Safety Fast! May 2021 by MG Car Club

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP

May 2021 Volume 66 Number 5 £3.95

THE

CAR

CLUB

LT D

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

A FAMILY AFFAIR l TALES FROM THE TARGA l MISS FUELLING

PARTS & ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR

ISSUE 26

ISSUE 25

MGA

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ISSUE 21

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WELCOME DIARY DATES

SILVERSTONE RACE MEETING

n March we lost three true Motorsport enthusiasts, who I’m sure you’ve read about. The first who passed was Murray Walker, the iconic voice of F1 and so much more. Sabine Schmitz, the ‘Queen of the Nürburgring’ and Top Gear presenter, very sadly passed away after fighting a long and courageous battle with cancer. And of course, our own Peter Browning whom we ran a fitting tribute on, penned by Bill Price and some of Peter’s other Abingdon colleagues, in last months Safety Fast! Peter was well known to many as a timekeeper and of course the BMC Competition Manager, but I first met Peter when he came to work for the MG Car Club as the Competition Secretary in the late 1990s. Peter also ran the MGF Abingdon Trophy speed and race Championship in 1998 from Kimber House. In June 2001 Peter took up the editorship of Safety Fast! It wasn’t for the first time he’d been involved with Safety Fast!, as in 1961 with Peter working at the Abingdon Factory he joined the staff of Safety Fast!. I worked as his understudy from 2001, helping design and work with the wonderful copy that Peter would write and edit. It was a real privilege working with Peter. He always had interesting tales to tell about his days in Abingdon, but was always a very modest man and will be greatly missed by me, and all who knew him. There’s a wonderful article on our website penned by Peter chronicling his time at Abingdon; visit www.mgcc.co.uk/ articles/tales-unexpected-part-1/ for part one of this article. Also, if you listen to the MG Car Club Podcast, the respected motoring author Graham Robson, who interviewed Peter on a number of occasions, speaks to Wayne Scott on the passing of Peter in Episode 47. As a final tribute to Peter, within the pages of this issue of Safety Fast! is an article reprinted from July 1966 written by Peter entitled ‘Tales from the Targa’. Those of you with a Zed MG I’m sure would have noticed in John’s notes last month the change of venue for the large Zed 20 Event happening later on this year. The event is now being held on August 13-15 at the Three Counties showground in Malvern, Worcestershire. With a clash of dates at the previous venue and the number of uncertainties around due to Covid, it makes sense to join the MG and Triumph weekend, but rest assured there will still be lots of Zed-related activities organised by the ZRZSZT Register taking place at Malvern. Tickets and details are available from www.triumphandmgweekend.com Until next month, drive safely. Andy Knott Membership Type

SILVERSTONE CLASSIC This popular event returns to Silverstone on July 30 – August 1 2021. Book tickets at www.silverstoneclassic.com using the MGCC car package discount code 2020CCD075

THE TRIUMPH AND MG WEEKEND Join us on August 13-15 for a weekend of everything MG and Triumph in the stunning venue of the Three Counties Showground located at the foot of the Malvern Hills. www.triumphandmgweekend.com

CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW Direct Debit Rate

Standard Rate Online

Standard Rate Post

Single

£50

£55

Joint

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£59

Young Members 16-20

£15

Young Members 21-24

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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

The MG Car Club head to Silverstone on June 12-13 for their third race meeting of the season, for more details please visit www.mgcc.co.uk/ motorsport/

Save the date for the largest classic car show in the UK, November 12-14. Held at the NEC in Birmingham, it’s always a popular show. Details available from www.necclassicmotorshow.com With the everchanging situation, please visit the relevant website for the latest details.

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 3

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

INSIDE REGULARS 7 Club Matters and Kimber House News 8 News 14 Products 16 Young Members Branch 18 Cherished News 71 Race Torque 72 MGs on Track 73 MGCC Speed Championship 75 Centre Updates 84 Register Updates 92 Classifieds 98 Looking Back

NEWSLETTERS 47 T Type Newsletter 53 MGB Newsletter 58 MGC Newsletter

FEATURES 20 TRIUMPH AND MG WEEKEND 2021 Exciting new event marks historic collaboration between Triumph clubs, TR Register and TSSC, and the MG Car Club to create the Triumph and MG Weekend

Chris Lewis’s ZB Magnette parked in Clifton Hampden, a popular location for MG publicity photos since the 1930s. Photo: Andy Knott

22 A FAMILY AFFAIR The story of a MK3 MG Midget that has been in the Gray family ownership since 1975, won over 100 awards and driven by three generations of the family

31 CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL

David De Saxe’s humorous article on changing the engine oil with the occasional foray into Repairs and Replacements

38 TALES FROM THE TARGA Reprinted from the July 1966 Safety Fast! Peter Browning tells the fascinating story of what the classic European road race is all about and how the MGs and Austin Healey proved their worth

63 MISS FUELLING Neil Cairns recalls the time he accidently filled his Y Type with Diesel, and the solution to get him back on the road

68 SPRING SPRINT AT CURBOROUGH

68 www.mgcc.co.uk

Tony Lake reports on the first of the Midland Centre’s Sprints of 2021

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 5

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6 SAFETY 2021 2021 36 SAFETYFAST! FAST!MAY FEBRUARY

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CHAIRMANS NEWS

find myself in rather familiar territory again as I have been elected as the MG Car Club Chairman at the General Meeting which was held on Saturday April 17 2021. The Club has faced a number of issues which resulted in the previous

board resigning on the evening of April 7 2021. I would like to thank them all for their service to the MG Car Club over a large number of years. We now have a new board with Peter Cook as Vice Chairman, David Rainsbury as Treasurer, Lorraine Noble-Thompson, Colin Withers, Howard Gosling and Roy Locock as Directors. Some of you will remember most of us from previous service as Directors. I am sure a number of you will remember reading about our newest recruit, Roy, and his adventures travelling the world with his MG Midget named Bridget. Moving forward I am keen for everyone to get to know the new directors, so from next month they will, in turn, be writing an introduction to themselves and what experience they bring to the club. I’m afraid to say that our long-serving Finance Officer, Cherina Scarrott, has decided to leave the employment of the

Club. On behalf of the MG Car Club I would like to thank Cherina for all her hard work and diligent service to the Club over the past seven years. She will be missed. We are looking forward to the continuation of the lifting of lockdown which will enable us to enjoy some of the events in the coming months, and whilst it has been good to use the time to get a lot of jobs done on our MGs or around our house, I am looking forward to getting the MGs out with their roofs down, and being able to drive out and meet with friends. As I’m sure you are aware, there is a new joint event taking place over the weekend of August 13-15 2021. The new event is a 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. I look forward to meeting some of you there! Dave Tynan

KIMBER HOUSE NEWS Located in our Clubhouse, our archive is a true MG treasure trove. You can find everything from press photos to brochures and memorabilia, each has a story to share. This month, we’re going to take a look at some of the brochures for the MG Metro, launched in May 1982, the first MG after the closure of the Abingdon factory. The MG Metro was one of the first ‘hot hatches’ and proved to be a huge success and demonstrated the demand and love for MGs. The first brochure looks back at MG’s history, from the very first car to be advertised as an MG through to the MG SA and MG 1100, before introducing the MG Metro as the car that ‘serves notice on the performance fraternity that the marque is back, and in style’. The second is a car sales brochure with the heading, ‘Your Best Friend Will Hate You’. Inside there are close-up images of the interior, technical specification for the Metro and how you can gift your car a birthday present with Supercover Plus.

www.mgcc.co.uk

These brochures for the MG Metro and more can all be found in our archive. Hopefully, when restrictions allow, we can once again reopen our archive for you to step back in time in MG’s history.

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 7

NEWS MG CAR CLUB MEMBER PARADE LAP AT SILVERSTONE

After a couple of years away from the Northamptonshire iconic race track, MG Car Club will be returning to the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit for the third round of the 2021 Racing Calendar, on June 12-13 2021. As we look forward to welcoming spectators to this event, you will not only have an opportunity to watch some of the racing on

the Grand Prix Circuit, but will be able to take part in the Member Parade, giving you an opportunity to drive your MG around the track! Only 50 cars per day can take part in this and buying a tour gives the added bonus of being provided with trackside parking before and afterwards, instead of having to walk in from a car park outside the gate! Tickets for the Parade will be priced at £25 per car and must be purchased in advance along with an Admission Ticket, which can be purchased from the Silverstone website for £14 per person. This includes an allocated seat in the grandstands for the day and Silverstone will have catering available for the weekend. More details will appear on www.mgcc.co.uk soon, together with a booking form, so watch out for this, as places are bound to sell out very quickly. There will be a Driver Briefing ahead of the event and a sign on procedure on the day, with the Parade being organised to Motorsport UK guidelines with the assistance of the Tyne Tees Centre. We look forward to seeing you on the track.

THE SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW

On April 19, MG unveiled “the world’s first pure electric super sports car with gaming cockpit”. The MG Cyberster – developed by the team at the MG Advanced Design Centre in London – is a two-door, two-seater sports car recalling the brand’s tradition, drawing a number of styling cues from the classic MGB Roadster

8 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

while also ushering in new high-tech features, including an interactive gaming cockpit and 5G connectivity. The Cyberster’s intelligent all-electric architecture will enable an approximate EV range of 500 miles and deliver a 0-100km/h time (0-62mph) of less than three seconds, while the body is

www.mgcc.co.uk

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MG CAR SALES Sales of Brand New and Classic MGs Phone for latest offers on the new range of MGs Part exchanges welcome Finance Available - Call for offers Classic MGs Bought or sold on commission basis See our website for latest offers and stock

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NEWS

designed to enhance aerodynamic performance, the classically shaped MG grille also serving as an air duct to ensure airflow over the car’s chassis. The ‘digital fibre’ interior design theme adopts a driver-centric layout, with a separated cockpit for driver and passenger and a large-sized LED instrument cluster with a second central screen. The screen ahead of the driver presents all of the key vehicle information in a modern but minimalist style, while the central display houses its more interactive features. As a carrier of MG brand connotation, the Cyber product line is developed focusing on five key words: C-Co-creating, Y-Young, B-Beyond, E-Evolution, and R-Recreation, inheriting MG’s history of nearly a hundred years to the present. In addition, MG displayed a number of customised models, which sparked debates with its “technological and trendy products”. The tuned version of the MG6 XPOWER, the special edition of third generation MG6 and Bilibili gaming version, the new MG5, MG Linghang PHEV, and MG6 PHEV cross-border cooperation versions appeared on the same stage in the MG booth. The MG booth also hosted a series of trendy interactive games, which enabled visitors to play games on an MG-shaped interactive screen device. Customise your favourite MG6 XPOWER on the MG XPOWER online store and then experience the car on a race track, or have an MG5 selfie. By continuously creating new experiences, MG has always been “connected” with young-atheart people. At this Shanghai Auto Show, the first auto co-creation platform, MG CyberCUBE, was officially kicked off! As early as the first listing of MG Cyberster renderings, people kept asking: Is this car just a concept car, and will it be mass-produced in the future? The MG CyberCUBE platform is divided into two major

MGCC Y Register AGM Notice The Y Register AGM will be held on Saturday May 15 at 11.00am via Zoom. Anyone (other than committee members) wishing to attend should contact Peter Sharp (the Zoom host) with their MGCC Membership number, at least five days before the meeting so that the Agenda and Zoom invites can be sent out. Contact Peter on secretary@mgccyregister.com

10 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

sections, crowdfunding and crowd-creation. The crowd-funding sector determines whether MG Cyberster will be mass-produced, and the crowd-creation sector determines how. The target quantity of crowd-funding is 5000 shares. Once the target share is reached, the project is considered to be successfully launched. MG has participated in domestic and international racing events for many years and won TCR China’s annual team and model championship double crown in 2020. MG continues to give MGXPOWER more youthful connotations and will launch official tuned MG XPOWER cars based on the production models this year.

The MG Car Club MG Trophy Championship AGM To be held on Saturday July 17 2021 at Donington Park, venue TBA AGENDA Apologies for absence Approval of AGM Minutes from 2019/2020 Matters Arising Chairman’s Report Treasurer’s Report & Adoption of Tenth/Eleventh Year Accounts To elect the Chairman of the Championship for the coming year To elect the Co-ordinator of the Championship for

the coming year To elect the Treasurer of the Championship for the coming year To elect the Secretary of the Championship for the coming year To elect the Technical Officer(s) of the Championship To elect additional Technical Representatives To elect any other committee members Any Other Business Open forum following the close of the AGM Scotty’s Little Soldiers charity collection Issued by Pete Macwaters Championship Chairman

www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWS A TRIBUTE TO GERRY BROWN

Gerry in his TC, being chased by Ron Gammons (117) and Dave Clewley (120)

Gerry Brown, who has died at the age of 75, was internationally renowned for his encyclopaedic knowledge of all things MG. He was referred to by friends as ‘Mr Two-thou’ because of his eye for detail, with one friend saying “he was the only one of us who could spot an error in a cam shaft from 20 feet away”. He was a leading light in the T Type world, racing his iconic yellow and blue TC with great success. Gerry’s involvement with MGs began whilst he was studying at Birmingham University, where he achieved a first class bachelor’s degree followed by a PhD in chemical engineering. Gerry was an active member of the Birmingham University Motor Club, regularly competing with the then red MG TC which he bought in 1965 for £165. The MGCC T driver’s championship was started in 1967. The championship events included races, sprints, and hill climbs and were a catalyst for many people starting to compete in these cars. Gerry with his engineering skills made his car increasingly more competitive. In 1975 and 1976 he was sponsored by Oliver Rix garages in Luton (hence the yellow and blue livery). This enabled him to compete in all the championship events, and he won the championship both years. His fellow competitors usually included, amongst others, Pete Creswell, Chris Jones, Dave Clewley, Nick Taylor, Mike Zimmerman, Ron Gammons, Paddy Wilmer, Glyn Guisti and George Edney. They were all fiercely competitive on the track, and good friends off the track. A much remembered event was The T series race in 1975 at MG Silverstone, about which one journalist wrote in Autosport: “strong men who would quail at the sight of a Formula Ford race would probably faint away at a good T type thrash!” T-Type racing was being heralded week after week by the Motorsport press as being closer than Formula Ford. After a few years working as a chemical engineer for Kodak in Rochester in the USA and then in Hemel Hempstead, he decided to make MGs his life’s work. He left Kodak and joined up with Ron Gammons to start the well-known company Brown and Gammons. In 1985 Gerry bought MGB GT Roadster ADD880B which had been owned by racing driver Jim Loveday. He started using

it to compete in rallies in 1990, the first one being the Coppa D’Italia with Mike Berry. Later that year Stirling Moss drove the car in the Pirelli Marathon. Over the next 25 years Gerry went on to compete successfully and with great enjoyment in many rallies both in the UK and Europe. Gerry left Brown and Gammons in 1993 and moved with his family to Suffolk, where he set up his own business, Merton Motorsport. In the 28 years since moving to Suffolk, he never needed to advertise for work. His reputation went before him. Gerry was very well known and liked in the world of MGs, not just in the UK but everywhere in the world where there are MGs. His reputation led to some interesting experiences: being invited to be the guest speaker at an MG meet in Grand Rapids, organised by John Twist of University Motors, flying in the cockpit of a Cathay Pacific plane from Perth to Hong Kong as the pilot was an MG enthusiast (in the days when passengers were allowed in the cockpit), and being lent the chauffeur-driven limousine of the Hong Kong chief of police, also an MG enthusiast. Gerry was diagnosed with myeloma in 2015. He carried on working on customer projects as long as he possibly could, despite having broken vertebrae and living with constant pain. In 1981 Gerry became a Christian. His faith was very important to him for the rest of his life, and sustained him through his six difficult last years living with cancer. Gerry’s friend from his time in Birmingham, James Thacker, recalls: “In 2005 I was extremely fortunate to buy back my 1953 TF in pieces. I needed some advice about an early 1980s Brown and Gammons camshaft so I had the idea to phone Gerry. He immediately knew the relevant figures in his head and was both very informative and helpful. Our friendship took off again where it left off many years before and we were in touch regularly on one thing or another. We soon discovered that since our younger years we had both become committed Christians. Now our faith was very important to us and we both enjoyed this fellowship over the next 16 years”. Tributes to Gerry have poured in, and many refer to him as “a gentleman” or “one of the good guys”. Gerry was at the forefront of the second generation of T racers which took this category forward to another level of competitiveness and spectacle, achieved by a combination of engineering and driving ability. He will be greatly missed. Donations to St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich can be given in his memory via: https://gerrybrown.muchloved.com/

Gerry Brown rallying his MGB, ADD 880B 12 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

M G R E S TO R AT I O N , E N G I N E E R I N G , MAINTENANCE & SALES Fiennes Classics is born out of Fiennes Restoration and is part of the Fiennes Group - a world-class centre of excellence for automotive engineering, craftsmanship, classic restoration, machining and manufacturing skills. Our coachworks craftsmen and mechanical engineers can support MG owners with partial or full restorations, maintenance and servicing on vehicles from pre-war to modern classics. Fiennes Engineering undertakes engineering tasks across every aspect of component part production, engine reconditioning, restoration, reclamation and repair. Fiennes Performance focuses on optimising engine capabilities with services spanning everything from gearbox builds to head reconditioning. Fiennes Showroom deals in the sale of classic vehicles with a competitive and personal service and would be pleased to act on your behalf if looking to place your MG on the market.

View our brand film

www.fiennesclassics.co.uk | Broughton Poggs Business Park, Filkins, GL7 3JH, UK +44 (0) 1367 810 438 | Part of the Fiennes Group www.fiennes.co.uk

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

GAZ ADJUSTABLE RACE SUSPENSION FOR MG ZR

SEALEY SCT03– ULTRASONIC PARTS CLEANING TANKS The affordable and compact MG ZR makes a great trackday or clubman level competition car and now GAZ offers coilover units for the MG ZR that are both height and damper rate adjustable. Ride height is altered by means of adjustable spring seats. The height adjusters have a coarse acme form thread for ease of adjustment and the damper units are anodised to ensure that they remain in good order even after considerable service. Damper rates are controlled by an adjuster knob on the damper body. The GAZ coilovers come with a gas cell in the reservoir filled with a high viscosity index multi grade oil to prevent cavitation and reduce fade under racing or trackday conditions. All the units are individually tested before leaving the factory and are covered by a two year warranty. GAZ GP Race Coilovers for 2001 on MG ZR as shown with anodised finish can be ordered as GG-4700 at £154.62 each plus VAT. Also available with black finish at £5.25 extra per unit plus VAT. GAZ produces this kit with ‘full race’ valving but can also produce a ‘road use ‘ version and will supply the appropriate springs for the intended purpose. For further details visit the GAZ website: www.gazshocks.com

New and in Sealey’s Spring 2021 Promotion you can find their SCT03 Ultrasonic Parts Cleaning Tank. The SCT03 has a 3L tank capacity. This parts cleaning tank can be used by garages, hobbyists, classic car enthusiasts and more. Using ultrasonic wave vibration, the intense cleaning action of the microscopic bubbles can penetrate the most inaccessible parts to remove dirt and grime from a wide variety of components. These tanks are fitted with a flexible 0-80°C temperature control, a timer setting which is fully adjustable from 1–99 minutes and they also feature a clear LED display and memory function. Made from durable stainless steel, and fitted with a drainage tap for easy emptying and mesh basket to keep smaller components together. The SCT03 is currently on offer in Sealey’s Spring 2021 Promotion which is running until May 31 2021. The SCT03 is £189.95 (exc VAT) although you may find it cheaper from one of their national or online stockists. Contact Sealey on 01284 703534 for more information.

RARE T-TYPE PART FROM NTG One of the rarest T-Type parts, chrome surround trim for TF instrument panel, only a few available £198. For more information 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

14 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

Abingdon MG Part of the David Manners Group

Established over 30 years ago, the David Manners Group prides itself on putting our customers at the centre of our business. With over 31,000 MG, Triumph & MX-5 listed parts, exceptional service and a dedicated sales team, we go the extra mile to help keep your classic on the road.

Driven to keep your classic on the road

0121 544 4444

enquiries@davidmanners.co.uk 991 Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury, B69 4RJ

www.mgcc.co.uk

www.davidm anners.co.uk

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 15

Parts for Jaguar & Daimler | MG & Triumph | Morris Minor | MX-5

YOUNG MEMBERS

Shaun Nelson shaunnelly@hotmail.com

AGM – AND PROJECT SHED-R

hank you to everyone who attended our annual general meeting! Since then, we have already launched our online shop on our Instagram page, started work on our website, and have begun sorting events with TR Youth for the Triumph MG weekend! Iwan Jones remains as chairman, internet sensation Keiran Reid takes secretary, MG Rover guru James Crow is vice chair, and I’m treasurer. With the Triumph MG weekend beginning on August 13, that gives us just over three months of workshop

16 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

time before the event – which I, for one, desperately need. You may recall that last summer I bought a 2004 MG ZR 160. It cost me a grand and I bought it as a race car to use and abuse without feeling guilty. However, no less than half an hour into my trip home, I fell completely in love with it. It’ll still be my race car, track days and autosolos are what MGs are built for, but I feel it now deserves some proper attention. The bodywork on the ZR has begun to deteriorate in the usual places, with rust bubbling through the wheel arches and

around the wings. This of course didn’t bother me when I bought it, but now… That settled it then; this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to do bodywork! The first step was to move my ZR to my new house and its little brick garage. Since the car had been sat since Sheffield went into Tier Three goodness knows when, it needed a bit of recommissioning – which turned out to not be enough when a front calliper seized five miles into the journey! 160 callipers are single pots and take 282mm discs, and are either no longer available or around £80-100 exchanged. Oddly enough I was going to do the pair, but I imagine this has happened before, as the calliper on the opposing side is brand new! Being used to working on Leyland cars and Land Rovers, stripping down the ZR was a joy. There’s a technique to dealing with rusty fittings. Liberal amounts of proper penetrating oil, short shocking blows on with a hammer to break down the rust and encourage capillary action, and patience. I found the screws holding the arch liner in were best attacked using a small pair of locking mole grips carefully securing the slight rim on the head. The only real issue I had was getting the wings off the A pillars, as my tiny UK single garage wouldn’t allow me to open the doors to get to the bolts! Luckily, you need only loosen them, and a small 10mm spanner will just reach through the wheel arch with much cursing and grumbling. If only my car could still move. Now that we’re in pieces and the front wings are structurally sound, painting preparation is about to begin, and there is much to learn!

www.mgcc.co.uk

2021 MG Car Club Anglia Summer Picnic

MGCC Anglia Summer Picnic at Holkham Hall The Anglia Summer Picnic is on Sunday June 27 at Holkham Hall, near Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. It is a magnificent Palladian style stately home set in a 125,000 acre agricultural estate. It has been in the same family since the 1750s.The interior has majestic rooms not least the stunning entrance hall. 12 State rooms are open to view. There is much to see and do including a shop and cafés. MGCC member event entry is at a special rate per MG car with TWO people of £15.00. MGCC member event entry is at a special rate per MG car with ONE person of £12.00. Non MGCC members £18.00 per MG. MGCC members may visit the grounds etc.

Booking Form (a photocopy is acceptable)

Half price Code for entry to House available on request to me, Email or phone. You need to pre-book this with Holkham. Allow two hours for guided tour of Holkham Stories and Hall visit. Walled Gardens more time needed. There will be an exclusive parking and picnic area for MG Car Club members on the North side of the Hall overlooking the lake.

Note - entry to this event must be pre-booked.

Name ............................................................................................................................................................................... Address ........................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................... Post Code ....................................... Phone ................................... (in case of query) MG model ................................... MGCC membership no .................................................................................................................................................... Cheque enclosed for £ ........................................................................................... payable to - “MGCC Anglia Centre” Please send booking form and cheque AND please enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Send to: Roger Latham (MGCC Anglia Centre), 10, Hawkridge, Shoeburyness, Essex SS3 8AU Email - president@mgccanglia.com Phone 01702 580472(evenings) - queries only. Note: All information collected is solely for entry to this event.

CHERISHED NEWS Pete Barrett MG Car Club Insurance Manager

Cherished.vehicle@aplan.co.uk

elcome to this month’s Cherished News. We hope you are all staying safe and well. Now that Lockdown has been relaxed a little it has been great to see so many MGs out on the road again. I have been happily giving the thumbs up to everyone I pass now that I finally have my TF 160 back from the garage. The car now runs well, and I am looking forward to fitting a TT mk7 stainless exhaust soon. This along with a new panel filter will hopefully give me a few extra horses and replace the muffled sound of the cheap after aftermarket mild steel exhaust fitted by the previous owner. The good news is that the scheme has been proving to be very popular with the membership and this in turn means that the Car Club gains financial support as well. Please do bear with us if you do call for a quote as we have been very busy, we will call you back.

Presentations As part of the launch of the insurance scheme I recently conducted a Zoom PowerPoint presentation with the Tyne Tees Centre. It was really good to meet the members and thank you for inviting me along. If any of the regional Centres or Registers would like me to do a presentation, please email me at peter.barrett@aplan.co.uk

Cover with the roof down One of the points that have been regularly raised is about the level of cover provided for your vehicle under the new scheme if you leave your vehicle unattended with the roof down or not attached. I am happy to confirm that as long as you don’t have a power-operated hood and that if you lock your doors (that is if you have door locks) and wind up your windows (if you have windows), then you are covered as long as you have taken reasonable precautions to protect your vehicle (That means, for example, you haven’t left the car in the centre of a big city for hours with the roof down). Please note, personal possessions are only covered if locked in the boot up to the policy limit. Also, if you have a tonneau and it is attached then this is considered the same as a hood.

TT Mk7 Exhaust and panel filter ready to be fitted to my TF 160 18 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

So that’s it for this month. We will be hopefully moving offices shortly, so I look forward to writing next month’s Cherished news with more information. The Benefits of the policy include: • Free and simple Agreed Value service – Completed in-house by our specialists • Member to member cover • Reinstatement cover available • Salvage Retention – Subject to qualifying Criteria • Modification cover • 90 Days European Cover – included as standard • Multi Vehicle Cover – we can look to put all your vehicles, even non MGs, on the same policy • Laid Up Cover – if it’s not on the road it can still be insured • Spare parts cover – up to £1,000 cover for your spares • Occasional Wedding Hire – can be arranged on application • Business Use – can be arranged on application • Limited Mileage discounts • Young Accompanied Driver cover from age 18 • Track Day Cover– can be arranged on application This is administered as part of the A-Plan Holdings who have a whole panel of insurers and can give you independent advice for your Private Car, Buildings and Contents, Commercial, HGV, Life and Travel Insurance. Please note that the MG Insurance scheme powered by Cherished Vehicle insurance uses one insurer only KGM Underwriting Services whom we have selected due to their experience in the classic car market. Please note, there is a promotion specifically designed to reduce MGCC members’ Home Insurance. This gives a £25 discount off the standard administration charge for new policies if you are an existing MGCC member. Just call 01905 930747 and let the team know you are an MGCC member. If you’d like any more information on any of the above feel free to give any of us a call here at Cherished Vehicle Insurance on 0345 2508282– we’d all really love to hear from you. 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.

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 www.mgcc.co.uk MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 19 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 Facebook “f ” Logo

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A FAMILY AFFAIR By the Gray family

The Mk3 MG Midget now registered 789 AGG has been in the Gray family ownership since 1975. In the hands of family members, it has won over 100 awards: autotests, sprints, production car trials, concours, races, road rallies.

he Midget we hold so dear has been used by three generations of the Gray family, been featured in a BBC programme and been on the cover of Safety Fast! twice! A very well-known car in MGCC circles and motorsport in Scotland in particular, well in the 1970s and 80s. We have had some wonderful races in this special car; it has been raced at MGCC Silverstone, Donington, Ingliston, Knockhill and Ring Djursland in Denmark! The Midget is built to a fast road spec, given the need to be an all-rounder. The engine was built by Agra Racing Engines. It has an 11 stud genuine Leyland ST BV Head, 731 cam, balanced internals, twin HS4 carbs, K&N filters, 1340cc, Panhard rod, anti-tramp bars, LSD, 4.2 Diff, laminated screen, Aldon distributor, Aldon Ignitor ignition, Peter May CR gearbox and half shafts, uprated front anti-roll bar, LCB exhaust manifold, Moto-Lita steering wheel, Frontline front suspension, electric fan,

Photos: Power Images 22 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

bespoke engine turned aluminium dash, bonnet bulge for SUs and modified front valance for oil cooler and Wipac Quadoptic headlights. Most mechanical modifications date back to 1978, other than the gearbox and Frontline components. The car was in a very bad state when we decided to bring it back to its former glory in July 2018. When we brought it to the workshop and work started, we realised it was a lot worse than expected. The next decision was what standard to rebuild it to? Well, given it’s had two years spent on it, third parties have said it’s to an exceptional standard, but it’s certainly not concours. It’s very much a competition car and not a concours car. Any Midget expert would have a field day listing the deviations from standard, but that’s half the fun. Taking it to MGLive! 2022 is a must – the car will be 51 and the current owner 62 (45 years an MGCC Member). Angus did the majority of the restoration himself but had specialist help, guidance and work completed by Aly Hunter Restorations.

www.mgcc.co.uk

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 23

Angus’s rebuild lessons! I set out to rebuild the car in 12 weeks. It took just under two years – that was lesson number 1. Lesson number 2: almost all parts are available new, but they don’t necessary fit! Lesson 3: if it could be broken or worn, it probably is. My single piece of advice is to change the loom. I was horrified at the number of potential fire hazards lurking in what looked to be a serviceable loom.

L to R, Stuart and Tom dropped in to see the progress of Angus’s restoration

24 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

Insurance solutions* for classics and more. Did you know with FJ+ you can tailor your policy from a range of cover options, including; breakdown, agreed value and salvage retention?

Did you know, if you own more than one vehicle then you can ask about combining them all on one Multi Vehicle Policy.

Call our friendly UK team for a quote.

0333 207 6074

or visit: footmanjames.co.uk *All cover is subject to insurer’s terms and conditions, which are available upon request. Footman James is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited. Registered in England No. 4043759. Registered Address: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Telephone calls may be monitored or recorded. FP ADGE.1084.5.18

Oonagh’s memories

Tom winning at Silverstone in the Midget sporting it’s original registration number

Tom’s memories It is thanks to a fellow competitor in the Scottish Centre, Euan Murray who kindly loaned me his car, that I had my first drive in an MG Midget, in an autotest in 1975. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was amazed how the car handled. Shortly thereafter a bronze yellow 1972 Mk3 joined the family stable and has been campaigned successfully ever since by three generations of the family. Having won the Scottish Centre Championship in 1968 in a FWD MG 1300, there was a steep learning curve to convert to RWD, but as it came with comparatively little mechanical damage in competitions it was a welcome change. Annual trips to Silverstone were the norm in these days for the California Cup and the BMC Trophy. However, after twice trying the High Speed Trial I ventured to enter the five-lap race the next year… and won! There is no truth in the report that I confused the handicappers!

My entry into competition came about because I had the choice between being left at home or joining the others by “having a go”. I chose to have a go, although I often wondered why. I remember hours in a Safeway car park (after hours) trying to master a handbrake turn, even having a sneaky try getting into my parking space in the Quad of the Edinburgh Medical School. This did not go down well with the Servitors and had to be abandoned. I also raced the car at Ring Djursland in Denmark! I started at the back of the grid but by the first corner I was up with the leaders after a great Autotester-style start but finished second last! I did however win the Scottish Centre Ladies Championship in 1988. I did have a moment of fame, reaching the Sports page in a (minor) local paper when an article was headed “Oonagh shows the men how it is done”. I had accrued an eye-watering score; unfortunately this was in a Production Car Trial. The reporter obviously hadn’t realised the objective was to have the lowest score! It did raise a laugh and merited the cutting being saved for the family archives. Looking back, motorsport gave me a lot of fun, all of it in our MG Midget. I’m glad I chose to “have a go”!

Oonagh competing in an MGCC anniversary event in Denmark

26 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

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MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 27

Stuart race debut at Ingliston in the Midget

Stuart’s memories Earliest memory of 789 AGG is as a 13 year old doubled up and being a passenger within the back of the car! We’d be travelling to and back from MG Car Club events, usually with mum driving and 15-year-old Angus in the passenger seat. Putting up with the discomfort was rewarded with the opportunity to drive the car on the same test layouts after the events had finished.

The main memory is August 1985 with my race debut at Ingliston. Having competed in MGCC events for six years, the progression to racing happened after a successful California Cup team win at Silverstone, partnered by the Hall brothers, James and David. They offered me their stunning Modsports JPS Lotus Europa to race, “if” I started in the Midget to get experience. I did two race meetings in the Midget then finished the season in the

Europa racing against the late, great David Leslie. Our knowledge of the demands of racing was somewhat limited, as in testing I returned to the pit lane with the wheels on fire as we were still using standard brake pads and fluid! The testing went well, then after Sunday morning qualifying my long-time school friend brought his long-standing friend from his home village of Elie. His friend, Kay, had an interest in Motorsports as her father had raced bikes on the Isle of Man and her uncle was a former Formula One driver and BRDC member. She asked all sorts of accurate and pertinent questions and made me think being a racing driver is no bad thing! 36 years later, we will be celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary! I can’t remember how I finished the race but it was the start of a six-year racing career across sports cars, single-seaters and competing in a 24-hour race, 30 years working at Knockhill Racing Circuit and married life with Kay! But all started with 789 AGG!

Angus reuniting his mother Oonagh with 789 AGG for a run after the completion of the rebuild

28 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

Michael’s memories

Angus winning the prestigious Civic Autotests in Dunfermline - 1984

Angus’s memories In 1986 I was first Overall in the Scottish Sprint Championship in my Caterham, and in ’87 I won the class. So, come Silverstone ’87 I was fired up and it was the first year I drove the Midget, which was then registered as TMG 1F, as a “real” competition car. I drove it like the Caterham and wrung its neck! In the California Cup test it all clicked. I particularly recall a fast slalom set out on Farm Straight that just flowed and my drive drew applause from the marshals. First Overall and the Magnette Trophy was the result. On a lighter note, I recall my friend Anita saying she thought the back wheels were loose as we drove back from an MGCC event. I explained the complexities of the LSD. To my embarrassment we quickly had to stop to tighten the wheels.

Having learned to drive in my father’s MG Midget in my teenage years, the opportunity came along to make my initial steps into motorsport which would see me compete in uncle Angus’s Midget (789 AGG), racing in the Scottish Classics championship in 2010. This would’ve been an ideal situation to learn and develop in a reasonably relaxed environment with a more gentlemanly grid. The story brought a lot of attention, due to the fact that I was going to be the third generation to have competed with this car. We had an interview with BBC Scotland which was great fun and an awesome way of showing the history of the car and the family’s racing past. I did some practice laps in the Midget, which proved very beneficial as it enabled me to take a very different step by making my debut as the youngest-ever driver in the Scottish Formula Ford 1600 single-seater category in 2010 aged 16 years and 6 months. I went on to finish second overall in the championship in subsequent years and raced nationally in a BMW Compact, but my racing bug was caught in 789 AGG.

Pictured from right to left are Michael, Stuart, Oonagh and Tom. Photo: Power Images

www.mgcc.co.uk

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 29

FEATURE

Make sure the lift arms of your hydraulic lift are positioned correctly so as not to push through a weakened floor pan.

Basic Maintenance and Servicing with the occasional Foray into Repairs and Replacements:

CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL B By David De Saxe Photos by Colin Grant

y far the best thing to do is to entrust all work to a local garage sympathetic to old cars – or, should you live near enough, to a marque specialist. I honestly believe it would be best to terminate the article at this point. No, no, I hear you cry, we should like at least to know how to change the oil in the engine. Well, if you do nothing else to a car that enjoys little use over the course of a 12-month period, you’ll be walking the right path. (You will need to renew the oil filter as well.) First, take a look at the driver’s handbook. If nothing else in this carefully written little gem makes sense to you, observe and take note as you turn its pages of the frequent statements: “this work should be entrusted to your MG distributor or dealer”. It is a warning well worth heeding. That said, if you’re not in a heeding

Take care not to raise your car too high and push it through the roof of your garage www.mgcc.co.uk

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 31

The Handbook is a real little gem

Follow the instructions to drain oil

Make sure to check your manual so that you are undoing the right bolt

mood and are eager to find a use for those nice, new overalls the wife bought you for Christmas, I would strongly advise the purchase, if available for your model of MG, of a Haynes workshop manual. These manuals supplement the handbook that was supplied with the car when it was new (of course with the older MGs the booklet has long since been consigned to oblivion by a previous owner, but happily reprints are readily available for various models). The Haynes manuals are more comprehensive and are chock-full of explanatory photographs of somebody’s grease-ingrained thumb with its jagged nail, every photograph carefully taken at an angle designed to obscure the precise position of the nut you need to undo in order to perform the desired servicing task. Since there are several nuts on the component, you are pretty well bound to undo the wrong one. What follows now is the oil and filter change procedure. Somewhere at the back of your mind you will have the idea that there is old oil inside the engine and that to get it out there must be a hole somewhere near the bottom. There is indeed, and you’ll need to be underneath the car to locate it. There are a number of ways to get underneath the car, the simplest of which you’re too fat for. A pair of ramps to raise the front wheels would seem to be a solution, but this method won’t work because as you attempt to drive the car onto them the ramps just get shoved along the ground with all four wheels of the car remaining on terra firma. Few houses have a garage equipped with a pit, and anyway if you find one that is, it will be full of water that will have seeped in through the walls from last winter’s rain. You could install a

proper vehicle lift, operated by clever hydraulics and electrics. Should you do so, you are now into real professional stuff, and this magnificent item of equipment will certainly raise your car off the ground. Moreover, on the occasion of its maiden elevation it will with sickening certainty have squashed the car’s roof on the ceiling of your garage – or, if an open sports example, you will have twisted its windscreen and frame into a mangled heap of glass and chromed brass; not only that, the legs of the lift will have gone through the ancient and weakened floorboards or the rusty floor pan of your beloved vehicle, because you didn’t locate the pads on a strengthened area of the chassis (if any). Still, no matter – we can at least now get on with the oil change. Having located the drain plug, you’ll need an appropriate spanner to undo it. You won’t have one that fits, but you’ve remembered the gigantic wrench the plumber left behind when recently attending the domestic boiler. That will definitely release the drain plug, although having successfully used it you will find the plug’s shape unrecognisable when attempting to refit it. You have had the good sense to remember to run the engine to warm the oil so that it runs out more easily; remarkably, you have also remembered that you will need some sealable container to catch the old oil. Whatever the vessel you’ve decided to use for this purpose, you are faced with the option of placing it on the floor with its tiny hole several feet below the sump in a position you hope lies precisely under the direction of outflow (it will miss by several inches); or holding the container up beneath the engine sump in the expectation that a greater quantity of the waste oil

Find the sump plug

Having found the sump plug use an appropriate spanner to remove it

32 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

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Use a suitable container to catch your old engine oil

However hard you try to line up your container; oil always spills over the side

will go inside. While the latter option is superior, don’t forget that you are standing partially crouched (as you had partially to lower the lift following the “accidents”) and the container will become increasingly heavier and thus harder to hold as it fills. Either way, you’ll receive armfuls of unpleasantly warm, filthy black stuff, much of which will spill onto the floor anyway. Now you need to change the filter. This will be full of oil, too, and is positioned on the engine block in either a sitting or

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You can show off and make up a suitable stand for your container

a hanging position. If the former, you’ll need to lower the car to the floor to initiate the removal procedure. If the latter, you will be getting at the filter from underneath – i.e. where you already are, albeit standing in a pool of slippery black liquid. Your filter may be of the original, renewable element type or the modern, spin-on variety. The older type is made of felt (very grand) or more likely paper, and sits in a canister which is removed by applying to a central bolt head a 5/8” AF spanner. (Yes, a 16mm might be near enough but, strange as it may seem, the majority of basic metric socket sets fail to include anything between a 15mm and a 17mm). Because the likes of chassis members, the starter motor, dynamo and/or distributor body have been deliberately placed in the way by the car’s manufacturer, this bolt head is inaccessible other than with thumb and finger, which will not possess the strength to undo it. Eventually, given you have a comprehensive socket set with jointed extension pieces and wobble ends, you might just get the socket to grip. As the bolt nears the end of its travel the canister will suddenly release itself, pouring a further quantity of warm oil inside your other sleeve. If your filter is of the spin-off variety it will be even more inaccessible as it is fatter and must be removed as a whole unit. A seemingly inexhaustible variety of implements to unscrew it from the filter head are available on the market, none of them capable

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 33

Canister type oil filter with the dreaded seals

of achieving sufficient purchase to turn the filter if it hangs rather than sits. Eventually, though, you’ll find a way to release it together with its filthy contents, and will doubtless then be turning your mind to its renewal and the refilling of the engine sump. Fitting a new spin-on filter is among the simplest jobs you’ll ever do when servicing your car (stick your finger in the can of fresh oil and wipe it round the rubber seal first. Your finger, I mean, not the can of oil). Amazingly, you spin the new filter on

Now where’s the oil filter? 34 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

Spin off filter is a breeze to replace

unaided by any tool! By contrast, refitting the hanging canister of the renewable element type will provide hours of stimulating activity. Having extracted from the canister (so as to wash it out) all the inner bits and pieces such as springs and washers of various shapes and materials, you will spend much time working out in which order they should be replaced around the through bolt. That done, as likely as not incorrectly, the new element comes with a selection of rubber sealing rings, only one of which will fit neatly inside the circumferential groove in the filter head. One touch of the rim of the canister on the seal will cause it to fall out. At the twenty-third attempt and in the small hours of the morning it’s just possible you’ll have got it to stay up there, but by that time you are

Ah! There it is, accessible from underneath

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Top up using a suitable container. Now which one shall I use? Now which type of oil do I use?

so weakened there will be barely sufficient strength in your arm to persuade the bolt to engage in its thread against the unnecessarily strong internal spring. Barely refreshed but returning to the task in the morning, with any luck you will have replaced the sump plug. You should have fitted a new copper compression sealing washer underneath it, as will become apparent later when small dribbles of oil decorate your drive, but never mind. You have filled the sump to the recommended level with nice, fresh oil and you start the engine to circulate it. If your filter is of the renewable element type you

will more than likely be horrified to see oil discharging from the filter head as the engine merrily turns and actuates the pump. Best to stop it turning, raise the car once again, remove the filter canister to find that when you finally succeeded in engaging and tightening the through bolt, the edge of the canister had distorted the seal you had so painstakingly but not quite accurately seated in the groove in the filter head. Having dealt with a basic engine oil and filter change, I thought we should take advantage of our car being on a level at which we can work underneath it to fit a new exhaust system, as the existing one has proved to be an MOT test failure. Shall we make this the subject of the next article?

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YOUNG MEMBERS

John Rhodes drove the MGB like a Mini on the 1966 Targa Florio hoping to find somewhere along the way to top up with oil

TALES FROM THE TARGA Reprinted from the July 1966 Issue of Safety Fast! Peter Browning tells the fascinating story of what the classic European road race is all about and how the MGs and Austin Healey proved their worth on the toughest of all circuits. 38 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

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The author, Peter Browning

riting in one our Sunday papers, a well-known Grand Prix driver was having a bit of a mumble about the pathetic efforts of British manufacturers in international motor racing. He proclaimed that if we did not stand a chance of competing for outright victory, then we were wasting our time (and not doing the image of our cars much good) if we just trundled around to qualify as a finisher in these longdistance events. Talking about sports cars he went on to say that in his opinion the only true sports cars were the GTO Ferrari, Ford GT, Porsche 911 and the like and it really was

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‘not on’ for British “sporty looking” cars (like the MG and Austin- Healey) to be called sports cars. Well, I hope the driver in question took a long look at the results of the 1966 Targa Florio, for there he will find that one of his so-called pseudo sports cars, an MGB, not only finished ninth overall (out of 71 starters) but it was also the first GT car to finish. More to the point, the MGB outperformed (not out-lasted!) a large number of his so-called ‘true’ sports cars – Ford GT, Porsche 911, Dino Ferrari, three GTO Ferraris, and a 250 LM Ferrari. The MG really was the only ‘same as you can buy car’ in the race – it even ran with the bumpers on! Furthermore, it was one of the few cars to be driven to the circuit and, incidentally, this GT winning car had previously done the Monte Carlo Rally. Just to underline the BMC successes, the second of the works MGBs finished runner-up in the up-to-2-litre GT class and the little 1300cc Donald Healey-entered Sprite would have finished amongst the top ten but for a 21-minute stop to replace a broken half-shaft.

Even so, the Sprite finished an incredible third amongst the 2-litre sports proto-type class, beaten only by a couple of Ferraris! Once again the BMC team enjoyed a 100% start/finish record and to finish the Targa Florio at all is honour enough! And rightly so, because the Targa really is a truly fantastic race. This was my first trip to Sicily, and I went well primed with glowing reports of those who had been before. Just as the event remains unique as the only true road race that still survives, so the Targa retains its unique atmosphere – the place and the people make sure of that. The Targa has been run over a variety of courses on the beautiful north coast of Sicily, this race – the 50th in the series – being held over ten laps of the 45-mile ‘Little Madonie’ course. And what an incredible 45 miles! If you were to string together all the hairiest sections of road from anywhere in the world, it’s doubtful if they would be quite as punishing as one lap of the Targa Florio. Apart from one four-mile straight (the main coast road, which at anything over 100mph is neither wide nor smooth), the rest of the course is just bend after bend after bend. It’s the mountain road inland to Cerda, up and

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 39

over the heights to Caltavulturo, down through the valley to Collesano and back onto the coast road at Campofelice. The scenery is breathtaking but you would be crazy to take your eyes off the road to look at it! The variety of corners, uphill and downhill, with their steep cambers and rough-cobbled gutters make the course incredibly tricky. The road is just about two cars wide but passing is really only possible on the straights. If you make one mistake out in the country you’ll either dive into fresh air or end up against a rock face. Racing through the crowded villages brings its own hazards. Crowd control is virtually non-existent and at least one car in the 1966 race crashed to avoid a spectator who decided that he might get a better view from the other side of the road. The event was also made more hazardous because of the weather, which changed dramatically as a freak storm blew its way across the Island. Thus one section of the course which was dry on

one lap could well be running with muddy water on the next lap. Apart from the local drivers, and those who make an annual trip to the Targa, very few drivers can hope to know their way around the whole of the course. Local hero Nino Vaccarella is reported to have done something like 200 practice laps for the 1965 race, which is perhaps one of the reasons why he won then and started as hot favourite in 1966. For the visiting drivers, therefore, the days before the race mean endless practice. This can be more dangerous than the race itself, for the roads are open to normal traffic and the ‘swervability’ of a donkey cart is not all that good! This unofficial practice is made even more fun when the locals decide that this is the time when they should try to make some attempt to repair the circuit. As race day approaches, the roads are crowded with old men with shovels and brooms and donkey carts and decrepit wagons loaded with asphalt and chippings. Their

road-mending efforts are well meaning but quite useless as the combination of continuous high-speed practice-motoring plus the roasting Sicilian sunshine breaks up the new surface just as fast as it’s been laid, which makes the surface twice as dangerous as it was in the first place. But then as the road-menders give you an encouraging cheer as they leap for their lives every time a practice car passes, perhaps that’s the idea anyway! The number of practice shunts is quite alarming but no one seems to worry, except the local Hertz rent-a-car man who must have a disastrous week for practically all the teams do their practicing in hire cars! Only one day is set aside for official practice, mainly because the locals tend to get a little frustrated if their roads are closed for too long. In setting the Targa scene one must mention the driving antics of the locals. If you think the Italians are ‘hairy’, then wait until you’ve shared the road with the Sicilians! They really are crazy – flat out

The Makinen/Rhodes MGB which won the Grand Touring category 40 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

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FEBRUARY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 35 MAY 2021 2021 SAFETY SAFETY FAST! FAST! 71 41 FEBRUARY

Rauno Aaltonen in the Sprite. Note the stranded Renault on the outside of the bend, no doubt a victim of the locals’ pre-race grand prix!

everywhere in their little Fiats, overtaking blind around every bend and over every brow, seemingly without turning a hair. They even put the fear of God into Messrs Makinen and Aaltonen, so they must be mad! One of the only drawbacks with the Targa is that it’s an awfully long way and not the easiest of places to reach. The Italian transport system seems to go to pieces somewhat once you get south of Rome! Our Targa travel schedule was a travel agent’s nightmare, typical however of the detailed Stuart Turner behind-the-scenes planning which goes into every event. Our drivers flew into Sicily from all quarters – Rauno Aaltonen and Timo Makinen coming straight from their Tulip Rally successes; Andrew Hedges arrived well sun-tanned, having just been over to Nassau for a power-boat race; Clive Baker journeyed south from Monza where he had been driving in a Formula 3 race; while John Rhodes and John Handley flew in after Mini-racing in England.

42 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

I joined Geoff Healey, his wife Margot, and the BMC mechanics who journeyed down with the cars – one Sprite, two race MGBs, one practice MGB, one Westminster service car, and one Mini Cooper which I had to deliver en route to Greece for the Acropolis Rally. What with the cross-Channel ferry to Ostend, car train from Ostend-MilanRome, driving from Rome to Naples, ferry from Naples to Palermo plus my flight to Sicily after delivering the Acropolis Mini, our outward journey had involved just about every form of transport available! One’s only regret on these trips is that there is seldom time for sightseeing, Stuart Turner once remarking that he must have seen less of more of Europe than anyone! With the party safely assembled in our seaside motel at Trabia, there was little time to enjoy the inviting beach and warm waters as we had to be busy with the pre-race activities. In true Sicilian fashion, scrutineering was organised chaos, the

trouble being that the organisers appeared to have fallen out with those who were responsible for the technical inspection. So, instead of the usual shouting match between competitors and officials, this time it was the officials versus the officials! When things calmed down, the Sprite was passed through without drama, but one of the MGBs was passed happily without bumpers while the scrutineers refused to accept the second MGB’ because it lacked bumpers. A strange piece of Sicilian logic, considering both cars were identical and entered in the same class! Anyway, to keep the peace we agreed to fit bumpers on both cars. This caused a bit of a panic because we did not have any bumpers with us; however, we soon found a couple of MGBowning spectators who were delighted to volunteer their bumpers for duty! Meanwhile, unofficial practising was keeping the drivers busy, our practice MGB and a long-suffering hire car doing

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sterling work. Out of interest, the practice MGB (already having survived 12 hours at Sebring) covered the equivalent of two complete Targa Florios during race-week! Partnering the drivers on open roads on these practice laps was an unforgettable experience and a shattering reminder of how these top-liners are in a class by themselves. I found it difficult to assess whether these chaps really did know their way around the whole course or whether they were expertly ‘playing it off the cuff’. Certainly the two rallying Finns, Aaltonen and Makinen, were very much at home on this sort of going and they just had the edge over the racing men, Andrew Hedges and Clive Baker. Our two newcomers to the Targa, John Rhodes and John Handley, admitted that they just could not hope to learn the circuit in the time available; in fact they thought it safer to drive the course as a ‘ten-tenths’ road section rather than try to learn bits of the course here and there. It’s so easy to come unstuck when you think that you recognise one section and half way round a bend which you thought was flat you find that you’ve confused this section with another! In common with most of the other teams, we used the official day of practice for no more than a steady one-lap run for each of the drivers in their race cars plus a couple of laps per driver in the practice car. Everyone seemed more than happy with the performance of the cars; certainly the practice times were more than encouraging. Eyebrows were raised when it was announced that the Baker/Aaltonen Sprite had put in a sizzling lap of 44 min 48 sec, 12th fastest overall out of 90 cars! The MGBs were similarly well placed, the Makinen/Rhodes car recording 46 min 2 sec (17th fastest), Hedges/Handley returning 46 min 37 sec (21st fastest). A few technical notes about the BMC team cars. The Sprite was the 1965 Targa car now fitted with a fixed fast-back top, the result being one of the prettiest shapes to come from Warwick, with a more pleasing line than the purposeful streamlining of the Le Mans cars. Power unit was the customary engine for the works Sprites; a special 109bhp 1293cc dry-sump version of the ‘A’ series engine

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fitted with a single Weber carburettor. The two MGBs, running in the GT category, were in strict stage six tune (the same as anyone can buy through Special Tuning Dept.) power output being 107bhp using 1 3/4in carburettors with standard inlet and exhaust manifolds, standard connecting rods, 40thou oversize pistons, 10:8 to 1 compression ratio, and the full race camshaft. And so to the race itself. One of the unique features of the Targa is the start, all the cars (seven of them) being dispatched rally-fashion at 20 sec intervals, the slowest cars leading off with the big bangers bringing up the rear (only the Sicilians could think of doing it that way round!). Before-race day the organisers publish a list of the official starting times, but this is a bit pointless for chaos mounts as the appointed starting hour of 8.00am approaches and they never seem to be able to get the race off on time! Because of the staggered starting times, the Targa is an almost impossible race to follow unless you keep a time chart going for every car. Positions on the road are not necessarily the race positions, and nobody really knows who is leading whom until the timekeepers issue the results lap by lap. I managed to keep a full time chart going for all 71 runners and I’m proud to

say that BMC were one of the few teams who had the slightest idea of how their cars were placed and we had our results out long before the organizers! Our race ran completely to form, Makinen and Hedges doing the first stint with the MGBs, Aaltonen starting with the Sprite. Things looked very rosy at the completion of the first lap, the two MGs pulling out one minute over the Marchesi/ Sinibaldi Ferrari to lead the 2-litre GT class. In the overall GT category Makinen lay in second place, 30 seconds down on the Cella/Marzi Lancia. Up amongst the big banger class the little Sprite, although somewhat outclassed at this stage, was buzzing along merrily. The crowd went wild with excitement when it was announced that on the first lap their hero Vaccarella in the P3 Ferrari was leading with the Mitter Porsche in second place. The next two laps found the MGBs increasing their class lead over the Ferrari to a comfortable five minutes and Makinen was going great guns challenging the Lancia for the lead in the GT category. By this time the Sicilian sunshine had given way to the daddy of all storms, the road running with water as the mountain streams washed stones and mud onto the circuit. The rallying Finns were really having a ball on the treacherous surface, Aaltonen

The Makinen/Rhodes MGB chasing one of the very quick Lancia Fulvias

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 43

in the Sprite actually passing his former BMC team- mate, Paul Hawkins, in his 250 LM Ferrari on one of the twisty downhill sections! With three laps completed, Rhodes and Handley took over the MGBs, the speedy pit stop revealing that the cars were in fine fettle, only refuelling and a top-up with oil being necessary. Making the most of his better fuel consumption, Aaltonen pressed on with the Sprite for five laps before handing over to Baker, the car needing a rear wheel change because Rauno had hung the tail out just a little bit too far on one of the corners, clouted the kerb and knocked a great chunk out of the magnesium wheel. Meanwhile there had been drama amongst the leaders, Bandini having taken over the leading Vaccarella Ferrari and crashing while overtaking another car. Parkes in the Dino Ferrari also went off, while Porsche had a major upset when Klass and Mitter collided, both works cars being out of the race! This left the privately entered Porsche Carrera 6 of Mairesse/ Muller with a very comfortable lead. Laps 7 and 8 found the MGBs still way out ahead of all the class opposition, Rhodes and Handley having handed their mounts back to Makinen and Hedges after their uneventful three-lap stint. Clive Baker was pressing on in the Sprite, which was now lying second class behind the Tagliavia/ Termini Ferrari and three minutes ahead of the Biscaldi/Casoni Dino Ferrari which was in third place. Clive’s drive was even more remarkable when (as we were to discover after the race) Aaltonen’s earlier shunt had bent the rear spring shackles to a horrifying angle and the handling was diabolical with the rear track completely out of line. To add to Clive’s misfortunes a half-shaft broke on the eighth lap, obviously as a consequence of the earlier accident. Fortunately he was carrying a spare and was able to change it out on the circuit in only 21 minutes, a really heroic effort, on his own without a full set of tools, working in a highly dangerous spot with race cars flashing past the stranded car. With the Sprite dropping to third place in the class at the finish, the MGs had better fortune when the GT leader,

44 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

It could only happen on the Targa. The Sprite with Aaltonen at the wheel roars through a village street on its way to third place in class behind two Ferraris

Cella’s Lancia, fell back with a holed petrol tank which meant a pit stop every lap for refuelling. Makinen thus moved the MGB up into first place in the GT category and on the last lap Hedges brought the other MGB into second spot. However, right at the finish the Targa rules produced a strange timekeeping anomaly which deprived Hedges of his second place. What happened was that the winning Mairesse/Muller Porsche took the flag between the ailing Lancia and the Hedges MGB, thus allowing the Lancia to have the advantage of completing ten laps while Hedges was flagged off at nine laps. This situation happens quite frequently, of course, at races, but when you have a proper scratch start a car which completes 10 laps at the finish will always beat a nine-lap car. In the Targa, however, with its handicap-type start, this makes a complete nonsense of the results – I don’t think the Targa organisers had ever realised this before and they certainly failed to understand what had happened this time. Poor Hedges therefore failed to be credited with his second placing in the GT category and we finished up with the ludicrous situation of having the Lancia (placed 11th overall) returning a race average of 52mph as compared with the faster 54mph race average for the Hedges MGB (placed 16th overall).

Not that we were all that worried, for we were more than happy to see the Makinen/ Rhodes car win the GT category, for the two MGBs to finish 1-2 in the up-to-2-litre class and for the Sprite to finish third in class and 20th overall behind such stiff opposition. Only 43 cars were running at the finish. Out of interest, looking through the record books I see that the race speed for the GT-winning MGB at 56mph (and remember that part of the race was run in atrocious conditions) was fast enough to have won the Targa outright in 1961, and the MG would have handsomely outperformed such classic sports cars as Ferrari, Mercedes, and Maserati of the MossCollins-Hawthorne-Fangio era. Every year there are rumours that the Targa cannot go on. Although the locals obviously revel in their annual fiesta of motor racing, and the event brings welcome trade to those who cater for the tourists, one wonders just how long the Sicilians can afford to keep it going. The race must cost an awful lot of money to promote, and there can hardly be much financial return when practically everyone sees the race for nothing. Any true motor-racing fan who has not yet seen the Targa Florio should, in my opinion, make at least one trip to Sicily while the only true road race in the world still survives.

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SEPTEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 87

FEBRUARY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 71 MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 45 FEBRUARY 35

Paul Plummer 01926 854574 scribe@tregister.org

NEWSLETTER

WELCOME TO THE

T TYPE NEWSLETTER As I sit here writing these notes during the first days of the relaxed lockdown rules, the sun is shining and the mercury is creeping up the scale. I ask myself, is this the ‘First Step to Freedom’ along the road to enjoying our cars again? By now, your cars must have been fettled as they have never been before, and ready for top-down T Type motoring along the open road.

Checking on the many events scheduled for later this year, I note a sense of optimism with many organisers encouraging us to make bookings and reserve tickets now. Our own T Register Autumn Tour is still planned to go ahead, with the hotel allowing us to move our bookings from last year to this; however September is still a long way ahead and who knows what will happen. Watch this space!

TOURING SPARES IN A T TYPE About 20 years ago I ventured on my first overseas trip in my TF, and as I planned for the journey it occurred to me that I should take some tools and spares. Now, I had heard stories of folk laden down with every conceivable spare part, with one chap even strapping a spare half shaft to the back axle casing. I felt that was a bridge too far! I decided that I would take a comprehensive set of tools and spare parts, but as any T Type owner will know, the luggage carrying capability is severely limited and my partner wished to take several pairs of shoes and many different outfits! So, I limited myself to items that I could fit in the underbonnet toolbox. First, I tried to fit my socket set in the toolbox only to find that it was just too big, which was a bit of a showstopper! Not

deterred, I proceeded to make my own socket set box, the criteria of which was that its external dimensions should be exactly those of the internal dimensions of the underbonnet box. As I wanted to keep the weight down as much as possible, I constructed the box from 5mm Architectural Model Foam Board, cutting out the bottom, sides, internal divisions and lid, glued together using PVA adhesive, which made a strong but light box. I strengthened the joints with duck-tape and a hinge for the lid, together with straps to allow it to be removed from the toolbox This contained a set of sockets, tommy bars, and a selection of open-ended spanners, together with screwdrivers and pliers. As to the spares, these were limited to small, light items that would easily fit within other cardboard boxes chosen for their size to fit within the toolbox. Additionally, I carried 750ml of

The TF under-bonnet toolbox

The made-to-measure box fits snugly in the under-bonnet toolbox

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MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 47

NEWSLETTER

Spares and tools, including a bottle of engine oil and a small bottle of Rainex

engine oil and small bottle of Rainex, both of which were contained in domestic plastic bottles chosen for their size and leak-tightness. The oil was contained in a bottle of Tesco shampoo! Below is a list of items carried: Socket set

Pliers (x2)

Screwdrivers (x4)

Torch

Sparking plugs (x4)

Fuses

Insulation tape

Fan belt

Radiator hoses (x3)

Emery paper

Plywood nut spinner

Penknife

Misc electrical wire

Jump leads

Length of HT plug lead

20/50 Oil

Spare ignition key

Spark ind

Open ended spanners

Points

Small BA spanners

Rotor arm

Distributor cap

Capacitor

Hydraulic bottle jack

Feeler gauge

Set of bulbs

Mallet

Dynamo brushes

Starter brushes

Selection of cable ties

Fuel filter

Tyre pressure gauge

Rainex

Battery isolation switch

Rubber gloves

A variety of items contained in a small card boxes which fitted within the underbonnet toolbox

Spare electrical components fit in a small box, which then slots nicely in to the toolbox

Any remaining gaps were stuffed with rag (and as any T Type owner knows, you can never have enough rag!) and rubber gloves. The plywood nut spinner, mallet, jump leads and fanbelt were carried in the side screen box behind the seats. There is a moral to this story, and that is that in all my considerable miles both at home and abroad I never had to resort to using any of these spares! Paul Plummer

A selection of tools carried in the TF 48 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

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NEWSLETTER VIRTUAL REBUILD SEMINARS

Due to the pandemic, the Register was unable to hold its traditional spring ‘Rebuild Seminar’, in both 2020 and 2021, so leading on from this the committee decided to run a series of webinars. The first, entitled ‘Brakes, or how to make your car stop!’ presented by Paul Plummer took place on February 27 with 17 participants. The second, entitled ‘The good the and the ugly’ took place on March 27 and was attended by 20 people, presenter Paul Ireland explained all about E10 in fuel and its implication for our cars. Keep an eye on our website for any forthcoming webinars hosted by register members.

SKETCHES FROM JAPAN This month we feature the TF, the last of this series of five sketches drawn by Shuji Umekawa, member of the Kobe MG Car Club Japan.

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank Shuji for creating and provided these drawings of T Type cars for insertion in Safety Fast!

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 49

NEWSLETTER CAR OF THE MONTH Name

Paul Plummer

Car model

TF1500

Year

1955

Chassis number

8918

Engine number

EXPEG 2578

Reg number

SNN 517

Years owned

21 years

On January 17 1955, this car (chassis number 8918) was assembled in the Abingdon works, one of only 197 home market cars built in that year and was first registered with Nottinghamshire County Council in March of that year. The chassis number (HDE13/8918) describes the specification of this car. H is for MG Midget, D is for open two-seater sports body, and E is for green (MG or Almond green). The 1 indicated righthand drive for the home market, and the 3, cellulose paint finish (normal on green TFs). The engine (number 2578) is original and with the chassis remains a matched pair.

50 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

This particular car appears to have no special pedigree but was used as a normal road car for some 15 years or so, by which time it had become decidedly scruffy. During the period 1980 to 1984 the car was dismantled right down to the individual component level and restored or replaced as appropriate. The engine seemed to have enjoyed a complete rebuild at some time and subsequent stripping revealed it to be in good condition. The body, however, was only fit for a total strip and rebuild. The car was put back on the road in the summer of 1985, and eventually sold to a Mr. Clark at the end of 1990. David Clark carried out further work over the next 10 years until it was sold to Paul Plummer in February of 2000. Paul has effected continuing maintenance and refurbishment, including the installation of a five-speed gearbox and cylinder head conversion to run on unleaded fuel, rebuilt front suspension and anti-roll bar, body off bare metal respray, plus much more. SNN 517 is featured in ‘T series In Detail’ by Paddy Wilmer and in Practical Classics, ‘MG T-series, from Cradle to Grave’. The car has been driven many thousands of miles both here and in Europe.

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FEBRUARY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 65

FEBRUARY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 71

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 51

David Broadhurst 01209 614704 newsletter-editor@mgb-register.org www.mgb-register.org mgbforum.mgb-register.org

NEWSLETTER

WELCOME TO THE

MGB NEWSLETTER

Clive Wilday’s stunning Jubilee MGB GT

I recently had had my second Covid jab and have, so far, not even got so much as a sore arm. I must report that, contrary to rumours, I am not now able to receive DAB Radio by tweaking my right ear and my MG ZS changed the clock from GMT to BST without my interference. Hopefully, we will be able soon to enjoy meeting up on those friendly social

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events; look at motor cars, drink beer and put the world to rights. The Marque of Friendship rules and all that. It would also be great to see the racing boys out again driving their irreplaceable cars like the world ends tomorrow. Cecil Kimber said that he wanted MGs to be cars that someone could drive to work all week and then, without modification, go clubman

racing at weekends. It is great to watch this spectacle, wander through the pits and admire the machinery and, though one could never aspire to racing, it has been fun to take the MGB around the circuit at Silverstone and feel some of the thrill of being part of the track experience. I have also driven around Silverstone, under the guidance of a racing driver, in

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 53

NEWSLETTER

The new comfy seats in the Jubilee

The interior of Clive’s Jubilee has had a major spruce up during lockdown

an Aston Martin DB7. He commented that I had done it before and enquired in what. “My MGB GT,” says I. “Wonderful agile car,” was his response. It’s time I stopped rambling and reminded you about the delights of the MGB Spring Run which will go from Millett’s Farm, Abingdon OX13 5HB to Stowe on Sunday June 27 with a 9.00am start. We have also reserved space for the register at Kopp Hill on September 25-26, we will be in an MG area with the Abingdon Works Centre, Midget and Magnette Registers. You can also Zoom to our AGM on May 22 at 11.00am; see the Register website for details. I am also asked to suggest that you may well fancy a new polo shirt, so have a look, again at our

54 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

super new regalia on the website. Clive Wilday has been busy, as the following shows… At the beginning of lockdown last year, I looked at my Limited Edition MGB GT Jubilee and thought: “Oh well, hopefully we will still be able to get in some of our planned outings when restrictions are lifted”. Silly me! Well, that snowballed so I decided to make sure we were primed, ready, and looking our best when we would be allowed to integrate with the world again. To begin, I totally cleaned the whole underside of the MG then I Schutzed and Waxoyled it inside and out (including under bonnet, door shuts, etc) to help preserve her for future years. Anything

that was not 100% perfect was replaced, including a new petrol tank along with petrol cap, fuel pump and pipes. I even treated her to new K & N filters. I needed to upgrade the wheel nuts; as the Jubilee has V8 wheels I had to source V8 wheel nuts which now compliment the distinctive black and gold wheels. The inside of the MG also got a spruce-up and refresh with new door cards and trim including chrome door caps, seat belts, new front seats, and a new Moto-lita steering wheel as the Jubilee has a lovely V8 steering wheel with a gold MG boss in keeping with rest of the car, but it is large and cumbersome. I also fitted a top tint windscreen so also had to purchase a fitting kit. I finished it all off with a whole new set of door locks. I have recently replaced the battery and earth lead, too. Lots of work and expense but totally worth every penny and moment of my time. Now my MG is completely ready, as am I, to finally get out back to enjoying shows and meeting people. I am looking forward to thoroughly immersing myself and my pride and joy back into MG life and hopefully some sort of normality when we are allowed some freedom.

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NEWSLETTER

THE RESTORATION OF POPPY In early 2017 with time on my hands I decided to look for another restoration project. Since retirement, I had restored an MG TD and an MG YA but was now looking for another challenge. After spending a couple of months searching for a likely candidate, I came across a 1971 MGB GT, As a teenager, I thought it was a good-looking sports car and being an MG fan it fitted the bill. Although the car was running it showed the usual signs of rust in all the usual places, so after trailering the car home I started to strip her to find the extent of the work required. The car came apart quite quickly and my list of repairs grew rapidly. At this stage I decided that the work required would be far easier to carry out if the body was mounted on a car turning jig. So I took

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time off to design and manufacture a jig. As I had completely stripped the car to just the shell, it was reasonably easy to mount on the jig. Once on the jig I realised I had made the right decision – I could spin the body with little effort into the correct position for working on. Many months passed as I worked through the weld repairs and new panel fitting, ensuring good panel gaps. Luckily I managed to borrow a spot welder which helped enormously. Once satisfied, I sprayed the shell in acid etch primer. It was now time to look for a suitable chassis coating; I was recommended UPOL Raptor. Raptor provides a tough, durable, long-lasting protection and by adding base coat body colour to the mix, the underside can be spraying body colour in one

Now I could refit the newly restored suspension, springs, shockers and back axle to the chassis so I could remove the body from the jig and place it back on its wheels. When building up the suspension I used all poly bushes in touring hardness quality. At the rear I have used Parabolic springs and Gaz adjustable shockers. It had taken me almost 18 months to get to this point and I was looking forward to getting the shell off to the painters. Although POPPY came off the production line in December 1970 painted in Midnight Blue, I decided that I would paint it Flame Red, equally a 1970/71 paint colour. Once it was back from the painters I cracked on with the rebuild. I have to say, fitting the heater unit tested my patience

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 55

NEWSLETTER

– trying to get it back in the hole with the thick rubber seal seemed impossible. After reading up about it on several sites nobody finds it an easy task. After a fair passage of time, much shouting and swearing and plenty of various lubricants it finally slipped in. I am not sure I wish to take it out again, though. It is a toss-up which is the worst job on a MGB GT – replacing the heater or fitting the front and rear windscreens. One thing worth mentioning is, get the right screen rubbers to start with. After much research I found that www.Coh-Baines.co.uk were the original suppliers and still supply most original rubbers for MGB GT. Once the windscreen and rubber is fitted the small rubber beading is pushed into the rubber seal to lock the glass in place. Once this is in, you then have to fit the chrome trim strip which takes much patience and care. At first it appears impossible, there is no tool for doing it, but once you find the knack with a thin, bent screwdriver it does eventually go in, but it took me a full day each to fit the front and back window. On the downward slope now, I fitted the rebuilt engine/gearbox back in the car and moved on to the interior. I decided to change the interior colour from black to biscuit. I bought a complete kit from “Mirror Trim” and rebuilt the seats myself, which I have to say was easier than I imagined. In total the restoration took me threeand-a-half years and she now has 500 miles 56 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

on her. The last year of Covid has curtailed our enjoyment, as Poppy the MGB GT sits in the heated garage. Hopefully it will soon celebrate its 50th birthday in the summer

sun this year. We are looking forward to the MGB Register weekend away in September at the Barony Castle hotel in Scotland. Chris Pick www.mgcc.co.uk

BE PART OF HISTORY JOIN US FOR OUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT 30 JULY – 1 AUGUST 2021

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NEWSLETTER

Mike Haughton mgc_mike@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/mgc-register/

WELCOME TO THE

MGC NEWSLETTER Few positives have come out of the Covid-19 crisis but one of them is that some owners have been able to dedicate their time to carrying out thorough research into their cars, and in particular the influence that Downton had on the MGC. What follows is an extremely well researched article written by MGC enthusiast James Thornborough. Happy C Motoring. Colin Howes

THE DOWNTON TRAIL MG first came to my attention in 1982 in the form of an orange MG Midget. I did not like the colour nor the smell of fuel permeating the cabin and opted to buy a Ford Escort 1300 instead. It was 30 years later before I would own an MG Rover product in the form of a muchloved Rover 75 2,0 cdti with MG XPower add-ons. My expatriate career took off in 2005, forcing me sell the car, just as MG Rover was going bust.

My wife and I relocated to my new workplace in Luanda, Angola, a country emerging from 27 years of civil war. The country was riven with post war trauma and security was tight. My wife and I needed a “bolt hole” and purchased a holiday home in Sedgefield the Garden Route of South Africa. Sedgefield enjoys beautiful scenery, weather and boasts stunning drives. The scenery compares with the Lake District, only the weather is

My second South Africa MGC, a UK RHD Export Roadster with a receipted Downton Stage Two Conversion

58 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

better. I had to buy a classic car to exploit the conditions and decided on an MG. I started with a Glacier White rubber bumper MGB, but soon moved on to an MGC. My first MGC GT was a late Mineral Blue University Motors (UM) UK RHD export car which I found in Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (formerly UOB 562H/ chassis 7494). I closed the deal and drove it back 450km to Sedgefield, readily overtaking modern traffic. The look on motorists’ faces as I passed them was priceless! I could imagine their thought bubble “how is that possible?” ANSWER: It is a three litre MGC sports car. Shame on those early road test journalists. The MGC GT was nice, but the gorgeous weather begged for open-top driving. I purchased a Tartan Red MGC Roadster with Downton history, once again a UM, UK RHD export car (formerly ALU 980H/ chassis 0630), originally British Racing Green. The amazing history file covered warts and all. The warts in the early years were serious. I could not believe how much bodywork was needed so soon after new purchase. No wonder the Japanese succeeded in the UK car market. We left the front door wide open, with our poor build quality. The Downton provenance was good, but not explicit. The Downton conversion was handled by Kenning Car Mart Ltd. Their invoice simply stated, “For Sports Tuning”. An original Downton price list was on file that showed a matching price for a Downton Stage 2 (Kit 43). I looked for evidence of Downton hallmarks on the car but found none. Later I discovered that same car featured in the Safety Fast! issue of April 1982. The article covered a major restoration, its Downton history and included embedded images of sale and Downton history not kept on file. Shame!

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NEWSLETTER Political upheaval in South Africa meant it was time to sell up, MGC, house and all. My wife and I settled in Ripon, North Yorkshire. I was determined to buy another MGC in time for the 50th anniversary. My search was supported by Barrie and Ginny Cartmell, who kindly ran history reports on cars of interest. I settled on a late chassis (G-CN1/9092-G) UM MGC Roadster for sale in Poulton-le-Fylde. A Bermuda Hard Top was included. The unique selling point for me was proven long-term ownership from 1976-2016, with detailed history. The car was no longer original British Racing Green. The long-term owner had it resprayed Mercedes Orchid Green. I coordinated a home delivery. It arrived in a fancy MG logo curtain-sider. Unknown to me, I had just bought the last built UK RHD MGC Roadster, registered DYT 676J, with a Downton Stage 2 head, and almost certainly an unbadged University Motors Special (UMS). Those discoveries follow. The scourge and boredom of Covid-19 got me started on a history hunt. I was Covid bored, it was mid-December 2020 and I needed a project. The catalyst was an email remark made by Barrie Cartmell that my MGC was the Last UK RHD Roadster “Finished-Off”. I did not understand the term “Finished-Off”, could find no answers online or from books, so I raised the question with Barrie Cartmell, who explained “Finished-Off” as the stage at which the build was passed fit for despatch. I had established Chassis 9092 was the very last built UK RHD MGC on September 2 1969, as confirmed by the Heritage Certificate. Fresh from that discovery, Barrie asked if I would be interested in discovering if my MGC was a University Motors Special (UMS). I agreed and Barrie introduced me to Colin Howes, MGC Register Chairman, and Rick Parry, author of the recent UMS article in Safety Fast! January 2021. Rick guided me to look for stamped head numbers between the first and second head bolts behind the swan neck filler. With great excitement I ventured into the garage and looked for the numbers. Bingo – three sets of numbers. I reported back, but they were not quite what Colin and Rick expected.

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The MGC featured as part of the MGC Newsletter published in the April 1982 issue of Safety Fast!

I needed to discover a four-digit number. With a sense of trepidation, I returned to the garage for a better look. Eureka, four numbers. My initial report of 911 became 6911 after finding a leading 6. My complete set of Downton numbers read 6911, 55 and 50.6. Great discovery, but I had no paper evidence to support provenance. Time for some serious history hunting. I started an intensive internet search, but information on Downton numbers was very guarded. Eventually I found a clear explanation as to what the numbers meant on the online MG Experience forum, along

with an article I discovered in the MG-Magazine, January 2010 title “Old School Graduate University Motors MGC Goes Downton”. The four-digit number 6911 was a Downton cylinder head serial number. Under BMC licence, Downton were converting heads across the BMC make and model range. The next value 55 was the “Face” (head skim) value in thousandths of an inch. The last value 50.6 was the cubic capacity (cc) of the combustion cylinder volume. I next decided to get serious on provenance and contact ex Downton staff.

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 59

NEWSLETTER

Delivery of MGC (9092) DYT 676J in a fancy MG logo curtain-side trailer

My round-robin of ex Downton staff included Bryan Slark, Steve Harris, and Richard Miles. Richard Miles is credited with establishing Downton London (DL) a franchise arranged with Lorraine Engineering at Elvaston Mews, near the Albert Hall. This London-based franchise proved very lucrative for Daniel Richmond, but it was not used for the UMS Downton MGCs. The UM operation for “bolt-on” Downton parts took place at the UM Hanwell branch, address, 99 Boston Road, Hanwell, West London. Richard Miles and Steve Harris were generous with their time and information, but it was Bryan Slark who proved the best source. Bryan worked in the Cylinder Head Shop. He explained he maintained a good relationship with Daniel Richmond and kept on the right side of the combustible Bunty Richmond whom they nicknamed “The Mrs”. To begin with, Bryan worked under the Foreman George Toth. Later Bryan Slark became foreman of the Cylinder Head Shop after George Toth left with Richard Longman and Steve Harris 60 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

in 1971 to form Richard Longman & Company of Mini racing and engineering fame. Bryan explained that other Downton Shops included the Assembly Shop headed by Fred Stokes and the Machine Shop headed by Walter Down. There was also a Welding Shop, where performance matched exhausts were fabricated. Dave Dorrington worked his magic there and later formed Maniflow. Bryan confirmed the position, surface preparation, value, and character size of my head markings. Bryan went further to even recognise the orientation of the numbers which could be attributed to certain individuals. Bryan proved a fount of Downton knowledge, starting with an account from Steve Harris that the MGC engine heads were too big to machine on the Downton lathe. Bryan confirmed the Downton lathe was only big enough to machine the A and B Series engines. The MGC engines had to be outsourced. A local company called Readheads from Whaddon was used (no longer trading). On an exception basis, Downton used Saunders Motor

Works Limited at Cadnam, Southampton. For efficiency’s sake it was important Readheads (on occasion Saunders) “Faced” MGC engine heads to a standard value. The standard face value was 55 thousandths of an inch as marked on my MGC head. Downton used valve stops to ensure the correct height. Downton could ill afford for MGC engines to be returned once “Faced” so took great care preparing MGC engines prior to outsource machining. Bryan said it would take a few days to complete an MGC Downton conversion. Bryan stressed that MGC engine heads were never “relieved” i.e. no pockets were needed to prevent exhaust valves striking the cylinder block. That would only occur if a high lift cam, or bigger exhaust valves were fitted. Downton were prolific at tuning 850cc and 1000cc Mini engines, along with Mini Cooper engines. Downton never received sufficient development credit for the lauded Mini Cooper. In a busy week Downton could upgrade 100 Mini engines. At peak productivity up to 12 people worked in the Cylinder Head Shop. www.mgcc.co.uk

NEWSLETTER

Engine bay of DYT 676J the last UK built RHD Roadster

Once I discovered my MGC was Downton tuned, I strove to learn other Downton numbers for the time the car was first sold by UM on October 1 1970. My goal was to establish if my MGC was upgraded pre-sale by UM, which would make it an unbadged Special. I am incredibly grateful to the MGC owners who did exchange Downton numbers. Key amongst them was Richard Urisohn, who purchased my South Africa MGC Roadster/ 0630. I knew the car file showed a receipted Downton upgrade for January 21 1971, but neither one of us had discovered the numbers hiding in plain sight. With my new Downton knowledge, I guided Richard to find the numbers. His head serial number was 7258. Compared with my MGC/ 9092 head serial number of 6911 and other head numbers of that time, it was clear that UM fitted the Downton head pre-sale, making it a Special. It should be recognised that not all UMS Cs had bonnet badges. Bonnet badges were offered and fitted as a marketing ploy by savvy salesmen. Peter Beadle, former Parts Manager with UM, explained the original design badge was shaped like a coin with two studs on the back. Plastic sleeves were fitted over the studs. It was then fitted into matching drilled holes on the bonnet. They were not simply glued on. Many Downton staff went on to form successful businesses. Jan Odor started Jan Speed, Dave Dorrington started Maniflow exhausts, and as mentioned earlier; Richard Longman, George Toth and Steve Harris www.mgcc.co.uk

established Richard Longman Limited. Bryan Slark formed Slark Race Engineering. Bryan acquired the workbenches, grinder, valve stops, valve guide press and the very same metal punch stamps used to manually mark the Downton heads. His son Neil now runs the family business. Neil was surprised to learn he was using the very same metal punch set used to identify all those wonderful Downton engine heads. Neil confirmed their size as 1/8”.

Downton Engineering closed down in 1975, following the tragic demise of Daniel and Bunty Richmond. Sadly, when the business closed the factory records of Downton tuned engines were thrown on a bonfire. The cylinder head records were bound across three ledgers. At the time it was not thought they had any future use. The history went up in smoke, but the Downton legend lives on. James Thornborough

The front end of DYT 676J looking resplendent after a detail MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 61

Summit:Layout 1

24/8/12

17:51

Page 1

Summit

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TECH TORQUE

MISS-FUELLING By Neil Cairns

t was a fine day and one where I had planned to attend to the many family graves in Newport Pagnell. As I was to enter Milton Keynes, the town of a thousand roundabouts with drivers who have no conception of the performance of 70 year old classic cars, I fitted my ‘Slow Old Car’ warning sign to the rear bumper. The petrol tank gauge on my 1952 MG YB saloon was reading very low but there was enough for the 16-mile trip. Later I pulled into the BP filling station in Tickford Street in Newport and proceeded to put in nearly 35 litres of ‘Ultimate’ Fuel. My odometer was reading 230 miles, which with an eight-gallon tank is almost 30 mpg. I always zero the odometer on filling up to keep a record of the car’s fuel consumption. There must have only been half a gallon left in it before refuelling. With my new BP points card I paid at the till and chatted to the lady about my old car she had observed at the pumps. We left and drove into the cemetery across the road and attended to the family graves therein. We then drove to

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the High Street to a tea room for a cuppa and a bit of cake. But, as I drove past the Co-op the engine began to seriously ‘pink’ (pre-ignition). After about 50 yards it just died on me. I thought: “Oh hell, have I dropped a valve? Or burnt out a piston?” As we were opposite the public house I pushed the car into the car park adjacent, which only has one-hour parking, no return for two hours. I was confused, as once I turned the engine over with the starting handle it felt OK, compression on all cylinders. My wife by then had looked closely at the BP filling station’s receipt. It said “Die Ult” and not “Un Ult” (unleaded). DIESEL! I had filled up with diesel. I’d never do such a stupid thing, surely? Why did I not smell it when I operated the nozzle. I’m in the AA so phoned them. They told me it was not a breakdown so they transferred me to their ‘Services Dept’. They would be with me in about 90 minutes but I would have to pay up front with my card, the £219 required. They would drain my car and give me

two gallons of petrol. We retired to the tea shop and I went over the morning’s actions. Why had I filled with the wrong fuel? I’ve had the car nearly 25 years, never done it before. When I arrived at the BP station, there was a big queue. I did not use my usual pump. When one became vacant I had pulled up to it, seen the word ‘ULTIMATE’ (which I usually use) and simply shoved the nozzle in the filler pipe and filled up. I had noted my tank was almost dry and that I needed about 30 litres. As my old MG has a big hole for a filler the bigger nozzle went in easily

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 63

TECH TORQUE

(modern leadfree cars have small opening that only the narrower leadfree petrol nozzle will fit into). I missed the fact I was holding a BLACK nozzle (diesel). There had been sufficient petrol in the pipe from the tank, and in the pump, to power the car over a mile into town as well as around the cemetery before it died. The terrible noise the engine made was the last remains of the petrol/air mixture firing and that then exploding the diesel. Petrol engines use a spark to ‘burn’ the mixture, which does ‘burn’ and not ‘explode’. Your car’s ignition has a spark advancing system to cope with

64 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

the piston’s speed as you go faster. The petrol/air mixture when it burns has a ‘flame-front’ that travels very fast but is not instantaneous. In a diesel engine it is the very high compression of the air in the cylinder (20:1+), reaching very high temperatures, that causes the diesel when it is injected at about TDC (top-deadcentre, the highest point the piston goes to before descending again) to literally explode. For this reason diesel engines are very much more strongly built than your old MG’s engine (and why they cost a lot more). ‘Dieselling’ in a petrol engine can wreck it by holing the pistons (but

petrol in a diesel will certainly damage it as the petrol will explode far too early BTDC; Before Top-Dead-Centre, smashing into the piston before it reaches the top). Because the burning petrol in my engine had diesel in it, the ‘flame-front’ was an instantaneous explosion; that is the ‘knocking’ I heard where the force of that explosion was hitting the piston before it had reached TDC (doing this for a few minutes will do damage, so stop ASAP). When the AA arrived, the operative had never dealt with an old car with a carburettor system. I explained I knew my car inside out and showed him under the bonnet. He then put up his safety signs (which were ignored by a least two people smoking cigarettes who came to watch and who got the bitter side of SWMBO’s tongue) and ‘bonded’ his van to my car. Anyone who has worked on aircraft will instantly recognise the need for ‘bonding’.

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TECH TORQUE

It’s a wire joining the two vehicles (or bowser to aircraft) to get them at the same electrical potential so there are no ‘static’ sparks when fuel is pumped. The car’s petrol tank was sucked empty but I had to remove the carburettor’s float-chamber top to enable him to suck out the diesel. I then switched on the ignition to pump the diesel out of the pipe from the tank to the carb for it to be sucked out of the float chamber. On a modern car with its fuel injection system and a pump to circulate the petrol this is not required (old cars simply pump to the carb; new cars pump fuel to the injection unit with excess fuel going back to the tank, so ‘purging’ the system). As the engine had burnt some diesel, we removed the spark plugs and cleaned them. By now we had quite an audience who were impressed with the AA chap’s care not to spill anything, using paper

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sheets under the car and engine, as well as under the carb’s float chamber. He then put two gallons of petrol into the tank and asked me if I wanted the additive added, used to clean injector heads. This of course is not required in old coil ignition-carburated engines. I switched on the ignition and spun the engine over on the starter. It would not start. Then I thought of the jet-block in the carb that would still be full of diesel, albeit only a tiny amount. But it was enough to block the jet as diesel does not vaporise like petrol does. I pulled the choke out. This dislodged that diesel and the engine burst into life with a big puff of white smoke from the exhaust. It had taken the AA 30 minutes to get us going again. I drove back to the same BP garage and filled up with ‘unleaded Ultimate’ this time. I saw that I had simply used the wrong nozzle from a diesel pump also

called ‘Ultimate’. The same lady served me and gave me an odd look, wondering how I had used 30 litres in just three hours. I just winked at her. If you see an old, bald-headed chap with a grey beard in a BP filling station repeating to himself verbally “Petrol, Petrol, Petrol” it’ll be me. My SU carburettor is now very clean and shiny, diesel is a good cleaning agent. I put this tale onto a couple of Facebook pages I use, and no end of people came back and admitted they had done the same. It must be common for the AA to have specialist vehicles on the roads to deal with it. I asked the AA chap how many he did, he replied a regular four a day. It either gets ‘cleaned’ or sold to people who have dual-fuel engined vehicles. The best Facebook comment I saw was: “There are two sorts of drivers: those who have done it and those who eventually will. Not all will admit it.”

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 65

N O I T C E LL ERY O e C ELIV e r F &D

NO PART OF THIS ARTWORK MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED OR OTHERWISE All restoration work USED BY ANY OTHER PUBLICATION UNLESS PRIOR PERMISSION IS GIVEN BY undertaken THE PUBLISHERS - © MS Publications (2001) Ltd. Engine refurbishment including lead-free conversions

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CAFEAT R F UR OR ED SA LE

1949 MG TC 9006 UPDRAUGHT SPECIAL £59995.00 The car was part of the US collection of Robert (Bob) Koons. Bob was great friend of Leroy (Roy) Gane who he met whilst doing university holiday work at Penske Racing. They kept in touch over the years and in later life opened a workshop called Updraught Enterprises. TC9006 was bought by Bob in 2007 with the intention of creating a road/race car, and the work as described in a magazine article was completed in 2009.

The work was done by Roy Gane and his signature is on the underside of one of the bonnet panels.

The car appeared at Watkins Glen vintage GP in 2009 and again at the 1948 re-enactment in 2010 - as indicated by the decal on the aeroscreen,

SPEC

• Tubular Manifold • Stainless Steel Exhaust System • Twin SU Fuel Pumps • Electronic Ignition • 5 Speed Gearbox

There are also scrutineer decals on the roll bar too.

• XPEG 1500 block • Laystall Lucas Alloy Head • Roller Rockers • Steel Crank • Steel Rods • Forged Pistons

Sadly, Bob died in early 2018 and Roy died in 2019

The list is endless so for more information and spec please contact us!

Photos taken at Bob’s collection in 2015 show him with TC9006 alongside the historic Kerrigan Special TC7514 which was also rebuilt by Roy. VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT!

View all our work at www.xpagmg.com

COMPETITIONS

Stuart Dean with the Dick Jacobs 1954 MG YB coupe special, before it parted company with a core plug. Photo: Martin Price

SPRING SPRINT AT CURBOROUGH By Tony Lake

nybody turning up at Curborough on April 11 for the MGCC Midland Centre Spring Sprint, first Speed event of the season, might have expected a crisp, clear morning. Not so. Pretty well everybody encountered snow somewhere on the way there. The course was wet and surrounding fields white, so practice was on a drying track. For most it was the first time out since last September. Some were confident with quick attacks, some were tentative, others not quite tentative enough, one Clio exploring F1-like g forces at the first turn, rear replacing the front. After lunch and a two-minute silence to respect the passing of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the sun was out and the entry ready for timed runs. In the week leading up to the event the entry list was full at 85, with a back-up list of seven. As things conspired to thwart best intentions we had 83 starters on the day, including all the reserves; the largest entry for a long time. Covid-19 rules still

68 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

excluded spectators. I’m afraid they missed a treat. Judy Fry, our Covid 19 officer, kept an eye out, everybody was well behaved, masks on and two meters apart. Stuart Dean was a mechanical casualty during practice. His 1954 Dick Jacobs 1500cc YB Special coupe spat out a core plug at the hairpin, dumped its coolant and gave the marshals the chance for a good warm up with the brushes. It must

have been a revelation in period with its fully enveloping fibreglass body, running against the late Colin Chapman and his Lotus MK VIII, also MG powered, an equally fierce competitor. Ten MG ZRs competed in the 1400 standard class. Jack Twomey pedalled his to 40.47, a 0.03 sec win over Steve Wood, the closest class win of the day. Renault Clios dominated the two-litre protagonists;

Helen Waddington MG ZR, second in class and fastest lady driver of the day. Photo: Martin Price www.mgcc.co.uk

COMPETITIONS

David Tandy’s LHD Frogeye Sprite, ex US oval race car. Photo: Martin Price

Rob Thompson bested Paul Glendenning by 0.30 sec with 37.97, their extra 200cc kept the MG TFs at bay. The MGCC Speed Championship standard class saw another victory for David Coulthard, 39.63. He shared the MG ZR with Helen Waddington on 41.37, second in class and winner of the trophy for the fastest lady driver. Both admit to their own go faster mods, equally successful, so a good outcome for the journey home. The group four specials class was a battle between the Midgets of James Thacker and Richard Watkinson, 37.05, the latter faster by 0.39 sec, continuing the form that won him the class championship in 2019. He won the Midnight Cup for fastest time of the day in an MG by an MGCC member. The LHD frogeye Sprite of David Tandy is an ex-US oval racer. As David explained, over there it had a very powerful methanol-burning engine, monstrous compression ratio and no electric starter. Not surprisingly the engine digested itself – some tuners just don’t know when to stop. That was when

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Steve Miles’ Van Diemen FR96 achieved the fastest time of the day. Photo: Martin Price

he bought it, now powered by a correct engine. The US starting technique was to push the car up to about 50mph, then drop the clutch. A custom-built close ratio gear box was used, now replaced for UK sprinting. It held several US lap records for its class. How other petrol heads live. The Sports Libre cars, Radicals, got into the low 30s, David Large won with 32.08. Fastest time of the day and winner of the Weston Trophy, was set by Steve Miles in a Van Diemen FR96 with 29.72 secs and a finishing speed of 122mph.

Not bad for a 25-year-old Formula Ford. Now it has two litres with 307 turbocharged bhp, wings, slicks and only weighs 437kg. Awards were presented at 5.30pm, when David Wood received the PJ Evans cup, in the gift of the Midland Centre chairman for the committee member making the most contribution to Centre affairs in 2020; for his work in rejuvenating the website. Well done, David. Belinda Knight was awarded Marshal of the Year. The MGCC have a small and dedicated

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 69

COMPETITIONS Richard Watkinson’s Midget, which achieved the fastest time of the day by an MG. Photo: Martin Price

band of marshals. In 2020 Belinda’s efforts were noticed as being outstanding by the marshal team, drivers and club officials alike. The organisation was in the safe hands of Simon Morris, Clerk of the Course and Dave Russell, Entry Secretary, both of whom put in some big shifts to make it all happen; the last week was hectic. Thanks to David Bowlas and Keith Meakin, too, for their scrutineering diligence.

Pattison, deputy Clerk of the Course, to be seen scudding all over the place on his fastish response vehicle, a bicycle! Pleased, too, that Steve Wood rounded up a very healthy Shenstone and District Car Club contingent. Finally, Centre chairman, Roger King, held the whole thing together from the commentary box, now resplendent with digital display of time for the first 60ft off the line, finishing speed and total time.

The marshals once again delivered a speedy response when needed. It’s a tribute to driver skill and mechanical reliability that it wasn’t very often. The meeting stuck to schedule with two practice runs and three timed runs. Pretty good value, sets the tone for the rest of the season, roll on the Summer Sprint on Sunday August 1. Paddock announcer, Derek Murphy, kept the classes on their toes. Grateful thanks also to David

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RACE TORQUE

y the time you read this, we will have held our first race meeting of the year, in the glorious Kent sunshine at Brands Hatch. (He writes, hopefully!) Looking forward, we have over 100 Competitors already booked in for our Oulton Park event on May 22, where we will also be joined by our friends from Equipe Classic Racing. Although we were unable to welcome spectators to the first race meeting, we are really hopeful that we will be able to see faces in the

grandstands again by then. We are also working with Silverstone to ensure that spectators can attend on June 12-13 and have created an exciting opportunity for Club Members to drive around the track, covered elsewhere in these pages. Silverstone will also see not only the Equipe Classic Racing Competitors, but the return of that great British icon, the Mini, as the Mini Seven Racing Club joins us once again, expecting big grids and very close and exciting racing.

RACE TORQUE

Also keep an eye on the news pages of the Motorsport part of the MG Car Club website for other announcements as we hope that lockdown continues to ease and we can return to more of a normality. For tickets to the race days, see msv.com for Oulton Park and silverstone.co.uk Of course, you can keep up with quite a bit of the action through online resources, which have become such a big part of our lives over the course of the last year. Links to the live footage at each event will be on the Club website and you can also hear live commentary at tsl-timing.com as well as see all of the racing timing live. You may be surprised at just how addictive this can be! If you cannot wait until the next meeting, there is also quite a bit of archive footage at mgcc.co.uk/trophy/tv-race-programmes/ as well as at mgmetrocup.co.uk/index.php/ media/video/ and on your favourite Social Media channels. There will also be an opportunity to meet with the racing side of the Club and learn more about it at the upcoming Triumph and MG weekend in August. More details to follow on this soon. You do not have to be a Competitor to be involved. So, we look forward to seeing many of you as the year progresses. Stay safe and well.

by Mark Baulch Photos Dickon Siddall

www.mgcc.co.uk

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 71

MGs ON TRACK

MG on track

Richard Gormley richardg@mgs-on-track.com

BACK ON TRACK

elcome to my first attempt at the MGOT report for Safety Fast! Those of you who have followed Duncan Wood’s articles over the last five years will appreciate I have a tough act to follow! I’ll do my best but will have to work hard to match Duncan’s engaging style, knowledge and humour. My own introduction to the MGOT experience was just over two years ago when I attended the final session of the 2018 season at Brands Hatch in my 1969 MGB. The weather was appalling! The constant heavy rain, my inexperience and Paddock Hill Bend combined to make an unforgettable day. Since that first event I’ve been hooked, and as well as going back to Brands Hatch I also have managed to get to Snetterton, Blyton Park, Goodwood, Cadwell Park and Anglesey. So, what’s the attraction? Well, the MGCC helps us enjoy our cars in so many ways and the diversity of our members’ interests is what makes the club so fascinating. If you enjoy driving your MG (and who doesn’t?) I would thoroughly recommend trying an MGOT event. As

72 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

well as giving access to iconic racing circuits steeped in motorsport history, track events offer the opportunity to leave the limitations of public roads behind and indulge in some safe, spirited driving with like-minded enthusiasts. Anything “MG” is welcome too. While some members upgrade brakes, suspension, handling and, of course, power, you don’t have to. Last month at Goodwood we saw some great cars taking part from a 36bhp 1932 Midget to a 270bhp 1974 MGB Roadster with everything in between. Sessions group cars of similar performance where possible and it’s not a race. You will find members observe track protocols and are courteous and helpful. All you need is a full licence, but I’m rather assuming you have one of those! There’s access to affordable, professional instruction, support from more experienced members and a great social side both at the events and often the evenings before and after. I well remember a delightful MG convoy through Snowdonia National Park following a trip to Anglesey. Be assured though, attendance at these events doesn’t

automatically mean you’ll get pressganged onto the committee - I just wasn’t paying sufficient attention! Despite the slightly faltering start to our year for all too familiar reasons, our first two events of the year at Cadwell Park and the ever-popular Goodwood in the Sussex Downs were fully booked. I look forward to reporting on these events next month. On May 21 MGoT will be at Snetterton. Famous for hosting the British Touring Car and Formula Three Championships the Snetterton 300 configuration is a three-mile circuit with long straights and a challenging infield section. In June we move on to the stunning West Country scenery and visit the popular club circuit at Castle Combe. Established in 1950 Castle Combe has hosted a wide range of events and offers an opportunity to follow in the tyre tracks of Sir Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn and Roy Salvadori among others. We have also managed to secure a visit to Mallory Park on Thursday July 1. Situated to the west of Leicester, Mallory offers Gerard’s Bend which is a third of a mile long and turns through nearly 200 degrees as well as Shaw’s hairpin, the tightest corner of any UK circuit. Keep an eye on the website for bookings opening so you don’t miss the opportunity to take part in these events. As you would expect, Covid-19 continues to have an impact, although many of our events have been able to proceed in a Covid safe way due to the sterling efforts of the track day managers and our partners hosting the events. Our track days are still observing social distancing requirements and, for the moment, can’t offer helmet hire and in-car instruction, although we do expect those to be available later in the year. Second drivers and passengers are only allowed to share a car if they are from the same household. If you’re looking for the opportunity to forget about traffic, speed cameras and cars coming the other way, and would like to drive your MG a bit closer to the limits with some fellow enthusiasts, we very much hope to see you at a future event.

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MGS ON TRACK – 2021 CALENDAR

MGCC MGCCSPEED SPEEDCHAMPIONSHIPS CHAMPIONSHIP

Please visit www.mgs-on-track.com to

John Wilman, Beechfield, Fern Bank, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak. SK23 0JJ Tel: 07778 165186 www.mgspeed.net

register, check availability, or to book a track day. Registered members will receive regular newsletters and notification of event opening dates. 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. Mallory Park – July 1 An opportunity to enjoy this fast and exciting circuit with some very special corners. Anglesey – August 9 Experience this challenging circuit and splendid views 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! 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!

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MGs assembled in the Curborough paddock. Photo: David Coulthard

t last the 2021 season gets underway. The traditional season opener was the Curborough sprint run by our very own Midlands Centre on Sunday April 11. As with all events for the time being, it was governed by the MSUK recommended rules. These meant that no spectators were allowed, everyone had to complete all paperwork online in advance and of course social distancing was observed wherever possible. In order to ensure an economic number of entries, the event was co-promoted with Shenstone and district car club. Despite this, I am happy to report that out of the 55 entrants some 28 were Championship contenders or MGCC members. The start of the day was pretty gloomy as early arrivals were greeted with leaden skies and falling snow. However, this soon changed, and was replaced by crisp spring sunshine which stayed with us for the rest of the day; even though there was not much warmth it was very cheering. The track, however, proved to be very, ‘Green’, with grip being in short supply, particularly in the early stages when it was still damp. Even when the surface dried, the times being set would suggest that it stayed slippery.

Early evidence of this was a spin by Roy Clarke which resulted in a rear tyre being ripped from its rim. This is a very rare occurrence and I can’t remember ever having seen it happen before. Unfortunately, Roy was not able to find a replacement and had to go home without having completed a timed lap, hence, no points. The rest of the day was relatively incident free for our lot. Jono Johnson, who was using the event to shake down his Cockshoot race MGF ran out of brakes and had to take an early bath. It has been a long time since we have competed in a single lap sprint at Curborough and some of the target times were not totally representative in relation to the points scored. Dave Morris, however, in scoring 101.21 points was the highest scorer of the day and against an existing target time. The supercharged TC sounded really crisp and was extremely well driven. The other notable performance was Neil Walmsley in his 1500 Midget. He exceeded an existing target to score 100.74, a very creditable performance in what used to be a hotly contested class. Hopefully I shall have more to report on next month.

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 73

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CENTRES ABINGDON WORKS Gill Martin sfscribe@mgabingdon.org.uk www.mgabingdon.co.uk Here we are, May and we should be catching up with our MG friends on the round of events that we all enjoy each year. Sadly, like last year, this has not happened again. It’s nice to see and chat to each other on the screen but it’s not the same as a welcome hug from friends we’ve not heard from since 2020. As you all know by now, like most CRBs, the AWC has cancelled our usual events for the first half of this year. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to hear that, hopefully, we will be going ahead with our Summer Day Out on August 22 2021. We’ve not finalised all

ANGLIA Rob Muir 01206 862619 scribe@mgccanglia.com www.mgccanglia.com Events Planning As I compile these notes the Government’s easing of Covid-19 Lockdown Restrictions are moving into the second stage, with the result that some outside events will be able to take place, as long as the criteria for the Government Roadmap continue. This is great news, as many of our events will be able to take place. Just be aware that any alterations to the lifting of restrictions could change plans, so keep an eye on the relevant information. Anglia Centre Picnic One of the first events organised, thanks to the hard work of Anglia Centre President Roger Latham, is the Anglia Centre Picnic at Holkham Hall, Norfolk, on Sunday June27. Booking forms are already on the website, thanks to the splendid work of our Webmaster Kelvin, plus a full-page description and booking form is in this month’s Safety Fast!

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the details yet, so keep looking on our website and in our Newsletter for details as they’re confirmed. I’ve just been into our website and got quite a shock when my computer started playing “I’m in love with your body” by Ed Sheeran. I thought how imaginative of Malcolm, our Webmaster, to get us all singing to our wonderful cars, but sadly Malcolm, you’ve gone down in my estimation, as somehow Spotify had been opened and was playing in the background. Still, perhaps something to work on, Malcolm, if we have much more lockdown time! We do always try to keep our Centre members entertained, so why not? We are determined to get our Old Speckled Hen Tour up and running again next year and with that aim in mind, we have already booked Radley College for Sunday May 29 2022, so please put this in your diaries. (Doesn’t it make a change to write something

other than Doctors; hospitals; dentist; vaccinations… the list is endless.) Up until Covid, the only year the event was cancelled was when the country was closed down because of Foot and Mouth. Never in our wildest dream did we envisage anything like last year and this year. I hope that you are all safe and well and getting back into contact with your families and loved ones. Our last Summer Day Out was back in 2017 so, as a reminder of what to look forward to in August 2021, I’ll have a look back at some of the photos of earlier ones. How many cars and friends can you spot? If you know their contact details, why not give someone a quick call just to see how they’re doing. We might not be in contact like we normally are, but we’re still The Marque of Friendship. See you all hopefully, SOON.

A record number of members attended the previous Picnic in 2019. Following the hiatus last year due to the pandemic, I would imagine that this year’s event will prove even more popular. The event will of course be run in a fully Covid-safe manner, complying with all the current guidelines, so go to the booking form within these pages or on the website and give yourself something good to look forward to where you can enjoy your MG again.

so is well placed for members in the centre of the Anglia region. Go to the ‘The Rotary Classic Car Show’ on Facebook or follow this web address link: https://theclassiccarshow.org.uk

Culford Classic Car Show Thanks go to one of our newer members, Martin Blackwell of Colchester, for telling me about the Culford Classic Car Show (formally Elveden Classic Show) on Sunday July 18. Organised by the Rotary Club in aid of The Teenage Cancer Trust, the event in 2019 attracted 1,200 classic cars and raised over £14,000 for charity. The venue is only four miles from Bury St Edmunds

Brands Hatch As you receive this month’s Safety Fast! our first race event of the year should have taken place just one week ago, as our traditional Brands Hatch meeting, full report next month. This month’s archive photo from 2004 by Steve Jones shows close racing as competitors round Paddock Hill Bend.

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 75

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CENTRES CALEDONIAN Bob MacGillivray 07870 407111 mgcarsscotland@gmail.com www.mgcaledonian.com The big news this month is that the EACC Kames show is definitely on! So put August 8 2021 into your diary. As I write this, we already have25 entries and while presently there is no limit on Club entries, that may change so if you are interested then enter now through our website. There is an award again this year for the best stand and having been narrowly beaten last year, we intend to win this year. Therefore, we need as many MGs as possible, no matter their age or type. Perhaps you might even have a competition MG – if so, enter it and we might make it a special feature. Any questions let me know. Out of the present 25 entries, ten are Fs or TFs and that may have something to do with the revitalised Scottish Region section of the MGF Register. Our own Glenn Neilson has taken on the role of secretary and has already arranged a meet on May 2, so you might just be in time to take that one in. Plan is to meet at Stirling services between 10.00am and 2.00pm for a chat and something to

DEVON & CORNWALL Young Janner II bobslatter@hotmail.com www.mgccdc.org Well hopefully things are starting to ease with the restrictions on us all as you read these notes. We may actually be able to meet up again, if only a few at a time and all socially distanced in the pub gardens. I would like to take this opportunity to offer a formal thank you from all the Centre members to Ted Lawrence for producing such excellent and interesting newsletters during this difficult period, particularly as there are no events to report on.

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eat. They have their own Facebook page, and more details can be found there. Look for MG Fun (MGCC F Register Scotland). Thereafter, as restrictions ease, we will be looking at one-day runs, perhaps put together at short notice, and also maybe a weekend away. Keep your eye on our website and Facebook pages for more info. There seems to be a good number of members selling MGs at the moment. I am aware

of a mint MGC GT, two good B roadsters, an A roadster and a TF 1500. All are for sale for good reason and if you would like details contact me. Separately, someone is looking for an MGC roadster and an early 60s Midget. If you know of one available, then let me know. In the parts department, a member is looking for either a full TD dash or the instruments only and I am still looking for a genuine X Power Competition seat – there must be one somewhere!

MGLive! 2011 ... Seems a loooong time ago!

With this, and our website and Facebook pages, we hope we have been able to keep you all entertained. It is with regret that I have to report on the passing of Richard Knibbs earlier in the year. He was a long-standing member of the Centre and more importantly the owner and Landlord of Ye Olde Cider Bar in Newton Abbot for over 40 years, where many a happy hour had been spent after an MG event in the area. Older members will recall his Lester-bodied MG specials that he sprinted and hill climbed and also his beautiful WA Tickford which took part in several of our Touring Assembly Runs. The picture shows him with the current Landlord taken before the lockdowns.

Normally during May in years past, we would have been working up to our International Week organised during the Whitsun Week for over 25 years at various venues throughout Devon and Cornwall. The second picture shows some of the participants’ cars in front of Dunster Castle in Somerset, on one of our day trips when we were based at Watermouth Cove Holiday Park at Berrynarbor, North Devon, in 2014.

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 77

CENTRES LINCOLNSHIRE Ian Mackenzie 01529 497849 MaccaV8@aol.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk By the time you all read this, we should have already run our first East Kirkby ‘Post Lockdown’ Autotest, on a date massaged by our illustrious Competition Secretary. It will therefore be almost time for the second ‘spacially aware’ ‘socially

distanced’ Autotest of our ‘post-Covid period’, on Sunday May 16. See our Facebook page, or contact Dave Stonehouse on 01790 754774 for details. Coincidentally, clan Mackenzie’s second jabs are scheduled for two weeks prior to the gathering. As they say, ‘Yeee!’ (and indeed ‘Ha!’). East Kirkby’s Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre will surely be a hive of activity in the ‘released’ second half of the year – to find out more, check out their website at: www.lincsaviation.co.uk/ for details of events and opening.

When the V8s came to town – V8 Register Tour 2019 at East Kirkby

MIDLANDS David Russell d.a.russell@btinternet.com Website: www.mgccmidlandcentre.co.uk Midland Centre Facebook: @mgccmidlandcentre As we move into May confidence in our desire to develop more MG memories is being given a boost as the lockdown eases. Meeting family and friends should be getting back to ‘normal’, albeit it slightly different to before the pandemic. One such event that gave motorsport and socialising a chance to get off the ground once more in 2021, organised and hosted by the Midland Centre, should now have taken place, namely, the Spring Sprint at Curborough, near Lichfield, Staffordshire. A full detailed report of the Sprint should be elsewhere in this edition of Safety Fast! Pent up demand to get out and enjoy our cars resulted in a brisk take-up of all 85 places available on the start line! Look out for the entry opening to our Summer Sprint to be held at Curborough on Sunday August 1 2021. Full details and entry forms will be available on the Midland Centre website.

78 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

Hopefully, we will have the Triumph and MG weekend to build up to on August 13-15 at Three Counties Showground, Malvern, which should incorporate the California Cup Autosolo. We continue to await the torrent of applicants for the Centre’s Web-Master role. If you feel you would like to take it on, please contact Hon. Secretary Sue at MaccaV8@gmail.com or on the above number. Please stay safe.

Think he’s fibbing about his age!

Hopefully, planned events for later in the year will be able to take place and Natters will be enthusiastic to get out with members and enjoy social runs once again. Our cars will also enjoy some time out of their garages. I do not think my cars have ever covered so little annual mileage as in the last 12 months! This month also marks the start of a new layout for the Midland Centre notes showing our events calendar on the right. Many thanks to David Wood for his idea and the design, which we hope will give a useful reminder to everyone of what’s on each month. All of us at the Midland Centre look forward to meeting you at our events this year. Happy MG-ing!

MIDLAND CENTRE DIARY JUNE 2021 Saturday 5 (MORNING) REGULARITY RUN In Herefordshire Contact - Bob Blackstock blackstocks2000@aol.com Saturday 5 (AFTERNOON) NAVISCAT Contact - Bob Blackstock blackstocks2000@aol.com Tuesday 8 ‘SUPERNATTER’ EVENING From 5.30pm at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire Sunday 13 RATAE RUN From the White Horse, Broughton Astley to Arbury Hall & Gardens, Warwickshire. Contact – Michael Ricketts 01455 553868 JULY 2021 JOINT NATTER (date to be confirmed) West Midlands Members meet up with the Wye Valley crowd. Contact – Janet: 01684 833337 https://www.mgccmidlandcentre.co.uk/events.htm

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CENTRES NORTH WEST Paul Goodman 01625 876300 As Government restrictions are gradually lifted, we can be cautiously optimistic about events this month although, sadly, the early June Tatton Show is not going to take place. First this month is going to be our hillclimb at Scammonden Dam on May 16. This involves cars running up the narrow and steep road from the base of the dam to level with the M62 on the other side of the motorway from the big reservoir, against the clock. The event will

be run according to the Motorsport UK COVID regulations. This means that extra helpers are needed to secure the paddock entrances as well as on the track. Please get in contact if you can help. Spectators will not be able to enter the area next to the track, but the whole track can be seen from the public footpath which runs along the top of the dam. Then on May 18 the hope is that we will be able to go to the Plough and Flail in the evening. Booking in advance may be required but the large car park enables social distancing and several groups of six. Information will be provided well in advance on the Centre website.

Scammonden Dam Hillclimb Paddock and Dam Top Footpath. Photo: David Coulthard

Just a few days later there will be the MGCC race meeting at Oulton Park on Saturday 22nd. It seems that spectators will be allowed, but entry to the paddock will still be restricted. Entry tickets will have to be bought in advance from the circuit’s website or by phone. There is a slim prospect of being able to provide the opportunity for members to parade around the track at lunchtime. The entry for the meeting is stunning. There will be two races for the BCV8, Metro, MG Cup, Cockshoot Cup and MG Trophy Championships and guest races featuring pre1965 sports cars from the Equipe stable. In these races the MGBs will be taking on TVRs, Triumphs, Midgets, Austin Healeys and smaller marques such as Elva. It would be great to see the spectator areas packed with sports cars enjoying the races. The prospect for the Cockshoot Cup is particularly bright this year with a large group of MGFs in Class F and modified MGF Cup Cars taking on ZRs, ZSs, Midgets, and MGBs in the full race Class C. Classes A and B will contain a mixture of ZRs and Midgets. Finally, the Centre is often able to match sellers and buyers of MGs. If you have a car that you wish to put on the market or are looking to acquire one, then please contact us.

SOUTH EAST Ray Ruffels and William Opie raywillmg@gmail.com www.mgccse.co.uk The SE Centre planned events for 2021 have been reviewed following publication of the Government’s Lockdown Lifting Roadmap. The new lockdown restrictions along with Motorsport UK Guidance allow the SE Centre to run some COVID-19compliant events in May and June, after which normal activities can resume! On Sunday May 23 a Spring Run to Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens has been organised to see the magnificent Rhododendron and Azalea for which the gardens are renowned and at their best this time of year. Starting just south of Dorking we have managed to negotiate the same amazing entrance ticket price as the Autumn Meeting last September. In June The Fairmile Natter is organising a car display at Brooklands Museum with dates to be confirmed shortly. For further details and entry forms contact your Natter or Wanderers leader or see www.mgccse.co.uk

80 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

MGs at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens

As the Spring Naviscat, which was scheduled for March 28, was postponed we thought we would fill your Sunday morning with a fun Google Treasure Hunt instead! The hunt took place in Merstham, a location that has seen actual walking treasure hunts in the annals of the South East Centre. This was done virtually, however, with the only skill needed – a knowledge of how to walk on screen using Google Streetview and its various abilities, including how to time hop and view the details of premises. Ably organized by Tim Morris, with the hunters pictured right, the results were: in third

place… Mark Galbraith, in second place… Gerry and Christine Edwards and the winners were… Faz and Oli Kirkpatrick. Well done to Faz and Oli who came away with 21 out of a possible 27 points.

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CENTRES SOUTH WEST Andrew Owst 01761 221893 andrewowst@hotmail.com website http://www.mgccsw.com/ Facebook www.facebook.com/MGCCSW Twitter @mgccsw Firstly, we had hoped to be able to run our first competitive event of the year, MGs on Grass 1, on April 24. Unfortunately, we had no option but to cancel this due to the venue, Charmy Down, previously being used for an illegal rave. The illegal rave received quite a lot of coverage on the local

TYNE-TEES Tony Wood anthony@scrutonvillage.co.uk As we look forward to the slightly scary prospect of normal life resuming (usual caveats) your Committee has been looking forward to displaying their wares (in the best possible taste of course). We will be putting into place a number of measures to ensure Covid security, even if post lockdown they are not Government requirements. We will be following all guidance from Motorsports UK, our governing body, with a Covid Safety Officer at each event and minimising paper documentation so that the new normal is safe and enjoyable for everyone. Our aim is to start face-to-face meetings at the Natters on July 1 in the South and July 12 at the Ridley Arms in the North. Our Southern Natter venue will be moving. Much as we have enjoyed the hospitality of Middlesbrough Motor Club at Coulby Manor, their policy change requiring all MGCC members to become full members of their club has led us to leave. We are currently exploring venues in the Darlington area – not

news including the disgusting state of the site the following day. There was so much glass and other debris left on the site, even some damaged cars, that once the area had been cleared, the owner has decided in the interest of safety he would plough up the whole field and re-seed. Therefore, the site cannot be used until next year when we hope to be able to run this event once again, but this year our event is yet another casualty of COVID. We will be running the popular Wye Valley Run on May 23, and the route is still being finalised. This date is after a further easing of the lockdown rules, so what better time to use your MGs in the superb scenery of this region. Entrants

travelling from the Bristol area and Somerset usually meet at Aust Services by the first Severn Bridge and further details will be available on the Centre website in the near future. There are several excellent events planned for this year, and please keep visiting the SW Centre website for up-to-date details. One event where the organisation has already commenced is our flagship event, Wiscombe Hill Climb, which will take place on September 11 2021. The two photos were taken at a previous events, the Wye Valley Social Run taken by me and Andrew Morland driving his L1 at Wiscombe Hill Climb, taken by Colin Murrell.

easy at the moment but we will let you know when we know. Coffee and Cars and Breakfast meets should be running from July 14 and July 21 respectively, so come along and see who you remember (ageist joke alert!). Our events proper should begin with the Fish and Chip Supper run to Seaton Carew on July 9. We have a full programme lined up from that point onwards but more on that next month. As ever, Tyne Tees Tidings which now reaches 95% of you will be right up to date. Our Zoom events have kept us in sight of each other and the current state of our hair

growth. Last effort was a Film and TV quiz hosted by Noel and we had an extra Zoom event when we hosted a presentation by Peter Barrett of Cherished Vehicle Insurance Services, the Club’s new insurance partner. It is not my place to advise any of you on insurance or indeed anything else, but Peter’s excellent presentation highlighted some real benefits on offer to our members and was very entertaining into the bargain. I am certainly going to give them a chance when my current policy expires and as they do a combined Classic/Modern multicar, I’m hoping to get all my eggs in one basket! Who thought Insurance could be fun?

Barry Hope’s ZB and Maurice Standish’s WA at the finish of the 2019 Prince Bishops Run www.mgcc.co.uk

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 81

CENTRES YORKSHIRE Ken Cothliff kencothliff@hotmail.co.uk https://mgccyorkshire.co.uk As I write this at the end of March we are having the warmest weather for March since records began, but there is a cold spell due over Easter. Still any excuse, and I’m sure many of you, like me, have taken the excuse for some sunshine to do all the local journeys in the MG. Sadly, the South Natter had some bad news with the passing of one of their founder Members, Brian Lewis, on March 28. As Chairman of the MGCC Yorkshire Centre in 1996, Brian was determined to establish a Natter in South Yorkshire and, after a lot of hard work he actually started the SY Natter in February 1997, since

when the Natter has continually gone from strength to strength in numbers and activities over the last 25 years. From the beginning, Brian and his wife Val continued supporting and working with Geoff Norcliffe and other SY Natter leaders over the years giving advice and encouragement, as well as being regulars on events and activities as active and respected members of the Natter. The SY Natter would like to offer its sincere condolences to Val and other family members and a warm and sincere thanks from all its members to Brian and Val for all they did for, and with, the MGCC South Yorkshire Natter. Brian’s jovial personality and his knowledge of all things MG will be sorely missed by many MG enthusiasts. The photo included is of Val leading Brian on one of the SY Natter walks back in 2007 The annual Centre AGM took place over a Zoom meeting on March 16, and was quite well

attended. There were no major changes in the Committee, except that Chis and Steve Moore stood down from MSA Event Liaison and Ray Snowley has taken on the mantle instead. Ray has also offered to help Marie Dobson with Membership Secretary and listings. Colin Brear remains Chairman, and expressed the feelings of all members that the sooner we can get out and about at our Natters the better we will all feel. At this time of year, we would have been enjoying our Centre Daffodil Run, so I include a photo of MGs enjoying the 2016 Yorkshire Centre Daffodil Run.

ULSTER Carol Willis (028) 9079 9997 or 07831 345560

www.mgcculstercentre.co.uk carol.mgulster@hotmail.co.uk Another month passes us by with plans thwarted, and lockdown preventing us going out as a Club on National Drive-it Day. We have plans in hand to remedy that hopefully next month when we will have our own run, and also a bit of chat and friendly camaraderie. A selection of old photos to keep you amused –

Paul Blair demonstrating his autotest skills

Cadging a lift at Castle Dillon in 2013

2013 Tour – queue for Carrick-a-Rede

82 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

A Midget doing what a Midget does well during a Silverstone autotest www.mgcc.co.uk

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FEBRUARY 85 MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 83 49

REGISTERS VINTAGE Rob Constant rob@littleabingdon.co.uk Welcome to the May Vintage Register notes! We hope you are all keeping safe and well and starting to look forward positively to the resumption of some of the normal MG motoring calendar. How we have all missed it. And the opportunity to share with others our wonderful hobby. As we emerge from lockdown, please keep your eyes peeled in the Vintage Register Bulletin, on the VR website and on the Facebook group as we look towards opportunities to meet up, and, socially-distanced, reacquaint ourselves with how we wish to spend our time together. In the meantime, this month I thought I would share a little find I had the good fortune to be able to acquire recently. (Thanks sincerely to the gentleman concerned. Also, for the most generous motoring magazines!) After some research and comment from motoring historian Peter Seymour, well-known in Morris circles, we’ve managed to identify the dashboard as having come from a 1922 season Morris Oxford or Cowley by the mixture control

TRIPLE M CATHELIJNE SPOELSTRA +31 (0)6 41216600 cathelijnespoelstra@outlook.com www.triple-mregister.org Facebook Facebook Facebook! Some of the more sceptical amongst our ranks may not like it, but this month’s subject was again plucked off that medium. For those not ‘in the know’;

84 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

device; (see central, lower position on the dash). This device was used in conjunction with the SU sloper carburettors that were only used during that period. Interesting of itself, but really this post is, of course, all about the badge. First thought was that I had never seen one before, but that is not so! The badge is (almost!) identical to the one fitted to the Bullnose radiator of ‘Old Number One’. The text reading ‘The Morris Garages – Oxford’ there is no mention in the enamel of The MG Super Sports nor of ‘Cowley’ or ‘Oxford’ as in the Morris model names. More research, via Ruud Vinke’s excellent ‘MG Automobilia’ Facebook Group, and some useful insight from regular contributor Ian Holmes, the badge is in fact an early Morris Garages dashboard dealership badge. Inspection of the badge shows it held by way of tiny nails through

there is a group on Facebook called ‘Vintage Women’. A name somewhat unfortunately picked, if you ask me, but a valuable source of Triple-M stuff nonetheless. Just the other day this photograph showed up of F0376 flanked by one such ‘vintage woman’. A non-survivor, yes, and it’s likely the same goes for the lady,

holes pre-drilled through the badge to take them. The badge on ‘Old Number One’, however, shows just the indentation for the holes but in this application will have been soldered onto the radiator brass…Fascinating. I am, to date, not aware of another Bullnose radiator carrying the aforementioned ‘dashboard’ badge. Of course, if anyone can shed any further light on the above, I should be delighted to hear from them via email. The dash, I should just say, emerged some years ago from a garage sale in Winkleigh in North Devon. From the very earliest days of Morris Garages back to present day, let me close with wishing you all the joy of rediscovering our hobby; safely but hopefully fast…

but a nice add to the Register’s database all the same. If anyone has more info on the who, when and where, please do tell. Another huge source of information I recently discovered is the British Newspaper Archive which you may have gathered from some of my past notes. This particular snippet dates back to November 24 1934 when The Scotsman ran this ad offering a Continental Coupé for sale. Out of the 96 made, only about ten of ‘Kimber’s Folly’ are believed to have survived. If you are lucky enough to own one, you might be in extra luck and find that this ad matches the history of your car! Slim chance, I know, but worth a try anyway, so if it’s you, please own up and we’ll add the ad to the database! OK, enough snippets for now! It’s May, prettiest month of the year, out and away you go in your treasured steeds and enjoy your newfound freedom! Until next time, Safety Fast!

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REGISTERS SVW Paul Campbell svw.safety.fast@gmail.com www.svwregister.co.uk Writing this on March 30, it’s the warmest March day in the UK since 1968! At the same time, lockdown measures have eased and we can meet up to six people outdoors and many are starting to use their MGs again after a long lay-up. My item in the March Safety Fast! about fire precautions in our garages and cars prompted some interest with several people buying similar kit. Since mid-February, our website has included a pop-up screen each time you visit. This displays lesser-known useful tips or news items of general interest. By the time you read this, there will have been at least ten such tips, so take a regular look as these are often not available elsewhere. The sixth ‘Useful Tip’ was about changes to the MOT regulations regarding LED/HID headlight bulbs in our cars, which I’m sure you’ll read about elsewhere. Briefly, the MOT Inspection Manual dated January 11 2021 instructed testers to fail the MOT if standard headlight bulbs had been replaced with LEDs. After much debate, a new

Y TYPE Jerry Birkbeck 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325 birkbeckjerry@gmail.com www.mgccyregister.co.uk Well hopefully we may be venturing out in our beloved motors over the next few weeks. Let’s hope that folk are sensible and we can move forward in a caring way. Thermometer Gauges Last month I wrote about fitting a thermometer gauge to a Y, which was not fitted as standard to any of the models. The previous owner of our YT had fitted a gauge which was attached to the steering column. Unfortunately, the sensor was knackered so I removed the fitting from the elbow that fits between thermostat and the cylinder head. The fitting was threaded and despite visiting a few plumbers I couldn’t find a suitable adaptor. By chance I came across a guy whom I used to play rugby with. He lives about 15 minutes walk away, a retired engineer who still www.mgcc.co.uk

version of the manual was issued so that from March 22 this would only apply to cars built or used on or after April 1 1986. The latest LED bulbs may well resolve the dazzle and scatter issues experienced with earlier versions. Many of us, including me, have already fitted LED side/ brake/indicator bulbs. The SVW Event at Battle (July 27-29) is likely to go ahead. Venues are being rebooked as they reopen and the hotel has confirmed our booking at 2020 prices. Hopefully, the required MSA Certificate will not be a problem as they’re already allowing limited road events. Most adults in the UK will have been vaccinated by then, which may not be the case for our EU friends, so the event may not be as international as usual. The latest information will be on the website. undertakes a few jobs for friends. His garage is well stocked with a lathe, milling machine, pillar drill etc, etc. He sorted out the fitting of the adapter. The thread is almost 19bpi but not quite. So, he created a new threaded nut to fit the hole and then formed a further threaded bolt to accept the sensor. The photos show this, but the job isn’t finished. I am on day two after having chemotherapy for my prostate, so it will have to wait until next week when I feel more up to it.

Mike Dalby sent me some photos that came his way of VA Tickford BBL 169, a non-survivor, it seems. It was apparently owned by Cyril Stanley West DFC who flew Catalinas on Atlantic convoy missions during WW2 with 190 Squadron and finished up as an Air Commodore. I leave you with one of the five photos Mike sent. The gauge will be fitted beneath the dash panel. The photographs show the new adaptor and how the sensor will be fitted. I will post a photo in the June half yearly Newsletter of the final fitting. Events The events programme is understandably very limited, governed by the pandemic. There may be local shows that you are able to attend. If so then please do forward some photos or post them on our Facebook page. However, in Malvern over the weekend of August 13-15 at the Three Counties Showground there is a joint event between MGCC, Triumph Clubs, TR Register and TSSC. You can find more details on https:// triumphandmgweekend.com. If you are able to attend then visit our website and see who else might be attending. The Llanerchindda Tour of Mid-Wales September 6-9 is fully booked. However you can contact Chris Callaghan to go on the reserve list in the event of any cancellations. Look after yourselves and hopefully we will all meet up soon.

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 85

REGISTERS MAGNETTE Stephen Tickell 01737 760330 stephen.tickell@gmail.com www.magnette.org Our 2021 events have been more or less confirmed now, although booking details for one or two have yet to be finalised at the time of writing. Look forward to seeing familiar faces and hopefully some new ones at our first gathering, Crich Tramway Museum, near Matlock (May 29). And for the many who were no doubt desperate to know the date and venue for the Register AGM – this will be at Kop Hill on September 25, in or around the Register gazebo during the afternoon. We’re pleased to welcome a new co-opted member of the Register committee, Roger England – soon to be ratified at the AGM we hope. In addition to a website article on headlining installation based on his own ZA restoration, Roger has already come up with a new idea of regularly collating information from various auction and classified sites, on Magnettes for sale or recently sold in the UK. I’ll post these updates in the magnette.org ‘Cars and Parts for Sale’

MGA Edward Vandyk 01488 608810 mgascribe@vandyk.co.uk It has been ‘All Change’ at the Club this month as you will see from elsewhere in this issue and your Register has been in the thick of it, with your Scribe even ending up as Company Secretary of the Club for a few weeks! The Club is, however, all about the cars, so I am sure we are all looking forward to getting our MGAs on the road and seeing friends and their cars in the flesh and the metal again, rather than virtually. Whilst uncertainty necessarily remains, the Register’s website will be the place to go for updates on

86 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

forum as they should be invaluable for anyone looking to buy a Magnette or just curious as to what theirs might be worth. Andy Dear Very sorry to hear that Register member Andy Dear passed away in March, after a long illness. He and Margo regularly made epic journeys in their Magnette from Clackmannanshire (Stirling) to our events, usually with their two Schnauzers as well which were always a star attraction. I don’t think there are very many other Magnette owners in their part of Scotland, so Andy made full use of online communities to keep in touch, but it was always great to see them and chat in person. Andy had put a great deal of care and thought into restoring the ZB and was particularly accomplished at documenting and explaining things, with forum posts and technical articles on heaters, indicators, wheel-arch repair and aircleaners amongst other subjects. I first remember reading one of these before actually meeting him, when needing a spring compressor that would

cope with the tight clearance of the Magnette front suspension and discovering that Andy had made himself a near-replica of the special BMC tool designed for this purpose. I found this photo of Andy at Lenwade, on one of our Norwich weekends, in conversation with Keith Wilson (who also is sadly no longer with us). Condolences and best wishes to Margo and all the family.

events and their current status. This month, some trivia. Has anyone seen his car below? A photograph of the truly amazing bodywork on this MGA is certainly worthy of comment, but I am going to leave that to our astute Register members – thoughts, please, which may well be published, to the mgascribe email address. More trivia. I asked for more examples of MGAs in less than everyday situations and long-term MGA owner and previous Register committee member, David de Saxe, came up with his MGA 1600 MkII which appeared on the cover of March 1994’s Safety Fast! This car also appeared in a 1993 film, The Cement Garden, and I hope to be able to tell that story next month, space permitting. Cars in Movies fans will

be well aware of the website www. imcdb.org/vehicles.php?make= mg&model=a&page=1 which lists 202 films where an MGA appears and The Cement Garden is not on that list. David has no stills of the MGA in the film and it does not appear on the imcdb website. Can any of our Register members come up with any more information or even a photo? There is a passing shot of the rear of the car in the trailer available on the internet. After compiling and editing the MGA Register eNewsletter for the past 11 years, MGA Register Registrar, Stuart Mumby, has decided to take a rest and the role has now been passed to Brendan Leach. Brendan is an enthusiastic Member of the North-East Centre, as well as having recently joined the MGA Register Committee. Brendan needs items for publication and so please get in touch with him at mgcarclubmganewsletter@outlook.com If you are not currently receiving the bimonthly eNewsletter and would like to join the list of subscribers, simply email Brendan at the above email address and ask to add your details.

Andy Dear and Keith Wilson

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REGISTERS MIDGET Chris Hale c.hale1962@btinternet.com www.midgetregister.com The Register held its virtual AGM on March 7 via Zoom. All of the existing Committee stood for another term and were re-elected, with Steve Clark taking over the role of Chair, and with the welcome addition of Bob Welch who will also be looking at making our microsite more interesting and functional. As we continue to move forward out of lockdown and looking to brighter things, the Register has its annual Road Run scheduled for Sunday September 5 2021. The run is planned to start in Moreton-in-Marsh and end at Hanbury Hall, near Droitwich, Worcestershire. Further details will be released as soon as the National Trust confirm our provisional booking and look out for the notifications in Safety Fast!, our Newsletter and Facebook and Instagram pages. The motorsport livestream media company My SuperCar has been approved to do the livestream for the Lackford Midget and Sprite Challenge

V8 Victor Smith 0208 392 9434 victorsmith@v8register.net www.v8register.net Satnav air vent grille mount A convenient way of mounting a satnav away from the windscreen in an MG V8 or a daily driver car is one of Garmin’s air vent grille mounts. They are available online from Currys-PC World at only £12 including VAT.

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races at Brands Hatch on April 24-25. Although by the time you read these notes, the date will have gone, you may still be able to view the races at the My SuperCar YouTube channel or Facebook page. Mike Parker Co-ordinator for the Midget and Sprite Challenge said that if all goes well with the Brands Hatch event they may do more races with them in the future. I understand that My SuperCar will also be doing livestreams for the BCV8 and Metro races. Although the Register’s primary function is just that, to keep a register of the cars, there is a lot more that goes on, including answers to technical queries. There is a wealth of knowledge in the Register and the wider Club, and if you could do with a little assistance please get in

touch and we will do our best to help. Also, if you have sorted out a technical issue that could be of interest to other members please let us know and we will pass it on for others to benefit. The Register is looking to put on a display of Midgets at the Malvern event August 13-15 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Midget. We are hoping to represent all of the different models of Midget that were produced, so if you think you can help and would like your car displayed contact me for details. Finally, in hope of things to come, I’ll leave you with an image of a highly modified Midget sprinting around Curborough at a past Midland Centre Sprint event.

Satnav choice to beat the traffic congestion Which? magazine recently highlighted a budget satnav which has useful live traffic features which can help you get round traffic congestion. Their budget choice was the Garmin Drive 51LMT-S with a five-inch TFT LCD touchscreen, preloaded maps for UK, ROI and Europe, speed camera alerts, free lifetime map updates and free lifetime traffic updates to help you plan your route. For traffic updates you

have to pair the satnav with your smartphone to receive live traffic updates, helping you plan or re-route your journey. Typically priced at around only £99. See more on satnavs on our “More” page at: www.v8register.net/more.htm North Coast 500 Richard Watton enjoyed the North Coast 500 route in his V8 a couple of years ago, stopping at John O’Groats.

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 87

REGISTERS FWD Ben Hatton ben2692@hotmail.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk/fwd-register/ As with many classics, the past 12 months have been reality quiet for Arthur, my MG Maestro 1600, with the majority of the 169 miles covered being driven by a journalist who borrowed him for a photoshoot and video. However, rust doesn’t take any notice of low miles or that he’s garaged in a watertight and warm Council lockup under some maisonettes and he failed the MOT in March, requiring some welding. I’m not sure which type of MOT failure I dread most, rust or mechanical parts that are a nightmare to source. With my MOTs on two other cars this year, they both failed on hard to find parts, so at least rust was a change! My mechanic asked me if I wanted a patch repair that wouldn’t be very pretty or a decent repair that would be better cosmetically. Seeing as the corrosion is on the sill as you open the rear door so could be seen with the doors closed, and my two other MOTs this year had emptied my purse, I opted for

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

the cheap and cheerful repair. A couple of weeks passed so I called my mechanic who reported that because he was busy, he had asked a mutual friend who does my bodywork on my car to do the work instead, which was fine with me. With several cars in our fleet, I have got to know those who care for my cars quite well, so I had to smile when collecting Arthur for my bodywork man to tell me that he had decided that Arthur was worthy of more than a cheap and cheerful repair, so had decided to do a proper job. He showed me that work that he had done, and yes, he was right to override my decision and I was pleased with the work he carried out. Given the standard of the work he carried out, he presented me with a small bill which was very kind of him. It’s great to have people who help me

keep my fleet on the road, who care about them as much as I do. Hopefully now Arthur has his MOT, I will be able to take him out and about this year and get to enjoy him. Tanya Field

amusement. The event was a natural fit for him as he was an MG driver in his youth, at the wheel of an MG TC to which Princess Elizabeth exclaimed that he drove much too fast!

meet at Stirling services in Scotland on May 2 and a couple of Covid-compliant runs in the South East to Rottingdean for Drive it Day (before) on April 24 and Leonardslee Gardens on May 23 with the South East Centre. Thames Valley is hosting an outdoor Natter on May 20 for up to 30 people and Somerset & Dorset are joining in the SW Centre’s Wye Valley Run on May 23. Regions are also looking ahead to the summer and a new season of shows to attend such as the much-loved MGs in the Park, and of course they will all be heading towards MGF25 at the British Motor Museum on July 24. On the subject of which, tickets are on sale now from the British Motor Museum and the extra tickets for the evening party and the Sunday Anniversary Road Run. Be quick for these add-ons, though, as tickets are now in very limited quantities but there are almost unlimited tickets for the show itself! We also have the Chilterns camping weekend on August 20-22 and the postponed Wales weekender on September 17-20 – contact Ian Wright at events@mgfregister.org if you would like to join us at any of these.

The death of Prince Philip reminded us of the great event in April 2009 when he acknowledged an array of MGs at Windsor Castle for the Royal Windsor MG Heritage Festival and joined us on the show field. A large number of Register members attended and some, including chairman Nigel May and his wife Jo, were lucky enough to receive the Royal wave. The event was also notable as the launch of the 85th Anniversary TF and the TF135. Prince Philip was interested in a TF LE500 which was to be auctioned for charity and wanted to see the engine in the boot – sadly none of the MG staff could find the keys, much to his

The Keys of Freedom The sunny uplands are beckoning and the keys of Freedom are jangling in the locks of lockdown, which can only mean one thing – we can get our MGs out again and have some Fun! Your local MGF Register groups will be first out of the blocks, so do find your nearest group and see what is happening with them. Activities I’ve already spotted include a cars and coffee

Nigel and Jo May receiving the Royal Wave from Prince Philip

Prince Philip with one of the MG Motor Officials looking for the keys to the boot!

88 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

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USED BY ANY OTHER PUBLICATION UNLESS PRIOR PERMISSION IS GIVEN B THE LtdLtd THEPUBLISHERS PUBLISHERS- © - ©Aceville AcevillePublications Publications

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6'*)#1*%$#>+/#.+)#/$?+&/*+&$@#1/-A#&'$#BC#*%#948<#+%@#(%@$/.$%&#+%@#*%#@$?&'#D-@5E-11#/$)&-/+&*-%F#6'$#$%@#/$)(G&#*)#+#>+/#-1#)&(%%*%H#+??$+/+%>$#&'+&# Please check this proof carefully for errors in style, content and layout. Please check this proof carefully for errors in style, content and layout.Model MGB we restored was chosen by Oxford Automobile @/*2$)#+)#.$GG#+)#*&#G--I)F#6'$#>+/#*)#/$+@5#&-#H-F#J()&#1(GG5#)$/2*>$@#+%@#+G&'-(H'#!K6#+%@#&+L#$L$A?&#*)#-11$/$@#.*&'#+#%$. Although every care is exercised in preparing your!K6#+)#+%#$L&$/%+G#+%@# advert, we cannot hold •Company MGB restored chosen by Oxford Automobile every carewas is was exercised in preparing youroverlook. advert, we cannotModel hold •Although MGBwe we restored chosen by Oxford Automobile Model *%@$?$%@$%&#2+G*@+&*-%#-1#*&)#*%&$H/*&5#+%@#M(+G*&5F ourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may Company • Company Servicing and MOT Work ourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook. 6'$#!"#67#.+)#&'$#G+)&#-1#&'$#!"#N)M(+/$#/*HH$/)O#P +#@$)*H%#&'+&#.$%&#D+>I#&-#&'$#$+/G5#Q4R)#.*&'#&'$#*%&/-@(>&*-%#-1#&'$#!"#J9F# FailingFailing 6v YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TObatteries? THIS6v PROOF PLEASE Failing 6vbatteries? batteries? •Sill Servicing and MOT Work Replacement Restoration ••SHOULD Servicing and MOT Work SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE.6'$#@$)*H%#&$+A#+&#!"#'+@#.+%&$@#&-#*%&/-@(>$#&'$#!"#S#*%#$+/G5#8;39#D(&#&'$#'$+@#-1#&'$#/$>$%&G5#1-/A$@#BMU#A-&-/#>-/?-/+&*-%#V$-%+/@#V-/@# Fit Manor Garages •TELEPHONE SpotRestoration Welded Fit Manor Garages •Professionally Sill Replacement BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO . _ ____ Fitconversion. Manor Garages •• Sill Replacement Restoration (G@#%-&#+GG-.#&'*)#+)#'$#@*@#%-&#.+%&#&'$#!"#S#&-#+11$>&#)+G$)#-1#&'$#S()&*%#W$+G$5#&'+&#'$#'+@#X()&#+H/$$@#&-#?/-@(>$#+1&$/#*&)#)$%)+&*-%+G#G+(%>'#+&# BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ twin AND 12v QUOTE ADVERT NO. _ _ _ _ _ Engine and Gearbox rebuilds •TELEPHONE Professionally Spot Welded twin 12v conversion. Still 12vtwin but with12v doubleconversion. the &'$#8;39#!-&-/#)'-.F# 6'+&#.+)#&'$#-11*>*+G#G*%$#D(&#&'$/$#.+)#+#D*&#A-/$#&-#*&#Y#V$-%+/@#V-/@#'+@#.-/I$@#1-/#Z*GG*+A#!-//*)#*%#&'$#$+/G5#Q4R)#D(&#'+@ clutchSpot carbon thrust •• Professionally Welded capacity. FitsStill existing boxes,double the •Premature Gearbox rebuilds we have a 12vbattery butwith with Still 12v but double the bearing failure? Convert to roller D$$%#)+>I$@#D5#'*A#+1&$/#D$*%H#>+(H'&#N*%#1G+H/+%&$O#.*&'#-%$#-1#&'$#)$>/$&+/*+G#)&+11F#6'*)#G$1&#'*A#.*&'#+#@$$?E)$+&$@#+%*A-)*&5#&-.+/@)#Z*GG*+A#!-//*)# with minimal extra wiring. Reliable stock of 4rebuilds synchro reverse capacity. Fits existing battery boxes, • Gearbox weincluding have astarting capacity. Fits existing thrust bearings all MGs power after your MG hasbattery boxes, gears that are currently not +%@#'*)#?/-@(>&),#.'*>'#-1#>-(/)$#*%>G(@$@#!"F with minimal extra wiring. Reliable stock extra wiring. Reliable parkedminimal up. KIT £195 + vat. TD andofTF4 synchro reverse been with available V-/@#&-G@#&'$#@$)*H%#&$+A#+&#SD*%H@-%,#&'$#'-A$#-1#!",#&-#H*2$#&'$#!"#6[#+#1+>$G*1&#.'*>'#&'$5#@*@#*%#9#.$$I),#1+*/*%H#&'$#'$+@G+A?)#*%&-#&'$#1/-%&# starting power after your MG has starting power after your MG has that are currently not • gears Exchange King Pins Midget, MGB, • Engine rebuilds .*%H)#+%@#$L&$%@*%H#&'$#/$+/#.*%H)#&-#H*2$#&'$#>+/#+#)G$$I$/#?/-1*G$F#6'$#/$)(G&#.+)#A(>'#@$/*@$@#+&#&'$#&*A$#D5#!"#?(/*)&)#D(&#.*&'#&'$#?+))+H$#-1#&*A$# beenparked parkedup. up.KIT KIT£195 £195++vat. vat. been MGC and Healey 3000 available • Wiring looms fitted &'$#67#*)#%-.#-%$#-1#&'$#A-)&#)-(H'&#+1&$/#>+/)#-1#&'*)#$/+F reserve the right to charge for any alteration to this proof which • We Wiring looms fitted •We Very large stock of newtoparts •• Engine rebuilds the charge forthe any alteration isofright anew departure from original copyto this proof which Veryreserve large stock parts K(/#>/$+AE>-G-(/$@ $L+A?G$#.-%#N\$)&#U+/#*%#C'-.O#8;<]#&-#8;]^#+&#&'$#?/$)&*H*-()#_)G$#-1#!+%#UG+))*>#66#*%#S(H()&#948`,#+%@#&'*)#>+/#1*%*)'$@#*%# •3027Years Years inBusiness Business is a departure from the original copy • Wiring looms fitted • in DG+>I#*)#X()&#+)#H--@F#T-.#*)#&'$#&*A$#&-#D(5#D$1-/$#?/*>$)#/*)$#*%#C?/*%H#a CLASSIC CAR CLASSIC CAR _1#5-(#'+2$#$)>+?$@#&'$#@$+@G5#2*/()#.'5#%-&#&/$+&#5-(/)$G1#&-#)-A$#&/(G5#$%X-5+DG$#>G+))*>#A-&-/*%HF#b*%H#J-'%#+%@#/$A$AD$/ &'$#>G+))*>#!"#G*%$# • Very large stock of new parts KEYSCUT CUT KEYS NcKB#UST#[K#_6#_T#ST#!"OF • 27 Years in Business WHILEYOU YOUWAIT WAIT WHILE

•

dG$+)$#2*)*&#...FM(+//5>G+))*>)F>-F(I 1-/#A-/$#@$&+*G)#+%@#?*>&(/$),#-/#>+GG#J-'%#[$%&-%#-%#4``84#^4^4^<F Visit our website: www.manorgaragewantage.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk

MAY 2021 FEBRUARY 2021SAFETY SAFETYFAST! FAST!89 65 FEBRUARY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 91

REGISTERS ZR/ZS/ZT John Thompson 01702 298866 johnt5@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/zedregister As the Government’s restrictions begin to lift, we can at last get out in our Zeds more and look forward to attending some of the events planned for the second half of this year. As I mentioned last time, dates of some of our planned events are still waiting to be confirmed. Once these dates have been confirmed we’ll publish our events calendar for the remainder of the year. Please continue to use social media to share your projects and activities with us. Events - Update Plans for Zed 20 are continuing to shape up very nicely. Our Show and Shine Competition will be taking place on the Sunday as originally planned. All Zeds will be entered and judged, with presentations towards the end of the afternoon. We will also be spending time in the main arena giving some of you the opportunity to show off your Zeds and talk about them. We are currently working on Zed 20 merchandise which will hopefully be available for sale soon. The facilities at the showground are superior to our original venue and will allow us to celebrate 20 years of the Zeds on a much larger scale. We will keep you up to date

MG6.3.5 Sean Round sean@seanround.co.uk www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register twitter.com/635register One quarter of the year gone? Really? I’m sure that, like me, it has flown for you all. The relaxation in the COVID-19 Restrictions is great news and we’re really hoping that if this positive trend continues, shows and meets will be able to resume and we can all catch up! We trust that those of you who have been lucky enough to take delivery of a ’21 Plate MG are enjoying your new cars. It’s now some three years since I went through the heartbreak of selling my MG3, which I miss terribly. I cannot wait to take the key of an MG6, MG3 or MG5 into

with the details of our main event as they are Visit our website/Facebook group for the confirmed. In the meantime, please visit www. latest information on Register activities and triumph&mgweekend.com for information on event updates. the weekend, tickets sales and camping arrangements. A late addition to our events calendar is the BMC/ Leyland Day being held at Gaydon on July 11. We were able to secure a display area for our Zeds at quite short notice. Thanks £299.00 Per Person - 10th to 13th September 2021 - 4 Day, 3 Night Tour (Price is per person, based on 2 persons sharing a car/twin/double room. £398.00 per person in a double room for single use) to all of you who answered the call for display cars. It looks as though we’ll have a very colourful/eyeThe Lakeland Motor Museum catching display. We will be back at Gaydon on July Price includes the following: 24 to help the MGF 3 Nights at the 3* Riverside Hotel, Kendal 3 Breakfasts & 3 Evening Meals at the Hotel Register celebrate Entry to the Lakeland Motor Museum Complimentary Car Parking at the hotel their delayed 25th Road Book featuring Maps, Great Drives & Event Information Anniversary. We ‘ZED’S At The Lakes’ Commemorative Tour Rally Plate will have space for 24 hour out of hours helpline whilst on the tour around 20 Zeds. If you would like to BOOKINGS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED - CALL: 01732 879153 OR BOOK ONLINE: attend on the day, https://www.my-holiday-booking.co.uk/availability/check/index/i/13/t/LAKES-MGZR Bookings are made with our travel partner Scenic Car Tours and are bound please contact either This tour is operated for the MG Car Club by our Travel Partner by their conditions of booking Scenic Car Tours - www.sceniccartours.com myself or Rob Johns.

my palm and call it my own again. Our AGM is still on, and we’re planning for it to be held in the next couple of months, and it 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. We’re still looking for a new Registrar to join our committee. If this is a role that may interest you then please do get in touch – it’s a role that’s very important to us and we’d love to have someone on board. 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!

New MG3s ready for sale in one of the many new MG Dealers 90 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

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£27,995

We proudly present our “Lockdown MGC restoration” We discovered this car in early 2020 under a sheet where it had lain for over 20 years.

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

U*)*&#-(/#.$A)*&$#8...FV(+//5@E+))*@)F@-F(J=#&-#1-EE-.#&'$#@+/#+)#*&# @-% &*%($)#*&)#D/-C/$))#A+@J#&-#&'$#/-+B#%$W&#)D/*%CF

XE$+)$#2*)*&#...FV(+//5@E+))*@)F@-F(J 1-/#I-/$#B$&+*E)#+%B#D*@&(/$),#-/#@+EE#Y-'%#T$%&-%#-%#4ZZ94#<4<4<[F

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!"#6#"7#89:;<= The then owner, a retired engineer, had bought relevant enclosed sections. the car in 1996 and ran it for about 2 years (he Suspension is all new and polybushed. also has a 1930s Chrysler 8 cylinder “imperial”, a Brakes are all new, with particular attention to collection of barrel organs, long case clocks and a the correct shape of the new cupro-nickel pipes (so Windermere yacht). many cars are let down by poor brake pipes). The car was very sad. We got it into the Engine fully rebuilt in house from my past workshop and discovered it was the 11th produced experience working in David Brown’s engine in the UK market. development department. >&?)#%-&#-1&$%#.$#1$+&(/$#+#@+/#A$1-/$#*&#*)#/$+B5#&-#C-,#A(&#&'*)#-%$#*)#)-#)D$@*+E#.$#.+%&$B#&-#C*2$#D-&$%&*+E#%$.#-.%$/)#2*)*A*E*&5#-1#*&#$+/ The ever helpful MGC registrars, Barry and E5F#7'*)#9:;<# !"#6#"7#*)#-%E5#&'$#99&'#D/-B(@&*-%#!"6#&-#A$#A(*E&#8:&'#-%$#*%#&'$#GH#I+/J$&=F#K$1-/$#+//*2*%C#*%#-(/#.-/J)'-D,#*&#'+B%?&#/(%#1-/#-2$/ Gear box fully rebuilt with all new bearings and Ginny Cartmel, advised that it was built on the #L4#5$+/),#+%B#* @(//$%&E5#(%B$/C-*%C#+#1(EE#/$)&-/+&*-%,#*%@E(B*%C#+#1(EE#$%C*%$#/$A(*EBF# synchro’s. 27th December 67, presumably as a “launch stock” Axle stripped, diff and bearings perfect but new M%B#'$/$?)#+#D*@&(/$#8E$1&=#-1#)-I$&'*%C#&'+&#5-(#D/-A+AE5#'+2$#%$2$/# car and dispatched to A Smart MG dealers of half shaft bearings fitted. )$$%#A$1-/$#-/#.*EE#$2$/#)$$#+C+*%F#>&?)#&'$#(%B$/%$+&'#-1#&'$#@+/,# Newcastle on 14th February 68. )@/+D$B# A+@J#&-#A+/$#I$&+E,#/$D+*/$B,#/$)&-/$B,#/$+B5#1-/#D+*%&*%C#+%B# All new interior trim, wiring harness, all new lights. We know nothing of its early life but MG /()&Nwas D/--1*%C#N car club records revealed that the car first O$#B-%?&#)D/+5#PAE+@J#)DE-BC$?#(%B$/#-(/#@+/)QQ In short, no expense spared. restored in 1985 when its original mineral blue End Result? The car drives magnificently. O$#C$&#&'$I#+)#%$+/#&-#%$.#+%B#+)#)&/-%C#+)#D-))*AE$#.*&'#-(/# colour was bare metal changed to tartan red. If we did not have 2 C GTs all ready, a university R*%#and '-()$S#I+C*@#.$EB$/#T+%F Mileage was recorded then as 77,500 was motors example, owned by me for 49 years and 90,500 as we found it. We soon decided that this my Father’s car from 1968, this tartan red example car was the ideal lockdown restoration project. would definitely be a “keeper”. As such we stripped to a bare shell, carried out Will only be sold to the “right man or woman” U*)*&#-(/#.$A)*&$#8...FV(+//5@E+))*@)F@-F(J=#&-#1-EE-.#&'$#@+/#+)#*&# @-% all necessary repairs to the body and refinished &*%($)#*&)#D/-C/$))#A+@J#&-#&'$#/-+B#%$W&#)D/*%CF who will cherish and love it. in two-pack tartan red with wax injection to all

Please go to our website www.quarryclassics.co.uk for more information and videos of the engine on bench test. XE$+)$#2*)*&#...FV(+//5@E+))*@)F@-F(J 1-/#I-/$#B$&+*E)#+%B#D*@&(/$),#-/#@+EE#Y-'%#T$%&-%#-%#4ZZ94#<4<4<[F Ring John Denton on 07710 808084.

CLASSIFIEDS

church square

autos FAMILY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED 1981. Our ofﬁce/ showroom is at 62B HIGH STREET SHEPPERTON TW17 9AU VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE

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

MG MGB GT in rare Bronze Yellow 1973 (L Reg). Manual. Petrol. Later ‘73’ spec model with face level fresh air vents, centtre console with armrest, Black honey combe grill, new type steering wheel, overdrive. Blue cloth/leather interior. Huge history file, restored from 2010 to 2015. Just fitted with new brakes alround plus new alloy wheels new tyres and moted. Just 5,000 miles since 2010. Road Tax free. £8,995

MG MGF 1.8i vvc Freestyle ltd edition 53,000 Miles 2001 (51 Reg). Manual. Petrol. Low mileage MGF vvc Freestyle ltd edition (rare vvc). Trophy front and rear spoilers, ‘SE’ 16” alloys, blue hood, silver interior trim, black leather sport seats. Over £1800 spent in September 2020 on a Super Sport stainless exhaust and a full MG/ROVER (Suplex) suspension kit (kit cost £953) its new shockers and SPRING CANISTERS replacing shockers & displacers so no more pumping up. Outstanding immaculate condition thoughout. £4,695

MG MGF 1.8i + Hardtop Just 63,000miles 2002 (02 Reg. Manual. Petrol. Very High spec MGF, Fitted with Black half leather seats, Trophy front spoiler, 16” ‘SE’ multi spoke alloys, a colour coded hardtop, chrome packs and a wind deflector. Tahiti Blue metallic. New Headgasket/ cambelt/water pump/stainless water pipes, rear brake disc’s and pads + a full service and a new mot. Superb condition. £3,595

MG MGF 1.8i vvc, just 28,000 miles, Immaculate 1997 MGF 1.8vvc ,this outstanding MGF. 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 thoughout. New Mot. Supplied with a new headgasket/ cambelt/water pump & full service. £5,995

In Sonic Blue. Only 9,700 miles from new. In as new condition inside and out. Upgrades carried out by previous owner include uprated MLS headgasket with lower oil rail, stainless steel coolant pipes, Bilstein suspension upgrade, (have original shocks), water low level alarm, heater resister upgrade. Full service history. Featured in Classic Car Mart, Classic Car Weekly and Safety Fast. £10,500ono. For more info Tel: 07733097674. (South Oxfordshire)

1972 M

Glacier whit standing no chrome. Exp returned in ways garage with roller t blemishes a £7,800 ono. evenings. (S

1957 MG MAGNETTE ZB

Varitone. £8,500. MOT Dec 2021. Mileage 83,516. Complete restoration history included. Original warranty confirming engine & chassis numbers. Engine rebuilt & new clutch fitted at 82,000 miles. NS bodywork needs attention. Other photos if required. Mob: 07881 676 289

MG MGF 1.8i Convertible Just 39,000 miles 2001 (Y Reg). Manual. Petrol. Finished in Alumina (light green metallic) with Black leather. Having just been though our workshop and fitted with a new headgasket/ cambelt/water pump/stainless water pipes. Full service and new mot. With its last owner for over 10 years. This MGF is in outstanding condition. £3,695

2005 MGTF 135 Spark

MGTF 160

XPower Grey. Rust Free care. 64,000mls. Spent over £1500 last year (November) new clutch assembly inc greasable release arm, Timing belt kit Including water pump & tensioner. Head gasket was done a few yrs ago, Stainless steel cooling pipes. Subframe strip & paint, S / Steel rear Subframe Mounts etc. Matching hard top with working heated rear window. MG Boot Rack available if required. Soft top is in excellent condition with plastic rear window. New hood cover. Original Kenwood CD Radio. Brand New Toyo Tyres. Car is garaged. I have photos of all the work carried out. The car has a private plate which stays with the car. Asking price £4,250. For more information Tel: 07802316268 or email johnfarrar5@hotmail.com (Swindon)

1957 MGA Coupe

Orient red. Ex Californian car now RHD. Complete body off nut and bolt restoration 4 years ago. Peter Burgess built 1860 high torque engine, Hi gear 5 speed ‘box, 1600 front discs and a/r bar. New chrome, new interior and inertia reel belts. Twin 12v batteries. Halogen headlights and linked spots with relays. Electric fan, high level brake light, immobiliser, USB ports, Built for enjoyable touring. More photos available. £24,000 ono. Phone Jeff on 07989 663346.

1967 M

88292 miles many new p earth, brake with copper underlay an recovered w dashboard fi replaced wit work requir locks fitted t MOT to 17/1 offers. Call 0

1959 M 1970 MGC GT

Original car in Old English White with black interior, restored some years ago. Recent new gas-flowed cylinder head with full Maniflo exhaust. New clutch and MGOC power steering. New radio/ CD player. Lots of history and drives very well. MOT. Price: £22,500. Further info phone 07947650578 (Oxford)

Deluxe spec off restorati Twin Cam En the correct 1 convert it to double duck - owned for Peterboroug 07941 21025

MG TF 135 Sprint ltd edition, just 65,000 miles These where the first MG TF ltd edtition models and just 600 made. Finished in Trophy blue/ blue hood/ Smokestone grey cockpit with black leather seats with grey alcantara inserts, sports pack 2, chrome packs, front fog lights, chrome roll hoops etc, new headgasket/ cambelt/water pump, new Mot, also recently fitted with a new rear exhaust box/cat/ down/ felix pipe and alternator,. £3,795

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 92 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

1972 MGBGT

In Aqua Marine (Turquoise). In very good condition. New petrol tank. Service and MOT every year in November. £5,500ono. Call Roger on Tel: 02083469619.

Please note that the Advertising deadline is May 10 for the June issue of Safety Fast!

1963 MGB Roadster

Pull handle roadster in BRG. 18GA 3 bearing engine. Black leather seats. Wire wheels. Heritage certificate. During the photo restoration by Murray Scott Nelson of Scarborough the engine, gearbox and clutch were rebuilt. Regularly Waxoyled. Mileage; 10840. Speedo replaced 1993 during restoration reading 49286 at the time. Owned 9 years. Full history from 1992/3+ some earlier info. Very good condition. Any inspection welcomed. Price; £13,500. Contact; Tony on 07814169891 (East Yorkshire)

www.mgcc.co.uk

1968 M

Overdrive. C including sp Full body re and photos. also with re modification cluding light 6 branch ma Stainless ste rear shock a Recent MOT 1991. £23,5

adster

MGA Twin Cam Coupe

n having Owned since 1969. Well known to MGCC. other Matching numbers. Original Mineral Blue Racing with pale grey Connolly hide on De Luxe enquiries@mgsforsale.com www.mgsforsale.com or. She has seats. Body-off 10,000 miles ago. Almost h are in everything renewed. Built for modern ole interior. traffic. 1762cc TC engine, Barwell head, whole MGB overdrive gbox and diff. Most very original bits included. £29,000 ono. MGBCGT Roadster 1967 Older OlderNutRestoration MG 1968 AUTOMATIC & Bolt Restored 1967 Mk1 MGB Roadster MGA Twin Cam Coupe derneath Email: jfarrington999@gmail.com (SMY504F), chrome early narrow tunnelMineral (RWD628G) MG CGTbumpers, 1968, automatic, excellent The car is in excellent condition having Owned since 1969. Well known to MGCC. 1968 MGB GT ate. She model, older restoration completed over a 12 Black Blue coachwork with nicely mellowed original 2016 MG6 GT diesel been cared for by myself and other rk Matching numbers. Original Mineral Blue Black with red interior with reclining 1972 MGB Roadster with pale greyFacelift . The car month interior period and by Fiat main leather trim,supplied original genuine leatheragents bound MGC model. Top-of-the rangeleather TL owners over the years. British Racing Connolly hide on De Luxe from seats and head rests. Mota-Lita enquiries@mgsforsale.com www.mgsfo Glacier white, chrome rostyles. Outenlow fan B S Marson & Sons Ltd ofdetailed Newcastle-under Lyme steering wheel, nicely engine compartment Green with black leather interior. She has model. 1.9miles turbo diesel. 48,000HS6 miles seats. 10,000 ago. Almost andA truly wheel. Rebuilt 1860cc engine. carbs nal. standing non restored rust free body andBody-off for £13k back in 2012, documentation states the green piping on the seats which are in housing the smooth 3.0 litre engine ideal with the Borg (dailyK&N driver soformileage will ignition. increase) 18” everything renewed. Built modern evious with filters. Electronic engineering. chrome.asExported newinterior. to South Africa, vehicle was structurally verymaking original this and particularly had new rare superb condition is the whole Warner automatic gearbox traffic. 1762cc TC engine, Barwellinserts. head,Tourist alloys, red bumper MoT’dTrophy until dgasket Overdrive. Chrome wires. returned in 1990 with little use since. Alfront wings, panels, valances, sills & formed part of a collection of a deceased The walnut dashboard lifts the whole model an ideallower classicrear today, this vehicle apparently MGB overdrive gbox andRecent diff. Most June 2020. discs and pads as well el coolant Progressive renovation over last 87265cabin. Body ways S/S clutch bits exhaust. andgaraged, paintwork areexhaust. very Recent original doors, on rebuilt engine one withcan unleaded cylinder head, included. £29,000 ono. interior, satestate, inspection see the quality of theAUTOMATIC rebuild fromOlder a number yearsRestored ago and as new tyres. Full leather MG CGT 1968 Nut &ofBolt ade, (have 5 years. Many new parts and modifim strong with with roller thrust bearing. Some paint no rust and the underneath rebuilt 3 synchro non-overdrive brightwork and chrome wire wheels,Mineral Tartan Email: jfarrington999@gmail.com with likely little miles since is still gearbox, very freshnew in appearance, just automatic, arrived £24,950.00 nav, Bluetooth connectivity. Full service (RWD628G) MG CGT 1968, excellent l alarm, cations. Please contact for full details. blemishes and frosted hood is sound. Engine bay immaculate. She windows. Red coachwork although not perfect is still in good condition and presents well, Black leather history – serviced by SAIC Motor 2016 UK Tech-MG6 GT diesel Blue coachwork with nicely mellowed original Black vice hisProfessionally maintained. Large history £7,800 ono. 07961948279 was restored in the latePlease 1990s.phone The car interior facia and wheel, drives very nicely,genuine just arrived £13,495.00 MG BGTtrim, 1972walnut Last Owner 37steering Years (LLF951K) MG BGT, nical Centre. In good condition. Spacious, leather interior trim, original leather bound MGC Facelift rt, Classic file. MOT to Oct. 2021. £9,500. For moremodel. Top-of-the range TL has electronic ignition and a Kenlow fan evenings. (Somerset) 1972, owner 37 years, chrome bumpers, overdrive, economical engaging modern MG. £6500 steering wheel, nicely detailed engine compartment model. diesel.last 48,000 miles MG TF 85th 0,500ono. information and photos please email – 1.9 turbo MGB fitted other2010 than that an original. A truly 197118” BRG withcoachwork 5housing Speed Gearbox chromeRoadster Rostyle wheels, Aqua nowsmooth requiring ono. Call Adam on 07530734044(daily driver so mileage the 3.0 litre engine ideal with the Borg will increase) Anniversary One of only 50 ever . ajcarobson@blueyonder.co.uk stunning example of 1960 sEdition. British engineering. (YOK94J), chrome chrome wire with some improvement but bumpers, a very solidWarner vehicleautomatic indeed a gearbox making this particularly rare alloys, red bumper inserts. MoT’d until built, full leather Based in Sevenoaks. £12,995seats, air con, heated (SW Birmingham) wheels withpads matching Avon tyresoriginal fitted, 5style speed nice original feel and appearance, navy cloth June 2020. Recent discs and as well glass rear Twist of Pepper alloy Call 07930491027 or window, 01732 887265 gearbox conversion, gold satsealdarker engineBritish fitted Racing mid 80’sGreen and drives as new tyres. Fullinterior leathertrim, interior, wheels, wind stop, hood cover, full size email: walkermr20@gmail.com coachwork, Full Black leather trim, documentation Walnut nav, Bluetooth connectivity. service delightfully, good history file interior with original spare wheel and the rare MGTF toolkit veneer dashboard, Mota-Lita steering wheel, specialists Brian Brown Classics & B history – servicedback by SAIC Motor Techto the 80’s, aUK plethora of invoices from renowned This edition is the only MGTF to every nical Centre. In good condition. Spacious, recent Moss Unipart Quality original style Blackold vinyl hood, Hive, original Gold Seal papers, mot’s etc. etc. just arrived £5,950.00 have mechanical modification with economical engaging modern MG. £6500 rear Spax shock absorber conversion, drives nicely, 2010 factory uprated suspension to make this MG TF 85th ono. Call Adam on 07530734044 r just arrived £13,495.00 Anniversary Edition. One of only 50 ever the best driving MGTF every produced. ar has built, full leather seats, air con, heated Only 26000 miles £8,995.00. restoration glass rear window, Twist of Pepper alloy URGENTLY WANTED Tel: AlanMGB on 07799 1967 GT717007 or wheels, wind stop, hood cover, full size well and email:miles. motorfan@hotmail.co.uk 88292 This vehicle benefits from n it over spare wheel and the rare MGTF toolkit (Fleetnew Hampshire) many parts; converted to negative rot in This edition 1969 is the only MGTF to every GT ow ecently earth, brake and clutch pipes replaced MGmodification AMGC have mechanical Finished in1600 Green with with biscuit leather bolt in edused suspension to make with copper piping, hoses replaced.factory uprated In good condition, builtthis 1961. On the MkII MGB roadster upholstery with overdrive. It is a good ANY CONDITION urgess the best driving MGTF with aRed with black tacho are every 58’000produced. miles. It has EU approvunderlay and The carpets renewed, seats interior. car has drivers car fitted with quick rack, ManHilifting gear 5the Only 26000 miles £8,995.00. al papers (before this it was approved with black leather. Walnut undergonerecovered hours of bodywork restoration iflow extractor manifold and electric SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF OUR STOCK d a/ra bar. Tel: Alan on in07799 717007 The or power of the motor has sports Switzerland) dashboard fitted and steering which is holding up extremely well and wheel power steering. In 2017 a Webasto roof, email: gnertia and has shehad over is 79 PS and had be changed to lead replaced with a leather-bound type. Bodymotorfan@hotmail.co.uk £10,000 spent on it over electronic ignition, and alloy wheels and Halogen (Fleet Hampshire) o. free petrol. The car is black with a beige work requires attention. the past few years. No rust or rot in Security dead tyres were fitted. In 2019 a new brake Do not confuse the above vehicles with cheaper inferior quality models offered elsewhere. Part exchange h relays. interor. It’s in a good condition. MG A 1600 or mobile locks fitted driver and passenger doors. the car. The engine hastobeen recently any make of Motor Car with generous allowances. Discounted cash purchases. Viewing by appointment only master cylinder the side servoofrefurht, im-rebuilt allowing The wheel is on and the left the unleaded to be used in Open to MOT to 17/11/2021. £6,495. In car. good condition, built 1961. On the please (available evenings & weekends) no obligation to purchase. All our vehicles carry a warranty, have an bished. The car is fitted reclining seats njoyable MOT and are areItfully fully serviced prior to to collection/delivery. collection/delivery. Price 38’000 Euro or £34’200 GBP. Theare 58’000 interior with a (Oxfordshire) m the car. The MOT and prior tacho miles. hasserviced EU approvoffers. Callrefreshed 07883 886004 with head restraints.The milometer reads e. car has to be picked from France.alPhone new dashboard and doorcards lifting the papers (before this it was approved c16500 miles since 2001. £19,500. Tel: 89 whole feel of the car. The car has a sports 0033 389 89 40 56 or Email: in Switzerland) The power of the motor 0754 9999168, exhaust which sounds amazing and she francoise@bignens.org is 79 PS and had be changed to lead e goes very well. £10999.00. ono. free petrol. The car is black with a beige Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0) 1953 717850 SPECIALIST IN CLASSIC SPORTS CARS interor. It’s in a good condition. Please call 1960 on 01732MGA 887265 1600 or mobileMk 1 L/H/D. complete body off rebuild. The wheel is on the left side of the car. 07930 491027. finished in old english white with black Price 38’000 Euro or £34’200 GBP. The Email: walkermr20@gmail.com leather trim. Thousands spent and must car has to be picked from France. Phone be seen to be appreciated. £29,750 0033 389 89 40 56 or Email: Tel: 07813743576 or WANTED ALL MG MODELS! francoise@bignens.org All conditions wanted, from barn finds to Email: grahamallaway@yahoo.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0) 1953 7 1960 MGA 1600 Mk 1 concours. Complete collections purchased. (North Yorkshire) body off rebuild. 1959 MGA Twin Cam L/H/D. complete Cash buyer. Discretion assured. finished in old english white with black 1976 MG Midget, Flame red, black trim, totally restored car, 1967 MG Midget mk2 Black, black trim , w/w , 1380 fast road Deluxe spec. RHD. Just completed body Please do not hesitate to contact me if ut & bolt new bodyshell, W/W, all newOld trim.English Family owned restored leather trim. Thousands spent and must 1972 MGB Roadster, White,carred trim. engine, lcb exhaust, all new chrome bumpers, totally restored off restoration to a high standard. Its 1977 MGB Roadster a few years agoon bydry thestate engineer son,issuperb by the long term previous owners, who now are beige a liitle too old MGRV8, Woodcote Green, stone trim. you are interested in selling your MG and nical Totally restored shell, owners everything new/ 1995 appreciated. £29,750 e with condition,2Lnew shell so no rust, everything replaced or New to enjoybeige the car.mohair Original rare steering Drives excellently Twin Cam Engine has been replacedbebyseen to be hood, newwheel. (original) tonneau, recon. fast road engine. Sports was leather seats. Black with alloy wheels. Owned 19 years. are looking for a prompt hassle-free cash iginal reg restored, ared superb carW/Wheels. which wouldDrives cost £30k+ renovate and a lot in of fun, excellently maintained and door loved.cards. SuperbRe fun excellent condition, new or WANTED ALL MODELS! ars ago. Everfl exMG hood. like atonew car, interior the correct 1622cc pushrod versionTel: to 07813743576 Garaged, has sound body. Tax and now. Fantastic classicrack, motoring £12,995 classic bestdash and rarest midgetand model. buyer! Please feel free to contact memot forconditions a console door£9,495 caps. 48,500 mls. h head stunning superb, S/S boot sports wheel, painted dash. veneered All wanted, from barnsummer finds to Email: grahamallaway@yahoo.co.uk convert it to Deluxe specification. New Hydraulic bonnet struts, K&N filters. Would cost in Screen frame (refurbed). Power steering, upgraded exempt, no good carbs, new battery obligation friendly chat. and gine concours. Complete collections purchased. (North Yorkshire) to Clive Wheatley Spax shocks. Suspension poly clutch excess of £35k to build. £27,995.00 double duck hood and interesting history alternator, rad and hoses, new front Cash buyer. Discretion assured. alternator, bushed. New clutch and slave cylinder, new boot 1960 MGA I am especially interested in the following w radio/ - owned1600 for many years by the Bishop of stayst. £22,995 brake pads, and rear brake shoe’s just gnition Please do not hesitate to contact me if models: MG TC, MGA, MGB, MGC, MGB Only 14500 miles since 2011 nut & bolt£32,950 Tel. ives very Immaculate. 1972 MGB Roadster, Old English White, red trim. serviced. Nice mohairand hood. Readyyou to go x, 3.9:1 diff, Peterborough. are interested in selling your MG and V8, Magnette Midget. restoration & complete Totally restored on dry state shell, everything is new/ 1995 MGRV8, Woodcote Green, ston her info 07941 210253mechanical (Oxford) for summer £7,500. Tel: 07866047549. recon. 2L fast road engine. Sports leather seats. New beige mohair hood, new (origi s enable are looking for a prompt hassle-free cash replacement. 500+ photos. Original reg Everflex red hood. W/Wheels. Drives like a new car, interior in excellent condition, new do CALL DIRECT ON: buyer! Please feel free to contact me for a xhaust dis- Head-turning car with stunning or email: derekhanford@gmail.com number. superb, S/S boot rack, sports wheel, painted dash. veneered dash console and door caps Hydraulic bonnet struts, K&N filters. Would cost in Screen frame (refurbed). Power steer y devices, (South Devon) no obligation friendly chat. paintwork. Uprated B 1800 engine 07787 528131 to Clive Wheatley Spax shocks. Sus excess of £35k to build. £27,995.00 wned for producing 107 bhp, unleaded, alternator, bushed. New clutch and slave cylind UK Based Buyer I am especially interested in the following £22,995 stayst. 1972 MGB Old English white, red leather trim. Leather 1964 MGB Roadster Pull door handle car, Iris blue, black ne else to negative earth, electronic ignition 1968 MGC GT models: MG TC,specially MGA,made MGB, MGC, MGB sports recliners, bare shell rebuild, fast road /white trim. Excellent restored car done a while ago in the eptional car. (Novatech tuned), 5-speed box, 3.9:1 diff, Finished in Primrose Yellow with chrome V8, Magnette and engine, all newMidget. trim, leather recliners, leather moto lita wheel, 90s but still excellent and one of the early Californian all new trim, everfex red hood, red trimmed dash top and imports when they were really good. O/drive, interior & wheels larger wheels enable om assisted brakes spoke and black leather trim. door rolls, body dash. All drive train, Green mechanicals, really as goodFlame as new, lovley superb shell CALL MIDGET DIRECT ON: MK1coloured Almond Green, Shadow trim. 1972 MGB Red, Tanengine leatherbay, trim. Full bare FUN DRIVING, extractor exhaust Thewith car underwent a bodydisrestoration in brakes, suspension fully restored. O/drive gearbox. Fast road shell and superbly painted alloy record. bonnet, Totally immaculate. Totally restored car, probably rebuild original, with history andunderside, photographic tinctive sound! Hi-end security devices, record, the 1900 best engine, gas flowed head. ARestored superb example and drives w/wheels, Lovely original engine steering bay. wheel. Fittedsuperbly. with betterSome 5 brg 1997/98 with photographic 07787 528131 the MK1 available! in 1992 and Minilites. Drives lik new. This like car would cost been in excess of £45k to restore. marks engine, original banjo axle. A superb older restoration and extensive tool & travel Owned for still looks it’s just done. Immaculate in paint. Superb summer fun and great engine was kits. rebuilt in 2011with many UKunderside, Based Classic Buyer Fantastic MG motoring for thetrim Summer £27,995 ready to enjoy£11,995.00 with no work required £15,995.00 engine bay, interior etc. sun. Drives like investment. 50 years, now time forincluding someonelightened else to flywheel, 1968 MGC GT up-grades new. Unique opportunity. £18,995 (would cost well enjoy. £32,000 reflects exceptional Finished in Primrose Yellow with chrome over £40-50k to restore now!) £18,995 ported headan and fast road car. cam, running Email: mga1600sale@gmail.com Contact the Midget spoke wheels and black leather trim. Specialist al on twinMGC 2” SU’s. Extensive GA 3 1968 GT history file MIDGET MK1 Almond Green, Shadow Green trim. 1972 MGB Flame Red, Tan leather t The car underwent a body restorationon in Abingdon MIKE AUTHERS with invoices and MOT Totally immaculate. Totally restored car, probably shell rebuild with history and photogr eats. Wire Overdrive. Chrome wire certificates. wheels (5 1997/98 with photographic record, the the best MK1 available! Restored in 1992 and Minilites. Lovely engine bay. Drives su £19,250.spare). Outstanding condition. 07703 465 224 CHROME ring the including still looks like it’s just been done. Immaculate marks in paint. Superb summer fu engine was rebuilt in 2011with many 1957 MG ZB Magnett underside, engine bay, interior trim etc. Drives like investment. £11,995.00 Tel:body 07710 399510 ott Nelson BUMPERED MIDGETS in Full re-build in(Warwickshire) 2016 with receipts up-grades including lightened flywheel, new. Unique opportunity. £18,995 (would cost well srbox and model. In need of restoration. over £40-50k to restore now!) £18,995 and photos. Full engine the-build inported 2013 headVaritone excellent bought up to and fast roadcondition cam, running Completely re-wired by John Shorten. Full Contact the Midget Specialist Waxoyled. 1957 MGA 1500 Iris Blue, black trim, walnut dash, 1995 MGRV8, Woodcote Green, stone beige trim. New beige also with receipts and photos. Many on twin 2” SU’s.£8,000. Extensive history file View current stock at chrome wire wheels, immaculate restored car, painted mohair hood, new (original) tonneau, interior in excellent steel exhaust from downpipes. ed 1993 MIKE AUTHERS on Abingdon modifications carried out at this time in-invoicesstainless with and MOT certificates. SELLING YOUR CAR? underneath, everything is new or reconditioned, lovely condition, new door cards. Re veneered dash console and www.mgmidgets.com Runs, drives superb, has MGB gearbox y6rebuilt, panel224 gaps, aCHROME superb car and ready to use. Would cost door caps. 48,500 mls. Screen frame excellent (refurbed). £19,250. As a member thebalanced MG Car Club you cluding lightenedofand flywheel, 07703 465 . at the double asking price to restore. £32,995.00 Fitted with power steering. Suspension poly bushed. New with overdrive. Comes with original gear car the ry from Tel:for 07710 399510 (Warwickshire) can advertise yourUnleaded car in Safety Fast 6 branch manifold. head. BUMPERED MIDGETS in British Racing Green, 1969 clutch and slaveMineral cylinder,Blue, new boot in fact all Chrome the usual MGC greystays, leather trim. 1976 MG MIDGET 1500 drove box and prop shaft. Many more photos goodto RV8 foibles all sortedTotally out. Excellent example.£21,995.00 free. Just email your car details, max 60 Overdrive. restored by ourselves 10 Autumn Leaf trim. Everything on this car has wires. Stainless steel exhaust. Koni adjustable excellent condition bought up to modified and info on request. Contact: £2,500. For years ago. Superb car in superb condition. Lovely been renewed or refurbished. All new trim. omed. words, with a JPEG picture to rear shocktogether absorbers. Electronic ignition. A NEW MGengine MECCA CAR SALES bay. Unleaded rebuilt engine. Bespoke grey Over current £12,000 spentNAME alone, plus £8,000. View stock aton parts FOR more information contact Daniel Betts on MMOT Type ne, see1931 MG Colin Grant at back to SELLING leather seats.Norwich, A fine restored and NR16 very well looked 1000’s of 1, hours. Immaculate inside and out and Rd,trim, Recent with MOTs going YOUR CAR? Unit Roudham Trading Estate, Roudham East Harling, Norfolk, 2TW h) history, www.mgmidgets.com Tel: 07974924166. after car £27,995.00 underneath! Fantastic value £12,995.00 Matching 1991. numbers engine fully07989 rebuilt, colingrant@mgcc.co.uk £23,500. Tel: 318737 As a member of the MG Car Club you www.moderngarageclassics.co.uk Tel: 01953 717618 . (Hertfordshire) rewired, recore rad,this the car the Nonismembers fee is £20 can advertise your car in Safety Fast for 1976 MG MIDGET 1500 British Racing Green, 1969 MGC Mineral Blue, grey leather shire)late robin gordon owned and drove to free. Just email your car details, max 60 Autumn Leaf trim. Everything on this car has wires. Overdrive. Totally restored by monte-carlo in 1954 after he modified been renewed or refurbished. All new trim. years ago. Superb car in superb con words, together with a JPEG picture to Over £12,000 spent on parts alone, plus engine bay. Unleaded rebuilt engine. rear end to take his racing cycle, see Colin Grant at trim, leather seats. A fine 1000’s of hours. Immaculate inside out and MAYand 2021 SAFETY FAST! 93restored and ve www.mgcc.co.uk AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 95 yearbook 2003 for story. Much history, after car £27,995.00 underneath! Fantastic value £12,995.00 colingrant@mgcc.co.uk loved and reliable car £14,500. Non members fee is £20 Tel:07986530555 (Gloucestershire)

01707 876089

07831 556666

01707 876089

07831 556

URGENTLY WANTED

ANY ANY MG MG

ANY ANY YEAR YEAR ANY CONDITION

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

WANTED

www.mgmecca.co.uk

WANTED

MIDGETS! WANTED MIDGETS! WANTED

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

Any Condition from non runners to rebuilt cars

Please call Edward 1973 MGB Tourer 840236 or any time on 07774 484497 200001923 MGF 1.8i In Yellow. Good condition, no rust. Registered March 2000 (W). One owner, Laycock Overdrive, new fuel tank and 69300 miles.Email: Blue, black hood, cream/ ejwclassiccars@btinternet.com petrol pump, Seat belts, full tonneau, taupe leather sports seats, alloy wheels. and carburettors serviced and tuned up. High visibility tail light, wind deflector, 43,000 miles on clock. MOT till August Website: www.mgandporsche.com mud flaps, original radio/cassette. 2021. £8,000. For more information tel: DONHOODS-SFAug07.QXD:Layout 1

23/9/09

16:22

Head gasket replaced. Service(Northwood, history Middlesex) 01751 474451. (North Yorkshire) - last serviced February 2021,MOT to February 2022. New battery. Some minor rust above rear wheel arches. £1,750. Tel:07710785817 (Norfolk)

UNBEATABLE QUALITY – UNBEATABLE VALUE!

Old English White, with red trim. Originally a North American

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

DIRECT FROM THE MAKERS – WITH OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

•BETTER THAN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT QUALITY •STITCHED AND WELDED FOR MAXIMUM LIFE •WIDEST CHOICE OF COLOURS AVAILABLE 1972 •ALLRWA FASTENERSMIDGET & FITTINGS INCLUDED Restored in the mid-1990s, garaged and PRICE T AN LE AF summer use only. Fast roadDengine, LE R FO T AC NT CO stainless exhaust, Spax adjustable shocks, T LIS Co. Ltd Minilites and Cobra ingseats. Trimm Donnew

This is fo

additiona MG TF13

67,700 miles Halls Garage condition an Halls Garage A veritable £950 ono. Ph

1974 M

much to list

Page 1 engine/gea

DON HOODS

1956 MGA ROADSTER

How

Members free of ch £250 in S spares mo advert w Club webs Safety F grant@m your The editor

Choice of heavy duty PVC, ICI 1969 Vyn ide, MGC Everflex,GT Duck and Mohair Tartan Red with black interior, wire

wheels, overdrive, gas flowed cylinder ALL head, fabricated exhaust MAKmanifold, ES & MO DELS incl: Mradio, stainless exhaust, modern etc. G, Trium ph, Escortother Recent new clutch and many , Golf parts. etc. Sound and usable car, long distance 7JJ 3 B2 m Owned by ton a friend since restoration and gha Road, Birmin tourer. Much history, present owner past Hamp by me for the last 4yrs.37 overhaul 13 3 13 30 years, £19,250. Contact: Rob on 07966 21 Recent Tel: 01 of fuel system inc new sealedOF tank. Sus217024. More info: trialabyte@aol.com. SALES FICE HERN UTleaf pension, SO rear springs, front level arm 00 CARPET (Warwickshire) 22 74 SETS FOR MOST MODELS 2 20 01 l: shocks and all bushes. Brakes, drums, Te discs, pads, shoes and front calipers. £7,750 ono. Contact Alistair on 07969698514 (Cheltenham)

www.donhoods.com

ous diffs. w rostyles, ins and exhaus All located D Email- kdun

Mike Sa

Sunmate To New and un fore use. Gi MGA heat build u Old English w nylongear witha speed reflect heat restoration. the wind iners 2010. Feat seals giving der A very sp for ofSuitable TLC. £23.5 including fr bag. Cost £6 now! £3.50 son. 01983 (Isle of Wig

Books Cla

MG A Pictor Magic of the Magic of MG Works MG 1 1947 MG Mike Allison Owned for 4 CHESTERFIELD • DERBYSHIRE Works MG 2 and panels, MG Log.rebu Pet engine, for last fM Thethe Classic sioning. Offe MG by McC for 02 MGdetails 1911 to MG TF 135 1.8 Great Marq 45K Genuine miles in Pearl Black. MG Sports C This is my own car. Just passed the MOT M-type to T 2012 MG6 TSE with no advisories. Leather seats in MaClassic MG Y Top of the range MG6 Petrol model Suppliers of parts for roon. Brand new Proxes TR tyres. Wheels Triple-M 19 registered 18/12/12, 55,159 miles, mot Glacier Blue with black trim. unmarked, just been Powder Coated in • MGA • MGB • MGC • Midget due 17/12/21. Good service history Project Pho Smoked Grey Chrome finish. Numerous Weather Equipment. Steel wheels. with the last service on 10/12/20. New IanAdcock Tuned 998cc. Other upgrades • T Type • MGF/TF amount of previous MOT’s certificates, North American Export, shipping battery. Brakes all replaced, including A to Z of Ca Service and Parts Invoices with Service include, lightened flywheel and fluid change in the last 15 months. Clutch, out 18 September 1957. Returned Michael Sed Book. I will include with the Sale a Set conrods, modified distributor, cambelt, auxiliary belts and spark plugs to the UK in 1991 and then Repairing & of 4 Mudflaps, Replacement Fuel Cap, 1999 MG all changed on 19/04/18. Good Dunlop SP 4 Pot front calipers, 100 mph ponents, Pe original chipped. New Weather Shield restored by Batheaston Artefactors. MGF,1800 V Sport tyres all round. Scrape to bottom Tel 01246 454527 • Fax 01246 453681 and fitting kit. Drives and performs really speedo, 3 clock dash, Twin Autocar mo BRG, green/ This included a body off the corner of rear bumper and wheels are a well. £2,150.00. Contact: Roger on (1950s)£4 spoiler, alwa Albert Street North, Chesterfield, S41 8NP 11/4 modified SU’s, and Vortz bit scruffy. £2,500. Contact Mike 07999 chassis restoration. It comes with 07454 006080 or roger@briscoe.net Phone Haynes01484 Clas 263736 (Abingdon) air box. It is a rare Mini with a Heritage Certiﬁcate, invoices Haynes Wor very interesting history. Owned for work and parts, plus a photo (1969-87) £ originally by the Vrotsos family. In album documenting work done. A Safety Fast: 23/06/2010 13:46 Red with Black roof. Recent Steve full McKie Sports Cars Hi-Res.indd 1 Volume 40,4 beautiful example in the rare Glacier £3 each body respray with new seats front Blue colour scheme. Covering just Octagon Ca under 4k miles since restoration. and rear fitted. Great fun! (August 198 1995) to 43 £30. Please on 01483 8 For full stocklist please see our website nigelguild@hotmail.com 1942mgman book or to o

STEVE McKIE SPORTSCARS

Specialists in the repair and restoration of MG cars

1957 MGA 1500

1977 MINI MIGLIA VORTZ

www.stevemckiesportscars.co.uk

TED

£34,995

£31,995

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! MAY 2021

AN GW

U YO

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r o F

y r o Gl BY

01844 281700

MGOC Recommended Dealer 40 MGs in Stock Best Prices paid with friendly advice. Est 1986 Fast payment and collection

96 SAFETY FAST! FEBRUARY 2021

www.mgcc.co.uk

Plea Adver Februar

issue

k. the MOT ts in Mas. Wheels oated in umerous ficates, Service e a Set el Cap, Shield rms really on e.net

2016 2016 TRADE MEMBER

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

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337 Specialising in all MG’s Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

TRADE MEMBER

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

MG TF135

67,700 miles. Serviced and maintained by Halls Garage MG specialists. Good overall condition and runs well. Can be viewed at Halls Garage, Morton, near Bourne Lincs. £950 ono. Phone Steve on 01778 570286.

CLASSIFIEDS

1968 MGB Roadster

In Snowberry White. Fully rebuilt a year ago on new British Motor Heritage shell with new red interior, leather seats, hood and tonneau cover. Oselli 1800 balanced fast road engine, completed 32,000 miles, and NEW Mazda 5 speed gearbox. Servo assisted brakes, electronic ignition and cooling fan. Painted wire wheels. Quadoptic halogen headlamps fitted. Excellent car for touring. Considerable history file including all receipts for the rebuild. £29,950. Phone Roy on 07802253937 (South Oxon)

How to Advertise

MGA

Old English white. MGB 1950 engine, 5 speed gear and box wire wheels. Older restoration. Complete paint strip respray in 2010. Featured in this mag in 2007 under A very special MGA. In need of a bit of TLC. £23.500 Tel: 07814785408 (Oxon)

1947 MG TC for sale.

MGB GT - 1967

1969 MGB Roadster

BRG with chrome wire wheels and O/D. Garaged and light use only since restoration in early 2000s which included Ivor Searl lead-free engine. Recent brake servo fitted, four new Toyo tyres, front springs, anti-roll bar, front brakes and new full tonneau cover. MOT passed March 2021 (with no Advisories). Solid and very usable car in good condition. £14,750. Telephone 07831 111732 (Glasgow)

Owned for 40+ years, new Naylor body and panels, new trim/hood etc. Gold Seal engine, rebuilt gearbox/diff etc. Stored for the last few years so needs recommissioning. Offers circa £15,000. Please call for details 02476 673894. (Coventry)

MGF,1800 VVC, 47,535 miles, finished in BRG, green/black leather upholstery, rear spoiler, always garaged. £3,750 Phone 01484 307170. (Huddersfield.)

Black, o/d gearbox, Webasto roof, chrome wire wheels. High quality restoration, recent engine bay repaint and engine overhaul, photographic record of all work with extensive history file. Electronic ignition. Black with green piping interior. Much admired car and a superb drive. £7,750 ono. Tel: 01584 810644. or alandeew@wanadoo.fr (Worcestershire)

WANTED

WANTED ALL MG MODELS!

All conditions wanted, from barn ﬁnds to concours. Complete collections purchased. Cash buyer. Discretion assured. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in selling your MG and are looking for a prompt hasslefree cash buyer! Please feel free to contact me for a no obligation friendly chat.

I am especially interested in the following models: MG TC, MGA, MGB, MGC, MGB V8, Magnette and Midget.

CALL DIRECT UKON: 07787 528131 Based Buyer

FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING

www.mgcc.co.uk

CLASSIFIEDS

Members c charge in members i posted on t To place an email coli attached ph car, your c car, area wh number. 70 words, to edit lo insertion o

MG ZR 170 Race Car

1972 MGBGT

1999 MGF VVC (V reg)

Members can advertise their cars free of charge in Safety Fast! The cost for non members is £20. The advert will also be Finished in black with painted wire wheels and Michelin XAS posted on the Club website in due course. comes with an impressive spec of a 1950 fast road engine, ToTyres, place anitadvert in Safety Fast! please email colingrant@mgcc.co.uk withmanifold an Weber, 3 branch big bore with stainless steel exhaust to attached photo of your car, details of your 123 Ignition, twin coils and fuel pumps, 5 speed gearbox, car,match, your contact details, price of your Ridgard RS9 with Willans harnesses’s, and Motolita wood rim car, area where youseats live and membership number. Please keepThis your advert to been built for Rally, Fast road, Track steering wheel. car has 70 words, the editor reserves the right 1981 MGBLE Roadster day it adverts. has a very sound excellent paint, it drives like to edituse, longer This is for onebody and One of the rarest limited edition MG B insertion only, for additional a proper sports car withinsertions loads of torque, it has a Heritage certiﬁ cate, roadster 1981 became for sale because please emailﬁle and is Tax and of moving house, looking for a good good history MOT exempt. £15,995 colingrant@mgcc.co.uk house with garage, comes with heritage Units 9/10 Fifehead Business Park, Manor Farm, Fifehead Magdalen, near Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5RR certificate, 1,8 engine, all original, wire E-mail: mikerolls4mgs@compuserve.com • www.mikerolls.co.uk wheels, 48000near miles, kept in garage most Units 9/10 Fifehead Business Park, Manor Farm, Fifehead Magdalen, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5RR Mail Order “Friendly Quality Service” of its life, underseal protected, overdrive E-mail: mikerolls4mgs@compuserve.com • www.mikerolls.co.uk gear works fine, 4 owners (including Mail Order “Friendly Quality Service” myself) over the past 40 years, previous owner had it for 16 years. Price £7820. No dealers please. Email: Judit at drkissjudy@gmail.com

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

wire ylinder old, o, etc. her parts. ance wner past on 07966 aol.com.

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

Built from a brand new shell in 2013 by Paul Luti (Dreadnaught Garage), fully seam welded with air jack system incorporated. One season on the engine (MSA seals in place). Outstanding condition, always garaged, never used as a road car. No expense spared. Very competitive race winning car. Reason for sale- too many toys and an expanding family! Please note stickers removed since photo leaving gleaming Trophy Yellow paint£6995ovno. Tel: 07771848754 (Preston)

1932 M Type Midget 2

URGENT PR URGENT PR

Seat Sports. Total chassis up rebuild to the highest standard. New body and bonco net skinned in aluminium, rebuilt engine, Pleaseand check carefully for errors in style, gearbox backthis axle.proof New modified prop shaft, new black leather seats by in preparing your a Although every care is exercised Please check this proof carefully for errors in style, Collingburn. For more details and ourselves responsible for anyphotos inaccuracies you may Although every care is exercised contact John on 01132 574100 or email:in preparing your a ourselves for any inaccuracies you may SHOULD responsible YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO jgott1941@googlemail.com

WANTED TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ANY _ _ _ALTERATIONS _ _ AND QUOTE SHOULD YOU REQUIRE TOA MGTF LE500 TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE A Or similar late model TF in reasonable condition for a sensible price. Please contact Trevor on 07778 795792

1997 (Dec) MGF VVC

BRG in absolutely pristine condition with only 13,156 miles on the clock. FSH from new with last cam belt change at 11,333 miles (05/17). Original Sales invoice and 2x keys, with extras such as interior Leather (cream) option pack. Recent new set of Falken ZEIX tyres at 11,781 miles (06/18) and new rear vinyl screen. £5995. Tel. 07785 354371 (Somerset).

MGZT-T

WANTED

MG ZR 1

Built from a Looking for a ZT-T.the Would prefer Diesel, for any Paulalterati Luti (D We reserve right to charge Automatic with F.S.H. Contact Danny seam welde is a departure from the origina Powell 01568 770081 We reserve the (Herefordshire) right to charge for any alterati porated. On

is a departure from the sealsorigina in plac

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

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

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

WANTED

CM02.13/B32/d

ust. k and neau, uned up. August ation tel: re)

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

B32 - MIKE ROLLS SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS SERVICES 13/12/2012 09:50 Page 1

always gara No expense race winnin many toys a Please note leaving glea £6995ovno.

MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 95

The “Lost” 1952 MG

Cisitalia Special Race Car, originally built

Contact the Midget Specialist MIKE AUTHERS on Abingdon

Insurancefor forall allMG’s MG’s Insurance classicand andmodern modern classic

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

Any Condition from non runners to rebuilt cars

How to Advertise

Members can advertise their spares SALE free ofSPARES charge forFOR items less than £250 How in Safety Fast! The cost for to Advertise spares morecan than £250 is their £20. The Members advertise spares advert also be free ofwill charge forposted items on lessthe than Club website. To place an advert £250 in Safety Fast! The cost in for Safety Fast! please email colinspares more than £250 is £20. grant@mgcc.co.uk Please keep The advert alsotobe60posted yourwill advert wordson the Club website. To place an advert The editor reserves the right to edit in Safetylonger Fast! please email colinadverts. grant@mgcc.co.uk keep This is for one insertionPlease only, for additional email yourinsertions advert toplease 60 words Grant The editorColin reserves the right to edit

Please call Edward 01923 840236 or any time on 07774 484497 longer adverts. This is for one insertion only, for Email: ejwclassiccars@btinternet.com Call for a quote today 1974 Midget 1275cc. additional insertions please email Cornucopia of spares. Too Colin Grant Insurance for allWebsite: MG’s www.mgandporsche.com 01376 574000Amuchveritable to list, but includes panelwork, DONHOODS-SFAug07.QXD:Layout 1 23/9/09 16:22 Page 1 engine/gearbox Safety Fast! Magazines 3 types of Carbs. variclassic and modern (Northwood, Middlesex) www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk Issues present day. May ous diffs.from wire1985 wheeltoaxle and wheels,

DON HOODS UNBEATABLE QUALITY – UNBEATABLE VALUE!

rie CartDIRECT er FROM THE 07885 MAKERS –

and Alan Bartlett WITH OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE Choice of heavy duty •BETTER THAN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT QUALITY rriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk PVC, ICI •STITCHED AND WELDED FOR MAXIMUM LIFE

768830

Vynide, Everflex, Duc k and

•WIDEST CHOICE COLOURS AVAILABLE ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ - OF‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ •ALL FASTENERS & FITTINGS INCLUDED

Mohair

ALL MAKES oming through our doors, MG’s, Race cars, Classics of all types. D PRICE & MODEL FOR LEAFLET AN in

S MG, Tr T BELOW THEIR COST TO ME. I’m verycl:dealable! D OUT, SO THESE SALE CARS ARE AT,NT OR AC WELL T CO LIS Esco iumph,

TC Racer Although there has been much interest in my ex-championship and well known T.C. race car, I don’t want the part xs offered. It is already very cheap and has so many rare and expensive parts I’m not giving d ex. manifolds, 13/4 50s opics, alloy panels, 72 uild this would cost £50k d as a rolling chassis all a less modified engine h. It’s very cheap and will etition. Ring for a price

Don Trimming Co.

rt, Golf

Ltd

etc. Triumph 2000 MK II Estate. I’ve seldom seen car that looks like it’s just come RHD. This 13 out of the showroom as this does, Not only pristine 13 3 superbly Tel: 0121 37 top, but underneath too, It shows 47,000 miles OFFICErestored Car and is fitted with Power Steering, so us older SOUTHERN SALES is a 4 door 00 lessCARPET SETS gentry don’t get tired arms, Interior is in reddish FOR MOS T MOD ELSis likewise and you’ll Tel: 01202 7422 pillar brown and Mint, Exterior replica of the same car as never find another like this. £9,750

Lancia 7JJ mingham B23Appia 1960 Hampton Road, Bir

www.donhoods.com

competed in the Acropolis Rallye in 1960, It has had £ thousands spent making it the superb example you see, Luxurious red leather trim, All the required navigation equipment, Drives free and flowingly, I doubt there’s a better one anywhere. Enormous amount of boxed history and receipts, Gorgeous, £19,995 - May Part/ Ex for something tasty.

rostyles, lights, Manifolds be just instruments, one or two missing. No charge and exhausts except cost etc.,etc. of packing and carriage, or Allfree located Didcot. only. collection inCollection east Wiltshire/west Emailkduncan1940@gmail.com Berkshire, south Oxon area. Please

Callfor fora aquote quotetoday today Call

01376574000 574000 01376

www.peterbestinsurance.co.uk www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk MG Y Type

MGB Roadster Parts

Radiator grilles- two available. One is complete with radiator and cap. 3 screens complete. Grille is free of dents, straight slats. 1 non overdrive gearbox. Ideally needs rechroming as it is dull but rubberSecond bumper body nose section no 1flaking. item consists of grille, back to the radiator bulkhead. New old false nose and slats only, free of dents stock. with slats in good condition, chrome pull handleshine boot, lid withshould integralbeseal. has1reasonable ideally rechromed. Will sell separately. Open Poor condition. to offers. Contact Andrew on 01761 2 sets of carbs plus numerous suspen221893. Or andrewowst@hotmail.com sion parts all requiring restoration. (Bristol 1 pairarea) of factory original cylinder heads

MGBV8 for BGT V8Radiator complete with valve gear.

In good internallyexcept clean. for Hasthe 1 ZT-Tcondition, tailgate complete Otter switch provision. £50. body pressing. MGB Bootlid, good rustbumper, free condition, 1 ZT-T facelift front slightly tartan red. modified to carry spare wire damaged in firefox red. wheel complete with fixing spinner. For Midget Mk 4: (free-up boot space for her shoes!)£60. 1 setcollect of bumpers and rear comBuyer for bothfront items please plete with brackets etc. phone Keith from Leicestershire. Please 1 factory original hardtop needing 07551653890.

restoration. Workshop Manuals 1 hood frame

The MG Workshop Manual From 'M' 1 prop type to T.F.shaft. (Tenth impression Published 1 early ZR spoiler in trophy blue. OK but Sunmate 1967) 520975 Total Protection Hood Cover. coat pealing. New and unused due to sale of car beMGlacquer TF Oil Pump (New in box) fore use. Gives protection from rain or MGFor TCTD/TF: Plywood Dashboard blank Steering Wheel. Original 1960's Les heat build up in cabin. Heavier weight MG1 Head Gasketbox SetinHS1A532 RHD pedal good condition. Leston Wooden Steeringsurface Wheel,to15inch. Any1 queries nylon with an aluminised and offers to Nickunused. Harrison, bare RHD steering rack, reflect heat. Water resistant. Fully covnmharrison9@gmail.com Includes boss to fit 1960's MGB/MGC. Tel: John on 01227 637813 or Email ers the ono. windscreen windows and £225 Contactdoor 07770950214 MGTC Parts johnbennett698@yahoo.com. (Kent) seals giving protection from seal leaks. Headlamps, pair in good condition Suitable for all year round protection except for missing rim clips and one rim MGA unused kit snow. for sale. 5-Speed including frost and In Ford protective Breaking for spares, needs chroming. £250. all parts available. gearbox. Stripped/cleaned MGB engine Tel:For bag. Cost £60, so £49 to a good home more details tel: 01993 823560 01344424258 for reconditioning correct adapter now! £3.50 postage with or collect in per(South Oxfordshire) SPARES WANTED son. 761382kit. or 07802 plate01983 for gearbox Offers170135 circa (Isle of Wight)” WANTED £1,650. 02476 673894. Coventry

Mike MGF/MGTF phone Satur Dave on 07503 240251 or 01672

MGB/MGC

Hi-Gear 5-Speed (Ford)

1979 Midget 1500

SPARES WANTED

Wanted Books MG J2from the late Bob For 1971 MGB 3.9 to 1 gear diff for banjo (early in MGB) Set ofClare’s 5 as new wire wheels for sale Automatic lever knobaxle - original Collection TenAutomatic road wheels forlever ZA/ZB magnette. gear illumination £500.00 must collect, near Taunton Call black.

MG A Pictorial History John Tipler £12 £15 each or £100 the lot, buyer collects. Ian on 01984 629009. (Somerset) Magic of the Marque Mike Allison £8XPAW light - original. Tel: Lawrence 07934 Tel: 01252 614698 or 07742750264 599501 Magic of MG M Allison. £18 (Hampshire) Works 1st edition- offers BlockMG on standard Mike Browning £30 LHDAllison/Peter TD TF steering rack, good condition CHESTERFIELD • DERBYSHIRE Works MG 2nd edition £22 -offers MG Log. Peter Haining £5 XPAG clutch housing good condition The Classic MG Richard Aspen £10 Rimmed in Burr Elm. Dianeter: 14”, - offers MG by McComb. Wilson McComb £12 Dished 1,5”, 9 steering boss bolts. Tel1911 01507 (Lincs) MG to 600391 1978 Peter Filby £15 MG YB Saloon For MGRV8 Great Marques – MG C Harvey £8 Still they emerge! MG YB, the rarer of the forgotten MG. 3 owners, 1 for 40 years and owner history from new. It has MG Sports Cars, Autocar road tests £10 Front Hubs for Wire Wheels L/H and never been restored and is still wearing its original and M-type to TFWheel 1500 1975 Paperback £12 very nice paint. Being interred for so long it has missed the R/H with Bearing and Spacer Ex-Starkey, for MGRV8 ravages of time and has no apparent rust problems on its Classic MG Yearbook 1973 £18 Suppliers parts for miles and 3 owners, very straight original body. Theof interior, always a problem £60.00 Each. Roger.moran@yahoo.com in as new, unrestored with “Y’s” is intact and only needs cleaning. The carpets Triple-M 1993 Yearbook £4 1936 Morris Eight Tourer. as faultless as the rest Front Back Plates L/H and R/H with are• very original•and the sunroof water tight.•Excellent MGA MGB • MGC Midget This absolutely beautiful car has had only two owners and Project Phoenix –the birth of the MGF e that has never been chrome and square tyres make this the barn slumberer of has been fully restored by it’s last owner of 29 years. I Slave Cylinder £80.00 Each the year. Unrepeatable and complete with dust £8,950 don’t think you’ll find another one like this. £11,995 IanAdcock £7 • T Type • MGF/TF £90.00 A Prop to Z ofshaft Carsassembly of the 1930s Gear Box assy with Bell Housing - Offers Michael Sedgewick £10 2 Brake Drums £ 35.00 each. Repairing & Restoring Classic Car ComMG TC Peter Wallage £10 ponents, Tel 01246 454527 • Fax 01246 453681 Autocar – 33rd edition Clutch motor Cover manual and Plate. £40.00 (1950s)£4 Albert Street North, Chesterfield, S41 8NP Contact Gordon Stanley on Tel: 01483 Haynes Classic Car interiors £8 487546 (Surrey) Haynes Workshop manual for the Mini Contact the Midget Specialist ...... 65 (1969-87) £6 MIKE AUTHERS on Abingdon ares 91 Silver,Fast:lined, heated39rear window, very Safety Volume (1995) Nos 3-12, 23/06/2010 13:46 Volume 40,41,42,43,44 12 volumes 07703 465 224 CHROME good condition. Priceall £250. ......Steve 13 McKie Sports Cars Hi-Res.indd 1 £3Tel. each MG Power Steering and 07773708301. Collection only, BUMPERED MIDGETS in ...... 35 Octagon Car Club Bulletins:No. 177 (Smethwick, West Midlands) restorati on specialists excellent condition bought up to n ...... 4 (August 1984) to 191, and No.302 (June 1995) to 435 (August 2006) (54 total) £8,000. View current stock at ...... 94 Miscellaneous spares (free) £30. Please contact Philip Bayne-Powell Alloy sump, tin sump (battered), inlet ...... 95 on 01483 811428 or e-mail and exhaust manifolds,to TAbuy radiator any ...... 31 nigelguild@hotmail.com 1942mgman@gmail.com slats, rear further no. plate holder, dynabook orMGA to obtain information.

STEVE McKIE SPORTSCARS

Specialists in the repair and restoration of MG cars

XPAW

Wanted Moto-Lita Steering wheel

MG TF 1954

MIDGETS! WANTED

www.stevemckiesportscars.co.uk riecartermg.com

Colne Classics ry BY

lo G r e m 01844 281700 r o F TED

N WA G M UR O Y

d .. 91 ..... IFC MGOC Recommended Dealer ...... 50 40 MGs in Stock ...... 44 ....OBC View the website on www.colneclassics.com Best Prices paid with friendly advice. Est 1986 B1 Seaden Court, Gorse Lane Ind Est, Clacton, Essex. ...... 81 Fast payment and collection 01255 432693, 07714 675319 ...... 36 96, 97 85, 91 SAFETYFAST! FAST!FEBRUARY MAY 2021 2021 9696SAFETY ...... 56 EST’D ...... 65 1989

FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING Burr Elm Gear Knob IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

MGF HARDTOP

MG TA/XPAG/MGA

www.mgmidgets.com

mo, brake drum (TA), two horns, etc. etc. Please ask if you are looking for anything specific notthat listed.the Inspection Please note welcome, can send photos as required. Advertising is Tel. Guy Catchpoledeadline 07890 503828. Collection only. (Surrey). February 10 for the March

Please the issue of note Safetythat Fast!

PLEASE CALL NICK ON 01452 730770

advertising deadline is May 10 for the June issue of

www.mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk

Call for a quote today

01376 574000

Insurance for all MG’s classic and modern

01308 868884

www.peterbestinsurance.co.uk

ie Carter r r a B and Alan Bartlett

07885 768830

email barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk

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

I’ve decided to create space for the work that’s coming through our doors, MG’s, Race cars, Classics of all types. 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! My 1932 Lanchester L10 is a gem that I’ve been meaning to finish for myself to use. It appears to have only 32,000 miles on it and there are various supporting facts to this including a large folder of dedicated service history. It’s barakes have been attended to, radiator recored, and dash beautifully refubished with the correct instruments. It needs the rewiring finishing and has a new loom fitted, a small job. It drives well and sweetly, stops good too. The interior is sumpmtuous red leather and all origional. Its body had surface paint disturbance, but I wouldn’t touch it, it’s part of its charm. I love it. Hope you do. £6,500

My MGA race car. This fully prepared virtual FIA ex-championship winning race car is available as rebuilt for the coming season. It’s 1840cc steel full race engine was sealed by an MSA scrutineer during its build at Sigma and has only rolling road running time. The suspension, straight cut CR gearbox, LSD etc were all rebuilt to the correct specs and the car was repainted at the same time. It handles superbly, especially in the wet. It has had 2 Thoroughbred and Classic Championship wins historically and is capable of winning again in the right hands and with its correct full width screen is eligible for just about every classic race series available. I’m 79 now and the years, aching bones and a promise to my dear late wife, mean I’ll no longer be racing after 55 years. My lovely A needs nothing doing to it and is ready for the next owner to carry on its sucessful career. It is a UK car, and is road registered with its original number. £35,000 I may take a part exchange if I like it.

TC Racer Although there has been much interest in my ex-championship and well known T.C. race car, I don’t want the part xs offered. It is already very cheap and has so many rare and expensive parts I’m not giving it away. L.S.D. Derrington inlet and ex. manifolds, 13/4 50s vented brakes, trampbars, telescopics, alloy panels, 72 spoke 16” wheels, Avon ZZR. To build this would cost £50k 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 or whatever combination you wish. It’s very cheap and will give you lots of fun, road or competition. Ring for a price

1964 Pull handle MGB Roadster Absolutely stunning condition in everyway, overdrive, chrome wire wheels. I can’t fault it, beautiful. £17,995

Saab 99 2 litre with only 33,000 miles and 3 owners, Absolutely unmarked body that is in as new, unrestored gorgeous condition, the interior is as faultless as the rest of this rare RHD beauty, A Treasure that has never been restored and is lovely. £6,999

Triumph Dolly Sprint. Probably one of the finest you’ll see. Superbly restored by a Concours judge! So it won prizes! I rate it as one of the best. Pictured history of a superb restoration including a new engine and OD. Immaculate and with a Webasto roof, it leaves Escorts in the dust for far less money. £23,995 Citroen 2CV. Total Body-off rebuild and in superb condition. £9,995

My Own MGB Roadster. 2 litre OD, beautifully restored and driving superbly. Sensibly modified 2 litre engine for road use, Webber carburettor, manifold, with sensible suspension modifications make this a quick, excellent handling B (and we can do it to yours!). Built for faster, safer driving. Gorgeous condition. £11,995

TD/TF Engine rebuilt. Unused, with clutch, gearbox, carbs. A total package. We can offer a fitting service too. £6,000

1962 Singer Vogue. Drives very, very nicely, ExShowcar, in nice condition. £6,250

TD/TF/Y Engine. Used but inspected and in very nice condition. Ready to install. £2,750 Lada Niva. These forgotten 4 wheel drive usually rotted away. This one hasn’t. Its’ chassy has never been welded. It drives great, no dents or horrors just a great FWD. Many spares, including off road wheels and tyres, gearbox, etc. MoT Feb’22. £5,250

Early T Type Engine. Used. Converted to canister oil filter. Inspected with head off and good condition. £2,250

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

www.barriecartermg.com 4Sight Lighting Company........ 41 Adrian Flux............................. 76 Barrie Carter .......................... 97 Beech Hill Garage................... 95 Brown and Gammons ............... 9 Church Square Autos ............. 92 Classic & Sports Cars (Essex)...................... 66, 67 College Motors Burford............ 62 Colne Classics........................ 96 David Manners ...................... 15 Distributor Doctor.................... 45 Don Trimming......................... 96 EJW Classic and Sports........... 96 Fiennes.................................. 13 Fishers Services...................... 51 Footman James...................... 25 Former Glory ......................... 94 Fostons.................................. 79 Frontline ................................ 30 Halls Garage........................... 62 Hipel ..................................... 27 Hoyle Suspension.................... 41 Hydragas................................ 76 Just Right Autos Ltd................ 52 Longstone Tyres ..................... 46 Machine Mart........................... 6 Manor Garage........................ 89 Martin Smith Used MGTF Spares ......................... 89

www.mgcc.co.uk

MG Motors ............................ 11 MG Motorsport ...................... 45 Midland Classic Restoration....... 4

FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

Mike Authurs Classics............. 96 Mike Rolls ............................. 95 Modern Garage Classics Ltd.... 93 Moss Europe Ltd.................... IFC Motor Wheel Services............. 76 MV Classics............................ 35 NTG Services........................OBC Oak Cabin For Sale................. 74 Oselli Ltd ................................. 6 Peter Best............... IBC, 96, 97 Precious Wheels..................... 27 Quarry Classics MGC.............. 91 Raceglaze .............................. 62 Rees Bros............................... 89

THE MARQUE OF F RIENDSHIP

March 2021 Volume 66 Number 3 £3.95

IP THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSH

April 2021 Volume 66 Number 4 £3.95

Retro Sports Cars ................... 45 Rimmer Bros Ltd..................... 36 RJH Automotive Transport........ 51 Robin Lackford Motor Engineering ........................... 89

THE

CLUB

Sherwood Restorations ........... 94

ABINGDON-ON

THE

Skiptune........................... 41, 51 SMR ...................................... 93

CLUB

Summit MG............................ 62 The Hutson Motor Co Ltd........... 4 Torro Sports Cars Ltd.............. 95

LT D

ABINGDON-ON-THAM

MG PRODUCTION IN AUSTRAL IA ● THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT Safety Fast_Cover April21.indd

1 24/03/2021 12:58

FO U N D E D 193 0

PHOTOGRAPHY PART III ● CLASSIC CARS AND CLASSIC GEORGE PHILLIPS, A LIFE WITH MGS 19/02/2021 15:59 Safety Fast_Cover March21.indd

Steve McKie Sports Cars......... 96

CAR -THAMES

FO U N D E D 193 0

CAR

PLEASE CALL NICK ON 01452 720770 MAY 2021 SAFETY FAST! 97

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. Glos, GL2 Merlin 9LN. Centre, Tel: 01452 4 The, 730770 Acrewood Way, St Albans Tel: 01727 890600 Distributed by:AL4 Air0JY Business. Merlin Centre, 4 The, Acrewood Way, St Albans President: John AL4 Day 0JY Tel: 01727 890600 President: Vice Presidents: John Day Ron Gammons, Peter Best, Ian Quarrington Chairman: Vice Presidents: Dave Tynan Ron Gammons, Don Hayter, Peter Best, Bill Silcock. Vice Chairman: Peter Cook

or this month’s Looking Back page, we’re travelling back ten years to the spectacular, but damp event held at Burghley House, Stamford, in June 2011 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the MG Midget. What a great turn out it was, were you there? Although events have been somewhat curtailed this year, the Midget Register are planning to put on a spectacular display at the MG and Triumph weekend in August to celebrate the Midget’s 60th Birthday. Safety Fast! will be celebrating the little car’s birthday with plenty of MG Midget content in the next issue.

98 SAFETY FAST! MAY 2021

Chairman: Dave Tynan Treasurer: David Rainsbury Vice Chairman: George Wilder Directors: Howard Gosling, Roy Locock, Colin Withers, Lorraine Noble-Thompson Treasurer: Richard Colston Staff Members: Sloman Manager Directors: Dave Adam Saunders, Peter(General Opie and Peter 01235 Cook 849732), Andy Knott (01235 849730), Company Secretary: ColinLauran GrantGallacher (Assistant General Manager 01235 849735), Liz Allsworth (Membership Secretary Staff Adam Sloman (General07554 Manager 01235 849732), 01235Members: 849734), Mark Baulch (Motorsport 160840), John (Competitions 01235 849738), ColinHutchison Grant (01235 849733)Secretary and Gemma Bray (Communications Andy Knott (01235 849730), Lauran Gallacher (Assistant General Administrator) Manager 01235 849735), Liz Allsworth (Membership Secretary Honorary Members: Michael Allison, Ron Gammons, Peter Best, 01235 849734), Colin Grant (01235 849733), Jade Beckett John Quenby, PaddyCherina Hopkirk, Norman(Finance Ewing, Rob Oldaker, (01233 849731), Scarrott Officer 01235 Steve Hanegan, GerrySherman McGovern, Ann Hawke,01235 John Dutton, 849736) and Ineke (Merchandise 849737) John Day, Julian White, Bill Silcock. Honorary Members: Michael Allison, Ron Gammons, Peter Best, Don Hayter, limited John Quenby, Sir Stirling Moss, Paddy Hopkirk, Company by guarantee Norman Piers Hubbard, Oldaker, as Steve The Club,Ewing, as a corporate body Rob established theHanegan, MG Car Club Gerry McGovern, June Wallis, JohnEvery Dutton, John Day, Limited, is a company limitedAnn by Hawke, guarantee. member of the Julianundertakes White, Bill Silcock. Club to contribute to the assets of the Club in the event of its being wound up while he is a member, or within one year after helimited ceases by to be a member, for payment of the debts Company guarantee and liabilities the Clubbody contracted beforeashetheceases to be a The Club, as aofcorporate established MG Car Club member, the costs,limited charges expenses of winding Limited, isand a company byand guarantee. Every memberup, of the and the adjustment of the rights the contributors among Clubfor undertakes to contribute to theof assets of the Club in the themselves, such amount as may not exceeding event of its being wound up whilebeherequired, is a member, or within one one pound. year after he ceases to be a member, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the beforethe heaccuracy ceases to Whilst every effort hasClub beencontracted made to ensure of be a member, andatthe expenses up, information the costs, time ofcharges going toand press, neitherof Thewinding Publisher and forreferred the adjustment the rights of contributors among (herein to as HineofMarketing), thethe Editor, nor the MG themselves, amount as may be or required, not exceeding Car Club cansuch accept any responsibility loss occasioned to any one pound. person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in the publication. of authors arethe their own and Whilst every effort The has opinions been made to ensure accuracy of Hine Marketing, Editor and MGtoCar Club are not to agree informationthe at the time of the going press, neither Thebound Publisher with opinions herein. Reproduction in whole in part (herein referredexpressed to as Hine Marketing), the Editor, nor theorMG without permission is prohibited. Fast! and to Theany MG Car Clubwritten can accept any responsibility or Safety loss occasioned Car Clubacting badge protected through in person orare refraining from action trademark as a result registration of any material the UKpublication. and in the foreign countries where are Safety in the The opinions of authors theirFast! owncirculates. and Hine Readers arethe warned theyMG attempt any are mechanical or other Marketing, Editorthat andifthe Car Club not bound to agree modifications methodsherein. referred to herein, they do so or at in their with opinions or expressed Reproduction in whole partown risk and written no liability will attach to the MGSafety Car Club, Editor nor without permission is prohibited. Fast!the and The MG Hine Marketing. Neither shall the MG Car Club, theregistration Editor norinHine Car Club badge are protected through trademark Marketing any responsibility the accuracy of thecirculates. content of the UK andhave in the foreign countriesforwhere Safety Fast! the editorial, neither that the content of any advertisement published Readers are warned if they attempt any mechanical or otherin Safety Fast! modifications or methods referred to herein, they do so at their own and no willneither attach Hine to theMarketing, MG Car Club, the Editor norMG Itrisk should be liability noted that the Editor, nor the HineClub Marketing. Neither shall the MGinCar Club,ofthe Car make any recommendation respect anyEditor goodsnor and/Hine Marketing have any responsibility accuracy of the content of or services advertised or featured infor thisthe issue. It is the responsibility thereaders editorial, neitherthemselves the contentthat of the anygoods advertisement published of to satisfy or services offered orin Safety Fast! referred to are bona fide and in no instance shall Hine Marketing, the Editorbe ornoted the MG Carneither Club be held responsible the quality It should that Hine Marketing, thefor Editor, nor theorMG suitability of anyany such items. Car Club make recommendation in respect of any goods and/ or services advertised or featured in this issue. It is the responsibility of readers to satisfy themselves that the goods or services offered or referred to are bona fide and in no instance shall Hine Marketing, the Editor or the MG Car Club be held responsible for the quality or suitability of any such items.

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