Safety Fast! June 2015

JUNE 2015 £3.50

Volume 59

Number 06

inside this month MGCC_SF_JUNE15_Cover.indd 1

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP

MGLive! 2015 Preview Is this a ‘real’ R Type?

Another Abingdon Aston A day never to forget 22/05/2015 12:04

THE NEW MG6 The new MG6 really is an MG to shout about. It is our best MG6 yet, at just a fraction of the price. Starting from just £13,995, the all-new MG6 comes equipped with incredible value, LED daytime running lights, 16” Alloys, easy air conditioning and one of the largest interiors in its class as standard. There has never been a better time to go large, so why not test drive the new MG6 today?

Or from £8,399, the MG3 has lots of exciting extras including distinctive LED daytime running lights and USB/AUX input. With over one million personalised combinations to discover, you really will get more MG for your money.

MG3 From £8,399

DRIVE IT NOW FROM ONLY

GET MORE MG FOR YOUR MONEY.

£13,995

Go find your dealer at mg.co.uk

NEW MG6 Fuel Consumption mpg (l/100km): Urban: 52.3 (5.4), Extra Urban: 68.8 (4.1), Combined: 61.4 (4.6) CO2 Emissions 119 g/km. MG3 Fuel consumption mpg (1/100km): Urban: 37.7 (7.5), Extra Urban 57.6 (4.9), Combined: 48.7 (5.8), CO2 Emissions 136 g/km.

Models shown – NEW MG6 DTi-TECH TL in Passion Red at £17,995. MG3 3FORM SPORT in Stuck on Blue with White Trophy Stripe at £10,203. Metallic paint an optional extra at £395. On the road price of £8,399 applies to the MG3 3TIME with no optional extras.

On the road price of £13,995 applies to the MG6 S. On the road (OTR) prices include VAT where applicable, vehicle first registration fee, delivery, number plates and 12 months’ Vehicle Excise Duty. “From” prices shown exclude optional metallic paint, accessories and graphics packages. Fuel consumption: values shown are based on official EU test figures and are to be used as a guide for comparative purposes and may not be representative of actual driving results. For more information on MG3 and MG6 please visit mg.co.uk

MGCC_SF_JUNE15_Cover.indd 2 12123_MG_Campaign_National_[GO_ENJOY]_Ad_Safety_Fast_FP_297x210_v1.indd 1

22/05/2015 14:01 12:04 23/04/2015

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Offering specific lubricants for engines, gearboxes, steering boxes, as well as greases. In terms of mechanical protection, Dynolite lubricants are far superior to those usually found on the market for the simple reason that they have been specially developed for historic vehicles.

Dynolite Stockist: Moss Europe Ltd

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Unit 4, Woodfield Business Units, Kidderminster Road, Ombersley, Droitwich, Worcs, WR9 0JH www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 03-48.indd 3

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Sussex Classic MG Car Parts Huge range of MGB parts!

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www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:33

CONTENTS

Inside

this

issue

June 2015

The Aston Martin MGB Replica, built and owned by lifelong MG Enthusiast Trevor Broadbent.

Photo: Adam Sloman

16 MGLive! – June 20-21 A Preview of the premier MG Car Club event

20 Is this a ‘real’ R Type?

An open letter from Geoff Enoch, the creator of RA0261

22 BTCC 2015 Report from the Thruxton round

30 Another Abingdon Aston Long-time MG fan Trevor Broadbent’s stunning Aston MGB Replica

36 A day never to forget Andy Knott experiences a Track Day not to forget

58 Busy Brands Hatch weekend produces brilliant racing

Regulars 7 9

Editor’s Welcome A summary from Andy Knott

From the Chair

Club Matters from Bill Silcock

10 News

Martin Price reports on the second Race Meeting of the season

64 Out and About MG photos from around the world

66 Events Calendar

MGCC events taking place in June and July

News from the FBHVC, 2016 Ulster Triple-M Tour and more

68 Overseas Review

A monthly round up from Kimber House

70 Overseas News

The latest products in the world of MG

72 Centre Updates

12 Kimber House News 14 Products

24 Event Reports

41 Triple M Newsletter

Report from the Australian Natmeet 2015

46 Y Type Newsletter

News from the MGCC Regional Centres

Reports on Regency Run, Daffodil 84 Register Updates Run and more News from the MGCC Registers

56 Race Torque

Brands roundup and looking ahead to MGLive!

62 MGs on Track

A unique opportunity, The Lotus Factory, Test Track!

Newsletters

Safety Fast! keeps tabs on the overseas action

92 Looking Back

The Kimber Classic Trial, MGCC Brands Hatch & Mary Harris Trophy Race and more Fitting disc brakes to a Y Type, Ys Alive! and more

51 ZRZSZT Newsletter A Class of its own – The MG ZT 260 and ZT-T 260 Story and more

A selection of snippets from the MGCC archives

93 Classifieds

Cars and Spares offered for sale

63 Luffield Championship Latest news from the MGCC Luffield Speed Championship

www.mgcc.co.uk

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ALL MAKES IS & GIVEN MODELS USED BY ANY OTHER PUBLICATION UNLESS PRIOR PERMISSION BY Parts & Labour Guaranteed THE PUBLISHERS - © MS Publications (2001) Ltd. Services we offer: • Head gasket replacements from £300 • MOTs • Servicing Please check this proof carefully for errors in style, content and layout.and repairs • Welding • Cambelts/Camchain replacement Although every care is exercised in preparing your advert, we cannot hold ourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook. including tensioners • Diagnostics/Fault SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE finding • Winter ____ TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO._checks

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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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 2015 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 Regular Contributors: Alwyn Morgan

Andy Knott

Words from

Editor

PR and Communications: Lauran Gallacher 01235 849735, Adam Sloman 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: Bill Silcock Vice Chairman: Ian Quarrington.

Treasurer: Richard Colston Directors: Dave Saunders, Paul Plummer, William Ball, Peter Skipper, George Wilder, Richard Martin.

Company Secretary: Colin Grant Staff Members: Julian White (General Manager 01235 849732), John Hutchison (Competitions Secretary 01235 849738), Andy Knott (01235 849730), Liz Allsworth (Membership Secretary 01235 849734), John Inness (Exhibitions 01235 849737), Colin Grant (01235 849733), Lauran Gallacher (01235 849735), Adam Sloman (01235 849731) and Kim Oshea (Finance Officer 01235 849736) 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. 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

This month on June 20-21 the Club heads to Silverstone for its premier event of the year, MGLive! If you haven’t bought tickets yet, UK members you’ve got until Friday June 12 to take advantage of the advance rate, don’t fear though as tickets can be bought on the gate on the day.

As always, there will be lots to do over the weekend at Silverstone.

The track will see MGs of all ages battling it out, from the mid 1930s T-Types through to the MG ZRs of the MG Trophy. We’ve also got some invited marques taking to the track, including dedicated races for Austin Healeys and Porsches. Other competition activity taking place over the weekend includes the California Cup Autotest on Saturday morning and the Luffield Sprint on the Stowe Circuit on Sunday morning, and with a free classic bus service running spectators to the Autotest and Sprint locations there is no excuse not to witness these wonderful forms of motorsport.

On the infield there is plenty going on throughout the weekend to keep everyone entertained. The Arena is back with Russ Swift and his incredible driving skills, the stunts of Savage Skills on their bikes and on Saturday we have one half of the famous ‘Wheeler Dealers’, Mike Brewer, who will open the event and be around hosting and chatting to people for the rest of the day. The Lifestyle marquee, feature marquees, beer tent and Traders City are always popular places to visit and socialise in the infield, especially as they’ll be surrounded by 1000s of MGs parked up by models in the Register parking.

For the Saturday night revellers, the action doesn’t stop, with a live band, glo-car, hog roast and President’s Dinner all taking place, and with camping available onsite there’s no excuse not to stop over.

As you can see there is plenty happening over the weekend, lots more details and ticket bookings can be made via the events website www.mglive.co.uk. It’s your weekend so make the most of it!

The event couldn’t happen without the army of volunteers, so a big thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help so far.

We could still do with a few volunteers to help on the Sunday, so if you could spare an hour or so it would be appreciated. Contact Kimber House on 01235 555552 for more details on what is required and when.

Until next month, drive safely and I’ll see you at Silverstone?

@mgcarclub

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

www.mgcc.co.uk

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22/05/2015 12:33

FROM

THE CHAIR

Bill Silcock

Club Matters from

May Day bank holiday weekend saw us racing at Brands Hatch, with the highlight for me being the Triple M Races on Sunday. It was a joy to see the pre-war cars in their element racing on one of the best spectator circuits in the UK. Their part of the paddock was well visited by racers and spectators alike, all of them keen to see these historic cars that we are lucky enough to have racing with us.

I was asked to help with the presentation of their awards, and I am pleased to say there was an enthusiastic response when I suggested that they should come back to the same event next year. There is a full report of all the weekend’s activities elsewhere in Safety Fast!.

The 2015 Regency run took place on May 10 and was supported by many members. As usual it started at Brooklands, and the traditional finish on Brighton Madeira Drive was well populated, with around 250 MGs of all descriptions and ages.

At the start of the year we launched the Douglas Mickel Fund to allow Centres, Registers and Branches as well as individual Club members to access funds for small and medium sized projects, either as a loan or a grant depending on the circumstances. We arranged for sum of £5,000 to be available this year from the first of January, but to date we have only been able to allocate around £350.

We are now entering the sixth month of the year, so please don’t forget that the fund is there to use.

The objectives of the fund are to support activities which are: securing the long term future of the MGCC; developing the MGCC Archive and records; developing the knowledge about MG; developing and enhancing the skills of young people to work on older vehicles; and other meaningful projects that support and enhance the use of MG cars.

If you have a project in mind, you can

find all the details you need to make an application in the members’ area of the Club’s website.

This month sees us holding our major event of the year when MGLive! takes place at Silverstone on June 2021. Tickets will available at discounted prices until June 12 to members who live in the UK – June 8 if you are living abroad. Why not invite a friend or fellow Natter member to come along if they have not for some time? As always there will be a wide menu of things to do and things too see.

Before MGLive! the racers are off to Donington Park for a meeting on May 31, and there will be rounds of the Luffield speed championship at Abingdon and Harewood in early June so why not go along and support our competitors.

As always at this time of year there are many ways to enjoy your MG motoring: it’s just a case of choosing which ones to attend.

“How about filling this as well, so we can have a cup of tea?”

www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWS NEWSLETTER

2015 Heritage Run Sunday June 7 2015 The Heritage Run is an extremely popular event attracting between 120 – 200 MG cars. Each year the Run has finished at a different destination selected for its historical or transport related interest.

Past Runs have taken us to the site of the MG factory in Abingdon, motor and air museums, hill climbs, steam railways and rallies and last year to the National Memorial Arboretum. For 2015 we are visiting Eastnor Castle, the home of the Hervey-Bathurst family (website: www. eastnorcastle.com).

This year we shall again be starting from Evesham Country Park. The Run will be approximately 60 miles and include some of the back roads of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire with some magnificent views of the countryside. Tulip rally instructions will be provided in a special route book.

The cost of entry will be £25 per car, which includes entry to the grounds and parking. Entrants wishing to visit the castle itself may upgrade on the day for a special price of £3.50 per person. Full colour Rally Plaques and Route Books are included.

The Run is open to MG cars only.

For further details telephone Allen Smith on 01789 488280, or email Jual@ greatalne.plus.com or download the entry form at www.ardenmgclub.co.uk.

Ever thought of running your own Race series?

Well now’s your chance!

The Peter Best Insurance MG Cup is looking for a new co-ordinator to assist the Championship for the 2016 Season and beyond. Previous experience unnecessary. Good motivational and organisational skills and sense of humour are essential for this unpaid post.

Expressions of interest to Clive Jones via email: joneseyracing@gmail.com Join the friendliest series around – The Peter Best Insurance MG Cup www.peterbestinsurancechallenge.com

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Christine Siddall It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Christine Siddall who died peacefully on April 27. Christine was the loving wife of Dickon, who has been part of the MG racing scene since 2009, initially as official photographer for the MG Trophy Championship.

Christine bravely battled cancer since 1998, and despite her condition found time to nurse both her parents and Dickon’s mother through their illnesses Christine was ever present at the various MG race meetings and functions accompanying Dickon. They were married for 44 years. Our thoughts go out to Dickon and his daughters Nicola and Rebecca and the grandchildren whom she doted on.

NEWS The funeral took place on May 12 at Blackpool and was attended by representatives from the MGCC and MG Racing Championships.

Donations were made to the Trinity Hospice, Blackpool.

Pete Macwaters

MG Midget enters the record books It took a lot of work, but Milwaukeean Chris Conrad is finally in the record books with his 1971 MG Midget. In September last year Conrad drove his 1971 MG Midget at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats, averaging 122.539 miles per hour and breaking a record which had stood for 22 years.

Chris joins the MG elite of Goldie Gardner, George Eyston, Stirling Moss and Phil Hill in the historic family of MG record holders.

“An MG was in a lot of ways the perfect car,” Conrad says. “It didn’t take up much space, has good fuel mileage, and you look pretty good driving one too.”

“They were an inexpensive fun car that a single person or a young married couple could own, use as daily transportation, and have some fun with them. They were never intended to be anything more than that,” he says.

Clearly, Conrad had greater intentions for the tiny car and is improving its A-series engine to work to its full capacity in order to break the standing record.

Watch this space...

Change to the Driving Licence From June 8 2015 the paper counterpart of the driving licence (D740) is to be abolished and will no longer be issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

“There will no longer be a need for drivers to keep the paper part of the driving licence as the photocard part will be all that is needed going forward. More sophisticated online systems allow data to be stored about individual motorists’ driving offences making the counterpart driving licence effectively redundant,” says Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA).

“Counterparts after June 8 2015 will no longer have legal status and motorists are advised to destroy their counterpart after this date. Paper driving licences issued before 1998 will remain valid and should not be destroyed.”

Robinson mentions that “the changes to the counterpart licence affect the UK only and if drivers are going aboard they need to check the licence requirements for each country before hiring a vehicle.”

DVLA offer an online system to check driving licences which can be accessed for free at www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence.

Further information is available at: www. gov.uk/dvla/nomorecounterpart

New Natter in Abingdon The Abingdon Works Centre is pleased to announce a new Natter. It will be at the Prince of Wales, Shippon www.princeofwalesshippon.co.uk/ just a few minutes from the centre of Abingdon. The full address is 60 Barrow Road, Shippon, Abingdon OX13 6JQ. They are scheduled for every last Thursday of the month. If you would like any further details, Mike Parker on 01235 525255 would be happy to help.

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:33

S

NEWSLETTER NEWS

News from the FBHVC EU Roadworthiness Directive: This is not about exemptions from the MoT test!

Readers of recently published copy could be forgiven for thinking that the Federation’s stance regarding exemption from roadworthiness testing is irresponsible. So let’s put the record straight. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The EU is usually criticised for being too demanding. Now, it is suggested it is too lax in saying we are permitted to exempt vehicles more than 30 years old.

Clearly the Commission looked long and hard at the statistics, before they decided exemption was possible without making our roads less safe. The EU Parliament, noted for being strong on road safety, has been convinced it is the right thing to do.

So why have they done that?

Reference is constantly made to exemption from the MoT test. But this is not about the MoT test. The MoT test as we know it will be changing. It will be replaced by the new set of tests set out in the Directive. These can be found on the Federation’s website. They cover more or less the same areas, but do look them up, they really are more detailed.

Every European Government, and that includes ours, thinks that in the future tests will need to become more automated, more computer driven and less decided by simple human judgement. They need to do that if the tests are to deal properly with the bulk

of modern cars, which by the day become more like computer systems on wheels.

But that makes it more difficult to deal with older vehicles. Governments don’t want to make their gradual updating more difficult by having to deal with vehicles which were never intended to pass their newer tests.

Don’t forget the Federation has to deal with cars which we normally don’t call ‘classics’, but veteran and vintage cars dating back to the 19th Century. We know that the existing MoT test can damage older cars and that testers can fail older cars though they are working exactly as their makers intended.

Though we did express our worry about the oldest of cars, we didn’t ask for the existing 1960 MoT test exemption.

The Department for Transport themselves decided to introduce it. The question was simply whether the Government could justify the complexity and cost of keeping open, for just a few vehicles, a system which was not suited to modern conditions.

What we cannot risk is finding that under an updated EU test perfectly roadworthy vehicles will be failed and be put off the road. That’s why we have chosen to agree with our Parliamentary colleagues and suggest that a vehicle should be entitled to exemption at the same date as its exemption from VED, which is when DVLA classifies it as ‘historic’.

It is not perfect, and in an ideal world there would always be a Government test old vehicles could pass. But we have to deal with the world as it is.

It goes without saying that the Federation encourages all owners of older vehicles to have them regularly checked for roadworthiness which is a legal and moral obligation on all vehicle owners.

David Whale, Chairman

MG Sales Hits New Record More new MGs were sold in the first three months of this year than in the whole of 2013 – and the new MG6 doesn’t even figure in the record results yet!

The 2015 registrations are the best first quarter results since the new MG Motor UK company was formed and continues the company’s impressive sales performance during the past 18 months.

Official figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that the industry grew by an average of 6.75 per cent in the first three months of 2015. MG’s results show a 57.33 per cent increase – the best first quarter ever by MG Motor UK. In March alone MG registrations grew by more than 83 per cent, again another impressive performance.

Matthew Cheyne, MG’s Head of Marketing, said: “MG’s sales have been bolstered by a wave of new dealer appointments. The dealer network has been more than doubled in just over a year and MG recently announced the formation of a Task Force to find and appoint another 30 dealers in key open ‘hot spots’ across Britain.”

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 03-48.indd 11

2016 Ulster Triple-M Tour

Each year the Triple-M Register organises a UK Touring Event and next year it will be taking place in Ulster, scene of so many of MG’s successes in the 1930s, from June 7-12.

The Tour will be based at the Dunadry Hotel near Antrim and three days of touring will take in the Causeway Coastal Route (reckoned to be one of the World’s Great Road Journeys) as well as the Ards TT circuit, Craigantlet Hill Climb and Ballybannon Hill Climb, all scenes of MG’s successes in the 1930s. For the fourth and final day we will be joining the Cultra Hill Climb at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, just outside Belfast. ‘Cultra’ is a great event with a real garden party atmosphere.

Each year it has a theme and for 2016 the theme will be Midgets, Magnas and Magnettes – the MGs that conquered Ulster. The event is organised by the Thoroughbred Sports Car Club of Northern Ireland and as the MGCC is an invited club, any member fancying entering the hill climb itself will be most welcome. We also hope to have a display of Triple-M cars and possibly a Parade Run up the hill as well.

Given the Ards and Craigantlet MG connection we hope that anyone with a genuine TT or Craigantlet hill climb car, or indeed any Triple-M MG with an Ulster connection, will come and join us.

For more information see the Triple-M Newsletter elsewhere in this issue.

ZR/ZS/ZT Register AGM For lack of a quorum we were unable to hold the ZR/ZS/ZT Register AGM at Brands Hatch as planned. The Register have rearranged it for Saturday 20 June, to be held in the V8 Register Marquee at MGLive!, Silverstone at 5:00 pm Agenda 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Agreement of Minutes of Previous AGM 3. Chairman’s Report 4. Secretary’s Report 5. Treasurer’s Report & Adoption of Accounts 6. Regalia Report 7. Events Review 8. Election of Officers 9. Election of Other Committee Members 10. Members’ Resolutions 11. AOB

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NEWS NEWSLETTER

Kimber House

Social

News Media Round Up

European Touring Handbook After having been worked on tirelessly over the past few months, the 2015 version of the European Touring Handbook is now available.

The latest version can be downloaded from the Members Area of the MG Car Club’s website www.mgcc.co.uk/members/login/ This comprehensive document is for those wishing to drive their MG in Europe. It includes contacts for all the affiliated MGCC overseas clubs, spare parts and workshop locations, along with key information on the road regulations of each country.

VA engine returns to Kimber House The MG Car Club welcomed members of the SVW Register to Kimber House on Sunday April 19, who handed over a fully refurbished cutaway VA engine that they had restored.

The engine had previously been stored away in the Club’s garage but now takes pride of place in the John Thornley suite.

Keith Bush of the SVW Register, who carried out the restoration, said it was a labour of love and he enjoyed every minute of the time he spent on it. It took three months of work, with other members of the SVW register donating some of the missing parts, such as an exhaust manifold which was previously owned

by David Washbourne. The nicely chromed rocker cover was rechromed by Bob Slatter of the Devon and Cornwall Centre. The engine is mounted on two purpose built stands bolted together and can be turned over by the use of an A60 starting handle.

Total cost of the restoration was £700 with half the cost being covered by the Douglas Mickle Fund and the other half being funded by the SVW Register.

With MGLive! now less than a month away, the news that Mike Brewer is opening the show has been big news on the Club’s Facebook and Twitter feeds. The photo of Mike with a lovely modded Midget reached over 10,000 people and was shared 100s of times.

As well as Mike’s upcoming appearance at Silverstone, members were busy sharing the news that the TV show Cars That Rock was featuring AC/DC front man Brian Johnson’s visit to Kimber House and Longbridge as the episode put MG front and centre. The episode was filmed last year and featured the likes of Old Number One, the Old Speckled ’un and some pretty intense stunt driving in the MG3 at Longbridge.

The Club’s number of ‘Likes’ on Facebook continues to grow, with more and more people clicking the button and using the page to request enquiry packs to join the Club.

Almost 5,000 people are now following the Club’s Twitter feed, while both Instagram and Pinterest continue to attract attention.

In the weeks running up to MGLive! and at the event itself, now is a good time to make sure you’re connected to Club’s social media feeds for all the latest news and stories as we prepare for the biggest MG party in the world!

F: www.facebook.com/MGCarClub T: @MGCarClub I: @MGCarClub

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PRODUCTS

PRODUCTS

New Laser Catalogue Avaliable This year’s catalogue has more specialist tools, more motorcycle tools, and even more engine timing tools. With over 650 new lines introduced since the last catalogue!

Laser Tools are constantly adding to their range and aim to bring new tools to the market first, ready for the next wave of vehicles that will be requiring cam belt or timing chain replacement.

The Laser range includes bush removal tools for suspension joints, deep seated spark plug tools, brake piston rewind tools and of course the famous range of engine timing tools.

Of course the comprehensive Laser range encompasses a huge range of general hand tools — the new catalogue is fully illustrated and includes a OEM tool code comparison list.

And the good news that this 628 page catalogue is yours for the asking, and we’ve make it very easy to access!

Go to www.lasertools.co.uk Or contact us on 01926 818196 to order your A5 hard copy free of charge! (Available mid-June.)

Bronze Swivel Links from NTG Motor Services Bronze swivel links for TD TF Y-Type & MGA £71.40 each including VAT. These have been produced for us by a local supplier for well over 20 years and are fitted with reamed bushes. Available for top & bottom, left and right hand - state which when ordering. NTG Motor Services Limited, 282 - 4 Bramford Road, Ipswich, IP1 4AY. Phone: 01473 406031, Email: info@mgbits.com Web site: www.mgbits.com

Montar Phone Mount Mobile phone mount suitable for mounting mobile phones in your car – ideal for using your mobile as a sat nav or in conjunction with a hands free kit.

Solid mount that holds you phone safely and securely. Can be angled for horizontal of vertical use and can be angled to minimise glare and glint from your windscreen.

Universal : compatible with iP6 / iP6+/ LG G4 /Galaxy S6 /S6 Edge / Note 4 and more .

• One hand install and release • Patented suction cup : Dashboard & Windshield • 360 rotation • Rubber grip to protect your device Unique beautiful durable design £17.50 from Amazon.co.uk Garmin NuviCam Two-in-one sat nav and dash cam with added driver-assist safety features The first portable navigation device (PND) to feature a built-in dash cam and advanced alerts to enhance driver awareness on the road Forward Collision Warning: alerts drivers if they’re driving too close to the car ahead Lane Departure Warning: alerts appear and sound

if the driver drifts off the road or into oncoming traffic. The integrated dash cam continuously records and automatically saves files on impact, offering the protection of having an eyewitness that records exactly where and when events occurred.

RRP: £299.99, exclusive to Halfords until June, then nationwide.

Have a New Product Are you a trader and have a product that would be of interest to our members, and would like us to incorporate it in the product pages of Safety fast! Why not contact Colin Grant at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk and include details of the product you would like us to include, it’s free!

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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EVENT

PREVIEW

SILVERSTONE

M

GLive! this year is all about Competitions Cars and the Club is reuniting many of these Works wonders to mark 60 years since the department opened its doors. Thanks to department’s remit of preparing any of the cars under the BMC banner, MGLive! will feature not only MGs, but also rally-bred Mini Coopers, Triumphs, Rovers and Austin Healeys.

The main attraction for MG lovers will

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20 - 21 JUNE be those cars wearing the octagon which will include PRX 707 which contested the Liege-Rome-Liege Rally, Bob Olthoff’s MGA Twin Cam, a car which graced the front cover of the Club’s Safety Fast! magazine, back in 1962. They’ll be joined by the legendary Sebring MGC GTS RMO 699F – the last competition Works MG to be built at Abingdon.

If one car dominated rallying during the 1960s, it was BMC’s baby – the Mini.

Once John Cooper had worked his magic on the little car it quickly became a race and rally winner and the world’s favourite small car will be one of the many stars on show at MGLive! 977 ARX, which finished third on the 1963 Monte Carlo, will be joined by Paddy Hopkirk’s San Remo Rally 1275S. Alongside those famous Minis, rarer examples, such as the eight port 1275 Mini Clubman, built for the 1970 Sherry Rally will also be there. The car

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Untitl

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EVENTS

PREVIEW

was finished just before the closure of the Competitions Department so never actually competed as a works entry.

The ex-works Austin Healey Sprite, driven by Sir Stirling Moss will lead the line for the Austin Healeys, supported by a superb selection of 3000s and Sprites.

The Moss car recently benefitted from an extensive restoration, and the subject of an hour-long special of the television documentary series Classic Car SOS. The formation of British Leyland in 1968 meant that former rivals such as Triumph came under the remit of the Comps department. By the 1970s, Comps were preparing Triumphs for competition use, including Dolomite Sprints, PIs, TR7s and of course, TR8s. The entire spread of Works Triumphs will be represented, including Andrew Cowan’s London to Mexico World Cup Rally car and Tony Pond’s TR8 that competed on the likes of the

Scottish Rally in 1977 and 1978.

The display of Works cars will offer fans not only of MG, but of all those famous BMC and BL names the chance to see up close some of the most legendary motorsport cars ever built.

Of course the Competitions 60 celebrations are just part of the MGLive! weekend. A weekend that includes two days of full-throttle racing on Silverstone’s historic Grand Prix Circuit, dozens of trade stands, autojumble, Pride of Ownership, a Concours D’Elegance, 1,000s of MGs on display and model-by-model Register parking.

It all kicks off on Saturday at 10:00, when TV’s Wheeler Dealer, Mike Brewer, will open the show before hosting the world’s first human gymkhana, where visitors will be able to compete in the Live!

Arena with a variety of challenges with some top prizes on offer. Mike leads a

busy schedule for the Arena that includes stunt driver Russ Swift and the Savage Skills BMX display team.

As well as the various trade stands, MGLive! will also feature a packed Lifestyle Marquee, including attractions as varied as a nail bar, cakes and sweets, books, and beers from a local brewery.

Add in the Saturday night After Hours with live music, a fully-licensed bar, a hogroast and a disco.

With so much going on across two days, MGLive! offers something for everyone. Tickets for an MG Car Club member start at £18 for a day ticket, or £28 for a weekend. You can book them now by visiting www.mglive.co.uk or by calling the Club on 01235 555552

MGLive! Needs YOU! Whichever way you look at it, MGLive! is an amazing event, but it can only happen with the support of an army of volunteers. Once again MGLive! needs more willing bods to make the MG event of the year happen. The Club is looking for help especially on Saturday and Sunday morning – if you’re interested in helping, please email mgcc@ mgcc.co.uk or call the Club if you can help – and don’t forget, anyone who volunteers gets free entry to the show!

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FEATURE

Is this a

‘real’ R Type?

An open letter from Geoff Enoch, the creator of RA0261

This was always going to be a prominent question if and when I finally achieved my goal of creating an eleventh R Type. I knew this from the moment I made the press tool for the 65 flanged holes there are in the chassis and it was for this reason that I had MG Enthusiast Magazine print my intention to build this car nine years ago before I made a start. (Though I did not predict the way that the internet would buzz with divided opinion after I displayed the car at Brooklands in April.)

T

he simple answer is of course, no, but then again the answer is far from simple!

Before I continue with this debate, which is intended only to be thought provoking, let me make my own position clear; I have no bitterness or condemnation towards those who will not consider this a ‘real’ R Type. / pullquote/Many people have had their ‘fingers burnt’ by replica cars (not least K3s) being passed off for genuine ‘factory’ cars and I fully appreciate their viewpoint. Indeed it was for that reason I had Peter Green down to my workshop several times during its creation so that my position was perfectly clear. (Video of me ‘finding’ my chassis in some French scrapyard would not have been difficult to organise if I had been in the business of lies and deceit!) As a further aside to our debate it is perhaps worth reporting that this project actually started because I wanted to build the six cylinder R Type that Charles intended to build – once testing had proven the four cylinder version – to compete against the work of Raymond Mays (ERA) whom he saw as the ‘opposition’. He was of course prevented

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from building this because of Leonard Lord, of whom I shall comment later. Unfortunately, while I am convinced of Charles’ intentions and have proven that a six cylinder block fits the R chassis without modification, as some have thought necessary, I could not prove that this car was ever built. As a result such a car would never have been accepted by any official motoring body and would therefore never have been given an opportunity to race an ERA to prove Charles’ point. It was also at this time that RA0255 went to Germany and UK MG enthusiasts were once again in a position of not having an R Type to see and admire, so it was only then that I decided to make an eleventh R Type and stamp it up accordingly. (So that even the component parts would not be confused in years to come!)

All that apart, let us return to our debate.

What makes a car ‘real’? What is ‘originality’?

In the case of R Types, ten were completed by the Factory of which only four are now complete. Of those four one has a chrome exhaust, one an After Market supercharger, one an aluminium petrol tank, and one a twin cam cylinder head, all of which are non

original. I have simplified this list so that I do not get too technical and because I do not want to read as critical of these wonderful original cars that are rightfully so much more valuable than mine, historically as well as financially. But the point I am making here is this: though not original, my car is actually more original than the original cars because it has not suffered years of racing abuse, rebuild or modification.

One internet user asks, is my car an MG? It’s a good question but what then makes an MG an MG? Is it Design? All of the drawings I used to create my car are entitled ‘MG Car Company, Abingdon on Thames Ltd.’ So is it design? Is it the Location of production parts? This would be a problem as less than half of R type components were actually made at Abingdon! Radiator, Tank, Instruments, Torsion Bars, Shock Absorbers, indeed all suspension components were all ‘outsourced’ from Abingdon! That leaves us with ‘Assembly’. Who out there has a MMM car that was assembled by the factory and not reassembled elsewhere since? It’s not straightforward, is it?

What of the new Jaguar lightweight E Types? They are ‘continuation cars’ made

by Jaguar to much the same specification

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FEATURE

as those made in 1963 and are even being assembled at Browns Lane. I say assembled because the bodies are being built by RS Panels and the engines by Crosthwaite and Gardiner! Again, it’s not straightforward, is it? Though interestingly these cars are being built on the premise that some chassis numbers were allocated at the time and then never built. Note: contemporary records indicate that eleven if not twelve R chassis were actually built by MG but not then built into complete cars!

And speaking of Crosthwaite and Gardiner, who has not valued the sight of those pre and post war Auto Union and Mercedes cars that we would never have had the opportunity to behold if Audi and Mercedes had not had new ones made for our appreciation of their motoring heritage?

For what it is worth, my own feeling is that each car should stand on its own merit and if people in the past had been a little keener on the truth and less inclined to deceive others (motivated by greed for the most part!) we would not be in the situation we are in today with just about every K type saloon destroyed in the interests of fooling somebody into believing that they have a genuine K3.

So then my car is not ‘real’ – it was never intended to be. Is it a replica? I have always thought replicas to be cars that looked like the original without necessarily being accurate under the skin, in which case, no. Is it a fake? I feel that to be a term for something that is presented as something it is not, in which case it is not that either as I have been ‘up front’ with this build from

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the beginning. Is it a kit car? That would be harsh; my understanding of a kit car is that you start with a kit of parts and nothing could be farther from the truth with this car. Is it then a continuation? I would like to think so.

Whatever you think, for me the highlight of displaying my car at Brooklands was this: A man of mature years came up to me after having taken considerable time examining the car and shook my hand, ‘Thank you,’ he said, ‘I have been an MG enthusiast all my life and this is the first time I have seen an R type, isn’t it amazing’. People will continue to debate the ‘originality’ of my car, but right there is the reason I spent approximately 4,500 hours building this car. The man was of course an engineer, as were the men who built them in the first place. And what happened to those men after having built a car that was 30 years ahead of its time? They were criticised, closed down, sacked and dispersed – by an accountant! Would that accountant –a Leonard Lord – endorse my rebuild? Almost definitely not – be assured, the sums do not add up! Would Charles, Enever and the others? I would like to think so. On what side of the fence do you sit?

As a footnote: I was interested to read that the Chairman of Jaguar Cars was asked last year to what he most attributed the success of Jaguar under the ownership of Tata. ‘We took the power from the accountants and gave it to the engineers,’ he replied.

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BTCC FEATURE

T

here is no other circuit in the UK like Thruxton. The sweeping corners formed from the perimeter roads of the airfield are incredibly fast and put enormous strain on the tyres.

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship races in 2014 at the circuit were full of incident with several cars visiting the scenery at high speed. Tyres are the limiting factor, and to allow safe racing, Dunlop technicians produce a special ‘Thruxton only’ tyre. The normal and soft tyres stay in the warehouse.

The major concern for the leading teams was the additional success ballast now in force. The drivers with maximum weight would be carrying the equivalent of a passenger which would give rise to additional tyre wear and strains on the brakes. The MG 888 Team drivers Jack Goff and Andrew Jordan started the weekend in sixth and fourth places so whilst carrying some ballast, were optimistic about being able to set good lap times in the MG6s and start the first race of the day in competitive positions. Andrew is known as ‘Mr Thruxton’ because of his record of success at the circuit.

The first of the free practice sessions started on a dry track. There was drama right at the end when Jason Plato, who had set the fastest time, had a tyre deflate on his VW CC in the braking area for the chicane resulting in contact with the tyre wall. All the teams were experimenting with the camber settings of the front wheels to find the optimum setting for speed which would not destroy the tyres.

Jack and Andrew worked solidly through their test runs finishing in 16th and 17th places.

The second session was badly disrupted by a red flag. It resumed with just 15 minutes remaining. There was a

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Thruxton

By Paul Goodman Photo Aaron Lupton

mad dash to set times and confirm the car set ups for qualifying. Both MG6s were going well with Jack and Andrew ending up third and fourth. This gave them great optimism as they headed into the vital qualification session in which 28 cars would be setting their best times.

The eagerly awaited qualification session was badly disrupted by two serious incidents which left all the drivers with only a few laps to set a time. Aron Smith driving his VW CC, which was not carrying any success ballast, secured pole position. Some times were taken away for ‘all four wheels off’ at the chicane. Jack was in the thick of the battle and when the chequered flag fell was seventh. Andrew lost out as he was setting off on a flying lap when the red flags came out and had to settle for 11th. The other quick cars were the Yuasa Hondas of Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden and the Mercedes of Adam Morgan.

Race one (round seven) started in perfect weather conditions. Aron Smith got away slowly as the lights went out and the two Hondas swept past to take first and second which they held throughout the race with Shedden beating Neal. Aron Smith’s race was ruined by a puncture which allowed Adam Morgan’s Mercedes up into third. Jason Plato took fourth. Jack was very competitive in the early part of the race, but was outbraked by several other cars and finished ninth. Meanwhile as the race progressed Andrew was on a charge in his MG6, passing his team mate, and finishing sixth. Jack set second fastest lap, but this was deleted for crossing the chicane. This left him in 10th

place on the grid for race two with Andrew behind in 13th.

Race two was dominated by Jason Plato driving the VW CC. He converted his pole position, gained by fastest lap in race one, into a clear victory. Jack and Andrew both drove brilliant races, forcing their way through towards the sharp end of the field.

They were rewarded by gaining places to finish fourth and seventh and so ensured that they would be in the ‘prize draw’ for good starting positions in race three.

The draw produced a front row start for Andrew in the Pirtek 888 MG6 alongside Adam Morgan in the Mercedes.

Jack was just behind in fifth place. When the lights went out Adam made a great start from pole position and drew away from Andrew. He built up a big lead which was nullified by the appearance of the safety car. At the restart Andrew tried his best, but had to settle for a superb second place. Meanwhile Jack got involved in a massive scrap for points which did not end in his favour with a final finishing position of 11th.

The calculations showed that Gordon Shedden was now the championship leader with 114 points with Andrew in fifth place, but only 15 points adrift.

Jack is three places further back with a creditable 80 points. In the manufacturer’s championship, the Honda team are ahead, but the gap back to 888 MG is only 14 points.

After a break, the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship heads north to the fabulous parkland Oulton Park Circuit on June 6-7. This event attracts a massive crowd and has a great atmosphere.

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EVENTS EVENT

REPORT

T

he weather forecast for Sunday wasn’t overly good so fingers were crossed for the Regency Run, an event organised jointly between The MG

Owners Club and The MG Car Club, on May 10. The weather at Weybridge, the home of Brooklands Circuit which was to be the start of this year’s Regency

The 2015

Regency Run

By John Inness Photos Tim Morris

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Run, was overcast but dry. The 264 MGs started to assemble at Brooklands at 9.00 onwards ready for the earliest MG, a 1925 Super Sports driven by Chris Kevill, to leave at 10.15 on one of the approximately 65 mile routes devised by the MG Car Club that took in the best of the Surrey and Sussex Countryside. As the cars were arriving the clouds started to thicken, but soon gaps were appearing and we enjoyed sunny periods with all cars being flagged away from Brooklands by 11.30. There were plenty of restaurants and pubs en-route for lunch and rest stops as the cars made their way to the famous Madeira Drive in Brighton, where the MGs get special dispensation to park in front of the metal arches. As the cars started to arrive, Jonathan Kimber from the MG Owners Club and John Day from the MG Car Club were there to greet them and give the gathering crowds an insight in to each model of MG taking part.

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EVENTS EVENT

REPORT

MGA Register’s

‘Dutch Windmills & Waterways’ Tour

By Howard Quayle

A

sunny Friday morning greeted the eight MGAs arriving at Hook of Holland on board the overnight sailing from Harwich for the start of the MGA Tour on April 24. The massive ‘Stena Hollandica’, built in 2010, provided comfortable cabins, and after a good night’s sleep, two of the cars got on their way around 8.30am for the 15-mile trip to Delft, internationally famous for its blue and white ceramics.

Thanks to a tip from the Jaguar Owners’ Club, we found the Park+Ride at IKEA, alongside the A13 motorway, and were soon in Markt, the long narrow square stretching from the Nieuwe Kerk to the Stadhuis. After finding Vermeer’s gravestone in the Oude Kerk, it was time for lunch alongside the canals, before returning to IKEA and travelling the short distance to Den Haag and the Louwman Museum.

This is one of the world’s largest car collections, with 230 cars spread over three floors, including the actual James

Bond Aston Martin DB5. Cars over 40 years old (meaning all MGAs!) are allowed to park on the museum’s palatial forecourt.

The two hours spent there passed too quickly, but as this was a Dutch holiday weekend, we had to leave around 3.30pm for the 80 mile trip to our destination.

It took nearly one hour to cover the congested four miles across Leiden City, with anxious eyes on oil and water gauges, but once clear of suburbia, we were soon rolling through typical Dutch landscapes of small towns, green countryside, endless waterways, and cycle paths. Around 100 miles from ‘the Hook’ had been covered by the time we arrived at the very comfortable Princess Hotel beside the Loosdrecht Lakes, joining the Register’s group of 36 MGAs, one MGB, and an E-Type.

After the heat and sunshine of Friday, we awoke to showers on Saturday morning. A decent breakfast fortified us on our trip round Amsterdam, on its heavily-trafficked motorways, and the rain

‘King’s Day’ celebrations outside the Stadhuis, Gouda

had ceased by the time we reached the ‘green’ route alongside the banks of the Markermeer; as with much of Holland, the road is lower than the level of the adjoining inland sea. A delicious pancake lunch was taken in Volendam, an ancient port on the old Zuiderzee and now a big On the ferry across the River Lek

Classic line-up at the Princess Hotel, Loosdrecht

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Approaching the Kinderdijk windmills

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REPORT

CALENDAR EVENT

Register members with founder Hans van de Kerkhof (blue shirt) at the Healey Museum.

Photo: Stella Dutton The MGAs of Stuart Mumby, George Dutton, and Mike Maze alongside the bulbfields near the Keukenhof Gardens. Photo: George Dutton

tourist destination, although the harbour and colourful wooden houses retain their charm.

While some of our colleagues decided to visit the ‘living museum’ at Zaanse Schans, providing an impression of the Dutch way of life in earlier centuries, we decided to continue north on the N247 to Hoorn, via the small town of Edam, famous for its eponymous cheese. Hoorn, another Zuiderzee port, would have been worth exploring, but on this public holiday weekend, the streets were clogged with traffic. A preserved steam railway runs for 13 miles to Medemblik, on the Ijsselmeer, and we were able to see the afternoon train arriving into Hoorn’s main station, before making a (free) visit to the company’s railway museum.

After passing through the bulb fields between Hoorn and the ancient town of Enkhuizen, the MGA climbed the incline onto the great Houtribdijk, running southeast across the inland sea for nearly 20 miles to Lelystad on the opposite side of the Markermeer; the Ijsselmeer lies to the north. This dam was completed between 1963 and 1975, and now carries nearly 12,000 vehicles a day. The car’s tiny wipers coped well with the downpour which hit us driving back towards Amsterdam through the flat landscape of Flevoland – the polder area reclaimed

Stylish riverside houses at Breukelen

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from the sea between 1950 and 1968.

Return to Oud-Loosdrecht in the evening sunlight was by way of the road running dead straight for many miles alongside the Amsterdam Rijnkanaal, the 45-mile-long deep waterway connecting Amsterdam with the Rhine. Over 150 miles had been travelled, the MGA wanted a rest, and we needed a beer!

Sunday proved to be an easier day, with a morning/early afternoon lakes and river trip. The participants initially sheltered from the rain in the saloon, as the captain explained that the Loosdrecht Lakes had been created by flooding peat workings.

Entering the River Vecht via a curious curved lock, the boat meandered downstream to the small town of Breukelen, some very impressive old private houses lining both banks of the river. Pancakes and beer were served for lunch, after which another lock provided access back into the lakes and the hotel’s pier. Some participants now chose to explore the local area or just relax, whilst others decided to drive the short distance to Vreeland and the Healey Museum. Opened in 2012, this is apparently the world’s only museum devoted to Donald Healey and his cars. The collection is small, but includes one of only three Austin-Healey 4000s, built in 1968 and using the 4-litre RollsRoyce engine found in the Princess 4R. MGA Register Chairman Peter Morgan signed the visitors’ book, before posing with founder Hans van de Kerkhof and the MGA group.

Steam loco and tulips and Hoorn Station

Monday – the final day – came all too quickly. While the majority of MGAs were making the long trip back via Calais and others taking the rather shorter route to Rotterdam, we retraced our steps via Gouda (where ‘King’s Day’ celebrations were in full swing) and the 19 windmills of the Kinderdijk, in order to take the overnight sailing back from Hook of Holland. Four hundred miles had been covered in this delightful country, new friendships forged… and our MGA had never missed a beat!

B-Series-engined Austin Metropolitan on display at Louwman Motor Museum

Three of the tour participants in reserved parking at the Louwman Motor Museum

Parked below water-level alongside the Markermeer dyke

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EVENTS EVENT

REPORT

Yorkshire Centre

Daffodil

MGs arrive at The Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial at Elvington.

MGs ready for the off at the Clifton Moor Shopping Centre

Run 2015

By Ken Cothliff

C

lifton Moor Shopping Centre, York and 92 cars gathered on Easter Sunday for the annual Yorkshire Centre ‘Daffodil Run’ through the Howardian Hills to the north of the city. This was the first occasion our new Centre banners would be unfurled.

Weather was fine again, and warm enough for the roadster and older cars to have their hoods down. The entrants came from as far apart as Cheshire, Lancashire, and Teeside, as well as all over Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The selection of MGs covered almost the greater range of MG cars, from Bob and Beth Walker in their 1932 ‘F-type’ to Craig Pickering in his very new MG6.

The run was to be a total of 66 miles, and this year we expected a good display of daffodils along the way. Last year there were few daffs but lots of dandelions!

Same colour but not as spectacular.

Sophie & Darren starting the run

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Sophie, organiser Chris’s daughter, waved the cars away. The route took us northwards from the York North Ring Road, through the pretty villages of Sutton on Forest and Brandsby, turning east at the 20 mile point and south through Hovingham. Lots of good flower displays at the roadside, but each seemed to be in a difficult parking point. Eventually your scribe managed to find a point near Castle Howard entry gate where we could stop and take a picture of our car with the daffodils. Many drivers took the opportunity to visit the Yorkshire Lavender Centre near Terrington.

After going through Coneythorpe, north of the stately home which features so large in ‘Brideshead Revisited’, we headed for the market town of Malton.

The run through the Derwent valley to the ruins of Kirkham Abbey was spectacular.

It was then cross country south, through

Wilberfoss, Newton and Sutton upon Derwent, finally rounding off the run at the Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial at Elvington.

The roast beef and Yorkshire pudding at the NAAFI Restaurant at the Museum went down a treat after the run. The museum represented excellent value, as I wandered around the aircraft exhibits, including the Halifax bomber that featured so much in the lives of the young Canadians we would be remembering in the Canada Run in June.

The banners were unveiled again, and the 70 or so cars that decided to finish the full run there made a spectacular addition to the museum exhibits. A great day out, and our thanks to Chris Flanagan and his family for arranging the run.

A good seleciton of MGs under the Yorkshire Centre banner

Daffodils line the side of the road

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:35

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MG Safety Fast June15 03-48.indd 29

Free* parts catalogues available for MG T-Type, MGA, MGB, Sprite & Midget, Morris Minor, Classic Mini, TR2-4A, TR5-6 and Restoration Tools. Order by phone: 0800 281 182, email: catalogues@moss-europe.co.uk or online: moss-europe.co.uk (*Catalogue P&P per item: Mainland UK Free, Non Mainland UK & EU £5.83 (+ country VAT), ROW £7.00) JUNE 2015

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FEATURE

Another

Abingdon

Aston

By Adam Sloman

When BL decided to close MG’s Abingdon home, many feared it would be the end of the marque. However there were plenty of options for MG’s future, including an intriguing offer from Aston Martin, an offer that produced one very unique MGB. An MGB that long-time fan Trevor Broadbent was keen to replicate…

I

n the weeks and months that followed the announcement that British Leyland intended to close the Abingdon works, MG fans waited with trepidation to see what the future held for their beloved marque.

Plenty of rumours circulated, but one in particular seemed to gain more momentum and in October 1979, Aston Martin announced plans to buy the MG

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name and the Abingdon works along with it, their intention being to produce almost 30,000 revised and modernised MGBs a year.

As history records, the staff at MG had fought hard to keep the B competitive.

The engineers at Abingdon were keen to see the aging B-Series replaced by the newer, more efficient O-Series as it would keep the car relevant in key markets, such

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:35

FEATURE

as the US where the car had dominated rivals from Triumph.

The development of the O-Series began to gather pace in the early 1970s when British Leyland deemed the B-Series in need of replacement, as much of the tooling used to produce it was nearing the end of its lifespan. The MGB’s continued success in the States, as well as BL’s hopes for the then-new Marina, meant that there was a justification in the finances for a new power unit.

The new engine proved to be significant improvement over the B-Series, with power output increased from 96bhp to 115bhp, something that would revive the MGB’s sporting prowess in America where ‘Federal Spec’ cars were developing as little as 45bhp by the end of the 1970s.

Despite development cars more than proving their worth, the purse strings at British Leyland were kept tied – the management saw little point in further developing the MGB when the company’s big hope for America, the Triumph TR7, was just about to hit the market.

So ultimately BL called time on the MG and Abingdon, with car production scheduled to end in 1980. Or was it?

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 03-48.indd 31

Aston Martin clearly saw potential in the O-Series cars and by the tail end of 1979, Aston Martin had taken an MGB, fitted it with an O-Series and had completed a series of revisions, all with the intention of bringing the car in line with the tastes of the 1980s.

Negotiations continued and in 1980, Aston showed the car to the motoring press, intending to launch it in 1981. In March 1980, BL and Aston even went as far to announce a deal had been agreed, but Aston struggled to raise the £30 million asking price and BL began to

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FEATURE

lose patience with Aston, and despite not seeing a future in Abingdon, BL did see a future for MG – a fact borne out by the launch of the MG Metro in 1982.

The Aston B would become little more than a footnote in the long history of MG, but it would forever be the subject of interest for MG fans – particularly in 2011 when the car came up for sale.

While that car remains in the hands of a private collector, away from the MG owning community, one MG enthusiast has taken it upon himself to build his own.

Trevor Broadbent runs TJ Broadbent Engineering, near Bicester and has been a fan of all things MG for as long as he can recall. This car has been with him for over ten years.

“Originally it was a GT – a lorry had backed into it. It was going to be scrapped – the owner had lost heart” says Trevor.

The car could have been repaired, but as Trevor points out, it would have been expensive. “I cut GT bits off and put the roadster panels on – I’ve never seen the Aston car in the metal, so I’ve based everything I’ve done from photographs.”

Trevor worked his way around the car, getting the shell into a roadworthy condition before deseaming it and fabricating the black panels that run around the car’s bottom third. “I think the Aston car has a GT windscreen, as this one does – it gives a bit more height compared to the normal roadster screen,”

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notes Trevor. “From looking at the photos I think the black sections stand proud of the rest of the body, so I’ve replicated that.

They give a nice continuous line around the bottom of the car from the front and rear bumpers.”

One of the most notable changes to the car is the front bumper, which successfully blends the classic chrome of the early Bs while meeting the draconian safety demands imposed by the US market.

It’s a treatment that is reminiscent of the later Alfa Romeo Spider and shows how Aston’s revisions to the car were right on trend with the automotive fashions of the day. Its all but impossible to see what Trevor has done, but he remains modest. “ I took a rubber bumper and cut the hoop section off and plastic fillered it” says Trevor.

The new look suits the B, and is much more subtle than the final scheme chosen when rubber supplanted chrome. At the

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22/05/2015 12:35

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Rimmer

1 F 0%

SP M

FEATURE

rear, he’s followed the Aston car again, adding the additional lamps fitted to that car where the fuel filler once resided.

“The extra lamps are from a Land Rover Freelander,” says Trevor. “I just removed the orange filter from it.”

One of the elements that made the Aston B appear more modern was the addition of fuel filler hidden behind a flap, rather than being exposed. Again, Trevor had to work from pictures of the car. “I went to a scrappy and found the closest match to the flap on the Aston car – I think it came from an Escort. I had to guess where it should go on the body!”

The B had originally been finished in Damask Red, but Trevor has resprayed the car Champagne gold, making it a closer match to the Aston, though he has stopped short of fitting the same white Wolfrace alloys, instead opting for more tasteful Minilite-style items.

Trevor then rewired the car before running it initially with the B Series, until he was able to eventually source the 2.0

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litre O-Series the car is now equipped with. “The engine is from a Rover SD1 – I wanted an OS1 engine, so it would be correct. OS2 engines are easy to find, OS1s are a little more difficult.”

Despite the O-Series, Trevor has kept the original MGB gearbox. “I think the Aston car might have had a five-speed ‘box,” he says. “I was going to fit a Ford Type 9 ‘box, but to be honest the original ‘box is bulletproof.”

Trevor converted the backplate to allot the Rover’s engine to accept the MGB’s clutch and the car was complete.

“I’ve done it as a project over years, really,” says Trevor. “I’m pretty pleased with it now,” he adds.

Most recently, Trevor has completed the interior retrim, bringing to a close the lion’s share of the project, though he says the car still isn’t finished. “I’d like to add power steering,” he notes, “I’ll most likely fit the system from an MGF.” Looking around the car, it is a real testament to Trevor’s skills as a mechanic, a trimmer and a fabricator. While many of us

would be happy to restore a car to factory or better than factory condition, Trevor has taken things a step further by producing a car that is as close to unique as it’s possible to get. It’s even more impressive that he’s been able to produce such an impressive replica given the relative lack of source material he had to work from.

On the road, Trevor’s car looks great – fresh, yet familiar too. It shows that Aston’s treatment of the MGB could well have proven a successful starting point for the ‘new’ MG Car Company, had Aston’s buyout been successful. And, while the original car remains in collectors hands, Trevor’s car allows us all an opportunity to get closer to one of the most tantalising ‘what ifs’ in MG’s history.

V fo a

w

T J Broadbent Auto Engineers can be contacted at Unit 1 Forge Works, Northampton Road, Weston on the Green, Oxon, OX25 3QN. Telephone: 01869 351176

te fa em

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:36

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22/05/2015 12:36

FEATURE

A day never to forget

by Andy Knott

I

’ve always been an avid fan of motorsport, following everything with two wheels such as British Superbikes and Moto GP, to the four wheeled action of Club racing, BTCC through to F1. We’re fortunate in this country to have some wonderful race circuits, like the Silverstone Grand Prix track, with its famous bends such as Brooklands and Beckets, and heading north the narrow undulating Cadwell Park circuit in the wonderful Lincolnshire countryside, nicknamed the Mini-Nurburgring by many.

Within the MG Car Club, we currently have seven Race Championships who visit the various circuits, spectators are always very welcome. The Club also have the Luffield Sprint and Hillclimb Championship, who travel up and down the countryside visiting venue and famous hillclimbs such as Wiscombe.

But what if you fancy having a drive on the various Tracks in a safe atmosphere in your own road car, where do you turn?

MGs on Track, a branch of the MG Car Club, was formed in 2002 with the simple objective – to get as many MG owners as possible enjoying track days in each other’s company for the cheapest possible price! This philosophy remains to this day, and I was fortunate enough to experience their hospitality at the 2015

Silverstone Grand Prix Track Day held in March.

Silverstone has got to be the most famous British Race Circuit, and to drive on the same GP circuit as the F1 drivers was a big draw for many MG enthusiasts. Not many track day organisers get the opportunity to use this circuit!

MGs line up in the Silverstone pit lane ready to take to the track

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FEATURE

Arriving at Silverstone in glorious sunshine I was greeted by an eclectic mix of machinery as I made my way to the old pit garages and paddock. Everything from 1930s T Types through to the MG SV-R Sport and Racing Supercar, were parked up glistening in the sun, many having a last minute fettle before being scrutineered ready to go and have some fun on the track.

As I walked down the pitlane to meet the MGs on Track Committee one thing that became evident very quickly was how friendly everyone was, willing to talk and show me around their cars, some standard and some highly modified for track use.

One such highly modified car was the stunning red MGB GT V8 belonging to Lee Arnold; with the 3.5 litre engine, wide tyres and Jaguar independent rear suspension, it looked impressive on track in the hands of Lee, who’s been attending track days with MGs on Track for the past four years. When I asked Lee what kept him coming back he said, ‘The camaraderie with all fellow enthusiasts and the fact I can drive fast and push the car to the limits in a safe environment’.

Lee Arnold and his track prepared MGB GT V8

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 03-48.indd 37

Meeting with MGoT committee members Steve Brand and Dave Pearce, I was given a safety briefing even though I was only going out as a passenger; safety is paramount to MGs on Track.

I then headed off with Steve to go out in his 2001 MGF Trophy.

Strapping myself in to the bucket seat it immediately felt lower and sportier than a standard MGF. I opted to use the harness instead of the seatbelt Steve’s kept in the car for road use. As we headed out of the pits to a friendly wave and smile from the pit marshal it was evident that Steve’s K series engine has been breathed upon.

As it warmed up, the typically high revving VVC engine acquitted itself very well on track; with the suspension set up with adjustable shocks and new bushes, the cornering of the MGF Trophy was very flat and predictable, stopping as well as it cornered with the EBC Red stuff brake pads on the front and Yellow stuff pads on the rear. Steve, who’s been with MGoT for about four years, has been out on the Silverstone GP circuit before with an instructor,

Steve Brand and his MGF Trophy

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FEATURE

Colin Carpenter and his high revving, track prepared MG ZS

Ray Willsher with his everyday MG, a ZR 160

and was soon showing me the lines he was taught which made for a smooth progressive drive. In no time at all I had learned my way round the GP circuit.

No sooner had we pulled in to the pit garage than I was out of the car and on my way to meet Ray Willsher who had brought his everyday car, a standard MG ZR 160 with 77k on the clock, along to the morning session. Ray kindly took me out in the next session.

From talking to a few of the guys that race ZRs I knew the standard ZR set up was brilliant and Ray’s car didn’t disappoint on track, holding its own against the other MGs out in the same session. Pulling back into the pits I shook Ray’s hand as he headed back off to work for the afternoon!

After a brief break to gather my breath I was off out in the very pretty 1970 MGB GT V8 conversion belonging to Doug Bond. Doug admits it’s more of a tourer but enjoys track days in his car, and has even driven to Belgium on a tour to drive the famous Spa circuit. Out on the track the car was very smooth, with the V8 delivering plenty of torque on the straights and out of the corners. The lines on the track were slightly different to the modern MGs with the leafsprings having a bit more give and producing a bit more bodyroll than the two cars I had been out in already. Interestingly the MGBs, MGAs and older all seemed to prefer similar lines to those that Doug took.

No sooner had I finished and thanked Doug. I was off out in another V8, this time it was the 450bhp supercharged SV-R belonging to MGoT Chairman Dave Pearce. As I strapped myself in to the harness I was pleasantly surprised at how roomy the car was. As we made our way out on track I soon found out that Dave knew how to handle the SV-R; the car was deceptively quick, with the supercharger constantly spinning with no lag the car made rapid progress especially along the two long straights, Hanger and Wellington and with stopping power to match the brake horse power I was grateful of being strapped in with the harness.

I had a brief respite until my last experience of the day as the owner of the Trophy Blue ZS 120, Colin Carpenter, sorted out the

Dave Pearce and his MG SV-R

passenger seat ready for me. Now, Colin’s car is no ordinary MG ZS, he’s owned it for eight years and it was his everyday car, but not anymore! Colin has turned it into a high revving trackcar, and to protect

Doug Bond and his MGB GT V8

his engine now has an MG TF as his everyday car. The car has been stripped out to get rid of unnecessary weight, and the suspension, brakes and tyres have all been uprated to handle the pressure the car is put under on the track. Under the bonnet it was clear to see that the 1.8k was no longer producing 120bhp, with throttle bodies and an Emerald ECU visible. Internally the engine had also been fettled with a VVC head and solid Piper Cams making a massive leap in horsepower to approx 200bhp. Once on track and warmed up the noise of the K series was incredible as the rev counter climbed into the red, passed 7000rpm and then passed 8000rpm; a red light flashed on at 8250rpm indicating a gear change was needed. Colin didn’t hang back and really made the most of his time on track.

For me the day was a wonderful experience. Everyone was friendly on and off track. Whilst on track it was noticeable how considerate all drivers were; as you approached a slower car they moved to the right whilst indicating when it was safe to do so to allow you to pass.

As the day drew to a close I thanked MGs on Track for their hospitality and vowed to see them on Track soon, definitely a day never to forget.

An MGF enjoying track time on the Silverstone GP circuit.

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www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:36

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22/05/2015 12:48

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

TRIPLE M NEWSLETTER

Triple M Newsletter

Welcome to the

Welcome to the start of Summer with a bumper MMM offering.

This month I’m spoiled for choice, so rather than report on Hawke Jnrs’ continuing efforts in maintaining MMMs (must be doing something right, as the diff held together for the Kimber) we have reports on the resurrected MMM racing at Brands (thank you Mark D), the ever popular Kimber Classic Trial and an appetiser for next year’s touring event in Ireland, courtesy of Simon Johnson. So, without more ado – enjoy:

MGCC Brands Hatch & Mary Harris Trophy Race (Photos Colin Murrell & Onno Konemann)

I think I will start with a huge thank you to all involved for putting this fantastic weekend together: the Register, MGCC, Brands, Racers and Friends. Just brilliant.

It all started on Saturday evening with a welcome BBQ in the paddock. Great to meet up with everyone over a beer and

a plateful of meat. Thanks to the Potters for the bulk of the BBQ fodder but prize of the event has to go to FOZ for the world record slab of cow!

Overnight the heavens opened, which actually helped drown out the din from the M20 for those camping, but it had not cleared for practice. Most of us had not driven at Brands before and the others had not been there for many a year. It’s a thrilling circuit, short but challenging but most importantly very well suited to our cars.

So practice was very tentative, with everyone finding their feet in the very wet slippery conditions. However it was perhaps the most fun I have had in the PB for a long while, gradually getting the feel as the car slithered around the circuit. Every single car completed the practice distance without a glitch and we all successfully returned to the paddock, in hope of a dry afternoon.

Lunch was superb, everybody contributing to a feast of a buffet. A fantastic social occasion and great to see so many new and old faces enjoying the day. As we munched our way through the goodies, the weather cleared and we were all set for a bright and sunny afternoon’s racing.

Racing cars, Sports cars and even Trials cars! A healthy MMM grid enjoys the sunshine at Brands

www.mgcc.co.uk

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JUNE 2015

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NEWSLETTER TRIPLE M

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

15 cars took to the grid for Race 1, a 20 minute scratch race, with the following awards up for grabs.

• Mary Harris Trophy (Closed Handicap) • Kimber Trophy First place overall • Don Moore Trophy – Fastest unblown 4 cylinder car It was to be Charles Jones in the L that set the pace, comfortably stretching out the lead to take the Kimber Trophy and First overall. Behind him the start was more frantic. Clint Smith and K3008 was slow away and was quickly overhauled into Paddock bend by a number of the 4 cylinder cars. Despite being shown the Black and Orange flag (in the end was just water exiting the very hot K3) Clint gained places back up to fourth place. Barry foster took second, holding off the flying Richard Frankel in K3001.

Hamish McNinch, in his return to the track following last year’s acrobatics, went quicker lap after lap to take the unblown PA across the line and take the Don Moore Trophy. After the Castrol R had settled, David Downes was announced as the 2015 Mary Harris Trophy Winner on handicap in the NA. Richard Frankel was award driver of the race for his really quick performance in the K3.

A brilliant 20 minute race, with everyone completing the distance!

Race 1 (16) 1. 99 2. 17 3. 42 4. 98 5. 14 6. 30 7. 199 8. 7 9. 3 10. 23 11. 40 12. 22 13. 6 14. 20 15. 10

Charles Jones Barry Foster Richard Frankel Clint Smith Fred Boothby Thijs de Groot Duncan Potter Mark Dolton Andrew Moorland David Downes Jane Metcalfe Oliver Richardson Chris Cadman Andy King Hamish McNinch

L Magna C Type K3001 K3008 J2 PB C Type PB L1 NA NA C Type C Type PB Cream Cracker PA

As we assembled for Race Two, David Downes was nearly disqualified for attempting to race in his ‘loafers’, clearly distracted after the celebrations from race one. Much the same followed up front, with Charles repeating his dominance, his first race in 18 months, but neither he nor the car showed any rustiness!! Again behind him in the pack, the start was just as entertaining. The red lights seemed on forever, with a few slight creepers rolling down

the hill.

Both K3s again had slow getaways, allowing the nimble 4 cylinder cars to fly past into Paddock Hill bend. I even had a cheeky look round Thijs on the outside into Druids, but the Orange PA had too much power and left me back down the hill. I was eventually overhauled by the quicker K3s and Duncan Potter in the C Type. But this time the K3s didn’t make the end, K3008 suffering a blower drive failure, and K3001 struggled with electrics. Barry Foster and the RAT was pushed hard, still recovering from the South African Cruise, so Thijs gave him a real run for his money. The race was ended a few laps early due to a timekeeping error but after a long day’s racing we were all happy to see the chequered flag. The commentary team voted Thijs De Groot as driver of the race for his great effort against the RAT. I simply loved the warm down lap, really enthusiastic marshals applauded us in to end a truly terrific day out on track. Back in the paddock, we settled in for a champagne reception and the awards.

Race 2 (20) 1. 99 2. 17 3. 30 4. 14 5. 199 6. 7 7. 3 8. 40 9. 22 10. 6 11. 10 12. 23 13. 20 DNF • 42 • 98

Charles Jones Barry Foster Thijs de Groot Fred Boothby Duncan Potter Mark Dolton Andrew Moorland Jane Metcalfe Oliver Richardson Chris Cadman Hamish McNinch David Downes Andy King

L Magna C Type PB J2 C Type PB L1 NA C Type C Type PA NA PB Cream Cracker

Richard Frankel Clint Smith

K3001 K3008

We combined some of the Register Championship awards with the MGCC race awards, which meant everyone picked up their awards in person. A great amendment to the annual celebrations. Awards were kindly presented by Bill Silcock and Anne Alison, after our Competition Secretary had confirmed the results with the MGCC timekeepers.

K3008 in the hands of Clint Smith takes to a UK race track for the first time in decades

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www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:37

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

TRIPLE M NEWSLETTER

J2396 complete with carrier bag swims through Alham Splash – the passenger is not that tall, just well clear of the seat

The Kimber Classic Trial (Photos Derek Richards)

This year’s trial also marked the 80th year of the ‘Cream Crackers’ Trials Teams, so as any excuse for a party will suffice, a reunion (the first in 25 years) of available cars and luminaries was held to coincide with the event. We were blessed with fine weather for the most part (only the odd shower or two) and a fine day’s sport along the highways and byways of Somerset. The day was full of all the usual minor dramas as crews progressed along the route, which this year included Seldon Hill, as well as all the usual ‘favourites’. A hurried start from home the previous day resulted in my forgetting to pack my ‘secret weapon’ for Alham Splash. This ‘Demon Tweak’ is an old walking gaiter, which I simply zip around the distributor and seems to have served me well, so I swear by it. Its absence was only noticed as we awaited our turn through the puddle… Panic followed as nothing more than a carrierbag could be found in the back of the car, so this was wrapped round the electrics, held in place with a bit of masking tape and we duly took the plunge. The result?

Straight through without a stutter at a half decent speed (for me at any rate)! This and the added “mod of the day” – twin spare wheel carrier found in the back of the garage – enabled J2396 to walk off with first in class (twin spare wheels are now the only mod to have). However all the MMMs were beaten by of all things – a TA, for the Kimber Trophy. Still, the car does have ‘proper’ rear trunions and is a

www.mgcc.co.uk

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‘real’ Cream Cracker to boot, so well done Derek Pearce and BBL 80.

The Saturday evening saw a larger than normal dinner gathering with a succession of entertaining speakers, Steve Dear in particular rolling back the

years with just the odd joke or two thrown in for good measure! A commemorative booklet for the reunion has been produced

by Jonathan Toulmin and (by the time you read this) will be available from the Register online shop.

Kim Jenkins in the ex-John Bevington M Type (newly liberated from France) looking relaxed after the Seldon Hill re-start

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NEWSLETTER TRIPLE M

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

2016 Ulster Triple-M Tour

When people think of MG’s racing successes in Ulster, it’s the Ards TT that springs to mind and in particular the titanic battle between Tazio Nuvolari in the K3 and ‘Hammy’ Hamilton in the J4 in 1933. And while MG’s three victories at Ards were very impressive, these weren’t the only successes that MG had in Ulster in the 1930s. The driving force behind motor sport in the Province in those days was the Ulster Automobile Club (UAC), one of whose founders was Harry Ferguson (of tractor and four wheel drive fame), and the UAC promoted a variety of motoring events throughout the 1930s in which MGs generally featured prominently. Ulster was (and still is) the only part of the UK where roads could be closed for motor racing and the UAC organised races, hill climbs and trials, some of which are still run to this day. Of the hill climbs, Craigantlet is the best known since it is still a round of the British Hill Climb Championship, but there was also Ballybannon, Red Brae and Croft, the latter also in use to this day. There were also the County Down and International Trophy races which were held over three different road circuits in the 1930s, so plenty for the enthusiastic local MG driver to get involved in.

And involved they were. Regulars included Victor Ferguson, MG’s main agent in Ulster, who competed in a C Type (thought to be C0263, RX 8306) in 1931 and had the use of the works development J2/J3 (J2024, JB 695)) in 1933; J.S.C. Cupples who competed in his J2 (J2034, JI 5504)); Flt. Lt. Briggs initially in a J2 (J3010, CZ 2093) and then in a K3 (K3020, JB 4184); Lloyd Cowdy and his sister Hilda in their L2 (L2004, BZ 1695); Ronnie Adams, winner of the Monte Carlo rally in a Mk VII Jaguar in 1956, in his special bodied L1 Coupe (no chassis number known but registered CZ 4487); Ernie Robb in his J4 (J4003); Oscar Patterson in a supercharged PB (PB0648, EZ 2444), the Limerick Grand Prix winning car; and Malcolm Fleming in his County Down Trophy winning PA (PA0456, CZ 4790).

From across the water, Stan Hailwood competed in C0269 at both Craigantlet and Ards in 1931 and Cecil Kimber himself competed at Craigantlet in 1932 in a C Type (C0257 – Hoodoo) shared with Elsie Wisdom. Eddie Hall tackled Craigantlet in his K3 (K3006, AGO 507) in 1933, 1934 and 1935 and Maurice Toulmin competed there in his Cream Cracker trials MGs in 1934, 1935, 1936 (PA0337, TJ 5000), 1937 (TA0930, ABL 960) and 1938 (TA2017, BBL 78). In fact

Maurice Toulmin and PA0337 on the start line at Craigantlet

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Victor Ferguson (J2024) on the start line at Ballybannon

Maurice Toulmin was the most prolific MG competitor at Craigantlet with appearances in five consecutive years. Craigantlet was scheduled a week before the TT so that there was a real ‘Speed Week’ in Ulster although in fact, of the visiting MG drivers only Stan Hailwood and Eddie Hall ever competed in both events.

So for today’s Triple-M owner who has any interest in MG’s competition history, Ulster is a treasure trove of hidden gems of MG lore beyond the glamour of the TT, and that’s even before we get to the stunning scenery and fabulous country roads seemingly designed for our cars. After Touring Events in England, Wales and Scotland in recent years it seemed only natural to venture across the water from the ‘mainland’ to see what made Ulster such an attraction for MG in the 1930s.

So next year, the Triple-M Tour will be in Ulster from June 7-12. We have a packed programme under preparation which will take in the incredible scenery of the Causeway Coastal Route, the drumlins of County Down, Slemish Mountain and the Antrim Hills as well as the motor sport venues of Craigantlet, Ards, Ballybannon and Ballyclare. And we might even have time for a lap (not at racing speeds, please!) of Dundrod, the fastest road race circuit in the world with a lap record of 134mph and a race average of 132mph!

But not content with offering stunning scenery and a chance to visit truly historic MG racing venues, we have also teamed up with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the Thoroughbred Sports Car Club of Northern Ireland to commemorate MG’s Ulster successes by having a theme for the 2016 Cultra Hill Climb in the grounds of the Museum, of Midgets, Magnas and Magnettes: the MGs that conquered Ulster. This will be the final day of the Tour and we hope to have a display of actual TT and Craigantlet MGs as well as the opportunity for a Parade Run up the hill. And of course anyone who would like to enter the event will be more than welcome as the MGCC is an invited Club.

We think this will be a pretty special event as there is quite simply nowhere else in Britain where MGs had such success on genuine road circuits and hill climbs as in Ulster, and every Triple-M enthusiast will feel at home there. And that’s even before we get to the food and drink!

There is an information page on the Triple-M Register website giving a bit more information about the programme and where you can register your interest in advance of entries opening early next year.

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:37

Parts for TA to TF 1936-55, YA YB YT, MGA & Magnette.

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Mike (with TD) & Paul (with MGA) outside our Ipswich premises

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22/05/2015 12:37

NEWSLETTER Y TYPE

Jerry Birkbeck jerrybirkbeck@btinternet.com Tel: 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325

Y Type Newsletter

Welcome to the

Our Spring Weekend will have been and gone by the time you read this – there will be a report next month. Now it’s June I am hopeful that you will all have been exercising your Ys. A few reminders of events this month.

The most significant is MGLive! June 2021 with the MG Y Type AGM at 2.30pm in Garage Zero, beneath the Race Control on the Saturday at Silverstone.

I have included a rather diverse set of photographs and information drawn in part from our website and others from photographs that I took last year.

Neil Cairns, our informative and very knowledgeable Technical Guru has added a great deal of really useful articles to the Register website. I thought it might be handy to promote this to a wider audience of Y owners – not all of whom necessarily have access to the World Wide Web. I have chosen the topics at random and the first is a look at fitting disc brakes to a Y. We are all only too aware that the braking systems of our cars, whilst efficient, are occasionally tested! Neil has written an excellent article on fitting disc brakes (What – on a Y?) which some of you might like to comment upon. This is followed by a `How to fit telescopic dampers’ with photographs from the late Alf Luckman.

Telescopic dampers on a Y Type

These four photos are from Australian Y Type enthusiasts, collected by the late Alf Luckman. They are to give you some idea of how to fit them should you want to. You would need to remove the valves from the front suspension lever-arm damper to make the damper into just a well lubricated upper wishbone. Failure to remove it will give your almost solid front suspension. Cut off the bit with the springs on it, making the valve into a simple ‘plug’, and refit it once you have filled it with SAE 20 oil. The rear lever-arm one would need removing completely. Such a modification would need your insurance informing, who might insist upon an engineer’s report as this is quite a primary safety issue for them.

Telescopic dampers do improve the suspension but it is up to you if you think the expense and work are necessary. No one sells kits to be able to fit these dampers, so you have to fabricate your own brackets and fixings.

Fitting disc brakes to a Y Type

For a change this is quite an easy modification. You will need the suspension from an MGB, the damper, king pin and lower wishbone. These items will line up with your YB and you get the disc brake free! The YT and YA have a different geometry and will require the extra lowering bracket that the inner end of the spring pan bolts to. If you want to go really posh and have ventilated discs, find an MG RV8 as those bits also fit as a whole unit. You will require a brake servo to operate the ‘harder’ disc pads and a bigger fluid reservoir to cope with the extra that fills the pistons in the brakes’ calipers. Your normal master cylinder volume is totally insufficient. Alas you can now only fit 14’ MGB wheels as the stud spacings are wrong on both YA and YB hubs, and the wheel dish will not clear the calipers. (An MGB rear axle is not difficult to fit to our springs, though you may need to move the spring pads).

Of course as Neil mentions the change means you can now only fit 14’ MGB wheels as the stud spacings are wrong on both YA and YB hubs, and the wheel dish will not clear the callipers.

However, it is a route, should you follow it, to fitting wire wheels, which would totally transform the appearance of the Y. An example

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can be seen on Richard Prior’s Y on the IMGY Register Ys on Parade site.

Your views and examples of any folk who have undertaken such a conversion, we would love to hear from you. (Contact me by email or phone me – see my contact details on the header page.

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:37

Jerry Birkbeck jerrybirkbeck@btinternet.com Tel: 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325

Y TYPE NEWSLETTER

Ys alive!

I include a number of photographs of Ys taken over the last year.

This selection of photos was from three events held in 2014 where there was a presence of Ys – the bi-annual Churchill Classic Car Show, MGLive! and the Classic Tour of Mid Wales.

Peter Sharp reflects on the early stages of the 2014 MGCC Y Register Summer gathering Classic Tour of Mid Wales , whilst Dave Jones fettles in the background.

‘Now where did I put the fizz?’

Jo looking for a certain bottle for guests Ian and partner Nita as they await their lunch during the Churchill 2014 event.

‘ It’s going really well and it’s great to see so many Ys over the weekend’

‘It’s not that far Keith to base – and they do a jolly good tea!’

A set of Ys leads the invasion of the French Coast for the Brittany 2012 trip

Jo Birkbeck discussing how to get back to base with Keith Harris in his wonderful YB on the Mid Wales Jaunt

Y Type AGM

Will be held at 12:30 on Saturday June 20. At MGLive!, Silverstone in pit garage zero under race control.

Agenda 1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of 2014 AGM 3. Matters arising from 2014 AGM and adoption of minutes 4. Chairman’s report 5. Treasurer Report

www.mgcc.co.uk

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6. Registrar’s report 7. Election of Officers 8. Election of Committee members 9. AOB Nominations and motions for debate, duly proposed and seconded. Should be forwarded to; The Secretary, Chris Callaghan, 16 Cherry Tree Close, Southmoor, Oxon. OX13 5BE. To arrive no later than 1 week prior to date of meeting.

Victor Rodrigues surveys the scene before returning to Switzerland at the end of the Brittany 2012 Trip

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NEWSLETTER Y TYPE

Jerry Birkbeck jerrybirkbeck@btinternet.com Tel: 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325

Robert Taylor’s YA

My name is Robert Taylor. At the beginning of June this year, I bought YB0640 UMG 804, from Andrew Maxey. The car was meant to be a prop; we, that’s my wife and I, are into the vintage scene, be it fashions, dances or re-enactment events, even bric-a-brac for the home. The car has joined the valve driven wireless, the Wurlitzer juke box, the GPO landline telephone, one of those finger dial contraptions that doesn’t have touchtone technology, and a whole plethora of other stuff. The pre-war push bikes are always a talking point. We go to retro weekend events like the Twinwood Festival. Google it if you haven’t heard of it.

Owning a vintage classic is something new to us, and as such, we have started going to one or two classic shows. At first I thought that it was the car that was turning heads, but later realised that no-one gets dressed up in a vintage double breasted suit, completing the outfit with two tone shoes and fedora hat. Fancy upstaging a classic MG, who would have thought?

One of Neil Coombes’ YTs Many Y followers will know, or know of Neil Coombes. Neil is a serial collector and ongoing restorer of a number of Ys and YTs in particular. I have lost count of those that he repatriated from the US. This YT is an example, straight out of the container, that he is currently involved with. I never cease to be amazed by the range of very diverse skills that some classic car owners have. Neil is an example of one such individual. We are hoping to see the outcome of his work either later this year or early next year. Well done Neil!

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www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:37

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www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 49

TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS

Oselli is over 50 years old In celebration we moved in 2012 to brand new premises of 9000+ sq ft.

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Other Tubular long branch exhaust Oselli cast rocker cover £175 Weber carb kit £695 Performance distributor £195 Head and engines supplied on an exchange basis Prices subject to VAT

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22/05/2015 12:58

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

ZRZSZT NEWSLETTER

ZRZSZT Newsletter

Welcome to the

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2015. The Register has had a great start to the year with some memorable events.

It began with the MG & Triumph Spares Day and the mindblowing tenth Pride of Longbridge gathering – a landmark event which made you feel proud to be there. Looking ahead we have MGLive! later this month followed by the MG Saloon Day in July which is continuing to take shape. We are distributing A5 flyers, and a Facebook invitation has been produced for this event. Further information will be published in next month’s notes.

Events & shows The annual Pride of Longbridge gathering took place on April 18 in Cofton Park. But this was no ordinary event. This year marked the tenth anniversary of the closure of the former MG Rover factory, bringing the production of our wonderful cars and over one hundred years of car production to a premature end. In the months prior to the event we knew that the day was going to be huge and it certainly was that. Fortunately we were blessed by warm spring weather. We were located on the far side of the park which gave a good indication of how many cars were expected – the area was vast. The gates were opened at 10am and it took a good two and a half hours for all the visitors to enter, causing queues on the surrounding roads! The variety of cars was amazing, ranging from the earliest vintage Austin models, through the years to the latest spec MG6. I should say at this point that the number of Zeds was staggering, and without bias one of the best represented group of cars on the day. With all the visitors in, the event area was full.

As a salute to the MG Rover era a Monogram display had been organised jointly by Justin Smith and included a mixture of 54 Zeds/Fs/TFs representing 22 of the original 32 colours from the Monogram programme. There were some very rare colours and unique cars involved. Grouped in a colourful order, a very striking display was produced. Many thanks to everyone involved. It has been mentioned elsewhere that over 4,000 cars were counted through the gates. It was certainly the largest turnout of cars we’ve seen at this event.

AGM

Due to unforeseen circumstances our planned AGM on May 2 had to be postponed. We aim to have our AGM at Silverstone during the MGLive! weekend. The AGM notice is published on the news page of this issue.

Moving forward to the weekend of May 3-4, we arrive at Brands Hatch for the next rounds of the 2015 racing championship. The Indy circuit hosted 32 starters in the first rounds of the Trophy Championship over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Chris Bray concentrated on preparing rather than driving ZRs and Paul Luti switching to the 170 class didn’t take away the usual close racing however. Overall the Trophy race turned into a three way contest between Cody Hill, Ross Makar and Doug Cole. Cody Hill qualified in pole and took the dry race on Saturday by 0.6 seconds ahead of Makar and Cole. The first two places were reversed in the wet on Sunday morning, with a winning margin of just 0.2 seconds.

ZRs were well represented in the 22-strong Peter Best Insurance race on the Sunday which included on ZS. All in all we could see a record number of Zeds racing on this famous track. The racing action continues at MGLive! later this month.

Cody Hill and Ross Makar battle it out at Brands. Photo: Adam Sloman

A monogram lineup at the Pride of Longbridge event. Photo: Andy Knott

www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER ZRZSZT

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

A Class of its own

The MG ZT 260 and ZT-T 260 Story In the autumn of 1998 the then BMW owned Rover Group launched the new Rover 75 at the Birmingham Motor Show.

Over the next two years the Rover 75 became well established and respected in the car market. A number of awards in various motoring categories were accumulated during this time. In May 2000, following the sale of the remaining heritage marques by BMW to the Phoenix Consortium, production of the Rover 75 was transferred from Cowley to Longbridge. By early October 2000 full production of the Rover 75 had resumed at the Birmingham factory. An early decision by the new MG Rover management team was to go ahead with the estate or tourer version of the Rover 75.

The design had been produced alongside the saloon version but never reached fruition under BMW ownership. Another decision was to develop a sportier version. The project was headed by Rob Oldaker, Product Development Director, with styling changes by Peter Stevens producing the new MG ZT and ZT-T. These new models were well received by the motoring press and public alike and soon began to out-sell their Rover cousins. The ZT 190 model incorporating the smooth and powerful KV6 engine proved especially popular and was considered the top-of-the-range model until a ground-breaking announcement was made during the spring of 2003.

Originally known as the X12 and X13 for the saloon and tourer version respectively, the new ZT 260 was destined to become the range-topping ZT and ultimately a real driver’s car. A Rover with a V8 engine wasn’t a new idea, but the engine for the new ZT 260 would come from a 2004 model spec Ford Mustang. The 4.6 litre engine and gearbox from the Mustang GT incorporates a cast iron engine block with alloy cylinder heads. Each bank of four cylinders has a single camshaft with two valves per cylinder developing an overall output of 260bhp. Power to the road is taken through a heavy 5-speed manual gearbox to a limited slip differential. Up to this point every MG ZT model had been a front wheel drive car with a transverse engine. With such a big engine up front it was necessary to re-engineer the car so that the V8 engine sat longitudinally with rear wheel drive. The re-engineering work was initially undertaken by Prodrive, a Banbury-based company who had experience building racing cars for various motoring manufacturers. However problems were encountered and the cars were completed by MG Rover. The work saw an almost complete redesign of the floor-pan to accommodate the engine

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A MkI MG ZT V8 260 on track at Donington Park

MG have completely redesigned the chassis to create a rear wheel drive car with memorable poise and classic muscle car handling, if you love to drive then you’ll love to drive the awesome new ZT and ZT-T 260s... *From the 2004 anniversary brochure and transmission tunnel for the final drive to the rear wheels. The suspension remained virtually unaltered at the front but at the rear a new fully independent set-up was designed. The alterations to the floor-pan for the transmission tunnel made it necessary to reduce the size of the footwells with the spare wheel space being taken by the new rear suspension and drive. The ZT 260 doesn’t come with a spare wheel for this reason. The battery and HiLine radio modules, if fitted, were located in the spare wheel well. More alterations were required with the steering. A new design was necessary to move the rack forward to clear the engine. The front

MG ZT 260 interior with a subtle V8 badge, Monogram Royal Blue Fascia and Blue Alcantara seats

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 12:58

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

brake callipers were moved to the back of the discs because of this modification. The brakes themselves were those from a ZT 190 but with 325mm vented discs. The rear brakes were uprated to 332mm vented discs with alloy callipers. The ZT260 uses the same 18” alloy wheels as the other ZT models, but because of the extra load only the ‘Straight’ and ‘Apex’ designs were used.

The 11-spoke ‘Apex’ wheels were standard on the facelift non-SE cars. Tyre specifications remained unchanged.

Originally planned for release late in 2002, the launch was delayed until September 2003. The finished car from the outside looks like the standard ZT and ZT-T models. It’s hard to believe so much re-engineering work had gone on under the surface.

Only the badges and quad exhaust pipes give the game away.

The difference in the exhaust note speaks for itself! When first launched the ZT 260 was available in ten standard body colours.

The shades included the bright Trophy Blue and the eye-catching Solar Red as well as the more traditional British Racing Green.

The Monogram programme of 2002 took the range of colour possibilities to an even greater level. There were three types of paint finish available: Chromactive, Kinetic and Supertallic. The cost to the customer varied depending on option chosen. But round figure-wise Supertallic paint would be an additional £1,000, and up to £2,100 for a Chromactive finish. With all this choice of trim and colour options it was possible to create a truly individual car.

One hundred and thirteen ZT 260s were produced in Monogram colours (see table). In mid 2004 some revisions were made to the original standard colours with some being discontinued and replaced with similar shades.

The ZT and ZT-T 260 underwent a facelift during the spring of 2004 by Peter Stevens. Peter and his design team were responsible for the McLaren F1. The new MG styling was designed to reflect that of the new MG SV V8 supercar which had recently been unveiled at Birmingham Motorshow. The twin-headlight design of the original Rover 75/MG ZT design was replaced with completely redesigned headlights and bumper to give the car more modern look. The rear of the ZT 260 received slight profile change to the redesigned bumper. Similar external styling alterations were made to the Rover 75. The interior of the ZT also saw minor alterations.

The first of the face-lifted ZT and ZT-T models began appearing from March 2004.

The MkII MG ZT-T 260 SE

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 53

ZRZSZT NEWSLETTER

MG ZT XPower 385

Brief mention should be made to the Rover 75 V8 which was introduced the same time as the facelift models. These were available in both a saloon or tourer version and designed with classic Rover comfort rather than the MG sportiness in mind. The layout of the Rover was effectively the same as the MG, using most of same components. One mechanical difference was the addition of a Mustang four-speed automatic gearbox. This gearbox would have become an option on the ZT 260 in the UK had MG Rover not gone into receivership. However some ZT 260s exported to Australia did have the automatic gearbox. A development we never got the chance to experience.

Number crunching The total number of Mustang-engined V8 cars built was 883. I word it like that because the Rover V8s were built under the same X12 and X13 code names respectively. The build-data information from the database shows gaps in the MG VINs and doesn’t run numerically. This would suggest that the VINs were allocated to Rover cars which were built alongside the MG version.

Model VIN Off Assembly Line Model Year Home/Export Country Exterior Paint Interior Trim Engine Body Type Manual/Auto Hand of Drive

First ZT V8 MG ZT 260SE RXGLGB3D000002 08/07/2002 16.08:50 2002 Home Great Britain Starlight Silver Ash/Dark Smokestone 4.6 V8 260ps ZT M RHD

First ZT-T V8 MG ZT-T 260SE RXGLGB3000004 18/07/2002 12.50:32 2002 Home Great Britain XPower Grey Ash/Dark Smokestone 4.6 V8 260ps ZT-T M RHD

Model VIN Off Assembly Line Model Year Home/Export Country Exterior Paint Interior Trim Engine Body Type Manual/Auto Hand of Drive

Last ZT V8 Last ZT-T V8 MG ZT 260SE MG ZT-T 260SE RXGLGB000883 RXGTGN000872 18/05/2005 11.53:42 23/03/2005 14.18:47 2005 2005 Home Export Great Britain Belgium Pearl Black Starlight Silver Sports PPH Black Sports PPH Black 4.6 V8 260ps 4.6 V8 260ps ZT ZT-T M M RHD LHD

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NEWSLETTER ZRZSZT

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

Monogram MG ZT V8s and ZT-T V8s

Press image of the Rover 75 V8

The quad tailpipes and subtle V8 badges on the wings show that this car means business

Interestingly VIN 001 was allocated to the MG XPower ZT 500 concept model which effectively brought the V8 version to a production reality. It was built with a 500bhp 32-valve supercharged version of the Mustang engine driving a six-speed gearbox. This car was saved by the MG Owners Club and is on display in their showroom.

VIN 014 was allocated to the Ultimate (Engineer Vehicle). This ZT-T was built with a 385bhp supercharged version of the Mustang engine and was completed in December 2002 and finished in Starlight Silver.

For further information about the MG ZT 260s please contact our Register ZT/ZT V8 Representative Colin Murrell cotswold@ mgfregister.org

Atmosphere Aubergine Aurora Bacchus Biomorphic Bittersweet Black Olive Caladonian Celestial Chagall Chatsworth Dark Fantasy Garnet Glacier Gulf Stream Horizon Jubilee Lagoon Mirage Moody Blue Moonshine Nightshade Nocturne Orange Grove Poseidon Saffron Shot Silk Spectre Spice Sunspot Twilight Typhoon Total

ZT V8 1 0 1 0 2 4 9 1 4 8 2 1 4 0 1 0 0 1 8 0 2 5 4 0 4 1 3 3 0 0 4 14 87

ZT-T V8 0 1 1 0 2 0 3 0 0 3 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 26

Total 1 1 2 0 4 4 12 1 4 11 4 2 4 0 2 0 0 1 9 1 2 5 5 0 8 1 3 4 0 0 4 18 113

MG ZT 260 V8 SE with Monogram Aurora paintwork

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RACE TORQUE

Race Torque

The stunning Triple M cars at Brands Hatch. Photo: Chris Phillips

by Ron Gammons

T

he Club’s Brands Hatch meeting was a resounding success, good grids, good racing and apart from the Sunday morning good weather. I won’t steal too much of the main race report but suffice to say that it was a delight to see the MMM cars of one of our earliest Registers, out with the Club again. They had a pretty wet practice but the sun certainly shone on them for their two races on the Sunday. The crowd, and there was a goodly number present, expressed their appreciation after each race and so did the marshals, all of which went to make the event worthwhile. Well done everybody, it was a real treat to see you all there. The atmosphere in the paddock around the MMM encampment was excellent as well, with the cars arranged on display for all to see.

Great stuff. It was noteworthy also that a number of our other groups had a small gathering around motorhomes and trailers way into the evening on the Saturday. That’s what Club motor racing is all about, good driving and friendships forged around gatherings such as there were at Brands.

Mention must be made of the last race on the Sunday, a Challenge race between the BCV8, Trophy and the Midgets. Each were allowed up to ten entries but with the best eight from each to count, with points allocated on the 24 for the winner, 23 for second and so on. The group with the greatest number won and so on. The Challengers, the Trophy Championship were pretty sure their fleet ZR190 would have the legs, but in the event there were not enough of those available and the mighty V8s carried the day against the ZRs, leaving Trophy second and the Midgets, by only three points, 83 to 86, were third. But what a cracking race and there were a number of giant killings within, but I had better leave that to the main report!

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This magazine may arrive just before the Club’s meeting at Donington on May 31. As we close for press the entries are still coming in but the signs are that this will be another superb meeting, well worth considering attendance at.

June 20-21 see us all at Silverstone for the Club’s major meeting of the year, entries are pouring in, so spare a thought for our Race Competition Secretary John Hutchison who is grappling with the entries for both events as well as dealing with the programme and a host of other items that go into the organisation of the Club’s motor racing programme.

After we had closed for press came the exceptionally sad news of the death of Dr Rod Longton, there will be a tribute to Rod in the next issue. Rod was one of the stalwarts of BCV8 over many many years, his is a great loss to all. Our sincere sympathies to the family.

Dr Rod Longton

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COMPETITIONS

Brands Hatch brilliant racing

Busy

weekend produces

By Martin Price

T

58

Graham Coles (MGA) and John Pearson (MGB) battle it out in the Equipe GTS Race.

the first time, having made superb starts.

This order remained for a few tours, but on lap six, Hill powered past Burgess to claim second place, Makar also cashing in on the action and stealing third spot for himself. Hill then set about putting pressure on Cole and successfully forged his way past on lap nine. After this, he built an unassailable lead, taking the flag by over 4.6 seconds from Cole; Makar was third, ahead of Burgess and Fraser-Burns.

Andrew Ashton took Class C and Harker took the Class D victory.

Their second encounter was the Sunday morning opener and we had endured quite a bit of rain earlier on, so the track was rather damp. Ross Makar made the best get away, with Hill, Cole, Burgess and Luti in line astern. Hill tried hard to take the lead, but Makar was in no mood for that to happen, despite constant challenges. We had a very brief safety car period at the lap seven mark and again on lap ten when we lost Burgess from fourth. This gifted the place to a hard charging Luti, who was revelling in the damp conditions in his new 170. Makar continued to lead when the safety car came in and he powered his way to the flag, despite the best efforts of Hill and Cole. Luti finished a superb fourth place and Paul Bryson took the Class D spoils.

he Club’s racing action moved to Kent for the second round of the season, to the 1.2 mile Indy Circuit at Brands Hatch. Unfortunately, the Mallory Park weather was forecast to follow us, but that did little to dampen the spirits of the packed 22-race weekend programme. Qualifying on Saturday was fairly uneventful and the action kicked off with the first of two races. Peter Morris took pole position from Mark McAleer by just 0.495 seconds, both driving 996s; Kevin Harrison and Karim Moudi shared row two. As the lights went out for race one Fuel Protect Porsche Club Championship, Peter Morris made a superb start and headed the rest into Paddock Hill Bend and up to Druids for the first time. However, the action soon continued behind the safety car for several laps, whilst the Cayman of Sullivan was extricated from the gravel trap at Paddock Hill Bend. When racing resumed, Morris fought off the McAleer challenges to maintain his lead. The order was to remain unaltered to the flag, Morris

taking the victory from McAlleer, Harrison, Wilkins and Winter.

Their second race saw McAleer take the lead at the start and it was now Morris’s turn to try to pressurise the leader, but despite only metres separating them, McAleer held his advantage until another period of safety car slowed proceedings.

When the safety car pulled off, there was only time for four more laps and Morris tried everything he could to take the lead, including a dying-seconds dive up the inside, but the flag declared McAleer the winner. Winter took third, ahead of Harrison and Dyer.

Next on track was the first of two races in the Maxie MG Trophy Championship and there were a few changes from last season’s line up.

Australian Cody Hill made the best of qualifying, snatching pole position by 0.75 seconds. Andrew Ashton was the fastest Class C qualifier and Jonathan Harker was quickest in Class D. When the lights went out, it was Doug Cole and Jason Burgess who headed the rest into Paddock Hill for

The Dick Jacobs special MG of Stuart Dean, MGCC Invitation 50s Sports Car Race.

Martin Morris leads the pack in the Midget and Sprite Challenge Race

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Richard Bukley (20) and Andrew Ashton (97) dicing in the MG Trophy Race

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COMPETITIONS

It was the turn of the Avalanche Motorsport BCV8 Championship next with the first of their two races. Russell McCarthy took pole from brother, Spencer, with Ollie Neaves and Rob Spencer on row two. Ken Deamer was the quickest of Class C; Ben Tovey led Class B and Simon Tinkler headed Class AB. However, when the lights went out, it was Rob Spencer who surged into the immediate lead, as Russell McCarthy seemed to bog down slightly on the line, but he managed to claim second spot as they went up to Druids, with Neaves, Spencer McCarthy and Simon Cripps scrapping behind. On lap three, Russell McCarthy pulled off a great move, approaching Druids, to take the lead. Ollie Neaves held on to third place, but soon came under fire from a flying Simon Cripps, who stole third place on lap six. Unfortunately, on lap 13, Cripps slowed and was forced to retire, giving the place to Neaves. In the meantime, the battle for the lead still raged, between McCarthy and Spencer. Russell McCarthy took the flag 1.6 seconds clear of Rob Spencer, with Ollie Neaves a great third place in front of Spencer McCarthy. Ken Deamer was the Class C winner and Ben Tovey hung on to the Class B victory, with John Wreghitt taking the Class AB spoils.

Their second race began much as the first had, Rob Spencer outpacing Russell McCarthy in the opening lap, but then McCarthy surging ahead, this time going into Paddock Hill Bend. As Russell McCarthy began to pull out a sizeable lead, a grand scrap developed between Rob Spencer and James Wheeler. Soon, Simon Cripps made it a threesome and stole third place from Fowler before spinning into Paddock Hill Bend, scattering Fowler into the gravel as he tried to miss contact. This brought out the safety car.

When racing resumed Spencer McCarthy was just ahead of Wheeler and Cripps, to claim an excellent second place, behind his brother; James Wheeler ended up in third place. Ben Tovey finished a superb sixth place overall to win Class B. Simon Tinkler took the Class AB win in his trusty MGB GT. It was the turn of the MGCC Drayton Manor Park MG Metro Cup next on track with the first of their two races.

Ben Rushworth claimed pole from Mike Williams by just 0.14 seconds. It was poleman, Rushworth, who made the best start and he headed Williams and Sanderson into Paddock Hill Bend, but Williams slid ahead at Druids and held the lead. Rushworth briefly went in front on lap nine, as Williams initially looked as if he had made a mistake. Next time round

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Sanderson took the lead and Williams fell to third. This order remained until lap 14, when Williams dropped to fifth, promoting Trevett to fourth. Rushworth put more pressure on Sanderson in the last few laps, closing the gap between them, but unable to get near enough to take the win.

Philip Gough took the flag, beating Daren Angood for the Class B honours.

Their second race was held in damp conditions on Sunday morning and yet again we saw a great start from Mike Williams. He had Ashton close, with Sanderson, Trevett and Rushworth fighting it out behind. On their second lap, Sanderson slipped up the inside of Williams at Druids to take the lead.

Sanderson was now extending his lead over Williams and Rushworth, with Trevett still going very well in fourth, until lap 13 when Williams’ engine failed and he was forced to retire. Everyone moved up a place behind the leading Sanderson, who took the flag nearly 11 seconds clear of Rushworth. Mark Eales beat Tony Connell and Daren Angood to win Class B. We were treated to a superb grid of 27 beautiful motor cars for the first of the Equipe GTS races. Rob Cull took pole position by just 0.33 seconds in his TVR Grantura, ahead of the pretty little Elva Courier of Peter Barnard; Brian Arculus and Robin Ellis put a pair of Lotus Elites on row two; whilst row three saw the TR4s of Richard McKoen and Pete Foster. Cull took the early lead. Next time round, Arculus took second place from Barnard and he then set about catching the leader. Arculus pulled off a great move to take the lead from Cull. We then enjoyed an outstanding scrap between these two throughout the race until the TVR was forced to retire just a couple of laps from the end. This allowed Ellis to make it a Lotus Elite one two. We had enjoyed watching the progress of Paul Latimer’s MGB throughout the race and he climbed to a superb fourth place overall and was winner of Class 3. Colin Newbold was fifth overall, ahead of Graham Coles and John Yea. Their second encounter saw Arculus take the early lead from Ellis, Latimer, McKoen Yea, Newbold and Foster. This was an amazing opening lap from Foster, who had started on the 11th row of the grid, following his non-finish in race one.

On lap four, he took third place away from Latimer and next time round, Edney pushed Latimer down to fifth place. This order remained with the leading trio having a superb battle, until lap 12, when Foster made a successful bid for second place. He then put Arculus under extreme pressure for the lead, finally getting past

John Yea in his FIA MGB. Equipe GTS Race

on lap 15. Edney made a brief visit up to second spot before dropping back to fourth, whilst Ellis took second place and held onto it to the end, but was not quite able to pass Foster, who took the flag by a mere 0.2 seconds. Arculus finished third, ahead of Edney, Cull and McKoen.

However, all credit to Pete Foster for a fantastic drive from 21st to first, a great performance!

It was the turn of the BARC Cannons Tin Tops Championship next, and qualifying saw Tom Bridger take pole in his Rover 220 Turbo from Chris Whiteman’s Honda Civic. Terry Searles’ MG ZR 190 and the Honda Civic of Carey Lewis were on row two. It was a great scrap and as the last lap board was shown, as they exited Clearways and headed to Clark Curve, Bridger seemed to lose momentum and Whiteman powered past to take the flag by just over a second.

Their second race saw Colley lead the opening tour. Next time round, Bridger took the lead, with Whiteman in second place, ahead of Colley Osborne and Searles. Bridger and Whiteman again battled it out as they had done in the first race. But it was not to be for Bridger, as he was cruelly forced to retire on lap 12, allowing Whiteman to cruise to the flag for his second victory of the day.

Next on track was the first of two races in the MGCC Lackford Engineering MG Midget and Sprite Challenge and qualifying saw James Dunkley take pole from Paul Sibley by just 0.2 seconds.

As the lights went out, Dunkley headed the rest through Paddock Hill and up to Druids. Sibley was second, followed by Reeve, Morris, Campfield and Neat. Next time round, Sibley briefly took the lead, before Dunkley slipped ahead and an incident at Paddock Hill involving Actman and Bedford brought out the safety car.

When racing resumed on lap seven, Dunkley was put under extreme pressure

by Sibley, who managed to cruise past on their next lap. On the following tour, Morris pulled ahead of Dunkley and so did Reeve on lap ten. Slowly, but surely, Sibley pulled

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COMPETITIONS

away from Morris and, in turn, Morris edged clear of Reeve. They took the flag in this order, with Dunkley finishing fourth, in front of Campfield, who won Class E, Perry and Class B winner, Andy Southcott.

Their second race was on Sunday afternoon. This was called The Steve Everitt Memorial Trophy Race, held annually at Brands Hatch in memory of Steve, who was a stalwart competitor in this championship several years ago. James Dunkley made another superb start and he headed Martin Morris, Ed Reeve, Andy Southcott and Paul Campfield round on most of their opening tour. However, Morris had a great slingshot out of Clearways and into Clark, to claim the lead, as Dunkley slowed and retired. Sibley took fourth spot on lap two and went one better on lap three, putting Morris under pressure and going in front before the safety car was deployed.

During the safety car period, Sibley retired, allowing Reeve to inherit second place, with Campfield in third. Series sponsor, Robin Lackford, was up in fourth spot. Lackford slipped down the order a couple of places and Andy Southcott began to hassle son Chris for fourth place. Andy managed to get ahead with a couple of laps to go, taking the flag just 0.15 seconds in front. Somehow, I don’t think we have seen the last of this family battle.

A small, but rather select, grid went out to qualify in the MGCC 50s invitation Sports Car Race. Brian Arculus took pole in his beautiful Lotus MkIX, with the Lotus Elite of Robin Ellis alongside him.

Sadly, we lost a couple of T Types and to reduce the starting grid even further, the Arculus Lotus MkIX made it to the start, but failed to get away. Predictably, the Ellis Lotus Elite powered away with Jonathan Harmer’s TF in second place. Ellis took the flag followed by Gray, Dean and Harmer. A small grid, but nevertheless a superb sight.

The MGCC MMM Race had their qualifying session in the rain on Sunday morning, but they drove hard nevertheless and Charles Jones put his super L Type Magna on pole position, with the Montlhery Midget of Barry Foster alongside him. Two beautiful K3s occupied row two, driven by Clinton Smith and Richard Frankel; row three found the PA Special of Thijs De Groot and the J2 of Fred Boothby. In their first, Jones took the immediate lead and remained untroubled throughout. On lap 12, Frankel moved ahead of Foster, but the battle continued, with Foster recapturing second place on the final lap. Frankel was third with Smith snatching fourth, also on the final lap, from Boothby. De Groot was next to cross the line. With most of these motor cars over 80 years old, the racing was fantastic, what a wonderful sight and sound.

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David Downes pushing hard in the MG NA Magnette

Three MG Metros battle it out in the Metro Cup Race

Their second race was just as interesting, again Jones dominated from lights to flag, this time crossing the line over 42 seconds ahead of Foster. However, this time Foster had De Groot large in his mirror for all but the opening lap, with only tenths splitting them lap after lap. Foster took the flag just 0.655 seconds ahead, what a great scrap.

The BARC Motorsport News Saloon Car Championship provided a strong grid for their two races. Their first race had lots of action with Rod Birley in his Ford Escort WRC taking the flag by less than a second.

Their second race was much of the same; Rod Birley took the immediate lead.

The safety car was needed for a few tours and when racing resumed, Birley began to put daylight between himself and Wise in second place to clinch his second victory of the day.

In was now the turn of the Peter Best Insurance MG Cup, the Club’s only championship in which any model of MG can race, and a healthy grid went out to qualify. Oliver Coles took pole from Ed Davies, both driving MG ZRs. Another ZR, that of Tom Diment, was on row two with the MGB GT of Paul Eales. However, when the lights went out, it was the MGB GT of James Darby that made the early running and he headed Davies, Diment, Wilson and Dowler. A mistake on lap three dropped him down the order and Davies inherited the lead, hotly pursued

by Diment. Dowler worked his way up to third place by lap five It looked as if Diment could do little about Davies’ lead, but in the closing stages, Diment reeled in his rival, reducing a five second difference on lap 13 down to 0.13 seconds on the penultimate tour, then pulling off a great move on their final lap to snatch victory by nearly half a second. Dowler hung onto third place ahead of Class A winner, Paul Eales; next came Darby and Wilson.

Their next race saw Alan Brooke’s Metro GTi take the early lead from Diment,

The MGB of Richard Wilson being chased by the ZR of Ian Dowler in the PBIC Race

Eales, Darby and Wilson, but it was not going to last, as he quickly slipped down the order. Diment went to the front on lap two and remained untroubled throughout.

Eales held onto third place until lap four, when Davies claimed it. The order of this leading trio stayed the same to the flag.

The penultimate action of the weekend was a round of the MGCC Motoring Classics Thoroughbred Sportscars Championship and it attracted an interesting mix of superb motorcars. Rob Spencer took pole from Neil Fowler, with Simon Cripps and Ian Prior on row two, all driving MGB GT V8s. As the lights went out, it was Fowler who made the best get away. Next time round, Spencer out manoeuvred Prior to take second place and shortly afterwards, Cripps also disposed of Prior to claim third spot. On lap ten, Spencer moved into the lead and began putting daylight between himself and the rest, eventually taking the flag by almost three seconds. Fowler crossed the line in second place but a late pass by Prior gave him the final podium position.

The final race of this action packed weekend was a 20 minute MGCC MG Challenge Race. This attracted a sizeable grid of 23 cars, split into three groups: some MGB GT V8s, some Midgets and Sprites and finally a group of ZRs. The McCarthy brothers were on the front row, with Russell just nipping pole from Spencer. As the lights went out for the final time of the weekend, Ollie Neaves headed the rest off the line, through Paddock Hill Bend and up to Druids. Next time round, Russell McCarthy rose to third place, as Wheeler dropped to seventh. On lap four, McCarthy passed brother Spencer to grab second spot. He then put Ollie under great pressure for a couple of laps before taking the lead on lap seven. However, Russell’s lead was not to last, as Neaves fought back and recaptured the lead on lap nine.

Russell tried to hang on, but retired on lap 14; one tour further than brother Spencer.

Neaves was now in complete control of the race and took the flag by nearly three seconds, with Cripps a great second place and Spencer in third.

So ended a great weekend’s racing, sometimes in difficult conditions, but always slick and mainly on time.

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MGs ON TRACK

Sponsored by

MGs track on

A unique opportunity…

has been offered to us, MGs on Track (MGoT), by our very good friends at Lotus on Track (LoT), a very special invitation to Hethel…. The Lotus Factory, Test Track!

For many years now both MGoT and LOT have supported various events run by each other. This has worked very well in allowing us to vary our event calendars and bring to our club different venues that would not normally be possible on our own. The track day at Hethel is the third new venue for MGoT in 2015.

I was hoping to publicise this event and entice you to join us at Hethel in Norfolk, prior to booking opening, but such was the demand for this fantastic opportunity and the fact that we had limited places, it sold out almost instantly.

For those of you that have missed out on Hethel, keep an eye on the events calendar on our website www.mgs-ontrack.com in case of any cancellations.

Our Club Chairman, Dave Pearce – who, amongst his array of MGs, has a Lotus Exige – has had the privilege of driving Hethel before. For those lucky enough to be going, here are his comments and some tips for the day… “If it all goes wrong, remember they are only ‘tips’…” says Dave!

T

he Hethel test track forms part of the Lotus factory complex and is a couple of miles off the A11 on the Norwich side of Snetterton. It is very rural which sometimes has its disadvantages; at one track day there, I came round a corner to see a mother duck and her ducklings heading single file across the track… My brakes worked!

At Hethel, there is an open parking area for the cars, grey on the map and next to ‘Clark’, and you enter the circuit on the grey road running next to the main track, heading left and joining just before ‘Graham Hill’.

Approaching Andretti and it is a very sharp second gear hairpin with a late apex, the aim is to get the car pointing towards the ‘Senna Curves’ as early as possible to start accelerating. This part of the track has a series of fast right/left curves and is flat out in most cars. On track days there is a plastic barrier type chicane just before ‘Chapman’ to slow the cars before ‘Windsock Corner’ The barrier also has a cone at each end, and a regular cause of red flags is when the cone gets clipped and bounces off down the road!

All track action is then stopped until the cone has been replaced… Bad enough on an open pit lane day but definitely to be avoided when we only have a 20 minute session!

Words By Dave Pearce, Chairman, MGs on Track Photos by kind permission of Lotus Media Centre

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MG MG Steve Brand track track steveb@mgs-on-track.co.uk onon www.mgs-on-track.com • To book places you need to be registered with MGoT on our website www.mgs-on-track.com • All registered members will receive an email about a week prior to the event opening for sale.

• If an event says ‘Status: Provisional’ it is not open for booking yet.

• If all places are ‘Sold Out’ contact the Event Manager highlighted on the booking page of our website for a reserve place.

• ‘Experienced only’ means you will have done at least one track day with MGoT. ** New circuits for 2015

June 08 – Castle Combe – Sold Out. July 03 – Croft – Open Pit Lane, experienced only (via Lotus on Track) July 13 – Pembray ** July 25 – Hethel** – Sold Out. Aug 13 – Brands Hatch – GP (single LoT session) Sept 14 – Castle Combe Oct 5 – Donington Oct 26 – Goodwood Dec 07 – Brands Hatch Indy

After the chicane it is again flat out round ‘Windsock Corner’ and down the ‘Mansell Straight’ until heavy braking before the second gear permanent, chicane. This is very tight but a large amount of kerb can be taken going into the first part to get a better exit. The ‘Rindt Hairpin’ is more of a sweeping bend, keep to the outside of the track for the first half then a late apex onto the ‘Fittipaldi Straight’. Another fast straight with a left kink at the end which can be taken without lifting (honestly!) before braking hard for the right hander into ‘Clark’. Staying in the middle of the track gives a better entry into the following two left hand bends and from here you enter a second sequence of left/right corners that gradually get tighter so getting the entry speed right into this complex is important. If you get it right you can virtually straight line the last left hander to get good acceleration down to ‘Andretti’.

How will our MGs stand the test?

The circuit will test both the handling and the braking capability of your car so make sure you have plenty of ‘meat’ on your pads and your brake fluid has been changed within the last couple of years.

Boiling brake fluid is not fun!

This is a great track and unlike any other circuit we attend; one not to be missed. **The aerial photo shows how the track has been designed to test the various parameters of Lotus’ performance cars.

Two long straights with a slow chicane at the end of the first one for acceleration and braking and a series of left/right curves of varying tightness prove the handling of the cars.

www.mgcc.co.uk

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LUFFIELD

Luffield Luffield Championship Championship

John Wilman, Beechfield, Fern Bank, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak. SK23 0JJ. Tel: 07778 165186 • www.mgspeed.net John Wilman, Beechfield, Fern Bank, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Later on in this article you will Peak. find a report David our visit to High SK23byOJJ. Tel:Coulthard 07778 on 165186

Curborough in April.

Meanwhile on May 2-3 we made our pilgrimage to the Anglesey circuit for the first time this year. Saturday dawned with heavy rain and it was to remain that way for the rest of the day. Powerboat racing was probably a more apt description of the proceedings.

Sunday morning did not look promising either, with heavy mist covering the circuit and restricting us to only one car on the circuit at a time. It is hard to judge breaking points when you can’t see the corner. However, it eventually lifted and the latter part of the day was carried out on a dry track.

Results are not to hand at the time of writing.

Lawrie Brown paid us a visit and was royally greeted by all present.

Lawrie did the co-ordinator’s job for many years and steered us through a difficult transition period. We do not forget our loyal servants.

You will have seen the preamble to the Silverstone weekend elsewhere in the mag. Don’t forget the sprint on the Stowe circuit on Sunday June 21.

Entries are open to all MGCC members.

Curborugh Sprint The Curborough sprint circuit, in both its single and double lap formats, has been a long standing fixture of the Luffield Cars / MGCC Speed Championship. However, the recent introduction of the ‘Cross Over’, resulting in the creation of the ‘Figure of Eight’ course, has added a new dimension to an old favourite. The new section means that cars approach the two hairpins at each end of the track (one now taken in the ‘wrong’ direction) at much greater speed, leading to an even greater technical challenge. Some of us simply found remembering where we were on the track challenge enough!

I am pleased to report that Andy Walker escaped injury, when the B V8 slammed into the barrier and rolled as it exited the curving Start Line ‘Straight’ during Practice. Andy walked away from the car, but I’m sure he was sore on Monday morning. The car sustained substantial damage. We look forward to seeing Andy and Nick back on track very soon.

Being a ‘new’ course, scores were a little irrelevant, with most drivers scoring 98.00. Class 1A was mainly populated with by K-Series cars. However, Ted Roberts and Phil Smith were out in Midgets, and both improved as the day progressed. For the ‘on-the-day’ class win, it was ZR160 v F/TF160, which ended in favour of the saloon. In the F/TF battle, the four sports cars of David Jones, Michael Marsland, Colin Pattinson and Ian Howlett were separated by just a couple of seconds. The MGF of Ian came out on top with a 73.23. In the ZRs, Helen Waddington won her personal battle with the lady driver of a very powerful Clio, whilst Nick Arnold got the better of Graham Cherry in the shared ZR160, by just over half a second. I took the win on 71.82. All alone in Class 1B, Tim Kirkham got the ZS round in 73.67. Class 1C was a tight battle between the BGT mounted Mike Cole and Richard Withers. Richard got the win by a third of a second, on a 69.28. John Payne’s Sprite was a little adrift on a 71.14.

The MMM class fell to Martin Price in the TA, with an 84.32, ahead of the PA of Howard Harman, whilst in 2A, John Payne got his Midget round in 70.70. Meanwhile, in Class 3A, John Hawley’s 69.45 got the better of the Frogeye driving James Thacker, by just over a second.

Whilst the new track caught out a few drivers, overall it was very well received. However, I still felt guilty about driving the wrong way up the finish line straight…

David Coulthard

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OUT & ABOUT FEATURE

Out & About Lifelong MG enthusiast Peter Mason with his latest acquisition, an MG3 Form Sport.

The impressive press launch of the MG GS SUV which took place in China in March.

Alistair Handyside’s MGB being used as the wedding car at his Indian goddaughter’s wedding at Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey). The bride’s father and Alistair have shared the car and it has been in their ownership since 1977. Photo: Alistair Handyside

Ian Lindley visited some old haunts in the Peak District stopping off to take this photo of his TF at Longstone Edge. Photo: Ian Lindley

MGCC South West Stalwart John Thomas celebrated a recent significant birthday with a Tiger Airways flight in a 1946 Stampe V4.

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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OUTFEATURE & ABOUT

A rather nice TF spotted whilst out and about in Funchal, Madeira.

New MGCC MG6 takes pride of place at the MG 6.3.5 Register display at Pride Of Longbridge.

Photo: Barry Faiers

All British Car Day in Adelaide, South Australia with plenty of MGs on show in the sunshine.

Photo: Ian Buckley MGF Register club parking at the February Winter Classic Brooklands Breakfast meet. Photo: Tim Morris

The award winning MGA60-stand at the LOF (Luxembourg Oldtimer Federation) held in Luxembourg-city. Photo: Guy Maathuis

www.mgcc.co.uk

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An MG5 spotted by Paul Bird whilst in Cuba. Photo: Paul Bird

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CALENDAR

JUNE Saturday 6 MGCC V8 Register Technical Presentations and other topics for V8 enthusiasts Study Centre, View Farm, Great Milton, Oxfordshire.

Contact: Nic Houslip 0776 876 6315 Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 MGCC Abingdon Works Centre Burford Collectors Club Annual Rally Contact: Pete Davies 07877 932284 Saturday 6 MGCC Anglia Centre Committee Meeting The Limes, Needham Market, Suffolk Contact: Dave Tynan 01795 535776 or Michael Murkin 01702 478476 Sunday 7 MGCC Tyne Tees Centre Prince Bishops Run & St. Cuthbert Run Contact: Noel Lindford 0191 587 0753 noel.lindford@ btinternet.com Sunday 7 MGCC Midland Centre Arden MG Group Heritage Run Evesham Country Park Contact: Allen Smith 01789 488280 Jual@greatalne. plus.com

Friday 12 – Sunday 14 MGCC MGF Register Cholmondeley Pageant of Power Club stand & discounted tickets available. For club code contact keith.williams@mgfregister.org All MG models are welcome to join the Register Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 June 83rd 24 Heures du Mans The annual endurance race for Sportscars Sunday 14 June MGCC Lincolnshire Centre Lincolnshire CARR. Autosolo and Navigational Skills Test and Rover Day Contact Bob 01724 764144 and Ian 01529 497849 www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk Wednesday 17 June MGCC V8 Register Visit to Nuffield Place, former home of Lord Nuffield, founder of the Morris Motor Company Contact: Ian Quarrington 01480 210783

Sunday 7 MGCC Midland Centre Ratae Run Starting at the White Horse, Broughton Astley and finishing at Middleton Hall in North Warwickshire Contact: Michael Ricketts mgricketts@btinternet.com or 01455 553868

Wednesday 17 MGCC Lincolnshire Centre Luncheon Club Contact: Richard & Vicki Withington r.withington@ btinternet.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk

Monday 8 MGs on Track Castle Coombe Race Circuit Contact: Nigel.S@mgs-on-track.co.uk

Thursday 18 MGCC V8 Register Visit to Bletchley Park WW2 Code Breaking Centre Bletchley , Milton Keynes.

Contact: Nic Houslip 0776 876 6315

Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 MG Car Club Holland European Event of the Year In 2015 the MG Car Club Holland celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Find out more from www.mgcarclub.nl/

Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 MGLive!

The MG Car Club’s annual International MG Meeting.

The world’s largest gathering of MG cars of all ages. Full race programme on the Grand Prix circuit. Trade & Craft Stands, Arena events, Club Marquee displays, Register parking and much more Silverstone International Racing Circuit visit the dedicated website at www.mglive.co.uk

JULY Friday 3 MGs on Track Croft Circuit Contact: NigelS@mgs-on-track.co.uk Sunday 5 July MGCC Tyne Tees Centre MG Northumbria Corbridge Classic Car Show Contact: Bob Heslop 0191 268 4863 bob@heslopnet.com

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Sunday 5 July MGCC Anglia Centre Anglia Summer Picnic Blickling Hall, Blickling, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6NF Contact: Roger Latham 01702 580472 Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 MGCC Caledonian Centre Glamis Castle Extravaganza Angus, Scotland Contact : Bob MacGillvary 07870 407111 Sunday 12 MGCC Abingdon Works Centre Summer Day Out Start Abingdon to Atwell Museum Calne Contact: Tony Cotter on 01235 861605 Sunday 12 MGCC Lincolnshire Centre Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby Rover and MG Display Day Contact: Kevin 01529 460169 www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk Sunday 12 MGCC Anglia Centre Queen Vic Classic and Sports Car Show, Billericay Summer Fest Billericay, Essex Contact Tony Batson 07958 381470 or Michael Murkin 01702 478476 Wednesday 15 MGCC Lincolnshire Centre Luncheon Club Contact: Richard & Vicki Withington r.withington@ btinternet.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk Wednesday 15 MGCC Midlands Centre Joint Natter – West Midlands Members meet up with the Wye Valley Crowd Malvern/ Upton on Severn area – Venue TBA Contact: Janet 01684 833337 Saturday 18 MGCC Triple MMM Register Pre-War Prescott Garden Party and Hill Climb Day Gotherington, Cheltenham, Glos. GL52 9RD Contact: Ian Grace vintageminor@gmail.com Tuesday 28 MGCC Anglia Centre Gayton Natter Pride of Ownership The Gayton Crowd, Gayton, Kings Lynn, PE32 1PA Contact Steve & Alison Kemp 01553 840245 or Peter Thompson 01362 668101

www.mgcc.co.uk

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The MG ZR/ZS/ZT Register presents In partnership with the 75-ZT Enthusiasts

MG Saloon Day 2015 Sunday 19 July • Event opens 10am All variants of MG, Rover, Austin, BMC and BL cars are welcome

SHOW & SHINE CLASSES: ZR, ZS, ZT, MONOGRAM, ROVER 75, BEST VISITING CAR, CAR OF THE DAY

£10* per car (CASH only) Includes 2 for 1 entrance into Burghley House *Admission price includes “Show & Shine” entry for all cars

Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon WWW.MGF20.INFO

www.mgcc.co.uk/zedregister

ENGLAND’S GREATEST ELIZABETHAN HOUSE Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 3JY

LINCOLNSHIRE POACHER CONCOURS AND PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP SHOW 2015 SUNDAY 16 AUGUST 2014 10AM – 4PM DODDINGTON HALL AND GARDENS DODDINGTON LINCOLNSHIRE LN6 4RU Set within spectacular gardens, Doddington Hall, Doddington, near Lincoln is an example of a fine late Elizabethan mansion house and is, for the third year, the venue for the MG Car Club Lincolnshire Centre’s flagship event sponsored by Peter Best Insurance, the Lincolnshire Poacher Concours and Pride of Ownership Show.

Enjoy a great day at a special location

Classic Cars of any marque and particularly MGs of all models welcome! Rosettes will be awarded to winning cars on the day with fabulous trophies presented at the Centre’s annual Dinner Dance in January 2016.

Refreshments are available throughout the day and there will be a free to enter Treasure Hunt to allow you to explore the fabulous grounds of Doddington Hall with a prize for the winning team.

Winners of each Show Class, the Premier Concours and the Premier Condition award winners and Treasure Hunt winners will be announced at the club marquee at 3.45pm. .

Don’t forget – for those that don’t want to enter their car to be judged, the day is still open for you to come along for a relaxing day out at no charge.

Full details available on www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk or contact Geoff and Vicki Edge on 01205 871973 geoffjedge@aol.com www.doddingtonhall.com

www.mgcc.co.uk

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JUNE 2015

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OVERSEAS

REVIEW

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

Overseas Review The front cover of Octogram

W

e start this month’s review with the front cover picture from the West Michigan Old Speckled Hen MG Club’s journal Octagram, which depicts an appropriate hen!

MGCC Victoria’s magazine Wheel Spin shows a working party at the famous Brake Shoe Arch at Rob Roy Hill Climb. Rob Roy is one of Australia’s premier hill climb venues, with 760 yards of tarmac surface, which staged its first meeting in 1937. In the 1960s it fell into disuse, and in 1993 the MGCC Victoria took over the lease and breathed new life into it, resurfacing the track, safety barriers, constructing buildings and refurbishing ‘Brake Shoe Arch’.

Also from this edition is an article by member Mike Gething, who with his wife Jan runs a B&B guest house in Banbury, called Kimber’s Ark, a favoured resting place for Australian visitors.

Heritage, the MGCC de France magazine, reveals that they have a well known lady rally driver amongst their membership.

Wendy Packer drove Cortinas and Escorts in rallies such as the Wendy Packer, a well known lady Moonraker Rally’ the rally driver

1970s alongside the likes of Roger Clark.

Wendy is currently the International liaison contact for the French club and lives in Chinon, France, with her husband Richard.

‘Two inches to Safety’ describes a dramatic escape from East Germany in 1963, featured in MG Kurier. Cramming his girlfriend behind the seats, and her mother in the boot of his Sprite, Heinz Meixner drove the car, without a windscreen, at high speed under an East Berlin border barrier to freedom in the West.

The barrier was 37½ inches above the ground and the Sprite with reduced tyre pressures was 35½ inches.

The Canterbury Mag runs a short piece entitled ‘Health & Safety Fast!’ letting the members of the New Zealand club know that they have acquired an Automatic External Defibrillator for use at track days etc. Just in case!

Two snippets from the Sacred Octagon, one describing their ‘Motor Assistance Directory’, a website publication giving the names and addresses of members who can provide help and assistance to members in times of breakdowns. The picture depicts a ‘two horse-power’ tow truck!

Also pictured is a very attractive VA special, described as a R-E-A-L Demon, which was created by the R.E.A.L. Carriage Works in Ealing and shown at Olympia.

A story in Dynamo, the journal of the Rocky Mountain Centre, describes some of their members’ adventures in taking part in

A working party at the famous Brake Shoe Arch at Rob Roy Hill Climb.

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A VA Special

the Moss Motoring Challenge. In this you have to drive your sports car through all 48 states within one year, and have your photo taken at strategically designated sign boards, such as towns, states or historical monuments. This way you accumulate points leading to an eventual winner who collects a $1,000 prize. Whilst open to all marques, MG is far and away the most popular.

This rather saucy photo was spotted in Magasinet from Norway.

Heinz Meixner driving at speed under an East Berlin Border barrier.

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:00

Experts in MG Restoration, Servicing and Diagnostics

10%

Discount off labour to MG CC members

Established 1989

Crown Classic Cars Ltd is a small family run business with over 30 years hands on experience of British Saloon & Sports cars. We offer a quality service, and ensure that the standard of personal care that we provide is the same for all

customers whether your car is valued at £2,000 or £100,000.

We have a rare expertise and a passionate enthusiasm that translates into high quality workmanship for our customers, whether servicing, repairing or fully restoring.

Crown Yard, Crown Road, St Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 3EE Telephone: +44 (0)20 8891 6101 Email: info@crownclassiccars.co.uk www.crownclassiccars.co.uk Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.00am - 5.30pm, Saturday 9.00am – Midday

www.mgcc.co.uk

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JUNE 2015

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OVERSEAS

NEWS

Cars assemble on the Sunday to watch all the action at the Rob Roy Hill Climb

Australian Natmeet2015

By Paul Plummer

The Yarra river runs for 150 miles from its source in the Yarra Ranges, through the Yarra Valley famous for its vineyards and wines and on to Melbourne where it enters the sea at Port Philip bay.

Hosted by the MG Car Club of Victoria, the 2015 National Meeting was based in and around the small township of Lillydale on the eastern fringes of suburban Melbourne, within easy striking distance of the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong mountains.

S

pread over five days of the Easter weekend, participants arrived throughout Good Friday to carry out the registration process and to pick up a ‘goody bag’ complete with local maps, routes, badges, gifts etc., meeting MG friends old and new in the process. Scrutineering of the cars which were taking part in the competitions took place at this time.

A total of 365 enthusiasts representing all 15 clubs from across the country, driving 213 cars, had registered for the meeting. All models were represented, from the oldest vintage MG to modern Fs and Ts. Notable amongst these were the 1925 Morris Super Sports, thought to be the second oldest MG on the road in the world, the ex Prince Bira K3, and the Paris to Peking SA, together with

Participants enjoying the Kimber Run, a noncompetative run through the countryside

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a special display of cars from the Pre-war Register and current racing MGs. Later on that evening all participants gathered at the Victoria Club’s rooms for the Opening Ceremony, Noggin & Natter and the Rocker Cover Racing championship.

The club rooms occupy an industrial unit on a trading estate in the Melbourne suburb of Nunawading, where they have created an impressive suite of facilities comprising: Entrance Hall displaying memorabilia, a Function Room, Meeting Room, Library, Workshop complete with four pillar lift, together with kitchen and toilets.

A marquee had been grafted onto the side of the building to accommodate the Racing Slope together with all the additional folk. An ‘Olympic’ style opening ceremony took place with representatives from each club parading with their club flag, led by your scribe proudly waving the Union flag. The beer and wine flowed throughout the evening, as did the socialising and the nattering, with the ladies of the club providing a truly magnificent spread of food.

The Rocker Cover Racing proved to be fast and furious, with many splendid machines vying for the honours, and the eventual winner representing the Newcastle club.

Saturday morning dawned clear and

Rocker Cover racers on display

warm and we drove our loan car, a ZT, a few miles up the Yarra Valley to the Rochford Winery where the Concours was to be held. The venue proved to be ideally suited, boasting a large grass oval for displaying the cars, with coffee and cellar door shop all against a backdrop of the Dandenong mountains.

Clipboards in hand, the judges crept under and looked over every nuance of each car, studying the chassis condition, panel fit, the screw heads and the like before coming to their decision.

Lunch was served and the participants had an opportunity to sample the Rochford wines, and during the afternoon a shuttle bus was available to take visitors to the local township of Healesville for a break from viewing the cars.

Paul Plummer presenting the John Wratten Memorial Trophy

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:00

NEWS

OVERSEAS

An MGA sets off on the Rob Roy Hill Climb Having fun and testing driving skills at the Motorkhana

Later on that evening we returned to the club rooms for a BBQ, again provided by the members and ladies of the club.

On Sunday, the participants had a choice of two activities: a sprint at the Rob Roy hill climb for the competitively minded, and an Observation Run for the others. Not wishing to compete in a borrowed car, we took the more social option and drove the 140kms through the Yarra Valley and mountains, keeping our eyes peeled for the obscure clues. A stop for coffee at the village of Gembrook, complete with walking clues, broke the morning up and we continued through the most attractive and wonderful MG driving roads to out lunch stop at Kinglake, where the Lions Club provided us with a super picnic lunch at a local nature reserve.

We quickly finished lunch and sped off to the Rob Roy hill climb so that we could view some of the action.

Rob Roy is one of Australia’s premier hill climb venues, with 760 yards of tarmac surface, having staged its first meeting in 1937. In the 1960s it fell into disuse, and in 1993 the MGCC Victoria took over the lease and breathed new life into it, resurfacing the track, safety barriers, construct-

Ready for the Awards Dinner

The ‘Olympic’ style opening of the Rocker Cover Racing Championship

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ing buildings and refurbishing the famous ‘Brake-Shoe Arch’.

We arrived in time to see the last few competitive runs at the hill before the meeting closed. We then had the great privilege of carrying out a dummy run up the hill in the ZT; no records were broken!

Sunday evening was a free night and we sampled a local Thai restaurant with members of the MGCC South Australia.

Again the participants had a choice of activity on the Easter Monday.

Social entrants took part in the ‘Kimber Run’, a non-competitive run through the countryside with a stop for lunch.

Competitors tested their driving skills at the Motorkhana, with three driving tests: Double Kidney, Crossed Four Point and Straight Slalom (Reversed).

For the Kimber Run a great collection of cars assembled at an attractive local reservoir park before setting off on the run, which wound through the local roads and over the mountains, and as the official programme described it, Where your MG is at its best, the song of third gear with the right foot depressed, responsive steering, challenging brakes, throbbing exhausts and the smells of the bush all contribute to the blissful MG experience! On the way we had the opportunity to stop at several heritage sites with stunning viewpoints, before arriving at our lunch stop in Marysville.

Marysville was at the centre of severe bush fires which devastated the town in February 2009, with 90% of buildings destroyed and 45 deaths recorded, weeks of dry weather with temperatures of 46°C together with high winds fanning the flames, and the lands around showed vast tracts of woodland with dead trees.

After a BBQ lunch provided by the local Round Table we headed back to Lillydale.

The Monday evening saw the Awards Dinner take place, with many prizes and cups being presented.

Trophies were awarded for Junior Drivers, leading Lady Driver, the ‘Hard Luck’ Trophy and many more. Additionally

Cars line up at the Rochford Winery for the Concours.

Lunch stop at Marysville during the Kimber Run

there were prizes for best Magazine, Photograph and Website.

The team representing the three clubs from Western Australia gave a presentation describing the plans for the 2016 National Meeting to be held in Perth.

All of the competitive events over the past few days allowed entrants to gain points for their club, with complicated rules and ‘fudge’ factors being applied, which lead to the presentation of the two major trophies, the John Wratten Memorial Trophy and the Nuffield Cup. In the end, the Wratten went to Queensland and the Nuffield to Newcastle.

A Farewell Breakfast took place on the Tuesday morning with much telling of stories of happenings over the weekend before folk left for the long drive home.

A delegates’ conference then took place with two representatives from each club attending, to discuss the highs and lows of the current meeting, together with any other constitutional matters. The delegates from Western Australia gave further information regarding the 2106 meeting in Perth.

All in all, a fantastically well organised meeting featuring great events at stunning venues, with all participants expressing ‘The Marque of Friendship’.

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CENTRES

ABINGDON WORKS Tony Cotter sfscribe@mgabingdon.org.uk www.mgabingdon.co.uk

The classic car season is well and truly underway now, and if you are anything like me, you will probably have a choice of events to take your MG along to most weekends. Of course, we can’t all get to every classic show, road-run or gathering that we’d like to, we have to pick and choose our events carefully. Mine are usually MG Era Day at Brooklands, Pride of Longbridge in Birmingham, Abingdon Air & Country Show and our very own Old Speckled Hen run. Please spare a thought for the hundreds of volunteers throughout our community, who spend hours of their free time planning all of these events that we so enjoy. They don’t just happen, they take a lot of organising, so please support our band of volunteers by attending as many events as you can throughout the year. Oh, and don’t let the weather stop you.

I know there are owners out there that simply will not take their car out if there’s a risk of rain, and that is their choice, we respect that. But this is the British Isles, we expect rain, and nature has no consideration for Bank Holidays. Wrap up in suitable clothing and make the most of it.

That’s exactly what I did today. I’m writing these notes having just returned from a rain-soaked Abingdon Air & Country Show. As I was setting off this morning, the rain was lashing down and I thought to myself – this is madness. But then

I remembered the army of volunteers that have worked tirelessly to make the show happen, and the charity that relies on donations from the public at these events to survive. The Berkshire, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Air Ambulance expect to make around £10,000 from today’s Show. If I and others had changed our minds and not gone along because of the weather, that is a valuable contribution they would not have had.

The Centre supported the national FBHVC Drive-it Day by visiting the Haynes Motoring Museum where we were joined by members from the South West and Devon as well as members of the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club and 150 Triumphs. The Bicester Heritage Centre also attracted a lot of marques including many MGs with the Club being allocated our own parking area.

Please note a date change to this year’s Summer Day Out. We’re combining our SDO with a visit to the Atwell-Wilson museum on Sunday July 12 for their Annual Classic Vehicle Show.

To attend this event, you must register with the museum. There’s an optional road run on the Saturday 11, again you must register at the museum’s website for this: www.atwellwilson. org.uk/friends-show-2015. Please bring a picnic along with you to enjoy in the museum’s grounds.

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

Royce and Bentley dealers and are the only Rolls Royce authorised accident repair agent in the UK. The standard of their work is second to none. The company was started in 1967 and is run by brothers Paul and Andrew.

We were welcomed at 10am with coffee and biscuits before being taken on a tour of the workshops by manager Andy Smith.

They restore and service Rolls Royce and Bentley cars ranging from early 20th century veterans, through 1930s Le Mans Bentley Blowers to Silver Ghosts of the present day.

We could not have been made more welcome, and with the company motto ‘Attention to Detail’ at the forefront of every area of restoration it is a To whet your appetite, this month’s photo, taken at the recent MG race weekend, visit you really must shows a rare Lenham Le Mans MG being readied for its race.

May saw our bi-annual visit to P&A Wood, the Rolls Royce and Bentley restoration experts.

The trip was organised by our own Andrew Woods of The Ship Natter. Andrew has arranged visits to this world class company for many years now and deserves our gratitude for his sterling work, P & A Wood are fully authorised Rolls

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CENTRE We’re attending the Burford Collectors Club Rally on June 7. Pete Davies (07877 932284) has the details. The Chesham Natter’s PoO is on Tuesday June 23; Richard Colston (01494 728253) has the details for this. Please check out the AWC website for more information about these plus many other events.

And finally, just space to plug our AWC Regalia. You can order Polo Shirts, Sweatshirts, Caps plus lots of other goodies via our website www.mgabingdon.co.uk or bring along some spare cash to MGLive! at Silverstone and you can take home a selection of future collectibles.

Lovely Maestro amongst AWC’s Drive it Day cars at the Haynes Museum

CENTRE try to attend when our next invitation comes around.

Forthcoming Events The next Anglia Centre committee meeting is on Saturday June 6 at The Limes, Needham Market.

Members of the Centre are more than welcome to attend, or you may wish to ask your local Natter leader to raise a question for you in any other business. The people to contact regarding the meeting are Chairman Dave Tynan 01795 535776 or Secretary Michael Murkin 01702 478476.

The Ship Natter Open Evening is on Thursday June 11, at The Ship, Stock Road (B1007) Stock, CM2 8LB. Always a popular event, run by experienced Natter leaders Dave Tynan and Andrew Woods, contact Dave on the above number or Andrew on 01277 210009.

MGLive!

With MGLive! at Silverstone now on the horizon, you will need to get a move on if you would like to get reports or photos of your MG exploits included in the Centre display.

Indeed you may wish to volunteer to help over the weekend which could entitle you to free entry to the meeting. In either case contact Mike Pelling on mike480mg@yahoo.com

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:00

The Queen Victoria Classic Car show is back !

July 12 2015.

The MGCC Anglia Centre, are please to announce that this very popular event will be held on July 12 2015, again in conjunction with the Rotary Club Billericay Mayflower, at The Billericay Summer Fest The common, London Road, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9LD. The event will include a large arena, with various displays including, dog teams, & emergency Services. Live Music, Punch & Judy.

There will also be craft stalls, charity stalls & refreshments.

Closing date for advance entry is 06/07/2015. Entry is free!

(Entry on the day is still possible space permitting).

For further details please contact: Michael Murkin (01702 478476 email queenvic@mgccangliacentre.org.uk) or Tony Batson (07958 381470) or visit the Anglia Centre QV web page www.mgccqueenvic.org.uk Please send all completed entry forms, with an SAE to: Michael Murkin, 69 Fairleigh Drive, Leigh on Sea, Essex, SS9 2HZ

2014 Pride of Ownership Winner Mike Carter

Classes, Rules & Entry form.

Entry form for Concours, Pride of Ownership and Display Vehicles

CONCOURS CLASS (A) Concours MG

Make .................................................................................................... Reg. No……………………………….

CONCOURS CLASS non MG (B) All Concours Vehicles non MG

Club ...................................................................................................... …………………………………………..

PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP CLASSES (C) MG Pre 1960 (inc MGA) (D) MG 1960 to 1980 (E) MG 1982 to Present (F) Non MG

Previous Awards in Concours or Pride of Ownership…………………………………………………

To be independently judged between 12:30 and 2:30p.m.

Model ................................................................................................... Year of construction………………...

Class entered ..................................... email…………………………………………………………………...

Name……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Address…………………………………………………………………………………………………………... .............................................................................................................. …………………………………………...

DISPLAY CLASSES (H) MGs, (I) Non MG vehicles

There is no judging for theses classes and no awards.

AWARDS Awards will be given to 1st and 2nd in each class except (H) and (I). In addition other trophies will be presented.

NB, Major trophy winners in last year’s show and winners of other major events in the last 12 months must enter classes (A) or (B).

i) ii) iii) iv) v)

Post Code ………………………………………

Tel. No………………………………………………….

Signature...........................................................................................

Date…………………………………..

Send the form to: Michael Murkin, 69 Fairleigh Drive, Leigh on Sea, SS9 2HZ (Please provide a stamped addressed envelope.)

The information you provide on this booking form will be held on a database to process the confirmation of your place and to keep you up to date with other events provided by MG Car Cub (Anglia Centre). We do not pass your details on to any companies for marketing purposes.

RULES The organisers reserve the right to amalgamate or sub-divide classes at their discretion and also to upgrade entrants to classes (A) and (B) depending on previous awards won etc.

Previous awards won must be declared on the entry form The Judges decision is final and disputed matters will not be considered.

Post 2000 non MG vehicles cannot ordinarily enter the show unless of special interest and agreed to with the organisers prior to the event.

All vehicles must be on site by 10.30am.

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CENTRES

CENTRE

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

With Ian Lindley stepping down as Chairman at the recent AGM, I have taken over as Centre Scribe… so here goes! Thanks to Ian for keeping us all up to date.

Just returned from our annual Three Day Tour, this time based around North Berwick and with almost 60 cars. Weather was fine but cold except on Sunday morning when it was Baltic! The Russian convoys must have been warmer! However everyone seemed to enjoy the trip and we have received many favourable comments. Tony and Isobel organised a worthwhile raffle with the star prize being a night’s B&B for two in the Marine Hotel. The winner? Mike Lane, who lives just down the road in Wiltshire….

(Sod’s Law springs to mind!) The attached pic shows ‘Opus 1’, a local school band who entertained us on Sunday evening with a mix of jazz and swing music.

Thanks to them and to all who helped in any way.

We are looking for entries for our first proper show of 2015 at Thirlestane Castle on June 7. We

will have some new equipment to complement last year’s additions and intend to feature this year ‘60 Years of MGAs’ and ‘60 Years of the BMC Competition Department’ so if you have any variant of MGA or an MG with a competition history then step forward! Even if you have a part restored MGA we could use that. Does anyone have any old MGA advertising material we could borrow? Of course all MGs will be welcome.

The following weekend on June 14 is our one day June Jaunt which will start near Bishopton and continue up to Loch Goil. More details are on the website along with a booking form. Would be good to see some new faces at these informal events… If you haven’t been before then Why Not? Later in June a good number of members will head for Silverstone for MGLive!. As a Centre we will have a stand in the main marquee so if you are around over the weekend, be sure and look us up.

Don’t forget also that Barclay Henderson has an excellent selection of regalia now available featuring our new logo. Contact him or check our website for details.

That’s all for now! Look forward to meeting you soon at an event or email me if you have any news.

CENTRE

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

Three Natters amalgamated for a trip out on the FBHVC Drive It Day: North Devon, Horsebridge and South Hams. In total 27 cars partook in this event stopping for lunch at Sampford Courtenay, and en-route meeting one group from Bude Motor Club and another the Devon Vintage Car Club.

The South Hams cars started from Buckfastleigh after their bacon butties, visiting Ashburton, Dartmeet, Two Bridges, Moretonhampstead, Sticklepath and on to the lunch stop, arriving there on time. The Horsebridge group left after coffee in the Royal in two groups en-route to Launceston, Bude, Great Torrington and arriving later than expected at Sampford Courtenay, not helped by the fact that they got lost and ended up at some weird places. The locals knew where we were so several of us took a totally different route but the scenery was excellent!, although we arrived at our destination half an hour late but luckily there was plenty to eat, overall a jolly good day out. Thanks are due to Graeme Harris for organising the lunch.

Regalia for MGCC Devon & Cornwall, sweatshirts, polo shirts, fleeces, jumpers can be ordered from Barry Smith – bjsmith30@hotmail.com Events for your diary June 7 Ace Run, contact Ian Cameron, email cameronj-i4644@hotmail.co.uk

June 20-21 MGLive! Silverstone, the home of British Motorsport June 21 Classic Car Day at Morwellham Quay, contact Tessa Wannell, Morwellham Quay www.morwellhamquay.org July 11-12 Powderham Classic Gathering, contact brian.dingsdale@googlemail.com July 23 Day trip to Davidstowe Airfield & Museums, contact Graeme Harris graeme_mo@yahoo.co.uk

July 26 Torbay Old Wheels Club English Riviera Classic Car Show, Paignton Green, contact Alan Turner www.towc1.talktalk.net August 1-2 MGF 20 Gaydon, website www.mgf20info August 9 Devon Day – details later September 12 Wiscombe Hill Climb, run by South West Centre September 13 Cornish Riviera Run, contact Sue Heath allegropeter@aol.com

Cars enjoying the 2014 Ace Run. This years Ace Run takes place on June 7.

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CENTRES

CENTRE

LINCOLNSHIRE John Hebb tel 01522 683541jhebb38@virginmedia.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk

June Natters Swallow Wednesday 3; Lincolnshire Poacher Friday 5; Abbey Lodge Monday 8; Wishing Well Wednesday 10 (morning visit to Rimmer Bros, including lunch); Three Horseshoes Thursday 18 (Landlords Choice); Admiral Nelson Thursday 25.

Some of the diners enjoying a pre lunch drink at the Welby Armsshows a rare Lenham Le Mans MG being readied for its race.

June Events Sunday 14 Lincolnshire CARR Autosolo/Navigation Rally. Saturday/Sunday 20-21 MGLive! Silverstone.

Luncheon Club Wednesday 17.

April saw our first competitive event of the year with the Practice Autotest at East Kirkby. A practice only so the results do not count towards the Awards, but interesting nonetheless. First in the LWB Class and fastest overall was Robert Taylor. Bryan Pack was second and Richard Bristow third. First in the SWB Class and second overall was Nigel Pack with Ena Fox less than a second behind and Jordon Fox third. Jordon competed in the ex Will Corry Midget. I gather that on a recent track day the car’s performance was the cause of several bewildered faces and scratched heads in the paddock! Len Hartley presented an Easter Quiz at the Abbey Lodge

Natter and on 17 April, 22 diners made their way in brilliant sunshine to the Welby Arms at Allington for the Luncheon Club. The main event of the month was our contribution to the national Drive it Day, when 56 cars made their way to Burghley House. Earlier weather forecasts were predicting rain on the day, but the sun did shine so a topless drive for those in soft top cars. A wide range of MGs was on show, the oldest a 1934 PA and the newest a 2012 TF. In between exploring the house and grounds

MIDLANDS Andy Robson ajcarobson@blueyonder.co.uk

It’s been a busy start to 2015 for our Centre and Committee; we had our Spring Trial at the end of March which went well, if a little undersubscribed, and then our Spring Sprint which saw some 47 cars and drivers take to the tricky Curborough track, including a welcome return for former Centre Chairman Martin Price after a period of illhealth, and using the new figure-of-eight layout, all watched by a really good crowd, including a convey of MGs from a local club. The new layout did cause confusion for one or two drivers who could be seen sheepishly heading the wrong way up the main straight!

Anyone who thinks Curborough is an easy track should have a chat with Andy Walker who got his MGB V8 into a real ‘tank-slapper’ coming round the long left-hander after the start line and went off sideways into the barriers, which knocked the car into a roll, landing partly on its roof. Sterling work by our marshals saw Andy quickly out of the car without too much drama. Andy was shaken but unhurt, although the car will required some TLC. Our Chairman for 2015, Paul Hipkiss, recently acquired a nice ZT-T to add to his collection, and elected to dispose of his MGF. However, rather than sell the car, he generously donated it to the Mission Motorsport charity which helps to retrain and rehabilitate ex-military personnel in various

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fields of motoring activities. For more info, go to www.missionmotorsport.org – and you may like to consider this group for your next charity donation.

The annual Pride of Longbridge event took place recently at Cofton Park, opposite the MG Motor plant. April marked the 10th anniversary of the closure of the MG-Rover operation and that, coupled with a lovely spring day, brought out the supporters with an estimated 4,000+ vehicles on display. The Midland Centre had a small group of cars on show, with other MGCC groups located around the park.

Our main event of the year, the Midland Centre ‘Welsh Rallye’, took place over the weekend of May 8-10 and we were joined by 47 entrants. Starting from the Lion Quays Hotel & Spa near Oswestry, we headed out for what we believe was our firstever visit to Anglesey with lunch at Plas Newydd, a National Trust property, then back to the hotel for the evening dinner and Fancy Dress. The weather was grim during Saturday morning, but improved through the afternoon. Sunday saw us head for Hawkstone Park for lunch and a visit to The Follies, ‘an historic woodland fantasy with cliffs, crags, caves, deep woods and a series of extraordinary monuments built over 200 years ago’ (it says here!). Early reports suggest that everyone enjoyed the weekend, which makes it worth the effort for

several members tackled the Treasure Hunt which was won by Mark and Theresa Bellamy with Len and Sue Hartley second and Jane Hermite third. The Non-MG winner in the PoO was John McEwan in his Morris Minor traveller. The winner in the MG Class was the TC of Richard Withington. Second was the TC of Ian Thomson, Jonathon Welch’s PA was third, Brian Clifton’s B was fourth and the TF of Len Hartley fifth. A great start to our Touring Season.

CENTRE our Rallye organising committee. Word limitations mean we can’t squeeze in a photo here, but we have posted loads on our Midland Centre Facebook site, and our main website carries details of all the winners of prizes and trophies at the awards presentation, so please visit both sites and see what we got up to. Now we start thinking about our 2016 event. It’s like painting the Forth Bridge!

Yours Truly was recently invited to participate in a feature for ‘MG Enthusiast’ magazine on the subject of my TF LE500, and the article appeared in the May edition. It’s worth a look if you want a good laugh!

Huge turn out at the annual Pride of Longbridge Event. Photo: Adam Sloman

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:00

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CENTRES

CENTRE

NORTH WEST Paul Goodman 01625 876300

There are two major events for the Centre this month. The first is our annual Plough and Flail Summer Gathering and Concours being held on Tuesday June 16. We will be taking over the whole of the car park and green areas for the evening which gives us parking space for about 80 cars.

We got very close to capacity last year and would like to fill every space in 2015. The concours competition is judged by all the members who attend. This year we have revised classes, based on the Registers, and new trophies to be

awarded. We are assured of a good showing from owners of the older MGs, and would love to see more TFs, Zs, 6s and 3s. Several non MG clubs have been invited as guests so there will be considerable variety. We would like everybody to arrive before 7.30 so that the car park can be organised, and then the prizes awarded, before it gets dark.

A few days later, it is MGLive! at Silverstone.

The Centre has two major involvements over the weekend. The Cockshoot Cup Championship

MG Midgets Line Up In The Anglesey Circuit Pit Lane. Photo: Paul Goodman

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

The Spring Run to the Wey and Arun Canal was a great success. Having been ably organised

by Philip Bayne Powel, how could it have been otherwise? The photo below illustrates the tranquillity of the waterborne element of the afternoon without even the disturbing rumble of the barge engine, since the boat was electric powered. Fortunately, the battery capacity was sufficient to see them safely back to their starting point so no-one had to get out and push!

A less tranquil but more exciting weekend is promised for June 20-21 at Silverstone when MGLive! is being held. This event might well attract more MGs to one place at one time than any other so it’s well worth going to whether your interest is in concours, autojumble or racing. Now the Centre runs a stand publicising our activities and seeking to attract more participation from Owners in our area. Like everything else that we organise, it does not happen by itself and Ian Ailes, 01932 856960 and Jon Glover, 07802 318950 are running the show, and need volunteers to help man this stand and chat up interested passers-by. Indeed, anyone willing to spend half a day on this important duty will be given FREE ENTRY! Now for advance notice of our Summer Gathering, this year to be held in the grounds of the Roman Villa at Fishbourne near Chichester

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drivers are racing on both days on the Grand Prix Circuit. The results will have a major influence on who will win the championship in 2015. On Sunday, we are running the sprint on the Stowe Circuit. We have invited some other clubs this year so as well as MGs competing in the Luffield Speed Championship there will be TVRs, Austin Healeys and some specialist speed event cars.

We need quite a few helpers to run the event, so if you are willing to assist you will be made very welcome. If you want to watch or find out more about speed events, then please visit us during the day. There is a great spectator enclosure on the roof of the race control building.

Back home our lunch meeting will be on Wednesday June 24. This month, we are venturing into Lancashire to The Eagle and Child, Bispham Green, Near Parbold, L40 3SG. The May Anglesey Sprint was a great success. The new organising team coped brilliantly with rain all day on Saturday and thick fog on Sunday morning. After lunch the sun appeared and drivers got four runs each on the full, dry circuit. The Centre Committee would like to thank everybody who helped over the weekend. Mike Ashcroft driving his MG ZR190 was the fastest Centre Member over the two days of timed runs.

CENTRE

………

on Sunday August 9. This will feature our usual range of events including a concours and a self judging PoO. At this stage, I’m not sure if there will also be a gymkhana or not but time will tell.

Watch this space, as they say.

Finally, and apropos of not a lot, the second picture below features Lorenzo Farelia who must have one of the best jobs in the world, that of Workshop Manager at the Motor Museum in Franschhoek, in the wine growing region of South Africa. He ministers to the mechanical needs of a mouth watering display of some 100 Classic cars of all ages including a hall full of Ferraris and almost as many Alfas.

In comparison, MGs and Jaguars are less well represented but still, what a collection!

To keep the cars from deteriorating, they are all regularly exercised on the museum’s private circuit, unless it rains, which isn’t often. What a chore that must be, one’s heart bleeds for the man!

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:00

South East Centre Summer Gathering At the Roman Palace, Fishbourne, W.Sussex, PO19 3QR Sunday August 9 2015

This year we have a new venue for our main event, which coincides with the Roman Palace’s “Hawks and Helmets” weekend, where there will be Birds of Prey displays and Roman re-enactments.

We shall be organising the usual Concours and Pride of Ownership competitions, together with a special gymkhana in the afternoon, between MGs and horse-drawn carriages (numbers limited).

Our event starts at 10am and the prizes will be announced at around 4pm. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ENTRY FORM – Please print details Name:

...................................

Home Tel No: …..…………………

Address:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Mobile Tel No: .......................

MGCC Member: Yes/No CAR: Make .............

e-mail address:………………………………

MGCC Membership No. ......................

Model .......…………

Reg: …….…….......

Centre…………………

Year: ………

Has car won a First Class at a national/major club Concours or POO in 2013/2014?

Admission/Entry fees

I wish to enter:

-

Yes/No

Entries close on Friday July 31 2015

Adults … No. @ £12.00 per person = Child (under 12 years) … No. @ £7.00 per person = CONCOURS @ £4.50 = PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP @ £4.50 = GYMKHANA - limited numbers @ £4.50 = @ £4.50 = SCENIC FEEDER TOUR - per car

(£14 on the day) (£8 on the day)

TOTAL: = £_______

Please make cheques payable to MGCC LTD - S.E. Centre. Send your entry to:-Philip Bayne-Powell, Kimber Cottage, 150 Glaziers Lane, Normandy, Surrey, GU3 2EB, and enclose a large (A5) stamped addressed envelope for your entry tickets, final details and instructions etc. Any queries please ring Philip on 01483 811428 I WISH/DO NOT WISH to join the feeder run to the Gathering from the Jolly Farmer, Buckland, Surrey, on the A25 (Please delete as applicable). Details and forms will be sent to those who wish to partake in this run, when the main event documents are issued.

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CENTRES

CENTRE

SOUTH WEST

John Delafield 01453 544497 competition@mgccsw.com www.mgccsw.com www.facebook.com/MGCCSW

Earlier in the year Jim Lott organised two visits to the ‘Bloodhound’ project, where a British team is building a car designed to take the land speed record up to 1,000mph. It was a fascinating evening that clearly illustrated the challenges of designing such a car. The project’s website www.bloodhoundssc.com is well worth visiting; just to whet your appetite, the pump used to pump the oxidiser into the rocket is driven from a 550bhp supercharged Jaguar V8! Somewhat

more powerful (~9000 times) than the electric fuel pump in my Midget.

Back to slower speeds, last weekend saw 42 classics start our Kimber Classic Car Trial; all but two were pre-1960 cars, the vast majority being MMM and T-Types. The Kimber Trophy was awarded to Derek Pearce (Cream Cracker PB). The entry included a modified MGF driven

by Adrian Tucker-Peake. Many thanks must go to Bruce Weston, Andrew Owst and all marshals.

Adrian Tucker-Peake in his MGF

TYNE TEES Noel Lindford noel.lindford@btinternet.com

On Friday April 17, Tyne-Tees Centre marshals manned the Main Time Control for the ERA Flying Scotsman Rally when it arrived at the Gosforth Park Hotel. Quite an amazing entry of 115 sporting cars from 1917-1948, with a good number of vintage Bentleys on the event, plus an MG TA, TC and a 1933 MG K3 (008) having been repatriated from America and running well after a 40 year hibernation – see photo.

The 2015 Cobweb Run took place on Sunday April 26, and we had to cap the entry list at 60 cars, such was the popularity for this season opener. For once we were blessed with fine weather, and event organiser Ian Graham devised an excellent 98 mile route

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through Northumberland taking in stunning countryside and coast, with the theme being to pass a number of WWII RAF bases on route.

The event started and finished at Brocksbushes Farm near Corbridge (thanks to Lyn Ebdon) with hot drinks and breakfast rolls at the start and cream teas at the finish. The lunch halt for this was at Alnwick, where some chose to visit the nearby Aln Valley Railway.

All 60 cars arrived safely at the finish.

Events coming up: Sunday June 7 Prince Bishops & St. Cuthbert’s Runs: simultaneous road runs from Stokesley and Seahouses to Durham Cathedral. Closing date for entries was May 29, but you may just get a late entry if the event is not yet closed (limited to 60 cars) if you contact me on 07432 152095 asap.

Saturday June 20 – Sunday 21 MGLive! at Silverstone: once again TTC will be marshalling the F1 circuit tours on the Saturday, and MGA / MGF Anniversary laps on the Sunday.

Sunday July 5 ‘Classics in Corbridge’ at Tynedale Park: If you would like to display your car, then please register via www.mgnorthumbria.org and follow the link to ‘Classics in Corbridge’ and register

Dry conditions made it easy going for the majority of competitors, I wonder how many of them were wishing for a bit more of a challenge at ‘Alham Splash’, the second photo is from a couple of years ago. So, to events to plug this month: June 13-14 – Bristol Classic Car Show.

Held at the Bath & West Showground, the Centre will have a stand in a prime location. If you can help on our stand for a couple of hours, email Jim Lott (chairman@mgccsw.com). The event includes an auto-jumble; advance tickets are available online up to June 11.

June 20 – California Cup Autotest at MGLive! Again this year the Centre is running this event, entries by June 6 (see main MGLive! website www.mglive.co.uk). As ever, if you can help marshal email Neil Lock at calicup@ mgccsw.com June 28 – Lacock Abbey National Trust.

After last year’s very successful meeting at Stourhead, Alan Diamond and David Heath are organising a similar event, details on our website.

July 26 – MGs On Grass 2, Yatton.

More details on this friendly autotest in next month’s notes. An ideal event for novices with any standard (or modified) road going MG, so see you there.

CENTRE

on the ‘Eventbite’ website. Please indicate that you are with MGCC Tyne-Tees Centre, and let me know too… thanks.

Saturday August 8 – Sunday 9 ‘Croft Nostalgia Weekend’: Tyne-Tees Centre will have a stand. If you wish to display your car (pre-1977), go to the website at http:// www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/nostalgia and download a booking form. Please annotate the top of the form with ‘MG Car Club Tyne-Tees Centre’… and let me know too please.

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CENTRES

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

North-Ken Cothliff During the intervening month since March we had a busy time. After a great evening at the Shipley Bowl organised by Colin Brear on All Fools Day (no joke intended!), we all went for a great curry.

Jack Tinker won the Natter Bowling Trophy, Kate Marsden won the ladies’ prize. The Natter put in a good attendance at the Centre’s Daffodil Run The April Natter evening was our popular slot car racing competition, organised by Nick Mann and Colin Brear. Bill Poole won the men’s prize after a tough scrap, and Kate the ladies’ prize. Jeff Marsden was congratulated on his performance at Mallory Park – second in class, third overall and fastest time in his racing TD.

route took us through picturesque villages to our destination at the Yorkshire Air Museum.

We welcomed new member Rob Dickinson who came in a very nice MGB GT that he had recently purchased, accompanied by his daughter.

A birthday cake seemed appropriate for the evening as we had three members with either past, present or future birthdays ending in a 0.

Drive it Day completed our April calendar with a run to The Oil Can Café.

Tiger-Pete Welbourn Many thanks to the organisers of the Daffodil Run, a good route and good weather to enjoy the view.

CENTRE The weather was not as good for our first luncheon run, although the rain held off as we followed last year’s route back to the Buck Hotel in Thornton le Dale. I can see our May run being a repeat as Mel and I are joining fellow MGAers for the 60th anniversary run in the Netherlands at the end of April.

The June luncheon run may also be a repeat as I am keen to visit the White Horse Farm Inn at Rosedale, using the same route planned by Ian, and hoping for June sunshine. Those who did the run last year will remember we drove through the September mist, fog and finally cloud.

South-Kathryn Twiby Numerous South Yorkshire members had a good drive and picnic on the Daffodil Run. Drive it Day was held at The Oil Can Cafe near Holmfirth with 22 cars attending.

The breakfast and tour were very enjoyable and the weather glorious.

All in a fab day; thank you Vaughan.

East-Brian Rylance The East Yorkshire Natter had their MGCC Yorkshire Centre stand at the Historic and Classic Vehicle Event at Fort Paull on Sunday April 19.

This event supports the cancer support charity ‘Her Breast Friend’. Over 100 vehicles of almost every description were showing at the museum.

Six club members brought their caravans on the Friday and had an enjoyable weekend staying on site. We hope you may join us at next event here on September 20. Details can found on the Yorkshire Centre website www.mgccyorkshire.co.uk MGCC results: First: Paul Harrison, Midget. Second: Jill Thornton, MGB. Third: Chris Moore, MGB GT. West-David Copeman April began with the Daffodil Run once again organised by Chris, Dawn, Sophie and Sam Flanagan; 97 cars booked for this popular Easter Sunday run. The sun was shining, the 60 mile

CENTRE

ULSTER

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

We have had a bit of a break from our club activities since the AGM. Our last autotest was to be held on the evening of Thursday May 14 but unfortunately when we arrived at the site we couldn’t gain access.

Our next event is a Sunday Run starting with a tour of Patterson’s Spade Mill on Sunday June 7 at 11.30, having a ‘byo’ picnic lunch there and then heading up towards The Dark Hedges and Armoy area, finishing at The Five Corners, Ballyclare for our evening meal. The total mileage will be approximately 78 miles. Don’t forget to

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contact Carol with your menu choices. Sounds like a really good day out.

Then on June 18 we have an autotest at Morrow Contracts situated in the Gilnahirk Hills, Belfast. We haven’t been there for a few years so it will be an interesting change.

On Sunday July 26 we will meet in Comber Square to join in a short treasure hunt which will take us to a National Trust Open Garden and then have our evening meal in The Poacher’s Pocket (previously Lisbarnet House).

Please contact Carol if you wish to go along

to any of the social outings as we need to give numbers to the eateries.

Dates for your Diary: Sunday Run June 7 starting at Patterson’s Spade Mill Autotest June 18 – Morrows Autotest 18 October Ulster Classic Trial September 4 PCT Sep 19, Oct 3, Oct 24 AutoSOLO November 7 Till the next time, bye for now

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:01

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JUNE 2015

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REGISTERS

VINTAGE John Venables johnandtriciav@gmail.com

The Register weekend in Tenterden was a resounding success and we are indebted to Debbie Brading and Ian Quarrington for their efforts on our behalf. We started with a visit to Biddenham vineyard for lunch and tasting.

On Tuesday some of the party went to Leeds Castle while the rest of us went on to Chatham dockyard, where we were entertained by a guide who was something else, with his long hair and a period top hat, his expressions were very entertaining. Wednesday the group went to Rochester Castle and the magnificent Cathedral.

On Thursday we enjoyed a circular tour of Kent, and visited Rye, one of the Cinque Ports, followed by a visit to Hole Place, lovely gardens, and the private Morgan museum of C Booth which had

an amazing collection of vehicles in Rolvendon.

Silverstone is just around the corner and we need some goodies to sell on our stand. The arrangement is that you receive 80 per cent of the sale price and the Register takes the 20 percent. Books, spares, spotlights, toys, badges, old magazines are all favourites, so have a clear out of the garage or store shed. We shall have our stand in the marquee as usual; the theme this year is a day at the races. We have chosen to highlight Brooklands, to dress appropriately.

Ladies in pre-war dress style and the men in boiler suits is a suggestion. We are taking a table at the President’s dinner on the Saturday night as a Register and if anyone wants to come at this late stage please let me know.

SVW Charlie Plain-Jones cplainjones@gmail.com www.svwregister.co.uk/

Some of you may be aware that over many months Keith Bush has been hard at work restoring a sectioned VA engine and gearbox into superb show condition. This project threw up a number of issues not normally associated with engine rebuilds, not least of which is how to make the insides look as good as the outside! Then there was how to mount the unit for display.

It has taken all of Keith’s skill and ingenuity plus donations of missing parts from other members of the Register to bring the project to a successful conclusion, and on Sunday April 19, Keith and the SVW Committee were at Kimber House to present the completed engine and gearbox to Julian White (MGCC General Manager), Peter Neal (Archive Manager) and Colin Grant from Main Club.

The picture is of Keith with Julian and Jim and the Engine and Gearbox, which will now be displayed at Kimber House.

A full report and detail pictures will be in the SVW Review later this year.

Finally, a reminder from Paul and Sharman

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

T Register News (TRN) The April edition of TRN is now available for free download on the MGCC T Register website www.tregister.org However for some time the T Register committee has debated the value of the effort that goes into producing this magazine and questioning how many members get to read it.

In the April edition the chairman Geoff Matthews requested in a leader that everyone responds to him and air your views as to whether we continue with this method of communication.

To get this message across, we attach below an abridged version of this leader in TRN and trust that you will consider these words and respond accordingly on the basis that we believe that the way forward is important to the Register.

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“For some time we have wanted to review our member communication strategy and I would like to ask for your assistance. Will ALL members send me an email to geoff@ostlersbarn.co.uk to acknowledge that you do read TRN! If you do not have access to email please write to me at Ostlers Barn, Advent, Camelford, PL32 9QF or telephone me on 01840 214972. If all you do is simply tell me you have read this it will be very helpful but any additional comments on the content of this piece will also be most welcome.

At present, there is a regular monthly piece in Safety Fast! and every four months an extended four page newsletter. We do not intend this to change as it is the main club communication method. Currently we distribute about 40 copies

REGISTER Looking further ahead there is an interesting event taking place at Prescott over the weekend of August 18 and 19 where you get the chance to drive the hill, There are other attractions there as well, look it up on the internet, Prewar War Prescott.

The Register also supports the VSCC Prescott Hillclimb with the traditional picnic in the Orchard. Let us hope the weather is kinder this year, it was decidedly damp last year.

In September the weekend of 19 and 20 is Kop Hillclimb near Chinnor. This event is growing in popularity and we are considering a stand for the Vintage Register. I happened to be on a run last weekend and our route took us up the hill.

More on this later.

REGISTER that the last day for booking the hotel for the SVW August weekend is Friday 26 June! So do it now..

REGISTER of TRN and on average there are approximately 900 ‘hits’ on the website each quarter but this is not an accurate record of readership, which is why a notification would be hugely helpful.

We are also intending to update the website and we hope many of you are now accessing our Facebook page, we know this is being used but, interestingly, most of the activity on this page does not appear to be our usual membership.

The main question facing our subcommittee is, therefore, HOW IMPORTANT TO OUR MEMBERS IS TRN? If it is of value to you, please do let us know or otherwise you may find changes are made with which you may disagree.

Thank you, Geoff Matthews, T Register Chairman.”

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:01

REGISTERS

REGISTER

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

Tributes to Lou Shorten I hope to have some more photos and tributes to Lou in the July newsletter, as her funeral takes place after going to press, but as expected there’s been a lot of messages on magnette.org and other forums, where Magnette enthusiasts from all over the world have contributed their memories of Lou, her amazing knowledge of the cars and her generosity and character.

Magnettes & Steam Our first event on April 4 was well attended, with 20 Magnettes (including Andy and Jo’s Farina) gathered at Hollycombe Steam Collection in Hampshire. The weather was cool and windy, but we got a warm welcome from the staff and volunteers, and a reserved parking area with plenty of space for Magnettes as well as other MGs – also Jeffrey and Rosalind Bridges who brought their fine Wolseley 6/90 since they’re still getting their Z back on the road.

There’s plenty to do at Hollycombe for all ages, so it was good to see several families with children, including John and Cynthia’s granddaughter. Also refreshing to have Magnettes in a wide range of conditions, from

newly restored to more or less just pulled out of a shed – the latter often attract the most interest.

Don’t forget that steam enthusiasts have another treat in store when we meet at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre on July 12.

Regalia The committee are looking forward to meeting you on the Register stand at MGLive!, the next event on the Magnette calendar. As usual there’ll be a selection of regalia for sale, and each year we discuss possibilities for new items. But as a fairly small group we’re limited in how much of our funds can be tied up in stock that might take a year or two to sell.

At the risk of repetition, we do still have a number of the fine grille badges produced for Magnette60, and once sold these are unlikely to be available again – badges are particularly difficult and expensive to source in small quantities, hence the circular Register design hasn’t been available recently.

Paul Batho has come up with an idea (admittedly not completely original) for closeup photos of Magnette features, printed with a ‘posterized’ effect and suitably framed. We think it’s the obvious must-have item of wall-art for Magnette owners, but do let us know what you think, whether or not it appeals to you. You’ll be able to see a selection of these pictures at MGLive!.

We are MG enthusiasts with over 30 years experience, offering an extensive range of services. Our modern, fully equipped workshop is easily found just off the A22/A26 Uckfield by-pass with good road, rail and bus links.

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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JUNE 2015

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REGISTERS

MGA Edward Vandyk Tel: 01488 608810 email: mgascribe@vandyk.co.uk

“And it’s hallo from me” Following on from George Dutton’s closing remarks in May’s edition of Safety Fast! this is my first edition as your ‘MGA scribe’. Having volunteered, I took over the role at the recent AGM. On behalf of all the members of the MGA Register I would like to thank George for his sterling work as scribe over the years. George remains on the Register Committee retaining some current functions and acquiring others, such as for merchandising. As George also said, please continue to send me your words and pictures on MGA topics. Whilst my enthusiasm for the MGA has been life long my ownership has only been relatively recent. Back in the days when I was a student I was lucky enough to drive Midgets and Bs before moving on to a family and cars with four doors. Somehow ownership of an MGA seemed to elude me but I think I have made up for it since! If you read my recent articles about Bob Olthoff in Safety Fast! you may recognise why my current MGA obsession is about making 1762cc Twin Cam engines remain in one piece – the jury is out until at least a planned outing at Silverstone after this has gone to press!

MGA Register AGM 2015 At the AGM Ian Wilson and I were elected to

the Register Committee. Contact details for the Register Committee members and their individual responsibilities are listed on the Register website at www.mgcc.co.uk/mga-register/contacts-2/ Twin Cam Register AGM This will be held on May 30 at 10.00am at Kimber House. If you propose to attend please let Mark Hester (markhester@hotmail.com) know so the catering arrangements can be organised.

Historian / Archivist On the subject of volunteering, the MGA Register is also looking for a volunteer to take over the roles of Historian and Archivist from Piers Hubbard from the spring of 2016. Piers has been Historian and Archivist of the MGA Register for the last 18 years and has built up an invaluable database of knowledge, contacts and documentation. As the co-author of ‘Call it MGA’, which must be regarded as the definitive history of the MGA, now in its second edition, he will undoubtedly be a challenging act to follow. Piers is happy to work with the new Historian to ensure a smooth transition and to hand over the Archivist functions and the Archives, both physical and virtual, over a longer period. A brief description of the roles is available at https://www.dropbox.com/s/

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

MGB Register Notes June 2015.

I have just returned from the Drive it Day Lunch Brunch Scramble at Bicester Heritage where there has been a fantastic selection of vehicles and aircraft. Living literally a few hundred metres from the airfield it’s an event I can’t really miss! For those who don’t know, Bicester Heritage is based at a First World War airfield which is being developed as a centre of excellence for both historic aircraft and vehicles, where many businesses for the support of such will be based. The airfield is still operational for gliding and light aircraft. Being an MG fan you get used to going to events where most cars are MGs so it was good to see other vehicles, some of which you rarely see these days, particularly those from the 1960s and 70s. These types of events are held regularly so for full details look on their website at www.bicesterheritage.co.uk; I can certainly recommend them.

With MGLive! now only a couple of weeks away it’s incredible how quickly the year is going. The Jean Denton MGB will be on display, together with the usual team on our stand including our Technical wizards to assist with all things MGB. We will have regalia for sale, so don’t forget, make sure you visit the stand first before spending your pocket money somewhere else. Don’t forget as well, as it’s the 50th anniversary of the MGB GT we are planning to have a special display of GTs.

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To put on an event of this size takes an enormous amount of effort and goodwill from volunteers so I take this opportunity to thank everyone who is helping out with the Register’s activities.

The picture this month is from David Cleverdon of himself on the grid at Silverstone around 1968/1969 in his MGB, taking part in the MGCC Championship, which during the period he shared with the well-known racer Bill Nicholson.

The Championship went on to become the BCV8 Championship. David thinks the car no longer exists but if any of you know of the car, please contact me.

The registration number is DCO 484C.

Some dates for your diary: MGB Register, Shelsley Walsh Gathering, August 16. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the MGB GT, why not join us at Shelsley for picnic. As always, all models of MG are welcome. You can pay on the day at the gate or you can book in advance and get a reduced entry price. A number of lucky owners

REGISTER t5gconac4aijq2z/Historian%20Duties%20v2. doc.docx?dl=0 If interested and you want more details please contact me or Piers directly: mgcarclub-mgahistorian@outlook.com ‘Call it MGA’ second edition available at MGLive!

Register members are very welcome at the MGA Register stand at MGLive! where the new edition of ‘Call it MGA’ will be on sale.

It is packed with new information and some 50% bigger than the first edition.

Piers Hubbard or Roger Martin will be on hand to sign personal copies for customers, although all of the 251 numbered signed copies were sold through advance orders.

REGISTER selected from the advance entries will be invited to join in a parade up the hill during the lunch break so get your entry in now. I have been lucky enough to drive the hill and can certainly recommend it.

MGB Weekend, September 25-28. This year the weekend is going to Wales, to be based at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells. As usual it will be a social weekend with scenic runs on the Saturday and Sunday. If you haven’t been on a weekend before I can guarantee you will have a great time. Numbers are restricted to 40 cars so if you are thinking of joining us don’t leave it too late so not to be disappointed, because places normally go quickly.

MGB Register Lecture, October 15. Why not join us for our sixth presentation which this year will feature the story of the SS Great Britain, the iconic ship designed by the brilliant Isambard Brunel in 1843. This is a unique opportunity to hear the inside story and ask questions of the people who passionately believe it should be renovated as part of our engineering heritage. All the previous Lectures have had great reviews so I’m sure this one will continue the success.

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

The Register will also have for sale a new grille badge available in black and chrome priced at £15 plus p&p. We only have 50qty so be quick for this limited edition product.

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:01

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

RE

SH

SH

EL

EL

LE

LE

D

D

1938 MG TA fitted with XPAG engine and 5 speed gearbox, twin spare wheels. Well known car in MGCC and T Register circles. Properly sorted suspension, steering and brakes In excellent running order. A very useable car for competitive and social events.

See it at MGLIVE! at Silverstone if not sold prior. For more info and price, (under current market pricing): Trade in classic bike or Midget Will Corry Jnr 07974 224191 Corry.will@gmail.com Alternatively, Will Snr on 07974 566659

1971 MGB ROADSTER BRG, black/green leather trim, w/w, o/drive. Reshelled 10 years ago and still superb condition. Fast road engine. Elm dash, magnolia clocks. S/S boot rack. Inertia belts. Polished screen frame. Totally restored better than new.

Everything replaced or new, done less than 5,000 miles since rebuild. Fantastic value @ £18,995.00

1965 MGB ROADSTER Tartan Red, black trim.

Registration reads almost ‘Classic’. A well loved car. Reshelled many years ago and has been used and enjoyed by a family owner. Car is rare ‘pull door handle model’. Has had later 5 BRG engine fitted. Very rare steel wheels. Drives very well. Very presentable and patinated, it’s no show car but a reliable fun car, can only go up in value and add fun to your life @ only £7,895.

1976 MGB ROADSTER Snowberry White, navy trim. New navy hood. Body excellent, Ziebarted from new. All new chrome. New tyres. Nice trim. A super car. £7,995.00

1976 MGB GT, Chrome bumper conv. Tartan Red, tan leather trim (new), Rose wood dash and cappings. SV filters. Alloy rocker. Reliable and well loved car. Looks really good. Some minor bodywork blemishes, but fantastic value @ £3,295.00

1974 NG TC Old English White, w/w, red trim.

2L Osselli engine, o/drive. All new or refurbed MBG components. Full weather gear. Built with no expense spared. Superb car, fantastic fun.

Superb condition, only used in dry weather. £9,795.00

1950 MG TD. Green with green trim. Very early MG TD, 2 owners from new. Really excellent original condition, underside, body and frame are excellent. Just had full brake overhaul. Rare opportunity. Paint OK but really needs a respray to reach its full glory. £16,995.00

MG SALES

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

MG 6 SE GT (just 20,000 miles)

MG TF 80TH ANNIVERSARY 135 (22,000 miles)

MG TF 160vvc (55,300 miles)

MG TF 135 Facelift (just 39,000 miles)

December 2011 ”61” Reg. Finished in Grey. A superb condition low mileage MG6 ‘SE’ 5 door.

Fitted with Air conditioning Satnav ,cruise control 17” alloys,park censors etc and just 20,000miles....

Sold with 12 months warranty. These MG6’s are outstanding value.....Also available a MG6 GT ‘S’ 5 door ,12/12,F.MG.Service History ,black, low mileage £6995.

April 2004 ”04” Reg. Finished in Silver/Black leather grenadine inserts. Previously supplied by us a very low mileage TF135 80th ltd edition. Having covered just 22,000 miles. Black leather sport seats with grenadine alcantara inserts, grenadine hood, sports pack 2, chrome packs, due in soon. £5,495

December 2004 ”54” Reg Finished in Ignition Blue/ black half leather. A superb very high spec TF160vvc, fitted with Air conditioning (just serviced)a heated glass rear screen, half leather sport seats, unmarked 16” 11 spoked alloys with Goodyears tyres alround, wind deflector, passengers airbag etc, headgasket/ cambelt/water pump stainless water pipes all fitted at 51307 miles, last owner since 2006. Special offer 12 months warranty. £4,695

September 2005”55” Reg. Finished in Ignition Blue/ black leather blue inserts A very high spec low mileage. Fitted with, sports pack 2 with unmarked 11 spoked 16” alloys, chrome packs, Blue hood, chrome packs, Wind deflector, front fog lights, glass heated rear screen, softride suspension, engine water level censor, FSH plus all mots. Outstanding condition.

Rare late TF with this high spec. Full service including a new headgasket/water pump/ cambelt 1/5/15. £4,695

MG TF 135 High spec (Just 28,000 miles)

MG TF 135 Rare colour (just 26,000 miles)

MG MGF 160vvc Trophy (just 38,000 miles)

MG TF 135 High spec (just 35,000 miles)

November 2004” 54” Reg. 28,000 MilesFinished in Black/Grenadine interior Here we offer a very low mileage high spec TF135, having covered just 28000 miles with full service history and just 2 owners. Finished in metallic black with Grenadine cockpit black leather sport seats with grenadine alcantara inserts. Black hood with a heated glass rear screen. 16” 11 spoked alloys. Sold with a new Headgasket/water pump /cambelt and mot. Superb condition. £4,495

November 2002”52” Reg. Finished in Celestial blue/Full Black leather Pre reg plus one private owner from new. Very low mileage having covered just 26,000 miles. High spec TF135 fitted with Full black leather sport seats, sports pack 2 with 11 spoke 16” alloys, chrome packs, front fog lights, etc. Finished in very rare Monogram Celestial Blue (code IAI), Superb condition. To be Sold with a new headgasket/cambelt/water pump and mot. £4,295

September 2001”51” Reg. Finished In: Trophy Blue/Black half leather. Previously supplied by us a superb low mileage with full service history cambelt serviced by us at 35,500 miles. Just had large service 20/4/15. Fitted with a glass heated rear screen. Just 1430 Trophy’s where made for the world market. These were the last ltd edition MGF’s made. £3,995

July 2003”03” Reg. Finished in Met Black/black half leather grey inserts. New headgasket/water pump/cambelt just fitted 7/5/15. A very high spec low mileage TF135, fitted with sports pack 2 with 16” 11 spoked alloys ,black half leather with grey alcantara inserts with a smokestone cockpit, chrome packs, front fog lights, wind deflector. Documented service history. £3,795

VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 87

This is just a small selection from our stock

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REGISTERS

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

The last month has flown past and as I write these notes, it’s another Bank Holiday. This time of year they come thick and fast.

On April 16 it was a pleasure to have Midget Register chairman Mike Parker and committee member Steve Clark join me at Castle Combe for one of Chris Darwin’s Track Days. Chris raises very healthy sums for charity and on this day alone he raised £5,250 for the ‘forever friends’ charity. This money is going to a new cancer care facility in Bath. We all contributed to this grand figure, me by paying my entry fee and Mike and Steve paying for rides around the circuit. I was not alone and was accompanied by other MGCC members Anthony Cutler, Tim Dalton, Jonathon Heap and Rob Armstrong who came down all

the way from York. It was a great day although I broke a half shaft, but Kim Dear from Magic Midget came to my rescue with a replacement.

Thanks Kim. Then on April 24, five MR members headed up to the Lake District for the weekend. The last time I was there was in 1986 as my wife and I stopped for a night whilst returning from our honeymoon.

The only room available was a twin room!

This time we stayed in a lovely hotel in Grasmere. Club member John Austerfield and his wife Debbie kindly organised the weekend and they did us proud. It was a fantastic weekend. We were also joined by Arie and Rianne de Best who travelled all the way from Holland in their Midget, just for the weekend. Living in Wales, all I can say

MGC Ginny Cartmell 01208 821552 ginnycartmell@btinternet.com

We have had already a few responses from C owners regarding their car in respect of our request for information on a census of live, coming back on the road and just those that exist!

Our database runs in tandem to the ‘official’ MGC Register, which holds all personal ownership records, as against holding more detailed information but without current and past owners. Exclusions to this would be ones owned by people in the public domain, for example that of the Prince of Wales.

These registers will eventually be merged, ie updating the MGC Register with more car detail.

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The main difference is our current C Register is covering cars which have, and are currently owned by members of the MG Car Club. The new database relates to all MGCs that came off the line at Abingdon.

We need your help to fill in the inevitable gaps because, by the very nature of research, we can absorb detail relating to the past but after that we are only as good as the information forwarded by yourselves.

We are of course pursuing other avenues, motor press, auctions and of course writing to other car clubs for their help. We must of course mention

REGISTER is that the Lake District is like North Wales but on lots of steroids. It is a fantastic place for touring in a Midget. If you’re a Facebook member, check out the Midget Register site for photos and videos.

Sharon and I have recently been planning this year’s September Run (September 6). This always takes some planning and whilst we did a recce (from home, the Run and back again was 320 miles), we will need to do it a few more times yet to ensure it is correct. An advert for it appears elsewhere in this mag, so please come and support us. We do it for the members. Last year’s was fab and this next one will not disappoint.

Pics this time are of participants in the Lake District weekend.

See you at MGLive!

REGISTER the help of the Heritage Trust at Gaydon where the Archive team have been tremendously helpful.

We would like to show you information about a MGC GT built in Abingdon, American specification, shipped to USA, then to Canada and over to Australia! So some miles travelled on a boat never mind on the road.

We thank John Fripp both for the information and for allowing us to publish details on this very nice CGT. Downton last month was another great event, with seven MGCs nestled in between the mass of Minis. If you have never attended this May Day Event, then perhaps you should give it a go next year, it’s always in the MGC Register Committee diary, as a ‘must attend’ event.

The photo left shows all seven MGCs assembled at the ‘Back to Downton’ event Saturday May 2.

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:04

MIDGET REGISTER ROAD RUN

EASTNOR CASTLE AND THE FOREST OF DEAN RUN SEPTEMBER 6 2015

This Year’s MGCC Midget Register’s September Run’ is open to all types of MG’s and derivatives and to both MGCC members and non members. It will take place on Sunday September 6, entitled 'Eastnor Castle and the Forest of Dean'.

The event will be centred on the beautiful country residence of Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire. Close to the Malvern Hills and surrounded by a Deer Park, Arboretum and Lake, it provides an idyllic setting and perfect backdrop for our Cars.

With this Year’s event it is planned to start and finish at Eastnor Castle. Entrants will assemble in the Courtyard of the Castle, being able to take advantage of the Café which will be open early to welcome participants, before following a route through the nearby Forest of Dean, an historic area of ancient Woodland, quaint villages and beautiful views.

Having followed a circular route, Cars will arrive back at the Castle to provide an opportunity to visit the attractions there www.eastnorcastle.com .

The entry fee is £26 and includes Route Book, Plaque, entry to the Gardens for two people. Joining instructions will be sent to you prior to the start date.

As well as being able to enter via the form below, participants can also enter and pay on line via the Midget Register website

Name

Reg No

Address

MGCC membership No Entries to: Neil Thomas, The Hollies, Gumfreston, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, SA70 8RA

Telephone No I enclose a cheque for £ Email MG model

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 89

made payable to: MGCC Midget Register, ENCLOSING A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE

22/05/2015 13:04

REGISTERS

V8 Victor Smith 0208 392 9434 victorsmith@v8register.net www.v8register.net

V8 Technical Day The V8 Technical Day is on Saturday June 6 2015 at the Club’s office in Abingdon. The programme for the day will cover various aspects of owning an MGV8, with four principal speakers: Mike Macartney – Building a V8 Roadster – If you have been following Mike’s rebuild story posted on the V8 website, this is a chance to hear first-hand the trials and tribulations of undertaking such a project.

Mark Wanstall – Hoyle suspension upgrades – Mark, a long term MGV8 owner who runs Fisher Services in Sydenham in SE London, bought John Hoyle’s well known engineering business in 2014. He will explain what’s involved in carrying out a Hoyle suspension upgrade on an MGV8.

‘MG RV8 the Manufacturing Story’ – George Wilder and Chris Allan will tell the story of how their book came about, its production and sales success. They are currently working on a new book on the RV8 and will give us an early preview, together with a short video on the production of the RV8, never before seen.

In addition to our main speakers there will

be updates on the current position with ethanol in petrol, V8 cooling issues, the rolling VED exemption and an explanation of the recent research on MGB GT V8 and RV8 values for our updated price guides.

Bookings for this event can be made directly with the organiser Roger Aldridge using our online form. Nic Houslip is supporting Roger with organising the event. The cost of the day is £15 which includes tea and coffee and a light buffet lunch. Early booking is recommended as the seating capacity is limited. Full details and a booking form are on the ‘more’ webpage at www.v8register.net/more.htm

Tanya Field 07929 868284 tanyafield123@sky.com

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we will have Nic Houslip’s V8 Roadster on display. He uses the car for track days and hill climbs. V8 enthusiasts are booking to join the V8 table at the Club’s ‘President’s Dinner’ on the Saturday evening. Again details available on the ‘more’ webpage on the V8 website.

V8 Summer BBQ Bob and Carolyn Owen are hosting a V8 Summer BBQ on Sunday July 19 from 11am at their home in Mortimer, SW of Reading in Berkshire.

Full details from Bob on 0118 933 2533 or the ‘more’ webpage.

V8 events before and at MGLive!

In the week before MGLive! on June 20-21 we have visits to Nuffield Place (Wednesday) and Bletchley Park (Thursday), and on Friday a tour of the Hook Norton Brewery, lunch at the Pear Tree Inn in Hook Norton and a V8 Supper at the Three Conies, near Brackley, not far from Silverstone. All V8 members and friends welcome. Full details are on the ‘more’ webpage at www.v8register.net/more.htm At MGLive! there will be a warm welcome at the V8 Marquee where V8 members and friends can meet up, and in the Club’s Main Marquee

FWD Last month the MG FWD Register had a stand at Brooklands’ MG Era Day. I understand that it has been a number of years since we as a Register had a presence there. We had six cars on display and both the cars and Register received a warm welcome and countless positive comments, which was brilliant. Thank you to all who attended and visited the stand.

I received a couple of small race reports from Roger Martin. First was from the Brands Hatch Spring race meeting which saw two MG Maestros and some MG Metros participating. Steve Tyler’s white Maestro efi (37) unfortunately didn’t finish in the first of the Peter Best Insurance Cup races for MG all-comers. However, Steve finished 13th in the second race, whilst Nick Arden in the similar blue Maestro efi (36) managed a credible 8th – well done Nick! Roger also reported that the Drayton Manor Park MG Metro Cup is increasingly dominated by Rover 100s these days but Dick Trevett’s Metro Turbo (96) achieved a 4th in the first race and 3rd in the second race. Also in the second race Richard Garrard’s similar car (49) came in 5th and Tony Howe (7) was 6th, so a good showing for the ‘originals’. Thank you Roger for letting me know about these races and results.

Looking forward to the rest of the summer, we like the rest of the MG world have MGLive! at Silverstone to look forward to on June 20- 21.

REGISTER

It would be great to have as many Register cars there as possible – it’s a good event to showcase ourselves at. Please can you let me know a.s.a.p. if you are bringing a Register car and which days (or both) you would like to join us on the stand.

We are also having a table in the main marquee and would welcome any offers of help to man the table. We have a rota with hour long slots, so if any of you could man the table for an hour, we would be very grateful. We are having a stand at the BMC & Leyland Show at Gaydon on Sunday July 5 and have an allocation of free tickets for 8 cars and 16 people, so please let me know if you would like to join us. Sunday July 19 is MG Saloon Day at Burghley House, Lincolnshire where we will be having a stand. Again, please get in touch if you would like to join us on the stand so I can estimate

REGISTER the stand size required. We are still waiting to confirm the end of season northern run; however it is looking like it will be Sunday September 13, so please pencil that in your diaries.

I am pleased to report since last month a number of members have been in touch including 1100 and 1300 owners, which is great news as we would like to have a Register which is able to represent all the models at events. I have noticed through Facebook a good number of 1100s and 1300s residing abroad and most appear to be well used and in excellent condition. Possibly the warmer climes of the countries these cars are living in have something to do with their survival and slowing down dreaded rusting process. It would be lovely if some of these cars could join us at events this summer.

Nick Arden in his Maestro enjoying the PBIC Race at Brands Hatch. Photo: Colin Murrell

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:04

REGISTERS

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

The Chairman’s Weekend based at Longbridge was great fun and I’ll be reporting more on that in the next Safety Fast!. However I’ll concentrate here on a third of the weekend, the AGM. Although the Register is healthy in a financial way, as well as the organisation of the main 20th Anniversary event at Gaydon. There has been an increase in Register regions and with that comes an increase in the amount of events that are open to MGF/TF owners, with an estimated 200 a year including local pub meets, car shows, camping trips, weekends away and international trips on the continent. But more help is needed at the top and we need more people to help on the committee, and in particular we are looking for a new secretary and a new events team. The Register thanks Graham Parker who has been our secretary for several years now but has stepped down due to new job, house and family commitments, and also Simon and Julie Davies from Events and Ruth Harris from a committee role looking after social media, although I’m sure she’ll still be posting and looking after our Facebook page. We wish them well and although no one stepped up at the AGM we know there must be some members out there who would relish the idea of getting involved and help to push forward the Register in our 20th Anniversary year.

There was little change in the rest of the committee with Keith Williams remaining Chairman and myself as Vice Chairman. Ron Kemp stays on as Treasurer, Rob Bell as Technical Advisor, Dave Tynan as Registrar, Colin Murrell as International Liaison, Nigel May as Membership and Archivist and Pete Opie looking after our websites. That does leave us with capacity for some new blood so please step forward and contact the Chairman as soon as you can, to find out more.

MGF20 MGF20 is developing apace and if you haven’t purchased your tickets in advance yet then there is still enough time to do so from our website at www.mgfregister.org/shop. There is a significant saving if you do it this way. The basic format of the show will be: Saturday: MGF20 main show, traders, arena, Pride of Ownership, lectures etc Saturday Evening: MGF20 party at Gaydon with 90s Cover band (particularly the hits of 1995!), food, drink, onsite camping, Glo Car Competition Sunday: Heritage Road Run from Gaydon to Longbridge where the MG sales centre will be open To give us some ideas of numbers, if you could email me should you wish to enter the

REGISTER Pride of Ownership or Glo Car Competition at timmorris@mgfregister.org giving the model, year and colour of your car along with your name and address, or download the form from the www.mgf20.info website. Entry is not restricted to just MGF/TFs as ‘others’ will be welcome in both categories. No charge for entry to either competition.

We can now announce that during Saturday we will have talks by personalities, on various aspects of the MGF/TF, such as Rob Oldaker, Andy Kitson and Roger Parker with more still to be announced.

More information can be found at www.mgf20.info and don’t forget to book your tickets now!

MGLive!

We’ll be at MGLive! as always so please look out for us in the main marquee where you can buy MGF20 tickets and regalia/gift items. Don’t forget the evening entertainment on Saturday night; once again, the music and Glo Car Competition has been organised by the Register – if you wish to enter the Glo Cars then you can pre apply via the ticket application form or just turn up from 7pm on the night with your car adorned with lights, I’m sure we’ll spot you!

REGISTER

MG6.3.5

Steve Haines Steve-haines@live.co.uk www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register twitter.com/635register

April 18 saw a big attendance of vehicles at Pride of Longbridge. The 6.3.5 Register stand had approximately 50 vehicles on it with owners from near and far enjoying making new friends and seeing old ones. We were parked up with MG Motor who were showcasing the new MG6 facelift model at the MG Sales Centre over the road.

The media reception and launch of the new MG6 has been very well received with a more competitive price and improvements to fuel economy, emissions, exterior and interior styling, quality, technology and finish. All existing owners were very impressed with TL model on display and gave it a thorough going over.

MG Motor have re-hashed the existing MG3 TV advert to include the MG6, and a new MG range brochure is now available, with the MG3 retaining the ‘Go Personal’ and the MG6 the new ‘Go Large’ straplines, so keep an eye out for it on mainstream

Register cars at the Pride of Longbridge event

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 91

TV. Maybe those existing MG6 owners won’t have such a well kept secret anymore!

In the 2015 Auto Express Driver Survey, the MG3 has been voted the tenth best car to own and MG Motor as the fourth best manufacturer. The information for this survey is provided by you, the owners, so give yourself a big pat on the back for the effort to give your opinion and the satisfaction that your cars have been recognised by the survey, even if we knew how good they are anyway!

On the track, both Andrew Jordan and Jack Goff have made solid starts to the season, without yet getting a win, but given the form at Donington it’s just a matter of time before it happens. The social media links and access to the teams and drivers this year has been fantastic. There are some really good insights into the action and technical side of the BTCC. Hopefully some owners will be lucky to see MG

The new MG6 on display in the Sales Centre, Longbridge.

Photo: Matt Haines

hit the top step of the podium at Thruxton, where not only are MG3 owners once again assisting MG Motor in displaying their vehicles on their sales stand, but the 635 Register / BTCC supporters suite will have a full complement of 30 to cheer on the teams.

The Register will shortly be publicising our new range of merchandise for sale after we have replenished the stocks. We have used funds raised from the eBay sales page to pay for two new banners and have received sponsorship for a third from our friends at John Woods Motorcare along with a donation to the Register’s chosen charity for the year – Prostate Cancer UK. We will be raising funds at each event this year and would encourage you all to help raise funds for this very deserving charity. Our Just Giving page can be found at www. justgiving.com/MG635Register Whether you are going Personal or Large, enjoy your cars, see you at an event soon.

The new MGs, go enjoy! Photo: Matt Haines

JUNE 2015

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LOOKING BACK

Looking

We’ve not featured a Midget for some time in ‘Looking Back’ so we thought we would make amends by using this excellent shot by Mark Rathbone of Edward and Easter Kirkland’s Mk III, taken at Lulworth Castle in August 2003.

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.

Last month’s photo of the MG 6R4 certainly stirred up interest with lots of useful information coming in by email and phone. David Coulthard’s response is printed below.

Further to this month’s ‘Looking Back’ feature, the MG Metro 6R4 picture is of David Llewellin and co-driver Phil Short in the National Breakdown Rally of February 1986.

They finished second behind Hannu Mikkola driving an Audi Quattro. Third was Jimmy McRae in another 6R4, backed by Rothmans.

Both Metros were prepared by RED. The rally was based in Bradford and used the North Yorkshire forest stages, such as Dalby and Cropton. However, I’m pretty sure the photo was taken at the Croft Circuit stage.

Looking forward to some enjoyable racing at Silverstone at MGLive! in June, we are reminded of the exciting MGF Cup races of yesteryear. We think this photo may have been taken in the late 1990s at Donington. Perhaps you can add more detail to this.

Lastly we have a photo from J.A. Bastock’s (of trials fame) collection from the 1930s, showing an MG Car Club meeting (lunch?). Unfortunately we cannot decipher the name of the hostelry on the inn sign. Perhaps you could let us know if you happen to recognise the building.

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www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:04

CLASSIFIEDS SPARES FOR SALE FOR SALE SPARES HOW TO ADVERTISE

HOW TO ADVERTISE Members can advertise their

spares forcan sale/wanted Members advertisefree theirof charge for items up to £250. spares for sale/wanted free of Over £250, or for non-members charge for items upistoa £250. to advertise, there charge of Over £250, or for non-members £20. To submit your advertisement email Colin at to advertise, there Grant is a charge of colingrant@mgcc.co.uk.

Please £20.

To submit your advertiseremember to include your memment email ColininGrant at bership number all corresponcolingrant@mgcc.co.uk.

Please dence remember to include your membership number in all corresponFast road Z Magnette or dence MGA 1533cc engine. Full

rebuild carried out in 1989 by Brown and Gammons at a then cost ofroad £2091Z and only 25,000 Fast Magnette or miles covered since rebuild.

MGA 1533cc engine. Full Engine comes complete with flyrebuild out in 1989 by wheel, carried clutch assembly, water Brown and Gammons at aminor then pump and various other ancillaries.

Fulland original cost of £2091 only invoice 25,000 and build sheetsince available for miles covered rebuild. inspection. Engine number 15ccEngine comes complete with flyu-h-10701.Last dyno session wheel, clutch assembly, water 78BHP at wheels.

Only available because MGBother 5 speed pump and ofvarious minor upgrade onFull my original car.£450invoice Ono. ancillaries.

Also available is the matching and build sheet available for Magnette gearbox which was inspection.

Engine number 15ccrebuilt at the same time as the engine by Brown dyno and Gammons u-h-10701.Last session at a then cost ofOnly £801.

Build 78BHP at wheels. available sheet available for inspection. because of MGB 5 speed Absolutely no issues with synupgrade my3rd car.£450 chromeshon from to 2nd Ono. gear unlikeavailable the vast majority of Also is the matching Magnette gearboxes. £250 Ono. Magnette gearbox which was Lastly I have a standard rebuilt at the same time as the Magnette cylinder head plus engine Brown and Gammons exhaustby manifold for sale at £30. at cost of £801.Mobile Build Tel a then 01252-614698 07742750264.

Or e-mail: sheet available for inspection. hillsfrankie@ntlworld.com

Absolutely no issues with synchromesh from 3rd to 2nd gear unlike the vast majority of TD/TF Parts Magnette gearboxes. £250 Ono. Steel wheels, good condition.

TD GEAR Lastly I BOX have(early a model) standard appears good condition, comMagnette cylinder head plus plete with bell housing. exhaust manifold for sale at £30.

TD/TF Remote Gear Change, Tel 01252-614698 Mobile good condition.

TD/TF Cylinder Or Head, complete 07742750264. e-mail: with valves and springs, good hillsfrankie@ntlworld.com condition.

XPAG Rocker Box Cover.

Please call David on 01255 675358 or 07740 636158 TD/TF Partscollect from NE Buyers must Essex wheels, good condition.

Steel

TD GEAR BOX (early model) appears good condition, comMGTC Dash lamp plete with bell old housing.

This is a new stock genuine Lucas item still Gear in its original TD/TF Remote Change,box (not acondition. cheap repro) £125 Plus good P&P or collect.

TD/TF Cylinder Head,Vokes complete MGA Pair of original air with and springs, filtersvalves as removed, thesegood have been in my loft for many years. condition. £85 Plus P&P Box or collect XPAG Rocker Cover.

Contact Phill on 01792 587337 Please call David (Swansea area) on 01255 675358 or 07740 636158 Buyers must collect from NE Essex

MGC new new spares spares MGC

Safety Fast Fast Magazines Magazines Safety

MGF/TF MGF/TF

15" 72 spoke wire wheels 2 No. painted £95 each. wheels 2 No. 8 TPI hubs to £95 suit each. the above 2 No. £29 each.

All above brand 8 TPI hubs to suit the above 2 new.£29 Carriage at above cost. brand No. each. All Tel: 01633 440 647 Email: new.

Carriage at cost.

Johnadavies11@btinternet.com Tel: 01633 440 647 Email: Johnadavies11@btinternet.com

Free, good condition, June 1969 through to January 1994 incl. through January incl. completetoapart from1994 April/May 1975, plusapart grease gun, foot complete from April/May pump plus & axle stands.

1975, grease gun, foot Pick up only, from North Devon. pump & axle stands.

For further details please call Pick up475803. only, from North Devon.

01237 For further details please call 01237 475803.

Chrome Roll Hoops For Sale MG Rover Part No. MG Rover Part No.- Unused, XPT000108MMM with all fittings, in original packXPT000108MMM - Unused, aging £100. with all fittings, in original packMGTF Rear Lamp Assemblies aging £100.Part No. XFB000540 MG Rover MGTF Rear Lamp Assemblies (RH) and XFB000550 (LH), usedRover for 2 years butXFB000540 in excellent MG Part No. condition £35 the pair.

(RH) and XFB000550 (LH), Buyer to collect from Rugby, used for 2 yearsTel: butdaytime in excellent Warwickshire. condition theorpair.

0116 218 £35 6972 mobile 0794 105 3235. from Email Buyer to collect Rugby, spencer_ian_s@yahoo.co.uk Warwickshire.

Tel: daytime 0116 218 6972 or mobile 0794 105 3235. Email spencer_ian_s@yahoo.co.uk MG TType

15" 72 spoke painted wire

MGB and Midget Rostyles 7 Standard MG Midget Rostyle wheels Free on Collection

MGB Midget Rostyles 2 Earlyand pattern MG Midget

Rostyle nearly £10Rostyle 7 Standard MGnew Midget 5 MGB Free Rostyle Free on wheels on wheels Collection Collection 2 Early pattern MG Midget 4 MGB Rostyle with chrome Rostyle nearly new £10 185/70 trims and usable Falken tyres £40.

Tel 01362 684226 5 MGB Rostyle wheels Free on (Dereham Norfolk) Collection

4 MGB Rostyle with chrome trims MGBand usable Falken 185/70 One Brand New and 684226 Boxed tyres £40. Tel 01362 MGB Rubber Bumper Radiator.

(Dereham Norfolk)

Cost £130 - Yours for £90 including UK Postage or collect.

Telephone Stephen Foster MGB 0208 952 1234. (Middlesex)

One Brand New and Boxed MGB Rubber parts Bumper Radiator.

MG T-Type Cost £130 - Yours for £90 Mainly TC &TD. Various parts including Postage or collect. available.UK Please call John for details on 01944 758888.

Telephone Stephen Foster 0208 952 1234. (Middlesex) MGBV8 Holly Carb, manifold, MR low MG T-Type parts rider chrome air filter almost as

Mainly TC &TD. Various parts new. £500 no offers MG Midget RWA, rear available.

Please callN/S John for wing new old stock. £150. Also details on 01944 758888. lower boot panel £50.

Tel 01494 813903 Buyer collects. (High Wycombe)

MGBV8

Holly Carb, manifold, MR low MG Books rider chrome air filter almost as MG by Wilson McComb with new. £500 no offers dust cover. Excellent condition MG Midget £20 plus P&PRWA, N/S rear The Mighty Cam, wing new oldMG’s stock.Twin £150.

Also MGC, boot MGB, MGBV8 lower panel £50.stories by Graham Robson with dust Tel 01494 813903 Buyer colcover.

Excellent condition 1st lects.

Wycombe) Edition(High £30 plus P&P MG Log A celebration of the worlds favourite sports car by Peter Haining/Jean Cook with dust Books cover excellent condition MG £10 Plus P&P MG Wilson McComb MG by Dream Machines by with Ian Penerthy 18/80 to rally MG dust cover.

Excellent condition Metro 6R4 £10 Plus P&P £20 plus P&P Tel: 01494 813903

The Mighty MG’s Twin Cam, MGC, MGB, MGBV8 stories by Graham Robson with dust cover. Excellent condition 1st MGB Spares Edition £30 plus P&P MGB overdrive gearbox for MG A celebration of the sale.Log £150.

Also early gearbox worlds favourite car by non overdrive forsports sale £50.

Contact Bob Olsen 07902 Peter Haining/Jean Cook with 027280 or email dust cover excellent condition bobolsen001@gmail.com £10 Plus P&P MG Dream Machines by Ian Penerthy 18/80 to rally MG Metro 6R4 £10 Plus P&P Tel: 01494 813903

MGTC Dash lamp This is a new old stock genuine Lucas item still in its original box (not a cheap repro) £125 Plus P&P or collect.

MGA Pair of original Vokes air filters as removed, these have been in my loft for many years. £85 Plus P&P or collect Contact Phill on 01792 587337 (Swansea area)

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 93

MGB Spares

MGB overdrive gearbox for sale. £150. Also early gearbox non overdrive for sale £50.

Contact Bob Olsen 07902 027280 or email bobolsen001@gmail.com

Free, good condition, June 1969

MG VA Cylinder Block

No. TPBG 748 (wet clutch) bored +.030" & worn plus MG VA disassembled.

Cylinder Block innards, Good dry (c/bal) worn wet No. TPBG crankshaft, 748 (wet clutch) crankshaft, new water pump, bored worn plus several+.030" other & bits. innards, Offers fordisassembled. the lot. PleaseGood ring 07979 827265 or emailworn wet dry (c/bal) crankshaft, gerry.marsden@hotmail.co.uk. crankshaft, new water pump, for details

several other bits.

Offers for the lot. Please ring 07979 827265 or email MG T Type Parts for Sale. gerry.marsden@hotmail.co.uk.

2 TA/TB S/H front springs for details 1 TC new front spring 1 Cylinder Head with valves 2 Brake drums 1 Bell housing 1 Front brake Parts back plate MG T Type for Sale.

1 TD/TF new hood frame 2 TA/TB S/H front springs 2 TD/TF horns 1 new frontwith spring 1 TC TA gearbox remote 1 Cylinder TF spareHead wheelwith carrier.

1 valves 2 TC doors VGC 2 Brake drums 1 TC Scuttle top Good 1 Bell to housing Open offers on all parts.

1 Front 0115 brake9873131 back plate Phone or 07746293829 1 TD/TF new hood frame

2 TD/TF horns 1 TA gearbox with remote MGF OWNERS 1 TF spare wheel carrier.

Registration No. MGF 218Y for 2 TCon doors VGC certificate. sale retention 1 TC Scuttle top Good Please contact dora.thomas@btinternet.com Open to offers on all parts.

Phone 0115 9873131 or 07746293829

MGF OWNERS

Chrome Roll Hoops For Sale

jack operating bar. Bar is square section, 30 inches long with raised 1/2 inch square flange at the jack end. And a round eye MG TType 1 inch in diameter at the other end. A rare item: price £45 + jack operating bar. Bar is square £10 postage. Tel: 01280848529 section, 30 inches long with (Buckingham)

raised 1/2 inch square flange at the jack end. And a round eye MG Midget Spares 1 inch in diameter at the other DIFF. A unit (39/10) £130.00 end. rare item: -price £45 + Radiator (early type) - £25.00 £10 postage. Tel: 01280848529 Radiator grille - £20.00 (Buckingham) Will post at extra cost.

Telephone: 01746 789551.

(Shropshire)

MG Midget Spares DIFF. unit (39/10) - £130.00 WANTED Radiator (early type) - £25.00 Radiator grille - £20.00 Will post at extra cost.

MGA COUPE Telephone: 01746 789551.

MUST BE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION -- Please call (Shropshire) David on 01255 675358 or 07740 636158

WANTED

M.G. in North Herts

Registration No. MGF 218Y for sale on retention certificate.

Please contact dora.thomas@btinternet.com

MGA COUPE MGOC Recommended Workshop MUST BE IN VERY GOOD and Power Steering Installer CONDITION -- Please call MoT & Failures Repaired David on 01255 675358 or Servicing, Welding, Restoration 07740 636158 M.G.A. – B – C – V8, Midget

MG ZS/Rover 45

Rear of Langley Garage London Road, Langley, Nr Hitchin, Herts SG4 7PJ

Haynes manual 1999 to 2005 models in excellent unmarked condition £10 + p+p.

Contact Lynden 01606 784690 or 07900305747.

MG Maestro Lower Rear Panel.No longer available, complete rear end replacement panel for plastic bumpered Maestro. Can bring to MG Live on the Saturday or collection from Lincoln £150 MG 45 Text ZS/Rover 07889 229168

Haynes manual 1999 to 2005 models in excellent unmarked condition £10 + p+p.

Contact Lynden 01606 784690 or 07900305747.

MG Maestro Lower Rear Panel.No longer available, complete rear end replacement panel for plastic bumpered Maestro. Can bring to MG Live on the Saturday or collection from Lincoln £150 Text 07889 229168

01438 729288 07860 473298 www.mg-repairs-hertfordshire.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

JUNE 2015

93

22/05/2015 13:04

H29 - SMR_CLASSIC 29/01/2013 16:41 Page 1

CARS FOR SALE How to Advertise

Specialists in MG Motor Cars

WAN MGA 1600 CO Must be in very Please call Da 675358 or 0774

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

MG TD2, 1953, LHD, exported to the US from new and restored in the US in 2010 and imported into the UK that year to join an extensive collection of MGs. Recommissioned in 2014 and registered on UK number plates at the cost of £2,000 by noted marque specialist Peter Edney to ensure all correct period details. A nice example with original engine and gearbox still fitted from new, good condition maroon coachwork with beige interior trim, removable matching armrest, good condition mohair hood, side screen assemblies present but require refurbishment, small history file with ‘T’ Register dating letter & correspondence, import documents including HMRC paperwork confirming all duties paid, registered UK car now and ready to improve further or enjoy as is, selling on behalf of private vendor, just arrived £16,950.00

URGENTLY WANTED ANY MG ANY YEAR, ANY CONDITION 01707 876089

or

colingrant@mgcc.co.uk with details

MGB Roadster, 1977, chrome bumper & V8 conversion, good condition red coachwork with nice black leather interior trim, 15” GB alloy wheels with Pirelli P6000 tyres, clean engine compartment, delightful drive from 3.5 litre engine coupled to 5 speed gearbox, last owner 11 years, just arrived, £12,950.00

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 following months issue.

MGB Roadster, 1973, chrome bumpers, overdrive, one owner for last 34 years, genuine 83,000 miles, very good condition Aconite coachwork testament to older restoration that included new wings, complete sills, castle rails etc. etc., nice condition Black leather interior trim, new hood, small history file with original British Leyland ‘Passport to Service’ document, old mot’s, tax discs & invoices back to the early 80’s, very original example and drives delightfully, just arrived £8,495.00

Cream with red upholsery left hand drive good mechanics with unleaded head. Body rust free but needs . some work. Matching numbers. £15000 or offers. Contact John on 01322667591

07831 556666

201< 2015

CM02.13/H29/be

enquiries@mgsforsale.com

www.mgsforsale.com

Finished in Vermillion with Black interior. Garaged. Dry weather use only. 12000 miles on speedo. 5000 miles with present owner. Full and half tonneau, new brakes, battery and radiator. Radio, Wooden steering wheel. MOT until September 2015. £1800 ono.

Call Ken on 01656 664125.

MGTD 1952

B32 - MIKE ROLLS SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS SERVICES 13/12/2012 09:50 Page 1

Do not confuse the above vehicles with cheaper inferior quality models offered elsewhere.

Part exchange any make of Motor Car with generous allowances. Discounted cash purchases.

Viewing by appointment only please (available evenings & weekends) no obligation to purchase.

All our vehicles carry a warranty, have an MOT and are fully serviced prior to collection/delivery.

MG Midget 1500cc 1979.

MIKE ROLLS

MGB 1962

MGB GT 1972

MoT'd until June 2015, Tax exempt, 1950cc (possible Oselli upgrade), parabolic rear springs, Gaz adjustable dampers front and rear, new radiator, new servo and o/s calliper, new fuel pump, body in very good condition, underneath and chassis sold and rust free. Clean and tidy interior. Motalita steering wheel. Recent new tyres. £5,295.

Telephone. 07525337554 (Ulster)

Early pull-handle model fully restored with bare metal re-spray MG TD 1951 Specialising in all MG’s and waxoyled 12 years ago.

TRADE MEMBER Genuine UK car, 2 previous owners, TEL/FAX: 01258 820337 Completely rust-free. 5B engine Red, full red leather interior. Fully Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm with u/l head, 4-synchro g/b with restored to an outstanding condio/d.

Just serviced with new MoT MG TD 1950, this car was originally a righthand drive US export and then MGB ROADSTER, 1982 tion, new ash frame, new bodywork, in Vermillion, thisincar2004, has amazing returned back to the UK in Rubber 2002 bumper and re-registered it hasoriginal since (no advisories). Servo and air horns, re-chromed, engine totally rebuilt paint workwith with 6,000 recorded milesand (believed to be genuine) undergone a full body off restoration photographic invoice history, new battery and starter. and old MOTs back to the 80’s. In the region of £3,000 on extras (unleaded conversion), gearbox fully it now looks stunning in its gleaming red body work beige which include: Chrome wirecomplimented wheels, Stainless with steel sports Albertronic 123 ignition. Chrome Stainless bootside rack, screens, Motolita steering wheel,does 123 rebuilt, new wiring loom and all leather interior and matchingexhaust, mohair hoodsteel and not only Weather equipment as IgnitionARTWORK and K & N Filters. it IS has the originalPROPERTY interior which is THE OFw/wheels.

CLASSIC CARS FOR SALE MAGAZINE. this car look beautiful, but itTHIS drives superbly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£23,995 instruments overhauled. New canin very good order. This car has a near perfect body as close as new. Dry use only. Several spares. vas tan hood, full and short tonyou can get to a new B. MGB GT, 1969, British racing green, Chrome Bumper, Tax exempt, Garaged in Fife. £10,400 o.v.n.o. neaus. (Pictures of the restoration Overdrive, Wire wheels, Full sunroof, leaf interior with newMAY front BE REPRODUCED, STORED OR OTHERWISE NO£10,995 PARTAutumn OF exhaust THIS ARTWORK Tel: 01337 830472 or e-mail seat covers, Electronic ignition,MG Stainless steel1974 system, Restored by us available). This is effectively a new MIDGET, philhutchinson100@btinternet.com in 2000, Service history, In USED excellent order. . fi.nished . . OTHER . . .in. Brooklands . . . . . . PUBLICATION . .Green, . . . . .with . .£6,500 BY ANY UNLESS PRIOR PERMISSION IS BY a new owner.

Round wheel arch, black car GIVEN that is awaiting (after 7th June). interior, 1400cc Oselli engine with Weber and Wire Wheels.

MG TF 135, 2003, Dark green, Biscuit interior.

Tax THE PUBLISHERS - MS Publications (2001) Ltd. £28,000 ono. Contact Adrian Restored leather in the early 90’s andMOT still inMarch excellent2013, condition, with roll bar and extensive file pipe, with Feb. 2013. Radio C/D player, comes hood cover.

Recent head gasket,history coolant on 01737 762283 or Email 84,000 miles on the clock. It has been with its current cambelt and clutch. Good service . . .11. . years . . . . .and . . .under . . . . 1000mls . . . . . . done .£3,650 adrian.malthouse@btconnect.com ownerhistory. for the last in this time.

MG Midget, 1980, Flamenco Red, much money spent including up-rated This is a very well sorted Midget with superb performance. suspension front and back, K & N Filters, Various new mechanical parts, Full £8,995 tonneau,and Motolita steering wheel, It comes with a very good service MGB ROADSTER, history, Bootrack, Kenwood radio/CD player and 1972 Black vinyl seats. The car is Tax exempt, Finished in Glacier White. The car comes with MOT'd up to September 2013 Overdrive, and taxed until of July .veneer . . .£3,500 Recently fiend ttedcheck Wire wheels, Walnut.carefully dash, Please this2013. proof for errors in style, content and layout.

Wood rim Motolita steering wheel, Black interior, K & N MG TF 135, 2002, Silver, MOT July 2013.

New head gasket, coolant pipes, every care exercised in preparing your advert, we cannot hold Filters, StainlessAlthough steel exhaust, Windstop andis Full Tonneau car will have Navy a new MOT uponblack purchase and very cambelt and service carried out byTheourselves. hood, seats. ourselves responsible forcloth anyis ininaccuracies you may overlook. good all round condition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£2,995 1939 MG VA Saloon £8,995 SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE Saxe Blue with original dark blue MG TF 115, 2003, X Power Grey with grey hood, Has recently had a new TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ service, _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE NO. supplier _ _ _ _ _ by MGB ROADSTER, 1972 pipes headgasket, bottom engine rail, Stainless steel coolant and full interior. ADVERT Originally Mallard Green, Tax exempt, withwith overdrive, Alloy 2004 MG TF160 MOT to May 2013, Taxed to Feb 2013, 71835 Miles,Comes comes Radio/CD University Motors Ltd and owned wheels, Biscuit leather interior, Long MOT and Wood player. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .veneer . . . . .dash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£2,750 Only 43,500 miles. Black pearl with by my family since 1990. Driven and There are some paint blemishes but this car is structurally matching hardtop. Unusual red used regularly until 2013. Only two MGF, 2000, Alumina Green, sound, 62,000mls, Green hood,order Green leather in excellent mechanical and drives very seats, well. grenadine interior trim. Half-leather Chrome roll hoops, Recent headgasket replacement, Taxed Jan 2013, MOT £5,995 previous owners with a full history March 2013. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£1,950 seats, radio/cd, wind deflector, good file from new. An original unmosoft-top, spare wheel, rear tonneau. lested example with all its original MGF,VVC, 2000.

SilverRacing with a black hood,cloth headgasket done in 2010, Maarch half leather2013. seats, rear MGF 1.8i, 1996, British Green, interior.

MOT Tax £1,750 spoiler, player, New MOT Full Service History. Two new tyres end ofradio/cd January 2013. . . . upon . . . .purchase. . . . . . .Nice . . . tidy . We . .car. . .reserve . . . . . . . .the . . . right . . . . . to . . .charge . . .£950for anycomponents and in good running alteration to this proof which and rear callipers. Recent cam-belt.

Units 9/10 Fifehead Business Park, Manor Farm, Fifehead Magdalen, near Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5RR Bill copy of Sale and Guarantee is a departure from theorder. original Fresh MoT. £3,295.

E-mail:mail@mikerolls4mgs.co.uk mail@mikerolls.4mgs.co.uk •• www.mikerolls.co.uk E-mail: www.mikerolls.co.uk signed by Cecil Kimber. £20,995.00 Tel. 01308 427021 (Dorset.)

Mail Order “Friendly Quality Service” or near offer Tel 07790034288.

SERVICES FOR MGs

PLEASE NOTE: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

MG YType 19

A saloon which h and then altered pleasing looking with a black doub matching sidescr bodywork and Absolutely no ru retrimmed interio inal cracked sea rewired approx 1 photographic reco For more inform 01268 767666 805950

1972 MGB Road With overdrive.

Autumn Leaf l Excellent all round to April 2016. Ta well. Everything w Extensive history drive away and £9995 OVNO. Fo and information jg9052@ntlworld.

©

CM02.13/B32/d

URGENT PROOF

94

JUNE 2015

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 94

MG SA 1939

Substantially soun restoration work tographed. Solid body panels are al plete mechanica recommissioning Seats need recove ing needs replacin els are missing. and wood trim is Engine runs but I c condition as it isn able. £25,000.

Telephone 07910 (Radnorshire,)

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:04

CARS FOR SALE

WANTED MGA 1600 COUPE Must be in very good condition.

Please call David on 01255 675358 or 07740 636158

1500cc 1979.

million with Black . Dry weather use s on speedo. 5000 nt owner. Full and w brakes, battery Radio, Wooden el. MOT until . £1800 ono.

56 664125.

2

2015, Tax exempt, e Oselli upgrade), springs, Gaz ers front and rear, w servo and o/s calump, body in very underneath and ust free. Clean and Motalita steering new tyres. £5,295.

5337554 (Ulster)

2 previous owners, ther interior. Fully outstanding condime, new bodywork, ine totally rebuilt sion), gearbox fully ring loom and all rhauled. New canull and short tonof the restoration effectively a new ing a new owner. ontact Adrian 3 or Email @btconnect.com

160

British Motor Heritage approved

BARRY WALKER

Estd.1968

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

OUR ANNUAL SPRING SALE: 5% OFF EVERYTHING (until June 30th only)

MG PA 4 Seater

1937 MG TA/Q 2-SEAT SPORTS

One of the most attractive and well built examples of this very popular model. In simply stunning condition, fully restored throughout. Built on a pre-war TA chassis with XPAG engine & box, correct Q type body, full race Q instrumentation, tuned, tested and ready for this summer’s events and of course a sure-fired investment. B.R Green, green leather, the car is immaculate.........................................£59,500 (Can easily be supercharged if required)

MGA Coupe Mk2 1961

MG YType 1951

A saloon which has been restored and then altered to make a rather pleasing looking 4 seater tourer with a black double duck hood and matching sidescreens. Has nice bodywork and chromework.

Absolutely no rust anywhere and retrimmed interior apart from original cracked seats, restored and rewired approx 10 years ago with photographic record. £7950 For more information please ring 01268 767666 or mob. 07889 805950

Iris Blue Original UK Car with original 1622 rebuilt engine, 5 Speed Gearbox, 123 Ignition, K&N Air filters, Motolita Steering Wheel, many extras and spares Excellent condition and as featured in "My Cool Classic" book, used regularly for long distance touring events and very reliable, a much admired car.

Reason for sale, my advancing years and difficulty getting out from underneath!! offers over £20k.

Contact Paul Camp on 01707874626 or email pauldcamp@btinternet.com (South Hertfordshire)

This beautifully restored J2 is totally rebuilt both bodily & mechanically, accompanied by a full photographic record from wreck to completion. One of the best we’ve had.

Light , responsive, it’s a real joy to drive. B.R Green with full colour coded weather equipment in matching green twill, apple green leather and full period accessories including s/guards, aeroscreen & additional gauges...Fabulous...£45,000

1934 MG PA 2-SEAT SPORTS

Now here’s a real ‘drivers’ car. Not a concours rebuild but a true ‘get-in-and-go’ MG with the very attractive cycle wing conversion, counter balanced Phoenix cranked engine, numerous period extras, excellent paint and all new weather equipment.

Perfect for VSCC touring and strong road use or if required, ideal for improvement to a trials car. Don’t get many like this today, a real good all-round thing totally refurbished by us...£39,750

MG TC April 1947

MG Magnette ZA 1955

1972 MGB Roadster With overdrive. Teal Blue with Autumn Leaf leather interior.

Excellent all round condition.Tested to April 2016. Tax exempt. Drives well. Everything works as it should.

Extensive history file. Ready to drive away and enjoy. £9995 OVNO. For more pictures and information email: jg9052@ntlworld.com.

1933 CYCLE WING MG J2

Very original 5 year restoration, no expense spared. Nostalgic restoration but unfortunately driver doesn’t fit the car as well as he did 50 years ago. All new chrome, new wiring harness. New body, new upholstery though out.

Complete weather equipment, full tonneau cover. Offers over £30,000 Phone: 01908 337933 (North Bucks)

Current owner for 5 years, reluctant sale. Good body repainted Damask Red, recent new door skins and front wings refurbished.

Rebuilt unleaded engine, clutch and radiator. Good headlining and recent replacement beige leather interior and. Original working valve radio and clock. Drives beautifully and much admired. Comes with handbook, brochure and workshop manual etc. £14000 Phone evenings 02083577563 (Pinner, Middx)

Restored in 1998 by an advertiser in this magazine, 8000 miles since.

Best carPOLICE in show historic 1934 EX LEICS. MG PA at – One of only 2 vehicle 1936 MGTA 2 SEATS SPORTS This car proved so basically good that we have Totally restored but eliminating the problems of the event refurbished at Sherborne completely it in our ownAugust workshop. 2014.

Now TA engine with a fully rebuilt TC engine & box fitted. fully ready and still at a most attractive price. Superb Stunning in MG red with dark red leather and Regrettable sale only because gerivalue. £33,500 photographic album to show full rebuild...£33,500 £24,500 COMMISSION SALES: Our highly regardedatric service isowner. always available to you. ono.

Tel: 01789 400 181. Fax: 01789 400230.

Mob: 07836 244103 Telephone Mike Ashton Email: barry@barrywalker.com 01458 Web: 251877 www.barrywalker.com or email mikeashton@talktalk.net

MG PA 4 Seater

Very original 5 year restoration, no expense spared. Nostalgic restoration but unfortunately driver doesn’t fit the car as well as he did 50 years ago. All new chrome, new wiring harness. New body, new upholstery though out.

Complete weather equipment, full tonneau cover. Offers over £30,000 Phone: 01908 337933 (North Bucks)

MG TF 19541250cc.

Reg: 54 C 23 (Have UK Reg. documents & Number) Mileage: 63,330.

Believed genuine. Summer use only Price: £27,500. (Sterling). Contact email ptjeffers@eircom.net for more photos etc.

Tel. 00353 (0)86 2565407 (Ireland)

1978 MGB Race Car 1785cc MG SA 1939

es. Black pearl with op. Unusual red r trim. Half-leather ind deflector, good heel, rear tonneau. ory. Two new tyres s. Recent cam-belt.

95.

1 (Dorset.)

Substantially sound. Much previous restoration work done and photographed. Solid ash frame and body panels are all good. Also complete mechanically but needs recommissioning and rewiring.

Seats need recovering and headlining needs replacing. Also, floor panels are missing. Instrumentation and wood trim is present however.

Engine runs but I can’t guarantee its condition as it isn’t currently driveable. £25,000.

Telephone 07910 748847 (Radnorshire,)

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 95

Front runner, recent repaint in Works colours. Usual modifications. Spare wheels and excellent tyres. Works hardtop. Reluctant sale. £7995.

Telephone: 01460 73751

MGB1968

White roadster with wire wheels. o/drive. Good hood. Original historic car for restoration. Original number plate. Needs new seats and forward footwell repair and new floor. Engine and gearbox good, drives well. Radio. Maintainance history. £3500. Contact Bob Olsen 07902027280. email: bobolsen001@gmail.com

!951 MG TD MG TC April 1947

Restored in 1998 by an advertiser in this magazine, 8000 miles since.

Best car in show at historic vehicle event at Sherborne August 2014.

Regrettable sale only because geriatric owner. £24,500 ono.

Telephone Mike Ashton 01458 251877 or email mikeashton@talktalk.net

In jet black deep gloss with chrome wires. Collingburn dark beige leather interior. Fully restored.

Complete with canvas roof, side screens and tonneau. Original all British RHD from new and has all matching numbers. In excellent overall condition. £23500 ovno Call 01483574930 or email to borders@uwclub.net (Surrey).

JUNE 2015

95

22/05/2015 13:04

CARS FOR SALE

MGRV8 1993

Oxford Blue, 66000 Miles. UK Spec MOT June 2015. 2 Previous Owners Alarm. Spare Keys. New Michelin Tyres. Original tool roll. Sony radio CD. New hood April 2015. Can be viewed Wirral ( Hooton ) Or Silverstone. £12000 ono Contact Colin 07801 528 292 Or email: omegadriving@aol.com

1951 MGTD

MGB V8 1967.

New body 1997 B.R.G. 3.9 Litre, piper 270 camshaft 14,500 miles since rebuild, works style black hardtop, packaway hood and tonneau. Not necessary for the purist but fun. Contact owner for full specification. Offers around £15000. Tel Mob 07711668359 or 01689 852379 (near junction 4 of M25)

MGB Roadster

MGA 1500 Coupe (5 speed gearbox)

Orient red, Same family for last 26 years. Always garaged,.Very low, dry use, 12 Month MOT, reluctant sale VGC. A very useable car with many subtle upgrades including: 5 speed gearbox, Interchangeable Sebring type front valance (front bumper can easily bolt back on) Dynalite alternator. Brake servo. Willans seatbelt harness. Halogen lights, electronic ignition, Stainless steel exhaust, Unleaded and Econotune cylinder head, Hazard warning lights Electronic fuel pump, Electric fans etc. £17995. Tel: 07970 237749 (Devon )

Is an original UK good condition hav sionally stripped ba 5 years ago. It h including aero scre radio. The car driv set of side screens serviced. Price £2 07792 664930 (D

1973 MGB ROADSTER with O/D. Tax exempt in very good condition. Blaze Yellow with black leather seats, tonneau cover, K & N air filters, top trunnions replaced by roller bearings, new tyres last year, MOT Dec 2015, carpeted boot area, battery cut off fitted and alarm. Well maintained and always garaged. Period cassette radio with pull off false front. Make contact for more info please. £6500.

Tel 01613366982 or 07594368020.

(Manchester)

Just completed a bare metal re spray Engine re bored head and KN F interior re trim wi tonneau, Stainless over £5000 in part Tel: 01252 547348 email claire.maddis (Hants/Surrey bord

1972 Midget (R

MGZT260 (V8) 2003

79,000 miles (Ex- Richard Monk MGOC Manager owned from new for 7 years and then Ian Quarrington MGCC Director).

Immaculate condition; March 2015 - New rear subframe, Full MGOC Workshop service & new MOT. Full MG Rover & MGOC Workshop service from new only. Show use.

MGCC Committee member owned. Garaged. Apex alloy spare; Zero Ovals + original exhaust boxes; Ready to enjoy. £7150 ONO Contact Andrew Mitchell 07703 138419 or email andrewmgfvvc@gmail.com (East Grinstead)

96

JUNE 2015

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 96

Midget 1968

Chrome Bumper. 1275cc, Tartan red, hard top (immaculate condition) reconditioned engine (lead free) back axle, carbs, wire wheels.

New Soft top, tyres, starter motor, dynamo, water pump, battery, electronic ignition, thermostat, stainless steel rack, and exhaust. Modified oil filter, kenlow fan, rechromed, completely restored with photos.

Detailed history available with bills, plus original log book. 1 years MOT. £6,500. Telephone: 07958 553003. or 01708 456595 (Essex)

I have owned and for 18 years. It was sionally in the mid of pictures come Enhancements in head, Piper cam, lig Frontline front sus multi branch exha 1325cc. A recent ro produced 69 bhp. advisories. A w £6,500. Call Philip 07875 359 561 or philipfurze@davies

SELLING YOU

As a member of t you can advertise y Fast for free. Just details, max 60 with a JPEG Grant at colingra Non member fee i

www.mgcc.co.uk

22/05/2015 13:04

use, 12 Month MOT, reluctant sale gearbox) VGC. A very useable car with many Orient red, Same family for last 26 subtle including: speed years. upgrades Always garaged,.

Very5low, dry gearbox, Interchangeable Sebring use, 12 Month MOT, reluctant sale type bumper VGC.front A veryvalance useable(front car with many can easily bolt back on) Dynalite subtle upgrades including: 5 speed gearbox, Interchangeable Sebring alternator.

Brake servo. Willans type front valance (frontlights, bumper seatbelt harness.

Halogen can easily ignition, bolt backStainless on) Dynalite electronic steel alternator.

Brake and servo.

Willans exhaust, Unleaded Econotune seatbelthead, harness.

Halogen lights, cylinder Hazard warning lights electronic ignition, Stainless Electronic fuel pump, Electric steel fans exhaust, Unleaded and Econotune etc. £17995. Tel: 07970 237749 cylinder head, Hazard warning lights (Devon ) Electronic fuel pump, Electric fans etc. £17995. Tel: 07970 237749 (Devon )

1951 MGTD

. B.R.G. 3.9 Litre,

B.R.G. 3.9 Litre, aft 14,500 miles aft 14,500 miles orks style black orks style y hood andblack y hood and ecessary for the ontact owner for ecessary for the . Offers around ontact owner for or . 07711668359 Offers around 07711668359 or

f M25)

1951 MGTD Is an original UK RHD car. It is in Is an condition original UK RHDbeen car. profesIt is in good having good condition been professionally strippedhaving back and resprayed sionally resprayed 5 yearsstripped ago. It back has and a few extras 5including years ago. has a and fewa 1950's extras aero Itscreens radio. Theaero car drives a full including screenswell, andhas a 1950's set of The sidecar screens is has regularly radio. drivesand well, a full serviced. £21000.

Steve set of sidePrice screens and isTel regularly 07792 664930 serviced.

Price (Devon) £21000. Tel Steve

O/D. Tax exempt in very good condition. Blaze Yellow with black leather seats, tonneau cover, K &with N 1973 MGB ROADSTER air filters, trunnions by O/D. Tax top exempt in veryreplaced good conroller tyreswith last black year, dition.bearings, Blaze new Yellow leatherDec seats,2015, tonneau cover, Kboot &N MOT carpeted air filters, top trunnions replaced by area, battery cut off fitted and roller Well bearings, new tyres year, alarm. maintained andlast always MOT Dec 2015, carpeted boot garaged.

Period cassette radio with area, cutMake off contact fitted and pull off battery false front. for alarm. Well maintained and always more info please. £6500. garaged. Period cassette radio with Tel 01613366982 or 07594368020. pull off false front. Make contact for (Manchester)

MG Midget 1975 1500cc.

Primrose Yellow and in 1500cc. andon ina excellent Primrose condition. Yellow Currently excellent on a SORN andcondition. is in needCurrently of an MOT. SORN is in need of anBob MOT.on £3995. andPlease phone £3995.

Please Bob on 01373 830586 for phone more details.

(Somerset) 01373 830586 for more details.

(Somerset)

07792 664930 (V8) (Devon) MGZT260 2003

(Hants/Surrey border) Tel: 01252 547348

CARS FOR SALE

1972 Midget (RWA)

I have owned and enjoyed this car 1972 Midget for 18 years.

It was(RWA) restored profesI have owned and ‘90’s enjoyed car sionally in the mid – anthis album 18 years. comes It was restored offorpictures with theprofescar. sionally in the mid ‘90’s –unleaded an album Enhancements include of pictures comes with the car. head, Piper cam, lightened flywheel, Enhancements include unleaded Frontline front suspension, S/S steel head, Piper cam, lightened flywheel, multi branch exhaust and bored to Frontline front suspension, S/S steel 1325cc. A recent rolling road set-up multi branch exhaust and bored to produced bhp.rolling New MOT – no 1325cc. A 69 recent road set-up advisories. wellNew sorted produced 69A bhp.

MOT –car. no £6,500.

Call APhilip advisories. wellon sorted car.

07875 561Philip or email £6,500.359 Call on philipfurze@daviesandway.com 07875 359 561 or email

Blaze. Good provenance. First exworks development car built for 1974 MGB Roadster.

Emissions Compliance testing Blaze. Good provenance.

First(‘O’ exSeries) No. ADO23/2157. works Chassis development car built for Emissions Compliance (‘O’ Full documentary history.testing Past MOT Series) Chassisdiscs.

No.Mainly ADO23/2157. certificates/tax original Full documentary history.

PastApril, MOT condition.

Tax exempt.

MOT certificates/tax discs.

Mainly 2016.

60,000 miles (only 6,000original miles Tax exempt.

MOT April, incondition. past 8 years - four new tyres in 2016. 60,000 miles (only 6,000 miles this period). A very smart cart. in past 8 years - four new tyres in Mechanically sound. Reluctant sale. this period). A very smart cart. £6,250. Tel. 01885 410462 Mechanically sound. Reluctant sale. £6,250. Tel. 01885 410462

philipfurze@daviesandway.com

SELLING YOUR CAR?

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

Non Nonmember memberfee feeisis£20 £20

MGTF1500 1954 (Sept)

MGTF1500 1954equipped (Sept) and Superbly specified, Superbly specified, and maintained with low equipped milage during maintained with low milage during my long ownership.

Comprehensive my long ownership. Comprehensive record of restoration and record of restoration and subsequently. subsequently.Heritage Heritage docs. docs.Offers Offers close closeto to£32500 £32500 Tel: Tel:02075828547 02075828547 (S.Central (S.CentralLondon) London)

1974 MGB Roadster.

1972 Midget (RWA)

d with photos. vailable with bills, ook. 1 years MOT. e: 07958 553003.

(Essex)

£14250 or £13000 just the car.

Phone 01223926019 or 07962067806.

email claire.maddison@me.com (Hants/Surrey border)

Make contact for £6500. or 07594368020.

r. 1275cc, Tartan mmaculate condined engine (lead arbs, wire wheels. r.es,1275cc, Tartan starter motor, mmaculate ump, battery,condielecermostat, stainless ned engine (lead haust.wire Modified oil arbs, wheels. rechromed, comes, starter motor, d with photos. ump, battery, elecvailable with bills, ermostat, stainless ook. 1 Modified years MOT. haust. oil e:rechromed, 07958 553003. com(Essex)

07962067806.

of useful spares included for polished & garaged after every out£14250 or full £13000 the car. ing. I have historyjust including that Phone 01223926019 or from Japan (still in Japanese). Loads 07962067806. of useful spares included for

1974 MGB Roadster.

MG Midget 1975

79,000 miles (Ex- Richard Monk MGZT260 (V8) 2003 MGOC owned from Monk new Midget 1968 79,000 Manager miles (ExRichard for 7 Manager years and Ian MGOC ownedthen from new Chrome Midget Bumper.

1968 1275cc, Tartan Quarrington for 7 yearsMGCC and Director). then Ian red, hard Bumper. top (immaculate Chrome 1275cc, condiTartan Immaculate condition; 2015 Quarrington MGCC March Director). tion) reconditioned engine condi(lead red, hard top (immaculate -Immaculate New rear condition; subframe, Full MGOC March 2015 free) axle, carbs, wire wheels. tion) back reconditioned engine (lead Workshop & Full newMGOC MOT. - New rearservice subframe, MGRV8 free) Soft backtop, axle, carbs, wire motor, wheels.

New tyres, starter My much loved I have owned Workshop service & Workshop new MOT. Full MG Rover & MGOC New Soft top, MGR tyres, dynamo, water pump,starter battery,motor, elecMGRV8 her since 2009. In that time she has Full MG Rovernew & MGOC Workshop MGB Roadster 1972 service from only. Show use. dynamo, waterthermostat, pump, battery, electronic ignition, stainless My much loved MGR I have owned wanted for nothing.

Washed, service from new only.

Show use.

Just completed a 3 year member rebuild, MGCC Committee tronicrack, ignition, thermostat, stainless steel and exhaust.

Modified oil her since 2009.

In that time she has polished & garaged after every outMGB Roadster 1972 MGCC bare metal reCommittee sprayApex in Damask Red, owned.

Garaged. alloymember spare; steel kenlow rack, andfan, exhaust.

Modified oil filter, rechromed, wanted forfullnothing.

Washed, ing.

I have history including comthat Just completed 3with year rebuild, Engine reGaraged. boreda Apex Unleaded owned. alloy spare; filter,Japan kenlow rechromed, comZero Ovals + original exhaust from (stillfan, in Japanese).

Loads pletely withevery photos. polished &restored garaged after outhead and KN Complete bare metal re spray in Damask Red, Zero Ovals +Filters, original exhaust pletely restored with photos. boxes; Ready to enjoy. £7150 ONO of useful spares included for ing.

I have full history including that Detailed history available with bills, interior new hoodONO and Engine re trim bored with Unleaded boxes; Ready towith enjoy. £7150 OADSTER with Detailedorhistory available with car. bills, Contact Stainless AndrewExhaust, Mitchellbills for £14250 £13000 just the from Japan (still in Japanese).

Loads tonneau, plus original log book.

1 years MOT. head and KN Filters, Complete Contact Andrew Mitchell B14 - Barrie Carter_D MIDDLETON 19/05/2015plus 09:27 Page n very good conoriginal log1book. 1 years MOT. Phone 01223926019 or 07703 138419 or email over £5000 in parts. £10,000 of useful spares included for interior with neworhood email and £6,500.

07703 re trim 138419 low with black £6,500. Telephone: Telephone: 07958 07958 553003.

553003.

OADSTER with 07962067806. andrewmgfvvc@gmail.com Tel: 01252Stainless 547348 Exhaust, bills for £14250 or456595 £13000 just the car. tonneau, andrewmgfvvc@gmail.com or 01708 (Essex) neau cover, K & N or 01708 456595 (Essex) n very good conemail claire.maddison@me.com (East Grinstead) Phone 01223926019 or over in parts. £10,000 (East£5000 Grinstead) nions replaced by low with black

Tel: 01252 547348 email claire.maddison@me.com (Hants/Surrey border)

more info please. £6500.

Tel 01613366982 or 07594368020.

(Manchester)

f M25)

ew tyres last year, neau cover, K & N , carpeted boot nions replaced by t off fitted and ew tyres last year, ained and always , carpeted boot assette radio with tMake off contact fitted and for ained and always £6500. assette radio with or 07594368020.

interior re trim with new hood and bare metal re spray in Damask Red, tonneau, Stainless bills for Engine re boredExhaust, with Unleaded over parts. £10,000 head£5000 and in KN Filters, Complete Tel: 01252re547348 interior trim with new hood and email claire.maddison@me.com tonneau, Stainless Exhaust, bills for (Hants/Surrey over £5000 inborder) parts. £10,000

I have owned and enjoyed this car for 18 years. It was restored professionallyMidget in the mid ‘90’s – an album 1972 (RWA) of pictures with the I have ownedcomes and enjoyed this car. car Enhancements include unleaded for 18 years. It was restored profeshead, Piper cam, lightened flywheel, sionally in the mid ‘90’s – an album Frontline front suspension, S/S steel of pictures comes with the car. multi branch exhaust and bored to Enhancements include unleaded 1325cc. A recent rolling road set-up head, Piper69cam, flywheel, produced bhp.lightened New MOT – no Frontline front suspension, S/S steel advisories. A well sorted car. multi branch and bored to £6,500.

Call exhaust Philip on 1325cc.

A recent rolling road set-up 07875 359 561 or email produced 69 bhp. New MOT – no philipfurze@daviesandway.com

advisories. A well sorted car. £6,500. Call Philip on 07875 359 561 or email SELLING YOUR CAR? philipfurze@daviesandway.com

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

Fast for free. Just email your car details, max 60 words, together with a JPEG picture to Colin Grant at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk.

Non member fee is £20

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 97

Blaze. Good provenance. First exworks development car built for Emissions Compliance testing (‘O’ 1974 MGB Roadster.

Series) Chassis No. ADO23/2157.

Blaze. Good provenance.

First exFull documentary history. works development car Past builtMOT for certificates/tax discs. Mainly original Emissions Compliance testing (‘O’ condition.

Tax exempt.

MOT April, Series) Chassis No. ADO23/2157.

2016.

60,000 mileshistory. (only 6,000 miles Full documentary Past MOT in past 8 years - four new tyres in certificates/tax discs. Mainly original this period). A very smart cart. condition. Tax exempt. MOT April, Mechanically sound. Reluctant sale.

2016. 60,000 miles (only 6,000 miles £6,250. Tel. 01885 410462

in past 8 years - four new tyres in this period). A very smart cart.

Mechanically sound. Reluctant sale. £6,250. Tel. 01885 410462

MGTF1500 1954 (Sept)

Superbly specified, equipped and maintained with low milage during my long ownership. Comprehensive record of restoration and MGTF1500 1954 (Sept) subsequently. Heritage docs. Offers Superbly specified, equipped and close to £32500 Tel: 02075828547 maintained with low milage during (S.Central London)

my long ownership. Comprehensive record of restoration and subsequently. Heritage docs. Offers close to £32500 Tel: 02075828547 (S.Central London)

CM06.15/B14/k

.

1973 MGB ROADSTER with

JUNE 2015

97

22/05/2015 13:04

1966 OVER

1966 OVER

45

45

YEARS

YEARS

2015

2015

45

Tel: +44 (0) 1274 585161 Fax: +44 (0) 1274 532772 Direct workshop line: +44 (0)7804 077 849 alastair@naylorbrothers.co.uk or craig@naylorbrothers.co.uk 1966 OVER

45 YEARS

2015

MG Safety Fast June15 49-98.indd 98

1966 OVER

45 YEARS

2015

22/05/2015 13:05

‘The Abingdon Policy’ the Home of classic insurance for your MG Exclusive to members of the MG Car Club.

W

5

- Peter Best Insurance Proudly supporting the MGCC and its members since 1985

Approved

TEL: 01621 840400 The Farriers, Bull Lane, Maldon, Essex CM9 4QB

WWW.PETERBESTINSURANCE.CO.UK

as.

15 14:01

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Photograph courtesy of MG Car Club

MGCC_SF_JUNE15_Cover.indd 3

22/05/2015 12:04

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 tted 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. Signicant 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 nish 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.See

www.motoringclassics.co.uk

see you at MG live.indd 1 MGCC_SF_JUNE15_Cover.indd 4

t: 01993 707200

See us on stand A13 - A16 at MGLive 2015

5/21/2015 2:57:27 PM 22/05/2015 12:04