Safety Fast! January 2020

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP

MGLIVE! 2020

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MIGHT Y METROS

January 2020 Volume 64 Number 1 £3.95

SPORT THE RE AL THING - MG MIDGET

11/12/2019 16:30

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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 2020 HIGHLIGHTS

MG & TRIUMPH SPARES DAY The first show of the season for many, held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on Sunday February 9 2020. www.mgandtriumphsparesday.co.uk for more details.

W

elcome to the January 2020 issue of Safety Fast! in this, the 90th anniversary year of the MG Car Club. To celebrate this momentous anniversary, I’m sure you’ve already noticed the cover gracing this magazine. Volume one number one of The MaGazine was published in May 1933 and carried a Bi-monthly MG Car Club Bulletin within its pages. The May 1933 Bulletin reporting on The Chilterns Trial with a photo of the individual winner Mr C.G. Fitt ascending Crowell in his MG J2, and also reporting on the rapid expansion of Club membership which had risen from 210 to 500 in six months. The original cover of the very first MaGazine can be seen on the contents page. We’ve also reprinted an open letter from Cecil Kimber to all MG owners that was published in the very first issue, which can be found on page eight; many of Kimber’s words still ring true in Safety Fast! today. Throughout the whole of 2020 we’ll have a different style cover, from the MaGazine, The Sports Car (the MaGazine’s successor), and Safety Fast! which was first published in April 1959, all celebrating different eras of MG Car Club publications throughout the past 90 years.

As mentioned last month, we’ll be following the progress of our MKII MG Midget as it undergoes a complete restoration over the next 18 months or so. The Midget was displayed at the NEC for all to see in its partially stripped-down state, ready for the work to commence. We start the series of articles this month with an introduction and history of the MG Midget, penned by Midget Register stalwart Dennis Wharf. The Midget is a wonderful introduction into the world of Classic Cars, and with the support of the traders that advertise in Safety Fast! and our own excellent Midget Register offering advice as well as events for you and your MG, I’m sure if you were to purchase one, you’d be out enjoying your car in no time, with a big grin on your face.

Enjoy the festive period, and here’s to the MGCC anniversary year ahead.

RACE RETRO Europe’s number one historic motorsports show, held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on February 21-23.

Visit www.raceretro.com for details.

PC CLASSIC CAR & RESTORATION SHOW A popular show, growing in size year on year at the NEC, Birmingham.

This year being held on March 27-29, booking available from www.necrestorationshow.com

Until next month, drive safely.

Andy Knott Membership Type

Direct Debit Rate

Standard Rate Online

Standard Rate Post

Single

£50

£55

£55

Joint

£54

£59

£59

Young Members 16-20

£15

£15

£15

Young Members 21-24

£30

£30

£30

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

www.mgcc.co.uk

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MGLIVE! The must-attend MG event of the year, held at Silverstone on June 13-14 (provisional date). Visit www.mgcc.com to keep up to date with the latest news.

For many more events during 2020 please visit www.mgcc.co.uk

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 3

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www.mgcc.co.uk 4 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

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

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24/06/2016 17:11

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INSIDE REGULARS 7

Club Matters and Kimber House News

10 News 12 Products 14 Young Members Branch 59 Overseas Review 61 Monthly Meets 65 Race Torque 66 MGs on Track 67 MGCC Speed Championship 69 Centre Updates 80 Register Updates 91 Classifieds 98 Looking Back

NEWSLETTERS 44 T Type Newsletter 49 Magnette Newsletter 54 MGC Newsletter The Orange MG Metro Turbo of Dave Javes and Dick Trevett, pictured by the red MG Metro Turbo of Dick’s granddaughter Kyla Birdseye. Photo: Matt Woods

34

FEATURES 8 AN OPEN LETTER FROM CECIL KIMBER Reprinted form the very first issue of the MaGazine, May 1933

16 MGLIVE!

27 To celebrate 90 years of the MG Car Club, we’re tracing our roots right back to the early 1930s and taking a look at the various publications the MGCC have used to communicate with their members. The front cover of this issue is based on the very first publication.

The first MG Car Club magazine was called The MaGazine, issued in May 1933 as a bi-monthly. This was a glossy A4 publication ‘designed to interest motoring enthusiasts in general and those who own MGs in particular. The editor was Alan Hess who ‘conducted’ it from The Strand, London and it was issued by The MG Car Company. The MG Car Club was given some pages in each issue and it was circulated free to MGCC members.

www.mgcc.co.uk

More information on MGLive! 2020

18 MIGHTY METROS The story of two Metro-mad families

27 HOW MG HELPED FORD BEAT FERRARI What part did MG play in the Le Mans 1966 story?

34 SPORT THE REAL THING The History of the MG Midget

58 OVERSEAS NEWS The MG Car Club Johannesburg Centre celebrate their fabulous 50 Anniversary

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 5

16 17:11 SafetyFast_Jan2020_3-48.indd 5

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CHAIRMANS NEWS

I

n 2020 we will be celebrating the 90th birthday of the MG Car Club. Back in 1930 a letter was published in The Light Car suggesting the formation of an MG Car Club; this led to an inaugural meeting being called at the Roebuck Inn near Stevenage. On October 12 that year a group of like-minded MG enthusiasts met and formed the Club we still enjoy today.

We are planning to celebrate our birthday

throughout the year, and especially as close as possible to that date, and will announce details as things are finalised.

As usual we will be planning our year of events: our normal programme of six race meetings around the country, a healthy speed championship and lots of opportunities to have fun time on track with MGs on Track. For those who prefer MG life at a more sedate pace the Centres and Registers will be planning activities all over the UK and some even venturing abroad. I encourage all members of the Club to take advantage of the opportunities to join in these events, which are all put on by volunteers to allow us all to enjoy our MG motoring and get the most from belonging to a healthy and active Club.

It is heartening to hear that the European Event of the Year at Würzburg in Germany has managed to find more places. The original 251 slots were full in 89 minutes, with 100 entries in the first five minutes, so the organisers have expanded the entry to 300, which is the maximum capacity of the evening events.

KIMBER HOUSE NEWS Donations to the Archive We have been fortunate enough to receive various items which have been donated to the Club Archive. Peter Neal, our Archivist, commentated that they will be of great interest to visiting members and will become part of our permanent exhibition.

Medallions These were worn by F.M. Francis Montgomery, driving MGs in the early 1930s. They were purchased on behalf of the Club by Club Director Dave Saunders from the Montgomery family.

www.mgcc.co.uk

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Unfortunately the waiting list is now closed as the event is so oversubscribed.

I’m personally pleased that I will be meeting lots of my European friends again next summer after the unfortunate loss of the European Event of the Year in 2019.

As you put your car to bed for the winter – if you do – if you are not subject to having an annual MoT I would urge you to consider taking your MG to have a voluntary MoT at the start of next season.

It is a very economical way to get an independent assessment of the condition of the safety aspects of your car, especially the brakes: this was the way I discovered that I had a sticking slave cylinder on the rear of our TD. I had not noticed this on the road but the brake test showed up the problem before it got serious. Even if you only do a few miles a year it’s well worth the trouble to have an independent check.

Which just leaves me to wish you the very best of Christmases and a very happy New Year with your MG. Bill Silcock

The ‘Rhody’ Shield Presented to the MG Car Club by the ‘Rhody MG Group’, from Rhode Island USA. This is to commemorate a bursary also given by the group to the MG Car Club to mark the winding-up of their Club. They will continue to enjoy their MGs as part of the New England T Register.

The Triangle Trophy This lovely dinner gong is one of a number of ‘retired’ trophies from the South Western Centre of the MG Car Club, which have been passed to Kimber House for safe keeping. This trophy was first awarded in 1937.

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 7

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M ay 1933

AN OPEN LET TER

TO OUR

READERS

FROM

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MR. CECIL KIMBER TO ALL MG OWNERS The Editor has asked me to write a few words of welcome to you, that ever-growing body of enthusiasts, for whom this new magazine has been planned and produced.

Through its pages we hope to interest you and keep you informed of all branches of motoring sport, of MG activities at home and abroad, and of factory developments and news.

In short, our object is to provide a journal to knit together still closer the many friends the production of MG cars has created both for me, personally, and for those connected with their making, their sale and their use.

C 8 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

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www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:30

F 1 E

BROWN & GAMMONS FIRST FOR EVERYTHING MG! MGF/TF

Horn mount brackets, St/Steel YEB100800SS £7.15 Horn mount brackets, St/Steel, Black YEB100800SSB £7.80 Radiator Top Mount, St/ Steel ABU460310SS £8.35 Radiator Top Mount, St/ Steel, Black ABU460310SSB £9.55 Subframe Mounts, Solid Type. 2 bolt KGE000110 £23.95 ABS mount Bracket, St/ Steel SRU102100SS £40.75 ABS mount Bracket, St/Steel, Black SRU102100SSB £47.95 Clutch Alignment Tool BGF205 £16.75 Water Low Level Sensor Kit BGF1111 £167.95 Hood Modification Straps, pair DJE000010Z £25.98 Alloy Heater Knobs, set of 3, polished or Satin, For MGF or Late MGF (2000 on) and TF. Please state which you require.

BGF9021-24 £36.50

MG TA, TB, TC

Dynamo Adjuster Link Box Spanner, 6 sided rear hub Spring Starter Motor Bracket Fuel Gauge Fixing Strap Front Oil Thrower Heatshield, MG TC Hub Tool, 8 sided nut Rear axle Large Brass Core Plug

AAA5831 £23.95 GAC1052 £39.55 53683 £14.95 AJH5185 £9.55 AAA5278 £6.60 GAC1036 £47.95 GAC1502BG £59.95 AAA5561BRASS £3.00 Camshaft, XPAG/XPEG, Lock Tab AAA5593 £5.65 Electronic Distributor, neg earth, without gear 27H5183CSINE £330.00 Electronic Distributor, positive earth 27H5138CSIPE £330.00 Oil Filter Conversion-Spin on GAC8001 £142.26 Small Brass Core Plug CA1056BRASS £2.34 High Quality Oil Pressure Pipe AAA627HQ £17.95 Oil/Water Gauge Strap AJH5186 £9.55

MG TD AND TF

MGA

Alloy Radiator ARH120ALY £249.95 RH Horn Bracket AAA2088 £20.38 Heel Mat, Carpet CRM2001X £10.20 Oil Pressure Pipe, high quality AAA627HQ £17.95 Rear Axle Hub Tool GAC1500BG £59.95 Oil/Water Gauge Strap AJH5186 £9.55 Front Valance Stainless Steel Screw Kit MGA9022SS £10.75 Front Wing Stainless Steel Kit MGA9090SS £23.70 Floorboard Screw and washer set, st/steel MGA9103SS £59.95 Toyo 165/80 R15 87T TL330 Tyre T1R8000 £71.99

Exhaust to Gearbox Bracket 128742 £23.64 Dynamo Adjuster Link AAA5831 £23.95 Spring Starter Motor Bracket 53683 £14.95 Clutch Return Spring to Sump Bracket AAA5800 £10.20 Uprated Gear Lever Spring 11G3144 £12.90 Rear Spring Shackle Plate AAA854 £13.19 Steering Wheel Boss MLB8BG £91.20 Electronic Distributor, neg earth, without gear 27H5183CSINE £330.00 Electronic Distributor, positive earth 27H5138CSIPE £330.00 £47.95 Heatshield GAC1036

MG MOTOR UK

MG3 Mark One Interior Styling Kits - Consist of Dashboard Mats, Tambour Bin Surround, Side vents and radio surround Piano Black and Red BG3500 £59.95 Metallic Grey and Red BG3502 £54.95 Piano Black and Metallic Grey (no side vents BG3501 £49.95 Carousel 16inch Alloy wheel and Tyre MG3 Fabric Mats, set of four MG3 Spare Wheel and Tool kit MG ZS Spare Wheel and Tool Kit MG GS Fabric Mats, set of four MG ZS Manual Fabric Mats, set of 4 MG ZS Auto Fabric Mats, set of four MG3 Front Brake Pads, non OE MG6 Petrol Front Brake Pads, non OE

30064821T £75.00 30073783 £48.00 30092045 £144.00 10160897 £168.00 10394095 £66.00 10160896 £66.00 10508798 £66.00 10025315Z £30.00 10008675Z £43.00

GENERAL ACCESSORIES

SERVICE PACKS

MGB

Alloy radiator, 1976-80 (r/bumper) NRP115ALY £249.95 Alloy Radiator, Rear fill ARH260ALY £249.95 Alloy Radiator, MGB Centre Fill,68-76 NRP1142ALY £249.95 Fuel Gauge Fixing Strap AJH5185 £9.55 Steel Billet Crankshaft 8G2750STEEL£2,034.00 Rear Axle Hub Tool GAC1500BG £59.95 Oil/Water Gauge Strap AJH5186 £9.55 Toyo 165/80 R14T TL330 Tyre T1R2050 £71.95

All service packs consist of Genuine MG parts - Oil Filter and sump washer, Fuel Filter, Pollen filter and Air Filter MG3 MG3SERVICEK £63.25 MG6 Diesel MG6SERVICEDK £125.00 MG6 Petrol MG6SERVICEPK £58.74 MG GS GSSERVICEK £93.50 MG ZS Manual 2017 onwards ZSSERVICEK £79.80 MG ZS Auto 2017 onwards ZSAUTOSERVICEKIT £83.99

MG Morris Bear, Green Jumper MG Buster Bear, Red Jumper MG Cecil Bear, Green Jumper MG Buster Bear, Green jumper MG Badge Collection MG Mugs, Black or Red

BGR68B BGR68R BGR68C BGR68D MM001 MM061/84

£13.00 £13.00 £13.00 £13.00 £28.95 £6.95

All prices are correct at time of going to press but may be subject to change. PLEASE MENTION THIS ADVERT WHEN PLACING YOUR ORDER TO OBTAIN THESE PRICES. All orders subject to availability. All prices include VAT @20%. CARRIAGE EXTRA

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NEWS

EX-EMPLOYEE DAY Kimber House once again played host to the MG Abingdon employees for their annual gathering during December. Over 80 ex-employees attended, regaling tales from the Factory and reminiscing with old colleagues and friends. We’ll bring you more news and photos from the day in next month’s Kimber House News page.

XRACING CHINESE RALLYCROSS The organiser of the China Touring Car Championship ran its first Xracing event in November, a pilot intended to precede a full season of rallycross in China in 2020. The event was billed as “…breaking the traditional Chinese racing competition form, presenting a richer and more diverse motorsport audiovisual feast for the audience. Cross-border venues in different cities, mixed asphalt and stone track. Three classes are planned: Super SUV, Chinese SUV and Open Enthusiast. The Super SUV group is for modified cars with 450bhp and 700Nm torque. There were cars from Audi, MG and Nissan in the pilot event which was run at Xiamen. Recently crowned Asia Pacific Rally Champion Dewei Lin was the winner, ahead of his MG Xpower team mates Rui Wang and Li Wei.

MG SPARES DAY AT HOUTEN – NETHERLANDS The MG Car Club Holland Spares day at Houten, is being held on January 5 2020. The organisation for this event is now in full swing, with invitations having been sent out for people to register their interest.

Take the opportunity to clear space in your garage by renting a table and selling some of your old parts. If you don’t have many parts to sell then share a table with a friend or MG group to split the costs.

Selling your car? Then bring it along and put it up for sale, as we have many visitors who are looking to buy and join the MG family.

The UK MGCC will again have a stand at the show and we look forward to extending a very warm welcome to them.

For more information send an email to mgbeurs@mgcarclub.nl or give us a ring.

Kaj van Ginkel. 0031 651723317, or Maria van Ginkel 0031 610348183.

10 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

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Abingdon Works Centre AGM Date: Saturday February 29 2020 Venue: MG Car Club, Kimber House, 12 Cemetery Road, Abingdon, OX14 1AS Time: 2.00pm Timetable: 2.00pm - Light refreshments, 2.45 - AWC AGM AGENDA Apologies Approval of the minutes of the March 2019 AGM Matters arising Chairman’s Report Secretary’s Report Treasurer’s Report Election of Officers Election of Committee Any Other Business Nominations for election to the Committee and/ or officers should be submitted to Secretary, James Page, 51A Eaton Road, Appleton, Oxon.

OX13 5JH or by email to secretary@mgabingdon. org.uk by February 22 2020

AGM of the MG Car Club South West Centre Date: Tuesday March 3 2020 Venue: The Old School Room, Compton Martin BS40 6JB Time: 8.15pm AGENDA 1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of the last AGM March 5 2019 3. Matters Arising 4. Hon. Secretary’s Report 5. Hon. Treasurer’s Report and Explanation of Accounts 6. Competition Secretary’s Report 7. Election of Officers 8. Election of Committee 9. Appointment of MGCC Council Representative 10. Any other business 11. Chairman’s closing remarks

Midget Register AGM Date: Sunday March 8 2020 Venue: Kimber House, Abingdon, OX14 1AS Time: 10.30am.

Agenda 1. Apologies for absence.

2. Approval of the minutes of the 2019 AGM. 3. Matters arising.

4. Chairman’s Report.

5. Secretary’s Report.

6. Treasurer’s Report and adoption of 2019 accounts.

7. Registrar’s Report.

8. Election of Officers.

9. Election of Committee.

10. Any other business.

11. Date and time of next AGM. We are looking to recruit some new Members to join us and help run the Midget Register for the benefit of fellow enthusiasts of these cars.

Nominations for election to the Committee and or Officers should be submitted to the Secretary, John Grainger, 10 Oak View, Great Kingshill, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP15 6HB, or by e-mail to secretary@midgetregister.com by February 7 2020 latest please.

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:30

NEWS MJS AUTO AND MARINE ANNOUNCEMENT

Mike Stafford, of MJS Auto and Marine, who specialises in the service and repair of MGF/TF and Zed series of cars, wishes to announce that for the time being he has returned to offering a fully mobile service. His garage, which was based in Littlehampton has now closed, and he is looking for alternative premises. His area of coverage is the South of England and he can be contacted on 07956 575220.

NEW DISPLAY TO HONOUR OUR MORRIS GARAGES New College Oxford recently unveiled a new display in the iconic ‘Morris window’ in the Morris Garages in Longwall Street. When the old display was removed during the refurbishment and rebuilding of the student accommodation behind the Longwall façade, there was a widespread sense of loss.

The intention was always to replace the display but the college now had the opportunity to improve it significantly.

The Garage is an iconic part of Oxford’s heritage, and it is important that members of the public have a chance to see the role it played in our industrial history.

The new display includes not only information and photographs detailing the history of the Garage, but also artefacts from William Morris’s time – a car radiator and his two-branch table lamp. It was crafted by museum designer Byung King and was unveiled at the Morris Garage on November 6.

At the unveiling, Andy Smith, Chairman of the Bullnose Morris Club, kindly brought his 1921 Morris Oxford to New College Lane, to recreate the famous poster image.

Adding class to your journey Well formed Classic MG Insurance

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As with all insurances, terms and conditions apply. Carole Nash Insurance Consultants Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm reference no. 307243.

Carole Nash is a trading style of Carole Nash Insurance Consultants Ltd, registered in England and Wales no. 2600841.

J&C Classic Restorations Chris Redfern – Specialising in all MG models

• Full restoration • Servicing • Trim • Mot work • Electrical • Tuning Proud to have carried out the preparation work on MGA ‘UPO 929’ Mille Miglia entry

Phone: 07900 633 826

E-mail: jcclassicrestorations@outlook.com

Unit 14 Clockhouse Mushrooms, Egham, Surrey TW20 8PF www.mgcc.co.uk

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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

NEW FROM RPS RPS has developed three fibreglass adaptor plates to enable the internal air vents to be changed from the original rectangle to a more modern round vent.

The adaptor plates come in a grey gelcoat for a sprayed finish and the price for the set of three is £30 plus p&p. RPS can advise on the types of vents that will fit into these plates. Contact RPS on enquiries@rps-ltd.info for further details.

CARBON 3D FINSH MUDFLAPS

MG and AMC parts are are now pleased to be able to offer full 3D Carbon Finish for all the MG Mudflaps that they produce. Absolutely stunning quality finish to further enhance your MG. MG3 set of 4 £69.95 MG TF set of 4 £89.95 MG ZS set of 4 £69.95 MG GS set of 4 £59.95 All including p&p Please contact MG and AMC parts for more information and detailed photos.

The Smithy, High Street, Southwick, Hants, PO17 6EB Tel. +44 (0)392 220222 Email: admin@mgandamcparts.com

12 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

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NEW MG CAR CLUB KEYRING

Our Leather Keyring is a refined way to keep your keys safe and easily accessible.

It is hand-crafted from fine leather and is both a timeless and robust accessory. Designed so that your keys are securely attached to the chrome locking ring and complete with the Club logo engraved on its metal clamp. This is the ideal gift for the MG enthusiast.

Priced at £5.00 plus p&p. For more information go to shop.mgcc.co.uk email ineke@mgcc.co.uk or phone 01235 849737.

HEAD/NECK REST CUSHIONS FROM MG AND AMC PARTS

This new product is for all MGs fitted with a head rest.

The cushion fits between the head rest and the top of the seat to support your neck and upper shoulders.

Superb finish in black with red stitching, rear zip to remove filling insert for cleaning, etc.

Size: 26cm x 17cm at widest point and can be fitted in minutes. For all MG models.

Price £18.00 per pair including p&p, or £15.00 for MGCC members including p&p.

Please contact MG and AMC parts for more information and detailed photos.

The Smithy, High Street, Southwick, Hants, PO17 6EB. Tel. +44 (0)392 220222 or Email: admin@mgandamcparts.com

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:30

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09/12/2019 10:01:39 11/12/2019 16:30

YOUNG MEMBERS

Shaun Nelson shaunnelly@hotmail.com

YOUNG MEMBERS AT THE NEC CLASSIC

I

t’s November 6, and I have arrived back from Cumbria to prepare my 1972 MGB GT for its debut at the NEC classic motor show. Opening the garage door, I look upon the car for the first time since early August. We leave tomorrow.

First things first; I check the oil in the engine and find that we’re still about 3/4 up the level – not bad! A quantity of Castrol GTX equal to that of the puddle underneath the car later and we’re good to go – all fluids and pressures are now as normal. I go for the key, let the electronic fuel pump build some pressure, and attempt to start it… First time.

The B series engine, despite its slightly weepy crank seals, is the winning ingredient of this car. For reasons lost to history it’s a 1969 engine, and even after having been in the car for at least 50,000 miles it’s as sweet as a nut and smooth as silk. The car itself is well worn but fully functional. It has had 17 owners from new and has done, from

the best I decipher, at least 100,000 miles.

Mechanically, electronically and structurally sound, what lets this little car down is its red paint, which is a poor 20-year-old cellulose respray that has gone flaky and faded.

Nevertheless, tomorrow it shall be on show.

Thursday is setup day, and I meet TR Register Youth group leader, Charlie Crawshaw, outside his house in his blue 1980 TR7 convertible. We’d recently finished a £50 engine swap on it and it was now running for the first time in 20 years. Its MOT was a week old.

On the way there my windscreen demister had fallen apart on the passenger side so I had to resort to a sponge, wiping the screen down occasionally to maintain visibility. However; regardless of both our cars’ minor faults, we set off for the hour’s drive down to the NEC, CB radios live and fuel tanks brimmed. We achieved a full 300 yards before Charlie’s exhaust fell off its hangers.

Having arrived at the NEC relatively unscathed, we each took to our separate stands and began preparations for the start of public showing on Friday. My car wasn’t

How many lads can you get in a BGT?

actually on the MGCC Young Members Branch stand, but the stand opposite; the Pride of Young Members stand. Organised

by Liam Murphy, I was representing MGCC YMB in collaboration with TR Youth, Midget and Sprite Club, and Morris Minor Owners Club Young Members Register, all of whom had worked together to help organise Tyre Festival in July – the joint club young members weekend in Derbyshire.

Rather craftily, before leaving the house that morning I had managed to swipe a bottle of red T-Cut for my mum’s BMW Z3. I therefore set about liberally applying it to the MG in the hope of bringing a bit of shine

Shaun Nelson’s MGB GT on the Pride of Young Members stand

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www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:30

YOUNG MEMBERS

The MGCC Young Members Branch stand featuring MGA, MGB and Midget.

A mixed collection of classics on the Pride of Young Members stand

to the dull, faded paintwork. After what felt like hours, the paint eventually began to glint in the hall’s overhead lighting. A few pictures in the passenger window and an arrangement of ‘period tat’ in the boot, which consisted of workshop manuals and a load of old cans I’d found at Nana’s, and the car finally looked worthy to be featured among the huge variety of stunning cars that it shared the venue with.

The following three days were comprised of great cars and even greater people. We were very busy on the Young Members Branch stand, chatting to members of the public, car club members, and also answering the big questions like: can you get two 6ft+ lads in a Midget (not quite) and how many can you fit in a B GT? (Four, if you don’t count Kieran’s head.)

The NEC motor show was extremely well attended as always, and there was plenty to see, no matter what your vehicular preference. If I could take one home with me, any at all, it would probably have been the traction engine!

Our stand featured branch chairman Iwan Jones’ lovely early Midget, Nick Cradle’s very smart MGA coupe, and Keiran Reid’s extremely tidy ’71 MGB GT, which made for an excellent display. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to Iwan, Kieran, John, Grace and Ellie for keeping me entertained all weekend, and Lorraine Noble-Thompson for her infectious energy and enthusiasm.

On the Friday evening I was also fortunate enough to fly the MGCC flag

Young Members manning the NEC stand www.mgcc.co.uk

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Liam, Charlie and Shaun being presented the award for ‘best club show event’ for the joint youth group collaboration, Tyre Festival!

at the Classic & Sports Car magazine’s club awards. Not only did MGCC pick up ‘best themed club stand’, but also our aforementioned joint youth group collaboration picked up ‘best club show/ event’ for Tyre Festival! Sitting at the table with the four clubs was brilliant and I’m keen to push for more club collaboration – it made for a great and highly eventful evening.

Packing up on the Sunday evening is very much like a Le Mans-style racing start.

After the traditional end of show hornblowing, which is always worth sticking around for, and once all members of the public have left, it is a first out of the door affair. Given that I had to make my way back up to Cumbria (after swapping the

Period paraphernalia in Shaun’s MGB GT

MG for a Land Rover Discovery 2) I was keen to get going, and true to form the B was up, running and on the motorway in no time at all. Also true to form, upon arriving home and jumping into the Land Rover I found that its clutch master cylinder had failed. Still, at least I’d had a great weekend.

Thank you to everyone who came to speak with us over the weekend – we loved having you. Our branch AGM is on Saturday February 1, 12.00pm at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire. It would be great to get more people involved in the branch, and it’s also a great excuse to go around one of the best motor museums in the country. Museum entry to those in attendance is free!

Enjoying the Classic & Sports Car magazine’s dinner JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 15

11/12/2019 16:31

MGLive!

13TH & 14TH JUNE 2020 AT SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT

We have been working closely with the MG Car Club to ensure that their very welcome return to Silverstone will be a huge success in 2020. We were extremely sorry for the cancellation caused by the essential resurfacing work last year, so it’s great to see MGLive! return. Silverstone will be doing all we can to ensure that the MG Car Club have all they need to ensure a fantastic MGLive! befitting of their 90th anniversary.”

Stuart Pringle, Managing Director of Silverstone

THE WORLD’S LARGEST MG EVENT!

The MG Car Club has announced the provisional dates for MGLive! as Saturday 13th June – Sunday 14th June 2020 at Silverstone Circuit.

MGLive! 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 seventy 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 also 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 ontrack, 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.

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 the club’s history.

All this and more!

• Live action arena complete with car stunts hosted by Wayne Scott • Return of Russ Swift, sponsored by MG Motor UK • Racing • California Cup Autotest and Autosolos plus all day action on track.

• Concours & Pride of ownership • Traders

• Cars for sale • Display from the Club and all the parts within it including our Registers and Centres • Displays from the MG manufacturer • Live music • Variety of food and drink stalls • Kids activities • Circuit Parade Laps • and MGs as far as the eye can see!

Super- early bird tickets go on sale 3rd February 2020. Keep watching mgcc.co.uk/mglive for more details!

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11/12/2019 16:31

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11/12/2019 16:31

FEATURE

MIGHTY METROS

By Jeff Ruggles, Photos Matt Woods

The MG Metro Cup may have been running for 27 years now, but its appeal shows no sign of diminishing. For proof, look no further than two Metro-mad families…

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www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:31

F

rom the outside looking in, the world of motorsport can look daunting. Granted, at the top level it’s mostly young blokes taking time away from their tax havens in Monaco and getting paid millions – hardly something that most of us can relate to. But what if we told you that you could still get that all-important green-light adrenaline rush in a familiar three-door hatchback, and all amidst a classless and welcoming atmosphere? Step forward the Drayton Manor MG Metro Cup. Started in 1992, the Cup is organised by the MG Car Club and caters for both A-Series-powered MG Metros and their K-Series Metro/Rover 100 successors.

It’s long been about providing an easy way into motor racing for drivers with a limited budget, but it’s a lot more than just a stepping stone. The championship continues to attract a wide range of participants regardless of age, experience

or gender. For evidence, you need only look towards two particularly closely-knit families – the Javes and the Trevetts.

Generation game Both families bring a lot to the championship, but together their contribution is even more remarkable.

Having joined forces from the very beginning, they now contribute an arsenal of drivers, committee members and helpers spanning three generations, not to mention four race-ready Metros. At the root of it all are 71-year-old Dave Javes and 75-year-old Dick Trevett, who share the orange MG Metro Turbo, car 96. The red MG Metro Turbo wearing number 95, meanwhile, is driven by Dick’s 24-year-old granddaughter, Kyla Birdseye, who shares the car with her mum and Dick’s daughter, 47-year old Mel. Then there’s Mel’s 52-year-old fiancé Richard Garrard, who

runs both a white MG Metro Turbo and a K-Series GTi. But the involvement doesn’t stop there. Emma Cross and Kim Javes are Dave’s daughters, and though they don’t drive, both are a vital part of the racing family. Emma is instrumental in the success of the championship in her role as coordinator, while Kim is the series’ registrar.

With both of their kids also heavily involved at race meetings, it is fair to say that both of these Milton Keynes-based families have Metro racing in their blood.

The strong relationship between the two families extends back to the late 1960s, when Dave and Dick began watching RAC rallies together as members of the Milton Keynes and District Motor Club – a group that both families are still heavily involved with. Both have a strong engineering background, with Dick having run Trevett Engineering Ltd since 1982.

IT’S LONG BEEN ABOUT PROVIDING AN EASY WAY INTO MOTOR RACING FOR DRIVERS WITH A LIMITED BUDGET, BUT IT’S A LOT MORE THAN JUST A STEPPING STONE. www.mgcc.co.uk

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11/12/2019 16:31

“A friend of ours wanted to run a car, and because of our engineering knowledge, he asked us if we’d help,” remembers Dick.

“Basically, we haven’t taken our hands off his car ever since, because we bought it from him after two years!”

Purchased in 1993, that car was the orange MG Metro Turbo they still campaign to this day. It already had an illustrious history, however, having been raced to multiple title successes in the old Roverbacked Metro Challenge by the legendary Peter Baldwin. Initially Dave and Dick competed in the MG Cup, which is now sponsored by Peter Best Insurance, but back then was known as the Phoenix Petroleum Challenge and later the Total Butler MG Challenge. After racing with other MG grids for a few years, they switched to the MG Metro Cup and have taken turns to complete a full season ever since.

Naturally, Emma, Kim and Mel all got involved, and it soon became the norm for their children to attend too, despite being as young as three weeks old. “I’ve been going to every race meeting with Dad and Dave since 1993,” says Mel. “I think we’ve only missed about three meetings over all those years, and I’ve always been on the pit wall doing the pit board, and in the early days, dragging a pit trolley around. I had my race licence for 10 years back then, on the offchance that Dad or Dave wouldn’t be racing one weekend, but it never happened.”

Mel met her fiancé Richard in 2002, and by 2004 he’d joined the grid. “I watched Dick race, absolutely loved it and thought ‘I could do that’,” he reports. “I’d done nothing else before, but went and did my ARDS, bought a car and got out there.”

Fast forward a decade, and it was time for Mel’s daughter Kyla to take to the Dick, Mel and Kyla with the Metro Turbo.

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track. “I went to my first-ever race when I was four months old, so I’ve grown up with it,” Kyla explains. “Because I’d been going for so many years, and with the excitement of being round the race cars, I really wanted to have a go. My ARDS licence was my Christmas present at 17, and I’d only been driving for a year when I started racing. My first race was in 2014 at Silverstone, on the National track.”

That first outing took place in Richard’s car, but by then a third MG Metro Turbo had joined the fleet. This one had started out as a donor car but proved to be too good to cut up, and so would prove ideal for Kyla once it had been stripped and rebuilt to the correct specification. She’s raced the car ever since, but has missed a few meetings due to work commitments.

Luckily, though, Mel has been able to step in. “In 2014, Kyla and Richard bought me my ARDS test and I got my licence, and in 2015 I finally had my first race at Mallory Park,” she tells us. “Only when Kyla is unable to race do I get the chance to drive the car. I did more than two races for the first-time last year.”

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:31

A couple of seasons ago, Richard added his K-Series Metro to the fleet, completing a quartet of race cars between the two families. The old car hasn’t sat idle, though, as family friend Mark Wilson took over the controls for 2019. He was only planning to do one or two races, but true to form he loved the paddock environment so much he ended up doing the full season.

Warm welcome The families have enjoyed plenty of success over the years. In the 2019 standings, Dick and Richard were third and fourth behind

www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_3-48.indd 21

THE OLD CAR HASN’T SAT IDLE THOUGH, AS FAMILY FRIEND MARK WILSON TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS FOR 2019. HE WAS ONLY PLANNING TO DO ONE OR TWO RACES, BUT TRUE TO FORM HE LOVED THE PADDOCK ENVIRONMENT SO MUCH HE ENDED UP DOING THE FULL SEASON. the victorious Jack Ashton and Dan Willars, but there’s a whole lot more to their continued involvement than results. “I’ve been in the same championship for so long because it is a good championship,” says Dick. “It’s a great weekend away with friends and the racing just comes on top

of it. It’s very friendly – if somebody breaks down, you get half a dozen people giving you a hand,” Dick continues. “If you’re stuck for a part, there will be someone in the paddock who will find it for you. We had a breakdown at Donington this year and somebody lent us a cylinder head all ready to run – they actually went home and got it for us.”

Emma recalls an incident at Cadwell several seasons ago: “On the Saturday, one of our drivers had brake failure

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 21

11/12/2019 16:31

and ploughed straight into the barrier at the hairpin. He was ready to give up, but within two hours people had called around the local suppliers and scrapyards and got replacement bits delivered. They were all working on it under torch light until midnight, and though he missed the first race, he managed to get out for the second one and came in the top six!

“Our ultimate aim is to have everybody starting and finishing a race, and for everyone to enjoy themselves with clean, fun racing,” she adds. “I know I’m a bit biased, but I do feel we have ticked those boxes.”

Of course, the elephant in the room when encouraging people to race Metros is a perceived lack of cars. MG Metros are now rare in any guise, and they haven’t made any form of Metro, even the Rover 100, for more than 20 years. However, that doesn’t appear to be much of a hindrance. “There are cars out there,” says Emma. “We know of a few that are for sale, and over the winter we will be updating our website so that people can list car and parts. We’ll also be covering things like getting your race licence, as we want to show everyone it’s not as scary or hard as some people may think it is.”

We shouldn’t underestimate the impact of nostalgia as an attraction either – many potential racers in their 30s and

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www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:32

40s will have grown up with MG Metros and can now afford to race them. On top of that, the Metro has gained a retro-cool following amongst younger enthusiasts.

In any case, later cars are still relatively plentiful, and you can even race a fivedoor version if you so desire.

“There is a whole clan of Metro lovers and we want to reach out to them,” explains Emma. “Coming with us would be the next step up from a track day.

I know that once they’ve come and raced with us, they won’t want to go anywhere else.”

To further encourage new racers, there’s also the option of teaming up with someone who lives nearby to act as a mentor, perhaps to help with preparing the car or to offer

www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_3-48.indd 23

advice. And should you happen to be under 25, the Club runs a scheme that halves the price of your race entry fees. “When I started I was still in college, so it’s helped me a lot with the affordability over the years,” explains Kyla.

It all makes for a very compelling case to join the grid, but should potential newbies go for an A-Series Metro, or head down the K-Series route? The A-Series is definitely more specialised with its requirement for modified parts and straight-cut gears, but Dick assures us that they last a fair while when built properly.

You’ve got two options with the A-Series – a modified turbo motor to a maximum capacity of 1293cc, or naturally-aspirated up to 1380cc with a free choice of carb

or carbs. The 1400 K-Series, on the other hand, is still mainstream enough that complete engines can be had for a few hundred quid. They’re kept almost entirely stock, too, making the K the cheaper option of the two.

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For what appears to be a humble little hatch, the Metro is a car full of surprises.

Not only did it help carry the Octagon forward in the dark days of the early 1980s, it played a starring role in a race series that helped fuel the careers of BTCC legends like Tim Harvey and Steve Soper. Even reigning champion Colin Turkington cut his teeth in a Metro, having won his first-ever title in the 1998 Northern Irish Metro Championship.

The factory-backed Metro Challenge replaced the outgoing Mini 1275 GT Challenge for 1981, and by 1983 had been renamed the MG Metro Challenge.

The cars competed at circuits home and abroad, with an upgrade to Turbo spec for 1987. Sponsors over the years included Unipart, British Car Auctions and Esso, with Metros acting as a support races at prestigious events like the British Grand Prix. Rover moved its support to the multi-discipline Metro GTi in the early 1990s, but that wasn’t the end. The MG Metro Cup stepped in, and has been running for 27 successful seasons, and with ever-present sponsorship from long-term backers Drayton Manor Theme Park. Long may it continue!

Otherwise, it’s down to personal preference, with both very evenly matched. “A few years ago the performance was quite different,” says Emma. “We wanted to ensure that the championship had even closer racing between everybody, whether they had an A or a K-Series car, so we made some adjustments to the regs to balance them all out. As can be seen from the results, they are mixed up now, which is exactly what we wanted.”

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Go your own way The four cars you see on these pages are all prepared by Dave, Dick and Richard on various weeknights and weekends, with Kyla lending a hand when she can. Kyla reckons the knowledge she has gained has been invaluable in understanding how the car is running and spotting any problems, but you don’t have to be a mechanic to go racing. As Emma explains, some people do all the mechanical work themselves,

ONE OF OUR DRIVERS ISN’T BOTHERED ABOUT WINNING, HE’S JUST OUT THERE FOR THE WHOLE PACKAGE OF ATMOSPHERE AND FRIENDLINESS, AND THAT LITTLE BIT OF ADRENALINE RUSH ON THE GRID. while others send the car away and just do the driving.

With such a relaxed and welcoming ethos, there’s no pressure to conform to any pre-set ideals. “One of our drivers isn’t bothered about winning, he’s just out there for the whole package of atmosphere and friendliness, and that little bit of adrenaline rush on the grid,” Emma explains. “Others are in it for the mechanical side, tinkering with the car to take a tenth of their lap time, and there are people that want to push for placings and get trophies. The nice thing is that you can get out of it whatever you want to get out of it.”

Still need convincing? Then get along to the MGCC stand at Autosport International, where you can see Richard’s Metro GTi in the metal. Be warned, though, as these two families prove, these seemingly innocuous small hatches can be seriously addictive.

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:32

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1959 MGA COUPE 1500

This Californian market car was repatriated in 1990 and converted to right-hand drive with the added benefit a stainless steel fuel tank. In 2010 it was given a refresh that included a new radiator, exhaust and an unleaded head

+44 (0)1242 384092 : GLOUCESTERSHIRE, GL7 5NX : INFO@CLASSICMOTORHUB.COM : WWW.CLASSICMOTORHUB.COM

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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

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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 SafetyFast_Jan2020_3-48.indd 26

11/12/2019 16:32

FEATURE

HOW MG A HELPED FORD BEAT FERRARI

By Adam Sloman

Le Mans ’66 is one of the biggest films of the year, telling the incredible story of how Ford broke Ferrari’s dominance at the 24 hours. But what part did MG play in the story?

t its heart, Le Mans ’66 (or Ford v Ferrari as it’s known in the US) is the story of two friends – one worldrenowned, in Carroll Shelby, the other a hero to motorsport fans in the know, Ken Miles.

Shelby was the all-American hero – a former World War II test-pilot, who in peace-time turned to motorsport, making his debut in May of 1952 at the wheel of an MG TC. Shelby won his first race, which entitled him to a second, and later that day took on bigger, faster cars from the likes of Jaguar and he beat them, too. He would quickly graduate to more exotic machinery, but it was the MG that cemented Shelby’s desire to succeed on the circuit. “I still had a lot to learn, but I knew how to go fast. The MG changed my life, because from that point forward, I knew I wanted to be involved with racing and sports cars.”

In 1959 he would take an Aston Martin to victory at Le Mans, but shortly afterwards he was forced to retire – a heart condition made it too dangerous for

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George Eyston (left), Ken Miles (right) ready to attack the 12-hour Class F Records in EX179

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Ken Miles’ most successful MG Special, ‘Flying Shingle’ which he won many a California sports car race in, to the embarrassment of more exotic, supposedly faster, machinery

him to compete, so while his career on track had been cut short, a new chapter was opening up for Shelby as a constructor.

Ken Miles’ story could not be more different than that of Shelby’s. Born near Birmingham, in his early years he raced motorcycles, and at the age of 15 became

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an apprentice at Wolseley Motors. He too fought in the Second World War – Miles served in the Territorial Army, becoming a tank commander, and was part of a unit that fought on the beaches of Normandy on D-day.

Post-war, Miles demonstrated a huge talent for motor racing, competing in

Alvises, Bugattis and Alfa Romeos. In the early 1950s, Miles and his wife relocated to California, where he would find work as an MG service manager and he began to compete with the Sports Car Club of America.

Miles would build his own car, based on an MG TD. It won its first race and quickly drew attention up and down the West Coast of America. The car was simple, but its simplicity only served to underline Miles’ talent as a driver. Never one to rest on his laurels, Miles set about developing his next car, a more advanced, MG-based special, nicknamed ‘The Flying Shingle’ thanks to its swooping body and low ride-height. It was quicker, smaller and lighter than that first special and his success in the US meant Miles found himself as part of the MG team entered the 1955 Le Mans, competing in EX182.

Miles and teammate John Lockett would pilot the MG to 12th place, making it the highest placed MG. Unfortunately, the 1955 Le Mans would

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Car 41 competing in the 1955 Le Mans, piloted by K Miles and J Lockett, here flat out on the straight

be remembered not for the MG’s return to the race after a 20-year absence, but for the worst disaster in motorsport history, as 83 spectators and French driver Pierre Levegh died following a major crash.

The events of 1955 led MG to disband its works team and withdraw from racing and Miles returned to the US, and following a difference of opinion with

MG General Manager and director John Thornley, moved away from MG. The following year, Miles took MG EX179 to the Bonneville Salt Flats, setting 16 international 1500cc Class ‘E’ records, including 170.15mph for 10 miles and 141.71mph over 12 hours.

His final race in an MG came in the Flying Shingle, in 1956. As the likes of Porsche began to make their presence known in motorsport, Miles moved with the times, competing in a Porschepowered Cooper special, racing against another icon in MG’s history – Phil Hill.

As the 1950s drew to a close, MG’s focus was on its record-breakers, something Miles felt to be of little benefit, taking to print in the US magazine Competition Press. He believed that MG still had

Miles taking victory in the Flying Shingle at the 1955 Palm Springs Road Race www.mgcc.co.uk

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the potential to succeed internationally, but that the marque was held back, constrained by the management of the British Motor Corporation. “The results of high speed or endurance runs are highly predictable,” he said, adding: “The results are in the bag before the car ever leaves the factory.”

Thornley would respond in the pages of Safety Fast!, reminding all that Miles remained a friend before explaining to Miles that the investment made in a decade of record breaking would not support a racing stable for a single season.

Miles clearly had a passion for MG and a desire to see it racing amongst the best, but in the end, neither the budget nor the political will within BMC existed to push MG onto the global motorsport stage and Miles would move.

In the early 1960s, Miles would become lead test driver for Shelby, playing a key role in the development of the AC

LE MANS ’66 – THE FILM Brilliantly acted and beautifully shot Le Mans ’66 is a must-see for any fan of motorsport, and classic cars. Every scene is packed with some of the most stunning cars you’ll see on the big screen, with some nice mentions of our marque of choice! Matt Damon is brilliant as Carroll Shelby and you cannot help but cheer for Christian Bale’s Ken Miles. This is a film that deserves to be experienced on the big screen.

Cobra. Other work would see him help develop the Sunbeam Tiger, before in 1964 he would take a key role, alongside Shelby, in completing the development of the Ford GT40 – a car in which he would

win the Daytona 24hrs, the Sebring 12hrs and, if not for company politics at Ford, the 1966 Le Mans 24hrs.

Tragedy would strike a year later in 1967 when, while testing Ford’s next GT

The MGs leaving Abingdon, being driven by the mechanics, and heading to the 1955 Le Mans where Miles et al were to put the EX186 cars through their paces

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www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 17:12

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Moss-S

Carroll Shelby sitting in the shelved EX219 car at the MG Factory in Abingdon.

SHELBY THE RECORD BREAKER

Gordon Whitby (left) and Ken Miles (right) with his stock MG TD at the San Francisco Golden Gate Race

racer, Miles’ car flipped, crashed and caught fire. He was 47 years old when he died.

Miles would be inducted into the Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2001 and is considered one of the founding fathers of US road-racing. His contribution to motorsport should not be forgotten

Every MG enthusiast knows the story of Stirling Moss and EX181, but what is less well known is that had things turned out differently, we might well have seen Carroll Shelby setting those records. In 1959 Shelby visited Abingdon to test a Spridget-based record breaker. Despite the best efforts of those involved, the Spridget project was shelved, and in the end EX179 would return to Utah in 1959.

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and he deserves to be more widely remembered than he has been – hopefully his and Shelby’s story, told so well in Le Mans ’66, will change that. However his achievements before the 1960s should be noted, too, as should all he achieved behind the wheel of an MG.

Carroll Shelby sitting in the cockpit of EX181 with Alec Hounslow looking on.

Ken Miles (left) with EX179 on the Bonneville Salt Flats

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11/12/2019 16:33

FEATURE

The Midget was built for an 18-year period; during this time there were many variations and alterations to the popular little sports car.

The Midget we will be restoring and following over the coming months in Safety Fast! is a 1098cc 1966 MkII. Over the page, Dennis Wharf gives a detailed history following the 1961 MkI through the later MkII like ours, and MkIIIs right through to the 1979 Midget MkIV.

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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SPORT THE REAL THING

By Dennis Wharf

www.mgcc.co.uk

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A MkIII Midget with round rear wheel arches. Photo: Colin Grant

I

t has been said, and justifiably, that the Austin Healey Sprite and MG Midget, as produced by the MG Car Company from 1958 until 1979, provided motoring enthusiasts with by far the most amount of enjoyment, for by far the least amount of money. One of the most versatile sports cars ever, owners were, within days of its announcement, competing successfully with them in all branches of motorsport, and have continued doing so ever since.

Equally at home whether being used for racing, rallying, hill-climbing, sprinting, trialling, or auto-testing, these diminutive machines were, and are, truly competitive, and in talented hands always capable of some giant-slaying results. An absolute joy to drive, easy to repair, and relatively inexpensive to buy, these rugged little machines astonishingly, 58 years on, still represent the ultimate enthusiast’s allrounder. A true “sports car” in every sense of the word.

The first ‘modern’ Midget was essentially a re-badged Austin Healey

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Sprite MkII which itself was a development from the original 1958 MkI Sprite, more frequently known as the Frogeye.

Designed by the Healey Motor Company under their BMC partnership agreement, the idea behind the Sprite was to produce a small sports car to fill a void in the market vacated by Riley, Austin, Singer, and above all the hugely popular MG sports cars of pre-war years. The idea was to use as many parts as possible from the current BMC range to keep costs down.

Hence the Sprite was designed around the front suspension, engine, gearbox, and back axle from the Austin A35, while its excellent steering and rack came from the Morris Minor. Initially, the idea was to have identical front and rear panels to keep costs down further, but this proved impractical; however it does explain the overall outline of the MkI Sprite. Launched in May of 1958 the car was an instant success, offering exactly what its creators intended: sporting motoring for minimum

ONE OF THE MOST VERSATILE SPORTS CARS EVER, OWNERS WERE, WITHIN DAYS OF ITS ANNOUNCEMENT, COMPETING SUCCESSFULLY WITH THEM IN ALL BRANCHES OF MOTORSPORT, AND HAVE CONTINUED DOING SO EVER SINCE cost, while quality was assured due to the excellent manufacturing processes used by the MG Car Company in Abingdon, 49,500 being produced by early 1961.

By this time, however, the car was selling in fewer numbers, and being criticised for both its appearance and the lack of an opening boot, so plans were laid for a successor to counter both. For reasons known only to themselves, BMC management requested the Healey Motor Company to redesign the front along more traditional lines, while MG was to design the rear with an opening boot. Fortunately, both teams were always in contact, and so collaboration took place ensuring both ends would work when brought together!

It was at this time also, when the design had been finalised, that an MG version would double the cars’ appeal, and that a Midget would be produced alongside the Sprite.

The name “Midget” was first used by MG in 1929 ascribed to the M Type, this being MG’s first baby sports car based

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on the then newly released Morris Minor.

Rapid development of the overhead cam sports and racing cars through the early 1930s led to subsequent C, D, J, P, Q, and R type Midgets, this being MG’s most exciting period. Then came the first of the T Type Midgets, the TA in late 1936, culminating with the TF model of 1954.

When the TF’s successor, the MGA, was being planned, it was considered the car had by now grown too large to be referred to as a Midget any longer, and so the name was dropped, not being revised until the new semi-monocoque car was launched seven years later.

The MkI Midget, and MkII Sprite as announced in June 1961, (the Sprite at the beginning of the month, the MG at the end), and fitted with a 46.5bhp 948cc BMC “A” series engine was still quite basic, with a very simple interior, side-screens and stowaway hood. The Midget differed from the Sprite by having a traditional MG style of grille and extra

trim, a black instead of white steering wheel, and other small detail differences, the uncomplicated but attractive car bringing under one litre motoring back to MG enthusiasts for the first time since 1936. This didn’t last long, though, for in 1962 a more powerful version was introduced fitted with the 1098cc 56bhp version of the same engine, and in 1963 further improvements arrived in the form of front disc brakes and better interior trim. At this point, also, the engine received some further refinement by the fitting of larger 2” main bearings. This was in answer to the criticism of the engine as being somewhat rough at higher revolutions. In all other respects the cars remained as before, but big changes were to be revealed with the announcement of the MkII Midget and MkIII Sprite in 1964. This new version incorporated a redesigned curved windscreen, push button door handles, fully winding windows with hinged quarter-lights, and a completely

new and far more comfortable cockpit with better instrumentation, lockable doors and, another first for the model, the option of wire wheels. Arguably the most significant change, however, was to the rear suspension, the quarter elliptic springs being replaced by softer half elliptics, resulting in a far smoother ride. With the 1098cc engine now producing 59bhp due to a new three-branch manifold, larger inlet valves and improved porting, the cars were becoming sophisticated.

Midgets have been used in competition since its inception. Peter Clark seen here competing in the MGCC Speed Championship. Photo: Chris Phillips

www.mgcc.co.uk

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Round wheel arch MKIII Midget with the popular Rostyle wheels.

Photo: Colin Grant

In 1966 yet more power was available by the fitting of the 1275cc 64bhp version of the “A” series engine – unfortunately, though, not the full 76bhp Cooper ‘S’ version, for in testing at MIRA a car fitted with the ‘S’ engine reached 60mph in just 11.7 seconds and was circulating the test track at 107mph, 2mph quicker than the more expensive MGB. This, the MkIII Midget and MkIV Sprite, also benefited from a superb new design of folding hood, and at last a larger fuel tank. It was at this point, however, that all further mechanical development of the

model sadly came to a halt, it remaining largely unaltered until 1974, although from the Leyland takeover in 1968 there were minor annual styling updates.

Mostly irrelevant, they began in late 1969 with the application of much matt black paint, a change in bumper, grille, and the rear light cluster design, “mag” style Rostyle wheels fitted as standard, and a new pattern of seat material. In 1970 the Austin Healey Sprite model became just an Austin Sprite which the following year, after just 1,022 had been made, was dropped altogether. By this time,

FOR REASONS KNOWN ONLY TO THEMSELVES, BMC MANAGEMENT REQUESTED THE HEALEY MOTOR COMPANY TO REDESIGN THE FRONT ALONG MORE TRADITIONAL LINES, WHILE MG WAS TO DESIGN THE REAR WITH AN OPENING BOOT

Top to bottom. The Midget MK I, III and IV interiors

The MKII MG Midget. Photo: Adam Sloman 40 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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The late MK IV MG Midget. Photo: Adam Sloman

however, the two models had become identical in all but badge. Come 1972 and a slightly more notable alteration was made, when rounded rear wheel arches were introduced, a design cue not seen since the original Mark I Frogeye Sprite.

Also at this time Rostyle wheels, similar to those fitted to MGB’s, were fitted as standard with wires still being offered as an option, and all the interior switches were made to be of the rocker type in the aid of safety. In late 1974, however, the car underwent its final and most significant change, for to keep the model in line with ever-increasing safety and emission rules being introduced in the US, heavy, energy-absorbing bumpers were fitted along with a 1498cc 65bhp engine from the Triumph Spitfire. This engine was chosen as it had previously passed all US emission specification requirements, and it was unlikely the “A” series would without serious further development.

The Triumph engine was mated to a fully synchromesh gearbox taken from the Morris Marina range, ensuring that finally a Midget would be quiet in first gear!

Marginally more powerful, the final version could in standard form just reach 100mph, something none of the previous standard cars could achieve, although it took a while to get there. Its appearance due to

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the bumpers was considerably altered, the Midget 1500 also featuring a return to the square design of rear wheel arch. In 1976 wire wheels were dropped from the option list. The car then continued in this guise with just slight annual cosmetic revisions until 1979 when production finally ceased on December 7, by which time a combined total of 354,186 Spridgets had been produced.

Probably the initial and greatest appeal of all Sprites and Midgets is their affordability and very low running costs, but pretty quickly new owners are captivated by the cars’ pin-sharp handling and throttle response. They may not have power to spare but are willing, and at least as far as the “A” series-engined cars are concerned, possess great tune-ability.

Indeed, these cars can be transformed into seriously quick machines, there being no shortage of tuning specialists able to perform wonders. The engines, even when tuned, remain relatively simple and strong, something which can be said of the car in general, although like all late fifties designs, they do suffer from corrosion.

This, in common with so many cars of the time, being by far the most expensive problem to overcome. Depending upon how badly the car has suffered, new shells are available, although not cheap, but

Top to bottom. The Midget MK I, III and IV engine bays JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 41

11/12/2019 16:34

The Lackford Engineering MG Midget and Sprite Challenge ran by the MGCC is a popular race Challenge. Photo: Dickon Siddall

they can be a cost-effective alternative to many hours of costly professional welding. Once the corrosion has been eradicated and thorough modern rust prevention has been carried out and maintained, the problem largely becomes history.

In use, all the A series-engined cars have a similarity in feel, compact with light and precise steering allowing easy controllable oversteer, a noisy straightcut first gear with no synchromesh, they simply cry out to be “driven”. The earlier MkI and MkII Sprites, and MkI Midgets with their quarter elliptic rear suspension, are perhaps a tad sharper, but can catch the unwary out as there is less warning when close to the limit.

Some enthusiasts consider these the best handling of all the standard cars, even if the ride is a little firmer. The later 1500 models by contrast are much softer and do lose out on the Midget’s strongest virtue, its handling, this mostly due to the large, heavy bumpers combined with an increase in ride height. This, of

IN 1966 YET MORE POWER WAS AVAILABLE BY THE FITTING OF THE 1275CC 64BHP VERSION OF THE “A” SERIES ENGINE, UNFORTUNATELY THOUGH NOT THE FULL 76BHP COOPER ‘S’ VERSION, FOR IN TESTING AT MIRA A CAR FITTED WITH THE ‘S’ ENGINE REACHED 60MPH IN JUST 11.7 SECONDS AND WAS CIRCULATING THE TEST TRACK AT 107MPH, 2MPH QUICKER THAN THE MORE EXPENSIVE MGB course, can be overcome by lowering the suspension, and complete removal of those heavy bumpers which some owners do.

After initial purchase, owning a Midget should not be expensive. They are tax exempt with insurance relatively inexpensive and parts, too, costing nothing in comparison to those of modern cars. These diminutive machines continue still to give levels of enjoyment out of all proportion to their costs. When set up correctly they will start first time, warm up quickly and transport you anywhere enjoyably, returning at least 35mpg when

driven in normal traffic. Bear in mind, though, they are nearly 60 years old, so can and will misbehave at an inconvenient moment if not maintained properly.

Enormous fun and an absolute joy, if creature comforts are not high on your list of requirements, a properly put-together Sprite or Midget with a few period tweaks and a well-prepared, balanced engine offers so much motoring pleasure. Smooth and responsive, they become far more than just another form of transport, with levels of handling, fun, and enjoyment few other cars of any era can match.

The iconic lines of a MK II 1965 MG Midget.

Photo: Adam Sloman 42 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

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www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:35

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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

SafetyFast_Jan2020_3-48.indd 43

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MODEL SIZE (LxWxH) EXC.VAT INC.VAT CIG81015 4.5 x 3 x 2.4M £229.00 £274.80 CIG81020* 6.1 x 3 x 2.4M £279.00 £334.80 CIG81216 4.8 x 3.7 x 2.5M £279.00 £334.80 CIG81220 6.1 x 3.7 x 2.5M £349.00 £418.80 CIG81224 7.3 x 3.7 x 2.5M £419.00 £502.80 * was £346.80 inc.VAT

29/07/2019 10:49

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 43

11/12/2019 16:35

NEWSLETTER

Paul Plummer 01926 854574 scribe@tregister.org

WELCOME TO THE

T TYPE NEWSLETTER A Happy New Year to all T typers, and let’s hope the weather treats us kindly throughout 2020, with lots of top down motoring and the opportunity to enjoy the events listed below.

We have had to change the date for ‘Rebuild’ next year due to a clash in the calendar, and unfortunately the change occurred too late to alter the announcement in December’s Safety Fast!

The dates for the other events remain the same, and we are still working on finalising the arrangements for the popular T Party.

The date for the MG Era Day at Brooklands has not yet been confirmed, but we are working on April 19.

Dates for your Diary February 9 – the T Register at the MG and Triumph Spares Day at Stoneleigh April 18 – Rebuild at Gaydon April 19 (tentative) – MG Era Day at Brooklands April 27 – May 1– Spring Tour to the Ardennes June 13-14 (provisional) – T Register at MG Live!

September 11-14 – Autumn Tour (see details on page 46)

MG FRIENDS REUNITED

Rosemary sitting in ‘her’ TF

How often do we hear of previous owners trying to track down a car that they once owned many years ago? Does it still exist? Is it on the road? Who owns it? Can we swap notes/photos, etc?

Here is one of those stories, with a happy ending…

The story of the search for MG TF WPK 19 goes back to 2005 when I met up with Brian Perrins at my local Probus Club. Brian and Rosemary (soon to become Mrs Perrins) had purchased the MG TF 1500 brand new in 1955 from H. Beart and Co Ltd in Kingston upon Thames. Sadly, Brian died a few years ago but

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my wife, Freda, and I stayed in contact with his wife Rosemary through various organisations. At some point in 2017, Rosemary became aware that we owned Ruby, an MG PB, and told us about ‘her’ TF she used to own. She still has the original invoice dated March 31 1955 and a delightful photograph of Rosemary and Brian sitting on the back of the TF. The search for the car began in earnest with the help of the Fairmile, Cobham, MG Natter who contacted the T Register who were able to confirm that the car was still alive and well somewhere in Surrey, but Data Protection did not allow them to say who now owned it! We then wrote a letter to the current owner care of the T Register who forwarded it on for Rosemary and they kindly replied.

It is now owned by Margaret Cosnett and her husband, Josh. It has been re-registered 123 SMY and they have had ‘Sammy’ recently restored and finished in immaculate metallic green.

A few weeks on we agreed upon a mutually convenient date and drove to Oxted to visit Josh and Margaret, who provided us with afternoon tea. Unfortunately, Sammy would not start as Josh had hoped to take Rosemary out for a spin, but she was able to sit in the MG and recollect owning him back in 1955. The upside of this is we will have to go back when he’s working!

As to the history of the car, the Perrins sold it in 1962 via a dealer to an American working in this country. The Cosnetts bought the car in 1967 when the owner was returning to the USA and have owned it ever since, carrying out a major restoration in 2009 and a later respray.

My thanks to Roger Marlow for this story.

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:35

NEWSLETTER BRINGING NEVILLE HOME – PART II Following the first instalment of this tale, where we learnt about the shipment of the car from the USA to the UK, and that after 65 years Neville was now back in blighty, the restoration story continues.

Despite its very sound condition, Neville; (it’s from Nevada!) needed some attention and Chris and Pete started on the work required to make it roadworthy whilst thinking carefully about retaining originality and provenance.

The carbs were removed and completely stripped down, all the various seals were replaced using rebuild kits from Burlen, the air cleaner elements were cleaned, and new felts fitted. The spoke wheels were re-painted in the correct

David Wardell searching for the chassis number!

Sanding down the front wing www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_3-48.indd 45

colour and new tyres fitted all round. All the brake drums were removed, the brakes cleaned, and new wheel cylinders were fitted where required. New track rod ends, and gaiters were fitted along with a new front engine mount.

At this stage the car was started for the very first time since repatriation. A fuel leak was soon attended to, followed by an exploratory ‘run’ along the local country lanes. Neville was back on English countryside roads once again. The car ran better than expected and pulled well in all the gears.

The underside of the car was then pressure-washed, giving evidence to the original sound paintwork. This was

followed by more sympathetic work, including the leaky rad which was re-cored and all new hoses fitted. The vertical slats on the grille were re-chromed along with the dummy radiator cap. After a thorough clean, the remainder of the chrome was found to be in remarkably good condition.

As work progressed more replacement parts were sourced and fitted as required.

To enable a UK registration to be allocated, the car was checked for originality by David Wardell of the ‘T’ Register. David gave the car a detailed inspection and verified that it was indeed the fifth 1500 TF produced. Once the inspection had taken place the various documents were sent to the DVLA to enable a new registration to be issued.

After a few ‘administrative’ delays a visit from a DVLA representative confirmed that all was in order and the registration 756 XVG was issued.

Despite the original intention to ‘sympathetically restore’ the car due to its significant provenance, a lot of readers will recognise the dilemma of ‘where to stop’. Chris, boss of leading body-shop Finishline UK Ltd, decided that despite the remarkably good state of the bodywork it just wasn’t good enough for what could be the oldest TF still in existence. With this in mind, out came the sander and a start was made on stripping the car down to bare metal. The rear valance was repaired during this stage of the restoration.

The instruments were removed, and Pete set to repairing the rev counter, speedo and clock, as all were found to be not working. The front side lights/ indicators were brought up to date using the kit from SVC; rear indicators are being looked into as the popular Dinkywinkaz are no longer available.

Work progressed, and at the time of writing all the body panels have been removed and prepared ready for repainting in Standox 2pack paint formulated to the original colour. You can be sure that the finished paintwork will be up to the usual Finishline standard.

The next instalment of this restoration will be published in the May edition of Safety Fast!. Don’t miss it!

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 45

11/12/2019 16:35

NEWSLETTER DRAWINGS FROM JAPAN! During my time as Overseas Director I visited Japan several times and was struck by the enthusiasm of the members and the quality of their cars, with T types being particularly sought after.

The Kobe MG Car Club is one of the premier clubs in Japan and has about 50

members, with their cars ranging from 1930s M type Midget to modern TFs. Umekawa is the previous President/ Chairman of the Kobe club and is by profession a graphic artist who in his spare time specialises in studies of MGs. The front cover of ‘Cream Crackers, the journal

T REGISTER 2020 AUTUMN TOUR TO THE MALVERN AND SHROPSHIRE HILLS

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of the Kobe Club, usually features one of Umekawa’s drawings and he has kindly agreed to create five drawings of all the T types for us. One of these drawings, a black TA, is featured here in this edition of Safety Fast!, and the others will follow in our fourpage spread at four-monthly intervals.

Following on from the success of the 2019 Autumn Tour in Rutland, Tewkesbury has been identified as an ideal base for the 2020 Autumn Tour. Ian Palmer has been in discussion with The Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel, which is a four -star hotel just to the north of Tewkesbury, and we have a provisional booking for up to 50 rooms. It lends itself as a base from which to explore parts of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, and potentially the Morgan car factory in Malvern.

A number of people have already expressed interest in joining us on this tour, but should you wish to come too we would be very pleased to hear from you. Please email ian.palmer@ live.co.uk to register your interest. Initial route planning is under way and the Tour is planned for the weekend of September 11-14. www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:35

NEWSLETTER CAR OF THE MONTH

My TC rolled off the Abingdon production line on March 12 1947 and was then exported to America and the only history I have is that it was re-imported to the UK in 1990 and registered as ESK 521.

When I bought the car in February 2003 it had covered 2,254 miles since a possible rebuild, with only 189 miles in the previous six years although MOT’d every year!

Its condition was reasonable if a little untidy, but my only requirement was that the car should start and go! It has done this wonderfully over the past 16 years, has been very reliable, and I have covered about 50,000 miles for the fun of it! I use the car throughout the year with most of my driving through Devon, Dorset and Somerset, where the traffic is light and scenery beautiful, while longer trips with the T Register have taken us to the Lake District and France amongst other places.

Regular use seems to be very good for the car, and spares availability is first class with virtually everything available off the shelf. Some parts, however, are

www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_3-48.indd 47

Car of the Month

January 2020

Owner

Ian Palmer

Model

MG TC

Year

1947

Chassis Number

TC 2375

Engine Number

XPAG 2992

Reg Number

ESK 521

Years Owned

16

more difficult to obtain, and I was recently very grateful to Register member Roger Furneaux who was able to supply a new differential including the case when the old one failed during this year’s Land’s End Classic Trial.

Recent work has included a partial respray and long overdue bodywork

repairs to the front wings, the new and uprated differential and a set of Blockley tyres. It is a bit of a rolling restoration replacing. Not a problem, as I still only require the car to start and go!

Thanks to Ian Palmer for allowing his car to be featured.

T REGISTER REBUILD SEMINAR

Please note that due to circumstances outside our control the date of this seminar has been changed to Saturday April 18. The venue remains the same, the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, Warwickshire.

More details of this and other T register event for 2020 will follow in due course.

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 47

11/12/2019 16:35

SafetyFast_Jan2020_3-48.indd 48

11/12/2019 16:35

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

NEWSLETTER

WELCOME TO THE

MAGNETTE NEWSLETTER

S

eason’s greetings to all from the Register committee. In the spirit of Christmas giving, if you haven’t already received a copy of Paul Batho’s excellent book ‘MG Magnette’ (published in June) I hope Santa obliges or, failing that, perhaps the MGCC shop!

Looking back at our 2019 events in his report on the Norwich weekend, John Harris identifies a recurrent theme of ‘changeable’ weather. Certainly I found quite a few photos of umbrellas, soggy Magnettes, and owners sheltering in the gazebo, but I think we’ve generally been undaunted, and numbers attending have held up pretty well.

Just catching up on some omissions from previous columns this year, one event which didn’t suffer from adverse weather was the ‘Magnettes and Spies’ event at Bletchley Park. In fact, we enjoyed an unseasonal Easter scorcher while visiting the fascinating WWII codebreakers museum. During lunch Stephen Coates was presented slightly belatedly with the NTG trophy for 2018, but it was concerning to hear since then that Stephen and Mandy suffered flooding

NTG trophy awarded to Stephen Coates

www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 49

Wet Sunday at Kop Hill

to their home near Matlock in November.

After rising river waters covered the ground floor, they’ve been faced with a lot of cleaning up, and it certainly puts in perspective our occasional washed-out Magnette events when others have had much worse to contend with.

While filling gaps in my reports, I

wanted to include Ian Williams’ fine Varitone restoration, seen here on one of its first outings, to the Dean Forest Railway in May. Ian carried out all the major bodywork, painting and mechanical work in his single-size garage over a number of years, and deservedly received the award for Best Home Restoration.

Varitone restored by Ian Williams

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 49

11/12/2019 16:45

NEWSLETTER 2020 EVENTS John and Cynthia will be mailing out an events list shortly, and it should be on magnette.org when you read this. I’d just like to highlight the European ‘Z Magnette Day’ June 27-28, and also a new departure for Magnettes and Steam. We hope to combine a visit to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway (near Skipton) with our traditional display in the beautiful surroundings of Nidderdale for the Harrogate MG Show, making an excellent, if packed, weekend (August 7-8). With M&S now a moveable feast, the season opener is planned to be in Somerset, April 18-19, but details are still to be finalised.

Lastly in this newsletter, with the very last Z Magnettes to leave the Abingdon factory having turned 60 this year, you’ll find some appropriate musings from Clive Webb on how things could have turned out differently for our favourite MG.

Sunny Sunday at Harrogate Show

THE LOU SHORTEN WEEKEND

Lunch provided by Jenny and Ed

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This season the rain gods clearly decided they did not like our beloved Magnettes. The Register replacement for MGLive! was Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb which turned out particularly wet, although the committee meeting scheduled there was still held, standing under umbrellas.

At the two-day Kop Hill meeting the weather on Saturday flattered to deceive but was followed by monsoon-like rain on Sunday, which stopped the event for two hours, while the Register gazebo proved a very popular refuge until play was resumed.

What happened at Norwich? – well, just read on.

This year on October 5, 41 members arrived from 10.30am onwards and started by drinking many litres of tea and coffee served by Jenny and Ed (Lou’s daughter and son-in-law). What a wonderful job they did – thank you. From 12.30pm the buffet provided by John Shorten (many thanks, John) became a Natter and Nosh as members were forgetting to eat while talking, all being too well-bred to talk with their mouths full.

During the afternoon the event gathered pace as Mike Laflin gave a talk on his ZA and Mk IV Farina, both of which are very interesting cars. The ZA features a supercharger and an electric fan which is fitted behind the radiator, thanks to a cunning modification to the water pump to keep the fan belt in its original position.

Disc brakes are now used to stop this projectile. The MkIV Farina is an historic car, having been previously owned and used by John Thornley. The interior is still immaculate and original, but look under the bonnet where an HRG Derrington alloy cross-flow head is fitted, together with larger S.U. carburettors. A Weber would not fit due to insufficient space; however Mike did find space for a Ford five-speed gearbox. Two truly inspirational cars.

Mike was followed by Mac Pile and Peter Martin who explained how to improve speedometer lighting. The filter which creates a green hue tends to blacken with age but Mac explained how to strip the instrument and replace the filter with a new one provided by Peter.

This filter is curved plastic which Peter has

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:45

NEWSLETTER

Celia Palmer presents Concours trophy to Alan and Julia

Mike Laflin’s tech-talk

had re-manufactured with material of the correct specification and dimensions.

While the boys were playing with their toys Jackie Pile was amusing the ladies by explaining how to wrap presents without sellotape. The answer is to use goodquality paper which can be folded like origami. Many ideas were swapped amid much hilarity.

In the evening 32 members gathered at the Wensum Valley Hotel for dinner.

The meal was quickly served, and with three circular tables the atmosphere was convivial and conversation flowed freely. After the meal it was time for the trophies and prizes to be presented by our President, Celia Palmer, the M.C. for the evening being our Chairman Paul Batho.

NTG Trophy – Colin and Ella Goldsworthy Concours at Main Event – Alan and Julia Cleobury David Johnson Award – Barrie and Sheila Hope Best Home Restoration – Ian Williams As members adjourned for the evening, one topic of conversation was the pessimistic weather forecast for Sunday.

Awaking on Sunday, all our worst fears were realised as a dull, wet picture greeted us. But we had plans to visit Bressingham Gardens and Steam Museum and 20 brave souls decided to risk it. With floods developing and spray from the traffic on major roads, the heavy rain created horrendous driving conditions.

On arrival at Bressingham we congregated in the reception area until most had arrived and then made a quick dash to the Dad’s Army museum, fortunately under cover. The café was also a welcome haven from the relentless rain, as was the locomotive and rolling stock exhibition. The steam trains were running punctually and provided sights of the Bressingham Estate. Fortunately the carriages had roofs and although opensided the wind was light and so the rain did not create too many problems. The little train through the formal gardens had open carriages but as we approached the guard appeared with squeegee and cloth to dry the seats before we sat down. The gardens must be a magnificent sight in the dry. The gallopers were also running whenever a customer appeared, the horses on the outside edge being covered.

All the attractions closed early to allow the staff (all volunteers) and visitors a chance to return home following radio warnings of closed roads due to floods.

Those of us who returned to the hotel all had tales to tell of the circuitous routes followed. After all, two inches of rain in 12 hours is a lot to drain away.

John Harris

Wet Sunday at Bressingham

www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 51

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 51

11/12/2019 16:46

NEWSLETTER

WHAT IF? There is, of course, limited value in speculating on historical ‘what ifs?’

However, if one keeps within the bounds of ‘period’ realism, pragmatism and practicality, it can provide much entertainment and can frequently keep whisky-fuelled discussions going long into the night!

In the case of the MG Magnette, the ‘what ifs?’ are largely a product of the basic fact that Z-series Magnette production reached a peak in 1958 – the year the model was discontinued by BMC. (Usually, car models are discontinued because they are ‘past their sell-by date’… sales are falling and newer designs with ‘up-to-the-minute’ innovations are ready to be launched. Not so with the ‘Z’ series Magnette). At the time, BMC management was obsessed with the idea that the Corporation’s existing products were perceived by many as staid and stodgy, and that they needed to be radically restyled in readiness for the 1960s – enter Pinin Farina’s designs with their highfinned transatlantic influences, which were embraced with open arms by BMC. This ‘out-with-the-old’ body-styling idea existed across the British motor industry in the late ‘50s – not just at BMC. The fact that ‘badge engineering’ now meant that the same basic body design could be used across five different cars only made the idea even more appealing from the bean-counting point of view.

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Prototype Magnette pictured in Clifton Hampden, just outside Abingdon.

However, had the resources spent on the styling of the MG Magnette Mk III, the Riley 4/68 and the Wolseley 15/60 been instead devoted to producing a ‘ZC’ Magnette… The body could have been subtly re-styled along the lines of the Jaguar Mk I/Mk II re-design, front disc brakes could have been fitted, overdrive could have been offered as an option along with the fitting of the 1588cc engine and a higher rear axle ratio.

In 1961 the engine size of the ‘ZD’ Magnette could have been increased again to 1622cc (in line with the MGA 1600 Mk II and the Austin Cambridge/Morris Oxford) and the rear axle ratio raised still further. And Gerald Palmer’s twin cam engine design could have been developed, so that by the mid-1960s a version of the Magnette could have been a serious competitor to the Ford Lotus-Cortina (as Gerald Palmer himself remarked).

Unfortunately, Palmer had been sacked by Leonard Lord in 1955 so the opportunity of having this immensely talented man working for the Corporation alongside Alec Issigonis was lost – but there was still more than enough expertise at Cowley and Abingdon to continue developing his ideas well into the 1960s.

As for Riley… they already had the One-Point-Five, and Wolseley had the Fifteen Hundred. Sales of these cars and the Austin Cambridge A55 Mk II/A60

and Morris Oxford would surely have been boosted had the Wolseley 15/60 and 16/60 and Riley 4/68 and 4/72 never existed, and the development costs (whilst minimal compared with producing a brand new design) would have been saved.

There was on the other hand a more harsh school of thought (of which John Thornley himself was an ardent proponent) which suggested that the Riley and Wolseley marques should have gone to the wall.

Somehow, the BMC dealership network could have been reorganised so that they all had Austin, Morris and MG models to sell. This should certainly have been under consideration in 1965 when the Riley 1.5/ Wolseley 1500 were discontinued.

Why did none of this happen? A combination of short-sightedness, lack of imagination and chronic lack of resources; the profit margins on BMC’s products were always small – indeed, legend has it that whilst the Mini was undoubtedly a ‘60s ‘icon’, they made a loss on every model they sold. And of course hindsight affords everyone 20:20 vision! One still is left with the unavoidable feeling that a huge opportunity was lost when the much-loved ZB Magnette was discontinued in favour of the Magnette Mk III, which – nice old car as it now seems – was at the time seen as markedly inferior to its predecessor, a huge retrograde step.

Clive Webb www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:46

H1 - CLIVE WHEATLEY_H7 - CLIVE WHEATLEY 09/10/2018 14:41 Page 1

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British made £252

ALL PRICES INCLUDE VAT

RV8 boot stays. £30.20 each

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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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Genuine RV8 heater valve (ZKC 5119 - the correct one) £54.95

genuine & conversion parts

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

URGENT PROOF 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.

SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO. _ _ _ _ _

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SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 53

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 53

11/12/2019 16:46

NEWSLETTER

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

WELCOME TO THE

MGC NEWSLETTER Firstly, happy new year! Hope we will see you and your MGCs during the year.

Now, looking back to last September, Angie and I had our big adventure of 2019 down to the Italian Dolomites in our C.

Our good friend – and good friend of the C Register – MarCus Brundler, had invited a group of MG Friends to explore the area, so it seemed rude not to go!

Mike Haughton

MGC GRAND TOUR 2019 After the Hull-Rotterdam ferry, we spent a couple of days in Trier in the Mosel valley (a lovely city – lots of Roman history), then a visit to the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart (this is allowed as Mercedes put A MG on their sports cars, obviously as an homage to our cars!). A couple of days around Lake Konstanz in Meersburg and Konstanz itself (a beautiful area), then we met up with Mike and Viv Parris in their Midget, and Alan and Pam Fabry from

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Australia in their TF 160 (kept in the UK) for an evening in Innsbruck. Then we all took the old road over the Brenner Pass and on to our hotel for the next eight nights.

We all stayed at Hotel Castel Latemar, which is about 20 miles south east-ish of Bolsano, and on the way up the Karer Pass – opposite a mountain known as Rosengarten. The hotel is about 1,700 metres “up” and we were on the top floor, so had plenty of altitude sickness!

A great location, with its own fantastic views, and we were all very well looked after by the owners Anni and Hans and their team.

There were 36 MGs on the tour, including two TDs, As, Bs, Midgets, F/TFs, a couple of V8s, and eight MGCs (four from the UK) which made up the largest type of MG. Each driving day MarCus had a route planned involving a mountain pass or three, with a morning coffee stop,

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:46

NEWSLETTER then lunch in some great locations. Hans from the hotel and his mate Karl were our motorbike ‘outriders’, making sure the two groups of cars kept (mostly) together and reached the right destinations!

To say that the Dolomites are spectacular is an understatement! Having spent a couple of weeks in Switzerland in 2018 which introduced us to the Alps, this area was just as good but in a slightly different way. The mountains just look that bit different! We simply didn’t tire of being amazed at the views, and the evening sun on the rocky mountain tops just has to be seen to be believed.

So – the driving… Brilliant! I think only one of the UK MGCs had power steering (Nick and Rebecca Ricketts), and the long climbs with many tight hairpin bends were a bit of a challenge, but a great fun one, and all the cars performed pretty well (although a couple got a bit hot on the longer climbs) and all the drivers arm muscles got a proper workout! It’s quite difficult to write about how great the driving is – you really need to go there. The roads are in pretty good condition, the views are breathtaking (and distracting!), and the weather was more than kind to us, with a full week of sunshine. To name all of the mountain routes we drove would take ages, so just to name a couple – I think the drives taking in the Sella Pass, and the Trentino, were particularly outstanding.

We liked driving towards the rear of the convoy, so by the time lots of MGs had passed, anyone watching was waving like mad as we drove past. There were quite a few other classic car groups around, too.

On our drive up the Pordoi pass a couple of Ferraris couldn’t catch us (ha ha…).

Chatting to the Italian owners at the top of the pass, they couldn’t believe how well our 51-year-old car went up the mountain.

Realising that long drives each day can be a bit tiring (some of us are knocking on a bit!), MarCus ‘allowed’ us a day off from driving. Several of us went to Bolzano for the day to explore the city, and also check out a museum dedicated to “Otzi” the Iceman, a 5,000-year-old man found frozen in the ice just inside the Italian border from Austria. A fascinating

www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER discovery and story that actually moved the Bronze Age back 1,000 years.

Evenings were spent at the hotel where we all wined and dined together, and made new friends, learned new languages (well, maybe not…). Our Swiss, German, Italian, and Australian friends all seemed to speak pretty decent English. There was a Gala Dinner one evening with some nice (short!) speeches – thank you Sylvia for being my translator, and Alan for stealing

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my Christmas cracker joke! (Why do all the cows round here have bells? Because their horns don’t work. At least only the Brits had heard it before!). The food, both on our lunch stops, and at the hotel, was excellent and more than plentiful. The weather was so good that the barbeque was brought into use one evening.

Apart from us, the UK MGCs were: Nick Ricketts and his daughter Rebecca,

Mike and Margaret Staples, John Weston and Joan Yuen.

Honorary C Register members Mike and Viv Parris were in their well-travelled Midget.

Alan and Pam Fabry have a lovely C at home near Melbourne Australia.

The Swiss MGCs were: MarCus and Ursula Brundler, Jorg and Gabriella Mohler, Raymond and Maria Burri, Paul Buchli.

A big thanks to MarCus, and his lovely

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NEWSLETTER wife Ursula, for organising everything. We all really appreciated the work that went into the event.

After leaving the mountains, Angie and I headed further south to Riva del Garda for a few days, meeting Mike and Margaret again for an evening. The Dolomites stretch down this far, but shrink in size somewhat. There are some great roads alongside Lake Garda, including some that were used in the opening sequence of Quantum of Solace, which gave us a chance to play at James Bond, but in a C GT. We managed a boat tour of the lake too – a break from driving for a day – so we saw lots of small towns and villages from the lake, which was very

scenic. A quick tour of Sirmione at the south end of the lake was well worth it.

At last it was time to head north and homewards, but as we were in the area, we took a little detour to do the famous Stelvio Pass. Wow! 45 hairpin bends – and halfway up I admit I was finding it quite hard work – up to 2,758 metres at the top. We had an almost clear run up too – amazing. A camper van pulled over out of our way, and we caught a Peugeot three bends from the top. As the Top Gear boys used to say, the road was ‘mildly moist’, so we had a little action at the rear of the C at times – added to the fun for sure.

A couple more hotels, a pit-stop to see Paul and Joyce Mol (MGC and MGA) for

lunch in the Netherlands, then ferry back to the dreary old UK. Any breakdowns? Of course not – it’s all in the preparation! Just a blown fuse and a broken hook in the driver’s seat diaphragm. Over three weeks, we managed an mpg of 24 over 2,600 miles, which considering the effort going up all those mountains I think was pretty good.

So in the last three years we’ve been to events in Portugal via Spain, Switzerland, and now Italy (and various other countries on the way) and I think it proves the CGT really is a Grand Tourer.

Now to get ready for Wurzburg 2020!

Mike and Angie Haughton

IN OTHER NEWS MGC Day 2020 is at Haynes International Motor Museum on June 28. The museum was extended and ‘revamped’ recently, so there is plenty to see even if you’ve been before. More info and booking forms are on the C Register micro-site, or from Mike.

Vic Young, our Technical Officer, is a font of knowledge on all things MGC, and has many specialist tools that can help with your projects – and many parts, too, including carbs, engine parts, suspension and steering items, and many more. Contact him for any advice you might need on 01737 551141 or vjyoung@btconnect.com www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 57

Any new C owners reading this – Welcome! If you haven’t heard from me, or our Registrars Barrie and Ginny, send an email and we will make sure your car details are up to date, and may even be able to tell you some history, too. You can now check your car details on the MGCC website Members area The C Register AGM will be on Saturday May 2 at 6.00pm at the Rose and Crown, Harnham Road, Salisbury – your committee are there for the weekend, to include the Downton Engineering Works car show.

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 57

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OVERSEAS

OUR FABULOUS FIFTY

By Norman Ewing

1

969 was a great year. I married the love of my life, Armstrong walked on the Moon, and Gordon Cobban gave his blessing to a newly formed “official” member of the MG worldwide family, The Johannesburg Centre! We were young and filled with boundless enthusiasm and a zest for life, not for one moment believing that 50 years later we would be here celebrating our own MG Car Club Centre, but here we are.

To celebrate the occasion it was decided to repeat the run to Baragwanath Airfield (now sadly no longer) with a great run and luncheon at the Jack Taylor airfield in Krugersdorp in June, followed by a special weekend away to Numbi in Mpumalanga (the place where the sun comes up) in September, as 50 years ago this was where the very first Club run away took place.

Making contact with our first base, Motel Numbi, I was to discover that it was now very much bigger than it was. The present owner, Willem Fick, back in 1969 was a 17 year old schoolboy and desperate to see the original booking confirmation document I had, which I informed him was Club history! All 36 rooms were soon booked and the job of organising the entire event and putting together a book of 50 years of Johannesburg MG memories began.

It was agreed to fly first chairman, Keith Burton, up from his home in Sedgefield, near Knysna. Ella his wife, who had accompanied him when we were 30, was also invited but was not keen to travel. John and Anita Meiring offered to host Keith, and John and I went off to meet him at O.R. Tambo International Airport the day before kick-off. The event was to start on Thursday September 5 with a “Ladies Tea’ to try to encourage early members’ wives and widows of those involved in the beginning to come along.

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This invitation was opened to husbands as well. and to my great joy, the tea organised by Anneke Degroot at the home of Maureen and Bob Wilmot encouraged our first secretary Ruth Whytock along, as well as Nan Howie, Phil Howie’s widow, and Anna Battison whose late husband Stuart was there at the very beginning.

Keith was truly thrilled to see and talk to such special friends. There was more to come before our departure for Numbi, for I had proposed to dedicate the Noggin that evening in memory of second chairman Phil Howie and invite his son Robbie, who had been on seven ParisDakars, to be guest speaker… that was a great success as well.

And so, on a wet and slippery morn, we set off for Numbi at 9.00am from all points in Johannesburg and Pretoria. With refreshment stops at ALZU and White River we all made it to Numbi. It was then time for the braai, and let the party begin.

After a good night’s sleep, it was off for a day in the Kruger Park. On our recce to the hotel some weeks before the event, we could see that dancing was out of the question with nowhere to dance, so we decided on a Gatsby Evening with music to talk by. Great!

After a sensational dinner of MG

delights, we were ready to cut the cake, which the Ficks had organised and was nearly a metre across. That evening, after dinner, I handed out a couple of mementos, the iconic photo of Keith at Baragwaneth in 1979, and that framed Numbi document that Willem Fick had pleaded for all those months ago, and thank yous to Anita and finally Pat for all she had done in my MG life.

The following morning started with yet another incredible breakfast selection.

Staggering, when you think about it, and we wobbled off to the cars for the drive by way of Graskop to the Blyde River Resort for lunch with Judie and Rolf Schweizer.

Our final dinner was followed by a Winterstein quiz of epic proportions and entertainment was “The Great Train Race” MG-style and the Diamond Jubilee of the First South African Grand Prix at East London with Paul Frere, Les Miller, Doug van Riet, et al. More memories. And so after yet another spectacular breakfast, it was time to bid farewell to the majority.

John MacKenzie took Keith home in comfort, and all that remained was to meet them next morning and see Keith safely onto his flight home, and to phone and thank Ella for lending us Keith for our fabulous fifty event.

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11/12/2019 16:46

A look through a few of the overseas magazines we receive at Kimber House reviewed by Richard Martin

N

ot too many countries represented in the clutch of magazines presented to me this month, although there were subsequent issues of some of them.

Just America, Australia, Canada, Denmark and Norway; however, it is, of course, quality not quantity which is important!

The Octagon from Toronto’s MG Car Club makes mention of the Next Generation of MG owners with a photo of a grandfather and grandson who’d shared a 10-day 2,200-mile MGB trip.

The grandson is apparently now talking about restoring his mother’s Spridget that currently sits abandoned in the garage at home! The same magazine also carries a potted history of the A-series engine under the heading “The Little Engine That Could”, stating that Dick Lunney and it went from grandson Mason during their 2,200 mile trip 803cc to 1275cc and 28hp to 93hp. There’s also an advert for the North American MGB Register’s 2020 event hosted by the Calgary MG Car Club www.calgarymgclub.org June 28-July 1 are the dates so if you’re thinking of a Canadian holiday next year…

The front cover of ‘C’ Notes from the American C Register carries the photo of Lewis Hamilton in his father’s MGC similar to the one that appeared on the cover of August’s Safety Fast!. It seems, however, it was felt necessary to add on explanation on the inside of the cover as to who the six-times F1 World Champion was. The magazine’s editorial makes mention of the difficulty of a national organisation organising an event at a venue which suits everyone and, given the size of Canada, regrets that closeness can’t be accomplished for everyone, or ever for some.

One event in The Spark from Washington DC which caught the eye was the Annual Braille Rallye; sounds intriguing. The same magazine carries a useful safety tip: when sitting in the middle of the road waiting to turn across

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OVERSEAS REVIEW

the oncoming traffic, keep the front wheels straight. That way, if you are unfortunate to get hit from behind, you’re not pushed into the oncoming traffic. Only turn the wheels when making the actual turn. Worth remembering.

Magasinet from Norway fits a lot into their 32 pages clearly with many photos showing that their members enjoy a good Well presented duo in social scene.

Two into one in Victoria, Australia

Norway

Grass roots competition in Victoria, Aust

ralia

Moving house. Captured for Magasinet

From Denmark, the Danish Centre’s magazine also features what it hopes is the Next Generation of MG enthusiasts with a number of photos.

MG Motoring from South Australia has an informative article on the SVW models written by a WA owner prompted by his regularly being quizzed about the range.

Opposite Lock from MGCC Sydney features an interesting article on “90 Years of Midgets” written by the owner of the oldest Midget in NSW, an M-Type built in August 1929.

Elegance personified Sydney

in

Educating the Next Generation in Denmark

G-Torque from Australia’s Geelong MGCC has a member’s profile illustrated with an MGB rebuilt from two others so that the member’s wife could have the blue MG she’d always wanted. There’s also an advert for the 2020 Australian National Meet in Albury/Wodonga over the Easter weekend. Another possible holiday destination? Details can be found on http://www.mgcc.com.au/

MG Midget in NSW

Oldest Finally, with the festive season fast approaching, here’s wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our overseas clubs and their members from all of us here in the UK.

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 59

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19 11:40

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

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 Half Moon 32 London Rd, Petersfield, Sheet GU31 4BE Ron Neal – 01420 488019 Meets last 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.fisk49@btinternet.com Meets 1st Monday of the month 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

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CLUB MEETS

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

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

ANGLIA 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 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 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

DEVON AND CORNWALL CENTRE

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

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 Bird in Hand At Wreningham, Norwich, NR16 1B Stuart Middlemiss - 01508 570487, eastnorfolk@mgccanglia.com Meets 4th Friday of the month from 7.00pm

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 Swan At Hilborough, Thetford, IP26 5BW Alison Isaacson - 07940 129561, southnorfolk@mgccanglia.com Meets 2nd Thursday of the month from 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

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 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 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. Contact John Wilson on 01246 811416 Meets on 1st Wednesday of the month.

South Leics. MG Group.

The White Horse, Broughton Astley LE9 6PT. Contact Bev Wright on 01455 845894 Meets on 1st Tuesday of the month.

North Leics. MG Club.

The Lingdale Golf Club, Joe Moore’s Lane, Woodhouse Eaves, Leics. LE12 8TF Contact Colin Readwin on 07583 231393 Meets on 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Kilsby MG Club.

Daventry Golf Club, Norton Road, Daventry NN11 2LS Contact Rick Willoughby on 01327 704232 Meets on 1st Tuesday of the month.

Nottinghamshire Group.

The Cross Keys, Main Street, Upton, Newark-on-Trent NG23 5SY (nr. Southwell) Contact Nigel Hamilton, 07535 447829 or Ben Gadsby 07999 869572 Meeting on 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Shropshire Group.

The Fox & Hounds, Shawbury SY4 4JG Contact David Sear mgsinshropshire@ gmail.com Meets on 1st Tuesday of the month.

The Stone Natter Group.

The George & Dragon, Meaford, Stone, Staffs ST15 0PX Contact Peter Cresswell on 01785 760211 Meets on the 1st Monday of each month.

Black Country MG Club.

The Park Inn, George Street, Woodsetton, nr. Dudley DY1 4LW Contact Martin Jones at bcmg@ blueyonder.co.uk Meets on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month Stafford MG Enthusiasts Club.

The Barns Hotel Restaurant & Bars, Cocksparrow Lane, Huntington WS12 4PB Contact Peter Wallis on 01543 305987 Meets on 1st Thursday of the month.

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CLUB MEETS Sutton Coldfield & South Staffs.

The Holly bush, Little Hay Lane, Lichfield WS14 0QA Contact David Russell on 07808 763685 Meets on 2nd Tuesday of the month Arden MG Club.

The Golden Cross, Ardens Grafton, nr.

Alcester B50 4LG Contact Paul Dunster on 01789 261815 Meets on 1st Tuesday of the month.

Warwickshire Group.

The Millwright Arms, Emscote Road, Warwick (A445) CV34 4NU. Contact Carl Bintcliffe on 01926 775077 Meets on 4th Monday of the month.

Warwickshire - Pre-56 models.

The Blue Boar, Temple Grafton, nr.

Alcester B49 6NR. Contact Brian Rainbow on 01926 612415 Meets on the last Tuesday of each month.

North Worcs. MG Car Club.

The Dog Inn, A450 main road, Harvington, Nr. Kidderminster DY10 4LN. Contact Trish & Boyce Wheal, 01299 871728 or Paul & Irene Hollingworth, 01527 579947 Meets on 2nd and 4th Mondays in the month.

South Worcs.

The Farmers Arms, Birtsmorton, nr.

Malvern WR13 6AP. Contact Peter Chapman on 01684 833337 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

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

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

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

TYNE TEES CENTRE 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

South West 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.

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

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 Plough Inn, At Stalisfield,Faversham, Kent, ME13 0HY William and Dianne Opie — 01795 521846 — willopie@aim.com 4th Thursday of the month

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.

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

George and Dragon, At Speldhurts, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0NN Grahame White — 01892 654591 — pgwhitemg@gmail.com 4th 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

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

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)

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

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-innpreston.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)

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)

In a

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31/10/2019 12:08 11/12/2019 16:46

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS RYWISHING MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL WISHING ALL CAR CLUB MEMBERS ARRY ALKER B W ARRY ALKER B W WISHING ALL WISHING ALL WISHING ALL MG CAR CLUB MEMBERS ARRY BMG W ALKER CAR CLUB MEMBERS Y MERRY CHRISTMAS WISHING WISHING ALL ALL MG CAR CLUB MEMBERS MG CAR CLUB MEMBERS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS MG MG CAR CAR CLUB CLUB MEMBERS MEMBERS AAAVERY MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR ARRY W ALKER BVERY AVERY VERYMERRY MERRYCHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS Estd. 1968

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Estd. 1968

Estd. 1968

TEL/FAX: 820337 www.classicinsurance.co.uk www.crownclassiccars.co.uk www.mikerolls.co.uk Mon, Tues, Thurs,01258 Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am www.classicinsurance.co.uk www.beechhillgarage.com www.beechhillgarage.com www.mikerolls.co.uk www.barrywalker.com www.barrywalker.com Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm Painted Shell to Race Winner in 7 Days www.mgv8parts.com www.mgmotorsport.com ons.com www.classicinsurance.co.uk www.classicinsurance.co.uk www.beechhillgarage.com www.beechhillgarage.com Cynghordy NB B32 - MIKE ROLLS SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS SERVICES 13/12/2012 09:50

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SERVICES FOR MGs B32 - Road MIKE B32 ROLLS - MIKE or ROLLS SERVICES_MIKE SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS ROLLS SERVICES SERVICES 13/12/2012 13/12/2012 09:50 Page 09:501 Built to Order for Track y.com MGC Sebring in 4Built Months to Order for Road or Track www.kmaps.co.uk Specialising in all MG’s www.churchsquareautos.com www.cambrianway.com Painted totoRace www.mgv8parts.com www.mgmotorsport.com www.chisbonrestorations.com PaintedShell Shell RaceWinner Winnerinin77Days Days www.mgv8parts.com www.mgmotorsport.com www.cambrianway.com www.chisbonrestorations.com TEL/FAX: 01258 820337 www.crownclassiccars.co.uk Painted Painted Shell Shell to Race to Race Winner Winner in Sat: 7www.churchsquareautos.com in Days 7www.mgv8parts.com Days www.mgv8parts.com www.mgmotorsport.com www.mgmotorsport.com www.chisbonrestorations.com www.chisbonrestorations.com www.cambrianway.com Mon, Tues,MGC Thurs, www.mikerolls.co.uk Fri:Sebring 8am-6pm, Wed:in 8am-5pm, 8am-1pm 4 Months 2016 www.kmaps.co.uk www.cambrianway.com MGC Sebring in 4 Months www.kmaps.co.uk

MIKE ROLLS

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B ARR WISHING ALL MIKE ROLLS ODS MIKE ROLLS MIKE MIKE ROLLS ROLLS HOODS MG CAR CLUB MEMBERS DONDON HOODS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

9/09

16:22

SERVICES FOR MGs Specialising in all MG’s

Page 1

TRADE MEMBER

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337 .......for t Mon, Tues, Thurs, www.mikerolls.co.uk Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm

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UNBEATABLE QUALITY – UNBEATABLE VALUE!

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Page 1

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in our Brands Hatch date and a swap to Oulton Park for our season closer. You will

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Saturday October 3 8am-1pm kSat: pm, : 8am-1pm Sat: 8am-1pm m, Sat: 8am-1pm Porsche, as well as more guests being The good news is that the first race Oulton Park NT talked to at the moment. We hope that meeting is not that many weeks away.

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JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 65

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MGs ON TRACK

MG on track

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

ANOTHER TRACK YEAR BECKONS

T

he final MGs on Track event of 2019 was held on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit in early December and, unlike the previous year’s gathering, enjoyed clear and sunny weather for the whole day. However, the low winter sun struggles to rise above the trees that surround the southern edges of the track, and the areas that were mostly in shadow remained slippery all day, leading to a few spins and visits to the gravel traps. Five first-timers chose Brands as their introduction to our track days and, from the comments that I received, a great time was had by all.

Just as at Brands Hatch, all our events last year were sold out, and it is gratifying that the enthusiasm for MGoT track days seemed undimmed by a somewhat uncertain mood in the country at large; clearly a dose of fast and safe circuit driving offered the escapism we all needed! The calendar for 2020 is now

66 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

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confirmed and is included here. There are a dozen actual track days to choose from plus, in June, the always popular North Weald Experience Day which aims to draw beginners into our web! Depending upon the location they will either be events solely for MGoT members, a dedicated session on a day shared with others such as Lotus on Track or The Lotus 7 Club, or a session exclusively for us on a commercial MSVT-organised track day. With this flexibility and co-operation, we can offer our members the widest choice of venues at the best value for money.

Although a distant memory now, it was a pleasure to meet so many of you at the NEC Classic Car Show. Several visitors to our stand expressed surprise that there were track days aimed specifically at the MG driver and, in at least two cases, this enthusiasm turned to prompt action with participation at Brands. We were lucky to be adjacent to the glittering edifice

Tim Walker at Castle Combe

that is the new MG Car Club stand, and I applaud those staff members who worked so hard to set it up and man (and woman) it over the course of the show. Perhaps they did mistakenly purloin our stand’s electricity supply, but at least it was used to keep us supplied with tea and coffees so can be excused!

The 2019 RAC Rally of the Tests passed through the NEC on the Saturday of the show on the route from Torquay to Chester and paused briefly for a special test in Hall 6. With his son Peter as navigator, committee member John Dignan was competing in his 1966 MGB Roadster. John was eventually the winner of Class Three ahead of four other MGBs, a Sprite, two Lancia Fulvias and a pair of Porsche 356Bs, and was 9th overall out of the 65 finishers. Many congratulations to John and Peter.

Finally, some sad news as we have learned of the death of long-time MGoT member Tim Walker. Many of you will recall Tim as a highly effective driver of both his MG ZR and his MX5, but I am sure he will mainly be remembered for being just such a nice guy. Our condolences go to his family and all his friends.

The MGoT Committee thank all members for your support over the year past and for the years to come and wish you all a Happy and Peaceful 2020.

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:47

MGS ON TRACK – 2020 CALENDAR Please visit www.mgs-on-track.com to register, check availability, or to book a track day.

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

Donington Park – January 18 An opportunity to defeat those winter blues on this highly entertaining Midlands circuit. The event is at the invitation of Lotus on Track and will be run ‘open pit lane’, so is not suited to novice drivers.

Goodwood – February 22 Take a step back in time with the first of two visits to this atmospheric venue, including one dedicated session for the Triple M Group.

Bedford Autodrome GT – March 9 At 3.8 miles in length there is ample space to unleash those horses, with generous run-off areas for the directionally challenged!

Cadwell Park – May 1 A twisty and hugely scenic circuit in the Lincolnshire Wolds; flat it certainly isn’t!

Snetterton 300 – May 18 A fast and open track; long straights combined with a challenging infield section.

Castle Combe – June 22 The first of two annual visits to this very friendly circuit in Wiltshire.

North Weald – June 26 An introductory activity day for those who have not yet tried a full track day.

A chance to explore the capabilities of driver and car in complete safety.

Croft – July 3 Experience one of the hidden gems of British Motorsport on a day shared with Lotus on Track. ‘Open pit lane’ format so not suited to novices.

Blyton Park – July 6 Not a traditional racing circuit, but a fun and friendly venue boasting a layout with real character.

Anglesey – August 10 Experience this challenging circuit on a day shared with the Lotus 7 Club.

Overlooking the Irish Sea and with views to Snowdonia this track amply repays the journey west.

Castle Combe – September 7 A second opportunity to enjoy the thrills of this ever-popular track which includes a couple of chicanes and high speed, technical corners!

Donington Park – October 5 A circuit with a long history, this is a firm favourite with all. Includes plenty of changes of elevation and the swooping Craner Curves.

Goodwood – October 26 A second visit in case you missed the first due to popularity!

Brands Hatch ‘Indy’ – December 7 Our season finale; don’t miss the chance to enjoy this undulating circuit including Paddock Hill Bend!

www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 67

MGCC MGCCSPEED SPEEDCHAMPIONSHIPS CHAMPIONSHIP John Wilman, Beechfield, Fern Bank, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak. SK23 0JJ Tel: 07778 165186 www.mgspeed.net On Saturday November 30 the North West Centre dinner and award presentation took place at The Deanwater Hotel, Woodford, near Stockport. This excellent venue has been the home for this event for a number of years and the high standards of catering and service have been maintained throughout.

The North West Centre, being the organisers of both the Cockshoot Cup racing series and the MGCC Speed Championship, use the occasion to present the awards for both disciplines. Having said that, the Speed Championship also maintains a presence at the South West Centre dinner to be held in Bath around March 2020 in order to present the Southern awards and to anyone unable to attend the earlier event.

The Overall National Champion, Rob Bell, travelled north to receive his trophy and replica and was kind enough to express his appreciation of the organisation of the dinner and the welcome he received from all the members present.

Without wishing to make light of the National trophy, we of the North West Centre are very proud of the Norwester Trophy presented to the winner of the Northern Regional Championship. It was the Norwester series, started in 1988 and devised by a small number of members, that eventually led to the National Championship as we now know it. I will not list their names as they are a matter of record but some of them are still involved.

The winner of the Norwester for the second year running was Nick Walker in his MGB GT V8. Nick and Rob were vying for the lead in the National Championship for the latter part of the season and Nick only lost out on the final event.

The Master of Ceremonies during the proceedings was NW Centre Chairman Paul Goodman. Apart from his official position on the NW Committee, Paul also acts as the co-ordinator of the Cockshoot cup and represents the Centre on many motorsportoriented bodies. His intimate knowledge of all things motorsport is amazing and his

Nick Walker being presented with his award

by John Wilman

Rob Bell being presented with his award

by John Wilman

drive is crucial to the continuance of MG competition and fellowship.

I had the privilege of presenting the awards to so many of the characters who have become friends over the years.

So, a happy Christmas to all involved in our sport and we look forward to an equally busy year in 2020.

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 67

11/12/2019 16:47

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CENTRES ABINGDON WORKS Richard Martin sfscribe@mgabingdon.org.uk www.mgabingdon.co.uk A very happy New Year and I hope that you all enjoyed a good Christmas. If you’re new to the Car Club, possibly as a result of a Christmas present, welcome and we look forward to meeting you at an event during the year.

AWC events planned for 2020 kick off with our AGM on February 29 at Kimber House so please put that date in your diary and come along for a chat; it would be great to see you. Our (Not Quite) St George’s Day Run is scheduled for April 19, leaving you free to join in any of the events taking place on the official Drive it Day a week later. The Old Speckled Hen Tour takes place on May 24 and June will see us enjoying ourselves at MGLive! We’ll once again be supporting the popular Notcutts Classic Car Show on July 5, whilst August 16 will see the return of A Summer Day Out. After a successful first presence at Kop Hill last year, we’ll again be having a stand on September 19-20 to bring all the MG models together in one place. 2020 is the 90th

ANGLIA Rob Muir 01206 862619 scribe@mgccanglia.com www.mgccanglia.com With a happy and peaceful Christmas wish to all our members, we have three exciting events planned for the new year.

Visit to LSD Rolling Road For the past two years we have had the opportunity to attend a Rolling Road session at LSD Developments, near Mildenhall. Organised by our Facebook editor, Alison Isaacson, they proved so popular that we plan to arrange another trip this year, probably in February

anniversary of the MG Car Club and we’re talking with Kimber House about doing something in October to celebrate it, so watch this space for news on this.

With a couple of B Register events taking place within the Centre boundaries in April and August and, most likely, a Midget Register run in September close-by, there promises to be plenty going on to tempt you and the car out and about. Keep an eye on Safety Fast!, our website and Newsletter for details of these and other activities around the Centre.

(keep checking the Anglia website and Facebook page for confirmation).

Luke Stevens Developments have a state-ofthe-art race preparation workshop and Rolling Road, with very friendly and knowledgeable staff who can set up your MG to perfection. You don’t have to own a high-powered MG – they are just as skilled at setting up the engine of an MG TC as they are tuning an MG ZT 260 V8.

This is bound to be a popular event so keep your eyes peeled for the conformation date.

Anglia Centre Autotest Those of us whose memories go back to the 1960s, 70s and 80s will remember what a vibrant and spectacular time it was for the competition of

The photos show the AWC Treasurer’s Top Trumps card school at the NEC in November and an Ancient and Modern garage with an MGZS EV alongside a PA.

Autotesting, along with Trialling, the art of driving relatively standard cars against the clock around some very tight and challenging courses on private land. A time when vernacular terms such as Handbrake Turns and the use of ‘A Fiddle Brake’ (not cheating, but a name for a brake fitted to some specially built cars of the era, that operated on one wheel at a time) were regular phrases describing the art of driving the competitions.

Autotesting has kept its following even if numbers have dwindled, However events such as the California Cup at MGLive! have always been popular, Well, the Anglia Centre is planning a 2020 Autotest in April or May. I will confirm the date as soon as it is finalised, so dust off those Autotesting skills and have a precursor warm-up before MGLive!. We could maybe get a team to challenge for the California Cup. Photo of the Year Competition As posted in November SF!, you can now enter MG-related photographs with the chance to receiving a trophy for Photograph Of The Year. Photos can be submitted to webmaster@ mgccanglia.com and you can see the terms and conditions on our website.

www.mgcc.co.uk

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CENTRES CALEDONIAN Bob MacGillivray 07870 407111 mgcarsscotland@gmail.com www.mgcaledonian.com Happy New Year to you all and many safe MG motoring miles!

Around this time, you should have received your annual Newsletter with, as an insert, a copy of the programme for 2020. Hopefully the committee have put together a list of events, some of which at least, will tempt you out. There is a lot of work in organising runs, shows, etc, and it would be good if every member made a New Year Resolution to attend at least one event in 2020! We will also need some assistance with some of the events, so if you would like to help please get in touch.

Later this month we have our annual Film Night on January 30 in Kirkintilloch. It’s a very informal night with a light meal beforehand and something on the programme to suit all tastes, so why not join us then? Details on the website.

Then in February our annual Technical Day at Dreadnought will take place on the 16th. With lunch arranged at the Old Rectory, Brian Luti has organised a visit from a Car Detailer who

DEVON & CORNWALL Young Janner II bobslatter@hotmail.com www.mgcc.co.uk/devon-cornwall-centre Although this is the January issue, you will probably be reading this before the end of 2019, so may I take this opportunity to wish all our Members and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2020. This should be an exciting year for the Club as it is the 90th Birthday in October of its founding in 1930.

I would also like to thank all of our Members for supporting Centre events in 2019, whether at a Natter level or in other ways and look forward to seeing you all again in 2020.

Whilst on 2020 events, we are hoping to produce a tri-fold calendar for circulation with the next newsletter on February 1. Please note though that this will obviously be correct at publication but will possibly be altered during the year as other events are added or things change which are beyond our control. For the very latest information on events, particularly the Natters, see the current newsletter, also our Calendar on the Centre website or our Facebook and Twitter www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 71

See this at Race Retro

will demonstrate the rights and wrongs of car cleaning, as well as Brian giving us the benefit of his technical expertise. Always an interesting afternoon, book through the website.

A new item this year is a visit to Race Retro.

Anyone interested in classic sporting cars should make a point of visiting this! It will be a flying visit, leaving on Friday February 21 and returning on the evening of the 22nd. More details of the event can be found here www.raceretro.com and booking details are on our website.

And further ahead, let’s see a greater than usual response from Caledonian members to the Three-Day Tour, the Jim Clark Trail, in May. With a start on either side of the Border and routes on

excellent driving roads, not to mention the Jim Clark items planned, this will be a good event!

Book through the website!

This year the Centre will be supporting shows at Thirlestane Castle, Glamis and Bo’ness and over the border we will be present at MGLive! The show group has decided on a theme in line with celebrating the 90th birthday of The MG Car Club and we hope to have this feature at all shows.

We are also looking at the possibility of attending another show or two, albeit perhaps on a smaller scale. Details of these will follow.

Also, regarding the Club birthday we are planning a special lunch later in the year, and not quite in Abingdon!

accounts as these can be updated on a daily basis.

If in doubt, you can always ring me and I should be able to help.

After the success of our early Skittles evening last year we are hoping to organise another one in February. As soon as details are available I will inform everyone by email and on the website, etc.

Also, if the Natters could spread the word to anyone not on the internet, it would be much appreciated.

As mentioned last month, I can now update you about the Annual General Meeting of the Centre which has now been booked for Saturday

March 21 at the Bowling Club, Callington. The formal notice will appear in the February issue, but please book the date now and come along and have your say on how the Centre is run and what you would like to see happen. You might even wish to help organise something for everyone’s benefit. New blood, new ideas!

As it is the quieter season for our MGs in regular use, the attached picture is from Colin Lennox-Jones and shows some of the entrants on the recent Exmoor Rut being flagged away from the Dartmoor Lodge Hotel at Ashburton.

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 71

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LINCOLNSHIRE Ian Mackenzie 01529 497849 MaccaV8@aol.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk January Natters: Wolds Wednesday 8; Wishing Well Wednesday 8; Abbey Lodge Monday 13; Three Horseshoes Thursday 16; White Hart Thursday 23; Ferryboat Tuesday 28.

Luncheon Club: Wednesday 15.

January Events: New Year’s Day Run and Pride of Ownership Wednesday 1; 40th Anniversary Awards Dinner and Dance Saturday 11.

A Very Happy New 2020 to all our readers!

m ght

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A sunny Lincolnshire Day at Revesby Country Fair

MIDLANDS Martin Price mg.price@btinternet.com www.mgccmidlandcentre.co.uk/ This year, our Christmas walk will be in the Ombersley area, near the River Severn, on Friday December 27 and everyone is asked to meet near the Crown and Sandys public house, postcode WR9 0EW, in Ombersley village. Please park on the road, NOT in the pub car park. If you are coming from the Worcester direction along the A449 dual carriageway, come off on the Ombersley village slip road and park on the righthand side near the pub. If you are coming from Birmingham or the Black Country along the A449, take the Ombersley slip road, turn right at the T junction and then shortly left at the small traffic island.

Those coming into Ombersley from the Bromsgrove or Droitwich areas, turn left at the small traffic island in Ombersley. John is planning for people to meet at 10.00am for a 10.15 start. Further details, including the location of the lunchtime arrangements, can be found on the Centre’s electronic Newsletter, superbly compiled by David Wood. So, why not blow away a few cobwebs www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 73

We look forward to seeing you at the Abbey Lodge on the 1st for the ‘Landlord’s Choice’ and Run (drive) around the Lincolnshire countryside to blow the festive cobwebs away. As some members may have already tucked their cars away for winter, we really don’t mind if you turn up in a non-MG, but please make the effort to join friends old and new.

Table bookings for lunch at the Abbey (from 12.00pm) can be made direct on 01526 352538, with judging of the Pride of Ownership by 2.00pm and departure very soon after to catch the daylight.

Hopefully, by the time we meet up, Santa (aka AR – you know who you are) will have refurbed our MGF hardtop – sitting in the car with the roof lining draped over our heads like a big floppy hat is losing its appeal (and it’s tricky to see where you’re going!).

Continuing the theme of eating out, don’t forget to book your places for our 40th Anniversary Awards Dinner and Dance at the Olde Barn Hotel, Marston, near Grantham. Full details, including an application form, can be found on our website: www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk

There has been a fundamental change initiated by the Motorsport UK organisation (formerly RAC MSA) in that from the beginning of January 2020, any club motorsport event, such as an Autotest, Autosolo or Scatter Rally will require all competitors and in the case of rallies, navigators, to hold a new RS Clubman licence, unless they already hold a Competition licence.

This licence is free of charge, entitles you to Motorsport UK’s comprehensive member benefits package (discounts on everything from insurance to ferry crossings, Halfords to free eye tests), and ideally should be applied for online at https:// rsclubman.motorsportuk.org/ as long as you are at least 18 years of age, medically fit to compete in motorsport and a British Citizen. So go to it!

For those of you with no internet connection (Kev), or who don’t fit the criteria, all is not lost, as application forms can be downloaded by anyone from: https://www.motorsportuk.org/wp-content/ uploads/2019/11/03_CLUBMAN_FORM.pdf and our event organisers will have forms to complete on the day of our events if necessary. All you need to bring with you is some form of photo ID.

and work off that Christmas excess by coming and enjoying the walk. It is usually about four miles in length and dogs are very welcome.

On Wednesday January 1, the North Worcestershire Natter will be organising our annual Chilly Willy Run, starting from The Dog at Harvington.

Details can be found on the electronic newsletter or from the organiser, Bob Hall, on 01527 873939 or by emailing him at robertahall2d@outlook.com Later in January, on Monday 20 at 8.00pm is the Centre’s Annual General Meeting. This will be held at the usual venue – Somers Social Club, 2 Grange Hill, Halesowen, B62 0JH and we will be delighted if you can join us. We are always looking for new blood on the committee to help with organising the events you want to take part in. Remember, this is your Centre; if the committee don’t know the sort of events you want to take part in, we can’t organise them.

Just a quick reminder, we have been asked to marshal two sections on the MAC Clee Hills Classic Trial on Sunday January 19. It looks likely that we will have Easthope Wood and Wenlock Edge, both very interesting sections. If you are interested in helping, please contact our Chief Marshal, Simon Morris, on 07788 168488.

In an attempt to be more cost effective with members’ money, the committee has taken the decision not to produce a colour calendar for 2020. We are encouraging members to make more use of our superb online website and electronic newsletter, where details of all the Centre’s events can be found.

The first of the Centre’s two sprints will be on Sunday April 5 and we really are hoping for a sizeable entry. The future of the event, which we have been running for the past 53 years, is seriously at risk. You can take part with any MG and standard road vehicles need very little doing to them to take part. Sprinting and hill climbing are still the least expensive forms of motor racing, so why not give it a try. I am always happy to advise and help newcomers into the sport. If you would like help, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Finally, as I am stepping down, I would like to thank the committee, Natter leaders and all the other helpers, marshals and organisers for their time and efforts throughout this past twelve months; we cannot do it without you. Finally, the Centre Committee would like to wish all our members a very happy, healthy, prosperous and successful 2020.

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 73

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CENTRES NORTH WEST Paul Goodman 01625 876300 A new year has arrived and so it is time to wish everybody a happy and prosperous 2020. This year looks as if it is going to be a very exciting one for all of us. The Centre is planning a whole range of events including social gatherings, runs and appearances at shows. The Cockshoot Cup race championship will be fought out over 10 rounds and the Speed Championship competitors will be appearing at many famous venues. Nationally, the Centre will be supporting MGLive!, the 90th birthday of the Club and MGF25.

One of the best ways of keeping in touch is to attend one of our regular meetings. The first this month is on Tuesday January 14 at The Trophy Room, Cheshire County Sports Club. This is followed a week later by the Plough and Flail gathering on Tuesday January 21. We are making this “book night” so please bring along something from your library. Then on Wednesday January 29 the first of our lunch meetings this year will be held. Please look on the Centre web page for the venue.

SOUTH EAST Ray Ruffels and William Opie raywillmg@gmail.com www.mgccse.co.uk 2020 has arrived and the MGCC SE is looking forward to an excellent year with a multitude of events planned, the 25th anniversary of the MGF and the 90th anniversary of the MGCC! The SE Centre AGM that took place in November was a very positive meeting, well attended by 35 members. Derek Edwards was reelected as Chairman, ably assisted by Chris Leigh as Vice-Chairman. Importantly, Philip Bayne-Powell stepped down after seven excellent years in the joint role of Events, Admin and Competitions Secretary. In view of this major change the Committee has decided to create three separate, less onerous roles out of the one Philip was doing and develop more of our experienced and talented members to help the Club and in future bring on younger members when the opportunity arises.

Austin Banner became the new Admin Secretary, John Morgan Competitions Secretary and Andrew Mitchell Events Secretary. Sue Munday stepped down as Regalia Officer and the www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 75

Looking further ahead, we have the Annual General Meeting of the Centre coming up on Thursday February 13. This is an opportunity to get involved with the running of the Centre and our events. More details to follow next month.

The Centre will be running two speed events in May. The first is the Anglesey Sprint Weekend on May 2-3. This is going to be bigger than ever, with the single-lap runs on Sunday having been selected as the Motorsport UK National Inter-Association Sprint. Being allocated this event is a feather in our cap but means that we are going to need a

bigger volunteer workforce than ever. There are opportunities to be involved on one or both days and with on- and off-track participation. Please get in touch if you would like to be involved. Two weeks later the Scammonden Dam hillclimb will take place on Sunday 17. This is a smaller event, but always fun for the drivers and helpers.

Exciting news for potential competitors in the Speed Championship is changes to the Motorsport UK regulations. From next season drivers in standard cars manufactured after January 1 2000 with an engine up to two litres will not be required to wear fireproof race suits. To compete, drivers will need a licence and crash helmet. The first involves filling in a form and the second the purchase of a Motorsport UK approved helmet.

The hope is that MG drivers who would like to compete against the clock will take the plunge.

Cockshoot Drivers in the Wet at Donington Park in July.

Photo: Dickon Siddall

committee thanks her for her commitment and fine work. We are now actively looking for a new member to take on this role – contact Chris Leigh on candjleigh@yahoo.com.

So your 2020 Committee is strong and working closely with Natters, Wanderers and Event Leaders to bring to members a series of regional and local events that will be published in the February Safety Fast! flyer.

The latest Newsletter (January 2020) will shortly be distributed to members, so if have not received this by the New Year it means your email address is either incorrect or not held on the SE Centre newsletter database. To receive a copy please send your correct email address to candjleigh@yahoo.com or you can download a copy via the MGCC SE website at www.mgccse. co.uk/category/news/ Interestingly, in the December edition of Safety Fast! (p8) the MGCC has announced that a new, secure members area login facility is now live. This allows members to see and modify the data the Club holds on you, eg email address.

Please review and update your details to ensure MGCCSE communications to members are received.

The Fairmile Natter New Year dinner is held on January 9 so please contact Ian Ailes on 01932 856960 for further details.

Finally, Happy New Year to you all as we look forward to a new decade of MG motoring!

Supercharged MGA MKII seen at the recent NEC Classic Car Show JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 75

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Summit:Layout 1

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Summit

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11/12/2019 16:48

CENTRES SOUTH WEST Andrew Owst 01761 221893 andrewowst@hotmail.com Website www.mgccsw.com Facebook www.facebook.com/MGCCSW Firstly, a Happy New Year everyone.

Our first event of 2020 is the Centre Dinner at Limpley Stoke Hotel, Limpley Stoke, near Bath, BA2 7FZ on Saturday February 22 2020. If you have not already booked your place please do so, as we all have a great time hence the reason we continually return to the same hotel, year after year. The cost is £27 per person and special room

TYNE-TEES Tony Wood anthony@scrutonvillage.co.uk January traditionally finds us all looking forward with a degree of bewilderment as to where the previous year went. Personally, I think there’s a very small black hole which swallows my time.

Be that as it may, it behoves me to cast a quick look back to remember three of our own whom we lost in 2019, Donald Dalton, Bob Heslop and John (Mitch) Mitchell, all long-time MG men and supporters of the Centre. The large number of MG folk who attended their respective funerals spoke volumes about the affection and esteem in which they were held.

You should have received our 2020 Calendar with this issue. A quick perusal will reassure you that all your old favourites are alive and well, but there are some new things to tempt your jaded palates. We also have plans in progress for a couple of special events during the year which we hope will encourage you to try something new! As these are still in the negotiation stage I can’t say more (classic teaser alert) but as soon as we sign them off you’ll be the first to know, although Noel www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 77

rates have been negotiated if you wish to stay at the hotel. Full details are available on the South West Centre website, along with the other events your committee has arranged for 2020.

The second event of the year is our Annual General Meeting which will be held on Tuesday March 3 2020 at 8.15pm at The Old School Room, Compton Martin. This coincides with the Chew Valley Natter at the Ring o Bells, Compton Martin, and the usual procedure is to come to the Natter, have a beer, walk the couple of hundred yards to the AGM, and then return to the pub for the rest of the evening. It is your chance to let the committee know what you expect from the Centre and your committee really could do with your support at the AGM. New enthusiastic members

with new ideas are particularly welcome on the committee.

I make no apology for jumping now to May when we will be running the second-largest meeting the Centre runs, ie The Kimber Classic Trial, which takes place on Saturday May 2 2020. This is NOT the bank holiday weekend!

This popular trial traditionally attracts a strong entry from the MMM Register and for those who prefer to spectate, PLEASE volunteer to marshal, as large numbers of marshals are required on all the separate sections. This does have the advantage that the marshalling only lasts for two or three hours and therefore the rest of the day is free to view other sections and enjoy the long lunch break at The Camelot Inn, South Cadbury.

The trial, which commences at The Lanes Hotel, West Coker, near Yeovil, runs through North Dorset and South Somerset finishing near Castle Carey. The scenery is truly superb and is another reason to volunteer for this event. The entry forms and details of the meeting are on the South West Centre website and volunteers to marshal should contact Bruce Weston on 01963 440941, bruceweston@gmail.com The photo shows the start, and the atmosphere, at the Lanes Hotel of a previous Kimber Classic Trial.

will probably scoop me on Tyne Tees Tidings!

Coming up like an advancing express (though rather more reliably) is our Annual General Meeting which will be on March 5 at Coulby Manor. Doubtless our brethren from North of the Tyne will be renewing their visas in anticipation of the delights on offer – we don’t just do the boring stuff, we feed you, too. Traditionally at this juncture the dutiful Centre Scribe inserts a well-meaning plea as to how much your Centre needs you to step up and join the Committee and do your bit for your fellow enthusiasts. Being an

old hand at this sort of thing I’m sad to say that whilst ,as Gilbert and Sullivan put it, “it’s very evident these intentions are well meant” they are generally pointless, so fear not, you won’t be bounced into something on the night, just beware of unexpected calls from the hierarchy over the next few weeks!

Finally, Happy New Year to all; may the sun shine on all your MG endeavours in 2020 and to remind you of summer, the photo is Barry Hope’s ZB Varitone and Maurice Standish’s WA at the end of the Prince Bishops Run.

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 77

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CENTRES YORKSHIRE Ken Cothliff kencothliff@hotmail.co.uk, mgccyorkshire.co.uk By the time these words are read Christmas will be upon us and all the parties will be but distant memories, except for North Yorkshire Natter’s which is always mid-January. Natters will be looking at the annual organisational meetings and planning the calendar for the new summer season of events. Sadly, in our area one of the most popular ones, the Classic Car Race Meeting at Croft Circuit, Darlington, will not happen in 2020, and it will be missed by Yorkshire and Tyne Tees Centres’ Natters.

In East Yorkshire they had a really interesting talk by David Chapman about air crashes in the Hull area, which seemed to have special relevance to one of the members. West Yorks was a social Natter, planning the December “Faith Supper”, a party with contributions by all those attending.

South Yorkshire have taken on the mantle of running the Centre ‘Daffodil Run’ next year, and are busy in the planning of this, the annual event

Yorkshire MGs at Croft Historic meeting

that kicks off the ‘run season’. Vale of York will be running the ‘Heartbeat Run’ again, for those of you who enjoyed the wonderful scenery of the TV series. East Natter will organise the ‘Wolds Way Run’, and no doubt North Natter will be doing the ‘Dales Run’. The dates of these and other Yorkshire Centre days out will be released for the next issue of Safety Fast!.

Indoor meetings are the ‘norms’ now as we reflect on some of the summer events. We make no excuse for adding a couple of pictures into this month’s contribution. Some of South Natter had a great day out with other Natter members at Croft Historic meeting and West Yorkshire Natter’s members at Thornes Park in July, and Dale and Anne Efemy, with Paul and Karen Friend of the North Yorkshire Natter showing one of the older

West Yorks members at Thornes Park

members around Thorp Perrow Arboretum on a lovely autumn day (picture above).

Oh, for the return of lovely summer days!

ULSTER Carol Willis 07831 345560 www.mgcculstercentre.co.uk carol.mgulster@hotmail.co.uk How lucky were we to have such a dry and sunny day at the end of November on which to hold our AutoSOLO. There were three cracking forwards tests with varying degrees of grip just to make things challenging.

At the end of the day Will Corry came out on top with another smooth and fast performance that was 16 seconds ahead of an outstanding drive by his nearest rival, Jimmy Dougan, in his Mini. Third was Robert Haslett punching above his weight in the Yaris and 4th was Liam Shaw, first MX5 home.

It was great to see Roger Dawson out again in the familiar orange MGB owned by dad Stephen, our Clerk of the Course, and let’s hope he will be able to participate more this year now his time at university has finished. Well done to all of them.

Thanks in particular to our marshals and, in particular, to Laura Oakman and Poppy Beardmore for their excellent assistance when we were very short of marshals. Laura also very efficiently www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 79

A happy Will Corry in his Midget

handled the documentation for Carol who was still out of action.

Finally, thank you as always to Martin Hutchinson and TTS for generously allowing us to use their premises.

Our New Year’s Day Treasure Hunt will start at 2.00pm from the carpark behind SuperValu in Comber and finish at The Pheasant, Annahilt. This year Gordon is planning the route and it should be Dates for your diary:Wednesday January 1

Wednesday January 8 Thursday January 16 Saturday January 25 Saturday February 15

Midget enjoying the November AutoSOLO

a good afternoon out without too many miles.

The AGM looms ahead – would you be prepared to go on the Committee? We need volunteers to run the Ulster Centre and we can’t leave it to the same people year in, year out, so please consider helping out.

NYD Treasure Hunt - meet at 2.00pm in carpark behind SuperValu, Comber and finish at The Pheasant, Annahilt Nosh at Poachers Pocket at 12.45pm AGM – 7.30pm at Shandon Park Golf Club Derek Walker Trial – Ards Peninsula area Annual Dinner and Prizegiving

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 79

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REGISTERS VINTAGE Ian Quarrington IanQuarrington999@BTInternet.com New Year, hooray, here is my wish for 2020: more sun and less rain please. For me, this is a going to be a significant year as I have just celebrated a birthday with a zero at the end of it and retired from full-time employment, so that should give me more time to dedicate to the Club and to the Vintage Register.

I hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing and peaceful time over the last weeks and every best wish for 2020. Your scribe will be busy working right through from December 21, even on Christmas Day for an hour or so, but will still make time to relax at home in God’s own county of Cambridgeshire and enjoy the goodies I bought during the year from the Car Club shop. If you haven’t been on the website recently or checked Safety Fast! you could be missing out on some great items for sale from our Club. Give Ineke a call at HQ – she will I am sure be pleased to help you out.

Lots to look forward to this year and the first

TRIPLE M CATHELIJNE SPOELSTRA +31 (0)6 41216600 cathelijnespoelstra@outlook.com www.triple-mregister.org Happy New Year! Over the holidays you may have been contemplating what to do with this brand new year, with the outcome hopefully being to use your car as much as possible. Be it trips to the shops, driving tests, trialling, racing or treasure hunting; your car has four wheels and a drive train for good reason, so let’s give our Competition Secretary, Mike Linward, something to do and hand him info on all your efforts, to be in with a chance of your steed going for top honours and becoming Car of the Year. His details and everything else you need to know about our annual competitions can be found on our website.

My diary for the warmer seasons is basically filled already with plenty of visits to the UK, hopefully enabling me to meet up with some of you over the course of the year at one event or another.

Having skipped the Car of the Month in December, we’re back with a bang as it’s the

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event will be the Stoneleigh MG Spares show.

Now I know you won’t turn up expecting to find that super-rare part for your 14/40 or 18/80, but it is a great event and a chance to meet up early on with friends. We keep talking about the CRB’s working together... please note on the night before Stoneleigh the V8 Register are having their annual Curry night in Knowle, near Solihull. I have been to every one since 2003... even organised a couple myself… and they are a great evening out, V8 or VR owner. Send me an email and I will give you details on how to join in.

Two more early highlights are the AGM and the Spring tour. The AGM will be at Shillingford Bridge on March 15, that is the day after the Club’s Spring Council meeting. The VR AGM and lunch are one of our big gatherings of the year and, formalities aside, provide a great day out. We often put much bigger CRB’s into the shade by the numbers we have attending, so let’s continue in that way this coming year. Please make the effort to bring your Vintage Car, even if it is in the back of the garage. Cars are like the human body: if they don’t get exercised they tend to get poorly...

A pint of Speckled Hen to the first member who

can tell me by email who in the Club is famed for coining that phrase. Our guest speaker gets the chance to choose his (or her) favourite car of the day, as well as give us an entertaining talk.

Ted’s tour this year is in Warwickshire. The Efficient Debbie will be running her fourth VR tour based on a country hotel as is usual; details will have been in the latest Bulletin you received just before Xmas. I have seen the itinerary and we are in for a treat again. There is still time to book, so please contact your Register Secretary first debbiebradingvr@yahoo.com. Final note on this: lots of the VR folks no longer have a Vintage Car. Whether you do or do not own a car, you are still more than welcome to come along. I have been on every tour since 2014 and I haven’t even driven a Vintage Motor yet. Don’t worry about accessibility at the hotel or on the days out, all of us are very aware that anno domini is something we can’t halt and so Debbie, who has specialised in nursing care for the more elderly for many years, takes extra care to ensure you will be comfortable in all aspects of the week away with your friends.

beautiful Q-type’s turn! Supposedly not entirely perfect from an engineer’s point of view, its looks were spot on. And it’s not just me; there’s a whole bunch of P and even more T-types that have been altered to now resemble something of a Q, so there must be others agreeing with me. There’s a whole ‘new’ model even, the ‘TQ’...

Personally, I will always prefer seeing one of the proper Q-types just the once, or even never, over these so-called ‘TQs’ every day. ’Nuff said. Only eight real ones (all currently accounted for!) were ever built and though they may have looked alike

during production in 1934, they soon ended up with quite creative owners who kept changing the bodies. Doing some background checks for this feature, I came upon so many wonderful pictures, that I’m deciding right here and now to elaborate on all things Q in next month’s four-page spread.

For now, I’m leaving you with this lovely shot.

Guesses as to the chassis number for extra points to the email address above, please! Oh, and if you can’t wait for the February issue, do visit the website and read up on Q-type technicalities under Model Profiles.

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:48

REGISTERS SVW Paul Campbell svw.safety.fast@gmail.com www.svwregister.co.uk Well, that’s another year gone and we now look forward to the year to come. We traditionally attend a New Year’s Day classic car gathering at a pub here in West Sussex, which has grown over the years to a major event with an amazing atmosphere.

I’ve now temporarily taken over the role of Webmaster in addition to writing these notes for Safety Fast!. Mike Greasby stepped down as Webmaster and Librarian recently after many years in a role where the work involved is often underestimated – our thanks go to him.

There’s much to report regarding progress on the channels that have been established to support SVW owners. Our Facebook group now has 162 members where there are great discussions, both technical and social. Secondly, owing to the demise of the MGSVW email group, Gary Perry has worked hard to migrate it seamlessly to the new Groups.io platform where there are currently 139 members. The latter is the forum best suited to communicating with

Y TYPE Jerry Birkbeck 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325 birkbeckjerry@gmail.com www.mgccyregister.co.uk Welcome to a new decade and I hope that you all enjoyed Christmas and the New Year break.

I was going to write about my ownership of Ys over the last 48 years. However, Peter Vielvoye forwarded me an email he had received from Slater Reynolds, a well-known long-term Y keeper, who following a house move had nowhere to store his Y. As a consequence, he had to sell the car. It’s a lovely message and we wish all the best not only to Slater and his wife, Sally, but also the new owners.

Dear Peter, I want to thank all those people who have given Sally and me so much enjoyment over the years centred, of course, on the Spring Run; even though we by no means managed all of them between 2002 and 2019; I still had a lot of Rally Cards up in my old garage; just one this year in the new one, saying Sudeley Castle, but of course the car GL 9899 has gone to Yorkshire to join a

members directly by email, especially those not on Facebook. Thirdly, as mentioned last month, work is afoot to professionally redevelop the website in the New Year and we’ve been working on its specification. Please let us know if you have any thoughts on what you’d like to see there.

One topic that came up on the Facebook group relates to the VA air intake manifold. Elmar Gailitis posted a picture of his manifold that has four holes drilled in the bottom (see photo) and wondered if this was standard. I was sure mine didn’t have them, but in fact it does; it hadn’t really registered during my 52 years of ownership as the holes are hidden underneath. In fact, I drove my VA for many years from 1968 with no air filter. Jim Andrews has

the Service Information Sheets and he was able to refer us to No. 66 dated October 1938. This stated: “A modification to the air cleaner manifold has been made to improve the engine performance between the speeds of 1000–3500rpm” They asked all service stations to modify all stocks immediately and also to modify all cars coming in for service. The service sheet provided a diagram with measurements for exactly where the four holes should be. I imagine many of you will be straight out to the garage to see if yours has the holes, with thoughts of searing performance on making the modification if currently missing!

The SVW Register wishes you all a very happy 2020.

family of MGs. I suppose that my hope must be that in renovating my Mother’s old car, I saved an entity from dismemberment and destruction.

We had a go at the Kimber Trial shortly after completion of the renovation, mainly finished by 2001, and there were certain sections which were well beyond our low tyre pressure ability (there were lads there with rope wound between

their car’s head lights and sixteen stone in the passenger seats). It is a great day away and the Y may seem out of place but really does belong – have a go!

So, Peter, thanks again and so also to the committee and everyone in the Register.

Best of Luck, Slater Reynolds

The MG Y of Slater Reynolds on a visit to Kimber House, Abingdon www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 81

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 81

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REGISTERS MGA Edward Vandyk 01488 608810 mgascribe@vandyk.co.uk The arrival of Safety Fast! through your letter box at this time of year is necessarily a moveable feast, so at the risk of repeating myself and in the anticipation that your copy will actually arrive before Christmas, may I (again) wish our MGA Register readers a Merry Christmas and share the anticipation of much joyous MGA activity in the year ahead.

Last year at this time I brought you news of Dzus fasteners and a near-perfect plastic replacement ‘chrome’ strip for the MGA Coupe screens, front and rear. Having fitted the latter to a Twin Cam Coupe I am restoring just to see what it looked like before getting the original metal inserts re-chromed, I have taken the, possibly challenging, decision to stick with the plastic. Sourcing the metal inserts took me two years, the re-chromers having lost the first set, and inevitably the inserts require repairing before being re-chromed, so my two prior experiences have been that you end up with perfect chrome on a less-than-perfect insert. Both outcomes

MGB David Broadhurst 01209 614704 newsletter-editor@mgb-register.org www.mgb-register.org And a Happy MGing New Year to you all.

Andrew Vigor, Registrar, is interested that all your car details are correct on the Register Database. If you would care to check, or to add your car, go to www.mgb-register.org/register/ Cars do get sold or moved on, or added even.

This is a quick reminder. April 5, The MGB Register Spring Run is starting at Millett’s Farm, Abingdon and, eventually, going to Stowe, outside Buckingham. You can always go in your other MG if you wish!

MGB with Royal Connection I first joined the MGCC in 1978 after I bought my MGA Mk11 Roadster which I still own.

The MGB GT was always my next choice as, living in sunny Manchester, a GT would be a sensible alternative, not to mention the obvious room in them for touring.

In 2012 I decided to take the plunge. I wanted

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are necessarily a compromise which, for me, highlighted the tension between originality and the availability of replacement parts using post-era technology.

I would be interested to hear from Register members as to how they address this problem.

Having extolled its virtues, I should remind you that the replacement plastic chrome strip (PT13) is available from COH Baines Ltd, Unit 3, Buckingham House, Longfield Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3EY Phone: 01892 543311 Email: sales@coh-baines. co.uk. You need eight metres. Thanks again to Graham Howell for this information.

This year, being the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the MGA Register, we have commissioned a grille badge to commemorate the event. A limited run of 100 badges was

ordered, having received sufficient interest at the Phoenix Inn event, and any orders placed before December 1 will thus be honoured. This enamelled grille badge measures 54mm x 54mm, the same size as the MG emblem on the radiator grille. It will be supplied with two stainless steel machine screws and toggles.

At this stage, if you have not already done so, you are invited to reserve a badge, simply email mgaregistershop@outlook. com with your name and address for delivery.

The badges are expected to be in stock in January 2020 when you will receive an email asking you to confirm your purchase. Then you will receive a PayPal invoice which you can pay by credit card. The price will be £30, plus postage and packing. To state the obvious: ‘When they are gone, they are gone!’

a chrome-bumpered GT as near as possible to original. I wanted an all numbers matching car without the aftermarket extras. I put a wanted ad in Safety Fast! but no replies. After a second attempt, another Natter and Noggin member from the North West Centre phoned me. He wanted to sell his.

Along I went and drove it and checked it over. After the Christmas break the car was mine – along with some history and a new Heritage Certificate. I proceeded to put in a period fivebutton Motorola and renew the servo. It still has its original registration number.

Being very curious I wrote to the DVLA to ask for any history they might have. After the statuary four weeks a very large and thick envelope arrived. It looked like the deeds to a house, there was so much paperwork. (Pre D.P.) The car was first registered to Lady Juliet Townsend (supplied by University Motors). Lady Townsend was Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret.

Lady Townsend drove the car to Buckingham, Kensington Palace, Clarence House, etc. She kept the MG for seven years. She lived in Eaton Square.

(Google her name for her full life story and what her connection was to the Royal Family.)

After declaring to her family she had decided

to sell it, her cousin objected and so she bought the MG from her, so remaining in Belgravia for a further seven years.

After that the B remained in the Ascot area for several more years. It then moved to Gloucestershire. It has had (only) eight owners. It is now residing in North Cheshire.

Alas, I do not have a mechanical history.

I have been to Southern Ireland and several journeys in the North West. I must check if it has been converted to unleaded fuel...

It brings a lovely smile to the North West Centre members, who joke with me saying I have a royal MG! Barry Brownleader

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:49

THE MGB Register Spring Run 2020

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

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

National Trust members have free access to the gardens, non members will receive a group discount We will be starting from Millets Farm Centre OX13 5HB west of Abingdon The event is limited to 100 MGs. Online booking is available at www.mgb-register.org in the events section, from Dec 1st 2019. OR - complete the form below and post with a cheque for £26, made payable to:- MGCC – MGB Register You can start at Millets or if you wish from your home and join us at Stowe Closing date for entries will be Friday 28 March.

Co-driver’s Name

MGCC membership number if a member Telephone / Mobile

Address

Email

Driver’s Name

MG Model If a NT Members please tick

Registration Number

Start Location MILLETS or HOME Registration Year

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

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

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REGISTERS MIDGET Mike Parker mikeparker78@btinternet.com www.midgetregister.com/ Happy New Year to you all.

This year we kick off the show season on Sunday February 9, by having a stand at the popular MG and Triumph spares day held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. We’ll bring you more details next month but if you’re going, do call in and say hello.

MGLive! is back this year, and planned for June 13-14 (provisional) and the Register is looking to enter teams in the California Cup Autotest which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and on the Sunday the Autosolo. We would like some MG Midgets in our team of three cars each day. The more teams the better, so if you can help please email me on the address above.

At the moment we currently have no more cars for the Register car of the month. This is a series we run on our website every month, so if you have got an MG Midget please send the photo of your car and a few details through; all info is on the Register website.

V8 Victor Smith 0208 392 9434 victorsmith@v8register.net www.v8register.net

Keep your back axle breather clear Ralph Hardwick recently purchased an MGB GT V8 and dropped it off with Brown & Gammons for a check over and service during which Ralph reports: “They picked up a few issues, so it will remain there for a while until they are sorted. One issue they found was it appears that the rear axle breather was blocked – the resulting condensation build-up, together with having only covered 1,000 miles in the last seven years, has caused some corrosion and bearing issues”. When checking your back axle breather it is worth replacing the 84 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

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Having fun in the 2018 MGLive! Autosolo. Why not have a go in your Spridget this year?

Dates for your diary The Midget Register Road Run is being held on September 6 2020; details will be published on the Register website early in the new year.

As mentioned above, MGLive! is taking place at Silverstone this year on June 13-14, with our Register stand in a prominent place and the committee will be on hand to meet you all. If you think you can help on the day with parking the Register cars, etc, please contact me on the above email so I can keep you informed and let you have more information as it’s confirmed.

On the Sunday of MGLive! the Anglia Centre the popular Pride of Ownership and Concours events, which is an ideal time to show your pride and joy to the gathered crowds!

The dates for the Lackford Engineering Midget and Sprite Challenge round for 2020 have now been confirmed and published below: March 29 Silverstone on the international Circuit April 18-19 Brands Hatch May 25 Castle Combe June 13-14 Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit July 11-12 Donington Park Sept 5-6 Snetterton So do come along and say hello, and why not do a lunch time parade lap of the circuit in your MG as well? This is free and a benefit of MGCC membership; just see the ZR/ZS/ZT Register on the day who put this on for us all to enjoy.

You can keep up to date with all the latest Midget Register news on our Facebook page.

original plastic part with a brass item which is much more durable.” See the full note on our “More” page. www.v8register.net/more.htm

V8 Kent Tour 2020 The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based near Tenterden in Kent from Monday 21 to Friday September 25 2020. The week’s activities and visits will include trips to Canterbury, Rochester, and Chatham to include the famous dockyard, Leeds Castle, Winston Churchill’s home at Chartwell, Sissinghurst House and two other National Trust properties, plus a full tour around the south and east coast of Kent. Full information and booking details are available on our “More” page.

V8 Curry at Knowle Traditionally our first event of the year, the V8 Curry is on Saturday February 8 2020 at the Lloyds Restaurant in Knowle, just west of Stoneleigh where the annual MG-Triumph spares show will be held the following day.

HIF6 and linkage parts Fellow members report replacement SU HIF6 carburettors and linkage parts are not easy to find at present.

Visit to the Workhouse at Southwell Ken Clayton has arranged a group visit to The Workhouse in Southwell in Nottinghamshire on Sunday July 5 2020. Full information and booking details are available on our “More” page. www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:49

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

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REGISTERS FWD Ben Hatton ben2692@hotmail.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk/fwd-register/ I’m often asked how I became involved with MG so I thought I would write a few words about it. I can remember as a small child having an interest in British Leyland cars, my first memory being my mother buying me an I Spy book in 1980 when I was nine years old. Knowing I had an interest in cars, she bought it for me when filling up one day, but as she handed it to me said: ”The man in the garage says that it doesn’t have the new Metro in it, whatever one of those is.” That did somewhat take the shine off my new book as although I was delighted to have it, I really, really wanted one with the new Metro in it!

I’m not sure where my love of cars came from, but I could say it’s somewhere in my DNA because my great-grandfather was William Morris’s financial backer in 1912, loaning him £4,000 to help with the start of his motor manufacturing and he became president of the W.R.M. Motors Ltd. He remained involved for about 10 years until they fell out, with Morris returning the money.

MGF Tim Morris 01932 882467 scribe@mgfregister.org www.mgfregister.org I hope you had a Magnificent and Great Festive Season and are looking forward to a Mightily Good Time for the New Year!

We’ve certainly had a great time as we enjoyed the festive frolics at the Register’s end of season bash at the Cricklade House Hotel, somewhere near Swindon. This is the third year that Ian and Angie have run the event for the Club and the regular crew of Crickladers were joined by some newcomers this year. Quite a few of the tables were taken by Ian and Angie’s Thames Valley Tribe of terrors and it wasn’t long before pea shooters were in action firing small white balls across the tables. The South East, Anglia and Somerset and Dorset valiantly attempted to field the onslaught – we never did find out who the culprit was! The first Turkey Feast of the year went down really well and the quiz sheets on each table left everybody scratching their heads in puzzlement but proved a brilliant ice-breaker.

86 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

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My great-grandfather regularly had Morris cars and the last car he had in 1921 is still on the road today, but not owned by my family. The love of cars then skipped a couple of generations as no one other than my great-grandfather and me has an interest, and my father thinks I’m quite mad!

I was lucky enough to do my work experience at Cowley in 1986, which really started my love of all things Cowley. I started an apprenticeship in 1988 while Maestro and Montego were in production and I never thought that I would be able to afford one – an old Mini was my limit at the time. Roll on some 25 years and I was finally in a position to own an MG Maestro, although by then they had become a modern classic! I was lucky to find one which, although a little frilly around the edges, had been well cared for and unrestored. Needless to say, after waiting so long to have an MG Maestro, he’s definitely a keeper and Jamie, my son, has now joined me in the MG family with an MG Metro. We would love to hear your MG story, so please let us know how you became part of the MG family.

Tanya Field

The raffle table was full to the brim and over £230-worth of tickets were sold in aid of the Register’s 2019 good cause – the Brain Tumour Charity. Dancing went on until the Witching Hour and I hope that they’ve finally worked out who “Alice” was and who she lives next door to. The next morning bleary-eyed revellers snuggled warmly in their Christmas jumpers with Santa, reindeer and assorted Christmas fayre, some were even electronically enhanced. Just as well, because it was very cold standing on the granite steps of the hotel for the annual Christmas jumper photograph, which you can see here.

One more thing at Cricklade was that this was the second occasion that the new MGF25 souvenir items were on sale and they pretty much sold out – beanies, baseball caps, mugs, key rings and teddies with MGF25 T Shirts. Luckily you don’t have to meet

MG FWD Register’s AGM Date: Saturday February 8 2020.

Time: 11.00am for refreshments with a 11.30am start.

Venue: Kimber House, 12 Cemetery Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1AS Agenda 1. Welcome and introduction 2. Apologies for absence 3. Approval of the minutes of the 2019 AGM 4. Matters arising 5. Chair’s Report 6. Treasurer’s Report and annual statement of accounts 7 Other Committee Members’ Reports 8. Election of Committee Members 9. Any Other Business All welcome and for further information please contact Ben Hatton at ben2692@hotmail.co.uk

us anywhere to secure your own souvenirs as you can order them all from our online shop at www. mgfregister.org/shop Two new MGF25 banners were also in evidence framing the dance floor and will be appearing at most of our shows this year, just in case you may forget. Tickets are already selling quickly and accommodation in the vicinity of the British Motor Museum is being speedily booked up (although there will be camping on site as well).

To get your tickets go to the British Motor Museum website and click on events selecting MGF25. I may mention this a few times this year, so be warned!

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:49

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REGISTERS ZR/ZS/ZT JOHN THOMPSON 01702 298866 johnt5@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/zedregister Happy New Year. Please find accompanying this month’s notes our Events Calendar for the year ahead. The dates are correct at the time of writing but any amendments will be published in future updates and on our Facebook group/website.

Please note we are still awaiting confirmation of a stand at Stoneleigh in February and at the NEC in March.

The ‘Save Our Zeds’ Campaign After the launch and enthusiastic reception of our ‘Save Our Zeds’ campaign last year, we continue into 2020 which hopefully will see the campaign move up a gear as plans made during last spring come to fruition. Our campaign has certainly raised the profile of our cars and brought their reducing number into the light. Hopefully the highlighting of spare part availability and the sharing of where best to take your Zed has helped slow down their decline. We’d like to thank

MG6.3.5 Steve Haines Steve-haines@live.co.uk www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register twitter.com/635register Happy New Year to all 635 owners!!

We had a great AGM at Kimber House and Christmas meal at the Ock Mill in Abingdon, on December 7. A great turnout of enthusiastic owners was treated to a review of 2019 and an interesting talk from Alan Philips from Vehicle Handling Solutions.

The formalities of the AGM will be published next month. Steve Haines retired after his five years as Chairman and did a swap with Sean Round to Events and BTCC Co-Ordinator. The Committee wishes Sean all the best captaining the 635 ship! This year two owners were voted in as general committee members to assist with events and committee administration throughout the year. They are Jerry Harrison making a welcome return to the Register committee after a short absence and Gavin Richings. We are always looking for enthusiastic owners to help out with

88 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 88

The news is starting to spread, so the ‘Save Our Zeds’ campaign continues on a high into 2020.

everyone who has sponsored our campaign car or helped in some way during 2019.

Charity of the Year Following the success of The Stroke Association as our ‘charity of the year’ throughout 2019, we are very pleased to announce that our charity for this year will be the British Heart Foundation.

Zed20 During the course of this year we will begin to make preliminary plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of our cars in 2021.

These plans will culminate in the organising of a ‘Zed20’ event at an appropriate venue. Further details will be announced in due course.

various things at events, so please contact us if you wish to get involved.

We thank MGCC for hosting us, with organisation from Adam and Andy at Kimber House. We’re still counting the raffle takings, but will make a significant contribution towards our 2019 charity, Marie Curie. Some interesting prizes were donated by members and MGCC. Many thanks to all for their generosity.

The Chairman’s charity for 2020 will be Parkinson’s UK. For more information about this charity, please visit the web page here: www.

Zed Events in 2020 Sat March 28 Silverstone Racing Round Silverstone, Northants Sat April 11 Pride of Longbridge Birmingham Sat 17-Sun April 18 Brands Hatch Racing Rounds Brands Hatch, Kent Sun April 26 Braxted Breakfast Meet Braxted Park, Essex Sat May 16 Zeds at the Castle Bodiam Castle, E Sussex Sat 13-Sun June 14 MG Live! 2020 (provisional) Silverstone, Northants Sat 11-Sun July 12 Donington Racing Rounds Donington, Leics Sat 25-Sun July 26 MGF 25 BMM, Gaydon, Warks Sat July 25 MG Saloon Day 2020 BMM, Gaydon, Warks Sat 5-Sun Sept 6 netterton Racing Round Snetterton, Norfolk Fri 11-Mon Sept 14 Zeds at the Lakes Road Trip Kendal, Cumbria Sun Sept 13 Zeds in the North’ Lakeland Motor Museum Sat October 3 Oulton Park Racing Rounds Oulton Park, Cheshire

parkinsons.org.uk/ We will have a JustGiving page and will be raising funds at our events throughout the year. Our target for the year, as always, is £635.

We’re looking forward to spring time and our first event at Pride of Longbridge in Cofton Park, Longbridge, on April 11. Please add your name to the event on the Facebook page so we can organise numbers for parking.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at an event this year. Keep your eyes out on the Facebook page and our micro web page for more information.

A trio of 6s and a ZS by the Register Gazebo at the 2019 Pride of Longbridge event

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:49

T P

Z's at the

The Lakeland Motor Museum

Price includes the following: 3 Nights 3 Star Hotel Accommodation 3 Breakfasts & 3 Evening Meals at the Hotel Entry to the Lakeland Motor Museum Complimentary Car Parking at the hotel Road Book featuring Maps, Great Drives & Event Information ‘ZED’S At The Lakes’ Commemorative Tour Rally Plate 24 hour out of hours helpline whilst on the tour

This tour is operated for the MG Car Club by our Travel Partner Scenic Car Tours - www.sceniccartours.com Z's at the lakes Sept 2020.indd 1 SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 89

02/12/2019 11:45:19 11/12/2019 16:49

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

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 90

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11/12/2019 16:49

CLASSIFIEDS How to Advertise

enquiries@mgsforsale.com

www.mgsforsale.com

01707 876089

07831 556666

TD2 1968 Nut AUTOMATIC & Bolt Rebuild 1250cc, MG CGT Older(OKC630) Nut & Bolt Restored pe 1953, only two in lastautomatic, 43 years, excellent mid 90’s Mineral nut (RWD628G) MGowners CGT 1968, to MGCC. & boltcoachwork rebuild whereby the bare chassis original even hadBlack Blue with nicely mellowed eral Blue an inspection inserted prior to reassembly. leather interior camera trim, original genuine leather bound MGC of-the De Luxerange TL enquiries@mgsforsale.com Today’s fresh appearance testament to the quality steering wheel, nicely true detailed engine compartment esel.

48,000 miles . Almost of the restoration and3.0 fastidiousness its custodians, housing the smooth litre engineofideal with the Borg age will increase) 18” odern superb automatic MG Reno gearbox Red coachwork Warner making thiscomplimented particularly rare llinserts. head, MoT’d until with beige/cream trim, detailed engine model an ideal classicinterior today, this vehicle apparently formed part of a collection of a deceased ost discs and pads as well compartment and underside, history fiCGT le with of renovation invoices, documents, no. estate, on inspection one can see the ofplethora theAUTOMATIC rebuild fromOlder a number years ago and ather interior, satMGquality 1968 Nut &ofBolt Restored original green booksince and issome paperwork the 70’s, on original style cross ply om with likely littlelog miles still very fresh inback appearance, juststill arrived £24,950.00 nectivity. Full service (RWD628G) MGtoCGT 1968, automatic, excellent Mineral just with arrived, £27,495.00 y SAIC Motor 2016 UK Tech-MG6 tyres coachwork nicely mellowed original Black GTrenewed dieselat point of sale, drivesBluedelightfully, 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 last owner 37 years,Older chrome overdrive, ng modern MG. £6500 steering nicely detailed engine compartment model.

1.9 turbo1972, diesel.

48,000 miles MGC GT 1968 AUTOMATIC Nut &bumpers, Bolt wheel, Restored chrome Rostyle wheels, Aqua coachwork now requiring 07530734044(daily driver so mileage housing the will increase) 18” Blue coachwork (RWD628G) excellent Mineral withsmooth nicely 3.0 litre engine ideal with the Borg some improvement but aleather very solid vehicle indeed with a Warner automatic gearbox making this particularly rare alloys, red bumper inserts.

MoT’d until mellowed original Black interior trim, original nice original feel and appearance, original style navy June 2020. Recent discs and padsbound as wellMGC steering wheel, nicelycloth genuine leather trim, gold seal engine fi tted mid 80’s and drives as new tyres. Fullinterior leather interior, satdetailed engine compartment housing the smooth 3.0 nav, Bluetooth connectivity.

Full service delightfully, goodwith history file Warner with original documentation litre engine ideal the Borg automatic gearbox history – servicedback

by SAIC Techto this theMotor 80’s, aUK plethora of invoices from renowned making particularly rare model an ideal classic today, specialists Brian Brown Classics & B nical Centre. In good condition.

Spacious, Hive, original Unipart Gold Seal papers, old mot’s this vehicle apparently formed part of a collectionetc. of aetc. just arrived £5,950.00 economical engaging modern MG. £6500 one can see the quality of the rebuild from a number of years ago deceased estate, on inspection ono. Call Adam on 07530734044 50 ever and with likely little miles since is still very fresh in appearance, just arrived, £24,950.00 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 Tel: +44 +44 (0) (0) 1953 1953 717618 717618 Fax: Fax: (0) (0) 1953 1953 717850 717850 free petrol. The car is black with a beige Tel: 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. This is for one inserwww.mgsforsale.com tion 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

Factory Produced 1975 . Chassis No.GD2 D1 2389 in excellent metallic Pewter (Jubilee and run out model colour similar to Gunmetal Grey), red hide trim. solid underneath. Not a Concourse Trailer Queen but an everyday useable car due to exceptional torque, high gearing and overdrive when driven sensibly. £15950 ono. Call Geoff 01562 851544 to inspect (N. Worcs)

Originally left hand drive and sent

to1953 RHD717850 and refurbed.

Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0)

1

WANTED

1972 MGB Roadster, Old English White, red trim.

1973 MGB Roadster, Oxford (RV8 colour), Totally restored on dry state shell,blue everything is new/ Barley trim, mohair hood, chrome w/w, fully

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

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

1964 MGB Pull door handle car, Iris

GETS! NTED MIDGETS! WANTED

16000 miles since 1989. Electronic ignition. Not converted to lead-free. Some micro blistering. Very good hood and tonnaeu cover. Price £23,000 Contact: 07711319539 Email: brucecawdron@icloud.com

1972 MGB Roadster BritishGreen, Racingstone Green,beige black trim, 1995 MGRV8, Woodcote trim. leatherbeige seats,mohair antiquehood, red carpet, fast roadtonneau, engine, New new (original) balanced and stage 11 head, 15” minilite, carbon interior in excellent condition, new door cards.

Re fibre dash,dash Moto-Lita, driving in super veneered consolesuperb and door caps.car 48,500 mls. condition, nice (refurbed). engine bayPower , superb shell fast fun at Screen frame steering, upgraded £13,795.00 to Clive Wheatley Spax shocks. Suspension poly bushed. New clutch and slave cylinder, new boot 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 superb, S/S boot rack, sports wheel, painted dash. veneered dash console and door caps. 48,500 mls.

Hydraulic bonnet struts, K&N filters. Would cost in Screen frame (refurbed). Power steering, upgraded to Clive Wheatley Spax shocks. Suspension poly excess of £35k to build. £27,995.00 bushed. New clutch and slave cylinder, new boot stayst. £22,995

recon. 2L fast road engine. Sports leather seats. ompt hassle-free cash restored about 15W/Wheels. years ago,Drives still like excellent, WANTED ALL MODELS! Everfl exMG red hood. a new well car, looked after excellentsports engine bay. Super example ee to contact meAll forconditions a superb, S/S car, boot wanted, from barnrack, finds to wheel, painted dash. co.uk £14,495.00 Hydraulic bonnet struts, K&N filters. Would cost in n friendly chat. concours. Complete collections purchased.

ed Buyer

1954 MG TF

blue, black /white trim. Excellent restored car done in the

90s but stillMK1 excellent early Californian CALL MIDGET DIRECT ON:an Green, Almond Shadowimports Greenwhen trim. they were really good. Totally O/drive, restored interior really good as Totally immaculate. car,asprobably new, best lovley engineavailable! bay, superbRestored shell and superbly original, 07787 528131 the MK1 in 1992 and

1976 MGB Roadster. Tartan Red, black trim, totally restored car stripped back to bare shell and restored overFlame 10 years. on parts 1972 MGB Red,Thousands Tan leather spent trim. Full bare alone,rebuild everything is either or reconditioned. shell with history andnew photographic record.

Immaculate engine bay, Minilites.

Lovely engine bay.stone Driveschipped superbly.painted Some underside, all newSuperb chrome,summer new seats 60’s marks in paint. fun (period and great style), wood£11,995.00 dash, mono style wheel, 15” minilites. A investment. superb car and fantastic value @ £14,995.00

Rosso red TA2334. Rebuilt for reliability.

1939 MGTB spec XPAG engine, new hood and side screens, twin fuel pumps and coils. Third overall on day 4 of the HERO 1000 Mile Trial. Faultless run in 2018 from Ardennes to Leicestershire in one day. Kept in garage within home. Lots of documentation and parts. £37,500 ono.

Email: mg2000@btinternet.com

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

painted underside, w/wheels, steering still looks like it’s alloy just bonnet, been done.

Immaculate

UKunderside, BasedFitted Buyer wheel. with better 5 brg engine, banjo axle. engine bay, interior trimoriginal etc. Drives like A superb olderopportunity. restoration and ready (would to enjoycost withwell no new.

Unique £18,995 work £40-50k required,to fantastic over restorevalue now!)£15,995.00 £18,995

£40-50k to restore now!) £18,995.00

92 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY

FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

1937 MG TA

Ex Lancashire Police car, rebuilt in 2015 including new tub, hood, chrome tonneau, seats, dash. Black with Midget rim. Specialist blue seats spec. XPAG MIDGET MK1 Almond Green, Shadow Green trim. 1972 MGB Flame Red, Tan leather trim.as Fulloriginal bare ration in Abingdon RS on Totally immaculate. Totally restored car, probably shell rebuild with history and photographic record. engine and five speed gearbox. VW rd, the the best MK1 available! Restored in 1992 and Minilites. Lovely engine bay.

Drives superbly.

Some 224 CHROME still looks like it’s just been done. Immaculate marks in paint. Superb steering summer funconversion, and great many spares many underside, engine bay, interior trim etc. Drives like investment. £11,995.00 Dwheel, MIDGETS in new. Unique opportunity. £18,995 (would cost well including original steering box. over £40-50k to restore now!) £18,995 ition bought up to running The car has won a few awards and Contact the Midget Specialist file wy current stock at was featured in a magazine article.

MIKE AUTHERS on Abingdon es. midgets.com Early Police documents including 07703 465 224 CHROME 1962 MIDGET MK1 Almond Green, Shadow Green trim, 1976 MG Midget 1500 British Racing Green, pictures of it in service. £28,000. re) Autumn LeafMineral trim. Blue, Everything on this has grey roof.

Totally immaculate, restored Racing car, probably the 1969 BUMPERED MIDGETS in British MGC grey leather trim. car Chrome 1976 MG MIDGET 1500 Green, been renewed refurbished.

All by new trim. Over best MK1 available!

Restored by ourselves in 1992, Overdrive.orTotally restored ourselves 10 Autumn Leaf trim.

Everything on this car looks has wires.

For more information Email: excellent condition bought up to £12,000 spent on parts alone, plus 1000’s of like it’s just been done.

Immaculate underside, detailed been renewed or refurbished. All new trim. years ago. Superb car in superb condition. Lovely hours. Immaculate inside andengine. out andBespoke underneath! enginecurrent bay, interiorstock trim etc. at Original spec, down to original chris.d15@btinternet.com bay. Unleaded rebuilt grey Over £12,000 spent on parts alone, plus engine £8,000. View Fantastic value. wheels. Period steering wheel. Drives likeand new.out Unique leather seats.£12,995.00 A fine restored and very well looked 1000’s of hours.

Immaculate inside and trim, AR? (N. Yorkshire) opportunity to aquire a veryvalue rare car.£12,995.00 (would cost well over after car £27,995.00 www.mgmidgets.com underneath!

Fantastic

ub you Fast for , max 60 cture to

1938 MGTA

to US. Returned UK 1989. Converted www.mgmecca.co.uk

ed, from barn finds to collections purchased.

d. iscretion assured. h black itate to contact me if nd must n selling your MG and 750

Believed to be the second last Roadster registered in the UK and still in existence.

Excellent Condition. Taxed and MOT 12 months. Photographic body off restoration aprox 11,000 miles ago. All matching numbers. Heritage Certificate. Recent new wire wheels and tyres. Large History file. Reluctant sale. Valued by Hagarty April 2018 at £32,500. Asking price £28,500 ONO. Tel 07793 470660, or email: Alan.dobson@questgates.co.uk (Kent)

1975 MGBGT V8

www.mgmecca.co.uk

ANTED

1962 MGA Roadster Mk2

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 1000’s of hours. Immaculate inside and out and trim, leather seats. A fine restored and very well looked 2020 AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 95 after car £27,995.00 underneath! Fantastic value £12,995.00

08 £3.95 August 2019 Volume 63 Number

NDSHIP THE MARQUE OF FRIE

THE

CLUB

CAR LT D

ABINGDON-ON-TH

AMES

FO U N D E D 193 0

● JEKYLL AND HYDE ● CLUNKING AND CREAKING THE BATTLE OF THE BABIES 25/07/2019 09:09 Safety Fast_Cover August2019.indd

1

PLEASE CALL NICK ON 01452 730770 www.mgcc.co.uk

0

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 95 SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 92

25/07/2019 10:27

11/12/2019 16:54

Barry W

adRocket

B ARRY WALKER Sherwood Restorations Ltd

Sherwood Restorations Ltd Estd.1968

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

British Motor Heritage approved

SOME MORE SUPER OLD THINGS THIS MONTH ALL IN LOVELY ORDER AND AT VERY FAIR PRICES

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

1949 MG TC SPORTS. A slightly older restoration than some we offer, but in really good reliable condition with a lovely engine & box, and nicely patinised red leather. Correct & original with excellent steering & performance...£28,950

1935 MG ‘N’ 6 CYL. 4-SEAT MAGNETTE. The ideal long distance touring MG or perfect for golf clubs, dog or wife’s luggage. Good ground clearance, roomy & comfortable with proper 6cyl. performance. In original condition throughout. Two-tone blue with complete interior by Collingburn in blue leather with full weather gear. Such a practical car with sensible ease of entry. Ideal for the Flying Scotsman or similar................................£65,000

VERY RARE 6 CYL. S/CHARGED 1933 MG K1 MAGNETTE. Indeed a rare car, especially in supercharged form AND with orig. pre-select gearbox & its original KD engine! This car is unbelievably original together with all correct paperwork & orig. Reg. No. In sound running order needing cosmetic improvement whilst keeping her on the road – hence very fairly priced for a K type......£69,500 1947 MG TC SPORTS. It’s not very often we get a truly professionally engineered car. If you’re looking for reliability, longevity & performance, this must be viewed. One engineer owner for the past 51 years. Photographic album showing every stage of this 2014 chassis-up restoration. Beautiful to drive in pristine condition. Raven Black with Apple Green leather......................................................£36,500

1960 MGA ‘1600 ROADSTER’. Completely refurbished by Bob West MGA. There is little I can say about this other than it’s fabulous & offered in show condition. Not a car we often sell, but when as good as this it meets the standard we sell at. Deep red, beige leather, full weather equipment...£35,500 PRE-WAR & TA/B/C SPARES FOR SALE * Dismantled but complete MG ‘N’ 6cyl. engine. V. good components - RARE...£8,500 * Spare L/K cyl. head – unshaven........£1,500 * Many other 4/6 cyl. engine parts including clutches. * J/P/L/F handbrake crosshaft, complete...£550 * Set of front & rear rebuilt MG D/F/J/P shock absorbers..........................................£120ea * New water pumps for P/L/K/N models....£485ea * Complete MG J2 engine for rebuild (all together)........................................£6,750 * TA/B/C pair new magnetic speedo & rev counter......................£550 pair * Head/tail/side/foglamps. Instruments for all models, electrical boxes, filler caps, Lucas horns, etc, etc. * JUST IN J2/F2/L2 HOOD FRAMES & CYLCLE WINGS * Fully restored F2/J2 radiator........£850 J2 radiator shell...................£350 * Very rare J2/F2 ROTAX h’lamps type K624/2........................£2,000 pair * TC road wheels/MMM road wheels/all types of steering wheels. ***** SAME DAY MAIL ORDER *****

COMMISSION SALES: Our highly regarded service is always available to you.

FOR CARS & SPARES – JUST PHONE FOR AN APPOINTMENT 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

1968 MGC ROADSTER

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

Painted Wire Wheels, Superb history going back over many years. Invoices, photographs, Original Sales Brochure etc.

Now in our workshops undergoing preparation. Has been used for touring both in the UK and Europe, So Nice, So Original and So Understated! Please call to arrange inspection or to discuss further.

WAS: £31,995

NOW: £29,995 SAVE: £2,000

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

Barry Walker January 20 .indd 1

“SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATES FOR READERS” Please mention ‘Ssfety Fast’ when calling.

05/12/2019 11:14

FP_CLASSICC_3899348id3990095.pdf 05.08.2019 12:09

www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 93

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 93

11/12/2019 16:50

How to Advertise Members can advertise advertise their their cars cars free free Members can of charge in Safety Fast! The cost for of charge in Safety Fast! costwill for non members is £20.

TheThe advert non be members willin also posted is on£20. the The Clubadvert website alsocourse. be posted on the website in due To place anClub advert in Safety please due course.Fast!

To place anemail advert in Safety colingrant@mgcc.co.uk Fast! please emailwith an attached photo of your car,with details colingrant@mgcc.co.uk an of your car, your contact details, price attached photo your car, of of your car, areaofwhere youdetails live and your car, your contactPlease details, price membership number. keep your of your area where you live and advert tocar, 60 words The editor reserves membership Please keep your the right number. to edit longer adverts.

Thisto is 60 forwords one insertion only, for advert The editor reserves additional insertions please email the right to edit longer adverts.

Colinisat This forcolingrant@mgcc.co.uk one insertion only, for additional insertions please email A Series Spares Colin at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk

Over 200 items for sale inlcudeing, cylinder head, crankshaft, pistons, gaskets, gearbox parts, clutch parts, CarOver 200 items for sale burettors complete and inlcudeing, parts available. cylinder crankshaft, pistons,control Completehead, dynamos, distributors, gaskets, gearbox parts, clutch parts, Carboxes, fuel pumps, headlamps and rear lights pluscomplete much, much Collection burettors andmore. parts available. from Abindon Oxon. distributors, Email Leslie control for Complete dynamos, more details at: leslie.steele@sky.com boxes, fuel pumps, headlamps and rear

A Series Spares

lights much, much more. Collection MG plus TF/MGA DIFF from Abindon Oxon. 8/41 Emailcrown Leslie for Original equipment, wheeldetails and pinion from a TF1500. more at: leslie.steele@sky.com Excellent condition with very little wear. Will fit T series or MGA. MGA diff housing, bearings, etc,crown all in Original equipment, 8/41 excellent included. £250 wheel andcondition pinion from a TF1500.

- postage/shipping at cost, photos Excellent condition with very little available. Call Peter 07976 255202

MG TF/MGA DIFF

wear. Will fit T series or MGA. MGA diff housing, bearings, etc, all in excellent condition included. £250 - postage/shipping at cost, photos available. Call Peter 07976 255202

WANTED WANTED ALL MG MODELS! All conditions wanted, from barn finds to concours. Complete collections purchased.

Cash buyer. Discretion assured.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in selling your MG and are looking for a prompt hassle-free cash buyer! Please feel free to contact me for a no obligation friendly chat.

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

MGA Works Aluminium Hardtop Hardtop Manufactured by Vanden Plas. This

Manufactured by Vanden Plas. This hardtop has been recently refurbished hardtop hasheadlining, been recently refurbished with a new seals and with a newinheadlining, and resprayed black. The seals fittings have resprayed in black.AThe fittings haveof an been re-chromed. good example extremely rare hardtop - hence £3,250, been re-chromed.

A good example of an buyer collects.

Contact -Gerry extremely rare hardtop henceon £3,250, 01767 260797 Contact or email:Gerry on buyer collects. gerry.amsden@btinternet.com 01767 260797 or email: (Bedfordshire) gerry.amsden@btinternet.com MG WA Spares For Sale (Bedfordshire)

Rare opportunity to purchase spares for this pre-war model. Complete engine, axles,opportunity wheels, carbs, inlet and spares exhaustfor Rare to purchase manifolds, dynamo, this pre-warcylinder model.head, Complete engine, starter motor. Wheel hubs and splines, axles, wheels, carbs, inlet and exhaust wheel bearings plus several boxes of enmanifolds, cylinder head, dynamo, gine and chassis parts, mostly used but starter motor. andpictures splines, some new.

ForWheel furtherhubs details, wheel bearings plussee several boxesunder of enand contact details full listing "Spares Sale"parts, on the SVW Register gine andFor chassis mostly used but website www.svwregister.co.uk. some new.

For further details, pictures

MG WA Spares For Sale

and contact details WANTED see full listing under SPARES "Spares For Sale" on the SVW Register WANTED website www.svwregister.co.uk.

Complete Heater Assembly suitable for

SPARES WANTED WANTED

a MGA (converted from LHD). Please contact Chris Norman 01394 460 576, or mobile 07591177490. Email: chrisnorman2211@btinternet.com.

Complete Heater Assembly suitable for

a MGA (converted from LHD). Please note01394 that460 the contactPlease Chris Norman 576, or mobile 07591177490.

Email: Advertising deadline is chrisnorman2211@btinternet.com.

January 10th forthe February Please noteissue thatof the Safety Fast!

Advertising deadline is

January 10th forthe February issue of Safety Fast!

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

CALL DIRECT ON: 07787 528131 UK Based Buyer

Colne Classics

MG Power Steering and restoration specialists

View the website on www.colneclassics.com B1 Seaden Court, Gorse Lane Ind Est, Clacton, Essex.

01255 432693, 07714 675319

94 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 94

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:50

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

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

MIKE ROLLS

MG TF 135 As New

2016 (just 6,925 miles) 2003 (53 Reg) Manual Petrol Finished in: Lemans

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

SERVICES FOR MGs

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

Specialising in all MG’s

TRADE MEMBERThis is just a small selection from our stock

TEL/FAX: 01258 820337

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

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri:www.churchsquareautos.com 8am-6pm,Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm 2016 201 6

MIKE ROLLS

TRADE MEMBER

Specialising in all MG’s

SERVICES FOR MGs

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

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

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

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

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)

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

MGB GT - 1972

MGB GT, 1972, Tax and MOT Exempt but is MOT’d to July 2020.

The car is finished in Damask Red and comes with Alloy wheels, Overdrive, Electronic ignition, Glass sunroof, Motolita steering wheel, Black leather seats and good history file. £5,995

MG TF - 2002

MG TF, 2002 Finished in X Power Grey The car comes with new tyres, a new hood with glass rear window and will have a new MOT, Cambelt and service done upon purchase.

Only 24.000mls from new. £2,495

TED

AN GW

RM

U YO

For

r e m

y r o Gl BY

01844 281700

nigelguild@hotmail.com

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

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

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 95

Fast payment and collection

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 95

11/12/2019 16:50

Call for a quote today

B8 - MANOR GARAGE_CLASSIC MOTORING 20/05/2019 11:35 Page 1

Insurance for all MG’s classic and modern

01376 574000

www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk

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 23/9/09 16:22 Albert Street North, Chesterfield, S41 8NP

DONHOODS-SFAug07.QXD:Layout 1

Page 1

DON HOODS UNBEATABLE QUALITY – UNBEATABLE VALUE! DIRECT FROM THE MAKERS – WITH OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

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 13ICE OFF SOUTHERN SALES

00 Tel: 01202 7422

CARPET SETS FOR MOST

• • • •

• • • •

we restored was chosen by Oxford Automobile Model Company Failing 6v batteries?

Servicing and MOT Work Fit Manor Garages Sill Replacement Restoration twin 12v conversion.

Professionally Spot Welded Still 12v but with double the capacity. Fits existing battery boxes, Gearbox rebuilds we have a with minimal extra wiring. Reliable stock of 4 synchro reverse starting power after your MG has gears that are currently not been parked up. KIT £195 + vat. available Engine rebuilds Wiring looms fitted Very large stock of new parts 27 Years in Business

MODELS

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)

NEW MGB Baulk Rings

15/05/2017

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

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 96

Longstone Tyres ............................36

Adrian Flux .....................................70

Machine Mart .................................43

Barrie Carter ..................................97

Manor Garage ................................96

Barry Walker ...................................93 Beech Hill Garage...........................94 British Motor Heritage....................IFC Brown and Gammons......................9 Car Cover Shop .............................96

Martin Smith Used MGTF Spares .95 MG Mecca......................................92 MG Sales Centre ............................26 Midland Classic Restoration .............4

Carole Nash Insurance .................11

Mike Authurs Classics MG Midgets94

Chisbon Restorations......................76

Mike Rolls .......................................95

Church Square Autos ....................95

Mike Satur ......................................78

Classic & Sports Cars (Essex)...90, 91

Moss Europe Ltd ............................33

Classic Concierge...........................16

NTG Services...............................OBC

Clive Wheatley ................................53

Oselli Ltd ........................................76

College Motors Burford ..................74 Colne Classics ................................94

Peter Best .........................IBC, 96, 97 Rees Bros .......................................96

Please checkCotswold this proof carefully for errors in style, content and layout.

Car Storage – Classic Car Carswe ..........................53 Although every care is exercised in preparing Retro yourSports advert, cannot hold Hub.................................................25 Rimmer Bros Ltd ............................16 ourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook.

13:33 Crown Classic Cars ........................70 RJHTO Automotive Transport ..............85 SHOULD YOU ANY ALTERATIONS THIS PROOF PLEASE DavidREQUIRE Manners ................................6

CNC Machined in the U.K. to our specification

96 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

4Sight Lighting Company...............70

URGENT PROOF

Online database for the perfect cover at www.carcovershop.co.uk Tel 01780 749449 I-240085.indd 1

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

www.donhoods.com

CM06.19/B8/drd

• MGB 23/06/2010 13:46

Steve McKie Sports Cars Hi-Res.indd 1

RM Car Care...................................68 Dennis Welch..................................96 TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO. _ _ _ _ _ Distributor Doctor............................85

Robin Lackford Motor Engineering 78

Don Trimming .................................96

Scenic Car Tours ...........................13

EJW Classic and Sports ................95

Sherwood Restorations ..................93

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SPAX.................................................6 We reserveFostons the right to charge for any alteration to this proof which ...........................................72 Steve McKie Sports Cars................96 is a departure from the original copy Frontline .........................................38 Halls Garage ...................................68

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www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:50

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01308 Cart rie 868884

ie Carter r r a B07885 and Alan Bartlett email barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk

07885 768830

er- ‘T-type’ - ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ 768830

Call for a quote today

and Alan Bartlett ‘T-type’ email barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk

01376 574000

Insurance for aspect all MG’s We restore and refresh both T-types and X-pag engines, gearboxes, trim, paint; every and we buy - ‘T-type’ - ‘T-type’and‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ sell T-types and other classics. Running out of T’s for sale but we have some interesting objects to occupy classic and modern yourself after trim, retirement and banishment tobuy the garage k T-types and X-pag engines, oth gearboxes, paint; every aspect and we

r classics. Running out of T’s for sale but we have some interesting objects to occupy nd banishment to the garage

www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk

ie Carter r r a B

01308 07885 01308 07885 C a e i r 01308 01308 07885 07885 r t 01308 07885 r C C a e a e i irandriAlanertAlanBartlett r868884 tterri768830 and Alan Bartlett randrAlanandBBartlett eC ra01308 rand BBaemail abarriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk 07885 a 868884 768830 rarr768830 Alan Bartlett 76883 Cart ebarriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk BBartlett 868884 768830 868884 868884 email

ce championship winner, fully sis £13,950. or with full race anifold, now removed and d in ext. comp clutch, alloy body fied brakes, teles, cage, race ed and very quick. Ideal circuit,

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a‘T-type’ r 768830 B 868884 ‘T-type’ - email - ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ ‘T-type’ - ‘T-type’ - ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ -barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk ‘X-pag’ ‘T-type’ - ‘T-type’ - ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ MGC Roadster 1968, In Mineral Blue

manual and Overdrive. One attentative MGC Roadster 1968, In Mineral Blue owner for 17 years. It has a historic manual and Overdrive. One attentative TC for Race/fast allegedly twice championship winner, fully and very nice restoration that inccured owner 17 years. Itroad has acar, historic Subaru Justy, You’ve forgotten these andmodified very nice restoration that inccured to T reg. specs.

Rolling chassis £13,950. or with full race Subaru Justy, You’ve forgotten these new panels, carpets, hood, wire wheels, 1200 cc FWD! Switchable! 34K I love new1350 panels, carpets,“1¾ hood,SU’s wire Derrington wheels, 1200 cc FWD! Switchable!

34K I love engine! manifold, now removed and modified head and engine rebuilt to fast a lowbuy mileage lovely example. refresh T-types andlovely X-pag engines, gearboxes, trim, paint; every aspectthese, and we modifiedWe headrestore and engineand rebuilt to fast both these, a lowcomp mileage example. available separately. has plumbed in ext. clutch, alloy body road specification.

This “C” isengines, in very gearboxes, They have MX5 Performance.

Cheeky, We restore and refresh both T-types and X-pag trim, paint; every aspect and we buy road specification.

This “C” isCar in very of T’s for sale but we have some interesting objects to occupy and sell T-types and other classics.

Running out They have MX5 Performance.

Cheeky, We restore and refresh both T-types and X-pag engines, gearboxes, trim, paint; every aspect andtowe buy lovely instantly useable condition.

These panels, 15” wheels, tramp bars modified brakes, teles, cage, race quick and great off roaders.

Beautiful lovely instantly useable condition.

These We restore and refresh both T-types and X-pag engines, gearboxes, trim, paint; every aspect and we buy and T-types and other classics. Running out of T’s for sale but we have some interesting objects occupy quick and great off sell roaders.

Beautiful yourself after retirement and banishment toIdeal the garage cars are romping away inof valve next and more. as scruffy and very quick. circuit, carsseat, are romping awayIt’s in valve so next as raced T’ssofor sale interesting butinside we have some interesting objects to occupy and sell T-types and other classics.

Running out and out.

It rubbishes 205s and inside and out.

It rubbishes 205s andout yourself after retirement and banishment to the garage of T’s for sale but we have some objects to occupy and sell T-types and other classics.

Running year you or canhillclimb. make a profit! £21,000 year you canto make profit! £21,000 race £18,500 rare. £3,250 rare. £3,250 yourself after retirement and banishment theagarage

barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk emailemail barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk and Alan Bartlett ‘T-type’ - ‘T-type’email - ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ -barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ ‘T-type’ - ‘T-type’ - ‘T-type’ ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’ - ‘X-pag’

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

yourself after retirement and banishment to the garage

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 occ

yourself retirement and banishment to the garage We restore andafter refresh both T-types and X-pag engines, gearboxes, trim, paint; every aspect and we buy

2cv Dolly has and sell Citroen T-types andhas other classics. Running out of T’s for sale but we have some interesting objects to occupy This lovely 2cv Dolly MGCThis GT lovely 1968aCitroen Beautifully undergone very nice restoration at yourself retirement undergone aafter very nice restoration at and banishment to the garage restored endurance some to point.

It has moreand performance some point. It has more performance historic thanrally most,specification.This Don’t know why, but its quicker than It has than most, Don’t know why, but its is probably thesome bestothers!!

“C” I have MGC Roadster 1968, In Mineral a lovely interior, galvanised quicker than Blue some others!!

It has owned andboby I’m ,very tempted to MGC Roadster 1968, In Mineral Blue manual and Overdrive. One attentative bootbeen rack and a large history manual and Overdrive. One attentative , interior, galvanised keepchassis, it. It has fully restored owner for 17 years.aItlovely has a boby historic file. These cars are rising in value owner for 171968, years.InIt Mineral has a historic MGC Roadster Bluethese chassis, boot rack and a large history andTC has pictorial evidence but Race/fast road car, allegedly twice championship winner, fully and very nice restoration that inccured Subaru You’ve forgotten very quickly and I love em! £6,995 TC Race/fast road car, allegedly twice championship winner, fully and very Justy, nice restoration that inccured Subaru Justy, You’ve forgotten these manual One attentative MGC Roadster 1968, In Mineral Blue to T reg.upgrades, specs. Rolling or with full file.

These are rising inand value hasmodified had sensible gaschassis £13,950. modified new panels, carpets, hood, wirecars wheels, to Trace reg. specs. Rolling chassis £13,950. or with full race 1200 ccOverdrive.

FWD! Switchable!

34K I love headlight covers and front valance. new panels, carpets, hood, wire wheels, 1200 cc FWD! Switchable! 34K I love owner for 17a years.

It has a historic 1350all engine!

“1¾ SU’s Derrington now removed and “1¾ SU’s Derrington manual Overdrive. attentative modified manifold, head andand engine rebuiltand toOne fast 1350 engine! now removed modified headmileage and engine rebuilt to fast these, low lovely example. ears 10 gears!! Stage 2 head with very quickly and I love em! £6,995 shocks round, Anti Roll bar, manifold, these, a low mileage lovely example.

TCinRace/fast road car, allegedly twice championship winner, fully MGC and very nice restoration that inccured Subaru You’ve forgotten these Roadster 1968, In Mineral Blue available separately.

Car has plumbed ext. comp clutch, alloy body road specification.

This “C” is in very available separately.

Car has plumbed in ext. comp clutch, alloy body road specification.

This “C” is in very owner for 17 years.

It has a historic They have MX5 Performance.

Cheeky, pecial system. Inside the car has rally They haveJusty, MX5 Performance.

Cheeky, Minilite repsEngland with rally covers and frontchassis valance.

Gordon Cuptyres.

ModelSebring Austin 7headlight 1926 to T reg. modified specs.

Rolling £13,950. or with full race new panels, carpets, hood, wire wheels, lovely instantly useable condition.

These lovely instantly useable condition.

These panels, 15” wheels, tramp bars modified brakes, teles, cage, race panels, 15” wheels, tramp bars modified brakes, teles, cage, race 1200 ccthese FWD! Switchable!

34K manual I love and Overdrive. One attentative TC Race/fast road car, allegedly twice championship winner, fully quick and great off roaders. Beautiful quick and greatSubaru off roaders.

Beautiful and very nice restoration that inccured lly navigation aids. Halda, stopwatch Justy, You’ve forgotten One owner for over 50 years & in lovely Competition quick Overdrive on all gears 10 gears!!

Stage 2 head with cars are romping away in valve so next 1350 “1¾ Ideal SU’s Derrington manifold, now removed and seat, and more.

It’s asrace scruffy and very Idealsohood, circuit, cars as areraced romping awayquick. in valve next wire modified head rebuilt toSwitchable! fast seat, and more.

It’s asspecs. scruffyRolling as raced andengine! very quick. circuit, inside and out.mileage It rubbishes 205s and MGClovely Roadster 1968,for In Mineral Blue these, aI low example. inside andand out.engine It rubbishes 205s and nts. It is all topped off with a Britax modified to T reg. chassis £13,950. or with full new panels, carpets, wheels, owner 17 years.

It has a historic 1200 cc FWD! 34K love condition.

This well known Gordon England mildrace cam, six branch exhaust and available special system.

Inside the£18,500 car has rally year you can make profit! £21,000 race or hillclimb. year you make ahead profit! £21,000 separately.

Car has plumbed in ext.can comp clutch, alloy body road road specification.

This7a“C” istwice in verychampionship or engine! hillclimb. £18,500 rare. have £3,250 Gordon England Cup Model Austin 1926 They MX5 Performance.

Cheeky, rare. £3,250 olute delight to drive with oodles of manual and Overdrive.

1350 “1¾ SU’s Derrington manifold, now removed and modified and engine rebuilt to fast TC Race/fast car, allegedly winner, fully these, a low mileage example. and veryOne niceattentative restoration that inccured Subaru Justy, You’ve forgotten Austin is fitted with rare LAP. OHV conver cobra seats, belts andthethe correct rally navigation aids.

Halda, stopwatch lovely instantly useable condition.

These lovely panels, 15”ext. wheels, tramp bars modified cage, raceThis est “C” look no further £21,995 quick and great off roaders.

Beautiful One owner for“C” over 50 years & in lovely owner for 17 years.

It has acarpets, historic hood, wire wheels, available separately.

Car has plumbed in comp clutch, alloy body brakes, roadteles, specification. is inreg. very They have MX5 Performance.

Cheeky, modified to T specs.

Rolling chassis £13,950. or with full race new panels, sion and has performed with this for many 1200 cc FWD! Switchable! 34K I cars are romping away in valve so next seat, and more.

It’s as scruffy as raced and very quick.

Ideal circuit, and panels, Brantz clocks for endurance events.

It isbrakes, allMGC topped off with a Britax lovely instantly inside and out. Itand rubbishes 205srestoration and TC Race/fast road car, allegedly twice championship winner, fully that and inccured useable condition.

These ThisDerrington lovely Citroen 2cv Dolly GT 1968 Beautifully 15” wheels, tramp bars modified teles, cage, race condition. well known Gordon England Subaru Justy, You’ve forgotten these quick and great offhas roaders.

Beautiful This lovely Citroen 2cvThis Dolly hasyear MGC 1968 Beautifully years.GT Itsunroof. has the spare engine andabsolute box it 1350 engine!

“1¾ SU’s manifold, now removed and very nice modified you can make a profit! £21,000 head engine rebuilt to fast racewith or hillclimb. £18,500 these, a low matching The car is an delight to drive with oodles of rare. £3,250 undergone a very nice restoration at restored to endurance and modified to T reg. specs.

Rolling chassis £13,950. or with full race cars are romping away in valve so next new panels, carpets, hood, wire wheels, seat, more.

It’s as scruffy asfor raced and very quick. Ideal circuit, 1200 cc FWD! Switchable!

34Kmileage I love lovely exam undergoneAustin a very nice restoration atthe rare LAP. restored toAustin endurance inside and out.

It ext. rubbishes 205s and alloy is fitted with OHV conver & isand a and fine that isand acceptable many available separately.

Car has plumbed in comp clutch, body road specification.

This “C” is in very some point.

It has more performance historic rally specification.This torque power.

If you want the best “C” look no further £21,995 Theylovely haveexample.

MX5 Performance. Ch year you can make aperformance profit! £21,000 1350 engine!

“1¾ SU’s Derrington manifold, now removed and race orrally hillclimb. £18,500 modified head and engine rebuilt to fast some point.

It has more historic specification.This these, a low mileage rare. £3,250 Vintage and Austin events. For sale on behalf of theis family. £29,950 sion and has performed with tramp this many than for most, Don’tmodified know why, but its probably the best “C” I have lovelyThis instantly useable condition.

These panels, 15” wheels, bars brakes, teles, cage, race quick and great off roaders. Bea than most, Don’t know why, but its is probably the best “C” I have available separately.

Car has plumbed in ext. comp clutch, alloy body road specification.

“C” is in very They have MX5 Performance. Cheeky, restore and refresh bothyears.

T-types and X-pag engines, gearboxes, trim, paint; every aspect and we buy Thisand lovely Citroen DollyIt has has MGCWe GT 1968 Beautifully than some2cv owned and I’m very tempted to has and the spare engine box with itothers!! are romping so next someIt others!!

It has owned and I’m very tempted to seat, more. asquicker scruffy as raced and very inside and Beautiful out. It rubbishes 205s instantlycars useable condition.away Thesein valvequick panels, 15” wheels, trampIt’sbars teles, cage, race Ideal circuit, a modified lovely aboby ,brakes, interior, galvanised keep it. It has undergone very nice restoration at quick. restored to endurance andbeen fully restored quicker than and great off roaders. &This is, interior, aand fine Austin that isDolly acceptable many a lovely boby galvanised A very rare BMW Austin 7 keep it.GT It1929 has been fully restored and and classics. out offor T’s for sale butcircuit, we havelovely some interesting objects to occupy yearaway you in can make a profit! £21,000 lovely Citroen 2cvscruffy has MGC 1968 Beautifully race orRunning hillclimb. £18,500 chassis, boot rack andperformance a quick. large history and hasT-types pictorial evidence but other cars are romping valve so next Panhard Dyna X rally 1947sell RHD some point.

It has more historic specification.This seat, more.

It’s as as raced and very Ideal rare. £3,250 inside and out. It rubbishes 205s and boot rack and aalarge and has pictorial evidence but Vintage and Austin events.

Forgarage sale on behalf of the family. £29,950 file. cars are rising inbut value Badge, radiator and surround had sensible upgrades, gas chassis, undergone veryhistory nice at These restored toemblem endurance and Allegedlyis1probably owner & specially built asI have RHD for most, Don’t know why, its thehas best “C” year you can make a profit! £21,000 or hillclimb. £18,500 yourself after retirement banishment torestoration thethan rare. £3,250 file.and Theserace cars arepoint. risingItinhas value has had sensible upgrades, gas verythan quickly and others!!

I love em!It£6,995 all round, Anti some more performance historic rally specification.This a hubs. disabled customer. in a Roll bar, are pure BMW, as are theRoll wheel quicker some has owned and Resting I’mshocks veryundisturbed tempted to very quickly and I love £6,995 shocks all round, Anti bar, Minilite reps with been rally tyres. Sebring headlight covers andem! front valance.

French barn for over 20 years, it has now than most, Don’t know why, but its is probably the best “C” I have a lovely boby , interior, galvanised keep it.

It has been fully restored This Minilite car must rank in rally the forefront reps with tyres. recommissioned Sebring headlight covers andOily front valance.

This lovely Citroen 2cv Dolly has MGC GT with 1968 Beautifully Competition quick Overdrive on all gears 10 gears!! Stage 2 head and is a lovely Rag car that is quicker than It chassis, has owned andquick I’m very tempted bootDyna rack and1947 a large history and has pictorial evidence but Competition Overdrive on alltogears 10 gears!!

Stage 2 six head withexhaust and special system.

Panhard RHD mild cam, branch Inside thesome carBeautifully has rally This lovely Citroen 2cv Dolly has nice restoration at MGC GTrestored 1968 Austin 7 and BMW desirability.

Built Gordon EnglandX Cup 7 1926 undergone a very toothers!! endurance and now and braking, with everything working. file.

These cars are rising inModel valueAustin has had sensible upgrades, gas a lovely boby , interior, galvanised keep it. Itsixhas beenexhaust fully restored mild cam, branch andrunning special system.

Inside the car has rally cobra seats, belts and the correct rally navigation aids.

Halda, stopwatch ory, all documented. It has been in the same by BMW Allegedly 1 owner as RHD for Gordon England Cup Model Austin 7 1926 One owner for over&50specially years & inbuilt lovely undergone a very nicepoint. restoration restored to endurance and 1929 with itsevidence mirror image The carrally hasnavigation beenall researched by aRoll Panhard historian some It hasatmore performance historic quickly and I love em!Resting £6,995 shocks round, Anti bar,for and Brantz clocks endurance events.

It is all topped off arally Britax chassis, boot rack aspecification.This largevery history andinhas pictorial but cobra seats, belts and the correct aids.

Halda, stopwatch any Austin events, before being loaned to a One owner for overrally 50 with years &and in lovely condition. This well known Gordon England in a a disabled customer. undisturbed who has unearthed its fascinating history from the some point.

It has more performance historic specification.This & engine adapted for LHD and then matching sunroof.

The car headlight is an absolute delight drive with of than most, Don’t know why, but its isknown probably the “C” I have Minilite with rally tyres.

Sebring covers andtoThese front valance. and clocks forupgrades, endurancegas events.

It isreps all topped off with a Britax file. carsoodles are rising inbest value hasBrantz had sensible ner, the car is being recommissioned in our Austin barn is fitted LAP. OHV conver condition.

Gordon England records.

It is atto present beingpower. registered French forwith overthe20rare years, it has now been than most, Don’tquicker know why, its others!! It has isThis probably the best “C” I£6,995 have torque and you want the “C” look nowell further £21,995 Competition quick onIf of all in gears 10 best gears!!

Stage 2quickly head with sunroof.

The car isfactory anand absolute delight driveOverdrive with oodles fittedmatching with JHLE sports 600 body thanbut some owned tempted very and ILAP. loveI’m em!very shocks all round, Anti Roll bar, etails. £31,000 and hastoperformed this for many the UK with full authorisation from the Panhard Club.

Offered £6,995 Austin is owned fitted with theI’m rareand OHV conver recommissioned andModel iswith a lovely Oily Rag car that is quicker than some others!!

It has and very tempted tosion and power.

If you theSebring best “C” look nobranch further £21,995 mild cam, six exhaust and special system.

Inside the car has rally Gordon England 1926 Minilite reps with rallywant tyres. headlight covers and front valance.

Ulstertorque suspension modifications.

Has years.

It has theCup spare engineAustin and box7with it a lovely boby , interior, galvanised keep it.

It has been fully restored sion and has performed with this for many now running and braking, with everything working. a lovely boby , interior, galvanised keep it. Itstopwatch has been fully restored seats, the correct rally navigation aids.

Halda, Overdrive history, oncobra all gears 10belts Stage 2 head with Oneit&owner forAustin over that 50 years & in lovely is a fine is acceptable for many Agears!! veryand rare 1929 BMW Austin 7same a fullyCompetition documentedquick and fascinating all documented.

It has been in the years.

It has the spare engine and box with chassis, boot rack and a large history and has pictorial evidence but The car This has been researched byEngland a Panhard historian andspecial Brantz system. clocks endurance events.

It is all topped offhas withpictorial a Britax evidence condition. and but Vintage Austinknown events.Gordon For sale on behalf of the family. £29,950chassis, boot rack and a large history Badge,for radiator emblem and surround six BMW branch exhaust Inside the car has rally well Austin that ishad acceptable for many Gordon England Cup Model Austin 7and 1926 Amild very cam, rare 1929 Austin 7 inand ownership 50 years or more, being many Austin events, before being loaned to a& is atofine Theseincars upgrades, gas matching sunroof.

The carHalda, anthe absolute delight drive with oodles of sensible who has unearthed itsrare fascinating history from the file. These cars file. are rising valueare rising in value hasAustin hadhas sensible upgrades, gas are pure BMW, asisare wheel hubs. cobra seats, belts and the correct rally navigation aids. stopwatch Austin is fitted with the LAP. OHV conver Vintage and events.

For sale on behalf of the family. £29,950 Badge, radiator and surround MGC Roadster 1968, In Mineral Blue One owner for over 50 years & in lovely museum.

Now, on emblem the demise of the owner, the car is being recommissioned in our torque and power.

If must you want best “C” look no further £21,995 quickly and I love em! £6,995 shocks round, Anti Rollhas bar, factory records.

It is atwith present being registered in rank inthe the forefront very quickly andvery I love em! £6,995 shocks all round,allAnti Roll sion bar, and Brantz clocks forwheel endurance events. It isThis all car topped off with a Britax and England performed this for many are pure BMW, as are the hubs. details. manual and Overdrive.

One attentative condition.

This well known Gordon Panhard Dyna X 1947 RHD workshops, please enquire forcar further £31,000 Austinto 7 and BMW desirability. reps with rally tyres.

Sebring headlight covers and front valance. the UKMinilite with full authorisation from the Panhard Club.

Offered £6,995 Minilite reps with rally tyres.

Sebring headlight covers andbox front matching is an absolute delight drive with oodlesBuilt of This car mustsunroof. rank in theThe forefront years.

ItOHV hasconver the spare engine and withvalance.

Allegedly owner specially built as RHD for Austin is fitted with the rare LAP. owner for 17 years.

It1 head has ait&with historic

by BMW 1929 with its mirror image Competition quick Overdrive on10 allgears!! gears 10 gears!!

Stage 2 head within a Competition quick Overdrive all gears Stage 2 torque andBMW power.

If youBuilt want the bestrare “C”1929 look no infurther £21,995 Panhard Dyna Xon 1947 RHD Austin 7 and desirability. & is a fine Austin that is acceptable for many A very BMW Austin 7 a disabled customer.

Resting undisturbed & engine adapted LHD allegedly and then TC Race/fast roadforcar, twicemild championship winner, fully sioncam, and has performed this forspecial many and very nice restoration that inccured Justy, You’ve forgotten Allegedly 1with owner & specially built asspecial RHD for mild sixexhaust branch exhaust and system.

Inside the car has sixcam, branch and system.

Inside car has

by BMW in 1929 with its mirror image Badge, radiatorfitted French barn for over years, it has nowrally beenSubaru Vintage and Austin events.

For salethe on behalf of20rally the family. £29,950 and surround Gordon England Cup Model Austin 1926 Austin 7 1926 Gordon England Cup7these Model JHLE sports 600 Rolling body and chassis years. modifiedemblem towith T reg. specs. £13,950. with full race Itcobra hasor the engine andthe box with itpanels, new carpets, hood, wire wheels, aspare disabled customer.

Resting undisturbed innavigation a recommissioned 1200 and is a lovely Oily Rag car that is cc FWD! Switchable! 34K I love & engine adapted for LHD and then cobra seats, belts and the correct rally navigation aids.

Halda, stopwatch seats, belts and correct rallybeen aids.

Halda, stopwatch are pure BMW, Ulster as aresuspension the wheelmodifications. hubs.

Has One owner forOne overowner 50 years &over in lovely for 50 years & in lovely French barn for over 20 for years, it has now now running anda braking, with everything working. & is a fine Austin that is acceptable many 1350 engine!

“1¾ SU’s Derrington manifold, now removed and A very Austin modified head and engine rebuilt to fast fitted withrare JHLE1929 sportsBMW 600 body and7 This car these, a low mileage lovely example. and Brantz clocks for endurance events.

It is all topped off with Britax a fullyindocumented and fascinating history, all documented.and It has Brantz been recommissioned in theclocks same forand endurance events.

ItTheisiscar allhas topped off with aPanhard Britax must rank the forefront is a lovely Oily Rag car that condition.

This well known Gordon England been researched by a historian condition.

This well known Vintage and Austin events.

For sale behalf of thetofamily. £29,950 Badge, radiator modifications. emblem and Has surround separately.

Car has plumbed inmatching ext. comp clutch, alloy body road specification.

This “C” is in very Ulster suspension ownership 50 years or more, being in many Austin events, before being loaned tocar a and sunroof.

The isThe an absolute delight drive with of havewith MX5the Performance.

Cheeky,Gordon England Panhard Dyna X 1947 RHD Austinavailable 7 and BMW desirability.

Built matching sunroof. caronis absolute delight tooodles drive with oodles who has unearthed its fascinating historyof fromThey the is fitted now running braking, withan everything working.

LAP. OHV aare fullypure documented allpanels, documented.

It has beenoninthe thedemise samebars is rare fitted with theconver rare LAP. OHV conver BMW, asand arefascinating the wheelhistory, hubs. museum. of the owner, the car is beingand recommissioned inyou our lovely instantly useable condition.

These 15” wheels, tramp modified brakes, teles, cage, race Allegedly 1 owner builtregistered as Austin RHDquick for torque power.

Ifcar want the best “C” no“C” further £21,995 factory records.

It is&atspecially present being in The has been researched bythe a look Panhard historian andAustin great off roaders.

Beautiful

by BMW in 1929 with itsNow, mirror image torque and power.

If you want best look no further £21,995 sion and has performed with this for many ownership 50 years or more, being in many Austin events, before being loaned to a workshops, enquire for further UK with full are authorisation the Panhard Club.Resting Offered £6,995 a from disabled customer. undisturbed in a This car must rank in the forefront & engine cars romping in valve so next has circuit, unearthed the its fascinating history from the away seat, and more.

It’sthen as scruffy asdetails. raced£31,000 and very quick.who Ideal has performed with this for many adapted for LHDplease and inside andsion out.and It rubbishes 205s and museum. the demise of theBuilt owner, the car is being recommissioned in our French barn for over 20 years, it has now been years.

It has the spare engine and box with it and box with it Panhard Dyna X 1947 RHD factory records.

It is at present being registered in Austin 7Now, and on BMW desirability. year you can make a profit! £21,000 or hillclimb. £18,500 fitted race with JHLE sports 600 body and years. It has the spare engine rare.is£3,250 workshops, please enquire for further details. £31,000 the UK with full authorisation from the Panhard £6,995 recommissioned and is a lovely Oily Rag Allegedly 1 owner & specially built as RHD for & iscara that fine Austin that is acceptable for many A very rare 1929 BMW Austin 7 Club. Offered

by BMW in 1929 with its mirror image Ulster suspension modifications. Has & is a fine Austin that is acceptable for many A very rare 1929 BMW Austincustomer.

7 running and with everything working. a disabled Restingnow undisturbed in braking, a Vintage and Austin events.

For sale on behalf of the family. £29,950 & engine adapted for LHD and thena fully documented and fascinating history, all documented.Badge, radiator It has been in theemblem same and surround Theitcar been researched by a Panhard historian Vintage and Austin events. For sale on behalf of the family. £29,950 for over 20 years, hashas now been Badge, andbarn surround fitted with JHLE sports 600 body and ownership 50 GT years1968 or more, being in many Austin events,are before being loaned to athe emblem pure BMW, asradiator are wheelFrench hubs.

This lovely Citroen 2cv Dolly has MGC Beautifully who has unearthed its fascinating history from the and is a lovely Oily Rag car that is arerecommissioned the wheel hubs. museum.

Now, on to the endurance demise of the owner, recommissioned inBMW, our Ulster suspension modifications. Has car are mustpure rank in theas forefront factory records.

Itnice is at restoration present beingatregistered in undergone a veryworking. restored and the car is beingThis running and braking, with everything enquire further car must rank innow theUK forefront a fully documented and fascinatingworkshops, history, all please documented.

Itforhas beendetails. in the £31,000 same the with authorisation Club. performance Offered £6,995 Panhard Dyna X 1947 RHD Austin 7 This and BMW desirability.

Built somefrom point.

ItPanhard has historian more historic rally specification.This The car hasfull been researched by athePanhard RHD ownership 50 years or more, being in many Austin events, before being loaned to a Allegedly 1 ownerPanhard & speciallyDyna built Xas1947 RHD for and its BMW desirability.

Built its than

by BMWAustin in 19297with mirror image who has unearthed fascinating most,history Don’t from knowthewhy, but its is probably the best “C” I have Allegedly owner & specially built as RHD f a disabled customer.

Resting1undisturbed in a museum. Now, on the demise of the owner, the car is being recommissioned in our factory records.

It is at present being registered in by BMW in 1929 with its mirror image & engine adapted for LHD and then quicker than some others!! It has owned and I’m very tempted to French barn for over 20 years, it has now been workshops, please enquire for further details. £31,000 a disabled customer. Resting undisturbed in thewith UK&with authorisation £6,995, interior, galvanised fitted JHLEfullsports 600 body andthe engine adapted for from LHD andPanhard then Club.a Offered lovely boby keep it. It has been fully restored recommissioned and is a lovely Oilyover Rag 20 caryears, that is it has now b French barn for Ulster suspension and has pictorial evidence but fitted withmodifications.

JHLE sports Has 600 body and chassis, boot rack and a large history now running and braking, with everything recommissioned and isworking. a lovely Oily Rag ca a fully documented and fascinating history, all documented.

It has been the same file. These cars areinrising in value has had sensible upgrades, gas Ulster suspension modifications.

Has The car has been now researched byand a Panhard historian running braking, with everything w ownership 50 years or more, being in many Austin events, before being tobeen a£6,995 veryallquickly and I loaned love em! shocks all round, Anti Roll bar, a fully documented and fascinating history, documented.

It has in the same who has unearthedThe its car fascinating history from theby a Panhard has been researched museum.ownership Now, on the of the owner, theincar is being recommissioned our loaned to a Minilite reps with rally tyres. Sebring headlight covers and front valance. factory records. It who is at has present being registered in 50demise years or more, being many Austin events, beforein being unearthed its fascinating history fr workshops, please enquire for Competition quick Overdrive on all gears 10 gears!!

Stage 2on head with details. museum.

Now, thefurther demise of the£31,000 owner, the car is being recommissioned inthe ourUK with full authorisation from the Panhard Club. Offered £6,995

01308 868884

ie Carter r r a B

07885 768830

and Alan Bartlett email barriemgracer@yahoo.co.uk

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

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www.barriecartermg.com FOR DISPLAY www.barriecartermg.com ADVERTISING IN THE www.barriecartermg.com NEXT ISSUE OF

factory records. It is at present being registe mild cam, six branch exhaust and special system.

Inside please the carenquire has rally Gordon England Cup Model Austin 7 1926 the UK with full authorisation workshops, for further details. £31,000 from the Panhard Club. Offered £6,995 08 £3.95 August 2019 Volume 63 Number cobra seats, belts and the correct rally navigation aids. Halda, stopwatch FRIENDSHIP O F lovely U E in One owner for over 50 years T H E M A R Q& and Brantz clocks for endurance events. It is all topped off with a Britax condition. This well known Gordon England matching sunroof. The car is an absolute delight to drive with oodles of Austin is fitted with the rare LAP. OHV conver torque and power. If you want the best “C” look no further £21,995 sion and has performed with this for many years. It has the spare engine and box with it & is a fine Austin that is acceptable for many A very rare 1929 BMW Austin 7 Vintage and Austin events. For sale on behalf of the family. £29,950 Badge, radiator emblem and surround are pure BMW, as are the wheel hubs.

This car must rank in the forefront Panhard Dyna X 1947 RHD Austin 7 and BMW desirability. Built Allegedly 1 owner & specially built as RHD for

by BMW in 1929 with its mirror image a disabled customer. Resting undisturbed in a & engine adapted for LHD and then French barn for over 20 years, it has now been fitted with JHLE sports 600 body and recommissioned and is a lovely Oily Rag car that is Ulster suspension modifications. Has now running and braking, with everything working.

CAR a fully documented and fascinating history, all documented. It has been in the same HE The car hasTC been researched by a Panhard historian LT D LUB ownership 50 years or more, being in many Austin events, before being loaned to a who has unearthed its fascinating history from the museum. Now, on the demise of the owner, the car is being recommissioned in our factory records.

It isGatANDpresent being registered in CREAKING ● JEKYLL AND HYDE OF THE BABIES ● CLUNKIN THE BATTLE workshops, please enquire for further details. £31,000 the UK with full authorisation from the Panhard Club. Offered £6,995 ABINGDON-ON-TH

AMES

FO U N D E D 193 0

25/07/2019 09:09

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www.barriecartermg.com THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSH IP

PLEASE CALL NICK ON 01452 730770 www.mgcc.co.uk

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 97

THE CLUB

October 2019 Volume 63 Number 10 £3.95

CAR LT D

ABINGDON-ON-THAM

ES

FO U N D E D 193 0

THE THIN BLUE LINE ● MG RECORD BREAKING-THE FINAL Safety Fast_Cover October2019.indd

YEARS ● LET THE SHOCK TAKE THE

STRAIN

1 23/09/2019 14:09

JANUARY 2020 SAFETY FAST! 97

11/12/2019 16:54

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 2020 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, Ian ViceQuarrington Presidents: Ron Gammons, Don Hayter, Peter Best, Bill Chairman: Bill Silcock.

Silcock.

Vice Chairman: Keith Williams Chairman: Dave Tynan Treasurer: Richard Colston Vice Chairman: George Wilder

I

n this Triple M and T Type driver drive lineup we can readily spot Peter Green, Ron Gammons and George Edney, although other names elude us at this moment.

Perhaps you can help to identify the rest of the ‘gang’. The photo is dated July 1991 but gives no other details.

We couldn’t resist this wonderful study of an early MGF by Tony Bugbird. We’d love to know where and when the photograph was taken.

Plenty of action in this shot below of a Midget ‘cracking-on’ in the 1965 Welsh

98 SAFETY FAST! JANUARY 2020

SafetyFast_Jan2020_49-98.indd 98

International Rally. Photo by C.D. Soden.

It was a long time ago but someone may be able to identify the car and driver.

Directors: Saunders, Treasurer: Dave Richard ColstonPeter Cook, Adele Rand, Lorraine Noble Thompson, George Wilder Directors: Dave Saunders,Colin PeterWithers, Opie and Peter Cook and Dave Tynan Company Secretary: Colin Grant Company Secretary: Colin Grant Staff Members: Adam Sloman (General Manager 01235 849732), Staff Members:(Competitions Adam Sloman (General Manager 01235 849732), John Hutchison Secretary 01235 849738), John (Competitions Secretary 01235(Assistant 849738),General AndyHutchison Knott (01235 849730), Lauran Gallacher Andy Knott (01235 849730), Gallacher (Assistant General Manager 01235 849735), Liz Lauran Allsworth (Membership Secretary Manager 01235 Colin 849735), Liz (01235 Allsworth849733), (Membership 01235 849734), Grant JadeSecretary Beckett 01235 Colin GrantScarrott (01235(Finance 849733),Officer Cherina (01233849734), 849731), Cherina 01235 Scarrott (Finance Officer 01235 849736) and Ineke849737) Sherman 849736) and Ineke Sherman (Merchandise 01235 (Merchandise 01235 849737) Honorary Members: Michael Allison, Ron Gammons, Peter Best, Honorary Michael Allison, RonPaddy Gammons, Peter Best, Don Hayter,Members: John Quenby, Sir Stirling Moss, Hopkirk, Don Hayter, JohnPiers Quenby, Sir Stirling Moss, Paddy Norman Ewing, Hubbard, Rob Oldaker, SteveHopkirk, Hanegan, Norman Ewing, Piers RobHawke, Oldaker, Steve Hanegan, Gerry McGovern, JuneHubbard, Wallis, Ann John Dutton, John Day, Gerry Ann Hawke, John Dutton, John Day, Julian White, Julian McGovern, White, Bill Silcock.

Bill Silcock.

Company limited by guarantee Company by guarantee The Club, aslimited a corporate body established as the MG Car Club The Club,isas a corporate bodyby established the MG Car Club Limited, a company limited guarantee.asEvery member of the Limited, is a company limited by Every of the Club undertakes to contribute to guarantee. the assets of the member Club in the Club contribute to the of the Club in theone eventundertakes of its beingtowound up while heassets is a member, or within event of itshebeing wound while he for is apayment member,oforthe within year after ceases to beup a member, debtsone year after he ceases to becontracted a member, before for payment of the and liabilities of the Club he ceases to debts be a and liabilities of the Club contracted before heofceases to be member, and the costs, charges and expenses winding up,a member, andadjustment the costs, of charges and expenses of windingamong up, and for the the rights of the contributors and for the adjustment of as themay rights the contributors among themselves, such amount be of required, not exceeding themselves, one pound. such amount as may be required, not exceeding one pound.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of Whilst everyat effort has been made ensure the accuracy of information the time of going toto press, neither The Publisher information at the time of going to press, (herein referred to as Hine Marketing), theneither Editor, The nor Publisher the MG (herein to asany Hineresponsibility Marketing), or theloss Editor, nor the MG Car Clubreferred can accept occasioned to any Car Clubacting can accept any responsibility occasioned to any person or refraining from actionor asloss a result of any material person acting or refraining fromof action as aare result any and material in the publication.

The opinions authors theirofown Hine in the publication.

Theand opinions of authors andtoHine Marketing, the Editor the MG Car Clubarearetheir notown bound agree Marketing, theexpressed Editor andherein. the MG Car Club are bound agree with opinions Reproduction in not whole or intopart with opinions herein.

Reproduction whole or The in part without writtenexpressed permission is prohibited.

SafetyinFast! and MG without is prohibited.

Safety Fast! and The in MG Car Clubwritten badge permission are protected through trademark registration Car Cluband badge protected through trademark in the UK in theareforeign countries where Safety registration Fast! circulates. the UK and the foreign whereanySafety Fast! circulates.

Readers are inwarned that ifcountries they attempt mechanical or other Readers are warned that ifreferred they attempt any they mechanical otherown modifications or methods to herein, do so atortheir modifications or methods referred to herein, dothe so at theirnor own risk and no liability will attach to the MG Carthey Club, Editor risk no liability will attach to the the Editor Hineand Marketing.

Neither shall the MGMG Car Car Club,Club, the Editor nor nor Hine Hine Marketing.

Neither shall the MG Caraccuracy Club, theofEditor nor Hine Marketing have any responsibility for the the content of Marketing have any responsibility theadvertisement accuracy of the content in of the editorial, neither the content offorany published the editorial, Safety Fast! neither the content of any advertisement published in Safety Fast!

It should be noted that neither Hine Marketing, the Editor, nor the MG ItCar should noted neither Hine Marketing, theany Editor, norand/ the MG Club be make anythat recommendation in respect of goods Car Club make any recommendation in respect and/ or services advertised or featured in this issue. Itofisany the goods responsibility or services to advertised or featuredthat in this the responsibility of readers satisfy themselves the issue. goods Itorisservices offered or of readers the goods orHine services offered or referred toto aresatisfy bonathemselves fide and in that no instance shall Marketing, referred instance shall Hine Marketing, the Editortoorarethebona MGfide Car and Clubinbenoheld responsible for the quality or the Editor of or any the such MG Car Club be held responsible for the quality or suitability items. suitability of any such items.

www.mgcc.co.uk

11/12/2019 16:51

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T&Y Type or MGA & Z series catalogues- email or phone for your copy Disc brake conversions available for TD/TF/YB/ZA/ZB/MGA, disc and wire wheel versions (TD/TF/YB shown)

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