Safety Fast! March 2021

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP

March 2021 Volume 66 Number 3 £3.95

THE

CAR

CLUB

LT D

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

GEORGE PHILLIPS, A LIFE WITH MGS PART III l CLASSIC CARS AND CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

PARTS & ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR

ISSUE 26

ISSUE 25

MGA

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MGB including technical advice and detailed schematics

Restore Maintain Modify

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BRAKE COMPONENTS | CLUTCH & GEARBOX | COOLING & FUELLING | ELECTRICAL | ENGINE & MECHANICAL | STEERING & SUSPENSION

TR5-6

ISSUE 14

Restore Maintain Modify

ISSUE 20

ISSUE 17

TR2-4A

PARTS & ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR

PARTS & ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR

including technical advice and detailed schematics

SPITFIRE

ISSUE 1

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ISSUE 11

ISSUE 21

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MX-5

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WELCOME ESSENTIAL MG READING

W

ith so much uncertainty of how the rest of 2021 is going to play out with regards to events and meetings, the MG Car Club has taken the very difficult decision to cancel the social aspect of MGLive! this year; there currently still will be a race meeting held at Silverstone on the Grand Prix circuit in June. More details from the MGLive! committee are published on page 23 of this issue.

The MG Car Club has had a long and illustrious relationship with Silverstone, starting on August 11 1951 when the Car Club was afforded the opportunity to run what turned out to be the first MGCC Silverstone meeting, later to become MGLive! in 2009.

Without doubt, the MG Car Company’s General Manager, and one of the MG Car Club’s founding members, John Thornley was one of the moving forces behind the Club’s first race meeting, for on that August day in 1951 it was not just the first Silverstone, it was the first ever race meeting organised by the Club!

Bearing in mind that motor racing had only recently recommenced in Great Britain after the Second World War and that Silverstone itself was in the early stages of a period of change from a bomber aircrew training station to a race circuit, it was not surprising that at the first event the circuit was not the shape that we know today. A rope barrier was the only thing separating the spectators from the cars, the course itself being marked out, as necessary, by straw bales.

In 1952, to their immense pleasure, the Club were again invited by the BRDC to run a meeting. The entry list in 1952 had some more names destined to become far better known. One A C B Chapman, indeed, Colin of Lotus fame; Ted Lund drove his TD, part of the trio of works TDs that were energetically driven in the production sports car races of the period.

In many ways these early meetings were a training ground, not just for the drivers, many of whom went on to compete in international events around the world, but also our Club officials and our organisation. Even over the later years the MGCC Silverstone meeting has played host to a number of drivers who went on to high profile motorsport careers, such as Robb Gravett, Rob Huff and Jack Goff.

All being well, the Club will return to Silverstone in 2022 with a big social MGLive! event, where all are welcomed.

Until next month, drive safely.

Andy Knott Membership Type

Direct Debit Rate

Standard Rate Online

Standard Rate Post

Single

£50

£55

£55

Joint

£54

£59

£59

Young Members 16-20

£15

£15

£15

Young Members 21-24

£30

£30

£30

The MG Car Club, Kimber House, 12 Cemetery Road, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1AS Tel: 01235 555552 Fax: 01235 533755 E-mail: mgcc@mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Wartime Activities, this glossy book edited by Colin Grant, covers the MG factory in Abingdon during the dark years of the second world war £10.00 MG made in Abingdon, from tea trolley to production line and from apprentice to manager, this book includes memorable events, humour, motorsport, and the lead up to factory closure £15.99 Mr MG, a biography of Mr MG himself – John Thornley, who was one of the founders of the MG Car Club and served as its first Secretary. Later, he went on to become Director and General Manager of the MG Car Company £14.99 The Works MGs second Edition. This is the authoritative story of all the MGs prepared for international competition events with the support of the MG Car Company, written by Mike Allison and Peter Browning £40.00 All prices exclude P&P, visit https://shop.mgcc.co.uk/

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 3

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www.mgcc.co.uk 4 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021 FEBRUARY 2021

JULY 2016 SAFETY FAST! 3 www.mgcc.co.uk

INSIDE REGULARS

7 Club Matters and Kimber House News 8 News 12 Products 14 Postbag 18 Young Members Branch 68 Tech Tips 70 Race Torque 72 MGs on Track 73 MGCC Speed Championship 77 Centre Updates 86 Register Updates 93 Classifieds 98 Looking Back

NEWSLETTERS 45 SVW Newsletter 50 MGA Newsletter 56 MGF Newsletter

FEATURES

20 INSURANCE PARTNERSHIP

MG Car Club announces insurance partnership with Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services.

23 EVENT NEWS

MGLive! 2021 postponed and an exciting new event Wallace the Almond Green, 1955, MG TF 1500, owned by Lorraine Noble-Thompson with Culter Fell, South Lanarkshire, Scotland forming the perfect luscious backdrop. Photo: Lorraine Noble-Thompson

26 GEORGE PHILLIPS, A LIFE WITH MGs PART III

George Phillips was chief photographer for Autosport magazine in the 1950s and ’60s. He was also no mean driver in T-Types, venturing to Le Mans and elsewhere with a special-bodied TC

26

41

32 UNIQUE MGB GT RV8

The stunning MG, specially commissioned in the 1990s by the then managing director of British Motor Heritage

35 CLASSIC CARS AND PHOTOGRAPHY MGB owner and photographer Ted Smith explains why he’s still an advocate of film

41 OLD SPECKLED HEN TOUR

Richard Martin recalls the history of the Old Speckled Hen Tour, started in 1992

61 RUSTY RADIATOR

Andy Knott talks us through how to replace a radiator in an MG ZR

66 SNAPPED STUD

56 www.mgcc.co.uk

Nic Houslip reviews a tool for removing a snapped stud

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 5

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CHAIRMANS NEWS

Adam Sloman and myself at the NEC show in 2019

F

ollowing our first online Club AGM, which was a first and an unusual way for us of holding one compared to a standard AGM, I have taken on the role of Chairman. Bill Silcock’s expected short return to the role to

cover last year, went on much longer than anticipated so we do have to thank him for stepping up to take over in a year, that was a year that no one could have anticipated when he became the Chairman back in October 2019.

2020 was a bad year that most of us will want to forget and never repeat, but we managed to keep the Club running through those very difficult times. For what is basically a social club linked by cars, it was hard to do what we usually do and are good at, but alternate ways of communicating with members have kept us in a strong position. Regular Newsletters, Podcasts and the dreaded Zoom meetings came into their own. Who had really heard of Zoom this time last year, whereas now it is used by many of us on a regular basis to keep in touch? In 2020, we have contacted not only with our own membership but the worldwide MG community, which has to be a good thing.

Our existing membership supported the Club solidly throughout the year and has kept the Club in a strong position. It was good to see a large number of new

members joining the Club last year even though we could not supply the full social benefits that would be normally included with Club membership.

2021 has not started as we would have liked, but let’s keep everything crossed that, at some time, we will be in a position that allows us to meet up face to face again so we can start to socialise and use our cars again. Things are not looking so bright at the start of the year as yet, but with the vaccine being rolled out in larger and larger numbers, let us hope some sort of normality can return to us all very soon.

Sadly, as you will have already seen, a difficult decision was made to cancel MGLive! for the third year in a row. There were just too many unknowns of what the position would be by June and if, indeed, public large gatherings like that could even happen. The Club is looking at other events, maybe later in the year, that we can attend when the circumstances may allow us to meet up when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, please stay safe so we can all get through this and meet up again once we are allowed.

Keith Williams

KIMBER HOUSE NEWS

Kimber house is still currently closed due to the lockdown rules, but the website is still very active and is open for membership and merchandise orders. At the moment all merchandise orders will be processed and shipped once a week on a Friday.

www.mgcc.co.uk

We are sorry, but due to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, our shipping for Europe, America and the rest of the world has been suspended until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and hope to get something sorted in the not too distant future.

This month in Kimber House news we thought we’d bring you a brief roundup of the latest Classic Car news: Following the success of two events in 2020, Classics for Carers is back for 2021!

The 2021 event is focused on NHS wellbeing and mental health, aiming to raise £13,000 to fund an NHS well-being pod a quiet restorative space for staff. Save the date: March 20.

The British Motor Museum has won a prestigious Royal Automobile Club Historic

Award in the Collection category. The Museum won the award for a number of reasons, namely hosting three exhibitions during 2020 and through two lockdowns.

More on that in the news section.

The government has unveiled some new designs for driving licences and number plates without the EU flag. While existing licences and number plates will still be valid, the new versions will be issued to everyone renewing a licence or getting one for the first time.

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 7

NEWS GEOFF EDWARDS 1950 – 2021

ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB COLLECTION OF THE YEAR AWARD

Our MG friend passed away on Wednesday February 3 at Salisbury Hospital.

Geoff joined the MGB Register Committee in 2012 during the planning for MGB50 at Blenheim Palace and immediately volunteered to join the organising committee. Geoff then took over the MGB Treasurer’s position in 2013, staying on the committee until 2019.

Being a true MG enthusiast and being interested in all things mechanical and electrical he was always happy working on his cars and giving tips to others.

Geoff’s pride and joy was his MGB GT which he owned since buying new in 1979. His fleet also included an MG ZTT 260 V8 which was used as his daily drive and a RV8 which officially is Carol’s MG. A quiet man who enjoyed a laugh, was respected by all and when he wanted to make his point, we all listened! He was an excellent support to me as MGB Register Chairman. His profession was a quantity surveyor with John Laing and he spent some time in the Falklands after the 1982 war, rebuilding the bombed airport.

Geoff will be very much missed by us all.

Our deepest condolences go to Carol and family.

John Watson Chairman MGB Register

8 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

Classic vehicle insurance specialists Footman James are delighted to congratulate the British Motor Museum on winning Collection of the Year honours at the Royal Automobile Club’s Historic Awards for 2020.

The Footman James-supported award was presented to the museum for having risen above the challenges thrown up by Coronavirus to put in place an innovative and engaging programme for virtual visitors. The trophy was collected by the museum’s Managing Director, Jeff Coope, during a high-profile online awards ceremony.

In accepting the award, Jeff Coope paid tribute to his staff: “Not only for their hard work and enthusiasm but also for thinking laterally.”

Footman James is proud to support the RAC Historic Awards as part of its commitment to the industry it serves. Last year the company sponsored the Motoring Spectacle Award but the Collection of the Year Award is particularly relevant to its work, as vehicle collections are an important and growing part of the company’s business.

PEPI GASPARI AND JIM SWEENEY PEPI GASPARI – On February 10 we heard the tragic news that Pepi had passed away due to Covid. Pepi was Chairman of the Northern Centre, based in Pretoria, South Africa. Pepi arrived on the MG scene in 1989 when he became custodian of an MGA, and initially joined the Johannesburg Centre. He later transferred to the Northern Centre and has been on the Executive Committee of this forward-thinking and progressive Club which owns its own Clubhouse for many years, including as Chairman for the last three years. Pepi also became custodian of a blue P type in 1992 and became well known in Australia, USA, Europe, and the UK where he became the link to Andy Green and the Bloodhound land Speed Record project. The Northern Centre helped with clearing the Hakskeen Pan record breaking track and the friendship with Andy grew. Pepi and his team organised a very successful Indaba in 2016 on which one of the visits was to Zonderwater cemetery and the former Italian POW camp. Here we met his family and he was obviously proud of his Italian heritage.

Our condolences go to the family and the Northern Centre on this tragic loss.

(Please also see the Postbag tribute from Norman Ewing) JAMES MICHAEL SWEENEY – On February 3 we also lost Jim who has been on the Executive of the Toronto Centre since 2009 as Webmaster and Editor of the Octagon – the MGCCT quarterly magazine. Jim owned an MGB and a white MGF, was 74 and had health complications but succumbed to Covid. He leaves Rosemarie, David, and Lisa, and will be sorely missed by MGCC Toronto.

Brian G Woodhams

www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWS MG MOTOR PLANS FURTHER DEALER OPENINGS IN 2021

The popularity of the UK’s fastest-growing car brand shows no signs of slowing down as MG Motor gears up to increase its network to at least 130 dealers by the end of 2021.

With a range now encompassing six models and a rapidly growing reputation for offering affordable EVs for everyone, the brand has seen 28 new sites join its network in the past 12 months.

Most recently Glyn Hopkin in Milton Keynes, St Albans and Cambridge, Perrys in Huddersfield, JCT600 in Bradford, Read Motor Group of Grimsby, Drive in Bristol, Hawkins of Hayle, Tunbridge Wells MG and Masters in Croydon have joined the network, expanding the presence of MG in areas of increasing demand.

The dealer network now stands at 120 sites, with at least a further 10 scheduled to open in 2021 as the popularity of MG increases ever further.

Vintage Register MG Car Club AGM Date: March 20 2021 Time: 11.00am Venue: Online via Zoom Agenda 1. Welcome and apologies 2. Approval of the Minutes from the 2019 AGM 3. Chairman’s Report, Pre-issued 4. Treasurer’s Report, Pre-issued 5. Secretary’s, Bulletin Editor and Tour Coordinator Report, Pre-issued 6. Registrar’s/Facebook Coordinator’s report, Pre-issued 7. Election of officers and Committee Members 8. Any other Business For nominations to the Committee and registration to join the event please contact: debbiebradingvr@yahoo.com by March 13.

An invitation to join the meeting and the relevant papers will be sent out a week before the meeting.

10 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

TRICKLE CHARGER CONCERNS Following early concerns about problems with trickle chargers, that we’ve published in Safety Fast! recently, two more members have been in touch with further concerns.

‘Just the other day local to me I noticed a cloud of black smoke coming from what appeared to be the houses just above where I live. Next thing along came two fire engines! It turned out to have been yet another trickle charger problem which was being used to keep a car battery topped up. End result was the loss of the car, the garage, two wooden sheds and a caravan.

Fortunately, no one was hurt but that was another case, so just be aware of problems with trickle chargers.’

Mike Breedon ‘I have traditionally used CTEK and Accumate battery charger/conditioners that I rotate around my MGs, but as the cars were not being used during the pandemic I specifically bought another charger to be permanently connected on my Midget.

Unfortunately, this was a budget item and clearly not up to permanent use, with the result that my Midget battery self-destructed and drenched the battery tray area with sulphuric acid - see picture.

Not at all what I wanted.

Moral - you usually get what you pay for, and I now have another CTEK and, of course, a new battery in my Midget.’

Roger Martin

Twin Cam Group and MGA Register AGM Notices Twin Cam Group – April 10 2021 MGA Register AGM - April 17 2021 Both meetings will be held via Zoom, starting time of 10.00am. Anyone (other than Committee members) wishing to attend should contact Ian Wilson (the Zoom host) with their MGCC member number, at least five days before the meeting so that agenda and zoom invites can be sent out. Contact Ian on ian@mulberryhouse.karoo.co.uk MGC Register (delayed) AGM 2020 Date: Monday April 12 2021 Time: 8.00pm Venue: To be held online on Zoom Agenda 1. Apologies for absence 2. Approve previous Minutes 3. Matters arising from previous Minutes 4. Reports from Chairman Treasurer and Secretary 5. Accounts for 2020 6. Election of Officials - Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee 7. Any Other Business Please contact Mike Haughton by email (mgc_mike@btinternet.com) before Monday April 5 if you wish raise any questions at the meeting. Joining details for the video call will be provided the Friday before the online meeting. Reports etc will be circulated prior to the meeting to those attending.

www.mgcc.co.uk

MERCHANDISE

KIMBER STORES Ladies Rose Gold MG Watch £60.00

Irish Mini Check 100% Lambswool Scarf £28.50

MG Car Club Keyring (new style) £5.00

MGCC Crumbly Clotted Cream Fudge £4.75

MGB GT LE Jubilee Socks £9.99

MGCC 90th Anniversary Large Grille Badge £40.00

MGCC 90th Anniversary Tie £17.50

MG Wing Protector Cover £24.00

MGCC 90th Anniversary Conference Folder £17.50

All prices exclude P&P

To order please visit shop.mgcc.co.uk Email office@mgcc.co.uk or phone 01235 555552 www.mgcc.co.uk

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 11

PRODUCTS

This page is a free service so if you have a product that would be of interest to our members contact Colin Grant at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk

NEW REAR DIFFUSER FOR THE LATEST MODEL MG3

We have developed this Diffuser with a Partner Company for the MG3; this is the first produced. The current model lost the Rear Diffuser which was on the original model MG3 and we felt it left the Rear End quite plain, especially with the combined loss of the Tailpipe (2" Stainless Exhaust System already available).

We regret we are unable to give a firm price as yet, but would like those interested to contact us and register their interest. Once we know the potential numbers required we can authorise the Production Tooling and confirm pricing. For more information contact: MG and AMC Parts, The Smithy, High Street, Southwick, Hants, PO17 6EB Main Office: Tel. 02392-220222. Warehouse: Tel. 02392-372648 Mob: 07454 006080. Email: info@mgandamcparts.com Web: www.mgandamcparts.com

NEW FROM NTG

MGTD AIR FILTER FROM NTG TD air filter assembly redesigned to accept internal K & N replaceable element (included) Made in the UK, powder coated black. £189, incl of VAT. Contact: NTG Motor Services Ltd, 282-284 Bramford Road, Ipswich, IP1 4AY Tel: 01473 406031 Fax: 01473 742087 Email: sales@mgbits.com Web: www.mgbits.com

12 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

Water outlet housing for MG TB/TC/TD/TF heater, fits rear of cylinder head. Takes the standard heater union for fitting to hose.

Priced at: £47.40 Contact: NTG Motor Services Ltd, 282284 Bramford Road, Ipswich, IP1 4AY Tel: 01473 406031 Fax: 01473 742087 Email: sales@mgbits.com Web: www.mgbits.com

REVISED MGZT REAR UPPER SUSPENSION ARMS RGG104962 / RGG104972 OEM-Q. FROM DISCOUNT MG ROVER SPARES

This has been our biggest project to date – we’ve commissioned our own Rear Upper Arm design to provide a top-quality solution to this age-old problem. These are coated inside and out, have improved drainage and are built to last. These are available either on their own or in a variety of kits including Subframes, Rear Lower Arms ,etc.

Each Fitting Kit includes 2 x Bolts (FC112187A) and 1 x Nut (FX112057).

Only one nut is needed as the other is captive within the Subframe. We can’t tell you just how excited we are to have had these made – it’s an incredible step forward to keeping the ZT on the road.

Priced at £79.99 incl VAT For options, prices and availability please contact: Discount MG Rover Spares, Strongroom House, Site A1 North Road, Marchwood Business Park, Southampton, Hants SO40 4PB. Tel: 02380 001133 or Email: sales@dmgrs.co.uk

www.mgcc.co.uk

POSTBAG THE ND MAGNETTE OF H.B. SHAW I was pleased to read Jonathan Toulmin’s letter in the January issue of Safety Fast!, especially the bit about the North-West London Motor Club’s team trial on October 20 1934.

I have the original publicity poster (copy printed here), which was issued by the MG Car Co after the MG Car Club’s success in winning this event with three P Types. The Kentish Border Car Club team of Magnettes driven by K. Roe and H.B. Shaw came second, and I own the ND Magnette (NA 0509) that H.B. Shaw used in this event. He also won the Best Performance as can be seen in the MG Car Co’s poster.

This car was very successful in the hands of H.B. Shaw, winning the Alexander Trophy in the 1935 Kentish Border Car Club trial, and the Stafford Clark Cup in the same club’s February event, as well as silver medals in the MCC Gloucester, Exeter and Colmore trials. Also published is a photo of the car in the 1935 Gloucester trial – note his lady passenger with her fur coat!

I first bought this car back in 1965 for £18.10s, and restored it and raced it in

the following years. When I got K3003 to restore in 1972, I sold the ND, which subsequently was re-restored by Len Goff.

I bought it back from him in 1995, and competed in hill climbs and sprints up to ten years ago.

So, the car has quite a long competition history. It is fitted with an original 1930s Marshall 87 side mounted supercharger, giving it a top speed of nearly 90mph – not bad for 1286cc!

Phillip Bayne-Powell

FEBRUARY’S MYSTERY PHOTO It is indeed a photo of Victoria Worsley after the Double Twelve race at Brooklands held on May 9-10 1930 when she and her codriver, the Warwickshire cricketer Derek G. Foster, came seventh in Class G and 20th overall in the race.

The Double Twelve race had been run successfully the previous year as an English version of the Le Mans 24 hour race but was run as two 12-hour events as the local residents did not like the noise at night!

Victoria Worsley was the daughter of Sir William Worsley of Hovingham Hall in Yorkshire and brother of Yorkshire cricketer also William Worsley, who may be the reason that Derek Foster was her co-driver.

She had started her motoring exploits trialling doing some minor racing events in a Jowett and had then trialled a new MG M type and entered that for the race.

However, there was a ‘works’ built M type race car available and she was able to use that. It is not known if she bought it or was loaned it for the race.

The following year she competed in an Austin Seven, and in later events in a Salmson and in an Amilcar.

She married Roland King-Farlow who was an accountant and time keeper at Brooklands but they had no children. The story

14 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

goes that he stored his timing clocks at Hovingham Hall during the war.

Victoria later wrote a few novels and taught at a driving school. She attended many of the Brooklands reunions after the war and passed away in September 1984.

She was the aunt of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, but no relation to Lucy Worsley of television fame and Curator at Historic Royal Palaces.

Mike Dalby M type Registrar, Triple M Register

www.mgcc.co.uk

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www.cherishedvehicleinsurance.co.uk Calls to 0345 numbers are charged at ‘normal’ rates from landlines.

Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services is a trading name of A-Plan Holdings who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: 2 Des Roches Square, Witney, OX28 4LE. Registered in England. Registration Number 750484 CVI 083 06/20

POSTBAG VICTORIA WORSLEY The photo on page 16 of the February 2021 edition of Safety Fast! is of Victoria Worsley with an M type, in which she competed in the Brooklands 24 hour race (12/12 race) on May 9-10 1930.

Victoria earned a modest living, acting as a chauffeur to her father, for which she was paid £2.00 per week.

She was fortunate to win at horse racing, and thanks to a lucky wager by her brother at York racecourse, she had a win at 20:1, which gave her sufficient funds to buy her first car, a Salmson

Grand Sport. After some encounters and a few exchanges she ended up with an MG, with which she entered a number of ladies races at Brooklands. Her brother either acted as a passenger or team manager, in accordance with the local anti-female regulations. She was one of the ‘faces’ of Brooklands between 1928 and 1932.

She married a member of her team, who subsequently became head of timing at Crystal Palace circuit.

In 1931, for the 12/12 race she drove an Austin accompanied by Boote, in which they achieved seventh place. This particular

FAREWELL TO PEPI – A BELOVED MG FRIEND It had to be the most heart breaking and shattering of tragic calls ever. When Robin Clarke phoned I simply could not believe what he was telling me; my wife Pat was on the house phone being told the same thing by Steven Grover. We were just looking at one another in total disbelief. Not Pepi, not the one person who has travelled with us on our journey through life since the very day he joined the Club. This cheery-faced young Italian, who came over and introduced himself, with a smile, as the owner of a dark red MGA. I can still remember how I felt, smiling that a young Italian architect had chosen to buy an MGA, because he loved the look of it, in spite of his father believing an Alfa was the way to go.

He and Marizabel, were to prove not only the most incredible members, but also dear friends, and in the years ahead would be the Ewing anchor in the years to follow. His caring nature directed not just to my family, but indeed to everyone in need, or not just in need, has convinced me that we have just lost an MG Saint. He had this incredible ability to be interested in each and every one he knew, and to not only be interested but to contribute in a way that made that person feel so very special.

In 1992 he bought a P-type, happy to be able to compare the driving characteristics of the two cars, ever the enquiring mind. He took over the tour to Australia in 1993 making many new friends in the process. His friendships ensured that he was invited to meet and visit many MG personalities, from the Allisons, Thornleys and Hayters to the warm and special relationship he had with Andy Green.

I will always remember the fun times, with my sister Sandra and daughter Sarah in Singapore, our stand building with Stirling Moss, which absolutely thrilled him, as did meeting Fangio and Phil Hill with whom he watched a Ferrari win. Only possible because he had taped the whole thing. His friends from all over the world have responded with overwhelming sadness at the news, Andy Green requesting an email address so that he might send a personal message to Pepi’s mum. It really was thanks to Pepi staying in touch with Andy, that we were invited up to dinner and a ’show’ on the Pan, with Bloodhound the star. To say that he was absolutely adored by the Ewing family would be putting it mildly, and like everyone here, we know full well that he was the cog that has kept the club vibrant, an impossible hole to fill, for thanks to his untiring energy, enthusiasm and leadership, what the Northern Centre has done for the local community in need in Pretoria, has been nothing short of miraculous. It will be up to all of us to ensure that the Gasparis all receive the love and warmth, that Pepi gave so generously to others. Truly, he was a Saint.

Norman Ewing

16 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

race was won by Lord March’s team of MG Midgets.

Also in 1931, she was part of a threecar team of Austins, entered for the Light Car Club Relay Grand Prix, held at Brooklands on July 25. The drivers were: Victoria Worsley, Randall and Wood.

She is also recorded at Brooklands in 1931 as driving an Alvis in the Duchess of York’s Race for lady drivers. Her car is noted as having a mechanical problem.

Hope that is of help.

David Griffiths

GEORGE PHILIPS – A LIFE WITH MGs

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the George Philips – a Life with MGs series in Safety Fast! but a small correction is needed. In part one the article refers to competing at the invitation of the ‘Ulster Club’ in the Ulster Trophy Race at a circuit just on the outskirts of Dublin. I think not! The clue is in the photo on the opposite page of George competing in the Leinster Trophy, presumably at the invitation of the Leinster Motor Club, on the Tallaght circuit which was indeed just outside Dublin.

Simon Johnston

www.mgcc.co.uk

electric for everyone with 0% apr* across the mg range

Available on the ALL NEW MG5 ev, MG ZS EV and MG HS Plug-in discover more at MG.CO.UK Fuel economy and CO2 results for MG ZS EV. Mpg (l/100km): Not applicable. CO2 emissions: 0 g/km Electric range^: 163 to 231 miles. Fuel economy and CO2 results for All New MG5 EV. Mpg (l/100km): Not applicable. CO2 emissions: 0 g/km Electric range^: 214 to 276 miles. Fuel economy and CO2 results for the MG HS Plug-in Excite Mpg (l/100km) (weighted combined): (weighted): 43 g/km Equivalent allelectric range: 32 miles. 155.8 (1.8) Electric energy consumption (weighted combined): 2.6 miles/kWh CO2 emissions.

These figures were obtained after the battery had been fully charged. The All New MG5 EV and MG ZS EV are battery electric vehicles requiring mains electricity for charging. The MG HS Plug-in is a plug-in hybrid vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. There is a new test for fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures. The electric range shown was achieved using the new test procedure. These figures were obtained using a combination of battery power and fuel. Figures shown are for comparability purposes. Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. ^These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Models shown: All New MG5 EV Exclusive with Piccadilly Blue Paint £27,540 On The Road (OTR) after PiCG, MG ZS EV Exclusive with Pimlico Blue Paint £28,540 OTR after PiCG and MG HS Plug-in Excite with White Pearl Paint £29,995 OTR. *Offer subject to availability, on selected models at participating dealers only. Personal Contract Purchase. Finance subject to status, T&Cs apply. Applicants must be 18+. MG Motor Financial Services, RH1 1SR. 49 month term. Guarantee may be required. Offer shown is available on All New MG5 EV, MG ZS EV, MG HS Plug-in. Orders or registrations from 1st January 2021 until 31st March 2021 At the end of the agreement there are 3 options: (i) Part exchange the vehicle, (ii) Pay the Optional Final Payment to own the vehicle or (iii) Return the vehicle. Further charges may be made subject to the condition or mileage of the vehicle.

YOUNG MEMBERS

T

he young Members Branch annual general meeting will be held on Sunday March 21 on Zoom!

To attend, please either email mgccymb@gmail.com or click the link in our social media. Believe it or not, it should be fun!

If you frequent YouTube, you might have seen a few automotive journalists reviewing the RBW all-electric MGB roadster. It’s an interesting concept, utilising a brand new British Motor Heritage bodyshell, and a bespoke electric drivetrain developed in collaboration with Continental AG. Of course, what you’ll probably take away from it is the humongous £90,000 asking price.

This is perhaps because the bodyshell is not exactly cheap, and neither are the rare earth element batteries, and nor is developing your own modular platform with regenerative braking. Then on top of that, you need to pay people to hand craft and bolt it together, whilst still turning a profit with an intended production run of just 30 cars.

By all accounts, this uncompromising approach to the car’s engineering, which

Shaun Nelson shaunnelly@hotmail.com

unlike many isn’t just the repurposed innards of a crashed Tesla, has produced a charming car that was warmly received.

I would take their impressions verbatim – if said personalities didn’t bang on and on about how chronically unreliable the fathering MGB was. How can a machine made of wrought iron and with five moving parts possibly be unreliable?

The RBW aside, electric cars are finally entering the mainstream. MG themselves are committing much of their model range to EVs. The MG5 is of particular interest to me; because it looks like a car, it has a realistic range, and a practical load space.

The performance is also silly for such a sensible-looking estate – but perhaps that isn’t too surprising given that the MG ZT-T still holds its respective world land speed record (225 mph).

But what are EVs like to live with?

One of our members, Lewis Mackland, recently found out. “Having an electric car for a week was a pleasure, and not the dishwasher I was expecting it to be! In fact, it was the car everyone in the family fell in love with and wanted to take out.

The SEAT Mii Electric was surprisingly

SHE’S ELECTRIC

refreshing, it doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t. It is just an economical, user-friendly, happy little car; and in the world of hyped-up supercars and SUVs, I love that. The claimed official range of the Mii electric is 160 miles. In the middle of winter, in the North of Scotland, we got about 140, which at the cost of £4.50 from a standard 3-pin plug overnight, you can’t argue with!”

Personally, I look forward to more electric commuters and daily drivers.

Having recently moved from living next to a dual carriageway to a sleepy rural town, the difference in air quality is staggering.

For weekend fun and long-distance cruising, by all means let’s keep our pistons. But maybe, for work and chores, an estate that’s just as fast as my ZR 160 is perhaps worth considering. Just don’t use that roof rack…

(SHE’S IN A FAMILY FULL OF ECCENTRICS)

YMB members at the last AGM. 18 SAFETY FAST! MARCH MARCH2021 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

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MG CAR CLUB ANNOUNCES INSURANCE PARTNERSHIP WITH CHERISHED VEHICLE INSURANCE SERVICES.

T

he MG Car Club is excited to announce the launch of a new club insurance partnership with Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services. The scheme will create an offering for MG Car Club members that will keep the specialist needs and requirements of MG Car Club members at the forefront.

The scheme will offer MG Car Club members a number of features including; member to member cover where members can drive other cars insured with the scheme, free and simple agreed valuations, salvage retention, multi-vehicle cover including non-MGs, 90 days European cover, modification cover, re-instatement cover, laid up cover and even cover for those spare parts you have stashed in the garage that are probably worth more than you realise.

All this at discounted rates for MG Car Club members who will also get the advantage of dealing with genuinely knowledgeable people at the end of the phone.

Peter Barrett from Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services will be heading up the scheme and is an MG enthusiast himself, having owned an MGF for a number of years.

Peter Barrett said, “We have a real passion for classic cars here at Cherished

20 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

Vehicle Insurance Services. I know from my own MG just how much these cars mean to the enthusiasts like me who lavish hundreds of hours of effort, not to mention money, on keeping their prized MGs on the road. Therefore, we understand just how important it is to have knowledge of the cars and offer an insurance scheme that is tailored to the needs of classic car owners.”

The contribution to the MG Car Club however goes deeper than offering club members a specialised insurance product.

For each policy taken out, Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services will offer a commission back into club funds to ensure that the MG Car Club, its registers and centres have a significant contribution towards the much needed resources required for putting on club activities and events for members.

Centres and Registers who previously received insurance sponsorship will continue to receive that funding through this new partnership and in addition there will be an application scheme open for centres and registers to apply to Kimber House for grants to fund particular activities.

Furthermore, the club support from the new insurance partnership will extend to motorsport also and the MG Car Club

is excited to announce Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services as the new headline sponsor for the MG Cup, starting with the 2021 season. Motorsport fans can expect to see the new insurance scheme livery adorning competing cars from the opening round at Silverstone on March 20 2021.

Adam Sloman, General Manager for the MG Car Club said; “It’s great to have an insurance partner on board that shows such enthusiasm for our members and their cars. We are aware of a number of members who have already insured their MGs and other cars with Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services and the feedback has been superb. Furthermore, as the MG Car Club strives to ensure it has the resources to provide members with the services they enjoy and expect, the support through commissions and sponsorship received will have a positive impact on every aspect of members interactions with the MG Car Club in the future.”

You can hear Peter Barrett introducing the MG Car Club’s insurance scheme powered by Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services on the MG Car Club Podcast at www.mgpodcast.uk and the team can be contacted by telephone 0345 250 8282.

Details of the scheme can also be found in the members’ pages at www.mgcc.co.uk.

www.mgcc.co.uk

Specialist Insurance for MG Car Club members

MGCC membership discount.* Member to Member cover Free and simple Agreed Value service Reinstatement cover Salvage Retention – Subject to qualifying Criteria Modification cover 90 Days European Cover

Multi Vehicle Cover - we can put all your cars including moderns on the same policy Laid Up Cover Spare parts cover – up to £1000 Occasional Wedding Hire - can be arranged Business Use – can be arranged Limited Mileage discounts *Subject to minimum premium and normal underwriting criteria.

Terms and conditions may apply. Please ask for details.

0345 250 8282

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Calls to 0345 numbers are charged at ‘normal’ rates from landlines.

MG Car Club Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of A-Plan Holdings. The MG Classic Car Insurance Scheme is managed and administered by A-Plan Holdings Ltd. Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services is a trading name of A-Plan Holdings who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: 2 Des Roches Square,Witney, OX28 4LE. Registered in England. Registration Number 750484 CVI 083 01/21

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EVENT

MGLIVE! 2021 ON HOLD

T

he MG Car Club must announce, with regret, that MGLive! scheduled to take place this coming June, has been postponed until 2022 and that all ticket money being held for attendees from last year will now be refunded in full.

The MG Car Club’s Race Championship still intends to hold a circuit-based race meeting on the weekend of June 12-13 2021, but will be committed to following government and Motorsport UK guidance on whether spectators are permitted or not.

The current pandemic is continuing to place tough restrictions on our lives and the ability of the MG Car Club to organise and host events. Whilst we have some hope in sight with the rollout of the vaccine, it is clear that there is still some way to go yet. The MG Car Club therefore, was facing huge uncertainty over our ability to put on the scale and quality of

www.mgcc.co.uk

event that those visitors to MGLive! enjoy and expect.

The MG Car Club has been in extensive discussions with Silverstone and other event partners to find suitable options to run the event, but with the current uncertainty over the timeline of the lifting of restrictions on public gatherings, it was thought appropriate to ensure all ticket holders from the 2020 event were now issued a refund. All entry tickets, camping passes and exhibitor bookings already purchased for the 2020 event, will now be refunded.

The refund process is automatic and there is nothing ticket holders need to do.

You will receive via the payment method you originally used to purchase the tickets.

Please be patient whilst the team at Kimber House work through the transactions. If you feel you have not received a refund by early March 2021, then do get in touch via office@mgcc.co.uk

The events team at the MG Car Club fully understand that gatherings and events such as MGLive! are extremely important to the MG community. So, whilst this June will not play host to MGLive! as we know it, as you will see on page 24, the club are working on an alternative event in collaboration with other prominent car clubs to join forces later in the year to bring you a memorable occasion. We hope this will be at a point in the year when restrictions have lifted sufficiently to allow us to meet.

Furthermore, the MG Car Club will be expanding on the successful MG Social event at Gaydon last year and has a provisional date secured for October 2 2021. We hope that you’ll all be able to join us.

The MG Car Club thanks its members for their patience and understanding during these challenging times.

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 23

EVENT

N

ew event marks historic collaboration between Triumph clubs, TR Register and TSSC and the MG Car Club to create the Triumph and MG Weekend at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern August 13-15 2021.

It was one of the great rivalries of the British Motor Industry. The automotive equivalent, if you like, of City vs United – it was Triumph vs MG! But, whilst fans of these historic marques have traditionally existed as friendly acquaintances ever since, the global Coronavirus pandemic has brought all sorts of communities together closer than ever before and the Triumph and MG clubs are no different.

It is with great excitement that the TR Register, Triumph Sports Six Club (TSSC) and MG Car Club announce that they have created an equal partnership to create a memorable, jointly run, inter-club weekend at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, over the weekend of August 13-15 2021.

The TR Register and Triumph Sports Six Club (TSSC) had already combined their annual international festivals into an inter-club collaboration with the Triumph Weekend in 2019. But, following the news that MGLive! at Silverstone had been forced

to be postponed until 2022, the hand of friendship from Triumph was extended to the “marque of friendship” in MG and the partnership has added the MG Car Club, joining as the event’s third organising partner.

The weekend will feature specialist traders, an extensive Auto-jumble, Autosolo including the MG Car Club’s historic California Cup, technical seminars, plus inter-club challenges, evening entertainment, live music, live action arena show and Concours d’Elegance competition, anniversary displays – plus much more to be confirmed during the coming weeks. The collaboration between clubs isn’t limited to those organising the event either, as all marque car clubs are invited to come and display their vehicles and join in with this historic collaboration.

The three-day event will also celebrate a number of historic milestones and anniversaries for each marque, including 60 years of the MG Midget, 60 years of the Triumph TR4 and Herald 1200, 20 years of the MG Zeds, and 40 years of the Triumph Acclaim and special display areas will be a focal point of what promises to be an event you will not want to miss!

Lauran Gallacher, Assistant General Manager of the MG Car Club says: “Whilst we were sad that MGLive! was not possible this year, we have turned the challenges of

COVID around into an opportunity to offer a new, fun and landmark event for members of the MG Car Club. We need to come together more as a classic car community and this collaboration shows just what we can achieve when we do so.”

Allan Westbury, Chairman of the TR Register, says: “It is important for the future of the classic car scene that clubs come together and collaborate and the challenges we all face as a result of COVID have made this even more crucial. Combining our events and resources in this way, means that we can bring Triumph and MG fans together for a really memorable and enjoyable weekend.”

Chris Gunby, Chairman of the TSSC, says: “We are excited by the added interest this will bring to the show. We are all classic car fans at the end of the day and we think this will spark some lifelong collaborations and friendships across fans of these two marques, which have always enjoyed a bit of friendly rivalry. We can’t wait to meet our new friends from the MG Car Club and celebrate our love of classic British cars in the wake of what has been a challenging twelve months for everyone. ” Weekend entry packages, day tickets and other passes all go on sale from March 1 2021. You can find full details and purchase online via: www. triumphandmgweekend.com

NEW TRIUMPH AND MG WEEKEND IN 2021

24 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

www.mgcc.co.uk

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 25

FEATURE

I

continued to do smaller races, sprints and hill climbs with some success, but the next really exciting event was the appearance of the TDs for the one-hour production sports car race at the British Grand Prix meeting at Silverstone. It must be said that the performance of the TDs was disappointing.

They were only fractionally faster than the TCs the previous year. As they

were MKlls, one of the features of the special occasion was large sodium-cooled exhaust valves, and this was a decided improvement. On the day of the race, I got away to a good start and was running among the leaders of the 1500 class.

Well, I overdid it at Woodcote and finished up on the infield, losing my advantage. I managed to get back on and the TDs finished second, third, and fourth

behind Gerry Ruddock’s 1500 HRG. At this point, not being used to IFS, I did not find the handling to my liking, which no doubt had something to do with my spin off.

MG were obviously satisfied with the result, and they announced soon after that we were going to the TT. This race was being run over a circuit in Northern Ireland at Dundrod, which is a town just outside Belfast. It was a works fully supported

GEORGE PHILLIPS,

A LIFE WITH MGS PART III This final part looks at his efforts in the 1951 event, Works-team racing, and the development of the MGA. George also takes a look at his gradual retirement from competition motorsport, and how he became involved with the Autosport magazine, where he finished up as Chief Photographer.

Ramsgate Speed Trials 26 SAFETY FAST! MARCH MARCH2021 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

effort. There were three cars, which we had used at Silverstone. Together with a practice car, four mechanics (including Henry Stone) headed by Alex Hounslow and Reg Jackson. John Thornley and his wife also came. So the works was well represented.

The local Nuffield dealer had loaned us a car, so the three drivers spent a lot of time going around the circuit, which was a very difficult one to learn. Not unlike a miniature Nürburgring, many of the bends having blind approaches, so it paid to remember if the road went right or left.

The race itself I will never forget.

It was, without a doubt, the most miserable event I’ve ever taken part in.

There was a howling gale and rain, and it had to be seen to be believed. No way would the race start nowadays under those conditions. And there we were, faced with three hours of it. I had never been so uncomfortable in my whole life.

I bought a set of waterproofs that morning, but in spite of them, I was soaked to the-skin within ten minutes of the start.

Anyway, in spite of all this, we were 1, 2, 3, in the 1500 class, so that went a long way in restoring our spirits. It was after this event that the factory offered the three drivers the chance to buy their cars, which we all availed ourselves of.

By now I was a full-time member of Autosport, a new motoring journal that had appeared in August 1950 and was edited by another MG enthusiast, Gregor Grant. I was to be the chief photographer.

He had a Y Type MG at the time, and he had entered it in the MCC Daily Express Rally. Although I don’t remember much about it, this was the first time I had done a rally, and the thing that stands out in my mind was the loss of sleep in these events.

The result was satisfactory, as we were members of the winning team. By now it was a closed season, but the factory made a nice gesture to the drivers at the Annual Dinner and Dance of the MG Car Club.

They presented each of us with a pair of gold octagon-shaped cufflinks inscribed “In appreciation, Nuffield.”

A nice surprise, which all three of us were delighted with. During the winter of 1950-51, I went to the factory to see

George Phillips (20) and Dick Jacobs (19) at Copse Corner in the works TDs, during the One-Hour Production Race at Silverstone in 1950

John Thornley to try to sort out what we were going to do about the 1951 Le Mans entry. Having finished in 1950, I was automatically accepted for the 1951 race, driving any car I wished. I still wanted it to be an MG. The trouble was, there was only the TD, so we had long discussions; John Thornley. Syd Enever, and myself, as to what could be done. It was decided that the works would build, albeit unofficially, a special-bodied lightweight version of the TD. Work was started in the winter of 1951 in the development department.

As the project grew, more care had to be taken to keep it out of sight of a Director by the name of Smith, who used to come down every Tuesday. The day finally came when the car was completed, and the man had to see it. There was ‘some apprehension in the works as to how he would react; fortunately he liked

it, so everybody from John Thornley down breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the company had been good enough to build the car and gave me £150 towards my expenses, their help finished there. They never sent a mechanic or anyone from the works, and I was entirely on my own.

That year, I had for my co-driver, Allen Rippon. He used to race a 500cc Cooper Norton. He was the ideal co-driver – a very pleasant and affable character, who listened to what you said and never lost his cool. He paid the same as my previous partners, which was £100 toward the many expenses incurred in a venture of this nature.

When I went to collect the car from the factory, I felt very proud, and very pleased with the look of the car. The body was, for that time, a very pretty and workmanlikelooking job, with its long, low, flying lines

Reg Parnall in UMG 400 - the prototype MGA www.mgcc.co.uk

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 27

that looked really efficient. At scrutineering, the car created a lot of interest.

There had never been a road-going MG that looked anything like it before, although in some aspects one could detect its ancestry in the Gardner record-breaking car that Syd Enever had designed. The only snag was that the driver sat on it instead of in it. This was dictated by the chassis of the TD. Scrutineering presented no problems as all the regulations had been taken into account during the building of the body.

So to the practice, where it was driven for the first time in anger. It went quite well, although I didn’t like the handling of it as much as my TC. I still wasn’t happy with the independent front suspension.

Another thing that worried me was the pinking I was getting all too often from the engine. We took the car back to the garage, and after checking the timing and the mixture, and so on and so forth, it seemed OK. I spoke to John Wyer, the Aston Martin Team Manager, who was having the same problem. In his opinion, it

28 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

was the fuel that was at fault. He was livid and threatened to withdraw from the race unless something was done about it.

In view of what he said, I decided to take the head off and fit two gaskets.

I was going to try it out that night in practice. It was an improvement as it didn’t pink anywhere near as much, so I decided to run it in this form for the race.

Naturally the times were better than the TC, as the streamlining gave maximum speed. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was timed at around 120mph on the Mulsanne Straight, which wasn’t bad for a 1250cc engine.

I started the race and had a first-hand view of the big boys out there in their usual two-hour Grand Prix. They were passing me at speeds often half as much again as mine. Soon the race settled down to something approaching normality, and my times had gradually been coming down nicely, when I got the sign that I had done a six-minute lap.

This really was exciting news. Whether

I got carried away, or the engine had suffered damage due to the bad fuel, I will never know, but I was just about to overtake May’s Bentley when there was a clatter and the engine went on three cylinders, so I limped around to the pits.

As I had done more than 25 laps, I was able to remove the valve cover and discovered the worst, I had dropped a valve and it had punched its way clean through the piston. We refuelled, and I said to Alan to take it out and see what it can do on three cylinders. “At least you will have had a ride.”

Obviously we couldn’t last long under those conditions. Eventually the unburned petrol diluted the oil to such an extent that the big-end bearings finally went, and my 1951 Le Mans race was finished.

There was a not-too-pleasant meeting at the works when I finally got back to England. I had gone straight to Reims to photograph the French Grand Prix. A friend had brought the TD back for me, and there were recriminations on both

www.mgcc.co.uk

TD with a difference, the 1951 Le Mans Car that George raced

The team of TDs in Belfast for the TT at Dundrod. Left to Right leaning on the cars, Ted Lund, Dick Jacobs, George Phillips and Henry Stone. www.mgcc.co.uk

sides. I said: “If I could build an engine in my kitchen that would last for 24 hours and used daily doing other events without any trouble, I would have thought that you could have done the same.”

They, in turn, blamed me for being lead-footed, so nothing really came of that. When all the dust of that settled, they asked me how I felt about the car.

I agreed the shape was good, but it was a pity the driver had to sit on it, instead of in it. If this problem could be solved, I thought, perhaps, it had the makings of a good car and so, from that exercise, I like to think the MGA was born. It was more or less at this point that my competition activities finished.

I was now kept very busy with my photographic work on Autosport, what with trials, motor shows and events like the Monte Carlo Rally during the winter, followed in the summer by a full Grand Prix programme, plus race meetings every weekend. I found less and less time to actually compete.

I did one or two events in the TD but with no success; in fact, the only thing I remember about the car was the regularity with which it used to break its crankshaft.

It always went in the same place, across the front web immediately behind the front main. Why this used to happen I shall never know, nor did anybody I spoke to have any suggestions.

The final curtain for me was once again the TD in Dundrod. My Editor got me a co-drive with Raymond Flower.

He was unknown to me but had a distributorship of some kind in Cairo, and as far as I know, had never raced before, although he had done rallying, such as the Alpine. Came the day of the race and as usual (at Dundrod) the weather was foul.

It wasn’t rain this time, though, but a very heavy mist, which caused an hour delay. It was to be a nine-hour race. Raymond Flower started the race at 10.00am. Unfortunately his lack of experience was soon apparent, for he was losing ground rapidly, to similar cars. I tried to get him to get the car a bit quicker but to no avail.

Eventually he came in for a driver change, and I was faced with trying to

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 29

The final race in 1953 was the TT at Dundrod. The team is seen here, passing the time away during the wait for the delayed start. Raymond Flower is second from the right, standing next to Ernie McMillan in overalls.

Standard “racing” attitude is applied to the headlamps.

make up some of the deficiency. I was successful to some extent. Some of our direct competitors had fallen by the wayside, and we were beginning to get somewhere.

Then he took over again, and so it went on through the race. When I took over for the last stint, Raymond said to me: “I want you to come in just before the end of the race so that I can finish.” So I just said OK, and left it at that, but I had no intention of so doing because we were now in the situation where it looked as if we might do some good in the production car event.

I went out knowing the situation was going to be very marginal. So, I thought to myself, I would sort of play it by ear and

watch for the petrol warning light to come on. In the meantime, an Irish friend of mine who had been a competitor but was now out of the race, took over the pit.

With more experience than Raymond, he was able to keep me informed of the situation between myself and the 1500cc Singer of Peter Reece and Gill Tyrer. It was now getting very tight between the two cars, and it was really only a matter of seconds, but by this time even I was getting worried about the petrol situation.

I kept a weather eye on the warning light. It hadn’t come on, so I pressed on, and in the end I thought there was something very strange here, because it should have been on by now. It was

MG Y Type in the Monte Carlo Rally 1954, with Gregor Grant and George Phillips with his foot on the running board 30 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

George Phillips, a grand old man of MG motoring, seen here at Abingdon in 1990 for the opening of Kimber House. Photo: Peter Jenniches

a case-of all or nothing, so I pressed on until I finally got that welcome of the chequered flag. We had won the production car race by just a few seconds.

As soon as I passed the flag, I went straight into the paddock, because I thought I couldn’t possibly get there on another lap. We had to supply a sample of the petrol we were running on, according to the regulations, and when the scrutineers came to get that sample from the tank, it was just impossible to extract anything from it.

It was completely empty. So they drained the float chambers of the carburettors and took that away. When I checked why the warning light hadn’t come on, lo and behold, the bulb itself had gone. So I was really very, very lucky to get away with that.

Naturally, Raymond Flower was a little bit annoyed with me, and kept on saying “You might have blown it. You might have run out of petrol on the course, and we would have got nowhere.” I said: “Yes, I realise that Raymond, I’m very sorry. But we didn’t blow it – we won the production car award, so you should be very satisfied.” He eventually saw it my way, and of course, at the prize giving, he went up to collect the trophy. He was very pleased, and there was plenty of celebrating going on that night, I can assure you.

That was the last time I drove an MG in anger. The final occasion of me just sitting in an MG was when the present owner of my old TD invited me to drive it in the parade around Brands Hatch, during the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the MG Company.

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FEATURE

UNIQUE MGB GT RV8

By Tim Volker and Victor Smith

S

pecially commissioned in the 1990s by the then managing director of British Motor Heritage (BMH), this stunning MG V8 was built on a brand-new Heritage MGB GT rubber bumper bodyshell with RV8 front and rear bumpers.

The rest of the car – engine, gearbox, running gear and interior – is predominantly RV8. The car has had two previous owners since it was built and has been used sparingly, covering only 7,800 miles.

32 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

The charcoal metallic black paintwork and wheels are beautiful.

Packed under the bonnet are the familiar 3.9 litre Rover V8 and other components found in a standard RV8.

The interior is excellent with the seats in Stone Beige leather, as in production RV8s, along with immaculate carpet mats. It has an Elm burr dashboard and the door cappings seen on production RV8s. The car has several useful

upgrades – electric windows, central locking and a battery cut-off switch. It drives superbly This unique car has an interesting documented history, including specification sheets and photos of the build, and a letter from the Operations Manager at BMH to the former owner describing how the car came about. It’s a beautiful, well maintained example of an MG V8, but in this case a unique model.

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MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 33

THE MGB Register Spring Run 2020

Supported by British Motor Heritage Sunday 16th May finishing at National Trust Stowe, Buckingham MK18 5EQ

Entry is £26 to include a full route book, rally plaque also entry to the tea room, shop and toilets.

National Trust members have free access to the gardens, non members will receive a group discount We will be starting from Millets Farm Centre OX13 5HB west of Abingdon The event is limited to 100 MGs. Online booking is available at www.mgb-register.org in the events section, OR - complete the form below and post with a cheque for £26, made payable to:- MGCC – MGB Register You can start at Millets or if you wish from your home and join us at Stowe Closing date for entries will be Thursday 6th May.

Co-driver’s Name

MGCC membership number if a member Telephone / Mobile

Address

Email

Driver’s Name

MG Model If a NT Members please tick

Registration Number

Start Location MILLETS or HOME Registration Year

Postal entries to Roger Cooper 74 Great Bowden Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DG Tel 01858-463417 – If you have not included an email please enclose a stamped addressed envelope We collect your personal details to enable us to administer the event. We do not pass your details to any third party other than where required to facilitate entry as part of the event.

Your name will be published as part of a programme or list of entrants. Pictures may be taken & used to promote future & past events.

FEATURE

A

s a reader of Safety Fast! which is of course an MG magazine at its core, you might be wondering why you are seeing an article about photography, but I hope you’ll be intrigued to read on.

I am both a semi-pro photographer and an MG owner. But, I’m not a photographer by the common definition of today. Unusually for 2021, I still use film to capture my photographs and I hand develop much of it at home and even darkroom print black and white work.

I am what is now commonly referred to as a “Film Photographer”! I have

been published by World Wildlife Fund, Derbyshire Life magazine, Ilford Photo and I am a Kodak Alaris 2019 contest winner.

Your first thought might be: “Oh, he is another one of those hipsters” (hipster: a person who follows the latest trends and fashions, especially those regarded as being outside the cultural mainstream.)

With the increasing popularity of using film for photography, you’d be forgiven for thinking so. However, I have in fact always used film, long before it was “cool”, since the 1980s when my Dad bought me an Olympus OM10 which I still have and use.

It is true I did “go hybrid” for a couple of

years around 2008 but I quickly returned exclusively to film.

In addition to being a photographer, though, I am now also an MGB GT owner.

My Dad, Gordon Smith, sadly passed away in 2016 and many Lincolnshire readers were his friends. He had a 1952 MG TD in the 1960s until about the mid-00s when he resorted to selling it, and he owned a 1972 MGB GT from 1980 until 2016.

I’d never owned an MG before as I’d never been able to afford one and my Dad never let me drive his, obviously!

My main involvement with them was as a child when he’d get me to push the

CLASSIC CARS AND CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

By Ted Smith

Ted’s 1972 MGBGT captured using Ilford HP5 black and white film

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MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 35

brakes when bleeding them! Shortly prior to his death, we did talk about the MGB and the inevitable probability that I would hope to take it on from him, as I have fond memories of my brother and I in the rear ‘seat’ (pre-seat belt enforcement) as children. He famously said to me in hospital, with a smile: “there’s a few things you need to know about that car...” but he never got chance to actually tell me what they were! After he died, I asked my mum if I could take ownership of the MGB and keep it in the family. Happily, she agreed. Frustratingly for me, though, I’ve spent the last four years discovering all these things that I needed to know.

Example: it has a rare and unusual HRG Derrington cross-flow head on it! And for some reason, it had no valve seals!

It is true that I am not like many of you readers, who are in fact die-hard MG enthusiasts. I have become one through sad circumstance, but am enjoying MG ownership more and more each year and learning fast.

Tools of the trade, Film

36 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

And so, given these two interests, a classic car interest and a traditional classic photography interest, I felt that perhaps readers may be interested in this short article and perhaps may be interested to learn more about what I might be able to offer to MG Car Club members.

Why film?

I totally understand why people ask this.

For a few years now, digital photography has been the accepted mainstream. In fact, it very nearly destroyed the analogue photography industry entirely, almost overnight (within a time span of about five years or so) relatively speaking, considering its near 200-year history.

Digital photography is now highly capable, creating fine-looking images with no “cost per click” association. Seeing the images is faster. Provision of the images to a client can be faster. Processing an image on a computer can be considered easier.

Even a smart phone is highly capable these days, and a photo can be saved, filtered, uploaded and shared in seconds. And so in many ways, it makes almost no sense to anyone to use film in the current era.

In fact, using film means you have to buy it, develop it, and scan it. Film itself is expensive, as are developing options. It takes time to develop and dry, you have to store it, and you can’t just “click and share”.

So, given that list of cons, you must all be wondering why I shoot film today for both myself and for the occasional client. “Where are the pros?” you are no doubt asking.

The answer to that is not some kind of innate snobbery or die-hard enthusiasm for an historic era. It’s not that I am averse to “getting with the times” either. My reasoning for using film in my photography is not all that different, in fact, as to why thousands of us MG owners continue to care for, maintain and drive our old MGs. Let’s face it; modern cars have a million perceived advantages over a 40+ yearold car, just as a digital camera has many perceived advantages over an old film one.

Most MGs do not have heated seats, power steering, traction control, secure locks, GPS location positioning, built-in satnav, a stereo, electronic dashboards to tell us our radiator fluid is low, or that our brake pads are thin. They don’t have side-impact bars, airbags, and some don’t even have seat belts! Yet these are all things that people today demand in modern cars. So why do we continue to own these old cars, and love them, and drive them? Why do we spend so much money on them as well?

We do so because they give us a feeling that modern cars do not. They drive and feel different to modern cars. They make us feel like we have a part of history in our hands, and we enjoy having the purpose and knowledge necessary to keep these cars going in an era where increasingly people do not. When you know how, and why, to change transmission oil, gearbox oil, and engine oil, and what type of oil to use, and when you lubricate your steering rack, and all manner of other things that modern cars seldom need (or need less often), it makes you feel great! People like us don’t want to just send the car to a

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garage and see it again later and just have faith that what we asked to be done has been done. We like to do it ourselves. We like having that knowledge and expertise that is required to do it ourselves, especially in an age when many people no longer do. And we then drive our cars proudly, pulling them round bends even without the luxury of power steering or super advanced brakes, knowing we make it all possible.

Thanks to the MG community and MG enthusiasts who instruct via YouTube like David Russel-Wilks (look him up!) many of us can still learn car skills that are getting lost. That’s one big reason why I enjoy my MG (sentimentality of my MG ownership aside, and how I came to own one).

And so the same is true for me in my photography. Sure, I can have a camera

A tiny study come darkroom is where Ted produces black and white prints www.mgcc.co.uk

Teds Hasselblad kit showing 80mm, 120mm and 150mm lens and light meter

focus automatically for me, set white balance, and ISO all on its own and record a picture of what it thinks I wanted to capture, and it might get near to it. But how much better is it, for those of us who are photographers, to produce an image that is amazing by the simple use of our minds and manual techniques?

My main camera has no electronics or batteries (a Hasselblad 501CM). It is entirely mechanical, made from cogs, winders and metal with world-class Carl Zeiss lenses. I look at a scene, and I look at the light. I see how the light falls, where it falls, where it is darker and lighter and where the colours are more saturated than others. I measure the light manually, taking into account the characteristics of the film itself – its sensitivity to light, latitude, and ability to render certain colours or tones, and I use special development alchemy to achieve enhanced effects during development (I do this in the kitchen, much to the wife’s irritation). I can print from the negatives to produce stunning darkroom prints that simply out-perform any inkjet printer of today. I also actually enjoy ‘the wait’ of finding out how my images look – immediate Instagram gratification has become a modern photographic side-effect of digital photography and I do not like it. I enjoy the suspense!

And so the entire process of shooting with film is a creative journey, and it is one I enjoy – it is not just the pressing of the button that counts. And to quote Ansel Adams, it really is an entire process

Ted hand develops black and white films and hangs them out to dry before scanning

A few black and white prints from the darkroom, drying.

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 37

of “making”, and not just “taking” a photograph. It is an enormously freeing way, albeit quite an expensive way, to enjoy photography and I heavily encourage any of you fellow MG owners who happen to be keen photographers to explore film again. It is still made by household names like Kodak, Ilford, Fujifilm and other less well-known firms like Lomography, Adox, and Cinestill. Production of film is actually increasing now. Some new film stocks emerge occasionally and old ones are even re-introduced, such as, famously, Kodak Ektachrome. My favourites are typically Fujifilm Acros or Provia, Kodak Tri-X 400, Portra 400, Ektar 100, and Ektachrome, Ilford Delta 100 or 400 and Pan F 50+.

MG Classic Photography Service So I have both a passion for classic MG cars and classic photography, so I hoped some readers may be interested in an “MG Classic Photography” service.

Many of you who read this magazine are passionate about your cars. You will no

doubt already have photographs of it/them, either on your phone or your social media pages. But I am offering the opportunity for you to have your classic car photographed in a classic way, using the physical medium of film from which I will produce an actual physical, traditional, print(s) for you to hold, and frame in your home or place of work at a size of your choosing.

There is something very special about physical photographs over digital screen display. How often have you heard people talk about “flicking through the family album” with fondness? It’s something we all used to do, and share as a family or friendship group. Few of us do that now.

I am centrally located around Derby, so hopefully not too far from many of you.

Travel logistics aside, other cost factors are whether you would like black and white photographs or colour (I use actual black and white film for B&W photography), and what size you would like your final print(s) to be, and how many of them you would like.

Given what you have read, you hopefully understand and appreciate this service would neither be free, nor inexpensive. And you may feel the benefit is not worth the cost, and that is OK. The production costs of using film for photography are high, which is why it is hard these days to market oneself amidst a sea of digital photographers. That said, for a traditionally captured and printed photograph of your pride and joy that will literally last a lifetime without ever fading, I think that this is a great opportunity for MG enthusiasts to have their car photographed passionately in a classic way, by a fellow classic car owner who understands and appreciates these cars.

Anyone wanting to know more is welcome to email or call me (tedsmith@ tedsmithphotography.co.uk and my website is www.tedsmithphotography. co.uk). I’m sorry to say that there are very few examples of MG car photographs in my portfolio currently except those in this article!

Here Ted takes a higher angle view 38 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

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FEATURE

OSH MGB at Yarnton Manor

OLD SPECKLED HEN TOUR

By Richard Martin

W

e were sitting in a pub back in the autumn of 1991, this was Dave Smith and John Watson, putting the world to rights and discussing MG events. At the time Touring Assemblies, to give them their correct name, were just starting up. We had entered a couple during 1991 which were very good, so we thought: “Let’s put one on in the Abingdon area”. So, from that familiar formula involving a discussion in a pub over a beer an idea emerged!

Whilst known for being the home of MG, Abingdon was also the home of Morland Brewery which had been brewing beer in its Ock Street premises since 1912. As we all know, these two principal Abingdon employers came together in 1979 to celebrate MGs Golden Jubilee, resulting in Old Speckled Hen. (For those

wishing to learn more, Safety Fast! January 2009 carries an excellent article by a Morland former Head Brewer.)

Going back to John and Dave. “As we were drinking Old Speckled Hen at the time, we thought, with its association with the legendary MG saloon, what better name for the new Tour. As for location, where better than where the cars were built and the beer brewed, Abingdonon-Thames of course. All this was before the brewery moved away from the town, so we took the opportunity to make an appointment to see the marketing manager to explain what we had in mind.

He was happy with our plan, and for us to use the name. He then asked if we needed any other help from the Brewery, this was greatly appreciated as we had no idea how successful the venture would be.

Bill Wallis on flag duty

Overseas entrants participate in the 2019 OSH Run

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So Morland, now Greene King, helped us with some financial support, as they have continued to do, an excellent partnership.”

The original format of 100 car limit, a start and finish at the same location, a cream tea plus a commemorative badge remains the same today.

The first couple of Tours started from ‘A’ Block car park (long gone) with Kimber House being the venue for the finishing refreshments. Records show that 103 cars took part in the first OSH Tour on June 7 1992, so John and Dave felt it “something of a success!”

The first few events started from the old MG factory site, but with the site being developed, in 1997 the start moved to Morland where it remained for three years before the Magic Midget (as it was called then) pub played host, followed in 2002

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 41

Last OSH Run to use Morland Brewery in 1999

Last OSH from A Block in 1996

1993 OSH finish at Kimber House

An OSH picnic at Radley College

1997 OSH, the first to start at the Morland Brewery

(Foot and Mouth prevented the running in 2001) by the Thames Valley Police HQ car park – a return to the old factory site! 2003 saw the start of an enjoyable relationship with Radley College, from where the event has started and finished ever since.

After 10 years at the helm Dave and John handed the wheel to the AWC, with Mike Parker and Brian Bassett organising the 2003 Tour and Mike and his band of helpers developing the event over the next few years, and I’m delighted to say, Mike is still involved.

Over the years, there have been many who have dropped the flag on the starters, including Car Club Presidents and Chairmen, Abingdon Mayors and Mayoresses and MGF designer Gerry McGovern; however, to many it’s Bill Wallis

who is synonymous with the event and the Union Flag – it’s known as Bill’s Flag.

Bill started the first tour and was an everpresent welcoming figure with the flag from 2002 until his death in 2011.

The event is not just about celebrating two of Abingdon’s finest, discovering the wonderful scenery and places within 60 miles, or so, of Abingdon, it’s about the people and enjoying a day out in good company. To date, the Tour has attracted 797 different entrants including a number from overseas (not always driving MGs, but an enthusiast is an enthusiast and we are the Marque of Friendship) with many returning regularly. The 1997 Route Book lists “nine entries who have been with us from the start, taking part in all six tours.”

One of those, John Bolt, continued to be one of the first to enter right up until 2017

Colin and Janet Grant get greeted by John Watson at the start of the 1993 OSH Run 42 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

when he sadly passed away. Aside from the overseas entrants, who has travelled the furthest to join the OSH? Well, in total mileage to join us and return home, I would suspect it’s OSH regulars Helen Waddington and David Coulthard who, by my reckoning, have so far covered an impressive total of around 2,800 miles.

We’re extremely grateful to Greene King for their support which has been, and continues to be, very much appreciated.

Foot and Mouth prevented the 2001 Tour and Covid has put paid to those of 2020 and 2021, but here’s to 2022 and the reappearance of the Old Speckled Hen Tour!

The photos are drawn from various sources so if you recognise yours, many thanks for your support, but particular thanks to Dave Smith and Colin Grant for those from the earliest tours.

Typical rural scenery you encounter on the OSH Run

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Paul Campbell svw.safety.fast@gmail.com www.svwregister.co.uk

NEWSLETTER

WELCOME TO THE

SVW NEWSLETTER Welcome to our first four-page spread of 2021. As I write this at the end of January, we’re still in lockdown in the midst of the pandemic and storm Christoph has just done its worst with severe flooding in the Midlands. This all paints a rather apocalyptic picture, but in fact we seem to be over the peak of infections, daily deaths will fall and the roll-out of vaccines in the UK is proceeding at pace; in fact we’ve just had our first vaccinations. I’m confident that things will start opening up again by Easter and we’ll have a summer packed with classic car events to satiate our need for such things. My VA Tourer is receiving some bodywork attention and I’ve reviewed the

fire precautions in my garage, as you’ll read below. We’ve also taken a look at the Charlesworth company and two of our members have been flying the SVW flag in a couple of productions due to air on TV. Our stay-at-home lifestyle has certainly led to more use of social media, including our Facebook group and the MG SVW forum (you can find links to both on our website). The Facebook group now has 194 members and recent topics have ranged from auctions to wheel spinners, with parts for sale/ needed, period photos and even videos from the Australian Outback. Hopefully it keeps us all sane and inspired.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS!

It often takes an incident to make you reflect on what could have been and to take appropriate precautions going forward. So it was when I was working on my 1957 Austin A95; all I wanted to do was remove the dash-mounted clock to see why it wasn’t working. The car had been converted from positive to negative earth by a previous owner and it seems the clock was overlooked.

Somehow, the action of sliding it out from the metal dashboard made contact with something and smoke started to emit from the dashboard. Luckily, this car has a quick-release clamp on the battery, so I removed it in a flash amidst smoke from under the bonnet. I should have remembered to disconnect the battery before I started, bearing in mind a clock has a permanent live feed. It had only burnt out one cable, but in such circumstances,

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one doesn’t want to be struggling to find the right spanner!

I either have quickrelease terminals or cut-off switches on all of my old cars and I would urge everyone to do the same. The battery on the VA Tourer is under the passenger seat of course; almost impossible to access quickly, so in this case a cut-off switch is the answer.

Every cloud and all that – it inspired me to review the fire precautions in my garage where I only had a couple of weedy extinguishers, which had both reached their expiry dates years ago! Within a week I had ordered three fire extinguishers and three fire blankets (the latter allowing for one in the kitchen and another in the cabin). I made up a stand from MDF and sprayed it in MGB Flame Red (nice touch I thought!) from an old can I had on the shelf. The equipment was remarkably cheap and arrived the day after ordering.

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 45

NEWSLETTER CHARLESWORTH BODIES LIMITED OF COVENTRY I was looking for material for this newsletter when up popped an email from Simon Charlesworth asking for any details we may have on the Charlesworth-bodied SVWs. As we know, the SA Tourers were all bodied by Charlesworth as were the WA Tourers (although only nine of the latter were produced with one survivor, making it the rarest of all MGs).

Blimey, I thought, could this be a descendant of the Charlesworth family looking for family history? Alas no, Simon is a motoring writer who contributes regularly to Classic and Sports Car magazine! He’s writing a history of the company and their products.

In fact, the name Charlesworth does not have a clear origin. Wikipedia have it wrong when they say the company was founded by three partners: Gray, Hill and Steane. The Wikipedia entry also shows a VA Tourer, the body panels for which were produced in-house by Morris Bodies and had no connection to Charlesworth.

Founded in 1907, the name Charlesworth was formed from the Christian names of the two owners, Charles Gray Hill and Charles Steane; we can only surmise where the ‘worth’ part of the name came from. The business failed in the wake of the Great Depression but was rescued

and initially renamed Charlesworth Bodies (1931) Limited, later dropping the 1931.

Charles Gray Hill was originally a builder and his premises in Much Park Street in Coventry became the coachbuilding business. One of his biggest building projects must have been the mansion known as Coundon Court, near Coventry, now a school.

Our late friend, Peter Pimm, owned a lovely Type three SA Charlesworth (SA2249), which I photographed at the SVW Weekend in Hampshire (New Forest) in 2000. Peter wrote an article in Issue nine of The SVW Review that year in which he described the three SA Tourer styles produced by Charlesworth. The photo shows the images Peter used in the article.

The photos are in the wrong order, though – you need to switch the top and bottom photos (leaving the captions as they were) to get Types 1, 2 and 3 from top to bottom… if you see what I mean!

Simon’s research suggests that the SA Tourer designs may have been inspired by the Cross and Ellis design of the Alvis Speed 20 Tourer, reinforced by the fact that Charlesworth were awarded the contract to continue making the Alvis coachwork after Cross and Ellis went bust. Comparisons are more often made

SA Charlesworth Types. Photos: Peter Pimm

between the SA and the contemporary Jaguar 2.5 litre. We eagerly await Simon’s article in Classic and Sport Car in due course.

Peter Pimm with SA2249 in 2000.

Photo: Paul Campbell

46 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

NEWSLETTER Jim and Mark Boldry with SA0656 on an atmospheric day. Photo: Sue Boldry

A DAY’S FILMING WITH AN MG SA SALOON In the December and January editions of Safety Fast! we reported on two SA Saloons that were auctioned at Mathewsons, eventually selling for £12,000. When there are cars of particular interest, the production team often looks for similar cars and their owners to add some historical background. Mark Boldry takes up the story of their involvement.

It all started with an email from SVW Register Committee Chairman, Jim Andrews, asking if we would be interested in and prepared to be filmed with our 1936 MG SA Saloon for an episode of the television series Bangers & Cash filmed by the ‘Yesterday Channel ( https://yesterday. uktv.co.uk and produced by Air TV https://airtv.co.uk).

A few messages back and forth between Ali from the TV company and myself and a date and time were set.

www.mgcc.co.uk

Covid was not going to allow us to take the car to the Bangers & Cash venue in Pickering, so a lone cameraman/sound engineer/interviewer (Joe) was to come to my parents’ home near York where we keep our cars.

Absolutely on time, Joe arrived. We put in place all our Covid precautions then quickly went through what was planned and discussed how he would start the filming; our thoughts were very similar.

We’d start with actually opening the garage doors to reveal Dad’s pride and joy, his 1936 MG SA. Our garage doors are very heavy and slide sideways, awkwardly rolling along to the inside wall of the shed.

They are damned hard to push (good for security) and even worse if gravel gets into the bottom runner!

The camera set, we roll… once, twice and on and on. A slightly different angle

next time, then another. The opening of the garage doors must have taken 30 minutes and we hadn’t even started the car, never mind got it out of the garage.

And so it went on. The start-up was filmed, then driving it out of the garage followed by lots of detailed shots of the engine compartment, the interior, me opening the bonnet (each side) and then fastening it again.

Filming took a short break as I sat on a carefully positioned chair, with car in shot, to ‘have a chat’ about the purchase, restoration and ultimate pleasures of ownership of an MG SA. This took place as a form of interview with Joe asking carefully chosen, but unscripted questions.

A few years ago, there would have been no way I could have done that on camera, but whilst living in Australia, I had joined a ‘Public Speaking’ group called Powertalk

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 47

NEWSLETTER

Filming gets under way. Photo: Mark Boldry

which gave me the confidence and practice at such a challenge. Dad was next to go through the interview process,

but unlike me, he was so natural, albeit his recollection of events after so long were a little cloudy. Dad, however, spent

a lot of his life as a performer on stage playing violin, ukulele and singing, so was far more at ease than me. (Many of us will remember Jim’s performance on the occasion of his 80th birthday at the SVW event in Chichester – Ed.) More filming of the car followed with even more detailed shots of the interior, under both sides of the engine compartment and numerous shots of me opening and closing each bonnet side again. I guess as the day went on, the angle of the sun changed and the quality of the available light altered, too.

Finally, some driving shots – a few trips up and down the road with Joe at the side of the road waiting for me to reappear.

Drive by this way, drive by the other way, again and again. A second nearby location, but a much narrower road, allowed for longer shots to be taken also with many turns in the road and another drive by.

All in all, many hours of preparation and filming; in fact, by the time we had finished, I’d guess around six hours in total. What will that condense down to?

Two to three minutes I’d guess.

The programme is due to be screened at 8.00pm on March 4, which coincides nicely with the publication of this article.

Watch it if you can…..

Mark T Boldry, SA0656

REGISTER CHAIRMAN’S JOTTINGS Normally in these first Chairman’s Jottings of the year I take the opportunity to look back over the last year’s events and look forward to the events this year. Regretfully, the majority of us could not participate in any events last year and currently this year’s events may still be under some restrictions. It will be some months before we have confirmation on what we will be allowed or not allowed to do. Let’s all hope we can all again meet up at our SVW event in July, plus other events.

There are two television programmes to look forward to in 2021: Great British Rail Journeys and Bangers and Cash. I drove my VA Tickford down to Kimber House in early August last year for the Great British Railway Journeys feature on MGs at Abingdon. Mark Boldry kindly agreed to have his SA Saloon filmed in Pickering in September for an edition of Bangers and Cash where they were auctioning two SA Saloons (not Mark’s).

Whilst filming took half a day, we do not know how much we will feature (if at all) but it was an enjoyable experience. Both

48 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

programmes are expected to be broadcast in the spring. Hopefully we will be able to publish the dates in advance on our website and forums. If not, we will have to take advantage of TV catch-up or when they are repeated. (See Mark’s item on his experience in these pages – Ed.) Our SVW cars have received more publicity as they are well represented in Malcolm Green’s new book “The MG Story 19231980” – my VA is one of the many SVW cars photographed.

We, like many others, have used Zoom for our committee meeting. Because of the restrictions we did not hold an AGM in 2020. If we cannot have our 2021 AGM in July at our SVW event in East Sussex, we will be arranging a Zoom AGM. Thank you to those members who replied to my request for VA Engine information, I will be submitting a follow-up article in this year’s SVW Review.

Looking forward to using my VA again!

Jim Andrews

www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER

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

WELCOME TO THE

MGA NEWSLETTER MGAs are special. A belief I am confident all members of the MGA Register share. In their time they represented a revolution in design, innovation and specification whilst maintaining the best characteristics of the traditional British sports car and heralding in the era of the sleeker, dryer and more civilised sports car we have today. The MGA was special and remains special.

MGAs have character, often individual character, sometimes that character has less appealing aspects but it is character nevertheless. The temptation

to anthropomorphise our cars is overwhelming, even if we admit it to none other than ourselves.

Hardly surprising, then, that we want to share the significant moments in our lives with our MGAs when we can, and in concluding the mini-series of MGAs and weddings that I have run over the last few months with four more examples of MGA Weddings, I make an appeal to readers of this column for any examples, other than weddings, where your MGA has figured prominently in what would normally be an event seen by most outside the classic car community as one that would involve people only, not cars and old ones at that.

It is of course the case that people

have long shared important events in their lives with their pets, another faithful companion and cars, and before that carriages, have long been a central feature of weddings. However, if one set out to define the antithesis of the perfect wedding car the MGA would probably be on the top ten. Nevertheless there are, and I am sure will be in future, no shortage of MGA Weddings – long may it continue.

My interest in MGA Weddings and the joy and anxiety that accompany them was occasioned by the wedding I wrote about in the January 2021 edition of Safety Fast! which featured in a supporting role your Scribe’s doppelganger red MGA, which happened to be a Twin Cam, brought in

Jacques and Stéphanie with their MGA Twin Cam

50 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

NEWSLETTER at the last minute, literally, to replace the bride’s father’s MGA, which was having a challenging day, and to avert what the bride would have perceived as a disaster – not to have gone to the wedding in an MGA. So ultimately it was any (red) MGA that worked for the leading figures in the event and indeed I am sure colour would have been equally irrelevant. It was also the MGA that nearly stole the show!

Jacques Milliet contacted me from Switzerland about his MGA wedding.

In 1980 he bought his MGA Twin Cam (YD3/522), imported and registered in Switzerland on August 20 1958, that he later restored. Now resplendent in white it was, according to the production records, originally red. Jacques married Stéphanie in 1994 and then went on honeymoon in the south of France, travelling 3,000 miles in three weeks with no problems. He is now looking forward to making the MGA available for their sons’ next weddings!

Brendan Leach sent me a photo of his beautifully decorated MGA when his niece Samantha married Giuseppe (“Pep”) Chianca a couple of years ago. Pep’s left foot is strategically hidden in the photo because it is in a plaster cast following some tomfoolery at the stag do, which resulted in a broken foot. (Try explaining that one to your future wife!) As for the wedding, everything went to plan, apart from the fact that it rained quite a lot (hence the hood is in the rarely seen “up” position).

The car is a 1957 1500 Roadster, originally shipped to the USA and repatriated in 1992. Brendan has owned it since 2014.

Martin Wollacott found some old photos of his wedding in 1989 when he married the beautiful Halvena. He reports that he still has both the car, LSV 827, and girl! The car was purchased in 1984 and it was campaigned in the MGA Register Racing Championship of

1987/8. Soon getting the hang chucking an MGA around a circuit he managed to gain a few trophies in his second year, gaining first in class at Silverstone, Snetterton and Castle Donington.

Then came along the gorgeous Halvena, who turned his head in a different direction, getting married in 1989 and buying a semi-derelict house to refurbish. Morrisa*, as she was known, was their only mode of transport for a number of years, commuting to work, with holidays to Ireland, Norfolk and Wales. Martin says she was a great car but the years were catching up on her and she was taken off the road to replace the door pillars and repair the tired chassis. Progress on the car was halted when Ben arrived into the family in 1993 and then Jodie in 1994. The car was laid up in various garages but was finally repatriated to the family home in 2007 where it was finally recommissioned.

Samantha and Pep with Brendan’s MGA

www.mgcc.co.uk

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 51

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NEWSLETTER

Martin Wollacott’s MGA decorated for his wedding in 1989

Martin gores on to say that the enjoyment of racing the car had never really left him and the MG Speed Championship, combining sprint circuits, and hill climbs, with classes for standard and modified cars, seemed to be the ideal candidate to rekindle his fire. LSV 827 was prepared for Group 2 which allows for some engine and suspension modifications. With 10 years of competing, the little car has brought Martin a great deal of enjoyment, both competing and meeting the other competitors, along with a couple of championships and several trophies. He reports that the car will be ready for this season’s entertainment and that he plans to keep both her and Halvena for a bit longer! (*Anyone want to guess the derivation of Morrisa? Answer in April’s Safety Fast!)

Derek Mann used his 1958 MGA to take his daughter-in-law to the church on her wedding day. 326 YUT is resplendent dressed for the wedding, as is the bride.

Derek drove the bride to Cringleford church, just out of the city of Norwich. The car was made for the overseas market, the MGA was manufactured in late 1957 and shipped to the USA, first registered in 1958.

The car was brought back to the UK around 2013, Derek purchased the car in 2014 still a LHD and had it converted to RHD. He has been enjoying his MGA ever since.

Perry and Bekah Mann got married in 2016 near Norwich, with the reception at Oxnead Hall, Aylsham, near the Norfolk coast. www.mgcc.co.uk

Martin and Halvena on their wedding day with Martin’s well campaigned MGA

Derek Mann’s 1958 MGA

Perry and Bekah Mann’s marriage in 2016, with Derek’s MGA

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 53

NEWSLETTER HOW MUCH IS MY MGA WORTH: PRICING REVIEW 2020 The first MGA pricing survey was carried out in 2016, with follow-ups in 2017 and 2018, and so it is an appropriate point at which to analyse the MGA market place for 2020 – a year which most people will remember for the Global Pandemic, and will equally wish to forget for the devastating effects of its consequences.

The first MGA pricing survey was carried out in January 2016, and (as far as I am aware) was the first attempt to analyse the value of our cars in the current market place.

As I commented at the time, the sources were probably not exhaustive, but came through a reasonably wide variety of advertisers. The majority of the MGAs were taken from the website: www.carandclassic.co.uk – which is generally a good indicator of the state of the classic car market. I also searched eBay for other MGAs for sale and not on the “Car & Classic” website, and finally augmented the list from classified adverts both from Safety Fast! and from Enjoying MG. The latest review covers 163 vehicles (123 roadsters / 40 coupes), with breakdowns as shown below, reflecting the different prices being asked for roadsters and coupe.

Up to 2017/2018, the coupe was often regarded as the “poor relation” in the MGA world, but prices have now increased. The overall market for MGAs appears to be very healthy, in terms of the number of vehicles on offer: 163 cars for 2020 as a whole, compared to 205 offered in the two-year period covering both 2016 and 2018.

The attached table will be useful, as it shows the average prices in the 2020 survey (with the same data for 2018 in brackets), followed by the % increase over the last two years: 1500 Roadster (52 advertised): £28,500 (£25,550) (+11.2%) 1500 Coupe (20 advertised): £25,500(£22,550) (+11.3%) 1600 Roadster (44 advertised): £28,050 (£26,700) (+5.1%) 1600 Coupe (11 advertised): £23,950 (£22,250) (+7.6%) 1600 MkII Roadster (15 advertised): £29.950 (£24,900) (+20.3%)

AN APPEAL Nick Kopernik in the USA is trying to solve the conundrum as to when MGA VIN Plates stopped recording the actual Engine Number on the VIN plates some time in 1957. He has narrowed the range of VIN numbers down to 37297 to 37413 so if you have a car with a VIN number between those ranges please send me a photograph of the VIN plate whether original or not.

54 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

1600 MkII Coupe (4 advertised): £24,150 (£23.650) (+2.1%) 1600 De Luxe Roadster (0): None in 2020 (£46,900) 1600 De Luxe Coupe (0): None in 2020 (£39,450) Twin Cam Roadster (15 advertised): £57,450 (£41,250) (+39.3%) Twin Cam Coupe (2 advertised): £50,500 (£35,850) (+41.0%) The above makes interesting reading, especially in respect of the 1500 and 1600 models, which together (127 MGAs) make up 77.2% of the survey – almost the same percentage as in 2018. Prices have risen across all variants, probably reflecting the desirability of buying a classic car at what many regard as an acceptable (and not stratospheric) price, and which is well supported by a spares and maintenance network.

With Twin Cams only making up 10% of the survey, drawing conclusions about pricing levels is always difficult, but there is no doubt that this variant is now sought after and recognised amongst the cognoscenti for the high-performance car it was always intended to be. The 20% increase in prices for 1600 MkII roadsters in the last two years may also reflect a greater appreciation of the enhanced performance offered by the 1622cc push-rod engine in the final year of the MGA’s production.

De Luxes appeared to command a premium of more than 10% over Twin Cams at the time of the 2018 survey, almost certainly on account of their rarity. It is interesting that none were noted as being offered for sale in 2020.

Dealer (trade) margins over private sales make interesting reading. For both 1500 variants, the dealer margin is around 10%, but only 4-5% for the 1600 variants. Bearing in mind the price increases for the 1500 variants in the last two years, one conclusion is that the “original” MGA is the preferred choice of purchasers entering this segment of the classic car market and that dealers are aware of this.

As before, I hope that readers will find this analysis enjoyable and interesting.

Howard Quayle: Archivist, MGA Register

TWIN CAM GROUP AND MGA REGISTER AGM NOTICES Twin Cam Group - April 10 2021 MGA Register AGM - April 17 2021 Both meetings will be held via Zoom, starting time of 10.00am. Anyone (other than Committee members) wishing to attend should contact Ian Wilson (the Zoom host) with their MGCC member number, at least five days before the relevant meeting so that agenda and zoom invites can be sent out. Contact Ian on ian@mulberryhouse.karoo.co.uk

www.mgcc.co.uk

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MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 55 FEBRUARY 49

NEWSLETTER

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

WELCOME TO THE

MGF NEWSLETTER One of the biggest disappointments in a year of disappointments was the inability to hold our Silver Anniversary celebration of the MGF, inspiringly called MGF25, which was scheduled to take place last July. However, we live in anticipation that our disappointment will be reversed, and we can go ahead with the show at the British Motor Museum on Saturday July 24. The whole shebang has been uprooted and transplanted to the new date, so in addition to a large number of MGFs and TFs you will be able to enjoy a series of talks, special displays, MG traders, craft village, competitions and much more, all within the confines of one of the best collections of British motor vehicles in the country. The whole weekend will be enhanced with an evening party featuring our favourite band, Not the Hoople, and the next day, sore heads permitting, an anniversary road run takes place over some of the original 1995 press route from Gaydon to Combe Abbey. Of course, all this is without our COVID-19 binoculars so is subject to change at a moment’s notice, but let’s assume all will be well and if you would like to join us then booking has re-opened for the show, party and road run. Access

our new updated show website at MGF25.org for all the latest updates and how to get your tickets.

There is a range of merchandise available as well, to add to your MGF souvenir collection, including keyrings, mugs, polo shirts, beanies and baseball hats. To get yours simply go to www.mgfregister.org/shop and look for the MGF25 tab or follow the link from MGF25.org.

Cars arriving at the British Motor Museum for MGF20

56 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

NEWSLETTER MORE EVENT UPDATES Sadly, we have postponed our Chairman’s weekend in Northamptonshire, which was due to take place in April and that is looking likely to be the National Event 2022 now, although a date has not been set yet.

If MGF25 goes ahead then it is entirely feasible that our events following will also happen, so look out for:August 20-22: Camping in the Chilterns – a weekend under nylon behind the England’s Rose pub in Postcombe, nestled in the lovely Chiltern Hills. Fun and games will be the order of the day.

September 17-20: National weekend in Wales based at the Chainbridge Hotel in Llangollen. This is the postponed event from last year and as a result there are some extra rooms now available.

December 4-5: Christmas at Cricklade. Our usual annual festive bash in Wiltshire postponed from last year returns with the usual dinner, raffles, dancing and Christmas jumpers.

If you are interested in any of these events please contact Ian ‘Worzel’ Wright at events@mgfregister.org

EXCITING START TO THE YEAR As mentioned in previous columns, we have now established two more Regions for the MGF Register. We are particularly delighted to have representation north of Hadrian’s Wall again. Scotland was one of the original Regions for the Register under Dave Clelland and that was continued by Alan Dunlop. Glenn Nielson has taken up the reins and writes here a little about its history and looks forward to the future when we can once more roam the high roads and low roads. His new group will be called MGFun and Glenn explains the reason for that here:-

MGFun (Scotland) “MGFun are not the first F and TF group in Scotland. Not long after the F was released, a group called MGF Scotland was created and organised runs and events for Scottish owners and was very successful for several years before dropping off the events radar. Some owners in Scotland

still had an appetite for events, so some were organised on the old MG Enthusiasts BBS forum (remember forums?) and an event was organised for September 2002.

The people who turned up subsequently became the next group, called Central Scotland MGF (CSMGF). It was run by David Clelland and Gerry Hoirns. Some of you who are long-term F or TF owners may remember “Golden Wheels” owned

by Gerry and David’s lovely red MGF Steptronic. CSMGF was very successful at holding monthly meetings and runs throughout the year and introduced the Highlander weekend which attracted F and TF owners from all corners of the UK including Ireland.

CSMGF successfully carried the F and TF flag in Scotland from 2002 until 2008. I attended my first MG run with CSMGF in June 2006 and was immediately hooked but unfortunately, in 2008 both David and Gerry pulled their handbrakes on, selected neutral and switched off their interest in CSMGF and the group events came to an end. Again, all was not lost because there was still a strong desire from Scottish F and TF owners to keep events going so 2008 saw the creation of MGFreedom, run by Alan Dunlop and myself. Alan attended the very first CSMGF run in 2002 so he can only be considered as a veteran of the MGF and TF scene in Scotland. To date, Alan remains true to the models and he has a serious F and TF collection.

MGFreedom was hugely successful in delivering runs and events in Scotland, nationally and in Europe until around 2016

MGFun Logo

when events started to dwindle. The now independent MGFreedom group still exists and only focusses on holding the famous annual Highlander event begun by CSMGF in 2002.

With MGFreedom concentrating on the Highlander event each year, this left Scotland without a dedicated F and TF group to provide regular runs and events for Scottish owners. The force of the F and TF in Scotland is strong and with Scotland’s amazing roads and wonderful scenery, we have the perfect basis for having MG “Fun”.

So what’s the plan? The success of the previous groups cannot be ignored, so I won’t be reinventing the wheel. Initially I aim to run MGFun in line with our forerunners and tweaking things as the group develops. This means: 1. Regular/monthly pub meets 2. Regular/monthly summer runs 3. Annual weekend event 4. Short winter runs 5. Attendance at car shows I need to mention Covid-19 as this is the deciding factor for the foreseeable future and will no doubt impact upon our plans going forward. As I type this in midJanuary 2021, there are already cancelled

A typical Scottish scene with piper. www.mgcc.co.uk

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 57

NEWSLETTER events in Scotland during 2021 so, when allowed, we will start moving towards having pub meets and organising runs/ events to allow our members to meet in person, but until then MGFun will grow via Facebook and we hope that members in Scotland can join us.”

Glenn would love to hear from you, so just search for MGFun on Facebook or check the mgfregister.org website for the link or contact Glenn by email at scotland@mgfregister.org

Midlands Borders Heading back into England but veering towards Wales we find another new Region headed up by Rob Parry, the Midlands Borders covering Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Herefordshire and Rob sets the scene:“I became an MGF owner by default after persuading my wife that an MGF was far more sensible than the MGB Roadster she had her eyes on in 2001. Her romantically dreaming of driving a classic was for me more a dread of how much time and effort it was going to take to keep the B running as an everyday car! So here we are some 20 years later with more than one MGF in the collection and many thousands of pleasure miles driven with members of the MGF Register and the MGCC. My ambition is that the Region offers you, the members of the Region, the events you would like to attend and ensuring that we have a diverse selection of events from static shows, to coffee and cake runs, Natters and hopefully the odd

With the new regions we should see more regional flags at MGF25

weekend away. I am eager to hear what you, the members, would like to see from the Region.

There is a dedicated Facebook page, alongside a group on the Forum and ,as time allows and we have more photographs and events taking place, both an Instagram and twitter account will be formed.

Please guys and girls of the Midlands Borders get in touch and let’s enjoy our cars.”

Rob can be contacted at midlands. borders@mgfregiser.org or via his Facebook page (search for MGF Midlands Borders)

Leicestershire We welcome both these new Regions which are now active and also look forward to a third coming online soon – Leicestershire. Current Rep Steve White lives near the Leicestershire border and is hoping to set up a group to cover this

area. It’s early days in forming the group but Steve says:“It’s been a while since there has been a Rep in the Leicestershire area, and as I live just over the border in Warwickshire, I thought why not give it a shot and see if I can reignite some interest in the region.

For those that don’t know me, I have been the Heart of England Region rep for a good few years, organising Natters, runs, days out etc, as well as regularly attending MGCC and MGF Register events.

So, here’s your chance to tell me what would entice you to dust off your MGF/TF and come and meet up with some friendly fellow-owners (once we’re allowed to, of course). I was thinking of starting with a monthly pub meet, so ideas on day/time, venues would be welcome and can be sent to me at Leics@mgfregister.org.uk

New Reps needed – North Wales and Lancashire We are also looking for some new reps to cover regions where we already have a presence. Simon Davies has been running the North Wales and Cheshire region for several years but is looking to step down this year, so if you live in that rough area and fancy a little challenge then please get in touch with us. Neil Rushton has sold his MG TF and so we are also looking for a rep to take over the Lancashire Region. If you live in either of these areas and fancy a little challenge then please get in touch with our Regions Liaison person, Tim ,at regions@mgfregister.org Rob’s early MGF Hollie at Silverstone “Lapland” 58 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

NEWSLETTER

At Brown & Gammons for some toning

SPA WEEK FOR TANGO

In July 2017 Philip Hayward imported Tango (a Vibrant Orange MGTF LE500) from Guernsey. The tale involved delays flying out, having to stay overnight, problems registering the car in the UK because it was out of scope for an EU transfer – the list goes on! That tale has been told previously, but it was worth it for Philip and a little over three years later it’s easy for him to forget the difficulties getting her home to the UK. However, another difficulty arose common to the orange LE500 and he tells that story here.

“A little over nine years in the salty Channel Islands sea air had taken its toll on what was a mismatch of colour. Vibrant Orange-painted LE500s were subject to a paint recall following problems with the lacquer, but I am afraid Tango missed out on the manufacturer’s recall (being overseas in Guernsey) and despite lots of polishing, it never seemed to look evenly shiny – especially so the headlight lenses (on which I tried a number of cleaners including toothpaste!).

Also in an attempt to fix the mismatch of colours, we had the bonnet and the bumper repainted in July 2019 and, you guessed it, then the door mirrors and handles repainted in June 2019 – all by Brown & Gammons in Baldock.

Moving on a year or so, my son had Paint Protection Film applied to his rather expensive car (not an MG – shame!) and when we collected it from the company who applied the film (Azuri Premium Car Care, based in Stevenage) I started talking to the company owner. And there you have it – I was sucked into giving Tango a professionalgrade ceramic paint protection.

According to the Azuri sales brochure,

the paintwork undergoes correction and gloss enhancement through a machine polishing process – just like a ladies spa treatment, except that the car process ensures a flawless finish and gloss levels far in excess of standard factory finishes. Is this the case with the ladies?

The polish coatings are a multi-layer system, which means the flawless finish of the paintwork is properly protected and easy to maintain.

The wheels and brake callipers underwent the same treatment for protection against that harmful brake dust, plus wheel arches as well, for ease of cleaning.

What was supposed to be a two-day job turned out to be a week, starting at the opticians (i.e. the headlights). You will see below the before and after – this treatment was a fraction of the price of replacing with brand new headlights.

Then came the head gear (the roof); Then the feet and toes (the wheels and wheel arches) Then, finally, a full over body treatment!

We feel that the treatment was worth it and Tango is now back to the full Vibrant Orange she was when first built.

Feet and arches get attention

A very shiny LE500 after the spa

Treatment to the head www.mgcc.co.uk

Eye treatment in stages

Time to leave the spa now fully toned MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 59

Building Engines for the MG Midget, MGB and MGA for over 40 years

ENGINE MODIFICATIONS

FULL WORKSHOP FACILITIES FOR ALL AGES OF MG

All our engines are built in our own workshops and come complete with flywheel, clutch, front pulley and water pump and are ready to ‘drop in’ PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL ENGINE SPECS (All Skiptune Engines come with a full 12 month Warranty) ENGINE PRICE GUIDE

MIDGET/SPRITE/A SERIES

MGB

Standard Unleaded

£2,345

Standard Unleaded

£2,345

Balanced Engine

£2,545

Balanced Engine

£2,545

Balanced Engine with Cam

£2,800

Balanced Engine with Cam

£2,800

Stage 2 Engine

£3,300

1860cc Stage 2 Engine

£3,300

1380cc Stage 2 Engine

£3,550

1950cc Balanced Engine

£2,855

(Above prices are exchange. If no exchange unit is available please add £300 to MGB engine prices and £500 to Midget.)

CYLINDER HEADS MIDGET

MGB

Standard Unleaded

£395

Std Unleaded Recon.

£395

SKP2A Stage 2 (36mm In)

£825

Unleaded New Casting

£445

Standard Aluminium

£1,195

Stage 2 (1.625” In)

£845

7 Port Aluminium

£1,325

7 Port Aluminium

£1,425

All above prices are fully inclusive PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE

WWW.SKIPTUNE.COM E Mail : info@skiptune.com 01276 479647 / 07810 482200 Bagshot, Surrey

60 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021 www.mgcc.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2021 www.mgcc.co.uk SAFETY FAST! 71

TECH TORQUE

A ROTTEN RADIATOR

By Andy Knott

A

friend of mine recently contacted me to say that his everyday MG ZR 1.8i had started losing a bit of coolant. After the initial dreaded thought of head gasket failure crossed my mind, he mentioned that he thought it was the radiator.

On checking his extensive history file on the car there were no receipts for a replacement one, so it wasn’t bad going for a 16-year-old radiator that’s on a car used in all weathers.

Replacing a radiator on a ZR is fairly straightforward, and something that a competent home mechanic could carry out

on their driveway or in their garage. A quick check on the local motor factors website revealed that they keep a couple radiators in stock from different manufacturers that would fit; alternatively you could contact a modern MG specialist who advertises within the pages of this magazine. The good thing is that the majority of spares for the Zed range of cars are still easily accessible, and thankfully there are companies such as Discount MG Rover Spares who are having parts re-manufactured to ensure we can keep our Zeds on the road and keep enjoying them.

REPLACING THE RADIATOR

1 Always disconnect the earth lead before starting work on your car.

www.mgcc.co.uk

2 As can be seen in the photo, the internal core fins of the radiator have rotted away and the radiator is in need of replacement.

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 61

TECH TORQUE

3 We removed the undertray to allow easier access to the relevant parts we’d be working on.

5 If you don’t plan to reuse the coolant please dispose of the old coolant in a responsible manner, and dilute and wash away any spilt coolant as it can be harmful to animals. At this stage you can flush the system through with a lowpressure hose if you desire.

7 Disconnect the fan harness multi plug and position it out of the way.

62 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

4 Ensure the engine is cool before proceeding to drain the old coolant. Turn the heater control to the maximum and remove the expansion tank cap. Place a large container under the hose located at the bottom left corner of the radiator.

Slacken the clip on the hose and pull the hose away from the radiator allowing the coolant to drain in to your container placed under it.

6 We completely removed the top hose to allow easier access to the fan, and then checked the condition of the hose as well.

8 Remove the two bolts securing the top of the fan assembly housing.

www.mgcc.co.uk

TECH TORQUE

9 Remove the two lower bolts that secure the fan assembly to the radiator. Due to access, you may find it easier to use a spanner than a socket.

11 Disconnect any remaining hoses connected to the radiator and then proceed to remove the two bolts securing the radiator mounting brackets to the slam panel crossmember. Disengage the radiator from the lower rubber mountings and remove from the engine bay.

13 Re-install the upper mounting brackets, torque to 9Nm (7lbf ft).

www.mgcc.co.uk

10 Lift the fan assembly clear of the car. This ZR does not have air conditioning – if you do have air conditioning you will probably have to remove your alternator to allow you to lift the fan assembly out of the car.

12 Swap over any mounting fittings required from the old radiator onto the new one and position the new radiator in place, being careful not to damage any of the core fins.

14 Carefully re-attach the fan assembly to the radiator and torque the nuts to 9Nm (7lbf ft). Plug in the fan harness multiplug.

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 63

TECH TORQUE

15 Re-attach all the hoses, checking the condition of them and the jubilee clips as you go. Double check all connections, as new coolant will show up any weaknesses.

17 The coolant system in the ZR holds 5.5 litres when dry. We used a premixed OAT pink coolant. Slacken the bleed screw to allow air to escape and slowly pour the coolant into the expansion bottle until coolant can be seen emerging from the bleed screw in a steady stream and then retighten the screw.

19 Replace the expansion bottle cap, and reconnect the battery. Start the car and let it idle until it has reached normal operating temperature and the fan has kicked in once, all whilst checking for leaks and checking the temperature gauge for signs of overheating.

HEALTH AND SAFETY Please do not undertake this work if you don’t have the necessary knowledge, mechanical skills, a suitable working area, the necessary tools or personal protective equipment.

Instead, enlist the services of an MG Specialist to carry this work out for you.

64 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

16 The bleed screw (highlighted in this photo) can be seen on the metal coolant rail, located next to the air filter box assembly.

18 We then squeeze all the coolant pipes to make sure they’re full of coolant, and to push any trapped air out of the system. Top up the expansion bottle to the visible ‘Max’ seam.

20 Stop the engine and let it cool completely before removing the expansion bottle filler cap and topping up the coolant to the max line again. If possible, leave your coolant cap off overnight to allow any air to work its way out of the system.

I leave the expansion bottle cap on my driver’s seat so I don’t forget to put it on the following morning. Also, if your coolant cap hasn’t been changed in a while I would put a new one on. I change mine yearly, as they are prone to failure.

You’re all finished and have a new, shiny radiator which will hopefully last many a year. Do keep checking your coolant level, and temperature gauge over the next few days. If the car is overheating where it didn’t previously the fault is probably trapped air in the system, so repeat the bleeding procedure. www.mgcc.co.uk

TECH TORQUE

SNAPPED STUD

By Nic Houslip

H

ave you ever broken a stud while removing parts from your engine?

It happens, particularly on studs that are exposed to the elements and to heat, as exhaust manifold studs invariably are. In the car that I was

working on, the front-most stud holding the exhaust manifold sheared off just below the nut. I was able to remove all the other fixings and the manifold, leaving me with about 1/2” of 3/8” UNF stud protruding from the cylinder head. In cases

The Impact Stud Extractor securely attached to the broken stud

66 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

where the stud breaks flush with or below the surface, you have no option but to drill down centrally and use a stud extractor, but this is really a head off and take it to a machine shop job. They will then have to drill accurately down into the stud, remove it if it will come free with a “screw in” extractor or if that fails, to drill down with larger drills until the root thread diameter is reached and pick out the remaining bits of thread from the hole.

This is a difficult and time-consuming job and best avoided, or better still left to an expert.

The teeth of the Stud Extractor can clearly be seen in this photo

www.mgcc.co.uk

TECH TORQUE In this instance there was just enough stud protruding to be able to do something about it, but a first attempt with a self-grip wrench failed because it wasn’t possible to

exert enough pressure to grip and turn the stud. Over the years, I’ve bought various unusual tools at events and auto jumbles, mostly on the basis that “it’ll come in

The teeth produce longitudinal marks that can be seen above; it is these that grip the stud tightly

As I have an impact wrench (a very useful battery powered tool) I fitted it to the stud remover. Setting it to run anticlockwise the impact wrench screwed the remainder of the stud out of its hole in about 15 seconds, the length of time showing how tightly it was held by the rust of the ages

It is possible to use a 1/2” drive bar but this might not be as easy as using an impact wrench, unless you have a very long one and the space to manoeuvre it www.mgcc.co.uk

handy if I never use it”. One that I had had for a long time but never tried was a stud remover that had a cam-shaped wheel with a knurled surface inside a strong circular body that was supposed to grip the stud; unfortunately it needed about a half turn to get a good grip, by which time the body of the tool was up against the timing chest.

Time for a cuppa and a search on the internet. Less than 15 minutes later I had located a device that looked like a big, sturdy version of a drill chuck. This seemed to be the tool for the job, so next morning I set off to the local Machine Mart to get one. The picture shows the device mounted onto the stud. It clamps on like a drill chuck, and is designed to be used with an impact wrench, although it could be used with a 1/2” square drive ratchet or breaker bar. Turning the black hexagon-shaped part anticlockwise tightens the jaws, chuck fashion, onto the stud; the more it is turned, the tighter the grip and the teeth inside the jaws bite into the stud.

Now, smart readers might notice that the engine is not at all like the MGBs and MGB GT V8s that I’m usually working on.

The first clue is that the manifold is on the right-hand side of the engine (unlike the MGB) and that the head is cast iron (unlike the V8). The car was produced in the same time-frame as the B, but about 90 miles north of Abingdon, in the Triumph factory in Canley, Coventry.

In case you haven’t guessed, it is a Spitfire MK IV from 1972 that I had been repairing for a fellow Hill Climb and Sprint fanatic (and playwright) from Lancashire.

I can honestly recommend this tool as being something that works exceptionally well. It was made by Laser Tools www. lasertools.co.uk and is called the 1/2” D. It will remove studs from 6mm-12mm (1/4” – 1/2”) diameter. It can also be used to remove rounded or rusted nuts with external dimensions similar to the stud diameter, such as those with hexagon heads from 1/4” AF to 1/2” AF or 6mm to 12mm AF. I bought mine from the Machine Mart, at Great Barr, Birmingham www. machinemart.co.uk/p/tool-connectiontc3986-impact-stud-extractor/ At £23.98 it is worth every penny.

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 67

TECH TORQUE

TECH TIPS Tech Tip from: Safety Fast! Archive Carburettor Petrol Leak on my Midget I have tried various ways to stop my front carb leaking, with no luck; therefore could you give some pointers to rectify this.

Several things to check here. Examine the float to see if it is punctured and contains fuel. Also check there is no wear where the float pushes against the valve.

68 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

Check the end of the valve for wear on the end normally a ridge around its lower circumference. If OK it could be the valve has been changed without changing the valve seat. They should of course both be changed at the same time, but is very often overlooked as owners don’t have the right spanner to remove this or they don’t realise the importance of it. You can check if it’s OK by connecting a rubber hose and

We are frequently asked technical questions covering all varieties of MG. With the help of our Registers, members, and past Safety Fast! magazines, here is a selection of the more commonly asked questions and solutions. submerging the float chamber in a pint of water. Blow as hard as you can down the tube with the valve in its home position and see if there are any bubbles.

www.mgcc.co.uk

TECH TORQUE Tech Tip from: Safety Fast! Archive Do I need an oil cooler?

I have done some mild tuning on my MGB. Do you think it would be wise to fit an oil cooler and oil temp gauge?

An oil cooler is not normally necessary for mild tuning, but it’s a good idea to fit an oil temp gauge. A tuned engine, which would generate more heat, would benefit from an oil cooler because excessively hot oil becomes too thin and can cause accelerated wear to bearing surfaces. But one fitted to a mild tune engine generating less heat would keep the oil too cool and the oil would be thicker and wouldn’t flow as quickly through the bearings and cause overheating. Fitting a temp gauge in both instances is a good idea and the engine should run around 70-80°C. An engine running at over 90°C would require an oil cooler. A final point is that a thermostat can be fitted with the oil cooler which will stop over cooling.

Tech Tip from: Safety Fast! Archive Poor starting on my MGB I have a 1971 MGB GT and have difficulty starting the car from cold, even though the car is garaged overnight. Once warm, it starts fine. I have done many things to overcome this, such as checking the distributor, replacing points and plugs, and even fitted a new fuel pump, but with no improvement.

It sounds like this is the result of an air leak. Your car is fitted with a form of basic emission control that prevents crankcase gases escaping to the atmosphere. The piping system draws, via suction from the inlet manifold, fumes from the crankcase into the carburettor throats. The fumes then mix with the fuel/air mix to be burnt in the cylinder. Clean air is drawn into the crankcase via a filtered oil filler cap.

After a period of time the tubes perish, harden and crack and allow air leaks, so it’s important to check these pipes at the service intervals and replace as necessary.

Tech Tip from: Safety Fast! Archive My mid-seventies MGB has electrical problems. Firstly the ignition light will not go out and with the engine running the headlamps are dim?

The ignition light should go out when the engine is started and it exceeds 800rpm. The fact your ignition light won’t go out and the lights are dim, sounds like it could be down to a faulty alternator. A simple check is to put your test meter on 20V scale then check the voltage of the battery which should be in excess of 12V, if not charge it up. Start the engine and put your test meter on to the battery terminals making sure you place them correctly. You should get a reading of around 13.5 to 14.5v. If so the alternator is good and you may have wiring issues. But if the voltage stays around 12v then the alternator is more than likely faulty.

Note: The above solutions should only be carried out by a home mechanic who has the necessary tools and experience to be able to do the work safely. If you are unsure of your ability then you should entrust the work to an MG specialist

www.mgcc.co.uk

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 69

RACE TORQUE

W

hen this edition lands on your doormat, we should be just a few weeks away from our first race meeting of 2021, at Silverstone National on March 20. If so, we will be working hard to ensure that we deliver another COVID-secure event for all our Competitors, Officials and Volunteers. If not, we will continue to bring Motorsport back to our Members as soon as safely possible, so that we can all truly enjoy ‘Safety Fast’!

On a positive note, I was delighted to report last month that Championship Registrations have been rolling in, so I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the new Competitors that we hope will be joining us in 2021.

In the MG Metro Cup, which has seen many a Novice Driver testing their talent over the nearly 30 years that this Championship has been running, we have two new registrations in Robbie Kenning and Ben Young. Robbie will not have too far to travel to the first round from Surrey, whilst Ben will be heading from Lincolnshire and will also be able to enjoy half-price entry fees as he is under 25!

Another young driver that we hope to see racing in 2021, in the MG Midget and Sprite Challenge, is Ambrose Witherspoon, son of Mark. Mark has been racing his Sprite Mk I with us for some time now and Ambrose will be showing him how to do it. Sorry, that should read, Ambrose will be sharing the car with his father!

Also registering for the first time in this Championship are Richard Reeve from the Bristol area and Bruce Burrowes from Kent.

Another traditional place to start a racing career has been the MG Trophy Championship, with many young drivers moving on to paid racing seats from here. 2021 sees a total of SIX new drivers registering, including an International entrant as they are joined by French Competitor Erick LeFebvre, from a few kilometres southeast of Le Mans, close to the Loire River.

Erick describes himself as a “crazy” MG enthusiast, owner of multiple MGs and racer of MGs too! He has previously competed at Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Donington Park and really enjoys racing in single type Championships, including MGF Trophée in France in 1996, 1997 and 1998, MG Metro Cup in 2008 in the UK (twice) and many

RACE TORQUE

by Mark Baulch

Ben Young’s Metro being readied for the forthcoming season

races in France in Historic races every year (Mini, MG Metro, Lotus...)

He is joined by Josh Bromley from Derbyshire, Andy Heitman and Keith Henley from West Sussex, James Moreton from Norfolk and Guy Tolley from Worcestershire.

This would suggest some healthy grids once again in this Championship.

MG Cup has also enjoyed healthy grids over the past year, so a new registration from Kevin Burke from Essex in his MG ZR 170 can only mean that we can hope to continue to see some great cross model racing. Which is also true of the MG Cockshoot Cup, which is joined

by Gregory Elgood of Norfolk, Richard Johnson of Nottinghamshire and Max Pittock-Holdsworth of Leicestershire in their MGF sports cars as well as South Yorkshireman Tony Ryalls in his MGB GT and Leon Wignall from Lancashire in his MG ZR 160.

I am sure that we will be introduced to these Competitors in more detail as the race season progresses, as well as looking forward to more great racing from our established ‘family’. For now, stay safe and well and we hope to see you at a race circuit soon.

Metro’s battle it out at Snetterton last year.

Photo: Dickon Siddall

70 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

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MGs ON TRACK

MG on track

Duncan Wood duncanw@mgs-on-track.com

HOLD THOSE HORSES Photo: Dani Larson

O

r alternatively, you can sit tight, mark time, bear with it or, as I will be doing, hang loose! Whichever style of waiting suits you best, the inevitable has come to pass, and MGs on Track’s 2021 Calendar of events will be subject to a delayed start, so let our watchword be once more PATIENCE. The good news is that we have been able to secure a new Goodwood date in late April; hopefully the additional two months will allow some extra certainty around the Covid situation for many more of us and, even if the UK spring does not guarantee glorious sunshine, at least the rain will be warmer! The bad news is that our March Silverstone event has been cancelled by the circuit with no alternative date currently on offer, though this could change. As we rely on two partnering car clubs to make the event viable, it is clearly not the work of a moment to reinstate the event later in the year even if a date is offered, so this may be one that could shift into 2022.

We do now have a date fixed for Blyton Park in mid-August, so may now also be able to arrange an outing to Mallory Park plus schedule the popular North Weald

72 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

Experience day. At the time of writing, MSV have yet to fully confirm the dates shown for Cadwell Park, Snetterton, Donington Park and Brands Hatch, although note that the provisional Snetterton date has now shifted slightly from that shown in previous Calendars. Basically, members are best to keep a regular watch on our website for updates and alterations and should ensure that they are registered to receive our newsletters.

I do not care particularly for the term ‘bucket-list’ as it seems to admit to the possibility of eventual demise and reminds me that I am not immortal as I had once assumed, but I can still muster one or two hopes and wishes for the future as I am sure you do, too. So, if you have always harboured the ambition to drive your MG on a race circuit and have yet to scratch that itch, I say delay no longer and convert thought into deed! MGs on Track has long provided MG drivers with the chance to drive many of the UK’s best circuits safely and economically, and always in the company of like-minded enthusiasts.

MGoT is a branch of the MG Car Club, organising track days on a not-for-profit basis, and run by a voluntary committee

of MG drivers. Our events are truly non-competitive, with overtaking and track behaviour subject to an agreed etiquette, ensuring an enjoyable day for all participants, whatever their level of experience.

All our cars come with a built-in sporting lineage so, if it reads MG on the label, any model will be perfect to get you out on track. A typical event will host a wide range of vehicle ages, encompassing MGAs, Bs, Midgets, Zeds, Fs and TFs, plus we are always happy to welcome cars of even earlier vintage and the latest models such as the MG3. No special preparation is needed to bring your car on track, the only real requirement being that it is generally roadworthy to an MOT standard and the recognition that items like brakes, steering and tyres will be subject to more stress than is likely in normal road driving.

Drivers only need to be holders of a full road-car licence, and the only equipment required is a suitable helmet. We do hold a stock of helmets for rental, although these may not be available until later in the year for the obvious health reasons; the big motorsport equipment retailers usually list helmets specifically suited to track day use at reasonable prices, as well as the more expensive items to full racing spec.

Similarly, we are not currently offering incar instruction from our ARDS qualified instructors but, again, we hope to resume this service before too long. Those of you who are not sure you that a full track day is for them, or who just want a fun day out, might like to consider our North Weald experience day when it becomes available. Held on the open expanse of an airfield with only one car moving at any given time, this is a completely risk-free opportunity to test your abilities at very modest cost, and without even the need for helmets.

Hopefully sooner rather than later, we will be seeing all members both old and new back on track.

www.mgcc.co.uk

MGS ON TRACK – 2021 CALENDAR Please visit www.mgs-on-track.com to register, check availability, or to book a track day.

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

Cadwell Park – April 12 A twisty and hugely scenic circuit in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Goodwood – April 27 Take a step back in time with the first of two visits to this atmospheric venue, including one dedicated session for the Triple M Group.

Snetterton 300 – May 21 A fast and open track; long straights combined with a challenging infield section.

Castle Combe – June 21 The first of two annual visits to this very friendly circuit in Wiltshire.

Anglesey – August 9 Experience this challenging circuit on a day shared with the Lotus 7 Club.

Blyton Park – August 16 Not a traditional racing circuit, but a fun and friendly venue boasting a layout with real character.

Castle Combe – September 8 A second opportunity to enjoy the thrills of this ever-popular track which includes a couple of chicanes and high-speed, technical corners!

MGCC MGCCSPEED SPEEDCHAMPIONSHIPS CHAMPIONSHIP John Wilman, Beechfield, Fern Bank, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak. SK23 0JJ Tel: 07778 165186 www.mgspeed.net Below is the proposed calendar for 2021. With the current pandemic, and the rules and regulations put in place by the government, there is a good possibility that we won’t be able to run Date April 11 April 17 May 1 May 2 May 8 May 9 May 15 May 16 June 5 June 6 June 13 June 19 June 26 July 3 July 18 July 24 August 1 August 7 August 8 August 14 August 15 August 28 August 29 September 11 September 18 September 19 October 3 October 16

all of the events, so please do keep an eye on our website www.mgcc.co.uk/ speedchampionship/ as it’s the quickest way to bring you the latest news. I will keep you updated via these notes as well.

Venue Club Curborough (1 Lap) Sprint MGCC Midland Centre Goodwood Sprint Bognor Regis MC Anglesey Sprint MGCC North West Centre Anglesey Sprint MGCC North West Centre Llandow Sprint Bristol MC Rushmoor Sprint Farnborough & DMC Wiscombe Hill Climb Torbay MC Scammonden Hill MGCC North West Centre Abingdon Carnival Sprint Sutton & Cheam MC Harewood Hill Climb BARC (Y) Three Sisters Sprint Longton & DMC Brooklands (New!) Sprint Farnborough & DMC Aintree Sprint Liverpool MC Prescott Hill Climb Bugatti Owners Club Gurston Down Hill Climb BARC (SW) Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb Midland Automobile Club Curborough (Fig 8) Sprint MGCC Midland Castle Hill Climb Camel Vale MC Castle Hill Climb Camel Vale MC Pembrey (New!) Sprint Bristol MC Pembrey (New!) Sprint Bristol MC Loton Park Hill Climb H&DLCC Loton Park Hill Climb H&DLCC Wiscombe Park Hill MGCC South West Centre Harewood Hill Climb BARC (Y) Harewood Hill Climb BARC (Y) Eelmoor Sprint Farnborough & DMC Castle Combe Sprint Bristol Pegasus MC

Donington Park – October 4 A circuit with a long history, this is a firm favourite with all. Includes plenty of changes of elevation and the swooping Craner Curves.

Goodwood – October 25 A second visit in case you missed the first due to popularity!

Brands Hatch ‘Indy’ – December 6 Our season finale; don’t miss the chance to enjoy this undulating circuit including Paddock Hill Bend!

www.mgcc.co.uk

Photo: David Doolan

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 73

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We celebrated our 10th anniversary last year and still managed to do it in style, with a workshop full of wonderful MG’s!

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CENTRES ABINGDON WORKS Richard Martin sfscribe@mgabingdon.org.uk www.mgabingdon.co.uk Well, another month has passed and hopefully we’re a few weeks closer to being able to use our cars regularly and join others doing the same.

We’re hearing that there’s a light at the end of what’s already been a long tunnel, but it’s not yet close enough for many of those organising events, as we’ve seen with 2021 events being cancelled or postponed, sometimes more than once! During the month, the AWC took the sad decision not to continue with plans to organise events for the first half of the year. Effectively this means that there will be no St George’s Day Run or Old Speckled Hen in

ANGLIA Rob Muir 01206 862619 scribe@mgccanglia.com www.mgccanglia.com

Anglia Centre Photographic Competition With an entry of 18 photographs depicting a wealth of inspirational MG memories, the committee had a hard time choosing a winner for the inaugural photograph of the year, but as Roger heck this proofLatham carefullyreports for errors in style, below, theycontent did. and layout.

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2021. We’re fast approaching that stage in planning where financial commitments need to be made and with the Covid situation as it currently is, we didn’t feel it prudent to make such commitments. Please

“Throughout the year an excellent selection of entries was received. At year end, judging was done by all Anglia Centre Committee members.

A clear winner emerged. It was Gus and Pat Ives with their photo ‘Stay at Home Rally Adventure’ featuring their P Type.

By chance an opportunity arose for me to join William Ball’s ‘Club Meet’ on Zoom. There I was able to share the good news of the Photographic Competition result and make a virtual presentation of the trophy to Gus and Pat. Worthy winners indeed.”

keep an eye on our website and Newsletter as both Webmaster and Editor are doing sterling work in trying to keep on top of an ever-changing scene.

Many MG owners have dogs and over the years we’ve had a few regulars on AWC events.

During the Lockdown periods, whilst the cars have remained in the garage, I’m sure they’ve appreciated the extra attention they’ve received. I thought, therefore, that we’d bring a few of these to the fore this month.

Welcome to all our new members whom we look forward to meeting somewhere, sometime, in what we hope is the not-too-distant future.

Oh I do Like to B Beside the Seaside

The photograph of Malcolm Goodall’s MGB GT V8 entitled ‘Oh I do Like to B Beside the Seaside’ was runner up and third went to Roger Martin’s entry of his MGF at Brooklands.

Entries for the 2021 competition are now open and can be submitted to webmaster@ mgccanglia.com so let’s see some more inspiring photographs coming in.

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MGF at Brooklands MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 77

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CENTRES CALEDONIAN Bob MacGillivray 07870 407111 mgcarsscotland@gmail.com www.mgcaledonian.com I am afraid I have more news of event cancellations!

You may recall that the May 2020 3-Day Tour was postponed until July this year. However due to the continuing uncertainty over Covid-19, the Committee has decided to cancel the event completely. All those who left their 2020 entry fees with us have been contacted and their fees now refunded. If you perhaps have been missed please get in touch and also, please remember to cancel any hotel bookings you have made. Sorry about this, hopefully next year sometime!

Our first show ought to have been Thirlestane in June but BVAC, the organisers, have decided to cancel this event this year. It was also cancelled last year so once again, hopefully next year.

So far as we are aware at the moment, Glamis is still on, however for updates keep your eye on our website and Facebook page.

It is difficult to anticipate when the first event might be. We think that it may be possible to arrange one-day runs, perhaps at short notice, so again

DEVON & CORNWALL Young Janner II bobslatter@hotmail.com www.mgccdc.org Having started last month with an apology, I must do the same again. I have not updated the Devon and Cornwall Centre website address on this heading, for which the correct one is now shown above.

Pete Opie, our webmaster, brought in the new site as it has more capacity for better quality

www.mgcc.co.uk

information will be on social media and the website.

If you do not receive regular email updates, then get in touch and I will add you to our email list.

I did ask in last month’s notes about the earliest MG in the Centre, early Midgets and MGFs with, so far, no response. Has anyone any thoughts regarding these?

I had an email recently from a member asking about the valuation of competition Midgets. That got me wondering just how many of our members use their MGs in competition. Midgets and Bs were,

at one time, the most common type but I suspect now that ZRs and F/TFs might be more common.

Our own Gus Carnegie upholds MG honours in his Midget on the hills and sprint tracks of Scotland with several class records, Colin McLachlan has, I think, retired his P type in favour of an Austin 7 Special and Paul Luti seems to be running a Citroen.

I know of some others but If you do compete, perhaps you would let me know with some info.

That is all for now but look out for updates!

Stay safe!

Gus at Forrestburn

photos amongst other things, which will mean we will be able to add a lot more pictures from events when we are actually able to hold them.

In the meantime, if you have any pictures of past events you have attended or that rebuild you are continuing with during lockdown, please forward them and we can include them on the site.

Luckily, there has always been a link on the old website to take you automatically to the current one.

As there have been no events, either past or future, to inform you about, I have delved back

into my archives once again. The pictures were taken at the Birkett Six Hour Relay Race held at Thruxton Circuit in 1972 and organised by the 750 Motor Club.

The MG Car Club was one of over 50 teams entered and consisted of Phil Axon (MGB), John Targett (MGB), Ian Polley (MGB 8 DBL) and Mike Carr (MG Midget). The race was run with teams ranging from modern Chevrons to pre-war Austin 7s. Hence the results were calculated on a Handicap basis as well as a Scratch race.

The pictures show the MGB of Phil Axon, a Centre member, which was probably one of the quickest ones in the Club at the time. Phil owned his own tuning company in Torquay of Taurus Engineering and many members’ cars passed through his hands.

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 79

CENTRES LINCOLNSHIRE IAN MACKENZIE 01529 497849 MaccaV8@aol.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk Sadly, our long-serving Centre Webmaster Bob Welch is retiring from the role, and we are in need of a willing volunteer to step forward into the breach. Thank you, Bob, for all your help and support in informing and entertaining the ‘troops’.

If you feel you would like to take on the role, please contact Hon. Secretary Sue on MaccaV8@ gmail.com or on the above number.

We will be issuing a curtailed ‘Newsletter Update’ in the near future. To keep costs down in these straitened times, we intend, as far as possible, to issue by email. It would therefore be very helpful if you could check that your email contact details are up to date. To do this, please go to the main Club website at: www.mgcc.co.uk/ members/login/ and follow the instructions on the page. Secretary Sue will then be updated by Club Office.

As we prepared for print, we understand that Boris and his team will be updating us on the State of the Nation on February 15, so at that

MIDLANDS Roger King rogerking43@gmail.com Website: www.mgccmidlandcentre.co.uk Midland Centre Facebook: @mgccmidlandcentre Barely into 2021 and our calendar of events is taking a beating. Thanks to Covid, so much planned for the first half of the year has a question mark against it. No surprise really since we set out our programme on a provisional basis but disappointing nonetheless. We now know MGLive! has been cancelled, an event that takes place one month after our Welsh Touring Rallye.

The question we are wrestling with is can we go ahead with the planning for the latter in the hope that restrictions will have been lifted? Well, by the time you read this a decision will have been made.

A lack of hotel accommodation for later in the year means if we cancel, that will be it for 2021, and another roll-over to 2022. To compensate in part if we do not go ahead, we will endeavour to put on a “Fun” event for late August incorporating a run with some driving challenges at the finishing

80 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

time, we will have some idea of when we can ‘get out of the rut’. We stand poised to leap into action.

Roll on a healthy 2021.

To this month’s picture above: Oh, to be in Washingborough again!

venue, the BMM at Gaydon. Watch this space and our website for further news.

Mentioning the BMM, the Centre will be present at the museum’s monthly open area gatherings starting for us on May 11 at 5.30pm, (post Covid lockdown rules permitting) and running through to September. We have dubbed this “Super Natters”, an opportunity for regular meetups with our cars centre stage. Maybe you have one for sale, in which case Gaydon offers an excellent venue for test driving on the surrounding country roads. Then again, what about those surplus bits knocking around – bring them along. You never know, what is surplus to you is essential for someone else.

Again, check out our website for full details nearer the time.

Hopefully our Spring Sprint at Curborough on April 11 might just happen as a seasonal opener. Operating like last year under strict MSUK Covid regulations, (unlike the WR no socialising), we will be featuring

an opportunity for youngsters to have a go, again under MSUK regulations. This will be an experiment for us but anything to encourage the rising generation into motorsport, well, we are up for it.

Fortunately, we had the foresight not to do a printed version of our 2021 calendar but instead rely on a downloaded version which enables us to keep revising it. We just hope members will access it.

How we all long for the word “Cancelled” to be a thing of the past. We remain optimistic that freedom of some kind is just around the corner and we look forward to turning it in our MG.

Download our calendar directly from www.mgccmidlandcentre.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk

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CENTRES NORTH WEST Paul Goodman 01625 876300 As March arrives, it is likely that hospitality will remain closed with no social meetings being allowed. There is still lots of planning ahead going on for events later in the year with the focus being on May. All is in hand for our two speed events. These are the Anglesey Sprint Weekend on May 1-2 and the Scammonden Dam Hillclimb on Sunday May 16. Motorsport UK has issued permits for both and the entry forms are now available on the Centre website. The COVID rules for running these events will mean that we need extra helpers, particularly off track to make sure that everything runs smoothly and safely. They are all outdoors so risk of transmission is low. If you can help, then please make contact.

Then the focus is on Saturday May 22 with the planned race meeting at Oulton Park. On the track there will be double-header races for the MG Trophy (ZRs), BCV8, MG Cup with Metros, Cockshoot Cup and Equipe races for pre-65 sports cars. If spectators are allowed, then advanced

SOUTH EAST Ray Ruffels and William Opie raywillmg@gmail.com www.mgccse.co.uk At the time of writing this we are still in lockdown, although the horizon is looking clearer with the rollout of vaccines. However, March/April planned events such as the Spring Naviscat at the Buxted Park Hotel, Uckfield, on Sunday March 28, the Brooklands Britcar Day (postponed) and MGCC Brands Hatch Racing on April 24-25 are all subject to ‘Covid permitting’. For latest details on the above and all event status see - www.mgccse.co.uk The MGCCSE AGM took place online “virtually” on Saturday January 30. It was a very

On the Bank at Oulton Park in 2016. Photo: Paul Goodman

tickets will be available to buy from the circuit website. The aim is to get lots of MGs on the spectator banking and cars from many other sports car makers. The Equipe races will include Austin Healey, TVR, Lotus, Elva, Triumph and many others. This is where you and your contacts come in. If you know other sports car drivers or their clubs then please let them know about the event.

The intention is to create an atmosphere like the Gold Cup meeting.

In this column last month there was a description of all the activities organised by the Centre. Clearly these depend on volunteer members providing their time and expertise. Many of these willing people have been doing their

thing for a long time. If the future of the Centre is to be secured, then newcomers are needed in the ranks. Please contact us if you feel that you have the time to get involved.

Finally, the Centre Committee would like to hold more regular meetings across the North West. Traditionally these have been held in the evenings at pubs, but it seems that lunchtime is now a viable alternative. Also, there are far more venues that are available with suitable car parks, ranging from museums to garden centres with the main requirements being food and toilets. Any ideas that you may have are welcome and the Centre can help by contacting members who live near the venue and funding initial meetings.

successful event staged via Business Zoom with 36 members attending including all Committee members, most Wanderers and Natter leaders and many members!

Our Chairman Chris Leigh welcomed all members and remarked that 2020, despite the pandemic, in many respects was a successful year with dramatic improvements in Centre communications, use of technology and management resources.

Chris and Secretary Austin Banner and committee members presented their reports and reviewed the last year. Our Treasurer Tony Atcheson presented the Club accounts online, which showed the Club is financially secure despite a year with virtually no events and that membership has only

dipped slightly after nearly a year of Covid. Tony has decided to stand down but will continue until a new Treasurer is found; volunteers for this important role please contact Austin at austin.banner@gmail.com Most of Club management is now performed online and Austin highlighted that in the last year there have been 17 virtual (Zoom) committee meetings, nine Natter/Wanderers leaders meetings planning and shaping the future of the SE Centre and creating a full calendar of events for 2021. The committee now has more experience of organising and running Covid-19 compliant events than any other Centre in the country, thanks largely to the influence of our Comps Secretary, John Morgan.

Importantly our SE website is now the most important dynamic communication channel to members, supported by Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the monthly Safety Fast! notes.

Our new President Derek Edwards was formally endorsed and elections took place on our 2021 Club officers and committee members and all were agreed by online voting with no objections! You can see full details of your Club officers and committee, reports and events calendar on www.mgccse.co.uk

Our Chairman Chris Leigh conducting the Zoom SE Centre AGM with some of the attendees 82 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

CENTRES SOUTH WEST Bruce Weston brucemweston@gmail.com website http://www.mgccsw.com/ Facebook www.facebook.com/MGCCSW Twitter @mgccsw Currently, motorsport is still under Covid restrictions which prevent any form of unnecessary travel, organisation or holding of events. As a Centre all we can do is go through the motions of preparation for when restrictions might be relaxed at some point.

TYNE-TEES Tony Wood anthony@scrutonvillage.co.uk When is a Golden Jubilee not a Golden Jubilee?

When the major part of it falls in a global pandemic. Tyne Tees Centre became a fully independent Centre in December 1971, hence our desire to celebrate our fifty years, culminating with the Anniversary Dinner in December but “the best laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft agley”.

At our last committee meeting it was obvious that we were going to be unable to deliver the special events we had planned over and above our normal calendar, namely the two-day Beating the Bounds run and our planned weekend focussed on Beamish, due to our inability to contact venues, hotels and get firm commitments. So, the Jubilee Year is dead, hail the Jubilee Celebration to be held in 2022 which will start with the Golden Jubilee Celebration Dinner in December 2021 and run through the following year. This will (hopefully) give us time to re-engage and plan with venues to make our special events as successful as ever and memorable for all who take part. This has

www.mgcc.co.uk

A prospective calendar of SW Centre events has been agreed by your committee, which can be placed in your diary in anticipation, details on the website.

Just a reminder that all new and existing Club members are required to hold a Motorsport UK RS Clubman’s licence in order to take part in the lower levels of Club events. This licence is FREE and can be renewed or applied for online from Motorsport UK. As previously reported, the SW Centre AGM is to be held online on Monday March 1 at 7.30pm.

Should this copy of Safety Fast! reach you before Monday and you wish to take part in the meeting please contact Jim Lott at chairman@mgccsw.com

who will send you the details. The meeting will be held via Zoom which is a free app from Zoom.com Motorsport UK continue to support all associated clubs and the licensed and unlicensed officials required to run events. Only with the enthusiasm of ordinary club members to take on these roles can organised motorsport survive so, if you would like to make a positive contribution to the furtherance of our sport please get in touch.

The two photos show cars from our only event last year, the Wiscombe Hill Climb held in September 2020. The MGB of Rob Orford, Photo

by Steffi Broch and the MG TF of Ian Beningfield, photo by Colin Murrell.

not been an easy decision but it was unanimous in committee and I am sure that you will all understand why.

What this does NOT mean is that any of our other long-standing events on the Calendar are affected – we will be up and running as soon as circumstances permit.

Having kicked that elephant out of the room, don’t forget that our virtual AGM will take place on Thursday March 4 at 8.00pm via the miracle that is Zoom. Joining details will be circulated in Tyne Tees Tidings but if you don’t receive that and want to join email Noel, David or myself and the

keys to the kingdom will appear through the ether.

The usual format of the AGM will apply though I suspect the past events section will be thin.

Usually we round things off with an open forum and a free buffet. The open forum will still be there but you will have to provide your own sausage roll – difficult times!

Finally, don’t forget our regular Zoom evenings with Quiz and Quips which will take place on Tuesday March 16 at 8.00pm.

This month’s photo features a selection of members’ cars at Scruton Fete in 2018 with John Pinkney’s TA in the foreground.

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 83

CENTRES YORKSHIRE Ken Cothliff kencothliff@hotmail.co.uk https://mgccyorkshire.co.uk The good news and bad news – bad news is it doesn’t look like there will be a spring start to all our runs, and Natter meetings. My feeling is it will be May at the earliest. The good news – it can only get better!

James Thornborough, member of the VoY Natter, has taken the time to do some detailed research on his MGC. With no Downton records to go on, he has managed by contacting several owners and even ex-Downton staff, to ascertain that his car has a Downton Stage two engine, despite having no official receipt, and even that the car was the last RHD car built – No.9092. It all adds that bit of history to the car. It’s taken a lot of emails and calls, but it was worth it.

South Yorkshire Natter is celebrating their 25th anniversary in March 2021; at the time of the formation it was led by Geoff Norcliffe and, appropriately, so it is today. They continue with their successful Zoom meetings now concentrating on compiling a list of members’ favourite MG activities and moments.

Other Natters seem to be ‘hunkering down’, so no news from them. I took the opportunity of a lovely sunny day to get my Midget and MGB out of the garage, and check plugs and levels before warming up both the engines. Sadly, here in the Pennines there is so much salt and grit on the roads, it would be foolhardy to take the cars out. (The Gritter Depot is only 400 yards from our home!) Those of you that have had snow should bear in mind that it will take some heavy spring rain to get rid of all the residue.

So here is a photo of the South Natter members tucking in to breakfast prior to another event in more “normal” times, and some other photos of summer picnics to cheer us up in these miserable times.

ULSTER Carol Willis (028) 9079 9997 www.mgcculstercentre.co.uk/ carolwillis@utvinternet.com The first running of The Ulster Classic Trial was a two day event held in 2004. The start was in the car park at CIYMS, it was a lovely weekend. Some tests were up the hill towards Craigantlet from Knocknagoney where Mike Dowey got stung by a bee and had to go home as he had a severe allergic reaction. This happened at the hill start test, upon which an egg was placed behind the wheel of the cars and, of course, confirmed whether or not they had rolled back at all. It caught quite a few out!

Here are some photos of that event 17 years ago.

84 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

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FEBRUARY MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 85

REGISTERS VINTAGE Rob Constant rob@littleabingdon.co.uk Welcome to this month’s Vintage Register notes!

Some happy news to report this month – dear ‘Old Speckled Hen’ has found an enthusiastic new home…

When first laid down in May 1927 ‘WL 3450’ started life as a Flatnose 14/28 model with the rare, believed to be just three ever examples, ‘Gordon England’ Salonette coachwork. In the course of its early life, it was mechanically updated to 14/40 specification by the works and retained as a

TRIPLE M CATHELIJNE SPOELSTRA +31 (0)6 41216600 cathelijnespoelstra@outlook.com www.triple-mregister.org Even without events to attend or people to meet, I’m finding the MG world to be rather exciting still! Just the other day I received an email from Moyra Dobson’s son telling me how astonished he’d been when he spotted his very own Mum and Auntie Elizabeth in the Register’s February Newsletter. And it was his first Safety Fast! after buying a TA and joining the Club too! He

J.M Toulmin at the start of the hill

86 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

factory demonstrator, gaining the nickname – ‘Old Speckled ’Un’ – due to its rather unusual silver and black ‘fleck’ exterior. This name would evolve to become ‘Old Speckled Hen’ - the widely known Morland Brewery beer which can be enjoyed up and down the country and sourced from an offlicence or supermarket near you.

In fact, the beer played more than a passing role in the car’s new custodian acquiring it, since it was through thumbing the pages of CAMRA publication ‘What’s brewing’ that new owner Richard Meere came to learn of its availability.

What was brewing was the next chapter in the car’s long history!

Speaking to Richard, he has a particular affinity with the MG marque, his first car having been a £75 L type Magna with which he would travel from his home in the Midlands to the University of Sheffield.

This brought back many happy memories for me, too, as my own first MG (if not first car, that falling to an ‘Alec Issigonis’ shape Mini)

performed much the same role between Kent and the University of Sussex. I digress a moment, but my still-owned-to-this-day ’65 Midget provided much fun and due to its then somewhat leaky hood, wet bum-prints in many a lecture theatre on campus!

Oh, happy days indeed.

Chatting to Richard, he is keen to get to know his new acquisition and sounds a thoroughly sensible, affable chap – ideal with his VSCC and Bentley background to take on custodianship of such an interesting and historic MG. Welcome to Vintage MG ownership! We very much look forward to seeing you and the ‘Hen’ out and about again when the present lockdown scenario can end.

Until next month, stay safe and we look forward to sharing more sunny days Vintage MotorinG! This month’s pictures could only really be a few period snaps of the ‘Hen’ in all its historic speckleness…

mentioned he still had his aunt’s cine films and loads of rallying memorabilia, so contact between him and young master Forster was quickly established, enabling them to exchange all sorts of pleasantries.

Another little thingie that came out of the February spread is the fact that I failed you all miserably by captioning a picture incorrectly and so here we are setting the record straight. Thanks are due to Jonathan Toulmin who got in touch to say that the photograph of his Dad Maurice did not show him driving his famous Cream Cracker, PA0337, but Jack Bastock’s ‘Porthos’, one of the Musketeers Abingdon had prepared for Craigantlet, the famous Ulster hill climb, especially. Jonathan claims its chassis number is Comp/N1, but should that not be Comp/N2? Anyone?

Anyway, he went on to tell me “they had recommended retaining the trials lead ballast (about 370kgs!) in the back of the car, which would make the car decidedly ‘tail happy’, as

the photograph shows.” And indeed, had I paid rather more attention and dug a little deeper, the same page of the newspaper I found ‘Porthos’ on, had another one of the Cream Cracker, with both cars obviously looking quite different enough for me to have spotted it. So Toulmin brought two cars to Ulster then, though how he did so is anyone’s guess. To round this little snippet of MG history off nicely, the first photograph shows ‘Porthos’ (just visible on the bonnet) in the same slide as last month’s picture but from the other side (Belfast News-Letter, August 31 1936) and the other shows PA0337 at the start of the hill (Northern Whig, August 31 1936). Toulmin claimed two wins with it that day.

Until next month, stay safe and warm and hopeful!

J.M. Toulmin correcting a skid

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REGISTERS T TYPE Paul Plummer 01926 854574 scribe@tregister.org As I sit here in early February, the snow is falling fast and I have given up commenting on the current state of the country, because when you read these notes they are well out of date as the situation is changing all the time and I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you how bad COVID is.

MG Spares Day at Telford, Sunday August 22 2021 This event, originally scheduled for February 7 then moved to April 18, has now been moved yet again to August! The organiser’s website indicates that this event is going ahead, but who knows?

The T Register has decided not to exhibit at this show.

T Register Spring Tour, April 26-30 Again, at the time of writing this tour is scheduled to go ahead, and the arrangement that we have with the hotel allows us to cancel with no penalties. The situation is being closely monitored

Y TYPE Jerry Birkbeck 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325 birkbeckjerry@gmail.com www.mgccyregister.co.uk In these dire times and cold, wet, miserable opening months of 2021, that we are experiencing perhaps the successful vaccination programme is at least something to provide us with hope for the future.

Y News The Spring Run, due to be held in May, has been cancelled. I’m sure that several other major national Classic Car Shows scheduled for the spring are sadly likely to be postponed. A rather depressing outlook. However, it’s essential to have a positive outlook and during the last twelve months having an interest beyond the everyday has been essential in dealing with mental health and other side-effects of the pandemic.

It is surprising to hear that many folk don’t have hobbies or outside interests. In our world of old cars, many have taken the opportunity to

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by the organisers who will keep us informed as things develop.

T Register Autumn Tour, September 10-13 This is the re-scheduled 2020 event which hopefully will be visiting parts of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire and the Malvern Hills, but who knows what September will bring? Watch this space!

Rebuild Seminar A decision was taken at the recent committee meeting to cancel the spring event and provide a similar event sometime in the autumn.

In the meantime, an online virtual technical seminar has been created featuring the TF braking system. This seminar was promoted via our e-newsletter and by the time you read this article it will have taken place on February 20. Further technical webinars are planned for future months.

undertake light restorations or improvements that had been put off for some time. Certainly the spares side of many suppliers has grown significantly, which is very encouraging for the classic car movement as a whole.

Though this has been a welcome distraction, we are all missing meeting up with friends, participating in events, attending shows and just using our cars. It is difficult to foresee what will happen over the next six months, although it may be possible to see more mixing and the returning of some events by late summer. Here’s hoping!

A YB that hasn’t been seen for many years....but still exists!

I’m unsure quite when this photograph was taken but is probably the late 90s. The YB was the pride and joy of the late Eric Dodd. It was a fine car and

New Material During these challenging times when there are no events to report upon, copy is difficult to obtain and interesting stories are few and far between.

If you have any adventures in your T type, heroic restorations or other stories please contact your scribe as above.

Some light relief…

The photo shows T Types gathered in the street in Fossombrone in northern Italy, during the European Event of the Year 2010, which was based in Gabicce Mare.

used and loved by Eric. My recollection is that it was fitted with an XPAW engine, as found in Wolseleys of the early 1950s. It’s probably the best of the XPAG range of engines. (XPAG can be read as ‘Morris X Series engine, the P standing for push rod unit and G indicating that the engine is for MG. The W is for Wolseley and was fitted to the 4/44. It is a single carburettor version as fitted to the Y).

Sadly Eric died in the early 00s and the YB is in the possession of his son Terry, an accomplished auto electrician. It will be back on the road in the very near future.

Look after yourselves!

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 87

REGISTERS MAGNETTE Stephen Tickell 01737 760330 stephen.tickell@gmail.com www.magnette.org Amongst recent updates to the website gallery I noticed chassis number 13088, a dark green 1956 ZA now owned by Darshan Sanghvi in Kolkata.

In fact it’s currently the only Magnette from India on the gallery, and I recognised it as the one featured in a 2018 advert for MG Motor India.

The rather moving video showed 13088 being driven through Kolkata by the owner at the time, Sarika Misra, who mentions that the Magnette is the same age as her and was bought by her father when she was nine. She describes helping him with maintenance, then how it became very much a lifelong friend after he passed away.

I’m not sure if Sarika was approached after the advert aired, or had decided to sell the car, but anyway it was acquired recently by Darshan.

Interestingly, he reports that there are several other Magnettes still on the road in Kolkata, so hopefully those owners will eventually add their details to the Register database.

MGB David Broadhurst 01209 614704 newsletter-editor@mgb-register.org www.mgb-register.org Your committee met via Zoom on Saturday February 6 and, naturally, the principal topic was what could happen in 2021. We know that MGLive! is cancelled but that racing will happen.

Having said that, the following events have been scheduled for possible action during this year, all subject to Covid restrictions, obviously.

Events 2021 Spring Run, Millets Farm to Stowe, May 16 Practical Restoration Show, NEC, June 11-13

88 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

Kolkata Magnette in MG Motor India advert

The car’s paintwork and interior seem to have survived remarkably well in a busy city, a tribute to the care lavished on it by Sarika and her father.

Admittedly the side chrome mouldings are missing, and the original steering wheel has been replaced with a more modern and smaller padded wheel, also losing the centre boss and indicator control that are held in position by an elaborate stator tube arrangement passing through the centre of

the steering column. I believe bakelite wheels are known to be susceptible to cracking in hot climates, which may have been the reason for replacement.

Darshan would very much like to reinstate an original wheel and associated fittings, but they’re not particularly easy to find in India. If you do happen to have a spare – the flat ZA rather than dished ZB type – I’d be happy to put you in touch with him.

MGCC Race Meeting, Silverstone, June 12-13 London Classic Car Show, Syon Park London, June 25-27 Classic Nostalgia Weekend, Shelsley Walsh, July 17-18 Crich Tram Museum, Crich Derbyshire, August 1 MGB Picnic, Millets, August 8 British Classic Car Show, Farnborough, August 19-22 MG & Triumph Spares Day, Telford Exhibition Centre, August 22 Register Weekend, Scotland, September 17-20 Kopp Hillclimb, Princes Risborough, September 25-26 Don Hayter Day, October 9 Guided Tour Bicester Heritage, Bicester, October 12. Limit 25

I have been asked to promote the link to the website: www.mgb-register.org will take you there and thence to the Technical forum for all your questions and queries. It will also provide a link to the E version of the newsletter. It’s well worth a browse around when management hasn’t got you organised painting the kitchen or whatever!

Thinking about things to do in lockdown I was inspired by a delightful model of an MG Varitone Magnette that was in their last Register newsletter enough to set about making a model, 1:43 scale in metal, of my own MGB GT. The cutting of the sunroof provided an afternoon’s entertainment and attempting a good colour match and finish is proving interesting. Still, it’s keeping me entertained and out of the way. Until next month, stay safe!

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REGISTERS MIDGET Chris Hale c.hale1962@btinternet.com www.midgetregister.com Following the last update on Debbie the Midget, after completing the engine rebuild, I decided the car needed a bit of a tidy-up in the engine bay before refitting. A quick poke around found a small area of rust in the corner of the engine bay bulkhead. Not wishing to set anything alight when welding, I pulled out the passenger carpet.

With a bit of cleaning and scraping, there was a sizeable pile of rust on the garage floor, not ideal, but perhaps not surprising as it had been standing for five years, inside, outside, under cover, none of which had helped a few poor repairs from over a decade ago.

It was soon clear that a sizeable part of the floor needed to be replaced, and with the pressed well in the floor, it would be easier to cut a repair panel into the area I needed. Ideally, I would have removed the spot welds for the old floor and put in a compete panel, but the intention is to get the car back on the road as quickly as possible, so not wanting to start

MGC Mike Haughton mgc_mike@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/mgc-register/ March is nearly here, and we would usually be planning which events to attend, booking tickets, and getting our cars ready. At the moment, this year looks like being a bit quiet – but let’s hope we can get out and about sooner rather than later.

As soon as we have any events to attend we will let you know – both here in Safety Fast! and on the MGC Register Facebook page

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Rusty floor with previous repairs

something that would end in a much bigger job, the repair panel was let in and tacked up to the remaining floor and inner sill. Work continues, with welding the panel edges, then turning to some sill repairs, before I can get back to the engine bay. This isn’t going to be one of these concours/I-made-it-better-than-new projects; the car is destined to continue to be used for sprints and autosolos, carrying on where it left off five years ago. Not all cars have to be perfect! More hurdles to come, I’m sure, before we hit the road, so the story continues.

Steve Clark

My own tinkering has involved adding relays for the headlights (had a short in one of the lamp connectors), trying to work out how to wire in an intermittent wiper control – and the usual greasing and oil change.

Have a good look at your tyres, too – if the car has been standing a fair time there could be cracks in the side walls. Manufacturers recommend that tyres should be replaced after 10 years regardless of tread depth, as the rubber can harden and crack – and you won’t be able to corner or brake too well! Date codes are on the sidewall. You should find four digits in an ‘oval’ marking indicating the month and year of manufacture – e.g.

0416 – meaning fourth month of 2016.

If you can only find three digits your tyres are pre-2000 and should be changed!

I will leave you with this thought: Little Jimmy and his

Tack welding the floor repair panel in place

A couple more great photos that didn’t quite make the calendar

dad were at Oulton Park watching the MG racers doing their stuff.

Jimmy looks up to his Dad and says: “Dad, when I grow up, I want to be an MG driver.”

His Dad looks down at him and says: “You can’t do both, son.”

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 89

REGISTERS V8 Victor Smith 0208 392 9434 victorsmith@v8register.net www.v8register.net Outside the MG Plant gates Two days after these famous gates at the MG Plant in Abingdon closed for the final time on Friday October 24 1980, John Dupont and his

FWD Ben Hatton ben2692@hotmail.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk/fwd-register/ The journey to the NEC, Part I Some of you may recognise my MG Metro, having seen it at the NEC in March 2019 at PC’s Restoration Show. This was the car’s debut after a long hiatus, which started several years previously when my late Dad had stopped using it. He sadly passed away in 2016.

I hadn’t thought of doing anything with the car, with all of the life admin that is required

90 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

father parked up by Gate 3 on Sunday with their then new MGB Roadster alongside John’s MGB GT V8 (Teal Blue 0534) purchased new from University Motors in Hanwell west London. The Factory records show the V8 went through Paint Finishing at the MG Plant on the day the model was launched at the Motor Show at Earl’s Court in August 1973. His V8 was later sold and has been owned for many years by an enthusiast in Germany.

Early RV8 goes to Europe David Franklin reports a beautiful RV8 in Flame Red, one of the first 20 production RV8s built in 1993, has been sold to an enthusiast in the Netherlands. It’s one of only 16 in this bold colour and a UK spec car from new. With only 64,000 miles it has had very modest use with an average annual mileage of barely 2,400 miles.

See a full set of photos on our “More” page at: www.v8register.net/more.htm

after someone passes, and I had other vehicles to find new homes for, including one of the first superbikes, a Honda CB750 Four. It was only when I attended the NEC Classic Motor Show in November 2018 that my friend, and fellow MGCC FWD member, Martin McFeely inspired me to rejuvenate the car and see if I could indeed have it on display only four months later!

I started as a total novice on the A seriesengined Metro, despite owning it since 2002, as it did very little mileage, and therefore required very little mechanical work, apart from usual servicing and maintenance. In readiness for the NEC show I planned to do a full ignition service and refreshing of a few tired parts, including installation of

MY88 Turbo 13” alloys, more in keeping with the appearance of the original metric wheel trims, in place of the MY89 lattice spokes that had been on the car for many years and required new tyres.

Typically, this plan went out the window and I ended up taking the cylinder head off to replace the original gasket that had burnt between two and three. I made full use of YouTube and workshop manuals to complete the job.

To be continued...

David Collins

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1952 Black, leather interior, hood, tonneau1964 1964 MGB Roadster handle blue, black 1952 MGMG TD,TD, Black, red red leather interior, tan tan hood, tonneau MGB Roadster PullPull doordoor handle car,car, Iris Iris blue, black hood cover.

A superb original . Restored/white /white Excellent restored done a while in the andand hood cover.

A superb MGMG TD TD original specspec . Restored trim.trim.

Excellent restored car car done a while agoago in the in the 1990s superb , massive history , drives90s90s excellent of the early Californian in the 1990s andand still still superb , massive history file fi, ledrives but but still still excellent andand oneone of the early Californian superbly ,panel is excellent, of the nicest imports when were really good.

O/drive, interior superbly ,panel fit isfitexcellent, oneone of the nicest TDsTDs we weimports when theythey were really good.

O/drive, interior have a long sorted maintained really as good as new, lovley engine superb have hadhad in ainlong time.time. wellwell sorted andand maintained car,car, hashasreally as good as new, lovley engine bay,bay, superb shellshell been used reguarly so lovely patina looks superbly original, painted underside, bonnet, been used reguarly so lovely patina looks andand feelsfeels like like a 10a 10andand superbly original, painted underside, alloyalloy bonnet, yearold maintained Original R/H/D exportedw/wheels, w/wheels, original steering wheel.

Fitted better 5 brg yearold wellwell maintained car.car.

Original R/H/D car,car, waswas exported original steering wheel.

Fitted withwith better 5 brg returned to before uk before being completly restored.

If beingengine, engine, original banjo axle.

A superb older restoration andand returned to uk being completly restored.

If being original banjo axle.

A superb older restoration andand picky a slight synchro Super £22,995 ready ready to enjoy no work required £15,995.00 veryvery picky hashas a slight 3rd 3rd synchro lag,lag, Super car car £22,995 to enjoy withwith no work required £15,995.00

1963 MGB Roadster, Blue,stage Blue trim. door handle, original1957 1957 MGA 1500, blue, Black walnut dash, 1960 Austin Healey Iris 3000, 2 Pull engine , totally MGA 1500, Iris Iris blue, Black trim,trim, walnut dash, 3 brg engine, wires, blue everfl ex hood with incredibly chrome wheels, immaculate restored painted restored barechrome shellnrebuild, genunine works top,rarechrome wirewire wheels, immaculate restored car,car, painted very early folding frame,trim, overdrive, again very very rare on a 3brgunderneath, underneath, everything is new or reconditioned, lovely tonneau, green leather Fern Green over Old english everything is new or reconditioned, lovely car. Totally restored with photographic during the 1990s.panel panel gaps, a superb ready to use, would white, side exhaust ,superb car a history, true british iconic gaps, a superb car car andand ready to use, would costcost Superb condition. Has been impeccably maintained by last ownerdouble double asking price to restore. £32,995 classic. £79,995 asking price to restore. £32,995 for 25 years. A super car and rare to find an early car so original and usable. £21,995.00

NEW NAME FOR MG MECCA CAR SALES AA NEW NAME FOR MG MECCA CAR SALES

1, Roudham Trading Estate, Roudham Harling, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 UnitUnit 1, Roudham Trading Estate, Roudham Rd,Rd, EastEast Harling, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 2TW2TW

www.moderngarageclassics.co.ukTel: Tel: 01953717100 717100 www.moderngarageclassics.co.uk 01953

!"#$%&'()*+)&),#-.%$/)#0#/$)&-/$/)#1-/#-2$/#34#5$+/) !"#$%&'()*+)&),#-.%$/)#0#/$)&-/$/)#1-/#-2$/#34#5$+/)

TF 1954 1250 ( Matching Numbers ) !"#67#8934#:8;3<=

Reduced to sell £26,495 £26,495 ()*+,-.-)/0.12304

6'*)#1*%$#>+/#.+)#/$?+&/*+&$@#1/-A#&'$#BC#*%#948<#+%@#(%@$/.$%&#+%@#*%#@$?&'#D-@5E-11#/$)&-/+&*-%F#6'$#$%@#/$)(G&#*)#+#>+/#-1#)&(%%*%H#+??$+/+%>$#&'+&# A truly exceptional example of the last of “The Square New carbs, starter, dynamo, a new body tub, doors, 4 @/*2$)#+)#.$GG#+)#*&#G--I)F#6'$#>+/#*)#/$+@5#&-#H-F#J()&#1(GG5#)$/2*>$@#+%@#+G&'-(H'#!K6#+%@#&+L#$L$A?&#*)#-11$/$@#.*&'#+#%$. !K6#+)#+%#$L&$/%+G#+%@# Riggers “, with a hint of modernity in the form of faired in wings and front and rear valances were fitted. In fact the *%@$?$%@$%&#2+G*@+&*-%#-1#*&)#*%&$H/*&5#+%@#M(+G*&5F headlamps and sleeker body lines. only original panels used were the bonnet tops and sides.

6'$#!"#67#.+)#&'$#G+)&#-1#&'$#!"#N)M(+/$#/*HH$/)O#P +#@$)*H%#&'+&#.$%&#D+>I#&-#&'$#$+/G5#Q4R)#.*&'#&'$#*%&/-@(>&*-%#-1#&'$#!"#J9F# The TF is now regarded as the most desirable of the T The engine, gearbox and rear axle were fully overhauled 6'$#@$)*H%#&$+A#+&#!"#'+@#.+%&$@#&-#*%&/-@(>$#&'$#!"#S#*%#$+/G5#8;39#D(&#&'$#'$+@#-1#&'$#/$>$%&G5#1-/A$@#BMU#A-&-/#>-/?-/+&*-%#V$-%+/@#V-/@# .series with its combination of classic looks but with “pin by appropriate specialists.

(G@#%-&#+GG-.#&'*)#+)#'$#@*@#%-&#.+%&#&'$#!"#S#&-#+11$>&#)+G$)#-1#&'$#S()&*%#W$+G$5#&'+&#'$#'+@#X()&#+H/$$@#&-#?/-@(>$#+1&$/#*&)#)$%)+&*-%+G#G+(%>'#+&# sharp”, rack and pinion steering and powerful ,progressive The all new trim package which includes both full and half &'$#8;39#!-&-/#)'-.F# 6'+&#.+)#&'$#-11*>*+G#G*%$#D(&#&'$/$#.+)#+#D*&#A-/$#&-#*&#Y#V$-%+/@#V-/@#'+@#.-/I$@#1-/#Z*GG*+A#!-//*)#*%#&'$#$+/G5#Q4R)#D(&#'+@ brakes. tonneaus was installed to the highest standards.

D$$%#)+>I$@#D5#'*A#+1&$/#D$*%H#>+(H'&#N*%#1G+H/+%&$O#.*&'#-%$#-1#&'$#)$>/$&+/*+G#)&+11F#6'*)#G$1&#'*A#.*&'#+#@$$?E)$+&$@#+%*A-)*&5#&-.+/@)#Z*GG*+A#!-//*)# +%@#'*)#?/-@(>&),#.'*>'#-1#>-(/)$#*%>G(@$@#!"F This particular example was repatriated from the States The end result is a simply stunning classic motor car that V-/@#&-G@#&'$#@$)*H%#&$+A#+&#SD*%H@-%,#&'$#'-A$#-1#!",#&-#H*2$#&'$#!"#6[#+#1+>$G*1&#.'*>'#&'$5#@*@#*%#9#.$$I),#1+*/*%H#&'$#'$+@G+A?)#*%&-#&'$#1/-%&# in 2014. A picture we have would indicate that it was a “dry not only looks magnificent, but is a pleasure to drive as well. .*%H)#+%@#$L&$%@*%H#&'$#/$+/#.*%H)#&-#H*2$#&'$#>+/#+#)G$$I$/#?/-1*G$F#6'$#/$)(G&#.+)#A(>'#@$/*@$@#+&#&'$#&*A$#D5#!"#?(/*)&)#D(&#.*&'#&'$#?+))+H$#-1#&*A$# climate “ car.

The car has just been fully serviced and although &'$#67#*)#%-.#-%$#-1#&'$#A-)&#)-(H'&#+1&$/#>+/)#-1#&'*)#$/+F It then underwent a total “nut and bolt” restoration by MOT exempt has a new MOT as an external validation K(/#>/$+AE>-G-(/$@ $L+A?G$#.-%#N\$)&#U+/#*%#C'-.O#8;<]#&-#8;]^#+&#&'$#?/$)&*H*-()#_)G$#-1#!+%#UG+))*>#66#*%#S(H()&#948`,#+%@#&'*)#>+/#1*%*)'$@#*%# a professional motor engineer whose “mantra”was that if of its peerless quality.

DG+>I#*)#X()&#+)#H--@F#T-.#*)#&'$#&*A$#&-#D(5#D$1-/$#?/*>$)#/*)$#*%#C?/*%H#a new parts were available,they would be used. _1#5-(#'+2$#$)>+?$@#&'$#@$+@G5#2*/()#.'5#%-&#&/$+&#5-(/)$G1#&-#)-A$#&/(G5#$%X-5+DG$#>G+))*>#A-&-/*%HF#b*%H#J-'%#+%@#/$A$AD$/ &'$#>G+))*>#!"#G*%$# One parts invoice alone was for in excess of £10,500.

This car must surely be the best available NcKB#UST#[K#_6#_T#ST#!"OF

XE$+)$#2*)*&#...FV(+//5@E+))*@)F@-F(J1-/#A-/$#@$&+*G)#+%@#?*>&(/$),#-/#>+GG#J-'%#[$%&-%#-%#4``84#^4^4^<F 1-/#I-/$#B$&+*E)#+%B#D*@&(/$),#-/#@+EE#Y-'%#T$%&-%#-%#4ZZ94#<4<4<[F dG$+)$#2*)*&#...FM(+//5>G+))*>)F>-F(I

www.mgcc.co.uk

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 91 FEBRUARY

REGISTERS ZR/ZS/ZT JOHN THOMPSON 01702 298866 johnt5@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/zedregister We hope you are all remaining well. Our 20th anniversary year is still very much on hold as our present situation continues. Hopefully later this month, as some of the restrictions are eased, it will become clearer as to what will be feasible and when. With a number of events and shows postponed this year already, the second half of 2021 could be very busy indeed. In the meantime, please continue to use social media to share your

projects and activities, and also continue to share your pictures of your 20-year-old Zeds.

Please visit our website/Facebook group for the latest information on Register activities and event updates. We will continue to be guided by Club announcements in this matter.

I’ll finish with a few photos from previous Saloon Days. Hopefully it won’t be long until we can get back to a multitude of Zed cars brightening up the car displays.

MG6.3.5 Sean Round sean@seanround.co.uk www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register twitter.com/635register We’re now a couple of months into 2021 and I’m sure that you are all awaiting the news from the Government about relaxation of Lockdown. We really hope that events start to resume soon and that we can get out and start meeting you all.

This time of year is always exciting for our Register as it’s ‘New Reg’ month! We hope that MG3 continues to sell well for our dealers and we are very much looking forward to seeing your posts on our Facebook Group about your new wheels! It would be great to see another recordbreaking year for MG Motor!

Our AGM is still on our plans for the next couple of months and will be held virtually. We will confirm a date to you and the medium which we’ll hold this through as soon as it is confirmed.

As discussed, both Andy Littler and Richard Bibby-Brooke have taken the decision to resign from our committee. As this is the case, we need to fill both roles. Should you wish to find out more about these roles then please do not hesitate to get in touch with me to discuss further. I’m more

92 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

A spring launch MG6 road test photo, taken in 2011.

than happy to arrange a Zoom call with anyone who wishes to find out more.

In the meantime, should any of you require any support with your cars, or have any questions of the committee, then please do feel free to get in touch

with any of us and we’ll be pleased to assist.

I do hope that all of our members are safe and well, and the same applies to your friends, family and loved ones. Stay safe, Stay well, Go 3njoy!

www.mgcc.co.uk

church square

autos FAMILY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED 1981.

Our office/ showroom is at 62B HIGH STREET SHEPPERTON TW17 9AU VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE

We are Celebrating 40 years, 1981-2021.

Just open our new Parts Warehouse / Workshop

MG MGF Stepspeed (automatic) just 24,000 miles Due in soon Rare very low mileage Stepspeed (automatic), just going though our workshop, being fitted with a new headgasket/cambelt/water pump plus serviced and a new mot. Outstanding condition. IN SOON. £3,895

1969 MGCGT chassis no GCD1 4979G Tartan Red with wire wheels, O/D and Webasto sunroof in very good condition with an immaculate engine bay. Many new parts fitted in the last two years including a complete rebuild of the front suspension with newshock absorbers, new hubs, new bearings. A complete rebuild of the differential and new hubs at a cost of £1,500. Supplied with handbook, workshop manual and heritage certificate, insured agreed value of £22,000. Previous owner was Anthony Hamilton, father of Lewis, current F1 world champion..

Price £19,500 tel 07748 012596 or email morrisgbm@gmail.com for additional photos.

1954 MGTD chassis no TD/26204 Tartan Red with wire wheels recently fitted a new battery and five new tyres. This car is one of the best TDs around and is in superb condition with very clean engine bay and polished under all the wings – an exceptionally clean car. Owned by me for the last ten years and it has an interesting history file; car has been serviced annually at Surrey Motors. You will not find a better one for this value.

Price £22,000 tel 07748 012596 or email morrisgbm@gmail.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Both cars are in (Surrey). At different times I have taken both to Classic Le Mans – they are all perfectly reliable.

How

Members ca charge in S members is posted on th To place an email colin attached pho car, your co car, area wh number. P 70 words, t to edit lon insertion on

MG MGF Convertible + H/Top – Just 43,000 miles 1999 (V Reg), Manual, Petrol Finished in: Silver / Black leather MGF 1.8i Facelift model, with removable colour coded hard top, black soft top. Fitted with black leather sport seats, passengers airbag, adjustable steering column, electric mirrors, documented service history.

Just moted. New headgasket/cambelt/water pump (13/10/20). Outstanding original car immaculate condition. £3,795

MG MGF Freestyle – Limited Edition.

coli

2001 (51 Reg), 70,000 Miles, Manual, Petrol, Finished in: BRGreen/Black leather Last MGF ltd edtion made. MGF Trophy front and rear spoilers, full Black leather sport seats, 16” ‘SE’ alloy wheels. Rare in British racing green. Serviced, new headgasket cambelt, new mot, no advisories. A very sort after MGF model. £3,495

MG MGF VVC – just 28,000miles 97 (R Reg) 28,000 Miles Manual Petrol 1.8vvc, utstanding MGF Spent it first 3 years here in the UK, before being shipped to Sunny Jersey.

We have just imported back into the UK. Finished in Flame Red with full Red leather seats, wind deflector, mud flaps. Documented history file and in outstanding immaculate condition. Just Moted and registered here on its original Reg number R492 VAB. £5,995

MG ZR 1

Built from a b Paul Luti (Dre seam welded porated. One seals in place always garag No expense s race winning many toys an Please note s leaving gleam £6995ovno. T

THIS IS JUST A SMALL SELECTION FROM OUR STOCK

01932 241843 OR 07836 281493 mgsales@churchsquareautos.com www.churchsquareautos.com

SALES &PARTS FOR YOUR MGF/TF www.mgcc.co.uk

WANTED

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 93

CLASSIFIEDS How to Advertise

Members can advertise their cars free of charge in Safety Fast! The cost for non members is £20. The advert will also be posted on the Club website in due course.

To place an advert in Safety Fast! please email colingrant@mgcc.co.uk with an attached photo of your car, details of your car, your contact details, price of your car, area where you live and membership number. Please keep your advert to 70 words, the editor reserves the right to edit longer adverts. This is for one insertion only, for additional insertions please email colingrant@mgcc.co.uk

2012 MG6 TSE

Top of the range MG6 Petrol model registered 18/12/12, 55,159 miles, mot due 17/12/21. Good service history with the last service on 10/12/20. New battery. Brakes all replaced, including fluid change in the last 15 months. Clutch, cambelt, auxiliary belts and spark plugs all changed on 19/04/18. Good Dunlop SP Sport tyres all round. Scrape to bottom corner of rear bumper and wheels are a bit scruffy. £2500. Contact Mike 07999 263736 (Abingdon)

MGA V8 Roadster

1956 MGA ROADSTER Old English White, with red trim.

1956 MGA 1500 In Signal Red. Restored in the late 2000’s by MG specialist

Originally a North American

Simon Robinson, and religiously

Export. Brought back into the

serviced every year after. Red

UK in the late eighties and given

trim and black carpets. Kenlowe

a ‘Nut & Bolt’ restoration to

fan, period radio, chrome wire

concourse condition. Restored to

wheels, full weather equipment,

RHD spec. A stunning example

new starter motor, alternator

and one of the best MGA

conversion. Recent full body

Roadsters we have owned.

respray & detailing by ourselves.

£36,995

£32,995

Powered by Rover 4.8 litre engine with dyno graph showing 310 BHP and 300 Ft lbs torque. Built by Ex F1 mechanic for circuit and road use at a cost well in excess of K80, the spec is amazing, please phone for details. Looking for offers around 50K or part ex considered. John Hewitt on 07831 104020, www.hewittsracing.co.uk (Manchester)

1970 MGB Roadster

British Racing Green which I have owned and upgraded over the last 4 years. I have moved to Spain, hence the reluctant sale The car is in The Cotswolds.

Upgraded Koni suspension all round and a super smooth Kenwood gearbox. Black wire wheels with a new set of Avons and a recent full respray and new hood. Tax exempt. Runs like a dream and a nice looking car. Some history too. £7250.

Tel +44 7816891306

1968 MGC Roadster

1971 MGB V8 ROADSTER.

1968 MGC ROADSTER

5 Speed gearbox, Power steering, Custom Metallic Blue paint, Beige trim with blue carpets. Blue Everflex Hood, Wood trim dash with a Mota Lita steering wheel. The car was rebuilt in 1993 with many upgradesNot for the purists, but beautifully detailed and a lot of fun!

The car has just come in and it is awaiting preparation. Please call for more details.

White with Black Interior piped White, Black Mohair Hood, Still retains its ‘original’ registration number ‘OOB 21G’ Stainless Sports Exhaust, Spax Shocks Conversion – front and rear.

Painted Wire Wheels, Superb history going back over many years Invoices, photographs, Original Sales Brochure etc.Please call to arrange inspection or to discuss further.

£23,995

£24,995

For full stocklist please see our website

Upton Fields Garage, Upton Road, Southwell, Notts. NG25 0QB. www.sherwoodrestorations.co.uk sales@sherwoodrestorations.co.uk or call us on 01636 812655 94 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

Mineral Blue with wire wheels, black hood, black leather seats and black carpet (inc. boot). UK Car originally supplied

by University Motors. Current ownership since 2017, been mainly used for local trips and road runs. Body fully restored between 2009 and 2016, Good paint and rustproofed. Engine bay very clean Other parts restored/replaced include axle, gearbox, cylinder head, carburettors, radiator, brakes, suspension, wheels, seats, electrics, chrome. Hood in good condition and tonneau included. Overall condition 1 / 2. £22,500 ono Call Phil on 07770950214 (Worcs)

2003 MGTF 160

Rare trophy Blue, very good condition.

71358 miles, garaged when not in use.

Stainless Steel exhaust, mapped, 2 new tyres, new battery, new alternator.

MOTd in November. Folder of history. £2800 ONO. Tel: 07736456201 (Clackmannanshire)

WANTED MG Metro or MGZR

I’m seeking a Metro 1300, or ZR Steptronic preferred but not essential. Cash waiting. Tel: john Bennett 01227 637813 or email johnbennett698@yahoo.com.

1970 MGB GT

Flame red 1800cc 5speed with electronic ignition and alloy radiator. Chrome wire wheels including spare New chrome bumpers front and back Chrome badge bar and twin spotlights Heritage certified body and good all round condition.

Regular participant on MGCC runs and shows. Spare chrome bumpers, radiator, painted wire wheels all good included.

MOT March. £10,500 Ono. Call Allan 07808812242 or email: tessllan@gmail.com (Cramlington Northumberland)

Please note that the Advertising deadline is March 10 for the April issue of Safety Fast!

www.mgcc.co.uk

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY THIS MONTH B32 - MIKE ROLLS SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS SERVICES 13/12/2012 09:50 Page 1 1933 MG J2 to J4 Specification. A totally restored mint condition J series MG to J4 specifications with Phoenix crank, Corello rods & Cosworth pistons. Genuine ENV cross tube gearbox Nose mounted/‘centric 160’ s/charger, full J4 dash with 6” rev. counter, Ki-gas pump; switch bank, dash-lamps, etc; Full Brooklands exhaust; bucket seats in grey leather to compliment the superb Ocean blue coachwork, & a full set of black double-duck weather equipment. A wonderful opportunity to obtain a very rare MG ..........................................................................................................................£69.950

1933 MG J2 - Totally restored. A really beautiful example of the archetypal cycle-wing J2. Totally restored from the chassis-up with c/balanced crank and rods, lighted clutch and all new head gear. Quality bodywork, de-luxe dash, period extras and finished in Br. Racing Green with apple green leather interior & all new weather equip. A PROPER restoration that will offer long service, and a sound investment when the Covid-free rush arrives ..............................................£43,500

1934 MG PA. A TRUE BARN FIND. Discovered after 58 yrs. in hibernation. Requires complete restoration but entirely complete as driven into the garage in 1962. Nothing missing; all matching Nos., orig.reg. from new; old buff log book; V5; and the best thing to come out of 2020. Don’t miss it. Includes delivery UK ..............................................................£18,750

1933 L Type 6 cyl, MAGNA. How nice to find an original 6 cyl. open tourer with enough ‘ooomph’ to do its job. Whether you have dogs, golf-clubs, grand-children or just a partner with a lot of luggage, these Magnas give you comfort & room to do proper touring, which hopefully we’ll all be doing very soon. In one ownership for over 50 yrs, the car has a fully rebuilt orig.

‘L’ engine, restored original bodywork and superb upholstery in Cereleun Blue leather, full weather gear & new Blockley tyres. Comes with orig. Reg. No and history fi le. What a super thing

Coming Shortly - a fully restored 1938 MG TA ....................................................................................................... £29,500

MIKE ROLLS

2016

SERVICES FOR MGs

COMMISSION CAR SALES: Our highly regarded service is cheap and always available to you. M thru TF.

NO SPARES WORRIES - OVER 1,000 LINES, BOTH NEW & USED FOR THE TYPES OF CARS WE SELL (MGs 1929 - 1949) Just go to: www.barrywalker.com

Specialising in all MG’s

JUST ARRIVING - a new batch of 4 cyl. & 6 cyl. side mounted MARSHALL SUPERCHARGERS. Complete with all fi ttings, manifolds, & HV5 carburettor.

BARRY WALKER

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

Email: barry@barrywalker.com Web: www.barrywalker.com

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

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm 2016

enquiries@mgsforsale.com

www.mgsforsale.com

01707 876089

07831 556666

MGCGT PA1968 Midget 1934Older Nut & Bolt Restored MG AUTOMATIC (RWD628G) MGaCGT 1968, automatic, excellent Mineral Two Seater delightful Blue coachwork with nicely el pre-war example in mellowed original Black leather trim, original leather bound MGC e TL Creaminterior coachwork withgenuine enquiries@mgsforsale.com steering wheel, nicely detailed engine compartment 0 miles Black leather interior trim, housing the smooth 3.0 litre engine ideal with the Borg rease) 18” a known examplegearbox that has Warner automatic making this particularly rare T’d until appeared in Mike model an ideal classicAllison’s today, this vehicle apparently formed part of a collection of a deceased ads as well book “The Magic of the estate, on inspection one can see the of theAUTOMATIC rebuild fromOlder a number yearsRestored ago and or, satMGquality CGT 1968 Nut &ofBolt Marque”, with likely littlealthough miles since not is still very fresh in appearance, just automatic, arrived £24,950.00 ll service (RWD628G) MG CGT 1968, excellent Mineral or 2016 UK Tech-MG6 aGT concours dieselshow car it Blue coachwork with nicely mellowed original Black MG 1972 37 Years (LLF951K) . Spacious, leather interior MG trim,BGT, original genuine leather bound MGC doesBGT emanate original Facelift model. Top-of-the rangeLast TLanOwner owner 37and years, bumpers, overdrive, MG. £6500 steering nicely detailed for engine compartment model.

1.9 turbo1972, diesel.last 48,000 miles ‘time warp’ feel is achrome credit to itswheel, former custodians its upkeep and chrome Rostyle wheels, nowsmooth requiring 44(daily driver so mileage housing the engine ideal with the Borg will increase) 18”Aqua maintenance, the car also coachwork has had the benefi t3.0 of litre an overhauled engine with some improvementuntil but a very solidWarner vehicleautomatic indeed with a gearbox making this particularly rare alloys, red bumper inserts. little milesMoT’d since, aappearance, history fileoriginal has invoices both past & present accompanied nice original feel and style navy cloth June 2020. Recent discs and pads as well by copy documentation from when supplied by Turnhill North & Co. new in gold satseal engine fitted mid 80’s and drives as new tyres. Fullinterior leathertrim, interior, 1934. TheFull weather of black hood, side screens and tonneau are in nav, Bluetooth connectivity. service delightfully, good historyequipment file with original documentation good condition, the leather interior specialists provides aBrian niceBrown patina and also history – servicedback

by SAIC Tech- of invoices toserviceable theMotor 80’s, aUK plethora from renowned Classics &B nical Centre. In good condition.

Spacious, Hive, original Unipart Goldinstrumentation, Seal papers, old mot’s etc.a etc. just arrived £5,950.00 benefi ts from deluxe this is matching numbers car and whilst economical engaging modern MG. £6500 maintaining so many original features does also have indicators fitted which can ono. Call Adam on 07530734044

01707 876089

SERVICES FOR MGs

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337 Specialising in all MG’s TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

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

TRADE MEMBER

Mon, Tues, Thurs, MG MIDGET, 1973 Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm

Round wheel arch in racing green. High spec hillclimb/sprint/track car built on a Heritage shell in 2004 by Oselli. www.mgsforsale.com Fitted with with full race 1380 engine with weber, Maniflow straight through exhaust, 4 Speed dog engagement straight cut gearbox, Quaife 4.2 diff with Quaife LSD, 4 Pot calipers, plumbed in Fire extinguisher, Alloy radiator, lightweight battery, 2 x set wheels with tyres ( Road and Track) , Drivers harness, Works style hardtop, Frontline roll cage and Soft top with frame. Engine was built and fully balanced

by CCK Historic in 2017 with Omega forged pistons, Swiftune camshaft, Ported and polished 11 stud head and weber and exhaust as above, lowered and stiffened suspension, polybushed, negative front camber, Panhard rod, Lightened flywheel, Uprated rear leaf springs .7.5 Helix clutch, Peter May halfshafts etc the list goes on. Spec sheet upon request. This is a stunning well sorted Midget in excellent condition having had a large amount of money spent with good history/invoice file. £18.995.

07831 556666

be reversed of course if desired, priceY reduced, £34,495 URGENTL WANTED

ANY ANY MG MG

URGENTLY WANTED

ANY ANY YEAR YEAR ANY CONDITION

On the ANY CONDITION EU approvproved SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF OUR STOCK he motor o lead h a beige Do not confuse the above vehicles with cheaper inferior quality models offered elsewhere. Part exchange . MG A 1600 any make of Motor Car with generous allowances. Discounted cash purchases. Viewing by appointment only the In car. good condition, built 1961.

On the please (available evenings & weekends) no obligation to purchase. All our vehicles carry a warranty, have an MOT and are areItfully fully serviced prior to to collection/delivery. collection/delivery.

GBP. The MOT and prior tacho are 58’000 miles. hasserviced EU approvce.alPhone papers (before this it was approved in Switzerland) The power of the motor is 79 PS and had be changed to lead free petrol. The car is black with a beige www.mgcc.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0) 1953 717850 interor. It’s in a good condition.

The wheel is on the left side of the car.

Price 38’000 Euro or £34’200 GBP. The

www.mgsforsale.com www.mgmecca.co.uk

2016 TRADE MEMBER

MIKE ROLLS SERVICESROLLS FOR MGs MIKE Specialising in all MG’s

MGB GT - 1967

Finished in black with painted wire wheels and Michelin XAS Tyres, it comes with an impressive spec of a 1950 fast road engine, Weber, 3 branch big bore manifold with stainless steel exhaust to match, 123 Ignition, twin coils and fuel pumps, 5 speed gearbox, Ridgard RS9 seats with Willans harnesses’s, and Motolita wood rim steering wheel. This car has been built for Rally, Fast road, Track day use, it has a very sound body and excellent paint, it drives like a proper sports car with loads of torque, it has a Heritage certificate, good history file and is Tax and MOT exempt. £15,995

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

E-mail: mikerolls4mgs@compuserve.com • www.mikerolls.co.uk

Units 9/10 Fifehead Business Park, Manor Farm, Fifehead Magdalen, near Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5RR Mail Order “Friendly Quality Service”

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

CM02.13/B32/d CM02.13/B32/d

British Motor Heritage approved

B32 - MIKE FOR SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS 13/12/2012 EVERYTHING YOU CAN GET ELSEWHERE ANDSERVICES FOR EVERYTHING ELSE YOU CAN’T09:50 Page 1 TRADEROLLS MEMBER Tel: 01789 400181 Mob:SERVICES 07836 244104 13/12/2012 09:50 Page 1 B32 - MIKE ROLLS SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS please ’phone before calling in

MARCH 2021 SAFETY FAST! 95

Contact Alan 07703531298 (Cambs)

MGB Parts

Email: davidknight982@btinternet.com

Callfor for quotetoday today GARAGE CLEARANCE Call aaquote

01376574000 574000 01376

Brand new unused splined hub set for Boxes of Safety Fast magazines from MGB complete with spinners cost £390 1984 to date, complete. NO CHARGE. together with good Salisbury axle. All If you want them, come and collect you need to convert to accept wire www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk them otherwise they will go to the www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk wheels. Buyer collects. £350 Ono. recycle centre. Please phone Ray on Also I wish to place a wanted ad as fol07749013151 (Surrey) lows Early MGB banjo axle 3.9 to 1 diff How to Advertise MG Type MG TA,TB,TC, Parts How to Advertise MG YYType SPARES WANTED How to Advertise ( from earlycan three bearing car) Contact Members advertise their spares Radiator Radiator grillestwo available.

Original used back plates, one rear, two Members cancan advertise their spares grillestwo available.

Members advertise their spares 07742750264 or 01252 614698 Wanted freeofofcharge chargeforforitems itemsless lessthan than One is complete with radiator and cap.in dry free Verywith solid condition been isfronts. complete radiator and cap. free of charge for items less for than One £250 inSafety SafetyFast!

Fast!

Thecost cost Grille free of dents, straight slats.

MG Midget MKIII Parts £250 in The for for Grille storage 50 years £75 each Side-screens, fronts only MGTD is is free ofover dents, straight slats. £250 in Safety Fast!

The cost spares more than £250 is £20.

The Ideally needs rechroming as it is dull butking New lens sidelamp with orange insert spares more than £250 is £20.

The MG TA British made, stock required in Black Double suitable needs rechroming asnew it Duck is old dull but spares more than £250 is on £20.

The Ideally willalso also beposted posted the flaking.

Second item consists of grille, foradvert bulbwill (left right) £5 each advert be on on the nono flaking.

Second item consists of682464 grille, pins bush set.

This is the easy type for a 3and bow hood.

Tel: 07751 . advert willand also be posted the Club website.

To place an advert in false nose and slats only, free dents New interior lamp (x2) - £5an each Club website.

To To place an advert in in false and slats only, free ofof dents Club website. place advert with the top hat bush’s £75 ornose martynrdennis@gmail.com Safety Fast! please email colinwith slats in good condition, chrome Safety Fast! please email colinSpare orange insert for sidelamp (x2) Safety Fast! pleasePlease email keep colin- with slats in good MG TC Rightcondition, hand side chrome rear wheel arch, grant@mgcc.co.uk grant@mgcc.co.uk Please has reasonable shine , ideally should £2 each. 1 full set of rear lenskeep covers grant@mgcc.co.uk Please keepfor has reasonable shine , ideally should bebe wood. Bought from Moss but never youradvert adverttoto6060words words your rechromed.

Will sell separately.

Open rear lamps (red and amber) £15 yourreserves advert tothe 60right words rechromed.

Will sell separately. Open used £125 The editor to edit The editor reserves thethe right offers.Contact Contact Andrew on 01761 Reversing lamp holders (x2)right –to £2edit each The editor reserves to edit totooffers.

01761 longer adverts.

MG TD or TF Andrew original on Lockheed brake longer adverts.

221893. andrewowst@hotmail.com Various other spares available – too longer adverts.

221893.

OrOr andrewowst@hotmail.com This is for one insertion only, for shoes, new old stock (Boxed).

Been in This istofor one insertion only, forarea (Bristol area) many list.

Collection Towcester This is for one insertion only, for additionalinsertions insertionsplease pleaseemail email (Bristol dryarea) storage many years. One axle set (4 additional insertions please email MGBV8 oradditional will post (buyer pays MGBV8 Radiator Colin Grantpostage) shoes) £80 Radiator Colin Grant or any time on Colin Grant good condition, internally clean.

Has Email: davidknight982@btinternet.com InIn or any time on MGcondition, TD or TF Original Lockheed front good internally clean.

Has Otter switch provision. £50.

Members wheel cylinders, one pair only. £90.

Otter switch provision. £50.

GARAGE CLEARANCE Email: MGB Bootlid, good rust free condition, 1974 1275cc.

Email: charge in (These are notrust reproduction made in MGB Bootlid, good free condition, 1974 1275cc.

Boxes Midget ofMidget Safety Fast magazines from tartan red. modified carry spare wire XPAG block veritable Cornucopia spares.

Too members tartan red. modified toto carry spare wire China) AA veritable Cornucopia ofof spares.

Too 1984 to date, complete.

NO CHARGE. Website: wheel complete with fixing spinner. rear Ex Morris 10but will suit rebore to suit TC, wheel much list, includes panelwork, Website: posted on complete with fixing spinner.

MG TD or TF Genuine Lockheed toto list, includes If you wantbut them, comepanelwork, and collect DONHOODS-SFAug07.QXD:Layout1 1 23/9/09 23/9/09 16:22 16:22 Page Page1 1much (free-up boot space for her shoes!)£60. also TC prop shaft. engine/gearbox 3 types of Carbs. variDONHOODS-SFAug07.QXD:Layout To place a (free-up boot space for her shoes!)£60.

(Northwood,Middlesex) Middlesex) wheel cylinder, boxed. new old stock, engine/gearbox 3 types Carbs. them otherwise they of will go tovarithe (Northwood, Buyer collect both items please ous diffs. wire wheel axle and wheels, Contact Alan 07703531298 (Cambs) email co Buyer collect forfor both items please ous diffs. wire wheel axle and wheels, with lever for hand brake cable. One recycle centre.

Please phone Ray on from Leicestershire.

Please phone Keith rostyles, instruments, lights, Manifolds MGB Parts attached p from Leicestershire.

Please phone rostyles, instruments, lights, Manifolds pair only £90. (these are notKeith reproduc07749013151 (Surrey) 07551653890. and exhausts etc.,etc.

Brand new etc.,etc. unused splined hub set for 07551653890. car, your and exhausts tion made in China) MG TA,TB,TC, Parts located Didcot.

Collection only.

Workshop Manuals MGB complete with spinners cost £390 Workshop car, area w AllAll located Didcot.

Collection only.

MG TA TB TC or TD To chassis number Manuals Original used back plates, one rear, two Emailkduncan1940@gmail.com The MG Workshop Manual From 'M' together with good Salisbury axle. All The MG number Emailkduncan1940@gmail.com 18882.

Horn/dip switch, new Workshop Manual From 'M'old stock fronts.

Very condition been in dry Mike Satur MGF/MGTF type T.F. (Tenth impression Published you need to solid convert to accept wire 70 words into its original box £85. Published Mike Satur MGF/MGTF type to T.F. (Tenth impression storage over 50 years £75 each Sunmate Total Protection Hood Cover.

1967) wheels.Total Buyer collects.Hood £350 Cover.

Ono. to edit l All prices plus P&P, sent UK Royal Sunmate Protection MG TA British made, new old ad stock king 1967) New and unused due sale beMG TF Pump (New in box) Also I wish to place wanted as folinsertion Mail.

Contact Philinon 01792 587337 New and unused due toato sale ofof carcar beMG TF OilOil Pump (New box) pins and bush set.

This is the easy type fore use.

Gives protection from rain or MG TC Plywood Dashboard blank lows MGB banjo axle toor 1 diff MG (Swansea) fore use.Early Gives protection from3.9 rain TC Plywood Dashboard blank the topthree hatcabin. bush’s £75car)weight heat build Heavier MG Head Gasket Set HS1A532 (with from early Contact MG c heat build upup inin cabin.bearing Heavier weight Head Gasket Set HS1A532 MG TC Right hand side rear wheel arch, nylon with aluminised surface Any queries and offers Nick Harrison, 07742750264 orto 01252 614698 Choice of heavy duty nylon with anan aluminised surface toto •BETTER THAN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT QUALITY Any queries and offers toto Nick Harrison, SPARES WANTED How Advertise Cho •BETTER THAN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT QUALITY PVC, ICI ice of heavy duty PVC wood.

Bought from Moss but never reflect heat.

Water resistant.

Fully covnmharrison9@gmail.com , ICI •STITCHED WELDED MAXIMUM Please Wanted note that the Vynide, Everflex, Duc reflect heat.

Water Fully covMembers canresistant. advertise their sparesnmharrison9@gmail.com MG Midget MKIII Parts •STITCHED ANDAND WELDED FORFOR MAXIMUM LIFELIFE Vyn ide, Everflex, Duck kand and Mohair used £125 the windscreen door windows and •WIDEST CHOICE COLOURS AVAILABLE MGTC Parts Mohair ersers the windscreen door windows and free of charge for items less than MGTC •WIDEST CHOICE OFOF COLOURS AVAILABLE Parts New lens sidelamp with orange insert Advertising deadline is MG TD or TF original Lockheed brake seals giving from seal leaks.

•ALL FASTENERS & FITTINGS INCLUDED pair in good condition MGTD Side-screens, fronts only seals giving protection from leaks.

•ALL FASTENERS & FITTINGS INCLUDED £250 inprotection Safety Fast!

The cost for Headlamps, pair in good condition for bulb (left and right) £5seal each ALL March 10 for the April shoes, new old stock (Boxed).

Been in Headlamps, Suitable for all year round protection AL ICE M PR except for missing rim clips and one rim L AK D AN Suitable for all year round protection required in Black Double Duck suitable ES T spares more than £250 is £20.

The FLE MAKES & & MODEL LEA for missing rim clips and one rim New interior lamp (x2) - £5 each FO T AND PRICE FLE dry storage many years.

One axle set (4 except including frost and snow.

In protective R RLEA OD FO needs chroming. £250. inclin:clM: GM, GM , Tr of Safety AC S S including frost and snow. protective NT aissue 3 bow£250. hood.

Tel: 07751Fast!

682464 . advert will also beIn posted on iuEL CO mph LIS TT chroming.

AC Spare orange insert for (x2)the - needsfor , NT EscoTr T TCO molph LIS bag.

Cost £60, so £49 to asidelamp good home shoes) £80 rtiu , , G Es Ltd Tel: 01344424258 . co Co f bag.

Cost £60, so £49 to a good home Club website.

To place an advert in ing rt or martynrdennis@gmail.com , Gc.olf mm Tri Ltd Tel: 01344424258 n .

Do Co £2 each.

1 full set of rear lens covers for et ing mm now! £3.50 or collect in perMG£3.50 TD orpostage TFpostage Original Lockheed front Don Tri etc.

B23 gha now! or collect in perSafety Fast! please email colinmin 7JJ7JJ B23 mm n Roa gha pto rear lamps (red and amber) -170135 £15 min SPARESWANTED WANTED Ham BirBir d, d, son.

01983 761382 07802 n Roa wheel cylinders, one pair only. £90. pto SPARES Ham 13 grant@mgcc.co.uk Please keep son.

01983 761382 oror 07802 170135 13 3 37 21 13 01 Reversing lamp holders (x2) – £2 each 13 l: 3 Te (Isle of Wight)” 21 37 ES OFFICE WANTED (These are notadvert reproduction made in Tel: 01HE your to 60 words (Isle of Wight)” WANTED E RN SAL Various other spares available – too UT SO HERN SALES OFFIC China) UT SO The editor reserves the right to edit For 1971 MGB Books from thelate late Bob 00 CARP 22 CARPET SETS FOR MOST 74 20 Books from the Bob many toor list.

Towcester area For 00 01 MODELS 22 1971gear MGB Te ET SETS FOR MOST MOD 2274 MG TD TFCollection Genuine Lockheed rear 20 longer adverts. l:l:01 ELS Te Automatic lever knob - original or will post (buyer pays postage) gear lever knob - original inin Clare’s Collection wheel cylinder, boxed. new oldonly, stock, This is for Collection one insertion for Automatic Clare’s black.

Automatic gear lever illumination Email: davidknight982@btinternet.com Automatic gear lever illumination MG A Pictorial History John Tipler £12 with lever for hand brake cable.

One insertions please email black.

MG A additional Pictorial History John Tipler £12 light - original.

Tel:Lawrence Lawrence 07934 light - original.

Tel: 07934 Magic of the Marque Mike Allison Built from Colin Grant pairof only £90. (these are not reproducGARAGE CLEARANCE Magic the Marque Mike Allison £8£8 599501 599501 Magic of MG Allison. £18 Paul Luti (D tionofmade inM China) Boxes of Safety Fast magazines from Magic MG M Allison. £18 Contact the Midget Specialist Works MG edition seam weld MG MG TA TB TC or TD To chassis number 1984 to date, complete.

NO CHARGE. Works 1st1st edition Mike Allison/Peter Browning £30 MIKE AUTHERS on Abingdon 18882.

Horn/dip switch, new old stock XPAG block porated. O Mike Allison/Peter Browning £30 If you want them, come and collect CHESTERFIELD • DERBYSHIRE Works MG 2nd edition £22 CHESTERFIELD • DERBYSHIRE inEx itsMG original box £85.

Morris 10 will suit rebore suit TC, Works 2nd edition £22 07703 465 224 CHROME seals in pla them otherwise they will go toto the MG Log. Peter Haining All prices plus P&P, sent UK Royal also TC prop shaft.

MG Log. Peter Haining £5£5 recycle centre.

Please phone Ray on always gar BUMPERED MIDGETS in The Classic MG Richard Aspen £10 The07749013151 Classic MG Richard Mail.

Contact Phil onAspen 01792£10 587337 Contact Alan 07703531298 (Cambs) (Surrey) No expens excellent condition bought up to MG by McComb.

Wilson McComb £12 MG(Swansea) by McComb.

Wilson McComb £12 MGB Parts race winni MG TA,TB,TC, Parts MG 1911 to 1978 Peter Filby £15 £8,000.

View current stock at MG 1911 tonew 1978 Peter Filby £15hub set for Brand splined many toys Original usedunused back plates, one£8rear, two Great Marques – MG C Harvey www.mgmidgets.com Great Marques – MGwith C Harvey £8 cost £390 MGB complete spinners Please not fronts.

Very solid condition been in dry MG Sports Cars, Autocar road tests £10 Please note that MG Sports Cars, Autocar road teststhe £10 All together with good Salisbury axle. leaving gle storage over 50 years £75 each M-type to TF 1500 1975 Paperback £12 M-type to TF 1500 1975 deadline Paperback £12 Advertising you need to convert to accept wireis £6995ovno MG TA British made, new old stock king Classic MG Yearbook 1973 £18 Suppliersofofparts partsfor for Classic MG Yearbook 1973 £18 Suppliers wheels.

Buyer collects. £350 Ono. Triple-M 1993 Yearbook £4 pins and bush set.for This is the easy type March 10 the April Triple-M 1993 Yearbook £4wanted • MGA • MGB • MGC • Midget Also I wish to place a ad as folProject Phoenix –the birth of the MGF withissue the top hat bush’s £75 • MGA • MGB • MGC • Midget Project Phoenix –the birth of the MGF of Safety Fast! lows MGB banjo axle 3.9 to 1 diff IanAdcock MG TC Early Right Type• MGF/TF • MGF/TF IanAdcock £7£7 hand side rear wheel arch, • T• TType ( from earlyofthree bearing car) Contact to Z of Cars the 1930s wood.

Bought from Moss but never AA to Z of Cars of the 1930s 07742750264 or 01252 Michael Sedgewick £10614698 used £125 Michael Sedgewick £10 Repairing & Restoring Classic Car ComMG TD & or TF original Lockheed brake MG Midget MKIII Parts Repairing Restoring Classic Car Components, Peter Wallage £10 orange shoes, new old stock£10 (Boxed).

Been in New Peter lens sidelamp with insert ponents, Wallage Tel 01246 454527 • Fax 01246 453681 Autocar motor manual – 33rd edition Tel 01246 454527 • Fax 01246 453681 dry many One axle set (4 forstorage bulb (left andyears. right) £5edition each Autocar motor manual – 33rd (1950s)£4 AlbertStreet StreetNorth, North,Chesterfield, Chesterfield,S41 S418NP 8NP shoes) £80 New interior lamp (x2) - £5 each (1950s)£4 Albert Haynes Classic Car interiors £8 front MG TD or TFCar Original Lockheed Spare orange insert for sidelamp (x2) Haynes Classic interiors £8 Haynes Workshop manual the Mini for wheel cylinders, one only. £90. £2 each.

1 full manual set ofpair rear lens covers Haynes Workshop forfor the Mini (1969-87) £6 (These are reproduction (1969-87) £6 not rear lamps (red and amber)made - £15 in Safety Fast:Volume (1995) Nos 3-12, China) Fast:Volume 3939 (1995) Nos 3-12, Reversing lamp holders (x2) – £2 each Steve McKie Sports Cars Hi-Res.indd 1 23/06/2010 Safety 13:46 Volume 40,41,42,43,44 all 12 volumes Steve McKie Sports Cars Hi-Res.indd 1 23/06/2010 13:46 MG TD orother TF Genuine Volume 40,41,42,43,44 allLockheed 12 volumes Various spares available –rear too £3 each boxed. new old stock, £3 wheel each BRG in abs manycylinder, toAll list.conditions Collection Towcester areafrom barn finds to concours. wanted, Octagon Car Club Bulletins:No. 177 Octagon Car Club Bulletins:No. 177 with lever for hand brake cable.

One or will post (buyer pays postage) only 13,15 (August 1984) to 191, and No.302 (June Complete collections purchased.

Cash buyer.

Discretion (August 1984) to 191, and No.302 (June pair only £90. (these are not reproducEmail: davidknight982@btinternet.com new with l 1995) to 435 (August 2006) (54 total) 1995) 435 (August tionto made in China)2006) (54 total) assured. miles (05/1 GARAGE CLEARANCE £30.

Please contact Philip Bayne-Powell £30.

Bayne-Powell MGPlease TA TBcontact TC or To chassis number Please doTDPhilip not hesitate to contact me if you are interested and 2x key Boxes of811428 Safety Fast magazines from 01483 or e-mail onon 01483 811428 orswitch, e-mail 18882.

Horn/dip new old stock Leather (cr your MG and are looking for a prompt hassle1984in to selling date, complete.

NO CHARGE. 1942mgman@gmail.com to buy any 1942mgman@gmail.com to buy any in its original box £85. nigelguild@hotmail.com book set of Falke or obtain further information. nigelguild@hotmail.com If you want them, come and collect feel free to contact me for a no free cash buyer!

Please book toto obtain further information.

All or prices plus P&P, sent UK Royal (06/18) an them otherwise they will go to the friendly chat.

Mail. Contact Phil on 01792obligation 587337 Tel. 07785 recycle centre. Please phone Ray on (Swansea) 07749013151 (Surrey) Please note that the

Insurancefor forall allMG’s MG’s Insurance classicand andmodern modern classic

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

AnyCondition Conditionfrom fromnon nonrunners runnerstotorebuilt rebuiltcars cars Any

Pleasecall callEdward Edward Please 01923840236 840236 07774484497 484497 01923 07774 ejwclassiccars@btinternet.com ejwclassiccars@btinternet.com www.mgandporsche.com www.mgandporsche.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Ho

DON HOODS HOODS DON UNBEATABLEQUALITY QUALITY––UNBEATABLE UNBEATABLEVALUE! VALUE! UNBEATABLE DIRECTFROM FROMTHE THEMAKERS MAKERS–– DIRECT WITH OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

MIDGETS! WANTED

www.donhoods.com www.donhoods.com

MG ZR

STEVEMcKIE McKIESPORTSCARS SPORTSCARS STEVE

Specialistsininthe the Specialists repair and restoration repair and restoration MGcars cars ofofMG

FORDISPLAY DISPLAY FOR ADVERTISING ADVERTISING INTHE THENEXT NEXT IN ISSUEOF OF ISSUE

www.stevemckiesportscars.co.uk www.stevemckiesportscars.co.uk

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SAFETY FAST! FEBRUARY 2021 96SAFETY SAFETYFAST! FAST!FEBRUARY MARCH 2021 9696 2021

WANTED

WANTED ALL MG MODELS!

1997 (D

note that interested the IPlease am especially in the following models: MG MG TA,TB,TC, Parts is Advertising deadline TC, MGA, MGB, MGC, Advertising deadline is Please that the Original usednote back plates, one rear,MGB two V8, Magnette and Midget.

PLEASECALL CALLNICK NICK February for theMarch March fronts.

Very solid condition been in Advertising deadline isdry PLEASE February 1010 for the storage over 50 years £75 each CALL DIRECT ON: 07787 issue Safety Fast!

March for the ON 01452528131 730770 issue ofof10 Safety Fast!

MG TA British made, new oldApril stockUK king BasedON Buyer 01452 730770

issue ofset.

Safety Fast! pins and bush This is the easy type with the top hat bush’s £75 MG TC Right hand side rear wheel arch, wood. Bought from Moss but never used £125 MG TD or TF original Lockheed brake shoes, new old stock (Boxed). Been in

FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

www.mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk

The “Lo

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is a gem that I’ve been

Call forfor a quote today meaning totoday finish for myself Call a quote

to use. It appears to have 01376 574000 only 32,000 miles on it and 01376 574000 www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk there are various supporting

Insurance forfor allall MG’s Insurance MG’s classic and modern classic and modern

www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk

facts to this including a large folder of dedicated How to Advertise MG Y Type service history. It’s barakes Members can advertise their spares Radiator grilles- two available. haveand been free of charge for items less than One is complete with radiator cap.attended to, £250 in Safety Fast! The cost for Grille is free of dents, straight slats.recored, and dash radiator spares more than £250 is £20. The Ideally needs rechroming as it is dull but and beautifully refubished with advert will also be posted on the and Alan Alan Bartlett Bartlett no flaking. Second item consists of grille, Club website.

To place an advert in the and Alan Bartlett false nose and slats only, free correct of dents instruments. It email barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk and Alan Bartlett email barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk Safety Fast! please emailfinishing colinand Alan Bartlett with slats in good condition, chrome needs the rewiring and has a new loom fitted, a small job. It drives email barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk grant@mgcc.co.uk Please -keep ail barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk has The reasonable shine ,sumpmtuous ideally should bered leather and ‘T-type’ -- ‘T-type’ -- ‘X-pag’ email barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk well sweetly, stops good too. interior is ‘T-type’ -- ‘T-type’ ‘T-type’ ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ ‘X-pag’ ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ ‘X-pag’ yourand advert to 60 words rechromed. Will sell separately. Open ‘T-type’ - ‘T-type’ -- ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ -- ‘X-pag’ ‘X-pag’ Condition from non runners to rebuilt cars The editor reserves thebody right-to edit pe’ - ‘T-type’Any ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ allour origional.

Its surface paint disturbance, but01761 I wouldn’t touch it, to offers.

Contact Andrew ‘T-type’ ‘T-type’ ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ ‘X-pag’ -had ‘X-pag’ I’ve for that’s through doors, MG’s, Race cars, Classics of longer adverts.

I’ve decided decided to to create create space space for the the -work work that’s coming coming through our doors, MG’s, Race cars, Classics of all all ontypes. types.

221893.

Or do. andrewowst@hotmail.com it’s part of its charm.

I love it.

Hope you £6950 This CARS is for ARE one insertion for THEIR I’ve create space for the work coming through our doors, Race cars, alldealable! types.

WE ARE OPEN AND NOW IS TIME TO HAVE ALL YOUR WORK OUT, SALE AT, OR WELL BELOW COST TO ME. very hat’s coming through our MG’s, ofthat’s allCARRIED types. call Edward WE AREdecided OPENdoors, AND to NOW IS THE THERace TIME TOcars, HAVE ALL YOUR WORK CARRIED OUT, SO SO THESE THESE SALE CARS ARE AT, ORMG’s, WELLonly, BELOW THEIR COSTClassics TO ME. I’m I’mof very dealable!

(Bristol area) I’ve decided toPlease create space forClassics the work that’s coming through our insertions doors, MG’s, Race cars, Classics of all types. additional please email WE ARE OPEN AND NOW IS THE TIME TO HAVE ALL YOUR WORK CARRIED OUT, SO THESE SALE CARS ARE AT, OR WELL BELOW THEIR COST TO ME. I’m very dealable!

CARRIED OUT, SO THESE SALE CARS ARE AT, OR WELL BELOW THEIR COST TO ME. I’m very dealable!

My 1932 Lanchester L10 TC Racer Although WE ARE OPEN AND NOW IS THE TIME TO HAVE ALL YOUR WORK CARRIED OUT, SOAlthough THESE SALE CARS ARE OR WELL BELOW THEIRMGBV8 COST TO ME.Radiator I’m very dealable!

ColinAT,Grant Lanchester TC Racer a 1932 gem that I’ve beenL10on 07774 484497 there has been 01923 840236 isMyismeaning or any time gem that I’ve been there has been TC Racer Although In good condition, My internally raceHas car. This to finish for myself Mya 1932 Lanchester L10 much interest in my TC Racer Although MyMGA MGA clean. race Lancia My 1932 L10 TC Racer Although meaning toLanchester finish forhave myself Triumph 2000 MK II Estate. much interest in my there has been to It appears to is ause. gem that I’ve been ex-championship and there has been Otter switch provision.

Appia 1960 a 32,000 gem I’veto been thereknown has been toisuse.

It appears have much interest in my ex-championship and I’ve seldom seen car that looks£50. like it’s just come fully prepared virtual FIA exonly miles on it and car.

This fully meaning tothat finish for myself well T.C.inrace much interest my RHD. This Email: ejwclassiccars@btinternet.com meaning to miles finish on foritmyself much interest in my ex-championship and only 32,000 and well known T.C. race out ofBootlid, the showroom as this does, Notcondition, only pristine good rust free there are various supporting totouse.

ItItappears totohave 1974 Midget 1275cc. superbly MGB car, I don’t want the ex-championship and use. appearssupporting have ex-championship and prepared virtual well known T.C. race there arethis various car, Iknown don’t want the winning race car top, but underneath too,championship shows 47,000 milesFIA facts to including only miles part offered. is well T.C. restored Car tartan only32,000 32,000 mileson onitaaitand and wellxs T.C.ItItrace race red. modifiedItex-championship to carry spare wire car, I don’t want the facts to this of including part xsknown offered. is A veritable Cornucopia of spares. Too large dedicated and is fitted with Power Steering, so us older there are supporting already verywant cheap car, the is a 4 door therefolder arevarious various supporting car,I Idon’t don’t want the part xs offered. It is Website: www.mgandporsche.com large folder of dedicated is available as rebuilt for the already very cheap service It’s barakes wheel fixing spinner. facts totohistory. this including aa gentry complete don’t get tiredwith arms, Interior is in reddish and has so manyItItisis much to list, but includes panelwork, part xs offered. pillar less facts this including part xs offered. already very cheap winning race car is service history.

It’s barakes and has so many have attended to, large folder ofofdedicated andvery expensive already cheap brown andboot Mint, space Exterior is likewise and you’ll replica of the (free-up 1 23/9/09 16:22 rare Page 1 engine/gearbox 3 types of Carbs. varilargebeen folder dedicated and has soDONHOODS-SFAug07.QXD:Layout many already very cheap for her shoes!)£60. coming season.

It’s 1840cc steel have been attended to,dash rare and expensive radiator recored, and service history.

It’s barakes available as rebuilt (Northwood, Middlesex) service history.

It’s barakes same car as parts I’m not giving and has so many rare and expensive and has so many never find another like this. £9,750 radiator recored, andto, dash I’m expensive not giving beautifully refubished with have attended havebeen been attended to, competed in Buyer collect for both items please parts I’m not giving it away. L.S.D. Derrington inlet and ex.parts manifolds, 13/4 50sous diffs. wire wheel axle and wheels, rare and rare and expensive for race the coming full engine was sealed by an beautifully refubished with it away.brakes, L.S.D. Derrington and ex.parts manifolds, the correct instruments.

It radiator recored, anddash dash radiator recored, and the Acropolis ington inlet and ex. manifolds, 13/4 50s parts I’m not13/4 giving vented trampbars,inlet telescopics, alloyI’m panels, 72 50s not giving from Leicestershire. season.

Please phone Keith rostyles, instruments, the correct instruments.

It vented brakes, trampbars, telescopics, alloy panels, 72£50k beautifully refubished with Rallye in 1960, It has had £ lights, thousandsManifolds spent making it the mpbars, telescopics, alloy panels, 72 needs the rewiring finishing and has a new loom fitted, a smallrefubished job. It drives beautifully with It’s 1840cc away.

L.S.D. Derrington inlet and ex.this manifolds, 13/4 50s spoke 16” wheels, Avon ZZR. Toand build would cost ititaway.

L.S.D. Derrington inlet ex. manifolds, 13/4 50s MSA scrutineer during its build at the rewiring finishing and has a new loom fitted, a small job.

It drives the correct instruments.

It spoke 16” wheels, Avon ZZR. To build this would cost £50k Avon ZZR. To build this would costneeds £50k superb example you see, Luxurious red leather trim, All the well and sweetly, stops good too. The interior is sumpmtuous leather and vented trampbars, telescopics, alloypanels, panels, 72all and exhausts etc.,etc. the correct red instruments.

It 07551653890. but it’s brakes, abrakes, proventrampbars, car. It can telescopics, be sold as a alloy rolling chassis vented 72 steel full race engine well and sweetly, stops too.

The is sumpmtuous redjob. leather and needs the rewiring finishing andhas hasainterior anew newloom loom fitted, small job. drives r. It can be sold as a rolling chassisall allorigional. required navigation equipment, Drives free and flowingly, I but it’s16” a16” proven It can sold athis rolling chassis all spoke wheels, Avon ZZR. Tobuild build this would cost £50k Its body hadgood surface paint disturbance, but aIawouldn’t touch it, needs the rewiring finishing and fitted, small ItItdrives complete but lesscar. engine, orbewith aas less modified engine spoke wheels, Avon ZZR. To would cost £50k Sigma and has only rolling road allwell origional. body had surface paint disturbance, but I wouldn’t touch and sweetly, stops good too.The The interior sumpmtuous redleather leatherit, and All located Didcot.

Collection only. engine, or with a less modified engine doubt there’s a better one anywhere.

Enormous amount of but it’s a proven car.

It can be sold as a rolling chassis all complete but less engine, or with a less modified engine well and stops good isissumpmtuous red and it’s part ofsweetly, itsIts charm.

I love it. too.

Hope youinterior do. £6950 was sealed by an Workshop Manuals or combination It’savery cheap and all will butwhatever it’s a proven car. It canyou be wish. sold as rolling chassis origional.

Itsbody bodyhad surface paint disturbance, butI Iwouldn’t wouldn’ttouch touchit,it, it’s nation you wish. It’s very cheap and will it’s part of itsIts charm.

I had lovesurface it. Hopepaint you disturbance, do. £6950 but boxed history and receipts, Gorgeous, £19,995 - May Part/ complete but less engine, with lessvery modified or whatever combination you wish.aaIt’s cheap and willEmailallall origional. give you lots ofless fun,engine, road or Ring for engine aengine price complete but ororcompetition. with less modified kduncan1940@gmail.com time.'M'The suspension, MSA scrutineer part of its charm. I love it. Hope you do. £7250 , road or competition. Ring for a price The MG Workshoprunning Manual From Ex for something tasty. orwhatever whatever combination you wish.It’s It’svery very cheap and will give you lotscombination of fun, road or competition.

Ring for aand price it’s part of its charm. I love it. Hope you do. £6950 or you wish. cheap will My MGA race car. This give you lots of fun, road or competition. Ring for a price during itscut build at gearbox, LSD etc type to T.F. (Tenth impression Published My MGA race virtual car. This give you lots of fun, road or competition. Ring for a price Mike Satur MGF/MGTF straight CR fully prepared exMy prepared MGA racevirtual car. This fully exUNBEATABLE QUALITY –FIAFIAforFIArace UNBEATABLE VALUE! championship Sigma and has only My MGA race winning car.

This Sunmate Total Protection Hood Cover.

1967) fully prepared virtual ex-car championship winning race car were all rebuilt to the correct is available as rebuilt the fully prepared virtual FIArace ex- car championship winning rolling road running is available as winning rebuilt forrace thecar New and unused due to sale of car beMG TF Oil Pump (New in box) coming season.

It’s 1840cc championship is available as rebuilt for thesteel coming It’s 1840cc specs and the car was repainted at the same time.

It handles superbly, especially full raceseason. engine was sealed bysteel an MAKERS – is available as rebuilt for thesteel time.

The suspension, straight cut CR gearbox, LSD etc were all rebuilt to the correct coming season.

It’s THE 1840cc DIRECT FROM fore use.

Gives protection from rain or MG TC Plywood Dashboard blank full engine was sealed bybyan MSA scrutineer its build atan coming season.

It’s 1840cc steel fullrace race engineduring was sealed specs and carhas was repainted at the same time.

It handles superbly, especially in wins historically scrutineer during itsitsbuild atat in the wet.

It had 2 Thoroughbred and Classic Championship heat build up in the cabin.

Heavier weight MG Head Gasket Set HS1A532 Sigma and has only rolling road MSA scrutineer during build full race engine was sealed by an WITH OVERMSA 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE Sigma and has only rolling road running time.

The suspension, Sigma and has only rolling roadat MSA scrutineer during its build MG YB Saloon and offers the wet.

Italuminised has had 2of Thoroughbred and Classic Championship wins and historically and correct full width nylon and with an capable surface to again Any queries to Nick Harrison, running time. is winning in the rightMGhands running time.

The suspension, cut CRThe gearbox, LSD etc ice of heavy Cho Sigma and has onlysuspension, rolling road •BETTER THAN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENTstraight QUALITY Still they emerge!

YB, the rarer of thewith forgottenits MG. 3 duty PVC, ICI straight gearbox, LSD capable of winning againFully in the right hands and with itsyears correct full history width screen straight cutCR CR LSDetc etc were all cut rebuilt togearbox, the correct reflectisheat.

Water resistant. covrunning time.

The suspension, nmharrison9@gmail.com owners, 1 for 40 and owner from new. It is has •STITCHED AND WELDED FOR MAXIMUM LIFE Vyn were all rebuilt to the correct ide were all rebuilt to the correct screen is elligible for just about every classic race series available.

I’m 79 now and specs and the car was repainted at the same time.

It handles straight cut CRsuperbly, gearbox,especially LSD etc , Everflex, Duck and Mo never been restored and is still wearing its original and elligible for just about every classic race series available.

I’m 79 now and the years, hair ers the windscreen door windows and specs and car was atatthe same time.

ItIthandles especially specs andthe car was repainted the same time. handles superbly, especially •WIDEST CHOICE OF COLOURS AVAILABLE in the wet.

Itthe has had 2 repainted Thoroughbred and Classic Championship historically MGTC were all rebuiltsuperbly, towins the correct very nice paint.Parts Being interred for so long it has missed the h only 33,000 miles and 3 owners,ininthe the wet.the has had22repainted Thoroughbred and Classic Championship winshistorically historically wet.

It Ithas had Thoroughbred and Classic Championship wins the years, aching bones and a promise to my dear late wife, mean I’ll no longer aching bones and a promise to my dear late wife, mean I’ll no longer be racing after and is capable of winning again in the right hands and with its correct full width ravages of time and has no apparent rust problems on its specs and car was at the same time.

It handles superbly, especially •ALL FASTENERS & Eight FITTINGS INCLUDED Saab 99 2 litre with only 33,000 miles and 3 owners, seals giving protection from seal leaks. d body that is in as new, unrestored Headlamps, pair inThe good condition andisiscapable winning again the rightThis hands andwith with correct fullnow width and winning again ininthe right hands and itsitscorrect full width Morris Eight Tourer. absolutely beautiful Morris Tourer.

Saab99 9922unmarked litrewith withonly only33,000 33,000 miles and33unrestored owners, screen iscapable elligible for just about every classic race Championship series available.

I’m historically 79 and straight original body. interior, always a to problem in1936 the wet.

It1936 hasofofhad 2just Thoroughbred and Classic wins Saab litre and owners, Absolutely body that in as new, the interior is as faultless as the rest AL isismiles 55Morris years.

My lovely A55 needs nothing doing tovery itAand isis intact ready for the next owner carry screen elligible about every classic race series available.

I’m79 79now nowand and screen isiselligible forforjust about every race series available.

I’m Thisofabsolutely beautiful carclassic had only twowith owners andI’ll 1936 Tourer. for allEight year round protection be racing after years.

My lovely needs nothing doing to it and is ready for the Absolutelyunmarked unmarked bodythat thatL inas asnew, new,unrestored unrestored Suitable the years, aching bones and a apromise tohas my dear late wife, mean no longer with “Y’s” and onlyrim needsclips cleaning.

The carpets ICE M and isyears, capable winning again in the right hands and its correct full width Absolutely body is in PR except for missing and one rim AK D 1936 Morris Eight Tourer. auty, A Treasure that has never been car has had only two owners and has been fully AN ES gorgeous condition, the interior is as faultless as the rest T Saab 99 2 litre with only 33,000 miles and 3 owners, the aching bones and promise to my dear late wife, mean I’ll no longer 1936 Morris Eight Tourer.

FLE &M has been fullyand restored by it’s owner of 29 years.

I I’ll theracing years, aching bones a promise tolast mynothing dear series late wife, no79longer LEA This beautiful car has owners gorgeouscondition, condition, theinterior interior as faultless asthe therest rest FO are veryregistered original and the sunroof water tight. Excellent be after 55 years.

My AAneeds doing totomean ititand for onabsolutely its sucessfull career.

Itonly is atwo UK car,and and is road origional number.

Das screen is R elligible for just about every classic race available.

I’mready now and EL gorgeous the isisO as faultless as This absolutely beautiful car has had had only two owners and incl ly. £8,999 S never including frost and snow.

In protective beracing racing after years.

Mylovely lovely needs nothing doing andis ready forthe the of this RHD AATreasure that has been Absolutely body that unrestored :M This absolutely beautiful car has had only two owners don’t think another one this. £11,995 GTreasure be after 5555 years.

My lovely A AC needs nothing doing toI don’t it isand isisthink ready for the T29 needs chroming. next owner to sucessfull career.

Itwith is£250. aitsUK and isof road registered thisrare rareunmarked RHDbeauty, beauty, thatnew, hasnever been , Trisiuinm has been fully restored by it’s last owner of years.

IIand 1936 Morris Eight Tourer. restored it’s last owner chrome and square tyres make this thecar, barn slumberer NT next owner to carry on its career.

Itlike isisayears. and registered the years, aching bones and afind promise toof my late wife, mean I’ll noregistered longer CO ofofthis rare RHD beauty, A Treasure that never been Tonyou’ll has been fully restored by it’scarry last owneron of 29 29its years.

LIS next owner toby carry itssucessfull sucessfull career.

Itdear aUK UKcar, car, and isroad road phhas restored and isislovely. £8,999 gorgeous condition, the interior is as faultless as the rest , £35,000 I may take a part exchange if I like it. has been fully restored by it’s last owner of 29 years.

I Es next owner to carry on its sucessfull career.

It is a UK car, and is road registered restored and lovely. £8,999 co think you’ll find another one like this. £11,995 This beautiful car owners and Cost £60, so £49 tohas a had good home the year.

Unrepeatable and complete with dust £8,950 rt, Golthat with itsitsorigional number. £35,000 IAmay take aa£11,995 part exchange ififI Ilike it.it. for the be racing after 55 years.

My lovely to it and islikeready don’tabsolutely think you’ll find another one likeonly this.two £11,995 restored andRHD is lovely. with origional number. £35,000 I needs maythis. take partdoing exchange Ltd Tel: . nothing Co you’ll find one f has never been bag. don’t of this rare beauty,£8,999 A Treasure inglike don’t think you’ll find another like this. with its origional number. take I like it. with its origional £35,000 I 01344424258 may take a part exchange if I like it.

Tri nanother been fully restored by it’s one last number. owner of £11,995 29 years.

Do next owner to carry on mm its £35,000 sucessfullI may career.

It ais part a UKexchange car, and isif road etc. now!has £3.50 postage or collect in per- I restored and is lovely. £8,999 7JJ if I like registered B23 don’t think you’ll find another one like this. £11,995 gha with its origional number. £35,000 I may takema part exchange it. min SPARES WANTED Hampton Road, Bir son. 01983 761382 or 07802 170135 13 13 Tel: 0121 373 FICE (Isle of Wight)” WANTED OF SOUTHERN SALES Books from the late Bob For 1971 MGB 00 CARPET SETS FOR MOST MOD ELS Tel: 01202 7422 Automatic gear lever knob - original in Clare’s Collection www.donhoods.com black. Automatic gear lever illumination

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25 Sherwood Restorations .......... 93 book or to obtain further information.

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MARCH 2021 2021 www.mgcc.co.uk SAFETY FAST! FAST! 97 97 FEBRUARY SAFETY

LOOKING BACK 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 2021

Editor: Andy Knott 01235 849730 / 01235 555552 andyknott@mgcc.co.uk Deputy Editor: Colin Grant 01235 849733 colingrant@mgcc.co.uk Editorial Committee: Andy Knott, Colin Grant, Adam Sloman PR and Communications: Advertising: Hine MarketingJade 01452 Beckett 730770 01233 849731 Published by:Hine Advertising: HineMarketing Marketing, 01452 Hill Farm 730770 Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Glos, GL2 9LN. Tel: 01452 730770 Published by:Norton Hine Marketing, Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Distributed Lane, Bishopsby: Norton Air Business.

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Merlin Centre, 4 The, Acrewood Way, St Albans President: John AL4 Day 0JY Tel: 01727 890600 Vice Presidents: President: John Day Ron Gammons, Peter Best, Ian Quarrington, Bill ViceSilcock Presidents: Ron Gammons, Don Hayter, Peter Best, Bill Chairman: Keith Williams.

Silcock.

Vice Chairman: George Wilder Chairman: Dave Tynan Treasurer: Richard Colston Vice Chairman: George Wilder Directors: Saunders, Treasurer: Dave Richard ColstonPeter Cook and George Wilder

T

his month’s Looking Back photos come courtesy of Steven Blackadder from Lancashire. The photos feature D. Kitchen Ltd who were MG distributors in Colne, Lancashire, who sadly lost the franchise in 1978 just before the announcement of the closure of the Abingdon factory. It is interesting to note that on the showroom window above the MGA they were agents for Morris, Wolseley, MG, Riley, and two others (Citroen was one) all from a five-car showroom! Three of the photos Steven sent, taken in the late 1930s, feature the Railton-bodied EX135 on display, Goldie

98 SAFETY FAST! MARCH 2021

Company ColinPeter Grant Directors: Secretary: Dave Saunders, Opie and Peter Cook

Gardner’s famous record car, which covered the flying kilometre at 203.5mph in 1939. The final photo, featuring the MG TD CCB 347 in the centre, is dated May 20 1950. As always, if anyone can add any details, please do get in touch.

Staff Members: Adam Sloman (General Manager 01235 849732), Company Secretary: Colin Grant Andy (01235Adam 849730), Lauran Gallacher (Assistant General Staff Knott Members: Sloman (General Manager 01235 849732), Manager 01235(Competitions 849735), Liz Allsworth Secretary John Hutchison Secretary(Membership 01235 849738), 01235 849734), Mark Baulch (Motorsport 07554 160840), Andy Knott (01235 849730), Lauran Gallacher (Assistant General Colin Grant (01235 849733), Cherina(Membership Scarrott (Finance Manager 01235 849735), Liz Allsworth Secretary Officer 01235 849736), and(01235 Gemma849733), Bray (Communications 01235 849734), Colin Grant Jade Beckett Administrator) (01233 849731), Cherina Scarrott (Finance Officer 01235 849736) and Ineke Sherman 01235 849737) Honorary Members: Michael(Merchandise Allison, Ron Gammons, Peter Best, John Quenby, Paddy Hopkirk, Norman Rob Oldaker, Honorary Members: Michael Allison,Ewing, Ron Gammons, Peter Best, Steve Hanegan, McGovern, AnnMoss, Hawke, JohnHopkirk, Dutton, Don Hayter, JohnGerry Quenby, Sir Stirling Paddy John Day,Ewing, Julian Piers White,Hubbard, Bill Silcock.

Norman Rob Oldaker, Steve Hanegan, Gerry McGovern, June Wallis, Ann Hawke, John Dutton, John Day, Company by guarantee Julian White,limited Bill Silcock.

The Club, as a corporate body established as the MG Car Club Limited, is a company limited by guarantee. Every member of the Company limited by guarantee Club undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Club in the The a corporate established as the MG Clubone eventClub, of itsasbeing woundbody up while he is a member, or Car within Limited, is a company limited by guarantee.

Every member of the year after he ceases to be a member, for payment of the debts Club undertakes to contribute to the before assets of Clubtoinbethea and liabilities of the Club contracted hethe ceases event of its woundcharges up while is a member, or within member, andbeing the costs, andheexpenses of winding up, one year after ceases to be a member, payment of theamong debts and for theheadjustment of the rights offorthe contributors and liabilitiessuch of the Club contracted before henot ceases to be a themselves, amount as may be required, exceeding member, and the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, one pound. and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributors among Whilst every effort has beenasmade the not accuracy of themselves, such amount may to beensure required, exceeding information one pound. at the time of going to press, neither The Publisher (herein referred to as Hine Marketing), the Editor, nor the MG Whilst every made to ensure accuracy to of any Car Club caneffort accepthas anybeen responsibility or lossthe occasioned information time of going to press, Publisher person actingatortherefraining from action as neither a resultThe of any material (herein referred to The as Hine Marketing), the are Editor, norown theand MGHine in the publication. opinions of authors their Car Club can lossare occasioned toto any Marketing, theaccept Editorany andresponsibility the MG Car or Club not bound agree person acting or refraining from Reproduction action as a result of anyormaterial with opinions expressed herein. in whole in part in the publication.

The opinions of authors are their own and Hine without written permission is prohibited. Safety Fast! and The MG Marketing, the Editor and the MG Car Club are not bound to in agree Car Club badge are protected through trademark registration with opinions Reproduction in whole in part the UK and in expressed the foreignherein. countries where Safety Fast! or circulates. without permission is prohibited.

Safety Fast! andorThe MG Readers written are warned that if they attempt any mechanical other Car Club badge protected through trademark registration modifications or are methods referred to herein, they do so at theirinown the in the foreign countries Safety risk UK andand no liability will attach to thewhere MG Car Club,Fast! the circulates.

Editor nor Readers are warned thatshall if they mechanical other Hine Marketing.

Neither theattempt MG Carany Club, the Editorornor Hine modifications or methods referred to herein, they do so at their own Marketing have any responsibility for the accuracy of the content of risk and no liability will attach to the MG Car Club, the Editor nor the editorial, neither the content of any advertisement published in Hine Marketing.

Neither shall the MG Car Club, the Editor nor Hine Safety Fast!

Marketing have any responsibility for the accuracy of the content of Ittheshould be noted that Hine the Editor, nor the MG editorial, neither theneither content of Marketing, any advertisement published in Car Club make any recommendation in respect of any goods and/ Safety Fast! or services advertised or featured in this issue. It is the responsibility Itofshould neither Hine theservices Editor, offered nor the or MG readersbetonoted satisfythat themselves that Marketing, the goods or Car Clubtomake any recommendation in respect any goods and/ referred are bona fide and in no instance shallofHine Marketing, or advertised or featured thisresponsible issue. It is for thethe responsibility theservices Editor or the MG Car Club be in held quality or of readersof toany satisfy suitability suchthemselves items. 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.

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