Safety Fast! April 2016

APRIL 2016 £3.50

Volume 60

Number 04

inside this month MG_SafetyFast_April16_Covers.indd 1

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP

The Beast of Callander Diesel Midget MG Car Club History – Part IV Mary Harris Trophy 2016 – Part II

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21st Century Technology for the Classic Motorist Startmonkey 400 is a revolutionary new alternative to the heavy battery jump pack. Weighing in at only 1100g and measuring just 210x65x64mm, it will start the 12 volt battery of any 4x4, van, car, boat or motorcycle between 15 and 20 times without requiring a recharge. It will retain 75% of its charge for at least a year. The roadside model connects to your battery with conventional crocodile clips while the motorsport model is fitted with a standard Anderson plug. £199.95 incl UK delivery and VAT. Zircotec has appointed British Motor Heritage as distributor and technical support for their incredible heat management products. Significant reduction in under-bonnet temperatures is possible by coating an exhaust manifold with Zircotec ThermoHold Coating. A range of 14 different coloured ceramic coatings provide the ultimate in thermal barrier performance whilst they are also an attractive durable finish that is easy to maintain. Please call for more information and a quotation to coat your exhaust components.

The Motoring Classic’s Powermonkey Discovery measures only 46x13x114mm yet can recharge an iPhone twice, standard mobile phones 3-4 times, or give iPods / MP3 players up to an additional 120 hours playtime. Simply recharge the unit from your computer USB or a mains charger (not supplied). £45.00 incl UK delivery and VAT.

buy online at www.motoringclassics.co.uk or call 01993 707200

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C

0

MIDLAND

CLASSIC

R E S T O R AT I O N S

Servicing and MOTs, Restorations, Insurance Work, Full Trim Facilities, Full Race Preparation and Performance Modifications Offering a comprehensive range of services for all types of MGs and any classic motor car 5 minutes from Junction 6 of the M5 at Worcester

www.midlandclassicrestorations.co.uk

Call 01905 622166

Unit 4, Woodfield Business Units, Kidderminster Road, Ombersley, Droitwich, Worcs, WR9 0JH

LAUNCHING OCTOBER 2015 L A U NPremium C H I car N storage G Osolutions CTO BER 2015 for you, and your vehicle Premium carstorage storagewithin solutions for you, and your vehicle All inclusive a custom designed facility All inclusive storagefully within a custom designed facility Climate controlled, alarmed & monitored 24/7 Climate fully alarmed & monitored 24/7 Discreetcontrolled, location just outside of Stratford-Upon-Avon Discreet location just outside of Stratford-Upon-Avon

YO U R P R I D E & J OY, O U R T O P P R I O R I T Y YO U R P R I D E & J OY, O U R T O P P R I O R I T Y Email: glen@trendmanagementservices.co.uk Email: glen@trendmanagementservices.co.uk Tel: 07837 665283 www.tmscarstorage.co.uk Tel: 07837 665283 www.tmscarstorage.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk

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Sussex Classic MG Car Parts Huge range of MGB parts!

We stock MG Midget and MGB GT Roadster Parts and accessories including: bumpers, tuning, body, engine, seats, brakes, clutches, hardtops, windscreen, headlamps, mats, exhausts, chrome wheels, gearboxes, suspension, calipers and catalytic parts.

We sell online and from our premises at Partridge Green, and are always pleased to see visitors even if only for a chat about their cars.

Order your parts online or in store

Phone for our FREE exclusive parts catalogues OPENING TIMES: Mon - Fri: 8.30am – 5pm Sat: Closed

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Sussex Classic Car Parts, Unit 28, Huffwood Trading Estate, Page 1 Partridge Green, West Sussex, RH13 8AU +44 (0)1403 711551 www.sussexclassiccar.co.uk

THE HUTSON MOTOR CO. LTD. Parts & Panels for TA to TF

BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER

We manufacture a complete range of top quality ash frames and components, complete panelled bodies, individual steel parts. Full restorations undertaken on all classic cars.

Comprehensive paint shop and trim facilities.

Ash frame skeleton bodies.

Individual ash frame components and steel panels.

• Dashboards • Quarter Panels • Door Frames • Hood Finishers

T-Series ash frame sections & body panels are hand built in our Bradford factory.

Fully assembled complete panelled bodies for TA to TF.

Fast and efficient mail order • Helpful counter assistance Free Price Lists available Please telephone for your copy PAWSON STREET • BRADFORD • WEST YORKSHIRE • BD4 8DF TEL: 01274 669052 • FAX: 01274 669685 • Email: hutsonmc@talk21.com

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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Inside

this

issue

April 2016

The 2016 model year MG3 in a suitable modern location; look out for a full review in the next issue.

Photo: Colin Grant

18 MGLive! 2016 Mike Brewer, President’s International Dinner, World Motoring Heritage Year 2016 and more

20 The Beast of Callander The Dreadnought ZT 520 Race Car

Regulars 7

Editor’s Welcome A summary from Andy Knott

9

From the Chair Club Matters from Ian Quarrington

10 News

62 MGs on Track Reunited with an old friend and 2016 MGoT dates

63 Luffield Championship Latest news from the MGCC Luffield Speed Championship

64 Calendar of Events MGCC events, April through to June

MG delighted to announce 2016 BTCC entry, Anniversaries Celebrated at the 66 Out and About Annual MG Era Day at Brooklands Your photos from around the world Museum and more

12 Kimber House News Bill Wallis Wing update, Archive donations and more

14 Products The latest products in the world of MG

16 Postbag Members have their say

35 Event Reports The MG Show and Spares Day and Race Retro

60 Race Torque A tribute to John Horton

www.mgcc.co.uk

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68 Overseas Review Safety Fast! keeps tabs on the overseas action

70 Centre Updates News from the MGCC Regional Centres

80 Register Updates News from the MGCC Registers

90 Looking Back A selection of snippets from the MGCC archives

91 Classifieds

23 Diesel Midget A highly modified Midget with an Isuzu diesel engine

28 Club History Part IV Post war revival and the 1950s

57 Mary Harris Trophy 2016 – Part 2 The Triple M Cars enjoy the Goodwood circuit

Newsletters 36 Vintage Newsletter Peter Jones on his MG experiences

41 MGA Twin Cam Newsletter The inception of the Twin Cam Group, looking ahead and more

46 V8 Newsletter GTS104 thermostat – drilled vent or undrilled?, Fault with the starter 6RA relay and more

50 MG6.3.5 6.3.5 Events 2016, An MG6 GT owner’s view, MG/888 BTCC 2016 and more

Cars and Spares offered for sale

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WELCOME

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 2016 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, Colin Grant, Victor Smith, Adam Sloman Regular Contributors: Alwyn Morgan

Andy Knott

Words from

Editor

PR and Communications: Lauran Gallacher 01235 849735, Chris Kynoch 01235 849731 Advertising: Hine Marketing 01452 730770 Published by: Hine Marketing, Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton Glos, GL2 9LN. Tel: 01452 730770 Printed by: Precision Colour Printing. Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ Tel: 01952 585585 President: John Day Vice Presidents: Ron Gammons, Don Hayter, Peter Best.

Chairman: Ian Quarrington Vice Chairman: George Wilder Treasurer: Richard Colston Directors: Dave Saunders, Paul Plummer, William Ball, 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), Cherina Scarrott (Finance Officer 01235 849736) and Chris Kynoch (01235 849731) Honorary Members: Michael Allison, Ron Gammons, Peter Best, Don Hayter, John Quenby, Sir Stirling Moss, Paddy Hopkirk, Norman Ewing, Rob Oldaker, Steve Hanegan, Gerry McGovern, June Wallis, Ann Hawke, John Dutton, John Day, Julian White, Bill Silcock.

Company limited by guarantee The Club, as a corporate body established as the MG Car Club Limited, is a company limited by guarantee. Every member of the Club undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Club in the event of its being wound up while he is a member, or within one year after he ceases to be a member, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the Club contracted before he ceases to be a member, and the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributors among themselves, such amount as may be required, not exceeding one pound.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of going to press, neither The Publisher (herein referred to as Hine Marketing), the Editor, nor the MG Car Club can accept any responsibility or loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in the publication. The opinions of authors are their own and Hine Marketing, the Editor and the MG Car Club are not bound to agree with opinions expressed herein.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Safety Fast! and The MG Car Club badge are protected through trademark registration in the UK and in the foreign countries where Safety Fast! circulates. Readers are warned that if they attempt any mechanical or other modifications or methods referred to herein, they do so at their own risk and no liability will attach to the MG Car Club, the Editor nor Hine Marketing. Neither shall the MG Car Club, the Editor nor Hine Marketing have any responsibility for the accuracy of the content of the editorial, neither the content of any advertisement published in Safety Fast!

It should be noted that neither Hine Marketing, the Editor, nor the MG Car Club make any recommendation in respect of any goods and/or services advertised or featured in this issue. It is the responsibility of readers to satisfy themselves that the goods or services offered or referred to are bona fide and in no instance shall Hine Marketing, the Editor or the MG Car Club be held responsible for the quality or suitability of any such items.

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

The Practical Restoration & Classic Car Show returned to the NEC over the first weekend in March. As in the past, the show was very hands on, with over 120 classic car and vehicle clubs in attendance with many working on a vehicle, tackling a task or project over the weekend. The MGCC FWD Register upheld the honour of the MGCC by having a stand at the show for the second year running. You can see what the FWD Register got up to at the show by reading their notes on page 88. For those that attended the show that’s really gaining in popularity, you’ll be pleased to hear that the main MGCC are in discussions with the organisers and hope to have a large display and presence next year.

The show season has now really kicked off in earnest, with two trips to Stoneleigh during February for the MG & Triumph Show and Spares Day and a week afterwards we were back with the competitions department for the Race Retro show. Not one to rest on our laurels, April is another busy month with plenty of events to attend; you’ve only got to see the calendar published on page 64 this month. The main Club will be at the Brooklands MG Era day on April 10 celebrating all things MG including the 80th anniversary of the MG TA, and a week later, April 16, the Club will be at Cofton Park, Longbridge for the Pride of Longbridge Event. This is particularly poignant event as well, as the Zeds celebrate their 15th anniversary this year. From discussions on various media this event promises to be as popular as always. Another event that is celebrating Zed15 (incorporating saloon day) will be held at the newly revamped British Motor Museum at Gaydon on July 9, it promises to be a grand event with all tin top MGs welcome. I know the MG635 Register plan to do something special at the event to celebrate the fifth birthday of the MG6. More details and discounted tickets for the event and entry to the museum can be purchased from www.mgcc.co.uk/shop A few other major events on the horizon are: The Regency Run; this is the last Regency Run to be held and is filling up very quickly, an advert is published on page 65. Be quick though as numbers are limited. And finally, MGLive!, the major event in the MGCC calendar, is now less than 70 days away. A booking form is included in this issue and lots of other information can be gleaned from the dedicated website www.mglive.com Until next month, drive safely

@mgcarclub

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

www.mgcc.co.uk

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JUST R IGHT AUTOS Oxfordshire’s MGF/TF Specialists We are now proud to announce that we are Xpart dealers and can supply PARTS to Trade or Retail % 5 2

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FROM

THE CHAIR

Ian Quarrington Club Matters from

Last month we were once again guests of our friends at MG Motor at Longbridge for our Spring Council meeting. For anyone who is not familiar with the council meeting, it is a twice yearly gathering of representatives of the 37 Centres, Registers and Branches which make up the Club and to whom the Board of Directors is accountable. Thus along with the Kimber House staff we meet and present to those who in turn represent you, the Members, with what amounts to the current status of the Club and to listen to what you, the Members would like to see us achieve in the next six to 12 months.

I am in the very fortunate position of having excellent predecessors in my role as Chairman and thus I was able to start off the meeting by saying that the Club remains in good health and to reaffirm that Bill Silcock was absolutely right when, last November, he advised that there would be a period of evolution over the next year. I won’t simply repeat in detail what I said at Longbridge because in a few days’ time the minutes will be published in the Members’ Only area of the website for you to read. But in summary, we are financially very healthy; we have set,

as in previous years, a break even budget and yet the evolution continues apace and it would be impossible to achieve the degree of evolution and momentum the Club is keeping up without sound financial planning.

We encourage the CRBs to bring forward to Council any points they wish to raise, and we listened to and then debated two differing contributions from the Caledonian and South West Centres. The first was on how we should attract younger members to the Club: Kimber House was able to respond directly with a presentation from Chris Kynoch about the Young Members Initiative which has really taken off, firstly through social media and soon enough it will become a CRB in its own right. Neil Lock’s presentation was about the California Cup: this led to a challenge from the Midget Register to any other CRB to raise teams for this enjoyable event and with the good humour of Mike Parker the challenge was met! Thank you Mike.

Other presentations included an important update to our IT project which is led by Dave Tynan, the planning for MG Live! 2016 from Lauran Gallacher, and a trip down Memory Lane from Andy Knott

who used slides showing old covers of this magazine to clearly demonstrate that it has and continues to evolve year on year. There was a definite feelgood factor in the room about Safety Fast! when the audience could literally picture this progress.

And a video! Yes, we enjoyed a video made by Chris on behalf of Dave Saunders who was able to talk everyone through a guided tour of the new Bill Wallis Wing, which is so very nearly finished. The title of the music chosen to accompany this was spot on...Our House. We finished the afternoon off with a talk from John Hutchison about his role supporting the Racing Committee which was informative as well as humorous.

Finally it was a great pleasure to see Council unanimously agree to elect Roger Latham as President of the Anglia Centre.

Congratulations Roger.

Feedback after the meeting was very encouraging, especially from guests who had not attended before. If you would like to come along to the next Council meeting do let your CRB committee know and you will find a warm welcome. Make a note of the date in your diaries now, October 15 in Abingdon.

“No need to advertise, mate: Your driving says it all!” www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWS NEWSLETTER

MG delighted to announce 2016 BTCC entry MG will be competing in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) for their fifth successive year in 2016.

After returning to the series in 2012, and winning the Manufacturer Championship in 2014, MG will be continuing their successful partnership with Triple Eight Racing for another three years.

The 2016 team is made up of Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton – both young, exciting, up-and-coming drivers. Cook, who was the 2014 Renault UK Clio Cup Vice-Champion, made a sensational debut in the BTCC in 2015 when he lifted the Jack Sears Trophy (award for the top rookie). Ashley Sutton is graduating to BTCC after leaving the Renault Clio Cup as reigning 2015 champion.

Anniversaries Celebrated at the Annual MG Era Day at Brooklands Museum Sunday April 10 2016 The 80th birthday of the MG TA – the first in a long line of ‘T’ series cars – will be a special focus of Brooklands Museum’s annual MG Era Day on Sunday April 10, when all models of this iconic marque from 1924 to the present day will be celebrated.

Along with the dozens of MG ‘T’ series, the organisers expect to see a special display of very rare early MGs from the Vintage Register of the MG Car Club. Other clubs and groups that have already booked to be on site include the MGF Register who will be marking their 21st anniversary this year and are hoping to feature a special display of rare ‘Monogram’ cars demonstrating the lustrous multi-layered pigment finishes seen adorning these mid-engined models which have a distinctive pearlescent or ‘chromeaflare’ effect.

At 1.15pm there will be a cavalcade of a wide variety of MG models on the circuit at Mercedes-Benz World and, back on the Museum site, the famous Test Hill will be open for those brave enough to ascend it at 2.30pm. ‘Pride and Joy’ Awards will be presented at 3.30pm.

Visitors to this extravaganza will also be able to see the Museum’s incredible collection of classic cars, motorcycles and aircraft, including the only Concorde open to the public in the region. The 4D Theatre will be running a choice of three exhilarating Experiences, taking visitors back in time to race on the Brooklands Circuit, at Le Mans in 1956 or flying as part of the Red Arrows Air Display Team. The Sunbeam Café will be open all day for refreshments and the Museum Shop will be stocked with books, DVDs, models and lots of Brooklands and MG-related memorabilia.

Gates open to the public at 10am and entrance fees are as follows: Adults £11; Seniors £10; Children (5-16 yrs) £6.00; Children Under 5 FREE; Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £30. For full details visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com or telephone 01932 857381. The half-hour Concorde Experience is an extra £5 each for adults, £3 each for children while the eight minute 4D Theatre rides are £4 each for adults and £2 for children. Height and other restrictions apply.

Access to the Museum site for MGs is via the Campbell Gate off Brooklands Road (the B374).

MG Trophy Championship AGM Venue: MGLive! At Silverstone, in The Paddock Bar Date: Saturday June 4 2016 Time: 4.30pm AGENDA Apologies for absence Approval of AGM Minutes from 2015 Matters Arising Chairman’s Report Treasurer’s Report & Adoption of Fifth Year Accounts To elect the Chairman of the Championship for the coming year 10

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To elect the Treasurer of the Championship for the coming year To elect the Secretary of the Championship for the coming year To elect the Technical Officer of the Championship To elect additional Technical Representatives To elect any other committee members Any Other Business Open forum following the close of the AGM Issued by Pete Macwaters, Championship Co-ordinator

Congratulations to the West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club who were displaying Don Hayter’s ex MGB on their stand at the Practical Classics Restoration and Car show at the NEC, held on March 5-6.

Don’s MGB V8 Tourer was awarded best car in show, a great accolade indeed and a worthy winner, during the National Car Club Awards, held during on Saturday evening.

MGCC Anglia Centre This year the Anglia Centre are making their ‘2016 Events Calendar’ for members available in digital format only and not available in hard copy as in previous years. You can download a copy from the Anglia Centre website (www.mgcc.co.uk/ anglia-centre/) For those within our Centre’s membership that have made their email address available to Kimber House, you will receive a copy sent to you directly as an attachment very soon. So if you have not made your email address known to us or it has changed since joining, please send your current email address and membership number to chairman@mgccanglia.com and we will update our records, plus send it on to Kimber House to the Membership Secretary LizAllsworth@mgcc.co.uk so she can update the main Club database information.

SVW Register AGM Venue: Château Bleu rue Rys de Mosbeux, 524870 Trooz / Belgium Date: June 15 2016 Time: 6.00pm AGENDA Apologies for Absence Approval of the minutes of the AGM held on 6 August 2015 Matters arising Reports from the Chairman and Treasurer Elections to the Committee AOB Nominations for candidates for the committee to be sent to John Dutton jwdutton@btinternet. com at least 24 hours before the AGM

www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWS NEWSLETTER

Social News Media Kimber House

Round Up

Work on the Bill Wallis Wing is nearing completion and the stateof-the-art racking downstairs in the archive has been installed, with archivist Peter Neal currently working hard to move everything from the old room to the new one.

Adam and Lauran have a new office upstairs, which has an ‘MG Green’ feature wall, with Liz and Cherina now also in their new office. The rest of Kimber House is being decorated at the moment, and we are getting ever closer to the opening of the Bill Wallis Wing.

We are also pleased to announce that on May 28 we shall be having an open day here at Kimber House. So for anyone out there who has been following the pictures in Safety Fast! or on the website, this will be your chance to see the new archive in person, and we are looking forward to welcoming MG fans everywhere.

We had a fantastic donation in March from Club member Robert Innes-Ker, who is seen presenting Peter Neal with an incredibly rare framed drawing of various MGs, and the famous faces of the marque. Pete was over the moon with this picture, something which will look right at home on the walls here at the MG Car Club.

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At the end of February, we posted a picture across social media that we found amazing.

After looking through a chassis file for an MG PA, we found a letter and separate envelope enclosed, and just had to look inside. The letter explained to the owner of the car that, despite finding a piece of metal in the sump, the PA was perfectly safe to drive. Inside the envelope was that exact piece of metal that had been sitting there since 1934. As you can imagine it created quite a response, especially on Facebook.

The young members’ Facebook group has been very active since its launch last month, and we are offering anyone under 30 who has joined the chance to go to a bodywork detailing event at Meguiar’s HQ on Saturday April 23. If you fancy going, just email Chris Kynoch at chrisk@mgcc.co.uk We were incredibly excited to hear the news of MG’s new BTCC drivers for the upcoming 2016 season, and when the news broke out, there was a huge buzz, especially on Twitter. Ashley Sutton and Josh Cook seemed very happy to be a part of the Triple 8 MG team, and we can’t wait to see them on track very soon.

Talking of Twitter buzz, Mike Brewer’s MGLive! announcement got a lot of attention, with Mike himself giving us a retweet as well as the official Wheeler Dealers account.

And finally, we just want to remind MGLive! fans and attendees that our official event page on Facebook for MGLive!

2016 is proving to be a big hit, so join in for all the latest news and updates right when they happen. This can be done by going to our Facebook page, looking on ‘upcoming events’ on the left hand side and clicking on MGLive! 2016. Also, check out the new MGLive! website by going to www.mglive.com

www.mgcc.co.uk

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PRODUCTS

PRODUCTS

Eurax – Rustyco Rust Remover Eurax Ltd is now stocking the remarkable Rustyco rust remover products from Holland. Note that this is a rust REMOVER, not a rust ‘treatment’.

It doesn’t convert rust into something else, it removes it completely leaving a microscopically clean and natural steel or iron surface that is ready to accept paint or other finishing.

Rustyco is available in two forms...

Rustyco Dip. Just pour Rustyco dip into a suitable container and dilute it with water. Remove oil, grease and any loose rust from the rusted object and submerge it in the solution. The rust will float off.

Rustyco Gel. If the rusted object cannot be submerged, paint a thick coat of Rustyco gel onto the object and leave it to take effect.

Rustyco is available in various sized packages to suit your requirements.

Rusyco dip starts at £24.99 and Gel from £39.99 including VAT. To watch Rustyco in action go to... http://www.rustyco. co.uk/27/0/Video_demo Order directly from Eurax Ltd, or from one of their dealers.

Visit www.euraxltd.co.uk to find a dealer near you.

Speedo Drive from NTG Speedo drive housing with integral oil seal – prevents oil pumping up cable from gearbox: £114 inc. VAT. Fits all T & Y Types.

For more information go to www.mgbits.com or telephone: 01473 406031. NTG Motor Services Ltd, 282-284 Bramford Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 4AY

New from MR.B.MG Spares We have produced a new version of the brake pad retaining pin, which is much easier and quicker to fit, and as it is machined from solid stainless steel bar will look good and last indefinitely. They will fit the MGB, MG Midget and the MGBGT V8, and are supplied as car kits complete with ‘R’ clips and pad retaining clips.

MGB kit costs £11.00 Midget kit costs £11.00 MGBGT V8 costs £11.50 All above include postage, and payment can be made either by cheque or by Paypal.

We have also reproduced the hooked washer bottle straps for the MGC and the MG Midget 1500. Again, these are high quality, British made.

CHA548 Midget 1500 strap costs £8.50 AHC364 MGC strap costs £8.00 Again, the above prices include postage.

These can be ordered direct from the manufacturers, MR.B.MG Spares, 22 Edenhurst Road, Mile End, Stockport, Cheshire, SK2 6BT. Telephone 0161 483 5767 or 07721 348538 (both numbers after 6.00pm please) or email johnbenton38@talktalk.net Digital Torque Ratchets from Laser Tools These new digital torque ratchets are designed to secure fasteners that need to be tightened to lower torque figures and when therefore overtightening is a real risk.

Smaller in length than a full sized torque wrench, they give a convenient and functional solution to this risk of over-tightening.

The 1/4” drive model (part number 6207) is a compact 200mm long and covers the range 6-30Nm (4.4-22.1 ft/lb); the 3/8” drive model (part number 6206) is 230mm long and ranges between 16-80Nm (11.8-59 ft/lb); the 1/2” drive model (part number 6205) is 275mm long and ranges between 20-100Nm (14.8-73 ft/lb).

With a clear digital display, they all feature a very smooth 72 tooth ratchet mechanism, batteries are included and they are very accurate (plus or minus 3-4%). Automatic shut-off function.

Supplied in a sturdy blow mould case for storage.

You will appreciate the quality, convenience and accuracy of the new torque ratchets. Available now from your Laser Tools stockist, who will be happy to provide you with their best prices and special offers.

More details from www.lasertools.co.uk

Made to measure quality luggage for your car from Bagworld.

Whatever your vehicle, Bagworld will manufacture bespoke luggage that is tailored to your car. We can even colour co-ordinate it for that personal touch. All our sets can be made to your colour and material specification and personalised with your initials. Just ask for a swatch of material to be sent out to you. For more information contact Bagworld, Premier House, Hewell Rd, Redditch, Worcestershire B97 6BW. Tel: +44 (0)1527 592333. www.bag-world.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/bagworlduk.

Or see them on STAND A22 @ MG LIVE.

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M Lo Bir

01 ww

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S

MG SALES CENTRE Lowhill Lane, Longbridge, Birmingham, B31 2BQ 0121 251 6533 www.birmingham.mg.co.uk

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FEATURE POSTBAG

Importing an MG TF1500 I read with interest Nick Gasson’s article on importing an MG TF1500 and his experiences. His comments echo most of mine when I brought a YT into the UK in 2009, particularly the need to get someone to check over the car. Like Nick, I too was fortunate when both the late David Pelham and Paul Barrow kindly found me a contact in New Hampshire (where the car was based) by the name of Scott Barrow (no relation to Paul) who kindly volunteered his services and visited the vendor on my behalf. His written report came the following week and pointed out the only obvious fault – a sticking piston in the n/s front brake cylinder.

David provided me with a guide to the stages that I needed to follow as he had imported two YTs some while earlier. He also mentioned Kingston Shipping based in Hull who acted as the importer. They outlined their services and the process that I needed to go through and asked me if the car was a runner, which as it happened it was. They asked me if I would prefer a ‘roll on/roll off’ process or if I would prefer a container. The benefit of ‘RORO’ is that it’s cheaper of course and as Mark (the shipping representative) stated. ‘Containers have been known to drop!’ Containers do have storage and greater security. Therefore, I decided to take the risk and opt for the simple RORO. This proved to be very effective and the driver of the collection vehicle expressed surprise as to its condition, adding that many of his clients on seeing their new pride and joy are often distraught when it seems to bear no relation to the pictures they have received!

I note that Nick is now undertaking his own arrangements to import an MGA. I am sure that he knows the process. However, if anyone wishes to gain more information then I would refer them to an article that I wrote entitled ‘How do you import a classic car into the UK’ which was published in the April 2010 edition of Safety Fast!. This set out in detail the process you would need to go through and the appropriate documentation for importing a classic. Although written over six years ago I believe that it is still relevant although your local DVLA office will have closed down 90th Birthday Celebrations I wish to thank all who have sent me 90th birthday cards, messages and photograph of their cars. The special meeting of Club members at Cosener’s House in Abingdon was a big surprise, well attended by old friends, ex employees and the MG Motor staff.

I have a folder of notes and photos from MG owners, responding on the web to an appeal by my son Ian, and more are still coming in!

Also, I recently received a 90th card from John Burrows at the wonderful address Mississauga, Canada, signed by an MG car members group – of nearly 40.

following a Government reorganisation a couple of years ago. It’s important to remember that although you may no longer need an MOT (if the vehicle was built before 1960), when you take the car to be examined by the DVLA it will have to arrive by trailer as you are not permitted to drive it on public roads, even though it is insured and has an MOT! I hope this adds to Nick’s excellent article.

Sincerely Jerry Birkbeck Marque of Friendship?

I agreed with everything Andy Knott said in the March editorial about reducing the average age of Car Club members, and as he said they will tend to have newer MGs, I think It would help if the owners of older cars would respond to a friendly hello from more recent MGs met when out and about, where it is safe and appropriate of course.

We took the TF to a Thames Valley event recently and on the way saw two MGBs, which I greeted as I always will a fellow MG enthusiast, if I safely can, only to be totally ignored. This isn’t the first time we have met this rather frosty attitude whilst in the TF. It is true that the car was built at Longbridge, but the B series engine is an Austin unit and MGs, in my opinion, have always been heroic low budget parts bin specials. The days of Fs and TFs being everyday cars are pretty much past now, most are now in the hands of enthusiasts, as are lots of Zeds.

Being ignored by the owners did not lessen the pleasure of seeing two Abingdon made cars sparkling in the sunshine.

We have an MGB as well, and I will always wave to any of the Longbridge cars that we meet!

Stan Best

To have such a collection of contacts who love the MGB is wonderful – glad we drew and built them for 18 years.

My wife Mary and I are enjoying our MG3, now that our other MGs are sold, and hope to see some of you sometime soon.

Sincerely, Don Hayter

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A

Mary and Don Hayter with Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing for MG pictured outside Cosner House during Dons birthday celebrations.

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FEATURE

With MGLive! just three months away, exciting new things that are happening at the event are being confirmed all the time.

As always, the weekend promises a packed programme, but how can you make the most of your weekend at MGLive! 2016?

Mike Brewer Following a fantastic debut at MGLive!

2015, TV’s Wheeler Dealer, Mike Brewer is coming back to Silverstone for MGLive!

2016 on Saturday June 4.

Mike will once again be hosting the ‘world’s only Human gymkhana’, as well as teaming up with stunt driver Russ Swift for some spills and thrills in the Live!

Arena; he’ll also be on hand to meet fans for photos and sign autographs.

“I had a brilliant time last year so when the MG Car Club asked me to come back for this year’s show I couldn’t wait – it’ll be great to catch up with so many MG fans again this year,” said Mike.

MGCC General Manager Adam Sloman added, “Mike was brilliant last year and we’re really thrilled he’s able to join us again this summer.”

being held at Silverstone Golf Club on Saturday night at MGLive! with a formal three course meal held in the comfortable surroundings of a special marquee.

Speeches are kept to a minimum and the only formal part of the evening is the presentation of the Nuffield Gold Cup, its most prodigious award.

Last year Dani Ingold from Switzerland provided a fun and entertaining charity auction. If you enjoyed last year you will not be disappointed this year. Our President looks forward to welcoming you to the dinner in the company of good MGCC friends from all parts of the world.

Ticket numbers are limited to 135 and are selling out fast so act now to avoid disappointment.

World Motoring Heritage Year 2016 To celebrate their 50th Anniversary, FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), the world body governing historic vehicle issues, announced that 2016 would be ‘World Motoring Heritage Year’. Last week it was confirmed that MGLive! is one of three official events in the UK to lead the celebrations! More information will follow on this soon.

Snoozebox Hotels We announced back in February’s Safety Fast! that we had secured a discount code with Snoozebox, located at Silverstone.

Unfortunately, Snoozebox closed their hotel at the end of last year and have been working to re-open the hotel at a new

President’s International Dinner The President’s International Dinner is

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location at Silverstone. They had hoped to be able to open the new hotel on March 30, but regrettably, have had to revise this date and are now planning to open the hotel on June 30 2016.

Snoozebox have said, “Finalising arrangements for the new site has taken longer than expected, and also the need to secure planning permission has required us to make a decision now to delay the opening of the hotel, so regrettably, we will not be able to accommodate you at the hotel as planned for MG Live.

“We are so sorry to let the MG Car Club members down but we will hopefully open our doors to you again in 2017”.

Tickets As a member of the MG Car Club, huge savings can be had if you book your tickets in advance. Enclosed within this issue of Safety Fast! is the booking form, for not just entry tickets but for all the activities to keep you entertained at Silverstone over the weekend; remember it’s your weekend so make the most of it. You’ll also find tickets available online – just visit the events dedicated website www.mglive. co.uk where we’ll bring you all the latest MGLive! news and you’ll be able to book tickets securely on our online ticket shop.

MG Car Club members can buy a single day ticket in advance for just £18, a saving of £12 over the gate price, and a weekend ticket for just £28, saving you £17 on the weekend gate price. Once again, children aged 16 and under go free when accompanied by an adult!

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The Beast of Callander D

readnought Garage based in Callander, Scotland have been tinkering with all things MG since the Dealer Principal Brian Luti founded the garage in 1982, helping to spread the MG name through a succession of race cars throughout the 1980s and 90s. By the early 2000s Brian was looking at ways of getting his son Paul in a race car that would be safe and fun, and would even possibly catch the eye of someone who could propel Paul’s career forward. Brian was good friends with MG’s marketing boss Rod Ramsey, and after a phone call was invited down to Longbridge to discuss a few ideas.

What was offered to Brian was above his wildest dreams. At the time a number of prototype saloons were being produced to support plans to engage in saloon car racing in the UK and Europe. Variants were built for the German DTM and Belgium BELCAR series. After talking through the requirements with Paul Huffer, MG’s Body Build manager and ex-MG Cup Racer, a special ZT260 shell was manufactured with a full Safety Devices

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FIA-spec rollcage for Brian. Although this car wasn’t to be an official MG Sport and Racing car, it was a project authorised by Rod Ramsay, which would then make it the last MG Rover works car built.

When the rolling show arrived at Dreadnought it was painted and given the distinctive XPower green stripes. To help things along, MG even let Brian have one of their prototype ZT390s to ravage for bits.

Brian started work on this after hours project, which ended up taking over 1,000 hours of evenings and weekends with workshop manager and chief technician Claire Luti and technician and driver Paul Luti lending the occasional hand. With the free body and chassis in hand, Brian contacted his friend Sean of Sean Hyland Motorsport from Woodstock, near Toronto, Canada who were instrumental in the design and build of the mighty Ford V8 used in the MG SV. Brian managed to secure the highest-spec Ford quad-cam 32 valve V8 race engine Sean could build, with the help of Claire who flew out for two weeks to help, they also managed

to source a Tremec gearbox which worked in harmony with the engine.

With the engine back in the UK it was time to run it up. After 37 hours and 40 minutes it was determined that Sean and Claire had built a bomb proof engine.

With all the bits to hand Brian still had one problem. “The only difficulty was nobody had ever built one,” he remembers, “so everything was off my drawing board.”

After hours of speaking to various people and using his gut feeling he came up with settings he was happy with. This was then put to the test during hours of track evaluation.

To add to the problems that Brian and co had already overcome, the suspension was concocted from parts of the ZT390 prototype gifted to them by MG Rover. The front suspension had a track 4” wider than standard, which meant the flared arches from ZT390 were also needed and now give the ZT an even more menacing stance. After plenty more testing Brian had the front and rear ends set up, with the front fast bump

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very stiff with slow bump softer so the nose of the car didn’t dive under heavy braking, making it more controllable for the bend you’re going in to. The rear is set up opposite to the front, allowing the car to really squat and grip when accelerating hard. The wheels were built by Compomotive to Brian’s specification so they cleared, albeit by a meagre 1.5mm, the large front AP racing calipers that were gifted by Sean Hyland and also the rear calipers which were originally the front calipers on the ZT390.

With the ZT all up together, it was then a matter of fine tuning the mapping which was carried out at the Croft circuit with Paul Luti behind the wheel. A full day of Paul driving allowed the MoTeC engine management to build up the required fuel and ignition tables ready for the car’s first outing at Silverstone in the Britcar 24 hour race, 18 months after the ZT project started in 2004.

During the Britcar 24 hour race the team had 22 unofficial stops to fine tune the suspension on the ZT. The other problem the team encountered was that the Tremec gear change mechanism let go during practice.

The spare gearbox was utilised, but by the end of the race it was showing signs of distress.

Elite transmissions came to the rescue and supplied Dreadnought with one of their super-tough IL300 six speed gearboxes with a sequential shifter, which has been fine since.

Since the ZT has been built it’s made quite an impression on race fans, with many thanking Brian for building it and others thanking Paul as it’s always a spectacle on the track, especially in the wet conditions when Paul drives to please the crowd, with plenty of tail action on the bends as the immense power of the V8 struggles for grip on the tarmac.

Due to other commitments, the time has come for Brian and his Dreadnought team to let the big ZT go, and for someone else to enjoy the ‘Beast of Callander’!

MGZT 520 RACE CAR TECH SPEC Engine based on the MGSVR Sports Car unit Sean Hyland Motorsport (SHM) parts: Manley/SLIM forged steel H beam rods, JE/SHM custom pistons 94mm, ductile iron sleeves 94mm, piston rings, billet oil pump, oversize aluminium nickel bronze valve seats, stainless steel valves, manganese bronze valve guides, dual-coil race valve springs, titanium valve-spring retainers, race valve-stem seals, hardened steel valve locks, billet steel race camshafts, billet aluminium fuel rails. Other parts: Ford Cobra aluminium block, six-bolt mains, forged-steel crankshaft deburred, polished and heat treated, FM race big-end and main bearings, standard wet sump pan with windage tray, ARP main studs, Racing FR500 cylinder heads with SHM porting, Racing FR500 magnesium dual-runner intake manifold with SHM porting, Bosch 42lb/hr fuel injectors, BBK throttle body, MoTec M48 engine management unit.

Power output 520bhp @ 7200 rpm (pump fuel), 590bhp possible on race fuel, Torque 440lb/ft @ 4600 rpm Transmission Elite IL300 sequential six speed gearbox with selectable input ratios Diff standard ZT260 Dana Hydratrack with 3.9:1 ratio Drive shafts standard ZT260 Exedy twin plate cera-metallic clutch Suspension Bilstien three way adjustable remote canister dampers, Eibach coil springs (F) 399lb (R) 513lb Brakes Front AP Racing six pot 360x33mm vented grooved discs. Rear four pot AP Racing 330x30mm vented grooved, Mintex pads, custom bells Wheels Custom Compomotive (F) 18x9in (R) l8xl0in Toyo R888 285/30118 all round Longbridge especially built lightweight body with FIA cage.

Dreadnought Garage Stirling road Callander Perthshire FK17 8LE 01877 331099 www.dreadnoughtgarage.co.uk info@dreadnoughtgarage.co.uk

www.mgcc.co.uk

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FEATURE

T

his Midget started life because we wanted to have a small, economical, fun car which can be used in all weathers and not break the bank. It’s taken a lot of time to plan and refine but the end result is just what we wanted.

We started with a good body shell, stripped it to bare metal and repaired all sections that had rusted, including the outer sills which were replaced with 1.5mm thick steel to give the body extra rigidity. The front panel was cut off and made to bolt on to give better access to the engine compartment. The original radiator and engine mounts were removed

and modified to take the new engine and gearbox, and fitted with a brand new, custom made radiator.

Because I have always worked with diesels I chose the Isuzu 1.5TD from the Corsa as a perfect power plant, but had to convert from front wheel drive, so I found a Getrag 240 gearbox fitted with very few mods which gives 5 speeds with overdrive. This gearbox is lighter than the original, being of all alloy casings. We decided to keep the hydraulic clutch but convert to a concentric slave cylinder from a Saab which has made the clutch much quicker and smoother in operation.

Diesel Midget

After overhauling the cylinder head and engine with new shells, rings, honing the bores, a new injector pump and set of injectors, and getting the valve clearances spot on, the only part that needed modification was the oil pick up and sump so it would clear the front crossmember.

Of course being an OHV engine the 1.5TD is a lot taller than the old A series, even though it weighs less, and wouldn’t clear the bonnet. So we bought a new one made in GRP and glued a power bulge in place which makes it look like a Healey and keeps people guessing.

The spec of the engine makes the car very quick and powerful but still revs high at cruising speed, so we found a special

– by Keith & Sarah Fossey

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brand new 3.5:1 ratio rear diff which makes the car really useable at all speeds.

To protect the engine we have added a coolant low level kit to the header tank which tells you when the water level has dropped, so the engine should never overheat.

The rev counter is accurate as the insides are from the Corsa and have been transplanted into the old shell; the speedo is working but reads 5mph slow due to differences in gearing.

One thing we had to move from the engine compartment was the battery, as there was no longer enough room for it and the new 4kw heater matrix. This we relocated in a custom built compartment behind the driver’s seat, like the MGB.

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This means no more source of corrosion on the bulkhead and also spreads the weight better; the car is almost perfectly balanced between front and rear with just a slight bias to the front.

Not content with just changing the power plant, we have also had time to modify the brakes and suspension to make them safer and more stable.

We have added a Watts linkage to the rear axle, turreted the rear shocks and converted them to fully adjustable gas damped telescopics.

The front discs are standard Midget but we converted the rear to take MX-5 discs and calipers, making up stainless steel adapter plates and connecting the handbrake system to the original. In the

process we also had the hubs and half shafts re-drilled to take 12mm studs at 100mm PCD which gives a large choice of wheels. Currently we have a set of 14” alloys with 165/70/14 tyres.

We have fitted front springs from an Austin A35, which are a little softer and give a more comfortable ride. The rear springs are a pair of new parabolics, originally made for racing, with polybushes fitted for durability.

The exhaust is a complete new stainless system from the turbo in 2” pipe.

We made up the front and rear bumpers out of 2” stainless, and just below the front bumper is a custom made rail designed for an A frame attachment to tow behind another vehicle e.g. camper van.

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There is a brand new fuel tank, which has been modified for diesel, and is connected to a sedimenter and electric fuel pump which isn’t necessary for normal running but handy for emergencies and changing fuel filters.

On the inside, we decided to move the windscreen wiper motor to make the operation smoother and whilst doing this we changed it to a 2 speed with self park.

The new heater is very efficient but as an extra precaution against the cold, while changing the seats, we added heating pads to the back and base, re-covered them in leather, which make them very cosy. The seats themselves are from a Hyundai Coupe and are much more comfortable, but you lose a little head height with the roof up but a six footer can still get in with a bit of wriggling! The roof frame has been stripped and painted and a new custom made mohair roof fitted to match the colour scheme.

Another thing that was irritating about the standard car was the awful door mirrors. It now has brilliant convex glass type from the MX-5, and although not chrome they at least give you good

vision behind and don’t stand out like sore thumbs.

I’ve had lots of fun displaying the car at shows as well as using it for running around. I’ve never bothered to do any really accurate fuel checks but guess it averages around 50 to 70mpg depending on how it’s driven.

AN MG SPECIALIST GARAGE RUN

BY MG ENTHUSIAST AND MG ROVER FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIAN, CHRIS FLANAGAN.

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FEATURE HISTORY

Export T Types destined for the USA to join the growing number of Centres set up by Russell Lowry

Club History The fourth of the serialised 12 part enlarged and updated Club History

– Part 4

POST-WAR REVIVAL 1945-50 John Thornley

John Thornley makes a presentation to George Eyston, Russell Lowry on the right

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Before considering the post-war re-development of the Club, it may be as well to back track a little on the state of the country, the state of motoring in general and of MG in particular. When the war finished cars of any kind were not numerous. Those which were running mostly exhibited pitiful evidence of six years of minimal maintenance. Those which were in moth balls were in a condition which was proportionate to the expertise of the person who had

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The Abingdon warehouse fire in 1943 which saw many rare development and racing parts lost

devised the method of preservation. Tyres were a severe problem.

Petrol was rationed at a meagre level, a restriction which persisted until the end of the decade.

The MG Car Company, Abingdon, had been heavily involved in war work, employing some 1,600 people on a wide variety of projects, while its car making equipment, such as it was, was stored away in a warehouse in another part of the town and which somebody set on fire in 1943. All the exotic stuff, parts of K3, Q and R, bronze cylinder heads, twin-cam conversions and a host of development materials were in the basement which, of course, filled with water from the fire hoses.

Subsequently, because of the exigencies of war concrete was poured into the hole rather than that time should be wasted in attempting salvage. If any wealthy enthusiast would care to buy a block of flats and then bulldoze them, I think I could show him where to start digging!

Miraculously, almost all the tools which had produced the components of the TB, including the body, survived in various Nuffield organisation plants and it proved to be possible to have the beginnings of TC production in the last days of 1945. (As it was only in the May of that year that the Nazis had collapsed and August when the bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, somebody at Abingdon had moved pretty fast.)

Even so, the UK market in MGs was not, of itself, such as to generate any great enthusiasm. The nation was living through the period when the catch phrase was “Export or Die”. The number of TCs and Y-types, which appeared in the middle of the following year available to be sold in the UK market was directly related to the number of cars which we could export. The miserly ratio, controlled by our allocation of body sheet, was of the order of one

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home car per twenty exported. Small wonder we had a real good go at the USA! But now, back to the Club. During the war Hector Cox, MG’s peace-time sales manager, had been a caretaker general secretary. Nothing creative was done, of course, and the work consisted mainly of replying to the letters which those delightful enthusiasts or ‘nuts”, according to which way you looked at it, wrote to the Club from time to time.

When I rejoined MG late 1945 or early 1946 (so help me, I can remember the salary but not the date!) one of the first things I did was to re-employ MG’s first customer G. S. (Jack) Gardiner as personnel manager and transfer the job of general secretary of the Club to him until such time as we could re-establish some ground organisation.

Our pre-war general secretary, Frank ‘Mit’ Harris, had died in the latter days of the war but his widow, Mary, who had always been a bright light in Club affairs concurrently with ‘Mit’ reappeared in the London centre and, in no time at all, there was an active committee, with Stanley Kemball as chairman and with Mary, Robin Mere, Stew Morgan, Walton and myself, among others, as members.

Petrol shortage virtually prohibited vehicular sport, so the forerunner of the present noggin and natter became popular, variety being added by rallies on the Underground! I can’t quite remember how they worked, but Stew Morgan has reminded me of an occasion when a piano appeared on the platform of, we think, Holborn tube station and a sing-song persisted half-way to Ongar.

Gradually, possibly one should say rapidly by today’s standards, things improved. The Company got its teeth into the

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more, we seduced Wilson McComb from Autosport to come to Abingdon and edit Safety Fast!. But the rest of the story is better left to them.

Jack Gardiner was a junior salesman in Morris Garages in 1924 looking forward to his 21st birthday on March 14.

The birthday he knew would bring with it a useful little sum of money so he asked his chief to build him a special bodied Morris. Cecil Kimber agreed and in due course Gardiner took delivery of his Morris Garages Special (FC5333). It was first registered with the Oxford Licence Authorities on March 13 the day before his 21st birthday. Gardiner could certainly claim to have been Kimber’s first retail customer.

Gardiner was later appointed Personnel Manager of MG and served for a year as the Club’s Secretary.

Russell Lowry General Secretary 1951 to 1963

American market, production improved, cars became available to the home market, enthusiasm re-kindled, the provincial Centres came to life again, new ones erupted, the pre-war membership level was reached and passed.

Motorsport began again. The MG Car Company participated officially, in a very limited way, in motor racing. The team of Jacobs, Phillips and Lund ran Ts and Ys at Dundrod and in the production car races at the BRDC Silverstone meetings. The pre-war Abingdon-Abingdon Trial was replaced by a gymkhana held within the perimeter of the Abingdon factory, the Company providing, inter alia, refreshment on a lavish scale such that this event rapidly became a major social occasion. It was at one such that I met Russell Lowry.

Lowry was a retired broker from the Liverpool Cotton Exchange who, from his youth, had pursued motorsport on two, three and four wheels, and was well involved in motor club life in the North of England. In the doldrums period he had started, written, edited and published a magazine called The Motor Club which had a good circulation in the North and, what is important from our point of view, was taken by our North-Western Centre which led to a friendship between Russell and Brian Norris.

The rapid growth of the MG Car Club had produced a workload which was clearly beyond the part-time capacity of an ever busier executive of a thriving company, and it was clear to me that it was of little use shifting the job to some less loaded person within the Company; Company affairs would always be given precedence and the Club would come nowhere. It was necessary to find a secretary outside. But who?

Russell had, for some time, been collating news of MG Car Club affairs for inclusion in the Nuffield Organisation magazine Motoring. In the matter of The Motor Club, Russell had been in touch with Dennis Poore and The Motor Club had become our old friend Autosport, edited by Gregor Grant, with Russell Lowry as Northern Editor and, within its staff George Phillips of immortal MG memory as official photographer, and an enthusiastic Ulster man, F.Wilson McComb, as one of its scribes.

At the BRDC Silverstone of 1950 one buttonholed Russell Lowry, twisting his arm until he agreed to become General Secretary of the MG Car Club. To my shame, he reminds me now that my then estimate of the extent of his labours would be “about one day a week”. With the growth of the Club overseas and its mounting success at home and, be it added, Russell’s ability to push things along, it soon became a full time job and, what is

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THE FIFTIES 1950-59 Russell Lowry When John Thornley made me General Secretary of the MG Car Club in the summer of 1950, with effect January 1 1951, I had already been in touch with Club affairs for quite a while and had been reporting regularly in the New Outlook on Motoring, which was quickly ridiculed into just plain Motoring. We had one page (yes, boy, use both sides) on which to circle the world. So one of my first battles, which was to last nearly 10 years, was for more space. Eventually we won. The result was Safety Fast!

During these early days it seemed odd to me that the home Centres had practically no contact with each other and indeed, at Council meetings, some of them were barely on speaking terms.

Local autonomy and local pride were valuable things in themselves, but a wider canvas was needed. Gradually it got woven. We wheedled some trophies out of the Nuffield Organisation for three regional rallies embodying an element of friendly rivalry and hospitality. The first all-Centre meeting was run at Silverstone in August 1951, and was very popular though organisational difficulties persisted. These days the Cobbans appear to carry Silverstone with all the ease and grace of Atlas doing a wheel change, but among those who really put this meeting on its feet one name which must always be remembered is that of Mary Harris. Nor should Wilf Hale and his Midlanders be forgotten.

When finances became tight, they swore Silverstone could be run without loss. And they did it. So although in the 1950s new MGs for the British market were few and far between, the Club grew, soon exceeding its pre-war membership, and without losing its local flavours acquired a taller standpoint and a wider view.

Contact with the Home Centres was quick, easy and good, perhaps the more so as, based on Liverpool, I wasn’t too far from any of them. Overseas affairs were much more complex and difficult. It may be hard to realise today, but motorsport at club level was practically unknown in the outside world until it arrived on the shuddering springs of a TC from Abingdon. The seedling took root and grew mightily, but frankly nobody knew quite what to do with it. In the USA, for instance, the sport had no governing body so there were no “competition rules”. Lovely, says you? No sir. You cannot have a sport without rules. Blinding glimpse of the obvious. But that’s how it was, nearly everywhere. So we had to improvise.

A system of recognition, with a rather nice certificate signed

by John Thornley and myself was devised. This conferred, as it were, sovereignty within its own area and no poachers would be recognised.

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FEATURE HISTORY

The last MG TC Midget coming off the Abingdon Assembly Line in 1949

Centres drew up their own rules, based in the main on those of the parent Club, but submitted to them for approval. Ideas varied enormously, I recall one Centre which specifically banned the carrying of firearms during Club events. Another admitted no women (heaven help them, that country is now in a fever of equal rights!). A third (purported to) forbid alcohol on competition days.

One felt rather as, I suppose, a doctor must feel at a birth; a desire and determination to help, some experience and some knowledge enabling one to do so, but a sense of awe coupled with excitement and fear in case things went wrong.

That bit of atmosphere must do duty for a mass of detail. We did what we could we already had, but found more, friends in high places who helped us without expecting the Club to be turned into a publicity stunt, or a private army, either of which we knew would destroy it overnight. People who didn’t see things this way had to be resisted with tooth, claw and maybe the occasional arrow. We had our successes and, goodness knows, our failures but it would seem that we built pretty well.

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Present day paper shortages are probably due in part to the enormous exchange of mail with distant parts but there was one Centre which appointed a secretary especially because he couldn’t write! It was all good clean fun, with a serious purpose. I evolved an unlimited range of signatures with faces pleased, faces angry, faces pleading, coy, hearty and disdainful. And one that cried when it apologised. R was a useful initial.

The soundness of the overseas foundations is surely proved by the superstructure of hospitality, co-operation and friendship which has arisen on them, starting perhaps with the gift, by Long Beach, of the California Cup to the parent Club, then developing into the pattern of co-operation that exists today and about which one reads in Safety Fast! Long may it continue.

If I am to be remembered at all in the line of general secretaries, I would like it to be as the chap who nailed rule 2(a) to the mast, the rule declaring that the object of the Club was “to further the interests of the owners and drivers of MG cars” and who clung, sometimes against bitter opposition, whether in the

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HISTORY FEATURE

UK or overseas, to that doctrine. The chap who (except under the Dead Bodies, Crossing Over of Act) would not allow us to become just another motor club. I believe that policy to have been right. I inherited it, believed in it, observed it, and passed it on.

Somewhere, on a sideboard, or in a shed, is a piece of silverware called the General Secretary’s Cup. In 1951 nobody needed to know that it was a purely personal gift from me to the Club. We were not really short of cups. It just seemed a nice idea to me, as a newcomer Now, nearly 25 years later, I can say that I’d like it always to be won by a member driving an MG, an MG made at Abingdon, as long ago as reasonably possible.

John Thornley penned this tribute to Russell Lowry After the end of World War the Home Centres of the Club had come to life again after six years of hibernation. The British had embarked upon their export drive, and MGs had begun to flow in ever-increasing quantities all over the world. MG Car Clubs overseas had begun to erupt spontaneously, and the Club as a whole was an amorphous selection of Centres with a total membership, based on estimate rather than known fact, of some 2000. I had been trying in a very part-time capacity to pick up the various threads and attempt to tie them together. It was at this stage that Russell came upon the scene.

He was a self-confessed ex-cotton broker, with a certain amount of time on his hands. For years he had been interested in motoring and motorsport on two, three and four wheels, and had, prior to my meeting with him at Silverstone, been publishing a magazine called The Motor Club with a wide circulation in the North-West of England. Some of the MG Car Club Home Centres had been in touch with him, and were contributing to this magazine, and there were thoughts of it becoming the official organ of the MG Car Club. In this same August of 1950, however, Autosport started publication, and this incorporated The Motor Club, Russell becoming the Northern Editor of the wider journal. His knowledge of motorsport, his quite brilliant journalism and his manifest liking for the MG Car Club fitted him exactly to the General Secretary’s chair.

From the moment of his taking up the secretarial pen he has harnessed and developed the Club’s affairs as few others could have done. While the MG Car Company has been distributing and exporting its cars, Russell has been distributing and exporting the goodwill of the MG Car Club to the point where there are now some 8000 members throughout the world. Though he has visited many Centres of the Club, this co-ordination of what may justly be called the MG Brotherhood has been achieved primarily through the medium of correspondence.

During the past 50 years or so many have said that letterwriting was a dying art - that the day of ‘belles lettres’ was past.

Russell is the shining example of the exception to this. Letters and memoranda from him on a wide variety of Club topics reach me at least every day - thorny problems, requests for guidance, masterly expositions of intricate overseas affairs, items just for information; each one a sheer joy to read. All over the world from Long Beach to Long Island, from Melbourne to Singapore, from Durban to Amsterdam, and from London to Edinburgh, there are those who derive pleasure from these letters of Russell’s, whether he is patting them on the back for some good piece of Club work, outlining some point of policy, or taking them to task for stepping out of line.

A classic scholar derived from a linguistic ability which would be the envy of many, and a knowledge of the not-so-dead languages, is an enormous vocabulary which every so often, it seems, is insufficient, so that he coins, concocts or generates a new word of his own - at once apposite and immediately

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The California Cup, a gift by the Long Beach Centre to the parent Club

intelligible - to keep pace with our rapidly developing complex world. This wide choice of words, the deft twists of phrase, the use of the unexpected and the novel - all done, one feels, with a whimsical smile on his face - make the reading of his letters an exciting adventure. The sure knowledge of his subject, the warm understanding of the human problems involved, and the restraint with which, always, he will express his point of view, combine to inspire confidence and establish a lasting bond with those fortunate enough to be on the other end of the line.

Thus it is that countless MG Car Club members in the far corners of the world will, on a visit to England, direct their steps, as a first priority, towards Rose Cottage, Nest Wirral, the Lowry home. There they will meet Meg, his wife almost as much a part of the MG Car Club scene as Russ himself - and be absorbed - that is the word - into the Lowry ambience. They will discover that the man they have known as the writer of “those letters” is even more real in three dimensions, and that Meg, with her knowledge and viva is the fourth.

This is the foundation on which the International MG Car Club has been built. The great majority of our members have not been able to meet the Lowrys - the more is the pity. But perhaps from what I have said they may now be able the better to appreciate that they are members of a unique organisation which, while finding its common ground in the ownership of or interest in a fine car, has developed through the sympathetic understanding and single-mindedness of Russell Lowry.

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22/03/2016 16:33

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REPORT

EVENTS

MG Triumph International

Spares Day 2016

2016

Race Retro

Now in its third year following the merger with the Triumph show, International Spares Day returned to Stoneleigh on February 21.

The traditional curtain raiser to the MG show season, the show was held a little earlier this year and thankfully the traffic issues that have marred the event in previous years seemed largely resolved, meaning that those who attended had a much less troublesome time getting in and out of the showground.

The Club was well represented with the MGF Register, T Type Register and Triple M Register and a stand manned by the team from Kimber House, which was supported by staff from British Motor Heritage with their racing Midget, flanked by a pair of more modern MGs in the form of Colin Grant’s XPower Grey TF Spark and the ZT 260 of Simon Bennett, the Sales Manager at the MG Sales Centre at Longbridge who very kindly loaned his car to the Club for display.

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Traditionally seen as the curtain raiser to the motorsport season, Race Retro was greeted by hundreds of happy, if chilly racing fans.

The Club’s stand looked great, with David Coulthard’s MGF Cup car drawing plenty of visitors and plenty of admiring glances.

Race Retro is always well-attended by motorsport celebs and this year was no different. Alongside event stalwarts such as Barry ‘Whizzo’ Williams and Tony Mason, showgoers were also treated to interviews and signings with Damon Hill celebrating 20 years since he won the F1 World Championship in 1996.

Of course Race Retro’s biggest draw is the live action rally stage which was once again filled with all sorts of glorious rally machinery, most notably the Group B legend that is the MG Metro 6R4, which also had a presence in the show, being the stand car of choice for some exhibitors.

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NEWSLETTER VINTAGE

Peter Jones • 01225 837545 • peterjones1880@me.com

Vintage Newsletter

Welcome to the

One of the many good things about owning an interesting car (and every MG is an interesting car) is the number of other interesting vehicles you get to drive! For me one of the more exciting happened many years ago when a group of us used to regularly decamp to Dieppe for the famed ‘Dieppe Retro’ re-run of the 1908 French Grand Prix, that originally was on ‘normal’ roads and now re-enacted (at very much slower speeds) during the first week in September every year. This particular car was designed and built by the famous Napier company as an entrant but, as the rules had changed and only four cylinder cars were to be accepted, they apparently changed the name to Hutton, as vehicles of a mere four cylinders were beneath their dignity to produce! I spent a very pleasant afternoon motoring round the deserted ‘B’ roads in northern France in this vehicle (alas the photo taken with me at the wheel has now disappeared).

More recently, at ‘Barrington Day’ (Barrington is a small village in Somerset famed for Barrington Court, used by the BBC as a set in their filming of Wolfe Hall) I was invited by Peter Card to have a go on an 1890-something pedal operated machine. To steer this device you twisted the hand grip to your right, and to slow, twisted the left-hand one. This seems easy until you need to use one or other in something of a hurry but can’t quite remember which to use – whichever you do choose, the spokes of the large wheels have a nasty habit of removing knuckle flesh as they pass by….

The thing about these more mature vehicles that most surprises is the quality of the ride (on smooth roads); it is often easy to forget you’re driving something over 100 years old. The steering is often precise, and light and pleasant to use. The Hutton’s clutch was a dry leather cone mechanism that gave a wonderfully smooth take up and

this car had a surprising amount of power and excellent torque. The Renault had a more ‘immediate’ clutch and was fine on flat roads, but on inclines progress was slowed somewhat. Where things have improved beyond recognition is in braking capabilities – both vehicles only had rear wheel brakes – front brakes were considered dangerous by some in the early days! When they were introduced, red triangular signs were attached to the rear to warn following motorists that they were fitted, so that they could keep well back. One of the advantages of inferior brakes is that they do incline one to observe the road far further ahead than many modern drivers are apt to do, and this enables us to anticipate problems well in advance. A handy attribute, even in a modern car.

My first car was a TC which I bought in 1965 (or ’66, I can’t quite remember which) and I got to know Morgan Marshal through constant visits to his emporium to obtain spares and words of advice as to how to attach them, for this rather less than reliable, though amazingly good fun machine. This turned into a friendship and on one particularly glorious day he asked if I would like to have a go in ‘KX’ the MkI, narrow bodied, speed model 18/80. I leapt at the chance, he waved his hands in the general direction of the controls and climbed into the passenger seat. Off we set. First impressions were of the smoothness of the suspension and lightness of the steering – well anything compared to a TC is smooth with light steering! I was smitten. However at one point I was foolish enough to apply the brakes and immediately we leapt to the left. “Ah yes, the near side grab a bit…” was the explanation. I had never thought this a problem when Morgan drove me about – he just seemed to cope with it.

Barrington Day, and Roger Stanbury is coached by Peter Card as to the niceties of driving ancient machinery – a collection of more modern things in the background.

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Peter Jones • 01225 837545 • peterjones1880@me.com

VINTAGE NEWSLETTER

After the show I was allowed to drive SU The next 18/80 I drove was the grey MkII back to Morgan’s house in Redland again, and saloon – ‘SU’. This had to go down to the Bristol was very pleased with my efforts. During the Classic Car Show when it met in ‘E’ shed at the ‘cup of tea and sticky buns’ that were usually old Bristol Docks. I gingerly clambered in, shut the laid on in the afternoons I bragged about being door (that was a bit loose) and started it, set off on able to change from 4th to 3rd and back again my own and, with sweaty hands and beating heart, without any problems – “That’s because the motored the few miles, through the traffic, to the MkII has a ‘double top’,” came the reply; “it’s destination. very difficult to crash them.” I deflated!

As it happened this was a busy weekend, as Talking of the lightweight MGCs that John John Chatham wanted his full race, aluminium A reproduction of the Four Wheel Brakes Chatham had made up from parts acquired bodied ‘Sebring’ MGC down there too. Unwilling warning triangle that you can still see on from the factory, I was once asked to drive to drive it down with its open exhaust, he towed it some older vehicles one which, at that time, belonged to Edward behind his 4.2 E type Jaguar (also an exhibit) with Kirkland. This was for a celebration of some sort at the MGCC me in the ‘C’ behind. Now John is a brilliant racing driver and famed Silverstone event. This was a nicely sorted road car and running on for his exploits in the ex-Pat Moss Healey 3000 (DD) and then, after good tyres. John Chatham was also there with the racer mentioned the demise of MG racing, he bought the remaining lightweight MGC above that was on slicks. Other complications he had included a bodies, aluminium engines, drawings for improved suspension etc. off leaking rocker cover that dropped oil on the hot exhaust and as the company and built several cars. this burnt off, the smoke filled the interior rather alarmingly. It was John’s anatomy was more or less normal except for an extremely pouring down with rain that afternoon – usual for Silverstone, I think small pelvis – he had a special seat made up for his racing C that, you will agree. when I tried to get in, left my buttocks squeezed tight several inches We all set off around the track and, nowhere near the front, I above the squab padding. This made the windscreen somewhat was enjoying myself drifting gently round the bends on the wet track below my normal line of vision. The car was not encumbered with (with the owner of the vehicle in the passenger seat). Suddenly a many items that some may consider rather necessary—like, for great light appeared in the mirrors and John zoomed by, lapping instance, a battery. So, as it was getting a bit late (dark), and with us as if we were stationary. He was on his slicks with one arm out his usual enthusiasm, he leaped aboard the tow car and set off at a rubbing the front window as the wipers didn’t work and leaving a spanking pace down the, by then, mainly clear roads to ‘the docks’. plume of choking oil smoke behind him but keeping right ‘on the Being a racing driver he didn’t really notice speed but was smooth line’. Next time I saw him was when we pulled into the pits after a as silk when driving his most excellent E type. I, on the other hand, couple of laps – he was relaxing with a beer… was not. I was also sitting in a racing machine with stiff suspension, a When I first joined the Vintage Register in 1989 there used to dead engine, no servo on the brakes and no means of communicating be a big meeting to celebrate the VSCC’s Welsh trial. The enclave in with the vehicle in front. We got there very quickly.

West Sussex would motor over to stay the night with Roger Stanbury On arriving, there was scaffolding erected on the front of the shed and I would join at the Severn Bridge and so up to Llandrindod Wells to allow vehicular access to the upper floor via an inclined plane of to have lunch with Phil and Gwen Jennings, then a bit of driving scaffolding planks. As it had been raining the planks were slippery John about before supper and up early on Sunday to spectate at the set off up with great gusto, only to find that the turn at the top was rather trial. All through the journey to Wales we would stop every 20 miles smaller than the E type could manage, so he stopped – with his servo or so and swap cars and this was an excellent way to see how other assisted disc brakes… In many ways I am lucky to be alive.

Morgan Marshall piloting ‘KX’ round the California Cup Autotests at Silverstone in the distant past. He was proud of this shot as it shows the front tyre buckling with the cornering forces of his furious speed. Or, of course, it could be a bit flat. The old ammunition boxes on the running boards were to store spares on the MCC’s trials – it kept the extra weight closer to the rear wheels.

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NEWSLETTER VINTAGE

Peter Jones • 01225 837545 • peterjones1880@me.com

similar vehicles behaved and, more importantly, what you needed to do to get yours up to standard.

At one changeover Peter Hague let me into his MkI speed model with his wife, the rather nervous Susie, beside me, and the children in the back. All was going well until there was an obstacle ahead and so I jumped on the brakes, as I would in my car. Peter’s car had the added advantage of a servo assisted hydraulic braking system that he hadn’t thought to mention. The car skidded to an immediate stop with Susie sliding forward and SU in her beautiful ‘as left the factory’ state – only the doors have survived and could be used to recreate the original. The MkII the kids crumbling into 18/80 had what can be described as ‘two gearboxes bolted together’ in such a way that there is a ‘silent third’ gear (as it and top work directly). The extra weight of all this machinery rather lengthens acceleration times. In this shot Peter Evans is talking the back of the front seats to Morgan Marshall and his cousin Norah Callow – note the cost of petrol on the sign opposite, and this was per gallon! with surprising impact. I It may be an ‘urban myth’ but I believe we can thank AC for drove much more gingerly after that. the 70mph speed limit on motorways. It was back in the 1960s Over the years I have always tried to encourage others to drive my and AC wanted to test their famed Sebring Cobra device before cars – the 18/80, TC, Y type, MGC and a Maestro 2.0 EFi. For example shipping it off to America to win races. So they chose to zoom once, when four of us motored up in the 18/80 to Minchenhampton up and down the M5 for a bit at speeds that I can only dream Common to help marshal on the Stroud and District’s ‘Cotswold of. Alas, the police had nothing that fast (!) but as there were no Clouds’ trial – it was a cold, damp experience – on the way home I upper speed limits in those days, the company was not breaking asked the youthful Dave Mothersdill if he fancied a go. He jumped at any laws; nothing could be done. So it was that, about the time the chance but unfortunately got ‘bitten by the bug’, and that all ended I bought the TC, the 70mph limit was introduced. However this up many years later with, as he put it, “emptying the entire contents of didn’t cramp my style in the TC too much… my bank into Mr Stanbury’s and, in return, he emptied all the rubbish Then again there was the time when I was driving back from from his garage into mine.” Since then he has never looked back!

Silverstone on a balmy evening following one Fred Body in his L Talking about the Cotswold Clouds trial, for many years I regularly type. After a few miles he suddenly stopped (never a particularly used to enter this in the TC and have always managed to climb the wise thing to do with me following) and waved me in – “Tell famed ‘Nailsworth Ladder’ section (incidentally Morgan Marshall me about these 18/80s then,” he said. We swapped vehicles also cleared this section in my 18/80 many years ago). In the past and I drove back with my knees up by my ears in the L and I have walked up this hill and wondered however I managed to drive he luxuriated in comfort. He has now taken over from Morgan up it! Fast forward 10 years and I was walking with Victoria and the Marshall as the person who has worked on more 18/80s than dog over Minchenhampton Common one afternoon, and thought I anyone else. would show Victoria the hill but couldn’t remember just where it came The point about all these ramblings is, I suppose, that if you out; so, on seeing a rather local looking lady with a dog, tweed skirt are lucky enough to own an MG, regardless of age, I thoroughly and pushing her bicycle, complete with basket on the handle bars, I recommend that you invite as many as may be to ‘have a go’ in enquired if she knew the hill. “I know it well,” she said, “I went there your car – you never know the exciting machines you may be every year to see my father competing in the Cotswold Clouds. You offered in return. may have heard of his cars he built, he was the A in AC.” It never ceases to amaze me when chance meetings like that happen.

One of the drawbacks of using the car every day is that it can get a bit muddy in the winter months. If nothing else this year we have had a good supply of rain that encourages mud but at least the corporation hasn’t chucked too much salt about the place yet, so winter motoring continues in the cocoon afforded by the commodious weather equipment.

The terms ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘bio degradable’ are not often used when talking about vintage cars, but here is my new ‘thermostat’ to which both adjectives could be applied. Magnificently efficient if not entirely beautiful!

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Colin Manley • manley.colin@talk21.com

MGA TWIN CAM NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the

MGA Twin Cam Newsletter Welcome to the fifth Newsletter of the Twin Cam Group. Hopefully you have completed all of the Winter and Spring jobs you needed to do on your car and all is in fine shape for some miles ahead – yourselves included. Whilst opening this issue, can I please ask all Twin Cam owners for material for these newsletters. You have seen the content of the past issues, so you must have some topics you can, and would like to, impart to other owners. Like all organisations run by its volunteer members, we need the support

The inception of the Twin Cam Group In the early 1960s, it was not easy to form a new Register within the MG Car Club. In fact the request to start an MGB Register had been rejected on the grounds that the model had to be at least 15 years old in order that forming a Register could be considered. There was also strong resistance to any more work on Club administration (still run by the MG Car Company), over and above the three Registers that were in existence (Vintage, MMM and T-type).

This did not deter some owners of MGA Twin Cams, a model which needed support, from trying to form a group of owners affiliated to the MG Car Club.

The main movers seem to have been Mike Ellman-Brown and Phil Richer.

The first public announcement about the idea of forming a Twin Cam Group seems to have appeared in Safety Fast! in the October 1965 issue. This is headed TWIN CAM OWNERS and goes on the say, ‘As parts and information relating to the Twin Cam model of “MGA” are getting scarcer, it has been proposed that a “Twin Cam Group” within the MGCC be formed, with mutual aid as the object. Twin Cam owners in any part of the world are asked to get in touch with Michael Ellman-Brown giving engine and chassis numbers of their cars. If the response is encouraging a regular new bulletin may be circulated and meetings arranged.’

The next piece of news appeared in ‘Around the Registers’ in July 1966 on the Silverstone meeting of May 21; in the short report Mike Allison, who wrote these sections, says, ‘In addition to the three older Registers, there were signs of encouragement for the “MGA” Twin Cam Register, proposed by Michael Ellman-Brown.

Thirty cars assembled, which considering the short notice at

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and active encouragement of the members. The Looking Back topic further on, about Barwell Cylinder Heads, results from Dick Gough’s initial suggestion and both his and Frank Burry’s input, and shows how you can all contribute. Contact me on the above email address when you have something in mind.

This issue is, fittingly, very much a ‘Looking Forward’ and ‘Looking Back’ newsletter as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary since the formation of the Twin Cam Group.

which the gathering was arranged was very good indeed.’ This shows that progress had been made but that official approval had yet to be given, as it was referred to as a Register and not the Group that it became. It is worth noting that the move to start the SVW Register had its first notice in the following month.

The report on the Inter-Register Meeting at Beaulieu Abbey held in September appeared in Safety Fast! in November 1966. The first paragraph ends, ‘Over 170 pre-1955 MGs were present, together with a dozen or so twin-cam MGAs.’ They had to park outside the roped off area, though; at this stage only the original three Registers were involved directly in the meeting.

Fast!, still a BMC publication, Safety Fast! continued to refer to three Registers until a Secretary for the SVW Register was listed in August 1967. In January 1968 a paragraph suggests that owners of the ‘MGA Twin Cam’ would be interested to hear of the Twin Cam Group and comments that although not a formal ‘Register’, this Group seeks to ensure that information about spares and the running of these cars is not lost. Michael Ellman-Brown is given as the contact. It is not until the issue of May 1968 that the Twin Cam Group is listed in the MG Car Club News. From ferreting into other past paperwork and published material though, it has been accepted that the MGA Twin Cam Group was established as affiliated to the MG Car Club in 1966. The Group achieved Register status in February 1969 after the MG Car Club as we know it today had taken over from the Proprietary Club run and funded by MG at the start of 1969. The later MGA Register came into being officially at the Council Meeting in October 1970 along with ‘an undertaking that the MGA Register would never seek to take over, or absorb, the Twin Cam Group’.

See Stop Press item on the next page.

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NEWSLETTER MGA TWIN CAM

Looking Ahead Below are some main events for Twin Cam owners, especially the 50th Anniversary Lunch where we hope to get as many Twin Cam and De-Luxe owners as possible to come and mark the 50 years since the Twin Cam Group was formed.

Sunday April 10 – MG Era Day at Brooklands. A last minute reminder for this annual event. This will be an MGA TCG supported event. There will be action on the Test Hill, a Concours d’Elegance and a cavalcade on the Mercedes-Benz World circuit. More details at:http://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/index.php?/events/ details/brooklands-mg-era2/ No booking is required, just turn up and enjoy the day, the cars and the history.

Friday 6–Monday May 9 – 2016 MGA Register Spring Weekend. For 2016, after an absence of nine years, we return to the scenic beauty of the North York Moors National Park. A very popular event and overflow accommodation is now being booked up.

Contact Registrar Stuart Mumby on mga@live.co.uk.

Sunday May 22 2016 – 50th Anniversary Twin Cam Group Luncheon - STOP PRESS – LAST CALL! Advance booking and pre-payment now essential Piers Hubbard, our Historian, along with help from others who provided input, summarised the 1966 inception of the Twin Cam Group at the start of this feature.

Way back in 1976, the MGA Twin Cam Group held an Anniversary Luncheon at the Oxford Lodge Hotel to mark the ten years since the Twin Cam Group was formed in May 1966, principally by the efforts of Mike Ellman-Brown.

So the 10th Anniversary was formally marked, and it also highly appropriate to mark 50 years of the Twin Cam Group.

As mentioned above, we are holding a Twin Cam Group 50th Anniversary Luncheon on Sunday May 22 2016 at The Half Moon, WINDLESHAM GU20 6BN to which all Twin Cam and De-Luxe owners are invited.

There will be limited preferential parking for Twin Cam and DeLuxe MGAs. £20 per head for a two course Sunday Lunch with Tea or Coffee. (Dessert available at your extra cost on the day)

Colin Manley • manley.colin@talk21.com

This is a key date for the Twin Cam Group and we would like to have as many Twin Cam and De-Luxe owners as possible attend this 50th Anniversary Lunch. We need to establish numbers, pre-pay and finalise this firm booking, so please contact Mark Hester on mgatcg@outlook.com to book and pay for your place(s). If any owners were at the first official event at Silverstone in May 1966, or at the 10th anniversary luncheon, please make themselves known to Mark, as we should like to honour and specially invite those early members.

Saturday 4–Sunday June 5 2016 – MG Live! Silverstone.

The largest MG event in the world. Keep an eye on the dedicated website for further news: www.mglive.co.uk Sunday July 10 2016 – South West MGA Day. Terry Drinkwater retires as MGA Register South-West Representative at the AGM in April and Alan Whitfield, who lives in North Somerset, has kindly agreed to take over from Terry and will be planning the annual South-West Day, a one-day touring event visiting some of the attractive locations in this lovely part of the world.

Contact Alan Whitfield on alanwhitfield323@btinternet.com.

Sunday July 31 (provisional) – Scottish MGA Day. Register Scottish Representative, George Rome, will be organising this one-day touring event north of the Border. Full details will be announced in the near future.

Sunday August 14 – MGA Day. Contact Jonny Pollard on jonknutsford@gmail.com. This year it will take place at the National Trust’s Charlecote Park www. nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park in Warwickshire. No booking is necessary, but NT members must bring their cards for free entry.

Watch this space and the MGA Register website for further details.

Sunday August 21 – Stockfest Rare Breeds Classic Tour & Show, Stockcross, near Newbury.

Full details for the Twin Cam Group supported and sponsored 2016 event will be available in the near future, check www.mgcc.co.uk/ mga-twin-cam-group/mga-twin-cam-group/events-2/ but visit the event’s 2015 websites: www.rarebreedstour.co.uk and www. stockfestcarshow.co.uk for a flavour of this traditional villagebased event, or contact Edward Vandyk at mgascribe@vandyk. co.uk or on 07836 727212. Entries to the tour from Twin Cams are especially welcome; there were 15 last year and more at the show. Entry forms for the tour are available on the tour website.

Features for 2016 will include a beer tent featuring West Berks Brewery ales, this was drunk dry last year despite the rain; a hot food offering by local caterers; a vintage fair; open gardens; marionettes for children and adults; and live music from five bands until 8.00pm. It is a village event to be based round the tour and show and designed to be a whole day event with something for everyone be they driver, co-driver, navigator or passenger.

Friday 23–Monday September 26 2016 MGA Register Autumn Weekend.

Full details of this event were given last month in the MGA section of Safety Fast!. The chosen location is Norfolk and our base will be the Park Farm Hotel near Norwich www.parkfarmhotel. co.uk. David Simons is putting together a plan for the weekend which will include the North Norfolk coast on the Saturday and the Norfolk Broads on the Sunday, finishing at Blickling Hall www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blicklingestate. Check the website at www.mgcc.co.uk/mga-register/events-in-2016/ for details and booking forms.

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Colin Manley • manley.colin@talk21.com

Looking Back MGA Twin Cam – Barwell Cylinder Head A few MGA Twin Cams are running around with cylinder heads modified by an engineering company called Barwell, who were operating from Chessington, Surrey in the late 1950s and 60s.

The work they carried out on the head involved enlarging the inlet ports and throats, reshaping and flaring them, then polishing them to increase and smooth out the airflow. Larger inlet valves were then fitted. The exhaust side had similar treatment involving enlarging the exhaust valve seats and fitting special large exhaust valves. The exhaust ports were also polished and new valve guides fitted to both inlet and exhaust valves. A very old advert shows this to cost £28 but a later item shows the cost had increased to £40. You would not get much done now for £40 today.

From the reprint of an old Barwell catalogue that Dick Gough has, you can see the BHP figures for the modified engine along with figures for both 1 & 3/4” carbs and 2” carbs. Can anyone explain why the figures for the 2” carbs are lower than those of the 1 & 3/4” carb up to 5,000rpm – or have we just discovered that the typist got the information the wrong way round in the two columns up to that point!

Dick thinks: ‘The larger carbs on the Twin Cam may well produce less power at lower revs, I am no expert to say the least, but my understanding is that big carbs, valves etc. start to work when you wind the engine up.

Smaller carbs, valves work better at low revs. All down to trying to get more air through a larger hole with the same amount of suck.’

Interesting to see that the modified engine with 2” carbs took the BHP at 7,000rpm from 106BHP, on a standard engine, to 128.2 BHP. Only now is Frank Burry’s Barwell headed engine giving a bit of a blue puff on overrun but there are no other issues otherwise.

Dick does not think that the head on his roadster is Barwell modified. It has larger inlet valves and he has matched the ports up to a Weber manifold. It would seem that while Barwell also put larger exhaust valves in, Dick’s

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MGA TWIN CAM NEWSLETTER

engine are standard size and when he last saw Peter Wood with one of the inlet valves with him, “Peter asked if my head was a Barwell but seemed to think they had some sort of stamping or marking to denote that was what they were,” says Dick.

Barwell, it would seem, were based opposite some ‘Ministry of Supply’ ex-army type huts, now long gone, on the same side of the road as what is now Chessington World of Adventures. New industrial units are now on the same site and on what would seem to signify that it was army: Garrison Road.

John Lucas, managing Director of Barwell, comes to mind as Lucas heads were well known back then and Dick assumes it is the same person. Barwell also did an alloy ‘A series’ head.

It would seem it was a small community in this area as Dick has just found out that about a mile up the road was High Efficiency Motors run by C.T. Tommy Atkins, who raced at Brooklands (owners of Dick’s coupe for about a year, Jan 60 to Feb 61; the first Guy Salmon Automobiles also based about a mile away, July 59 to Jan 60) who were well in to racing Cobras, Coopers etc. with names like Bruce Mclaren Roy Salvadori, Jack Brabham and more.

Dick has now looked up a bit more and thinks that “Barwell Motorsport in Leatherhead, still going strong, came from Barwell

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NEWSLETTER MGA TWIN CAM

Colin Manley • manley.colin@talk21.com

Motors in the early 60s when they may have sold out, I do not know how true this is because they are very hazy about their beginnings, just stating that they started in the 60s.”

Coincidently Dick remembers taking a Twin Cam crank and rods to Brabhams in the 1960s for balancing, not realising all the above. Dick muses, “Also about a mile away was Cooper Cars (also somewhere I have driven past on many occasions not realising!) hence Bruce McLaren, Jack Brabham as they both drove F1 for Cooper (I met John Cooper in his later days, great bloke). I have no doubt all these people, being so close, knew each other very well.

Who knows, Bruce McLaren or Jack Brabham or someone else might have driven my coupe at one time, hence although it has a relatively low mileage, it is on 60 thou bores having had some spirited/sporting driving.”

Other items …

First, is a copy of the April 1979 invite to the honouring of EX181 at the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway Museum.

Then, a letter from Lyle York, of the MGA Twin Cam Registry Indiana, about imploring readers to join the MG Car Club UK ‘Twin Cam Group’ attached to the MGA Twin Cam Registry Overseas Centre. Lyle notes that: ‘On May 15, 1978 we achieved a major goal in this long pursuit of our hobby in that we were recognised as a “Centre” by the MG Car Club Ltd. of England.’

He also proposes: ‘there can probably be an annual get together organised ….’ From little acorns eh?

Also unearthed was an undated copy of MG Magazine

containing an interview with Phil Hill and the inside story of ‘Phil Hill’s astonishing 254mph world record, established 20 years ago’.

How time flies!

Call it MGA

To close, after looking back, how about buying the second edition of Call it MGA to bring you right up to date.

The first edition of this superb book by Roger Martin and Piers Hubbard was published in 2004 and is now highly sought after, with examples changing hands at many times the original price on internet auction sites.

The new, revised and updated edition, which includes three new chapters and a wealth of colour photographs, is now available and can be ordered by visiting www.mgcc.co.uk/mgaregister/merchandise-shop/ and following the ordering instructions.

By email you will be sent a PayPal invoice which you can pay by credit or debit card at no extra charge. (You do not need your own PayPal account to pay the invoice.) No MGA owner’s bookshelf or coffee table should be without this book.

Don’t forget, email me with your own topics for inclusion in future newsletters.

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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H1 - CLIVE WHEATLEY_H7 - CLIVE WHEATLEY 26/03/2015 11:29 Page 1

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Highgrosvenor, Worfield, WV15 5PN

Genuine RV8 heater valve (ZKC 5119 - the correct one) £54.95 RV8 Brake Servo. Made by the original manufacturer £118.80

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genuine & conversion parts

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

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Panels available individually or as a full kit Hardtop with lift out roof panel coming shortly

This MGB body conversion kit is designed to fit both Roadster versions.

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Unit 12, North East Suffolk Business Centre, 52 Pinbush Road, Lowestoft, NR33 7NQ www.mgcc.co.uk

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Unit 4, North East Suffolk Business Centre, 52 Pinbush Road, Lowestoft, NR33 7NQ22/03/2016

16:34

NEWSLETTER V8

Victor Smith • 0208 392 9434 • victorsmith@v8register.net • www.v8register.net

V8 Newsletter

Welcome to the

GTS104 thermostat – drilled vent or undrilled?

Dave Morris sought clarification on whether the MGV8 thermostat is vented. He asked, “Does anyone know if the thermostat on the RV8 should be drilled or undrilled? I ask because I decided to replace mine while renewing the cooling system hoses using silicon hose kit from Clive Wheatley mgv8parts which I am very happy with. I ordered a new GTS104 thermostat from one of the usual suppliers and found when it arrived there was no vent. The old one (I don’t know if it is original but doubt it) was the drilled type with the little bobble valve. I have tried to look at the spec for the GTS104 and can find both types so now I am not sure which is correct or best.”

Looking at the service repair section (Cooling system: Repair, page 3) of the RV8 Repair Manual AKM7153ENG, the procedure for replacing the thermostat is set out. The illustration in the workshop manual shows the thermostat (1) mounted horizontally and a 2 note specifically says, ‘Fit the thermostat to the housing with 1 the vent pin (bobble valve) (2) in the 12 o’clock position – caution, failure to position the thermostat correctly can lead to air locks and overheating.’

Dave Morris later added he had “spoken with Brown & Gammons and they said the thermostat does need to be vented. So I will indeed drill it accordingly, but I wonder why the drilled type isn’t specified as it was on my old XJR?” Thermostat with the vent at top

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So it is clear the thermostat originally fitted to both the MGB GT V8 and RV8 model had a vent pin and it is important that it is located correctly in the thermostat housing.

Nic Houslip says, “The Rover parts manual for the RV8 lists the thermostat as GTS104, so we are sure that is the correct part. I think that a caution for members is to check for the presence of the vent pin, bleed valve, bobble pin or whatever it is called, and to reject any thermostat supplied that does not have one.

A quick survey of the leading parts suppliers shows four seem to offer a GTS104 with no vent and three suppliers offer a GTS104 with a vent – they are Brown & Gammons, Clive Wheatley mgv8parts and Moss Europe. There is also a very wide variation in price, from as little as £2.40 to over £6.00, but in absolute terms not expensive.”

Dave Morris added, “Yesterday I went to my local motor factor and looked at their stock of thermostats. What I found was that all of their 82°C thermostats, including those listed as a GTS104 equivalent, were unvented. Conversely their 88°C part, listed for 3.9 Discoveries and Range Rovers, was vented. Not a very scientific survey I know but what I think it means is that we need to take care when buying replacements from non-specialist suppliers using the MG or Unipart part numbers.”

Nic Houslip added, “The small drilled hole is a bleed hole, primarily to allow a small amount of heated water to go past the thermostat and ensure that the wax bulb gets heated and allows the thermostat to open. It also allows the release of any air trapped (which may also prevent the bulb getting heated) to pass. The ‘bobble valve’ allows a reverse flow of water during cooling down when the thermostat may be closed. When buying a replacement GTS104 thermostat you need to check carefully it has a vent and bobble valve.”

Coolant bleed insert

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22/03/2016 16:34

Victor Smith • 0208 392 9434 • victorsmith@v8register.net • www.v8register.net

Fault with the starter 6RA relay The familiar bright alloy case of a 6RA relay on the offside inner wing of an MGBGTV8 greets you every time you go into the engine bay. The 6RA forward of the fuse box controls the twin cooling fans, and the other on the bulkhead side controls the engagement of the starter motor. In both cases the 6RA relay is managing the switching on and off of a high current device with a signal from a switch on a low current circuit – so in effect the 6RA is relaying the signal from the low current circuit into an action on a high current circuit.

Recently Steve Newton replaced the 6RA relay for the starter motor as part of the refurbishment of an MGBGTV8 owned by a longstanding V8 Register member, John Gay. Within a day or so a fault developed where having turned on the ignition key to engage the starter motor to fire up the engine, the starter would not stop turning once the engine was running. Usually once the engine fires up the starter motor automatically stops and disengages, but

V8 NEWSLETTER

with John’s V8 even turning the ignition off left the starter motor turning! The only way to stop this was to tap the alloy case of the 6RA to free the contacts or to break the power supply to the starter motor from the batteries. With John’s car he has a battery isolator switch so that was a readily available option.

Steve replaced the 6RA but the problem was repeated a few days later. So he opened up both 6RA relays to investigate what was going on and causing this problem. What he found was sadly not unusual with many replacement parts in the classic car spares market today – poor quality parts, often imported from Far Eastern suppliers and manufacturers.

On examining the faulty 6RA relay Steve found the contacts in the switch came together under the magnetic force of the coil in the relay but did so at an angle and not parallel to each other as they should, so there was a reduced area of surface contact between the contacts. With the large current drawn by the starter motor, the result was a fusing in one spot with the limited area of surface contact between the fixed and flexing contacts. This could only be broken by tapping the 6RA case to free the contacts. Steve also detected a lack of sufficient spring tension on the sprung blade (the lower of the two contacts in the photo above).

Where a 6RA relay is used in less demanding roles, for example with the twin cooling fans, the surface fusing problem above is far less likely to arise. So a serious operational fault will not develop, although we have seen a case of a ‘burn out’ on the C1 terminal with a 6RA relay used for twin cooling fans.

Why were 6RA relays used?

As with many other cars of the period, MGBGTV8s used Lucas 6RA relays to control the power supply to various electrical ancillaries, specifically those that draw larger currents like the starter motor and twin cooling fans fitted to V8s. The benefit of using a relay, an electrically operated switch, is it allows a high current circuit (for example the circuit supplying power to the twin fans) to be controlled by an isolated, low current circuit (the circuit with the switch). This enables all the wiring handling the highest currents to be located within the engine bay but controlled by low current wiring routed from a switch. With the twin fans the switch is the Otter thermostat switch on the top of the MGBGTV8 engine but in cases where the switch is near the dashboard, removing the high current wiring from the dashboard area reduces a potential fire hazard and also allows a lighter grade of wiring to be used for the switch.

How does a 6RA relay work?

When reading workshop notes or V8 Bulletin Board threads mentioning technical terms or particular replacement parts, many members may welcome information on how various components

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work. The 6RA relay fitted to the MGBGTV8 model is an example, and here Nic Houslip explains how a 6RA relay works.

The 6RA designation is a generic one, and more properly it should include information on the number of contacts so that you get the right part. To start with, let’s use the one we often see on the MGBGTV8, the 6RA with four terminals. The 6RA relay below is a new one, so I scraped away the silicon sealant that was applied to keep the canister watertight and bent the crimps slightly to allow the internal workings to be exposed. Highlighting the markings stamped into the Bakelite base with a small marker pen ensures that the legend C1, C2, W1 and W2 is now clear.

Older 6RA relays may not have the silicon sealant, certainly original equipment would not have had sealant. With replacement

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NEWSLETTER V8

Victor Smith • 0208 392 9434 • victorsmith@v8register.net • www.v8register.net

spring also exerts a force on the Contacts that keeps them together. A certain pressure is necessary to ensure low contact resistance.

The top view of the 6RA relay workings reveals a curious piece of bent brass that protrudes over the top of the Armature. Despite its crude construction, this is a very critical part of the relay and should not be bent or moved at all. Its function is to limit the size of the air gap between the Armature and Pole piece so that when the Coil is energised, the Armature is instantly attracted. If the gap is too large the Armature may not pull in, too small and the contact separation may be too little.

6RAs the sealant also obscures the terminal markings, so you may need good light and even a magnifying glass to see them.

Internal workings of a 6RA relay If we now turn to the internal workings, you can clearly see the Coil (or winding) in the centre of the photo. The coils are wound on an insulating former (the Bobbin) which is fitted over a soft iron Pole piece, the circular part protruding from the top of the Bobbin. Note too, the thick silver coloured iron frame that is fixed under the Coil and supports the Armature that is suspended above the Pole piece. The phosphor bronze spring that carries the armature, called the Blade, can be seen riveted to the frame and extends to the right to carry the Contact, the button shaped piece top right; directly under it is the other Contact which is connected to Terminal C1 via the silver coloured metal strip.

The Pole piece is riveted through the base and is actually the connection for the Contact to Terminal C2. When current is passed through the Coil via Terminals W1 and W2, a magnetic flux is set up in the Pole piece, which flows through the air gap that you see just above the Pole piece and under the Armature, back to the Frame and thus back to the Pole. This flux causes a magnetic force that attracts the Armature, closing the air gap and moving the upper Contact downwards toward the other Contact, thus making the electrical circuit. Soft Iron is the material of choice as it has little remanence, or lack of residual magnetism, which means the magnetic field collapses quickly when the current through the Coil stops and the Armature is no longer attracted.

Now the circuit is made, current will flow from Terminal C2 via the frame, the riveted spring Blade to the upper and then the lower Contact and out via Terminal C1 which is riveted to the metal strip that supports the lower Contact. This metal strip has another function that isn’t immediately obvious; during final test after assembly the strip, which you will notice has a kink, is tweaked by the test operator to position the lower contact immediately below the upper.

The Contacts might seem to the layman to be simply a couple of buttons made of a material that conducts electricity well, but most of the development effort in relays in the last 100 years has been in this area. The choice of metal used depends on the duty the relay is required to perform; there are myriad choices and the manufacturer will have taken into account the operating environment, vibrations, life time cycles and many other factors such as pressure and speed of operation. The Contacts are arranged so that they do not appear to align very well, but this is deliberate, because as they come together the springy Blade bends a little and the Contacts move axially, allowing them to ‘wipe’ against each other, giving a slight cleaning action. Too much wipe introduces wear, so this has to be carefully controlled. The

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Contact separation is also important when switching an inductive load, such as a motor or a solenoid; there is a voltage generated in the windings of a motor that is in opposition to the normal and depending on the magnetic properties of the iron and the assembly may be many times higher than the humble 12 volts being switched. Too little separation can allow this voltage (or back emf as it is known) to cause arcing that pits the contacts and erodes them. In more serious cases it could actually cause arcing which may weld them together.

An important consideration too is the vibration that the relay will experience in its daily life. If the relay is subject to shock loads caused for example by pot holes in the road, it isn’t difficult to understand that the force on the Armature may be sufficient to cause the Contacts to momentarily separate. Usually the manufacturer will have determined the correct orientation for the relay mounting. With a 6RA, bolting it to the bulkhead is probably the best possible location, although under a heavy bump and rebound there may be a slight axial displacement of the Contacts and momentarily loss of electrical contact.

Corrosion is a source of 6RA failure The 6RA relay is prone to another curious failure mode; the construction of the relay is riveted, and depending on the skill of the operator and the set-up of the press to do it, there may be a small resistance between the various parts, particularly at the rivets to the Faston or Lucar blades. Over time the penetration of moisture can result in corrosion setting in – the environment in the engine bay is a very nasty place, so there must be airflow, but when it’s raining cats and dogs on the M1 a lot of water gets in there. What happens here is unexpected; the increase in resistance causes the blades and rivet to heat up, and after some cycles the material of the rivet will lose its clamping force and resistance will increase, causing further heating. This becomes self-destroying as eventually the terminals will get quite hot, the heat is transferred to the Faston connector and this too will lose its temper and contribute, by lessened holding force, to further heating and leading to eventual burning of the Bakelite base and a failure just when you need the fans most.

The best recommendation here is to replace the 6RA relay and at the same time replace the crimped on Faston connections on the wires if you have any doubt about their holding force. If they pull off and go back on easily they may have softened, so replacement is a must.

Finally, when assembling the whole thing a quick spray of WD40 on the contacts blades makes them much easier to reconnect and will keep moisture away from the contact interfaces, leading to long life.

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 16:34

Victor Smith • 0208 392 9434 • victorsmith@v8register.net • www.v8register.net

V8 Workshop Notes series passes the 500 milestone!

Launched in April 1979, the V8 Workshop Notes series began with a note from John Dupont on removing and refitting a V8 water pump, and in February 2016 the 500th note was released reporting a fault seen with 6RA relays supplied as replacement parts. That’s an average of one new note a month for 38 years!

The series of RV8 Workshop Notes was launched in September 1999 and has reached 415 notes, so a combined total this month of 918 notes. With 31 notes generated over the last 12 months it’s likely we will reach a thousand notes by the time we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the formation of the V8 Register in October 2018. The workshop notes are popular with V8 enthusiasts and are now supplied on a neat Twister memory stick bearing the V8 Register logo.

The success of the workshop notes series underlines the way V8 members actively participate in the V8 Register by contributing articles and notes on servicing concerns and spares issues.

Visit to the Black Country Living Museum Steve Newton has arranged a group visit to the Black Country Living Museum on Saturday April 9 2016 meeting at 11am. Located in Dudley in the West Midlands, it is one of the finest and largest openair museums in the United Kingdom. After very humble beginnings, a bright idea and 40 years of inspiration, this is 26 acres worth exploring.

Amazing as it may seem, they have created a ‘place’ – a real and lively place – where once there was nothing and nobody; now with a village and charismatic residents to chat with, trams to ride and games to play. Things being made, stories to hear, people with their triumphs to admire and troubles to be thankful they are not ours. Contact Steve Newton on 07811 474774 or by email. Full details via the ‘More’ webpage on the V8 website.

RV8 Spring Run in Yorkshire Stuart Mumby is organising a Spring Run on Sunday April 24 2016, primarily for MG RV8s, but all MGV8s are welcome. This coincides with the FBHVC Drive-it-Day and will offer an ideal opportunity to get your car out and be seen on this important annual event. The route will take in Bronte and Summer Wine Country in the scenic Yorkshire Pennines. The run will be free to enter for MG Car Club members, £5 for non-members. Please contact Stuart by email or on 01430 871078 if you wish to join the tour as it helps with catering arrangements. The day will start with coffee and morning victuals and end at a suitable refreshment venue. Full details via the ‘More’ webpage on the V8 website.

V8 Technical Day 2016 Following the successful V8 Technical Days in 2014 and 2015, Roger Aldridge is planning another for Saturday May 21 2016 in the John Thornley Suite at Club Office, with three speakers in the morning, lunch and then a move over to Frontline Developments in Abingdon for presentations on their activities and a tour of their new factory. There will also be a chance to look at their new MGBs. Contact Roger Aldridge to book a place. Full details via the ‘More’ webpage on the V8 website.

www.mgcc.co.uk

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V8 NEWSLETTER

V8 Autumn Tour 2016 The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in The New Forest National Park from Thursday 1 to Monday September 5 2016. The tour will be through beautiful areas of the forest and visiting various establishments, including a winery, the famous Buckler’s Hard where ships of the line were built and finishing at the Museum of Army Flying for a tour, followed by a buffet lunch prior to departure for home. Contact Mike Lane on 01264 350040 to book a place. Full details via the ‘More’ webpage on the V8 website.

Swiss-MGV8 event in Portugal before the EEOY 2017 MGV8 enthusiasts planning to travel to Portugal to attend the MG Car Club’s European Event of the Year 2017 will welcome the early news that a preliminary event for V8 enthusiasts – ‘Visiting Portugal 2017’ – is being planned there from Saturday July 29 to Thursday August 3 2017 by the Swiss V8 Group, run by Victor Rodrigues and his Swiss wife Evelyne. Although he has lived for many years in Zurich in Switzerland, Victor originally comes from Portugal and has used his local knowledge to arrange the additional event. He and Evelyne would welcome early indications of interest from V8 Register members. The number of cars will be limited to 20 with their crews. The planned accommodation is described in the preliminary information available via the ‘More’ webpage on the V8 website.

Repairing an electronic key fob Finding your electronic key fob has developed a fault – for example one of the buttons has fallen out or it simply stops working – can leave you with a puzzle as to how to get the fob repaired or replaced without too much hassle or expense. Richard Lomas reported in 2011 that he had used Automobile Locksmith to repair the fob for his RV8 and found an excellent service. He sent the fob on Wednesday and it was returned Friday morning with a new fob. They also sell both new and used remote transponder keys, blank key blades, replacement batteries and other parts for the auto locksmith industry and repair kits for technically-minded DIY people. Visit their website to see the full range of services they provide and the models they support or call them on 01733 705009 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm), you can pay online. See our ‘More’ webpage for further details.

Where is a V8 I used to own?

An increasing number of enquiries are coming from enthusiasts who are trying to trace an MGV8 they had once owned and enjoyed in earlier years. Colin Matthews had an MGBV8GT from new, registration number BRE 960M, and wondered if by chance it is still in existence. On checking the V8 Database (which we believe has records of more than 70% of the surviving MGBGTV8s) there was no trace of a V8 with that registration number. On checking the VES (Vehicle Enquiry Service) on the GOV.UK website a record popped up reporting the car with that registration plate is an MG with a 3528cc engine and is taxed to July 1 2016 and with a current MOT to July 20 2016. So it appears this V8 is very much alive! Does anyone know this car?

In another case Bob Neville revealed a painting of an MGBGTV8 and would like it to be passed on to the current owner of the car. The painting notes the registration number was JJH 263N. An MGBGTV8 with the registration number JJH 263N is not recorded on the V8 Database so we did a Vehicle Enquiry Service check on the GOV.UK website which shows an MG in Red with a 3528cc engine is on a SORN with an MOT due to expire in April 2016. So it appears the car is out there – does anyone know the car and its owner so the painting can be passed to the present owner? See the painting and links to the VES GOV.UK website on our ‘More’ webpage at www.v8register.net/more.htm

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NEWSLETTER MG6.3.5

Steve Haines • Steve-haines@live.co.uk • www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register • https://twitter.com/635register • http://www.mgcc.co.uk/mg635-register/

MG6.3.5 Newsletter

Welcome to the

As ownershi and mem ershi of the egister ontinues to grow we are seeing more and more interest and enthusiasm for the latest models from MG o ial media traffi has in reased su stantially with a ositi e i e from owners and otential owners ali e eo le are loo ing for a ery good deal on oth new and re lo ed MG s and s in the and also with other models su h as the MG and MG G worldwide Internationally sales are in reasing as are the num ers of owners oining in the online hat re ently arti ularly from hailand It s ni e to see some international gatherings and a real assion for MG all around the world his year we ha e already made ig im ro ements to the a essi ility of the formal registration ro ess for ehi les y setting u a new online form e would en ourage all owners to ma e sure they ha e registered their ehi les as this ro ides the Car Clu with an histori al data ase for the models and in alua le information on ehi les for future owners e ha e also found that the egistration ro ess is en ouraging owners who are not mem ers of the MG Car Clu to oin us ou an register your ehi le details at htt s do s google om forms d I M fino e L n

mn1B8PX-fFIwPco/viewform. r find it on the MGCC egister mi ro we age ur egistrar Matt im erley has set u and loo s after this data ase and will e ha y to re ei e hand written registration forms y ost if re uired as we are aware that not e eryone uses the internet or email lease onta t im er ouse who will e a le to get a form to you to fill in or alternati ely we will e a le to a ture registration data at all of the e ents this year

Steve Haines’ MG6 outside the MG factory, Longbridge

635 Events 2016:

he egister has another full list of e ents for whi h en om asses two irthdays he MG G was laun hed in May and the Magnette in uly whi h ma es it years sin e the models a eared in the e will e ele rating this at ride of Long ridge MG Li e and at ed It s also three years sin e the MG was laun hed in the he first ma or e ent of the year is at ride of Long ridge Cofton ar on unday A ril where on e again we will e ha ing a large stand of MG s and s lo ated lose to the MG Motor stand e would lo e to see as many owners of the models as ossi le at Cofton ar to ele rate the heritage of the Long ridge fa tory and arti ularly the newest MG models e will e a le to register ehi les wel ome new owners to the egister and we will ha e our full range of regalia for sale lease ome along to say hello we re always ha y to hat to new or otential owners a out our ars

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Modern MGs gather at the Pride of Longbridge 2015

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 16:59

Steve Haines • Steve-haines@live.co.uk • www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register • https://twitter.com/635register • http://www.mgcc.co.uk/mg635-register/

e will of ourse ha e our stand at MGLi e in une where we will e a le to ro ide hel ad i e and a warm wel ome to owners old new and otential e will e su orting our Charity for Crohns and Colitis with a raf e as in re ious years with great rizes from our su orters MG Motor ohn oods Motor are and MG CC team ur other ma or e ent in will e at ed at Gaydon on uly where we will ha e egister ar ing and e an integral art of the saloon day show e t lots of alloons irthday a e and fun i ets an e ur hased from www mg o u sho rodu t zed he egister would li e mem ers all o er the ountry to ta e art in any lo al e ents within the arious Centres and send in their hotos and stories to uild u awareness of the models and en ourage new ownershi and mem ershi of the Clu All e ents are set u on the egister a e oo age so lease add yourself as going to them so we an estimate num ers for any stands we need to oo At ea h e ent we will ha e our full range of egister regalia for sale sti ers grille adges la el adges signed hotos shirts mugs et or you an uy dire tly from our e ay sho www e ay o u usr mg u

ere is the April 16 A ril A ril May May 7-8 une June 4-5 une uly July 9 uly August August August e tem er e tem er Sept 17-18 to er December 3

MG6.3.5 NEWSLETTER

e ents list Pride of Longbridge Cofton Park, Birmingham CC onington ar Lei estershire ri e it ay arious London Motor how attersea ar London BTCC Thruxton, Hampshire CC ulton ar Island Cheshire MG Live! Silverstone, Northants CC Croft orth or shire Cars in the ar ea on ar Li hfield MG6 5th Birthday Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon CC netterton orfol arrogate MG how ewerley ar ateley ridge CC no hill ife CC o ingham orthants MG ro hy ulton ar Cheshire huttleworth ings iggleswade eds BTCC Silverstone, Northants CC rands at h G ent AGM / Xmas Do TBC

MG/888 BTCC 2016:

e are delighted that ha e agreed a further three year deal with MG Motor to rodu e their own Cham ion from a young line u e ho e to e wor ing losely on e again with MG Motor s e ents team to assist and su ort the team at as many of the rounds of the CC as ossi le If you e ne er een it really is a ra ing day out at the ra es Always something going on with e ellent ra ing on the tra and lenty to do esides he teams and dri ers are ery a essi le and friendly towards the fans whi h ma e for a great atmos here All of the fun and e itement of the season an e followed on the MG CC u orters Grou on a e oo age www fa e oo om grou s dates will a ear regularly in Safety Fast! and on our mi ro we age e will e again ha ing stands at hru ton in May and il erstone in e tem er whi h is always well su orted with egister ar ing and the MGCC e ents mar uee hese ha e een ery en oya le in re ent years with owners ars eing

MG Motor with a selection of MG635 Register Members’ cars at the BTCC, Thruxton 2015

dis layed on the MG Motor stand and a great interest in the models It s always ni e to see the MG G ra ing and long may it ontinue in to ight motors ort

Members’ cars parked at Silvertone ready for the 2015 BTCC action

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 51

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NEWSLETTER MG6.3.5

Steve Haines • Steve-haines@live.co.uk • www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register • https://twitter.com/635register • http://www.mgcc.co.uk/mg635-register/

BTCC testing

A few diehard MG CC fans turned u at hru ton on a old e ruary morning to he out the o osition for this year s CC as unfortunately no MG dri ers had een named at the time here seems to e a rather large amount of onda Ci i s in this year s teams e saw some good testing sessions from wet to dry with Clio Cu and Ginetta unior ars in the mi too Last year s MG dri ers a Goff and Andrew ordan were there in their new M and ord o us ars utting in lenty of ra ti e la s It was a it odd seeing a sitting in the stands in the afternoon as his ar was eing shared y former MG dri er am ordoff and o Collard for ra ti e sessions It was a shame we hadn t seen MG s new dri ers testing ut we re sure they ll at h u and e in the mi for odiums this year

Philip Creasey’s MG6 GT at Thruxton

Stu Forbes arrives in his MG3 Style Lux

CTCC (Costa Rican Touring Car Championship) 2016

Bernal Valverde in the MG GT, based on the MG5

Last month we mentioned that MG has entered the Costa i an ouring ar ham ionshi with ernal al erde dri ing a ery good loo ing MG G ased on the MG After suffering me hani al ro lems fighting for the to ositions in the first ra e of the series ernal is loo ing forward to returning to the wheel of his MG to demonstrate that it has the a ility to e one of the fa ourites to win the dri ers ham ionshi

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635 Register web page and social media e ha e een onstantly u dating the MG Car Clu egister we age with all of the information you may need lease he it out regularly for u dates throughout the year If you ha e any new items or gallery hotos lease send them to us so we an ee the age urrent and fresh he same an e said of the a e oo age whi h again is eing e t u to date with e ents and information for owners If you re not art of it lease do oin us e re also on witter so follow us and ee u to date that way If you don t do a e oo witter internet or email we re always ha y to ost ut information to owners ust onta t us through im er ouse e re loo ing forward to another great year meeting new old and otential owners of the latest MGs lease ome and say hello if you see us at a show this year as the egister is a ery friendly un h een to ha e fun and en oy their ars to the ma

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 16:59

18/01/2016 10:43 Page 1

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For all your MG requirements, from a service to a prize winning restoration, contact Adrian Priestley via

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SOUTH COAST MG ROVER LTD PLEASE NOTE: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THIS ARTWORK IS THE PROPERTY OF CLASSIC MOTORING MAGAZINE. Leading independent and RoverMG specialist in Dorset LeadingMG independant and Rover specialist in Dorset NO PART OF THIS ARTWORK MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED OR OTHERWISE Why choose South Coast Rover?

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MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 53

Fax: 01202 649765 Address: Unit 2f, Sharp Road, Branksome, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4BG

Poole, Dorset, BH12 4BG

APRIL 2016

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NEWSLETTER MG6.3.5

Steve Haines • Steve-haines@live.co.uk • www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register • https://twitter.com/635register • http://www.mgcc.co.uk/mg635-register/

An MG6 GT owner’s view from Andy Smith his is GGI my ids name my ars the last one was a e tra alled ere I ha e owned this ar sin e anuary I ha e only owned two other MGs efore oth Metros one old and one not so old I had the leasure of wor ing at Long ridge for se en years and Lode Lane for two so I ha e had a fondness for most L rodu ts Li e most eo le I was de astated when I heard of the demise of MG o er hen I heard that the Chinese had ought the mar ue and wanted to laun h an MG model here I was really s e ti al a out it we ha e all heard those horror stories a out uality and rodu t finish In anuary when my fi e year old e tra de ided to go all militant and refuse to wor I thought a out a new ar than you I I went to arious garages and I found I was not really interested in the o us Mondeo or Insignia Late one winter afternoon I de ided to

An MG3 owner’s view from the Haines family e ha e owned and en oyed MG o er ars for se eral years with my wife ora ha ing a o er s i and an MG i ed u as an e demonstrator argain from eter Motor Grou in e also ha e an MG MG G and MG and an MG Metro in its whi h we en oy immensely ur son om who is now was learning to dri e in and when we found out that the was going to ost in the region of er annum to insure for him we de ided that the new MG with an insuran e grou four may e something to loo at n further in estigation this was loo ing li e a good idea as insuran e was oming out at er year ensi e ut a lot less than the It seems a ery e ensi e usiness for youngsters to learn to dri e and get on the road these days ue to the la of dealers at the time in e on a id Clar from the sales entre was ind enough to ome down and let us ha e a test dri e of the new MG e ga e it a good wor out and soon dis o ered that it handled e tremely well was ery s a ious smooth and uiet and had lots of toys for the money Com ared to the it had less ower ut it was enough as our se ond ar and o iously had to meet the low insuran e riteria for our son om Most im ortantly ora a ro ed as she was to e the main dri er of the ar inan es organised and a deal stru with a e for a trade in of the elo ed we awaited onstru tion of our hite on the tiles MG tyle Lu to mat h our white MG from Long ridge e too deli ery in e ruary and soon started to en oy the zi y handling of the MG great ra ti ality and omfort le els om started to learn to dri e in it eing a ery smooth and easy ar to dri e I ha e to onfess that I tend to use the MG instead of my on the wee ends when I an get hold of it to dri e lo ally and around town It is a ery om etent

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isit the sales entre at Long ridge and what an afternoon it was I was greeted y salesman a id Clar and he asi ally allowed me to try oth the etrol and diesel MG and e en an MG ust so I new what I wanted eggie is a MG G rather a mouthful ut rammed with toys f ourse my ownershi hasn t een totally lain sailing I ha e had the odd lea ut always sorted y the sales entre and ne er any hassles he ar on the road is great to dri e and gets a few loo s mostly thin ing what is that andling is great it is really tuned well for ritish roads Mine is the etrol tur o so no mat h for the diesel e tra in e onomy ut is u there with the ower out ut ull leather interior and dual limate ontrol all add to a ery well s e ified ar o am I ha y with eggie h yes ould I uy another efinitely A ig than you to a id Clar e and imon ennett at the sales entre for allowing me to ta e the i tures

motorway ruiser too with its uilt in ruise ontrol As a a age there is nothing to mat h it for the ri e on the mar et om assed his test in e tem er and uses the MG to get to wor and for so ial use is mates ha e gi en it the seal of a ro al so it has street red too As om is a ery areful young dri er after two years our insuran e has now dro ed further to till a lot ut getting etter In the two years we ha e had our MG it has o ered miles and had two dealer ser i es It s had a ou le of niggles eing re ersing sensor ro lems a L failure and the old hestnut of the under seat light oming on hango er from MG o er days ut these ha e een dealt with ui ly and effi iently y lights of ideford whi h is the most im ortant thing he more miles it s doing the etter it s getting e lo e it ery mu h and will ee it eyond its warranty eriod ne t year ith the modifi ations oming along for the model su h as e haust and indu tion we may onsider twea ing it a little in the future 6O 3NJOY!!

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 16:59

New From Webcon Multi throttle EFI system for MGB Webcon are delighted to announce the introduction of a range of new Alpha PRO5 kits to suit the MGB. The Alpha Gold kit includes a full Multi Throttle Engine Management system together with our MSX crossflow aluminium cylinder head to provide the power of a pair of twin 45DCOE carburettors along with the torque, driveability and refinement of a modern, powerful EFI system.

This is truly the ultimate induction for your ‘B’ The Alpha Silver kit combines the legendary power of a perfectly jetted Weber 45 DCOE matched to the reliability and torque of our PRO5 3D Mapped ignition system. The result is a smooth, powerful engine that completely transforms the MGB driving experience.

The Bronze Ignition Only kit is an expertly Mapped, OEM quality ECU, Wiring Loom, Crank Trigger set and Wasted spark coil which offers a complete Turnkey ignition solution to transform the reliability and driveability of your ‘B’. Our Bronze kit can be used with Weber or SU carburettors.

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www.mgcc.co.uk

MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 55

PLEASE NOTE: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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SCC16097

Est. Korea 1954

SC16 Car Clubs Advert A4 V1.indd 1

18/11/2015 14:59

IT’S BACK ! 2016 THE FAMOUS LONDON EVENT A NIGHT DRIVE ON THE THAMES

BRIDGES & TUNNELS

SEES THE RETURN OF THE FAMOUS EVENT IN THE UK’s CAPITAL CITY

IT’S BACK ! The MGF Register are pleased to announce the 3rd Thames Bridges & Tunnels charity event. Organised by the Essex Region and open to all MG Car Club members, we invite you to drive the streets of London at night when it’s at it’s best.The route will be starting at Simon’s Diner in Wimbledon, following a comprehensive illustrated roadbook at your own pace.

You will see the best of London all lit up, your journey will take you past the most famous sights London has to offer following the course of the River Thames right to it‘s end.

All details on the web soon: MG-TBT.org The site will go live 251 days prior to event on 17/01/2016

O

ur G Ch ui a d r th e ity e Do fo B g r lin s 2 d for 01 6

:

24th SEPTEMBER 2016

The Essex region team – who made a huge success of MGFIM in May 2015 – will be available to assist and advise; food, drink and toilets are available at the start and mid way. The event is free to enter but we ask for a minimum charity donation of £10 per car for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

If required, you can add an overnight stay at the new 4* Holiday Inn hotel at Southend Airport (made famous during the 2015 MGF International Meeting). A special rate has been agreed on.

On Sunday morning the Essex Region are attending the Car Show in nearby Battlesbridge, the world famous antiques centre, this is well worth a visit before you make your journey home.

Flyer Houten rz.indd 1

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24th SEPTEMBER 2016 W W W. M G - T B T. O R G

Pictures courtesy of Robert Parry, Steinar Braaten and Michael Benecke. Guide Dogs for The Blind are a charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979).

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www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:00

COMPETITIONS

Andy King’s 1935 Cream Cracker MG PB followed closely

by Simon Jackson’s 1935 blue MG PB. Photo: Colin Murrell

Mary Harris Trophy 2016 – Part 2 by Chris Kynoch

In part one of the Mary Harris Trophy, we looked at the history of the famous MG Car Club race, along with why there are so few Triple-M cars racing on our circuits these days, and also got a few words about it from Race Co-ordinator and driver Mark Dolton.

Mark Dolton’s 1935 black MG PB. Photo:Colin Murrell

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 57

T

he recent ‘MGs on Track’ day at Goodwood was the first track day that the Triple-Ms had ever taken part in as one big group and it proved to be a huge success. Mark had looked around for various track day opportunities before stumbling across MGs on Track, who were able to offer them exactly what they needed for a price that beats most commercial track days.

Alongside a full MGs on Track lineup were around ten Triple-M cars, from PAs, a Cream Cracker PB and a C-type Montlhery Midget. As ever with MGs on Track, the day was incredibly smooth, as the timetable was put together to allow both Triple-Ms and normal track day cars to get enough time in their own sessions without being mixed up and possibly becoming a hindrance to one another.

I managed to speak with some of the drivers during the various intervals, and they were all delighted at being there.

They commented on the experience – being together with the other Triple-Ms but not in a race environment. Goodwood was also suited incredibly well to the cars, which is very important, and they even managed to miss the big downpour of rain at 3pm, with only light drizzles affecting them on their big day.

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COMPETITIONS

Duncan Potter’s 1931 blue MG C-type Monthlhery Midget. Photo: Colin Murrell Triple M cars queue ready for their Goodwood track session. Photo: Chris Kynoch

In a time where there isn’t much racing going on, it was great to see the cars out on track. And for someone like myself who hasn’t seen cars that old going round a circuit before, it was an eyeopening experience, and riding passenger in one made it even better.

“Firstly we had amazing track time in very changeable conditions – giving us a real test and experience of running at pace on a track. It didn’t matter what experience the drivers had, that amount of laps in wet and slippery conditions was invaluable,” said Mark Dolton.

“It was fantastic that so many novice drivers were able to get out in the cars, especially for the drivers due to be lining up on the grid at Brands Hatch for the first time in a few weeks’ time.

“Secondly as a social occasion it was fantastic, brilliant that we were able to give so many people some passenger experience throughout the day. We are very lucky to have such enthusiastic and supportive group of owners and followers.

A huge thank you goes to MGs on Track who have been superb.

“So with 100% reliability all day, we put a smile on many faces – a great show!”

The day proved to be such a success that MGs on Track will be running another Triple-M track day on June 20 at Castle Combe, and 12 spaces have already been pre-booked with three in reserve. Before that however is the small matter of the Mary Harris Trophy on May 1.

Not only will the Triple-Ms be on show at Brands Hatch, but there is a full weekend of MG Car Club racing to watch.

To find out more, check the MGCC website in the coming weeks for tickets and news on the event.

Entries are still open for the Mary Harris Trophy which can be filled out on the Triple-M Racing website (www. triple-mracing.com), and if you have any queries, Mark can be contacted via email at mdjdolton@gmail.com Andy King’s PB at rest in the Goodwood pits. Photo: Chris Kynoch

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www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:00

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RACE TORQUE

John Horton has worked with the MG Car Club race organisation at just about every meeting from 2007 onwards. In that time John made many, many friends while organising and presenting the awards after every race. His skill and popularity on the microphone enabled every competitor to feel an important part of the event, and the encouragement John gave certainly had an effect on the numbers on the grid.

John did much more than that though, he personally sourced every award, dealt with the engraving, ensured that all of the awards were in the right place at the right time. Anyone who has dealt with that type of workload will realise just how capable John was. But as the obituary below from Mike Broad illustrates there was so much more to John than that.

We have all lost a true friend, a man of true stature.

John Horton, born June 8 1948, died February 26 2016 John Horton died on Friday February 26 as a result of a heart attack whilst out walking on Cannock Chase. Walking was one of John’s passions, he was a Hill Walking Leader for the Scouts – an activity he had been part of for over 25 years.

John’s other passion was motorsport.

John joined Dunlop Motorsport in 1972 and soon became Rally Manager. This was the heady days of Ford with the likes of Roger Clark, Timo Makinen and Bjorn Waldegaard.

In 1979 he left to join Dealer Opel Team and then GM Dealer Sport as co-ordinator for their UK Race and Rally programmes.

Aside from the business activities, John was an excellent navigator/co-driver and competed over the years beside the likes of Russell Brookes, Billy Coleman, Tony Drummond and Jimmy McRae. He even navigated for Gerry Marshall in a night rally as part of preparation for the Tour of Britain. His activities over the next 30 years were vast and varied. He managed the Shell Oils Sponsorship in rallying, managed and developed the National Rally Championship with the likes of Marlboro, Cellnet and Mintex and helped develop the MSA British Rally Championship.

Since 2001 until last year, John was the National Press Officer for both the F1 British GP and Wales Rally GB. Many of the rally fraternity will remember John as the PA commentator and interviewer on many rallies in the UK and Ireland, as well as the presenter for the MG Car Club at their UK race meetings.

He had worked for over 30 years with the organisers of Rally Finland.

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John Horton interviewing Colin Robertson after his race win. Photo: Dickon Siddall

Race Torque

by Ron Gammons

John was a father of two and he was immensely proud of Sarah and Patrick.

There has been an enormous response to the news of John’s death and one phrase keeps on being mentioned – “John helped me ….”. John was a very kind, helpful person. He never really pushed himself forward but was happy to help others. Many have been put on the right road in motorsport by John. A quiet, organised, immensely professional person, with a great sense of humour, who simply enjoyed being around motorsport, and most of all, people.

John Horton

John Horton presenting awards at the Snetterton 2014 MGCC meeting. Photo : John Luke Muirhead

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:00

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MGs ON TRACK

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Reunited with an old friend

By Chris Kynoch

I

t’s not often in Safety Fast! that we produce a real human interest story, however at the MGs on Track day event at Goodwood, nobody knew a such an amazing story would emerge.

It wasn’t just a regular track day at Goodwood – if you read the Mary Harris Trophy article earlier on in this month’s magazine, you will have seen that the Triple-M racing group were present, having their own separate sessions for the first time.

One of the cars happened to be owned by the sister of Mark Dolton – the Triple-M Race Co-ordinator. Alexa Reynaga, along with her father and husband were preparing the red MG PA they had rebuilt, and it was due to appear on track for the very first time.

Excitement was building in the paddock for this family who have forever been surrounded by vintage cars, and they were almost ready to test the PA when a lady approached Alexa, and what she said nobody could have expected.

“This used to be my father’s car,” a tearyeyed Clare Littlefield told Alexa as she walked up to the car for the first time in eight years.

After the sheer emotion of seeing the car up-and-running, Clare had a good look around what she remembered so vividly as a child growing up. Later on in the day, after Alexa had taken her out for a drive, we all sat down with a coffee and tried to get to the bottom of the story.

“Dad bought the MG PA in 1969, and it was running initially,” Clare said.

“As a little child I was in the garage with the car but I can’t ever remember it running.

He started doing bits and pieces to it before I came along and then he bought a BGT as a family car which I’ve still got.

“We kept it until 2008 when it was sold as a restoration project to one of my dad’s friends, Dave Castle. It was going to be Dad’s retirement project, but unfortunately he passed away that year so it didn’t get done. Then I found out that Dave had sold the car and I wanted to find out where it had gone.”

After initially phoning the MG Car Club and having no initial luck, Clare was redirected to Graham Arrondelle and then everything opened up.

Alexa Reynaga (left) with Clare Littlefield next to the PA at Goodwood.

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“He knew who had the car, so I gave him my details, then Mark Dolton messaged me back and said that the car would be here at Goodwood today so I decided to come along.”

After not only finding her father’s old MG PA, sitting inside it, and going round as a passenger for the first time, Claire was lost for words about her day at Goodwood with the MGs on Track crowd.

“Words don’t describe it, I’m just absolutely overwhelmed,” Clare said.

Not only was it an incredible experience for Clare, but also for Alexa, who was at Goodwood to test the same car her father had rebuilt for her.

“I’ve never done a track day or racing before,” Alexa said.

“My dad has been with vintage cars all of his life, and like Clare I was sitting on the bonnet when I was one. My brother Mark is racing my Dad’s PB, and as joke I said to my father that before he passes away would he build me one to drive for my 40th – and he did.

“He’s had the car for about five years, but it’s so interesting that this is the first time we’ve had it out on a track day. The first event we did was Prescott Pre-War Hillclimb, but this is the first big day out. So it was really nice that Clare has been able to share that,” Alexa added.

Alexa’s dad Tony has done a lot of work on the car to get it prepared for track days and events, including respraying the car, and to something a bit different to the white that Claire remembers as a child.

“We had a big debate on the colour.

Originally it would’ve been Cambridge Blue, so we were going to do it two-tone Oxford Blue and Cambridge Blue, however Dad always had Pippin Red MGs when I was a little girl, so I wanted it to be red,” Alexa said.

For Alexa, the fun doesn’t stop here though.

“I’m definitely doing some more track days and hillclimbs. Today has been great fun, we all felt safe, and it has given me personally the time and space to get to know the car and feel it.

“We’d love to have more track days like this at other circuits. My Dad said it’s been such a great day, nothing too serious but a nice social event,” Alexa added.

After such a brilliant day for both Clare and Alexa, they both promised that they would keep in touch, and after speaking with both of them it felt like they were old friends catching up when in fact they had only met that day.

“Dad would be so proud, this is our local circuit, and he was taking me here when I was four years old. It’s like a dream come true for me, for both of us,” Clare said.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the power of the MG marque.

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:00

MG MG Steve Brand track track steveb@mgs-on-track.co.uk on on www.mgs-on-track.com

2016 Calendar

Calendar 2015

* To book places you need to be registered with MGoT on New our website www.mgs-on-track.com ** for 2015 March 10 Silverstone ** All registered members will receive an email about a April 20 Cadwell week prior to the event opening for sale. (single MSV Session) *** If an event says ‘Status: Provisional’ it is not open May 11 Snetterton for booking yet. (single MSV Session) **** all places areNorth ‘Sold Weald Out’ contact the ‘Event MayIf15 (Beginners day) booking page for a Manager’ highlighted on the website May 26place.

Oulton Park reserve (Single *Cadwell Park – April 18 MSV session)** June 8 Castle Combe The UK’s mini Nurburgring. An exciting and undulating circuit July 3 Croft – Open Pit Lane, set in scenic Lincolnshire countryside. experienced only *Snetterton – May(via 23 Lotus on Track) 13 to experience Pembray ** AJuly chance the ‘Snetterton 300’ circuit with its Julyfast 25 and technical Hethel** layout ensuring there is something August 13 Brands Hatch – GP for everyone. (single LoT session) *N Weald – May September 14 13Castle Combe Not a track day fun day allowing you the opportunity October 5 but aDonington October 26 –more Goodwood to discover about the handling characteristics December 7 – Brands Indyday. An excellent of your car prior to doingHatch a full track opportunity for beginners! *Castle Combe – June 20 The first visit of two regular annual visits to this very friendly circuit in Wiltshire. *Croft July 1 A shared day with Lotus on Track on a great circuit, set between the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Moors! *Blyton Park – July 16 A first time visit for MGoT to this circuit that has been given some great reviews. A variety of track layouts makes this an interesting venue! *Hethel – July 30 Another opportunity to experience the Lotus test track in Norfolk. This will be our second visit due to the popularity in 2015. A great track for all types of MG! *Brands Hatch GP – August 25 A must do! A rare opportunity to try the GP circuit which has imposed limited use during the year. It’s a privilege for MGoT to be invited back for a third year running. *Castle Coombe – September 12 A second opportunity to enjoy the thrills of this ever popular track which includes a couple of chicanes and technical corners! *Goodwood – October 31 A second visit in case you missed the first due to popularity! *Oulton Park – November 18 Back on the calendar due to demand by members, a circuit that has a bit of everything for everyone! *Brands Hatch ‘Indy’ – December 5 Our last event of 2016. Don’t miss the chance to experience this undulating circuit including Paddock Hill Bend!

www.mgcc.co.uk

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LUFFIELD

Luffield Championship John Wilman, Beechfield, Fern Bank, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak. SK23 0JJ. Tel: 07778 165186 • www.mgspeed.net In my last article I described the Frogeye Sprite of James Thacker as being a ‘Recreation’. I have been suitably castigated as the car is in fact one of the most famous Modsports Sprites ever, having been originally raced by Alec Poole and later by James until badly damaged years ago. James decided to re-build the car to its original specification and the end result is magnificent. I can’t wait to see it in action.

Back on March 20 our members competed in the Sprint at Rockingham raceway, and a report will follow next month.

April 3 will see our first visit to Curborough to the Midlands Centre Sprint. This was traditionally the first meeting of the year and attracts a very good entry of MGs. Entry is free and it is a very good place to turn up in your pride and joy and be with like minded enthusiasts.

The following Sunday is Harewood Hillclimb. A classic venue with unprecedented viewing facilities and a guaranteed friendly Yorkshire welcome from the BARC. April 23 is the Goodwood Sprint organised by Tunbridge Wells MC and the following day, the Rushmoor Sprint. Rushmoor is held in an arena owned by the MOD and is situated near Aldershot and run by Farnborough and District Motor Club. Not too difficult to make a weekend of it.

April 30 and May 1 is our weekend at the magnificent Anglesey circuit and a Bank Holiday to boot. This annual event is organised by the North West Centre and attracts a wide range of competitors besides MGs. All in all, a very busy start to the season.

Our photograph this time show the beautifully constructed TD special of David Butler competing at Gurston Down Hillclimb. David is a very experienced competitor, having previously campaigned a group two MGB GT with great success.

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CALENDAR

MARCH Saturday 26 MGCC: Magnette Register Magnettes & Steam Rowsley South Station Contact: Stephen Tickell – 01737 760330 or stephen.tickell@gmail.com Sunday 27 MGCC: Yorkshire Centre Daffodil Run Clifton Moor McDonalds, York Contact: David Chapman – 0113 2562368 or 07821 263209

APRIL Saturday 2 MGCC: MGs on Track AGM Contact: Martin Holmes – martinh@mgs-on-track.co.uk Saturday 2 MGCC: Ulster Centre MG NI Championship Autotest Location TBA Contact: Gordon Buckley – 07751 605033 Sunday 3 MGCC Race Meet Donington Park Contact: www.donington-park.co.uk Sunday 3 MGCC: Midland Centre Spring Sprint Curborough, near Lichfield Contact: Barbara Whale – barbara@whaleandco.co.uk Monday 4 – Friday 8 MGCC: T Register T Register Tour Normandy, France Contact: Bill & Sally Silcock – treg.sec@virginmedia.com or 01525 750468

Saturday 9 MGCC: South East Centre Dinner Dance Reigate Manor Hotel, Surrey Contact: Terry Giles – 020 8660 0908 Sunday 10 MG Era Day Brooklands Museum, Surrey Contact: Main Club Office – 01235 555552 Sunday 10 MGCC: MGB Register MGB Register Spring Run Ragley Hall, Warwickshire Contact: www.mgb-register. org/MGB-Register/Spring_Run_ Entry_2016.html Sunday 10 MGCC: V8 Register V8 Committee Meeting West Midlands Contact: Debbie Brading – 07795 227715 Sunday 10 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Practice Autotest Location TBA Contact: David Stonehouse – 01790 754774 Saturday 16 MGCC Pride of Longbridge Longbridge, Birmingham Contact: www.prideoflongbridge.co.uk Sunday 17 MGCC: Caledonian Centre One Day Satellite Run Finish Stirling Contact: David Reid – 01383 727695 Monday 18 MGCC: MGs on Track Cadwell Park Contact: Martin Holmes – martinh@mgs-on-track.co.uk

Tuesday 5 MGCC: Caledonian Centre 2016 AGM Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan Contact: Nancy Crichton – 01236 739758

Monday 18 – Friday 22 MGCC: Vintage Register Spring to the Cotswold Dumbleton Hall, Evesham Contact: John Venables – 01865 862573

Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10 MGCC: Germany Techno Classica, Essen, Germany Contact: Hakan Sigemark – hakan.sigemark@mgcc.se

Sunday 24 MGCC: South East Centre Spring Run, Location TBA Contact: Terry Giles – 020 8660 0908

Saturday 9 MGCC: V8 Register Black Country Museum Visit West Midlands Contact: Debbie Brading – 07795 227715

Sunday 24 MGCC: Abingdon Works Centre St. George’s Day Run Abingdon, Oxfordshire Contact: Pete & Sarah Davies – 07877932284

Saturday 9 MGCC: South West Centre Kimber Classic Trial 2016 Somerset Contact: Andrew Owst – andrewowst@hotmail.com or 01761 221893

Sunday 24 MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Cobwebs Run – Celebrating Drive it Day, Brocksbushes Farm, near Corbridge Contact: Ian Graham – 0191 413 6321

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Sunday 24 MGCC: Anglia Centre Drive Your Classics Day, Norfolk Contact: Steve & Alison Kemp – 01553 840245

Sunday 8 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre RAF Digby Museum Visit RAF Digby Contact: Keith – 01472 602949

Friday 29 – Monday 2 May MGCC: South East Centre Normandy Rally Contact: Derek Edwards – 01737 765891

Sunday 8 MGCC: Yorkshire Centre Woldsway Run Maple Garage, Hull Contact: Chris Moore – 07776 450776

Saturday 30 – Sunday 1 May MGCC Race Meet Brands Hatch Indy Contact: www.brandshatch.co.uk Saturday 30 – Sunday 1 May MGCC: North West Centre Anglesey Sprint, Anglesey Contact: Paul Rodman – 01614 398990 Saturday 30 – Monday 2 May MGCC: Caledonian Centre Three Day Highland Fling The 2016 May Three Day Scenic Tour will be held in the Cairngorms National Park and the Black Isle areas Contact: David Reid – caleychair@btinternet.com

MAY Friday 6 MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Fish & Chip Supper Run Location TBA Contact: Grant Potter – 07581 036086 or Dennis Hope – 0191 517 2804 Friday 6 – Monday 9 MGCC: MGA Register Spring Weekend North York Moors National Park Contact: Peter Morgan – 01794 323160 Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 MGCC: Y-type Register Spring Run and Dinner Hatherley Manor, Gloucester Contact: Chris Callaghan – chrismgabingdon@yahoo.co.uk Sunday 8 MGCC Regency Run From Kempton Park Race Course to Madeira Drive, Brighton.

Contact: www.mgcc.co.uk/shop/ product/regency_run_2016/ Sunday 8 MGCC: Midland Centre Charnwood Caper Quorn & Woodhouse Eaves GCR Station Contact: Colin Readwin – 07583 231393 Sunday 8 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Spring Autotest, Location TBA Contact: David Stonehouse – 01790 754774

Friday 13 MGCC: MGs on Track North Weald Contact: Martin Holmes – martinh@mgs-on-track.co.uk Friday 13 – Monday 16 MGCC: Germany Pfingsttreffen/Whitsunday Meeting, Sauerland, Germany Contact: Hakan Sigemark – hakan.sigemark@mgcc.se Friday 13 – Sunday 15 MGCC: Midland Centre Welsh Rallye West Midlands to Wales Contact: Brian Osborn – 0121 445 4889 or Andy Robson – 0121 453 1595 Sunday 15 MGCC: South West Centre Wye Valley Social Run Symonds Yat West Contact: Jim Lott – chairman@mgccsw.com Sunday 15 MGCC: Caledonian Centre Stirling Show, Stirling Contact: Rob MacGillivray – 07870 407111 Sunday 15 – Saturday 21 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Swallow Natter Scottish Tour Contact: Keith Robinson – 01472 602949 Sunday 15 MGCC: North West Centre Scammonden Dam Hillclimb West Yorkshire Contact: Paul Rodman – 01614 398990 Sunday 15 MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Regularity Production Car Autotest Seaton Carew Contact: Tony Coates – 07768 372911 or mg@stocktonriverside.com Thursday 19 MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Visit to Nissan UK Sunderland Contact: Noel Lindford – 0191 587 0753 or noel.lindford@btinternet.com

Thursday 19 MGCC: Ulster Centre May Autotest Location TBA Contact: Gordon Buckley – 07751 605033 Saturday 21 MGCC: Abingdon Works Centre Beaulieu Spring Autojumble National Motor Museum Contact: www.beaulieu.co.uk/ events/spring-autojumble Saturday 21 MGCC: V8 Register V8 Technical Day 2016 Kimber House Contact: Roger Aldridge – 07738 679706 Saturday 21 MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Northern Natter Supper Run Contact: David Rawlinson – 01670 790212 Saturday 21 MGCC: Anglia Centre Committee Meeting The Limes Needham Market, Suffolk Contact: Peter Skipper – 01502 731141 Sunday 22 MGCC: South East Centre Tour of the South East Location TBA Contact: Angie Vickers – 01342 843656 Sunday 22 MGCC: Caledonian Centre May Run 2016 – Over the Sea to Rothesay Cardwell Garden Centre, Gourock Contact: Barclay & Alison Henderson – barclayhenderson@ gmail.com or 01292 560200 Sunday 22 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Spring Social Run Location TBA Contact: John Bromfield – 01636 677513 or 07836 335732 Monday 23 MGCC: MGs on Track Snetterton 300 Contact: Martin Holmes – martinh@mgs-on-track.co.uk Tuesday 24 – Monday 30 MGCC Italy MG by the Sea, Gabbice Mare, Italy Contact: Hakan Sigemark – hakan.sigemark@mgcc.se Saturday 28 – Saturday 4 June MGCC: Devon & Cornwall Centre Janner Week 2016 Watermouth Cove Holiday Park, Berrynarbor Contact: Paul Turner – 01237 474736 or ruf50r@ovi.com

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:00

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NEWSLETTER OUT&ABOUT

at Miss Abby Hobb s enjoyi ng the VSCC’s New Y ear Drivin g Tests ell Brooklands in a 1933 K1. Photo: Colin Murr

Pa ul Cook wa s su rprised to see a cou ple of mode MGs a mong st th e La rn da th at popu lat e th e Ha va s an d 1950s Am erica n ca rs th e MG GT in th e ph otona roa ds in Cu ba. He fou nd pa rk ed in a sid e str in Mira ma r, by a large de rn off ice block houseet wh at loo ked lik e hig h mo ing fro m cru mblin g old Hatecvah ind ust rie s. Qu ite different Span ish he rita ge bu ilding na wit h its wond erful s. Ph oto: Pa ul Cook

t caug ht in the The stun ning Sien na Gold TF of Tim Arnd Arndt Tim o: Phot a. mbri Cu Fell, ale snow at Tind Vera and Ed uardo La mbias i at an MG Clu b Bra zil eve nt. Ed uardo has just bee n ma de the new MG Clu b Bra zil’s pre sid ent.

NA goin g down Steve Foldh azy com ing to grips with his the 2015 Aust ralia ng duri es brak e cabl with Bath urst track Pre-War MG rally.

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Andy K nott’ s ZS saloo n and Chris Kynoch’s ZS hatchback pictu red alon g the seafront in Scarborou gh.

Phot o: Andy K nott

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:00

NEWSLETTER OUT&ABOUT

AWC mem bers supportin g Oxfo rd Utd they strive for prom otion and, in April, cup success at Wem bley.asPhot o: Rich ard Ma rtin

Unu sual wing mirro r spott ed on a Wooondy VA which was on displ ay at the Hout o: show after its 11 year resto ratio n. Phot Adri an Cliffo rd

Da vid Doola n’s Ign itio n e MG ZS 180 on dis pla y at the Cla ssic & Re storatio n ShoBlu w, NE C. Th e org ani sers thought it wouPra ctical Cla ssics, wit h the ir Pri de of Ownership fea ld fit nicely in the re wa s from the visitors to the ture. Da vid wa s surpris ed how mu ch inte rest Show in the ZS. Ph oto: Da vid Doola n

just crest ing the The gree n 1935 PB of Jerem y Earn shaw Murrell Colin o: Phot ds. klan Broo at Hill top of Test

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 67

He’s 74 but you can’t keep Norm an Ewin g down . Now he’s resto ring the gara ge floor he paint ed in 1996 for the arrival of Bill and June Wallis and Hayters!

APRIL 2016

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OVERSEAS

REVIEW

A monthly look through a few of the overseas magazines we receive at Kimber House. Reviewed by David Coulthard

Overseas Review

I

t is pleasing to see one of my favourite MG saloons, the ZA Magnette, featuring heavily in the overseas magazines.

Opposite Lock, from the MGCC Sydney, details the rallying exploits of the model, including some lovely period pictures from the 1955 RAC Rally. Poor weather

Stunning scenery in the MGCC Danish Centre magazine

The magnette that covered 6,725 kilometers reported on in the MGCC Danish Centre magazine

and rather overweight cars blunted performance, but all three ‘Works’ cars finished, albeit well down. Meanwhile, the seemingly nameless magazine of the MGCC Danish Centre provides an extensive report, over six pages, on a member’s 6,725 kilometre drive through the stunning Danish countryside. The ZA appears to have managed 11km per litre of petrol (about 26mpg). Australia’s Victoria MGCC magazine, Wheel Spin, helps readers improve the performance of their ZA’s headlamps.

There was an interesting take on MG Motor UK’s new, state of the art,

Piccadilly showroom in The MG Driver, the magazine of the North America MGB Register. The article starts by explaining to readers that MG did not cease to exist after the closure of Abingdon and that we are now a global society, where Chinese goods are prevalent. After getting over the disappointment of Piccadilly Circus not actually being a circus and that ‘Way Out’ means ‘Exit’, the author moves on to the cars. He ‘…drools…’ over an MG TF, but whilst appreciating the engineering, the MG Dynamo electric city car did not appeal at all. The MG3 is described as ‘fairly attractive, if nondescript styling’ with a ‘pleasant, if boring, interior’. The author loved the MG6, which was ‘a decent looking car’ whose ‘doors shut solidly, with a nice thud’.

But it was the forthcoming SUV, the GS, which caught the author’s eye, with its ‘great looking interior…perfect shut lines…and beautiful fit and finish. No tin can here!’ High praise indeed from the land where the SUV was born! (Bulletin, from the New Zealand MGCC, is similarly full of praise for the GS.) I wonder if the American chap bumped into the writer of a similar article from Australia’s Wheel Spin? The two articles are in stark contrast. The MG3 and MG6 are described as ‘pretend models’ and of the electric car and the GS: ‘The company must be joking. Sadly, it isn’t joking, it’s quite serious. What on earth has happened to MG?’ Oh, dear…

MGF enjoying the Sydney Motorsport Park Sprint

MGF participating in a Khanacross

There was a time when speed records were very fashionable and gained much publicity for the MG. Who can forget the image of Stirling Moss, bottle in hand, at Bonneville? Pre-war, the new German autobahns were the venue for may record attempts. MG Kurier, from Germany’s MGCC, documents the exploits of ‘Goldie’ Gardner and his 187mph record set on the Frankfurt autobahn in 1938.

The MG motorsport season is in full flight ‘down under’. New branches of the sport to me were Motorkhana and Khanacross, as reported in Clubtorque from the MGCC of Newcastle, New South Wales. The events appear to be something like autocross / autograss and rallycross.

I was on more familiar territory with the report from the Ringwood Park Hillclimb.

Meanwhile, Sydney’s Opposite Lock was promoting a sprint at Sydney Motorsport Park, on the appropriately named Jack Brabham Drive!

The MG electric car didn’t appeal to the American author in MG Driver

MG Kurier, from Germany’s MGCC, documents the exploits of ‘Goldie’ Gardner The exploits of the rallying Magnettes is featured in Opposite Lock

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The piccadilly showroom featured in The MG Driver magazine

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:01

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ABINGDON WORKS Mike Gething sfscribe@mgabingdon.org.uk www.mgabingdon.co.uk

I am writing this in late February and Spring has not yet sprung, but it’s not all that far away and Club events are about to happen. Our cars will soon be dragged out of their winter hibernation quarters and readied for the road.

Hibernation … did I really say that? If I did I should be shot! Our MGs, the world’s best sports car, is designed to be used, driven and enjoyed and not to moulder away in some cosy heated garage. It might not be much fun to drive through a blinding snow storm with the hood down but pick the right day and there is nothing to equal a blast along country lanes on a fine, crisp winter’s day. Down here around Abingdon, the spiritual home of MG, we are so fortunate in having countryside that was surely designed with the MG in mind right on our doorstep; rolling hills, narrow lanes, quaint villages with their thatched cottages and cosy pubs – what more could you ask for?

Should the weather be a bit inclement and not really conducive to top down motoring then there are heaps of indoor activities in our area.

Just outside the AWC’s principality is the new British Motoring Museum at Gaydon. Formerly the Heritage Motor Centre, this has just undergone a multi-million pound re-vamp as well as a name change and change of logo. The

Works Centre Wanderers recently had a visit, so why not check out the photos of their trip on the Centre’s website.

Apart from the various runs organised by Natters our first road event is the Drive It Day aka St George’s Day Run. This is the opportunity for us to show our national pride and be-deck our cars with the cross of our patron saint. On previous years I have always thought what a great spectacle our cars make as they leave the car park, proudly flying those red crosses on a white background. Incidentally, those of you who subscribe to the ‘This England’ magazine will see that it is looking for photographs of St George’s Day events to share with its readers, a great opportunity for Natter and Centre photography buffs to promote our Club and the marque. We start from Abingdon for a run to the Cotswold Woollen Weavers and all details and an entry form are on the Centre’s website or from Pete Davies on 07877 932284.

Looking a bit further ahead we have the iconic Old Speckled Hen Run which leaves from the stately Radley College, just outside Abingdon, on Sunday, May 29. This is an event that should not be missed and details are on our website; an entry form also appeared in February’s and March’s magazine.

ANGLIA Rob Muir 01206 862619 Rob.Muir@hotmail.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk/anglia

Anglia Centre Calendar of Events As you will have read in last month’s notes, the calendar is now available direct from the website.

If you are an Anglia member and the Club has your up to date email address, the calendar will be sent to you electronically. Do check that we have the correct address by sending any changes to chairman@mgccanglia.com You can also look at or download copies as you wish by either going to www.mgcc.co.uk/ anglia-centre/calendar-of-events or going to the main Club website, then hover the cursor over Centres, this will produce a dropdown bar to select Anglia, then just click on the calendar of events on the left of the screen.

You will then see the list of events but if you require a printable copy, just click on Download Here.

For those members who do not have computer access, contact your local Pub Meet Host and they should be able to assist.

assemblies to Sandringham on the day. The event is in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

More detail and information regarding entry forms can be obtained by contacting Peter Skipper on 07445 932323 or chairman@mgccanglia. com. The closing date for entry is April 16.

Drive Your Classic Car Day April 24 The North Norfolk Classic Vehicle Club has invited us to join them at Sandringham Estate for Classic Car Day, with the opportunity to look round the house and gardens.

I know that some Pub Meets are planning to make up their own run groups with touring

MGCC Race Meeting Donington circuit hosts the season opener for the Club’s racing events this year on April 3. The Peter Best Insurance Cup championship race will be included in the programme with a good entry from our Region; more detail can be found on the website.

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Anglia Summer Picnic The Anglia Summer Picnic is on Sunday June 26 and will be at Audley End House, which is owned by English Heritage. For full details and a booking form see mgcc.co.uk/anglia or contact Roger Latham on 01702 580472. This is always a popular event in the Anglia calendar, so make a note now so as not to be disappointed.

CENTRE Finally, we extend a very warm welcome to our new members. It may be a bit daunting to join a new group but as long as you have an MG or a passion for the marque, you are ‘in’ and, I can assure you, will be made very welcome. Any questions you may have or anything you need to know just contact any committee member, once again, details are on our website.

CENTRE Autotesting There is still time to register your interest in the Autotesting Taster Day planned by Anglia Centre competitions secretary, Mike Pelling. Mike has some interesting plans for the future of the Autotest championship in our Region and can be contacted via compsec@mgccanglia.com Anglia Centre Clothing Remember that you can now place orders for your personalised Anglia Centre merchandise by following the links on the website. You can browse and buy online, just follow the link and click over the Anglia Centre logo.

Spring Car Show Sunday May 1 sees the Spring Car Show at Duxford Airfield. Terry Starkey is the man to contact if you would like to attend with your MG. He can be contacted on 01508 470384.

The Anglia Centre calendar can be downloaded from www.mgcc.co.uk/anglia

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CENTRES

CALEDONIAN Bob MacGillivray 07870 407111 mgcarsscotland@gmail.com www.mgcaledonian.com

Well contrary to some expectations the Rod Stewart weekend seems to have gone extremely well with some calling for a repeat next year…

Wait and see!

The Technical Day was also well attended so many thanks to Brian and Claire Luti at Dreadnought.

As you receive this, the AGM in Bridge of Allan is only days away. Please come and let your committee hear your views on Centre activities and related matters. It’s not all serious work and a good turnout would be very welcome.

April sees the commencement of our summer runs with a Satellite event on the 17th.

There are three starting points, one in the West at Newton Mearns, one in the north at Fettercairn and the other in the east starting at Loanhead.

The idea is to allow as many as possible to attend our first run, and all routes will converge on the Birds & Bees Restaurant in Causewayhead for lunch. This should be an excellent start to the season so get your car dusted down and enter via our website.

The following weekend, the 24th, is the visit to the new Aircraft Carrier being built at Rosyth.

This is a ‘one off’ opportunity to see this ship close up and will hopefully provide some good photographs, so if you would like to attend please contact David Reid.

At the end of the month we have our three day ‘Highland Fling’ based in Aviemore. If you are in the area over that weekend be sure to look us up and give the cars a wave!

The Stirling show, actually held in Bridge of Allan, is not now far away. This is a very friendly and informal affair which we attended last year for the first time. We have lots of members in the area so let’s see a good turnout of ‘locals’!

And may I again remind you that all show secretaries are requiring us to get our entries in early so please book your place at these events asap. If you leave it to the last few days before you may well be disappointed! You have been warned!

And regarding shows, may I make an appeal for early MGs to turn out? While we are happy to take any MG, the paying public do like the look of MMMs and T types and the early saloons. For all sorts of reasons their attendance is getting less and less and the committee would like to

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

Natter News A charity ladies lunch for the Macmillan Charity was held at the Horn of Plenty with a good attendance. We did see Joe’s baby Harry, a very well behaved little boy, still maintaining the breed!

The Horsebridge Natter – a regular contingent of people who meet at the Royal with Tony Bolt (01822 616180) presiding.

Exeter Natter – Tony Short (01392 832665) is going along well with new people arriving so keeping up a steady number.

Torbay Natter – Alan Turner (01803 557543) will be running a new theme every three months, a lunchtime meeting at Churston Court Hotel, starting at 12.30pm, in March, June and September.

Geoff Webb in his Twin Cam arriving at the finish at Bickleigh Castle in last year’s ACE Run. Photo: Peter Heath

North Devon Natter – A very small group with Paul Turner (01237 474736) who incidentally recently broke his foot whilst tobogganing in Switzerland, all the best for a speedy recovery Paul.

North Cornwall Natter – Rob Constant (01840 230459) informs me that the Brian Williams Spring Run will take place on Sunday April 10. A few new faces at the Natter recently, please support this Natter, it needs you.

South Hams Natter – You may have difficulty getting hold of Graeme Harris (01548 856674) at the moment, he’s off visiting his family in Australia then Fiji. The forecast was hurricanes, hope he could land!

West Cornwall Natter – Ronnie Henderson (hendersontr3@btinternet.com) explains that this Natter is expanding and enjoys a light hearted short quiz some months.

MGF – Meetings are bi-monthly May, July, September with a Sunday Lunch Run in the other months.

All the details of the Natters mentioned above are published on the Centre Website http://www. mgcc.co.uk/devon-cornwall-centre/ Dates for your Diary April 10: Brian Williams Spring Run contact – rob@ classicescapes.co.uk April 24: Drive It Day – South Hams Natter meet at the Tamar View Nurseries, near Saltash

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CENTRE

The Rod Stewart weekend seems to have gone extremely well

encourage owners to make an effort to attend some event. It’s the 15th anniversary this year of modern ZEDs but it is also the 80th anniversary of the TA and it would be good to have ancient and modern side by side. What have you got?

Hope to see you at the AGM!

CENTRE about 10.15am. Run out to The Old Inn, St. Breward for a Sunday Carvery. Contact Graeme Harris – graeme_mo@yahoo.co.uk. Contact other Natters Leaders to see if they are organising any event.

May 22: Again South Hams Natter – Queen Elizabeth 90th Birthday Celebration Run, leave 10.00am for a carvery lunch at Bickleigh Mill near Tiverton and back to The Riverside Café for tea.

May 28 – June 4: Very last Janner Week at Berrynarbor in North Devon, local members welcome to join days out. See website or email allegropeter@aol.com May 15: Killerton House Motoring Event, more details on the website June 19: Ace Run – this being Fathers Day – terry@terrybolt.plus.com July 9-10: Powderham Classic Car Show, more details on the website July 24: Torbay Old Wheels Club Classic Car Show on The Green, Paignton, more details on the website

A fine selection of MGs at Bickleigh Mill in last year’s ACE Run. Photo: Peter Heath

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CENTRE

LINCOLNSHIRE John Hebb tel 01522 683542 jhebb38@virginmedia.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk

April Natters Lincolnshire Poacher Friday 1; Wolds Wednesday 6 (talk by Geoff Hirst); Abbey Lodge Monday 11; Wishing Well Wednesday 13 (talk by Simon Temple); Three Horseshoes Thursday 21; Admiral Nelson Thursday 28.

April Events Sunday 10 Spring Autotest East Kirkby (David 01790 754774); Sunday 24 Drive Your Classic Day, this year to Gunby Hall (David 01790 754774).

Luncheon Club Wednesday 20.

Early May Natters Wolds Wednesday 4; Lincolnshire Poacher Friday 6 (Landlords Choice).

Early May Event Sunday 8 Autosolo East Kirkby.

The Swallow Natter members had to forgo their Christmas meal because of the sudden closure of the Swallow pub, so a Welcome to the New Venue dinner was held at the Cross Keys instead, with 23 members attending. The Wishing Well

held their usual Valentine’s Day dinner with 27 members, and the Luncheon Club visited a new venue, the Queens Head at Kirkby la Thorpe with 29 members – February is obviously a good month for eating out.

The Monk’s Room at the Abbey Lodge was filled to capacity on the 26th as 21 teams (six to a team) gathered for the annual Inter Marque Quiz.

The teams are from Car and Motorcycle clubs County wide plus at least one team from all of the Centre’s Natters. Under the rule introduced last year, last year’s runners-up were this year’s organisers, and after a tense tie-break shootout last year between the Triumph TR Register and The Poachers (MG Lincoln Natter) the TR Register were this year’s organisers. The event followed the familiar pattern, four rounds each of ten questions and a picture quiz to be handed in at the supper break, three more rounds to conclude and a joker to be played on one round for double points. The rounds having cryptic titles, most teams played their joker on the General Knowledge round, in the hope that it was indeed general knowledge and not knowledge of Generals. Following tradition the results were announced in reverse order, the tension mounting as single figures were reached, even higher when it came to the last three. Without sounding too

smug I can announce that the Poachers were again triumphant, with the Sequels in second place and the Well Wishers third. Thanks to Phil O’Hara and the rest of his TR Register team for a very enjoyable evening, also to the Abbey Lodge for all those chicken suppers.

This year’s Drive it Day is to Gunby Hall, now with additional features since our last visit; this year’s deal means that all attendees will have free access to the house, including non National Trust members. The photo shows some of the brains at work in the quiz.

CENTRE

MIDLANDS Roger King rogerking43@gmail.com www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgccmidlandcentre

Much has been planned for 2016 but at the time of compiling these notes nothing has yet happened. That is usually the case with the scribe who has the task of putting together an interesting report at the beginning of March.

Anyway I can highlight the run by the Arden Group on February 14 to the newly re-opened British Motor Museum (formerly the Heritage Motor Centre), fittingly on the second day of its relaunch and thus replicating Arden’s similar visit when the original Heritage Centre opened some 26 years ago. A good turnout of MGs was witnessed and all enjoyed the new exhibition facilities and displays including access to the brand new Collections Centre. Your scribe, as a volunteer guide and data compiler at the BMM, took particular pleasure in participating, proudly wearing the new uniform for the first time.

Entries are coming in for the Spring Sprint at Curborough on April 3. We will be using the popular figure of eight course which ensures good entertainment for spectators as well as entrants! Hot on the tail of this event comes Pride of Longbridge on April 16 where the Centre will have a dedicated display area, whilst the very next day will see us decamp to Ledbury for the Spring Trial. Now that’s commitment.

Meanwhile, the team organising the Welsh Rallye, now fully subscribed and scheduled for

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the weekend of May 13-15, has finally resolved the one remaining issue, namely the theme for the Saturday night dinner. Stand by sci fi fans, for Stormtroopers, Darth Vaders and Chewbaccas should be in plentiful supply as we celebrate the Star Wars saga. Not content with that, the venue for the 2017 Welsh Rallye has already been selected. We will return to the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells, the base for so many previous events. Too early for any further details but bear it in mind when planning for next year.

North Worcestershire Natter are an enthusiastic lot. Not satisfied with meeting twice a month, a third gathering took place on February 29, thus celebrating the Leap Year. And a good turnout too as the group settled down to a first rate pub dinner. Dominating the early part of the evening was the performance of a very errant mouse. You see, long standing Midlands Centre committee member Andy Robson has a real problem; the owner of a specimen LE 500

kept safely in a garage, he has discovered that his pride and joy is being eaten alive by a rodent infestation. Items of clothing left in the car have been devoured stitch by stitch and droppings left in the boot! Attempts to corner the little creature, the mouse that is not Andy, using mouse traps have seen the bait eaten but the trap unsprung.

As Andy’s voice rose to a crescendo about what he would like to do to the mouse (or Mickey as we began to call him), the Natter, as true mates, expressed the greatest sympathy whilst nearly choking on their prawn cocktails. But the saga continued, for next day and employing B&Q’s latest state of the art traps, Mickey was caught. And then there was another one, again caught. Meanwhile comments continue to pour in, including one from Midlands Secretary Paul Hollingworth who helpfully pointed out that all LE 500s came with a cat installed! Are there even more lurking away devouring the wiring harness?

Come to the next Natter to find out.

Enjoying the scenery during a previous Midland Centre Welsh Rallye

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:02

CENTRES

CENTRE

NORTH WEST Paul Goodman 01625 876300

The light nights are finally with us and there are lots of opportunities this month to jump into your MG and join our events. To start with, there are three pub meetings. On Tuesday April 12 the Old Hall Farm group will be enjoying their second official meeting. Then on Tuesday April 19 the Plough and Flail evening meeting will, hopefully, be outside in the car park with a great display of cars. Our lunchtime meeting will be on Wednesday April 27 at The Davenport Arms, Congleton Road, Marton, SK11 9HF. Many of you will already have heard of Drive it Day. This takes place on Sunday April 24 and is intended to show the public our commitment to owning and using older and historic cars.

We are asking North West Centre members to drive to our gathering that day which will be at the new AVRO Heritage Museum at Woodford, Cheshire. The museum opened in late 2015 and tells the story of the company from the earliest days of flying right up to the Nimrod. There is a Vulcan bomber on site and an additional Vulcan cockpit in the museum in which visitors can sit. We would like you to arrive around 1.30 for photo opportunities and then you can visit the museum. Full details of the location are on the museums website www.avroheritagemuseum. co.uk. Please check on this website because the

access is subject to change as the rest of the site is currently being redeveloped.

At the end of the month we are organising our Anglesey Sprint Weekend. On Saturday April 30 the cars will run against the clock over two laps of the short circuit and then on Sunday May 1 the full circuit will be tackled by the drivers.

We will be hosting several guest clubs as well as the Luffield Speed Championship so there will be a great variety of cars in action. We need a large number of volunteers to run the sprint with on track marshalling and off track administration

being equally important. The circuit is a great place to spend the weekend with good camping facilities and plenty of good places to stay. Please contact me if you would like to get involved.

Looking further ahead, the Cheshire Candles Run is on Sunday May 22. This is starting at Chester and should be a great day out. You can register on the Run’s website.

Finally, don’t forget our photo competition.

The Event City show is confirmed for September 17 and 18 and our stand is booked. The winning shots will be displayed over that weekend.

A sunny evening at the Plough and Flail in 2015. Photo: Paul Goodman

CENTRE

SOUTH EAST John Bennett 01227 637813 johndotbennett@tiscali.co.uk www.mgcars.org.uk/mgccse/

Whilst I hate repeating myself in this column, though not, I’m told, in telling my jokes, April has such a feast of events that they all deserve a second mention lest anyone missed seeing them highlighted last month.

This is especially true of our annual Dinner/ Dance for which there is just time to book. The Reigate Manor Hotel is again the venue, the date is April 9 from 7.00pm, the cost of £36 per head is very reasonable, but the entertainment is new, coming from Jahson. The website tells me that he has been a lead singer for The Drifters, that he is a ‘totally professional entertainer’, and that he even owns a classic British car. Unfortunately, this is not an MG but you can’t have everything for £36! As ever, Terry Giles has done all the hard work so how about making his effort worthwhile by signing up. He is on 020 8660 0908.

On the very next day, Brooklands is staging its MG Era Day, a chance to wallow in MG nostalgia at the site of some of the Marque’s most memorable racing achievements. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the T Type which makes it an exact contemporary of the Spitfire. Interesting!

Unfortunately, you have probably missed the chance of an advance ticket because applications closed on March 29, although some fast talking to Steve Castle at the Brooklands Museum might yet save the day if you call him right now! You can always blame me for not mentioning the event last month!

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Terry Giles returns to the fore on April 24 with his Spring Run. This event will meet between 9.00 and 10.00 at Botley Hill Farm, Lipsfield Road, Warlingham, CR6 9QH where breakfast will be available. The run, said to be ‘low stress’, will then take in the best of North Kent countryside and will finish at the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham.

April is brought to a thrilling climax by our Chairman, Derek Edwards with his re-enactment of D-Day. He’s not actually taking the party across the Channel in a landing craft but he is arranging jointly with the Epsom MGOC a weekend trip to the

Normandy Beaches starting on the 29th based on the Mercure Hotel in Lisieux. Derek can be reached on 01737 765891 although full details are on the website including entry forms. NB: I gather from Derek that the ferries are already heavily booked so if you want to be included in this great trip, act now!

Still nobody has shown any interest in taking on the role of Scribe (did I mention the generous salary?) so I shall have to start cold calling for volunteers. This is something I had to do briefly for a living once and I had hoped never to repeat. Please save me from having to do so again!

An Octagonal array of MGAs at last year’s Brooklands MG Era Day. Photo: Jon Glover

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SOUTH WEST David Mothersdill davidmothersdill@aol.com www.mgccsw.com

The year in the South West started with the annual dinner on February 27, when some 70 members and guests sat down to a three course meal at the Limpley Stoke Hotel near Bath. We were joined by competitors in the Luffield Speed Championship with the intention of having a joint prize giving.

This failed to materialise as embarrassingly the car bringing the Speed Championship trophies broke down on the M25 and we had a prize giving without prizes! We were pleased to welcome Club Chairman Ian Quarrington as a guest, enabling Centre members to get up to date with happenings within the main Club.

After an enjoyable meal most of the assembled guests gravitated to the bar, where by chance the Loughborough Operatic Society had taken up residence as they were also staying at the hotel. A lively and loud evening ensued, spontaneous renditions of all songs from sea shanties to arias ringing around the room for some hours. We called it a night at about 1am, however there was talk of the night finally winding up well after 4! There were a few sore heads at breakfast, many members taking advantage of the idyllic scenery and fine weather for a sobering walk along the river bank.

This year’s competitive season is about to commence with the ever popular Kimber Classic Trial on April 9. Starting at Lanes Hotel in West

Coker near Yeovil, the trial covers a distance of some 80 miles through very scenic countryside with up to a dozen special sections to provide a competitive element to the day. With a lunch stop in a country hostelry and great comradery this is an excellent day out, either as a competitor or as a marshal. All offers of help would be welcomed

by Bruce Weston, any late entries to Andrew Owst, full contact details and more information available as ever on the Centre website.

Noel Lindford noel.lindford@btinternet.com

John Bell in his MG TB on Northern Classic Trial

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May sees us again encouraging grass roots Motorsport and a scenic drive with MGs on Grass and the Wye Valley Social run on the 7th and 15th respectively. Both events are suitable for all MGs and the emphasis as always is on enjoying the company of fellow enthusiasts in your car. Again check the website of www.mgccsw.com to get entry forms, event organiser contact details etc. Hope to see you on an event soon!

SW Centre Chairman Jim Lott presenting Club chairman Ian Quarrington with a memento of the Centre annual dinner

TYNE TEES The Tyne-Tees Marshalling Team were out in force in February, along with their distinctive Tyne-Tees Marshals Banners.

On February 20 they were at the Northern Classic Trial in Wythop Forest in the Lake District, overlooking Bassenthwaite. An entry of 30 bikes and 40 cars tackled the trial and Matthew Alexander took the picture of a very nice MG TB being driven by John Bell from Hebden Bridge.

TTC Members John Brown, Matthew Alexander, Stuart Bankier, Donald Dalton and David

CENTRE

Alexander were on duty (and enjoying it!) on a very wet day. See a detailed report on our Out & About web page www.mgcc.co.uk/tyne-teescentre/out-and-about/ The following weekend they were out again on the Saltire Classic Rally, marshalling the start and finish controls at a Special Test near Kenmore at the head of Loch Tay. Unlike the Northern Trial the weather was fantastic with a clear blue sky and stunning scenery with snow topped mountains. There was a good range of cars on the event dominated by Escorts but with three MGs having a spirited run. Thanks to David Alexander for this report.

Events coming up: April 24 Cobweb Run Celebrating Drive It Day: This is a circular tour through some beautiful parts of the Northumberland, North Tyne Valley, Scottish Borders and Cumbrian countryside. The start and finish will be from Brocksbushes Farm at the junction of the A69 Newcastle to Carlisle road and the A68 to Darlington. Entry forms available at www.mgcc.co.uk/tyne-tees-centre/future-events/ or contact Ian Graham, the organiser, on 0191 413 6321 who can send one to you. Ian can be emailed at justineandian.graham@yahoo.co.uk for more information. Limited to 60 cars so be quick!

CENTRE Friday May 6: Fish & Chip Supper Run Meet at Durham Services (A1M J61) from 6.30pm, for a 6.45pm start. The 35 mile route concludes at an excellent fish restaurant on the coast. Please contact Dennis Hope denhope@ hotmail.co.uk or 07970 115202, but you can also just turn up on the night.

Sunday May 15: Regularity Production Car Autotest: to be held from 10.00am on the seafront at Seaton Carew, in conjunction with Hartlepool & District MC. Entry fees are £20 per crew. Full event details from Tony Coates anthony.coates@stocktonriverside.com Thursday May 19: Visit to Nissan Sunderland We have assembled an MG Timeline of 30 cars from 1933–2010, and all cars are now allocated, but there are places available as passengers, if you would like to take part; we are limited to 60 people on the tour. Cars need to be at Nissan for 9.30am for a factory tour from 10.00am to noon. If you would like your car to be on the reserve list, contact me on 07432 152095.

Saturday May 21: Northern Natter Supper Run starting and finishing at the Ridley Arms, Stannington. This 35 mile run will start at 4.30pm and be back for dinner at 6.00pm.

David Rawlinson has details and menus, so contact him on 01670 790212.

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Two tours through history - one magnificent finish!

MG CAR CLUB TYNE-TEES CENTRE Sunday 12th June 2016 ST. CUTHBERT’S RUN

PRINCE BISHOPS RUN Stokesley to Durham City

Seahouses to Durham City

This 86 mile route starting from Stokesley, traverses North Yorkshire, takes in some breath-taking scenery over wonderful driving roads, then onwards across the County Palatine of Durham, following parts of the routes taken by the medieval Prince Bishops of Durham.

This 77 mile route starting from the harbour at Seahouses, in sight of the Farne Islands where St. Cuthbert lived, takes in stunning scenery over superb driving roads in Northumberland, then onwards across the County Palatine of Durham to St. Cuthbert’s final resting place.

Both runs come together in Durham City and end at Palace Green in front of the World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral (by kind permission of Durham University).

ENTRY FORM

Please enter details below:

Your details: Mr/Mrs/Ms: First Name: Surname: Address: Postcode: Home Tel: Mobile: Email: MG Car Club Membership Number (if applicable): Total number in car: including Driver, Navigator and any Passenger(s): Your Car’s details: Make: Registration:

Model:

Year: Years owned:

Now please select which run you would like to enter, and any pre-booked breakfast requirements.

Prince Bishops Run

St. Cuthbert’s Run

Bacon breakfast rolls are available at the start, and can be pre-booked for £3.00 each, so if you wish to preorder, please include with your payment.

Bacon or sausage breakfast rolls are available at the start, and can be pre-booked for £3.00 each, so if you wish to pre-order, please include with your payment.

 I would like to pre-pay for @ £3.00 each.

 I would like to pre-pay for bacon Y/N sausage Y/N

bacon rolls

breakfast rolls @ £3.00 each

Entry fee £17.50 per car for MGCC members, £20.00 for non-members. All entrants will receive a Rally Plate, Tulip style Route Book, and based on 2 per car, a hot drink at the start and a traditional cream tea at the finish.

Refreshments for extra passengers are charged at £5.00 per person, so please include with your payment.

Total payment (entry fee + any pre-paid breakfast items) = £ …………….

Please send your form and payment by post to: Noel Lindford, 3 Springbank, Peterlee, Co. Durham, SR8 1FA, making cheques payable to MGCC Tyne-Tees Centre. Email: noel.lindford @btinternet.com If you have Internet banking facility and would like to pay by this method the details are as follows: Sort Code: 40-43-13 Account No: 41051067 quoting PBR or SCR and your surname.

Closing date: 3rd June 2016 Both events have MSA approval * Limited to 60 cars in total *

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CENTRES

YORKSHIRE David Copeman 07920 064585 www.mgccyorkshire.co.uk

North – Ken Cothliff February’s meeting was slot car racing.

We welcomed a new member of the Natter – Paul Fletcher from Menston, near Guiseley. He partnered your scribe for the racing.

Nick Mann had this time organised it into a ‘Le Mans’ style race with two drivers to each car, and a time limit in which to get in as many laps as possible. Drivers swapped half way through, and the ‘co-driver’s’ responsibility was to relocate the car on the track if it came off. On top of that Nick had organised draw cards rather like the ‘Chance’ cards in Monopoly, which gave the teams bonus or penalty laps. The evening finished with the teams Marsden and the Beningfield joint winners.

South – Kathryn Twiby Our usual Natter venue was unavailable this month due to renovations so we gathered at the House Martin in Doncaster.

This was Alastair’s last as Natter leader, and with thanks from everyone Malc stepped forward and has taken the poisoned chalice. Geoff has agreed to be the next scribe East – Brian Rylance The February Natter was invited to raise their sights, alas not to attempt more challenging MG events, but to look afresh at the stunning architecture in and around Hull. Our own Barry Tomlinson entertained and educated us with a

presentation, one which highlighted features on buildings we rarely have the time to look up to and appreciate.

West – David Copeman For the February meeting two young enthusiasts Alice and Sophie organised a Feely Bag Quiz to entertain the members which was enjoyed by all who took part.

At the Awards Lunch Chris and Dawn Flanagan received the Paragon Trophy for organising the Daffodil Run for the last two years and Sophie Flanagan received the Young Enthusiast Trophy for her help throughout the year. Other West members to received trophies were Jimmie Johnson Auto Sport, Cliff Hobbs Auto test, Geoff Hirst and Cliff Hobbs Paragon Team, Carol Copeman Centre Enthusiast, David Copeman Airedale, Carol and I also received the Kimber Distance Award and finally the Chairman’s Pot went to the 2015 committee members, four being from this Natter: Cliff, Janice, Carol and myself.

Vale of York Lunchtime Natter The Yorkshire Centre’s new lunchtime meeting: the first meeting will take place on Thursday April 21 2016 from 12.00pm onwards at The Masons Arms, Hopperton. The pub serves food and has a large car park The meet is being organised by Centre members Ken Cothliff and Malcolm Reeves.

CENTRE The Natter will meet at lunchtime on the third Thursday of each month Directions: Just off Junction 47 A1M towards York, after 200 yards take first right turn signed Hopperton; Masons Arms is 100 yards on the left. HG5 8NX. Further details can be found on the Natter’s calendar online www.mgccyorksire.co.uk; here you can click on the map to get driving directions from your postcode to the Masons Arms.

Sophie Flanagan being presented with the Young Enthusiast Trophy

CENTRE

ULSTER

Carol Willis Tel: (028) 9079 9997 or 07831 345560 Email: carol.mgulster@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.mgcculstercentre.co.uk

We ran our first autotest of the year on February 27 at Delamont Country Park with 28 competitors comprising expert autotesters right down to beginners. There were two tests which were run four times each and the driving that day was a sight to behold! Congratulations to David Thompson (Nova) who won the day with 399.0 secs closely followed by Tim Tomalin (Mini Special) 408.3 and James Wilson (Mini Special) 415.3 secs. Congratulations also to the Class Winners – Gordon Buckley, Richard Earney, Mark King, Tim Tomalin and Kevin McNamee. After competing with us during 2015 Kevin, Johnny and Ellie McNamee joined the Centre this year and we are delighted to have them on board.

Saturday March 5 was the day of our Annual Dinner and Prizegiving held for the first time at Scrabo Golf Club and reports from all who attended said the food was super. Our ballot was held in aid of Alzheimers, our charity again for

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2016, and it raised £250.00. Thank you to all who bought tickets.

In September we were involved with The Balmoral Bash, an inter-club charity event organised by TSCC aided by MG, PPMC, UAC and Queens. Richard Earney in his Mini was the overall winner and John Clarke invited Wallace McKee of the TSCC to present the award.

We were fortunate to have Ken Stewart, co-ordinator of the Dundrod Circuit, present our AutoSOLO awards with Andrew Earney taking Overall and winners of Class Two and Class Four being Stephen Dawson and Michael Reid respectively. The PCT together with the Grass Slalom award was won by Bailie Thompson. In the Autotest Championship, The Leslie Porter was awarded to Michael Reid (MG Midget) and the Vivian Scott to Paul Lowther (non MG – Stryker) and our Driver of the Year was Paul Lowther. Stephen Dawson picked up The

Leslie Ardill Award together with the NorthEast Centre Trophy. The Abingdon Trophy was presented to Noel Cochrane and Trevor Reid for their commitment to The Ulster Centre certainly over recent years. I will get the full list of prizewinners put on the website for you to peruse. We had a very special award to present this year – Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Mike Armstrong and Mike Wilson with gratitude from the Members of The Ulster Centre. What they have done for the Club since the Centre was formed in summer 1968 is unbelievable and they continue to contribute, MG seems to be in their blood. Very well deserved boys from all of us!

Dates for your Diary Autotest April 2 – NI Championship Round at The Maze – Dubshed April 3 – Invitation Tandem Autotest at The Maze

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22/03/2016 17:02

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APRIL 2016

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REGISTERS

TRIPLE M Jeremy Hawke +44 (0)1225 863934 mgk3007@btinternet.com www.triple-mregister.org

MMM Track Days: On February 20, Mark Dolton wangled MMM drivers their own session at Goodwood. Though the weather was distinctly chilly, a good time was had by all. Our picture (courtesy of Colin Murrell) shows the newly rebuilt Dolton P Type with Mark’s sister Elizabeth at the helm. No doubt Tony will be dusting off his overalls shortly to show them both how it’s done. Never one to rest, Mark has nabbed MMM drivers another slot at the Castle Combe MGOT event in June.

Stoneleigh 2016: The Register stand featured Andy Kings’ PB Cream Cracker PB0521, fresh from exercise

at Goodwood the previous day (photo Bruno Wüsthoff) and in the background a nicely restored NB 4-seater, currently on offer from Barry Walker.

It’s always nice to see one of the less common models in original specification. The Register library did brisk trade at this event which is now well established as an early social gathering in the calendar.

Upcoming events: April 9 – The Kimber Classic Trial. Details at the SW Centre web page at www.mgccsw.com. Too late to enter, but why not come down and sample the atmosphere spectating? Better still, marshals are always needed.

June 7-12 – MMM Ulster Touring Event. Fully booked but there might just be the odd cancellation. Details on the Register web page at www. t r i p l e - m r e g i s t e r. org/UlsterTT/Ulster TT31.asp July 16 – PreWar Prescott. A non-

SVW Anne Bush svw.safety.fast@gmail.com www.svwregister.co.uk

Whilst browsing the internet on a wet day recently, I came across an interesting chart on Bas de Voogd’s website www.basdevoogd.nl It refers to the optional extras available for the SVW range of cars and makes interesting reading, especially when compared with standard fittings on modern cars. For those without internet access, we hope to publish it in the next newsletter.

Lastly, a reminder re the SVW event 2016 which will be held in the Ardennes Region of SE Belgium. The two-day Event is mid-week starting late afternoon on Tuesday June 14 and ending after lunch on Thursday June 16.

The Ardennes is a beautiful mixture of undulating forest and farmland with old sandstone buildings, deep limestone river gorges and scattered historic towns and villages. The ancient towns of Spa, Monschau, Maastrict and La Roche are all within a half-hour drive for anyone wishing to stay longer and explore beyond the set routes. We hope the central location of the rally this year near Liege will encourage SVW Register members to join this event from nearby countries as well as those from further overseas.

Rally HQ will be at The Chateau Bleu (13 rooms) in Trooz where both evening meals will be served for the whole group. Unfortunately, there are no larger hotels in the immediate area, so The Chateau Harze (22 Rooms) about 20

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minutes away, has also been block-booked for us. If preferred, cars can be securely parked offroad overnight at Rally HQ and a free shuttle bus will be available to take people back to Harze on both evenings after the meal, with pick up after breakfast each morning to return to Trooz before the start of each road run.

The cost for the two-day Event is 600 Euros per double room (440 Euros for a single room).

This covers the room, breakfasts, fixed-menu lunches, fixed-menu dinners for both days and entry to The Chateau Moldave, the awardwinning Baugnez 44 Museum and the Gileppe Dam. Each extra night’s B&B either side of the Event is 90 Euros for a double room per night (70 Euros for a single room per night). Charges at both hotels are the same during this event.

Special diets can be catered for as long as the organisers know the personal requirements before the event.

The route will cover about 60-65 miles each day, gently touring this fabulous region. There is also a garage near Trooz which specialises in old cars, so if necessary your cars can be repaired/serviced locally if the parts are available. (Please bring some spares with you to ‘share’ amongst the group).

To book for this Event, please contact The Chateau Bleu directly (Booking Code: SVW Event 2016). Phoning from outside

REGISTER competitive good all round weekend social with MMM cars welcome, lots to see and do, with a few runs up the famous hill thrown in for good measure. Details can be found at: vintageminor@ gmail.com July 17 – The MMM Summer Gathering. Held as usual at the Green establishment in Farnham Royal near Slough. Further details can be found on the MMM website: www.triple-mregister.org/ events.asp and also from Peter at: p.green@ mgk3.co.uk or 01753 643468.

July 29-31 – The Cercle MMM Luxembourg 2016 MMM Tour. Email tripleMtour@gmail.com to see if there’s still places available.

REGISTER Belgium: 0032-4351-7457 or email: chateaubleutrooz@icloud.com The owners Norbert and Marcella both speak good English, French, Dutch and Flemish, as does their son Kevin, who is also their excellent chef.

The non-refundable deposit taken to confirm the booking is 50 Euros per person, and can be paid directly by credit card.

Phone booking is preferred, but if you wish to book by email, please refer to the guidance on the Register website under events or last month’s Safety Fast!.

A VA tourer enjoying the summer sun on a hot day on a rally in France.

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REGISTERS

T TYPE John Ward 01621 773606 johnw.ward@yahoo.co.uk www.tregister.org

MG ERA DAY BROOKLANDS SUNDAY APRIL 10 2016 On June 19 1936 the first of the new style MG Midgets was announced, replacing the J Types and the P Types and for the first time sporting a push rod overhead valve engine as opposed to the established overhead camshaft unit. This became known as the TA and was to become the mainstay of MG sports car production right through to the last TF 1500 in July 1955.

So 80 years on it is programmed to herald the arrival of the TA at the annual MG Era Day at the birthplace of British Motorsport Brooklands Museum at Weybridge.

The date is April 10 2016 so still time to fettle the T type and get along to join hundreds of others to celebrate this momentous occasion.

There will be special collection of as many TAs as we can muster immediately outside the iconic Clubhouse and close by will be the parking area for as many other Ts as we can fit into the space.

Of course Brooklands is a great place to visit with its unique collection of historical memorabilia with sheds, workshops and all things nostalgic including of course flying machines, aeroplanes and now even London Transport buses. Plenty of refreshment available or bring a picnic and you can even book to try out the infamous ‘Test Run’ up the hill.

See all the details on www brooklandsmuseum.com We have even revamped the T Register logo in celebration so look out for it at all the Register Events this year.

On the subject of other events the 2016 T Register T Party is now confirmed.

REGISTER car, driver and one passenger and a free souvenir programme to be collected at the event. Bookings close at midnight on Sunday June 26 2016 and as usual the sun will be shining so bring the picnic and the sun parasols.

Register by going online to www. flywheelfestival.com/clubs/ticketoffer Make sure you book for the Sunday option and choose a ticket for displaying on your windscreen, also choose the correct car club and give vehicle make, model and registration number whether you require a display parking pass or not.

The 2016 T Register T Party will be held on Sunday July 3 at the Bicester Heritage Flywheel Event at the old RAF Station at Bicester OX27 8AL. This is a relatively new event but quickly gaining wholesale acceptance by classic car clubs nationally and this year there will be 16 car clubs in attendance. It is a two day event but we have arranged to have a designated parking space on the Sunday only in the display area and for a set fee for pre registered Remember this? Would you believe it, it was already three years ago! It was of course at the 50th Anniversary of the T Register at Brooklands in 2013. Well, we plan to do Club members of £23 something like it again. which includes for

REGISTER

Y TYPE

Jerry Birkbeck 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325 jerrybirkbeck@btinternet.com www.mgccyregister.co.uk

Ys at Seventy 2017 marks 70 years since the first Y rolled off the production lines at Abingdon. The Y Register is looking at ideas as to how we might celebrate this and are seeking your views on possible locations.

Thoughts at the moment are looking at a three or four day touring event as the major activity, supplemented with a Spring Weekend perhaps in the East of England around Lincolnshire, and East Anglia.

At this stage we are looking to your ideas and these will be discussed at our next Committee meeting and of course at the AGM later this year.

Please do forward your ideas to me (at the email address below the header details of this note) and/or please phone me.

MG Events in March and April 2016 The copy requirements for Safety Fast! mean that completed articles for printing have to be with Editor Andy Knott a month before publication. I like to use any photographs/articles that you may wish to write, but will need them with me by the end of April for inclusion in the half yearly Y Newsletter that is published in June.

1951 YA 458 YUD It’s always pleasing to receive articles from members and I must thank David Gregory for

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his report, together with a photograph of the interior – which looks to be an excellent job. Here he describes his early experiences together with a report of `Vintage Stony’, an often mentioned event held every New Year’s Day in the historic town of Stony Stratford. Here is David’s tale: As a young man MG PAs were my daily transport until the family outgrew them. Now retired, I still have a yearning to re-live the excitement they provided. To this end I bought a more affordable partly restored YA with a slipping clutch, worn out engine and scruffy trim. After a long search for a trimmer I found PJM in Market Drayton who made the interior a very nice place to be. The engine and clutch I sorted myself. Now usable and reliable, the YA did many shows and trips out with my local club.

Confidently we decided a trip to Brittany would make a nice holiday, but on the second day a half-shaft let go; fortunately another was located and shipped out, so we only lost a couple of days. As the summer came to an end I saw no reason to stop using the car, so looked for events and amongst others found Vintage Stony, where Stony Stratford town centre is taken over by the most amazing cars every New Year’s Day. It is a very well run event that lasts from 10am till about 3pm when the cars start drifting away. Marshals direct the cars to parking spaces in the car parks

and side roads, the town square being reserved for pre-war vehicles. Until now there has been no booking, but that may change due to the increasing popularity of the event. Many of the shops, cafés and restaurants open specially and the town has a very welcoming feel about it.

Various prizes are awarded, but that is not what it is about, just being there is all that is required for a great day out.

David Gregory, 1951 YA, 458YUD

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P R OT E C T YO U R I N V E S T M E N T. . . . w i t h Wa xo y l t r e a t m e n t Vehicle Rustproofing Procedure The first thing we’ll do upon your arrival is to give your vehicle an initial inspection and assessment while you are present. We know it can be scary leaving your pride and joy with someone else! We will also answer any questions that you may have.

We will clean the underside of your vehicle, removing all dirt, loose rust or flaking underseal/paint. Any plastic, inner wheel arch covers are carefully removed at this point to gain access to the areas behind which are often secretly harbouring months, if not years of mud and salt accumulation!

Detailed preparation is the key to good and lasting protection.

Brakes and exhausts are carefully masked up before it is coated with durable, black, rust inhibiting underbody wax. Cavity wax is also injected into all the crossmembers.

Tricketts offer a complete service to F and TF owners including headgasket, cam belt and clutch replacements, body repairs including fitting of replacement subframes, carrying out underbody/ cavity rust prevention treatment, MOTs and routine servicing.

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03/02/2015 16:22:53

www.mgcc.co.uk

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REGISTERS

MAGNETTE Stephen Tickell 01737 760330 stephen.tickell@gmail.com www.magnette.org

First a quick reminder about the Black Country Museum and Cotswolds weekend, July 2-3. If you’re hoping to stay at Wroxall on the Saturday night, and/or join us for dinner there, please contact Alan Cleobury – don’t phone Wroxall Abbey directly. Of course you’ll be welcome to come to the museum and Cotswolds run whether or not staying at the hotel, and everyone is invited to the Register AGM at Wroxall, 10.30am on the Sunday (following coffee from 10.15).

Also you might just be in time to book for the 20th annual Z Magnette Day, in the Palatinate region of Germany, but you’ll have to contact Thomas Cordes (tom.cordes@gmx.de) without delay.

Headlamps and heaters Jeffrey Bridges is on course to have his newly restored ZA completed through its ‘shake down’ in time for the season’s events, and it looks to be an excellent job judging from the photos

– Jeffrey has done a lot of the interior work himself. He did share one unexpected hurdle encountered though, which was an MOT failure on the grounds of uncorrectable headlamp aim and beam spread.

The car was fitted with reproduction Tripod units and H4 bulbs, so this result seems to fit with my observations documented in a newsletter article last year – although mine didn’t actually fail an MOT. Having fitted non-tripod Lucas F700 headlamps with BPF bulbs, Jeffrey’s car sailed through. As reported, I suspect the glass and moulding quality on original Lucas headlamps may still be superior to modern versions, but at least with BPF bulbs there’s a reasonable likelihood that the main and dipped beams will be properly focussed and directed.

On the subject of follow-ups, Geoff Knight has an alternative suggestion to improve the heater blower rather than replacing it, based on

MGA Edward Vandyk 01488 608810 mgascribe@vandyk.co.uk

The waiting is almost over. April brings us MG Era at Brooklands on the 10th and Drive It Day on the 24th. The show season will also be upon us with our local shows and autojumbles kicking off as early as Easter Monday.

This could be the year to ‘do it’ rather than just dream about it but that requires preparation and thinking ahead. That intrepid MGA world traveller from down under, Dave Godwin, has prepared a pre-trip check list for his latest ‘Around the World in Classic MGs’ adventure and whilst it may seem over the top for the local show or road run it gives a good steer, pun intended, as to where to look and what to look for. Whilst it is not practical to publish it in a useable format in Safety Fast! you can download it from the MGA section of the MGCC website or contact me by email or phone and I will send you a copy. The absence of the compulsory MoT for pre 1960 cars may be a blessing but is not without its potential issues if, for example, a mechanical failure leads to an accident. The onus would then, I believe, be on the owner to show that the car was roadworthy and demonstrating that you had a plan to ensure roadworthiness possibly based on, but not limited to, Dave’s plan, and had followed it, might go some way to addressing this point.

In mid May, 2016, ten Aussie Adventurers, led by Dave, in five classic MGs will return to Vancouver, Canada and take a leisurely 7,000 mile drive to St John’s, Newfoundland. On reaching St John’s, three of the cars, including Dave’s MGA, will have traversed the world, having started from Beijing, China in 2010! So it really will have been ‘Around the World in Classic

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MGs’ and this has to warrant a separate Safety Fast! article – something to look forward to.

Incidentally Dave’s hood – see photograph – has to be a ‘Round the World’ one off but I have yet to tease the ‘how’, let alone the ‘why’, out of him!

A word from the MGA Registrar, Stuart Mumby. When directing queries or requests for information from the MGA Register to him, by email and other means, please always quote your Membership Number. This will ensure that the benefit of membership of the Club go where they belong – to members.

The last few weeks have seen an attempt by some of us to collate all known facts about MGAs fitted with the Dunlop Disc Brake All Round option, also known as MGA De Luxe as well as MGA 1600 MkII Competition and possibly MGA 1600 MkIIb cars, with a view to a subsequent article. Separating substantiated fact from assumption, supposition or simply fiction remains an ongoing process so this seems an opportune moment to remind you that the MGA Register has a De Luxe Co-ordinator, John Barrett, who lives in Norway and can be contacted on +47 97128265 or at john.barrett@online.no. If you have anything to add to our knowledge of these rare cars please contact John and let him know.

Finally an invitation to all members of the MGA Register to the Rare Breeds Tour and Car Show which I am organising as part of Stockfest to be held on August 21. This will be a repeat of the 2015 event with hopefully good weather all day this time. The rain at about 2pm put a bit of a dampener on the afternoon in 2015 but at least ensured we drank the beer tent dry; we will have five firkins this year as a consequence! The event

REGISTER

Geoff Knight’s blower modification

scientific analysis of the airflow in the original.

For full details you’ll have to read the magnette. org tech-tips article, where you can see how he blocked off empty space in the housing to force more air through the duct.

REGISTER

Dave and Laurel Godwin in Patagonia

is being run in association with the MGA Twin Cam Group and we would like to see as many Twin Cams, De Luxes and push rod MGAs there as possible and in particular on the Tour. Priority will be given to MGAs and MGs in that order for at least half the places on the Tour, which is limited to 60 cars. This is a ‘something for everyone’ event and part of our annual village festival, Stockfest, at which there will be a beer tent, hot food and a vintage fair as well as live music and marionette shows for both adults and children, a surprisingly popular performance when we have done this before.

You are welcome to picnic on site, ideally with your Sirram or Brexton picnic sets, and the music, with five live bands, will go on until 8pm although you can come and go as you like and, if you come in your MGA, admission is free!

The websites are live at www.rarebreedstour. co.uk and www.stockfestcarshow.co.uk and whilst there is no need to register for the Show there is now a booking form for the Tour on the website.

APRIL 2016

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REGISTERS

MIDGET Neil Thomas 07891 684435 ns.tenby@hotmail.com www.midgetregister.com

Hello to everyone again this month. Hope you are all well? It’s been great to hear from young Ed Yeates from Essex this month. Ed has a Midget (see pic), but at only 16, he can’t drive it on the road yet. His dad Mike, who owns an MGC GT, is very supportive of Ed and has been helping him with it. Ed can’t wait until he can take his test. It’s fantastic to know that there are young people interested in Midgets and who will be there to keep these little cars going in the future. I’ve also heard from John Shepherd from the north east. John has a lovely little Midget fitted with a 1600 Toyota engine (see pic). He has taken it on Track Days with MGOT and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He’s wanting to fit a new petrol tank soon but not before adapting it to fit baffles. He has been advised that welding the inside of new tanks is an issue as the coating that the metal has on it prevents a weld from taking hold. Has anyone heard of such a thing? I haven’t.

Meanwhile Mike, our chairman, has been chatting to Koichi Morikawa, a Midget owner from Japan. Koichi owns a 1963 Mk1 Midget and tells us that Japan has had a hot winter allowing him to drive his Midget on February 24, once the snow had thawed. Great to hear from you Koichi.

The Register would also like to thank David, Martin and Chris from BMH for bringing along their splendid newly sprayed Midget and new engine and staying with the Register on the MGCC stand at the Stoneleigh Spares Day. It was very kind of you, thank you.

Of course this month it’s ‘Drive it Day’ on April 24. I hope many of you will take your Midgets out and enjoy driving them on this day. I’ll certainly be out in mine.

I must quickly mention the MR Facebook page. This is getting busier by the day and clearly a popular site to visit. I posted a pic of my very

John Shepherd on a Track Day at Donington with MGOT

Neil Hyett 01869 241180 neilhyett54@btinternet.com www.mgb-register.org

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wet Frogeye at a previous Old Speckled Hen Run recently and within a couple of days it had reached nearly 1,800 people.

Well last month I posted a picture of Mike Parker practising his cricket and lo and behold he’s been offered to play for a team in Australia. And so as we now have a contact in Japan, the Register has decided to fund his visit and on route to stop off in Japan to help set up a Midget Register there. Some people have all the luck.

We are now up to nine Midgets booked for our weekend to Exmoor in July. I can’t wait. See you next month, well if I’m still the Scribe after the AGM that is!

Young Ed Yeates’ Midget

MGB Wow this year is flying by; here I am writing the April Notes when it only seems a couple of weeks since the New Year. Anyway, these are my last Register Notes as I am handing over to David Broadhurst. I have enjoyed the role for what must be getting on for five years but the time is right for a change. As David is now editing the Register Newsletter it seems fitting that he also takes over the Register Notes which will hopefully give more continuity between the two. I am not leaving the Committee but moving on to a new role.

In fact, as I write these notes we are only a few days from the AGM. As John Watson reported last month he is standing down as Chairman but we are also losing other long standing committee members who have all done sterling service over many years. We thank you all gentlemen for your efforts and support. We will publish the new committee after the AGM, so all will be revealed.

The annual FBHVC Drive it Day is this year on Sunday April 24 and to mark the occasion, Bicester Heritage are holding one of their Sunday Brunch Meetings. For those interested we have arranged a special parking area for MGBs and even better, you can get in for half price. We are a registered club for the event so when you apply for the admission tickets you need to select ‘Registered Club Member Vehicle’ option on the application form and follow the instructions. The

REGISTER

entry fee will be £2.50/adult (plus an online booking fee). If you’ve not been to Bicester Heritage it is well worth a visit. You will certainly find plenty to see for a few hours.

Goodbye, Happy MGB’ing.

A few dates for your diary: Spring Run on Sunday April 10 2016 – The run will finish at the magnificent Ragley Hall near Alcester. Although the run is only a few days away why not check if you can get a late entry.

Remember this event is open to all MG models.

Register Weekend September 1619 2016 – Join us for a weekend away in Yorkshire based at the Coniston Hotel (www. theconistonhotel.com) near Skipton and enjoy a weekend of scenic driving, excellent food and of course socialising. There will be full day tours

REGISTER on the Saturday and Sunday set in stunning countryside including viewing the Ribblehead Viaduct, visiting Wensleydale, the original home of the famous cheese, and Kettlewell, the setting for ‘Calendar Girls’. If of course you don’t fancy doing the organised tours on both days you can always do your own thing.

Although Skipton is northward for most of us it makes an excellent base for touring Yorkshire, so why not stay on for a few days after the weekend and make a week of it! Numbers are restricted to 35 cars and we already have a few bookings. If you haven’t been on a Register weekend before I can guarantee you will have a great time so if you are thinking of joining us, don’t leave it too late so as not to be disappointed.

All details and booking forms for all the events are on the website.

A good selection of cars gather for the start of the 2015 MGB Register Spring Run

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:02

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MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 85

1971 Tartan Red MGB Roadster, Re-shell to a very high standard on a HERITAGE SHELL, MOT & history £15,950

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PLEASE NOTE: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

22/03/2016 17:03

REGISTERS

MGC Ginny Cartmell 01208 821552 ginnycartmell@btinternet.com

MGC Weekend Amendment...

In last month’s Safety Fast! you will remember I reported on the exclusive use of the Hailwood Suite, at Mallory Park for our MGC Register event July 2-3 – Well it would seem the MG Car Club Race Committee thought they had booked the Suite also! The compromise we have come to is that we will share the facilities and enjoy the day together. We are advised that they would like us to complete our buffet by 2.30pm in order that prize giving will take place throughout the afternoon. There is no need to vacate the area, but consideration must be made when the awards are being given. This can be looked at as a bonus we hope, because you will be able to see the internal working of the racing fraternity. All being well, we will have fantastic sunshine and after enjoying your lunch you will want to get out trackside and enjoy the racing from Gerrard’s Bend or other areas of this great spectator circuit.

At time of writing we still have some rooms available at Wroxall Abbey Hotel, including space for Dinner, Saturday night. Please don’t hesitate in contacting me for more information if you would like to get involved or have any questions with regards to this event.

April 10 Era Day at Brooklands...

We hope we may see some of you at Brooklands, later this month. We have been told that this is a great gathering of MGs, together with a superb aviation heritage museum; let’s hope the sun shines here too. We have a hand full of Cs going that I know of, but plenty of room for more. For this event it is Jon Glover you need to contact, he will be able to give you ticket availability and details on local accommodation... jongloveractor@gmail.com

FWD Ben Hatton ben2692@hotmail.co.uk http://www.mgcc.co.uk/fwd-register/

The last month has been a very busy and productive one for the FWD Register. On February 20 we held our AGM at the MG Sales Centre Longbridge. Several key issues were discussed and a new committee was elected. I have taken over from Tanya Field as Register Chair, and Ian Kimpton (iankimpton. uk@gmail.com) has taken over as Vice Chair and adopted the new role of Registrar, assisted by our Historian Colin Corke.

Just a little bit of information about myself. I’m 23 and have had an interest in classic cars and vehicles from a very young age. An interest in MGs developed after I purchased my MK1 MG Metro three years ago. It is currently being fully restored to original specification, but some of you may remember it being featured in the MG90 timeline at Silverstone last year.

The Register stand at the Practical Classics Restoration Show

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A major discussion topic at our AGM was surviving models of MG Metros, Maestros and Montegos that were once a the most populous sight of MG on UK roads, but numbers are now down to just a few hundred. (Not forgetting that we also cover MG 1100, 1300 and the 6R4!) To raise awareness of the Register, we have decided to start a database (for Registrar use only) and launch a ‘Where are they now?’ campaign with the aim of identifying as many surviving vehicles as possible.

I would like to appeal to any members of the MGCC who own one of these once popular cars to please contact Ian Kimpton, iankimpton.uk@gmail. com with your registration number, VIN, colour, a photo if possible and any other information that you may wish to share about the history.

The FWD Register attended the Practical Classics Restoration Show at the NEC with the support of the MGCC, our first solo event, to great success and received great feedback from our visitors and other clubs alike. Vehicles on display – MG Metros: Colin Corke’s excellent 1982 original launch spec in Cinnabar Red on ramps, was displayed alongside Martin McFeely’s unrestored and well travelled vehicle in Silver Leaf with Opaline front wing – a car that attracted comments such as: “That’s how I remember them” or “That’s exactly how mine was”. And for the MG Maestros: Wayne Bates provided us

REGISTER New Member...

You will see below one of our latest new members to join the MGC Register, James Corbett, with a beautiful 1968 built Roadster, though not registered until 1970. James will be driving this car to Wroxall Abbey Hotel and on to Mallory Park this July, so we will be able to have a good look at his MGC and chat with him. One amusing story from him, that he went to a Sunday morning car boot sale for a second hand fishing rod and also came home with an MGC, what a good catch...!

REGISTER with his rare 1988 Atlantic Blue and Ian Kimpton allowed his immaculate 1990 White Diamond, that featured on the Meguiars stand at the NEC Classic last November, to come into very close contact with the general public!

This was a great opportunity to launch our ‘Where Are They Now?’ campaign which yielded some very interesting conversations with people restoring one, or cars simply pushed into garages, sheds and forgotten about, not to mention new sources for spares, long since thought unavailable!

One example was a woman whose father owned an early MG Maestro, parked up in his garage for 23 years, which he simply didn’t use.

Various other Maestros, Metros and Montegos also came to light. A promising start and has proved a good foundation to build on. So if anyone knows where some of these cars are, please get in touch with Ian. Our next event is our annual FWD Register Spring Run on April 2. We start at Kimber house, go on to the Mini Plant at Cowley, travel to the British Motor Museum and finish at the MG Sales Centre at Longbridge. Please join us with any MG or BLARG vehicle, you will be very welcome!

Finally I would like to thank Tanya for her work over the last 12 months as Chair for the FWD Register, and I’m very much looking forward to a progressive year ahead.

www.mgcc.co.uk

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REGISTERS

MGF Tim Morris 01932 882467 scribe@mgfregister.org www.mgfregister.org

As many of you will know the Register organises the ‘After Hours’ party at MGLive! and this year we are pleased to host the return of ‘Not the Hoople’. For those who came to the MGF20 party last August you’ll already know them as they played the night away on top of the Heritage Motor Centre (or British Motor Museum as it now seems to be). Adam Denton will be our superstar DJ when the band are not on stage and we’ll hold the Glo Car competition as soon as dusk falls, which is usually after the band’s first set. To start the evening off there will be a barbecue and of course the bar will be open in the marquee. It’s ideal for those camping over on Saturday night, or if you fancy making a complete day of MGLive! and staying on for some After Hours fun.

Not only would we invite you to join the party, but also to join in with your Glo Cars. We’ll have the same categories as before: Pro Glo, for those with fitted neons, lasers, lights and so on, and perhaps the easier one of Impro-Glo: lights that are not permanently fitted, torches, glo sticks, bubbles, windmills or even dress yourself up in a day-glo tutu! The essence is on making as much light and noise with your sound system as possible!

I’d quite like to know if you are entering so please email me on tim.morris@mgfregister.org so I can rest assured that there will be some entries!

Thames Tunnels and Bridges This fantastic charity event takes place on the evening of September 24 and we’ve already had lots of entries for it, so if you want to take part in one of the most challenging navigational events in the MG calendar whilst admiring the sights of central London at dusk in the process then you’ll need to get your entry in soon. We will be limiting the numbers of cars entering as there is not a large amount of space at the Wimbledon start point but it’s still early and there is still space for you now.

It’s open to any MGCC member with any type of MG, not just F/TFs, and to enter you just need to register via the MGF Register online shop at www. mgfregister/org/shop Donington Historic The Donington Historic festival takes place on April 30–May 2, and our Heart of England Region will be hosting the Register’s presence at the event and will be camping over. If you’d like to join them then please contact Keith at keith.williams@ mgfregister.org and he’ll give you a special code to buy discount tickets to the event as well.

Brooklands MG Day Finally we’ll see you at Brooklands on April 10 for their MG day and hopefully you will have contacted

ZRZSZT John Thompson 07854 275541 johnt5@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/zedregister

Events & shows The first meeting of the 2016 Racing Championships takes place on April 3 at Donington Park. There will be a full account of the first races from Geoff Hirst in the next magazine.

News in brief As a brief reminder the MG Era Day will be taking place in a few days time at Brooklands Museum on April 10. Hopefully we will have glorious spring weather again this year. We have been in the process of booking space for the Register. We aren’t too sure of the parking arrangements this year but hopefully cars will be grouped together better this year. If not come and find us and introduce yourselves.

The following weekend is the Pride of Longbridge gathering on April 16. This event has always been popular with Zed owners. Last year marked ten years since the closure of the former MG Rover plant, and saw a record number of vehicles in attendance. 2016 marks a significant milestone for our cars so hopefully we should see similar numbers this time. This year the main club will be in attendance. We will be supporting the main club in promoting the Zeds and ZED15/ MG Saloon Day being held later this year. We will be distributing ZED15/MG Saloon Day flyers during the day to all attendees.

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ZED15 update Hopefully you will have seen that a ticket shop for ZED15 has been set by Kimber House.

Admission price to the event is £8 per car in advance, or £10 on the day. A wristband to gain entry to view the collection inside the revamped British Motor Museum can be purchased for an additional £10 per person in advance, a saving of £4 off the normal entry price.

• The event opens at 10am • Admission to the museum for children under 5 years is free • Admission to children(5-16yrs) is £9 For further information on our other forthcoming events and Register information please visit site our Facebook page.

For more information about the British Motor Museum visit their website – www. britishmotormuseum.co.uk

REGISTER

The MGF Register Hard Top Relay gets under way – here it is overnighting in Devon with Pete & Lin Opie

me already if you would like to park up in the Register area. I might be still looking for some monogram cars for a special display so if you have one and can come then email me pronto at tim. morris@mgfregister.org. If you miss out on this one then make sure July 24 is in your diary for the BTM Classic Car Show when we’ll be having another Brooklands display at this mixed vehicle event.

Uxbridge Car Show Our Thames Valley region is organising the Register presence at this West London event on Sunday July 17 – several of the local regions are already going but if you would like to come along to this large general classic car show then let Ian Wright know at thames.valley@mgfregister.org That’s enough to be getting on with but there is plenty more on our internet forum or Facebook page including the Hard Top Relay which has started now.

REGISTER Hatch Race Round Brands Hatch, Kent Sat/Sun June 4-5 MGLive! Silverstone, Northants Sun July 3 Mallory Park Race Round Mallory Park, Leics Sun July 9 ZED15/MG Saloon Day BMM Gaydon, Warks Sat Sept 3 Oulton Park Race Round Oulton Park, Cheshire Sat/Sun Oct 1-2 Snetterton Race Round Snetterton, Norfolk Fri/Sat/Sun Nov 11-13 Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham

Provisional programme of events 2016 Sunday April 10 MG Era Day Brooklands, Surrey Sat April 16 Pride of Longbridge Birmingham Sat/Sun April 30 – May1 Brands

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:03

A SELECTION OF MGTF LE500’S BREAKING FOR SPARES

MG SALES

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

MG MGB FIA Historic Appendix ‘K’ racecar 1964 (B Reg)150 Miles

MG 6 ‘SE’ GT Hatchback (just 27,000 miles)

MG TF LE500 MG Press/showcar (just 23,000miles)

MG TF LE500 #278 +H/top (just 32,000miles)

Raced by us and fully rebuilt over the winter of 2014, re-trimmed interior, New Engine is a 1840cc 150 bhp fitted with JE pistons,Carrilo steel conrods,Arrow steel crankshaft, Alloy sump, LW flywheel, Cambridge Race camshaft, Weber 45, LSD, 4 syncro,s/c,c/r gearbox, Alloy race fuel tank,etc As raced in the HRDC & Ecuire GTS series, just 3 races since and just 150 miles usage unraced in 2015. Thousands spent on this Superb condition MGB. Was £26995 Sale price £25995

Here we offer a MG6 ‘SE’ Hatchback model, having covered a very low mileage of just 27,000 miles.

This high spec ‘SE’ model is fitted with Satellite navigation, 17” alloys, air conditioning, cruise control, rear park sensor etc,. Outstanding condition throughout. Special sale price was £6495 .......Now £5,295

2008 (08 Reg)Manual, petrol. Finished in Vibrant Orange with Black leather sport seats. Fitted with air conditioning, sports pack 2 ,heated glass rear screen, engine water level censor, etc. These TF’s are fitted with later ‘N’ series engines. Just had a major cambelt service plus new brake disc’s pads and moted. The a/c has also just been serviced.

Superb low mileage example. £5,995

2009 (59 Reg) Manual, Petrol. Finished in Intense Blue/black leather Ltd edition LE500, fitted with a colour coded removable hardtop, heated glass rear screen soft top, air conditioning, engine water level censor,black leather sport seats,soft ride suspension, sports pack 2 ,16” 11 spoked alloys, wind deflector, etc.#278/500. Full service history, just had cambelt service. Stainless sports exhaust fitted. Black alloys can be changed for silver ones. £6,895

MG TF LE500 #015/500 (just 45,000 miles)

MG TF 135 SPARK (just 36,000 miles)

MG TF 135 Facelift (just 26,000 miles)

MG TF 135 facelift model (just 53,000miles)

2008 (58 Reg) Manual, Petrol, Finished in Vibrant Orange/Black leather Here we offer a LE500 ltd edition. # 015 of just 500 made. Fitted with Air conditioning, Black leather sport seats, heated glass rear screen, 16” 11 spoked alloys, sports pack 2, soft ride suspension, engine water level censor, etc, just have a cambelt service + new brake disc’s Mot etc.

Superb. £5,495

2005 (55 Reg) Manual, Petrol. Finished in: Silver/black leather grey inserts Previously supplied by us and just 36,000 miles. A superb 2 owner Spark ltd edition these were the last limited model made by MG/Rover. They are high spec, eg, Black leather sport seats with grey alcantara inserts,sports pack 2 with unmarked 16” alloys,chrome packs, silver interior trim, engine water level censor. Also fitted with a heated glass rear screen and mudflaps.MG Car Club members car. Supplied with a new headgasket / water pump /cambelt. Superb condition. £4,795

2005 (05 Reg)26,000 Miles Manual, Petrol. Finished in: Silver/Black leather TF135 Facelift model one of the last made. Just one Lady owner having covered just 26,000 miles. Fitted with soft ride suspension, facelift alloys, glass heated rear screen, engine water level censor, full black leather sport seats.

Service history plus every mot. Supplied with a new headgasket/cambelt /water pump. £4,795

One of the last made MG TF’s, Facelift model, Full service history. High spec fitted with a Heated glass rear screen, soft ride suspension, unmarked facelift alloys, engine water level censor, full black leather sport seats, Silver interior trim, front fog lights. Colour coded hard top available @ £350+vat. Just been through our workshop, serviced including fitted with a new headgasket/cambelt /water pump brake disc’s and pads . £4,295

This is just a small selection from our stock

FAMILY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED 1981 OUR OFFICE/ SHOWROOM IS AT 62B HIGH STREET SHEPPERTON TW17 9AU VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 89

www.churchsquareautos.com APRIL 2016

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LOOKING BACK

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.

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We thought that it might be time to look back at the days when our sports cars were being built at the Abingdon factory.

No robots, no moving lines, no computers, just a dedicated workforce with a pride in the job.

We begin with a photo by Stuart Seager of an MGA bodyshell already ‘prepped’ on the top deck, being lowered onto a waiting chassis.

Our next picture, also by Stuart Seager, shows a Midget having its windscreen fitted whilst a line inspector checks the installation of the brake pipes and master cylinder.

Following on from this we have a photograph of a visit to the factory in 1966 by a group from the Midland Centre who can be seen pausing on the body deck to watch the assembly process of an MGB. Finally, we have included a picture

by Ron Willis of the factory in 1980 after production had ended and most of the equipment removed. A sad ending for all concerned.

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:03

CARS FOR SALE

CARS FOR SALE How to Advertise Members can advertise their cars free of charge in Safety Fast. The advert will also be posted on the Club website in due course. This is for one insertion only. To place an advert or for additional insertions email Colin Grant at 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 nonmembers to advertise is £20. All adverts should be submitted by the 15th of the month for the

British Motor Heritage approved

MG TD 1953

Family owned for 42 years, older restoration, runs well but not concourse condition, some “original” features. Much loved but not used so much now so we are looking for new owners to cherish and enjoy.

Cream with red leather interior, new mohair hood, new steering wheel and stainless steel exhaust. £18,000. Telephone 01379 852386 (South Norfolk)

MGTF 1954 1250cc

Very good condition throughout, lovely to drive. 32K miles. Fully MOT'd, History and paperwork. £13,750. For more information please call 01295 811348.

MG Midget 1971

For rebuild or spares. Chrome bumper. 1250cc Gold Seal engine.

The car was driven to a lock-up garage in 1986 and has not moved since. Green log book.

Best Offers. Buyer collects. barry.dodman.edwards@gmail.com (West Oxfordshire)

The time has come for someone else to enjoy this lovely TF. In excellent condition, it drives really well, is always garaged and only driven in the dry. It looks the part in red with wire wheels, spot lights and chrome luggage rack. It comes with black hood and tonneau cover, dust cover and stainless steel exhaust. UK car with its original registration number, first registered 28th June 1954. £29,500. Tel: 01386 882179 Mob: 07786 853010. Or Email: alanjboorman@btinternet.com (Broadway, Worcestershire)

MGB Roadster LE 1981

MGTF 1954 1250cc

Red with new red leather interior, RHD, full tonneau, black hood & side screens, luggage rack. Full body off restoration in 2009, engine overhauled, unleaded head - polished & ported, rebuilt carbs with correct air filters, re-cored radiator, overhauled 4speed gearbox. Matching numbers car, much admired - recent prise winning example in excellent running order. £28000. Call John 01795 875846 or email johndharrington@Hotmail.co.uk for more information.

(Kent)

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 91

.....for the very best in vintage MGs.....Estd.1968

BANK’S NO GOOD, SUMMER’S COMING, CARS GOING...come on:

following months issue.

ZB Magnette 1958.

BARRY WALKER

Supplied new by British Leyland dealer Tourist Trophy Ltd, this wonderful example was registered new on the 1st October 1981confirmed by the original Sales Invoice. An incredible detailed history file and original service book, some 22 old MOT certificates and tax discs confirm the low miles, 25553. MOT February 2017, – Folding hood, both half and full tonneau covers and front spoiler, lockable glovebox, Kenwood stereo with 4 matching speakers (the original Pioneer stereo is also with the car), Recent additions: battery immobilizer, leather seats with lumbar support, wooden steering wheel. £14695 o.n.o. For further information call Stewart on 07881963541 .

MG ZR 105, 2003

3door, British Racing Green. MOT until 1/8/16, 67,500 miles, FSH. I 1949 MG TC SPORTS. Just arrived. A nicely just-worn recent the restoration had the bugs ironed bought car that athasnine years oldout & with a nice patina. Goes seriously well. Everything works it should – it’s a car you will USE! Dark red, beige withas only 29,100 milestoon the offer clock. leather, beige roof. Open sensible One owner for its first eight years, then hardly used for the next year or so by its second owner. The car was initially serviced by the registered dealer, Windsors Of Wallasey and ever since by Peter Jones Engineering who effectively took 1934 MG PA Deluxe. A rare chance for an all-matching nos.

Well known to MGCC & The VSCC (non overPA. from Windsors.

ZRrace) hasevents, this superbly presented MG has been fully serviced and prepped by us, and offers pride of ownership, rallying attended The Pride Of road Longbridge and events or really enjoyable use with minimum maintenance. Beautifully finished in Raven black with and full weather gear. showApple forGreen theCollingburn past 3interior years.

Asking Top of the range car............................................£48,500 Price £1050 ono.Tel: 0772 9183 724

MGTF 1500

Owned since 2008, looks immaculate but exterior does have small 1948 MG TC SPORTS. Never before on the UK market, this all-matching has been A signs ofnos.7 TC years of completely enjoyedrestored. ownerreally enjoyable car to drive; just feels ‘right’. Perfect for the coming summer in Old Eng. White with wine ship.A great TheTC...Open interior is inofferexcellent leather. to sensible unworn condition the side-screens refurbished, the roof water-tight.

Recent work includes new wiper blades/arms and fitments, door stays, pedal rubbers and revcounter reduction box and cable. Steering 1932 MG F1 MAGNA. I know everybody’s refurbished and these newaren’t rubber seals ‘cup-of-tea’, but if you want practicality, very little maintenance, MG’s most reliable early engine and a car fitted inunderpriced, 2012. Annual with that is clearly you shouldservice give this much consideration. Totally restored, fully proven on the road, theluggage greasing every 500mopportunity . Strong loads space, this is a cracking to snatch a seriously USABLE investment...........£49,500 Oil pressure throughout range.

Peter Edney fitted 5-speed gearbox, gives unstressed travel at 70 mph.

Upgrades: unleaded, electrics and Kenlowe and sat-nav power.

Ethanol inhibitor used to preserve the fuel system.

1934 MG PA SPORTS. A beautifully restored PA without being overdone. A really usable thing that you’ll be more than Peter Edney refurbishment to chas1936 MG NB TOURER. One of the rarest ohc MGs. This proud to own.

Fully serviced engine, rebuilt steering, beautifully restored Magnette with its 1300cc deluxe factory dash, aeroscreens, stoneguards and sis, leather wood and body inequipment early fitted, 2000' straight 6cyl. engine will take you touring both home superb interior.

All new weather this is really worth viewing .....................................£45,000 & abroad with reliability, comfort & huge luggage (Optional s/charger available at cost) space. Two-tone green. Offers close to.............£65k still excellent. £24950.

Beautiful car...£46,500 * 1933 MG J2. Near concours condition. Cycle wings with heavy crank. on 07971446060.

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

Email: lotus6elise@gmail.com Tel: 01789 400 181. Fax: 01789 400230. Mob: 07836 244103

barry@barrywalker.com MGAEmail: LHD 1622 (1960) Total rebuild ,chassis off (2000/3) original panels / poly bushed / 3/4 anti rollbar / lockheed servo front disc brakes / stainless exhaust system with maniflow four branch /full petronix ignition system / 1800 enquiries@mgsforsale.com unleaded head /rebuilt carbs / rebuilt engine with +40 Hepolite pistons / rebuilt gearbox / oil cooler / rebuilt Radiator /single battery & tool box / leather seats / full tonneau /seatbelts /all mots /summer only / garaged /excellent touring / driving / looking / fun car / 17000+ miles since rebuild mostly long distance /Switzerland /Angouleme / Le Mans Classic / uk jollys / will be very sad to see it go but happy for the new owner. Offers on £20,000. colintheresadaly@gmail.com (East Devon)

01707 876089

Web: www.barrywalker.com

www.mgsforsale.com

07831 556666 MGA 1600 Roadster 1959,

URGENTLY WANTED ANY MG ANY YEAR, ANY CONDITION

Complete resto 1990, 1950cc Oselli unleaded engine, Hi-Gear 5 speed box, alternator/negative earth/single 12v battery, Vredestein Classics, chrome wires, 123 distributor, Aeroquip brake lines, Kenlowe, mohair hood and matching tonneau, red leather interior, heater, great chassis/floor/paint/panel fit, chrome boot rack. £25,000.

Contact Steve Johnson on 01789 414642 or 07850 123216.

MGTF 160 VVC 2006 A Pair of MGB Limited Edition Roadsters A rare occurrence indeed! We are proud to

have on offer MGB Limited Edition 2005MY car two in Ignition Blue withRoadsters. Only 420 of these delightful models were produced. of the line’screen.

MGBs were fitted with front spoilers and on the Roadster navy hood The and‘end glass rear version with the choice of distinctive alloy wheels or wire spoke wheels. (212 cars were MGB Roadster 1970 36000 andwheels two and owners since fitted miles with alloy 208 cars had wire wheels) Tartan red, lovely refurbishnew. Just andcars MOT’d tobuilt at Abingdon The serviced Limited Edition were all in 1979 and car, werefull in fact the last MGs to be built at the famous factory before its closure 1980.by£POA ment ininOctober Scotland the previous 04/02/2017.

Fully loaded, passenger owner,bills and history mohair airbag, newFOR Oxford SEErare OURair-con, WEBSITE A COMPLETE LISTING OF OURfile,STOCK hood, black leather interior, woodleather seats, auto changer, service en dashboard trim, full years MOT. history and all receipts, Trophy £11,500 more photos please alloys, windstop, chrome pack.

Do not confuse the above vehicles with cheaper inferior quality models offered For elsewhere.

Part exchange any make of Motor Car with generous allowances.

Discounted cashcontact purchases. Viewing Dick by onappointment 07802 only 637896 Beautiful condition. £4000 ono. please (available evenings & weekends) no obligation to purchase. All our vehicles carry a warranty, have an (Cirencester) Contact James 887771 MOT and are fully serviced(07908) prior to collection/delivery.

(Chelmsford).

www.mgsforsale.com APRIL 2016

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CARS FOR SALE

r 42 years, older well but not con, some “original” ved but not used we are looking for herish and enjoy. leather interior, od, new steering ess steel exhaust. ne 01379 852386

MG ZR 105, 2003

3door, British Racing Green. MOT until 1/8/16, 67,500 miles, FSH. I bought the car at nine years old with only 29,100 miles on the clock.

One owner for its first eight years, then hardly used for the next year or so by its second owner. The car was initially serviced by the registered dealer, Windsors Of Wallasey and ever since by Peter Jones Engineering who effectively took over from Windsors. The ZR has attended The Pride Of Longbridge show for the past 3 years. Asking Price £1050 ono.Tel: 0772 9183 724

250cc

me for someone lovely TF. In excelrives really well, is nd only driven in he part in red with lights and chrome omes with black cover, dust cover l exhaust. UK car registration numd 28th June 1954.

386 882179 10. Or Email: btinternet.com stershire)

MGA LHD 1622 (1960) Total rebuild ,chassis off (2000/3) original panels / poly bushed / 3/4 anti rollbar / lockheed servo front disc brakes / stainless exhaust system with maniflow four branch /full petronix ignition system / 1800 unleaded head /rebuilt carbs / rebuilt engine with +40 Hepolite pistons / rebuilt gearbox / oil cooler / rebuilt Radiator /single battery & tool box / leather seats / full tonneau /seatbelts /all mots /summer only / garaged /excellent touring / driving / looking / fun car / 17000+ miles since rebuild mostly long distance /Switzerland /Angouleme / Le Mans Classic / uk jollys / will be very sad to see it go but happy for the new owner. Offers on £20,000. colintheresadaly@gmail.com (East Devon)

r LE 1981

y British Leyland phy Ltd, this wonas registered new er 1981confirmed Sales Invoice. An d history file and ook, some 22 old and tax discs conles, 25553. MOT Folding hood, both neau covers and ckable glovebox, with 4 matching original Pioneer h the car), Recent ry immobilizer, h lumbar support, wheel. £14695 r information call 963541 .

MGTF 1500

Owned since 2008, looks immaculate but exterior does have small signs of 7 years of enjoyed ownership. The interior is in excellent unworn condition the side-screens refurbished, the roof water-tight.

Recent work includes new wiper blades/arms and fitments, door stays, pedal rubbers and revcounter reduction box and cable. Steering refurbished and new rubber seals fitted in 2012. Annual service with the greasing every 500m . Strong Oil pressure throughout range.

Peter Edney fitted 5-speed gearbox, gives unstressed travel at 70 mph.

Upgrades: unleaded, electrics and Kenlowe and sat-nav power.

Ethanol inhibitor used to preserve the fuel system.

Peter Edney refurbishment to chassis, wood and body in early 2000' still excellent. £24950.

Contact Neville: on 07971446060.

Email: lotus6elise@gmail.com

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MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 92

Flame red/grey interior. Usual specifications and totally original except for Turbo wheels and uprated headlamps and protectors. Full service history from new, one previous owner, present one for 15 years.

Maintained regardless of cost, a rare car in outstanding condition.

Reluctant sale £7750ono.

Tel 01526388680 or 07949031818 (Lincolnshire)

Complete resto 1990, 1950cc Oselli unleaded engine, Hi-Gear 5 speed box, alternator/negative earth/single 12v battery, Vredestein Classics, chrome wires, 123 distributor, Aeroquip brake lines, Kenlowe, mohair hood and matching tonneau, red leather interior, heater, great chassis/floor/paint/panel fit, chrome boot rack. £25,000.

Contact Steve Johnson on 01789 414642 or 07850 123216.

1950 MG TD Mk 1

In Chariot Red with black leather interior. Same owner for 50 years, very original car. Runs well though not concours condition. Much loved but not used enough now so we are looking for a new owner to cherish and enjoy it.. £16,000 ono.

01483200281 or email robbiebugbird@hotmail.com (Surrey)

MGB Roadster 1966

Black bodywork, black leather seats, overdrive, chrome bumper model. Chrome wire wheels, new hood, Motolita steering wheel, unleaded, tax exempt, Heritage Certificate, history. Appeared in 'Midsomer Murders' and is 50 years old on 18th April 2016. Same owner last 7 years. MOT Feb 2017. £14,950. Telephone 07881 487 336 (Henley on Thames).

Wanted

MGB Roadster 1970

Tartan red, lovely car, full refurbishment in Scotland by the previous owner,bills and history file, mohair hood, black leather interior, wooden dashboard trim, full years MOT. £11,500 For more photos please contact Dick on 07802 637896 (Cirencester)

1978 MG B GT

11,000 miles only from new 2 Owners. MOT March 2017. Good Clean Condition. All Documents.

Price: £4,995 Contact: Bernie – 01695 572660 or Bernie.medicentres@gmail.com

1971 MGB GT

Older reshell. Fa Range Rover e electrics. RV8 Suspension and A recently renewed.

Hella heads. Pion Changer. A very protected, rustfr example in Brillia with leather seats neg) View at R Roger 0790397886 r.l.walker@btinter

MGA 1650 1959

MGA 1600 Roadster 1959,

MGTF 160 VVC 2006

2005MY car in Ignition Blue with navy hood and glass rear screen.

36000 miles and two owners since new. Just serviced and MOT’d to 04/02/2017. Fully loaded, passenger airbag, rare air-con, new Oxford leather seats, auto changer, service history and all receipts, Trophy alloys, windstop, chrome pack.

Beautiful condition. £4000 ono.

Contact James (07908) 887771 (Chelmsford).

MG Maestro 2.0i 1989

Does anyone know of my wife’s MGB GT, 1974, Reg. No. ROC 60M, Colour, Blaze. (Red/Orange). She sold the car in 1995, to a gentleman, name of Tim Collins, from the Stamford, Lincs./East Midlands area.She would now very much like to buy it back. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

MGCC member.

Telephone 01384 422178.

E-Mail, ldb150@hotmail.co.uk.

Built to 1980’s MGCC MGA Modified championship regs. Body & chassis steel as original, ally doors, boot, bonnet floors etc. Full width low perspex windscreen, steel roll over cage bolted to chassis, all removable. Race proven engine, steel crank/flywheel, modified pistons/rods race cam all lightened balanced etc, Weber carb, close ratio straight cut gears.

Modified brakes, shocks etc, 6’’ steel wheels with little use. Avon road tyres plus set of wheels with old racers etc. All standard lights etc fitted road legal, no MOT or tax required because of age. Last rebuilt/raced 1996, stored since with a little road use. Reg WWP444. Owned by me since 1977 'ish. Various spares availabl. £19,000 ono. Contact me Eric Hoult on 07872521382 or ejhoult@googlemail.com (Cornwall)

MG MIDGET

Debumped. No M years. Would mak car. Could be imp minor work. Need lack of time. Ring details on 07743 5 Email:- sd07@btin for more photos. £ (West Yorkshire)

MGB Roadster

67000 miles, u/l h servo brakes, new fan.Since 2006, n tyres, Mota-lita ste pets, , front suspe single 12V battery Original Phillips ra service in March 2 For more info c 01672 841950.

(Marlborough)

MG TF 135 1796cc

Starlight Silver with replaced navy soft top with heated rear glass screen, black interior, graphite grey wheels. 60,000 miles. Uprated head gasket replaced at 40,000 miles. Service History available.

MOT till September 2016. One lady owner since January 2003. A tidy car in good condition. Including matching hard top and glass windstop. £1,950. Telephone 01299 253389

MG TF LE500

15,000 miles, Inten Trim, Air Con., H Sensors, I years M £5,900. Telephone: (S.Oxon).

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:03

CARS FOR SALE

Classic Cars for the Driving Enthusiast

T

rom new March 2017. Good All Documents.

01695 572660 or s@gmail.com

1971 MGB GT 3.9 V8i

Older reshell. Factory GTV8 gear.

Range Rover engine/ ignition electrics. RV8 Plenum/bonnet.

Suspension and ALL running gear recently renewed. Stainless exhaust.

Hella heads. Pioneer FM/DAB/CD Changer. A very well-presented, protected, rustfree all-weather example in Brilliant Metallic Silver with leather seats. £14350 (spares neg) View at Rowlands Castle.

Roger 07903978867 or Email: r.l.walker@btinternet.com

59

MGCC MGA nship regs. Body as original, ally et floors etc. Full pex windscreen, e bolted to chase. Race proven k/flywheel, modiace cam all lighttc, Weber carb, cut gears. shocks etc, 6’’ little use. Avon t of wheels with ll standard lights l, no MOT or tax e of age. Last 6, stored since road use. Reg d by me since spares availabl. ontact me Eric 872521382 or il.com

1970 Midget Mk.3

British Racing Green for sale, 1275cc engine. Mileage showing 20086 – cannot confirm if this is original. The car was re-shelled in 2002, and engine recently re-built to unleaded standard. Car number model GAN5-83482G. Black leather interior, with wire wheels.

Had been standing, so recently brakes have been completely overhauled, new battery and fuel pump fitted. MOT passed 16 June 2015.

This car is a great little runner, and would make a good first buy for an enthusiast. Leeds area. Could be trailer delivered by arrangement. £6950.00 ono.

Phone Neil on 07852986638; e-mail:- kencothliff@hotmail.co.uk

MG MIDGET 1978 1500,

Debumped. No MOT, Owner for 5 years. Would make a great summer car. Could be improved with some minor work. Needing the space and lack of time. Ring Steve for more details on 07743 527314. area.

Email:- sd07@btinternet.com for more photos. £1995.

(West Yorkshire)

MGB Roadster 1965

67000 miles, u/l head, s/s exhaust, servo brakes, new sills 1997, electric fan.Since 2006, new wheels and tyres, Mota-lita steering wheel, carpets, , front suspension, headlights, single 12V battery conversion.

Original Phillips radio.MOT and full service in March 2016. £9,000.

For more info contact Jones on 01672 841950.

(Marlborough)

MGB GT LTD Edition 27,230 miles, 4 previous owners will all original books.

Platinum with Grey Cloth interior. Registered Feb 1981 this car is finished in Silver with grey Striped Cloth interior, 5 spoke Alloy Wheels, O/D. Excellent condition, very desirable example, much sought after Ltd Edition version. Usable every day £6,750

MG B Roadster Registered 1969. 6 previous owners. Old English White, Black Leather interior, Wire wheels O/D Comprehensive rebuild 1995. Unleaded Engine Conversion, wet weather covers, new soft top. Photographic history of rebuild and invoices £9,950

MGB Roadster Historic Zero Road Fund Registered 1972 Bright Red Black Leather interior piped White. Black Soft Top/Hard Top. Manual Gearbox O/D. Walnut Effect Dash. Historic Zero Rated Road Fund License, MOT £8,750

MG TD roadster 1954 (LHD) Fresh from a private collection in Spain. British Racing Green.

Beige Leather interior and soft top. All soft top in 1st class condition with side panels present £19,950

Telephone: 01274 561098 Mobile: 07798 768676 Austin Sprite 1971

Tartan Red, one of only 1022 made in VGC, ( potential Concours entrant ) Professional restoration

by MG Specialist in 2001 and less than 8,000 miles since, all wholly in my ownership. Complete with Toolkit, Hood Cover & Tonneau.

Extensive history, Mots, Tax Discs, Corres with previous Owners and Heritage Certificate. A very rare opportunity to purchase one of the very best " Spridgets " . £8995 ono. Contact Rob. Email: spritemanfiveroses@gmail.com Mobile : 07481 478443 (Northants)

Web: www.gasolinealleybingley.co.uk Email: malcolm.scatchard@thecarshack.co.uk

ANY MG WANTED ANY CONDITION

07774 484497 • 01923 840236 ejwhitescars@aol.com www.mgandporsche.com Northwood, Middlesex

www.mgandporsche.com

FOR SALE: MG Midget 1976 HERITAGE REBUILD

96cc

th replaced navy eated rear glass ior, graphite grey miles. Uprated aced at 40,000 History available. ber 2016. One January 2003. A ndition. Including and glass windTelephone 01299

MG TF LE500 2010

15,000 miles, Intense Blue, Leather Trim, Air Con., Hardtop, Reverse Sensors, I years MOT, Just Serviced. £5,900. Telephone:- 01491 838737 (S.Oxon).

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 93

1500cc rebuilt using complete new body and driven 12000 summer miles since. This car was fully restored to use. Every panel fully sprayed off car undersides/hidden parts stone chipped/waxoiled. Still rust free. Excellent Mechanical order.

Thorough Spring Service & MOT. Email/ring for full details & decent photos. tomsmidget@gmail.com 07796341590 Private sale Northamptonshire £7000 ONO

Detached house with 2 workshops in Lechlade, Glos.

Guide price: £750,000.

4 bedroom, 4 reception, 4 shower/ bathroom, double garage with vehicular access to good-sized garden and workshops (22’ x 12’ & 16’ x 8’). Ideal for plane/car construction.

For details contact maureen@jcliff.waitrose.com APRIL 2016

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CARS FOR SALE

MGRV8 1995

Oxford Blue, Vin no 1750, 32,850 miles, mfgd July 1995, Japan reimport in 2002. Has working aircon.

Motolita steering wheel & MGOC power steering fitted. Body work , beige leather trim and walnut veneer in good condition. Tonneau Cover.

Always garaged and mostly dry use.

Taxed and MOT to April 2016. Has a quantity of spares to go with Car. £18,500. Contact Peter on 01865 376535 or 07711 108600. peter.j.venables.t21@btinternet.com (Oxfordshire)

MG TF

Opportunity to buy the 4th from last ever built! Two owners, April service with cambelt change and MOT. Dry stored since owned. The car has an upgraded Alpine MP3CD player which incorporates Parrot Bluetooth and Alpine in-line amplifier behind the glove box. The car is in excellent condition. £6750.

07884962907 or Email:gilesmoulden@hotmail.com

MGA Twin Cam Coupe

1967 MGB GT Mk 1

Reluctantly seeking a new home and fastidious keeper for this much treasured “concours standard” car after almost 40 years of ownership and Club membership. With a known history since it was first registered this is unquestionably one of, if not the best and most original and fully restored example of a Mk1 ‘BGT that exists. Very rarely seen (restricted to occasional dry road condition usage only) I ask only those with genuine interest to make contact for further background details and photo’s of this exceptional vehicle. howard.thomas911@btinternet.com (Gloucestershire)

Original UK delivered RHD, older restoration still presents well, shiny Orient Red paint, good panel gaps, red leather original trim. Low compression engine performs well, quiet gearbox with good synchros, recent work on brakes and suspension.

Chassis number YM1 2061. £26,500. Ovno Contact Neil, 01280 469047 or 07816227512

MGTF 135 Anthracite Grey 2004

Very good condition, with just 41,000 miles on clock. Replacement head gasket/water pump/ and cam belt fitted professionally November 2014. Also has S/S heater pipes to underside of car. Heated rear glass screen and wind deflector. MOT expires April 2016 a new one will be obtained prior to sale. £2,500 MG Car Club member.

Call: 07990 761863 (Norfolk Area).

MG TF 1250 1954

MG Red, biscuit interior. Owned for 26 years. Last three years new springs, fuel pump, brakes & 4 tyres (Vredestein sprint classics).

Complete strip, repair, re-spray 1998. Average mileage 1000 pa including T-Type Autumn Tours & local club runs. (see February 2016 Safety Fast, Anglia report!) All original spec. in first class condition. A genuine club car. £29,000.

Will meet to view.

Phone Trevor on 01485 572767 Norfolk, nr. King’s Lynn.

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MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 94

MG TD 1953

Owned for 18 years. Dark red body and matching leather.

Reconditioned engine and lead free conversion. Bodywork in good condition. Offers in the region of £18000.Tel 01621 788488 or e-mail; apbassociates@hotmail.co.uk (Essex)

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/03/2016 17:03

B8 - Barrie Carter_D MIDDLETON 14/03/2016 12:15 Page 1

CARS FOR SALE

Barrie Car ter MG TA fitted with an TC XPAG engine and box, Thomkins steering conversion and later TC wheels.

It is a local car and being sold for its owner. I sold this about 4 years ago and it is used regularly at local shows. Nicely pattinated, [I hate that word] and with excellent weather equipment including a full tonneau. Essentially a TB in spec. Not expensive. £25,995

MG TF 1500 MODEL Its had an historic and lovely body off restoration to high standards and been in the same ownership for 23 years covering shows and continental tours.

It has a period modified replacement engine and correct modified head. It is comfortably quick and performs extremely well. This cosseted TF is glowing in chariot red (didn’t know chariots were red) with excellent weather equipment and luggage rack and all ready for that Easter tryst! £24,950

1939 TB with a lovely cycle winged body. This car was built many years ago in Australia and is well known tom the TB register. I bought it for me, but I’ve too many toys. It sits in my garage at home while I play with it. The car that is.... It is a lovely TB fitted with a mildly modified XPAG engine and steering upgrade, it drove fast and well when I last used it. Our local auction house valued it at £35K which is par for the course for a TB, and this is unique.

I’m not fussed if it goes, but ring if you are interested. £29,950

COMING SOON...

MORRIS MARSHALL 1958 Similar to an A90 Unheard of in this country.

A Tasmanian car in lovely condition.

2.6 Healey engine, arriving shortly. £12,250 1936/7 Ashley Cleave Brooklands/Shelsey Special

XPAG engines supplied

Professionally rebuilt (there are a lot of amateurs out there) to any specifications – please call for further details.

MGTD/C. This is one of the very rare competition models, with bigger valves, carbs, and twin shocks. About 1200 of these were built. This one is LHD, easy to change, its interior is good and correct, the paint has a few chips and scrapes, and it drives very well. These are very sought after cars and |’m not asking the usual top dollar. £22,995.

MG T-Types and complete collections purchased in any condition. Garage clearouts. Many parts for sale. Collection and delivery arranged world-wide. Advice free, and I hope, correct. If not, try someone else.

2001 MGF VVC SE Silver blue, one private owner, leather seats, 16 inch alloys, rear spoiler, 55,000 miles. £1,995

1999 JAGUAR XK8 CONVERTIBLE 4.0 AUTO Platinum Silver, Oatmeal leather, FSH, replacement engine, excellent condition .........................£7,995

CM04.16/B8/rfd

As previously said my Ashley Cleave special,as raced at Brooklands in 37, is still for sale. It can be bought as is or I can complete it. It is a recognised Brooklands competitor. Shelley Special, dominant in trials, circuits sprints, h/c and with over 500 awards. Reviewed by Bill Boddy in Motor Sport. It is eligible for many varied and coveted races and events, and a possible Goodwood entry. It starts at 35k as is with the rolling chassis restored and the rest negotiable. I've had it for 23 years. Or you could be a real anorak and buy an inelligable A53 - Rugby Classics_CLASSIC 15/03/2016 16:41 1 starting at £35k but make me an offer. for anything pointy tail MOTORING pub car for 50k. Price according to spec whenPage finished,

2000 MGF VVC B.r.g. leather seats, 53,000 miles, Janspeed exhaust, six spoke alloys, recent service. £1,995

2001 MGF Gold, very clean car, 63,000 miles, good service history, full MOT £1,750

URGENT PROOF

1999 JAGUAR XK8 1998 MGFVVC Convertible, Red,Please biscuit check this proof carefully for errors in style, content and layout.

Platinum Silver , Although leather, MOT every care is exercised in preparing your advert, we cannot hold Oatmeal leather, ourselves January 2017, responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook. black mohair 120,000 miles.

SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TOelectric THIS hood, PROOF PLEASE Lots of history, 99,000 miles.

TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO. _ _ _ _ _ drives well, FSH, replacement summer project. engine, full mot, £995 drives beautifully. £7,950

1994 ROVER 820SI AUTOMATIC, Caribean Blue, Sunroof, electric windows, towbar, only 49,000 miles, full mot £1,500

WIRE WHEEL REBUILDS AND RESTORATION, RESPOKING, STORAGE IN SECURE INSULATED BUILDING AVAILABLE FOR YOUR TRUEING, BLAST CLEANING & POWDER COATING, Telephone 01206 Fax 01206 500180 CLASSIC CAR THIS SPRING. BOOK YOUR SPACE NOW! CLASSIC & VINTAGE WIRE WHEELS. We reserve the right to charge for any alteration to this proof which BROKERAGE AND COMMISSION SALES PLEASE ENQUIRE BY E-MAIL

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 95

APRIL 2016

CM04.16/A53/fd

is a departure from the original copy

LARGE QUANTITY OF NEW OLD STOCK MG PARTS, ALSO SOME TRIUMPH, JAGUAR & HEALEY PLUS USED AND RECONDITIONED SPARES FOR MG’S FROM 1936-1980 INCLUDING ENGINES/GEARBOXES, CHROME TRIM, BODY PANELS, WIRE WHEELS, INSTRUMENTS, WEATHER EQUIPMENT. PLEASE ENQUIRE BY E-MAIL

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CLASSIFIEDS

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

MGB & ZR

4 x refurbished Rostyle wheels, 2 with near new Nexen and 2 with part used Pirelli. Also further wheel with legal tyre as spare. £80 or offer. Buyer collects.

New 3 button remote for ZR, may also suit ZS/ZT. £20.

Can be posted.

Roger Latham 01702 580472 (Essex)

MGTD/TF

Half shaft complete with nut.

Brand new unused. £165.00 MGTD badge bar/auxiliary lights holder. Brand new never fitted, unblemished. Complete with a pair of Lucas 576 lights, SLR and SFT. both used and in good condition(see photo) £85.00 for all three items.

Both +p&p or collect from Hayling Island. Tim 02392 462737

Lucas

1XLucas LJR3 Cut out/Fuse box beleived to be MGTA Type. £65.00 + P&P 1xLJF2 cut out fuse box. No coils only fuse holder. May be useful to someone. P&P only Contact 01925 26257

V8 Holley carb, manifold, chrome air filter with service kits, almost as new £500 no offers.

Rear chrome rear bumper Leyland £75, very good. Buyer collects. Contact 01494 813903 (South Bucks)

4 x 14in Minator mag type wheels shod with Yoko S306 185/70R 88H tread 5mm £200 the set.

RV8 front anti roll £40.

MGB middle box 2in stainless steel £40. Buyer collects.

Contact John 01494778751.

(Bucks)

MG TF Hardtop

BMH Heritage hardtop in Le Mans green with ivory leather interior lining and heated rear screen. VGC. MG wall storage brackets and logo car cover included in sale. £285 ono.Buyer to collect Tel 07796 318754 (Nottinghamshire)

MGB

Two black front seats with headrests from a 1979 MGB roadster. £70 Working starter motor from a 1979 MGB £20 Set of clocks and gauges for 1979 MGB. Between £10 and £20 each.

Boot rack for MGB roadster £20 Please call Dave on 01375360956

TOOLS FOR SALE

2 Trolley jacks a 3 ton and a 2 ton. 4 axle stands. A good selection of A/F and some Whitworth sockets and spanners suitable for working on MGs. All good condition £70 the lot buyer collects. Telephone 07875116803 (Weybridge Surrey)

MGA

Four original 15”x 4” 48 spoke wire wheels and tyres. Spokes and splines all good, tyres are elderly but useable, £150.

James 02476 673894 (West Mids)

Workshop Manuals

And other motoring literature for sale. Details and prices on application. Telephone: 01384 422178.

MGTD Spares Pair left and right windscreen support brackets (these mount on the scuttle with three screws, then on to side of windscreen) They are in good condition including chrome £160 the pair.

New old stock wiring loom, never been used £125 Original used boot good taco drive cable for LHD car £30 Original engine oil dip stick part No. mowog24407. Used but still good £30.

Original used wiper motor, been in dry storage over 50 years. Will require painting andservicing £45 Late TD or TF clutch control rod. This is an original in very nice condition £25 TD or TF original fan blades used but very good condition £30 pair TD small headlamp support brackets(these come out of the side of grille and support the large head lamp bracket). These are original, could do with a rechrome or painting £30 pair.

TD lucas 471 new old stock rear lamps been in dry storage over 50 years £85 TD original rear spring U bolts.

Rust free and threads all good.

Set of four £20 TD pair of Lucas 471 rear lamps, new old stock, never been on car. Dry storgae 25years £90.

All above plus P&P or collect yourself from Swansea. Contact Phill on 01792 587337 or mobile 07974 760536

Air Con System

Removed from MGRV8 (1995) Complete and in working condition. £100.00 ono Tel. 01454 613561 Email: berettaso4@gmail.com Collection only (Bristol area)

Off side (right hand) front wing in fiberglass. £86 This is a brand new item which has never been fitted and is unpainted, the holes for the lights have been cut out.

This is a bulky item so buyer collects. Contact Nick Hooper. tel 01404 42116. Email: nhooper43@outlook.com (East Devon)

APRIL 2016

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MG Spares MG100/1300 bonnet £25.

Maestro 2.0i set new boxed 14in factory wheeltrims (partNo. NAM7911MV) £40 New Unleaded fuel conversion kit (cost £100) £40.

Set PB pistons in +40 & +60 oversize £60 per set.

YType offside inner wing/bonnet threshold panel (unused) £40.

Tel; 01526388680 or 07949031818 (Lincolnshire)

MGB Roadster

Pair of early style seats, without head rests and non recliner, with black vinyl seat covers with white piping, new seat foams 3 years ago and little used since very good condition. Outright purchase so no exchange required £180. Also matching interior door cards etc available if required. sale due to conversion to leather.

Telephone: Jack 01280848529 (Buckingham)

MGB SPARES

BHA4973 rear lamp assemblies 2 off. Good used condition £40 the pair with free delivery to UK Mainland.

Outer sill panel near side £45 plus p&p.

H2A438 Heritage RH front chassis leg £160 plus p&p. small section removed from front of leg so leg is now 36 inches long.

Can bring to MG Live. Tel: Jack 01280848529 (Buckingham) ORIGINAL MGA FACTORY Hardtop, Genuine factory fiberglass type by Universal Laminations.£695.00 ono.

ORIGINAL MGA TWIN CAM LHD STEERING RACK very rare. £349.00 ono.

Tel 07795670881

1997 MGF VVC spares

From stripped car. Most parts are still available. Including doors, bonnet, alloys, door cards and hydrogas units.

Colour code 'HAM', trim 'PUU'.

Parts are in N. Ireland. For further details, please phone Paul (club member) on 02894452222 or 07785900561. NO texts please.

MGC MG Midget

Modsports competition fibreglass one-piece front bodywork, with wide arches. A bit tatty, but usable. £15 or offer. Windscreen frame, currently surrounding a cracked screen. £10 or offer.

Tel: 01985 840830 or Email sluscombe@hotmail.co.uk

MGB/C Parts for sale:

MGA

96

MGB/RV8

1) MGC UK inlet manifold, complete with 2 x 2” SU carburettors, linkage, heat shield and fuel lines, ready to ʻboltʼ on and set up £425.00 2) MGB 5 speed conversion bellhousing, USA manufacture, £195.00 3) 2 x AP CP2383 rear calipers, for 10.5” solid discs, (fixing brackets available on eBay) £525.00 the pair.

Email:signalhillmsport@aol.com, Tel: 07788 664991. (Silverstone)

New/unused packaway hood needs new header rail- £150 Pair of wire wheels - £50 3 ton trolley jack - £40 Tel-0161 485 1832 or 0795 285 7453

1974 MGBGT spares.

One pair of doors,one offside front wing,and a complete carpet set in chestnut brown.

All new and unused £850.00.

Contact Paul Everitt on 020 8686 5053, p.everitt297@btinternet.com.

(Croydon Surrey).

WANTED WANTED WIRE WHEELS

15 X 4.5J Alloy Rim 60 Spoke.

Please Tel: 07795670881 (Genuine MGA enthusiast).

www.mgcc.co.uk

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B32 - MIKE ROLLS SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS SERVICES 13/12/2012 09:50 Page 1

CLASSIFIEDS

1955 OR 1956 Roadster.

Complete or uncomplete car. In need of full or part restoration any car considered. Genuine MGA enthusiast Please tel: 07795670881

WANTED For an MG WA

I really do need two sets of brake shoes and pull off springs for a WA, ie four shoes in total.

(The internal diameter of the drums are 133/4”) Conatct 01983 716404 or email chrisjenniemann@gmail.com

MIDGETS! WANTED

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 MGB chrome front bumper

blade original BMC/Leyland, must be excellent or rechromed.

Tel 01494 813903

WANTED

MGF Mk1 (up to 2000MY) Centre Consol in black.

Please contact Mike Hudson on 07759201577 or email hudson.technofix@gmail.com

M.G. in North Herts

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG_SafetyFast_April16_50-98.indd 97

SERVICES FOR MGs Specialising in all MG’s

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm MG TD 1950, this car was originally a righthand drive US export and then MGB ROADSTER - 1969. returned back to the UK in 2002 and re-registered in 2004, it has since British Racing Green, Tax exempt.

This with photographic and invoice history, undergone a full body off restoration was re-shelled using Heritage red body work complimented with beige itcarnow looks stunning in itsa gleaming bodyshellinterior in the late and is still in hood and side screens, not only does leather and90’s matching mohair this car lookcondition beautiful, drivesitsuperbly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£23,995 exceptional as but per it photos,

has recently MGB GT, been 1969,re-commissioned British racingbygreen, Chrome Bumper, Tax exempt, Overdrive, Wire wheels, Full sunroof, ourselves with re-con overdrive, new Autumn leaf interior with new front seat covers, Electronic ignition, Stainless steel exhaust system, Restored by us clutch, detailed engine bay, re-furbished in history, In excellent 1/42000, lightsService and windscreen frame, new order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£6,500

wood rim spent steering wheel, up-rated original MG Midget, 1980, Flamenco money including to bringRed, this much blacknew leather seats re-treated suspension front and back, N Filters,style Various mechanical parts,with Full carK &back tonneau,and Motolita steering wheel, It comes hide withcare, a very goodfan, service Connolly Kenlowe 123 to a high history, Bootrack, Kenwood radio/CD player and history Black vinyl seats.new TheMOT. car is Ignition, file and t a n dand a r d taxed .

MOT'd up to Septembers2013 until end of July 2013. . . . . .£3,500 It

MGOC Recommended Workshop and Power Steering Installer MoT & Failures Repaired Servicing, Welding, Restoration

also

Excellent car

MG TF 135, 2002, Silver,comes MOTwith July 2013. New head gasket, coolant pipes, £14,995 cambelt and service carried out by ourselves. Navy hood, black cloth seats. . . . . .COPPERLEAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-. 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£2,995 MGF

M.G.A. – B – C – V8, Midget

MGF,TF2001, Injection finished MG 115, 1.8 2003, X Power Grey in with grey hood, Has recently had a new headgasket, bottom engine rail,2016.

Stainless steel coolant pipes and full service, Copperleaf Red, MOT’d March MOT to with MayBlack 2013,cloth Taxed to Feb 2013, 71835 Miles, comes with Radio/CD It comes seats, Heated player. . . . window, . . . . . . . . Radio/CD . . . . . . . . . .player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£2,750 rear glass

Rear of Langley Garage London Road, Langley, Nr Hitchin, Herts SG4 7PJ

MGF 1.8i, 1996, British Racing Green, cloth interior. MOT Maarch 2013. Tax end of January 2013. . . . . . .£1,500. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£950

MGF, 2000,jack, Alumina Green, Green hood, Green leather seats, with ipod stainless steel 62,000mls, sports Chrome rollunder hoops,floor Recent headgasket exhaust and coolant pipes. replacement, Taxed Jan 2013, MOT March 2013. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£1,950

Very tidy car with some history etc.

01438 729288

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

07860 473298

Mail Order “Friendly Quality Service”

www.mg-repairs-hertfordshire.com

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 4Sight Lighting Company........................................61 Adrian Flux ...............................................................73 Airflow ......................................................................34 Aldon Automotive ....................................................53 Barrie Carter ...........................................................95 Barry Walker ............................................................91 BCC Parts ................................................................33 Beech Hill Garage ....................................................94 Brian Brown Classics...............................................97 British Motor Heritage ............................................IFC Brown and Gammons .............................................11 Car Cover Shop .......................................................79 Carole Nash Insurance..............................................6 Chertsey Minors .....................................................79 Chisbon Restorations ..............................................53 Church Square Autos ..............................................89 Classic and Retro.....................................................55 Clive Wheatley .........................................................45 Colin Groom Vehicle Storage .................................59 Colne Classics .........................................................85 Crown Classic Cars .................................................73 Dennis Welch...........................................................79 Distributor Doctor ....................................................59 Don Trimming ..........................................................79 Dreadnought Garage...............................................22 EJW Classic and Sports..........................................93 Evans Division of Hydratech ....................................34 EZ Power Steering ..................................................39 Fishers Services ......................................................69 Footman James ......................................................71 Frontline ...................................................................98 Gasoline Alley...........................................................93 Halls Garage.............................................................73 Heathrow Transmission...........................................79 Hoyle Suspension ......................................................6 Just Right Autos Ltd ..................................................8 Just Tickets..............................................................22 Kimble Engineering Ltd ...........................................85 Luffield Cars Limited ...............................................69 Manor Garage .........................................................85

TRADE MEMBER

MIKE ROLLS

MG TF 135, 2003, Dark green, Biscuit chrome bumpers, re-wrinkled dash, leather interior. MOT March 2013, Tax Feb. 2013.

Radio C/D player, hood cover. Recent head gasket, coolant pipe, stainless steel trophy exhaust manifold cambelt and clutch. Goodand service history.Chrome . . . . . painted . . . . . . .wire . . . .wheels, . . . . . . Motolita . .£3,650 system

WANTED MGB Black interior trim kit for

roadster 1973/4 with moulded tunnel carpet set MGOC (ultimate club set). Also deluxe boot carpet set with spare wheel cover 14” as new. Have you these items for sale. Contact 01494 813903

201< 2015

Martin Smith Used MGTF Spares .........................89 MG Mecca ...............................................................97 MG Sales Centre .....................................................15 MGF Mania ..............................................................59 Midland Classic Restoration......................................3 Mike Authurs Classics.............................................97 Mike Rolls.................................................................97 MJS Auto and Marine .............................................40 Moss Europe Ltd .....................................................39 Norton Insurance.....................................................82 NTG Services....................................................... OBC Oselli Ltd...................................................................40 Peter Best .................................................IBC, 79, 85 Prestige MG .............................................................73 Property for Sale......................................................93 Rees Bros.................................................................69 Retro Lifestyle ..........................................................26 Rimmer Bros Ltd......................................................33 RJJ Car Shipping and Transportation.....................85 Robin Lackford Motor Engineering ........................69 RPS Ltd ....................................................................45 Rugby Classic Motor Garages ................................95 Scenic Car Tours ..............................................13, 27 SMR .........................................................................91 Snowdens of Harrogate...........................................85 South Coast MG Rover............................................53 Sports and Vintage..................................................79 Steve McKie Sports Cars ........................................85 Summit MG..............................................................61 Surrey Sports & Classics.........................................79 Sussex Classic Car Parts ..........................................4 The Hutson Motor Co Ltd..........................................4 TMS Storage..............................................................3 Trickett Welding .......................................................82 Vitesse Global ..........................................................61 Webcon ...................................................................55 Yorkshire Motors.....................................................85

E-mail:mail@mikerolls4mgs.co.uk mail@mikerolls.4mgs.co.uk • www.mikerolls.co.uk E-mail: • www.mikerolls.co.uk

CM02.13/B32/d

WANTED MGA

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

1965 MGB Roadster. BRG, black/white trim, 1980 MGB GT LE. Pewter. Rare last of production chrome wheels, rare o/drive. Total last nut and bolt special spec. LE, alloys, webasto roof. Has had total renovation, with pictures. Car has matching numbers body renovation 7 years ago. One lady owner for many years. £5,495.00 original show standard regardless of cost (would cost easily in excess of £35k). Car is immaculate inside/ underside/outside. A rare car indeed. £24,995.00

URGENT PROO

Please check this proof carefully for errors in style, content a Although every care is exercised in preparing your advert, we ourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook

SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PR TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT

1980 MGB ROADSTER Blaze, black cloth trim.

Wood dash. Body is superb, underside immaculate, fully restored by engineer, with photos. Boot rack. All new chrome. Webber carb. New u/l engine. Would be £8,995.00

1979 MG MIDGET Pageant blue, black trim, superb little car, body is in excellent condition, recent respray, all new chrome conversion, new hood, new carpets, new dashboard, recovered seats.

Exceptionally pretty car in excellent order. Ready for lots of summer fun. £5,995.00

We reserve the right to charge for any alteration to th is a departure from the original copy

1939 MGVA. Green, red trim, sunroof. Genuine and taxed. In original condition with lots of lovely patina. Would be a shame to over restore. Will be having new tyres and brake overhaul before sale. £19,950.00

MGA ROADSTER 1500. For total restoration l/h/d sold as is @£7,500 or Totaly restored orig spec from : Steel wheel 1500 £29,995, Wire Wheel 1500 £30,995. Please call or mail for full spec sheets and example photos /extras etc.

APRIL 2016

97

22/03/2016 17:04

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22/03/2016 17:04

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