of the key parts to what we are and what we do. However, I do not subscribe to the comment “without it, what is the point (of the Club)?” The MG Car Club with its 88-year association with record breaking, trialling, auto testing and club racing is an icon in the classic car world and so much more than just a social club for owners of MG cars, and there is enough room for everyone and everything we do. Getting that balance right, getting that message across, is not easy. Have you seen the enormous amount of activity and gatherings and shows and talks and road runs and

visits and tours the 37 CRBs in the UK have planned for your delight this year? Now that spring is with us, why not get out your car and join in? I am taking the opportunity to go on a tour with the Vintage Register in North Yorkshire this month, I will be at the Silverstone April 7 race meeting, there is the Pride of Longbridge event to look forward to (I will be there in our Longbridge-built Safety Car...surely an acknowledgement towards all aspects of Club life).

Last month I helped hand out a thank you and an award to a huge number of members who have been loyally paying their subscription to this Club without a break for 50 years... think of the events they will have enjoyed in those years and the friends they have made for life. Wherever you are in the world, there is plenty for you to do and enjoy as a member of the MG Car Club And I expect you thought I was going to talk about Council... I will keep that for next time. Just trying to keep the balance.

was an excellent atmosphere as fellow members shared their experiences.

One particular guest, John Whitsed, spoke of a history with the Club that goes back even further than his own 50 years. Remarkably, his father was one of a select band present at the original 1930 MG Car Club meetings at the Roebuck Hotel in Stevenage!

General Manager of the MG Car Club, Adam Sloman, said: “We’re tremendously proud of our members who’ve supported this Club for 50 consecutive years. It’s a wonderful display of loyalty, and without these dedicated members there would be no MG Car Club.”

It’s the fourth time the Club has organised such an event, with the first taking place in October 2017 and

a further two celebrations in March last year. A second 50-year members day of 2018 will take place at Kimber House on April 19.

KIMBER HOUSE NEWS Wednesday March 7 saw the Club hold a special day honouring some of the longest-serving members of the MG Car Club – the 50-year members.

An impressive 24 eligible members visited the Club’s Kimber House headquarters to celebrate their golden milestones with President, John Day, and Chairman, Ian Quarrington, both on hand to host proceedings.

Those who attended enjoyed a tour of Kimber House, including the new archive facility that many hadn’t previously seen. A speech by the day’s hosts was followed by the awards presentation, with each member receiving a certificate with their name and membership number on, plus a 50year member lapel pin. A buffet lunch was put on in the afternoon, and there

www.mgcc.co.uk

John Whitsed receiving his 50 year lapel pin and certificate

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 7

NEWS

London Classic Car Show With its large halls, pair of train stations and countless eateries, ExCeL in London is among of the best exhibition centres in the country. From Thursday February 15 to Sunday February 18 it played host to the fourth annual London Classic Car Show, which for the past two years has also incorporated the Historic Motorsport International Event.

The event had been moved from two separate halls into one this year, but it still covered a vast area and it was certainly a considerable walk from one end to the other! The main show is focused squarely at the higher end of the classic car spectrum, no doubt helped by its proximity to London’s financial hub. This meant a slick array of gleaming Aston Martins, Jaguars, Ferraris and Porsches, but there were still several stunning MGs present.

Most notable of all was SRX 210, the fabulous-looking MGA Twin Cam that was entered at Le Mans, thanks to the efforts of the MG Car Club’s North West Centre. There was also a host of MGs for sale, including a modified J2 – priced at £107,500 – and a Midget and MGB duo, both in Iris Blue.

A smart Woodcote Green RV8 was also offered, while several other MGs were scattered around the show.

In the motorsport area there were displays from Equipe GTS and British Motor Heritage, while attendees could see and hear rare cars in action on the ‘Grand Avenue’ – a roadway running through the heart of the event. Big name motorsport personalities such as Nigel Mansell also made starring appearances, adding to the prestige feel of the event.

Anyone expecting a down-to-earth, DIY-centric classic car event would have been disappointed, but this show continues to attract the crowds, and it’s good to see such high-end vehicles gathered every so often. There will be another opportunity to do just that next year, as the organisers have confirmed that the event will return to ExCeL London from February 14-17 2019.

New Archive Additions MG Car Club Director, Dave Saunders, and Chairman, Ian Quarrington, were at a Bonham’s motoring memorability auction at the end of last year and by accident came across Lot 75 comprising three framed paintings of SAs. These are signed watercolour gouache originals by the famous motor illustrator, Harold Connolly. They won the auction and the three paintings are now on display at Kimber House, generously donated by Dave and Ian. These paintings were used to illustrate the SA sales brochure and were no doubt commissioned by MG.

Write-off category changes In October 2017, the old Insurance write-off A, B, C and D categories were replaced with new codes, which focus on safety rather than the cost of repair: A (scrap), B (break), S (structurally damaged repairable) and N (nonstructurally damaged repairable).

A write-off is an accident-damaged vehicle which an insurer decides is

either beyond repair or too expensive to fix. Category A (e.g. burnt-out by fire) and B (e.g. major rear-end shunt) write-offs should never return to the road. Category S (e.g. collapsed crumple zone) write-offs will be unsafe until they have been professionally repaired. Category N (e.g. cosmetic or electrical issue) write-offs are often simply uneconomical to repair.

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Additional MG Rover Parts Distributors wanted April 2018 will mark the 13th anniversary of the sad demise of the MG Rover car company, yet XPart, the original MG Rover parts business, continues to provide genuine MG Rover parts. Following a review of our national network coverage, we are looking for additional parts distributors to help us fill some open points in our network, particularly in Central Wales, Northern England, Cornwall, Northern and Southern Scotland.

If your business is enthusiastic about supplying MG and Rover parts, plus a great range of bodyshop and workshop consumables, to the motor trade, and if you are not aware of any XPart distributors nearby, please email your details to xpart.communications@ neovialogistics.com We will contact you to discuss opportunities in your area.

Marque of Friendship Awarded to Alan Dakeyne Alan bought his first MG, a TB, around 1954 when he was a student. This saw him through into early married life when he sold it for £180. He bought his second MG, the VA he still owns, in 1966 when his oldest son was one year old and bought his third MG, the ZB Varitone which he also still has, in 1974. Later, in 1980, he added a MGB GT V8 and this, too, still forms part of the Dakeyne stable.

Alan joined the MGCC in 1958 and he knew all the ‘Old School’ MGCC luminaries. Alan was NE Secretary from 1965 to1976, and then became Chairman from 1976 to 1986. Alan was instrumental in the devolution/ evolvement of both the Tyne Tees and Lincolnshire Centres and the continued success of the Yorkshire Centre.

Along with two other NE Centre enthusiasts, Tony Silcox and Tony Margel, Alan became an RAC registered timekeeper (Alan on the highest scale). He officiated at many MGCC speed events (Topcliffe, Elvington, Baitings Dam, Croft, and Loton Park etc.) and some international events – RAC, Mintex etc., even Bramham Horse Trial when Princess Ann was competing!

He took his VA to Hausach, the very first International MG event, and has supported countless events all over the UK, Europe, South Africa, Australia and America, making lifelong MG friends.

He is always one of the first to talk to new members of all ages and pass on his wealth of knowledge of the Yorkshire Centre and the MGCC as a whole.

He has been President of the Yorkshire Centre for some years and carries the title with great pride and enthusiasm.

MGs on Track AGM Venue: MG Car Club, Kimber House, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1AS Date: Saturday May 19 Time: 10.00am Agenda 1. Apologies for absence

10 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

2. Minutes of last AGM 3. Chairman’s report 4. Secretary’s report 5. Treasurer’s report 6. Election of Officers 7. Election of Committee 8. Any Other Business

MG Y Register AGM Venue: Woodland Manor Hotel Clapham Beds MK41 6EP Date: Saturday May 12 Time: 4:45pm Agenda 1. Apologies for absence 2. Approval of the 2017 AGM minutes 3. Matters arising from previous minutes 4. Chairman’s Report 5. Secretary’s Report 6. Treasurer’s Report 7. Regalia Report 8. Election of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee 9. Any Other Business Nominations for committee and AOB items should be forwarded to the Secretary no later than May 1 2018.

Triple-M Register AGM 2018 Venue: MG Car Club Offices, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1AS Date: June 17 2018 Time: 2.30pm Agenda 1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of the 2017 AGM 2 (i) Matters arising from the minutes 3. Chairman’s Report 4. Secretary’s Report 5. Treasurer’s Report 6. Election of Officers 7. Election of Committee 8. AOB Nominations for election to the Committee and/or Officers, and any topic for discussion, should be sent by May 31 2018 to Secretary G Eagle, Foxcote Chase, Leckhampstead Road, Akeley, Bucks, MK18 5HG. Email geaglemgl2@dsl.pipex.com or telephone 01280 860428.

The Committee is still seeking nominations/volunteers to replace those Committee members who have expressed a wish to stand down following long service.

By way of a change this year, the plan is to organise a run over the old works test route, starting at 11.00am, followed by a buffet lunch at 1.00pm and the AGM at 2.30pm. Please support your Committee by joining in the activity and taking the chance to talk with both the Committee and fellow enthusiasts. Could those planning to attend contact G Eagle.

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MGF AND MG TF GEAR CHANGE CABLE EXCHANGE SERVICE MG and AMC Parts are now able to offer a ‘Complete Gear Cable Refurbishment Service’ which includes a complete overhaul, new end connectors and gaiters for both the F and TF models. This service is for all three cable types: ULS100010, ULS100060 and ULS100070.

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MGLIVE!

Racing Once again, MGLive! will feature a packed programme of motorsport, with MGs of all ages battling it out on Silverstone’s GP Circuit across the weekend!

Our Club Championships and Series are out in full force: • The BCV8 Championship; our premier series for MGB and MGC racing, offering classes for the fully modified V8s to road going cars.

• The MG Trophy Championship; one of UK’s best and most enjoyable single make club championships, offering highquality close racing for the front wheel drive MG ZR in three classes.

This year its rounds at MGLive! are sponsored by Millers Oils.

• The Lackford Engineering Midget & Sprite Challenge; a national race series for MG Midgets and Austin Healey Sprites (built 1956-1979).

• The Cockshoot Cup; a racing championship run by the North West Centre of the MG Car Club. It provides an opportunity for owners of Midget, MGB, MGF, ZR and ZS models to all mix together in one championship, predominantly at circuits in the North West.

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The Peter Best Insurance MG Cup; the biggest race series to encompass all MG models and select Rover models with the MGCC. It is the only series that caters for all MGs ranging from T-Types right through to MG ZTs, including Midgets, MGBs, MGCs, MG Metros, MG Maestros, MG Montegos, MGFs, MGTFs, MGZRs and MGZSs. In 2017 the Rover Tomcat race cars were also included, so the Cup truly celebrates all MG Rover production cars.

• Iconic 50s; a race series for pre-1962 sports cars and sports racing cars. In this series you’ll see everything from MGAs and T-Types, to Austin Healeys and Jaguars.

Alongside our Club championships we have a number of guests joining us.

Equipe GTS will be back, celebrating pre-’66 historic motorsport. In addition to MGs, you’ll also see a variety of •

contemporary rivals in action including Daimler, Elva, Lotus and Triumph race cars. This also marks the first appearance for the new Equipe Pre ’63 series, which caters for FiA period E cars built to appendix K specification and running on Dunlop Historic ‘L’ section tyres. Joining MGs on the entry list will be a wide range of marques from Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin to Porsche and TVR. The Petro Canada Lubricants Porsche Club Championship with Pirelli is once again returning to MGLive! but this year, they’re bringing something a little different with them

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MGLIVE!

– the Porsche Classic Restoracing Competition. This new series has been created to bring the nationwide Porsche sales and service community together. Each participating Porsche centre must source and restore a 20year old 986 Boxster S to MSA racing regulations and field a member of its own staff to drive it. The cars will all be finished in the legendary liveries of past racing Porsches, and pre-race points will be awarded on the basis of the initial restoration and subsequent maintenance. These Boxsters will all be running road-legal rubber and standard factory suspension as they do battle with each other and a field full of faster, grippier 911s.

For the first time, we’ll also welcome the Sports 2000 Championship to MGLive! Sports 2000 is one of the fastest UK single sports car series and is bound to provide thrilling race action.

We are also pleased to announce a one-off celebration race for the 20th anniversary of the MGF Cup. Supported by the MGF Register, this special race will feature all competition MGFs and MG TFs. It will be split into two classes: Class A will be for cars in the spirit of the MGCC Abingdon Trophy, running on road tyres, while Class B will be for cars in the spirit of the MGF Cup, using slick racing tyres. The aim is a grid of around 30 cars. Entries have just opened so we’ll be keeping a close eye on the entry list in what is shaping up to be an exciting race! The timetable for this action-packed weekend will be announced closer to the time.

Sprint The ever-popular MGLive! Sprint will be returning to the Silverstone Stowe Circuit on Sunday June 3. The regulations and entry form are now available via the Speed Championship, MGCC Motorsport and MGLive! websites. Last year this event reached its maximum limit of entries, so make sure you enter as soon as possible to be sure of a place. We’re after a few more marshals to assist with the Sprint on Sunday; contact the Chief Marshal, Simon Morris, on simonmorrisbmmcmgcc@gmail.com if you can help.

The MGLive! classic buses take spectators down to the Stowe Circuit all day on the Sunday, but this year we’ve made it even more accessible for viewing by opening up the internal road that runs from Copse Runway (the MGLive! infield area) down to the Stowe Circuit for vehicles only (no pedestrians).

Autosolo The Autosolo will once again be free to enter! One of our trade members and a local motor club have volunteered to run this year’s Autosolo. We are in

initial conversations with them about this and are just waiting on exact confirmation of details before we announce it. To register your interest, please email colingrant@mgcc.co.uk Colin will email you the regulations and entry form as soon as they are ready. They will also be available for download on the MGLive! website.

California Cup Autotest The entry form and regulations are now available for this year’s California Cup autotest. You can find them on the MGLive! website - www.mgcc. co.uk/mglive/motorsport/california-cupautotest/ along with more information about the autotest. Just as a reminder, the California Cup is free to enter for the second year running! Entries are limited to a maximum of 50, so be quick to guarantee your place.

Head over to the MGLive! website – www.mglive.co.uk – to find out what else is going on at MGLive! alongside all the motorsport action!

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

16 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

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Wishing all MG Car Club members a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Classic Car Specialists focusing on Servicing, Sales Restoration, Modification and bespoke refinishing work to a wide range of classic MG’s

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RACE RETRO

he MG Car Club went the extra mile to showcase its motorsport credentials at a record-breaking Race Retro show, hosting an attractive display at the annual Stoneleigh Park spectacular.

The event attracted a total of 23,100 attendees over its three days – a 10 per cent increase on 2017.

Amongst the attractions were a mix of rarely seen racing and rally cars, the thrilling Live Action rally stage, some fantastic vehicles in the Silverstone Auctions sales and a host of top motorsport personalities.

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The Club’s stand was in a prime position at the entrance to Hall two, and featured the MG Midget of Andy McGee alongside the 1935 MG PB of Triple M Racing Co-ordinator, Mark Dolton. Amazingly, Mark had returned from Hamburg to put car on stand as a last-minute replacement after the planned display car had to be withdrawn due to unforeseen circumstances. The series co-ordinators were also on hand to discuss MGCC racing with interested parties.

Other MGs on show included two racing MGBs and an MGA on Oselli’s stand, John Lawson’s rally-prepared

MGB in the Pride of the Paddock display and a Modsport MGA with Vauxhall XE power, as well as Warren Philliskirk in his Metro 6R4 on the Live Action rally stage.

Lee Masters, Show Director of Race Retro, said: “After the response to last year’s event under the new ownership of Clarion Events, we wanted visitors and exhibitors to see yet another step change for Race Retro, showing our commitment to the industry and firmly securing our position as Europe’s number one historic motorsport season opener.”

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METRO MAN

By Ben Hatton Photos www.aprilbarton.co.uk

Why an MG Metro The reason and story of how I came to own an MG Metro can be traced back to my first day of high school, back in 2008. I have always been passionate and had an interest in classic and vintage vehicles, steam engines and mechanics. Standing waiting for the bus, what should turn up but a 1970s Leyland Leopard single-decker.

Sounding like nothing I’d ever heard or seen, this sparked an interest in the word ‘Leyland’. Little did I know then what that one word really encompassed in terms of all the vehicles and stories that could be applied to it. So, before I knew it, I had researched all about the cars, the, trucks, the buses and all the badges and names that Leyland could be linked to.

20 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

Fast forward five years and I’ve passed my driving test and am looking for a classic car. I didn’t care about street cred – it had to be an old British car. We had the remains of a Morris Minor van in my nan’s garage, so a Minor was a strong contender. Just prior to this I had met a Mr Lewis Parkes who owned this odd little car called an MG Metro. I had heard of them but didn’t really know much about them. However, it was solid and original and he was thinking of selling it and asked me if I was interested.

At the time, I wasn’t. Fast forward to a Friday night in the pub. Lewis and I and a few others are having a few drinks when I overhear someone say:

“Lewis, if you’re selling that Metro, I’ll have it. Fancy turning it into a track car, lower the suspension, rip the interior out…” The conversation went on like this. Since first speaking to Mr Parkes I had carried out some research on the MG Metro and realised it was rather rare, I sat with my pint and thought, that car is too good for turning into a track car. Right, my mind was made up. “Lewis… if the offer of that car is still there, I’ll have it.” There was an agreeing nod and a week or so later the car was on my parents’ drive. What had I done? Little did I know then it would be one of the best decisions I had made.

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THERE WAS AN AGREEING NOD AND A WEEK OR SO LATER THE CAR WAS ON MY PARENTS’ DRIVE. WHAT HAD I DONE? LITTLE DID I KNOW THEN IT WOULD BE ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I HAD MADE

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APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 21

Owning the MG Metro Say to a lot of people “I’ve got an MG Metro” and there’s a sharp intake of breath. They’re unreliable, they fall apart, they are rubbish. Have you owned one? No, I haven’t!

It is true that the Metro fell victim to BL’s hopeless quality control. Some cars survive well, others just rot away, but really this is the case for most cars of that era. How many Japanese or French cars do you see around now that are 30+ years old? It wasn’t just BL’s cars that rusted. The reliance on some outdated technology on the Metro does give it a rather rustic feel… the A+ Series engine dates back to the

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1940’s! This works both in its favour and against it as a useable classic. The engine is simple, relatively easy to work on and maintain, and was for me a good starting point to get my head around things like valve clearances, ignition timing, spark plug settings and general maintenance of an engine.

Everything on the body work and sub-frames is bolt on and 90% of it is relatively easy to get to, should work or maintenance be needed, so again for a novice mechanic it’s a good vehicle to cut your teeth on. The absence of a fifth gear, though, does limit the car’s performance; although nippy and a really well-handling car at 60/70 mph

the engine is screaming and you don’t really feel like pushing it much further.

However, it will run like that forever and a day and will return 50mpg – I’ve tested this many times. Looks can be deceptive: the car is rather spacious inside and it’s surprising how much stuff it will take. It came in very handy when it moved all my brother’s stuff into his university halls. This included two guitars, an amp, bedding and clothes. If anything, the most complicated thing about the Metro is its Hydragas suspension. Now this is where the car’s story really took off…

What’s all the fuss about… It’s a Metro?

The car, when I got it, was on the floor.

To most people my age that’s great, but not me. It wasn’t designed to be that low, so I had to get it sorted. I tracked down a garage that could pump up the suspension. I turned up in the car and was asked within five minutes by one of the mechanics, Nigel Preston, if I would like to join the local MG Club. “We haven’t got one of these in it,” he said. Two days later I attended their weekly meet. I felt like a rabbit in the headlights in a room of around 50 people and everyone wanted to know about the Metro. This was someone who, at the time, didn’t really speak to people I didn’t know, but here I was with everyone asking

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questions, wanting to know about me, the car, where had I found it. I couldn’t believe it. Before I knew it I was signed up for my first show, MG Spares Day at Stoneleigh. I did the best I could to prepare the car for its first show. The show had a surprise for me: we were positioned where the public entered and my car was one of the first you could see as you entered the hall. It seemed as though everyone just made a beeline for my car. Countless photos, people telling me “I had one of these, I haven’t seen one for years”, it was overwhelming!

Really, all these stunning cars around and all people seemed to care about was this rough-around-the-edges Metro. I came away thinking maybe this is something special, but it’s looking tired, maybe I should have a go at restoring it? After a few conversations with a couple of friends and finding out that my Metro had appeared in Classic Car Weekly that was it… the Metro was getting a restoration!

The Restoration After 18 months of using the car as my daily run-around and attending various shows, the last show of 2014 arrived. As I pulled onto the drive after the journey home from that show there was an almighty clatter…the exhaust had fallen off! That was the signal to get the work under way. Some time previously I had met Alex Mills who offered to help me with the restoration.

So, over the next countless weekends, we stripped the car back to its bare shell. Where do I keep all these parts?

Turned out to be anywhere there was space: around the house, in the shed and under my desk. I should really thank my parents for there patience, with the house becoming a parts store!

During the strip-down we found only one area that required welding. A small section of the driver’s inner wing had been badly repaired. Remarkable, really, for a car with 96,000 miles on the clock. The shell and panels were sent away for painting, a job which didn’t

24 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

seem to be quick in materialising.

However, this proved to be a great help as it left me the space to recondition and prepare the countless components – everything was stripped down to the last nut and bolt. This is where I need to record my thanks to a friend, Neil Wood. I would be unsure of how to go about some tasks, while Neil had for a time worked at a local breaker’s that broke countless Metros, so knew the best way around the things I couldn’t quite work out. More than once I’d phone and say: “Neil, I’m a bit stuck on this, any Ideas?” an example being, how to get the radius arms back into the sub frames without the outer sealing rings falling off! Two hours of fighting with it and I gave up. Neil said: “I’ll call in after work tomorrow, mate, and sort it.” I learned a lot from Neil over the three years this project took me, although the constant jokes like “I don’t know why I’m wasting my time on this pile of scrap” caused a few laughs at my expense!

So as the project progressed, I don’t mind admitting I kind of lost focus with it. I’d work on it on the odd night and weekend, but it did just sit there a lot of the time. One day in July I received a phone call from Jason Barnes of the Metro Owners Club. “Do you think you could have it ready for the NEC show?” he said. “I’ll do my best!” I replied. So that was it. From then on I was working on it every spare night, every weekend, half hour here and half hour there, just working to get the car finished. A trip to Blackpool to collect a replacement driver’s seat from Norman Dawson helped finish the interior off nicely. The engine had been in for some time, but started for the first time around two months before the show. Before I knew it, the Metro was almost finished! A lastminute plea on the Pride of Longbridge Facebook page for someone to apply the decals was the last job to be done before the rear windscreen went in, and it was MOT test time.

I FELT LIKE A RABBIT IN THE HEADLIGHTS IN A ROOM OF AROUND 50 PEOPLE AND EVERYONE WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE METRO

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The car needed to be at the NEC on Thursday and the MOT was on the Tuesday. It really was down to the wire as to whether the MG would be there. The drive to the MOT station was an unbelievable feeling. I’d rebuilt this car and at last it was back on the road. Would she pass? I’d checked everything time and time again; I couldn’t see why not. After what felt like the longest MOT ever, the guy turned round and said… it’s a pass!!

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Only one thing… it’s too good for a Metro, it’s a stunner! I’d done it – three years of work signed off and sealed.

So, to the NEC she went. The reception the car received was something I was not prepared for. It seemed everyone wanted to know about it and I was left somewhat shell-shocked. It’s a Metro – what’s the fuss about? The icing on the cake was being voted into the Honest John top 10 cars of the show.

So there it is – my story of a threeyear project that tested me on so many levels, but turned out to be one of the best things I have done. There are so many people I need to thank: Alex Mills, for helping with so many aspects of the project, Neil Wood, for technical advice and help, Colin Corke, for advice on what the car would have had from new and a few parts along the way, but most importantly my parents, Lynne and Martyn. Their tolerance with me turning the house into an Austin Rover parts store for three years has been pretty helpful! Doors in the spare room, wings under the bed and a steering column under my desk gives you an idea of the situation. Even they now admit it was all worth it.

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 25

MG Metro Tech and Spec: Make: BL Cars – Austin Rover Model: MG Metro 1300 Engine: A+ Series 1275cc 72 bhp Top Speed: 105 mph Suspension: Hydragas – Independent front Interconnected rear Transmission: 4 Speed gears in sump manual Launched: May 1982 Launch Price: £4,799 Total Built: 225,000 Total Left on Road: 120 approx.

FWD Register Chairman Ben Hatton and his MG Metro

26 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

www.mgcc.co.uk

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FEATURE

E-DRIVE RETRO’S MGA

By Tommy Lyngborn

28 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

www.mgcc.co.uk

FEATURE

W

his unique MGAEV was shown at an Energy-Day fair in Stockholm in February this year. It all started when Michael M. Richardson, an entrepreneurial American with 35+ years of engineering, product development and business consulting experience with companies such as VeriFone, Hewlett Packard and leading financial services companies, came to Estonia to pursue software development start-ups. He saw the innovative spirit there first hand, so moved to Estonia. In 2015, while in Tallinn, his Finnish fiancée convinced him to pursue his own dream of transforming classic cars to run on electric power, so that they can be driven and enjoyed for decades to come, with zero emissions. Thus, E-Drive Retro was born.

Since its formation Michael has found great EV engineers, and a well-qualified classic car restoration firm called Grips Garage, in Helsinki, Finland, which is where E-Drive Retro is based now. They have established a showroom and EV

The ”Virtual Engine”. The three containers on the right side contains coolant for the YASA engine, the electronics and the battery.

Development Lab within the Grips Garage buildings, so they can work closely together in creating what they feel are the world’s finest collectible electric vehicles.

This particular 1959 MGA is the second car they have transformed; the first one was a 1972 Triumph GT6 Mk III 3-door coupé, which was also on display at the event. The MGA was initially quite rough when

purchased by E-Drive Retro so a lot of skilled metal restoration work by Grips Garage was necessary in order to make the body and chassis perfect.

The car was very well built, by carefully refurbishing as many of the original parts as possible, and only the best restoration components were used.

The decision was taken to upgrade the entire front and rear suspension for ultimate safety, reliability and handling for this high-end roadster. The double wish-bone, independent front and rear systems (supplied by Hoyle Suspensions, UK) are fully

Photo: E-Drive Retro

www.mgcc.co.uk

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 29

FEATURE

There was a lot of interest in the electric MGA interest when it was shown at a fair for E-cars last year.

adjustable all around with coil-overs and variable-valve gas shock-absorbers.

The brakes were also upgraded with disc brakes fitted all round, the front having large four piston calipers and ventilated front discs.

The chassis is the original 1959 steel one, and since the Hoyle System is a bolt-on direct upgrade for the MGA, no chassis modifications were required to accommodate the new suspension.

The electric drive motor, a YASA P400, is configured to deliver 105 kW of direct drive power (about 141hp using the old-fashioned method!) and 390 Nm of torque, and operates at a

The retrim of the interior is the only job E-Drive Retro haven’t talcked themselves.

Michael Robertson enjoys his creation

nominal 400VAC. This drivetrain will naturally be very reliable because it only has one moving part, and that has sealed bearings, no transmission required. All the high voltage systems hardware required to operate the EV drivetrain, such as safety controls, battery management system, drive inverter, DC - DC converter, etc. are all built into a robust aluminum container they call ‘The Virtual

30 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

Engine’. All the electrical systems in the car are intentionally industrial spec, from mining and commercial marine applications, in order to achieve the highest possible reliability and long service life with near zero maintenance required. The battery energy-storage capacity is 22 kWh, giving a range estimated to be 100150 km, depending on driving style and external conditions. A battery

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FEATURE

convenience charge (230 VAC, 10A Type two) takes about six and a half hours, and a DC fast charge (400 VDC, 80A, CHAdeMO) will take about 25 minutes. The three battery modules, which they call their ‘PowerPods’, are located under the floor and in the boot. The original MGA used plywood boards for the floor, but this MGA-EV is equipped with a custom all-aluminum floor and drive tunnel system to protect and reinforce the cockpit. This Limited-Edition Series MGA-EV has not been track tested yet (currently waiting for spring conditions in Finland) but they estimate that 0-60mph acceleration will be in the range of 5-6 seconds (9.1 for the original twin-cam). Top speed will be software limited to the original top speed of 133mph (180 km/h).

The car is also equipped with a built-in telemetry computer containing its own GPS for global location, independent GSM for global broadband connectivity to E-Drive Retro’s cloud servers, WiFi and

The neatly disguised charging point

The electric MGA on charge

The dashboard still keeps its original configuration. The fuel gauge shows the status of the battery

Bluetooth for local communications with driver and passenger smart phones and optional onboard entertainment systems. This allows E-Drive Retro to securely update the car’s software (e.g. offering new or improved features, or driving capabilities to their customers long after the original sale), and also in order to enable E-Drive Retro to remotely detect and diagnose

32 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

any potential on-board issues via cyberspace behind the scenes, potentially even before these issues can be noticed by the driver. In this way, the company can also send a message to the car owner when it is time to schedule a service, or where the next nearest public charging station (or good restaurant) may be located.

The company is accepting sales orders for this car now, complete with

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COYS auCtiOn

Spr SprinG CLaSSiCS 24th apriL 2018

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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

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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

13/03/2018 18:31

Photo: E-Drive Retro

The electric MGA and Triumph GT6 on display

The luggage-compartment matches the interior. Special bag is included in the price

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a two-year EV Systems warranty. If you want to transform any other vintage car (from the 1950s - 70s) or you own an existing classic you wish to have transformed, this is also possible on request. Delivery of a key-ready car takes about six months according to CEO and Founder, Michael M. Richardson.

It is true that some automotive purists may not like converting classic cars. For some who have enjoyed classics as a personal hobby, they may prefer to feel the tools in their hands whilst working on cars, or the smell of a petrol engine as they step out of their car.

They tend to see an oil drip as a sign that there was oil left in the engine when they parked it. There may also be those who are quietly glad that something vintage breaks down, so they can spend the weekend in their garage with a plausible excuse.

In the end, E-Drive Retro believe their meticulous approach to marrying classic style with modern reliability and performance will make sense to a whole new generation of classic enthusiasts, especially because, as E-Drive Retro say, these are the first “Classics with an environmental conscience”…and bring a pass to drive in the zero-emissions only zones of our future cities. Something to ponder.

E Drive Retro info@e-driveretro.com www.e-driveretro.com

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 35

OUT OF HIBERNATION M

It’s Spring! Time to get the cover off

By Colin Grant. Photos by Colin Grant and Mick Edwards

A basic guide to bring your car out of its winter lay-up

ost of us will have laid our MGs up over the winter months.

Although I use one of my MGs all year round, I do have another tucked up in the garage waiting for the spring.

Well spring is just round the corner and after a particularly cold and bleak winter, warmer weather should be with us soon. Our thoughts will then turn to getting our MGs back onto the road. But please don’t just hop in your car and drive off, you may not get very far. There are basic checks you need to do after its long lay up to make it fully fit to use.

Most old cars leak small amounts of oil and this should be taken into consideration while looking on the

36 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

garage floor beneath your car, but any excessive leaks will have to be investigated. An oil and filter change should be on your to do list unless the oil is relatively fresh, but remember moisture will have built up in your engine over the winter period so play safe. Check gearbox and rear axle oil levels if appropriate. It’s also worth checking the level of anti-freeze in the coolant with a hydrometer as it also contains vital corrosion inhibitors, so change if necessary. Most manufacturers recommend coolant to be changed every three or five year’s dependant on the type being used.

Check the brake fluid and change if you have not done so in the last two years. Most members will have had their batteries hooked up to a

conditioner during its lay up, but if not, connect your battery to a charger and once fully charged allow to stand for a while before checking its output voltage with a digital meter, which should read between 12.6V to 13.8volts. But remember this voltage reading will vary once the battery is in daily use. Cover the battery posts with conductive grease such as Vaseline and reconnect. Next check the condition of your plugs and if you are running an older MG, the points as well. If the plugs show any signs of age replace them as a set. Check the surface of the points for signs of pitting and replace if necessary. Before replacing your plugs squirt a little oil into each cylinder, and then turn the engine over several times to let the oil in the cylinders lubricate

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MIGLIA MILLE MIGLIA TUE 15 – SAT 19 MAY 2018

TUE 15 – FOR SAT 2018 TAILOR-MADE MG19 CARMAY CLUB MEMBERS

Join TV celebrity and motoring legend Tiff Needell as we dip in and out of the epic 1,000 mile Mille Miglia on our all inclusive 5 day hosted tour. Enjoy exclusive viewing and hospitality at fabulous locations including our private balcony overlooking Lake Garda and unique hospitality in San Marino where you’ll be just feet from the cars in our private VIP Grandstand - with waitress service and gourmet lunch. Our boutique hotels are perfectly located and of course this is Italy and the food capital of Europe… so you’ll enjoy fabulous inclusive wining and dining throughout!

4 NIGHT VIP HOSTED PROGRAMME INCLUSIONS:

» Arrival meet & greet with chauffeured transfers directly to your hotel » Boutique hotel accommodation including breakfast » Hosted chauffeured transfers throughout the programme » Welcome drinks reception and superb regional wining and dining throughout » Private tour of the Mille Miglia Museum including dinner & drinks

» VIP hospitality in the hilltop principality of San Marino reached by cable car with exclusive reserved seating and gourmet dining » Informal guided walking tour of Bologna’s key and hidden sights » Private guided tour of select motoring museums including exclusive behind the scenes access to the Lamborghini Factory

» View the build up in Brescia

» Motor Passion concierge management on-site throughout the weekend

» Lakeside lunch with viewing from our private balcony

» Hosted by motoring legend Tiff Needell

Price from £2,575

For further details and a full colour proposal contact steve@motor-passion.co.uk or call 01635 31658

FEATURE

the cylinder walls and to prime the oil and fuel pumps prior to ignition.

Replace spark plugs and caps back to their correct position.

It’s a good idea to check the condition of coolant hoses and make sure the locating clips are fully tight and showing no signs of leakage. Also look at the weep hole on the underside of the water pump; a leak here means the seal is perished and the pump will need changing. Check the fan belt for any signs of wear and either replace or adjust if necessary in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Check the handbrake is working correctly and that it fully engages and disengages.

Once you are satisfied all is well you can now start your car. Hopefully you will have added some fuel stabiliser to your petrol tank before laying up, otherwise you may have issues starting due to ethanol phase separation. Make sure the car is not in an enclosed area before starting and push it so the rear of the car is facing the entrance to your garage. Turn the engine over, it may take a short while for the fuel to be fed to a vehicle fitted with carburetters, and make sure your oil warning light goes out. Once the car fires up don’t be tempted to over rev your car – let it run at fast idle speed until warmed up.

Whilst the engine is warming up ease the choke, if fitted, in gently and

Replace your tyres if the sidewalls are cracked like this

38 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

Check the depth of tread with a gauge

check around the engine bay for any signs of leaks. Press the brake pedal to make sure you have a firm pedal and get a friend to check each wheel for any signs of brake fluid leakage and then make sure the brake lights are working, together with the main lights and indicators. Check the clutch operation and the fluid level in the reservoir and top up as necessary. Once warmed up, rev the car gently to make sure it responds OK and the accelerator is not sticking in any way.

Turn the engine off and go round your tyres checking their condition.

Check your tread depths with a depth gauge. The minimum is 1.6mm tread, but for safety’s sake more than 2mm is desirable. Look for any damage or foreign objects stuck in the surface, and pay particular attention to the side walls for signs of surface cracks.

Replace your tyres if this is the case.

Check the tyre pressures are correct and inflate or deflate as necessary. Go round your suspension and make sure

Checking the battery voltage

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Out of Hibernation

it operates smoothly by pushing down on each corner, and checking the ride height on an MGF/TF. Look to see there are no leaks from your dampers/hydrogas units.

Check your washer bottle and top up if necessary. This very often comes premixed, but if you buy it neat then mix it with distilled water, not tap water.

Finally give your car a good wash and polish and make sure your insurance and MOT (where applicable) is up to date and then tax your car via the DVLA online service or at a local post office.

Once out on the road take the first few miles gently, applying the brakes to bed them in, and check the steering and the general feel of the car. Once

satisfied sit back, enjoy, and remember to drive Safety Fast!

Note: The above procedures are for a home mechanic who is capable and with the necessary tools to do the checks. If you don’t feel confident in doing this or don’t have the necessary space or tools, entrust the work to your local garage or to a friend who is qualified.

At last! out on the open road

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APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 39

TWIN CAM GROUP 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1958 ‘CHOBHAM TEST TRACK’ TWIN CAM PRESS LAUNCH – JULY 14 2018 Many of you will be anxiously looking to read about updates on our 60th Anniversary re-enactment event at Chobham in July. We’re delighted to say that driving entries are now full and all 48 places are taken. People may drop out after paying their deposit, so we are collating a reserve list.

Several of the early cars which were at the original event have also paid their deposits to add to the spectacle.

PMO326, VLP500, PMO946. SRX210, 1MTW & PJB147 will also attend. Accomplished MG author David Knowles will also give us a few words on the MGA Twin Cam. Some of the overseas visitors to Chobham are looking to congregate at a hotel or B&B; we don’t have the scope to organise this, but are happy to put interested parties together. Please contact Mark on mgatcg@outlook.com Final Payment. Those of you that have paid a deposit for the driving event (which includes only one luncheon ticket), would you please now make your final payment by online banking and email Mark Hester on mgatcg@outlook.com advising what you have paid for. Costs are given below. The Sort Code and Account number to pay are: Sort Code: 60-06-37 Account No: 13467603.

£135 – ** 1 Driver & 1 Luncheon Ticket, 1 Commemorative Pack & 1 Commemorative dash plaque. £35 – Additional Luncheon Ticket. £35 – Additional Driver (Your car’s allocated slots are then divided between drivers). £20 – Passenger (Must attend drivers meeting and receive coloured wrist band and wear a helmet). £20 – Spectators (Over 18). £15 – *** Helmet Hire (32 Only – First Come First Served) Driver’s Licence will be held as deposit. Please state size. ** Please note: All 48 driving spots are now full so please don’t pay for a driving slot. *** Helmets: Helmet numbers are limited and will be prioritised to drivers over passengers and one per car. People with Coupes requiring a helmet, should book open face helmets please. Passengers must wear a helmet on track and are encouraged to bring their own.

Spectators: Spectator entrance fee is now set at £20 with children under 18 going free. We have not established the level of spectator interest yet so, if you are interested in spectating, please email Mark Hester on mgatcg@outlook.com Volunteers: These events take a great deal of planning but if you could help in a small way by volunteering on the day, that is appreciated, and you would be modestly rewarded with two tea/coffee vouchers. Please contact Mark on mgatcg@outlook.com Commemorative material: The commemorative banners have been produced by Bill Hite in the USA and will be used at the event and are available for sale post event. This price of these will be £100 in advance or perhaps higher as we will be auctioning some at the post-event luncheon. Cars which have entered the driving event will also receive a limited edition commemorative dash plaque.

Your volunteers: Will be wearing White or Brown coats with BMC Rosettes, whilst your period mechanics will be wearing reproduction white overalls, and period ‘Mechanic’ armbands; these items will be available for auction at the postevent luncheon. We aim to have a major magazine title there with us, too.

Any queries, please contact Mark Hester on mgatcg@outlook.com

TWIN CAM NEWSLET TER Colin Manley colinmanley99@gmail.com

WELCOME TO THE TWIN CAM NEWSLETTER Wow, a bumper newsletter this time. It’s great to get material from other members to illustrate, thank you; please keep them coming in. Let’s hope for a full year of Twin Cam activity.

MODIFICATIONS Well, I have to say I’m very happy that a couple of owners have contacted me regarding the personal modifications that they have applied to their cars which they are happy to share with us all. James Brooks Fisher has developed some very practical storage solutions; the first is a neat and discreet underdash shelf which provides a useful area. The second item is a cubby box, on the kick panel, to stow small items.

Richard Day has also sent me detailed material regarding fitting of a Lambda Sensor. (Note: this item can be read in conjunction with the “Manchester XPAG Tests” article in February’s Safety Fast! which explains Lambda in simple detail).

WARMING THINGS UP A topic of discussion many times before has been engine running temperature and the number of radiator cores.

From the very first use, after restoration some years ago, my normal engine running temperature was around 190 degrees. The temperature would slowly rise further, in traffic, on hot days, but drop back again once on the move.

Last year, though, on one hot summer day in Windsor with lots of tourists and very slow traffic, my engine began to get very hot, started to get some fuel vaporisation and was quickly followed by misfiring which was very reluctant to go away, even when I got moving along again. A change of spark plugs helped for a while but soon the misfire returned.

(I have now moved to GKN BPEN6 spark plugs and things seem to be OK, although I have not experienced further

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An apparently clear, but ‘four’ row, core

non-moving traffic on a hot summer day again, yet.) I had asked different owners, enquiring of their engine temperatures, and many seemed to routinely run cooler than my engine, yet I had got the grille slats opened-up, all the correct air hoses in place and the radiator seal at the top.

Having seen the normal temperature of a push rod car reduce by some 20 degrees after a radiator re-core, I thought I would re-core my own radiator over the winter period. Taking the radiator out, I noticed it had a four-row core (yes, here we go, ‘number of rows’ discussion again) which I thought was not going to help heat dissipation.

I had the radiator re-cored with a three-row core. I also removed the six-bladed steel fan and fitted a much lighter seven-bladed plastic fan.

Whilst I had reasonable access, I also took the opportunity of adjusting the fan belt without removing any flesh!

The old radiator core did not seem blocked at the top (see photo) but, with the three-row core radiator and seven-blade plastic fan now in place, the engine warms up much quicker to

160 degrees, then goes up to 170 and drops back to 160 when the thermostat opens. Despite an apparently ‘clear’ core, it must have had some internal restriction which impeded water flow. A word of warning for Twin Cam owners: be aware that the two side frames of the radiator, although the same length, and looking identical, are handed, with the distance from the top tank to the top frame hole being 20mm different to the distance from the bottom tank to the bottom frame hole. Despite the mounting holes centres being identical, sweating the frames back onto the wrong sides of the radiator will make it sit too high.

Ask me how I know!

20mm difference

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 41

TWIN CAM NEWSLET TER

FITTING A LAMBDA SENSOR TO A TWIN CAM MGA Even before I got the twin cam I was interested in the story of that model’s commercial failure in 1960. It had been named in the US as the worst of the 10 worst cars in the world! But it had seemed such a heroic British engineering achievement, only to be dashed to near oblivion by some surprising gremlins. I had read Frank Graham’s quote of Alec Hounslow of the MG Comps Dept: “the float in the rear (SU) carburettor would hang on its spindle (Scribe’s Note: The spindle is the technical term for the spike in the centre of the fuel bowl which the float runs up and down on. Also, a Yahoo TCG survey many years ago concluded virtually all piston failures occurred on the rear two cylinders.) and not drop, which caused the rear carb to go full lean and hole either piston No. three or four”. This float ‘hang up’ was said to be caused by the float chamber vibrating due to its resonant frequency matching a torsional vibration of the crankshaft at a certain engine speed. Others said the vibration caused petrol frothing with the same result. The July 18 1958 Autocar Road Test had noted engine vibration at 2500 and 5500 rpm and Hounslow himself had referred to two vibration periods: 3200 and 5600 rpm.

I have also heard reports of vibration periods at 2200 and 4400 rpm. With its 1/3.91 final drive ratio, in top, 4400 rpm (indicated) gives about 78 mph with 165/80 R15 tyres on my car. The balancing of crankshaft assemblies had been improved by August 27 1959, as was mentioned in Confidential Service Memorandum MG/275. I had read that in the pre-production and early production periods, road testing had included prolonged running at high revs in the UK and Europe with no particular problems showing up. However, once twin cams were exported and sold in the US and used on their long, straight freeways at

42 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

steady speeds many failures occurred.

For that reason, ignition advance was reduced, compression ratio lowered, harder (cooler) plugs recommended and use of higher octane fuel advised.

Was there also some implication that the American owners must be doing something wrong? (As if!) Whatever, piston burning caused by unexpected lean running seems to have been a most serious problem.

Anyway, when I got my car it seemed a good idea first to check that it was not running lean and I adjusted the carbs, carefully, by the recommended method, with the car stationary, but how would I know if the rear carb float chamber was vibrating, causing lean running on the road at a constant speed, for example on a motorway?

One easy way to see what is going on with the mixture whilst on the road is to fit a lambda sensor. This should tell me the fuel/air ratio with a dash display whilst driving.

Before fitting the sensor, I had carefully checked everything – adjusted the valve timing, ignition timing, tappets and carbs – all in accordance with the book. Since fitting it I have

done just over 4,500 miles; mostly quite gentle road miles, a few hundred on motorways, some at about 80 mph (France!), and some laps on a track – a good variety.

The whole point of fitting this sensor was to let me know the actual fuel/air ratio whilst driving with the engine under load, or not, or on the overrun at different engine speeds.

I was particularly concerned that it might be running lean unexpectedly, for example on a long, slight incline at 70 to 80 mph, i.e. with the engine working quite hard but well below maximum power for a sustained period.

The Kit and Fitting It The kit I bought from AEM Performance Electronics was called 30-4110 Gauge-Type UEGO Controller and it consisted of a gauge assembly which contained the processor, the sensor with its connecting cable, a harness with power cable to send 12 volts to the processor and a steel boss to weld or braze into the exhaust pipe to take the sensor. The installation instructions tell you to fit the boss so that the sensor is angled 10 degrees upwards away from the pipe.

The lambda sensor fitted to the boss brazed into the exhaust pipe and the cable fastened to the floor crossmember before passing up through a grommet near the top of the nearside footboard to the processor tied up behind the dash.

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The gauge/processor unit is, in my opinion, visually far too garish and modern and unsuitable to be mounted anywhere near the front of a beautiful 1950s dash panel. It is mounted just below the heater controls and is easy to read at a glance whilst driving. It provides an electrical output from 0 to 5 volts (0 showing very rich 1/10 ratio and 5 showing extreme lean 1/20 mixture). For my running readout and not being interested in the very lean end of the range I fitted a 0 to 3 volt moving coil voltmeter. This gives me very clear readings in the mixture zone 1/12 (1 volt) to 1/15 (2.5 volts).

Checking the voltage readings against a gas analyser

The voltage values for the various fuel/air ratios are given in a table provided with the AEM kit.

To test and check the calibration I borrowed an exhaust gas analyser and set it up with the engine well warmed up. I took readings at 1000, 2000, 2500 and 3000 revs with the car stationary.

This check showed an absolutely spot-on agreement with the voltage equivalents from the table.

Analyser in the tail pipe The voltmeter is mounted just below the heater control

The actual gauge/processor is hidden behind the dash. It requires a nominal 12-volt supply that can be arranged for either a positive or negative earth car because the unit has both + and - separate connections and its casing is plastic. The body of the actual lambda sensor fixed in the exhaust pipe is electrically isolated. The fitting of the kit was straightforward.

Testing and Operation Before fitting the lambda sensor, I had carefully checked everything – adjusted the valve timing, ignition timing, tappets and carbs all in accordance with “the book”.

The power supply to the processor comes from a chassis earth (+) and its negative connection from the ignition switched circuit which would be the opposite way around for negative earth conditions.

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The analyser showing an Air/Fuel ratio of 1 to 13.3

The volts reading 1.6 at 2500 rpm is equivalent to an air to fuel ratio of 1 to 13.25

Conclusion The whole point of fitting this lambda sensor was to let me know how rich/ lean we were running whilst driving with the engine under load, or not, or on the overrun at different engine speeds. If the horror stories I had heard were true, I thought I might find

surprising leanness, for example on a long, slight incline on a motorway at about 4,200 rpm in top.

The results have been interesting and generally reassuring. I had not expected it to go so lean always on the overrun, but of course I should not have been surprised. Also, it jumps around more than I had thought it would, but it does settle to give you a clear reading when the throttle position is stable for more than a couple of seconds – for example, on full power in third from, say, 40 to 65 mph it will be steady as a rock and reading 1.6 volts.

At any speed, if you suddenly put your foot down it jumps to rich, as it should – to about 0.7 volts, an AFR of 11.5 – for a couple of seconds then it goes back to the 1.6 volts. (Note: I recently modified my carb dampers in accordance with Confidential Service Memo MG/264 but with no discernible effect.) At any steady condition of throttle and power from tick over to 6,400 revs the reading settles to about 1.6 volts.

Just once, on the M4, going up onto the Chiltern Hills towards Reading, at sustained full throttle, from a steady safe reading it suddenly showed very lean (over 2.5 volts) – Yikes! As soon as I lifted my foot it returned to normal. I have tried to repeat this finding (just about every time there is a suitable stretch of road, actually). It has not shown that again, but it seems to me a possibility that it was indicating the dreaded float bowl petrol frothing. Of course, there could be other explanations. Anyway, since then I have fitted the Webber rubber O ring gaskets between the carbs and manifold, which is another recommendation from the experts to reduce the float bowl vibration.

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 43

TWIN CAM NEWSLET TER

CUBBY BOXES

LOOKING AHEAD

These small ‘cubby boxes’ can be constructed from 6mm ply to form boxes immediately forward of the lower door hinges and are fastened by one screw and cup washer into the body mounting bracket. They can be covered with vinyl to match the car interior. It will be found that there is certainly enough space for ‘satnav’ components in one of the boxes with a camera and mobile in the other, both items that often need instant access.

Of course, neither this or the under-facia shelf below provides any degree of security.

April 8 – MG Day at Brooklands.

We expect to have a special display of eight Twin Cams, in front of the Clubhouse, to commemorate the 60th year of the Twin Cam. We hope to see as many Twin Cams as possible turn out for this 60th Anniversary year.

April 22 – National ‘Drive it Day’.

Get out and about in your Twin Cam. June 2-3 – MGLive!

July 14 – Twin Cam Group Chobham event; see the separate page in this issue. Please make any final payments now due.

August 12 – MGA Day. Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire.

August 19 – Stockfest – Entries for the Rare Breeds Tour are now available by visiting the website http://rarebreedstour.co.uk/rarebreeds-tour/rare-breeds-enquiry/ which also has more details of the event.

Twin-CaMGazette Our e-newsletter was recently rebranded as the “Twin-CaMGazette” (contact Mark on mgatcg@outlook. com to go on the email distribution list). Recipients will have seen a recent article from Adrian Gregory on Front Swivels and there will be a follow-on item from Adrian on Water Pump overhaul in the Twin-CaMGazette later in the year. Adrian clearly has the interest, skills and machining equipment to do such works, but others of you must have some items of interest to share also? Please keep these items coming in.

UNDER-FACIA SHELF Cut from a piece of 6mm ply, this is profiled to maximise the available space without impeding gear changes and is also cut around the two heater hoses. The panel is then fixed with a couple of s/s screws and washers into the soffit of the engine bay bulkhead and resting on a 25x25 aluminium or stainless-steel angle fixed, again, with self-tapping screws, to the side panel of the footwell.

The third support is provided by a 4mm threaded rod adjustable for height and suspended from one of the stays that support dashboard. Lastly a seal, or draught excluder, of suitable section is fitted to the front of the shelf to retain loose items.

44 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

www.mgcc.co.uk

Sales Dept: +44 (0) 7557 389 622 info@fineandclassic.co.uk

www.fineandclassic.co.uk

1973 / MGB GT V8

Fine & Classic is proud to offer for sale this stunning two owner, low mileage, MGB GT V8 which has undergone a meticulous full 'nut and bolt' restoration, including a bare metal repaint in the original colour of Teal Blue and a very complimenting Autumn Leaf reupholstered interior.

Throughout the restoration process every effort has been made to maintain the car's originality, with no non-standard upgrades made to the car. The car is as it left the factory with its four-speed manual gear box, with overdrive in third and fourth gears.

A genuine chrome bumper factory car, which has covered only 44,540 miles from new. The car was purchased by the second owner in May 1980 and in 1993 was put into dry storage, where it remained untouched in its original specification until September 2016 when Fine & Classic purchased the car as a restoration project.

This is a very high quality example of a very rare factory produced MG and is probably one of the best MGB GT V8’s available. The car looks and drives perfectly and is a piece of British motoring history.

Guide Price - ÂŁ37,000

www.fineandclassic.co.uk

V8 NEWSLET TER Victor Smith Tel: 0208 392 9434 victorsmith@v8register.net • www.v8register.net

WELCOME TO THE V8 NEWSLETTER V8 LAUNCHED AT THE 1973 MOTOR SHOW

Dramatic display at Earls Court – the car is owned today by Robert MacGillivray

The MGB GT V8 was launched in August at the 1973 Motor Show at Earls Court in London with two V8s on display – Citron 798 on display up on a ramp with the logo “the new 124mph MGB GT V8” and Aconite 799 on the stand.

Autocar reviewed the new MGB GT V8 and the specialist magazines Police Review and Motor Sport both gave it a thorough review in their October issues.

The review by Motor Sport concluded the V8 was “six years too late, with comfortable seating, poor ride, excessive wind noise, fast and economical”. That was a frank verdict following their 1,900-mile road test of the new V8 model in October 1973.

Rather than test the car immediately after its launch in August 1973, they had waited for a lengthy 1,700-mile continental trip to test the car in a demanding Grand Touring role. So quite a tough exercise for any car, and

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particularly so when you read of the sustained speed the car endured during a trip of barely 141 hours – hardly “grand touring”, more like a “pedal to the metal” thrash!

The test report mentions “this remarkable alloy V8 had succeeded in propelling the 110mph body design at cruising speeds of 120 to 130mph for miles on end, on one occasion at 121mph average which was maintained for almost 100 miles at night”! Then the report adds: “in spite of this hard usage the overall fuel consumption worked out at exactly 18mpg”. They went on to suggest normal motoring might see “17 to 26mpg”. The reality is that driven for fun, most V8 enthusiasts can get between 27 and 31 mpg these days.

Despite the hard driving used for this unusually long road test, it is a most readable article and, more to the point, it expresses the contemporary impressions

of what was then the new MGB GT V8 shortly after the launch of the model in 1973. Clearly the Motor Sport test team were lucky to emerge alive driving at such high speeds!

Another review was made by the specialist journal Police Review on its road test. They were keen on the MGB GT V8 saying: “this car combines a business-like appearance with a reasonable performance, and is capable of carrying a surprising amount of equipment. Now we have a new model which should make this one of the finest enforcement cars available – the MGB GT V8”. A number of V8s were used by police forces and today one of those cars is well maintained by Malcolm Bailey in Hampshire, who attends many shows complete with a blue light mounted on the roof of the V8.

MARKETING BROCHURES FOR THE V8

The marketing brochures for the V8 still look as exciting as ever over 45 years later. The collection of the brochures on the V8 website has been assembled from copies of original brochures loaned by members so we have a reference set available online. You can see them via the link on our ‘More’ page: www.v8register.net/more.htm

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 47

V8 NEWSLET TER

V8 REGISTER WAS FORMED IN 1978

Gordon Hesketh-Jones on the track

The first meeting of the V8 Register was held at the Crossroads Hotel at Weedon Bec on the Sunday evening of the Club’s annual meeting at Silverstone in May 1979. By then the V8 Register’s activities were well under way with the launch of the first volume of V8 Workshop Notes from contributions of useful spares and servicing tips by fellow V8 enthusiasts.

That series has now reached Volume 14 and it’s likely the combined total of the two workshop notes series for the V8 and RV8 will reach an aggregate of 1,000 workshop notes by the end of 2018 – an extraordinary achievement.

The first 20-page V8 magazine was produced and distributed by mail to UK and overseas V8 members in spring 1979. Since then the V8 Register has continued to develop, focusing on providing both good quality information and advice together with attractive social events. The first V8 Curry was held in Epsom in 1979 and has continued as the first event in every year since. The annual V8 Dinners held

48 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

in Sulgrave were a popular feature for many years. The popular annual V8 tours have been enjoyed for well over 20 years.

In 2002 the V8 website was launched which transformed how the V8 Register could distribute information and news to members in the UK, but particularly to overseas members. The website has developed and become a leading classic car website, packed with useful information and news items which are interesting, lively and topical.

Over the years the V8 Register has enjoyed support and contributions from many real characters, not least the early founder members like Peter Beadle, John Dupont, Jim Gibson, Howard Gosling, Walter Kallenberg, Alan Kingwell, Mike Maude-Roxby and Tom Studer. Today, many active members contribute to the growth and success of the group.

The most-used V8 is probably the late chrome bumper model owned

by Gordon Hesketh-Jones who has

V8 40TH ANNIVERSARY 2018 For the 40th anniversary of the V8 Register and the launch of the MGB GT V8 model in 1973 we have a programme of eight main events in 2018: Visit to the Symphony Hall and Organ in Birmingham on Wednesday May 30; Visit to Packwood House, a National Trust property in Warwickshire, on Thursday May 31; Tour of the Hook Norton Brewery and lunch in the brewery shop/café on Friday June 1; V8 Anniversary Dinner on Friday June 1 at the Star Inn at Sulgrave, near Silverstone; V8 Marquee over the MGLive! weekend of June 2 -3 at Silverstone, with a warm welcome, seating and refreshment; V8 Register AGM on Sunday June 2 at noon at MGLive!

2018; V8 Technical Day 2018 on Saturday July 14 at Club Office in Abingdon; V8 Derbyshire Tour 2018 on Sunday September 2 to Thursday 6 based at the Matlock Bath Hotel, with a programme of visits; Rolling road session at the specialist Aldon in the West Midlands on Saturday September 8 with live rolling road sessions.

Information and bookings at: www.v8register.net/more.htm

enjoyed the car as daily transport for over 40 years, has undertaken many long-distance tours to the edges of Europe and enjoyed his car on the track. It has covered well over 400,000 miles and has been rebuilt a number of times. Another V8 in daily use has been a Jubilee MGB GT converted to V8 specification on delivery by Brown & Gammons for Howard Gosling back in the late 1970s. It has had three rebuilds, including a reshell in 2005, and covered some 264,000 miles and is still in very active daily use.

www.mgcc.co.uk

V8 NEWSLET TER

TIME TO GET A TRACKER?

Map available via the tracker showing its location to enable it to be found and the car recovered

Thefts of vehicles have been growing in recent years with thieves, particularly organised crime gangs, using sophisticated techniques enabling them to remove cars rapidly, which make tracing and recovering them very difficult. Without prompt information that a theft has occurred together with the vehicle’s whereabouts, the chances of tracing and recovering a stolen vehicle are often low. Recent reports indicate that with steadily rising classic car values, some thieves have become active in stealing classics like Jaguars, Triumphs, MGs and Land Rovers. Sadly they are often attracted by breaking the cars for the valuable parts and the relative ease with which those parts can be sold in the second-hand parts market. The reality is that many UK police forces have seen a tightening of resources because of ongoing budget cutbacks so are often losing the battle against car theft. So private firms could have an increasing role in finding stolen cars, including classic cars. For many classic car enthusiasts aware of these risks their concern will be “what are the realistic anti-theft options, what are the costs and where can I learn more to be able to make a decision on what to do?”

What are the security options for a classic car owner?

There are essentially two types of security measures: first, various measures to deter the theft of the car and second, live monitoring of the car for disturbance alerts and its location, so if it is stolen

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there are measures available to trace and make an early recovery. Without prompt information on the car’s whereabouts and your being able to make that available to the police or to a commercial monitoring and recovery service, the chances of recovery are much lower.

The measures to deter the theft of a classic car include a battery isolator with a removable key, a secret ignition cut-off switch, a secret switch to cut the feed to the fuel pump, removing the rotor arm, a steering wheel lock and a wheel clamp. Of course, parking in a safe place is also a wise measure too! Another security check is to make sure your car cannot be seen on Google Street View – if it is there then ask them to remove it.

Also be vigilant at shows and events as thieves are on the lookout for cars they can target for theft and may possibly place a portable tracking unit on your car, so as it leaves the venue they can track where it is kept for a future theft.

Live monitoring of the vehicle is best provided by a concealed tracker which provides both an alert when the car experiences disturbance and also, very importantly, live information on the whereabouts of the car if it is stolen to locate the car and help achieve its prompt recovery.

Here Victor Smith reviews what tracker options are available for classic car enthusiasts, what protection they provide, what information is available from a tracker, the monitoring services provided by the tracker and any associated commercial specialist services, the recovery rates and the concerns over thieves jamming tracker devices.

What tracker options are available and what do they provide?

In mid-2015 I fitted a budget GPS tracker as a hard wired installation to my MGB GT V8. With a link by a mobile network, the tracker is able to provide disturbance alerts and also, in response to a phone call from my prior-approved

mobile number, the tracker can send me an automated message with details of the vehicle’s location. It was a basic, low cost device providing a reassuring level of tracking information. Almost four years on, it’s clear that trackers have now become much more sophisticated.

The range of professional tracker systems is now: Type A1 trackers with GPS (Global Positioning System), GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) and RF (Radio Frequency device) with an indoor and outdoor location capability and a 24/7 monitoring and stolen vehicle recovery service. If GPS signals are jammed it will still have location and recovery capabilities. With a professional fulltime monitoring service, then emergency Level one police support is available. It has good GSM mobile communication connectivity with a dedicated SIM card that is GPRS and SMS enabled, usually with international roaming. A GPS defined geo-fence area can be created around the vehicle and then monitored by the tracker.

Type A2 trackers with GSM and RF location for indoor and outdoor recovery without GPS but it will always need an RF local signal finder using VHF or UHF radio direction signal finding equipment to help locateand recover items hidden from satellite view.

A steering wheel locking device which is an ideal size for the MGB and variants

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 49

V8 NEWSLET TER

Type A3 trackers with only GPS location which may not be available if either GPS jamming equipment is in use or if the tracker is hidden from a GPS satellite view – for example where a car is located in an underground car park or metal container.

DIY tracking systems which are more basic GPS trackers usually supplied with a PAYGO Voice SIM designed to report GPS positions for short periods.

Usually these devices do not have professional support like monitoring and stolen vehicle recovery. The tracker cannot be tracked and the vehicle recovered without GPS so will not function if a GPS jammer is in use by the thieves or the vehicle is hidden from GPS satellite view.

What are the commercial monitoring and vehicle recovery services?

These services monitor your tracker continuously on a 24/7 basis and respond to any unauthorised movement when their physical tracing and recovery services are provided.

Their 98% success rate in locating and recovering vehicles and equipment is very good and they have close coordination with local police forces.

Automatrics’ car trackers can help recover stolen cars Automatrics is a private company based in Fareham in Hampshire, which is a specialist provider of trackers and the essential monitoring and theft recovery services.

On their website they have a regular series of video reports of those services in action where vehicles and valuable machinery have been tracked and successfully recovered.

Their long-life battery-powered tracking devices can be discreetly hidden by owners in their vehicles and armed by remote control to detect any unauthorised movement, enabling the proactive alarming, live tracking and recovery.

Automatrics’ GPS, GSM and a UHF radio location technology can position

50 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

to an accuracy of less than one metre.

This unique technology enables their equipment to work where competitors fail, tracking assets located indoors or hidden from satellites inside shipping containers, for example.

They can also be used when a GPS jammer is in use by thieves. Systems are professionally monitored 24/7 by Automatrics staff. They were first to take a self-powered tracker through the Thatcham Accreditation process.

The Automatrics MTrack Proactive model remains the only rechargeable approved device.

Many valuable cars can be an easy target for organised crime, with thousands stolen every year. Covert self-powered car tracking devices are particularly suitable as they cannot be scanned and have a strong and robust casing, up to 4 years’ battery life and motion detection. It’s these features that make the Automatrics MTrack theft recovery car tracker the perfect system for classic car security.

Automatrics trackers use preventative measures, such as using CCTV and parking in perceived safe areas, that make sense but nothing will stop a determined thief. The ultimate security protection can only be achieved through fitting an Automatrics MTrack car tracking device, providing the best chance to recover high theft risk cars such as Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Audis, Porsches, BMWs and, more recently, classic vehicles. Automatrics: www. trackersecurity.co.uk Automatrics MTrack Proactive The MTrack Proactive is a selfpowered tracker with a 30-month battery life (when it will need a 12hour recharge) and is the only CPI Secured by Design Police Preferred Specification and insurance accepted tracker. It comes with the first year of Automatrics 24/7 monitoring service and has a three-year warranty. It is easy to fit. It costs £347 including VAT and free shipping. Fellow V8 Register

member, Gavin Brown, in Australia, has used this device and says: “The units are excellent and they do have a very high success rate in getting stolen vehicles and farm equipment back.

Basic trackers won’t work unless they have a clear view of the sky, whereas the MTrack can. Like anything, you get what you pay for: it just depends upon the value of the item you want to protect and track. The thing that I like is it is battery powered and not hardwired, so it required no electrical installation and you could simply remove it when you changed cars.

The Automatrics service has been brilliant and I have to give credit where credit is due. I can’t account for their competitors but at no point have I been disappointed – they are right on the money.”

MPNAutomatrics Active SS This is their smallest wired tracking unit, size 45mm x 45mm x 20mm. It has the same high-quality Automatrics customer services but with a super small GPS, GSM and UHF radio location wired device. Rechargeable backup battery and embedded antennas. For buyers who do not need a tracker with Thatcham certification right now, this unit is currently ahead of all insurance standards. Users have the same functionality on this Automatrics tracking unit. It comes with the first year of the Automatrics monitoring service and costs £274 including VAT and free shipping.

Reluctance to get a tracker?

There may be a reluctance to spend on security measures by owners of mid-price range classic cars, like Condition one MG V8s, but the reality is classic car theft is on the increase and whilst an enthusiast may not use their car a great deal, on a few occasions their car can be left in a potentially vulnerable location. It only needs one successful theft for the car to be lost... So I feel the case for more sophisticated security measures for even mid-range classics is increasing.

www.mgcc.co.uk

V8 NEWSLET TER

MOT EXEMPTION FOR VHIS The new MOT exemption arrangement is one of three entirely separate matters concerning historic vehicles, which thankfully will stay separate as none of them affect each other at all: MOT exemption – previously available to vehicles built before 1960 but from May 20 2018 it will be available to vehicles manufactured or first registered over 40 years ago and declared to be a Vehicle of Historic Interest (VHI).

Available on a rolling 40-year basis.

VED exemption for vehicles with the ‘Historic’ road tax class is available on a rolling 40 calendar year basis. This concession was introduced several years ago and has not changed. The relevant date is the vehicle ‘built’ date. A vehicle is eligible for a NIL value VED whether or not a car is declared a VHI. In the first year of eligibility the concession is available from April 1.

Re-registration of a vehicle that has undergone substantial change. The requirement to report changes to DVLA that affect the V5C and consider whether this is a radically altered vehicle. This is where the DVLA eight point rule comes from and it has no relevance to whether a vehicle is a VHI. See our ‘More’ page for a full report.

Car stolen in Birmingham was traced with a tracker to Southampton docks and recovered from inside a H1 - CLIVE WHEATLEY_H7 - CLIVE WHEATLEY 29/06/2017 15:23 Page 1 shipping container

New Replacement MG RV8 Heatshield Fits above catalysts on the underside of the car.

Stops heat ingress and paint burning on underside of car £119.50

RV8 front radiator cover Black £199.50 Part Carbon Fibre £227.80

Genuine RV8 heater valve (ZKC 5119 - the correct one) £54.95

genuine & conversion parts Tel: +44 (0)1746 710810 Fax: 01746 710999 email: sales@mgv8parts.com Callers by appointment only at Highgrosvenor, Worfield, WV15 5PN (between Bridgnorth & Wolverhampton)

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RV8 Petrol Tank Sender with Seal & Locking Ring. £59.95

RV8 cars available for sale - please call

RV8 New Polyurethane rear anti-roll bar bushes. £16.70 for the pair

V8 Engine Steady Bar This is the best you can buy for the money! £50.60

BRAND NEW high torque starter motor.

British made £252

RV8 Spax Krypton filled dampers

Adjustable on car through 28 different stages £129.00 each (front) £142.25 each (rear) full set £522 - save £20.50

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 51

CM08.17/H1/p

NEW All Alloy 15 inch Replacement Wheels for the GTV8 With an alloy centre and a highly polished alloy rim.

Weighs approx 2kg lighter.

No further rusting. £399.60

New, better quality, harder wearing replacement overmats. Original patterns, colour & embroidered with MG logo. Pair RV8 mats £99.50

MGF NEWSLET TER Tim Morris 01932 882467 scribe@mgfregister.org • www.mgfregister.org

WELCOME TO THE MGF NEWSLETTER There was plenty of snow and ice about at the beginning of March and I hope that all our members came through unscathed. Looking at social media, several owners didn’t and several Fs seem to have taken a bit of a knock in the bad weather. With prices as low as they are, any repairs are often deemed too expensive and the cars are written off by insurance companies. In most cases minor knocks can be repaired quite easily, so it is always worth negotiating with your insurance company or not making a claim in the first place. The best thing is probably not to take them out at all in these conditions, I remember one time many years ago when I was caught in my MGF on Exmoor when a sudden unexpected blizzard hit. It was really hard to drive up the hills on snow-covered roads, often with full lock and the rear end sliding out so the F was going diagonally! It was quite a sight and made more embarrassing by a front wheel drive Metro that drove easily and serenely past my struggling sports car, flapping about like a demented fish out of water. The same happened in 2010, when on the Abingdon to Geneva Re-Run, trying to cross the mountains from Switzerland to France with a group of other Fs. It was definitely dicey, so much that most of us decided to turn around and head back

CHARITY This year’s Register charity is the RNLI and the first event to support that has just taken place. It was the annual chairman’s weekend which includes a charity road run on the Sunday and this year went from Abingdon Market Square to Cogges Manor Farm, near Witney. On the pre-bookings it looks to have been well attended but look out for a proper report on that in the next Safety Fast!. We were saddened to learn of the death of Gary Steele MBE, who was the prime fundraiser for Prostate Cancer Awareness. We hooked up with him in 2005 as they were the first charity that the MGF Register chose to support and our first charity event was “eFFing the Bridges” based in Bristol, Gary spent the day with us and chose the award winners.

52 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

to Geneva again, bar a couple of brave souls that soldiered on in worsening conditions over the top. We all made it safely in the end and got back to Reims about the same time. The moral is that the F is not the greatest of cars in the ice and the back end easily slips out, so if you have to drive in the snow then be more careful than if you were in an ordinary front wheel drive car, or better still keep the F in the driveway and wait for the summer!

The point we did return going over the mountains from Geneva into France in 2010

A full obituary will appear in the next FasTForward.

We now look forward to the summer season and April kicks it all off with several Register attended events, including Brooklands MG Day (April 8); the Pride of Longbridge Rally (April 14); MGOC Arundel Gathering (April 15); Drive It Day with the North Norfolk Classic Vehicle Club (April 22). That’s just one month and there are plenty more events happening around our regions in addition to that, so do keep an eye out on our Facebook page, the Regional Facebook page closest to you and the Register’s Internet forum which covers all regions in one place.

You are more than welcome, as a member, to attend any of our meets wherever they may be in the country and be sure of a warm welcome.

Gary Steele and Tim Morris at Dyrham Park in 2006

www.mgcc.co.uk

Photo: Stirling Moss Collection

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MGF NEWSLET TER

ANNIVERSARIES It’s the 20th anniversary of the MGF Cup race series this year and cup car owner and racing driver, David Coulthard, is arranging a special race to take place at MGLive! this year to mark the occasion. The MGF Cup evolved into the Trophy Championship and in recent years any trace of the MGF/TF had disappeared, so it will be brilliant to see a grid full of MGFs only once again.

David gives us a rundown here of how the MGF Cup came about in the first place.

We are also thinking about the 25th Anniversary of the MGF/TF which will happen in 2020. We have pencilled in August 1-2 2020 at the British Motor Museum for the event. This follows dates for previous anniversary events which all bar one in recent history have been at Gaydon. You may recollect a website that recorded all these events, but unfortunately it was wiped following a viral attack a few years ago on the Register’s server. Pete Opie is currently trying to rebuild some of the information but it is proving to be a formidable task, so a new website will

be appearing soon in support of MGF25 which nods back at the previous events – that’s always assuming we can agree on a logo! Keep an eye on www.mgfregister.org for news of that. As part of the rebuild we’ve been looking back at some of the images from those previous events which you can see here. You might want to help out on the organisation side of MGF25 and we are looking for capable willing volunteers to do just that. Contact our new Chairman, Nigel May, at chair@ mgfregister.org if you would like to be part of the MGF25 team.

THANKS KEITH The AGM hasn’t actually taken place as I write, so I am rather hoping that Nigel has actually taken the job of Chairman on.

He takes over from Keith Williams who has been at the helm for the last five years, although he didn’t quite realise it in January! Keith had a few words to say in the last edition of FasTForward as his tenure drew to a close: “The five years have flown by and the majority of that time has been great fun to be the figurehead for the Register and I am still so proud to be a member of both the MG Car Club and the MGF Register. We have been through a couple of rocky periods in my time in the role, but the team and members have always made it worth the effort of carrying on and the real enjoyment for me is to see the members enjoying themselves. When I initially bought my MGF back in 2001 I never imagined that it would be anything other than the next car I would own. Little did I know that paying out for the MG Car Club membership within a few weeks of owning the car would change my life.”

A highlight of Keith’s time at the head of the Register was the mammoth MGF20 event at Gaydon in 2015 and he says: “That was a great year and event to celebrate both the

FASTFORWARD The latest edition of FasTForward is out now and features the first instalment on the rebuild of a sunspot MG TF by Darren Hardy and his team at MGFnTFBitz in Derbyshire. When Darren sent the copy in, the car concerned looked familiar to me and it turns out I was right – it was once owned by Jan Carter who was the Rep for our South Wales region at one time. There is an awful lot of work

www.mgcc.co.uk

Keith takes the Chairman’s chair for the first time at the 2013 AGM

cars, the MGCC, the MGF Register (which was also 20) and the members. To see the aprons at Gaydon filled with multicoloured cars and the overflow parking on the hill was superb.”

The committee and myself thank Keith for his work as Chairman over the last five years. He is right, it hasn’t always been easy in these changing times but the Register is still strong and proud of its place as the original MGF and TF community founded in 1995 and we hope that the members, too, are proud to be a part of the Club. We wish Nigel all the best as he takes over the reins from Keith. There will be a further report of the AGM in the next issue of Safety Fast!.

going in to this car which has a place in MGF history as being the very first of the monogram painted cars, built on March 15 2002. It was 16 years old last month but it is amazing just how much of the brown crumbly stuff had accumulated in that time. From that first report it certainly looks like this TF will be a lucky one, as the rebuild is meticulous and we include a few pictures here to show the care and sheer hard work going into it.

Whilst on the subject of FasTForward, I have been producing the magazine solo since its inception in 2006 and the next edition will be a golden anniversary milestone – 50 issues. We discussed this at the last committee meeting and they decided that I was getting a bit doddery now and I could keel over at any moment – their main concern being that there would be no-one to produce the magazine! It is true that I have been

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at the helm for 13 years and have been thinking myself that it may be time for some new blood and new ideas. To that effect, I’m looking for a deputy editor/ layout/journalist/publisher/dogsbody to help out. If you fancy having a go at producing a club magazine then please get in touch – tim.morris@mgfregister. org. Usual rates of pay apply, a very round figure, so may suit someone retired or semi-retired.

Our final contribution in this fourpager comes from John Fry who tells us about a TF he purchased for use in South Africa, which coincidentally turned out to be a close brethren of a friend of his in Johannesburg. There are plenty of MGF stories out there and this is a good example. It’s just a question of finding them and including them in the pages of our Club magazine – something a deputy editor can help with?

Martyn Wise cuts the ribbon as we launch FasTForward at Stoneleigh, February 19 2006 – the next issue will be the 50th

THE MGF CUP AND ABINGDON TROPHY

MGF Cup Cars in action 1998

On Thursday October 23 1997 two MGF race championships were announced.

The MG Car Club and MG-Rover made a joint statement, on ‘Motorsports Day’ at the Earls Court London Motor Show, launching two championships for 1998.

The MGCC’s MGF Abingdon Trophy was aimed squarely at the Club competitor. As with the earlier Japanese and French series, the cars were fairly ‘standard’. MG-Rover developed a standardised motorsport race ‘kit’, derived from the modifications made to the French and Japanese championship cars. 10 events were scheduled and included races, sprints and hill climbs.

By contrast, the MG-Rover-backed MGF Cup was a high-profile, bigbudget affair. 30 identical race-prepared bodyshells were built by Mayflower Vehicle Systems, who also supplied MGRover with the standard production MGF bodies. The steel monocoque was seamwelded and strengthened, and an integral

56 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

Double wishbones and external dampers were also employed. Adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars were fitted, which provided hard, medium or soft settings.

Racing brake pads clamped enormous brake discs, and the driver had the ability to adjust the amount of braking between the front and rear of the car, via a bias valve. 16’’ Abingdon SE alloy wheels were shod with Dunlop racing tyres, slicks or wets as the weather conditions dictated.

Sales of the cars were restricted to MG-Rover dealerships, who paid £24,000 + VAT to be part roll cage was fitted, of the championship. Most which further increased dealerships would appoint rigidity. In order to a professional team to run achieve a weight of the car and engage a driver. just 970kg, lightweight In its ‘Press Pack’ MG-Rover fibreglass bonnet and M GF Cup Annive rsary logo estimated running costs to be boot lids were used. around £40,000 per season.

Engines were based on the However, teams estimated budgets to 1796cc Rover K-Series. However, they be double that value and more! Figures were fitted with steel connecting rods, of £80,000 to £100,000 to run a car steel crankshafts and forged pistons, for the 12-race season were regularly which allowed them to rev to 8,000rpm quoted. Tyres and body repairs were and produce around 190bhp. A dry major expenses. sump lubrication system was installed The prize fund was over £100,000, in the boot. The close ratio five-speed with race winners receiving £750 at gearbox contained straight cut gears for each meeting and prize money down strength and longevity. The power was to 10th. A brand new MGF road car fed, via a racing clutch, to a limited slip went to the overall Champion, whilst differential, which aided traction out of the winning dealership got £1,500. the corners.

The British Racing Drivers Club The road car’s Hydragas suspension was responsible for organising the was retained, but stiffened, and each new championship and the first round Hydragas sphere was independent of the was held at Silverstone on Sunday others, not interlinked as on the road car.

www.mgcc.co.uk

MGF NEWSLET TER

Press pics for the 1998 MGF Cup

April 5 1998. By coincidence, the first round of the MGCC Abingdon Trophy also took place that same day, at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent. The MGF Cup formed part of the Spring Trophy Meeting, alongside the British GT and Formula 3 championships. 28 of the 30 cars made the grid for that first race, including guest ‘celebrity’ driver, Tiff Needell. The race was won by James Rhodes, who would go on to win the overall title. A further 11 rounds were held, including a support race at the British Grand Prix, such was the championship’s importance.

The 1999 MGF Cup was won

by Warren Hughes, who used it as a springboard into the British Touring Car Championship driving the ‘works’ MG ZS and Le Mans in the MG-Lola EX257. MG-Rover continued to support the MGF Cup in 2000, when Jamie Hunter triumphed. From 2001, the MGCC took over organising what became known as the MGF Challenge, combining the MGF Cup with the MGF Abingdon Trophy. In 2003, following the launch of the ‘new’ MG TF, the MGF Cup cars were re-bodied by Mayflower as MG TF, at MG-Rover’s expense. The championship became the MGCC Mayflower MG Trophy and eventually today’s MG Trophy.

2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the MGF Cup and Abingdon Trophy. As the owner of one of the few remaining

original MGF Cup cars, I thought it would be fitting to arrange an MGF and TF celebration race next year. The MG Car Club and MGF Register are supporting the anniversary race and I am currently attempting to identify suitable cars to take part. Any MGF or TF race car owners should please get in touch with me at CoulthardD@aol.com and register their interest.

David Coulthard

Church Square Autos “Racing red” is an original MGF Cup car and will be racing at MGLive!

SOUTH AFRICAN BROTHERS At the time of MG Rover shutting down in April 2005, some of the stock was on the high seas to South Africa where, as in the UK, it was necessary for dealers to liquidate.

A close friend, Nigel Stokes (who drove a MkIII Midget to South Africa from London via the Sahara in the early 70s and still has the car) who was out of South Africa at the time, asked a mutual long-standing friend, John Mackenzie, to pop along to the MG showroom in Johannesburg to see what was on offer. His instructions were, if possible, to find a VVC with a glass rear window and preferably finished in white. Guess what – the only car with glass was a VVC and white! A suitable deposit was made there and then, and the car was Nigel’s. FasTForward (sic) eleven years and yours truly was looking for a TF to attend an MGCC Indaba in South Africa. One was spotted on a classic car website, and John kindly went to view it, with a seller unknown to either of us, and who was living in the sticks. The car was purchased, and it is a low-mileage VVC and, as with Nigel’s, finished in Dover White. Both have air conditioning.

So, what? I hear you say – they are just two white late model TFs! Armed with engine and chassis numbers I decided to dig a bit deeper and discovered that 795 TFs were exported to South Africa (and I believe there were only 21 VVCs made in 2005). Both cars were manufactured and left the line on

www.mgcc.co.uk

the same day – February 10 2005, Nigel’s SARRDLBPC5D 640185 at 7.40am and 30 seconds, and mine SARRDLBPC5D 640213 at 11.48am and three seconds, a full four hours and 8 minutes later. So that looks like 28 cars finished in four hours!

Turning to the engine numbers mine, remember the car was made four hours later, is 80780 and Nigel’s is 80786.

Anyway, enough of this ‘anorak’ numbers stuff! The main point is that both cars are great to drive, and mine seems to be greatly attracted to South African speeding tickets! You can see both cars in the picture here and may notice the black grille which is the result of the previous owner carefully applying tape to it, at least it is different!

John Fry

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 57

Terms Apply

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www.mgcc.co.uk

635 REGISTER NEWSLET TER Steve Haines • Email: Steve-haines@live.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register • Twitter: www.twitter.com/635register

WELCOME TO THE 635 REGISTER NEWSLETTER Spring has sprung and we are looking forward to another exciting and successful year for the Register. Sean Round details what we are up to: 2017 was very much a quiet and somewhat low-key year on the events attendance front and meant that our presence within the MG show scene was subdued. However, within the 2018 season now upon us, we are planning to be back with a bang this year! We are putting all of our plans together for the events we have on our calendar and it’s looking to be a very exciting year ahead!

Our key focus for this year is to mark and celebrate the fifth birthday of MG3. Who would have thought that the car is now five years old? A recent press release that has made its way from China to the UK shows that we are to expect a refreshed and revitalised MG3, and what a cracking little car it looks! We’ll be celebrating the birthday at our key events such as Pride of Longbridge, MGLive! and, of course, the return of MG Saloon Day, this year to be held at Donington Park, gives us a fantastic chance to continue our festivities. We’ll confirm more details of what we are planning to do in due course.

MG3s on show at a sunny 2017 Pride of Longbridge event

www.mgcc.co.uk

The Register display at the 2017 Silverstone BTCC Meeting

Of course, with the recent confirmation of Shaun Hollamby’s Team AMD running a brace of MG6 GTs in this year’s British Touring Car Championship, we are very much looking forward to attending these events where we can to offer our support to Tom Boardman, whoever his teammate will be and, of course, all of Team AMD in their endeavours.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Triple Eight for a fantastic few years of working with them and wish them all the best.

As this year is such a big year for us and with an ever-growing member base, we are going to need some help to ensure these events go off as planned. As such; we are looking to our members for support in running these events, be it manning our stand, helping with parking, or just generally singing the praises of the fantastic cars we all own! Should you wish to help us or find out more about what support we need, then please contact Sean Round on Facebook, through our

Sean Round, Josh Cook and Steve Haines by the 635 Marquee at Silverstone

Twitter feed or by emailing Sean on sean@seanround.co.uk As we have done for the past couple of years, we will continue to support and include the growing ownership of SUVs and we’d very much like as many of our members with GS and ZS models to attend as possible. It’s really important to see you owners there, too, and hopefully, we’ll find the right candidates throughout the show season to take on the Register formally and as such, officially form the SUV Register.

This year marks the fifth birthday of the MG3 in the UK, so this month’s newsletter focuses on two owners and their experiences of MG3 ownership over the years.

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 59

635 REGISTER NEWSLET TER

AN OWNER’S DILEMMA FROM JERRY HARRISON In August 2017 I had owned my 13 plate MG6 GT TSE for three years and had been considering my options for some time. The following questions entered my head: Do I keep it? Do I trade it in for a late-registered Mk2?

Do I hold out for a ZS? Do I buy a nearly new GS? At no time did I look to leave the marque as I’ve had too many great years with the MG brand for me to give it up for something the masses would go for. To add to this conundrum we were about to inherit my daughter’s Rover Streetwise which we bought her as a graduation present the year before.

To answer the questions: Do I keep it? This was a strong possibility as the MG6 (my second) is a great car and has done me well.

However, I didn’t necessarily need the size as my daughter was in the process of moving abroad with work and I tended to use the car either on my own or with my wife, so the possibility was trade it in for something else.

What would that ‘something else’ look like?

Do I trade it in for a late-registered Mk2? I’ve never been a diesel fan, to be honest, and the ‘updates’ in the Mk2 didn’t float my boat (no rear wiper, only 16-inch wheels). If a Mk3 MG6 was in production then I might have considered one of these but as I’d owned two 6s I decided to look for something different.

Do I hold out for a ZS? This was – and still is – an interesting car and not to be discounted, but…I was looking to replace around August time and the ZS was not due to be launched until October/November. Could I afford a ZS and keep the Streetwise or would I look to buy a ZS and trade the Streetwise in for an early MG3?

Financially I would be somewhat stretched so this option would have to go to the back burner.

Do I buy a nearly new GS? I

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test drove a GS from Apple MG and thought it was a really capable vehicle with bags of room inside.

Unfortunately, my wife found it to be too big for her liking, especially as she would need to drive along narrow car-lined roads to get to/from work if she had to use this type of car, so the idea of such a large vehicle was not something she was interested in.

Questions, questions, questions, with answers not quite to our liking!

After test driving the GS Laurie from Apple MG then gave us the keys to an MG3 to drive. I’d driven a few before and thought it was a fun car for all types of driving, with a decent size cabin. More importantly, my wife liked the look and the size of the MG3.

This got me thinking: instead of retaining the MG6 and trading in the Streetwise for an MG3 or trading in the MG6 for an MG3 and retaining the Streetwise, why not trade in both cars and buy two MG3s instead?! I bounced this idea off my wife and my son (who was looking to start driving lessons) and after doing some rough calculations we worked out that the costs of buying two MG3s that were

nearly two years old would work out nearly the same price as I was paying to run the MG6 alone, let alone the cost of running the Streetwise.

A day or so later, Laurie from Apple MG called to say he had a few 16 plate MG3s available which he could do a decent price on if I was interested (these were ex-hire cars from a local car hire firm). He didn’t quite expect my reply though: “This sounds great but I’d be looking at two instead”.

Either that night or the following evening after work, myself and my wife duly turned up at Apple MG to look at the car options available. Once we’d worked out which two we were interested in we sat down and looked at what was on offer and what we’d get for our cars. I don’t look at cars for profit-making as they are always going to take money from you, so I was never going to expect top whack upon trading in. On top of that, I didn’t want the hassle of attempting a private sale (I’d gone through the pain of selling one car privately years ago, which was not a pleasant experience) especially as I had two cars I wanted to sell.

When we had worked out that

www.mgcc.co.uk

635 REGISTER NEWSLET TER

road tax on two MG3s was only slightly more than for one MG6 and enquiries made found that insuring both MG3s cost little more than what I was paying for my MG6 alone, it was a no-brainer to trade in both the MG6 and the Streetwise for two 16 plate 3FORM SPORT MG3s.

Since the end of August 2017 my wife has enjoyed her black MG3 whilst I have enjoyed my white MG3. The bulk of her driving is to and from her work with the occasional long run to blow away the cobwebs, while most of my daily driving has been up and down motorways to and from my place of work.

Do I miss the creature comforts of the top-of-the-range MG6? Not really, as I adjust to whatever car I’m in. For years at work I have driven loads of different makes and models, so I’m quite adept at jumping between cars and maximising their performance. I know, some say the MG3 is underpowered and could do with a turbo, bigger wheels, etc. The MG3 is decent enough with the 1.5L engine it has, and only on occasions do

WHAT IS THE FORMAL REGISTER? The MG Car Club 6.3.5 Register wants to encourage as many members as possible to register their cars with us so that we can have a better idea of how many of the various models there are around the country and beyond.

Having taken over as Registrar last year, I am in the process of trying to tidy up the lists, deleting duplicate entries, and will also be merging the original database created manually from paper-based forms with the new electronic Register.

If you haven’t already registered your MG6, MG3, or if you are abroad, your MG5, the quickest and easiest method is to go to the MG Car Club 635 Register home page (www.mgcc. co.uk/mg635-register/) and then click

www.mgcc.co.uk

I wish it had a bit more poke (mostly going uphill and I’ve had to slow down due to some idiot pulling out in front of me on a motorway causing me to lose momentum). The rest of the time it is a responsive car which sticks to the road without issue and goes where I want it to go.

For those of you who are still undecided whether the modern MGs

– especially the MG3 – are cars worthy of the MG badge, then I suggest one thing – slap yourself a few times, take yourself down the local dealership and take one out for a drive. Don’t hold back when it comes to pushing it (ensure you stick to the speed limits at all times), get the gear right and the car will respond. These are MGs and are damn good ones, too!

on the link Register your car. You may find it useful to have your V5 document handy as this is the quickest way to get some of the information you will need to enter on the form.

You will also need your Car Club membership number to enter on the form. Be assured that the online form is very secure and your data will not be shared with any other members without your permission. Once entered, the only way the information can be retrieved is by going to the secure Register Google docs area which is username and password protected.

If you are not sure if your car has been added to the Register, please contact me (my email address is in the Committee and Contacts area of the Register area) and I’ll be happy to check the Register for your details.

I will be contacting some members of the Register via email as there are some gaps in the information recorded which I would like to complete.

Ultimately, I hope to send everyone a copy of what is stored for their cars so that they can check it is correct, and I would also like to link a digital photo of as many cars as possible with the Register entries. If you have changed your email address or postal address since you registered your car, please send me an email with your new contact details, using your car registration in the subject line, so I can update your record in the Register. If you sell your car, please also let me know so that we can record a change of owner. Looking forward to seeing lots of new entries very soon!

Sheila Ballard Registrar

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635 REGISTER NEWSLET TER

EMILY INGALL’S MODIFIED MG3 I’ve owned my MG3 for just over two years. I’ve always been a fan of the modified car scene and always loved MGs after previously owning an MG TF. The MG3 is a great small car and I thought it looked great standard but I wanted it to stand out and be different! The modifying started with the Pearlescent Purple 18’’ alloy wheels, and a custom Powerflow exhaust. Many other modifications include custom lowering springs, upgraded sound system and subwoofer, along with leather reclining racing seats and LUKE / Corbeau harnesses. I’ve still got a few more plans for my hot hatch, Watch this Space!

www.mgcc.co.uk

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APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 63

RACE TORQUE

RACE TORQUE

By Ron Gammons

T

Equipe GTS at a 2017 MGCC Silverstone meeting. Photo: Dickon Siddall

he Club’s first race meeting is due to take place on April 7, a few days after this magazine ends up in members’ hands. The meeting is taking place at Silverstone on the National Circuit. We have some great entries, particularly from Equipe GTS and their new series this year aimed at Pre-63 cars. Unlike the GTS series, the pre-63 has no capacity limit at all, so expect big Healeys, Jaguar E Types and the like. The grid for that race has in excess of 30 entries and the GTS race had so many, just under 70, that we have had to find time to accommodate another grid.

Not to be outdone, the Trophy Championship has 28 and BCV8 has a magnificent 24 as we go to press.

The latter much the work of the BCV8 Chairman, James Wheeler, who despite have all the distractions and demands of a new young family and working in the family firm, has found the time

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to galvanise many of the previous competitors to re-emerge and take part. Great stuff.

In number terms, Cockshoot is a little behind at 17 but more coming in, and the others, Metro, PBIC and Midget, have some catching up to do.

However we are not yet at the closing date so there is a little bit of time still, as this is being written! Regardless, it will be a great start to the year.

Entry forms are now published on the Club website and have been circulated via the Co-ordinators for Brands Hatch (April 28-29) and MGLive! Silverstone GP on June 2-3.

Plans for the meeting at Donington, July 14-15, in conjunction with the Morgan Sports Car Club, entitled “British Sports Car Weekend”, are well advanced. The race programme itself is very full indeed and with camping available on site, along with a discounted entry ticket price available on the MSV website for

Donington under the code MGDON, there’s every reason to put this event into your diary. A number of Registers are pledging their support and aim to be there. What about you?

British Motor Heritage, our longtime sponsor who supports the hospitality in the paddock as well as previously the Four-Hour Relay (which is being rested in 2018), has kindly agreed to support the new race for 2018, the 100-mile race at Oulton Park on September 1. This will be run on the full International Circuit and will be entitled “The British Motor Heritage North West 100”, open by invitation to sports cars and saloons with one or two drivers. Entry fees will be a modest £495 and it should be very popular.

Team entries of three cars are also sought. Contact John Hutchison at the Club office to reserve a space.

There is a great year in prospect.

Why not plan to visit – it’s one of the major Club motorsport activities.

www.mgcc.co.uk

www.mgcc.co.uk

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 65

DUNCAN WOOD DUNCANW@MGS-ON-TRACK.CO.UK WWW.MGS-ON-TRACK.COM

W

MG on track

A GREAT GOODWOOD

riting this article in early March looking out at a landscape covered in snow and under leaden sky, it is with pleasure (and some relief) that I recall that our Goodwood track day of only two weeks previous was held in very different conditions.

Although not warm, we did enjoy a day of sunshine and little cloud. Drivers had been cautioned in the briefing that the track might be ‘green’ due to limited use during January and early February but it proved remarkably grippy, as was witnessed by the lack of spinners and off-track excursions.

There were no breakdowns on track, and only minor mechanical ailments in the paddock, so the day progressed according to schedule and with no ‘red-flag’ stoppages. At the close of the event the circuit management and marshals complimented us on the high standard of driving and track etiquette, which meant that they also enjoyed a relatively stress-free day so, all in all, a great day was had by all!

Aside from the on-track activity, the main interest of the day centred on the hospitality package that Goodwood included as a condition of booking the circuit. A buffet lunch was provided in the Jackie Stewart Pavilion which, as well as satisfying the hunger pangs, had the added benefit of bringing everyone together at the same time and place, thus adding to the social element of the day. However, this arrangement obviously came at some additional entry cost to the event and, once members’ feedback has been considered, the MGoT committee will need to decide if we give our seal of

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approval or should ask for changes at future Goodwood visits.

As is normal at an MGs on Track event, a wide cross section of cars was in attendance. MGFs and TFs of various engine power narrowly beat MGBs to be the largest group present, the Bs ranging from factory specification to heavily tweaked. An additional half dozen Bs boasted V8 engines either as original fitment or as an interesting upgrade; again, power outputs ranged from comfortably sufficient to clearly excessive! Three MGCs were at Goodwood, and it was wonderful to see these immaculate and comparatively rare cars being used with such enthusiasm, and the single MGA perfectly suited the ambience of this historic circuit. There were also four Midgets, two ZRs, one ZS and finally, that rarest of Abingdon models, a Triumph TR4 (demonstrating that we are indeed a broad church)!

What the list above does illustrate is MG on Track’s oft-repeated mantra that if your car is an MG then it is the perfect vehicle for one of our events.

As well as what may be thought of as traditional sports cars, we would dearly love to welcome drivers of current

models like the MG3 to one of our events; surely these cars deserve a fun day out as much as their owners do, and with considerably less chance of damage than in the local supermarket car park!

Forthcoming events include mid-April’s Cadwell Park which may still have ‘last minute’ availability, Snetterton in May and, especially appealing to those in the North, Croft where we are guests at Lotus on Track’s event. Lotus on Track have a similar ethos to MGoT when it come to organisation, driving standards, and on-track etiquette, so there is every reason to suppose this day will be as safe and enjoyable as any of our own events. Both Cadwell Park and Snetterton would be perfect for any considering a first track day, and I think you will find that we are particularly welcoming to novices, first timers, or those who may have been put off by the antics on some of the mainstream commercial events.

All track days are easily booked through our website, where you can also reserve instruction or rent a helmet for the day... and the Sun is (nearly) always shining!

www.mgcc.co.uk

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

JOHN WILMAN, BEECHFIELD, FERN BANK, CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH, HIGH PEAK. SK23 0JJ T E L : 07778 165186 W W W . M G S P E E D . N E T

availability, or to book a track day.

Registered members will receive regular newsletters and notification of event opening dates.

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

At the end of February I had the pleasure of attending the South West Centre dinner and awards presentation. This takes place at Limpley Stoke, on the outskirts of Bath, in the aptly named Limpley Stoke Hotel. A very pleasant and wellrun venue and made all the more enjoyable by the warm welcome we received from the South Western members and Committee. The purpose of my presence was to distribute the awards to the competitors in our Southern Regional championship. Although I get to meet most of them at some stage during the year it is very nice to get together on a purely social occasion.

There was a goodly turn-out of Southern speedsters to receive the fruits of their efforts. The photograph shows Andrew Till receiving the Windmill and Lewis trophy for first place in the Southern Regional competition. In accepting the trophy Andrew paid tribute to his good wife for her support and encouragement in his success. A sentiment that probably many of us fellers ought to echo.

By the time you read this, our first event will have taken place at Rockingham Raceway, organised as always by the BARC midlands centre. Then it will be headlong into a very busy April and May with many classic venues to visit. This year it has been possible to include the sprint at Llandow, promoted by our friends the Bristol Pegasus motor club. All our competitors who attend this meeting sing its praises as a well-run and very exiting venue. We do not have many events within easy reach of Wales, so perhaps our Welsh members could go along and make themselves known to the competitors.

So it is into the starting blocks for what, we hope, will be another successful and fulfilling season.

technical corners!

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!

www.mgcc.co.uk

Andrew Till (left) receives his trophy from MGCC Director Pete Opie APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 67

CALENDAR

APRIL

Saturday 7 - Sunday 8 MGCC: 6.3.5 Register BTCC Brands Hatch The 6.3.5 Register will be attending the British Touring Car Championship meet at Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent. Keep up-to-date with the 635 Register on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register

Sunday 15 MGCC: MGB Register MGB Spring Run Starting and finishing at the Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford, Somerset. Entry will include museum access and cream tea at the finish.

Contact: Neil Hyett 07768 414641.

Tuesday 3 MGCC: Caledonian Centre 2018 AGM The AGM this year will again be held in the Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan, gathering at 7.00pm for coffee, tea and biscuits before the meeting at 7.30pm.

Contact: Nancy Crichton 01236 739758 mgcalsec@yahoo.com

Sunday 8 MGCC: MGB Register/MGC Register/FWD Register/MGF Register/South East Centre MG Era Day at Brooklands The MGB. MGC, FWD and MGF Registers, plus the South East Centre, will be attending this annual Brooklands Museum event, with a reserved parking area for Register members.

Contact (MGB): Clive Wilday 07943 306977 Contact (FWD): Tanya Field 07929 868284 or via tanyafield999@gmail.com Contact (MGF): Ian Wright events@mgfregister.org

Sunday 15 MGCC: Magnette Register/MGF Register Arundel Castle Picnic A Chichester MGOC event in the grounds of Arundel Castle, West Sussex, from about 10.00am. If there’s sufficient interest Magnette/MGF parking will be reserved.

Contact (Magnette): Mark Bacchus 01243 814264 Contact (MGF): Ian Wright events@mgfregister.org

Sunday 1 MGCC: Yorkshire Centre Daffodil Run A 95-mile scenic run finishing at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, starting from McDonalds Clifton Moor.

Contact: Mrs J Hobbs 01977 517314 or 07811 619916

Saturday 7 MGCC Motorsport Silverstone National The MGCC’s season opener at Silverstone. Includes action from the BCV8 Championship, Cockshoot Cup, Equipe GTS, Metro Cup, Midget and Sprite Challenge, MG Trophy and the Peter Best Insurance MG Cup. Contact: MGCC www.mgcc.com Saturday 7 MGCC: FWD Register Annual Spring Run The FWD Register’s Annual Spring Run visits the three factories that have produced MGs – Abingdon, Cowley and Longbridge – with a stop at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon for lunch. The run is free, with optional run plaques £5 (these need to be ordered in advance).

Contact: Tanya Field 07929 868284 or via tanyafield999@gmail.com Saturday 7 MGCC: MGC Register C Register Dinner C Register Dinner, held at the Fairmile Hotel in Chobham, located 10 minutes from Brooklands. You will need to be pre-book with your menu choices. There will be a full English breakfast at the hotel the following morning before the convoy to Brooklands for the MG Era Day. Contact: Jon Glover, 07802 318950 or via jongloveractor@gmail.com Saturday 7 MGCC: South West Centre Kimber Classic Trial The trial will start at 9.15am from The Lanes Hotel, West Coker, Dorset, two miles to the west of Yeovil on the A30, and finish at the end of the last section at Hell Ladder Lane in the late afternoon.

Contact: Bruce Weston 01963 440941 bruceweston@tiscali.co.uk

Sunday 8 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Spring Autotest East Kirkby Contact: David 01790 754774, davidstonehouse1@ btinternet.com Sunday 8 MGCC: Midland Centre Spring Sprint. A round of the MGCC Speed Championship at Curborough, near Lichfield.

Entries and contact: Martin Price 01299 401177, mg.price@btinternet.com Marshalling: Simon Morris 07788 168488, spm1977@ tiscali.co.uk Saturday 14 April MGCC Pride of Longbridge Great free event for all cars and people with a connection with Longbridge, taking place at Cofton Park, Birmingham. The Club will have a stand at this event, with merchandise and memberships available. Several of the Club’s Registers will also be present with displays, including the FWD Register, MGF Register, Zed Register and the 635 Register, which will also be holding its Birmingham committee meeting.

Saturday 14 MGCC: T Register T Register Rebuild and AGM The T Register’s annual Rebuild event, taking place at the British Motor Museum. Entry will include admission to the Museum, plus coffee and bacon rolls on arrival, together with a buffet lunch and tea and coffee throughout the day. 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 TF Registrar Barrie Jones with a complete run-down of T Type electrics and modern replacements. The cost will be £44 for MGCC members and £48 for non-members.

For more info, email Barry Knight or telephone 01252 875740.

Saturday 14 MGCC: Anglia Centre P&A Wood visit The Anglia Centre’s visit to P&A Wood Rolls and Bentley specialists in Great Dunmow, Essex. Reservations open Feb 1 2018 via email woodsyaew@gmail.com

68 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

Sunday 15 MGCC: Caledonian Centre April Satellite Run There will be three starting points for three routes: north, east and west and the runs will be similar to last year. In a supreme effort to get as many cars on the road for this first event of the year the committee has agreed to waive the entry charge!

Contact: Anne Howitt 01738 623231 annehowitt@ yahoo.co.uk Saturday 21 MGCC: Triple-M Register VSCC Spring Start race meeting at Silverstone.

Triple-M Racing with the VSCC Contact: Mark Dolton via mdjdolton@gmail.com Saturday 21 MGCC: Caledonian Centre Square Riggers’ Day Organised by the Octagon Club, the event this year is based around the Scone Palace Classic Car Festival.

Contact: Royston Goodman roystonagoodman@gmail.com Sunday 22 MGCC: MGB Register Drive-it Day The MGB Register will attend the Sunday Scramble at Bicester Heritage.

Contact: Andrew Vigor 07909 536 614.

Sunday 22 MGCC: MGF Register St George’s Day Run The MGF Register will joining forces with its Anglia Region to tag onto the North Norfolk Vehicle Club’s St George’s Day Run from Sheringham to Holkham Hall. Visit the MGF Register website www.mgfregister.org Sunday 22 MGCC: Devon and Cornwall Centre Drive-it Day The various Natters will be organising their own start locations, with us all meeting at 1.30pm for a MGCC Devon and Cornwell Centre Sunday Lunch at the Lifton Farm Shop, Lifton, Devon, PLS16 0DE. Contact details: driveitday@mgccdc.org Sunday 22 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Drive-it Day National Drive your Classic Day – activities to be decided.

Contact: David 01790 754774, davidstonehouse1@ btinternet.com

www.mgcc.co.uk

CALENDAR

Sunday 22 MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Cobweb Run To mark Drive-it Day the Tyne Tees Centre will be arranging its annual ‘Cobweb Run’, with a circular tour through some beautiful parts of the Northumberland and Durham countryside.

Contact: Ian Graham, 0191 413 6321 ianmggraham@ gmail.com Thursday 26 - Saturday 28 MGCC: Triple-M Register The Manx Classic event, taking place on the Isle of Man. Includes a sprint, two hill climbs and other events.

For information, see www.manxmotorracing.com

Saturday 28 MGCC: South West Centre MGs on Grass 1 The SW Centre’s first grass autotest of the year will once again be held at Charmy Down, near Bath.

Contact: Victoria Jones 01225 837545 peterandvictoria@ icloud.com Sunday 29 MGCC: Midland Centre Midland Centre ‘Taster Trial’ Based at East Lodge Farm, Bromsgrove, B61 7EF, this is a new Midland Centre event aimed at introducing people to Trials driving. You don’t have to be a member of any club to drive, but you must be at least 17 and hold a provisional licence. MSA Go MotorSport will attend.

Participants will receive instruction and practice in trials driving.

Entries: Tony 01604 589104 Marshals: Simon 07788 168488 Monday 30 - Thursday May 3 MGCC: Triple-M Register Border Reivers Raid II The original 2012 version of the MMM Reivers Raid saw nearly 70 lucky souls in 35 cars experience the best of the Scottish Borders, and now it’s back.

Accommodation will be in The Barony Castle Hotel, which lies about five miles north of Peebles.

Contact details: Bill Niven: b.niven@me.com; Karen Niven: karen.niven@me.com; Ian Lindley: ilpeebles@ hotmail.com

Saturday 28 - Sunday 29 MGCC Motorsport Brands Hatch Indy A thrilling race weekender on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent. Includes action from the BCV8 Championship, Equipe GTS, Iconic ’50s, Metro Cup, Midget and Sprite Challenge, MG Trophy, Peter Best Insurance MG Cup and Triple-M Racing.

Visit www.mgcc.co.uk/motorsport/ Saturday 28th - Sunday 29 MGCC: 6.3.5 Register BTCC Donington Park The 6.3.5 Register will be attending the British Touring Car Championship meet at Donington Park, Leicestershire.

Keep up-to-date with the 635 Register on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register

ZEDS IN THE CITY COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM SUNDAY MAY 13 2018

An exhilarating free day out in the Midlands. Zeds in the city will take place from 10.00am to 4.00pm at the Coventry Motor Museum and will be free for all. Parking places outside the museum are limited so please book your place, quoting your name, details of the vehicles, and membership number, with Paul Money at paulmoneymg@gmail.com Coventry Transport Museum houses the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles in the world, and tells the fascinating story of Coventry and its people through the rise and fall of its biggest industry. Coventry Transport Museum is situated right in the heart of the city.

With a gift shop and award-winning coffee shop, it makes a brilliant day out for visitors and locals alike.

www.mgcc.co.uk

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 69

OVERSEAS NEWS

40 YEARS MG CAR CLUB ANTWERP

T

his year is a special year for the MG Car Club Antwerp (MGCCA) as our Club celebrates its 40th anniversary.

In 1978, our founder, Guido Kegeleers, met some Belgian MG enthusiasts in Zandvoort (the Netherlands) and started up the MG Car Club Antwerp, officially on May 21 1978.

At the end of 1978 the Club had 54 Club members with a lot of pre-war cars and T-types and MGAs. Eight founding members are still active in the Club today.

Over the years there have been a lot of changes in the Club committee, with new presidents and members of the board, but it’s not so easy now to find committee members with so much going on.

Today, our Club has about 267 members (including partner members) and each year we organise about 12 Sunday tours and a one-week trip abroad or a short weekend trip for our members. We also organise a technical day to discuss greater and smaller matters (problems) of our MGs and we have also a diagnostic day where members have a free MOT check of their cars and get a report afterwards of things to check or change.

At the beginning of the year we held our New Year’s reception,

70 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

and due to our 40th anniversary we had a brunch with 153 Club members on January 21. In remembrance of the end of the Great War we will be holding a long weekend in Ypres in May 2018.

We have an active participation at one three-day exhibition a year. This is called the “Antwerp Classic Salon” from the SIHA organisation. The main theme this year was “The Le Mans 24 hour History”. One hall is for the different clubs, and this year we won the third prize with our Club stand. Our Club stand was a mix of a Le Mans pitbox and a wall of fame with portraits of Club members with their MGs to display the 40 years’ Club life of the MG Car Club Antwerp.

Another important event to celebrate our 40th anniversary is the Belgian MG Day, held on July 21 2018 where we will also invite MG enthusiasts from our neighboring countries: The Netherlands, England, France, Luxemburg and Germany. Please, pin this date in your diary. You will find more about the Belgian MG Day on our website www. mgcarclubantwerp.be What are our main problems today? I

The MG Car Club Antwerp stand at the 41e Antwerp Classic Salon

Members of the Board: Rear from L to R: Patrick Van Campfort, Hans Belles, Zjef Peeters and Tony Brems Mid from L to R: Fran Boeykens, Annick Tonel and Piet Wyckaert Front from L to R: Luc De Keyser, Ron De Laere and René Muckensturm

think you will find the same in a lot of other MG Clubs: how to attract the younger people for our hobby, how to find people to invest a part of their quality time in the organisation of an event for the Club or to become a board member in this hectic and busy life. Since Antwerp is a “Low Emission Zone” from February 2017 not everybody is allowed to enter Antwerp with their older cars: taxes must be paid or fees will follow.

And besides Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent will follow, all with different rules.

So, if you travel to Belgium you can download the free app “Green-Zones” which will guide you through the rules of the low emission zones in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France and Germany.

A nice free tool to have!

Ron De Laere, president MG Car Club Antwerp

www.mgcc.co.uk

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CENTRES

ABINGDON WORKS

JAN GETHING sfscribe@mgabingdon.org.uk www.mgabingdon.co.uk The NONGs felt pretty chuffed.

Up here in the wilds of Banbury, home territory of the North Oxfordshire Natter, the Monte Carlo Historique passed right through the town. In fact, it didn’t just pass through, the town was selected as the first passage control and the market square was filled with all the local classic cars which turned up in support.

The rally set off from Paisley the previous evening and drove through the night to arrive in Banbury late morning. Five MGs left Paisley and, of course, they all arrived in Banbury without mishap, where local MGs and a contingent from further south in

Oxfordshire formed a guard of honour as the rally cars left the control on their way to Dover and then on to Calais.

I am told that some MGs actually hibernate during the winter months – shame! – but now with the onset of warmer weather (warmer weather? really? As I write this I am looking out on a white landscape as snow is driven almost horizontally by a strong wind) those hibernating cars will emerge from their heated winter quarters to do what they are designed for – to be driven. Later this month dozens of classics will descend on the fabulous Bicester

Heritage Centre as part of the FBHVC Drive It Day, not to be missed! Then, next month the iconic Old Speckled Hen Run starts from the equally iconic Radley College, just a stone’s throw from Kimber House and Abingdon, as long as you have a strong throwing arm! Another not-to-be-missed event, and entry forms are available on the AWC website or elsewhere in this mag. June, of course, is MGLive! at Silverstone, just around the corner (sort of!) from Banbury.

Do you receive the AWC Newsletter? Do you receive the occasional email alerts to events or activities? Did you receive the Chairman’s email of March 5 headed “AWC March events”? If not, it would suggest that we don’t have your correct

email address. So why not check by dropping an email to chairman@mgabingdon.org.uk Finally, as usual, a hearty welcome to all new members.

The best part of being in a club is being involved, join the committee (new blood, new ideas are always welcome) and turn up to events, just be involved. Remember, the more you put into it the more you will get out of it. MGs were meant to be driven – enjoy.

ANGLIA

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

Rolling Road Following the successful first visit to the LSD Rolling Road workshops, I attach a report from our Competitions Secretary, Mike Pelling, followed by a personal view of the day by Roger Martin.

For some time, our Centre has been wanting to hold a Technical Day. Following a call from LSD Developments of Fordham, our search was over.

Arrangements were made and on a cold spring morning, 12 Anglia members arrived with their MGs. We had Midgets, V8s, MGB GTs, a 1954 TF 1500, plus modern MG TFs and an MG ZR 160 Express Van. With one of our number travelling from as far as

www.mgcc.co.uk

Derbyshire, all were keen to put their MGs through their paces on the Rolling Road.

It was a very successful day and no-one went home with a bag full of broken engine parts.

Our sincere thanks go to Luke and his team of Harry, Steve and Jacob, not forgetting Alan for copious cups of tea on what was a cold day and for his tour of the workshops.

We plan to have this as an annual event on our calendar.

Mike Pelling Tim and I had booked in our MG ZR Express 160 Van and my MGB GT. We took Tim’s son, Eddie, along for the experience and we all enjoyed

ZR Express on the rolling road

lunch at the Walnut Tree pub beforehand.

The Express Van engine bay, indeed the whole car, is not exactly show quality, but despite having done 130;000 miles with minimal maintenance, it revved up to 7,000rpm and exceeded 150bhp, confirming our view that it is still a real flyer.

The guys at LSD obviously knew their stuff as when testing my MGB they noticed slight preignition above 4,500 revs, which they thought was due to the ignition being a couple of degrees

too far advanced, so didn’t rev it any higher. The power was showing over 90bhp at that point and still climbing. They predicted it would be about 105bhp at 5,500 revs. Good enough for me.

Roger Martin Racing Season Starts Anglia Centre drivers will again be to the fore in many of the championships this year. The opening rounds will be on April 7 at Silverstone National circuit, followed be Brands Hatch on April 28 and 29.

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CENTRES

CALEDONIAN

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

I spoke too early last month about the dark winter being behind us! As I write this it’s -2°C and what’s worse is that the March Safety Fast! has not yet arrived.

No post for three days is quite a good thing, but I do miss my Safety Fast! Not only that, but our Film Night, rescheduled from January, had to be cancelled again

due to the weather… Hopefully we will manage to run the event next year! However the Technical Day ran as planned and we are grateful to Brian Luti and family for their help on the day.

So it’s April… you might just be in time to attend our AGM in Bridge of Allan on the 3rd. There are a few Committee changes

DEVON & CORNWALL YOUNG JANNER II bobslatter@hotmail.com www.mgcc.co.uk/devon-cornwall-centre/ May I start these notes with a vote of thanks from all the Committee and Centre members to Sue Heath (Granny Janner) for her contributions to these notes for the past few years. Along with the excellent quarterly newsletter produced by Ted Lawrence, these notes keep you up to date with Centre happenings. There are, of course, the website and Facebook pages for both the Centre and the Devon and Cornwall Branch of the MGF Register, for those of a modern disposition.

By the time you read this, our annual stint at the start of the Motor Cycle Club’s Land’s End Trial will have taken place on Good Friday. Thank you to all the members who have helped

www.mgcc.co.uk

the smooth running of this Classic Trial.

Our Spring Break Weekend on April 6- 8, based on Ross-onWye, Hereford this year, is going from strength to strength, with a total of 26 members joining in.

Entries for the 21st running of the Atlantic Coast Express Run on Sunday May 20 are rolling in.

If you have not received an entry form for this and would like to take part, contact me or download one from the website. The start is at the Old Railway Station at Okehampton and the finish is at Petroc College, Tiverton, with a run of approximately 90 miles through the less populated roads of Devon. For those that do not know the history of the

taking place so try to attend for a full update.

Our first run is the Satellite Run on the 15th with three start points. If you would like to attend then check the website for details.

A few days after that, on the 21st, is the Perth Festival and Squareriggers Day. I don’t think any spaces are available but it should still be a good event to spectate at; again, details on our website. Looking further ahead, our first one-day run is on May 20 based around East Lothian with a visit to the Museum of Flight. The website will tell you more.

In case any of you are unaware, both the Argyll Festival of Performance and the Ignition Show have been cancelled, both for different but perhaps similar reasons.

It seems that such prestigious events struggle in Scotland.

That means that Thirlestane Castle on June 3 is the first show of the season. Details of this and also Dumfries and Glamis are on the website and by the time you read this details of the Bo’ness weekend will also be public.

Please book as early as possible for these events, and if you can help with setting up on the day let us know as that would be very much appreciated.

Spaces are still available on our five Day Tour in August.

Always a popular event, based this time around Fort William and northern areas. You should check the website and get booked.

Finally, our Regalia people have come up with Caledonian overalls and also special items marking this year’s V8 Anniversaries. Check the website.

Welcome to spring!

Atlantic Coast Express, or ACE, as it was affectionately known, it was a train that ran daily from London Waterloo to Devon and Cornwall from 1927, except for the Second World War years, until axed by Dr. Beeching in 1964.

After Exeter, the train was split at various points along the route to serve Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, Torrington, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Okehampton, Bude, Padstow and Plymouth.

The ACE Run tries to give entrants a taste of the countryside through which it travelled by following the roads closest to some of the nowclosed railway lines.

As mentioned in last month’s notes, we have an excellent website designed and run by Peter Opie who would love more information from members about events they have attended, along with photos, whether they are in

the area or elsewhere, with their MGs. Also any up and coming events that may be of interest to our members.

Whilst on the subject of electronic information and its distribution, I am still having problems getting the newsletter to all members, due to incorrect or changed email addresses from those listed at Kimber House. Would it be possible to send me a short email just saying ‘Hello’, so that I can update my files, even those of you already receiving an electronic version of the newsletter? Of course, if you would like a printed copy, give me a ring and I will add you to the postal lists.

Last month we mentioned the Powderham Castle Classic Car gathering. The incorrect date was given, the correct date is July 7-8.

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 75

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CENTRES

LINCOLNSHIRE

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

April Natters: Wolds Wednesday 4: Abbey Lodge Monday 9; Wishing Well Wednesday 11; Three Horseshoes Thursday 19; Lincoln Tuesday 24; Red Cow Inn Thursday 26.

Luncheon Club: Wednesday 18.

April Events Autotest Sunday 8, NDYCCD Sunday 22.

Well, the Beast from the East passed through our way.

Unfortunately, as the Lincolnshire flatlands were the first landfall on his visit, the resulting sporadic snowdrifts were enough to block most routes to the Abbey Lodge, venue for our AGM on March 1.

Hurried reorganisation by Secretary Sue, and messaging via our Facebook page (thanks, Big John),

email from Len the Messenger and phone calls to the determined few hopefully avoided anyone spending a night huddled in their car (unlike the unfortunates on the A52 at Skegness, or indeed the Lincoln bypass). The rearranged date of March 29 should have passed peacefully, and details of the new committee will appear at all points shortly. Webmaster Bob, in the middle of his antipodean adventure, sadly wasn’t able to update the site in time to reflect the changes, it being the middle of the night in his part of the world.

However, spring is now most definitely in the air, with the Centre’s first autotest on Sunday April 8, (not 9th as I incorrectly

MIDLANDS

PAUL HOLLINGWORTH paul_irene@btinternet.com

I’m writing these notes surrounded by snow but by the time you read them we will be past the equinox and the clocks will have sprung forward, so time to awaken those MGs from their winter slumber.

You will have received our programme of events with March’s Safety Fast! and we kick off on April 8 with the Spring Sprint at Curborough, near Litchfield. Entrance is free to the event for spectators but you can also offer your services as a marshal by contacting Simon (simonmorrisbmmcmgcc@gmail. com, 07788 168488). Sprinters might still be able to squeeze in an entry by contacting Martin (mg.price@btinternet.com, 01299 401177).

www.mgcc.co.uk

Next up is the Pride of Longbridge held in Cofton Park on April 14. The Centre hopes to have a presence there along with some of the Club’s Register groups. Sunday April 22 is the FHBVC Drive it Day and many Natters will be offering touring runs with the objective of being seen in their classics by the public. It’s a sort of reminder to the powers that be not to place restrictions on the use of classic cars.

After the success of last year, on April 29 we will again be running our Taster trial at East Lodge Farm, Bromsgrove. It’s an opportunity for beginners to get into this grass roots form of motorsport. The MSA is waiving

MGs old and new at an Abbey Lodge Landlord’s Choice

stated in my excitement last month) at East Kirkby.

Please look on our website, or contact David Stonehouse (davidstonehouse1@btinternet. com) on 01790 754774 for details on how to enter. The offer of coaching still stands, so anyone with a recent interest in the sport could benefit. Have a word with David if you would like to tap into Malcolm’s vast experience.

National Drive Your Classic Car Day on April 22 has runs starting from the Wishing Well

at Dyke Natter, Tesco in Boston, Caistor Lakes, and Lincoln which will all converge on the Nene Valley Railway. Check out our website, or contact David Stonehouse for more details of the combined run, pride of ownership and treasure hunt event.

Talking of pride of ownership, the first of the Natterbased series of Landlord’s Choice events will be on Monday May 14 at The Abbey Lodge. It’s definitely time to spring clean your car!

the normal restrictions, so you don’t have to be a member of a motor club or have a competition licence. It’s open to youngsters over 14 when accompanied by one of the experienced mentors who will be on hand. The course will hopefully be challenging without being damaging to normal road cars. Contact Adrian (adrian.tpeake@tiscali.co.uk, 01527 878388).

Moving on to May, there are still a handful of places left for our premier social event the Welsh Rallye. This will take place on the weekend of the 11-13th. The package includes two nights B&B at the sea front Marine Hotel in Aberystwyth, dinner on the Saturday evening with entertainment, and lunch on both days. The cost to members is £300 per couple.

Enquiries please to Roger King rogerking43@gmail.com phone

0121 476 6649. The route for the Saturday touring run is now finalised, so I can promise you an outstanding mix of mountains, valleys and coast. On Sunday morning we have arranged an excursion on the Vale of Rheidol railway (at own expense). You may wish to stay on at the hotel for the extra night.

As always, news and details of Centre activities, including regs for the sporting events, can be found on our website: www.mgcars.org.uk/mgccmidlandcentre/ Finally, for some Natter news. The North Worcs group took part in a skittles challenge against the local MGOC clubs.

Unfortunately, they were unable to uphold the honour of the MGCC, being soundly drubbed by the other three teams. The blighters had been practising, damned unsporting.

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CENTRES

NORTH WEST PAUL GOODMAN 01625 876300

Wow, spring is here at last, no salt on the roads, and a wonderful range of MG activities in prospect.

You should just be reading this before the first MGCC car racing meeting of the season on Saturday April 7. The short National Circuit at Silverstone is the venue and the programme includes all the Club championships including the first round of the Cockshoot Cup. It

will be an all-action day of racing.

It doesn’t take long to drive to Silverstone from the North West so it is worth having a day out. The speed event competitors will be out at Curborough (near Lichfield) on April 8 and Harewood (near Leeds) on April 15.

Our social events kick off with the regular pub meeting at The Old Hall Farm Pub on

Brian Butler will be defending the Cockshoot Cup Championship in 2018.

Photo: Dickon Siddall

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

MG Era day Brooklands is coming up on Sunday April 8, possibly the first outing for many MGs this year. If you haven’t already booked tickets: www.mgccse. co.uk/2018/01/10/springbrooklands-events/ The SE Centre will be having a display organised

MGA spotted at the British Motor Museum on a recent visit. Photo: Ray Ruffels

www.mgcc.co.uk

by John Davies, with Jon Glover arranging the MGA twin-cam display. A selection of Club regalia will be on sale.

Following on from this is the new-style Awards lunch which is being held at Heavens Farm, Furner’s Green (TN22 3RG) on Sunday April 15. As well as the awards ceremony, members can enjoy a 2- or 3-course lunch.

Contact: austin.banner@gmail.com This year’s Spring Run, being held on Sunday April 22 2018, will be driving through the picturesque lanes of Surrey and the North Downs. Starting in Bushy Park, the drive will leave at 10.00am.

Breakfast is available from 8.30am.

Tuesday April 10. This will be followed by the Plough and Flail on Tuesday April 17th. Just a few days later is our Drive it Day event on Sunday April 22.

We have booked a large parking area at Barton Airfield which is next to the M60 near Barton Bridge. There will be a run from the Plough and Flail with coffee available from 11.00 am and we will have representation at the airfield from 12.00pm.

There will be an opportunity to view the historic buildings and to watch the flying which will be taking place. We have chosen this location so that members based in north Greater Manchester and Lancashire can join those coming from the south. Our final event of the month will be the lunchtime meeting on Wednesday April 25 at The Carriers Inn, Delamere Road, Hatchmere, Norley, WA6

6NL. Looking forward to May, our speed weekend will be taking place at Ty Croes Circuit on Anglesey on May 5 and 6.

There is still time for competitors to enter and it would be great if members and friends could come to help run the event.

There will be an amazing variety of cars competing, ranging from standard road saloons to powerful single-seater racing cars. All the details are on the dedicated website www.tycroessprints.com/ Later in the month the Candles Run will be taking place on May 13. You need to book now as the event is likely to reach capacity well before the closing date.

Finally, we have created a new logo for the Centre. This can be embroidered onto a wide range of garments. All the details are on the clothing supplier’s web pages www.topsigns.net

The run will finish at the Rural Life Centre (http://rural-life.org.uk/) near Farnham, taking approximately two hours. It is hoped that many of you will join us, as it is also marking Drive It Day. Cost £5 per car for the run and £5.50 for admission for car and two people to the Rural Life Centre”. Enquiries: simonjulliard@ outlook.com MGCC SE Isle of Wight Rally is from May 4–7, with accommodation at Warners Hotel, Bembridge. For information contact Derek Edwards (01737 765891), £289 per person.

Saturday May 12 is the second ladies day, this year being held at Lullingstone Castle and the World Garden – a real must for gardenloving ladies. Further details please contact J.Ruffels@gmail.com Sunday May 20 is the Tour of South East Windmills and BBQ,

starting point Ashtead Garden Centre (KT1 1HU) finishing at Charlwood Windmill where there will be a BBQ and tours of the windmill. The suggested driving route will take in some 11 windmills, with some open to visit; however alternative routes can be taken for those living at a greater distance. It is hoped that many members will be able to join us.

There will be plenty to see on the route, with notes issued showing a grid reference and history of each windmill.

Don’t forget to book your tickets for MGLive! June 2-3 at Silverstone.

Also coming up: Summer Gathering Sunday July 15 at Hollycombe Steam in the Country, Liphook. Full details/flyers for events: see https://www.mgccse. co.uk/calendar/

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 79

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CENTRES

SOUTH WEST

BRUCE WESTON 01963 440941 07929 497 408 Email: brucemweston@gmail.com www.mgccsw.com Whilst most of us have been doing the winter maintenance on our cars and looking forward to sunny summer days, the SW Centre has put together a selection of events to tempt you out and take part. An added bonus is that with each event entered you automatically gain points towards the SW Championship. You can keep up to date with events by going to the South West Centre website.

The first social event on the calendar was on February 24 when, with members of the MGCC Speed Championship, the Centre held the SW annual dinner which was attended by

around 70 members and guests.

It was a very pleasant gathering which included the presentation of awards to both the SW Centre and Southern Series of the Speed Championship.

The SW AGM was held on March 6 and a report will appear in next month’s issue.

Although too late to enter, you might like to spectate at one of the sections on the Kimber Classic Trial which takes place on April 7. This event is the oldest in the MG calendar, having first run in December 1936. The SW Centre has been running this trial continuously since 1987 and entrants are mainly MMM

TYNE TEES

TONY WOOD anthony@scrutonvillage.co.uk

Writing this copy in the worst winter storms for many a long year, it occurs to me that despite all the advances made in car design over the last decades, the ability to cope with snow has been noticeable by its absence.

A B, Midget or Metro on skinny tyres with a torquey, long stroke engine would plug on regardless when modern cars with wide, low profiles give up the ghost at the first sign of snow.

Unreconstructed oldie rant finished, the reason this came to mind was that I recently received a letter inviting me to Club Offices at Abingdon to be presented with my “I’m not dead yet” badge and certificate celebrating 50 years of MGCC membership. Due to the weather

www.mgcc.co.uk

forecast the planned reception had to be cancelled, but as I was in the area I called into the office and collected my badge (much nicer and more discreet than the 25-year one) and had a sneaky look round the office. Should you find yourself in the Abingdon area do make the effort to call in, you will be made most welcome.

My thanks to Ineke and Colin for the tour, poke in the archives and a generally good time.

Other ceremonies are scheduled for later, when Jim Adamson and Brian Ireland from Tyne Tees are due to get their awards. I wonder what our younger selves would have thought in 1968 if told we would be still MGCC members 50 years on. It certainly points to the truth

cars with a number of similar makes of the period. This event is a great introduction to classic trialling, so have a look and pencil in an entry for next year?

MGs on grass one on April 28 is a gentle introduction to driving tests on grass. A mixture of timed and untimed tests held on the old Charmy Down airfield, north of Bath.

The Wye Valley Run on May 20 is a social drive through some beautiful rural countryside and takes you into the north of the Centre, along and around the River Wye. This month’s photo is of George and Jo Ward climbing Pitcombe Hill on the 2016 Kimber Classic, proving once again you can do it in an MG! Photo: Simon Lott.

of the strapline “the Marque of friendship”.

Indulgence aside, don’t forget that the May meetings bring the return of the selfjudging Pride of Ownership, starting with Coulby Manor on May 3 and the Ridley Arms on the 14th. Come along, join in and who knows, you may end the year as a prize-winner.

Saturday May 12 brings the Northern Natter Treasure Hunt and Supper Run, a fun event held late afternoon/early evening and special passports have been arranged for those of us who live south of the coaly Tyne. Contact David Alexander at david. alexander2012@btinternet.com or on 01670 861178.

On the following day, Sunday 13, there is the second of our Production Car Autotests organised by our friends at Hartlepool and DMC at a new

venue in the town, contact Tony Coates on 07470 377317 or email tonycoates2003@gmail. com Come along, give it a try, you might just like it, and as Tyne Tees Centre (read Noel and Tony) are running the California Cup competition at MGLive! it could be your passport to fame!

Finally, don’t forget the MG event of the year takes place on June 2 and 3 at Silverstone. Make a date in your diary to meet MG friends old and new.

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 81

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CENTRES

YORKSHIRE

DAVID COPEMAN 07920 064585 www.mgccyorkshire.co.uk North – Nick Mann Our February Natter took the form of an illustrated talk by Jon Whittaker, of Whittaker’s chocolates fame, on his life with classic cars.

It was most entertaining to hear of Jon’s excursions into Europe on many occasions in his eight litre vintage Bentley, a scale model of which he brought along. A great fan of the E type Jaguar, he has four, including one of the very last V12s produced. Jon has had a huge variety of cars.

South – Geoff Norcliffe Congratulations to Malcolm Perry for his well-deserved Yorkshire Centre Enthusiast of the Year award. Our February Natter had to be postponed because of the weather – even Northerners

needed more than their big coats on that night! That’s behind us now and we look to the events coming up, and starting with Drive it Day and a Yorkshire vineyard visit, there may be still time to book if you contact us before mid-April.

East – Chris Moore Congratulations to Christine and Adrian Benson, awarded the Bronte Trophy for their contributions to the Natter in 2017. Tony Reid has organised a speaker for the April Natter at the Half Moon, Elloughton, HU15 1HU, 8.00pm. Car enthusiast Lawrence Nicholson is giving a talk on his day job, graphic design and sign writing.

West – David Copeman January meeting (snow) seven

ULSTER

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

After the immense success of the Derek Walker Trial earlier in February, the Centre held its first Autotest Championship round on February 23. We were welcomed back to TTS who were also holding an engineering open day for M&E Reserve who were fascinated and watched the driving on and off throughout the day.

The autotest comprised three tests: T1 in front of the TTS building, T2 on a semicircular area nearby and T3 in a large area to the rear of the complex. T1 was a high speed chase through a car park, a 360

www.mgcc.co.uk

then a tail throw over a line, further technical manoeuvres and a final retracing of steps back to the finish. It was one where over exuberance could end in tears against high kerbs.

T2 was a quick blast including a nose throw into a 360 then negotiating an ‘L’ gate with a ‘tail throw in’ and ‘forwards out the side’. T3 was just for fun, a fast mostly forwards slalom with a tail throw in the middle; deceptively difficult due to changing grip levels.

Overall winner was the unflappable Paul Blair (Stryker) with Tim Tomalin (Mini Special),

members, February meeting 44 members including eight new members; let’s see how many turn up in March for the AGM. After receiving The Marque of Friendship Award at the Awards Lunch, Alan Dakeyne spoke about the meaning of the marque of friendship throughout the MG Car Club World.

Geoffrey Wilson also received the Paragon Trophy at the Awards.

A picture quiz on the various types of road signs to keep us all on our toes completed a very hectic evening.

Tiger – Pete Welbourn The Natter luncheon run venues have been sorted and a list circulated, nothing else has changed. We will as previously want to know who is coming along so that you pre-order y our food.

albeit helped by Mark King’s Nova breaking a cambelt. First MG home was David Cochrane’s Toyota engine Midget in fourth place, and Alex Lyttle in his A Series Midget also had a great drive.

The Poacher’s Pocket in Lisbane on February 28 welcomed 24 of us who battled the snow, ice and blizzard conditions, probably not a wise move but we all enjoyed a tasty lunch and got home safely. Sadly, the ‘Beast from the East’ caused us to postpone our Annual Dinner and Prize-giving.

We will reschedule and let you all know the new arrangements in due course. Our new trailer has proved its worth already, having transported all our equipment to and from two events this year. It is so easy to tow, and having a side door as well as the main back

I should add, again as in previous years, there will be a suggested route from the meeting point to the venue, always scenic, mostly on back roads with the occasional carswallowing pothole, as well as unexpected road closures, interesting farm machinery and incredibly fast delivery vans.

Vale of York – Ken Cothliff A busy meeting for our first after the Christmas break. We welcomed new member Keith Jackson, owner of an MG PA, who bought a print donated to the Natter for £50.

Thanks Keith. We discussed dates for 2018, especially our Canada Run, to be held on May 20. A new run is being organised on the East Coast, on March 17, and we are asked to attend. A good attendance with 26 present – VoY Natter appears to grow from strength to strength.

door, it is so much easier to access and pack.

Dates for your Diary: April 20: Visit to Wright’s Bus Factory, Galgorm. Arrive 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. If you wish to come along please contact Mike Armstrong – mikejarm@ btinternet.com to book in by April 13 latest.

April 28: Annual Dinner and Prizegiving, The Ivanhoe Hotel, Saintfield Road, Belfast.

The Ulster Centre trailer ready for action

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 83

REGISTERS

VINTAGE

JOHN VENABLES 01865 862573 johnandtriciav@gmail.com

Oh dear, the best laid plans of mice and men… our AGM had to be cancelled at the last minute due to the heavy snow which suddenly fell on the country on the Thursday and Friday before.

This was a wise decision, as on the Friday evening it took me 20 minutes to travel a couple of miles due to drifting snow in the area where the AGM was due to take place – and that was in my Land Rover.

The snow started to thaw on the Saturday, but it would have been difficult for those with long journeys.

A great pity as it is always a good social event.

The AGM will now be held in Pickering during our Spring

Event between April 23-26, when a lot of our members will be in attendance. I sadly will not be there as I am not on the event.

However, it is now widely known that Peter Mace will be installed as our new Chairman, and Debbie Brading will be taking over as secretary. There will also be one or two changes to the committee. I am sure this will be a pleasant AGM. There is the odd place still available on the Spring Run as I write, but it may have been filled by now. If you are interested contact Debbie straight away.

The weather seems to be improving now and we can look forward to a better summer now the clocks are changing.

TRIPLE M

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

March has been a quiet month, but I did pop along to the SW Centre Dinner where the MGCC Luffield Speed Championship awards were being presented amidst scenes at times reminiscent of a One Direction concert (not that I’ve ever been to one of those…). Walking off with all the MMM silverware were Ian and Charles Goddard, courtesy of the PA/PB, which will be making its first foray onto the circuits this year (with blower now fitted) in the hands of Charles.

Upcoming Events: First and foremost, I must remind you all of our ‘premier’

84 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

race coming up at the end of this month at the MGCC Brands hatch race meeting on April 28-29 (our race is on the Sunday). As is now usual, there will be a healthy BBQ open to all MMMers on the Saturday evening (please drop Mark Dolton a line on mdjdolton@gmail.com beforehand to give him an idea of numbers). This is your best opportunity of the year to see a monster collection of MMM machinery, being used in anger, at a great circuit with great company, all made possible through Mark and his cast of support, along with sponsors Baynton Jones and others. See you there and don’t forget to bring a camera.

Entries for MGLive! are now open. The date is fast approaching and I trust some of you will be attending in your vintage MGs; it would be nice

Summer Gathering: This year’s Summer Gathering is now confirmed for July 8 at the usual ‘Chez Green’ in Farnham Royal, Bucks. Details from Peter at: p.green@mgk3.co.uk Link from the events page on our MMM website: www.triplemregister.org/events.asp

to see more of you there. How about entering the Concours or Pride of Ownership if you don’t want to enter the California Cup this year?

The Goddard PA/PB in the paddock at Castle Combe. Photo: J Hawke

Puzzling MMM engine. Photo: unknown

Mystery Photo: Earlier this year a rather interesting photo arrived in the post, which though instantly recognisable as MMM looked odd enough to make me think

someone was pulling my leg, as it has a couple of rather odd features leading me to believe it had been photoshopped. No doubt some of our more learned readers can enlighten me.

www.mgcc.co.uk

REGISTERS

SVW

PAUL CAMPBELL svw.safety.fast@gmail.com www.svwregister.co.uk

SVW Event July 10-12 We published the flyer for this event last month. There are now some minor changes. Firstly, the booking reference has been changed to MGCL020718, so please quote this when contacting the hotel. Secondly, the price is now confirmed at £362 per couple (£302 single occupancy) for the two-night stay, including the two evening meals.

Additional nights are £99 on a bed & breakfast basis.

It does look very appealing, as we have been allocated The Courtyard, whereby all the rooms are around a quadrangle where we can park the MGs. It’s also very close to The Orangery where we’ll

be spending the gala evening. You can contact Charlie Plain-Jones at Cplainjonesmg@gmail.com if you have any queries; please also inform Charlie when you’ve made your booking.

Mike Greasby has been busy moving the website to a new hosting platform, which was completed on February 20. You can now view extended details of the SVW Event, including the planned itinerary and how to book – go to Social Events and click on the link.

Whilst looking on the website, you may wish to click on Cars For Sale, as several of ‘our cars’ are coming on to the market.

MG Era Day You should be reading this at the

T TYPE

JOHN WARD 01621 773606 johnw.ward@yahoo.co.uk www.tregister.org 2018 Programme of Events The scheduled programme of events for T Types for 2018 is now confirmed so here is a schedule for your calendar.

Rebuild and T Register AGM Your final call to attend the 2018 T Register Rebuild Seminar on Saturday April 14 at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, Warwicks. CV35 0BJ. All the details and an application form in the March Issue of Safety Fast!

MG Era Day at Brooklands Once again we are invited to attend the annual MG Era Day at Brooklands on Sunday April 8.

We have been able to arrange

www.mgcc.co.uk

for 15 spaces for T Types to be assembled together on a firstcome basis but late arrivals will be mingled in with the other mass of MGs. It is possible to book online and print your tickets from their website and there is a concession for seniors over 60.

MGLive! at Silverstone The dates are Saturday 2 and Sunday June 3. A complete revamp and change of layout again this year. The T Register will have their stand as usual, but along with all the Registers the format will be in individual units not in the main marquee. We will have once more the Specials display and the Saturday afternoon Natter back

beginning of April, just in time to consider going to the annual MG Era Day at Brooklands on April 8. I try to go every year in my VA Tourer, a very enjoyable day it is, too. For some years the David Washbourne Trophy has been awarded for the best SVW car on the day and we hope that Rosemary Washbourne will present it as in past years. A good opportunity to kick off the classic car season, get together with other SVWs and perhaps even go home with this coveted trophy.

Vehicles of Historical Interest… Or Not? I touched on this subject last month. Since then we’ve been contacted by the FBHVC with regard to Vehicles of Historical Interest that have been substantially changed. In addition to their tax-free status, on May 20 this year vehicles first

registered over 40 years ago will also be exempt from MOT testing.

However, a vehicle that has been substantially changed in the last 30 years will still need an MOT. What constitutes ‘substantially changed’ is still being debated, but the DVLA will require the keeper to make a declaration when renewing their vehicle tax.

The FBHVC wants to create a list of experts to enable owners to obtain guidance on originality.

The SVW Register has been asked to appoint such a person.

In the meantime, I’ve learnt from my own experience that the DVLA no longer provides details of previous owners as part of what is apparently an EU directive!

This in itself makes it more difficult to research what has been done to your car if the history file is incomplete.

at the established location in the racing paddock.

The Chateau Impney Hill Climb Many of you attended this event last year at Droitwich, WR9 0BN, and thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle and it is proposed to arrange a visit this year on July 7-8, where we have arranged dedicated parking and attendance as part of their Associated Clubs scheme which again provides for discounted tickets by using an offer code. You can choose to attend on one day or get a weekend ticket again, see full details in the T Register Newsletter on our website.

Classic & Sports Car Show This is the new name for the Flywheel Festival at Bicester Heritage, OX26 5AH, where we held the T Party in 2016. We shall once again be having a presence at this two-day event but most seem to prefer Sunday June 24. Find out all about it on the Flywheel website. We will be joined by the MGCC Abingdon Works Centre, which gives us privileged Club discount admission prices and a 30% reduction if you bring a pre1976 MG. To book go to the Flywheel Festival ticket site and enter a discount code which you can obtain from our T Register website, or check out our monthly Newsletter for fuller details on how to book and get the code.

The T Register T Party If you still yearn for more T Type activity then this year the official T Party will be held at the MGCC race meeting at Donington Park, Derby, DE74 2RP, on Sunday July 15. Further details later as to costs and booking arrangements so watch for further updates.

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 85

REGISTERS

Y TYPE

JERRY BIRKBECK jerrybirkbeck@btinternet.com www.mgccyregister.co.uk Tel: 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325

Mike and Sue Silk meet a YT in India!

Mike and Sue Silk, who were holidaying in India, were being driven through the crowded roads of Delhi when, glancing across the highway, he noted a red YT! Here are Mike’s comments: I thought you might like this! In Delhi earlier in the month we were being driven to Agra on the same day as this Run and would you believe that we were in the same (horrendous) traffic flow as this YT. Now what are the chances of that? The car is known to us and belongs to Atul Anand and is being driven by his daughter, Aditi – brave lass! I nearly stopped our car and tried

to talk, but it wasn’t to be. It seems they had been to Jaipur a few days before, as well.

The event in Jaipur has been going since 1998 and this was the 20th Vintage and Classic Car Rally. More than 100 vintage car models from 1906 to 1951 and 25 bikes took to the city’s streets.

It was flagged off at a heritage property. The two-day exhibitioncum-rally was organised by Rajputana Automotive Sports Car Club of Jaipur in association with Rajasthan Government, Department of Tourism.

The MG and Triumph Restoration Show February 11 2018 This one-day annual event is

always well worth a visit.

I met both Peter Sharp and Peter Vielvoye and we had a long chat about matters Y. I was delighted to catch up with Victor Rodrigues, whom we enjoyed a week with in Portugal last summer at the Swiss MGV8 Register that he and Evelyne organised.

A lovely couple and so good to see Victor!

Next events: Spring Weekend May 12-13 in Bedfordshire Our principal event is the Spring Weekend which incorporates

the Annual Spring Run, now in its 21st year. It seems like yesterday that Jo and I organised the 50th Anniversary gathering.

Following this, Richard Dick and I arranged the event which by 2007 had morphed into the weekend that we now all enjoy.

Chris and Annette Callaghan have led the arrangements since 2013, with both Peter S and Peter V adding local knowledge.

Please contact Chris and Annette on: 01865 820312 email chrismgabingdon@yahoo.co.uk

MAGNETTE

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

As you may still be readying your Magnette for upcoming Register events, it’s worth passing on a cautionary tale from Graham Austin, particularly for ZA owners. He fitted a new battery which was slightly higher than the original, and on the first outing the engine suddenly cut out, with smoke drifting alarmingly from behind the dashboard.

On inspection, the nonearthed battery terminal had come into contact with the torsion bar of the bonnet support stay, causing a dead short to earth. The battery was instantly destroyed and the torsion bar rendered useless – apparently the large current through it

86 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

had caused enough heating to destroy its spring properties.

Luckily no wiring was damaged – the smoke from behind the dash was actually from paint burning off the torsion bar. The bar was probably missing the battery terminal by a hair’s breadth when the bonnet was initially closed, then vibration must have brought them into contact.

On Graham’s car the battery was slightly raised above the shelf to enable access to the master cylinder reservoir, but even if you don’t think your battery is higher than standard it would be worth looking at the clearance. And as Peter Martin pointed out, ZB owners can’t be

ZA has torsion bar bonnet-stay

totally complacent – although we don’t have the torsion bar bonnet stay, it’s quite possible for the central swing-down stay rod to come loose from its clip and drop onto the solenoid. This is one good reason to ensure that terminal boots are fitted on the solenoid as original.

Check your valuation If you’re renewing an insurance policy with an agreed value it’s worth checking that it’s been updated to reflect recent rises. A

‘market trends’ article in Classics World magazine reported an analysis of private, dealer and auction Magnette sales since 2014, showing an average rise of over 30 per cent per year, to a current average of £10,500. This more or less fits with figures and anecdotal evidence gathered by the Register. So make sure you’re covered for the likely replacement cost, while trusting, of course, that you’ll never actually need to claim it!

www.mgcc.co.uk

REGISTERS

MGA

EDWARD VANDYK 01488 608810 mgascribe@vandyk.co.uk Spring is upon us and we hope to see as many MGA owners as possible at MGA Era at Brooklands on Sunday 8 April, if not at the Register AGM on Saturday 7 April at Kimber House.

A reminder that the MGA Register South-West Day is on Sunday July 8. This is a one-day touring event and this year the starting point will be The Compass Inn, Tormarton, South Gloucestershire, GL9 1JB, just off J18 of the M4. The destination will be Iford Manor in Wiltshire.

Please contact Alan Whitfield via email to ensure you get a road book alanwhitfield323@ btinternet.com Despite being an MGA Twin Cam enthusiast and owner,

your Scribe is very much of the ‘one model’ school of thought when it comes to the MGA. An MGA is an MGA regardless of whether the roof comes off or not, whether it has twin or single camshafts and whether it has disc brakes on the rear axle.

The introduction of the MGA coupe, the MGA Twin Cam and the De Luxe option on the 1600 and 1600 MkII models were all important milestones in the development of the MGA and in 2018 we are celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the introduction of the MGA Twin Cam. At MGA Era at Brooklands the central display will consist of a number of Twin Cams and, as Register members will be aware, there

MGB

DAVID BROADHURST 01209 614704 newsletter-editor@mgb-register.org www.mgb-register.org mgbforum.mgb-register.org Well, just as I was contemplating the extraction of my MGB from its hibernation, winter had a last word on the matter. Hopefully that has now all passed and we can contemplate spring and summer runs, expeditions, gatherings, et al. Thinking of that, I did make it to the AGM at Kimber House, a 520 miles/850 kilometres round trip in the day and jolly good it was. I risked Gill Watson’s ire by proposing that John take over again as Chairman, unanimous, and we have a new member who knows how to generate web pages using the new-fangled methods and software. So, have a look at the website at www.mgbregister.org to see the changes

www.mgcc.co.uk

and frequently updated events and news pages.

John reminds me that there are a load of happenings just around the corner, which may be of interest, depending on where you are. (It’s always worth looking up your local Natter for things closer to home.) However, the Practical Classics Restoration Show is on from March 23 to March 25 when the Marathon car will be on show.

MG at Brooklands, with reserved parking, on April 8 and the Spring Run on April 15; bookings for that are now closed but JW says to let the organiser know if you still fancy a go. All details on the website!

will be a reconstruction of the launch event at Chobham, where the original event took place, on Saturday July 14. Details are on the Register website.

As part of the celebration of this important Anniversary, the RAC Club in Pall Mall was kind enough to agree to display an MGA Twin Cam in the Rotunda at the Club recently. The car we displayed was an aluminium-bodied replica of the MTW cars entered by Dick Jacobs as it ran in the 1960 RAC Tourist Trophy at Goodwood. Howard Quale, the Register Archivist, recently purchased an original MGA 1600 BMC brochure, printed by the Nuffield Press and with an indicated date of August 1959. The publication reference on the front is H.5956. As all models shown are LHD, I assume that this brochure may have been produced specifically for the

I had a communication from Tony Taylor who, having read the various winter lay up comments in the March Safety Fast!, wonders about how we use our cars and are long lay ups necessarily a good idea. Here are snippets from him… …just how reliable is a 46-year-old MGB GT – particularly after a winter lay up and does the lay up cause us some of our “problems”?

My background of old British motorbikes, including racing, gave me plenty of practice of road-side repairs, plus my time mending piston-engined aeroplanes makes me think that, in general, the lay up is not a good idea. I do keep the MGB in use all year round, obviously pick the good dry days for a run out, usually the 75-mile round trip to the airfield. Our cars are a bit like

export market, and in particular for United States customers. wOn one of the inside panels are two black-and-white photos of LHD MGAs at race meetings.

One of these, sporting the number 86, is shown with three over-riders on the front bumper!

The centre one is in line with the central bar on the radiator grille. This seems a strange choice of image to illustrate a factory brochure, particularly with other more conventional images available. Can anyone supply any more information about this?

people, regular exercise is good, lying idle is bad, things stop working properly, particularly fuel pumps and rear brakes in MGs. Electrics do suffer from lack of use, but at least we have simple systems, no dreaded ECU or other magic black boxes to contend with. Most of the other bits, engine, gearbox and axle, are pretty bomb proof and they do tell us reasonably early by noise, vibration or some other manifestation that all is not well.

So, what do others think re the winter lay up?

My MGB enjoying the Sunny Cornish weather

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 87

REGISTERS

MIDGET

Dennis Wharf 01296 714232 dennis@loisweedon.net Hopefully, last month’s snow and bad weather are now just a distant memory and we can start planning ahead. So in addition to all your local pub meets, etc, we have the Club’s first two race meetings fast approaching, Silverstone on the 7th, and then Brands Hatch on the 28th-29th, both seeing our Midgets and Sprites out in action. Also at Silverstone on the 21st-22nd is the wonderful VSCC meeting, always worth a visit if you can make it.

There’ll be a number of other events taking place on the 22nd for its Drive it Day, which include the very popular run to Bicester Heritage for their Scramble meeting. On top of this,

the various Breakfast Clubs that are now springing up around the country, like those at Shelsley and Goodwood, and others held at various specialists’ premises and showrooms, are proving very popular, so perhaps something to consider at Kimber House? All told, then, plenty to get involved with.

Planning further ahead, as I mentioned last month, our friends at the Midget & Sprite Club have invited us to join them for Spridget 60 on August 26 (full details on our website) plus, as in the past, if you are interested we can arrange for Register parking at Castle Combe on Bank Holiday Monday, August 27, to enjoy round seven of the Midget & Sprite Championship.

Perhaps unknown to new members is our season-long Car of the Year Award, the lovely shield going the owner of the most-used Midget throughout the year.

Doesn’t matter what you do, road runs to racing, with everything you can think of in between, everything scores points. For more info, again check out the website where all is revealed. (When checking the website, take a look at the March ‘car of the month’. Such a lovely story – well done, Jonathan, I’m sure your Grandad would indeed be very proud).

Now on to something more serious, for despite our Chairman’s and my own appeals for help, and some offers of help at the March AGM, not a single member showed up. So why? We have nearly 5,000 cars

registered, and while obviously they cannot all be owned by current members, clearly our numbers are healthy. So why does no one want to help, become involved, and organise things for fellow enthusiasts as they always did in the past – what’s to be scared of?

The AGM itself was in danger of not taking place, but we did just manage a quorum; however, the truth is that unless folks come forward to help now, the MG Midget Register will be disbanded within the next twelve months.

Formed in March 1980, the Register struggled to gain momentum for a long time, but then from around 2005 flourished for a good 10 years, but it would appear no one is prepared to see it continue and prosper – shame.

in my innocence I thought a car with a hood, wind-up windows and adjustable seats would be ideal. Nearly four years later and the best part of a second mortgage, she is still dubious about riding in something which sounds the way it does. A complete engine rebuild by John Chatham restoring it to the way it was when he built his three Sebring-type roadsters back in the 70s, and pushing out 217bhp

with 228 lbft at 4950rpm doesn’t impress her at all. Neither does the incredible road holding, thanks to the Sebring suspension mods, or the lsd, or the brandnew minilites. To be fair, she does “get” the fact that this car has provenance and is now one of the only two surviving examples of what Chatham insists is the car that BMC should have built!

(See Classic and Sports Car February edition).

MGC

MIKE HAUGHTON mike@btinternet.com

Hopefully you will be reading these notes before Brooklands Era Day on April 8 – hope to see you there! There is still time to book for MGC Day on July 1 – details and forms are under the C Register on the main website.

Marcus Brundler has advised us about an MGC event he is organising in Switzerland, early August. Further details available at marcus.mgc@bluewin.ch / +41 79 708 9363.

A thought about MoTs. In theory, our cars become MoT exempt this year. There is plenty of information about this, but one area of debate is around cars that are ‘substantially modified’, and perhaps not being exempt.

The Register view is simply to

88 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

recommend that all our cars should still get a yearly MoT. That way, you can have some peace of mind that the brake pipes haven’t corroded, or the rust monster hasn’t been busy, or other hidden faults – and might also help with the insurance company should the worst happen.

Here’s a short story from member Peter Tomlinson – hope to see this car at MGC Day! “The Chatham One” VYT 554G came into my life in the autumn of 2014. Purchased from John Chatham who was selling it on behalf of a customer, it was in dire need of some TLC. It replaced a BRA Cobra which my wife refused to travel in, so

www.mgcc.co.uk

MGB REGISTER Guided Tour of Bicester Heritage Thursday May 3rd 2018 Bicester Heritage OX27 8AL www.bicesterheritage.co.uk

Neglected for the best part of 40 years, RAF Bicester was added to Historic England’s ‘At Risk Register’.

Since 2013 over 80% of the buildings have been delicately restored and re-activated for a diverse range of businesses specialising in the restoration and sale of historic vehicles.

Open to all MG Car Club Members, this is a rare opportunity for a guided tour looking at the history of the site with introductions to a number of specialists and an insight into future plans.

Arrive on site at 10.30am for refreshments (coffee or tea and fresh pastries). Tour commences at 11.00am and concludes at 01.00pm

MIDGET REGISTER WEEKEND TOUR 6th – 8th July 2018 Come and join the Midget Register for the weekend in the beautiful Somerset countryside. We have reserved 12 rooms at the Wookey Hole Hotel, nestled in the slopes of the Mendip Hills, between Wells and Cheddar. Tour the byways of the local local area on the Saturday before returning to the hotel for a convivial evening with your fellow enthusiasts.

Rooms are available at £152.00 double or twin with on suite bathroom (£136.00 single) for the two nights including breakfast and held until the end of May. Evening meals in the restaurant can be booked and purchased separately.

To book call the hotel on tel 01749 672243 or by email (hotel@wookey.co.uk.) using the code GRP-MGCC-6JUL .

For more information and to register your interest please contact Graham Springthorpe email graham.springthorpe@btinternet.com or tel 01934 519122.

Tickets are £20 per person. To book, visit our events page mgb-register.org/events18 to download a form, or contact Andrew Vigor: e-mail andrew.n.vigor@gmail.com Tel. 07909 536614 Please book soon as numbers are limited

www.mgcc.co.uk

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 89

REGISTERS

FWD

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

On Sunday February 18 the FWD register held its annual general meeting at the Mini plant, Cowley, Oxford. Attended

by Chairman Ben Hatton, Events Organiser Tanya Field, Historian Colin Corke and Alan WebbMore. We were able to discuss a successful year and were able to lay down plans for the forthcoming year. By the time you are reading this we will have attended another year at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration show at the NEC. This is always a very successful show for us. This year we will have displayed a 4-car stand.

A restored MG Metro 1300, an unrestored MG Metro Turbo,

The restoration project Metro Cooper… a small number of these were built as prototypes but it was a car that wasn’t too be, due to the launch of the MG Metro. Added to these will be an ADO16 MG 1300.

Following this event our next major event will be our annual spring run organised by Tanya Field. Organised for April 7, the run will either start in Abingdon for MG versions of the models, or Cowley for all other 1100s, 1300s, Metros, Maestros and Montegos. The MG versions will then convoy to Cowley to join with the non MG versions.

Everyone will convoy together to Gaydon for lunch, where all the

Colin Corke, Ben Hatton, Tanya Field, and Alan Webb- More with Tanya’s MG Maestro.

cars will be displayed outside the museum. After lunch, we will convoy to the MG Sales Centre at Longbridge. There will be plenty of photo opportunities at each stop.

If you would like to join us please do no hesitate to get in touch.

Other events we are currently looking at attending are the MG era day at Brooklands and the Manchester Classic Car

Show. If anyone would like to display there car with us please let us know.

Finally I would like to say that I am thrilled to have been nominated for a National car club award. This is something that I was not expecting and I am looking forward to the awards evening on the Saturday evening of the Restoration show.

ZR/ZS/ZT

JOHN THOMPSON Tel: 07854 275541 johnt5@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/zedregister Our first multi-day event of the year is just over a week away while I write these notes. It’s great to return to the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show for a second year. There was a lot of local interest in our cars last year from people who either worked at Longbridge or who had owned one at some time. This makes for an ideal location to promote the Register and our cars. There will be a full account on the show in next month’s update.

It seems this April is going to be another busy month for the Register. We begin at Silverstone on 7th for the first racing rounds of 2018. After a close finish in the Trophy Championship at

90 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

Snetterton last year, how will this season begin? It’s looking to be another large grid of ZRs again this year. We will be organising the lunchtime parade laps this year – so please find Geoff to sign on for this unique opportunity to see the track from the drivers-eye view. Please bring your membership cards with you as membership numbers will be recorded on the forms again this year. The following weekend we head back to Birmingham for the annual Pride of Longbridge gathering on Saturday 14th.

There has been a lot of interest in this event on social media over the last couple of months and the turnout is expected to be very impressive. Bearing that in mind,

Zeds at the 2017 Pride of Longbridge event, this year the event is on Saturday April 14

we advise arriving early as there will be a queue to get in. We will have our flag and gazebo up, so hopefully we will be fairly easy to spot on the field. At the end of the month the racing continues, as we head to Brands Hatch racing circuit in Kent for a full weekend of action.

If you have recently joined the Register or have changed your Zed over the winter then please contact our Registrar,

Paul Money, at the following: paulmoneymg@gmail.com We are currently in the process of updating our database. We’d like to welcome all the new members who have joined us recently. Paul also has the builddata for the entire run of Zeds.

If you would like to know more about your Zed, then contact Paul at the above. Please use your membership number in all correspondence.

www.mgcc.co.uk

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

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

MG TF SPARK, 2004

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.

MG TF Spark, 2004 in Fire Fox Red with only 3 owners from new and 34,903mls.

This is a immaculate car with all the spark refinements plus many added extras including, Gaz bonnet strut, remote operated radio/cd player, roll hoop with built in windstop, cruise control, refurbished alloy wheels with Toyo tyres, parking sensors, stainless steel exhaust, stainless steel coolant pipes, comfort pack suspension and large detailed history file.

The head gasket was done at 17,000mls as a precautionary measure fitted with a multi layer gasket and strengthened rails, the car is MOT’d to May 2018 but will have a new MOT upon purchase.

This must be one of the best on the market. £4,995.

MG RV8 ROADSTER 1995

Finished in Woodcote Green. 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. £24,000

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”

MARTIN SMITH

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

www.usedmg spares.co.uk

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

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

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

MG TF 135 Spark Ltd Edition (just 53,000m)

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

K ltd edition, the last ltd edition model made by MG/Rover, previously supplied by us and to us since 2010. Full service history, new headgasket / cambelt / water pump at 50,000m last year by us. Full Spark spec, 11spoke 16” alloys, black leather sport seats with grey alcantara inserts, silver interior trim, chrome packs, front fog lights, etc plus a Janspeed stainless exhaust and upgraded ECU. Serviced and a fresh mot. Outstanding condition. £3,995

SO

LD

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

MG TF 135 Sprint Ltd Ed+ H/top (Very high spec)

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

Rare low mileage Sprint ltd edition model just 500 made, previously supplied by us @ 25,000miles now just 44,000 miles. This High Spec Model with sports pack 2, 16” 11 spoke alloys, chrome packs, smokestone cockpit, black leather sport seats with grey alcantara inserts, front fog lights is also fitted with the following extras, a colour coded Hardtop, new hood with a glass heated rear screen, Cruise Control yes Cruise Control, Bluetooth stereo, rear park censors and is in outstanding condition £3,695

This is just a small selection from our stock

Units 9/10 Fifehead Business Park, Manor Farm, Fifehead Magdalen, near Gil ingham, Dorset SP8 5RR FAMILY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED 1981. OUR OFFICE/ SHOWROOM IS AT 62B HIGH STREET SHEPPERTON TW17 9AU VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE

E-mail: mikerolls4mgs@compuserve.com • www.mikerolls.co.uk www.churchsquareautos.com Mail Order “Friendly Quality Service” APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 91

CM02.13/B32/d

Quality New and Used MGF & MGTF Spares

CL ASSIFIEDS 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.

1976 MGB Roadster

Plastic Bumpers, British Racing Green, Mileage circa 51,000 complete with fixtures and fittings.

Ideal project car, engine is sound, the floors have been replaced on both sides and completely rewired.

Sale is due to work required being beyond personal expertise. Realistic offers in the region of £1200 would be considered. Would need to be collected from Birmingham.

Contact Nicki Morris 07732360562

Informatio 199D. I h MGB and the histor It was in White wh 1977 it wa If you ow period, or would be v you. Full s www.MGB

1979 MG

1952 MGTD

Ground up restoration completed in 2010. 2000 Miles since then. BRG. Mohair hood, side screens and half tonneau. Also a full tonneau in canvas. Kenlow Fan and dust sheet. An MG workshop service manual.

Some history from a buff log book and lots of invoices. Five speed gear box if required but no adaptor kit.

Unable to fit it or drive the car due to mobility problems. Further details form John on 01903813886 or mobile 07971650396. Email: Jon.jon28@hotmail.com (W Sussex)

MG ZS 2.5 V6

2 keys and 2 working fobs, 71,000 miles, good condition, belts (inc timing) clutch, brakes all done at 69,000 miles. Wheels were refurbed at the same time along with a good professional coat of under seal. No tears or rips in the interior, runs and drives well, suspension feels nice and tight. All work carried out

by College Motors Burford. £1800 Contact Josey on 07769733508

Black, goo interior.

Comprehe photograp Brakes and tion.

Fu Certificate for this amount o condition Mike on 0

MGTF 150 car that restored. T car. Please chrisainsw (Devon.)

WANTED

LHD MGBGT, I wish to buy a very good left hand drive MGBGT to use and keep in Mallorca. Contact Ron Ward on 01422-823649

2005 MGZR 120+ 5 door

Wanted to go to a good home of MG enthusiast. In Goodwood Green. Owned since 455 miles, mileage now 123500+. FSH. 16" hairpins. HG replaced at 100k as precaution. Few rust spots on driver's door and tailgate. Small oil leak from rocker cover. Needs TLC now and new battery. MOT expired December 2017. Never crashed or damaged. All receipts. Spare tyre never used. Jacking tools still in plastic cover. 2 keys. Was great runner and can be again. Could be restored by young enthusiast, used as donor car or by ZR Racing team. Too good and too scarce to scrap. Car in N. Ireland and might need trailered?

This is our third ZR owned. Open to offers but really want it to go to a good home. Not many ZRs left now. Email Lindsay on lasmgzt190@btinternet.com.

92 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

2003 MG TF 135

In Trophy Blue with part grey leather interior trim, fitted with much sort after 16 inch multi-spoke alloy wheels with red 4 pot racing calipers and larger disks. It also has the ‘Lexus’ style rear lights, which match the front lights. The soft-top is blue, with updated rear window. A black hard-top is also available for purchase separately. Owned since April 2012, whilst employed by the MGCC as Competition Secretary, it has had 3 former keepers and some previous history is available. When purchased the car bore a pair of black self adhesive stripes as seen in the photo. Currently the boot-lid ones are missing. These could easily be replaced, or the front one’s removed, depending on taste!

63,377 Miles. £1,750 ono. Contact Steve on 07779156801 or 01296 655101. (Bucks)

www.mgcc.co.uk

2003 ZT

Manual.15 motorway sive histor Dog guard towing on bypass, ch 07739 262

1973 MG

Factory Original Comprehe Damask wheels. O sliding sun and a He June 2018. condition tifully. £28 517892 or k.stone189 (South H

CL ASSIFIEDS

BARRY WALKER .....for the very best in vintage MGs.....

British Motor Heritage approved

1933 MG J TYPE to J4 specification A very interesting MG with huge patina offering numerous & varied opportunities. Restored on orig. unmodified J chassis with heavy crank engine, ENV gate change box, nose mounted s/charger & full J4 dash, Brooklands exhaust and 12” brakes. This is the ideal MG for hill climbs, sprints, rallying or just fast road use. Good provenance and in excellent order. Huge history file, VSCC buff form & orig. registration. Fantastic value at the reduced price of.................£69,500

SUCH DISAPPOINTMENT! that nobody has grasped the importance & significance of this 1934 MG PA tourer. One of just a few MGs in the world still in almost untouched factory supply. Never dismantled but wonderfully maintained. 53,000 miles & drives with that factory feel The extra rear space is a ‘God send’ for rallying & touring. See our website for the full story & history of this amazing MG. Reduced for the final time..................................£42,500

.. .

Estd.1968

V I S I T O U R W I N T E R S A L E . W H Y WA I T F O R S U M M E R P R I C E S . . . .

1936 MG PB.

One of the few MGs eligible for the Mille Miglia. Heavy crank, close ratio box, original de-luxe dash, full new double duck weather equipment..... Very few PBs were made before production was cut short to produce the MG TA. Fully restored car in superb condition. Very fairly priced at ...................................................................£42,500.

1935 MG NB 6 CYL. OPEN TOURER The last and best of the o.h.c. MG road cars. This magnificent 1300cc tourer offers real power, comfort and a huge luggage area making it ideal for many of today’s superb UK and European rallies. Fully restored throughout with the enormous bonus of a Wilson pre-select gearbox; this car is finished in 2-tone blue with complete Collingburn interior, full weather equipment, Blockley tyres and full paperwork. Reduced to................................................................£75,000

1933 MG J2.

A sound, solid really usable cycle-wing model with counterbalanced crank and rods etc. A genuine example ready for someone to use and not mothball. 2-tone red, with beige Collingburn interior and full weather equipment. Aeroscreens, stoneguards, huge invoice file, and ready for the coming summer .......................................................£36,500.

1933 MG J2.

This J2 is the subject of a full rebuild but still requires some attention. In good running order with a lot of excellent work completed. Needs cosmetics and final tweaking, but if no one wants a cheap J2 we will finish it, but price will be a lot higher. 2-tone blue, blue interior.

A real bargain as it stands ........................................£29,500

PROJECT...1934 MG PA for restoration but with considerable work already undertaken. Needs engine & box (parts here). Orig. body, etc.........Sale price £13,500.

MG TA OWNERS. Large quantity of TA spares inherited with car purchase. Mainly mechanical. Cheap.1st come, 1st served.

CLEAR OUT PERSONAL COLLECTION: Original manuals; parts lists; factory MMM parts drawings; orig. tool kits.

COMMISSION SALES: Our highly regarded service is always available to you.

Tel: 01789 400181. Fax: 01789 400230. Mob: 07836 244103 Email: barry@barrywalker.com Web: www.barrywalker.com

www.mgmecca.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0) 1953 717850

enquiries@mgsforsale.com

01707 876089

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 MK1 Pull Handle Model (909EVD) MGB Roadster 1963, Mk1 pull door handle model, overdrive, wire wheels, older restored vehicle with sound sills, castle sections, jacking points etc. Iris Blue coachwork whilst not perfect is still a very nice clean looking example with a recently restored engine compartment housing a stronger 5 bearing engine, original early gearbox with good synchromesh, mellowed Black leather interior trim with original period steering wheel, drives nicely, mot to May 2018 just arrived, £14,950.00

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 very minor damage, pics available. Reconalised 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

1960 MGA 1600 COUPE Iris Blue, blue leather trim, arm rest. Fully restored car from bare shell, everything restored or replaced. Fully rechromed, all new trim, bare shell repaint.

New wings. Boot carpets, boot rack. Unleaded rebuilt engine. 5 speed gearbox conversion for effortless touring. Superb car, last owner since 1973! Would cost in excess of £60k to restore MGA Coupe like this. £32,500

1973 MGB GT V8 RACER BRG, full race spec car, but road legal, ideal for race/track day/sprint or just fantastic fun on the road. 3.9l race spec engine. Extinguisher system. Race tyres. Full cage.

Superbly prepped car and fantastic value £18,995

1965 MINI COOPER Old English White, Dove Grey roof, Red Brocade trim. Totally restored, last nut and bolt. Totally immaculate in every respect. £32,500

1960 MGA 1600 Iris Blue, blue trim. W/W, S/S boot rack. Totally restored UK car. Immaculate inside and out. Last nut and bolt renovation £42,495

1972 MG MIDGET RWA Teal Blue, Autumn Leaf trim. Last owner for many years. Very original car and ready for fun! £6,495 05/03/2018 13:24

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 Barry Walker 1/2 April 18.indd 1 & weekends) no obligation to purchase. All our vehicles carry a warranty, have an MOT and are fully serviced prior to collection/delivery.

www.mgcc.co.uk

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 93

CL ASSIFIEDS

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)

1967 MGB Roadster

Tartan red, chrome wire wheels and bumper, with overdrive and electronic ignition. MOT until November 2018. Subject of restoration in 1992/3 (photo record held).

In current ownership since 2000 with service history and all bills. All brakes replaced 2017. Tax exempt.

Rarely used in wet. Realistically priced £7500 ono. More photos available. Contact Keith for more details on 07748587753. (Solihull)

MGF Trophy 160

Present owner 6 years – 47 to 59,000 miles. Front suspension redone. Head gasket replaced.

Recent service with new cam belts, new exhaust system. S/steel coolant pipes. Fair condition for age/ mileage. No modifications or alterations. Original paintwork. Lowfirm-hard Trophy suspension. Runs extremely well with eager sweet free revving vvc. Some minor tlc required to interior. Only £3k for appreciating rare classic. Telephone: 07866-360188 (Surrey)

1952 MGTD

Family owned since 1964 with early log book. Mostly original with no rust, gold seal engine many years ago and new rear wings more recently. Newish leather seats with hood and tonneau in beige. Road going but little use in recent years.

Various minor mods easily removed. Some work required to paint, hence. £13500.

Tel. 01892545564 or email tonyon0771@gmail.com. (Kent)

2004 MGTF 135

80th Anniversary LE only 500 made for UK market. Starlight Silver.

Burgundy hood. Seats in Alcantara leather. CD/Radio. Wheels: 16-inch 11 spoke alloys (+full size spare) fitted with Toyo T1-R Proxes. New Headgasket, waterpump, cambelt at 41.5K miles. Service history/MOTs available. Current mileage: 48.3K. MOT: April 2019. £2300. Tel: 01449 613821 roy.hammacott@gmail.com

1971 MG MIDGET.

Ex standard class Halfords Midget Challenge car. Solid car with 12 months MOT, new tyres, GRP front wings, & bonnet, with very good Tahiti blue paint finish. Car has always been garaged & driven in dry weather. Would make good track day car, fast road, or hill climb car.

Modifications to include, Longman polished & ported head, Rally cam, roll bar, & lowered suspension. £4,750. Contact Mark on 07999 082842 (South Devon)

1957 MGA

Ex dry state US car re-imported in 2012. Benefitted from a comprehensive two year body-off restoration with conversion to RHD. Only occasional summer use since. The car is in faultless condition with wire wheels, 1800cc MGB engine and 5 speed gearbox. Drives beautifully. £29,950. Tel. 07941 210253.

(South Oxfordshire)

MG Midget

Ready for Midget Challenge Class C or, with minor mods for most of the MG club series or, with V5 a quick roadcar/hillclimber. Regularly competing successfully, rebuilt 2012 only one race since. 1330cc engine with Peter May head giving 105 bhp.

Competiton suspension, ignition, fuel, brakes, etc. Full roll cage, plumbed extinguisher, minilites, spares. £4250 ono. Tel: 01363 773865 or info@manfriday.co.uk for complete spec & photos.

(Devon).

1973 MIDGET (RWA)

Flame, very good all round condition, minilite wheels, refurbished interior, excellent mechanics and very good paint/bodywork. MOT July. £ 5750. Please call David on 01255 675358 or 07740 636158 (North Essex)

94 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

1968 MGC ROADSTER

Absolutely stunning car rebuilt to concours standard in Riviera Silver Blue Metallic. Drives like a new car - not a squeak or rattle anywhere.

S/S exhaust, original leather seats, chrome wire wheels. Same condition underbody as exterior (body colour). For sale due to bereavement. £29,950 0161483 5767 or 07721348538.

(Macclesfield area)

1974 MGB GT 1970 MGB Roadster

Finished in bronze yellow with black trim. Overdrive, painted wire wheels and tonneau cover. Has been the subject of an older restoration. Kept in dry storage and covered less than 600 miles in last 7 years.Very pretty car inside and out and very reliable.Viewing recommended. £7950. Contact Andy Walch on 07973799638 or email: andy.walch@zen.co.uk (Blackpool)

Teal Blue with Black cloth interior.

Tax Exempt. 11 months MOT. Owned for past 10 years with huge history file, detailing an extensive renovation early 1990s. Overdrive, double 12V Batteries, immobiliser, Chrome Rostyles. In regular use and in good useable original condition. Far too many parts replaced to list. Very reluctant sale. £2,800. For details please contact Graham 01235 201871 or 07549676772 graham.dix@ntlworld.com (Abingdon)

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

1979 MGBGT

In Blaze orange. Present owner since 1999. MOT April 2018.

Good mechanically, cosmetic body work needed. Many panels replaced during original restoration. Invoices of parts purchased and work carried out since its purchase together with some photographic evidence. 7 Years ago the car was used by Haynes when they produced thier full colour addition of the MGB owners anniversary workshop manual. looking for new owner who will love and cherish. If you have a genuine interest please telephone 01747825032 or mobile 07973783988. (Dorset)

www.mgcc.co.uk

Racing 00 comngs. s sound, laced on rewired. red being . Realistic 00 would ed to be m.

32360562

s, 71,000 (inc timdone at refurbed h a good seal. No rior, runs ion feels rried out d. £1800 3508

art grey ted with ulti-spoke ot racing also has ts, which soft-top window. A ilable for ed since ed by the cretary, it and some le. When a pair of as seen in boot-lid uld easily nt one’s n taste!

Contact or 01296

CL ASSIFIEDS WANTED

Information on MGB 1966 - OPP 199D. I have now reacquired this MGB and I am trying to complete the history from 1971 to 1977.

It was in Essex and Old English White when I sold it in 1971 and by 1977 it was in Somerset and Red. If you owned the car during this period, or knew someone who did I would be very grateful to hear from you. Full story and contact page at www.MGB.world

1974 MGB GT V8

Original factory Chrome Bumper V8 in Citron. Condition 1. MOT to June 2018. Overdrive on fourth.

Black interior. Britax folding sunroof. Serviced regularly and maintained to a very high standard. Many new parts last year. Heritage Certificate. MG registration number on retention. SW MGCC member. £22,420. 07790 388242 or 01249 783434 a/phone.

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

Est. 1986 1979 MGBGT

Black, good condition 2. Original interior. Unleaded head fitted.

Comprehensive list of receipts and photographic record of re-build.

Brakes and steering in good condition.

Full M.O.T. Heritage Certificate. An excellent car, ready for this Summer season. Small amount of detailing to bring it to condition 1. £5750 Please contact Mike on 01623 438505 (Notts).

1973 MGB Roadster

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

WANTED

MGTF 1500 with history. Prefer uk car that has been properly restored. Top cash paid for the right car. Please contact via email: chrisainsworthtkw9@gmail.com (Devon.)

2003 ZT-T Diesel

Manual.152,000 miles mostly motorway. 2 owners and full extensive history. MOT to May. Cruise, Dog guard, p/sensors,tow bar (light towing only) Tazu clutch M/C, EGR bypass, chip.Great car. £995. Tel: 07739 262621 (Berkshire)

2004 MGTF

Trophy Blue with a matching hard top and black soft top. Purchased new in January 2004. 36000 miles.

Extras include a bright pack (bright front, side and rear mesh, door handles, ashtray and handbrake button.

FSH with receipts. Recent exhaust system and clutch together with clutch master cylinder. In the past we have changed the cam-belt, alternator belt and head gasket also.

MOT to December 2018 with a few advisories and a personalised registration plate which is included in the sale. £2200. For more info tel.

Kevin on 07976162018 or email kevinpb2002@yahoo.co.uk (Newbury, Berkshire).

www.mgcc.co.uk

The Great British

26/10/09

Steering Wheel

The Brooklands We manufacture the BROOKLANDS

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.

Ww14” ENo Nalso in W

NO ABLE Ivo AILry AV

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

1973 MGB GT V8

Factory V8 chrome bumper Original number plates.

Comprehensive restoration 2015.

Damask Red with original V8 wheels. Overdrive and Webasto sliding sunroof. Detailed history file and a Heritage Certificate. MOT June 2018. No road tax. Exceptional condition throughout . Drives beautifully. £28950. Telephone: 01794 517892 or Email Keith at k.stone189@btinternet.com (South Hampshire)

MGS URGENTLY WANTED TO PURCHASE.

Heritage shelled nut and bolt restoration to Concours standard.

Private sale. For initial provenance factsheet. Email: stephen.meadows@manx.net

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

2002 MG TF Stepspeed

53,000 miles. MOT to August 2018.

X Power Grey with Factory hardtop, Mike Satur exhaust, roll hoops and springs, VHS handling kit fitted, MG Celebration pepperpot wheels. £2,850. Contact John Watson 07770 575 236 (South Oxon)

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)

APRIL 2018 SAFETY FAST! 95

13:0

Insurance for all MG’s classic and modern

SPARES FOR SALE HOW TO ADVERTISE

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.

Standard Car Reviews

Vol 1. 11. 111. 1931/1934.

Original leather bound from the Club publishers. Mint condition.

Standard Car Reviews.

1959/1965. Original leather bound from the Club publishers.

Mint condition.

All the above have been in my possession for over 40 years. £10.00 per volume.

Tel: Barry on 01619416223 (Altrincham Cheshire)

Mota Lita

Wooden Steering wheel 13” together with a boss to fit (fitted) an MGB (1969-1973) Truly as new.

Cost new £200.00. Will accept £100.00. Contact Barry on 0161 941 6223. (Altrincham Cheshire)

MGA MK1 1600 Coupe

2 coupe seats with frames and runners in need of recon.

3 wire wheels, two with old tyres, for reconditioning.

2 rear dampers for exchange/reconditioning Dynamo condition unknown.

Original flat grille good and very poor shell.

Radiator recored , good.

Gearbox/flywheel and clutch usual syncro gone on 2nd. fuel filler pipe AA5104 Collection only. Telephone: 01494 562055 or email: deransom77@gmail.com (High Wycombe, Bucks)

Reg Number MG03JAY

On Retention document until 03/02/2028. £425ono. Contact: 07866172739 or email snipesport@btinternet.com

TA/TB/TC Half-shafts

New old-stock heat-treated EN40B steel half-shafts. £100.00 each (£170.00 for a pair). 14 shafts available. I pair only of the same spec shafts but with a Ford spline for use with a Ford ‘English’ final drive. £400.00 Pr. U.K. mainland carriage on all items £5.00. e-mail: dereksibthorpe@gmail.com

Twin piston master cylinder. New, unused, still in Moss-TRW box. £60. Buyer collects. Tel: Roger Wilson on 01628526127.

(High Wycombe Bucks)

XPAG Engines

I have in build a 1350cc lightened and balanced, stage 2 unleaded, big valve, lip sealed, 8” clutch, fast road cam, TD/TF engine. Future build of same spec. TC/D/F engines. Also one off, same spec, sleeved to 1500 TC/D/F. For more information contact Ron Ward on 01422823649

MGB TONNEAU COVER

New mohair, suit early car, no headrest pockets. Bargain £245 ono saving over £150. Also original 1965 red vinyl tonneau £75 ono. Tel 01202 822779.

Collection (Verwood Dorset)

MGA

MGA Second Hand Parts

2 steel front wings, (stripped) 1 steel rear wing (stripped) 1 fibreglass in OEW. All good condition but have been repaired in past.

Various pieces of chrome and bright work good but not perfect.

Set of seat belts. Black Carpet set used but in good/excellent condition inc. rear tonneau. Set of steel wheels, oval holes for later MGA. Good condition but painted old English white.

Several King Dick Spanners. l carpet with sewn on armrest. Call Simon 0778866 8783. Collect from (West London area)

Mid 70s BL MG Wall Plaques and Poster

Size 280mm+140mm and a 1972 MG Showroom Poster titled MG Production Cars from 1924 onwards, size 420mm+570mm.

They have been in a drawer for over 40years, from the time that I was MD of a BL distributor. I would much prefer an MG enthusiast to have these rather than a dealer, so would be quite happy to get say £25 inc. P&P for the plaques and £10 inc. P&P for the poster. I believe them to be quite rare and I have never been able to find of the plaques advertised elsewhere. Contact Brian on 01275332459, or email: Judy.kendall1@btinternet.com

MGR V8 FRAMED SHOWROOM POSTER. MGF ARTEC SPLIT RIM ALLOY WHEELS

Genuine MGR V8 framed showroom poster in mint condition.

Sensible offers please.

MG & Works Related

Large format MGR V8 brochure Normal format MGR V8 brochure Colours and trim brochure MG collection brochure Classic collection brochure Price list leaflet Rover select MGR V8 leaflet 2 x rover MG RV8 launch letters invite to test drive RV8 at local dealer. Great collection of genuine RV8 brochures in superb condition.

Sensible offers please.

Tel: 07795670881

Very rare set 17 x 8 special order (4x 95.25 mgf fitment) Will fit standard car. In need of full refurb. £110.00 the set. Please telephone 07795670881

Registration Numbers. I’m thinning my collection of personal plates & have the following for sale. All are on retention for easy transfer; MG03BOB MG52MAD Happy to sell one of these, whatever goes first! Price is £850 ono each PRX 224 This is similar to the series used on works MGAs and Twin Cams. Price is £950ono GRX 865D This is similar to the series used on works MGBs and Mini Coopers.

Price is £1650ono.

For more details contact Bob MacGillivray on 07870 407111 or email mgcarsscotland@gmail.com

01376 574000

www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk MGF/TF Hardtop

Black, in excellent condition with working heated rear window and good seals. £200ono. To view or for more information contact Ian on 07769856101. Collection only.

(Cambridgeshire)

WANTED WANTED

Seats for a 1933 MG J2.Either original bench type or individual seats but no wider than 15” please. Contact Dudley on 07437538783

MIDGETS! WANTED

Pair of brand new chrome windscreen mirrors for a MGA Roadsters. £75.ono Tel Michael Holding 01903 246568 or holdingliz@hotmail.com.

Set of 4 TR6 steel wheels Fully refurbished Adapted for use on an MGA including hub cap studs, together with brand new Kuhmo Solus 185/65R15 88H tyres, improves grip, handling and ride. £200 buyer to collect, Tel: 01243 811548 (West Sussex)

MGA 1500

Call for a quote today

MGR V8 COLLECTION OF BROCHURES.

Spax rear suspension

Telescopic conversion kit with CK22 adjustable krypton gas-filled G41AV dampers.Done 3,000 miles, virtually as new. £50 plus carriage Frontline rear suspension telescopic conversion kit with AVO adjustable oil-filled CD1417 dampers. Brand new and unused, surplus to requirements. Half price, £175 plus carriage. 01624 818163.

Stephen.meadows@manx.net

Contact the Midget Specialist MIKE AUTHERS on Abingdon 07703 465 224 CHROME BUMPERED MIDGETS in excellent condition bought up to £8,000. View current stock at

www.mgmidgets.com

WANTED WANTED ALL MG MODELS!

All conditions wanted, from barn finds to concours. Complete collections purchased. Cash buyer.

Discretion assured.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in selling your MG and are looking for a prompt hassle free cash buyer! Please feel free to contact me for a no obligation friendly chat.

I am especially interested in the following models: MG TC, MGA, MGB, MGC, MGB V8, Magnette and Midget.

CALL DIRECT ON: 07787 528131

SPARES FOR SALE HOW TO ADVERTISE

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.

Standard Car Reviews 96 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

Vol 1. 11. 111. 1931/1934. www.mgcc.co.uk Original leather bound from the Club publishers. Mint condition.

Reg Numb

On Retentio 03/02/2028 078661727 snipesport@

XPAG Eng

I have in bu ened and b unleaded, b clutch, fast engine. Fut spec. TC/D off, same s TC/D/F. For contact Ron 823649

MGA

Pair of brand screen mirr Roadsters. £ Tel Michael

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

‘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 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

SOLD

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 and cam, triple plate clutch with spider flywheel. It has only had one race in the hands of an ancient 76 year old and is now for sale to replaced by a more placid lump! It is complete as removed from the car and has its inlet manifold, new 45DCOE and special distributer.

The gearbox is the very rare 3 synchro c/r straight cut type as used in the works cars.

It would cost at least £15k to build this ready race unit, my price is £6,500. It would make a fabulous road car unit... but ... its up to you. Reciepts of the engine rebuild are available.

from Australia is here and I love 2CVs. They The areFiat 124 quick … really! beautifull. Never restored and one owner for 25 years. Superb 1800 engine and mini lite Reliable, comfy, quirky and you can get rep wheels, it looks and is a seventies icon.

RHD of course. Find another origional I one love 2CVs. They are quick … really! a bike in the back.likeThis is a Dolly. this. one.one £15,995.

Lovely condition, plum and custard,Reliable, comfy, quirky and you can get Very unusual and rare cycle car. Aa bike in the back. This one is a Dolly. nice chassis, smashing hoodandand French Poiriet 125cc 200 miles indicated delightfully different andLovely condition, plum and custard, interior. Nice history.

Prise it from me original, 2 seats and 3 gears and you nice chassis, smashing hood and fall off and we have another one! This has done a andwon’t smile. £6,950 colossal 600 miles! Both unrestored and nice £3,950 interior. each.

Nice history. Prise it from me and smile. £6,950

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 hood et al. It handles and drives superbly. Alloy TR3A raceshocks, car. Anew highly wheels propel it. These cars embody the ultimate 60s sports successful experience winner in the without the problems. It also has £1000 worth of stereo/cd player.

Yesterday's classic panache with today's hands of Mike KcKenna Race reliability. I love prepared suspension andit…a quickly appreciating exhilarating bolide…and only £5,250. Put a Lotus badge on…then its 40k.

brakes. Quaife LSD, plumbed in system correct and This is MARLINcage, PROTOTYPE. the pre production belts. The engine is an all Marlin as built by its designer Paul steel 2.2 unit with very Moorhouse whospecial built twoRaceteration internals, replacement on aand Triumph block,cam,prototypes. twin plateBuilt clutch newly built dog box, all fresh and GT6 base with a 2 ltr 6 and ally built by Sigma. car has notit isbeen used since this mechanical bodiedThe instead of grp, soundly constructed.

It performs rebuild 1 month ago and is for sale due to change of plans very well. Owned for ten years Actually, with around 170bhp too quick for me! by the chairman of the its Marlin Owners' It represents a significant partset of the historywings, of this It is ready tosuccessful race inClub. many events and has a full of steel marque. Very sensibly priced at £5,250 gearbox, bonnet and most things to make it an FIA car for separate negotiation. This car is built to the best standards and is a winner in the right hands. And at a fraction of the build cost £37,500.

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.

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 4Sight Lighting Company.................. 74 Adrian Flux ...................................... 74 Barrie Carter .................................... 97 Barry Walker .................................... 93 Beech Hill Garage............................. 92 British Motor Heritage...................... IFC Brown and Gammons.......................... 9 Bucks Sports and Classic.................. 76 C.C.H.L ........................................... 78 Car Cover Shop ................................ 97 Carole Nash Insurance ..................... 31 Chertsey Minors ............................... 76 Chisbon Restorations........................ 72 Church Square Autos........................ 91 Classic & Sports Cars (Essex)............ 17 Clive Wheatley.................................. 51 College Motors Burford...................... 71 Colne Classics.................................. 76 Cotswold Car Storage ......................... 6 COYS............................................... 34 Crown Classic Cars........................... 58 David Manners................................... 6 Dennis Welch.................................... 82 Distributor Doctor.............................. 71 Don Trimming................................... 82 Duckhams ....................................... 13 EJW Classic and sports..................... 95 Evans Division of Hydratech............... 72 Fine & Classics ................................ 45 Fishers Services................................ 74 Footman James................................ 27 Former Glory.................................... 95 Frontline .......................................... 33 Get Patina........................................ 23 Halls Garage..................................... 74 Hoyle Suspension.............................. 65

MG TD 1952. On owner for 25 yea Always cherished in lovely usable condition. Smash colour and chrom fitted with the ra exhaust and inlet unleaded head. 6 and weather equ

This my own Mk1 M very early car restore Westland Helicopter e It must be the only M unscuffed leather sea has a twin stainless e uprated brakes, adjus shocks, new hood et wheels propel it. The experience without th stereo/cd player. Yest reliability. I love it…a bolide…and only £5,

MARLIN PROTOTYPE. the pre production Mar built by its designer Pa Moorhouse who built tw prototypes. Built on a T GT6 base with a 2 ltr 6 bodied instead of grp, soundly constructed. It very well. Owned for te by the chairman of the Owners' Club. It repres successful marque. Ver CM01.18/B13/d

MGTC This is one of the best Ive had. Historic body off rebuild to very high standards and still in lovely condition.

Superb chrome and the Sequoia Cream paint is very good. Al the weather equipment is new and it has red leather interior. The engine has been built to stage two with a modified head, minifolds and other bits. Its gearbox is superb with excellent change, synchros and no rattles. And the car pulls like a train , stops in a straight line and steers straight. A lovely TC and priced as well as some of the less nice cars. £26,995.

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APRIL 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 Treasurer: Richard Colston 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.

P

ossibly a late entry, car number 95 is missing from the official printed list in the 1987 ‘Abingdon International’ Programme. The photograph, of this magnificent MG with its massive underbonnet supercharger, has K3 scribbled on the back. Perhaps you can tell us more?

A brace of TFs followed by the Morland Carnival float approach the MG Sports Ground in Abingdon for the final celebrations of the MG Abingdon Jubilee in September 1979. We believe the leading car picked up the award for the event’s Concours d’Elegance.

98 SAFETY FAST! APRIL 2018

Long-standing MGCC members, Bill and Heather Charlton, share a joke with our late president, Bill Wallis, at a reception for the opening of an MG exhibition in the Abingdon Museum that took place, we think, in 1999.

Can you identify the fourth member of this happy group?

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

www.mgcc.co.uk

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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.

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