Safety Fast! November 2019

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP

November 2019 Volume 63 Number 11 £3.95

THE

CAR

CLUB

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

THE EARLY DAYS OF THE MG MIDGET ● A HIGHER STANDARD FOR MG? ● WHERE SERVICE AND QUALITY MEET Safety Fast_Cover November2019.indd 1

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SH TI I BR 8 T A 94 E 1 GR CE A N I S

D N A R B

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WELCOME NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

NEC CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW

T

he highlight, and final show of the year for many Classic Car Enthusiasts, the NEC Classic Car Show is rapidly approaching, and as always the MGCC will have a large presence there, not only with the MGCC stand (which will be serving tea and coffee to members) but several Register and Branch stands. If you’re planning on attending the show that runs from November 8-10, don’t forget that, as a member of the MG Car Club, if you buy your tickets in advance you can save some money by quoting the MGCC code CC5708. The ticket offer runs right up until midnight on Thursday November 7, full ticket offer details can be seen at: www.necclassicmotorshow.com/club-tickets I’m sure many of you who take classic car magazines would have seen the news about Longbridge and that sadly the last of the historic Car Assembly Buildings on the site are set for demolition soon. The site owners, St Modwen, have developed or sold much of the site already, although two of the iconic Longbridge buildings look to remain safe. The famous ‘Elephant House’ which was the 1960s showroom for commercial vehicles, and more recently used as the Sales Centre until 2016, is set to remain. Also the Conference Centre at the end of the building known as the Kremlin, which now houses the Sales Centre, has also been marked to remain. As well as housing the Sales Centre, the building is also home to Austin’s rebuilt office and a collection of Heritage Cars and prototypes, of which we’ve been assured, are safely stored.

If you’re one of these organised people who have started their Christmas shopping, don’t be like me, I’m hopeless and will probably end up heading into town or perusing the internet days before the big day! The MG Car Club has got a wonderful range of products available to purchase from our online shop https://shop.mgcc.co.uk/ or you’re more than welcome to call in to visit the Club shop during Monday to Friday or give Ineke a call on 01235 849737.

Direct Debit Rate

Standard Rate Online

Standard Rate Post

Single

£50

£55

£55

Joint

£54

£59

£59

Young Members 16-20

£15

£15

£15

Young Members 21-24

£30

£30

£30

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

www.mgcc.co.uk

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MGC REGISTER CHRISTMAS MEAL Why not join the MGC Register for fun and frolics at their annual Christmas meal on Saturday November 30 2019 at the Woodside Hotel, Kenilworth. All the details can be found on the Register website www.mgcc.co.uk/mgc-register

MGF CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

Until next month, drive safely.

Andy Knott Membership Type

Join the MGCC at the world’s largest gathering of 300 car and motorcycle clubs on November 8-10. With over 3,000 iconic classic and vintage cars and motorbikes on display and the opportunity to buy tools for your maintenance and restoration needs from the UK’s largest indoor Autojumble, it’s a show not to be missed. https://www. necclassicmotorshow.com/

Join your MG Friends at the MGF Register end-of-term party and enjoy a wonderful weekend at the fully refurbished and stunning Cricklade House Hotel over November 30-December 1. Booking and more details available from http:// mgfregister.org/ For many more events during November please visit www.mgcc.co.uk

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www.mgcc.co.uk 4 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

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

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INSIDE REGULARS 7

Club Matters and Kimber House News

8

News

10 Products 12 Young Members Branch 63 Race Torque 64 MGs on Track 65 MGCC Speed Championship 67 Centre Updates 80 Register Updates 92 Classifieds 98 Looking Back

NEWSLETTERS 38 Vintage Newsletter 42 MGA Newsletter 48 MGB Newsletter 52 MGF Newsletter

FEATURES 14 THE EARLY DAYS OF THE MG MIDGET The All-new MG HS, the latest MG SUV from MG Motor. Photo: MG Motor UK

18 29

Mike Allison regales stories of the M Type Midget

22 A HIGHER STANDARD FOR MG? Adam Sloman, MG GS owner, reviews its replacement, the MG HS

29 TRADER SPOTLIGHT A spotlight on the MGF/TF and MG3/6 specialist Martin Smith

35 MY OTHER CAR IS A COURTESY CAR Roy Locock reports on this year’s Midget Register trip to Wales

57 TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED! All the action from the final MG Car Club race meeting of the 2019 season

76 CLUB MEETS Monthly meetings that take place up and

35 www.mgcc.co.uk

down the country throughout the year

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ABINGDON MG Parts for MG, Triumph & MX-5 Cars

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www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:32

CHAIRMANS NEWS

A

s I write my notes this month we are busy preparing for the Club’s autumn council meeting and AGM. It’s always a busy period, with lots of important admin work being undertaken by the board, the council delegates and the staff at Kimber House.

Chief amongst these is Colin Grant – many of you will know Colin best as the Deputy Editor of Safety Fast! but Colin also serves

as Company Secretary. With the amount of work needed for each Council meeting, Colin effectively gains an extra full-time job every March and October. It’s not an easy job but one he does brilliantly.

We announced last month that Paul Money had agreed to be nominated to council as our new Chairman.

Regrettably, Paul has had to withdraw his nomination due to an unforeseen situation with his business.

Despite our disappointment at Paul’s news, I am pleased to be able to say that our former chairman and one of our current Vice Presidents, Bill Silcock, has agreed to take the role on for one year, allowing Bill time to work with the Board of Directors, council and indeed the membership as a whole to find the right person to chair the Club for the next three, four or five years.

Paul will continue the excellent work he does with the ZR/ZS/ZT Register and I, together with the board, wish him every success with this.

Many of you will remember Bill from his tenure as Chairman up until 2015 and the fantastic work he did during

his time as Chair – I’m sure you will welcome him into the role and support him once more. Bill’s election is subject to council accepting the late nomination for Chairman ahead of the October AGM. In September’s Safety Fast! notes I asked if anyone was interested in joining the MGCC Board as a director and I am pleased to say that we have had two new nominations in, from Adele Rand and Colin Withers. Subject to their election by council at our AGM, I look forward to working with them both in the coming years.

We have been busy working on a members’ survey and the culmination of that will be an online questionnaire for members. It is important to us to know what you think of the Club, CRBs and what we do, but also where we can improve. This will be going live imminently, so please keep an eye on our website for more details very soon.

I would like to again thank you all for your support which has helped make my year as Chairman very enjoyable. It truly has been an honour.

Dave Tynan

KIMBER HOUSE NEWS Zed Register Open Day On Sunday October 6 the Zed Register hosted their annual Open Day at Kimber House. The Register team had arranged for Mark Stacey of Kmaps to give a talk on re-mapping your car and the benefits gained from this, plus a potted history on his background in the car industry.

With over 30 people attending, the car park soon filled up with Zeds, including a very special MGF, trimmed with a rare Blaze Motorsport body pack.

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_3-47.indd 7

The informative talk by Mark Stacey was enjoyed by all, with some owners taking the opportunity to have their cars re-mapped at a special Open Day price.

Two special Visitors Kimber House was paid a special visit by two members of the MGCC China who are travelling around the world in a campervan, all self-funded. The UK marked the halfway point of their epic journey, and being MG enthusiasts a visit to Abingdon was in order.

After visiting Abingdon, they were heading to see the historic MG sites of Oxford before heading off again. They’re aiming to be back in China in December.

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NEWS HISTORY MADE

The first-ever customer delivery of a fully electric MG has took place at Bushey Heath Garage, Bushey, Hertfordshire, where Richard Jackson received the keys to his new ZS EV Exclusive in stylish Dynamic Red. The milestone handover also marked the start of customer deliveries for ZS EV across MG’s 100-strong dealer network.

Since ZS EV was launched to the media in July, it has become a sales sensation

LIMITED NUMBER REMAINING The MG Car Club has only a few of the Limited Edition MG watch, created by fine French Watchmaker, Yema remaining, so be quick.

The chronograph uses a Quartz movement and consists of a main dial and two sub-dials with beige aluminium insert, reminiscent of a dashboard, finished with an MG logo.

The perforated British Racing Green leather bracelet is finished with beige top

South East Centre AGM The South East Centre will hold its AGM on Saturday November 16 2019, starting at 12.00pm, with free refreshments provided afterwards.

Venue: St. Nicholas Youth Centre, Bay Path, High Street, Godstone, Surrey, RH9 8DT Agenda 1. Welcome and apologies for absence 2. Approval of the minutes of the 2018 AGM 3. Matters arising from the above 4. Chairman’s Report

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with MG selling 2,000 units in the first 60 days of order books opening.

Jonathan O’Donoghue, Managing Director at Bushey Heath Garage, said: “We are thrilled to be able to hand over the keys to Mr Jackson’s new ZS EV. We pride ourselves on offering the very best customer service and our upgraded on-site charging facilities mean that Mr Jackson can utilise our local infrastructure when he requires it. We’re glad to be part of history, delivering the first-ever all-electric MG car and judging by the customer interest already, there are many more who will be making the switch to electric with MG soon.”

Richard joined the MG Car Club, with his membership pack arriving the day after he collected his MG ZS EV. Welcome to the Club, Richard, and enjoy your EV. stitching, reminiscent of a colour scheme found on many classic MGs. The Rallygraf watch was first launched in 1966 and was designed for motor racing and drivers of classic cars with a tachometer and chronograph protected by an ultra-solid stainless steel case and mineral glass.

Priced at £215 for MG Car Club Members or £250 for non-members, plus postage and packaging.

For ordering details contact office@mgcc. co.uk or phoning Ineke on 01235 849737

5. Treasurer’s Report and adoption of accounts 6. Secretary’s Report 7. Election of Officers 8. Election of Committee Members 9. Any Other Business

THE DON HAYTER MGB

Don in car with owner Edward Vandyke (blue jumper) and Corgi’s Development Manager Carl Hart (patterned shirt)

Corgi Vanguards have made a 1:43 scale model of the last MGB to leave the Abingdon factory, the Brooklands Green V8 Roadster that MG legend Don Hayter built for himself An example signed by Don himself is being auctioned for his chosen charity, Macmillan Care Support, and you’ll be able to see the car and signed model on the Corgi stand at the NEC Classic Car show in November.

Don Hayter was closely involved with the MGB styling and development after joining the MG design office in February 1956.

When MG’s Abingdon factory closed in 1980 he sold himself an unused ‘development’ bodyshell (for £939.55) and 3.5-litre V8 engine, then built himself the only factorymade MGB V8 roadster (factory V8s were all GTs), the last MGB to leave Abingdon.

The MGB has appeared in many magazines and TV programmes while still in Don’s ownership, including an episode of Clarkson’s Car Years, during which Don gave Clarkson as good as he got! It is now owned by long-standing MG enthusiast, Berkshire-based Edward Vandyk, who has recommissioned and restored the car mechanically, keeping it as original as possible.

John Lakey

Nominations for election to the Committee and/ or Officers should be submitted to the Secretary, Philip Bayne-Powell, Kimber Cottage, Glaziers Lane, Normandy, Surrey, GU3 2EB or email 1942mgman@ gmail.com to be received by November 9 2019. There are vacancies for Secretary and Competition Secretary.

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:32

NEWS MGLIVE! RETURNS TO SILVERSTONE FOR 2020

The MG Car Club is excited to announce the provisional dates for MGLive! 2020 as Saturday June 13-Sunday June 14 2020 at Silverstone Circuit.

The event will be packed full of exciting features to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the MG Car Club, the original club for MG enthusiasts.

The MG Car Club has run events at Silverstone since 1951, so the Northamptonshire-based circuit has been a key part of our Club’s history for nearly 70 years. Therefore, it is only fitting that we should return to commemorate the incredible milestone of the 90th year since the Club’s formation.

As well as the Club celebrations, there will be features to mark the 25th birthday of our beloved MGF. There will also be the return of the MG Car Club Autotest as members compete for the coveted California Cup, as well as a packed weekend of racing action on-track, live music, trade show, Autojumble, entertainment arena and interviews with key figures from the Club’s history.

The MG Car Club also welcomes MG Motor UK, who join us to support the event with displays of the latest MG models, including the latest electric cars wearing the octagon badge.

Adam Sloman, General Manager of the MG Car Club, said: “We understand that there will be some concerns from our loyal members following the difficulties with track surfacing at Silverstone last summer and the subsequent resurfacing this summer that led to the cancellation of our 2019 event. We’d like to assure everyone that we found ourselves in an unprecedented situation then – that is now resolved. The management at Silverstone have been incredibly helpful and have bent over backwards to ensure we have the certainty we need to deliver a truly memorable MGLive! event next year. The benefit has been that the break has given us a chance to regroup and work on some exciting new features for the 2020 event that MG fans won’t want to miss!”

It’s going to be a truly memorable weekend of MG fun, so don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate this major milestone in your Club’s history.

Make a note of the dates now; ticket information will be going live soon via www.mgcc.co.uk and we will be announcing new features to expect at the show via Safety Fast!, social media and the website in the coming weeks, so watch this space for future updates!

www.mgcc.co.uk

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PERSONALISED TOURS & EVENTS

Ever wanted to arrange a road trip for some friends?

Already do, but want someone else to do the hard work?

Or are you in charge of car club tours or events?

Let us help you With over 30 years’ experience, we are confident we can help arrange your next group tour or event for your car club, or group of friends. We will work with you with as few as 4 or 5 cars on a tour, or as many as 500+ Cars, so give us a call. What do you have to lose?

‘Scenic & Continental Car Tours are very helpful and certainly make life easier for the busy leader of a car club! The hotels have been excellent and the impressive Road Books not only contained routes and maps, but also details of the places we were to visit’.

BRITISH & IRISH TOURS

EUROPEAN TOURS

MOTORSPORT & WORLDWIDE TOURS

Preferred Tour Operator

Tours are organised for the MG Car Club by Scenic Car Tours

For more information on our group tour planning service call our Group Relations Manager Kieran on: 01732 879153

or see: www.sceniccartours.com/clubgroup-tours

GROUP TOUR HALF PAGE MG Safety Fast Sept 2019.indd 1

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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

MGA: THE REVOLUTIONARY MG

BY DAVID KNOWLES.

THE FACTORY ORIGINAL MG-T SERIES. REVIEWED BY BILL SILCOCK

The MGA needs no introduction, with its iconic design and racing heritage which has been well documented over the years. So why do we need another book?

The author, David Knowles, is no stranger to MG, having written many books on the subject over the years, and his knowledge knows no bounds. It therefore came as no surprise to find material in this book I have never read before, particularly the stories of overseas assembly in countries such as Australia, Ireland, Mexico and South Africa.

His in-depth approach to the various models held me spellbound and I found it difficult to put the book down. Having interviewed many people involved, or their families, he has built up an amazing personalised account of the ‘A’s production and development, featuring details of key personnel.

As a past MGA owner, I thought I had seen most of the historic pictures relating to this iconic model but was enthralled to find material that was completely new to me.

Overall, an amazingly well-documented book and a must for all MG fans, not just those owning an ‘A’.

Available from Kimber House Stores priced at £45 plus post and packing.

Go to www.shop.mgcc.co.uk or email ineke@mgcc.co.uk or phone Ineke on 01235 849737.

In 1989 Anders Clausager produced his splendid book “The Original MG T Series”, and now, 30 years later, he has made a new approach to the subject with the publication of “The Factory Original MG-T Series”, which seeks out examples of cars as near as possible to the state in which they left the factory up to 83 years ago.

Anders has returned to the subject with the aid of Simon Clay’s beautiful photographs of not only the 11 cars described in detail, but many more, which all contribute to the reader’s understanding of his topic.

He opens with the heritage of the Triple M cars and concludes with a section on special bodied T Types, of which there are many variations.

A section of photographs shows the development of the series, using beautiful examples of the car’s evolution. This is followed by detailed illustrated descriptions of the TA, TB including the Tickfords, TC, TD including the MKII, and finally the TF models.

For each model there is a wealth of detail for the owner or restorer, as well as detailed tables of build change points (essential, as the cars evolved almost on a monthly basis), a list of paint codes and production sales data.

I’m sure it will be quoted in many an argument amongst T Type enthusiasts about the authenticity of various aspects of their cars.

This is an invaluable reference volume for restorers and owners wishing to have their cars as close to original as possible, and a superb addition to the body of knowledge. Certainly it will make its way to my bookshelf.

Available from Kimber House Stores. For more details contact Ineke Sherman on 01235 849737.

REVIEWED BY COLIN GRANT

MG LE

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YOUNG MEMBERS

Shaun Nelson shaunnelly@hotmail.com

MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT –

OLIVER LOCK I

’ve been an MG Car Club member for 16 years now, and for some this may not seem like a particularly long time. I am, however, only 16 years old.

My MG journey began before I was even born; a ride up Prescott Hillclimb in my Dad’s MGB GT, whilst my Mum sat as a passenger – unknowingly pregnant! Undoubtably, I was destined to become an MG enthusiast and so after I was born became a member of the MGCC, with a membership card made just for me (I was too young to be an official member).

In time I began attending events with my Dad. I would travel with him to autotests and track days as he competed in both his MGB GT and MG TF 160. Fast forward several years, and I began to help organise the annual California Cup Autotest at MGLive! – sorting out signing-on, as well as calculating the scores and results. Recently, I organised the MGCC South West Centre’s Autumn Social Run and I have competed in a few grass autotests, preparing me for driving on the road soon. I have been lucky enough that for the last three years I’ve been awarded the “Mike Hawke Memorial Trophy for the most

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promising young driver” in the South West Centre, of which I am very proud.

Currently, I am acting as the “pit-crew” for my Dad (Neil) who competes in the MGCC Speed Championship, in his full personal race-spec MG ZR “170+”. I have not had the opportunity to drive this car yet, but needless to say I am very excited to!

www.mgcc.co.uk

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MERCHANDISE

KIMBER STORES £19.99

£14.99

£70 £40

£30

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£12

£14.99 £14.99 £24

£35 £30

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£45

£30 £25

£10 £16.99

A room without a book, is like a car without an engine!

To order please visit shop.mgcc.co.uk email ineke@mgcc.co.uk or Phone 01235 849737 www.mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk

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FEATURE

This almost certainly the first M-type, with up-swept scuttle. It is possible to see the mixture of instruments, black speedometer, and white oil-pressure and ammeter gauges.

THE EARLY DAYS OF THE MG MIDGET

by Mike Allison

This article is based on a transcription of notes made in longhand by me after talking to the various people mentioned herein during the 1960s and early ‘70s. I changed the English a little, and ignored the swear words, often used for emphasis. Many of the stories were repeated several times and I have no doubt that they are historically accurate; remember, it was still barely 30 years after the events described, and the old MG employees were proud of their achievements, which spoke for themselves, and when I heard the stories, it was still like “yesterday” for them.

T

here can be little doubt that just as small ships had launched a great empire, so the smallest of cars launched the MG marque and brought sports cars to those with relatively small incomes. In the period

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following the Great War, there was a plethora of small companies which brought motoring into the realms of the middle class, and many of these built worthy transports, but it was Morris Motors who really brought personal

transport to those of modest means.

Morris made this possible simply by cutting prices to a level that others could not achieve, but while doing so made sure that his cars were amongst the most reliable of their time. The nascent MG Car Co started

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An “extra”! The brake rods can clearly be seen leading to the front brakes, which were actually operated by short cables

building specially bodied versions of the reliable Morris Oxford, and then sought to increase their market by producing four-seat sports cars with larger engines.

In 1928 Morris Motors started work on their small car to rival the successful Austin Seven, versions of which were being raced at Brooklands. The new Morris was based on an unborn Wolseley car, which company William Morris had personally bought out of receivership in 1927. It was a logical step for the MG Company to exploit this small car, and the results were quite extraordinary.

During my time at MG (1964-1973) I had the privilege of working with many of the people who had been around when the Midget was in its early days, some of them from the start of the MG car production.

Cecil Cousins (Works Manager until 1969) had been apprenticed in the Morris Garages workshop and became a fullyfledged mechanic in around 1919 and rose to be shop foreman at Longwall Street by the time Cecil Kimber came, so his claim to be one of the “originals” was well justified. Frank Lowndes had recently retired, but called in every week, so I met him. Frank Stevens was similar, and his son, Dick, was a line foreman in my day, whom I knew well. Harry Herring

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was also just about to retire, but his son, Jack, carried as the official coach-builder and model maker until the end in 1980.

These men were all at Longwall Street and followed the Factory through all changes until age caught up!

Reginald Jackson was recruited by Cousins in mid-1928 as development engineer and was joined by Hubert Charles when he moved from Cowley to Abingdon as Chief Draftsman, in charge of all development, although Charles had worked “unofficially” for Kimber since around 1926, from the Cowley Drawing Office.

Gordon Phillips had started at Edmund

Road in 1927, and assisted Jackson. Fred Kindell joined the group at Abingdon, when the new factory started work, to work with Jackson, while Frank Tayler was also an assistant through a large part of the story. Sydney Enever worked at Morris Garages initially as a tea-boy, which entailed working with the mechanics and learning his trade, and transferred officially to Abingdon during 1931, although he had worked spells with Jackson when the workload demanded more than four hands!

Jackson was initially responsible for making special parts, and making sketches of these, for the new MG “Six” (later

The first Abingdon built car, with revised, and more efficient, cable operated brakes. The number plate was a false one, for advertising purposes!

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This is an early Sportsman’s Coupe, photo taken by George Tuck, outside the Barley Mow Inn, near Clifton Hampden on the Thames side. These were popular little cars for those progressing from the open version, and for the ladies.

called the 18/80) which was taking shape in 1928, and then getting his sketches translated to “proper” drawings at the Morris Motors Drawing Office, probably by Charles. It was during one of these visits that he saw a Morris Minor prototype, and quickly saw the potential for a small MG based on this, and talked over his thoughts with Cousins, who passed the ideas to Kimber, whose message was “Concentrate on the Six”. However, Jacko had already spoken to Charles, and he relayed similar thoughts to Kimber, who then agreed to Jackson having a chassis to investigate the idea. The job was officially known as “EX101”, but it took but a few days for Jackson, Cousins and Phillips to lower

the steering column, and fit a wooden boat-tailed body, “inspired by the Type 35 Bugatti, but bearing little resemblance to it” Cousins told me! Kimber sent the body off to Carbodies Ltd, and within a week the first two bodies arrived at Edmund Road to be fitted to chassis. Kimber liked it, and got a second chassis over, for the car to be present at the London Motor Show in September.

There was no second engine, so Harry Herring made a wooden replica engine for the Motor Show stand, and the bonnet was kept firmly shut, while the other car was accorded the chassis number EX101/1, was registered (WL 6523) and was used a demonstrator at the Show. Over 200 orders at £185 were taken for this car, while the Six

George Tuck behind the wheel of the first Abingdon built car 16 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

only had a few firm orders at around £500 taken. This immediately set a major problem, as Cowley had also had considerable interest in the Minor, and so far, only a dozen cars had been built. Production of the engine was started, at Wolseley, who also supplied most of the running gear, and it was the following spring before the orders could be followed up. Even though the 14hp MG models were winding down, it was immediately apparent that Edmund Road was too small to accommodate the building of around 500 cars in eight months, and so a new works was sought.

Production of the model started in April 1929, with minor modifications, at chassis number 2M/ 251, the upswept

18/80s and M Types head down the Abingdon lines www.mgcc.co.uk

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Jarvis Bodied M Type

scuttle of the prototype cars was done away with, to get the price lower, and the prime cost of each body fully trimmed was £5.10.0 (£5.50 in today’s money) or roughly twice each worker’s weekly wage in the factory. Production was crammed into the small Edmund Road facility, and 500 were built by the end of November, although finished cars were moved to various places around Oxford before shipping. Orders were still coming in at a high rate and this again raised the problem of factory space, and the now-redundant trench-coat and saddle factory of the Pavlova Leather Company Ltd at Abingdon became available and the freehold was bought by Sir William Morris, for around £50,000, with an agreement to leave the artesian well available to Pavlova indefinitely. A further equal sum was put aside to move all equipment and refurbish the place.

The first Midget cars to be built at Abingdon started in February 1930 at Chassis 2/M 751. Chassis numbering at the time was like that, the first number or letter indicating the body style, the letter the series (M for Midget) and the next digits the serial number, starting with 251. This, at Abingdon, was stamped on the frame in groups of ten, but the

withdrawal of these was haphazard, and not necessarily sequential. The 18/80 model was just a four-figured number starting at 6521. The 14/40 Mark IV had started at 2251 (the phone number of the Edmund Road factory); prior to that the 14 HP cars had just had the Morris chassis number and carried a Morris Motors guarantee. When the Mark II 18/80 was introduced, this became the “A-type” MG, with numbers starting at A 0251. The

Abingdon phone number was 0251, by agreement with the Abingdon exchange, these, of course, being the days before STD, when all long-distance calls were operator connected.

The Midget chassis frames were made at Abingdon after 1930, once the move was completed, with forged parts made by Wolseley, and by the James Motor Cycle Co., which had good foundry facilities.

The axles and chassis side members were

M Types being worked on at the factory 18 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

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MG Management, with Charles and Cousins back left, and Kimber and Lord Nuffield front middle

supplied by Wolseley, as were the engines and gearboxes. Steering boxes came from Adamant Engineering of Luton, electrical components by the Rotax Company of London. Most other parts were either made at Abingdon or sourced locally.

During 1929 a team of three Midgets had been taken to Brooklands by Cousins, Jackson and Frank Tayler to be driven by the Earl of March, Harold D. Parker and Leslie G. Callingham to run in the onehour High Speed Trial at the JCC Member’s Day meeting in April. It is thought that each had bought a car, and while they hoped to achieve 60 miles in the hour, they were not far adrift of their target, which surprised all! These cars have not been identified, but were registered WL 7171, WL 7180 and WL 7182, in a photograph reprinted in John Thornley’s book “Maintaining the Breed”.

Following this, and about the time Charles officially joined the MG Company, Kimber allowed Jackson to use one of the press demonstrator cars to see what he could do about improving engine outputs.

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Jackson told me it was a blue car, which had been beaten up on several trials, and he believed “Buckingham had used it a lot”. This would identify the car as 2/M 256, registered WL 6557. Checking the valve timing he found there was no overlap of valve opening at TDC, so he got an unground forging from Wolesley and hand shaped it to get a little, and then had it hardened at the Wolseley Works.

The result was amazing, the engine being livelier straight away. He then obtained better results by adjusting the timing for each cylinder to be the same. From his motorcycle experience, Jacko realised that it would be better if a larger inlet valve was used, and he introduced one a sixteenth of an inch larger, polished the ports, matched manifolds with ports, and so forth. He then took the “bottom half” apart and polished rods and crankshaft and lightened the flywheel by a few pounds. All this polishing work earned the car the soubriquet “Shinio”, even though the outside of the car was somewhat battle-scarred and even tatty! Jackson and

Charles drove the car as a “shop car” until well into 1932, when it was broken up having served its use.

The camshaft was redesigned by Charles to give similar results, and was available in early 1930, manufactured at Wolseley, and fitted to all Midget engines after the 12/12 race. The larger inlet valves were only introduced for the 12/12 cars, though.

In order to create brand loyalty, a twodoor saloon was created and dubbed the “Sportsman’s Coupé”, to appeal to the young family, but appealed more to the ladies, it seems, since the wind was kept out and did not upset the hairstyle, and one was dry inside should it rain!

To be a real sports car, the model needed to take part in sporting events. Trials and rallies were soon required to make classes for small, cheap cars, but exposure in racing events was more difficult, and simply “not allowed” by William Morris, unless such racing was done by owners of cars at their own expense.

Cecil Randall, a successful market gardener in Essex, had bought an open

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Cousins, Jackson and Tayler in their M Types at Edmund Road, en route to Brooklands

model, and while he had raced various cars as a hobby, he teamed with a neighbour, Bill Edmondson, who was just starting to dabble, and they decided to approach MG about entering a team of cars for the prestigious Double-12 Race to be held at Brooklands in May 1930. This was around the September of 1929, and just as plans were being laid for moving the production to a new factory in Abingdon. Three cars were laid down, fitted with the new camshafts and carefully put together, with exhausts complying with the Brooklands track regulation, and with slightly modified bodies.

In the event two similar cars were ordered, one by Norman Black, the London car dealer, and by Miss Victoria Worsley who was making a name for herself as a competent racing driver in a Salmson car but was using her brother’s Midget on the road.

The Randall team took the Team Prize, and the other two cars ran reliably, all five averaging around the 60mph mark for the 24-hour run, which brought a lot of press attention, so much so that a Double-Twelve Replica Midget was produced and 20 of these were sold. Sir Francis Samuelson wanted a car to use in the Le Mans 24 Hours race, and A. Murton Neale ordered a similar car. These were similar to the 12/12 cars, but the bodies had to be altered to comply with the Le Mans regulations. All these cars were fitted with a larger (1.25” choke) downdraft carburettor mounted on a special manifold, the Le Mans cars using the standard underfloor exhaust system but having a special three-branch manifold welded up by Fred Kindell.

When Charles started to work exclusively for MG, he decided a better chassis was needed as much as more

power, and started work under the code EX120 on this improved chassis. However, he had already simplified the braking system on the Midget, dispensing with the somewhat complicated rod and cable system, and providing, as he had for the 14/40 cars earlier, four cables operated from a centrally mounted cross-shaft. The new chassis however went far further, providing a low frame which swept over the front axle, but under the rear axle.

Fairly stiff springs were used damped by Andre-Hartford shock absorbers. This chassis was deployed at the behest of George Eyston, who had a home in nearby Milton, and had been successful as an amateur racing driver in a variety of cars in collaboration with his brother, Basil.

George wanted to have an attempt at being the first to drive a “Baby car”, i.e. one with an engine capacity of less than 750cc, at 100 mph. The Austin Company were spending large amounts of money with similar intent, so far unsuccessfully.

Eyston was being financed by Jimmy Palmes, of Surrey coachbuilder Jarvis, and by Ernest Eldridge, the former land speed record holder. Eyston had put money into the Jarvis company previously, who became MG dealers for Surrey and Palmes was able to get a couple of unmachined cylinder blocks from Wolseley Motors, presumably using Charles as an intermediary, and keeping the project “under the blanket”, thought Jackson.

It took until early 1931 to achieve the magic 100, but Austin were beaten to the target, and even Kimber had finally been convinced that the small engine cars were the way to go… the rest, as they say, is history.

The complete history of the growth of the MG marque into a sports car of world stature is covered in detail in the book “Works MG” by Mike Allison and Peter Browning, recently reprinted by Osprey and available from Kimber House.

Murton Neales 12/12 M Type at Le Mans, 1930 20 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

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19/11/2018 13:46 25/10/2019 14:33

FEATURE

A HIGHER STANDARD

FOR MG?

By Adam Sloman

Photos Andy Knott, Colin Grant and MG Motor

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www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:33

The MG HS is a hugely important car for MG Motor. The SUV sector is the growth sector in a market where many new cars are struggling to find buyers – can it continue the improvements of the revised MG3 and ZS?

I

’ll say it quietly, and at risk of offering a conclusion at the start of a test, but the MG HS is the best car from MG Motor yet.

Launched in China in late 2018, coming as a replacement for the GS, MG’s first SUV, which arrived in China back in 2015 and the UK in the summer of 2016.

It continues the design language from the China-only MG6, the ZS and ZS EV and the revised MG3, with its large ‘stellar field’ grille and bold, prominent MG octagon. Size-wise, it’s slightly longer than the GS it replaces, (4574mm for the HS versus 4500 for the GS) but slightly narrower, too (1689mm versus 1664mm for the new car) – it’s a pleasing car to look at, with hints of Mazda CX5 and Mercedes Benz GLC to its rear.

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More than just value for money Like other cars in the MG range, HS is offered in three levels of trim, Explore, Excite and Exclusive.

Explore kicks things off at £17,995, followed by the manual Excite at £20,495 and the Exclusive at £22,995. If you opt for the auto and you’ll pay a £1,500 premium.

All HSs enjoy keyless entry and pushbutton start, automatic headlamps, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and cruise control. The Explore features 17” alloys, as opposed to the larger wheels offered on the Excite and Exclusive.

Excite and Explore feature synthetic leather seats, while those opting for the auto get adaptive cruise control and on Exclusive automatic models, a power tailgate.

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The paint on our ‘Farringdon Red’ test car was a deep, metallic paint with a deep shine to it, even as the skies darkened and the rain began to fall as we prepared to leave the launch venue.

Twin exhaust pipes and 18”, diamond-cut alloys complete package.

Once behind the wheel of the HS, the improvement in interior quality, fit and finish is immediate – all the materials are soft-touch, while the steering wheel, similar to that in the ZS, is wrapped in soft leather. The seats in this top-of-therange Exclusive model are full leather, with Alcantara trim completing the picture – their high backs adding to the sporty feel inside the cabin, and they’re very comfortable. They’re also heated, and electrically adjustable. Red stitching on the steering wheel, seats and gear shift add a

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sense of sportiness the car aims to evoke.

A 10” touchscreen dominates the dashboard, and the sea of buttons from the GS have been replaced with a simple row of seven buttons, which MG referred to as ‘the piano keys’ – these house controls for temperature and radio volume, as well as controls such as front and rear demister. Frustratingly, some controls require you to use the touch screen, which can prove tricky while on the move, but overall the system is simple and intuitive. The DAB radio and sat-nav will be immediately familiar to anyone who has used either in the ZS. Naturally, the HS supports Bluetooth connectivity for both telephone calls and media streaming, while there’s also support for both Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The system is

completed by a second TFT screen located between the two dials.

The screen offers up additional information, such as speed limit warnings, collision warnings and more traditional information, such as the fuel and temperature gauge. The dashboard itself is finished in leather, with subtle mood lighting fitted to both the dash and door cards – you can set the colour to whatever you choose; opt for the HS automatic and the mood lighting automatically switches to red when the car’s ‘super sport’ mode is engaged.

The standout feature on the Exclusive has to be the full-length panoramic glass roof, which MG calls the ‘Skyroof’. It’s a feature that really gives the car a premium feel and as you’d expect, floods the interior with light, making it feel open and

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airy. Unfortunately the weather on our test day only allowed us to open the roof for a few minutes, but on a summer’s day, it’s sure to come into its own.

On the road The HS is the first petrol MG to be offered with the MG Pilot suite of safety features that include, deep breath, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Intelligent Headlight Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection and Door Opening Warning.

Under the bonnet you’ll find the 1.5 litre turbo-charged SGE engine that was used in the previous GS. Here it’s developing 159bhp and 184ft lb of torque.

There’s clearly been some development

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since GS, however, since the power delivery feels much smoother in the HS and the GS’s tendency to occasionally over rev seems to have been rectified. It’s well-refined and hushed at tick-over and remains similarly so while on the move.

There’s a choice of transmissions, either a six-speed manual, or a seven-speed, DCT auto. For now, the HS is offered with just one engine option, the aforementioned 1.5 turbo, though MG has hinted that there may well be additional powertrain

options to come. All models are frontwheel drive. For caravanners or those with trailers heading to race meetings, the HS can tackle a maximum towing weight of 1,750kg, putting it on par with the likes of the Range Rover Evoque, and comfortably ahead of the likes of the Nissan Qashqai.

We only tested the six-speed manual, but the shift was slick and precise – simply put, it’s easy to get accustomed to the car.

The HS’s suspension is well suited to the pock-marked roads we all contend

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25/10/2019 14:33

Tech Spec Model Test: MG HS Exclusive £22,995 Extras: Metallic paint at £595 Engine Displacement 1490cc Cylinders/Valves 4/16 Maximum Power (Bhp) 159 @ 5500rpm Maximum Torque (lb ft) 184 0-60mph seconds 9.6

with every day, softening bumps and bangs pretty well, without falling into the roly-poly wallow that many will associate with an SUV. Body-roll is well contained, too, for the most part. There’s a decent sense of weight through the steering wheel, too – hustle the HS along a B road and it will prove to be a willing, engaging partner.

So – the big question: should you buy one?

Like the ZS before it, HS serves to further undermine those who look at the new crop of MGs and say people buying them are only after an affordable car with a long warranty – here is a car every bit the rival of Nissan’s Qashqai, Skoda’s Kodiaq, or Peugeot’s 5008. If bottom-line price is your priority, there’s the Dacia Duster; the HS is a genuinely quality proposition, packed with all the latest safety kit – not just on the top of the range, but right across it. It’s well equipped, well screwed together and engaging to drive.

For me, personally, the HS was always going to be an interesting proposition – as the owner of both a 2016 MG 6 and MG GS, it’s intriguing to see the improvements each new car brings and the HS represents another leap forward in so many areas.

Every new MG so far has raised the bar for the brand, bringing it closer and closer to the more established European competition – HS changes all that.

MG Motor has a car that can go toeto-toe with any of its class rivals, with the added bonus of a lower price-tag and an industry-leading warranty. What’s not to like?

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www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:34

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One of the World’s Greatest Road Journeys, boasting one of the top 5 views in the world INCLUDES: • Return P&O Ferry Crossing from Dover to Calais (Other crossings available on request) • 1 Night at the Hotel Gulliver, Bascharage • 4 Nights at the Landhaus Lauble Hotel, Hornberg • Scenic Drive on the B500 Schwarzwaldhochstrasse • 1 Night at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Troyes • 6 Breakfasts & 6 Evening Meals - including Welcome Dinner on the First Evening • Detailed Road Book featuring Maps, Great Drives & Local Attractions • Commemorative Tour Rally Plate • Complimentary Car Parking at all Hotels

All flight bookings are operated for Scenic Car Tours by our sister company, Success Tours, ATOL No. 5114 / *All prices are per person and based on 2 persons occupying a car and a twin/double room / Single supplement available on request.

For more information or to book phone: 01732 879153 or email admin@sceniccartours.com MG GROUP TOUR FULL PAGE A4 Advert 2020 Tours (NO MGLIVE!).indd 1 Safety Fast_November2019_3-47.indd 27

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8” colour touchscreen**

8” colour touchscreen

mg.co.uk

mg.co.uk

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Apple CarPlay™

LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS

LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS

UP TO £1,250 DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION AND 5.9% APR REPRESENTATIVE MGmotor

MGmotor

MG3 fuel consumption: URBAN 38.9 mpg | 7.3 l/100km, EXTRA URBAN 53.8 mpg | 5.3 l/100km, COMBINED 47.1 mpg | 6.0 l/100km, CO2 Emissions: 140 g/km.

All MPG and CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU regulated laboratory test results. These vehicles are WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure) type approved vehicles. However, in-line with Government guidance, to facilitate direct

MG3 fuel consumption: 38.9different mpg | 7.3 l/100km,and EXTRA URBAN 53.8 | 5.3 l/100km, COMBINED 47.1 | 6.0 l/100km, CO 140 g/km.

2 Emissions: comparison between differentURBAN models from manufacturers to accommodate the mpg full transition to this new testing regime, we mpg have displayed the NEDC figures.

These NEDC figures are the values for this vehicle used in all registration and taxation until further notice from the UK authorities. consumption and efficiency figures are EU provided for comparative purposes only and may not reflect “real(Worldwide world” driving results. Model shown: Vehicles MG3 Exclusive with Hello Yellow paint at £12,795 onHowever, the road (OTR). prices include VAT where applicable, All MPG and CO2 Fuel figures quoted are sourced from official regulated laboratory test results.

These vehicles are WLTP Harmonised Light-Duty Test Procedure) type approved vehicles. in-lineOTR with Government guidance, to facilitatevehicle direct first registration fee, delivery, and 12 months’ Vehicleand Excise Duty. “From” price is based on OTR price £9,495regime, for MG3we Explore. £1,250 deposit contribution applies to 4figures year 5.0% APR . Representative on used Personal Purchase and is available at participating comparison between differentnumber models plates from different manufacturers to accommodate the full transition to this newoftesting have displayed the NEDC figures. These NEDC are the values for this vehicle in allContract registration and taxation until further notice from dealers until 30th November 2019. Finance by MG Financial Services CF15 7YT. Subject to satus, availability and terms and conditions. Applicants must be 19 or over.Prices are correct at time of being published and are subject to change without notice. Please see your local dealer or

the UK authorities. Fuel consumption and efficiency figures are provided for comparative purposes only and may not reflect “real world” driving results. Model shown: MG3 Exclusive with Hello Yellow paint at £12,795 on the road (OTR). OTR prices include VAT where applicable, vehicle visit MG.CO.UK for details. * Not available on Explore.

first registration fee, delivery, number plates and 12 months’ Vehicle Excise Duty. “From” price is based on OTR price of £9,495 for MG3 Explore. £1,250 deposit contribution applies to 4 year 5.0% APR . Representative on Personal Contract Purchase and is available at participating dealers until 30th November 2019. Finance by MG Financial Services CF15 7YT. Subject to satus, availability and terms and conditions. Applicants must be 19 or over.Prices are correct at time of being published and are subject to change without notice. Please see your local dealer or

visit MG.CO.UK for details. * Not available on Explore.

MG Sales Centre, Lowhill Lane. Birmingham B31 2BQ 0121 295 9282 Birmingham.mg.co.uk Safety Fast_November2019_3-47.indd 28

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TRADER FEATURE SPOTLIGHT

A

re you looking for a good quality part for your MGF or TF with quick efficient service from a knowledgeable supplier? Well look no further; we visit one of the MG specialists who pride themselves on just that, Martin Smith.

Martin established his business way back in July 2010, taking on an industrial unit at West Lane Farm, where he’s still based today. He noticed a gap in the

marketplace for good-quality used MGF and TF parts after having difficulty in locating parts for his partner’s MGF. At first the business was a part-time venture, but as word spread it quickly turned into a fulltime occupation for Martin in 2014.

Martin has based his business on good old-fashioned customer service and the quality of the parts he sells. He points out that all the parts sold are first thoroughly inspected and then cleaned before being

offered for sale. He says there can be nothing more frustrating for an owner than to open a package and find some dirty, greasy part enclosed which they then have to clean and check themselves. He feels that although he sells his parts at a slight premium, compared to say eBay, the customer has the assurance that the part will fit and work.

Because of Martin’s background (he worked as a mechanic at an MG Rover

WHERE SERVICE AND QUALITY MEET

By Colin Grant. Photos by Andy Knott and Colin Grant

t

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dealer from 1989-1999) he not only has the knowledge of the parts he is selling but also the technical knowhow on how to fit them, being able to advise his customers when they run into trouble.

Over the past few years Martin has introduced the MG6 and MG3 to his parts line-up, buying write-offs and dismantling them for parts to sell on.

He also buys direct from MG Motor UK, allowing him to sell new parts as well.

Another string to his bow was being awarded an XPart franchise in 2017, allowing him to sell genuine MG Rover products. At the same time, he started selling complete cars as some of the Fs and TFs he purchased for parts were in such good condition he felt it would be wrong to break them. He pointed out that before the cars are sold, apart from normal valeting and general checks, he always, regardless of what’s recorded in the cars’ service history, replaces the head

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gasket, cambelt, water pump, oil and filters, as this ensures peace of mind for his customers and the knowledge that the job has been done properly.

A big break came in 2016 when he had the opportunity of purchasing a large stock of parts, plus complete cars, from MG Motor. He journeyed to Longbridge to see for himself and was overwhelmed with what he saw.

A deal was done and Martin collected numerous large containers full of parts/ complete cars and delivered them to his premises. So much was there that he had to take on another unit to store it all. He said that there was everything you could think of within the containers, which is a benefit for his customers as his vast stock will keep their cars running for some time to come.

Accessories also play a part in Martin’s business. Not only does he stock a vast array

of accessories for the MGF and TF, but also a growing range of items for the Chinese built MG Motor cars. He says the list is growing because, as the popularity of the cars grow, the demand is there, which makes it viable for the producers in China to manufacture these items. He now sells more new spares than second-hand and looks forward to adding new products to his range.

Another opportunity arose for Martin in 2017, but this time it was in racing. Martin has always been a fan of the British Touring Car Championship, following the exploits of the MG6s. He said: “I have owned an MG6 for a few years now and feel it is a very underrated car and has never been awarded the acclaim it deserved.” Liking the idea of being more involved with racing, he made contact with Shaun Hollamby, the AMD team principal that ran both the

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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ex-factory MG6s throughout the 2018 season. He said his initial interest was for Corporate Hospitality, but after a lengthy discussion with Shaun he offered to assist them. This year the MG6s are being run in the BTCC by Excelr8 Motorsport, and Martin has become a Team Partner, sponsoring them financially and selling them road-going MG6 parts. He says: “I have always enjoyed the thrill of the BTCC and am really pleased to be involved.”

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Asked what is the key to his success, he says it’s down to having some lucky breaks, such as the MG Motor UK Parts stock, the loyal following of his customers, and support from the MG Clubs. But although his business is expanding, he has no plans for taking on extra staff, relying for assistance on his father who is also an MG fan, owning an MG6.

His business relies on recommendations, although he does advertise to keep his

name in the public eye. He enjoys his relationship with the MG Clubs and is going to sponsor the MGF Register MGF25 in July next year. I asked Martin what his hobbies are. He replied: “MG, of course!”

So if you are looking for a part or accessory for your MGF/TF, MG6 or MG3 give Martin a call on 07722 175473 or visit him at Unit 1-2, West Lane Farm, East Lydford, TA11 7HD. You can visit his website at www.usedmgtfspares.co.uk

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:35

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

MG TF LE 500+H/top,#140/500, Just 6,600miles

This is the very best low mileage LE500 for sale anywhere. Now just 6,600 miles with fully documented service history. Original Certicate from MG UK Ltd to certify this LE’s chassis number and build number (see photos) very rare. Colour coded hardtop, black leather sport seats, heated glass screen to soft top, soft ride suspension, 16” 11 spoked alloys, Air conditioning, passengers airbag etc. Unused tonneau cover and roof cover still bagged. Repeat immaculate as near new as you could get. £8,995

MARTIN MARTIN SMITH SMITH www.usedmgtfspares.co.uk www.usedmgtfspares.co.uk

The MG specialists for MGF-MGTF-MG3-MG6

MARTIN SMITH Quality new and used spares.

Car trimmers/upholstery.

MG car sales and MG repair service

www.usedmgtfspares.co.uk

MG TF 135 As New (just 6,925 miles)

MG TF 115 Spark’SE’+ H/top, (just 43,000miles)

2003 (53 Reg) Manual Petrol Finished in: Lemans Green/ Black This MG TF135 is as near new as you could get. Just two owners the last since 2005.

Dry stored since 2008. Fitted with Abs braking, spare wheel, wind deflector. Just fitted with a new headgasket/water pump/cambelt and 12 months mot Totally immaculate. £6,995

High spec TF115 Spark ‘SE’ model with a colour coded hardtop. 16” 11 spoke alloys (just refurbished plus new tyres), red 4 pot brake calipers, Black leather seats with grey inserts +MG logo, Silver console/ door trims / two tone silver steering wheel, chrome packs. Club/F register members car, low insurance group. £3,695

This is just a small selection from our stock FAMILY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED 1981. OUR OFFICE/ SHOWROOM IS AT 62B HIGH STREET SHEPPERTON TW17 9AU VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE

www.churchsquareautos.com

CHISBON RESTORATIONS

Tel: 07722 175473 Units 1&2, Westlane Farm, Westlane, East Lydford, Somerset TA11 7HD Email: smudgemg@yahoo.co.uk

Cynghordy Llandovery Carmarthenshire, SA20 0NB Tel: 01550 750274 e-mail: info@cambrianway.com

www.cambrianway.com

Explore some of the best roads and scenery in the UK

2020 / 21 Club Tour Packages Looking for a venue for your club or friends in 2020 or 2021 contact us to discuss packages and dates

We already have 24 clubs booked in 2020 & 4 Clubs Booked in 2021

Tours include dinner, bed & breakfast, drinks reception on 1st night, a welcome pack containing a memento of the weekend, rally plate, window sticker, ordnance survey Mid & South Wales road map, road books containing the route for each day & entry to a local attraction. Prices from £260.00 per person for a 3 night tour.

2020 ALL MAKE TOUR DATES Open to any Make & Age of Car 3rd to 5th July - 10 cars booked, 1 room left 3rd to 5th August - 2 cars booked, 11 rooms left

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

www.chisbonrestorations.com or

Tel: 01255 862626 www.mgcc.co.uk

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MERCHANDISE

Christmas Ideas From

KIMBER STORES

To order please visit shop.mgcc.co.uk email ineke@mgcc.co.uk or Phone 01235 849737 SAFETY FAST!XXXX NOVEMBER 2019 234SAFETY FAST! 2019

Safety Fast_November2019_3-47.indd 34 Merchandise Novemberv2.indd 2

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

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EVENT

I

think we generally acknowledge that members of the Club do not have particularly good memories. Yes, we can remember every detail up until 1963, then things blur a little. I can remember which Dinky toys I received for Christmas 1957, but what I did last month is a complete mystery. I believe that it is this ageing process that causes us to think our cars are much better (and I am not talking aesthetically here) than they really are.

At the beginning of the ‘dry running’ season we all do our best to ensure that the MG is running well. The occasional backfire, or run-on, is accepted if we cannot fairly quickly identify what causes it, and anyway it still makes it to our specified destination and, if we are lucky, back home too. By the end of the season we garage the MG to wait for next year and have dismissed any concern over that backfire as being quite insignificant.

I put my Midget in the garage back in September 2018, whilst I migrated to the Canary Islands for six months. I dragged her back out in April 2019, checked her over

John Lister heading along a rural Welsh road in his Midget

and took her for a few short runs. Although she ran very well, she did screech at me one day as she warmed up and that had me checking the tension of the fan belt which was fine. I eventually replaced the belt and fitted a new alternator. A couple of times she was difficult to start first thing, which had me checking all the usual things, such as the starter motor, earth connections and coil, but everything checked out and anyway once she started it was fine for the rest of the day.

I didn’t have any plans this year to go on a long run with my Midget so I didn’t bother checking over everything and forgot about all the minor ‘niggles’. Whenever asked “How is the Midget?” I would reply that she was running really well. Then, for the first time, I decided to sign up for this year’s Midget Tour of Wales.

The event was over four days including travelling to and from the venue, Llanerchindda Farm. Five Midgets were due, plus an MGF.

MY OTHER CAR IS A COURTESY CAR

By Roy Locock

A coffee stop on one of the scenic runs organised by Llanerchindda Farm www.mgcc.co.uk

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EVENT

The Midgets stop for a photo opportunity up on the top of welsh hills

Roy Locock leaving the National Botanic Gardens of Wales

A duo of Midgets head out, Grahams Springthorpe’s Midget to the fore

On arrival, the number of Midgets had dropped by one. Unfortunately, a front wheel on one Harvest Gold Midget had decided to make its own way to Wales independently of the rest of the car! The shy, nameless owner (No names, no pack drill) retired home to get a replacement, an MG ZS. For those that don’t know the Llanerchindda Farm, which has been used by several groups from the Club, it is located in an idealistic setting some seven miles north of Llandovery. As well as accommodation they offer a classic car package that includes two organised runs. The scenery throughout the region is quite spectacular and the tours take in some local places of interest, including the Welsh National Botanic Gardens.

Day One did not start well for Bridget, or it might be more accurate to say Bridget didn’t start well on Day One. Several willing hands bump started her with me mumbling something about “I just don’t understand it, she is normally fine”.

Once mobile, I shot off down the lane behind the leader and totally failed to notice one of the Midgets (we’ll refer to him as Number Two) remove its exhaust, without undoing any bolts. Unfortunately the driver didn’t see a hump in the road immediately in front of a cattle grid and so failed to slow and take avoiding action.

Although only just off the property he was unsuccessful at setting a record for the shortest journey, as a previous group had one car fail to get to the farm gate!

By chance, I was following the green Midget (Number Three) and had to report that he had no brake lights. Fortunately we weren’t due to do any night driving as it transpired that there were other lights failing to function, too. In line with MG tradition, although the lights didn’t work they were very clean.

The first day’s tour took us through the Elan Valley to Devil’s Bridge, then on to the Llyn Reservoir via Tregaron. A total of 95 miles for those able to follow the tulip diagrams in the excellent route maps

supplied by the venue. All Midgets, and the MGF, managed to get back to the farm in time for afternoon tea, an unnecessary (but nice) indulgence, given the size of the set meals.

Day Two started in just the same way as the previous day and the same helpers pushed Bridget into life, again. The day had slightly less motoring than day one, at just 85 miles, but included a long visit to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. The gardens included a ‘Birds of Prey’ display and a colourfully stocked Butterfly House.

The lights on Midget Number Three started to work intermittently and Number Two’s exhaust came apart again, but was quickly fixed whilst the rest of the party gazed out over the panorama visible from the top of Brynamen Mountain.

The weather, one thing we can normally rely on to break down, was excellent over the whole four-day period.

After all the farewells, Bridget decided to start-up without any assistance and we all

The participants and their MGs at Llanerchindda Farm 36 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

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EVENT

The National Botanic Gardens of Wales The MGs attracted a lot of attention at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales

went our separate ways, having spent three memorable days enjoying our cars in the company of fellow owners.

Driving home, I came across some road works with a three-way traffic light system. The queue wasn’t too bad but Bridget decided to rest her engine. As the lights turned green, I turned the ignition key… nothing! On the opposite side of the road was a garage from which came two mechanics offering to push Bridget over to their forecourt. It took me a mere two minutes to discover the LT lead between the coil and the starter motor hanging in the breeze. It had snapped the connector lug off where it meets the insulation, but because there is a sleeve over the connector the break wasn’t visible. It had probably been the cause of Bridget’s lack of enthusiasm for starting for several months and I should have been more persistent in my endeavours to fix it.

Next year I shall book Bridget into Summit Motors in Maidenhead for servicing and use a courtesy car for the Midget Tour!

Dennis Wharf and Graham Springthorpe

Ariel shot from Llanerchindda Farm

Johns car by the Cynghordy Viaduct

Re-fitting the exhaust, for the second time!

Thank you to Llanerchindda Farm for making our visit such a memorable one.

For details on Llanerchindda farm please visit www.cambrianway.com/

www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER

Peter Jones peterjones1880@me.com

WELCOME TO THE

VINTAGE NEWSLETTER

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND One of the many unalloyed joys of owning and using an old motor car is the constant stream of intellectual challenges it affords. No sooner do you make one mechanical rectification than it seems to be something else that causes trouble and that, once normal steering is resumed, the clutch starts slipping.

Having sorted that out, the brakes stop working evenly (or at all, on one memorable occasion). Having devised a solution, the fuel pump goes down, then the ignition has issues, and so on and so on until now, for me, the present most recalcitrant ailment is overheating.

When I first got the car on the road in 1990 it ran beautifully and cool – at least for the first 50,000 miles. At that time, a crowd from west Sussex used to come over to spend the night with Roger Stanbury in Sutton Veny and then pick me up in Bristol

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on the way to the Welsh Weekend that was timed to run at the same time as the VSCC Welsh Trial. The whole thing was organised

by Phil and Gwen Jennings who lived near Llandrindod Wells. On the way over, it was noted that while all the other cars are getting hotter and hotter, the lower

Here a true VR member attacks the hallowed tarmac of Silverstone with the mud of the last trial still adhering…….. this is around 1990 as I was still saving up for a hood

quarter of my radiator remained muffled with cornflakes cardboard to keep the engine warm! There was great jealousy.

As the years passed by, the contact points on the original three-lobed, double contact breaker distributor wore out and there were no replacements available ,so I

Morgan Marshall at Beaulieu with his 18/80 Mk1 narrow bodied speed model, note the utterly unoriginal dash board. The 18/80 is now in my ownership for preservation purposes

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25/10/2019 14:36

NEWSLETTER converted a six-lobed Morris distributor to which I fitted an ‘off the shelf’ more modern single contact breaker points and all went well. However, its propensity to overheat increased alarmingly on long runs!

Why should this be? I thought perhaps the automatic advance mechanism on this type of distributor was giving me too much in advance over 2,000 revs (around 60mph). So, intuitively, I set the static points opening at maximum Advance on the steering control advance retard lever so that as the revs increased and the automatic advance advanced, I retarded ignition by hand to redress the balance. Thus I set off at low revs and full advance and retarded it as the revs increased.

Cunning or what? Despite the logic of this articulate conception, it made no difference. I have tried adjusting the fuel mixture, reset the distributor in several ways, checked the cam timing, checked the tappets and I was even tempted to drive more slowly, but at anything over 2,000 revs the heat builds up inexorably and it eventually boils.

After Roger Stanbury’s funeral I was chatting with his sons and asked them about life with MG 1200. What were the memories they cherished? To a man they all said what they remember most was “sitting by the side of the road waiting for the engine to cool down”! As someone once observed: “If the 18/80’s engine turned all heat it produced into motive effort it would be a very powerful engine indeed.”

The overheating problem doesn’t really get in the way of my using the car two or three times a week for short trips around Bath, doing such chores as shopping, taking the dog for walk, popping down to the pub, taking Victoria out for a romantic candle-lit dinner for two in an expensive restaurant, and so on. However, anything more than an hour tearing along on the main road and the temperature seems to be up in the 90s again.

I await your pearls of wisdom on this issue with eager anticipation. However I appreciate that once this has been sorted out I’ll probably get front wheel shimmy again…

Photo from the BMCLCC “Mendip Grand Prix”. This was round a roughly circular course with various ‘pit stops’ to take off a wheel and run around the car with it, syphon out a pint of petrol, swap two spark plugs and other jolly things. Don’t suppose you can do things like that these days …

Mendip Grand Prix again here an employee of Imperial Motors demonstrates how to relieve a car of its petrol.

Changing spark plugs on the Mendip Grand Prix www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER “AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT” Absolutely nothing to do with VR cars, but I noticed in last month’s Safety Fast! that David Morys has written the book about MG GTS lightweights and this took me back many years to my time when, as a florist in Bristol, we ran a couple of mini vans for daily deliveries around the city. These vans often got into scrapes and mechanical mishaps so I took them to my friend John Chatham, who ran a small garage repair business on Egerton Road, Bristol 7. On one of these occasions the van had suffered quite serious damage and I really needed something else to get me to and from home. John, as some of you may know, was famous for racing an Austin Healey 3000 (known as DD from its famous number plate) and he kindly lent me an Austin Healey concoction dubbed the ‘Red Rooster’. This was a ‘go faster’ Austin Healey 3000 and it was a magnificent vehicle to drive – or hang on to, as it set off. The owner pointed out that there were just two very small snags when he lent it to me, and one was that the clutch was of the racing type and quite fierce (that is to say, either engaged or not – no feeding it in gently) and the other was the throttle cable that was sticking in such a way that, when you put your foot gently on the accelerator, nothing happened until suddenly it leapt to half throttle. Combined, these minor defects made driving around town in slow traffic somewhat exhilarating.

So impressed was I with this vehicle that I enquired as to the price such a machine might command. Alas, this turned out to be considerably more than I could muster. However this was about the time that the MGC was receiving quite a lot of poor publicity. He told me that if I wanted to get a ‘muscle car’ out of my system a second-hand MGC was the one to choose, as their prices were considerably lower than Austin Healey’s.

I bought one he recommended and gave it to him to sort out a few issues, and he breathed gently on the engine for me.

I bought the recommended Uniroyal tyres for the front and then inflated them to 40 psi which gave me exceptional handling.

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I had immense fun with that car until my bank manager rather unkindly suggested that I should own more of my assets than he did, and it was sadly sold.

All this was around the time that the Sebring C racing was discontinued and John, smart fellow that he was, bought the remaining aluminium body shells, aluminium blocks, drawings of the proposed improved suspension, and much else from the factory. On one visit to drop off another damaged minivan he invited me in to look at these aluminium body shells that had just arrived, and grabbing the front end he sent me round to the back and between us we lifted the whole thing off the blocks with very little effort. John built his own racer up from one shell using the aluminium block and a very competitive car it proved to be in his hands. However, on the first outing during practice he found the handling at the front end somewhat underwhelming so, practice ended, he trailed it back to his garage and moved the engine backwards four inches, fabricated mounting brackets to suit, shortened the prop shaft to make everything fit and then returned the next morning in time for the first race.

Much later, Edward Kirkland bought one of the lightweight body-shelled MGCs that John had built as road cars and Edward, generous, if foolish, fellow that he was, lent it to me on occasions. And what a magnificent device it was, though fuel consumption was not exactly frugal.

One year there was a celebration of the lightweight MGCs at the annual MGCC Silverstone event. The weather was awful.

Edward, not learning from past mistakes, suggested I should drive his car on the advertised ‘demonstration’ laps. This was amazing fun, only spoilt by the teeming rain and the gasps of fear from the passenger seat as we gently drifted round the sodden track. Then there was a howl behind us as John (in the racer that was fitted with ‘dry’ tyres, with no windscreen wipers and a leaking rocker cover gasket that allowed oil to drop on the hot exhaust and so fill the car with oily smoke and fumes) zoomed past me as if I was stationary and left us

with zero vision through an impenetrable cloud of oil-filled spray!

Another memorable time I got behind the wheel of John’s MGC lightweight racer was when the Bristol Classic Car show was held in G Shed on decommissioned docks in Bristol. The organisers had arranged a ramp built of scaffolding to take cars up to the first floor where the more exciting exhibits were displayed. John asked me to sit in the racer as he towed down through town to the venue. Now, John has a physical peculiarity in that he has exceptionally slim hip. This meant his bespoke racing driver’s seat didn’t suit my more normal pelvic construction; so, perching on the top of sideways supports I was crouching down to look out through the windscreen and clutching a tiny steering wheel. The tow car turned out to be his V12 E type (he had a very nice collection of cars at this time) and so off we set at considerable speed down the Gloucester Road, a busy shopping street, as we were running a bit late. It was pelting with rain, of course, and the windscreen wipers still didn’t work. However this little niggle soon faded into insignificance at the first set of red traffic lights when I appreciated the advantage afforded by servo assistance with the hard racing brake pads. It was a fairly white-knuckle drive and I was glad when we arrived. However the marshal advised “a bit of a run” at the scaffolding plank ramp, due to it becoming somewhat slippery with all the rain. I do wish he hadn’t said that. John gunned the fourlitre Jaguar engine and up the ramp we shot in a crescendo of throaty V12 sound and fog of burned tyre rubber, up to the very top, at considerable speed, where we came across a right angled turn left, through a narrow door, off a slender platform, into the dark recesses of the shed, through a crowd of admirers drawn by the sound and the fury of the attack. I am still not sure how we managed to get in without serious mishap (I may have had my eyes shut at the time) and I was still trembling when he drove me back to the garage.

Happy days.

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:36

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NEWSLETTER

Edward Vandyk 01488 608810 mgascribe@vandyk.co.uk

WELCOME TO THE

MGA NEWSLETTER Just the Classic Motor Show at the NEC to wrap up 2019. Although it seems a long way away, spring will be just around the corner and if you have been undecided about whether to join the Spring Tour, details on the Register website at www. mgcc.co.uk/mga-register/events-in-2020/

spring-tour/, now is the time to sign up – only seven rooms left!

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MGA REGISTER “CASTLES AND GARDENS” TOUR SEPTEMBER 27-30 2019 This report from organisers Nick and Claire Kay, to whom many thanks.

49 cars assembled from all over England on Friday September 27 at the 18th century Powdermills Hotel, near Battle, which sits in over 65 acres of landscaped gardens with lakes with woodland walks and was our base for the tour. There were a number of new faces on their first MGA weekend.

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On Saturday, and in wonderful sunshine, our 70-mile route took us through the beautiful High Weald of East Sussex and Kent, commencing with an obligatory stop at Herstmonceaux Castle followed by optional visits en route to Batemans, the home of Rudyard Kipling, Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens and finally Bodiam Castle.

On Saturday night we all enjoyed an excellent Gala Dinner in the hotel’s Pavilion with entertainment by Lianna Haynes who sang songs from the mid-fifties to early sixties – very appropriate to the era of our marque.

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NEWSLETTER A number of us were motivated to “trip the light fantastic”.

Sunday saw torrential rain, mist and strong winds. Undeterred, the 85-mile route headed south to Cooden and then followed much of the coast as far as Littlestone via Bexhill-On-Sea, incidentally

the 1902 genesis of motor racing in the UK, Hastings, Rye and Dungeness, the only designated desert in the UK. We then headed inland passing The Romney Marsh Aeronautical Museum near Brenznett, then on to Appledore before arriving at Smallhythe Place, Chapel Down Winery

concluding with a visit to the famous gardens at Great Dixter before returning to Powdermills for a final BBQ dinner.

Two reported casualties, one with major gearbox problems and another with complete clutch failure. Not bad for 60-year-old cars!

NOTABLE JOURNEY AWARD 2019 This year’s award went to David De Saxe for his 2018 journey through the Iberian Peninsula in his MGA with his wife Anne.

David has been a lifelong MG enthusiast (at a sprightly 86 it has been a long life so far) and stalwart supporter of the MGCC and the MGA Register. Over lunch on his recent return from a trip through Italy in his MGA he reeled off the registration numbers of every car he had ever owned, but then he is a retired Chartered Accountant!

The presentation of the award was meant to be at MGLive! which was, of course, cancelled so it took place at MGA Day on August 11. David’s account of the trip follows but before getting into that, it transpired that this is not David’s first

memorable journey in an MG, albeit an MGB GT, because in 1969 David set out, unaccompanied, in his Mineral Blue car for a few days in Berlin, crossing through East Germany via the Marienborn frontier point having arrived in Rotterdam from Southend courtesy of Silver City Airways car ferry service. Notable because the return journey was somewhat delayed by being an involuntary guest of the Stasi when crossing back to West Germany. A story for another Register at some time? Now over to you David…

Thousands of years ago rich and important people like kings were buried with their treasured possessions. Neither rich nor important, I nonetheless treasure

the two MGAs I’m lucky enough to own, and might request that they be buried with me but for (i) finding the space and (ii) more importantly, like many of us I regard an owner of an old vehicle as its mere custodian, so that to bury it would be to border on the criminal.

What that introduction has to do with the following narrative of a holiday tour I can’t imagine, although it does introduce the reader to my good fortune to own a pair of As, and thus to a choice of which should convey us. One is a 1600, restored completely as original, the other a 1500 that lived with its first owner in sunny, dry Arizona for 54 years. There it acquired an 1800cc engine from an early MGB, and on repatriation to England a few years ago the gearbox was replaced with the popular Ford Sierra type nine. The choice seems fairly clear, you would think, but consider the disadvantages of all-round drum brakes and the single rear light housing of the 1500. Long descents of the mountains of northern Spain where we planned to drive could lead to brake-fade and that, coupled with my fear that many modern drivers, used to an amber lamp, simply don’t notice a flashing red turn signal. I eliminated the latter with an inexpensive but good-looking pair of rear flasher lamps from SVC, which I mounted on suitably shaped brackets fixed to the bumper carrying iron via the overrider bolts. I connected the lamps’ feed wires to the existing leads to the flashers/ brake lights, thus creating a belt and braces arrangement. I used LED bulbs in the new lamps so as not potentially to overload the flasher unit, which is rated at 42 watts.

The rear indicator lamp modification tipped the choice in favour of the 1500 with its (replacement) larger engine and five-speed box, and after all we weren’t

David and his MGA www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER likely to be storming down the mountains at breakneck speeds. So the boot was filled with the usual spares and tools, the boot rack loaded with my wife, Anne’s, copious suitcase and my small grip – and off we went. It is remarkable how much you can squeeze into the boot of an MGA, even with its spare wheel and fill of tools and replacement parts. In my experience you really don’t need the greater space offered by the MGB. We travel with hood up between places where we stop and stay, but with it down when touring the area, so that the space behind the seats gives extra room on intermediate journeys.

The cost of the ferry to Santander being prohibitive, we opted for Portsmouth to St. Malo. This seems to have everything in its favour, as it leaves Portsmouth at 8.00pm, has a fine restaurant for a leisurely dinner and, instead of dumping you in France at some ungodly hour, delays landfall until 8.00am so that you get a decent night’s sleep.

We don’t enjoy driving daily monster mileage when on holiday. But travelling southward down the western half of France aiming for the Spanish border can present a problem if you don’t want to do it in one stretch by using motorways, as it seems difficult to find anywhere suitable

to spend the first night without veering off course. You always fetch up in or around a somewhat uninteresting town called Niort. Perhaps it makes more sense to divert to more interesting places such as La Rochelle – or even Royan, if you can make it that far. You can’t avoid Bordeaux either, although it boasts a well-signed Rocade or ring-road, and then there is the tedious journey through the GrandeLande – kilometre after kilometre after flat kilometre of fir forest that seems to go on forever with not a village in sight. Eventually on day two we reached Bayonne, famous for its cured hams and which was our first planned resting place. We were to stay in the residential, beach and leisure part of the city known as Anglet, at a delightful B&B whose owner, Brigitte Van de Velde, was welcoming and utterly charming.

Golfers reading this might remember the international player of that name who had the 1999 British Open Tournament within in his simple grasp, being three strokes ahead of the field with just the final hole to play. His tactical sense left him: he doublebogeyed the hole and then lost the play-off, to record one of the greatest golf disasters of all time. Well, it turned out that the charming Brigitte, now divorced and herself a very competent golfer, had been married

to Jean at the time of his sporting tragedy.

During our days in Anglet we made day trips, first to Biarritz. This town is a gem of an Edwardian and inter-war playground for the well-to-do – a great proportion of them British. The place is plastered with exotic, art deco buildings. I’ve often wondered why it is that France’s Cote d’Azur was and is more favoured than the Cote Basque. Maybe it’s because the sea of the Mediterranean is warmer than that of the Atlantic. We spent a lovely day visiting St. Jean de Luz, with its attractive centre and nice shops, pretty port and stunning crescent beach. Anne nosed out a really good tapas bar for lunch. One sometimes forgets the advantage of a small sports car when trying to find somewhere to park in a busy town with copious restrictions.

Temperatures throughout our holiday were seldom below 30 degrees, and the temperature gauge frequently read at or even above boiling point. On parking following a period of very slow travel it was noticeable that the A’s cooling system tended to overflow, losing coolant. The radiator cap was marked “Made in Mexico” without any indication of its spring pressure rating. It felt ok (the specified rating for all MGAs is seven psi and for an MGB 10 psi), but gave persistent trouble, so I fitted a

In the Cantabrian mountains 44 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

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NEWSLETTER 10 psi cap on my return. (I later found the fan to have been fitted back to front, so that it was trying to shove the air flow back through the radiator! All now rectified.)

It was time to leave France, so we made a scenic trip along the Corniche Basque to the Spanish border via the exquisite village of Guéthary. Once in Spain, we were happy to note the price of 98-octane petrol was some 13% lower than in France. One benefit of having chosen the car with the five-speed box was the better fuel consumption. This varied between 30 and 37 mpg, according to type of terrain.

Our objective in visiting northern Spain was principally to drive the winding, scenic roads of the Cordillera Cantabrica – the mountain range stretching across the northern provinces of Cantabria and Asturias. So just beyond Bilbao we left the main road that shadows the length of the country’s northern coast, turning inland. Adversity struck at the first hotel.

This establishment, booked in advance on one of those online sites and highly recommended in the Michelin Red Guide, appeared totally shut down for the winter, its restaurant closed and its excuse for a garden unkempt. Though my French may be said to be reasonably close to fluent, I have absolutely no Spanish other than the usual ‘por favor’,’gracias’, ‘buenos dias’ and so forth. Being smokers (go away, nannies, I am well into my 80s) we

David’s MGA 1500 by the harbour in St. Malo at dusk

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both know the word for an ashtray. Thus, telephoning for someone to open the door to us was way beyond our capabilities; nevertheless, we attempted it and got some sort of response. After about 20 minutes (it was only 4.00pm, well within the check-in time range advised by the booking site) a car and its female occupant turned up accompanied by a fusillade of jabbering. We shrugged our shoulders, she drove away, I used the telephone again.

This time I was told, in English, that we wouldn’t be admitted until 6.00pm. We were not prepared – as I imagine, dear readers, neither would you be – to wait two hours, so we abandoned this forlorn and unfriendly place. On the road to Villarcayo, just west of Medina de Pomar, Anne spotted an unlikely-looking inn, but where we were welcomed with open arms and where the car could be parked with safety.

It was from here that we commenced our daily trips into the mountains, and it made for quite wonderful and scenic driving.

After a couple of nights we moved north to discover some of the Atlantic seaside resorts, including San Vicente, Llanes (which rejoices in a suburb named Poo) and Ribadesella. This last displayed a sort of genteelness that I thought reminiscent of Eastbourne. On the other hand, I don’t remember visiting Eastbourne since 1949 so its aspect may well have changed. We turned inland again towards Oviedo, failing to find the hotel kindly booked for us by

the proprietor of the inn where we had just stayed. The smart phone was brought into use, and this seemed to indicate the location. As we were about to turn, the car in front stopped, a youngish man emerged with considerable alacrity and said: “I’ve got one of these. Look!”, whereupon he extracted his mobile phone and excitedly showed us photos of his black 1600. He kindly piloted us (and needed to!) to our destination. In our somewhat harassed state I forgot to ask this affable Spaniard for details of his MGA, an omission I regret.

Then again, maybe he didn’t have them to hand. In French towns and those of many other European nations, clear signs direct the traveller to the hotels. Spain, however, signally fails to do so. Why? There may be little to recommend the city of Oviedo or its satellite of Colloto where we stayed, but the drives into the Cantabrian mountains from there are simply stunning. There is barely any traffic, and when you stop at some peak or other to gaze at the gorgeous view and soak in the warmth of the September sun, all you hear is the gentle tinkling of cowbells, at the same time inhaling the soft smell of grasses and wildflowers. It’s easy enough to choose which small roads to take: use the Michelin Regional map series, scale 1cm = 2.5km. Any road on these marked with a green border will offer scenic delights.

And the roads themselves are a dream, with excellent surfaces, well cambered and a marked absence of potholes. All the result of channelling British and German EU money contributions to these sparsely populated areas!

People will tell you that the highlight of the Cordillera Cantabrica is the small area known as the Parc Nacional de los Picos de Europa. These huge, grey mountains, certain peaks of which reach over 2,500 metres, are dramatic indeed and deserve their name. We drove upward into them, going beyond the principal town of Covadonga in the extreme north-west corner, which becomes submerged as the tourist coaches disgorge their loads, instead getting to Poncebos. Here we rode on a funicular tunnel railway, constructed not long after the turn of the 21st century, which took us 2km. up through the

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NEWSLETTER mountain, from there to walk to the ancient, picturesque mountain village of Bulnes, where we enjoyed lunch.

We had arranged to stay for nearly a week at the Asturian coast, and so a short drive brought us to Villademoros.

It’s worth explaining here that the road shadowing the Atlantic coast (the A8) that I mentioned earlier is part motorway, part not. It goes some way inland on its final leg to La Coruna, which is about as far west as you can go, though a little further on Santiago de Compostela awaits the many “pilgrims” who walk the long route of St. James. (Lots of roads in northern Spain announce themselves to be the Route of St. James, but I’m sure they can’t all be). Where the A8 crosses the original road (the A632), it frequently does so across valleys on viaducts of almost unimaginable heights, each of them feats of engineering that we marvelled at. Under one of these we reached our destination hotel (Heaven knows how – it was down a track whose mouth was bereft of all signage – until it reaches the place itself).

From here we took beautiful mountain and coastal drives, and it was about now that the MGA’s engine developed an occasional misfire. It was minor and irregular, and so, ignoring my experience that 99% of all engine misfires are ignition based and the other 1% fuel related (and that usually because you’ve run out of it) I decided that the problem was fuel vaporisation due to the very high temperatures with low-gear running and so on. I use an additive when refuelling, as I have no means of knowing whether the engine has been fitted with modified valve seats, so I stopped using the additive for a bit. This made no difference to the misfire so, as it wasn’t serious and affected only the very top-end of performance, I decided to ignore it until I got home.

Fishing ports and beaches were alternatives to our mountain drives from our Asturian base. Of the former, Cudillero, Lluarca and Puerto de Vega stand out, and if you’re seeking delightful, secluded (in September) beaches, try to find Playa de Frexulfe and Playa de Otur,

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both between Lluarca and Navia.

Time to start for home.

Realising how far we had travelled, we allowed four days’ to reach St. Malo. This, though, was to include a full day in Bilbao, principally to visit the famous Guggenheim museum (modern art), an extraordinary structure of titanium, glass and limestone. We stayed outside the city at the Irragorri in Galdakao, a very small 15th century hotel owned by the family of the one-time eponymous footballer of Atletico Bilbao.

Simple rooms, splendid restaurant, kind and thoughtful owners. Leaving the car there, we popped across the road to the station to take the train into Bilbao, and then a tram to the museum, which really is a must. If a large, square canvas covered in black paint with a tiny blob of white in the corner isn’t your thing (and it isn’t ours) there is plenty else to see and enjoy. There are two halls of impressionists, as well as exciting, modern artefacts exhibited.

So now onward into France again (filling the tank to the brim with Spanish Repsol before crossing the border!). After the seemingly eternal slog once more through the firs of the Grande Lande and negotiating Bordeaux’s Rocade, we entered the massive vine-growing area of Bourg and decided to treat ourselves to a slight detour to visit the town of Blaye, a distinctive name on Bordeaux wine bottles.

Blaye sits on the right bank of the river Gironde, just below the confluence of the Dordogne and the Garonne. Standing as it does in such an important position in the defence of France’s Atlantic frontier, it is unsurprising that the town of Blaye is surmounted by a large citadel. This is still inhabited and yields a fascinating visit.

The next day saw the first rain of our trip. Switching on the wipers seemed somewhat to aggravate the misfire. As we proceeded northward the skies darkened, necessitating sidelights. The misfire got

High in the Picos de Europa

worse, and when headlamps were called into play, significantly so. Yes, you’ve guessed it: the misfire was completely unconnected with fuel (remember my 1%-99% rule, which I had been stupidly ignoring); the car being fitted with electronic ignition, there is no condenser, so obviously the culprit was likely to be the coil. Out with the spare – such a quick swap job on a pushrod A – and off we went again with the engine once more singing (in the rain!). The return ferry from St. Malo again runs at sensible times, leaving at 10.30am and arriving in Portsmouth at 6.30pm.

What could be more convenient? We had planned to stay the previous night in St. Malo, and did so at the suburb of St. Servan at a handsome mansion which at one time must have been a ‘maison de seigneur’. Here we were made most welcome by its current lady owner, who told us where we would find excellent local restaurants for dinner. We did, celebrating the end of our journey with something special from the cellar.

Once home following a gloriously sunny crossing, we found we had covered a fraction over 2,500 miles or 4,000 km, at something over 30mpg and, to my satisfaction, on just one litre of engine oil. I claim no merit whatsoever for the journey; it was just a pleasant holiday, but if you were to visit any of the places I’ve mentioned I am sure you won’t be disappointed.

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NEWSLETTER

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

WELCOME TO THE

MGB NEWSLETTER

RALLY DAY AT CASTLE COMBE

The Register was invited to display the Marathon MGB on the “British Women Racing Drivers’ Club” stand at the Castle Combe Rally Day held on September 21.

The BWRDC was formed in 1962 and the connection between the car and the club is Jean Denton who was one of its early members. Jean, of course, was the owner of the Marathon MGB which she drove on the London to Sydney Marathon in 1968. The car was also used for racing before being entered on the Marathon.

The club was founded to promote the interest of women racing drivers because it was felt that they had been treated in a rather derisory manner. The object of the club was “Prestige” i.e. initially only drivers with full FIA International Licences could join.

There was great interest in the car throughout the day from all ages. It’s very eye-catching and stood out from the majority of Escorts, Subarus, etc on display. Some younger visitors had not heard of the Marathon and were amazed that such a car could compete and finish in such a gruelling event. Without doubt the car helped to promote the club

MGB REGISTER WEEKEND Upholding personal tradition on MG events, Kate and I arrived last at the Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Suffolk on Friday evening for this year’s MGB Register Weekend September 13-16.

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After changing in record time we joined the others in the restaurant, just in time for a ribbing from Roger Boys followed by John Watson’s brief but important presentation on the horrors of Sepsis.

This was followed by a brief presentation by George on the weekend’s routes, a longish 90 miles around South Suffolk’s rural landscape on Saturday, with a shorter coastal route for Sunday. Both

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Bentwaters Cold War Museum on the old RAF/USAF base at Woodbridge

days had fantastic recommended stopping places, of which more later. George personally assured me that no one should get lost.

Saturday morning brought more glorious weather, and most of the MGs had left our dedicated grassy car park by 10.00am, leaving the ‘Speckled Hen’ and ourselves as the rear guard. We managed to recover from a premature left turn on the second stage and progress to Earl Soham.

The route through rural Suffolk rural scenery was lovely. The houses and cottages were quite distracting. After Earl Soham things went to Hades in a Hand Basket in the navigation department. After a brief exchange with Speckled Hen, we declared ourselves mutually confused, and pressed on guided by Google Maps. Irrespective, the roads and scenery were first class.

We caught up with most of the group at the spectacular village of Lavenham.

Prospering from the wool trade in the 15th and 16th centuries, it was reputed to be the fourth richest town in the country.

The early architecture was preserved by the townspeople falling on hard times, as their textile market was lost to others. They could not afford to upgrade or rebuild their properties. That is to our benefit today. The Guildhall, now in the hands of the National Trust, was our personal favorite.

Continuing our journey through Kersey, which provided the obligatory

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Register Weekend ford, then Hadleigh, we eventually arrived at Flatford Mills. Those who enjoy John Constable’s work will find this a fascinating place, with the Mill itself and the 15th Century Valley Farm. The cottages and scenery here are famously captured in Constable’s paintings.

Returning to Ufford Park, we congregated in the bar to swap navigation disaster stories before John gave a briefing on the background and restoration progress with the Jean Denton London to Sydney Rally MGB. Following dinner the raffle was held to raise further restoration funds, (the pot is nearly dry!). There were many prizes donated by Register members

on offer, including a pair of Petrolhead MG socks, apparently reserved for me. I am very much enjoying them. An unusual prize went to our good friends and regular attendees from Germany, Thomas and Ulrike, tea cups with MG motifs!

Sunday dawned with a bright blue sky. The group set off to cover the short distance – using a number of novel routes – to Bentwaters Cold War Museum on the old RAF/USAF base. The restored ‘hardened’ command post contains a war operations room and ‘Battle cabin’ as well as many exhibits explaining the history of the base. During the Cold War it was used by the USAF to provide A10 ‘Tankbusters’

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to NATO as part of the West’s initial response to armoured incursion from the Eastern bloc. Retired Master Sergeant Bob Hale, who was part of the War Room team at the time, offered a detailed description of how this was achieved. A retired A10 along with a Phantom and a Harrier where on display outside the museum.

Two hours passed quickly and we decided to make haste to Sutton Hoo. Others followed the full coastal route north to Aldeburgh and Snape Maltings, a leading centre of music founded by Suffolk composer Benjamin Britten. Aldeburgh was once a thriving fishing and boat building community, before storms eroded the east coast. By 1790 many of streets had gone. However the tourist trade revived the town in the 1800s.

Sutton Hoo, the final stop, is the site of 6th and 7th century Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. This site is famous for the discovery of the undisturbed ship-burial and many important artefacts. The new exhibition hall, cafe and the restored Tranmere Hall make this a very worthwhile place to visit. Fascinating to think that the discovery of the long boat in mound 1 during 1939 was the result of the Hall owner, widow Edith Pretty, commissioning a local archeologist Basil Brown on a spiritual hunch.

Back at the hotel a good crowd assembled for drinks and dinner to discuss the day’s adventures. The MGB Register

NORTH COAST 500 ROUTE IN THE BONESHAKER.

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weekend had delivered great company, excellent weather, great roads, fantastic places to visit and a few navigation challenges to keep us on our toes. Kate and I even found time to try the driving range…

Many thanks to John and his team for another fantastic MGB Register Weekend.

See you next year in the Scottish borders, I hope!

Malcolm Dunn

Derbyshire was our first stop for the night during this adventure, and with slightly overcast conditions we set off from Newbury.

Our plan was to meet up each evening with our friends, Ian and Sue Deverall, at the hotels rather than travel in convoy. This worked well during the holiday. It was amazing how many times we “bumped” into each other throughout the trip, either in garages or at coffee stops or most important the call of nature!

The first hotel was absolutely brilliant, The Lamb at Chinley, near Buxton. When we arrived, Ian and Sue were sat outside in the sunshine taking in the rays with an aperitif. Only three rooms but excellent; well done, Hotels.com Sadly this was to be almost the last of the sunshine that we were to see on our June holiday. It was generally on the cool side 11-12C or just simply cold 7C and damp. Nicky acquired the nickname of “five coats” in an attempt to keep warm. Yes, we did have rain but at a guess we had the roof off for 70% of the driving time.

When we set out the following morning from The Lamb it was raining. We were optimistic that as we progressed to just north of Newcastle we would find some better conditions. It was going to be an eventful day! When Nicky and I were travelling through the heavy traffic of Keighley in Yorkshire, the Boneshaker, our 1964 MGB, who had not been performing too well, finally gave up the

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ghost and stopped at very busy set of traffic lights and refused to restart. We managed to push it to the side of the road. As we were looking under the bonnet there were huge trucks, coaches and cars speeding by. I decided to check for a spark with my checking tool, after making sure there was fuel in the fuel filter bowl. I turned the starter over and was amazed when suddenly the engine fired up. “Right, let’s move,” shouted Nicky over the noise of the traffic. We struggled through the traffic, fighting to keep the engine running. It was very apparent that the car was not happy running at slow speeds. We stopped in the first layby we came to and Nicky checked on the internet and found that there was an MG specialist in Harrogate, some 16 miles away, so we rang and were told to come over. Thank goodness we did, as the diagnosis was a failing 20-year-old electronic ignition system, which was replaced. So, four hours later and a tidy sum of money gone from our holiday spending fund, we were on our way again.

Peter Norman of Snowdens of Harrogate had saved our holiday, as there was no way that we would have been able to travel all those miles and complete the NC500 without him. Our problem, however, was not completely over for the day as when we checked with “Doris the satnav” we found that we had some 92 miles to travel to our hotel north of Newcastle, and it was pouring with rain. Fortunately she found the way to the A19 and we were on our way to the Tyne Tunnel. It took just over two hours to complete the nightmare journey but we made it to the hotel to be greeted by a relieved Ian and Sue. We slept well that night!

The following morning the rain had turned biblical but with optimism in our hearts we set off to Peebles where we were due to join the rest of the party, ready for the main tour. The rain did stop and the roof came off for some of the trip. The evening was fun as we found our fellow travellers, introduced ourselves and had a drink before enjoying dinner together in a room set aside for our group, two Triumph GT6s, a BMW MINI convertible and a Mazda MX5. We were expecting a Porsche which we found out was due to join us the following day.

Saturday we were due to travel up to Inverness to start the actual NC500 route the following morning. The NC500 is a clever marketing idea to promote Scotland in general by focussing on the wonderful coastal drive. This runs for 500 miles from Inverness to Inverness, via Dornoch and Wick, using the A9 which hugs the east coast virtually all the way to John O’Groats then along the

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north coast to Thurso in Caithness, the northernmost town on the British mainland, and then down the west side of Scotland, passing Lochinver, Ullapool and Gairloch with the islands on the right. Then comes the jewel in the crown, Bealach na Ba meaning “pass of the cattle”, featuring the spectacular road to Applecross, before climbing up and then descending Scotland’s most spectacular road down from its highest point of 2,053ft down to sea level close to Fort William before turning back across country to Inverness. The route is a shade over 500 miles of glorious coastal driving, narrow roads with passing places almost all of the way when you pass John O’Groats, brilliant views ,lovely coastal areas, interesting villages – great fun in any car but wonderful in an open top MGB. There were lots of great memories but one stands out. It occurred as we were making our way towards Braemar. We were driving on the A9 through some glorious open scenery at a steady 50 miles per hour in fifth gear, the roof was down, we were on holiday enjoying ourselves, when suddenly I felt that the car was beginning to play up again. It was slowing down even though we were going downhill. I didn’t dare tell Nicky! I changed down into fourth and the engine was still struggling so I went down again into third and the revs immediately picked up. It was then that the penny dropped: we were in fact climbing. It was the most amazing illusion; I had been convinced that we were going downhill! In the evening I spoke to Ian and he related exactly the same experience. I have subsequently found out that it’s a wellknown fact that open, expansive scenery without a clear horizon can produce this effect.

Our route home was via Carlisle and the Peak District. During the whole of our trip we had a fabulous time with an excellent group of people. We laughed a lot, saw some wonderful scenery, drove on some brilliant roads, all the cars including the Boneshaker performed well, despite the initial problems. It was a well-organised event using some excellent hotels, lots of food, and above all leaving us with some great shared memories. Nicky and I thoroughly enjoyed the 12 days that we were away. We completed 1,750 miles at a shade over 30mpg and Ian did a few more miles, 1,890 at an excellent 34mpg.

Add the North Coast 500 to your bucket list, you will not regret it.

Roger and Nicky Boys

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NEWSLETTER

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

WELCOME TO THE

H

MGF NEWSLETTER

aving spent a very damp day at Brooklands Autumn Motorsport Day I’ve had to accept that our glorious summer may now be officially over. Not too much to report from that event with the MGF/TFs but the MGCC South East were there, huddled under a dripping gazebo. There have been plenty of events though,

WINTER SLEEP Do you put your F/TF to sleep over the winter? Personally, I don’t but I do admit that its use lessens dramatically. My F is getting on a bit now – it will be 20 next year and has over 130k on the clock, so it tends to only come out when the weather is reasonable, a bit like me! The good thing about the car is that I purchased it new from Trident Garages and so I know how it has been driven and what work has been carried out to keep it on the road all that time. This year alone I’ve had a new roof and glass screen fitted, replaced the leather seats and steering wheel and fitted a new binnacle. All of which has added no value to the car whatsoever, but I guess that is the definition of an enthusiast!

We don’t cherish these little roadsters for

throughout the summer, which do feature the F/TF. Many of them being specifically for the model, particularly amongst our Regions. In this extended column we look back at our National event for 2019 which took place in September and a joint event with the ZR/ZS/ZT Register at Burghley House to feature monogram colour cars.

their monetary value – if we did, there would be none left on the road today!

However, the enthusiast is not alone in owning these cars and we see many being bought as cheap roadsters and often sadly neglected until they are scrapped when repairs outweigh the car’s value by a few pounds. Luckily our Club is full of MGF/ TF enthusiasts and our favourite roadsters are being saved and restored and, in some cases, modified along the way.

In the latest edition of our Register magazine, FasTForward, we look at one such car, owned by Daniele Toscano which has had a KV6 transplant and body kit mods to make it a great-looking and powerful car. The car was one of those converted by specialist Chris Flanagan at Retro Sports Cars. We also look back at some more of those summer events and

Daniele Toscano’s KV6 MGF features in FasTForward

go out on track with Rob Bell and Project Shed. Yes it is still going and we are now up to Part 36, would you believe! You can subscribe via our online shop.

Tim’s MGF has undergone some work this year, seen here in Wales on the south east weekend event in April this year

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www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:34

NEWSLETTER MGF25

We announced the date change for MGF25 recently in Safety Fast! and so here is a reminder – it is on July 25 and 26 2020. Make that a definite date in your diary. This will be the Register’s first big show for five years and takes a lot of planning. The Register committee has had its first official planning meeting now and MGF25 will be headed up by our Register chairman, Nigel May. If you have any queries, suggestions or ideas regarding the event then please get in touch with him at chair@mgfregistre. org If anyone wants to get involved in the organisation then please also get in touch as we are always looking for willing volunteers to muck in.

There are some more details about the event to reveal and we are delighted that that we will be sharing the British Motor Museum’s aprons with MG Saloon Day. Both events will take place on the Saturday but will be separate; however, that does mean that you get two for the price of one and everyone likes a bargain. In fact, it’s more like three as you also get the delights of the Museum thrown in as well. This ensures that the whole

of the outside area at Gaydon will be for MGs only. The area has increased vastly since we were last there in 2015 and it is great to see that the MGF-related exhibits are now all out for public display including the famous Metro Pizza van Mule – which we have striven to display at all our previous Gaydon events (not always successfully!)

So how is it lining up so far?

Saturday July 25 – MGF25 main show featuring: MGF figures giving talks or in conversation, Pride of Ownership competition, Arena interviews with selected cars and owners, Trade stalls, Craft area, Featured cars, 25-year-old cars special display, Overnight camping, MG Saloon Day featuring the ZR/ZS/ ZT, 6.3.5, FWD and SUV Registers, 25th Anniversary Birthday Party featuring food and live music in the evening.

Sunday July 26: Anniversary road run using some of the original 1995 press route.

There will also be some special items of regalia for sale so you can get your MGF25-branded polo shirts, key rings, mugs, stickers and more. The official launch of MGF25 will take place on the Register stand at the NEC Classic Car Show over the weekend of November 8-10. Some of those souvenirs will be on sale on the stand and the tickets for the event will also go on sale via the British Motor Museum the same weekend.

IT’S NOT GRIM UP NORTH I have never been to Durham, it’s North, that much I know. Durham was the area selected by Ian Worzel-Wright for the MGF National Weekender this year. He had put a lot of effort into both finding a base and planning a near 100-mile round route which was to be completed on the Saturday. Back home in Surrey, the decision was made that we should attend; after all, we had both retired and were looking for adventures to fill the time, and so it was we booked our place.

As the date approached, I decided to make sure all was well with my MG TF. I wasn’t about to be part of the “10% rule” (10% of all MGFs break down on any MG event) if I could help it! Car all sorted and bags packed, we set off on the Thursday, planning to stop overnight about halfway and visit Chatsworth House. If I am honest, stately homes are not for me, but I thought there would be an opportunity for some photos, and I had never been before.

Base camp for the following three nights was Heather View Leisure Park, Stanhope, where we had reserved luxury lodges. We

arrived at the Holiday Park around lunch time on Friday and during the course of the afternoon MGs appeared from various locations around the country.

Friday evening was spent in the bar catching up with old friends, meeting new ones and enjoying a few beers with dinner.

The lodge we had was very comfortable and real home-from-home, providing a good night’s sleep.

On Saturday morning, we all met up at the start point, about one-and-a-half miles from the Park. The local tea rooms had opened early for breakfast, tea and coffee and we were joined by a few local MG owners, which made a total of about 30 cars. After a briefing by Ian, route books were handed out and we set off (some in the wrong direction!). Just a mile or so from the start we found ourselves driving along stunning open roads with breathtaking views. The weather was playing its part and all cars had tops down, enjoying the sunshine. God must be an MG fan!

We decided to make a stop at High Force Waterfall. This involved a short walk Organiser “Worzel” Wright flags the cars off

www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER downhill to the fall and proved well worth it. I would imagine in winter after heavy rain it would be even more impressive.

Returning to the car we left behind a few MGs in the car park and re-joined the route. Long stretches of open road seemed popular with a few motorcyclists but apart from them they seemed empty of traffic.

My only wish was that I would love roads like this closer to home. We decided to stop at Killhope Lead Mine for lunch, but decided not to do the Mine tour on this occasion, although others in the group did. We then made our way to Derwent Reservoir and strolled along the top of the dam in the late afternoon sunshine before returning to the lodge and preparing ourselves for another evening of eating and drinking.

Entertainment in the bar was provided by the Park owners and included bingo, karaoke and X Factor finalist Chris Maloney. Being a very large Park, the bar on Saturday night was extremely popular with residents and other guests; a few of us could still be found chatting at midnight whilst most had already retired to bed. I got the impression that the staff wished we had, too!

Vintage bus rides replaced the F/TFs at Beamish

Sunday was a day of leisure. One or two decided to visit Durham City, others to retrace some of Saturday’s route and visit sites they had missed, whilst others opted for the nearby steam railway. The weather was fine and sunny in the morning as David and Andrea Koskela joined us to drive the 40 minutes to Beamish Museum, which is a working museum consisting of

two towns joined by either a tram ride or a trip on a vintage bus. It seems like we made the right decision, as the bad weather stayed away until we left later that afternoon after a very interesting day. Sunday evening was again spent in the bar – what is it about MG owners and beer? A few who lived more locally had already departed, while those that remained chatted about the events

Philip and Carole Hayward lead across the moors in their vibrant orange LE500

54 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

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www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:34

NEWSLETTER CHRISTMAS REGALIA

Who had the X Factor on Saturday night?

of the last few days before retiring to bed, some later than others!

It was a very good weekend and my thanks go to Ian and Angie Wright for all the hard work they put into organising it and to Malcolm Hall who was the route tester. As for that 10% rule – as far as I know it was 0% and everyone made it back under their own steam.

Reflecting on the whole weekend, the countryside in the Durham area was absolutely stunning and there are many things to see and explore in the area – plus the beer is cheap, compared to down south! Was it worth the long drive up the M1? Most definitely yes, here’s to next year.

Alan Bradley

The recent colder weather also indicates that Christmas is on its way and it may be time to refresh your MGF Register wardrobe by ordering some of our online regalia complete with the Register logo. There are also plenty of trinkets on our online shop which would make great stockingfillers, visit www.mgfregister.org to see the full range.

MONOGRAM SUNDAY The MGF Register supported the ZR/ZS/ZT Register in August for a combined “Monogram Day” at Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, with funds being raised for both the Registers’ chosen charities of 2019.

After a few days of heavy rain leading up to the event, and lots of notifications of rain forecast and falling around the area, sunshine finally prevailed and a great day was had by all who attended.

The Orangery provided the obligatory cake and ice cream in a delightful setting, and those wishing to have photographic memories Some of the monograms at Burghley House of the day had a fantastic backdrop of the 16th Century house.

The winner of the MGTF Monogram car of the day was this Many thanks to the Zed Register for inviting us to their event, fabulous Dark Fantasy 2005 model, one of only two known to which was also attended by many other models of the MG Marque. be produced.

Jane Parry

The winning MG TF in “Dark Fantasy” www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 55

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 55

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Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 56

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COMPETITIONS

T

he MG Car Club gathered for its final race meeting of the 2019 season at Snetterton, with several championships to be decided. And many of the resolutions, during a bright and breezy day of racing on the Norfolk circuit’s three-mile 300 layout, were much less straightforward than might have been anticipated!

MGCC BCV8 Championship Among the various championships that remained at stake, BCV8’s looked the most intriguing. No fewer than five drivers arrived at this season-finale round with a chance of the overall crown, and of those only Class D’s Ian Prior had a strictly mathematical opportunity.

And incredibly all of them hit technical problems in the first Snetterton race.

Russell McAngus slowed with engine problems early on, and after a long spell of perseverance retired near the end. Jordan Spencer and James Wheeler, however, were locked in a frenzied on-track fight for class honours and potentially the title, but then a rock went through Wheeler’s radiator meaning trouble for his engine.

After trailing smoke for a lap or so, Wheeler pulled off.

Neil Fowler meanwhile was running third both in class and in the overall race but lost pace from half distance when he developed trouble with fourth gear. It therefore looked like Spencer would cash in to the full, but astonishingly on the final lap

a valve seat issue meant he suddenly had only seven cylinders and he was beaten to the line for his class win by Andrew Young, who earlier had spun out of the class lead.

The title therefore went to the final race. Wheeler and McAngus both had to sit it out with their problems, and with Fowler not winning in his class a finish would be enough for Spencer to seal the title. But in keeping with the day even that was nearly denied him. After what he called an “awesome start”, fighting even with the Class D frontrunners briefly, from mid distance Spencer developed more problems. Still, he kept going to the end for fourth in class and his first-ever crown. Young, meanwhile, made it two Snetterton class victories.

MGCC’S SNETTERTON

TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED!

By Graham Keilloh Photos Dickon Siddall

Robin Lackford in his Frogeye Sprite races into dusk, in the last race of the last MGCC meeting of the season.

www.mgcc.co.uk

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MGB CA

COMPETITIONS

The MGF of Brian Butler (47) leads the MGF / TF pack

“It started to make a valve bounce noise, so it pings,” Spencer said of his race two troubles, “and it went downhill from there basically, people going past me constantly, but I just needed to get it home. So, got it home and got the points and won the championship, so happy days.”

There was further celebration for the Spencer family as Jordan’s dad, Rob, won both races. In both he beat Russell McCarthy, who twice rose from starting 10th after oil leak problems in qualifying.

Simon Cripps won both Class B races ahead of Mark Scott, while Jordan’s brother, Luke, added to the Spencer glory by taking race one’s Class AB win. Paul Linfield won that class in race two.

MGCC Drayton Manor Park MG Metro Cup with MG Cup sponsored by Peter Best & MGF/TFs The championship considerations for the MG Cup sponsored by Peter Best looked simple in advance of the Snetterton finale. Richard Buckley needed only a finish to seal the title, which he hoped to do in race one to allow him to ‘go for it’ in race two. He even went

Class A Midget of Martin Morris 58 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 58

to the lengths of being ultra cautious in the slippery qualifying session, and started 12th.

But Buckley’s first race was over almost immediately as he was eliminated in a first corner smash. He made contact with his fellow Tomcat ,driven by Stuart Tranter, from behind, pushing Tranter into a spin which in turn left two Metros – Rod Oakenfull’s and Peter Coleman’s – with nowhere to go. With all four stranded the race was stopped.

Mike Williams was rapid as ever in his Metro and took two Snetterton wins from pole, despite his brake-locking problems from Oulton Park recurring and a brief off in race two thanks to fluid down at Oggies.

The results even gave Williams a remote late chance of the title, though in race two Buckley did what he aimed to do in race one by ensuring a finish, and placed fourth in class and 11th overall, meaning the championship was his.

“The car was actually really quick but I just drove round,” Buckley explained. “I knew I needed to finish, and I was pretty sure if I finished fifth or better then I’d got it. It wasn’t very spectacular but we did it!”

Buckley’s main challenger in advance for the overall crown was Class B’s Chris Boulton,

and at Snetterton he took a second and third place in class, with Iain Dowler claiming both class wins. Boulton nevertheless took the Class B championship.

The MG Cup race, as at Brands Hatch earlier this year, ran alongside the MG Metro Cup, as well as MGF/TFs, meaning a mammoth 37-car grid.

The Metro title was long decided in favour of the dominant Jack Ashton, and he completed his imperious season with two more victories. And just like at Brands he showed his and his Team Purple Helmets Metro’s potency by running with the MG Cup leaders – he twice qualified second overall and in race two finished a close third on the road, Peter Burchill getting ahead in his ZS 180.

However, the ever-fast but often-unlucky Dick Trevett denied Ashton a season’s complete clean sweep at the last by taking the fastest lap in race one on the way to finishing just two tenths behind Ashton.

The NMG MG Trophy The NMG MG Trophy’s Graham Ross came to Snetterton in the box seat to wrap up the championship, and he made good on it with two decisive race wins from pole in his ZR 190. With it he became the category’s first-ever back-to-back champion, totalling eight wins from 10 this year and these were his first wins at the Norfolk track.

Therefore much of the tension in the MG Trophy finale surrounded who would win the Class B title, and that barely could have been closer between Paul Luti and Sam Kirkpatrick in their ZR 170s. The pair were locked together on track in race one and Kirkpatrick took the class win with a fine pass of Luti around the outside on the penultimate lap, taking advantage of Class A’s Robin Walker

Jack Ashton’s Rover 100 heads the MG ZS 180 of Peter Burchill www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:35

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Decals LH GLZ118, see pull, 1 00 / ON LINE: 1 603440 Engine GASKET, heater above.

GHN4/5 & GHD4/5RH 914696 56 Exhaust 58 SCREW, LH & 1 lock mechanism 1 May be replaced models up to GHN5/GH 2 AHH6666www CZA2365 GASKET, inlet hose connector 91469 13 SCREW, 59 .rim D5-258000 (1968-71 to door bros.com by 3 synchro 1 ERR4935P Gearbox STRIKEmer manifold, all lock mechanism 1 87 END, door R PLATE, type door pull 6 SF6040815 AHH6667 Kits include; carb, ). / E-MA enginesPaints tin 'B' post: Mountings GLZ118, see to remote pull, RH control : IL: sales@r GHN4/5 inlet manifold RH above. cost), thermost Gearbox 14 WASHE mechanism & GHD4/5 models , 14" chromed composite 54 imm at housing, accelera 2 1 air cleaner Note: The May erbr R, CZA2366 levelling plate/acc 4 LH ERC3990 be replaced os.c See panel opposite PMZ306 1 omup totypeGHN5/GH D5-258000 (1968-71 by 3 synchro 15 SCREW, shakeproof CZA3310 elerator cable tor and choke cable kits,(K&N at extra introduced onimproved composite 1 60 Note: for 88 LKJ50 further a SCREW SCREW adaptor inlet 1/2" door lock & remote engines and 4 ). details. spacer is included pull GLZ118, 5° carb WF702101 , striker plate for 4x4 , door pull to door: from 1992 approx. manifold a sensible upgrade 57 1 gasket was0020 Cooling control to door 16 WASHER, CZA3311 linkages see above.

Access CARBURETTOR to 'B' post, BY .PHON See alsoE:‘Optiona with the 2" filtersapplications. onwards on earlier engines first Propshaft The composi 14 long , but isories chrome ONLY, 390cfm to allow clearanc 0152 required in addition often used as PMZ308 te gasket type Manual choke. l Parts’ originally fitted 17 WASHER, spring 2 such either 5680 61 e end as for Vacuum a 1 with fuel to seals tin SCREW the or 14 WL105001 pump the tin item.

00 ERR7283 may secondary. conversion kit. plain Supplied jetted stainless , striker plate / which RB7254 2 SF604121 ON LINE: must be used composite manifold gasket, 4 may be www in 18 DOOR HANDL RMP308 for 3.5 litre. to 'B' post, be used with Heater MGB & MGB with their matching 89 DOOR PULL:steel Primary but whichevfact of end seals and 14 short & .rimjetmer GT: 51, secondary Index er the case they 4 RMP308SS WP5 clamps should ERR7282 clamps Rear Axle 19 SCREW, handleE, interior 53..com Controls 62 SHIM, striker GHN5/GHD5 with Edelbrock (the different JETS, replace bros not be mixed 2 JPC8387PA END SEAL, manifo models from 4 SF604061 / E-MAIL: sale to remote types and matched plate: dual to GHN5-294250 GHN5/GH control For tuning larger ment, supplied as ). ld gasket: including 3" air plane inlet manifold 0.032 s@rimm & GHD5-296000 D5-258001 a pair: for tin capacity/modified 20 WASHER, mechanism gasket erbr (1971-72).

Black engines. os.com 2 48 jets 0.064 including 2" air cleaner for composite 54K20 A/R Fuel RB7722 2WD Front 21 FINISH spring 112 2 619076 gasket AJM645 System See note on end Autumn Leaf ER, 2 WL1050015 Suspension with Offenhauser cleaner 2 BFP1469PA 51 jets 1 RB7254JET4 RB77222WDL A/R 22 KNOB, doordoor lock knob cut-out BHH341 ERR7283 360 dual plane OW CLAMP, end seal:seals and clamps above. 2 Navy 1 lock, interior 2 RGK6476 including 3" air 53 jets AHH6547 1 RB7254JET5 8 inlet manifold 23 SCREW, for tin gasket Ochre knob to lock mechan 1 2 RGN6476 AHH6513 including 2" air cleaner end seal 55 jets 1 RB7254JET5 1 RB72622WD for ism Exhaus compos cleaner Rear 24 STRIKER, door latching Beige 63 1 t ite 2 DOOR HANDL 2 RMP212 602076A RB72622WDL 56 jets RGT6476 1 RB7254JET5 3 , 'B' See note on endgasket end seal Suspension 25 SPACER, 90 SCREW, Roadster & GT E, exterior OW 2 seals and clamps 2 striker to 'B' post post ERR7282 door pull to door AFH1684 2 models GHN3/GH ADAPTOR PLATE SCREW, end RGX6476 26 SCREW, 2 above.

1 RB7254JET5 5 (3 synchro, 1965-67 GHN5/GHD5 712837 seal clamp A/R 14A46 striker to 'B' post KIT, models from 6 , push buttonD3 secondary Gearbox NI DOOR HANDL to GHN5-294250 GHN5/GHD5-2580 4 27 BUFFER 73 PMZ308 door handle).

2 Replaces existingjet , door to 'B' post Road Wheels 4 SF604061 602236 91 DOOR PULL: & GHD5-296000 (1971-72 01 Roadster & GT E FITTING KIT secondary jet 28 SCREW, 1 QJ12990S The standard ). models GHN3/GH mounting 2 712837FK buffer securin 4 (3 synchro, 1965-67 AHH6273 GHN5/GHD5 This kit allowsplate on the Holley 390 has plate. g models from , push buttonD3 64 DOOR HANDL & GHD5-296001 Propshaft 4 GD910161 GHN5-294251 door handle). performance. the fitting of a pair of jets a single 53 jet. on (1973 on).

Jets sold separate FACET ‘RED to increase Roadster & GT E, exterior Brakes All V8 models.

Black ly. models GHN4/5 OVERHAUL KIT High capacity TOP’ FUEL PUMP (4 synchro, 1968 AHH8885 & GHD4/5 2 Kits include; carb, on, push button conversions. electric pump suitable KIT 1 Autumn Leaf 65 NUT, handle inlet manifold STUD, NUT & 2 Includes unions. for 4 barrel carb RB7259 Rear Axle door handle), cost), thermost X2A15 1 , 14" 00 WASHE RB725 all chromed to Mount V8 models.

FACET ‘RED TOP’ remotely in engine 4H R MOUNT All models with door air cleaner (K&N Navy cable kits, and at housing, fuel feed banjo Brake & 2 supplied with X2K1500 bay.

92 SCREW, 2WD carb kit ING KIT: 66 WASHER, 'push button' exterior door 4 FACET ‘RED TOP’ FUEL PUMP ONLY 1 applications. 5° carb levelling plate/accand bolt, accelerator andat extra HN2005 Clutch GASKE door handles.

2 choke spring elerator pull RB725 X2N15 UNIONS T, 1 Pair. to carb cable Note: door All models with 9B Front GHN5/GHD5 00 RB7254S to manifold adaptor for 4x4 Hydraulics a 1/2" ONLY models from 1 4 SECONDARY linkages. Seespacer is included with the RB7259A Suspen & GHD5-296001 GHN5-294251 67 WASHER, 'push button' exterior door 4 WL105001 GHF431 1 also ‘Optiona DIAPHRAGM 2" filters to allow RB7181 DOOR HANDLE handles. plain sion required in addition l Parts’ 93 NUT, plastic on (1973 on). All V8 models. clearance for All models with CARB FLOAT , INTERIOR 2 QJ130465 to the conversi such as fuel pump which 'push button' on kit.

68 GASKET, JPC8387PA GHN5/GHD5 exterior door 4 may be Steering WP5 FLOAT ADJUS MGB & MGB models from handles. door handle, small 1 QJ123140 4 TER & GHD5-296001 GHN5-294251 13H2494 GT: All models with Rear on (1973 on). 'push button' CAM KIT (includes REPAIR KIT with Offenhauser 1 QJ123050 69 GASKET, All V8 models. exterior door 2 ROAD Suspension handles. 617402 door handle, large SCREW - BUTTER5 cams) including 2" air 360 dual plane inlet manifo All models with 1 QJ130610 Electrical 3 SYNCHSTER & GT MODELS AIR CLEAN 'push button' ld GHN3/GHD3 70 GASKET RO, 1965-67, exterior door 2 ELECTRIC CHOKE FLY with Offenhausercleaner A/R QJ140 14" diameter ER KIT: handles. 617403 PUSH BUTTON SET, RA132 29 REMOTE 865 with element, chromed ‘pancake’ type DOOR HANDL for one doorpair, including 2" air JWR dual port inlet manifo 32WD CONTROL MECHA Road Wheels MANUAL CHOKE suitable for Holley air cleaner, complete 1 E handle QJ130 See ld cleaner All also NISM: CONVE 880S models Bodyshell RH K&N filter assys.

Excludes cable. & Edelbrock carbs.

RSION with 'push button' 2 14G27 RA13232WDL DOOR HANDLE NI GASKET 1 standard (3" RB7184 OW , EXTERIOR LH & Panels SET, car set, for exterior door handles. 92S ACCELERATOR K&N RECESS 1 deep) AHH7484 ED two door handles & boot lid handle CABLE KIT: 30 SCREW, AHH8885 low-profile (2" Brakes 1 remote control 1 Holley & Edelbro TYPE All models with RB7438 deep) AHH7485 For extra bonnet 31 WASHE to door AIR CLEANE ck, 'push button' 71 LATCH, 1 6 Universal, Holley 4 barrel carb 1 exterior door1 14G2791K RB7439 REPLACEMENT clearance.

PMZ30 KIT - RA1397R Body 32 WASHE R, spring boot lid/tailgate handles.

RB7278 ELEMENT, air 72 SCREW, R, plain 6 WL1050018 ACCELERATOR Fittings 33 Brake & standard elemen 1 cleaner: latch to boot lid/tailg 1 RB7278B AHH7450 DOOR HANDL Adapts ball end CABLE ADAPTOR t 73 WASHER, 6 Clutch ate E, interior 3" deep to pedal.

4 1 WP5 34 SCREW, PMZ30 RB7278A 74 WASHER, spring KICKDOWN KIT Hydraulics handle to remote 2 JPC8387PA 2" deep 4 WL1050018 1 RB7438EL - Holley 390 Interior Trim control mechan SD1 Borg Warner 75 COVER, plain K&N element auto.

1 RTC117HOLLEY latch (GT models) 1 4 (re-use RB743 & Fittings 35 WASHER, spring ism able) CHOKE CABLE 9EL WP5 76 SCREW, 2 3" deep 54K20 KIT cover to tailgate 36 LOCK MECHA 1 Steering AHH7596 77 STRIKER, 21/4" deep 2 WL1050015 (GT models) NISM; 1 1 RB7438ELKN No. DESCRIP 1 RB7290 PJZ602 RH ADAPTOR, TION 78 SCREW, boot lid/tailgate latch Hood & 1 RB7439ELKN striker to body 1 Connects air breather pipe ZKC6132 LH cleaner 79 WASHE LOCK SET, 3 Hardtops 1 1 AHH7451QTY REQ. PART No. R, RB7654 Electrical 2 37 WASHER, AIR CLEANER base to engine flame trap/brea AHH6179S PIECE GHF117 80 WASHER, springNo. DESCRIPTION 1 ther.

AHH7452 Allows clearanc SPACER: 2 38 CIRCLIP, anti-rattle GHF331 QTY e over linkages 81 HANDLE, plain remote control 2 REQ. ALH1879 when using 2" 1/2" spacer 2 Chassis PART No. to lock filter.

GHF300 Engine See panel opposit Bodyshell mechanism link 82 GASKET, boot lid/tailgate No. DESCRIP 1" spacer Plates & 39 SCREW boot TION 1 e for further 1 4 Cylinde AHH6179 -2 4 Sync , BY9340 & Panels 83 LOCK ASSEM lid/tailgate handle details.

13H2023 hro Decals 40 STRIKE lockr to1door GEARB CARBURETTOR QTY 1 1 REQ. BLY, AHH61 door: BY9341 R PLATE, 'B' All models with PART No. ONLY, 500cfm 80 Manual choke.

SF604 post: OX ASS’Y,6non-ov 'push button' 081 erdrive Supplied jetted RH exterior door , recond: 4 cylinder Primary jet 0.086, RH RA1335 for 3.5/3.9 litre.1 handles. - 4 Sync Engine Body secondary 0.095, V8 LH metering rods K&N FLAT TYPE 6 FRONT COVER 1 hro Paints 41 1 LH chrome bumpe 0.065 AHH7758 Fittings AIR CLEANE SCREW, striker , gearbox BHH972 TUNING/CALIB x 0.052 jet.

1 r models R KIT pair plate to 'B' post AHH7759 1 rubber bumpe 4 cylinder models RA1398 1 22H10 long BHH97 Includes 4 assortedRATION KIT GROMMET, 53R Oil Cooler 2 GEARBOX ASS’Y, r models deadloc 1 1 jets and 5 metering V8 models 1 BHH973PR3 1 GEAR LEVER for tuning larger Accessories 42 SCREW BHM50 RA1335C , striker plate Does not include 2overdri 22H1055 locks, 20Rk security rods Interior Trim capacity ve, recond pair standar to 'B' post 121 : NUT, front BHH2049 overdrive SF604 1 631773DL 1 d clip 7fix type, FUEL FEED BANJO /modified engines. short unit. & Fittings 22B684 pair cover 4 cylinder 8 WASHE nut fix & BOLT 43 SHIM, striker GASKET KIT R, spring 1 631773 8 Clutch plate: 4 SF604061 NI GASKET, type, pair 1 GHF201 RA1335B chrome bumpe K&N FILTER, 9 GASKET, Index door lock 1 0.032" (cut to shape 63177 8 Holley r models STUD, front 1 3NF Pancake (14") cover & NUT & WASHE GHF33 1 DOOR PULL LOCK SET, 3 10 OIL rubber bumpe 1 NI 22H10 RA1335D Hood & filter assemblyEdelbrock 4 barrel carbs: ASSEMBLY R MOUNTING piece (2 doorSEAL, front 2 May also be fitted 0.064"(cut to shape of striker) BHH972G 1 GUG705707G 2 52R , bolts directly All models supplied with KIT: locks & cover 619076 1 with 'push V8 models A/R r models with Engine & on to carb.

Hardtops of striker) M 2WD 11 button' 2 carb kit 41 GLZ118 lock): BHM50 SIDEexterior recessed type ‘X-stream’ filter top (lid).

COVER, boot 1 GASKET, carb with19R gearbo 141 1 handles. clip fixing 88G545 BHH341 1 46 SWITCH Gearbox 3 BOLT, gearbox toA/R x RB7254S to manifold 12 locks T, door 3" 40 deep. Sits low (assembly) , overdri 48G78 engine: 0R fixing doorGASKE ACCELERATOR side cover on carb for extra 1 with nut Mountings September 1976 ve N.B. for use with 22B309 1 AHH6179S 1 1 4 cylinder models RA1397 Chassis 13doorSCREW bonnet RB7181 CABLE KIT 1

BY PHON on, overdrive manual choke locks , side 520999A NI SCREW Engine E: 01522 ACCELERATOR flat type (assem models. only. 52 clearance.

1 AHH6179SN 1 22B319 1 2 3/4�

ONLY, 14 WASHER, cover RB7278 568000 / ON CABLE ADAPT bly) 51 long 2 1/4" deep, fits 48Plates & 10 4 Cylinder 47 LINK WIRES, overdrive switch 2 spring OR 39 CHOKE CABLE 1 either manual HU857 LINE: www 1 3 1/4� long 4 15 MAIN or automatic RA13946 X-STREAM RB7278A KIT 52099K&N Cooling ‘X-stream’ BH605 8 Decals 9AS 10 CASE, choke.

September 1976overdrive switch .rim 221 AUTO CHOKE gearbo AIR mer GHF332 FLOW LID For maximumair flow (lid only) 1 x .com 1 on, overdrive bros 3� long 2 ASSEMBLY RB7290 BH605261 48 CAP: 15372RA1399 air flow. Replaces 4 cylinder models models.

6 K&N lid. Available / E-MAIL: sale RED 45 standard pancake Engine V8 V8 models 1 1 in RA132 black, N.B. K&N filter BH605241 red or s@rimm Paints 3ACH chrome bumpe switch Heater & . & gear erbr be purchased assembly (recessedpolished 2 1/4� long knob os.c Features dipstick r or flat type) must separate September 1976 om 44 1 Controls 1 on, overdrive ‘X-stream’, blackly. 50 AAU8099A arm gaiter hole. hole and oval clutch release22H1054 3� long 4 models.

BH506181 gear knob Oil Cooler 4 WASHER,

BY PHONE: Accessories 1 RA139 ‘X-stream’, red rubber bumpe 43 9BLAC 4 September 1976 spring: 01522 5680 BH506241 37 r on, non-overdrive 1 K Features BHH19 49 1 ‘X-strea 00 4 filler GROMM 00 cylinder models 1 models. plug hole and / ON LINE: www m’, polished RA1399RED Fuel ET, gear lever release arm gaiter rectangular clutch22H1463 47 50 GAITER, System 1 RA1399POLIS V8 models .rimmerbros hole.

Clutch 7 1 5 gear V8 models 36 .com GHF333 HED Index BHH2049 5 NUT, gearbo 4 cylinder modelslever: 4 38 42 8 / E-MA Features filler GHN5/GHD5-2580 x to engine GHF333 IL: sales@r49 all V8 models.

4 cylinder models.

3 01 (Oct 1971) 22B682 arm gaiter hole.plug hole and round clutch 1 immerbros.c 7 onwards, Can be fitted release Engine & Exhaust NI FITTING GHF201 16 DIPSTIC to all 4 synchro 35 7 om KIT, gearbo K models.

42 15 Gearbox vinyl 4 cylinder models, 4 cylinder modelsx to engine: 8 chrome bumper.

1 Mountings 22B549 17 PLUG, drain 34 Black Contains items 6 1 3, 4, 5.

Gearbox RP1651 Qty. increases & filler 1 Beige V8 models BHH2072BLA for 4 cylinder 24 plus all V8 models.

CK 10 rubber bumper 9 Contains items 1 37 Navy models, BHH20 1 27 Cooling 3, 4.

72BEIGE RP1652 standard 1 25 Propshaft Red BHH2072NAV Y Magnetic 1/2 23 1 Autumn Leaf 2K583 BHH2072RED 18 NUT, rear 57 38 56 Heater & 1/2 2K583 0 1 BHH2072AUT case to main leather 16 0M case 19 BOLT, rear LEAF Rear Axle Controls 3 25 Black GHF201 34 20 WASHER, case to main case 36 5 BH505101 1 BHH2072BLA spring Navy 21 HOUSIN 21 CKL G, remote control 8 1 Fuel Red BHH2072NAV GHF332 Front 22 GASKET, 32 YL Suspension 1 System remote control 1 20 Autumn Leaf 22B522 BHH2072RED 18 23 SCREW, L 51 RING, gear lever: 1 short, housing 1 BHH2072AUT 22 22B372 to rear case 24 BOLT, long, 14 LEAFL 26 4 28 13 30 chrome GHF163 Exhaust 25 WASHER, housing to rear case 33 Rear 31 Up to Septemb 2 BH505181 spring 1 er 1976.

Suspension 26 BUSH, remote AHC187 black 29 6 selector lever GHF332 27 BREATH September 1976 1 Gearbox ER, gearbox 1 on.

BHH1986 22B295 52 SCREW, 28 SWITCH Road Wheels ring: 54 , reversing lights 1 60 21H6060 67 29 WASHER, models without 53 1 BAU1074A switch centre console 17 55 Propshaft 30 PLUNGER, 68 short (front) 1 anti-rat 50214 12 tle Brakes 6 31 SPRING, 1 long 63 SG604053 20 1 plunger 11 22A84 32 WASHER, models with centre 19 3 SG604083 1 Rear Axle spring cap AEG3123 console 65 33 CAP, anti-rat short (front) 69 Brake & 1 AEG3122 34 BUSH, gear tle spring 1 long 71 Clutch 70 64 62 SG604083 58 1 53 GASKET, 22A85 Hydraulics Front 35 GEAR LEVERlever 3 main SG604103 1 Overdrive gearboxecase to rear case 22H15 Suspension Up to Septemb 1 59 86 1 22B404 54 REAR CASE, s.

36 PLATE, gear er 1976.

22B419 gearbox 87 lever retainin 61 Overdrive gearboxe Steering WE’RE 37 SCREW, g 1 s.

HER 1 plate 22B58 55 Rear DAM25 GASKET, overdri to remote housing E TO HEL Not sure of the 9 76 38 WASHER, P Overdrive gearboxe ve to rear case 3 Suspension our technical right part for your car, double coil 22B525 1 sales team for contact s.

39 NUT, gear 37H1901 Electrical 56 SWITCH help and advice.

3 WS600051 66 knob locking 88 , overdri Up to Septemb 89 Overdrive gearboxe ve inhibitor 72 1 1 22A1613 s.

40 GEAR KNOB,er 1976.

BAU1074A Road Wheels 57 WASHER, original type switch 73 4 cylinder models, Bodyshell Overdrive gearboxe GHN4/GHD4, 1 1 and GHD5-29 74 s.

1B3736 up to GHN5-29 & Panels 58 GASKET, 502146 4250 main 41 GEAR KNOB,6000.

Brakes Non-overdrive case to rear case 75 original type 1 GUG705705G 98 4 cylinder models, 99 100 101 59 REAR CASE,gearboxes.

M GHN5-294251 1 76 77 78 GHD5-296001 BHH78 gearbo and Body 8 x Non-overdrive NI GEAR KNOB:(Oct 1972) to Sept 1976. All V8 gearboxes.

1 Brake & Fittings 79 90 102 22B368 60 PINION, models.

80 All models up speedometer Clutch 85 91 to Sept. 1976.

Non-overdrive 81 gearboxe Hydraulics wood, ‘MG’ logo 103 92 106 Interior Trim chrome bumpe s. leather, ‘MG’ r 93 1 RP1426WMG logo rubber bumpe models 82 & Fittings 1 107 22B654 105 alloy, ‘MG’ 104 1 RP1426LMG 61 SEAL, speedo r models Steering 108 1 83 42 GEAR LEVER logo DAM687 Non-overdrive meter pinion 1 84 RP1100 gearboxes.

1 September 1976 94 NKC105A 62 PINION HOUSIN Hood & 1 DAM30 43 CONE NUT: on.

79 G, speedometer Hardtops Electrical Non-overdrive 1 September 1976 95 63 GASKET, gearboxes.

22H29 on.

120 pinion housing chrome 109 Non-overdrive gearboxes.

1 Chassis No. DESCRIP 22H903B Bodyshell 64 SCREW, 96 110 stainless steel 1 TION C30505A pinion housing Plates & 44 Non-overdrive & Panels GEAR KNOB 97 QTY REQ. 1 C30505SS 2 Decals 111 SeptemberPART GHF117 65 WASHER, gearboxes.

123 1976No. No. DESCRIP on.

112 shakeproof DAM2174 TION 1 45 NUT, knob Non-overdrive 115 122 retaining gearboxes.

2 Body QTY REQ. September 1976 GHF321 66 ADAPTOR, PART No. Paints on.

1 Fittings C30623 Engine Non-overdriveright angleNo. DESCRIP (‘angle 113 drive’)TION gearboxes.

1 116 114 4 Cylinder 120694 QTY REQ. 117 92 BACKPLATE, PART No. 124 Accessories Interior Trim engine to gearbo x: 18G, GA (3 main & Fittings Engine V8 GEAR KNOB, bearing) 125 127 18GB (5 main bearing, 118 1 WOOD 12H752 Index RP1426WMG 126 original, steel 3 synchro gearbox) 119 Hood & 121 Oil Cooler alloy 1 12H1469 Hardtops 131 GEAR KNOB, 18GD, GG,1 18V 1 12H14 57 69A LEATHER 128 4 synchro and auto gearbox.

1 CAM10 132 RP1426 Chassis Clutch BY93PHON 03 LMG 135 GASKE E:T,0152 engine backpla Plates & 2 5680 te, 00 / lower, large 130 29 ON LINE: www Decals GEAR KNOB, 129 .rimmerbros 134 Engine & 94 GASKET, engine backpla ALLOY 1 12H768 .com / E-MA te, 136 RP1100 133 upper, small Gearbox IL: sales@r Paints Mountings 95 SCREW, backpla 30 immerbros.c Engine HEAD GASKET 1 CONVERSION 12H762 SET te, upper om 96 WASHER, GASKET SET, AJM1163EVAP4 Cylinder 2 3 BEARING ENGINES spring, backpla GHF105 97 SCREW, te upper screw

BY PHONE: Accessories backplate: 2 GHF333 Cooling GEG237 01522 5680 18 lower 21 00 / ON LINE: Engine V8 20 18G, GA, GD, GG, www.rimmer 8 53K1779 18V to Septemb Index bros.com / er 1976. lower Heater & 22 E-MAIL: sale 124 STUD, main 18GB (5 main Controls 23 3 Oil Cooler bearing, 3 bearing s@rimm 8 GHF10

V8 - Inlet Man ifold & Components - 4 Barrel

Carb

Interior Doo

r Pulls

ORDER

V8 - Holley 390cfm 4 Bar Carb Convers rel V8 - Hol ion Kits ley 390 Carb & Components

ORDER

Exterior Han dles

& Locks

V8 - Edelbro 4 Barrel Car ck 500cfm Conversion b Kits

V8 - Fuel Pum

p

V8 - 4 Barrel Carb Air Cleaners

Gearbox & FixingsAssembly

V8 - Edelbro ck 500 Carb & Components

External Gea rbox Components

MANUAL GEA

RBOX - 4 SYN CHR

O (1967 ONWV8 - K&N 4 Barrel Car b Air ARDClea S) ners

ORDER

ORDER

01522 568 000

Engine Backpla te & Rear Oil Sea l

ENGINE - 4

CYLINDER

ORDER

ORDER

synchro gearbox)

lower

5 8 SH606071

.

18V Septemb

er 1976 on.

Fuel 98 WASHER, spring, backpla

System

All engines except te lower screw 18GB. 8 GHF333 99 LOCK TAB, 18GB (5 main backplate lower screws bearing, 2 2K6059 te side screws 18GB (5 main 1H1020 101 LOCK TAB, bearing, 3 synchro gearbox). 1 Gearbox 18GB (5 main backplate upper screws 1H1021 102 OIL SEAL, bearing, 3 synchro gearbox). 1 crankshaft, rear: 5 bearing 3 synchro gearbox) Exhaust 100 LOCK TAB, . backpla

Contact us for your FREE copy:Tel: 01522 568000 Fax: 01522 567600 Email: sales@rimmerbros.com

Post: + " % & , - ! * , & %, ) ) , ( $ We’ve Expanded our Call Centre hours now open up to 20 hours a day - 7 days a week!

engines only.

Propshaft

standard uprated (Viton) 103 RETAINER, oil seal 5 bearing

cap All 18G Series engines.

6/10 Quantity increase d for 5 bearing Some early 3 bearing engines engines. these should be used lock tabs 125 NUT, main replaced by ACA5521. bearing cap All 18G Series engines.

6/10 Quantity increase d for 5 bearing Some early 3 bearing engines engines. these should be used lock tabs 126 WASHER, replaced by ACA5521. main bearing All 18G Series cap engines.

6/10 Quantity increase d for 5 bearing Some early 3 bearing engines engines. these should be used lock tabs 127 BOLT, main replaced by ACA5521.

18V engines. bearing cap 10

51K1482

Engine Gasket

142 HEAD GASKE T SET: OEM aftermarket LNZ108 aftermarket with head gasket copper 143 CONVERSION GASKE 3 bearing engines T SET: ACA5521 5 bearing engines standard Note: When Payen type

Sets

1

104 SCREW

1 AHU2242 1AHU2242UR 1 12H1547

engines only.

7

11

long

for 5 bearing engines.

5 bearing engines

123 WASHER,

spring

ORDER

only.

GEG237

12

00

IL:

)'+ *+- # (-- *'(-

27

26

erbros.com

65

Fuel System

62

Exhaust

60

Gearbox

59 85

84

58

51

56

89

57

Front Suspension

82 87

78

Rear Suspension

86 96

94

80

95

88

Road Wheels Brakes

101 79

104

105

81

Brake & Clutch Hydraulics

103 92

Steering 102 100

93 113

127

126

106

130 141

140

125

Electrical 99

124 128

115

114

117

98

00 / ON LINE:

118

97

Body Fittings Interior Trim & Fittings

131 132

135

133

138

Hood & Hardtops Chassis Plates & Decals

139

137 136

Paints

138

Accessories

136

www.rimmer bros

.com / E-MA

IL:

Bodyshell & Panels

129

137

01522 5680

Rear Axle

90

77

116

BY PHONE:

Propshaft

91

83

123

120

ORDER

Heater & Controls

26

134

sales@rimm

Cooling

61 67

52 53

119

.com / E-MA

27

24

68

00

109

www.rimmer bros

25

24

69 66

121

00 / ON LINE:

64 63

55

54

SERVICE KIT RP1698

GHF331

25

11

112

2 SH604121

01522 5680

15

9

Service Kits

3/1 SH604071 3

BY PHONE:

Clutch Engine & Gearbox Mountings

14

6

tem

Index

28

16 17

Lubrication Sys

Quantity reduced

58

28

13

10

8

1 AJM27 overhaul 50 1 AJM273PAYE 3 with head gasket ing complete engine 49 12B2356 128 CORK SEAL, or rear (AHU224 set. Conversion set doesuse conversion gasket set N not contain 2) oil seal. These Front/rear for main bearing cap should be ordered front (88G 561) 31 18G, separately.

12H1638 128 CORK SEAL, GA. Front only for 18GB, 2/1 GD, GG. Front/rear for main bearing cap 18V. Rear only 12H1476 for 18GB, GD, 2/1 129 VALVE, oil 4 SH605071 GG. Kit includes fan pressure relief 3 bearing engines belt, air filter, 130 PACKING (OPRV) 1 spark plugs, contact only. oil filter, fuel filter 4 PIECE, OPRV GHF332 106 BLANKING 12H86 (not set 5 and condenser. in RP1692), 131 SPRING: 1 4 synchro andPLUG, engine backplate 32 Rear AEH798 33 automatic gearbox.

CHROME BUMPE 1 34 Suspension 12H541 OPRV R MODELS 47 NI SERVICE uprated, 1 37 KIT, engine 1H756 36 132 WASHER, OPRV with paper elemenwith 25D distributor: 1 OPRV cap 1H756UR Road Wheels 45 46 t oil filter 1 Upright or hanging 133 CAP, OPRV 38 40 1 231578B RP1692 with upright spin-on 134 SUMP, oil: 1 12A1851 oil filter with hanging 3 bearing engines RP1693 Brakes spin-on oil filter 1 with 1 spin-on oil filter 39 5 bearing engines RP1694 1 12H395 conversion1 NI SERVICE , standard ALLOY SUMP KIT, engine with RP169 1 5 Fixed 12H35 KIT, OIL PUMP, 3 origina Brake & points. finned 41 35 Inc gasket, bolts. l 45D distributor: BEARING ENGINES 88G296 44 Clutch with upright spin-on 5 bearing engines 42 Hydraulics oil filter with hanging 135 GASKET, RP1696 1 12H3541AK spin-on oil filter 1 sump: 48 NI SERVICE 1 43 KIT, 3 bearing engines RP1697 Sliding points. engine with replacement 41 44 45D distributor: Steering 107 DIPSTICK 5 bearing engines 1 43 AJM503 18G, GA, GB, GD. with upright spin-on 136 SCREW, 1 72 1 73 74 76 oil filter 12H74 sump 108 GAITER, AJM504 with hanging Quantity reduced to engine dipstick RP1698 spin-on oil filter 1 for 5 bearing engines. 19/18 SH604 18G, GA, GB, GD. Electrical 137 WASHER, 1 041 1 RP169 1B173 109 TUBE, dipstick 71 shakeproof 9 5 RUBBER BUMPE Quantity reduced 70 R MODELS for 5 bearing engines. 19/18 18G, GA, GB, GD. GHF321 NI SERVICE 138 WASHER, 1 1B106 KIT, 110 plain engine with origina 3 DIPSTICK Bodyshell Fixed points.

Fitted Sept 1976 l 45D distributor: 18 18GG, 18V 581 GHF300 & Panels 139 SCREW KIT, on but can be fitted all years.

1 12H2964 with upright spin-on 111 DIPSTICK / 582 / 583 to 1972.

Contains 19 off sump oil filter with hanging 1 18V 581 / 582 RP1700 RP1648 spin-on oil filter 1 140 DRAIN PLUG, of items 136, 137, 138. / 583 1973 on, NI SERVICE 18V 779, 780, 1 12H3963 1 sump Body 112 TUBE, dipstick KIT, RP1701 846, 847.

141 WASHER, Sliding points. engine with replacement 1 For 12H2964 Fittings drain plug 88G257 45D distributor: and 12H3963 1 12H3351 .

113 SPINDLE, with upright spin-on 1 6K638 oil 75 oil filter 114 OIL PUMP: pump drive with hanging RP1702 1 CAM1039 spin-on oil filter 1 Interior Trim 1 3 bearing engines RP1703 & Fittings 5 bearing engines 1 88G296 uprated 1 GLP143 Hood & 115 GASKE , 5 bearing engines T, pump to block: 1 GLP143UR Hardtops 3 bearing engines 5 bearing engines 1 88G420 Chassis 116 STUD, oil pump 1 12H1018 Plates & 117 NUT, oil 3 51K267 Decals 118 WASHE pump R, spring 3 GHF201 119 WASHER, 107 3 plain GHF332 110 111 Paints 120 STRAINER, oil 3 GHF301 108 121 GASKET, 1 JAM2227 strainer to pump 122 SCREW: 122 1 Accessories 88G421 short Rear Axle

, backpla oil seal retainete centre/ Front r Suspension 105 WASHE R, spring

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COMPETITIONS

MG Trophy Champion Graham Ross in his MG ZR 190

coming past them both. This also all got Kirkpatrick Driver of the Race.

It also set up a winner-takes-all finale for the pair, and they again circulated in tandem. This time, though, Luti was able to hold off a very racy Kirkpatrick and with it pip him to the title by just two points. Ironically, Walker helped Luti this time, providing him with a slipstream by running ahead.

Tylor Ballard got race two’s Driver of the Race, having got back out after a hefty barrier impact between Hamilton and Oggies on the first race’s opening lap, to finish 11th overall and sixth in class in race two.

MGCC Lackford Engineering MG Midget & Sprite Challenge David Weston claimed victory in the MGCC Lackford Engineering MG Midget & Sprite Challenge’s opening race. He did it the hard way, too, as having claimed pole he dropped to third at the start after a misfire off the line – which he resolved in the cockpit swiftly by tearing out a transponder wire which had been affecting his ignition system! This left Weston in a three-way all-Midget scrap for

Russ McCarthy (93) chases Neil Fowler in the BCV8 Championship

the win with Stephen Collier and David Morrison, and they were having their own problems – Collier had a top-end misfire while Morrison’s chronic gearbox problems continued as second gear was jumping out.

Morrison and Weston moved by Stephen (72) in his Class C MGB GT V8 with a gaggle of Bs in the background early-leader Collier on Mark Witherspoon pipped Ed Easton the same lap, then on the final tour Weston for both Class D wins, the second of which passed Morrison at Agostini for a lead he was by just 0.159 of a second and got didn’t lose. Completing a clean sweep, Witherspoon Driver of the Race. “We had a Weston got Driver of the Race as well. hell of a race,” Witherspoon noted.

Weston’s second race, however, didn’t Richard Perry claimed both the Class E last long as he and Collier on his inside wins to round off his dominant season. His collided at the first turn, leaving Weston first Snetterton win was comfortable, while spinning and then limping only as far as the in the second he prevailed after a race-long pits at the end of the lap. This gave Morrison all-Sprite scrap with Robin Lackford and Ian an immediate vast lead over Collier and he Burgin. Perry’s results also were beneficial to then took further advantage by leading a him in the overall championship fight with still-misfiring Collier home by nearly half a Collier and Easton. minute in the gathering dusk.

James Cole (88) leads the ZR170 pack.

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NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 60 www.mgcc.co.uk

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NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 61

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Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 62

25/10/2019 14:35

RACE TORQUE

RACE TORQUE

by Mark Baulch Photos Dickon Siddall

By the time that you read this, the 2019 season will have finished, Championships will have been decided and the racing cars will all have been prepared for the winter and carefully stored. Details of the final day at Snetterton and the Champions that were crowned there appear on other pages, but following up on the piece written by MG Car Club Trophy Championship driver, Joshua Bacon, last month, I am delighted to confirm that he did indeed win the Class C championship. Whilst the nights draw in and the race circuits seem a long way away, we still have the end-of-season awards ceremonies to look forward to.

These give us the chance to reflect on and celebrate the achievements of 2019 and I know that all the drivers look forward to these occasions. Not just a celebration for the drivers, it is an opportunity to thank all

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 63

the people that make it possible for them to go racing, including family, friends and sponsors. The end of the season also gives the Race sub-Committee the opportunity to reflect and plan and I am very pleased to be able to say that a calendar of racing is very close to being set and that I should be able to bring this to you on this page next month.

This year was certainly a challenging one, with some changes in the calendar along the way as well as some people leaving the Committee and others joining it. I believe that we now have a strong team in place to ensure the future of MG Car Club racing and we will also be inviting some others to join us soon. More news of this in the coming months.

In the meantime, we will be planning for the two early appearances of the MG Car Club at exhibitions next year, as our

stands at both the Autosport International show and Race Retro have been confirmed.

These shows are on January 9-12 and February 21-23 respectively. These are your opportunities to meet with us and the drivers to discuss your own potential racing future and to discover just how easy it is to become involved. You may be surprised by just how little it can cost to buy and race an MG. Of course, being involved in the racing may not actually mean racing a car, as there are lots of other ways in which you could join the MG racing family, from assisting with the preparation and maintenance of the cars, running of the racing in terms of marshalling or officiating, to helping out on the administration side of things. Do please come and interact with us to find out whether there might be a role to suit you.

Beyond the shows, we will be back in 2020 with lots more exciting racing and we look forward to seeing you and to sharing the friendliest paddock in motorsport, as well as some of the closest racing on track.

Do also come along to the MG Welcome Centre to enjoy the award presentations as well as a cup of tea and a biscuit!

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 63

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MGs ON TRACK

MG on track

Duncan Wood duncanw@mgs-on-track.co.uk

CASTLE COMBE AND DONINGTON H

aving enjoyed good weather for many of our track days so far this year, it was no surprise that our luck seemed to have changed for September’s second visit to Castle Combe and October’s Donington Park.

The weather forecast for Castle Combe was of fairly steady rain, with Donington promising on and off showers throughout the day that threatened to make driving conditions ‘interesting’.

In reality, although Castle Combe was sometimes wet in the morning, by lunch the rain had ceased, and the track was all but dry for the afternoon. As we were operating on an open pit-lane basis in the afternoon, those that had restricted their running in the morning’s tricky conditions still had plentiful opportunity to clock-up some high-speed laps, so I don’t think anyone went home disappointed. We were joined at Combe by our friends from The Midget and Sprite Club, who had chosen this MGs on Track event for their

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annual track day meet-up. They fielded a wide variety of cars, ranging from the virtually standard to cars boasting the wellknown K-Series conversion and a couple with the increasingly popular Zetec. The more powerful cars probably had to wait for the afternoon to make use of all their extra urge, as in the wet conditions of the morning it was the more modest A-Series cars that were easier to control, which served to level the playing field for some of us!

Donington adhered to the weather script a little more closely as, although a sharp wind almost dried the track after lunch, intermittent showers did ensure that there was always one part of the circuit or another ready to catch us out.

Donington lies close to the end of the runway at East Midlands Airport, so in the morning aircraft passed low over our heads when landing; in the afternoon the wind had obviously changed as it was the roar of planes taking off that threatened to

disrupt our concentration. Whether it be truth or a fiction, the aircraft are accused of laying a mist of fuel vapour onto the track surface as they pass overhead, and this is routinely cited as the reason for a spin or ‘moment’, rather than an excess of enthusiasm or a momentary desertion of driving talent!

At MGs on Track we offer instruction from ARDS-qualified instructors at our events, as it is our belief that we can all benefit from some extra guidance, encouragement, detailed knowledge of the circuits, and perhaps even some gentle criticism. Although sales of track day places have, despite uncertain times, remained buoyant this year, the take-up of instruction does seem to have reduced significantly; it is difficult to tell if this is caused by economic considerations or if there are other factors at play.

Although a session with an instructor might add around twenty pounds to the cost of an event, this does represent very good value for your money, especially as this amount is subsidised by MGoT. I am certain that you couldn’t spend this money on anything else for your car that would offer even a tenth of the performance gain that a session of instruction offers.

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:36

MGS ON TRACK – 2019 CALENDAR Please visit www.mgs-on-track.com to register, check availability, or to book a

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

track day.

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

Brands Hatch ‘Indy’ – December 2 Our last event of 2019. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy this undulating circuit including Paddock Hill Bend!

Perhaps some participants are just happy to be out on a racetrack and are not too concerned if they are driving to their full potential. However, once an instructor has shown the correct lines and suggested gear change and braking points, progress around the circuit will be smoother as well as faster. Some members may also be fearful that the instructor will try to turn them into a racing driver, but this couldn’t be much further from the truth. Whilst all our instructors will have motor racing experience, they are much more interested in you reaching the performance level that you’re happy with, rather than eking out that final split-second per lap... especially as timing is forbidden at our events, so who will know anyway!

The great thing about our regular team of instructors is that they are all dyed-inthe-wool car enthusiasts, and many of them will have had their own MGs in the past, perhaps identical to yours. So, you can be assured that they are aware of both the strengths and weaknesses of the classic car. Finally, a few words of praise when you’ve shown an improvement in technique are like getting a gold star for your finger painting at primary school, and far exceed the value of a Paul Hollywood handshake!

Obviously, the Calendar of events for 2019 could not be much shorter, but as I write we have a few places left for Brands, so wrap up warm and come and join us. The 2020 Calendar is still under development but, as they say, watch this space!

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 65

A Midget ready to attack a sunny, scenic Shelsley Walsh. Photo: Dennis Wharf

The final results of this year’s championship would have been decided on the last events of the year. That would have been Castle Combe on October 19 and Eelmoor the following day. Eelmoor was supposed to happen on the 6th but the camo-clad types had first dibs and the date had to be moved.

As things stand at the time of writing, it is pretty much a two-horse race to the overall Championship between Nick Walker, MGB GT V8, and Rob Bell in his Group three MGF. A nice split between North and South. Only about three points separate the two and if the weather is not to be a factor it could go either way. Other notable performers have been Ian Benningfield, Midget, and Andrew Till, ZR 115. Both are previous championship winners and as they say: “It isn’t over till it’s over.”

Recent events have illustrated the cut and thrust of the competition. On September 8 at Gurston Down Rob Bell achieved a maximum score of 104 points with Ben Rolls and Ted Roberts both into the 100s.

The following weekend at Wiscombe it was the turn of Nick Walker to shine with another maximum 104, which propelled him slightly into the lead. John Tandy, Ben Rolls, Neil Lock and Alan Fairbrother also featured in the over 100 points club.

On the same weekend the Northern contingent paid its season-ending visit to Harewood Hill, near Leeds. On the Saturday Neil Walmsley managed to just improve on his previous record by .05 of a point to take the top scorers’ honours, with Ian Howlett also achieving 100. Star of the Sunday event was Richard Watkinson. Richard drives a demon Group four modsports Midget which is highly developed and driven for some years with maximum verve.

To improve on his previously best time by .31 of a point shows that he was really on form that day with the bit firmly between his teeth.

By the time you read this all the above speculation will have been resolved and Champions, both National and Regional, will be revealed.

The first dinner and awards presentation will be the Northern which is to be held on Saturday November 30 at the Deanwater Hotel, Woodford, near Stockport. This is always a very lively affair as we share our awards presentation with competitors in the Cockshoot Cup racing championship. Full details can be accessed via the North West Centre website. Being at this time of year, the menu will be the full festive feast and suitable decorations. Just the job to get you in the mood for what is to come.

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 65

25/10/2019 14:36

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CENTRES ABINGDON WORKS Lin Cotter sfscribe@mgabingdon.org.uk www.mgabingdon.co.uk Summer sunshine seems a long way away now we are well into autumn. The rains at the end of September and the cooler weather of October have meant the end of many Club runs. Some of our members with older cars have wrapped them and stored them away until spring, but there are still opportunities to get the top down on brighter days – after all, that’s what the heater is for.

With the colder weather our trips out tend to be concentrated more onto Wanderers Natters with interesting venues and great pub lunches. The Wanderers visit to the WWII bunker in Uxbridge was very well received, as was our attendance at the Oxford Open Doors event. It was a great opportunity to see many buildings not usually open to the public, but even better, a chance to talk to interested folk about our beloved MGs. For the first time, the AWC booked space at the Kop Hill Climb, working with the Magnette and Midget Registers to get MGs all parked together. It worked very well as, on a glorious

ANGLIA Rob Muir 01206 862619 scribe@mgccanglia.com www.mgccanglia.com MGB Register Weekend The MGB Register chose to visit the Anglia Centre for their annual weekend away and we were pleased to welcome them. We even arranged for them to have perfect weather for their visit. They based themselves in Suffolk and the county was suitably showcased. The photograph, taken by

A varied selection of MGs at the Kop Hill Climb

Saturday, we managed a display of 40 cars and a range of models. Given its success, we’re planning to repeat the exercise next year, so watch this space for details.

As I write, our last run of the year, the Autumn Leaves, is planned for this coming weekend, with cars from 12 counties so far registered with an age range starting at 1934 and finishing with 2018. A report, plus photos, will appear on our website.

It may still seem a while away, but don’t forget the annual Boxing Day gathering in Abingdon’s Market Place. The road run has been compiled and we look forward to seeing you there!

You can find details of our events and Natters on our website www.mgabingdon.org.uk Welcome to our new members whom we look forward to meeting during the coming months.

Roger Martin, shows their cars lined up outside Bentwaters ‘Cold War’ museum.

BCV8 One of the most exciting races of the day was the MGCC BCV8 Championship race. Seeing the big V8s hurtling through Murrays corner, often at such an angle that they lift the inside front wheel high into the air, is a sight to behold, bringing back memories of the great Jim Clark three-wheeling his Lotus Cortina at Brands Hatch in the 1960s.

Congratulations go to Jordan Spencer who piloted his V8 with great aplomb to become BCV8 Champion for 2019. A fitting tribute following a difficult year when the championship lost their much-respected and greatly missed coordinator, the late Pam McCarthy. Well done to you all for carrying on, Pam would be proud of you.

Snetterton As forecast last month, the race day at Snetterton proved to be a fantastic success with close racing and great weather. The Anglia Centre had their own parking area and it was good to meet up with old friends.

Norfolk Motor Group MG had four new MGs on display including a rather smart MG3 and the new MG ZS EV.

WWII bunker in Uxbridge

Photo of the Year Competition The Anglia Centre is inviting members to submit MG-related photographs to webmaster Kelvin Fagan webmaster@mgccanglia.com Not only will your photos be posted on the website, but the photo judged the best at the end of the year will be awarded the Anglia Centre Photograph of The Year Trophy. Terms and conditions can be found on the website.

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 67

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 67

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CENTRES CALEDONIAN Bob MacGillivray 07870 407111 mgcarsscotland@gmail.com www.mgcaledonian.com Sorry to say that we had to cancel the last run of the year in October due to a very small entry. It was surprising as the October run has historically been well supported and it’s difficult to understand quite why this one did not catch the imagination of members. Our Shows this year have done well, but one or two of the one-day runs have not. If you have any comments, then please let me know.

However, the November lunch looks to be busy, but I expect that even as you receive these notes you should still be able to get a place at the table!

It’s an excellent opportunity to round off the season so join us on the 24th at the Huntingtower Hotel, near Perth; check the website for details.

The first event of 2020 is our Chilly Willy lunch on January 1. We have moved the location to the Radstones Hotel near Larkhall, just minutes off the M74, so it’s well situated for those of you who may come a distance. Again, check details on the website.

DEVON & CORNWALL Young Janner II bobslatter@hotmail.com www.mgcc.co.uk/devon-cornwall-centre The recent trip to the Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford was a success, despite the weather trying its very best to blow us off the road or drown us.

It was great to meet some familiar faces from the South West and Abingdon Works Centre who had joined us on the day. Not having been there since before the major extensions were built, I can

The committee is presently planning events for 2020. There will be a Fish & Film night in January and there is likely to be a Technical Day in February. Details will be confirmed later and will be on the website.

If there is a show or a type of event which you would like the committee to consider then please get in touch. Better still, if you would be willing to help in running an event Sir Boyd Tunnock admiring George Rome’s MGA at Bo’ness then again get in touch. home that same night. Prices are not yet fixed but One thing we would like to try in 2020 is some if you would be interested then let me know. kind of mild Auto Solo or Auto Testing. If any of you Further ahead in 2020 is the European have access to a grass field or area of hard standing Event of the Year, being held in Germany. A good which might be suitable then please let me know. number of Caledonian people made successful Many of you will be aware of Race Retro, held applications and Leslie Duncan is coordinating annually at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. Next year travel arrangements, etc. If you have an entry and it’s on February 21-23 and we are considering would like to join the group, then let me know running a minibus down on Friday 21, staying and I’ll put you in touch with Leslie. over and doing the show on Saturday 22 returning

certainly recommend a trip there. A lot more space to look at the wonderful collection of cars and motorcycles, including a complete section on the development of Speedway bikes since the early 1900s.

The Exmoor Rut had a good entry of over 50 cars taking part, covering a very scenic route from Ashburton on the edge of Dartmoor to Blackmoor Gate on Exmoor. The views on a good day are wonderful, especially from Dunkery Beacon where it is possible to see over 80 miles to the Black Mountains in South Wales.

Mike Dalby and Roger Tushingham’s M Type Midgets at the recent Powderham Castle Gathering celebrating their 90th birthdays www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 69

Hopefully, the following week, we will have managed to marshal a few sections on the Tamar Classic Trial along with our friends from Launceston and North Cornwall Motor Club.

The annual Skittles Evening at the Fox and Hounds Hotel on the A386 Tavistock to Okehampton road, near Bridestowe, is arranged for Saturday November 16. This is a very popular evening with nearly all the Natters represented, so a friendly rivalry is to be expected as to which Natter has the better skittle players. There will be the usual bar menu available, as in previous years, and is on the Centre website and in the current newsletter. Please advise in advance of your requirements so we can let the Hotel know.

I know it is only November but the Christmas season is approaching fast and the various Natters will be arranging their Seasonal Gatherings, so keep an eye on the newsletter and website for details of ones in your area. Whilst on the subject of Natters, there are a lot of events organised at local level, which is great to see, but please contact a Committee member with details so that the correct Motorsport UK (formerly MSA) paperwork can be raised, if necessary, to cover the organisers and the Club.

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 69

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CENTRES LINCOLNSHIRE Ian Mackenzie 01529 497849 MaccaV8@aol.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk November Natters: Wolds Wednesday 6; Abbey Lodge Monday 11; Wishing Well Wednesday 13;Three Horseshoes Thursday 21; Ferryboat Tuesday 26; White Hart Thursday 28.

Luncheon Club: Wednesday 20.

November Events: Abbey Lodge Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Talk 11; Ferryboat Inn Natter Christmas Meal 26.

We counted them out, into the eye of the storm, and we counted them back in again. Thankfully, the number was the same: nine ...yes, it was time for the annual Jubilee Trophy Scatter Rally on Sunday October 6, setting off from and returning to Heckington 8 Sail Windmill where we were looked after by their team of volunteers.

Braving flooded roads (at the top of a hill – it could only happen in the Lincolnshire Alps) the winning team of Robert and Hazel Taylor competed in a Jaguar. Explaining their victory, Robert put it down to being able to see out of the

MIDLANDS Tony Lake tonylake134@hotmail.co.uk www.mgccmidlandcentre.co.uk Members and their subscriptions are key to the success of any Club and the MGCC is no exception. Keeping members in touch with each other falls to local Natters to provide a meeting place where like-minded MG enthusiasts can chew the fat and plan local events. Natters take many forms; groups have developed which welcome MGCC, MGOC and Octagon club members, and indeed any classic car owner, faithful to the all-embracing Marque of Friendship. See www. mgccmidlandcentre.co.uk/ At the March 2019 Council meeting the Midlands Centre succeeded with its proposition to publish Natter details in Safety Fast! on a regular basis. Safety Fast! is an important MGCC communication conduit in helping its Centres recruit new members and maintain the enthusiasm of the existing ones. It is appropriate to recognise two Natters who this year celebrate significant milestones. Kilsby MG Club is 25 years

www.mgcc.co.uk

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car – air con demisting has come a long way since his MGA was built!

Previously... in fair weather, Sunday September 8 saw the final round of our Autotest Series at East Kirkby. It was good to see Nigel Pack back out in his faithful MGB, obviously enjoying himself. Competition was fierce, most notably in the Specials class, where Matt Walbran took the honours, with Ian Webb taking fastest time of the day.

Thanks must go to all the willing volunteer marshals, without whom none of the events could take place. Long may you continue to stand in all weathers to help others enjoy their day.

We were visited by the V8 Register Annual Tour in September, based at the Olde Barn Hotel, Marston, near Grantham. Several Lincolnshire members were involved with the tour, notably Richard and Victoria Withington who were the organisers.

The festive season gets off to an early start in November. The first Natter Christmas meal occurs on the 26th at the Ferry Boat Inn, Washingborough, as it was thought that members may be involved in events closer to home on the normal Natter date in December. Please contact

old and the Chesterfield MG group is 40 years old, kicking off in 1979.

Looking ahead to 2020 diary dates, our Welsh Touring Rallye will be held on the weekend of May 15-17, based at the four-star Telford Country Club Hotel overlooking Coalport and the Severn Gorge.

We have responded to requests by our regular entrants to upgrade the hotel from those we have used recently and reduce the mileage to get to it on Friday evening. We have hammered out some good prices. Nobody will be disappointed in the facilities offered, especially the superb indoor pool. Our recce team have already plotted a route to get to the traditional action in mid-Wales on Saturday. On Sunday it will be a plunge in the pool or a plunge into the Gorge, or maybe both!

Blists Hill Museum is an absolute must if you have never experienced it. Email the entry secretary, Roger King, at rogerking43@gmail.com for an entry form.

We held our 57th annual Autumn Trial on October 13 at Bromsgrove. Alongside it we ran a Taster Trial for newcomers, and to further complicate the day we hosted the final round of the BTRDA car trials championship. Single-venue

either me or Sue if you would like to book in for the festive menu.

Most of the other Centre Natters have Christmas Meal events throughout December – be sure to contact the Natter Leaders to book your places.

Some of the Jubilee Trophy Rally entrants

trials land is in short supply; it made eminent sense to share with the BTRDA after the lastminute loss of their venue. Clerk of the Course, Adrian Tucker-Peake, reportedly had sunstroke marking out on Saturday; Sunday saw a bunch of drowned rats competing on very muddy farmland, not a day for low scores. Once again Steve Courts Hillman Imp was the runaway winner with 31 lost.

Colin Reid VW Golf was second and class 1 victor on 62, 3rd in another Imp on 86 were Richard Tompkins/Ed Nikel. Best MG and winner of the Allen Trophy were Jimmy Mulligan/Graham Moore in a ZR. Taster winners were Steve and Pam Yates in a Reliant Tempest. Full report on the website.

Old T racer Frank Vautier trialing his T Type with Nick Taylor bouncing. Photo: Martin Price NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 71

25/10/2019 14:37

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CENTRES NORTH WEST Paul Goodman 01625 876300 This is your final chance to buy tickets for the Dinner Dance and Awards Presentation on November 30. Full details are on the website. Tickets are still available from David Rainsbury by email david@ rainsbury.com We are looking forward to a great evening with all our fellow enthusiasts.

More exciting news is that our Chester meeting is now so successful that it has outgrown the Shrewsbury Arms. The day remains the same, so the meeting this month will be on Tuesday November 12. The new venue is The Trophy Room, Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas Newton Lane, Chester CH2 1PR. You can find it just off the A41. A week later we will be at the Plough and Flail on Tuesday November 19. If things go to plan, then there will be something in place to amuse all of us.

Then on Wednesday November 27 the final lunchtime meeting of the year will take place at The Partridge, Tarporley Road, Stretton, Warrington, WA4 4LX. This completes another successful year of these gatherings. They will resume in January and then later in the year there will be some additional

SOUTH EAST Ray Ruffels and William Opie raywillmg@gmail.com www.mgccse.co.uk AGM The main event in November is the South East Centre AGM at St Nicholas Youth Centre, Godstone, on the 16th at 12.00pm. This is your chance to see what is going on and help shape the future. We are still looking for a Competition and Events Secretary and also a Minutes Secretary.

If you are interested please contact our acting Chairman, Chris Leigh, on candjleigh@yahoo.com

Autumn Gathering at Polesden Lacey www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 73

Meanwhile the Northern Speed Event meetings held during the day at places of interest.

Championship has been completed but the The intention is to try to balance evening and winners will only become clear when the last daytime events to satisfy all our members. two Southern events have run, and the national There was a good-sized crowd at Oulton Park positions are decided. This is because no driver at the end of August for our race meeting. The final can win two awards.

Cockshoot Cup race of the season was decided There is plenty of space available for new by a massive engine blow-up. Karl Green’s VVC race and speed event drivers. If you are interested, let go in the biggest way with the race leaders please get in touch now so that you have plenty of Danny Winstanley and Ray Collier skidding on the time to prepare before the 2020 season begins. resultant oil and hitting the barrier. A surprised Paul Clackett took the chequered flag first and won the Class C Vicky Peters Trophy. The other class winners were Mike Peters, Ian Wright and Brian Butler. Paul was confirmed as Cockshoot Cup Champion, with Colin Stubbs securing Class B, Ian Wright Class A and Brian Butler Class F. Advance planning for the 2020 Championship is under way with some new circuits likely to feature.

Paul Clackett Cockshoot Cup Championship Winner 2019. Photo: David Coulthard

Events Round-up Polesden Lacey Just under 40 cars attended this fascinating NT House and estate with MGs honoured with a special parking area on the East lawn. The weather forecast was poor but the rain held off in the morning to allow visitors to enjoy the gardens and extensive house tours. Entries due to the weather for the PoO and Concours were almost non-existent as a result, but it was great to see the Black MG Metro owned by Alan Foot in superb condition, with only 34,000 miles and one of only 75 on the road today, winning the Spirit of the Event Award. Also, a nice unrestored

grey MGA Coupe with a superb original interior, owned by John Murray, was awarded car of the show.

Other events are featured in the Newsletter which can be downloaded via the MGCC SE Website at www.mgccse.co.uk/category/news/ and also many more pictures are on the site.

Mike Breare does the Newsletter distribution so emails from Mike B are not spam!

The Wanderers events are proving very successful, with the Sussex Wanderers outing on September 11 having 63 people, and other Wanderer outings attracting good turnouts.

Reports are in the newsletter.

Alan receiving the ‘Spirit of the event Award’ from Andrew Mitchell Event organiser NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 73

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CENTRES SOUTH WEST David Mothersdill davidmothersdill@aol.com The Centre’s big event of the year passed successfully in September with 115 starters lining up at Wiscombe Park in Devon for the annual hillclimb. A gloriously sunny day in a fantastic setting and a variety of cars led to an enjoyable day for all; many thanks to all marshals and officials who helped.

We joined forces with the Devon and Cornwall Centre a couple of weeks later for a visit to Haynes Motor Museum, which included a scenic run from the Chew Valley for local members.

Grassroots motorsport is important to the Centre, none more so than trials. It is very sad that

we have lost another venue, and had to cancel the Kimber PCT in October. If anyone knows a suitable field that we could use next year please let any of the Committee know. Our calendar is getting thinner due to losing regular events like this, and decreasing entry numbers doesn’t help. Next year’s calendar is in advanced planning stage, but we do need to know what sort of events the wider membership wants to attend. If you have been somewhere interesting that you think could interest other Club members please let us know.

Keep an eye on the Centre website for details of next year’s events – it gets updated regularly and should by now have lots of dates to put in your 2020 diary!

A quick reminder that as the festive period approaches the Chew Valley Natter will be organising a meal on December 3 at the Ring of

Bells. Please advise Andrew Oust if you want to go. His email is andrewoust@hotmail.com.

On a personal note, it has been a disappointing year car-wise. A major building project at home necessitated scaffold to be erected in front of the garage, meaning I can’t get the cars out. Bad planning, I know, but here’s hoping next year will be as warm and sunny as this year so that I can make up for a distinct lack of open top motoring this year!

Jim Lott, South West Centre Chairman, with his early MGF

Joseph Moon driving his father’s TC at a previous trial.

TYNE-TEES Tony Wood anthony@scrutonvillage.co.uk Pity the poor Safety Fast! scribe as autumn and winter rear their ugly head. Suddenly the embarrassment of riches on which to report comes to a shuddering halt.

Our November Club nights are given over to the Nostalgia theme (or for those of us of a certain age, our youth) Come along to Coulby Manor on the 7th or the Ridley Arms on the 11th to indulge in an evening of “I used to have one

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Neil Lock and Rob Orford at Wiscombe Park

of those” and “Weren’t things cheap back in the day?” In that vein, congratulations to Peter Macey and Duncan Johnson and Ron Benson on their 50-year membership awards. Sadly, Duncan has had to stop driving due to eyesight issues but the Bristol and the J2 are still safely stored away. Peter is just fettling the V8 with some cosmetic work, after over 40 years ownership, whilst Ron’s immaculate TB was his daily drive in the mid-1960s.

There is, however, nothing nostalgic about your Committee who are looking forward to planning new and exciting things for you and your MG to do in

2020. It may seem premature but the AGM will only be three months away when you get this and we, like Dracula, are always looking for new blood. Instead of hiding behind the couch, pick up your sharpened stake and come and join us. One brave soul who did just that was Kevin White who took on the new role of Car Show Co-ordinator, providing us with regular updates on events around the region. This has been greatly appreciated by many members and has raised the profile of the Club across the area. Thanks for the hard work from all of us.

Returning to nostalgia, we have all been disappointed to hear that Croft Retro/Nostalgia weekend will not happen in 2020, a victim of the proliferation of such events across the country and the limited numbers of competitors in Historic racing. A great loss to those of us in the North. Prejudiced as I am, I can’t help having the suspicion that this wouldn’t happen at Silverstone or Brands.

And finally, as a nostalgic offering, a photo from the Ham Hall grass Autotest in 1981, featuring many Tyne Tees stalwarts including Messrs Johnson and Macey. Were we ever that young or have mirrors just got worse?

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25/10/2019 14:37

CENTRES YORKSHIRE Ken Cothliff kencothliff@hotmail.co.uk, mgccyorkshire.co.uk As the year moves into autumn, so the number of events slow down. Things were quiet at the South Natter, but members turned out on a lovely day to inaugurate a bench at Cusworth Hall in memory of former Natter leader and long-standing MGCC member, Alastair Twiby, who died last year.

The annual Otley Vintage Transport Extravaganza

ULSTER Carol Willis 07831 345560 www.mgcculstercentre.co.uk carol.mgulster@hotmail.co.uk When the autumn weather is dry and the sun is shining, what better than a drive in the country – up a manure-covered slippery field! We had a small entry of 10 at Erwin’s Farm near Newtownards on Saturday September 14 for the first round of the Ulster Centre’s PCT and Grass Slalom championships. Trevor and Stephen set three tests with progressive slipperiness. Erwin’s had just slurried the fields and the first test on dry stubble

North and Vale of York members, with 24/39 Group were at the annual Otley Vintage Transport Extravaganza, an excellent show with a good selection of cars and vintage commercials on September 8. With the end of the racing season, the West members were pleased to hear James Johnson had come second in the Cockshoot Cup Class B. East Natter had an informal run around their area, taking in the spectacular RAF Memorial at the old airfield at Lissett, Mr. Moos Ice Cream Parlour, and the coastal areas near Withernsea and Spurn Point, finishing with a pub meal. The excellent weather made for a great day out. The day raised £690 for Macmillan Cancer Care. During the month they also had an unusual visit to an old nuclear-era bunker at RAF Holmpton, hosted by our new Young Members team leader, Josh Langstaff.

North Natter rescheduled their end-of-season run with a visit to Bradford Industrial Museum on September 21. By the time this is read Vale of York Natter will have had their end-of-season run, and some of us will have ventured north to join our friends in Tyne Tees in their Autumn Leaves Run. During the month many members expressed concern for our Yorkshire Centre President, Alan Dakeyne, who was in a serious accident in August in his MGB.GT. Alan, one of the longest-standing MGCC members in the country with over 50 years membership, is now at home recovering after a stint in hospital, and convalescent home, and we look forward to seeing him at a Natter meeting in the next few weeks. Your scribe has been to see him and he seemed especially “bright-eyed and bushytailed”!! See you soon, Alan.

gave drivers a false sense of security as the next two tests were nicely lubricated, providing a good coating of winter underseal for the cars! Fun was had as the grip got progressively worse and no competitors got away with clear rounds. We had our first electric entry with Roger Gordon bringing along his Prius, showing great expertise with a footpedal handbrake and silently gliding through the tests until his battery needed charging. The state of things to come perhaps?? Top three: 1st Will Thompson 16 penalties, 2nd Bailie 33 penalties and 3rd overall Peter Mann with 40 penalties.

After the PCTs we set up a big M-shaped driving test on a flat stubble field. Drivers were

able to get the ‘pedal to the metal’ with two timed runs counting towards the championship and a last run for fun while results were being calculated.

The sideways action was mighty, with muck and straw flying – all good sport. Kevin McNamee set the RWD total fastest time of 93.4 secs ahead of the quick FWDs of Will Thompson 94.9 secs and Andrew Earney 96.9 secs. We are looking forward to being back at Erwin’s again on October 5 for Round two of the championships.

Zak and Mike Armstrong’s Rover on the Centre’s 1st PCT of the season www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 75

South Natter pay tribute to Alastair Twiby

Dates for your diary: Saturday November 2 PCT. venue tbc Wednesday November 13 Nosh at Temple Golf Club from 12.45pm – pre-book menu Tuesday November 26 Ten Pin Bowling and refreshments at Dundonald Ice Bowl - please book in with Carol (contact details above) Saturday November 30 AutoSOLO, venue tbc Tuesday December 10 Mince Pie Night For information, MG Ulster Centre is running a test at TTS, Crumlin, on November 23 as part of the North Ulster Car Club fundraising Targa Rally in aid of Friends of Cancer Centre in memory of John Mulholland.

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 75

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CLUB MEETS ABINGDON WORKS CENTRE The Shire Horse On the A4 at Maidenhead Thicket John Griffiths – 01189 695793 Meets 3rd Friday of the month The Four Points Inn Haw Lane, Aldworth, Reading RG8 9RL Mike Lamb – 0118 941 2102 Meets 1st Wednesday of the month The Lion 70a High Street, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JD Adrian Bennett – 01869 246457 Meets 1st Monday of the month (or 2nd Monday when the 1st Monday is a Bank Holiday) The Full Moon Hare Lane, Little Kingshill, Great Missenden, HP16 0EE Robin Smith – 01494 863587 Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month The Chesham Pub Meet At a Pub or Golf Club near Chesham – see http://mgcarclubchesham.simplesite.com Richard & Christa Colston – 01494 728253 or Keith Allen 01494 785360 Meets 4th Tuesday of the month The Shoulder of Mutton Calverton, Milton Keynes, MK19 6ED David Storer – 01296 712518 Meets 2nd Thursday of the month The White Horse Winchester Road, Ampfield, SO51 9BQ Peter Morgan – 07341 551202 Meets last Tuesday of the month The Phoenix Inn Hartley Wintney, RG27 8RT (on the A30 near Hook) George & Jo Ward – 01252 876783 Meets 2nd Friday of the month The Rising Sun Hill Pound, Swanmore, SO32 2PS Dick Immins – 02392 736224 Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month The Deers Hut Longmoor Road, Griggs Green, near Liphook, GU30 7PD Ron Neal – 01420 488019 Meets 3rd Thursday of the month Odiham Pub Meet This is now a roving meet – please contact Trev on the details below to find out the next location Trev or Diane – 01252 811676 or 07973 883831 – email trevjh@live.com Meets 1st Thursday of the month The Black Horse Gozzards Ford, Faringdon Road, Abingdon, Oxon, OX13 6JH Mike Parker – 01235 525255 Meets last Thursday of the month The Saye & Sele Arms Main Road, Broughton, nr Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 5ED Brian Fisk – brian.fisk4@btinternet.com Meets 1st Monday of the month

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Please contact the organiser before traveling to ensure the Club Meet is taking place.

Works Centre Wanderers Meeting around the Centre with no fixed venue or format. A get together at either a place of interest, or a pub, or both! Contact Gill Martin on 07717 478826 Meets 3rd Wednesday of the month New Forest No fixed venue – the pub meet visits different pubs in the New Forest area Dennis Barker – 01590 922993 or email dnb1932@btinternet.com to be added to the mailing list Meets last Thursday of the month

ANGLIA CENTRE The Cock At Broom, SG18 9NA Ron Green - 01767 315306, eastbeds@mgccanglia.com Meets 3rd Monday at 7.00pm MG 101 Group email for details Murray Bain - 01234 824649, mjwbain@hotmail.com Meets 1st Wednesday of the month The White Horse At Milton CB4 6AJ Alan Yeo - 01223 243570 midcambs@mgccanglia.com Meets 1st Tuesday of the month from 8.00pm The Chestnut Tree At West Wratting CB21 5LT John & Vicky Morrill - 01223 880679, eastcambs@mgccanglia.com Meets 3rd Saturday of the month from 12.00pm The White Hart At Weeley Heath, Clacton on Sea, CO16 9ED Max Collier - 01206 250868, eastessex@mgccanglia.com Meets on the 1st Sunday of the month from 12.00pm The Red Lion At Margaretting, CM4 0EQ Andrew Woods - 01277 210009, midessex@mgccanglia.com Meets 2nd Thursday of the month from 7.30pm The White Horse At Longham, near Dereham, NR19 2RD William Ball 01508 471506, midnorfolk@mgccanglia.com Meets 1st Tuesday of the month from 7.30pm The Bird in Hand At Wreningham, Norwich, NR16 1BJ Stuart Middlemiss - 01508 570487, eastnorfolk@mgccanglia.com Meets 4th Friday of the month from 7.00pm The Swan At Hilborough, Thetford, IP26 5BW Alison Isaacson - 07940 129561, southnorfolk@mgccanglia.com Meets 2nd Thursday of the month from 7.30pm

The Artichoke At Broome, NR36 2NZ Peter & Lesley Skipper - 01502 731141, eastsuffolk@mgccanglia.com Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 12.00 noon

Three Horseshoes At Scotton, DN21 3QX Natter leader – Robert Welch 01724 764144 Meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 8.00pm

The Lion At Needham Market, IP6 8EH John Cumming - 01359 259717, midsuffolk@mgccanglia.com Meet on the 2nd Friday of the month at 7.30pm

The Ferryboat Inn At Washingborough, LN4 1AZ Natter leaders Ian & Sue Mackenzie 01529 497849 Meets at 8.00pm on the 4th Tuesday of every month except December

DEVON AND CORNWALL CENTRE The Dartmoor Lodge At Peartree Cross, Ashburton, TQ13 7JW. We now meet monthly on the 4th Wednesday of each month Meet in the Bar from 7pm before going into the restaurant at 7:30pm The New Inn At Whimple Road, Broadclyst, Exeter, EX5 3BX Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday from 7.00pm each month April to September

The White Hart At Old Leake, Boston, PE22 9NS Natter leaders Geoff & Vicki Edge 01205 871973 MGF/TF Natter that meet on 4th Thursday of every month except December at 7.30pm. All MGs welcome

MIDLAND CENTRE Chesterfield MG Group Gosforth Fields Sports Club, Bubnell Road (Off Stubley Drive), Dronfield Woodhouse, S18 8QY. Meets on 1st Wednesday of the month.

North Cornwall Contact Rob Constant for up to date information Email: north.cornwall@mgccdc.org

South Leics. MG Group.

The White Horse, Broughton Astley LE9 6PT. Meets on 1st Tuesday of the month.

North Devon Roving Natters Call or email for up to date information Our meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday each month.

Contact: Sheila Ballard – Tel: 01237 478821 email: north.devon-events@mgccdc.org

Mid - Leicestershire Group.

The Blue Bell Inn & Lodge, High Street, Desford, LE9 9JF Now meets 2nd Monday of each month.

The Hunting Lodge Cadleigh Park, Ivybridge, PL21 9JN All monthly meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of the month.

Meet in the restaurant/bar from 7:30 pm onwards.

Contact Andrew Northrop, Geoff Lockyer & David Fox email: south.hams@mgccdc.org

LINCOLNSHIRE CENTER Wolds Natter Held at the Cross Keys Inn, Grasby, DN38 6AQ Natter leaders – Keith Robinson 01472 602949, David Moir 01469 532887, David Stonehouse 01790 754774 Meets 1st Wednesday of every month at 8.00pm The Abbey Lodge At Kirkstead, LN10 6UQ Natter leaders - Keith & Rosemary Baker 07866 849656, Kevin Pateman 01529 460169 Meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7.30pm The Wishing Well At Dyke, Bourne, PE10 0AF Natter leader - John Taylor 01572 767515 Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 8.00pm

North Leics. MG Club.

The Lingdale Golf Club, Joe Moore’s Lane, Woodhouse Eaves, Leics. LE12 8TF Meets on 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Kilsby MG Club.

Daventry Golf Club, Norton Road, Daventry NN11 2LS Meets on 1st Tuesday of the month.

Nottinghamshire Group.

The Cross Keys, Main Street, Upton, Newark-on-Trent NG23 5SY (nr. Southwell) Meeting on 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Shropshire Group.

Various locations until further notice.

Please contact Club for details of meeting locations. www.shropshiremgs.co.uk Meets on 1st Tuesday of each month.

The Stone Natter Group.

The George & Dragon, Meaford, Stone, Staffs ST15 0PX Meets on the 1st Monday of each month.

Black Country MG Club.

The Park Inn, George Street, Woodsetton, nr. Dudley DY1 4LW Meets on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month Stafford MG Enthusiasts Club.

The Barns Hotel Restaurant & Bars, Cocksparrow Lane, Huntington WS12 4PB Meets on 1st Thursday of the month.

Sutton Coldfield & South Staffs.

The Holly bush, Little Hay Lane, Lichfield WS14 0QA

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Oselli ltd, Greenway Business Park, Winslow Road, Great Horwood, MK17 0NY 01993 849610 or 07831 597424

PARTS - SERVICE - SALES MGB/C’s BUILT TO ORDER. CALL FOR COMPLETE LIST

MGB

Midget/ A Series

Engines 1800cc Lead free 1800cc Fast road balanced 1840cc Balanced stage 2 1950cc Standard lead free 1950cc Fast road stage 2

£2150 £2500 £2950 £2800 £3200

Engines Standard lead free Standard fast road balanced Stage 2 fast road balanced 1293cc fast road stage 2 1380cc fast road stage 2 1400cc fast road stage 2

£2150 £2500 £2950 £3010 £3250 £4100

Heads Standard lead free Stage 2 lead free Stage 3 lead free Stage 3A lead free Stage 4 comp head

£540 £650 £780 £870 £3200

Heads Standard lead free Stage 2 lead free Stage 3 lead free Stage 3a lead free Stage 4 Comp head

£540 £650 £780 £895 £3200

Other Tubular long branch large bore exhaust Oselli cast rocker cover £185 Weber carb kit £799 Performance distributor £265 Head and engines supplied on an exchange basis Prices subject to VAT

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Fully restored to a very high standard and specification.

Finished in Burnham Green, with piped green tan interior, burr walnut dash and door cappings. Upgrades include lead free engine, overdrive gearbox and electric power steering. £19,950.00.

www.oselli.com

Other Tubular long branch exhaust Oselli cast rocker cover £185 Weber carb kit £795 Performance distributer £265.00 Head and engines supplied on an exchange basis Prices subject to VAT

www.mgcc.co.uk

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Please contact the organiser before traveling to ensure the Club Meet is taking place.

Arden MG Club.

The Golden Cross, Ardens Grafton, nr.

Alcester B50 4LG Meets on 1st Tuesday of the month. www.ardenmgclub.co.uk

Surrey Wanderers Venue varies each month Piers Hubbard — 020 8657 2170 — piers.hubbard@talk21.com 3rd Wednesday (Lunchtime meetings)

Warwickshire Group.

The Millwright Arms, Emscote Road, Warwick (A445) CV34 4NU. Meets on 4th Monday of the month.

The George Inn, At Taylors Lane, Trotscliffe, ME19 5DR Ian Russell — 0208 304 1037 — mgashnatter@gmail.com 4th Wednesday of the month

Warwickshire - Pre-56 models.

The Blue Boar, Temple Grafton, nr.

Alcester B49 6NR.

Meets on the last Tuesday of each month.

North Worcs. MG Car Club.

The Dog Inn, A450 main road, Harvington, Nr. Kidderminster DY10 4LN. Meets on 2nd and 4th Mondays in the month.

South Worcs.

The Farmers Arms, Birtsmorton, nr.

Malvern WR13 6AP. Meets on 3rd Wednesday of the month.

NORTH WEST CENTRE Trophy Room, Cheshire County Sports Club, At Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PR. Contact – Mike Haughton 0151 336 1994 or 0787 657 2202 or mgc_mike@btinternet.com Second Tuesday of the month Plough and Flail, At Paddock Hill, Mobberley, WA16 7DB. Contact – Laurie Kennard – 01625 527094 or laurence.kennard@btinternet.com Third Tuesday of the month.

SOUTH EAST CENTRE Queens Head, At Pinner HA5 5PJ Gerry Edwards — 07768 657797 — gerryedwards@blueyonder.co.uk 1st Tuesday from 8:30 pm The Ship, At Ship Lane, Mortlake SW14 7QR Danny and Wendy Byrne — 01932 829814 — dannybyrne@talktalk.net Richard Edwards — 0208 876 2292 2nd Monday of the month Brooklands Museum Clubhouse, At Weybridge Danny and Wendy Byrne — 01932 829814 — dannybyrne@talktalk.net Richard Edwards — 0208 876 2292 2nd Tuesday from 7:00 pm The Pheasant, At Reigate Road, Buckland, Betchworth, Surrey, RH3 7BG John Morgan — 020 8657 2714 — johnv.morgan@btinternet.com 3rd Monday The Fairmile, At Portsmouth Road, Nr Cobham KT11 1BW Ian Ailes — 01932 856 960 — mgv8ian@gmail.com Jon Glover — 07802 318950 — jongloveractor@gmail.com 2nd Thursday from 8:30 pm

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 79

The Plough Inn, At Stalisfield,Faversham, Kent, ME13 0HY William and Dianne Opie — 01795 521846 — willopie@aim.com 4th Thursday of the month George and Dragon, At Speldhurts, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0NN Grahame White — 01892 654591 — pgwhitemg@gmail.com 4th Tuesday of the month Golden Lion, At Mayton Lane, Broad Oak, CT2 0QJ David Smith — 07879 015525, Alan Hall — 07808 063103, John Clark — 07940 769225 Emails to: cmgow.sec@gmail.com Second Tuesday of each Month, commencing 7.30pm Kent Nomads, Venue varies each month Ian Russell — 0208 304 1037 — mgashnatter@gmail.com 2nd Wednesday (Lunchtime meetings) East Kent Wanderers Venue varies each month John Bennett — 01227 637813 — johntbennett698@yahoo.com 1st Wednesday (Lunchtime meetings) The Black Horse, At Nuthurst, Nr. Horsham RH13 6LH David Griffiths — 01403 264548 — dr.gjaazz1@timetalk.co.uk 4th Tuesday of the month The British Queen, At The Triangle, Lower Willingdon, Eastbourne BN20 9PG Dennis Webb — 07885 485255 (M) — dcmotorseastbourne@msn.com 4th Tuesday of the month Ashdown Adventurers (AA) Venue varies each month Richard Clark — 07818 420921 — ricky140clark@ntlworld.com 1st wednesday (lunchtime meetings) Sussex Wanderers, Venue varies each month David Griffiths — 01403 264548 — dr.gjaazz1@timetalk.co.uk 2nd Wednesday (Lunchtime meetings) South Downs MGCC – Eastbourne At Boship (Lions) Farm Hotel, Lower Dicker, Hailsham, BN27 4AT Dennis Webb — 01323 735661 2nd Monday, 6.00pm Dinner / 8.00pm Meeting

CLUB MEETS

MGF Register – South East Region, Covering Surrey, South London, Sussex & Kent Contact Tim Morris — south.east@ mgpit.co.uk, email: south.east@ mgfregister.org

SOUTH WEST CENTRE Ring O’ Bells, At Compton Martin, on the A369 between Weston-super-Mare and Bath www.ringobellscomptonmartin.co.uk Natter Leader: Andrew Owst, 01761 221893 1st Tuesday of the month The Eight Bells Inn, At Carisbrooke High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight www.theeightbells.net Natter Leader: Ray Sheath, 01983 866493 1st Tuesday of the month The Weston Cross Inn, At Weston under Penyard, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7NU www.facebook.com/westoncrossinn/ Natter Leader: Terry Davies, 01989 562366 2nd Tuesday of the month The Bell Inn, At Bowden Hill, Lacock, SN15 2PJ www.thebellatlacock.co.uk/ Natter Leader: Mike Halliday, 07782 659936 or 01225 754656 email: mandphalliday@virginmedia.com 2nd Tuesday of the month The Rose and Crown At Hewish Episcopi, Somerset TA10 9QT www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk/pub/view/ Rose-Crown-TA10-9QT Natter Leader: Richard Le Flufy 01935 822562 3rd Tuesday of the month Fox and Goose, At Coombe Bassett, near Salisbury www.foxandgoose-coombebissett.co.uk Natter Leader: Nick Dean, 01202 824048 3rd Tuesday of the month Bridge Inn, At Preston, near Weymouth www.pubtrail.co.uk/dorset/bridge -inn-preston.htm Natter Leader: Les Horton, 01305 761118 3rd Tuesday of the month The New Inn, At Badminton Road, Mayshill, Nr Frampton Cotterell, BS36 2NT. www.newinn-mayshill.co.uk Natter Leader: Colin Murrell colinmurrell06@aol.com 3rd Tuesday of the month (MGF Register Natter)

TYNE TEES CENTRE

Northern Pub Meeting At The Ridley Arms at Stannington, Nr Morpeth, NE61 6EL (just off the A1) Host: David Alexander david. alexander2012@btinternet.com or 01670 861178. We meet in the Ridley Room, and there is excellent food and drink on offer, ordered from the bar.

Meet on the Second Monday of each month, from 7:30 pm.

Mid-week Gatherings, Known as Coffee and Cars in the North of our region, and Breakfast Meets in the South.

To find the location of these for any given month, contact David Alexander or Noel Lindford, their contact details are shown above.

YORKSHIRE CENTRE North Yorkshire The Tempest Arms, Elslack, Near Skipton, BD23 3AY Colin Brear, 07811 114450, colinbrearad@aol.com 2nd Thursday of the month at 8.00 pm West Yorkshire The Star, 223 Roberttown Lane, Roberttown, Liversedge, WF15 7LQ David Copeman, 01274 674655, d4ccopeman@aol.com 3rd Tuesday of the month at 8.00 pm East Yorkshire The Duke of Cumberland, 10 Market Green, Cottingham, HU16 5QG Brian Rylance, 07946 531396 2nd Thursday of the month at 8.00 pm (please check before attending) South Yorkshire The Old Post Office, 600-602 Huddersfield Road, Haigh, S75 4DE Geoff Norcliffe, 07906 447592, geoffnorcliffe@btinternet.com 4th Wednesday of the month at 8.00 pm Vale of York Lunchtime Masons Arms, Hopperton, Knaresborough, HG5 8NX Ken Cothliff, 07946 597952, kencothliff@hotmail.co.uk 3rd Thursday of the month at 12.00 pm Beverley (Tiger) Lunchtime The Tiger Inn, Lairgate, Beverley, HU17 8JG Pete Welbourn, 01964 550693, peterwelbourn@yahoo.co.uk 1st Wednesday of the month at 12.00 pm 24/39 Group Scotts Arms, Sicklinghall, Near Wetherby, LS22 4BD Tony Hay, 01423 509858, tony.hay@ hotmail.co.uk Bi-monthly 1st Wednesday at 8.00 pm (February/April/June/August/October/ December)

Southern Pub Meeting At Coulby Manor, Coulby Manor Way, Coulby Newham, Midlesbrough TS8 0RP Noel Lindford noel.lindford@btinternet. com 07432 152095 Meet in the Main Lounge from 8:00pm

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 79

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REGISTERS TRIPLE M CATHELIJNE SPOELSTRA +31 (0)6 41216600 cathelijnespoelstra@outlook.com www.triple-mregister.org Car of the Month It’s tea … eh … P time! This most developed of four cylinder Triple-M models may not be my personal favourite, but we do have a particularly bright orange one in our workshop which I totally adore; for the sounds and smells it emits

naturally, but also for its beautifully shaped bum.

In standard form too though, they’re perfectly decent motor cars of course. Distinguishing them from the lot, P-types, both PAs and PBs, sport a load of octagonal thingies: the side lights are octagonal, the gauges are octagonal, the rocker cover nuts, the dipstick, everything! They came in two-seater sports and four-seater tourer form, with the PA having an 847cc engine and the PB a 939cc unit. Compared with their predecessor, the J-type, they were much improved with stronger engines, sturdier chassis and larger brakes and were highly popular trials machines.

PA0327’s beautifully shaped bum at the Circuit des Remparts d’Angoulême in France in 2012.

Photo: Romain Moormann

SVW Paul Campbell svw.safety.fast@gmail.com www.svwregister.co.uk Oil Leakage by Jim Andrews Whilst removing the air cleaner and rocker cover to carry out a service on my VA, it occurred to me that I should not have oil in the external groove around the bottom of the rocker cover, something I have experienced for many years.

On the bottom of the air filter there is a short tube that loosely fits into the breather hole on top of the rocker cover, the purpose of which is to recirculate the fumes from the engine back into the engine via the air filter and the carburettors. The VA air filter element is oil-wetted mesh on which any oil mist from the engine assists the filtration by maintaining an oil film.

Removal of the oil filler cap when the engine is running shows how much oil is splashing around, especially at high revolutions, so it’s no surprise to have some leakage between the rocker cover and the air filter tube on an older engine.

To negate this leakage I’ve fitted a cork washer over the air cleaner tube to effectively act as an oil

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deflector and retain the oil splash in the rocker cover by eliminating the excessive clearance between the pipe and hole. This does not affect the venting of the engine into the air filter as the tube maintains a clear passage.

The effect has been quite dramatic; there is no oil in the rocker cover groove and oil consumption has improved considerably, especially on long motorway trips, and I have a much cleaner engine.

I produced the washer from a 3mm thick cork offcut that I use to make my rocker cover gasket – 30mm OD / 15mm ID. I clean the air filter mesh annually (normally about 2,500 miles) rather than the 5,000 mile interval stated in the manual.

As always, you can read all about the P-type on our website under Model Profiles.

AOB While writing these notes and with the season basically over, there’s still a Triple-M do in Switzerland going on and through Facebook I’ve learned some Yorkies are still showing off their J2s in all sorts of period events with wartime aeroplanes and such, but I’m guessing most of you have started to prepare for hibernation. For those who are keeping their cars on their toes through winter; wrap up warm and off you go. Enjoy those crisp, early-morning runs and Safety Fast!

Bobby and his sister Peta Minter in the 1938 JCC Brooklands Rally with their supercharged PA1323

The Antipodes Frances Adam Award In September, Malcolm Robertson reported on this Australia and New Zealand award. “The 2019 Award is made to Murray Arundell to recognise his promotion of SVW ownership through his work on and spirited use of his Two Litre saloon (SA1879), a car once dedicated for Lord Nuffield’s personal use on his Australian visits in the late 1930s. Murray is also recognised for his leadership of the group that has organised two biennial Pre-War MG Register events at Yamba on the NSW north coast (2017 and 2019).

These events have brought together many SVW owners from across Australia and internationally.”

I leave you with a photo of my VA Tourer on display at The Goodwood Revival.

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:38

REGISTERS T TYPE PAUL PLUMMER 01926 854574 scribe@tregister.org Autumn has arrived and is now well established and memories of the summer begin to fade.

Thoughts of laying up the car for winter and doing that major rebuild project and those little fettling jobs are upon us.

Autumn Tour Our last event of the year, The Autumn Tour to Rutland, based at Wansford on the river Nene, has been and gone with 75 people in 40 cars enjoying the magnificent September sunshine and hood-down motoring. There were lots of venues to visit, catering for a variety of tastes ranging from the historical to the horticultural, with everybody enjoying the quiet roads and attractive countryside.

The event was not without its challenges, with three(!) punctures and only one breakdown which was difficult to fix. The Gala Dinner was completed with the presentations of the annual T Register Awards, which are the Malcolm Hogg Trophy which

Y TYPE Jerry Birkbeck 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325 birkbeckjerry@gmail.com www.mgccyregister.co.uk The highlight of September was the Register Trip to the Isle of Man. Organised by Peter and Gille Sharp, it was an excellent event attended by 31 people and 15 Y Types. A few of us met up the night before our crossing in an hotel in the West Derby area of Liverpool. Peter had chosen the venue as it was just under three miles from the ferry. Sadly, Peter had to swap cars prior to leaving home as the oil pressure pipe fractured and he was forced to bring his modern MG3, The crossing from Liverpool to Douglas is surprisingly long at nearly three hours. Rough weather extended this, though we arrived at our hotel in fine fettle!

Peter had arranged a Saturday morning meeting at the starting point of the Isle of Man TT for all the Ys and the photo shows how, through careful management, the participating cars were carefully arranged. Though it was no Le Mans-type

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alternates between racing and restoration, the Montague Burton Trophy for exploits in a T Type and the Secretary’s Cup awarded at the whim of the Secretary.

These were, • Malcolm Hogg Trophy – Dale Clements’ restoration of his TD from basket case to concours in less than two years.

• Montague Burton Trophy – Keith Benningfield for his consistent use of his supercharged TC both for hill climbing and as a normal road car.

• Secretary’s Cup – David Wardell for editing the e-newsletter, webmaster and IT duties.

Congratulations go to these members.

This was followed by our President, Mike Lugg, giving one of his inimitable odes. A great event enjoyed by all, whilst demonstrating ‘The Marque of Friendship’.

There is a full album of photos on the T register Facebook page.

departure, where the drivers rush to their vehicles when the starting flag is lowered!

We enjoyed a car-free couple of days with travels on the electric tram and the train to Snaefell, and the following day a return steam trip from Douglas to Port Erin. This was followed by a drive to Peel for an excellent lunch. In the evening we enjoyed the results of Peter’s fiendish quiz which was run by Graham and Sophie who had driven from Penzance in their YB to attend the event. Remarkably, they achieved 90/93 correct answers – hugely impressive!

Most of us travelled home on the Monday and Jo and I were staying with Bill and Helen Bennett

Hill Climbing Keith Benningfield continues to climb those hills, this time at the MGCC’s Speed Championship at Loton Park in Shropshire, with 17 entries from Triple M to moderns. Keith’s best time equalled that of 2018.

You can read his report on the T Register website, www.mgcc.co.uk/t-register/ Committee Meeting The autumn committee meeting took place at Kimber House on Saturday October 5, discussing the planned events for 2020. Minutes will be available on the website in due course.

in Macclesfield. All was going well with the YT but just four miles before our venue the oil pressure dropped. We managed to stop in a garage forecourt. Checking the oil, none registered on the dip stick. I filled the sump with a gallon of oil and we gingerly made our way to Bill’s.

The following morning we put the car on Bill’s four post lift and quickly established the source of the leak. The oil was dripping from the U shaped pipe between the oil filter and the block. Exactly the same as happened with the TC and which I covered in last month’s notes! The irony was that I had ordered a set of flexible pipes 10 days before we travelled to Liverpool. They arrived as we were departing, so I put them in the boot with the idea of fitting them when we returned. Oh dear, what a mistake!

After fitting the pipes at Bill’s we set off home. However, after about 20 miles the engine didn’t sound right and with 85 miles to go we called the AA. I can foresee an expensive issue to be resolved over the next few months.

Hopefully I will catch up with a few of you during the Classic Car Show at the NEC. I’ll be there on the Friday and Sunday on the Octagon Stand.

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REGISTERS MAGNETTE Stephen Tickell 01737 760330 stephen.tickell@gmail.com www.magnette.org Kop Hill Climb (September 21-22) attracted a good turnout of Magnettes for the Club display area, with David Halliday multi-tasking as a festival organiser as well as managing to get both his Magnettes on display. Meanwhile Dominic Taylor-Lane’s heavily modified ZB was in action up the historic hill, and on

the Sunday a cavalcade of MG models through the years featured John and Cynthia Harris’s Varitone.

Unfortunately this coincided with a sudden very heavy downpour which stopped all action on the hill, and made the Register gazebo immediately a popular venue! Luckily the rain passed, the course was reopened after a couple of hours and the cavalcade then took place.

There’ll be a full report later on the Lou Shorten Tribute weekend (October 5-6), and it may already be on the website when you read this. I just wanted to mention the new rear wheel-arch repair panel, which

Magnettes at Kop Hill

MIDGET Mike Parker mikeparker78@btinternet.com www.midgetregister.com/ The Midget Register recently returned from four days at Llanerchindda Farm in the picturesque Welsh hills. You can read all about it elsewhere in this issue. It was a great success, and something the Register is planning to repeat next year, so keep an eye out in future issues of Safety Fast! for details.

Austin Healey Sprite wins Lackford Engineering Midget and Sprite Challenge After leaving Castle Combe in very hot weather we arrived at Snetterton on October 5 for the finals of

the championship. It was bound to be an exciting round, with a chance of four different winners, Class A Steve Collier, Class D Edward Easton and Jon Simpson, and Class E Richard Perry.

The first race was won by David Weston, chased home by David Morrison, still with gearbox problems which had plagued him at previous meetings, and Martin Morris in 3rd.

Richard Perry won his Class so he only had to finish the last race of the year to win the overall Championship. The last race of the season for the Midgets and Sprites and the MG Car Club started just as the evening was closing in. Some were running with lights on but it was still bright and dry ‘just’ and we got the race finished on time with David Morrison winning overall, still with

Congratulation to Richard Perry, winner of the 2019 Lackford Engineering Midget and Sprite Challenge.

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Rear wheel-arch panel

Peter Martin unveiled during his Saturday talk at John Shorten’s. This is for the front of the arch against which the rear door closes, an area notoriously susceptible to rust as well as difficult to repair.

The panel hasn’t been available until now because the compound curves and swaging made it very difficult to fabricate by hand with normal metalworking tools, so it’s exciting that new approaches are being explored. John Beesley has freely contributed his considerable engineering experience to help Peter work with a manufacturer of small-volume pressings – they’ve already produced panels for Austin Healeys – and the result is very impressive. Starting from a sample panel in very original condition, their automated process created a moulded press tool which has been used to produce a batch of highly accurate pressings. I gather one or two are already in the hands of restorers, and no doubt there’ll be more information forthcoming, but if you can’t wait then please contact Peter to order (01580 763056).

gearbox problems, and Richard Perry taking the Championship overall in his Frog Eye Sprite. Well done, Richard, on a great season.

I must say thank you to Jon Collinson and Richard Perry for the Friday night’s hospitality with drinks – it was very kind of you both. I found out it was Richard’s birthday over the weekend and on the Monday his wedding anniversary, so he really did have a good weekend!

Finally I would like to thank all drivers, their friends and family marshals, the MGCC Competition Secretary, John Hutchison, for sorting all the meetings out for us all to enjoy and, of course, Robin Lackford for his sponsorship for the Midget and Sprite Challenge during the season.

Mike and Roy take in the view during the Midget trip away. Photo: Dennis Wharf www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:38

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25/10/2019 14:38

REGISTERS MGC Mike Haughton mgc_mike@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/mgc-register/ They say that the sun shines on the righteous. It certainly shone for Beech Hill Garage on their 40th Anniversary Annual Charity Day which took place on Saturday September 21.

Over the years Beech Hill Garage has provided tremendous support to the C Register and it was a privilege to be part of their celebration at which they raised a very

respectable amount of £2,268.03 in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society. The C Register was extremely well represented in the number and variety of cars in attendance.

Thank you to Will, Louise, Sally and Ted de la Riviere and all the staff at Beech Hill for such a fabulous day out.

Anyone looking for a tuning kit for their car, Vic Young has the following parts available: Maniflow six branch exhaust, Y piece, single pipe rear system. All new.

American spec inlet bored for twin 2” HS8 SUs. Fully set for MGCs using standard linkages with heat shield.

A massive thank you to Sally, Ted, Louise and Will for staging such a lovely day

V8 Victor Smith 0208 392 9434 victorsmith@v8register.net www.v8register.net V8 up for auction at the NEC A Factory MGB GT V8 in Tundra, described as incredibly original with only 4,425 miles, is listed for auction at the NEC Classic Car Show in early November. The auction catalogue has an estimate of £30,000 to £35,000 and says “in May 2014 with just 4,059 miles, it was purchased by its most recent owner who has a penchant for totally original, low-mileage classics and added it to his collection, storing it correctly and using it only occasionally. Although in lovely original condition, a little fettling and detailing to the engine bay would bring the car to the next level and, given that top examples of this model are now making substantially more than the estimate suggested here, this low-mileage, ‘well-historied’, four-owner V8 should amply reward the remedial tidying-up now required. What a great find!”

In May this year another exceptional condition MGB GT V8 in Damask Red with upgrades

Ram plates for inserting into air filters. Vic can be contacted on 01737 551141.

Hopefully by now our UK members on the Register should have received information on the Christmas dinner event being held at the Woodside Hotel in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, on November 30. The hotel is also providing a preferential rate for anyone wishing to stay over and make a weekend of it. Further details and booking form can also be downloaded from the C Register micro website.

Happy C motoring Colin Howes

Just one of the several resplendent Cs in attendance

including leather seats was sold at the Historics auction for £33,600 including the buyer’s premium and VAT thereon and that compares with £41,300 for the Tundra example on the same basis. It will be interesting to see how the auction goes.

New method of making replacement parts A new method of reproducing replacement parts, one that could recreate the panels and metal parts for any classic car no matter how rare, has appeared as a new innovation. Classic Car Weekly reported in a feature article last month that “Nissan says a panel, component or pressing can be remade as long as the drawings exist. If no drawings are available but a single part remains, it can be scanned and copied. Nissan’s process, referred to as dual sided dieless forming, is described as needing no tooling or presses to work.” Nissan says that it is intending to reproduce parts for its heritage models in the long-term but adds it is also planning to

commercialise the technique more widely. See our report with useful links on our ‘More’ page.

Memorable V8 Lincolnshire Tour 2019 Richard Withington reports brilliant autumn sunshine was enjoyed by 35 members all in MG V8s as they began to explore Lincolnshire’s rural roads over the long weekend September 12-16, visiting a variety of venues including the International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln Castle, Heckington Mill and Lincolnshire Aviation Museum.

The group also visited the “Kinema in the Woods” which caused great amusement, before exploring the coast and the Wolds to the North. The tour, organised

by Richard and Victoria Withington with the assistance of the Lincolnshire Centre, was called “memorable” by members enjoying the event. See the full report on the ‘More’ page: www.v8register.net/more.htm

MG V8s with the Lancaster, “Just Jane” 84 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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Building engines and supplying cylinder heads for the Midget and MGB for over 35 years.

All engines are built in our own workshop and come complete with flywheel, clutch, water pump and front pulley and are ready to ‘drop in’.

We can also rebuild your existing engine.

We supply standard unleaded cylinder heads as well as our renowned Stage 2 fast road heads.

Please check website for full cylinder head specs.

Price Guides MIDGET 1275 Std Unleaded Engine £1995 1275 Balanced Engine £2295 1275 Balanced Engine With Cam £2450 1275 Stage 2 Engine £2950 1380cc Stage 2 £3250

MGB Std Unleaded Engine £1995 Balanced Engine £2295 Balanced Engine with Cam £2450 1860 Stage 2 Engine £2950 1950cc Balanced Engine with Cam £2900

Please check website for full engine specs.

All the above prices include VAT

Engines and Cylinder heads are sold on an exchange basis. If no exchange unit is available please add £750 to the price of a Midget engine £350 MGB. If you are looking to rebuild your own engine we also stock the full range of parts you will require from pistons to bearings, reconditioned rocker assemblies to genuine Payen Gasket Sets.

We now stock a wide range of road, performance and competition spares PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

www.skiptune.com Email: info@skiptune.com

01276 479647/ 07470 215747 Bagshot, Surrey

by

Re For comm me r G ende d lor y M G

2 4 H R R O A D S I D E R E C O V E RY A N D T R A N S P O R T, O X F O R D S H I R E We specialise in moving classic, prestige, and track cars, offering local and nationwide delivery and collection.

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Specialising in transporting all MGs

• Recommended by Former Glory MG • D e a l e r Ve h i c l e Tr a n s f e r •

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• P r i v a t e C a r Tr a n s p o r t • Over 25 years motor trade experience • W i d e a n d v a r i e d l o y a l c l i e n t b a s e •

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For more information, please call us and we will help with any queries on 01869 600920 i n f o @ r j h a u t o m o t i v e . c o . u k • w w w. r j h a u t o m o t i v e . c o . u k www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 85

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25/10/2019 14:38

REGISTERS FWD Ben Hatton ben2692@hotmail.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk/fwd-register/ As the summer drew to a close so did the car show events. This year has been a very successful one for the FWD Register and we are planning on finishing off the year’s events in style at the NEC classic motor show with a planned display of five cars. Here is a sneak preview of what we have lined up, with a little bit of information on two of the cars, an MG Maestro and MG Montego. To find out what else we have lined up you will have to come and see us at the NEC. Andrew Stokell has owned his MG Maestro for five years. Back in 1985 his father had an early two-litre MG Maestro, so for Andrew it’s pure nostalgia, which I’m sure is something many of us can relate to! When he bought her she was in reasonable mechanical condition, but needed a bit of bodywork. This year she is 30 years old, and for her 30th, Andrew has treated her to a few things, namely the sills taken back to bare metal, rust treated and repainted, wheel-arches checked. He’s also fitted an electric sunroof from a Montego,

ZR/ZS/ZT JOHN THOMPSON 01702 298866 johnt5@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/zedregister Events and shows On Saturday October 5 we returned to Snetterton for the finale to the 2019 racing season. A full report on the day’s racing can be found in the motorsport section of the Club website.

The following day we held our second Open Day at Kimber House. After a quiet start we had a full car park and around 15 Zeds by midday, which was a fantastic turnout. Some of our visitors had not been to Kimber House before and were treated to the full tour including the archive. We would like to thank Mark Stacey from Kmaps for giving us all an excellent presentation about his career with MG Rover, his post-Longbridge work and the remapping upgrades for the K-Series engine. Some Zeds were remapped during the afternoon and left with more performance than when they arrived! After the day closed, we held our AGM.

86 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 86

4-electric window system (also Montego) and power steering.

John Crawford has owned his MG Montego for about six years and has been a regular on the annual MG FWD Register’s Spring Run. This year, John has treated her to some bodywork repairs, including work

to the doors which were suffering from the usual rust. John reports that she now looks as new and is looking forward to bringing her to the NEC. We are looking forward to seeing you all this year at the NEC – come and see us in hall 8, stand 8-245.

John Crawford heads out on the 2019 Spring Run in his MG Montego

We had a number of ‘exciting announcements’ at our Open Day. These included the dates for some of the upcoming events for next year. MG Saloon Day 2020 will take place at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon on Saturday July 25. We also announced our four-day road-trip, ‘Zeds at the Lakes’, which takes place in the Lake District over the weekend of September 11-14 2020. This event has been jointly organised with Scenic Car Tours. The weekend also includes our annual regional event, ‘Zeds in the North’, which takes place at the Lakeland Motor Museum on Sunday September 13 2020.

We returned to the Castle Combe racing circuit on October 26 for Super Car Saturday.

All monies raised at this charity event go to the Stroke Association, which has been our charity for this year.

There will be a full report on this event in the next Register update.

Upcoming events Our final show of the year, the Classic Motor Show at the NEC, takes place over the weekend of November 8-10. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure a stand at the show this year; don’t let that deter you from attending! The main Club has a stand so please go and support them. It is an excellent show and well worth attending if you haven’t done so before.

We are currently in the process of putting together the remainder of our 2020 Events Calendar, so keep those diaries to hand for further information. We will also announce our nominated charity for 2020 very soon.

A few of the Zeds at the recently held Kimber House open day. Photo: Colin Grant

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:38

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Calls to the catalogue request number cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. Calls may be monitored.

All prices correct at time of going to press. We reserve the right to change products and prices. All offers subject to availability, E&OE.

29150 (63) CAR MIX (half).indd 1

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 87

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29/07/2019 10:49

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 87

25/10/2019 14:38

REGISTERS and garage set-up. It was great to see the MG6s looking fantastic once more, for what may be their last season… who knows?!

Steve Haines Both Sam Osborne and Rob Smith were more Steve-haines@live.co.uk than happy to chat with us owners and it was www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register fantastic to get Rob to pick the name out of the twitter.com/635register hat for one lucky owner to win a pair of VIP tickets for the day from Martin Smith MG spares. Thanks, The Register had its last summer gathering at its Martin, very much appreciated! last major outdoor event for 2019 at the BTCC The AGM will take place at Kimber House in Silverstone on September 28-29. Owners took Abingdon this year on Saturday December 7 at advantage, once again, of the MG Car Club 3.00pm.

If you wish to come and offer your help weekend ticket deal with infield parking, but to the committee, please do and add your names unfortunately due to very windy conditions, no to the events tab on our Facebook page so we Club gazebo!. There was a great turnout once can accommodate numbers. We really do need again, with about 40 vehicles on the Sunday. There some new blood and help to move things on was a real mix of modern MGs including some MG with the Register. We will have a guest speaker, GS and ZS on the stand. There was also general formerly of SMTC, who should be very interesting parking for MGCC members and their lovely MGs to hear from! in the parking next to the Wellington straight. It The annual Christmas meal will take place was good to meet friends old and new, as well from 7.00pm at the Ock Mill Beefeater in as sign up some new owners and have a good Abingdon, also on December 7. Hopefully there’s catch-up.

H1 - CLIVE WHEATLEY_H7 - CLIVE WHEATLEY 09/10/2018 14:41 of Page 1 at the Premier Inn next door. still plenty room Some of us were very lucky to watch the Sean Round is organising the meal, so please get qualifying session on Saturday with the Excelr8 booked in with him if you wish to attend. team and get a great insight into engineering

MG6.3.5

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

Weighs approx 2kg lighter.

No further rusting. £430.80

RV8 front radiator cover Black £209.50 Part Carbon Fibre £239.80

RV8 Main header rail and filler. £59.95

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

genuine & conversion parts Tel: +44 (0)1746 710810 Fax: 01746 710999 HERITAGE APPROVED email: sales@mgv8parts.com

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RV8 cars available for sale - please call

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE

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RV8 boot stays. £30.20 each

88 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 88

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RV8 Expansion tank £79.95

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

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

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

V8 Engine Steady Bar This is the best you can buy for the money! £59.60

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British made £252

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Adjustable on car through 28 different stages £135.50 each (front) £150.65 each (rear) full set £552 - save £20.50

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

Photos: Jerry Harrison

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:38

T

1935 MG PA (SUPERCHARGED) Delivered new to Brazil, this fabulous car was to remain with the same family for over 40 years The subject of a recent restoration impeccably finished and ready for the coming concourse season

+44 (0)1242 384092 : GLOUCESTERSHIRE, GL7 5NX : INFO@CLASSICMOTORHUB.COM : WWW.CLASSICMOTORHUB.COM

SALES : STORAGE : TRANSPORT : EVENTS : DETAILING : SHOP

1959 MGA COUPE 1500 This beautiful example was delivered new to California and was repatriated and converted to right-hand drive in 1990 when it was repainted, rewired and had a stainless steel tank fitted. The car has had many further upgrades since 2010

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 89

25/10/2019 14:38

site Type b e w ed nd Tt a c a i ded e MG om com W c .

NE for th gmg. agmg y a ia l l .xp n@xp c w e sp ww ingdo b il: a a Em

PLEASE NOTE: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THIS ARTWORK IS THE PROPERTY OF CLASSIC CARS FOR SALE MAGAZINE. Fixed price servicing

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

URGENT PROOF

Please check this proof carefully for errors in style, content and layout.

Classic car sales including Classic Car Specialists focusing

Although every care is exercised in preparing your advert, we cannot hold

commission salesourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook.

on Servicing, Sales, Restoration, SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE Insurance repair work Modifi cation and bespoke approved TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO. _ _ _ _ _ refinishing work to a wide range of UK & Europe collection classic MG’s and delivery service

Telephone 01206

Fax 01206 500180

Unit 9, Broadfields Farm, Dunmow Road, Rayne, Braintree, Essex. CM77 6SA We reserve the right to charge for any alteration to this proof which

a departure from the original| copy 01376 569355 is | abingdon@xpagmg.com www.xpagmg.com

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 90

25/10/2019 14:38

T-Type

Servicing, Restoration and Bespoke reďŹ nishing work Classic and Sports Cars Essex have been established for many years, and over that time have built up an excellent reputation as one of the UK’s leading T-Type specialist restorers.

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As a family run business we pride ourselves on a personal service. You will be welcome in our workshop throughout all stages of your project.

We are happy to discuss any requirements you may have so please get in touch.

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View all our work at www.xpagmg.com

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 91

25/10/2019 14:38

CLASSIFIEDS How to Advertise

enquiries@mgsforsale.com

www.mgsforsale.com

01707 876089

07831 556666

MG 1968 AUTOMATIC Older Nut & Bolt(VPK860M) Restored MGBCGT ROADSTER 1974 Heritage Shell Rebuild pe (RWD628G) MG overdrive, CGT 1968,lastautomatic, Mineral chrome bumpers, owner 41 excellent years, rebuilt on a to MGCC. Blue coachwork withrenowned nicely MG mellowed original Black new Heritage Shell by specialists MGB Hive in eral Blue leather interior trim, original genuine leather bound MGC of-the range TL De Luxe early 2000’s, Damask Red coachwork still in good condition enquiries@mgsforsale.com steering wheel, nicely detailed engine compartment esel.

48,000 miles . Almost with only age/mileage imperfections, nicely patinated black housing the smooth litre engine theengine Borg age will increase) 18” odern leather interior trim, OE3.0 style Black vinylideal hood,with rebuilt Warner automatic gearbox making particularlyheavy rare llinserts. head, MoT’d until

by Ivor Searle housed in clean enginethis compartment, model classicrestoration today, this invoices vehicle apparently of ainvoice collection a deceased ost discs and pads as well history an fileideal containing circa £10k,formed originalpart sales fromof1978, old tax no. estate, on mot’s inspection can see the of the rebuild a number years ago and ather interior, satdiscs, old back one to 1977, handwritten logs and a from plethora ofNut invoices both past & MGquality CGT fuel 1968 AUTOMATIC Older &ofBolt Restored om with likely little miles since is still very fresh in appearance, just arrived £24,950.00 nectivity. Full service present for servicing & maintenance(RWD628G) over the years, credit to the custodian of the last four MG aCGT 1968, automatic, excellent Mineral y SAIC Motor 2016 UK Tech-MG6 decades, drives delightfully, just arrived Blue£14,950.00 coachwork with nicely mellowed original Black GT diesel MG BGT 1972 (LLF951K) d condition. Spacious, leather interior MG trim,BGT, original genuine leather bound MGC Facelift model. Top-of-the rangeLast TL Owner 37 Years 1972, last owner 37 years, chrome bumpers, overdrive, ng modern MG. £6500 steering wheel, nicely detailed engine compartment model.

1.9 turboAustin diesel.Healey 48,000 miles Sprite 1969 Heritage Shell Rebuild (VTJ165H) chrome Rostyle wheels, Aqua coachwork now requiring 07530734044(daily driver so mileage housingon the22/23 smooth 3.0 litre engine ideal with the Borg will‘HA9’ increase) 18” built at Abingdon the desired 60’s model, January some but70), a early very90’s solidWarner vehicleautomatic indeed with a gearbox making this particularly rare alloys, red bumper inserts.

MoT’d until 1969 (fiimprovement rst registered Feb comprehensive restoration nice original feel and appearance, original style navy cloth June 2020. Recent discsaand pads asBMH wellHeritage Shell, excellent British Racing utilising phosphated trim, gold seal engine fi tted mid 80’s and drives as new tyres. Fullinterior leather interior, satGreen coachwork with virtually unmarked Black original style nav, Bluetooth connectivity.

Full delightfully, goodservice history le with original interior trim, original steering fiwheel, chrome wiredocumentation wheels, detailed history – servicedback

by SAIC Techtocompartment theMotor 80’s, aUK plethora invoices from renowned specialists Brian Brown Classics & B engine and bodyofcoloured underside, rebuilt power nical Centre. In good condition.

Spacious, Hive, original Unipart Gold Seal papers, old mot’s etc.& etc. just arrived £5,950.00 train with unleaded engine and factory exchange gearbox differential, comprehensive history portfolio economical engaging modern MG. £6500 of restoration Previously sold by us. Vehicle has been cherished since rebuild and its delightful condition ono.

Call Adam on 07530734044 50 ever security with tracker option for new owner, lovely drive, just arrived £12,495.00 eated er alloy URGENTLY WANTED ull size toolkit every th ake this built 1961. On the ANY CONDITION duced. iles. It has EU approvis it was approved SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF OUR STOCK power of the motor kchanged to lead is black with a beige Do not confuse the above vehicles with cheaper inferior quality models offered elsewhere. Part exchange d condition. MG A 1600 any make of Motor Car with generous allowances. Discounted cash purchases. Viewing by appointment only left side of the car.

In good condition, built 1961.

On the please (available evenings & weekends) no obligation to purchase. All our vehicles carry a warranty, have an MOT and are areItfully fully serviced prior to to collection/delivery. collection/delivery. or £34’200 GBP. Theare 58’000 MOT and prior tacho miles. hasserviced EU approvd from France.alPhone papers (before this it was approved or Email: in Switzerland) The power of the motor .org is 79 PS and had be changed to lead free petrol. The car is black with a beige Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0) 1953 717850 Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0) 1953 717850 interor. It’s in a good condition.

The wheel is on the left side of the car.

Price 38’000 Euro or £34’200 GBP. The car has to be picked from France. Phone 0033 389 89 40 56 or Email: L MG MODELS! francoise@bignens.org

GT diesel

01707 876089

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. www.mgsforsale.com This is for one insertion only, for additional insertions please email Colin at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk

07831 556666

URGENTLY WANTED

ANY ANY MG MG

ANY ANY YEAR YEAR ANY CONDITION

www.mgsforsale.com

ed, from barn finds to collections purchased. d. iscretion assured. h black itate to contact me if nd must 1972 MGB Roadster, Old English White, red trim. n selling your MG and Totally restored on dry state shell, everything is new/ 750 1973 MGB Roadster, OxfordSports blue leather (RV8 colour), recon.

2L fast road engine. seats. ompt hassle-free cash WANTED ALL MODELS! BarleyexMG trim, mohair hood, Drives chrome Everfl red hood.

W/Wheels. like aw/w, new fully car, ee to contact me for a restored about 15 years ago, still excellent, well superb, S/S boot rack, sports wheel, painted dash.

All conditions wanted, from barn finds to co.uk looked after car, excellent engine bay.

Super example Hydraulic bonnet struts, K&N filters. Would cost in n friendly chat. concours. Complete collections purchased.

1

WANTED

£14,495.00 excess of £35k to build. £27,995.00

Cash buyer. Discretion assured. rested in the following Please do not hesitate to contact me if GA, MGB, MGC, MGB e and Midget. you are interested in selling your MG and are looking for a prompt hassle-free cash RECT ON: buyer! Please feel free to contact me for a no obligation friendly chat.

528131

ed Buyer

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

WANTED

MGRV8 would prefer

Le Mans Green, Caribbean Blue or Oxford Blue. Sub 15000 miles backed up by full service history including Japanese if an import.

Must be condition A+, will be cherished by a long term MG enthusiast. Will travel for the right car. Tel: Jeff on 020 83302686. (Surrey)

ub you Fast for , max 60 cture to

Period works additions - roof vent,inside air vent etc.out Superb 1000’s of hours.

Immaculate and and

www.mgmidgets.com car and loads of fun! £49,500.00 underneath!

Fantastic value £12,995.00

92 SAFETY FAST!

1957 MGA Coupe

www.mgmecca.co.uk

1937 MG TA

1969 MGC Mineral Blue, grey leather trim. Chrome 1969 MGC Mineral Blue,restored grey leather trim. Chrome wires.

Overdrive.

Totally by ourselves 10 wires. ago.

Overdrive. ourselves 10 years SuperbTotally car inrestored superb by condition.

Lovely years ago. carrebuilt in superb condition. engine bay. Superb Unleaded engine.

BespokeLovely grey engine bay. seats.

Unleaded engine.

Bespoke grey trim, leather A finerebuilt restored and very well looked trim, leather seats. A fine restored and very well looked after car £27,995.00 after car £27,995.00

Motor runs well. Ove new rad, brakes, carb lining, carpet, sets, el good tyres, chrome fi tel. 01481 243794.

Monogram Spectre p Black Oxford leather, Spax shocks, new rea pads, recent h/gasket pump, s/s water pipe Abingdons with nearl with glass rear windo MOT Aug 20 no advis drives very well, £3,5 Contact 01298 81479 email: liam.mccarthy@ (High Peak Derbys )

2008 MG LE500

GETS! NTED MIDGETS! WANTED

AR?

32000 miles, O/D, pale blue,. Chrome wire wheels, new blue hood. Easily starts, and reliable. Rebuilt 3 years ago.

Black leather seats and tonneux covers. £10750ono. Tel: 01598 752326.

(North Devon) Midnight blue, grey trim, wire wheels, MGB engine and O/D gearbox. Front disc brakes, alloy RAD, radio and CD player. Body off restoration 2016. £15,000 ONO. Call Richard on 01892 724804 (Kent)

1995 MGRV8, Woodcote Green, stone beige trim.

New beigeroadster mohair British hood, Racing new (original) tonneau, 1972 MGB Green, black trim, interior in excellent condition, newfast door cards.

Re leather seats, antique red carpet, road engine, veneered console door 48,500 mls. balanced dash and stage 11and head, 15”caps. minilite, carbon Screen frame (refurbed).

Powerdriving steering, fibre dash, Moto-Lita, superb car upgraded in super to Clive Wheatley Spax Suspension condition, nice engine bayshocks. , superb shell fastpoly fun bushed.

New clutch and slave cylinder, new boot at £13,795.00 stayst. £22,995 1972 MGB Roadster, Old English White, red trim.

Totally restored on dry state shell, everything is new/ 1995 MGRV8, Woodcote Green, stone beige trim. recon. 2L fast road engine. Sports leather seats. New beige mohair hood, new (original) tonneau, Everflex red hood. W/Wheels. Drives like a new car, interior in excellent condition, new door cards. Re goodcaps. condition. and door 48,500 mls.Chassis number superb, S/S boot rack, sports wheel, painted dash. veneered dash consoleVery Power steering, Hydraulic bonnet struts, K&N filters. Would cost in Screen frame (refurbed).

TA1734.

British upgraded Racing Green. Green to Clive Wheatley Spax shocks. Suspension poly excess of £35k to build. £27,995.00 leather Restored in 1989 bushed. New clutch and slave upholstery. cylinder, new boot stayst. £22,995 by previous owner. Mileage since

07703 465 224 CHROME BUMPERED MIDGETS in British Racing Green, 1976 MG MIDGET 1500 1960 AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 MKI Ferncar Green, Autumn Leaf trim.

Everything on this has excellent condition bought up to green leather trim.or Restored a few years ago, rebuilt been renewed refurbished.

All new trim. body, retrim, rebuilt engineat and parts box. Works hardplus top!

Over £12,000 spent on alone, £8,000. View current stock

1972 MGB Roadster

no.42 of 500 in Gold Metallic. 59,000 miles, MOT, new Profex Tyres, new Battery, Stainless Silencer. Air conditioning HARD TOP. £5995.00.

Telephone 0121 313 1609 Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0) 1953 717850 (West Midlands)

midgets.com

1947 MGYA

2004 MG TF13

£5995 or nearest offer. Telephone: 07934678267. (Bedford)

#restoration 5012. Seller owned since 2006 and serviced annually by Classic CALL MIDGET DIRECT ON: Green, Shadow Green trim. 1972 MGB Flame Red, Tan leather trim. Full bare MK1 Almond Car Specialist. Black Tonneau cover and MIDGET MK1 Almond Green, Shadow Green trim. shell Totally immaculate.

Totally restored car, probably 1974 rebuild MGB with Roadster, Red, record. black history and Tartan photographic two other covers. MOT’d annually in 07787 528131 Totally immaculate.

TotallyRestored restored car, probably the best MK1 available! in 1992 and Minilites. trim, fully restored body colour Lovely enginecar, bay. painted Drives superbly.

Some July despite exemption. Extra photos the best Restored 1992 and marks still looks MK1 like available! it’s just been done.inImmaculate underside, superbSuperb drivingsummer car, fastfun road in paint. andengine, great UKunderside, Based Buyer still looks like it’sbay, justinterior been trim done. engine etc.Immaculate Drives like investment. uprated brakes, boot carpets, leather seat, Moto£11,995.00 are available on request by email. Large underside, engine bay, interior trim(would etc. Drives like Lita, ST spoiler and fogs £13,995.00 new.

Unique opportunity. £18,995 cost well history file dating back to 1988, including chrome new. £40-50k Unique opportunity. £18,995 (would cost well over to restore now!) £18,995 over £40-50k to restore now!) £18,995.00 restoration photos. £34,000 ovno.

Midget rim. Specialist MIDGET MK1 Almond Green, Shadow Green trim.

1972 MGB Flame Red, Tan leather trim. Full bare mike_simmonds@btinternet.com or ration in Abingdon RS on Totally immaculate. Totally restored car, probably shell rebuild with history and photographic record.

459185.

(Woodbridge Suffolk) rd, the the best MK1 available! Restored in 1992 and Minilites. Lovely engine07763 bay.

Drives superbly.

Some 224 CHROME still looks like it’s just been done.

Immaculate marks in paint.

Superb summer fun and great many underside, engine bay, interior trim etc. Drives like investment. £11,995.00 Dwheel, MIDGETS in new. Unique opportunity. £18,995 (would cost well over £40-50k to restore now!) £18,995 ition bought up to running Please note that the Contact the Midget Specialist y file w current stock at MIKE AUTHERS on Abingdon es.

Advertising deadline is

re)

Facelift model. Top-of-the range TL model. 1.9 turbo diesel. 48,000 miles (daily driver so mileage will increase) 18” alloys, red bumper inserts. MoT’d until June 2020. Recent discs and pads as well as new tyres. Full leather interior, sat-nav, Bluetooth connectivity. Full service history – serviced by SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre. In good condition.

Spacious, economical engaging modern MG. £5500 ono. Call Adam on 07530734044. (Cirencester)

1978 MGB GT

www.mgmecca.co.uk www.mgmecca.co.uk

ANTED

2016 MG6 GT diesel

November 10th for the December issue of Safety Fast!

1976 MG MIDGET 1500 British Racing Green, 1969 MGC Mineral Blue, grey leather trim. Chrome Autumn Leaf trim. Everything on this car has wires. Overdrive. Totally restored by ourselves 10 been renewed or refurbished. All new trim. years ago. Superb car in superb condition. Lovely Over £12,000 spent on parts alone, plus engine bay. Unleaded rebuilt engine. Bespoke grey inside and out and trim, leather seats. A fine restored and very well looked NOVEMBER1000’s 2019of hours. Immaculate AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 95 after car £27,995.00 underneath! Fantastic value £12,995.00

1963 MGB 2000 MGF VVC

Reluctantly selling my Wife’s much loved MGF VVC. Full leather seats, hardtop, 57,000 miles, one owner, dealer maintained from new. Two new tyres less than 3000 miles ago, MoT until June 2020, I have all service details, MoTs etc.

Garaged all its life, this car is in excellent condition - not concours but little work to make it so. £2750. Tel: 01793 763364 or email: grahamarrondelle@yahoo.com (Near Swindon Wiltshire)

Iris Blue basically goo in need of some love The car has Overdrive set of Wire Wheels, re Wheels, Boot rack, To various spares. £7500 07901852292. (West L

MGC GT AUTO

1969 MGBGT

Original condition. In need of some work.

Substantial history including original purchase receipt. 28,417 miles. Some work carried out - wings /sills/clutches etc .Overdrive. Molita steering wheel.

Chrome hub caps. Some rust but good underneath. SORNED approx 8 years.

Turned over regularly. Very sad to sell this spirited car! £4,500k ONO. Email pippaanderson100@icloud.com (Tenterden- Kent)

Presented in Tartan R Webasto Sunroof and Wire Wheels. Detaile 40years of invoices an covering the last 15 y earlier restoration (ph Within the last 6000 m and carburettor rebui conversion and electr Within the last year c and rear brakes polyb suspension new Door Recent repairs includ new boot floor, fuel t new steering rack and £15000.00. Contact. G erngor@tiscali.co.uk

www.mgcc.co.uk

0

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 95 Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 92

25/07/2019 10:27

25/10/2019 14:39

adRocket

British Motor Heritage approved

B ARRY WALKER Sherwood Restorations Ltd SPARES

...for the very best of vintage MGs...

SPARES

Estd.1968

SPARES

SPARES

Established 1966 THE FOLLOWING ARE A FEW ITEMS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST:

which will also in be the shown on the Trader’s andcar our website) Established as (Some one ofof the leaders field of MMM vintage andforum classic sales and restoration, • 2x complete 6 cyl. N engines • D/F/J/L/P Handbrake c/shaft assembly complete… £650 d’Elegance Awards with over 200 years of combined experience, winners of many major Concours for rebuild. Everything including ancillaries (no carbs) - £8,500 each • 1x L/K engine as above - £8,500 • 2x L/K spare c/heads, bare. Very good order - £1,500 each

• N&L/K rocker boxes, vgc.

• Large quantity of inlet/exh. manifolds, oil filter housings, sumps, etc.

• P/N front and rear engine housings

• •

C/ratio J series g’box & b/hsg.

P/N g’box & b/hsg D/F/J/L/P Front axle (vgc) Additional g’box remote controls (all types, complete)

• • • •

• • • • •

• •

• K Type rear axle • K Type differentials (10:52 & 9:44) • D/F/J/L/P rear axle THE PHOTOS HERE DO NOT FULLY REPRESENT THE PARTS BEING OFFERED

J1/J2 Radiator shell with nose piece. Needs some dent removal at base, but good… £425 J1/F1 complete fold flat orig. w/screen with all side supports… £550 J/P Marles Weller steering in excl. cond with drop arm… £550 D/F/J fully rebuilt, re-cored honeycomb radiator... £850 Rebuilt differentials, rebuilt MMM cutout/fuse boxes, carburettors (MMM & T series), door locks, door handles, octagonal side lamps, fog, spot, side, and rear lamps all in stock.

Properly restored LUCAS & ROTAX 8” and 9” headlamps. Lucas Altette horns; filler caps, bonnet catches, aeroscreens, bonnet belts, plug holders and much, much more.

A complete range of instruments & gauges. Speedos, rev. counters, odometers, temp. gauges, panels, sockets, switches & dashboards. Full range of rubber parts.

See our website for all supercharger installations and individual parts.

Tool kits. Only original correct tools (no repros.) plus rolls, TA rubber trays, jacks, typre pumps and grease guns. MMM, TA, TB, TC, TD, TF.

* 5 fully rebuilt 19” o/laced wheels £450 lot. * Complete car set D/F/J cable brakes, everything £600 lot * TA engine block £150 * The widest range of steering wheels anywhere, 3 spoke / 4 spoke / Brooklands/ Campbell/ Ashby – many originals, ready strung with 3mm cord.

With the re-introduction of our spares service (yes we’re back, for the last time!?) can we offer our gratitude to all those that have already written to us to thank us for offering again another reliable souce of MMM and early T Type spares, which alongside Sports & Vintage and Andy King should bring you a complete arena to find any part you may require. We will be a major souce of s/hand original parts, together with a general range of new parts, many of which are rare and difficult items not easily obtainable.

Please order by phone, e-mail or letter and be sure to refer to MG model and part description. All major cards accepted; but we especially welcome MMM & T Type owners to our shop and showroom, including weekends, but always by appointment please.

We are now improving the website

FOR CAR SALES AND SPARES COME AND SEE US – IT’S THE BEST WAY. + SAME MAILservice ORDER. COMMISSION SALES: Our highly DAY regarded is always available to you.

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

Web: www.barrywalker.com adRocket

Sherwood Restorations Ltd Established 1966 Established as one of the leaders in the field of vintage and classic car sales and restoration, with over 200 years of combined experience, winners of many major Concours d’Elegance Awards

1961 MGA ROADSTER MK2 Chariot Red with Black trim. Bob West restoration some years ago and still stunning throughout.

WAS: £36,995

NOW £34,995 SAVE: £2,000

1968 MGB ‘1860’ ROADSTER – OVERDRIVE Primrose Yellow with Black interior. As clean underneath as it is on top.

This is as good as they get!

WAS: £19,995

NOW: £17,995 SAVE: £2,000

1974 MGB 1.8 ROADSTER – OVERDRIVE

Citron Yellow with Black Interior and Hood. One of the last chrome bumper ‘B’s, restored a few years ago to a high standard, remaining in the same superb condition to this day. An ideal start to Classic Motoring.

WAS: £13,495

NOW: £11,995 SAVE: £1,500

1974 MGB GT V8 – GENUINE FACTORY ‘GD’ CHASSIS NO.

Green with Autumn Leaf interior, genuine factory example. A very original, unmolested example supplied new by Kennings in Chesterfield. Very low ownership and a believed genuine 66,000 miles from new.

WAS: £25,995

NOW: £21,995 SAVE: £4,000

If your car is one of the very best, please call with an accurate description, detailing condition, history, ownership, etc. All makes and models required.

Upton Fields Garage, Upton Road, Southwell, Notts. NG25 0QB. Tel: 01636 812655/812682/812700

www.sherwoodrestorations.co.uk sales@sherwoodrestorations.co.uk

“SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATES FOR READERS” Please mention ‘Superfast’ when calling.

Barry Walker July 19.indd 1

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 93

FP_CLASSICC_3899348id3990095.pdf 05.08.2019 12:09

05/06/2019 10:09

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 93

25/10/2019 14:59

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 Colin at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk

2016 MG6 GT diesel

Facelift model. Top-of-the range TL model. 1.9 turbo diesel. 48,000 miles (daily driver so mileage will increase) 18” alloys, red bumper inserts. MoT’d until June 2020. Recent discs and pads as well as new tyres. Full leather interior, sat-nav, Bluetooth connectivity. Full service history – serviced by SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre. In good condition.

Spacious, economical engaging modern MG. £5500 ono. Call Adam on 07530734044. (Cirencester)

1978 MGB GT

WANTED

Le Mans Green, Caribbean Blue or Oxford Blue. Sub 15000 miles backed up by full service history including Japanese if an import.

Must be condition A+, will be cherished by a long term MG enthusiast. Will travel for the right car. Tel: Jeff on 020 83302686. (Surrey)

Motor runs well. Over last three years new rad, brakes, carb, ss.exhaust, roof lining, carpet, sets, electrics, paint, 5 good tyres, chrome first class. £14,000 tel. 01481 243794.

1972 MGB Roadster

32000 miles, O/D, pale blue,. Chrome wire wheels, new blue hood. Easily starts, and reliable. Rebuilt 3 years ago.

Black leather seats and tonneux covers. £10750ono. Tel: 01598 752326.

(North Devon)

1957 MGA Coupe

Midnight blue, grey trim, wire wheels, MGB engine and O/D gearbox. Front disc brakes, alloy RAD, radio and CD player. Body off restoration 2016. £15,000 ONO. Call Richard on 01892 724804 (Kent)

Monogram Spectre paintwork No 23/36 Black Oxford leather, bright pack, f/fogs Spax shocks, new rear calipers, discs, pads, recent h/gasket, cam belt, water pump, s/s water pipes, Refurbed 16in Abingdons with nearly new tyres, hood with glass rear window, 63K miles, MOT Aug 20 no advisories, looks and drives very well, £3,500.

Contact 01298 814798 or email: liam.mccarthy@tiscali.co.uk (High Peak Derbys )

no.42 of 500 in Gold Metallic. 59,000 miles, MOT, new Profex Tyres, new Battery, Stainless Silencer. Air conditioning HARD TOP. £5995.00.

Telephone 0121 313 1609 (West Midlands)

Please note that the Advertising deadline is November 10th for the December issue of Safety Fast!

94 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 94

MGB GT

Factory produced.Glacier White.Bare metsl respary and engine rebuild in 1997. S/S exhaust. Uprated suspension.

Garaged. Full History. Current owner 8 years. Excellent condition. £22950.

Email: rgtysoe@hotmail.co.uk Mob no 07785734410 (Oxon)

WANTED ALL MG MODELS!

1963 MGB 2000 MGF VVC

Very good condition. Chassis number TA1734. British Racing Green. Green leather upholstery. Restored in 1989 by previous owner. Mileage since #restoration 5012. Seller owned since 2006 and serviced annually by Classic Car Specialist. Black Tonneau cover and two other covers. MOT’d annually in July despite exemption. Extra photos are available on request by email. Large history file dating back to 1988, including restoration photos. £34,000 ovno. mike_simmonds@btinternet.com or 07763 459185. (Woodbridge Suffolk)

Abandoned project (genuine reason) V5C shows 1971 as year of registration.

Body shell in sound condition with 99% welding completed and all parts ready for an enthusiast to build. Complete with K Series engine believed to be good condition, gear box with new conversion bell housing, new panels, seats, bumpers, lights, trim. Currently mounted on a frame with wheels for ease of movement. Optional Brian James twin axel Minno trailer available.

Taxation class “historic vehicle”. Lots of photographs available to email if interested £2500 plus £1000 for trailer.

Tel: 07871 034352 (Harrogate)

WANTED

2008 MG LE500

1937 MG TA

1971 MGBGT

2004 MG TF135

£5995 or nearest offer. Telephone: 07934678267. (Bedford)

MGRV8 would prefer

1947 MGYA

Reluctantly selling my Wife’s much loved MGF VVC. Full leather seats, hardtop, 57,000 miles, one owner, dealer maintained from new. Two new tyres less than 3000 miles ago, MoT until June 2020, I have all service details, MoTs etc.

Garaged all its life, this car is in excellent condition - not concours but little work to make it so. £2750. Tel: 01793 763364 or email: grahamarrondelle@yahoo.com (Near Swindon Wiltshire)

Iris Blue basically good condition but in need of some love and attention.

The car has Overdrive, Disk wheels, old set of Wire Wheels, rear hubs for Wire Wheels, Boot rack, Tonneau covers, various spares. £7500. Contact Anne on 07901852292. (West London)

Original condition. In need of some work.

Substantial history including original purchase receipt. 28,417 miles. Some work carried out - wings /sills/clutches etc .Overdrive. Molita steering wheel.

Chrome hub caps. Some rust but good underneath. SORNED approx 8 years.

Turned over regularly. Very sad to sell this spirited car! £4,500k ONO. Email pippaanderson100@icloud.com (Tenterden- Kent)

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

CALL DIRECT ON: 07787 528131 UK Based Buyer

MGC GT AUTOMATIC

1969 MGBGT

All conditions wanted, from barn finds to concours. Complete collections purchased.

Cash buyer. Discretion assured.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in selling your MG and are looking for a prompt hassle-free cash buyer! Please feel free to contact me for a no obligation friendly chat.

Presented in Tartan Red with a full Webasto Sunroof and sitting on Chrome Wire Wheels. Detailed history with 40years of invoices and Mot certificates covering the last 15 years. Subject to an earlier restoration (photo’s held on file).

Within the last 6000 miles the engine and carburettor rebuild unleaded head conversion and electronic ignition.

Within the last year complete new front and rear brakes polybush front suspension new Door Glass and seals.

Recent repairs included the fitting of a new boot floor, fuel tank and pump and new steering rack and trach rod ends. £15000.00. Contact. Gordon Hind erngor@tiscali.co.uk - 016973 34267.

MIDGETS! WANTED

Contact the Midget Specialist MIKE AUTHERS on Abingdon 07703 465 224 CHROME BUMPERED MIDGETS in excellent condition bought up to £8,000. View current stock at

www.mgmidgets.com

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:39

The largest classic car showrooms in central London

We H a

B32 - MIKE ROLLS SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS SERVICES 13/12/2012 09:50 Page 1 1967 Jaguar E Type 4.2 series 1 Roadster

1996 Range Rover Classic Vogue SEa 25th Anniversary 16.000 miles only

ve M

oved

1989 Land Rover Defender 90 Fully restored condition

1979 Mini 1275GT Fully restored

The largest classic car showrooms in central London

1967 Jaguar 1996 Range Brooklands Rover Classic ‘R’ Vogue 1971 Fiat 500LE Type 4.2 series 11998 Bentley Roadster SEa 25th Anniversary Beautiful condition Mulliner 16.000 miles only Number 1 of 100 - 42.000 miles

MIKE ROLLS

2016

SERVICES FOR MGs 1971 Fiat 500L Beautiful condition

1965 Mercedes Benz 220SE b Fabulous

1998 Bentley Brooklands ‘R’ Mulliner Number 1 of 100 - 42.000 miles

1989 Land Rover Defender 90 1981 Rolls-Royce Fully restored condition

1979Ferrari Mini 1275GT 1991 Testa Rossa Fully restored 25.000 miles only

Phantom VI LHD 23,000kms only

1991 Ferrari Testa Rossa 25.000 miles only

Rangehistory Rover Classic Suffix 1987 Mercedes Benze 300SL 1933 MG J2 - with period1972 competition ‘A’ Convertible Low mileage and immaculate

Specialising in all MG’swww.graemehunt.com

TRADE MEMBER

1981 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI LHD 23,000kms only

1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 55.000 miles only

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

Battersea

+44 (0)20 7937 8487 • mail@graemehunt.com

Kensington

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-6pm,Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm 1965 Mercedes Benz 220SE b Fabulous

2016 201 6

TRADE MEMBER

1987 Mercedes Benze 300SL Low mileage and immaculate

1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 55.000 miles only

1972 Range Rover Classic Suffix ‘A’ Convertible

MIKE ROLLS www.graemehunt.com URGENTLY WANTED SERVICES FOR MGs +44 (0)20 7937 8487 • mail@graemehunt.com Kensington

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm MG TD - 1953

MG TD 1953, Finished in British Racing Green with green interior and Tan weather gear.. This MG TD had a light restoration in 2009/10 and it is a beautiful car. It has a good history with the original buff log book and drives extremely well. £26,995

Any Condition from non runners to rebuilt cars

Please call Edward 01923 840236 or any time on 07774 484497 Email: ejwhitescars@aol.com Website: www.mgandporsche.com (Northwood, Middlesex)

MG TC, 1947

MG TC, 1947, finished in black with beige interior and weather gear, it has been fitted with a re-con engine which has only done 10,000 mls. The car comes with a very good history file including old MOT’s, invoice’s and details of work done over several years. The car has recently had Blockley tyres fitted all round. It does have one or two minor paint blemishes but still presents itself very well. £25.995

MGC ROADSTER - 1969

MGC Roadster, 1969 in Old English White.

This car comes with overdrive, painted wire wheels, black sports reclining seats with white piping, uprated engine with gas flowed head, Maniflow exhaust system, Motolita wood rim steering wheel, new hood and good service history.

The car has recently been re-commissioned and serviced by us and is in good condition. £22,995 Units 9/10 Fifehead Business Park, Manor Farm, Fifehead Magdalen, near Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5RR

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

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 95

Battersea

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

Specialising in all MG’s

ED NT

UR

A GW

M

r e m

For

YO

ry o l G BY

01844 281700

nigelguild@hotmail.com

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

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 95

25/10/2019 14:39

Insurance for all MG’s classic and modern STEVE McKIE SPORTSCARS CHESTERFIELD

•

DERBYSHIRE

Specialists in the repair and restoration of MG cars Suppliers of parts for • MGA • MGB • MGC • Midget • T Type • MGF/TF

www.stevemckiesportscars.co.uk Tel 01246 454527 • Fax 01246 453681 DONHOODS-SFAug07.QXD:Layout 1 23/9/09 16:22 Albert Street North, Chesterfield, S41 8NP

How to Advertise

Members can advertise their spares free of charge for items less than £250 in Safety Fast! The cost for spares more than £250 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 Please keep your advert to 60 words The editor reserves the right to edit longer adverts.

This is for one insertion only, for additional insertions please email Colin at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk

SPARES FOR SALE MGA Twin Cam

Workshop Manual complete with Page 1all BMC confidential yellow memos sent to main dealers upgrading the manual . This manual was supplied to Bill #Nicholson’s Northampton garage by the factory in 1958. It’s complete and in very good condition.I acquired it 23/06/2010 13:46 in 1984 from Bill when I owned the ex works development Twin Cam ORX 885.

A true collectors item and not to be missed.Email: colin_pearcy@icloud.com Tel: (0)7831 632108

DON HOODS

Steve McKie Sports Cars Hi-Res.indd 1

UNBEATABLE QUALITY – UNBEATABLE VALUE!

Choice of heavy duty PVC, ICI Vynide, Everflex, Duc k and Mohair

•BETTER THAN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT QUALITY •STITCHED AND WELDED FOR MAXIMUM LIFE •WIDEST CHOICE OF COLOURS AVAILABLE •ALL FASTENERS & FITTINGS INCLUDED D PRICE FOR LEAFLET AN LIST CONTACT Ltd Don Trimming Co. 7JJ

AL MAKES & L incl: MG, MODELS Tr Escort, Giumph, olf etc.

mingham B23 Hampton Road, Bir

13 Tel: 0121 373 13 OFFICE SOUTHERN SALES

00 Tel: 01202 7422

CARPET SETS FOR MOST

MODELS

www.donhoods.com

Custom made and standard fit covers for your car from £99

Premium Quality since 2003 • Custom Indoor from £150

• Custom Waterproof Outdoor £295 • Standard fleece-lined breathable from £112

• Soft Indoor Stretch from £99 NEW! (Covers for all other cars too)

Online database for the perfect cover at www.carcovershop.co.uk Tel 01780 749449

NEW MGB Baulk Rings

I-240085.indd 1

www.bighealey.co.uk

Brass 2nd & 3rd/4th

£59.95+VAT Steel 4 synchro

£49.50+VAT (Prices are subject to change. Please see our website!)

For the ‘best’ in MG high-performance Parts Hotline: +44 (0)1543 472244 E-mail: sales@bighealey.co.uk DENIS WELCH MOTORSPORT, YOXALL, BURTON-ON-TRENT, STAFFS DE13 8NA, UK

Safety Fast_November2019_48-98.indd 96

Silver, lined, heated rear window, very good condition. Collection only. Price £250. Tel. 07773708301 (Smethwick, West Midlands).

MG MIDGET 1500 PARTS 1 Pair Koni rear shock absorbers incl brackets £60 Stainless steel twin box rear silencer £30 1 Pr rear brake drums £10 1 Full Tonneau cover £20 All in excellent condition Tel 07709535235 (Oxfordshire)

MGA 1600 Mk2

4 new old stock tranco exhaust valves purchased by me over 40 years ago 1.343 inch diameter heads £10+p&p telephone Dave on 01702528014.

(Essex)

15/05/2017 13:33

CNC Machined in the U.K. to our specification

96 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

MGF HARDTOP

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

DIRECT FROM THE MAKERS – WITH OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Call for a quote today

01376 574000

www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk

MGB

Early 3 bearing engine(18G).

Complete,no ancilliaries £375.

ZA pristine horn push. Perfect chrome,no pitting.perfect MG centre boss.new and unused! £150. Email davidjburgess123@gmail.com

Midget Parts

From my 1964 Mk2. Front bumper inc overriders and spring bar. Not perfect but sound £25. Windscreen frame (no glass). Complete, good condition £50.

Tel: Trevor 01375 641125.

Email: trevor.sparrow@yahoo.com.

Magazines

Safety Fast! Plus MG Enthusiast mags. 25 + years £100 buyer collects.

Phone 01628 523943 ( South Bucks )

TD/TF XPAG 1500cc

Engines newly built. Fast road camshaft, lightened and balanced. Lip sealed. \ 11 unleaded. TC-same specification. Later build 1350cc , either TC or TD/TF. Can be fitted with laystal \alloy cylinder head. Contact Ron on 01422 823649 or 07790458386.

Email: valerieandron@gmail.com

SPARES WANTED MGC

Water valve in working order for 1969 MG C - early type - part # 27H 88362.

Please contact Ged on 01434 683 027.

Email: gerardsegrave@btinternet.com

MGC

Steering wheel. Original type with leather covering. Contact John on 07710808084

Please note that the Advertising deadline is November 10 for the December issue of Safety Fast!

4Sight Lighting Company...............70 Adrian Flux .....................................68 Barrie Carter ..................................97 Barry Walker ..................................93 Beech Hill Garage...........................94 British Motor Heritage....................IFC Brown and Gammons....................11 C&F Engineering.............................83 Car Cover Shop .............................96 Carole Nash Insurance ..................83 Church Square Autos ....................33 Classic & Sports Cars (Essex)...90, 91 Classic Car Hub ..............................89 Classic Car Tours of Mid Wales ......33 College Motors Burford ..................72 Colne Classics ................................97 Crown Classic Cars ........................68 David Manners ................................6 Dennis Welch..................................96 Distributor Doctor............................85 Don Trimming .................................96 Duckhams .....................................56 EJW Classic and sports..................95 Fishers Services .............................70 Footman James .............................21 Former Glory ..................................95 Fostons Ash Inn ..............................77 Frontline .........................................41 Halls Garage ...................................66 Hoyle Suspension ...........................66 Just Right Autos Ltd........................62 Kimble-Rutter Ltd ...........................83 Longstone Tyres ............................47 Machine Mart .................................87

Manor Garage ................................72 Martin Smith Used MGTF Spares .33 MG Mecca......................................92 MG Motorsport ..............................78 MG Sales Centre ............................28 Midland Classic Restoration .............4 Mike Authurs Classics (MG Midgets)94 Mike Rolls .......................................95 Mike Satur ......................................61 Moss Europe Ltd ............................68 NTG Services...............................OBC Oselli Ltd ........................................78 Peter Best .........................IBC, 96, 97 Rees Bros .......................................61 Retro Sports Cars ..........................70 Rimmer Bros Ltd ............................59 RJH Automotive..............................58 RM Car Care...................................66 Robin Lackford Motor Engineering 61 Scenic Car Tours Generic ...........9, 17 Sherwood Restorations ..................93 Skiptune..........................................85 SMR................................................92 SPAX.................................................6 Steve McKie Sports Cars................96 Summit MG....................................78 The Hutson Motor Co Ltd .................4 Toro Sports Cars Ltd.......................94 Vitesse Global Ltd ..........................72

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/10/2019 14:39

Call for a quote today

01376 574000

B3 - BARRIE CARTER_CLASSIC MOTORING 22/10/2019 14:36 Page 1

Insurance for all MG’s classic and modern

k

www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk

Barrie Carter

01308 868884

and Alan Bartlett

email barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk

07885 768830

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

We restore and refresh both T-types and X-pag engines, gearboxes, trim, paint; every aspect and we buy and sell T-types and other classics.

Running out of T’s for sale but we have some interesting objects to occupy yourself after retirement and banishment to the garage.

This lovely Citroen 2cv Dolly has undergone a very nice restoration at some point. It has more performance than most, Don’t know why, but its quicker than some others!! It has a lovely body, interior, galvanised chassis, boot rack and a large history file. These cars are rising in value very quickly and I love em! £6,950 Dyna Panhard 84 1948 RIGHT HAND DRIVE. I found this apparently 1 owner car in France where it had languished in its garage for many years. I attended to the brakes and other things and it’s now a running car. If you ring me I’ll tell you its fascinating history as researched by the Panhard histrorian.

Everything is now functioning, a delightful and unique piece of history that must be preserved, not restored. It is at present being registered at the DVCA. £6,950

Subaru Justy You’ve forgotten these 1200 cc FWD! Switchable! 34K I love these, a low milage lovely example. They have MX5 Performance. Cheeky, quick and great off roaders. Beautiful inside and out. It rubbishes 205s and rare. £3,250 CM12.19/B3/r

MGC Roadster 1968. In Mineral Blue manual and Overdrive. One attentative owner for 17 years. It has a historic and very nice restoration that inccured new panels, carpets, hood, wire wheels, modified head and engine rebuilt to fast road specification. This “C” is in very lovely instantly useable condition. These cars are romping away in valve so next year you can make a profit! £21,000

FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

Colne Classics

MG Power Steering and restoration specialists

MG16 - BUCKS SPORTS CLASSICS_BUCKS SPORTS CLASSICS 26/09/2012 14:24 Page 1

View the website on www.colneclassics.com B1 Seaden Court, Gorse Lane Ind Est, Clacton, Essex.

01255 432693, 07714 675319

URGENT PROOF

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSH IP 08 £3.95 August 2019 Volume 63 Number

NDSHIP THE MARQUE OF FRIE

October 2019 Volume 63 Number 10 £3.95

Bucks Sports & Classic Car Centre

Please check this proof carefully for errors in style, content and layout.

Although every care is exercised in preparing your advert, we cannot hold ourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook.

Specialist in MGA, B, C, V8, RV8, and MGF. _____ TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO. Midgets, Also specialists in early Minis SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE

THE

CLUB

CAR

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LT D

CLUB

AMES ABINGDON-ON-TH

CAR LT D

ABINGDON-ON-THAM ES

FO U N D E D 193 0

FO U N D E D 193 0 ● JEKYLL AND HYDE ● CLUNKING AND CREAKING THE THIN BLUE LINE ● MG RECORD THE BATTLE OF THE BABIES BREAKING-THE FINAL YEARS 25/07/2019 09:09

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For friendly advice contact Pete Giles on Tel: 01296 433550 or Mob: 07831 404968 We reserve the right to charge for any alteration to this proof which www.mgsonthenet.co.uk email: peter.giles@mgsonthenet.co.uk is a departure from thewww.mgsonthenet.co.uk original copy ● LET THE SHOCK TAKE THE STRAIN

PLEASE CALL NICK ON 01452 730770 www.mgcc.co.uk

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10STREET Rabans Aylesbury.

HP19 BUCKS 8RS HP20 1EB UNIT 18, PARK IND Close, ESTATE, OSIER WAY, AYLESBURY,

CC10.12/MG16/p

23/09/2019 14:09

NOVEMBER 2019 SAFETY FAST! 97

25/10/2019 14:39

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 2019

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 Vice Presidents: President: John Day Ron Gammons, Don Hayter, Peter Best, Bill Silcock.

Vice Presidents: Ron Gammons, Don Hayter, Peter Best, Bill Silcock.

Chairman: Dave Tynan Chairman: Vice Chairman: Dave Tynan George Wilder Vice Chairman: Treasurer: Richard George Colston Wilder

T

hree interesting Triple M studies taken from a scrapbook of the Kimber Centenary meeting held at Silverstone at the end of May 1988. A number of K3s were assembled on this occasion to take part in the Cecil Kimber Trophy Race.

We should naturally be able to identify the example below, but without a racing number or registration number in sight we thought it better to leave it to the experts!

Next on the list is a beautifully turned out NA (right), whilst our last photo above is of a rare D Type, also looking pristine.

If you are the proud owner of any of these magnificent motor cars perhaps you might like to tell us how they are faring some 30 years later.

Directors: Dave Treasurer: Richard Saunders, ColstonPeter Cook, Keith Williams (co-opted) and PaulOpie Money Directors: Dave Saunders, Peter and (co-opted) Peter Cook Company Company Secretary: Secretary: Colin Colin Grant Grant Staff Staff Members: Members: Adam Adam Sloman Sloman (General (General Manager Manager 01235 01235 849732), 849732), John Hutchison Hutchison (Competitions (Competitions Secretary Secretary 01235 01235 849738), 849738), John Andy Andy Knott Knott (01235 (01235 849730), 849730), Lauran Lauran Gallacher Gallacher (Assistant (Assistant General General Manager Manager 01235 01235 849735), 849735), Liz Liz Allsworth Allsworth (Membership (Membership Secretary Secretary 01235 849734), Colin Grant (01235 849733), Cherina 01235 849734), Colin Grant (01235 849733), Jade Beckett Scarrott (Finance Officer 849736) andOfficer Ineke01235 Sherman (01233 849731), Cherina01235 Scarrott (Finance (Merchandise 01235Sherman 849737)(Merchandise 01235 849737) 849736) and Ineke Honorary Honorary Members: Members: Michael Michael Allison, Allison, Ron Ron Gammons, Gammons, Peter Peter Best, Best, Don Hayter, Hayter, John Don John Quenby, Quenby, Sir Sir Stirling Stirling Moss, Moss, Paddy Paddy Hopkirk, Hopkirk, Norman Norman Ewing, Ewing, Piers Piers Hubbard, Hubbard, Rob Rob Oldaker, Oldaker, Steve Steve Hanegan, Hanegan, Gerry JohnHawke, Dutton,John JohnDutton, Day, Julian Gerry McGovern, McGovern, Ann JuneHawke, Wallis, Ann JohnWhite, Day, Bill Silcock.

Julian White, Bill Silcock.

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

Whilst Whilst every every effort effort has has been been made made to to ensure ensure the the accuracy accuracy of of information information at at the the time time of of going going to to press, press, neither neither The The Publisher Publisher (herein referred to as Hine Marketing), the Editor, nor the MG (herein referred to as Hine Marketing), the Editor, nor the MG Car Car Club Club can can accept accept any any responsibility responsibility or or loss loss occasioned occasioned to to any any person person acting acting or or refraining refraining from from action action as as aa result result of of any any material material in the the publication. publication. The The opinions opinions of of authors authors are are their their own own and and Hine Hine in Marketing, the the Editor Editor and and the the MG MG Car Car Club Club are are not not bound bound to to agree agree Marketing, with opinions opinions expressed expressed herein. herein. Reproduction Reproduction in in whole whole or or in in part part with without written written permission permission is is prohibited. prohibited. Safety Safety Fast!

Fast! and and The The MG MG without Car Club Club badge badge are are protected protected through through trademark trademark registration registration in in Car the UK UK and and in in the the foreign foreign countries countries where where Safety Safety Fast!

Fast! circulates. circulates. the Readers are are warned warned that that ifif they they attempt attempt any any mechanical mechanical or or other other Readers modifications or or methods methods referred referred to to herein, herein, they they do do so so at at their their own own modifications risk and no liability will attach to the MG Car Club, the Editor risk and no liability will attach to the MG Car Club, the Editor nor nor Hine Marketing.

Neither shall the MG Car Club, the Editor nor Hine Hine Marketing. Neither shall the MG Car Club, the Editor nor Hine Marketing Marketing have have any any responsibility responsibility for for the the accuracy accuracy of of the the content content of of the the editorial, editorial, neither neither the the content content of of any any advertisement advertisement published published in in Safety Fast!

Safety Fast!

ItIt should should be be noted noted that that neither neither Hine Hine Marketing, Marketing, the the Editor, Editor, nor nor the the MG MG Car Car Club Club make make any any recommendation recommendation in in respect respect of of any any goods goods and/ and/ or services advertised or featured in this issue.

It is the responsibility or services advertised or featured in this issue. It is the responsibility of of readers readers to to satisfy satisfy themselves themselves that that the the goods goods or or services services offered offered or or referred to to are are bona bona fide fide and and in in no no instance instance shall shall Hine Hine Marketing, Marketing, referred the Editor Editor or or the the MG MG Car Car Club Club be be held held responsible responsible for for the the quality quality or or the suitability of of any any such such items. items. suitability

98 SAFETY FAST! NOVEMBER 2019

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PeterBest_SafetyFast_MGCarClub_Advert_297x210.pdf

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14:28

classic car insurance PBIS specialises in classic car insurance, as well as insurance for other collectable classic vehicles. We have been supporting the MG Car Club, its Centres & Registers, for over 30 years so we know what is important to you.

Approved Insurance Provider

Our ‘Abingdon’ policy covers classic use for MG’s 3 years and older.

Policy benefits may include: • Free agreed valuations • Roadside assistance and recovery within UK/EU • Limited mileage options • Discounts for multiple car ownership • Club member discounts

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

Secure online shopping at: www.mgbits.com or by phone.

Worldwide shipping.

T&Y Type or MGA & Z series catalogues- email or phone for your copy End of Season Sale A574C C892T J001DT J003DT J062P J112AS J130AM J135D J707M J711AW J729PP J730P T001AL T001AR T060T S339D Spec 10

Normal price Air Cleaner with K & N internal filter TD £156.82 Spinner - spare wheel TA TB TC 94.74 Seat cover kit beige leather TA TB 688.80 Interior panel kit beige TA TB 560.00 Interior panel kit grey MGA Roadster 276.00 Sidescreen cover kit black Stayfast YT 565.00 Full tonneau cover black mohair TA TB 553.50 Full tonneau cover fawn double duck TD 366.54 Red leather armrest on black carpet MGA 124.80 Cockpit capping cover set black, white piping, MGA roadster 89.79 Spare wheel cover grey Hardura/grey carpet 94.60 Carpet set grey LH drive MGA 225.00 Wing stay LH TA TB TC 74.40 Wing stay RH TA TB TC 74.40 Alloy boss, spare wheel mount TA TB TC 152.20 Rear leaf spring MGA 105.68 Beautiful British Racing Green mohair hood for TF 639.00

Sale 138.00 80.40 552.00 432.00 192.00 465.00 450.00 312.00 98.40 48.00 69.00 156.00 63.00 63.00 108.00 69.60 525.00

NTG Motor Services Ltd 282-284 Bramford Road Ipswich IP1 4AY Tel: +44(0)1473 406031/2 Fax: +44(0)1473 742087 sales@mgbits.com British Motor Heritage Approved - founded 1966

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