MAY 2016 £3.50
Volume 60
Number 05
inside this month MG_SafetyFast_May16_Covers.indd 1
THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP
MGLive! 2016 Three, the magic number? MG Car Club History – Part V Delightful Donington hosts season opener 25/04/2016 15:19
21st Century Technology for the Classic Motorist Startmonkey 400 is a revolutionary new alternative to the heavy battery jump pack. Weighing in at only 1100g and measuring just 210x65x64mm, it will start the 12 volt battery of any 4x4, van, car, boat or motorcycle between 15 and 20 times without requiring a recharge. It will retain 75% of its charge for at least a year. The roadside model connects to your battery with conventional crocodile clips while the motorsport model is fitted with a standard Anderson plug. £199.95 incl UK delivery and VAT. Zircotec has appointed British Motor Heritage as distributor and technical support for their incredible heat management products. Significant reduction in under-bonnet temperatures is possible by coating an exhaust manifold with Zircotec ThermoHold Coating. A range of 14 different coloured ceramic coatings provide the ultimate in thermal barrier performance whilst they are also an attractive durable finish that is easy to maintain. Please call for more information and a quotation to coat your exhaust components. The Motoring Classic’s Powermonkey Discovery measures only 46x13x114mm yet can recharge an iPhone twice, standard mobile phones 3-4 times, or give iPods / MP3 players up to an additional 120 hours playtime. Simply recharge the unit from your computer USB or a mains charger (not supplied). £45.00 incl UK delivery and VAT.
buy online at www.motoringclassics.co.uk or call 01993 707200
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YO U R P R I D E & J OY, O U R T O P P R I O R I T Y YO U R P R I D E & J OY, O U R T O P P R I O R I T Y Email: glen@trendmanagementservices.co.uk Email: glen@trendmanagementservices.co.uk Tel: 07837 665283 www.tmscarstorage.co.uk Tel: 07837 665283 www.tmscarstorage.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk
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Sussex Classic MG Car Parts Huge range of MGB parts!
We stock MG Midget and MGB GT Roadster Parts and accessories including: bumpers, tuning, body, engine, seats, brakes, clutches, hardtops, windscreen, headlamps, mats, exhausts, chrome wheels, gearboxes, suspension, calipers and catalytic parts. We sell online and from our premises at Partridge Green, and are always pleased to see visitors even if only for a chat about their cars.
Order your parts online or in store
Phone for our FREE exclusive parts catalogues OPENING TIMES: Mon - Fri: 8.30am – 5pm Sat: Closed
Hutson.qxd:Layout 2
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Sussex Classic Car Parts, Unit 28, Huffwood Trading Estate, Partridge Green, West Sussex, RH13 8AU 14:38 Page 1 +44 (0)1403 711551 www.sussexclassiccar.co.uk
THE HUTSON MOTOR CO. LTD. Parts & Panels for TA to TF
BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER
We manufacture a complete range of top quality ash frames and components, complete panelled bodies, individual steel parts. Full restorations undertaken on all classic cars. Comprehensive paint shop and trim facilities. Ash frame skeleton bodies. Individual ash frame components and steel panels. • Dashboards • Quarter Panels • Door Frames • Hood Finishers
T-Series ash frame sections & body panels are hand built in our Bradford factory.
Fully assembled complete panelled bodies for TA to TF.
Fast and efficient mail order • Helpful counter assistance Free Price Lists available Please telephone for your copy PAWSON STREET • BRADFORD • WEST YORKSHIRE • BD4 8DF TEL: 01274 669052 • FAX: 01274 669685 • Email: hutsonmc@talk21.com
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www.mgcc.co.uk
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Inside
this
issue
May 2016
The 1948 MG TC of Kate and Christopher Hobbs pictured in the iconic Brooklands grounds during the recently held MG Era Day. Photo: George Woodward
17 MGLive! 2016 Ant Anstead, Lifestyle Marquee, Saturday evening entertainment and more
Regulars 7 9
20 Three, the magic number? The Zero Concept and 2016 MG3
Editor’s Welcome
63 Luffield Championship
A summary from Andy Knott
From the Chair Club Matters from Ian Quarrington
10 News Presenting Top Trumps at MGLive! 2016, The ZR/ZS/ZT Register needs you and more
12 Kimber House News Bill Wallis Wing update, a visit to Kimber House and more
14 Products The latest products in the world of MG
24 British Touring Car Championship 2016 Reports from Brands Hatch and Donington
28 Event Reports The FWD Spring Run and Brooklands Era Day
56 Race Torque Donington roundup and looking ahead to Brand Hatch
62 MGs on Track
Latest news from the MGCC Luffield Speed Championship
64 Calendar of Events MGCC events, May through to July
66 Out and About
30 Club History Part IV The 1960s by Wilson McComb and the 1970s by Martin Brent
59 Delightful Donington hosts season opener Leanne Fahy reports on the MGCC season opener
Your photos from around the world
68 Overseas Review Safety Fast! keeps tabs on the overseas action
70 Overseas News News from the MGCC Sweden
72 Centre Updates News from the MGCC Regional Centres
82 Register Updates News from the MGCC Registers
90 Looking Back A selection of snippets from the MGCC archives
91 Classifieds
Newsletters 39 T Type Newsletter The 2016 T Register Annual Rebuild Seminars, MG Era Day Brooklands and more
44 MGB Newsletter Finding and importing an MGB from UK to USA, MGB Marathon Car Restoration and more
50 MGC Newsletter A funny thing happened on the way to Le Mans, Preliminary Programme for MGC 50th Anniversary and more
Cars and Spares offered for sale
My Favourite Circuit?! and Castle Combe awaits‌ www.mgcc.co.uk
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www.mgcc.co.uk
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WELCOME
The official publication of The MG Car Club Incorporating ‘The M.G. Magazine’, ‘The Sports Car’ and ‘Brooklands Track and Air’, Safety Fast! Copyright MG Car Club 2016 Editor: Andy Knott 01235 849730 / 01235 555552 andyknott@mgcc.co.uk Deputy Editor: Colin Grant 01235 849733 colingrant@mgcc.co.uk Editorial Committee: William Ball, Dennis Wharf, Colin Grant, Adam Sloman Regular Contributors: Alwyn Morgan
Andy Knott
Words from
Editor
PR and Communications: Lauran Gallacher 01235 849735, Chris Kynoch 01235 849731 Advertising: Hine Marketing 01452 730770 Published by: Hine Marketing, Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton Glos, GL2 9LN. Tel: 01452 730770 Printed by: Precision Colour Printing. Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ Tel: 01952 585585 President: John Day Vice Presidents: Ron Gammons, Don Hayter, Peter Best. Chairman: Ian Quarrington Vice Chairman: George Wilder Treasurer: Richard Colston Directors: Dave Saunders, Paul Plummer, William Ball, George Wilder, Dave Tynan and Peter Cook Company Secretary: Colin Grant Staff Members: Adam Sloman (General Manager 01235 849732), John Hutchison (Competitions Secretary 01235 849738), Andy Knott (01235 849730), Liz Allsworth (Membership Secretary 01235 849734), Colin Grant (01235 849733), Lauran Gallacher (01235 849735), Cherina Scarrott (Finance Officer 01235 849736) and Chris Kynoch (01235 849731) Honorary Members: Michael Allison, Ron Gammons, Peter Best, Don Hayter, John Quenby, Sir Stirling Moss, Paddy Hopkirk, Norman Ewing, Rob Oldaker, Steve Hanegan, Gerry McGovern, June Wallis, Ann Hawke, John Dutton, John Day, Julian White, Bill Silcock. Company limited by guarantee The Club, as a corporate body established as the MG Car Club Limited, is a company limited by guarantee. Every member of the Club undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Club in the event of its being wound up while he is a member, or within one year after he ceases to be a member, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the Club contracted before he ceases to be a member, and the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributors among themselves, such amount as may be required, not exceeding one pound. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of going to press, neither The Publisher (herein referred to as Hine Marketing), the Editor, nor the MG Car Club can accept any responsibility or loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in the publication. The opinions of authors are their own and Hine Marketing, the Editor and the MG Car Club are not bound to agree with opinions expressed herein. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Safety Fast! and The MG Car Club badge are protected through trademark registration in the UK and in the foreign countries where Safety Fast! circulates. Readers are warned that if they attempt any mechanical or other modifications or methods referred to herein, they do so at their own risk and no liability will attach to the MG Car Club, the Editor nor Hine Marketing. Neither shall the MG Car Club, the Editor nor Hine Marketing have any responsibility for the accuracy of the content of the editorial, neither the content of any advertisement published in Safety Fast! It should be noted that neither Hine Marketing, the Editor, nor the MG Car Club make any recommendation in respect of any goods and/or services advertised or featured in this issue. It is the responsibility of readers to satisfy themselves that the goods or services offered or referred to are bona fide and in no instance shall Hine Marketing, the Editor or the MG Car Club be held responsible for the quality or suitability of any such items. The MG Car Club, Kimber House, PO Box 251, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1FF Tel: 01235 555552 Fax: 01235 533755 E-mail: mgcc@mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk
One of the problems facing many motoring Clubs today is enticing younger members in to the Club scene, as everyone is aware, the youngsters are the future of any Club. As mentioned in a previous editorial, the MGCC have recently launched the Young Members Group Facebook page, and we’re now able to offer a graduated pricing structure for those new members under 25 joining via direct debit. More news on this on page 10. With MGLive! fast approaching, June 4-5, time is running out to order your advance tickets, which closes on Friday May 20 for overseas orders and Thursday 26 May for UK orders. With substantial savings to be made as an MGCC member ordering in advance, a £17 saving on an advance weekend ticket and £12 saving to be made on a day ticket, it’s worth booking your tickets now before it’s too late. There is an MGLive! booking form enclosed with this issue, or for those with internet access you can book securely on the dedicated website www.mglive.com. It promises to be a great event again with something for everyone, and is still the biggest MG event in the world! It’s great being able to attend the MG events again as a family. We’ve now got two modern practical MGs to choose from on the Knott drive. I’ve got the ZS180 which I’ve mentioned in a previous editorial, it’s such a lovely car to drive with plenty of torque it just eats up the motorway miles when needed. The other MG, which we purchased at the end of 2015 is an MG3, which my wife has really fallen in love with. It’s such a deceptively big car, and allows our two boys, now aged four and seven, plenty of room in the rear with a decent size boot for all their paraphernalia that we have to cart around to their various Clubs, groups etc. I’m sure we’ll be at plenty of MG events this year in the cars, so if you see us do say hello. The British Touring Car Championship kicked off in earnest in April, with two fresh faces in the MG888 team, Josh Cook and Ash Sutton. If the first round at Brands was anything to go by, this season should be a good one for the two new MG boys and Triple Eight Racing. The MGCC wish them all the best for the rest of the season, and as always Safety Fast! will bring you all the news from the BTCC throughout the year. Until next month, drive safely
@mgcarclub
If visiting The MG Car Club using Sat Nav please use OX14 1AS
www.mgcc.co.uk
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JUST R IGHT AUTOS Oxfordshire’s MGF/TF Specialists We are now proud to announce that we are Xpart dealers and can supply PARTS to Trade or Retail % 5 2
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25/04/2016 16:50
FROM
THE CHAIR
Ian Quarrington Club Matters from
Let me start with a question: What is the purpose of Council? Why do we meet twice a year? There will be many among you who will refer me straight back the Club’s “Mems and Arts” and you would be quite right to do so. But spend a few minutes thinking about how the format of these meetings has been for a number of years and then consider the question I was asked by Kimber House as we were concluding our March gathering: the question was, “How about if we see more involvement and contributions from the CRBs next time?” Now I think that is a very good suggestion. Whilst everyone is interested to see that the Club’s finances continue to be in good order and that we remain very active in promoting who we are and what we do (and we of course will always present to you the facts and figures and the updates on our ongoing and new initiatives), it is only right to offer you the opportunity to tell us what concerns you, or what initiatives you would like us to see. Initially we would welcome a contribution from one Centre and from one Register
so if you would like to step forward and make a presentation to Council in October, please contact me in the first instance. One last point on Council: in March we talked about length of service for Officers in sub committees that report to the Board. At our last Board meeting we concluded that there should be a proposal at the AGM in October that Chairmen of these committees should stand for a maximum of five years as do the Chairmen of the CRBs. The three Officers of the Club stand for re election each year and may only remain in office for five years maximum and members of the Board are re elected by rotation every three years. The Board has decided that it is time for Little Gem, our MG Y Type, to move into the care of a new enthusiast and we are currently talking to the Y Type Register about how we proceed with this decision. This car has served us very well over a number of years and was gifted to the Club in a legacy to use as the Club felt fit. We will be informing you of the outcome of our discussions as soon as we can.
Each year one Member of the Club has been given the award of ‘Member of the Year’. Last Autumn, continuing in our practice of constantly reviewing as many aspects of our Club as we can, an idea was put forward that we should give the opportunity for more Club Members to be recognised for their contribution to Club life, as there are always so many worthy candidates and only one award. Thus the Marque of Friendship Award has been brought in. So far we have received a handful of nominations, so if you know someone you feel has gone that extra mile, made that extra ordinary effort over a number of years or has made a significant contribution to the Club, please get in touch with the Vice Chairman, George Wilder, who can give you all the details you need to make an application. MG Live! is only weeks away now... have your booked your tickets yet? There is lots of information elsewhere in the magazine about this exciting weekend and we are very much looking forward to the event.
“You can’t clamp it, it won’t fit on a tow truck and to ticket it would be a health and safety issue!”
www.mgcc.co.uk
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NEWS NEWSLETTER
The ZR/ZS/ZT Register needs you At our AGM last June, a number of committee members stood down from their current posts. Unfortunately, there was no one in the pipeline to continue their roles and these positions became vacant and sadly still are. We did however manage to recruit one member onto the committee but we are still short in several key areas. To compensate in the shortterm, a number of the remaining committee members took on a second or third role to ease the situation. However, with time constraints due to work and other commitments we are struggling to keep the Register moving forward in the same manner it has in recent years. Our Register won the Nuffield Gold Cup in 2010 for the development and progress the Register had made over the previous 18 months. It’s a shame to find ourselves in this situation now, the 15th anniversary of the launch of our cars. We are therefore issuing a plea to you our members, that’s nearly 900 of you by the way! If you are interested in any of our vacant positions or joining the committee, the time is now. If you think you’d be a great chairman or are an expert in updating websites or with social media, then please contact myself or another member of the committee. We appreciate everyone has busy lives and aren’t able to spend as much time on their leisure activities as they’d like, but any assistance will be gratefully appreciated. We will be holding a committee meeting on the Sunday May 1 at Brands Hatch, and we aim to have our AGM at MGLive!. You will be welcome at both these meetings. Our current vacancies are: • Chairman • Events Coordinator • Registrar • Webmaster Help us on the road to recovery and give the Zeds the 15th anniversary they deserve.
Pride of Longbridge 2016 For the first time in ten years, the Pride of Longbridge event held in Cofton Park, opposite the MG Motor factory, had to be cancelled at the eleventh hour due to the worsening weather conditions. The organising committee issued the following statement: “All week we have had site inspections with park rangers. The weather has got worse and the ground on Cofton Park is too soft and dangerous. We did not want to damage the park. “Pride of Longbridge will still be on the agenda but when it is safe to do it. We know that people have come from all over the country and we can only apologise, but safety and the future of POL come first – we did not want to jeopardise the next year of POL.” Those that arrived at Longbridge weren’t disappointed though, as the likes of Simon Bennett at the MG Sales Centre and POL organiser Gemma Cartwright made people feel very welcome, and with a bit of organisation and thanks to various museums etc, groups were able to hold their own ‘mini POL’ events at places such as The Coventry Motor Museum and The British Motor Museum, Gaydon.
Cars assembled down Low Hill Lane opposite the MG Motor Factory and Cofton Park
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Presenting Top Trumps at MGLive! 2016 The MG Car Club is pleased to announce that a special MG Car Club Top Trumps pack will be launched at MGLive! 2016. A popular card game loved by children and adults worldwide, Top Trumps is another exciting addition to a jam-packed MGLive! on June 4-5. Thirty cards will be included in the pack, showcasing special MGs of all types, from vintage models to classics like the MGA and MGB, through to present day models such as the MG6, MG3 and forthcoming MG GS. MGCC General Manager Adam Sloman said: “So many people have fond memories of Top Trumps, and they’re still very popular today. We think this will be a brilliant way for people to have fun with the cars we all love.” Over the coming weeks, the MGCC will be revealing the 30 MGs to have made it into the pack, ahead of its launch at MGLive! on June 4.
Naylor Brothers Restorations Ltd close after 50 years. Located just outside Shipley, Naylor Brothers Restorations has closed down after many years of association with classic MG cars. Specialising in classic and sporting car renovation, the company started by Alastair and David Naylor also became known for the building of the Naylor TF 1700. Alastair and Pat Naylor would like to thank their colleagues, contacts, customers and suppliers for all their friendship and support over the past 50 years. Triple-M Register AGM Venue: The MG Car Club Offices, Abingdon, Date: June 26 2016 Time: 3.00pm Agenda 1. Apologies for absence. 2. Minutes of the 2015 AGM 2 (i). Matters arising from the minutes 3. Chairman’s Report 4. Secretary’s Report 5. Treasurer’s Report 6. Election of Officers 7. Election of Committee 8. AOB
Nominations for election to the Committee and/or Officers, and any topic for discussion, should be sent by May 31 2016 to Secretary G Eagle, Foxcote Chase, Leckhampstead Road, Akeley, Bucks, MK18 5HG. Email geaglemgl2@dsl.pipex.com or telephone 01280 860428. The Committee is asking for nominations/volunteers to replace those Committee members who have expressed a wish to stand down after serving for a few years.
MGCC V8 Register AGM Venue: V8 marquee, MGLive! event, Silverstone Date: Sunday June 5 Time: Midday Agenda. 1. Apologies for absence. 2. Approval of the 2015 AGM Minutes. 3. Matters arising. 4. Chairman’s report.
5. Treasurer’s report. 6. Secretary’s report. 7. Election of officers. 8. Election of Committee Members. 9. Any other business. Nominations for the Committee to Debbie Brading, V8 Register Secretary by Saturday May 28 2016. debbiebrading@v8register. net or tel: 07795 227715
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:51
BROWN & GAMMONS FIRST FOR EVERYTHING MG! MG6 Diesel Service Kit MG6 Petrol Service Kit
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AT SILVERSTONE ON JUNE 4th & 5th Why not save your carriage costs and order your parts to be collected from Contains oil filter, air filter, Contains oil filter, air filter, Contains oil filter, air filter, pollen filter and fuel filter pollen filter and fuel filter our stand at pollen filter and fuel filter MG3SERVICEK £42.85 MG6SERVICEDK £74.50 MG6SERVICEPK £33.75 the show
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MGB Gearknob with Overdrive Switch
£74.95
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Car Sales, Parts Sales, Workshop & enquiries
MG WORKSHOP AUTHORISED MOT TESTING STATIO
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MGA ROADSTER 1959
Californian Car, Beige leather interior, MGB alloy cylinder head, 5 speed gearbox, Absolutely stunning, Tax & MoT Exempt, RHD conversion included if required £34,995
UK MADE
Manufactured from EN40B steel billet, an ultimate performance T-Type crankshaft.
Ex-USA car, red leather interior, beige hood and side screens, drives beautifully, tax and MoT exempt, a lovely example of this car, ready for summer £29,995
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Visitors welcome
OPENING HOURS: Mon-Fri 8.15am-5.30pm Sat 9.00am - 1.00pm 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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Ex-USA car now converted to RHD, red leather interior, fitted with wind wing deflectors, Black hood and sidescreens, Tax & MoT exempt, lovely example
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MG TD 1952
US car, total frame off restoration 200 miles ago, engine, g/box and diff rebuilt, lovely car, stored in dry desert climate. Lovely, lovely car
£28,995 For up-to-date listings on our cars for sale visit www.ukmgparts.com
STOCKISTS OF:
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NEWS NEWSLETTER
Social News Media Kimber House
Round Up
Visitors from the Pinner Natter
The Bill Wallis Wing is finally complete, and we are thrilled with it. The official opening is set for Monday May 16, when special guests will be unveiling our new archive. We have also just recently put a vinyl wrap on the big doors that go from the John Thornley Suite to the new Wing, which looks great. It’s a picture of the factory from the 1930s, but can you guess the cars on show? A date for everyone’s diaries is Saturday May 28, when we shall be holding an open day that’s available for anyone. We shall be open from 10am – 4pm, and it’s a brilliant opportunity for those who haven’t been to the Club’s home before to come and have a look around, as well as those who have been before that will see the Bill Wallis Wing for the first time. During April we had a press day for our MGLive! 2016 named charity Headway Oxfordshire where we visited their HQ near Abingdon, and then came back to Kimber House for refreshments and photos. For more information on Headway Oxfordshire, check out the MGLive! update on page 17 in this month’s magazine. At the end of April we were visited by the Pinner Natter from Middlesex who came to Abingdon for the day to look around Kimber House, and the Abingdon Museum. Thankfully the weather was brilliant, and they managed to bring two MGBs and an MGA which made it even better. If you run a Natter, or just fancy a visit to Kimber House for the day, why not give us a ring to organise it, we’ll be happy to show you around.
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In April, we used Facebook Live for the first time, and it went down a treat. It’s similar to Periscope in that it broadcasts live video through your smartphone or tablet to all of the people who ‘like’ your page on Facebook. The upside to Facebook Video over Periscope is that we have a much larger audience on there, however we shall still be using Periscope to broadcast, so if you are following us on there – don’t worry! The videos we took were at Brooklands MG Era Day and the first MGCC race meeting of the season at Donington Park, both of which can still be viewed on our page, so if you haven’t seen them yet go and check them out. Speaking of Donington, we ran a competition on Facebook during April where two lucky winners each won a pair of tickets for the season opener. Keep an eye open on the page for future race competitions and other goodies we shall be giving away. Cecil Kimber’s Birthday on April 12 got a fair amount of buzz across social media along with our photo gallery of Brooklands which was a fantastic day out, and got the show season off to a brilliant start. After MG RCIB Insurance’s great start to the new BTCC season, we’ve been keeping up with what Ashley Sutton and Josh Cook have been saying on Twitter. It’s clear to see the two drivers have got a brilliant rapport already, and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead!
www.mgcc.co.uk
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Untitled
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PRODUCTS
PRODUCTS
MG3 GoNavigate MG Motor UK have recently released the GoNavigate system for the MG3. This is a kit that can be retro-fitted to existing cars, and can be added to new cars too. Sean Round from 635 Register became the first customer in the UK to have the kit fitted to his car by MG Sales Centre, Longbridge. The system and its Touchscreen display is located where the ‘bread-bin’ tambour unit is currently, with the USB / AUX Sockets being relocated to the glove box. The system is easy to use and configure and offers a wide range of useful features including an extensive Point of Interest Database, full postcode entry for destinations, 3D Building views, a Trip Recorder (average speed, distance, max speed etc.) and a large selection of alert features for highway features and high risk areas. Directions are provided well in advance of junctions and are clear and easy to understand. The system has proved an invaluable addition and is highly recommended to any new or current MG3 owners! The system is now available from MG Dealers, at a price of £495 including fitting. For more information, contact your local MG Dealer or the MG Sales Centre at Longbridge (tel: 0121 251 6533).
Laser Multi-function Tester Battery powered, this handy three-in-one multi-function tester from Laser Tools (part number 6378) is a tyre pressure gauge as well as a main battery and alternator tester. A bright LED work light is also included. Very easy to use, the tyre pressure
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Sealey’s latest Spring Promotion and new Consumable Catalogue. In September 2015 Sealey took the consumables market by storm by introducing around 1,100 consumable product lines such as abrasives, fuses, terminals, rivets, hose clips etc. in their consumables catalogue. Since then they have not stopped expanding this new range and have now launched a new 80 page Consumables Catalogue which contains a further 700 new lines, bringing the total number of consumable items that they offer to in excess of 1,800. New lines include new assortment boxes, adhesive tape, brake pipe connectors and bleed screws, adhesive and sealants, aerosols, abrasive papers, car shampoos, rope… too many to list! Sealey Consumables are available from their network of Stockists. To find your nearest Stockist or browse the Consumables range, visit www.sealey.co.uk.
gauge function is useful as it lets you record the pressure of each individual tyre. First select the unit of tyre pressure: PSi, BAR or kilograms per square centimetre. Then take the pressure of the first tyre and press the RECORD button. This keeps a record of this first tyre pressure and then each subsequent tyre pressure for up to four tyres. It’s also very easy to check the power of your car’s main battery; simply plug into the 12 volt socket, turn on the ignition, and the tester displays the battery voltage and status (low, mid or full). Switch to alternator test mode, switch on the engine and rev to 2000rpm, and the alternator voltage output is displayed. A useful little tester to keep in the glove box and available now from your local Laser Tools supplier, typically priced at £34.44 (including VAT), but remember to check for the best prices and special offers. More details from www.lasertools.co.uk
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FEATURE
Ant Anstead Following on from last month’s news that Mike Brewer will once again be joining us, we’re very pleased to announce that Ant Anstead, star of The Love of Cars and Building Cars Live, will make his debut at MGLive! 2016. Ant will be on hand for the whole weekend, taking on hosting duties in the Live! Action Arena where his guests will include fellow TV star and Wheeler Dealer Mike Brewer, legendary stunt driver Russ Swift, as well as meeting MG fans for photos and autographs. “My first car was an MG Midget, so I’ve always had a soft-spot for MGs,” said Ant. “I’ve never had the chance to get to MGLive! before so I’m really looking forward
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to getting down to Silverstone – the chance to host the Live! Arena and meet so many MG fans is going to be brilliant.” Official Charity Partner – Headway Oxfordshire We are delighted to announce that Headway Oxfordshire has been named as the official charity partner for MGLive!. Headway Oxfordshire is a local charity based close to Abingdon who offer support to people in the county that suffer from brain injuries. At MGLive!, the Club will be raising money for Headway Oxfordshire through programme sales and fundraising. Since 1982, Headway Oxfordshire has helped hundreds of patients through various avenues of care, ranging from physical and mental therapy to vocational support and training. John Day, the MG Car Club President said: “Headway Oxfordshire is the perfect fit for the MG Car Club and MGLive! 2016. The link between them is very strong, and I believe it’s a charity that people will wholeheartedly understand and support.” At MGLive!, Headway Oxfordshire will be showing their link between themselves and the Club through the Club’s magazine Safety Fast! – a slogan that connects strongly with their ethos.
Jamie Miller, the Chief Executive at Headway Oxfordshire said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen as the Charity partner for MGLive! 2016. Brain injury can strike people of any age, from any walk of life and at any time. We know how devastating brain injuries can be for the lives of the individuals and their loved ones. “This commitment and love of life is one we share with MG. Over MG’s 90 year history this belief has been summed up in its famous slogan ‘Safety Fast’. Whilst maintaining its reputation as the premier British manufacturer of iconic sports cars, it has also often been an innovator in car safety.”
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FEATURE
Top Trumps A popular card game loved by children and adults worldwide, Top Trumps is another exciting addition to a jam-packed MGLive!. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be revealing the 30 MGs to have made it into the pack, ahead of its launch at MGLive! on June 4. Come and see us in the main marquee, buy your pack of Top Trumps and see how many of the cars in the pack you can find across Silverstone – find them all and you could win a prize! MGLive! ‘After Hours’ The sun might have set on Silverstone, but that doesn’t mean the fun comes to an end Saturday evening! The After Hours Party, organised by the MGF Register is one of the highlights of MGLive!. Come over to the social marquee early for the Silverstone Barbecue with DJ Adam Denton providing the soundtrack – then it’s time for the ‘Glo Cars’ – it takes a little thought to get your ‘Glo Kit’ together but it’s easy stuff to find – torches, flashing lights (bike shops are good for these), fairy lights, glo sticks and, well whatever you can find really! We also want the more professional lighting systems so if you have fitted neons, lasers and so on then enter the ‘Pro Glo’ class – just bring your cars over to the Social Marquee by 8pm so we can
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get them in position. You never know, there could be one of our special ‘Gaudy Glo’ trophies with your name on it! It’s great fun and adds to the atmosphere of a fantastic evening! California Cup Autotest The Club’s premier autotest, the California Cup, takes place on the Saturday morning in Car Park 49, just outside the main entrance to Silverstone. It is exclusive to MG Car Club members and attracts competitors from across the UK and Northern Ireland in classes from the very earliest MGs to the latest models. As one of the Club’s longest-standing competitions, we’re keen to see this event grow. Entry is just £20 and all you need is a road-going car, so why not give it a go? For more information on the California Cup, and to download the Regulations, please visit the MGLive! website. Lifestyle Marquee The Lifestyle Marquee at MGLive! 2016 will be a hive of activity all weekend. There is a whole range of exciting and interesting exhibitors. For those who enjoy a bit of pampering, there will be a Nail Bar and mini treatments. And with lots of exhibitors, covering photography and art, jewellery and beauty to cakes and preserves, clothes and cards, there’s
something for everyone in this marquee. To view the full listing of exhibitors, please visit the MGLive! website. Volunteers – we need your help! We are actively seeking volunteers to help with all aspects of MGLive! – whatever your skill set, we’d like to utilise it! Our Sprint, held on the Stowe Circuit, and our California Cup Autotest, held in Car Park 49, are looking for marshals. You needn’t have any motorsport experience – just enthusiasm! The Sprint is on Sunday June 5 and the California Cup on Saturday June 4 between 9am – 12pm. Other areas include traffic management on both the Saturday and Sunday morning. Anyone who does volunteer at MGLive! will qualify for a free entry ticket depending on the length of time you are volunteering for. MGLive! is your event, and in order for the annual celebration to continue making progress the MG Car Club requires more volunteers. If you are willing to help, please email Lauran Gallacher on lauran@mgcc.co.uk Tickets As a member of the MG Car Club, huge savings can be had if you book your tickets in advance. Enclosed within this issue of Safety Fast! is the booking form, for not just entry tickets but for all the activities to keep you entertained at Silverstone over the weekend; remember it’s your weekend so make the most of it. You’ll also find tickets available online – just visit the events dedicated website www.mglive. co.uk where we’ll bring you all the latest MGLive! news and you’ll be able to book tickets securely on our online ticket shop. MG Car Club members can buy a single day ticket in advance for just £18, a saving of £12 over the gate price, and a weekend ticket for just £28, saving you £17 on the weekend gate price. Once again, children aged 16 and under go free when accompanied by an adult!
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MG THE MG CAR CLUB PRESENTS
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3 FEATURE
Three magic number?
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the
By Andy Knott
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:51
FEATURE
The MG Zero Concept Car
The MG3, launched towards the end of 2013, really bought MG Motor to the fore of car manufacturers, making MG the fastest growing car brand in the UK during the first quarter of 2014 and doubling MG’s 2013 sales in the first five months of 2014. The Concept SAIC unveiled the MG Zero Concept car, which was ultimately to become the MG3, at the Auto China show held in Beijing in 2010. Immediately it made journalists worldwide sit up and take note, showing how MG could appeal to a wide audience across the global market, with the latest trend in the market for vehicle size and styling. The MG Zero was to become one of the stars of the 2010 Beijing show. It wasn’t until later that year that the eagerly awaiting UK public were able to see the Zero at a show for the first time. The Top Gear Live show was run alongside the 2010 Classic Car Show at the NEC, and whilst the MG Car Club had a big stand at the Classic Car Show, MG Motor were in the Top Gear Live Show unveiling their new MG6 to the public. But it was the futuristic looking Zero, cordoned off in a corner of their stand, that made me gasp and wow. With its LED lights illuminating and highlighting all the sharp but stylish angles it certainly was a show stopper, and encouraged a lot of questions directed at the MG Motor staff, such as: where can I buy one? when are you releasing this car? etc. People were on tenterhooks... The launch of the MG3 The European spec MG3 arrived on the UK shores in 2013. The Chinese spec version was launched two years before the European one, in the Spring of 2011, with a choice of a 1.3 and 1.5 litre engine, rated at 91bhp and 107bhp respectively, and either a five speed manual transmission or an Italian e-shift auto transmission. With
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over a million personalisation options the MG3 was an instant hit with the Chinese public, becoming something of a cult car with plenty of the MG3s attending a huge Chinese MGLive! event hosted by SAIC and the MGCC of China in the October of 2011. During the three year gap between the MG Zero Concept and the public launch of the European MG3 in the UK, SAIC Motor opened their new European Design Centre at the MG Birmingham site, doubling in size the original design studio. They also made an investment of more than £500 million in the new models for Europe. It really showed MG were serious about making a huge success of their future MG models, including the MG3. At the opening of the new Design Centre in June 2013, MG previewed the new MG3 to the Press; it clearly took forward many of the styling cues seen on the MG Zero, and was aimed at the those who wanted something slightly different from anything else in the market. MG began customer deliveries of the eagerly awaited MG3 in October 2013. The car was made available in four specifications, with the top of the range 3STYLE priced at only £9,999, down to the entry level 3TIME for just £8,399. With a low insurance group of 4E and lots of options to personalise the car to everyone’s taste, emphasised in the TV advertising campaign that started in November, the MG3 started to catch the attention of young and old alike, and in April 2016 MG sold their 5,000th MG3 in the UK.
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3 FEATURE
The 2016 MG3 At the back end of 2015, MG announced they were launching a new MG3 in 2016. Getting behind the wheel of a 2016 Model Year (MY) MG3, I instantly felt at home. The interior is little changed from the previous model; the only thing that caught my eye was the green light on the stopstart button located to the right of the steering wheel, replacing the coin pocket found in its predecessor. The controls are all very logical on the MG3; my only slight criticism is that the heater/air-conditioning controls are located at the bottom of the centre console, which means that until you get used to their workings and locations you momentarily have to look down to adjust the temperature or airflow direction. With big buttons and dials you quickly learn where these are located, though. From the exterior the MG3 is quite a small car for modern standards, fitting into the Supermini category. The 2016 MY MG3 boast a new front grille, which is now a wide slatted affair with a chrome trim actuating the lines of the stylish bumper and the large MG badge that adorns it, instead of the plastic honeycomb of the older model. Little else has changed on the exterior. Curiously, MG have decided to drop two of the colours available on the previous model, Cherry Bomb and Stuck on Blue, apparently due to the lack of popularity, and have introduced a choice of four two tone cars, Hello Yellow with a choice of white or black roof and window pillars, and Red Rose with again a choice of white or black roof and window pillars. Inside the MG3 is like the tardis, deceptively big, with comfortable room for four adults. I’m 6ft and with the driver’s seat in the position I use there’s still plenty of room in the back. Jumping in the back seat behind the driver’s seat I’ve still got a clear 4” headroom and at least 3”
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between my knees and the back of the seat; as I said, deceptively big inside. The boot is also an adequate size for a family, being 285 with the seats up with the added space under the boot carpet for a spare wheel or pump and go system. Thankfully the sublime suspension and handling hasn’t been altered on the 2016 MG3, the 16” alloys shod with 195/55 tyres mean that although the handling is brilliant, with very little body roll, the ride is comfortable with no bone shaking when you inevitably hit a speed bump or pot hole. The steering also feels nicely weighted and precise on the road, making it a joy to drive. The only negative is the door mirror visibility. Admittedly the shape of the mirror looks very stylish, being tall and narrow, but they just aren’t long enough and you find yourself having to lean forward to check for cars before pulling out to overtake or join flowing traffic from slip roads. The MG3 retains the quiet 106ps 1.5 DOHC-VTI-TECH engine, which has been reworked to bring it up to the latest EU6 specification, also bringing down the emissions which moves the MG3 into a lower car tax bracket. The engine map has clearly been changed on the new MG3 with the torque more linear, especially in third gear where a flat spot was pretty noticeable on its predecessor. The one criticism that journalists picked up on when the MG3 was initially launched was the power from the engine. The press car we drove had less than 2,000 miles on the clock and felt tight and quite lethargic; I’ve found the more miles the MG3 covers, the better it becomes. My wife’s car has now covered 19,000 and feels a lot more lively than the lower mileage cars, and, according to the trip computer, returns a very healthy 38.4mpg on the short
school runs. Maybe those journalists were too quick to rule out the 1.5 engine and should now try one with a few more miles on the clock? The MG3 isn’t the most economical or CO2 efficient car in its class, but you have to look further than that: the price, for example. Considering the amount of equipment included in the MG3 Style such as DAB radio with Aux and USB Port, cruise control, air-conditioning, reversing sensors, electric windows all round etc, all for under £10,000, the MG3 starts making sense.
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FEATURE
The Chinese Specification MG3s on the track for MGLive! China.
www.mgcc.co.uk
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BTCC
REPORT
T
he Dunlop MSA BTCC Championship contenders arrived at Brands Hatch on April 2 for their first three races of the season. None of them, or their teams, had any idea of their relative strengths and weaknesses. The introduction of new cars, suspension parts, tyres and engines meant that all of the cars on the grid were new. Everybody was concerned about the qualifying session. The Brands Hatch Club Circuit tarmac would have a full grid of 32 cars circulating, all looking for the essential front row grid slots. They would be free from success ballast. The driver skills would range from the huge experience of the five former championships to several drivers making their debuts. The new look 888 MG6 cars sparkled in their new white and red colour scheme with the MG logo prominent on the flanks of the cars. New drivers Ashley Sutton and Josh Cook had adapted to the cars during testing and the team was revitalised with the two young drivers pushing the mechanics to improve the cars. Front runners were likely to be the Halfords Yuasa Hondas of 2015 champion Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal. Former MG driver Andrew Jordan was desperate to grab pole in his Ford Focus with team
mate Matt Jackson pushing him hard. The three BMWs of Jack Goff, Sam Tordoff and Rob Collard would also be quick out of the blocks. The surprise of testing had been the pace of the revitalised Toyota Avensis cars with Tom Ingram and Rob Austin the quickest of them. Finally, the two Mercedes of Aiden Moffat and Adam Morgan featured, the short wheelbase very suited to tight circuits. The big unknown was the new Subaru Levorg GT. None of the four cars entered by Team BMR had turned a wheel before the start of the weekend. Saturday Practice Sessions At ten o’clock the 32 cars took to the circuit for the first practice session. Big news from 888 was the recruitment of Alain Menu, the hugely experienced French saloon car driver, as driver coach. His role is to help Ashley and Josh with car set up and race craft. Tom Ingram topped the time sheet in his Toyota Avensis. The two MG6s were competitive from the start, both setting times in the top ten. The leading cars beat the previous quickest time round the circuit, meaning that the many changes to the cars and tyres have been positive. The second session of free practice also went well for the two MG6 drivers,
with both clocking up a good number of laps and achieving times which put them comfortably in the top ten. Qualifying As everybody expected, 32 cars out on the very short Brands Club Circuit made it very difficult to get a clear run. The two MG6s looked superb, warmed the tyres, swapped them over, and returned to the track. They then put in amazing laps with Ashley grabbing fourth and Josh a fraction slower in sixth. As everybody was gearing up for another run on fresh tyres, a light drizzle started to fall which was just enough to make the track slower. Very few drivers were able to improve their times although Jack Goff in the BMW just got ahead of the two MGs, leaving them fifth
British Touring Car Championship 2016 Round 1 –
Brands Hatch By Paul Goodman Photos Martin Cumming
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REPORT
BTCC
weight. At the front, Tom Ingram and Rob Collard disputed the lead, collided, and were eliminated. This resulted in a perfect result for the Hondas with Gordon Shedden winning from Matt Neal. The other podium place was taken by Aaron Smith, piloting one of the VW CC cars. Ashley and Josh were overtaken by the two Fords of Matt Jackson and Andrew Jordan, but looked secure in sixth and seventh places until encountering fluid on the circuit which sent Josh onto the grass and into the barrier. Ashley hung on to finish sixth, with Josh retiring to the pits.
and six with Ashley really impressing the commentary team by his performance in his first ever BTCC qualifying session. Tom Ingram (another former MG ZR190 driver) achieved his first ever pole position driving the Toyota Avensis, with the two Halfords Yuasa Hondas of Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal right behind in second and third spots. Race One The full grid of 32 cars was released onto a slightly damp track for race one. Tom Ingram made a perfect start in the Toyota Avensis and was never challenged, taking his first ever BTCC race victory. Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal slotted
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the Halfords Yuasa Hondas into position two and three to complete the podium. Ashley Sutton got a great start and grabbed fourth place, which he held to the end despite coming under pressure from 2015 MG driver Jack Goff, driving the BMW. Josh Cook was shuffled down to seventh at the start, but two excellent overtaking manoeuvres took him to fifth. Seeing the two MG6s circulating together at the end was a great sight. Race Two Under the new rules, the grid for race two formed up in the finishing order from race one with success ballast being added, Ashley having to carry 48kg and Josh 39kg. Josh opted to run the new compound soft tyres in this race. The two MG6s were hard to get off the line carrying the extra
Race Three The draw for the starting grid resulted in a fourth place start for Ashley who would be carrying 33kg of ballast. The incident in race two for Josh meant that he would start near to the back of the grid. When the red lights went out, Ashley’s car moved slightly and then stopped. Other cars managed to avoid the MG6 and then he got rolling, pulling away, but with many places lost. This put both the MGs on recovery drives, with Ashley getting back to finish tenth and Josh fourteenth. Race winner was Adam Morgan in the Mercedes, with the two former MG drivers Sam Tordoff and Jack Goff completing the podium in their BMWs. So a hectic day ended with Ashley Sutton securing three top ten finishes, giving him seventh place in the Championship, with Josh Cook down in fourteenth. Matt Neal left Brands Hatch as the leader. In the Manufacturers Championship, the Honda team are the early leaders with the WSR BMWs second and 888MG in third place.
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Current Stock 1958 MGA Roadster finished in Midnight blue with Burgundy trim and carpets. Fully restored in 2000 and little used since £34,000.00 1972 MGB Roadster restored some years ago on a heritage shell and little used since. £17,995.00 1959 MGA Roaster finished in Dove grey with burgundy trim restored in 2012 little history £36,995.00
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Engines Standard lead free £1905 Standard fast road balanced £2125 Stage 2 fast road balanced £2565 1293cc fast road stage 2 £2755 1380cc fast road stage 2 £2885 1400cc fast road stage 2 £3395 Heads Standard lead free Stage 2 lead free Stage 3 lead free Stage 3a lead free Stage 4 comp head
£465 £545 £675 £755 £2545
Other Tubular long branch exhaust Oselli cast rocker cover £175 Weber carb kit £695 Performance distributor £195 Head and engines supplied on an exchange basis Prices subject to VAT
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:53
REPORT
The Background The dust barely had time to settle at Brands Hatch before the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship set up in the Donington Park paddock. Nearly all the drivers had tested on the circuit at the media day, the major exception being the Team BMR Subaru Levorgs which hadn’t been completed in time. The 888 MG Team were in good spirits. The MG6s have always gone well at Donington Park and the two young chargers Ashley Sutton and Josh Cook had set good competitive lap times in testing. Performing well on cold tyres is the key to a good start at Donington with the challenging downhill Craner Curves and Old Hairpin sequence arriving early in the first lap. A cold blast of northerly wind arrived for the weekend. This would mean cold tarmac and a real difficulty in getting race tyres up to the optimum operating temperature. Qualifying A few minutes before qualifying started, the heavens opened and soaked the track. All the drivers opted to run on wet weather treaded tyres. The times gradually fell as the sun began to dry the tarmac. Just as all the drivers were about to go for a fast time on slick tyres, the red flag came back after Andrew Jordan parked his Ford Focus in the Old Hairpin gravel. The clock was reset to five minutes so there would be a mad dash to get a couple of laps
completed. The two MG6s were onto the track as soon as the session resumed. The timing screen changed constantly and suddenly the MGs were first and second. At almost the same moment, Mat Jackson beached his car and the red flag ended the qualifying. There were suggestions that some yellow flag infringements had occurred, but no penalties were applied. So the all MG front row was confirmed with Ashley just beating Josh. Race One (Round Four) Sunday morning conditions were perfect as the cars emerged onto the circuit and formed up on the grid for the first race of the day. The MG6s looked superb in their white and red livery as they proudly headed the pack on the green flag lap. Both drivers were using the harder Dunlop tyre. When the red light went out, Mat Jackson burst through to take the race lead from Ashley and Josh and held it throughout the race. There were two early safety car periods but once the stranded cars were removed there was some good, hard and fair racing. Josh hung on to second, but Ashley was pushed back two places by Tom Ingram’s Toyota and Jack Goff’s BMW. He still finished a creditable fifth. Race Two (Round Five) Under the new rules the starting grid for race two was made up of the finishing positions from race one, so Josh Cook was on the
British Touring Car Championship 2016 Round 2 –
EVENTS BTCC
front row alongside Mat Jackson with both carrying a considerable ballast penalty. Ashley Sutton was back on row three and had decided to use the Dunlop soft tyre, with Josh staying on the harder compound. The weight penalty proved to be a real problem for Josh, who was passed by several of the cars carrying no success ballast, finishing seventh. Ashley had trouble with the soft tyre and slipped back to finish 13th. The race was won by Rob Collard in the BMW with Mat Jackson second in the Ford Focus from Aron Smith driving the VW CC. Race Three (Round Six) The good news for MG was that the draw for grid places in race three put Josh onto the front row again. However, it was his turn to use the softer tyre which hadn’t proved very durable when used by other drivers. At the front, the two Halfords Yuasa Hondas of Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden scored a one two for the team. Matt’s victory meant that six different drivers have triumphed in the first six races of the season. Ashley, now on the harder tyres, had an excellent race, moving through the field from 13th to finish fifth. Meanwhile, on the softer rubber, Josh slipped back to finish ninth. So it turned out to be a good weekend for the 888 MG6 Team with lots of television exposure, total reliability and six solid finishes. Ashley left Donington in eighth place in the championship with Josh just behind in ninth and 888 MG in third place in the Manufacturers Championship.
Donington Park By Paul Goodman Photo Aaron Lupton
www.mgcc.co.uk
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EVENTS
REPORT
FWD MGs on the move. Photo Alan Webb-Moore
FWD Spring Run participants at MG Motor, Longbridge. Photo: Jim Lott
The FWD Register
Spring Run
By Tanya Field
S
aturday April 2 was the MG FWD Register’s second Spring Run, again taking in three factories which had produced or are still producing MGs. Once again, we opened the Spring Run to all variants of our models, not just MG versions, allowing anyone with any variant of Montego, Maestro, Metro or ADO16 to join us. We were also joined by some other MGs including a 3, 6 and an F – we’re good at being inclusive! We were blessed with beautiful weather, although most of those making their way to Abingdon for the 9.00am start got rather wet on the way! Once gathered at Abingdon, we convoyed to Cowley sporting our run plaques and flags to meet a few more participants and after a quick tea/coffee and loo stop, we were on our way to the British Motor Museum for lunch and the mandatory group photo! Our cars, parked out at the front of the British Motor Museum, provided an extra attraction for the museum’s visitors and lots of opportunity for the ‘my dad had one of those’ comments. We then continued on to MG Motor at Longbridge and another cuppa before making our way to St John the Baptist
Church Hall for yet another cuppa or two and homemade cake. Many thanks to the ladies from the Church for the refreshments, and over £90 was raised from donations for Christian Aid. The MG FWD Register would like to thank Kimber House, MINI Plant Oxford, the British Motor Museum and MG Motor. Without their help and support we would not have been able to put this run on, and we are especially grateful that there were no charges so that we could organise a run which was free to enter. If you would like to join a convoy to a show, the Cowley Convoy are organising convoys from both Cowley and Longbridge to the BMC & Leyland Show on Sunday July 3 at the British Motor Museum. Both convoys and the show are open to all MGs. For further details please
A good selection of MGs and FWD cars arrive at The British Motor Museum. Photos: Jim Lott
visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events /the-bmc-and-leyland-show for the show and cowleyconvoy.info to register for the convoys. It is free to join a convoy and those on the convoy gain reduced price entry to the show.
MGs assemble at Kimber House for the start of the Spring Run. Photo: Jim Lott
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REPORT
EVENTS
MG Era Day Brooklands by Colin Grant Pictures by Colin Grant, Martin Cummings and George Woodward
O
n a cold but sunny day MGs descended into Brooklands for yet another successful MG Era Day. Cars as diversified as 1880’s to 6R4s and coming right up to date with MG3s which all took up their positions in their respective parking areas. The Club had its marquees set up near the Brooklands Club House and was kept busy all day with people coming up to chat and new members taking advantage of the reduced price membership offered on the day. The area in front of the Club House was taken up by MGT Types with the central area being reserved for TA’s who celebrate their 80th
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anniversary this year. The standard of the cars on display was just stunning with most being driven to the show. Dave Saunders TA, which had just completed a full on restoration, was driven by his wife Nicky who commented that the car was quite bumpy on some of the pot holed roads she had to take but said that she had thoroughly enjoyed herself driving it to the show. There was also an Ex-Police TA which still had a working bell. To see three 6R4s parked together was just amazing, but is was also nice to see a lovely green MG1100 in the front wheel drive parking area, and two 1880s. So many MGF and TFs turned up, which was great to see, that they filled up their parking area and spilled into other areas. The test hill was
a big attraction again this year with many owners participating. Other attractions of course included a look at Concorde, and a short walk away was the recently opened Bus Museum. The main hanger was interesting as they had a Hawker Hurricane which was being restored and you could see just how intricate this amazing plane was. The day included the Concours d’Elegance with the David Washbourne Trophy for best SVW going to John Dutton with his red and black WA. Other awards went to Peter hall and his 1931 J2, and Mary Medhurst with her 1938 maroon TA. The judges reported that the standard was so high that it became very difficult to choose the final winners. By 5pm most people were making their way home after a really enjoyable day.
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HISTORY
Wilson McComb racing Gordan Cobban’s MGA at Silverstone 1959
Club History
– Part 5
The fifth of the serialised 12 part enlarged and updated Club History
THE SIXTIES 1959-69 Wilson McComb
Wilson McComb (right) on his USA Tour in 1968 is welcomed by Fred Sander, Long Beach California Centre
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When I came to Abingdon in February 1959 I found a brand new office awaiting me within the MG factory. I was surrounded by delectable new sports cars, and I drove them far and fast (for there were no overall speed limits then). My days were devoted to producing a monthly magazine for enthusiasts like myself and it was my good fortune to have as my chief John Thornley, who expected me to get on with the job and assumed (since he had chosen me for it) that I knew what I was doing. The evenings, as often as not, would be spent browsing through dusty files in the always fascinating study of MG history. And before long Gordon Cobban, with almost incredible generosity, allowed me to use his MGA for races, sprints
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HISTORY
Martin Brent (far right) with Gordon Cobban, George Eyston and Lord Montagu at a Beaulieu prize giving
and hill climbs. I could say that this was the happiest period of my life, and it would be the truth. But not the whole truth, because life isn’t like that. In the men’s room of a certain New York restaurant there used to be a sign that read, ‘We aim to please. You aim too, please’. In editing the original Safety Fast! I also aimed to please. The trouble was, there were so many folk to please: MG Car Club members in Britain, on the Continent, in the USA, or Australia, or South Africa, or wherever; MG owners who were not Club members at all and saw no reason why they should be; exMG owners who were to be wooed back to the fold, if possible; and that always incomprehensible bunch of non-motoring, nonenthusiasts, the management of the British Motor Corporation. They, since they were paying the piper, rather naturally wanted to call the tune. I was expected to make enthusiastic noises about all BMC cars, even the horrible ones. I was instructed to form an Austin-Healey Club, which would share Safety Fast! as its official organ. Many an MGCC member protested loudly, for the Club subscription had gone up from 25/- to 35/- (remember those funny old shillings?) and the reasoning was: ‘It’s our magazine, we’re paying for it, and we should decide on its contents.’ Actually of course, the extra ten bob covered little more than postage, and the magazine was heavily subsidised by BMC (as was the Club itself). So while Safety Fast! radiated confidence and contentment, there were many problems beneath the surface. Especially there was a shortage of suitable MGs for Club members, the revived Midget being still in the future and the lamented ZB having given way to the less popular Mark III Magnette. Even MGA sales were a bit dodgy; they picked up with the announcement of the new 1600 model, but soon fell away after that. And MGCC membership reflected the same pattern: for over several years the numbers fell both at home
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and abroad after reaching a peak of 7,500 (3,000 home, 4,500 overseas). The heaviest and most lasting blow fell abroad, where the figure stabilised at about 3,000 members, although the number of Centres actually rose. Russell Lowry’s courageous adherence to rule 2(a), despite all opposition, certainly weeded out a host of non MG owners who had almost taken over the Club in some places. The justification of his policy came shortly after his retirement, for by 1964 all the Home Club’s losses had been made good. Another important factor was the successive appearance of the new Midget (mid-1961), the MG version of the 1100 (late 1962), the MGB two-seater (late 1962) and GT (late 1965). By 1967 the home membership was well over 5,000, by 1968 it was 6,000, and there were eight Centres plus two sub-Centres in the Home Club, no fewer than 43 overseas Centres, and 500 unattached overseas members. Over 9,000 altogether. We in Britain had become particularly chummy with some of the overseas Centres, and the Club was doing very nicely, thank you; this despite (or more probably because of) the fact that from early 1964 to mid-1967 I had been mainly occupied by my work as press officer to the all conquering BMC rally team of Hopkirk, Makinen and Aaltonen in their fire eating Mini-Coopers. Then, just when everything in the garden was lovely, the very thing that Russell had always feared started to happen. Following a change of BMC top brass, a most determined attempt was made to utilise the Club for a mammoth, worldwide MG selling exercise. To emphasis that MGCC members are not unpaid MG salesmen, the appropriate number of digits was displayed to BMC. Now, this is a dangerous game to play at any time. It was perhaps unduly tactless to make such a gesture early in 1968, only a few months before BMC so suddenly turned into BLMC,
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HISTORY
because that little development led to our being weighed in the balance and found wanting. So poor old Safety Fast! got the chopper and before the end of the year the Club’s financial backing was withdrawn, and I, having been axed, returned to my freelance typewriter. If Russell wants to be remembered for his back-to-MG policy, my deepest satisfaction comes from remembering that more than 15 years ago I foresaw the increasing interest in early MG models and supported the Register cause on every possible occasion. Wilson McComb arrived at MG in 1959 to start up the new Safety Fast! magazine, and by the time he left Abingdon ten years later he had become without doubt the most authoritative MG archivist and historian. Born and brought up in Ulster, educated at Queens University Belfast, his early love of cars and Irish motorsport led him to work as local contributor to Autosport, later becoming assistant editor and to work as a motoring correspondent for the BBC in Northern Ireland. He progressed to be editor of the prestigious Autocourse annual and it was his style of writing that caught the eye of John Thornley who was on the look out for someone to launch the new Safety Fast!. Wilson soon found himself in his element with the challenge of establishing the new magazine, but he also realised that, apart from the original pre-war chassis files and some incomplete and often far from accurate production documents, there was no official MG archive. As someone who was expected to be writing regular and authorative articles about MGs he set about gathering together, researching and documenting as much factory information as he could find. This led to many interviews with existing MG factory people and, equally important, previous employees, designers, competition drivers and early MG owners – anyone who could contribute something to the MG story. Research was meticulous and time consuming and Wilson would never publish facts or figures until they had been crosschecked every conceivable way. He was well aware when interviewing older members of the company whose memories were fading that their stories always had to be double-checked with other sources. As his articles appeared in Safety Fast! these prompted contact with people far and wide, many of whom had lost contact with Abingdon, and Wilson never lost an opportunity to welcome them back to the fold. As the magazine for the MG Car Club, it was not long before Wilson was corresponding with owners all over the world on all sorts of subjects, not the least of which were technical queries, and he took it upon himself to become the ‘factory customer help desk’. And if he did not know the answers himself, he would always find someone who did. When Russell Lowry retired as MGCC General Secretary in 1963, Wilson moved on from Safety Fast! to take on the job, which he did very effectively for four years before handing over to Gordon Cobban. During this period he was also appointed BMC Competitions Press Officer and regularly travelled with the team on races and rallies, keeping the media fully informed of the team’s successes.
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First issue of Safety Fast April 1959
The BL takeover of MG, and the final closure of the factory and the withdrawal of support for the motor clubs, brought a sad end to Wilson’s time at Abingdon. He retired to Chichester to pursue his love of boating, where he died of a heart illness in 1989.
THE WAY IT WAS 1968-1970 MARTIN BRENT
When British Leyland closed down Safety Fast! and the MG Car Club operations, as one who was most intimately concerned in both events, I must tell the story as it was and record the immense contribution that one Gordon Cobban made to the future of the Club. What really happened is that in the Summer of 1968, shortly after we had learnt that Safety Fast! was to be chopped and replaced by the new Leyland magazine High Road, Wilson McComb called Les Needham of the Austin-Healey Club, Maurice Burton of the Mini 7 Club and yours truly, who was dealing with matters pre-1955 MG, into his office and broke the news that the car clubs were to be axed. The reactions varied; Maurice was furious as he had just, that month,
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HISTORY
The 100,000 MGA coming off the line in 1962, months before MGA production ended and the MGB came online, which really bolstered MGCC membership
relocated his family from Essex, while Les was, as usual, calm and collected. Me – well I wondered what the future held for me, but I had had a year or two of fun, I was young and in love… Wilson next spoke with me about the future of the MG Car Club and related the discussions that he had had with John Thornley. It seemed that JWT (who was very poorly at the time) was looking at ways to save the Club and had been talking to the Club’s elder statesmen, particularly Gordon Cobban, then Secretary of the South East Centre. As I recall, Wilson was not terribly happy about Gordon’s plans for the continuation of the MGCC and had his own ideas. Wilson was playing his cards close to his chest but I know (because I saw the final draft of his proposals) that he had discussions with the VSCC about their structure and how it worked. Wilson’s proposals were based on that sort of structure, suitably modified to cater for the existing structure of the MGCC, and envisaged a new Club office staffed by Wilson and myself, aided and abetted by Margret O’Brien who was supremo in the Club Office, dealing with membership administration. The Centres and the Registers would continue but the Registers might have had an enhanced role. The finances seemed to add up and Wilson worked it up for a meeting with JWT and Gordon when the matter was to be discussed. I can clearly recall the afternoon of that meeting as Gordon burst into the office with a big grin on his face and, as he passed my desk, said, “Don’t worry, it’s all in here.” What transpired at the meeting I knowest not but Wilson returned somewhat downcast and Gordon cock-a-hoop. Whatever happened, Wilson’s proposals never again saw the light of day. Shortly after this I was called to JWT’s presence and asked about my personal future.
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The simple stark choice was to either take the MG files to Cowley and continue my service work from there or to hand the work over to the MGCC Registers and be relocated at Abingdon doing something else. If the latter, what did I want to do? I said that I did not want to go to Cowley and that I would like to stay at Abingdon – perhaps try my hand at factory planning – which is how I eventually found myself in the work study section! Wilson, too, was looking to his future, and amongst other things he mentioned that he had been approached by the Montagu Motor Museum about employment but had decided to go off and finish his magnum opus – MG by McComb – and then freelance. The decision made on my employment, JWT asked me to discuss the handover of the files and the service enquiries to the Club. I thus found myself talking to Gordon and Mike Allison and it was agreed that Registers would, in future, deal with all pre1955 service queries addressed to BMC/BL. One of the associated matters discussed was the security of the files which had, until then, been very secure with only the Car Club office staff having access. These files, in two filing cabinets, contained a huge collection of MG memorabilia started by George Tuck and added to over the years by his successors and by Wilson, Mike and myself. One of the joys of working at Abingdon was that employees seemed to hoard everything from pre-war service tools, which were still available on loan to staff, to manuals, publicity material and pictures. The arrival of my VA in the factory car park was used as an excuse by many to clear out all manner of drawers and odd corners greatly to the benefit of the Club and, where there were duplicates, my own personal files. Also, at this time, I was
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HISTORY
The launch of the MGB in late 1962 really helped to grow the MG Car Club membership
spending a lot of time over at Cowley Photographic going through the negatives of the old drawing office records and listing them (I was also getting a lot of copy material for both the Club and my personal SVW files!). The material in this collection was fantastic – I found many gems, such as Kimber’s drawings for his dissertation on style, drawings for models that never saw the light of day and much, much more, mostly, it has to be said, of a fairly mundane nature but of great interest to owners rebuilding their pre-war cars. My only wish was that I could have had more time to go through it properly but, as they say, the clock was ticking. The two four-drawer cabinets full to the brim with irreplaceable material and previously mentioned, were supplemented by two other cabinets in Wilson’s office which were mainly photographs of races, trials, hill climbs and other events that he had assembled over the years as Editor of and subsequently as Gen. Sec of the Car Club. Why all this detail? Well, read on. I don’t know why, but the agreement with the Club was that the two primary filing cabinets and the individual model files were to be handed over to the Club and that the Club was to be responsible for their security.
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All other material was to be disposed of or reallocated. It was at this time that Wilson and I had our one and only really memorable argument. He suddenly told me that as Secretary of the Vintage Register he felt that the Members of that Register were getting a raw deal and that he was contemplating either persuading the members to go independent or to join the VSCC. I was strongly of the opinion that the crisis facing the Club was such that we needed solidarity rather than divisiveness and told him so in no uncertain terms. To say that he went ballistic is an understatement but typically, after we had both shouted at each other for a few minutes, it all blew over and by the afternoon all was back on an even keel and the Vintage Register stayed with the Club – for the time being. It was shortly after this that Wilson went off on leave, the other occupants of the office were relocated and I was left with the melancholy task of watching over the clearance of the Club and Safety Fast! offices. A skip arrived and the stuff that went into it was astounding. The collected junk of 25 years was dragged out of corners and after a quick look
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HISTORY
to see if it might be needed, it went either into a box for safe keeping or into a barrow and thus to the skip. So much of it would now be priceless to the collector. When I saw the two supplementary filing cabinets from Wilson’s office heading for the skip I moved quickly to stop the barrow. I asked what was happening. “Mr. Lambourne (then Works Manager) wants this cleared,” was the response. Off I rushed to JWT who, in effect, said that he didn’t care what happened to those particular files as long as the office was cleared – anyone who wanted them could have them! Remember, he was not a well man and had a lot of other, far more important matters on his mind at the time. Knowing of all Wilson’s work on this collection, a telephone call to him at home resulted in the quickest journey from his house in Drayton to the Works on record, and two minutes later the two cabinets were off to safe keeping in Drayton! While all this had been going on, Gordon had approached me about the Club’s administration and had asked if I could help while Margret O’Brien was off sick. JWT had approved my secondment for a few months and I was given two secretaries to help with the initial stages. Gordon felt that it was important to retain the Abingdon connection even down to the PO Box 251 address, and had leased the first floor offices over a bank in the Market Place at Abingdon which would be the new Club offices. The following Monday, two girls and I were installed in one room while all the machinery for printing and for addressing envelopes was in another. Further down the corridor were the records, including the by now infamous filing cabinets and files. In retrospect, it was a peculiar period – a feeling of being in limbo as we were so isolated, the only regular visitor being Gordon on his weekly flying visits from Essex, sometimes bringing his wife Elsie with him. If on his own, he and I retired to a pub to discuss business. If Elsie was with him we stayed in the office! Whilst in charge of the office I insisted that access to the records was strictly controlled with only individual files being made available for inspection by Club members under close supervision by one of the staff. Nobody but nobody – except the staff – was allowed in the filing room and it was on this aspect that I differed from Gordon. It must be remembered that Gordon was a Centres man to his fingertips and believed implicitly that the strength of the Club was in its Centres. Registers were to him a bolt-on goodie and must not be allowed to become too powerful to the detriment of the Centres. In truth, he was not particularly interested in the history of the Club or the cars and could not really appreciate my concern for the files. I believe that after my return to the factory unrestricted access was given to the files, and where they are today is a mystery. My stay at the new Club office was fairly brief – a matter of two months until Margret O’Brien came out of hospital and was fit enough to return to work. I, and one of the secretaries, returned to the factory which I found to be an unhappy place. There was a feeling of mistrust and everyone at section head level or over seemed to spend a lot of time watching their backs. Nobody knew where we were going and nobody seemed to have any authority to decide things. We were reduced to paying for a temporary typist from petty cash because all expenditure on staffing had to be approved at top level and it took forever to get a decision. There was no sense of direction, no planning for the future and, looking back, the management was poor, bordering on the inept. We just went on producing more MGBs and Midgets in the same old way. There was no money for investment; all our proposals for increased productivity on the lines went up to the Kremlin, never to be seen again and the only new car on the stocks that had any hope of production was the MGB V8. The unions were all-powerful and it was not a happy time – there was not the same atmosphere as in the mid-60s BMC days. The writing was on the wall and I decided that enough was enough and embarked on a new career elsewhere. And that is what really happened. The MG Car Club offices stayed in Abingdon over the bank until the Club finances dictated that the cost of the offices could not continue, and it was then that Syd Beer appeared and moved all the material to Houghton where it was stored, I believe, in the old bus garage which Syd always hoped would become an MG Museum. Over the succeeding years, the Club has had its ups and downs but the efforts of people like
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Wilson McComb with his Berkshire registered MGB Roadster at Le Mans 1964
Gordon Cobban must never be forgotten. He, more than anyone at that time, saved the Club. His enthusiasm and persuasive skills enabled us to continue in being. His energy and devotion to the Club was boundless. He so often put his hand in his own pocket and paid bills that rightly should have come from the Club coffers. His life revolved around the Club and its activities and he and Elsie attended events all over the country. I happen to believe that the Club would not be in its preeminent position today without Gordon’s contribution. Yes, he could be assertive and dogmatic but who isn’t at one time or another? I did not always agree with him about Club policy or even the day to day running of the revamped Safety Fast! of which I found myself Editor, with a minuscule budget and an impossible timetable. Remember the days of letterpress printing with the astronomical costs of plates which took forever to produce? I well remember the arguments with Gordon about that particular cost heading and the frantic dashes from Oxfordshire to London with pasted up page proofs which Gordon would collect and take to the printers! As I said, Gordon would do anything for the MGCC. Yes, let us remember famous men; John Thornley and Syd Beer among them, but let us not forget the man who, above all, secured the future of the Club in what was probably its blackest hour – Gordon Cobban. Martin Brent is first remembered in 1966 when he tried to get support to form a Register to cater for the, then, unloved by many, pre-war push-rod engine touring cars, which did not sit comfortably with the T-Register, the Triple-M nor the Vintage, which by this time were all firmly established. Martin owned a VA saloon, which was his only car. He lived in Reading, and was a work-study engineer with the Reading Council. Following a series of meetings with Gordon Cobban and Wilson McComb, it was agreed to establish the SVW Register with Martin in charge. The Register flourished, and Martin thus became involved with the Club and was a frequent visitor to Abingdon. When Mike Allison moved on from the Club offices, Martin took over his position, but when the Clubs were ejected from the Factory, Martin’s previous Council work gave him a natural transition to BL Rate-fixing Department, where he settled, until the mid-70s, when things within BL became unstable and he went to work for Watford Town Council. He sadly suddenly died in the early 90s of heart failure following a move to the West Country.
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AN MG SPECIALIST GARAGE RUN BY MG ENTHUSIAST AND MG ROVER FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIAN, CHRIS FLANAGAN.
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John Ward • 01621 773606 • johnw.ward@yahoo.co.uk
T TYPE NEWSLETTER
T Type Newsletter
Welcome to the
Recent events
May so soon and already this year we have three T Register events that have been and gone!
The MG International Spares Day Sunday February 21 2016 at Stoneleigh Agriculture Showground near Warwick Always a popular venue with an eclectic mix of cars, people, Registers and of course traders and second hand spares. Once again the T Register was well represented with committee members and others manning the stand throughout the day. Lots of T parts were on offer and business was brisk in the first few
The 2016 T Register Annual Rebuild Seminars Saturday March 19 at the now revamped British Motor Museum at Gaydon near Warwick
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The T Register Stand at Stoneleigh 2016
hours, hopefully many of you getting some of those much sought after parts to store away or for completing the rebuild. We are pleased to report that the organisers this year took seriously the complaint from previous experiences about the means of access and delays in parking and a much improved situation prevailed this time. Next up, and for the 36th time, were the eagerly awaited annual Rebuild lectures and demonstrations, always a must for new or long standing T Type owners, and this year was no exception in the variety and quality of presentations by experienced and dedicated speakers, very much appreciated by the 90 plus delegates who filled the lecture rooms. Nick Holyer’s MGTQ greeted people on the way into the seminar
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NEWSLETTER T TYPE
John Ward • 01621 773606 • johnw.ward@yahoo.co.uk
Upon entering the hall we were greeted by the eye opening spectacle of Nick Holyer’s MGTQ – a TA with a crank driven supercharged XPAG and alloy Q type bodywork. The car took 10 years to build with many components, parts and fittings being hand-made, a truly remarkable achievement. Following registration and then a much appreciated bacon roll and beverage, the T Register Chairman Geoff Matthews welcomed all our guests and outlined the day’s itinerary. As a result of a show of hands it was particularly encouraging to see the number of first time attendees to this event, meaning of course new T type owners! The sessions kicked off with Derek Stevson of Stevson Motors, Selly Oak Birmingham talking us through the history and development of shock absorbers in vehicles going way back to the turn of the last century and his company involvement in all such development right up to the present day. Nothing was missed out and the questions and answers session afterwards proved to be very lively and informative. Then two of the regular stalwarts of all matters T Type, Barrie Jones and Eric Worpe, split the lectures and took us through all there is to know about brakes and braking systems in TA,TB and TCs and TD and TFs respectively and as usual with infinite detail and information. After lunch another long standing contributor Roger Furneaux explained all the intricacies of the TA,TB,TC back axle and the differential, usually an area completely left to the experts by the average owner and Roger confirmed the reasons why by his knowledge and experience in this matter. Something totally new but very relevant today is the choice of oils and lubricants for classic vehicles, the old established manufacturers and suppliers having long ceased to trade and the manuals can no longer give comfort in this connection. Guy Lachlan of Classic Oils in Aylesbury provided much needed advice on the current trends and composition of today’s oils in order that this very important aspect is maintained and that our classics will continue to be catered for in the future. Then finally another specialised area keenly discussed and much debated, the XPAG engine and more importantly the camshaft. David Newman of Newman Camshafts fully described the process of manufacture of his camshafts and the choice of materials and their properties to suit all requirements. To complete the day, the T Register AGM was held and the Chairman and Officers duly reported that the Register was in good shape both financially and in members and that there were any number of new developments now being put in place to improve communications, and also the good news is that the historical and thorny problem of establishing and maintaining a sound database of members was being addressed at last.
Derek, 77 years young and still sorting out all those problems with shock absorbers just as his father had done
Guy Lachlan of Classic Oils in Aylesbury
David Newman of Newman Camshafts
However do not forget that ‘your Register needs you’, now more than ever as many of the officers especially the Chairman have already extended their tenure, and new and maybe even younger boys and girls would be enthusiastically welcomed.
MG ERA Day Brooklands Sunday April 10
The annual MG Era Day at The Brooklands Museum at Weybridge was this year a special date for T Types in that it marked the 80th Anniversary of the birth of the TA in 1936. Once again fortune smiled upon us and by comparison with the previous day the sun shone and brought out all those TAs that had been coaxed and cajoled to be there to celebrate this auspicious occasion, and with over 40 cars assembled in the paddock in front of the Clubhouse it was a glorious sight in the spring sunshine. As well as the TAs, there were approaching 30 other T Types in and around the surrounding area in front of the iconic Brooklands Clubhouse (not forgetting a very nice YT or two).
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Mary Medhurst’s maroon TA won best TA award
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John Ward • 01621 773606 • johnw.ward@yahoo.co.uk
T TYPE NEWSLETTER
TAs celebrate their 80th
Included in the timetable of the day there was an opportunity to partake in a cavalcade of MGs on the MercedesBenz World circuit, but this proved to be extremely popular and tickets were snapped up quickly, leaving many disappointed; but maybe next year. During the morning concours judges were circulating mostly unbeknown to the exhibitors and only to be discovered when red stickers appeared on certain cars requesting their attendance on the Napier balcony of the Clubhouse at 2.30pm. No doubt the judges had a difficult task with so many beautifully turned out and immaculate cars on show, which included the ‘Best TA’, an
award which deservedly went to Mary Medhurst for her maroon TA 2272 EAL 545 all the way from Northampton. There was a very special welcome to TB 0258 MG 6644 painstakingly restored by owners Anthony and Brenda Atkinson. This car was has a celebrated history insomuch that it was one of the many competition cars of the pre war racing society gal Betty Haig, and to the acclaim of the judges it was awarded the prestigious ‘Car of the Show’ Trophy. The existence of the T Register owes everything to the racers of the 60s but sadly now things have changed so much that T Racing is reserved for merely a few stalwarts who continue to delight us, and enjoy
T and Y Types gather outside the Clubhouse at Brooklands www.mgcc.co.uk
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NEWSLETTER T TYPE
John Ward • 01621 773606 • johnw.ward@yahoo.co.uk
Mary Medhurst receiving her award
themselves as well, by regularly competing in events up and down the country. The current competition secretary Jonathan Harmer and his brother Charles do much to keep this racing heritage very much alive in their respective TFs, and it was good to see Jonathan’s first racer TA GNU 608 being brought out of hibernation and looking splendid and just rarin’ to go in the paddock at Brooklands. Do try to get to see them some time this year, the Iconic 50s Sports Car Racers will be at Brands Hatch on April 30-31, MGLive! at Silverstone on June 4 (back in the Saturday afternoon slot) and Mallory Park in Leicestershire on July 3. Altogether a splendid day and much credit and thanks to the Brooklands Society and the MGCC South East Centre for
Jonathan Harmer’s first racer TA GNU 608. Isn’t a GNU a large black South African antelope?
And still to come in 2016... The 2016 T Register T Party will be held on Sunday July 3 at the Bicester Heritage Flywheel Event at the old RAF Station at Bicester OX27 8AL. This is a relatively new event being staged for only the second year but which has received wholesale acceptance by the classic car fraternity generally and this time there will be 16 car clubs in attendance. It is a two day event but we have arranged to have a designated parking space on the Sunday only in the display area, and as usual the sun will be shining so bring the picnic and sun parasols.
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TB 0258 was awarded the prestigious ‘Car of the Show’ Trophy
allowing us to be there, and especially for the tireless efforts and determination of our committee man Alan Wakefield who coordinated and organised the whole show; getting those TAs together was no mean feat.
Sums it all up really!
There will be a set fee for pre registered club members of £23 which includes car and driver and one passenger and a free souvenir programme to be collected at the event, but bookings must close at midnight on Sunday June 26 2016. There has been a little confusion in registering online so please follow these clear instructions from the administrators to ensure that you obtain your discounted tickets in time. Firstly use the club booking link www.flywheelfestival.com/ clubs/ticketoffer A page should appear ‘Classic Motor Club Tickets’, select your correct day tickets and display parking pass and press the ‘continue’ button which takes you to a page where you input your name and address and car details. You will then be presented with a drop down menu of motor clubs from which you need to select your club, the MG T Register and then proceed to complete the order and make payment. See you all there!
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:54
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NEWSLETTER MGB
David Broadhurst • newsletter-editor@mgb-register.org • www.mgb-register.org
MGB Newsletter
Welcome to the
I am writing these notes just after Easter and looking out at glorious sunshine, having just had a drenching in a hail squall whilst out walking our dogs. Come on, we’d be bored if it was wall to wall sunshine. As WS Gilbert wrote, “Fairest days are sun and shade”; let’s hope we get enough of the former for the various events the MGCC has planned for your delectation. The MGB Spring Run will be over and done by the time you are ensconced in your favourite chair with this edition of Safety Fast! but I must remind you that MGLive! will soon to be upon us during the weekend of June 4-5. This is well worth a visit as so much of what the MGCC is about happens at this event. I have to report that the MGB Register weekend in September is fully booked at 25 cars. The hotel is causing this reduced number. A shame really as it promises to be as enjoyable an event as normal. In this newsletter you will find notes from our new Chairman Graham Dix, John Watson gives an update on the Marathon car and we have an article from Richard Mullins in the USA about importing a Jubilee Car. This is taken from a larger article he had published
Finding and importing an MGB from UK to USA
In the golden age of Abingdon there was a very popular way to buy an MG available to tourists or service personnel of US forces. ‘Personal Export Delivery’ enabled people stationed in UK or Europe to pick up their MG at the factory, save a great deal on local taxation, use it whist based over here and then personally import their cars when they returned to the USA. Regrettably it is not possible to import a modern MG, even though its emissions and safety features would meet US standards, but import of MGBs or other older MGs is acceptable because they are considered antiques and are exempt from all the regulations. Modern technology and the internet have made it possible to view the whole world market and look for any car you may wish to own. For some time I have been watching MG websites
The limited edition plaque on Richard Mullins’ 1975 MGB GT
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originally in MGB Driver. Whilst thinking about events in the ‘colonies’ I had some correspondence with Bob Riddell in Canada re fitting a webasto roof and Register membership. Andy Knott dug out an article I wrote in 2011 about fitting a webasto roof and it was duly emailed; as to registering your car on the Register database you can go to mgb-register.org and all will be clear. Good to know we are being perused from afar as well as at home. The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) is currently lobbying for stronger guidelines as to what constitutes a classic car. It’s true to say there are certain attributes to be considered but certainly no clear distinctions… or are there? Well according to FIVA President Patrick Rollet, there certainly are. The Brussels based Rollet is calling for what he calls ‘clearer distinctions’ between classic cars or as Rollet suggests ‘cars that are preserved and maintained in a historically correct condition and not used as a means of daily transport’ as opposed to simply ‘old vehicles’. What are your thoughts? David Broadhurst to learn about three MGBs that are of particular interest. These are the 1975 MGB GT Jubilee edition, the factory MGB GT V8 and the 1980 Last Edition cars in Pewter metallic finish. These are all rare and unique versions of the marque. When new none of these cars would have been allowed for import to the USA. I was particularly interested in the Jubilee car, considering it to be particularly elegant. I know of only two such cars that have been imported into the USA and I started to look for one. Unfortunately most were high mileage multi owner cars, often modified, so did not fit with what I wanted. I like to drive to MGB meetings in an MGB and I like to take my wife with me. She had previously been involved as a passenger in two vehicle collisions so was wary of riding in a car without head restraints. A ’75 Jubilee would resolve her concerns. One of these would be of great interest at car shows but would the dream of finding the right car and getting it over here prove insurmountable? Scrolling through the MGB section of Pistonheads.com website in late 2009 I found an ad describing a ‘75 Jubilee with 54,000 documented miles, one family owned and with extensive service records, car 74 from a build of 750. I clicked the button and made contact with the owner. I learned a lot about this car. Built on May 6 1975 and shipped to Bromley Motor Works on June 3 1975, it stayed there 10 months as a demonstrator. It was sold on March 12 1976 to Mr J Irons and his name was added to the factory badge as the first owner. The car was owned by Mr Irons until 1996 when he died and the car passed to his son, Mark, who barely drove it for the next 14 years. In October 2009 it was sold to Mr Stewart Heath who then sold it to me in November 2009 with, as stated, 20 years of documentation. Buying a car in Britain is very easy but the process is fraught with danger. You can spend a lot of money to find that the car does not exist or does not belong to the seller. It could also not be as described. Due diligence is the key. I was lucky. The car and the people I was
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25/04/2016 16:55
David Broadhurst • newsletter-editor@mgb-register.org • www.mgb-register.org
MGB NEWSLETTER
Richard Mullins’ 1975 MGB GT Jubilee
dealing with were honest. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles to see what documentation you will need. Next, use contacts through the NAMGBR or the MGCC to assist and guide you. I was put in contact with Colin Goodey who, at the time, was the representative for Jubilees and LEs on the MGB Register Committee. He was a great help and even helped me with an HPI check on the car which showed that the car was paid for and not stolen. He also furnished a list of garages where I could get the car checked before I bought it. Mr Heath took the car to the garage I had chosen where it was duly checked. I spoke directly with the garage who told me that there were some, fixable, issues but that it was a nice car. So, now the fun begins. £500 deposit and set about the official work to get the car to Oregon. The UK vehicle registration is a V5C (logbook). This lists current and previous owner. There is space on it to be completed if the vehicle is to be permanently exported. You need this, properly executed, for the car to be registered in USA. In addition you must have a properly executed bill of sale, a stamped EPA exemption form and
MGB Marathon Car Restoration
a stamped customs form with receipt showing all duties paid. The shipper provided these documents. Next I called Hagerty Collector Car Insurance as I knew that I would need insurance and that they could likely put me in touch with a reputable company to ship the car. I was referred to the Globus Shipping Company. I had no idea what it would cost and all sorts of things are involved, not least the weather, level of service, customs involvement; it will cost you what it costs you. Initial quote was $3,000 but in the end it was closer to $5,000 – more than the car cost! I had the car shipped via London to New Jersey and then shipped overland in an enclosed truck to Eugene and delivered to The Sports Car Shop. The vehicle was subjected to a random intensive examination by customs. All the documentation had been placed in the glove box. The Shippers had photocopies, which customs accepted, luckily, and the originals were where they had been placed. I suggest that you have any original documents sent to you and copies travel with the car for officialdom to peruse. With all the documents to hand the vehicle was duly registered in the State of Oregon. I kept the, original, British plates and tax disc on the vehicle for authenticity’s sake as well as displaying Oregon plates. So, I have a rare, authentic and original MGB GT Jubilee to drive to events with my wife in attendance and, hopefully, not so concerned about safety. Richard Mullins
Last minute preparations to the marathon car in 1968
Many of you will know of the project which the MGB Register undertook at the beginning of last year when we discovered the MGB Marathon Car languishing in a scrap yard. This car took part in the Daily Express sponsored London to Sydney marathon rally in 1968 to drive a 10,000 mile course in 10 days. It was driven by Jean Denton, later to become Baroness Jean Denton, and Tom Boyce. An amazing journey to undertake particularly when you consider the small budget available for the preparation work, which was completed by Tom, and Jean’s husband Tony, in a mews garage, assisted by Pete Smith. Pete has come forward and is advising with the restoration. The event attracted some 100 cars with the MGB managing a very credible 49th place and being the first sports car to complete the course.
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NEWSLETTER MGB
David Broadhurst • newsletter-editor@mgb-register.org • www.mgb-register.org
The Jean Denton and Tom Boyce MGB leaves London on the start of the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon
The car when found was in a very poor condition, having been stored for 15 years. When it was discovered it required a considerable amount of work to save it. It was decided by the Register that this MGB was so important in a historical sense that we would do our best to restore it to a usable condition. This was not to be a full nut and bolt restoration because there is so much about it that that evokes a well-used rally car, along with the patina of age that should be retained. We have been very fortunate in receiving a lot of help from companies involved in the classic car industry, for example BMH, Moss, Abingdon Restoration, Classic & Modern, Pat Jerome, Moto Lita and Burghfield Starter & Alternator Centre to whom we are very grateful. There has also been lots of work completed on the car by Club Members. Malcolm Sayers and Tony Gilbert have undertaken the task of rebuilding the engine for us and Dave Cato has got involved in the rebuild of the gearbox and the badly damaged overdrive unit. So there has been lots of progress made since the discovery of a very sad looking MGB early last year. Now we are looking for your help please; we need funding to complete the project. If you can spare a few pounds please contribute towards the restoration. The respraying back to the original Nova Gold with the distinctive matt black bonnet will be
Engine removed from the car ready for the rebuild
expensive if it is to be completed to the standard that we believe it should be. A donation of £25+ will enable your name to be displayed on the information boards along with the car. Details can be found at www.mgb-register.org The plan for the car, which is owned by the MGCC, is for it to be displayed at various events. It is destined to be on the MGB Register stand at MGLive! at Silverstone in June. Both the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu and the British Motor Museum at Gaydon have expressed an interest in displaying the car as part of major exhibitions planned over the next few years. 2018 will be the 50th anniversary and a special event is being planned by the Historic Marathon Car Association. Should you require further information please contact the Project Leader, John Watson on 07770 575236 or email john. watson@mgb-register.org who will happily answer any questions that you may have.
Engine being rebuilt ready to be reinstalled in to the marathon MGB
The marathon car as found in 2015
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NEWSLETTER MGB
David Broadhurst • newsletter-editor@mgb-register.org • www.mgb-register.org
News from the MGB Register Chairman Following this year’s AGM I was elected as Chairman of the MGB Register, taking over from John Watson who had reached the maximum permitted time as Chairman as per MGCC Rules. Firstly I need to say what a healthy situation the Register finds itself in. This is all due to John’s enthusiastic leadership and support from the Committee. In John’s Chairmanship, amongst other notable successes, we have seen the Register significantly develop its communication with you as members using a range of electronic platforms: namely, the MGB Register Forum, the monthly eNewsletter, our webpage and Facebook. This is in addition to regular articles in Safety Fast!. The Register has year on year provided a range of activities throughout the year, starting with the ever popular annual Spring Run. I don’t think anyone could match the commitment and enthusiasm John provided to the role so my challenge is therefore to do my very best to maintain that level of service. To do this I intend to make full use of our communication outlets and to maintain the existing activities provided for your enjoyment. We are currently looking at activities for 2017 so if you have any suggestions please let me or any of the Committee know. All our contact details are on our MGB Register webpage. Some of you may know me as one of the two Technical Advisors for the Register. As many of you will not know me I thought best to tell you a little about me. Here goes. I was apprenticed as an engineer at Harwell Atomic Energy Research Establishment and after a few years became a Design Draughtsman. I left the industry after approximately ten years and joined Thames Valley
Technical Tips The following issues are some of those that I experienced when re-commissioning my 1967 MGB LAF 717F after being in storage for 12 months: First steps were to change the oil and filter and charge up the batteries. Next was to drive it out of the garage and onto the drive where I intend to keep it throughout the summer until at least the end of October. This immediately revealed … Issue 1. Poor starting On turning the key she turned over readily but only fired once upon releasing the key. This happened six or seven times before finally reluctantly starting up. Over 12 volts was apparent across the battery terminals. I checked the fuse box for voltage levels and noted that the constant fed fuse circuit was also over 12 volts but the ignition live circuit only displayed 11 volts. From past experience I know that an MGB is almost impossible to start if only 10 volts is available so this loss of one volt was the likely cause of the poor starting. The ignition live circuit could have a number of issues causing the volt drop but I noted that on this occasion when the white wire from the fuse box to coil was disconnected the voltage returned to just over 12 volts. Similarly when the coil to distributor wire was disconnected over 12 volts was displayed. From this it was clear that the problem was related to the contents of the distributor. I replaced the condenser and rechecked. The voltage was back to 12 volts. LAF 717F started on first turn…RESULT. Issue 2. Excessive Coolant Pressure This problem became apparent last year but I stored LAF 717F planning to look at it at some point in the future. Almost as soon
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Police, retiring in 2012 as an Inspector. I currently work at Radley College as a Design and Technology Workshop Supervisor. Whilst an apprentice I purchased my first MGB – LAF 717F, which I still own 37 years on. She was ten years old when I purchased her, in very poor condition but I patched her up and drove her as my only car for a few years before abandoning her in my parents’ garden. Once I became a home owner she lived in my garage for years before I completed a very extensive and painfully slow rebuild. One of my two daughters unbeknown to me contacted the Oxford Mail who were interested in a story of a 20 year rebuild. The subsequent article mostly took the mickey out of the fact that it took so long to restore, but publication of the article came to the notice of John Watson. As a consequence he invited me to join the MGB Register Committee and thus here I am today. The photo is the one produced with the Oxford Mail article. As I write it is only a very short time now to the Spring Run and my thoughts have been mainly centred around preparation of LAF 717F for the event. As I have retained my Committee role as Technical Advisor I thought it prudent to complete a series of articles in the Technical Section of the MGB Register Forum focusing on my re-commissioning of LAF 717F after a lengthy period in storage. I hope some of you will find the issues I identify helpful and that some of you will add value with your own comments, advice, experience etc. Graham Dix as I started her up I remembered this being an issue as water from the overflow pipe ran past my feet. When the engine was up to temperature the thermostat must have opened as both top and bottom hoses were hot. The next day I replaced the original 7psi radiator cap with a 10psi cap I had spare. The result was quite dramatic as water squirted out of the top hose joint with the radiator all over the inner wing. Ummm. I consulted a couple of professional mechanic friends and the consensus was that the head gasket must be leaking between a cylinder and a water chamber, thus pressurising the system. As this is a time consuming and fairly expensive job, to cheer myself up, I thought I would fit a new oil and temperature gauge as the temperature gauge had not worked for a few years now, and time and money had put it to the back of the queue. The old temperature sensor would not budge from its housing below the thermostat so I removed the thermostat to get at the sensor. With the new gauge successfully fitted I looked at the thermostat, comparing it to a new spare I have. I noted that there was no small bypass hole in it. Thermostats as far as know all have a small hole with a ‘giggle pin’ through it. The hole allows a small amount of water to bypass the thermostat when it is closed. The giggle pin prevents the hole from becoming blocked with deposits. To end this story, fitting the new thermostat completely cured the excessive pressure. Issue 3. Sticking Clutch I tried to engage first gear but was met with grating of gears. I have had this problem before so I immediately suspected that the clutch had ‘welded’ itself together due to lack of use. The cure I have used in the past worked again this time for me, that being to run the engine until it is thoroughly hot such that the gearbox is also hot. This takes about 40 minutes. Miraculously the clutch releases either whilst hot or during cooling down.
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:55
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NEWSLETTER MGC
Ginny Cartmell • 01208 821552 • ginnycartmell@btinternet.com
MGC Newsletter
Welcome to the
We have had a fantastic response from you all with regards to expressing your interest for the 50th Anniversary of the MGC next year. Barrie and I and the entire committee feel really positive that the event will be well received. It’s like everything we do with the MGC Register, it relies entirely on you all as members to support our events, and so far I am happy to say your commitment to the C Register has been first class and makes us feel very reassured, tackling such a large event, over so many days. This will be the biggest event the C Register has ever undertaken, so as the months roll on we will be calling on you for help. We have begun organising a 50th Anniversary committee in addition to our main committee, and once this year’s events are all done and dusted, we will be requesting volunteers for a Sub-Committee to come
forward. This will be to help in a number of areas, running up to the 50th Anniversary in 2017. Many hands make light work, but more importantly, will make for a most enjoyable and successful celebration of the MGC Roadster, MGC GT and all five of the MGC GTS. Below you will see the continuing progress we have made with regards to the format of the event. This is just the bare bones; we have lots of flesh to put on, to make it a most memorable occasion. We want to be sure we mark this event in the best way we can, in respect of a remarkable vehicle that has stood the test of time and is loved and cherished by so many, not to mention its increasing value over recent times...! For those that have not registered their interest as yet, please do so below, if you would like to be kept fully informed.
Name Area / Country Vehicle Make & Model Chassis Number Email Address Telephone Number Return to ....ginnycartmell@btinternet.com or Tel 01208 821552 for further enquiries
A Note from the Register Chairman....
Well the season has started and by the time you read this some of you no doubt will have been in your ‘Cs’ already to some local events. This year is going to be a busy one for the Register, not only with preparations for C Weekend, but also attending other events both in the UK and the MG European Event of the Year in France. We are seeing the values of our cars continue to rise and seeing ‘projects’ recently advertised between £10k-£15k does make you think, not so long ago, those figures would have been challenging for good condition cars! Our cars still represent amazing value, and the following for them is ever increasing as new owners are finding out what we take for granted, enjoyment. We are all looking forward to our 2016 MGC weekend at Wroxhall Abbey, for those of you staying, and of course hopefully bathed in glorious sunshine both the racing and venue called Mallory Park. Next year, 2017, is the car’s 50th Anniversary and your committee, in conjunction with support from the MGOC, are finalising details of this four day event in June. We hope that you have already seen our initial Press Release. We will be both publishing and emailing out further information at regular intervals so that we can keep you fully in the picture. We are a small Register, therefore we need your continued support so that we can ensure that all is in place for you all to enjoy the 50th celebrations. If you haven’t already, please register your interest (Ginny’s details are shown) and thank you for all those who already have. Be ‘C-ing’ you soon. Barrie Cartmell
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Monumentally Gripping Correspondence from New Zealand
Having enjoyed the company of fellow MGC owners in England in 2013, and with the 50th anniversary of Abingdon’s Grand Tourer taking place next year, I have every intention of participating in the UK celebrations. Peter and Raewyn Dunlop are looking to be there and they also have a very special family occasion to celebrate around that time. It will be a great opportunity to catch up with family once again, do some touring and attend MGLive!. Our New Zealand owners know about the UK celebrations, so if any of them feel they are due for an overseas holiday, they could fit this into their itinerary. In this part of the world, which is as far away from Abingdon as you can get, we will not be letting this anniversary pass unnoticed. We have a bank holiday on the weekend of October 23 to 25 next year, which fits perfectly with the dates of the 1967 British Motor Show at Earls Court. This was held from October 18 to 28, so the first of the two proposed New Zealand events will be held exactly 50 years since the MGC made its first public appearance. Auckland will be the centre of this event but then a tour through the North Island is planned, to meet up with as many of our fellow owners as we can. In March 2018 we are looking to venture further afield, that is, to the South Island to tour this beautiful part of the world, with a gettogether in Christchurch as we have several MGCs in the Canterbury region. From there travel further south for an anniversary display at Warbirds Over Wanaka in the stunning Southern Lakes district. Ian Grant, NZ MGC Register Secretary / Historian thegrants@actrix.co.nz
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:36
Ginny Cartmell • 01208 821552 • ginnycartmell@btinternet.com
MGC NEWSLETTER
Preliminary Programme for MGC 50th Anniversary Wednesday June 7 2017 We will welcome our guests at Chateau-Impney from 3pm onwards in the reception area. Dinner will commence from 7.30pm. Thursday June 8 2017 To be confirmed, work in progress. Friday June 9 2017 Depart from Chateau-Impney to spend the day at Gloucestershire/ Warwickshire Railway, where we will have exclusive use of the Station and Steam Train for the day, including lunch. Dinner back at Chateau-Impney from 7.30pm. Saturday June 10 2017 Today we have a traditional MGC show day at Chateau-Impney, with a full programme of events throughout the day, with our Gala Dinner and prize giving in the evening from 7.30pm. Sunday June 11 2017 Depart from Chateau-Impney for a scenic tour to our lunchtime stop at The Fleece (National Trust), with afternoon entertainment, before we say farewell and thank you to all attendees and wish you a safe journey home. Monday June 12 2017 For those choosing to stay in the area, we hope to have details on a visit to Gaydon, the all new British Motor Museum.
www.mgcc.co.uk
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NEWSLETTER MGC
Ginny Cartmell • 01208 821552 • ginnycartmell@btinternet.com
A funny thing happened on the way to Le Mans My plan was to leave Portsmouth on Thursday night, arrive Caen Friday morning and pitch camp in the Houx Annex Friday lunchtime to enjoy the race over the weekend. Usually I take the autoroute, but recent reports of the gendarmerie patrolling in unmarked cars just waiting to pounce on Les Anglais on their way to La Sarthe put me off. I found myself on the N158 driving through Normandy. The weather was glorious, the car was running beautifully, all was well with the world until I thought I noticed a slight loss of power. Two seconds later there was no power and the car came to a gentle halt. I recognised the signs of a failed fuel pump. I hit it with a hammer – several times, but the C refused to start. I had taken the precaution of taking out European cover. There was just enough mobile signal to get through to the AA, but not enough to have an intelligent conversation with them. I eventually gave up. The only thing to do was to walk to the next village to find a better signal. I anticipated a long day ahead of me! About half a mile up the road were some roadworks with temporary traffic lights. As I approached the lights there was a car with English plates at the head of the queue. I quickened my pace, and just as the lights turned green I knocked on the window. Keith, for that was his name, ignored the green light and asked
what I wanted. I said I was hoping for a lift to the next village. He explained that he lived in Normandy, in the next village and that if I wanted we could go back to his place. My mum told me not to get in the car with strangers and certainly not go home with them, but I made a judgment call and got in. We drove further and further off the N158. Keith said he would call his local mechanic and ask him to come out to fix the car. A few moments later he had called his mechanic and said we should go back to the car before it was stolen; 30 minutes later we were back at the car. The mechanic had turned up, and after he hit the pump a couple of times we fixed the car to a tow bar to go back to his garage. A really fast journey followed down even smaller and smaller roads, to the point at which the roads had continuous grass growing in the middle. There were now two of them, I was on my own, I had no phone signal and my car would be nowhere to be seen if a search party was sent out for me! I held my nerve. We arrived at a tiny garage in the middle of nowhere. There were a couple of old 2CVs and a Peugeot 404 in a
Hamish Cameron’s MGC GT.
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NEWSLETTER MGC
Ginny Cartmell • 01208 821552 • ginnycartmell@btinternet.com
yard keeping company with a sleepy mongrel and some chickens. The language barrier was very real. He certainly had no English and I suspect spoke in a heavy accent. My schoolboy French is around 40 years old. The mechanic determined I had a dead fuel pump. No, he did not know where I could get an SU fuel pump in the middle of Normandy. If truth be known, I don’t think he had heard of SU. However, if I could get one, he could fit it, bien sûr. Keith took me home so that I could ring around for a pump. Optimistically, I thought a call to Moss and DHL might sort me a pump for the following day, Saturday. Heck, I might even catch the end of the race. Yes, Moss had a pump. Yes, they could arrange a DHL delivery. Yes, DHL could deliver to France overnight. Things were looking up. No, they could not deliver to the campsite in Le Mans. No, if I wanted the pump delivered to a garage in rural Normandy at the end of a road with grass in the middle for several miles then this would take, oh, many days. I ordered the part and resigned myself to the fact that the rest of the weekend was going to be challenging and my car was going to be stuck in France until it was repaired. I thanked Keith for his help. I explained that the car was off the road for a week, and I would make my way down to Le Mans to meet friends there. At which point something extraordinary happened. Keith threw me the keys of his new Volkswagen Turok flatbed and said, “Here, you have my car, I don’t need it.” Nothing prepares you for this sort of kindness. Keith was such a decent bloke. I accepted the offer without further hesitation. I was not looking out for anything in particular as I drove to Le Mans, but out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of a Mark II Jaguar parked up on an embankment. It looked like a
Light weight alloy hubs with taper roller bearings, studs and seals. Weight saving
garage forecourt. It occurred to me: if they had an old Jaguar, then perhaps I could beg, steal or borrow an old SU pump. As I drew into to garage I realised it was a bit special. The Jaguar shared the forecourt with classic Ferraris and Maseratis. It was a posh garage. Nothing ventured, thought I. I spent 10 minutes in the car practicing how to explain that I needed an SU fuel pump. “Pompe d’essence, de SU,” should do the job alongside some hand gestures indicating that mine was broken. I went into the reception area. Behind the counter was a stunningly beautiful young lady. “Excuse-moi,” I started. “Ah, yes”, she replied in perfect ’Allo ’Allo English. “Can I ’elp you? An SU fuel pompe? Yes, what type of car do you ’ave?” “J’ai une MGC.” (I was warming to my task.) “Oh, la MGC, she is a most beautiful car, it is a favourite of mine. She ’as six cylinders ’as she not? Let me see – ah yes, we ’ave one on the computer.” Gosh, beautiful and a petrol-head. Off she went, and returned with a new SU fuel pump for a 1968 MGC – smiling. I cannot start to describe the feeling of unreality sweeping over me. Within the space of four hours, I had broken down, been picked by a bloke at a set of traffic lights who had arranged for my car to be towed away to a garage at 30 minutes notice. He then gave me his car; no deposit, no “just leave me with your passport”. Finally I tripped over a most wonderful garage with a beautiful receptionist who loved MGCs and who had an SU pump. My pump was fitted the following morning and I drove home after the race as though nothing had happened If only I could have bought a lottery ticket. Hamish Cameron-Blackie...
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Summit:Layout 1
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RACE TORQUE
W
ell the Club’s first race meeting on April 3 at Donington went really well with some excellent racing, good grids and some very happy spectators. Certainly well worth the wait for the season to start. The Donington management were also very happy and we are already in discussions with regard to a similar date next year as our season opener. It’s great to see the steady improvement in the appearance of Donington year on year, after the ravages of the abortive attempt to move the British GP there which caused so much damage to the infrastructure. All credit to Christopher Tate, his team and of course the owner Kevin Wheatcroft, the son of Tom, who has supported the latest reconstruction in recent years. It was Tom of course who had the vision and tenacity to recreate the circuit from the remains of the pre-war circuit, opening to great fanfare in 1977. No mean feat for sure. There isn’t any doubt that the circuit is challenging one, particularly the downhill Cramer Curves, and it’s a true test of driver and machine... you weren’t there ... make sure you come in 2017! Read the full report elsewhere in this magazine. Our second event is at Brands Hatch on April 30 and May 1, this magazine may just get to you in time; we have some truly excellent grids, two full to capacity, one with four reserves no less, and a splendid grid of 22 cars in the two MMM races. Apart from that we have all bar one of the Club’s in-house Championships, all with excellent grids, over 500 race entries overall in the two days! A great weekend is in prospect. After that a gap to catch breath, so as to be ready for the Club’s major event and major race meeting of the year. I refer of course to MGLive! at Silverstone on the Grand Prix Circuit. June 4-5, as if you didn’t know! Entries are already flowing in to the Club’s office for this, our big extravagan a. In addition to all of our Championships we have as guests Lotus Europe Cup with two races, and our old friends the Morgan
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Race Torque
by Ron Gammons Photos by Dickon Siddall
Championship and two races for Porsche. With grids of up to 58 cars available this could be our biggest meeting yet! Apart from the racing there are so many more activities at MGLive!, sufficient to keep everybody involved for the two days. Well worth a visit. Circuit Tours available on both days but book through the Club office, these are always oversubscribed. The next meeting after MGLive! is our return to Mallory on July 3, a friendly smaller track where almost all of the circuit can be seen from various vantage points. While it looks a relatively simple circuit with only effectively four corners, it commands total attention and concentration, the sling shot sweeping Gerards, followed by the fast and deceptive Esses, the almost full stop hairpin and the downhill off camber Devils Elbow. This is a real drivers circuit: lap times under
the minute with cars seldom out of sight. Well worth a visit. The MGC Register are visiting on the day as spectators as part of one of their Register weekends. Should be a good array of them around Gerards!... Why not join them? There may be space to join in with your MG on the lunchtime circuit tour. Entries on the day for that. Just to emphasise that your Club membership gives you an opportunity to visit some of the country’s great circuits and to be part of the event. At all, we have a hospitality area sponsored by British Motor Heritage where teas, coffees and biscuits are always available. Come and join in. If there’s time we will be happy to show you Race Control; contact John Hutchison, the Club’s Race Competition Secretary, on the day in Race Admin.
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COMPETITIONS
After a long winter break the MG Car Club name returned to the race track on Sunday April 3, for round one of a brand new season. There was a sombre mood in the Donington Park paddock due to the recent unexpected loss of our own John Horton, however as the sun shone down John’s presence was definitely felt throughout the day. MGCC MG Trophy Championship Doug Cole enjoyed a successful start to the season, with MG Trophy race one victory. Despite chasing Chris Bray for much of the outing, Cole was ahead when the red flag ended proceedings slightly earlier than planned. As the race began, it was Bray who led the way, closely pursued by Cole. Behind, the fast starting Paul Luti quickly swapped his fourth place grid slot for third place as the field rounded Redgate for the first time. With Bray and Cole immersed in a full throttle battle, the scrap for Class B honours ignited. Luti found himself hounded by the eager Lee Sullivan, as the pair engaged in an almighty tussle. At the front, Cole’s efforts were soon rewarded when a swift move elevated him briefly into the lead. However, Bray soon fought back to hold the lead until the red flag ended the action. Third place was on offer for the duration, with the
position passed between Luti and Sullivan throughout. The close natured racing of the MG Trophy was tested once again, as the pair battled mere millimetres apart. Fergus Campbell soon joined in the action, but with just one minute left on the clock, the red flag was thrown to rescue a stricken Sam Ray, who was beached in the gravel trap, minus one wheel. With positions finalised, Sullivan was crowned Class B victor, ahead of Campbell and Luti. The Class C scrap was as fierce as ever. Class C newcomer Gianni Picone initially led the way, however it was fellow debutant William Payne who claimed the victory. Picone held on for second place, ahead of reigning champion John Gil, Paul Bryson and Martin Webber. Cole doubled his MG Trophy success with another victory in race two. He and Bray battled profusely once again, but it was the number 99 Class A runner who was ahead as the chequered flag fell. Bray had led early on once again, as
Cole followed. Upon seeing his opportunity, Cole made a successful bid for the lead. Despite immense pressure from Bray, with the pair circling side by side at times, Cole held on for a triumphant end to his day, also being rewarded with Driver of the Race and Driver of the Day. Behind, Sullivan claimed Class B honours once again, together with another third place overall result. He and Luti had enjoyed a fierce battle once more, with Sullivan again coming out ahead. Luti held on for fourth place. Campbell was awarded Driver of the Race for his superb efforts during race two. Payne doubled his Class C success with a race two triumph, ahead of Picone once again. Gil, Webber and Bryson completed the Class C finishers. MGCC Peter Best Insurance MG Cup Thomas Halliwell dismissed the opposition in the opening Peter Best Insurance outing. A front row start gave the MG ZR driver the perfect advantage, as he led the way around Redgate. Immense pressure from the chasing James Darby and Paul Eales saw a fire ignited at the front, as both surpassed Halliwell for honours. However, it wasn’t
Delightful Donington hosts season opener Report by Leanne Fahy Photos by Dickon Siddall
Rob Oakenfull (18) battles with Michael Piggott in the PBIC MG Cup.
www.mgcc.co.uk
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COMPETITIONS
The Start of the 2016 MGCC Race season, the MG Trophy Cars leave the line
long before Halliwell made his mark, to weave his way back to the head of the field. With the MG ZR driver in control and Darby some 20 seconds adrift in second place, all eyes turned to third. Following his early strong performance, Eales held on for a third place result, whilst David Thompson moved up to steal fourth place on the final tour. Richard Buckley had looked strong to collect a top three result, however was forced to the sidelines when his MG ZR expired on the pit straight. Elsewhere, Richard Wilson was deemed worthy of the coveted Driver of the Race award by our commentary team. A change of exhaust between the two races for Halliwell failed to slow him down, when he steered his way to another race win. Eales and his distinctive yellow MGB GT leapt away as the race began, to lead the way into Redgate for the first time. His upper hand was soon stolen when the familiar MG ZR of Halliwell and Darby’s MGB GT weaved their way ahead. A fastest time of 1 minute 25.151 seconds ensured Halliwell grasped success, some 29 seconds ahead of nearest rival Darby. He was also rewarded with Driver of the Race. Eales held on for a third place finish, ahead of Wilson, Thompson and Shaun Holmes.
Iconic 50s Sports Cars with FISCAR Brian Arculus steered his way to an Iconic 50s Sports Car triumph, some 16 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger. Graham Coles had led the first lap in his immaculate MGA Coupe, however as the field headed towards the end of their opening lap Arculus managed to sneak ahead. From here the Lotus Elite driver refused to relinquish control, stretching his authority to an eventual 16 second advantage. Coles held on for a comfortable second place finish, over eight seconds ahead of third placed man Jonathan Smare. Driver of the race was awarded to the sole MG T Type entrant Nick Ashman, who claimed a seventh place finish overall. MGCC Cockshoot Cup Jason Simm swapped pole position for race victory in the sole Cockshoot Cup outing, despite a brief loss of the lead at the start. As the race began, the fast starting Phil Standish in his MG TF LE500 directed the way around Redgate. However, by the end of lap one, Simm had steered his way back to the front. Simm’s pace was soon put on pause, when Andrew Wheals needed a rescue mission from the gravel. As officials leapt into action, the safety car neutralised the field. With Wheal’s car safely recovered the
Paul Luti (69) and Fergus Campbell battle for Class B honours
The red MGA of Graham Coles leading the Dick Jacobs Special of Stuart Dean in the MGCC Iconic 50’s Sports Cars and Fiscar race
race was restarted, and Simms steered his way towards a season opening triumph and a series of fastest laps in his MG ZS. Behind, Gary Wetton cemented his second place standing from qualifying to claim runner up spot in his MG ZR 190, whilst Standish rounded out the top three. The race was stopped when Helen Waddington became stranded on the final chicane kerbing, after a mishap with Carl Chadwick’s MG Midget. Ray Collier was awarded Driver of the Race, whilst also claiming a fifth place finish behind David Morrison. MGCC Drayton Manor Park MG Metro Cup Ben Rushworth began his season in a familiar way, with a victorious drive. After stealing pole position from Mike Williams, he maintained his advantage throughout, adding to his impressive victory tally. As Rushworth showed the way, Williams slotted into second place, mirroring his rival lap after lap. By the race end, just 2.9 seconds separated the duo, with Williams holding on for runner up spot. Andrew Ashton had initially sat in third place, trailing Oli Hood for the opening few laps, however as the race unfolded, Ashton managed to weave his way into a strong third place. Ashton’s efforts were also deemed worthy of Driver of the Race. A sterling effort from MGCC newcomer Lee Connell ensured he collected fourth place in what was his very first race, whilst Hood and Richard Garrard rounded out the top six. Equipe GTS Forty minutes of racing seemed effortless for Brian Arculus in his Lotus Elite, when he swept by the chequered flag to claim victory. Despite a change of hands numerous times, Arculus was in the right place at the right time, when the clock hit zero. The Triumph TR4 of Brian White started on pole position, alongside the shared TVR Grantura Mk III of Robi Bernberg and Paul Ugo. However, as the opening tour unfolded
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COMPETITIONS
A good grid of Metros produced great racing, Tony Connell (14) to the fore
it was Rob Cull in his TVR who led the way from third on the grid. Arculus wasted little time in making his mark, when he leapt to the head of the field on lap two. The mandatory pit stops soon came into play at mid distance, meaning the lead changed hands on a number of occasions. As the pit lane closed, action returned solely to the track. Before long, Arculus had regained his dominant stature, to claim race victory. His race winning efforts also secured him the Driver of the Race accolade from our commentary team. David Beresford in his MGB claimed second place, ahead of early leader Pete Foster and Craig Taylor. Henry Rice and Jonathan Smare completed the top six.
launch into the opening lap, which proved triumphant overall for the MG Midget pilot. After gaining control, Dunkley developed himself a 16 second cushion to nearest challenger Edward Reeve.
Richard Wildman claimed third place, with his efforts also being deemed worthy of the prestigious Driver of the Race award. Despite the difficulties running our first race meeting without John, this was a strong start to the season. After some very good racing we are very much looking forward to round two at Brands Hatch in a few weeks time. We look forward to seeing you all then.
The multi marque Equipe GTS heads away from the start line with Rob Cull (69) leading the way in his TVR Grantura
Lackford Engineering MG Midget & Sprite Challenge James Dunkley remained unchallenged throughout the sole MG Midget and Sprite Challenge to seize the all important victory. A pole position start was the best
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MGs ON TRACK
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My Favourite Circuit?!
I couldn’t possibly say! Yet very often I do get asked the question “What is your favourite circuit ” An easier question would be “What are your favourite circuits ”… There are a number of things that make a circuit interesting and to the individual that will depend on what you want from a track! Castle Combe rates amongst one of my favourites as it has a bit of everything, fast straights, fast and slow corners and a couple of chicanes to stop you getting too enthusiastic. It is a very friendly circuit and due to its layout, allows much camaraderie in the pits where tips are exchanged along with banter and also the chance to admire other MGs out in the open. Castle Combe is very popular amongst the regular MG track day drivers, but is also a very good starting point for first timers and novices. With four sessions per hour and only 12 cars on track at any one time, it is easy to group you and your car with compatible MGs. James Mumford writes a bit more about Castle Combe and what is in store for our visit on June 20…
Castle Combe awaits…
Words by James Mumford
“Why are you going to Castle Combe twice this year what’s so special about it ” asked my friend Martin, a new member who is preparing for his first venture into track days. Thinking about it, my honest answer was, “Nothing really, except...” Of course, it is the “except” that gives the circuit its enduring popularity with our members and which ensures a sell-out on our every visit. Castle Combe is essentially an oldfashioned circuit. Opened in 1950 as a perimeter track to a decommissioned WWII airbase for Polish flyers, the layout has changed little since those early days when it hosted races for the likes of Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn. It has always been a fast circuit but an accident in 1997 led to the installation of two chicanes leading to the current two mile layout. And yet it has retained its relaxed and slightly amateurish
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feel (I am going to get into trouble for saying that but actually it is run very professionally but also in a friendly way) making it an ideal venue for an informal club event.
So, what is it like Well, it is still fast with a good run of over half a mile between Tower and the well-known uarry bend. And don’t expect a crowded circuit; noise restrictions limit us to 12 cars on the track at a time so with over 250 yards of track per car, at times it can get almost lonely out there. This makes the circuit ideal for our less experienced members who may prefer plenty of space around them. Additionally, the staff will usually (but we can’t guarantee it) set out cones to help you find the turn-in point and apex at each corner, and of course there are always our excellent instructors on hand to provide in-car tuition and guidance. As an added attraction, we are again going to be joined by members of the Triple M Register who will be taking a session for their pre-war cars. Their outing with us in February at Goodwood certainly made exciting viewing for the rest of us; their cars might not be as fast as the moderns but there was certainly no holding back and they were clearly enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, we cannot hope for another emotional reunion between lady and car as was reported in last month’s Safety Fast! but at least that shows how much these cars mean to their owners, both present and past. It will be great to see them out again enjoying themselves in, hopefully, the early summer sunshine. Passengers, friends and those who just want to come along and watch are equally welcome. Some of us will be travelling up the night before and intend to stay over at the Premier Inn at Chippenham; all are welcome to join us for dinner there, see the website forum for details and sign up there if you wish to be added to the booking for dinner. Look for us on www.mgs-on-track.com. Make it a date and see you there on June 20.
www.mgcc.co.uk
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MG MG Steve Brand track track steveb mgs-on-track.co.uk on on www.mgs-on-track.com
2016 Calendar
To book places you need to2016 be registered with MGoT Calendar on our website www.mgs-on-track.com
** New for 2016 ** All registered members will receive an email about a March 10 Silverstone Aprilweek 20 prior to the Cadwell event opening for sale. Session) If an event says(single ‘StatusMSV Provisional’ it is not open Mayfor 11booking yet. Snetterton (single MSV Session) If all places are ‘Sold Out’ contact the ‘Event May 15 North Weald Manager’ highlighted on theday) website booking page (Beginners Mayfor 26a reserve place. Oulton Park *Snetterton – May 23 MSV session)** (Single 8 to experience Castle AJune chance theCombe ‘Snetterton 300’ circuit Julywith 3 its fast and Croft – Open Pit ensuring Lane, there is technical layout only something for experienced everyone. (via Lotus on Track) *North Weald – May 13 July 13 Pembray ** Not track day butHethel** a fun day allowing you the Julya25 opportunity to Brands discover Hatch more about August 13 – GPthe handling characteristics(single of yourLoT car prior to doing a full track session) September 14 Castle Combe day. An excellent opportunity for beginners! OctoberCombe 5 *Castle –Donington June 20 October 26 of – Goodwood The first visit two regular annual visits to this very December 7 – Brands Hatch Indy friendly circuit in Wiltshire. *Croft – July 1 A shared day with Lotus on Track on a great circuit, set between the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Moors! *Blyton Park – July 16 A first time visit for MGoT to this circuit that has been given some great reviews. A variety of track layouts makes this an interesting venue! *Hethel – July 30 Another opportunity to experience the Lotus test track in Norfolk. This will be our second visit due to the popularity in 2015. A great track for all types of MG! *Brands Hatch GP – August 25 A must do! A rare opportunity to try the GP circuit which has imposed limited use during the year. It’s a privilege for MGoT to be invited back for a third year running. *Castle Combe – September 12 A second opportunity to enjoy the thrills of this ever popular track which includes a couple of chicanes and technical corners! *Goodwood – October 31 A second visit in case you missed the first due to popularity! *Oulton Park – November 18 Back on the calendar due to demand by members, a circuit that has a bit of everything for everyone! *Brands Hatch ‘Indy’ – December 5 Our last event of 2016. Don’t miss the chance to experience this undulating circuit including Paddock Hill Bend!
www.mgcc.co.uk
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LUFFIELD
Luffield Championship John Wilman, Beechfield, Fern Bank, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak. SK23 0JJ. Tel 07778 165186 • www.mgspeed.net The photograph included with this article shows a situation that does not occur very often in the Luffield MG Speed Championship, ie two cars in close proximity on the track! It was taken at Goodwood and by its very nature and length of straights allows for the possibility of such a coming together by cars of very differing performances. It does illustrate beautifully the breadth of cars catered for in the Championship. As I have said before, as a result of our target time scoring system, the older car could well be amassing more championship points than the more modern one. At the time of writing I am just preparing for our third event of the season at the spectacular Harewood Hillclimb on April 10. Good weather is forecast and I hope to bring you a full report in next month’s publication. Our first outing was at Rockingham Raceway near Northampton. We only managed nine entries but considering that the date was March 20, there were many motors still in the final stages of fettling so I suppose this can be understood. Peter Clark in his group three road going Midget was the highest scorer with 100.71 points. David Butler – TD Special, Dave Morris – MGRV8, Andrew Till – MG R 105 and Tim Kirkham – MG S 180 all achieved the magic 98 points. This indicates that they equalled the standing record. April 3 saw us at the Midlands Centre Curborough Sprint. This event is a long-standing favourite and no fewer than 24 Championship cars were entered along with many other MGs who are not Championship competitors. It is probably worth mentioning that to enter an event promoted by the MGCC, it is not necessary to be a Championship member. Entries are open to any paid up member of the Club. Andy Walker in his 4.6 MGBV8 carried away the award for fastest MG. No doubt the new smooth and unified livery helped the car to slip through the air more quickly. With such a large entry it would be impossible to give an account of everyone’s results. However, Ian Beningfield and Neil Walmsley both achieved a maximum score of 102 points in their 1500 Midgets, as did Steve Baker in his group two Midget. Looking at the rest of the scores it would seem that the new figure of eight format at the venue is becoming more familiar as there were many cars in the 98 point bracket.
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CALENDAR
APRIL Friday 29 – Monday 2 May MGCC: South East Centre Normandy Rally Contact Derek Edwards – 01737 765891 Saturday 30 – Sunday 1 May MGCC Race Meet Brands Hatch Indy Contact www.brandshatch.co.uk Saturday 30 – Monday 2 May MGCC: MGF Register Donington Historic Festival Contact Keith Williams – keith. williams@mgfregister.org Saturday 30 – Sunday 1 May MGCC: North West Centre Anglesey Sprint Anglesey Contact Paul Rodman – 01614 398990 Saturday 30 – Monday 2 May MGCC: Caledonian Centre Three Day Highland Fling The 2016 May Three Day Scenic Tour will be held in the Cairngorms National Park and the Black Isle areas Contact: David Reid – caleychair@btinternet.com
MAY Friday 6 MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Fish & Chip Supper Run Location TBA Contact: Grant Potter – 07581 036086 or Dennis Hope – 0191 517 2804
Sunday 8 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Spring Autotest, Location TBA Contact David Stonehouse – 01790 754774 Sunday 8 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre RAF Digby Museum Visit RAF Digby Contact: Keith – 01472 602949 Sunday 8 MGCC: Yorkshire Centre Woldsway Run Maple Garage, Hull Contact Chris Moore – 07776 450776 Friday 13 MGCC: MGs on Track North Weald Contact Martin Holmes – martinh mgs-on-track.co.uk Friday 13 – Monday 16 MGCC: Germany Pfingsttreffen/Whitsunday Meeting Sauerland, Germany Contact Hakan Sigemark – hakan.sigemark mgcc.se Friday 13 – Sunday 15 MGCC: Midland Centre Welsh Rallye West Midlands to Wales Contact: Brian Osborn – 0121 445 4889 or Andy Robson – 0121 453 1595 Sunday 15 MGCC: South West Centre Wye Valley Social Run Symonds Yat West Contact: Jim Lott – chairman@ mgccsw.com
Friday 6 – Monday 9 MGCC: MGA Register Spring Weekend North York Moors National Park Contact: Peter Morgan – 01794 323160
Sunday 15 MGCC: Caledonian Centre Stirling Show Stirling Contact: Rob MacGillivray – 07870 407111
Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 MGCC: Y-type Register Spring Run and Dinner Hatherley Manor, Gloucester Contact: Chris Callaghan – chrismgabingdon yahoo.co.uk
Sunday 15 – Saturday 21 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Swallow Natter Scottish Tour Contact: Keith Robinson – 01472 602949
Sunday 8 MGCC Regency Run From Kempton Park Race Course to Madeira Drive, Brighton. Contact Club office – 01235 555552 Sunday 8 MGCC: Midland Centre Charnwood Caper uorn & Woodhouse Eaves GCR Station Contact: Colin Readwin – 07583 231393
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Sunday 15 MGCC: North West Centre Scammonden Dam Hillclimb West Yorkshire Contact Paul Rodman – 01614 398990 Sunday 15 MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Regularity Production Car Autotest Seaton Carew Contact: Tony Coates – 07768 372911 or mg@ stocktonriverside.com
Thursday 19 MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Visit to Nissan UK Sunderland Contact: Noel Lindford – 0191 587 0753 or noel.lindford btinternet.com Thursday 19 MGCC: Ulster Centre May Autotest Location TBA Contact Gordon Buckley – 07751 605033 Saturday 21 MGCC: Abingdon Works Centre Beaulieu Spring Autojumble National Motor Museum Contact www.beaulieu.co.uk/ events/spring-autojumble Saturday 21 MGCC: V8 Register V8 Technical Day 2016 Kimber House Contact: Roger Aldridge – 07738 679706 Saturday 21 MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Northern Natter Supper Run Contact: David Rawlinson – 01670 790212 Saturday 21 MGCC: Anglia Centre Committee Meeting, The Limes Needham Market, Suffolk Contact Peter Skipper – 01502 731141 Sunday 22 MGCC: South East Centre Tour of the South East Location TBA Contact Angie Vickers – 01342 843656 Sunday 22 MGCC: Caledonian Centre May Run 2016 – Over the Sea to Rothesay Cardwell Garden Centre, Gourock Contact: Barclay & Alison Henderson – barclayhenderson@ gmail.com or 01292 560200 Sunday 22 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Spring Social Run Location TBA Contact John Bromfield – 01636 677513 or 07836 335732 Monday 23 MGCC: MGs on Track Snetterton 300 Contact Martin Holmes – martinh mgs-on-track.co.uk Saturday 28 – Saturday 4 June MGCC: Devon & Cornwall Centre Janner Week 2016 Watermouth Cove Holiday Park, Berrynarbor Contact: Paul Turner – 01237 474736 or ruf50r ovi.com
Sunday 29 MGCC: Abingdon Works Centre 24th Old Speckled Hen Run Radley College, Abingdon Contact: Richard Martin – 01235 529331 Sunday 29 MGCC: Anglia Centre Anglia Charity Run Stanhoe to North Repps Contact Paul Bloomfield & Janet Voutt – janetvoutt talktalk.net or 01328 711632
JUNE Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 MG Live! 2016 Silverstone Contact: Club office – 01235 555552 Sunday 5 MGCC: V8 Register 2016 AGM MG Live! V8 Marquee Contact: Debbie Brading – 07795 227715 Sunday 5 MGCC: Caledonian Centre Thirlestane Show Thirlestane Contact: David Reid – 01383 727695 Tuesday 7 – Sunday 12 MGCC: Triple-M Register UK Touring Event 2016 Ulster Contact Simon Johnston – ulstermmmtour@gmail.com Wednesday 8 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Landlord’s Choice Pride of Ownership Competition Wishing Well Dyke, near Bourne Contact Simon – 01406 381330 or Paul – 01780 759100 Wednesday 8 – Sunday 12 MG Car Club of France MG Car Club European Event of the Year 2016, Le Touquet, France Contact & Details mgevent2016. mgclubdefrance.com Thursday 9 MGCC: Anglia Centre The MGCC Mid Essex Open Evening The Crown Inn, Sandon Contact: Dave Tynan – 01795 535776 Thursday 9 – Sunday 12 MGCC Norway Norsk MG Rally, Norway Contact Hakan Sigemark – hakan.sigemark mgcc.se Friday 10 – Sunday 12 June MGCC: MGF Register Cholmondeley Power & Speed Contact Keith Williams – keith. williams@mgfregister.org
Sunday 12 June MGCC: Tyne Tees Centre Prince Bishop’s Run & St. Cuthbert’s Run (run simultaneously) Palace Green, Durham City (finish point) Contact: Noel Lindford – 0191 587 0753 or noel.lindford btinternet.com Sunday 12 MGCC Denmark Gavno Classic Autojumble & Concour de Charme Gavno, Denmark Contact Hakan Sigemark – hakan.sigemark mgcc.se Tuesday 14 – Thursday 16 MGCC: SVW Register SVW Register Event Liege, Belgium Contact Simon Johnston – ulstermmmtour@gmail.com Thursday 16 MGCC: Ulster Centre June Autotest, Location TBA Contact Gordon Buckley – 07751 605033 Friday 17 – Sunday 19 MGCC Sweden SMGM, Sweden Contact Hakan Sigemark – hakan.sigemark mgcc.se Saturday 18 – Wednesday 22 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Champagne Run, Reims, France Contact: Robert Welch – 01724 764144 Sunday 19 MGCC: Caledonian Centre West Coast Open Day BB Cleghorn, Lanarkshire Contact: David Reid – 01383 727695 Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 MGCC: Magnette Register 20th Magnette Day Sport Hotel, Schifferstadt, Germany Contact: Thomas Cordes – 491799150239 or tom. cordes@gmx.de Sunday 26 MGCC: Caledonian Centre One Day Run, Ochil Hills Area Contact: Jim Greenhill – 01324 825173 Sunday 26 MGCC: Lincolnshire Centre Summer Social Run, Location TBA Contact: Robert Welch – 01724 764144 Sunday 26 MGCC: Anglia Centre Anglia Summer Picnic Audly End House Cambridgeshire Contact: Roger Latham – 01702 580472
www.mgcc.co.uk
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OUT&ABOUT
Ch arlotte, on he r wa to ch urch to ma rry St ewart (M GC Re giste r St alwy art , Ha ug hto n’s son. It wa s s) Mike an d An gie which on e of th e five M a ha rd de cis ion de ciding Gs to drive he r in! Ph oto Sim on Da vie s : s – J2 line up for Brian Osborn – MGB, Dud Sterry – J2 and Jon Moore r Saturd ay 2016. Easte Trial, End s the Bishop’s Wood section of the Land Photo: Brian Osborn
supp lied by MG Dea ler, Bull dog of Ian Crim p’s new addition, an MG3 Sport his 1971 MG B which he had part Twyford, Berk s. Ian was reluctance to withwith MG3 and is looki ng forwa rd to owned for man y years, but is overj oyed o: IantheCrim p atten ding man y more MG events. Phot
down, enjoy ing Dav id Aaro ns’ MG TD on an empty road, top ns Aaro id Dav o: Phot a Sprin g day.
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A new ly des ign ed Tyn e Tee s Cen tre Ro ller Ba nne r, wit h Da vid Alexan der poi ntin showin g a 1933 J2 alo ngs ide ag out one of the photos, the Centre dis pla ys last yea r. Ph2014 MG3 at one of oto: Noel Lin dfo rd
MG Mag nette Farin a with a good rang othe r A60 varia nts at the Broo klan ds Aust in Morris Day. Phote o:ofTim Morris www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:37
OUT&ABOUT
Noel Lindford’ s MG TF85 on the Butt s Pass, between Hawes and Muk er, in Swaledale, duri ng a runertub held Take n looki ng back from Steve Gibs on’s yellowearly Ma rch 2016. Troph y 160
Cana ria Jim Andrew took this pictu re at the Costadid Hotel, San Agustin, Gran d Cana ria. He re ask if he could hire the actua l MG in the pictu10 and days was told yes, however it would take themy there onl was he e sham a , t i in for them to obta for seven days! Photo: Jim Andrews
Fou r T Types bag a nice pos n by the Ca mp bell sheds ring Mo rris Da y hel d on M architio the Au stin 6 at Brookl and s. Ph oto: TimduMo rris
Mus eu TAM, A selection of class ic cars on displ ay atdethe Sonh o’ orga nised m u Asas ye the finis h venu e for the ‘Rall si mbia La Vera o: Phot . il Braz of CC by the MG www.mgcc.co.uk
MG_SafetyFast_May16_50-98.indd 67
A good selection of MGs, take n at ‘The n Inn’ at the end 2015 just befo re heading off on the annuCrow al Norf Run orga nised by the Ang lia Cent re. Phot o: Lynnolk Rivie ra e Qua yle MAY 2016
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OVERSEAS
REVIEW
A monthly look through a few of the overseas magazines we receive at Kimber House. Reviewed by Paul Plummer
Overseas Review
O
ne theme that runs through all the overseas magazines and journals is that of technical help and support: from simple tips, to full blown articles together with first class diagrams and photos. Some of the topics in current crop of magazines include fitting a five speed gearbox conversion, basic electrical testing, fitting a low coolant warning system, servicing a steering rack and an electrical boot lock for a modern TF. This demonstrates the wealth of information and experience that exists within the car club fraternity and the willingness to share it with others. From New Zealand, a couple of items from The Canterbury MaG, a rusty interpretation of an early MG sculptured by
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Ian Lamont, and an unusual ‘HALF MGB’. From the same magazine comes a report of battery powered electric MGB, having a 192V, 100AH battery pack driving a warp 9 motor theoretically giving 115kW. A range of 130km at 50kph is claimed on a seven to eight hour charge with an expected life of 3-4000 charge cycles. The Octagon, the journal of the MG Car Club of Queensland, tells of a marathon journey of a group who drove the Pan America Highway from Chile to Canada, 34,600kms, 14 countries, 17 border crossings, all taking 130 days. At all points along the way, they were met, encouraged and supported by local MG enthusiasts, not least three pre-war MGs from the MG Car Club of Argentina who drove 1 , 2 0 0 k m s from Buenos Aires to meet with the group and climb the foothills of Cerro Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the southern hemisphere. Another epic cross continental adventure is described in the MG Car Club de France’s magazine Heritage, where a 1950s ZB Magnette is driven 14,000kms along the ‘New Silk Road’ from Hamburg to Shanghai. MG Motoring, the journal of the MG Car Club of South Australia, features two salutary articles on the topic of old tyres. Both recount stories of what superficially appeared to be part worn tyres with significant depth of tread remaining, only to find that the rubber was hardened and perished beyond safe use. One set was an unknown Korean make 12 years old and the other, Pirelli Cinturatos
with no date code, indicating that they were manufactured before 1980! Both writers commented that their Insurers state that the life of a tyre is deemed to be six to eight years. This further reinforces other recent articles on the subject of old tyres which we all should be aware of and replace our tyres when appropriate. This year’s Australian National Meeting took place in Perth Western Australia, and a group of enthusiasts from NSW decided to drive the 2,000+ miles to attend the event. This comes from Opposite Lock, the journal of the MG Car Club of Sydney NSW. The Eyre highway stretches some 750 miles from South to Western Australia across the Nullarbor Plain, including the famous ‘90 mile Straight’ pictured here.
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 17:18
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OVERSEAS
NEWS
T
he Swedish Club is situated far away up in the north of Europe, with its long, cold and dark winters but also some beautiful, sunny and sometimes very hot summer months, and is a most social institution. During wintertime we arrange technical meetings examining carburettors, electrical systems and other specialities related to the MG marque. It is not only a necessity but also a way to keep our members together. Spring, summer and early autumn are our real MG seasons with many meetings arranged. Something happens every weekend in this very long and rather narrow country. There are many kinds of excursions: visiting castles and other historic monuments, meeting other English car clubs, just having picnics, racing etc, but almost as important is the annual Swedish MG Meeting (SMGM). This year it will take place in the well-known Dalecarlia. The Club is a not-for-profit organisation and it all started in 1952 when The Stockholm MG Club was established, so we are one of the oldest car clubs in Sweden. These days we have around 2,400 members spread all over the country.
The concours winners with their MG at SMGM in Vadstena
The organisation of the MGCC Sweden The top organisation consists of the Annual Meeting, a Board with the Chairman (Ewa Brander) and six Board Members, the Centre Representatives (see below) and special committees. To make a good strategic organisation we have divided the country into ten Centres with a Centre Representative CR) as the leader. In the major Centres there
are also, what we call, District Leaders (DL) in every place or region where there are many MG owners. The DLs take good care of new members, arrange meetings and write articles in the Club magazine, which is called ‘MG Bulletinen’ (six issues per year). You are welcome to take a look on our website (mgcc.se) and you are, above all, most welcome to visit us in Sweden! Per de Faire Past President
News from the
MG Car Club of Sweden
A Swedish summer evening at SMGM in Borgholm 70
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www.mgcc.co.uk
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P R OT E C T YO U R I N V E S T M E N T. . . . w i t h Wa xo y l t r e a t m e n t Vehicle Rustproofing Procedure The first thing we’ll do upon your arrival is to give your vehicle an initial inspection and assessment while you are present. We know it can be scary leaving your pride and joy with someone else! We will also answer any questions that you may have. We will clean the underside of your vehicle, removing all dirt, loose rust or flaking underseal/paint. Any plastic, inner wheel arch covers are carefully removed at this point to gain access to the areas behind which are often secretly harbouring months, if not years of mud and salt accumulation!
Detailed preparation is the key to good and lasting protection. Brakes and exhausts are carefully masked up before it is coated with durable, black, rust inhibiting underbody wax. Cavity wax is also injected into all the crossmembers. Tricketts offer a complete service to F and TF owners including headgasket, cam belt and clutch replacements, body repairs including fitting of replacement subframes, carrying out underbody/ cavity rust prevention treatment, MOTs and routine servicing.
Trickett Welding (Poole) Ltd 48a Holton Road Holton Heath Trading Estate Poole Dorset, BH16 6LT Tel: 01202 625050 Mobile: 07831657831 Email: info@trickettwelding.co.uk
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MAY 2016
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CENTRES
ABINGDON WORKS Gill Martin sfscribe@mgabingdon.org.uk www.mgabingdon.co.uk
I am so pleased to be writing the May report again as May is such a happy month. The long wet winter is over and the flowers and the sun are, once more, in abundance. The stage is set for MGs to grace our roads again. Everyone loves to see open-top MGs drive through their village and how good does it make you feel when someone shouts “great car, mister”. So if you haven’t got yours out yet, why not? You’ve already missed our opening event, Drive-it Day, but don’t worry, there are plenty of other events right through until autumn. Sunday May 29 is the date for this year’s Old Speckled Hen Tour. This will be our 24th year, so I assume we’re doing something right. Contact Richard Martin, 01235 529331. We had good attendance for our new-look AGM, which was encouraging, as we are aware people don’t like change, but it went off very well. The Club’s General Manager, Adam Sloman, spoke enthusiastically about his role and MGs and we look forward to seeing things progress at Kimber House now that he is settled in there. In the election of officers, we now have a new (or should that be an ‘old’?) Chairman, with Richard Martin taking over again. Mike Gething, who has been our Chairman for the past year, runs a B&B, so guests arriving at all hours make his time-keeping very difficult. On behalf of the Centre,
thanks Mike for all you did. He’ll be staying on as Vice-Chairman. The Secretary’s role has been taken on by Malcolm Bailey, as Pete Davies is abroad a lot now with his work. Martin Rees replaces Marcus Smith after three years on the Committee. Events are not the only way we meet up with members. We have various Natters throughout the Centre. If you visit www.mgabingdon.co.uk/aboutus/awc-natters/ you can see where and when we meet. You’ll notice a new listing there for the H Café, Dorchester OX10 7LY. This Natter will be held on the third Thursday of each month from 6.00pm to 9.00pm so why not give it a try. The Charlton award for the AWC Centre Member of the Year, this year was presented to… ME! (how embarrassing is this ) for my work over the past three years to get the AWC Wanderers Natter up and running. It is a lunchtime Natter, held on the third Wednesday of the month. We ‘wander’ up and down the Centre each month, to a different venue, followed, naturally, by a meal in a pub! We have over 50 people on my list now, with an average turnout of 25-30 for each event. If you’re interested in coming along, please give me a call and I will gladly add you to my mailing list. 01235 529331.
ANGLIA Rob Muir 01206 862619 Rob.Muir@hotmail.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk/anglia
President MGCC Anglia Centre I am very pleased to announce that on March 12 at the MGCC Council Meeting, Roger Latham was voted in unanimously as President of the Anglia Centre following his nomination by the committee. Roger was a founder member of the Anglia Centre and spent many years as Chairman, working tirelessly, as he still does, to make the Anglia Centre one of the most successful Centres in the Club. He has written a book on the history of Anglia Centre and organises the very popular Anglia Centre Picnic each year. Do remember that this year it will be held on Sunday June 26 and will visit Audley End House you will find a booking form in this month’s issue of Safety Fast!. Roger, as anyone who knows him will be aware he is a true gentleman and no one deserves the recognition more than he does. Congratulations. MGs Stolen I received a rather upsetting email the other day from Anglia Centre member David Skinner. David had to tell me that his two MGBs had been stolen from their lock up garages in Kirby Cross, close to his home at Frinton-on-Sea. The cars, a 1969 red Roadster, registration OCA 554 G, and a 1973 white GTV8, registration NRU 261M were David’s pride and joy and are both in very good condition.
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Sadly as classic cars become more valuable this sort of occurrence is more common. Sometimes the cars are broken for spares. I have therefore obtained the relevant engine/chassis numbers from David as below. OCA 554G 1969 Red MGB: Engine No 18VE-H40620, Chassis No GHN4/165914G, a standard looking car with balanced engine, chrome wire wheels and black leather seats. NRU 221M 1973 White GTV8 Engine No 356, Chassis No GD2D1475G, black leather seats and wood rimmed steering wheel. Please do check on any of the above details if you are offered parts for sale and contact the police should you come across any information. Events Planning The Mid Suffolk Pub Meet will be holding their Open Evening at The Lion, Needham Market IP6 8EA on Friday evening, May 13. There is always a good turnout at the event with around 20 classic MGs on show. Contact Graham Wills on 01379 890732 for more details. The Anglia Committee Meeting will be held on Saturday May 21 at The Limes, Needham Market, starting at 10am. You are most welcome to attend, or you may wish to have a point of interest brought up in which case you can forward this via your local Pub Meet host or contact one of the committee members.
CENTRE I hope by now you’ve all marked June 4-5 in your diaries for MGLive!. Tickets are on sale from the MGCC website. The AWC, as always, will have a stand there selling our regalia. Please do come over and introduce yourself. Without you, we wouldn’t have a Centre to run.
Bill and Heather Charlton presenting the AWC Centre Member Award to Gill Martin
CENTRE For more information contact chairman Peter Skipper 01502 731141 or Secretary Roger Moran 01502 722122. The Anglia Charity Run Stanhoe to North Repps will be on Sunday May 29, contact Paul and Janet Bloomfield 01328 711632 janetvoutt@ talktalk.net for details. MG Live! Anglia Centre will be having a stand in the Club main marquee. Offers of help to assist in manning the stand would be much appreciated, complimentary volunteer day or weekend tickets can be arranged for helpers depending on time spent manning the stand as per main Club criteria, contact Mike Pelling at mike480mg yahoo.com for details.
This month’s photo was taken at last year’s picnic, just to whet your appetite.
www.mgcc.co.uk
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2016 MG Car Club Anglia Summer Picnic
MGCC Anglia Summer Picnic at Audley End House (EH) The Anglia Summer Picnic is being held on Sunday June 26 at Audley End House near Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4JF. Audley End House is a magnificent Jacobean mansion which was built from 1603 by Thomas Howard 1st Earl of Suffolk. The interior and grounds were remodelled by Robert Adam. It has a superb entrance hall and staircase with much fine Adam work and 18th century furniture. The Great Hall, magnificent State Apartments, dressing rooms, libraries, nursery and Service Wing await. The gardens were created by Capability Brown with later work by Robert Adam. They include a walled kitchen garden and
parterre, Tudor stables, a Palladian bridge with a summer house on it, a Temple of Concord and the Springwood Column. There is also a shop, café and tearoom. There will be an exclusive parking and picnic area for MG Car Club members. Admission is at a rate of £11.00 for Adults and £5.00 for Children between 5 and 15 The cost includes admission to House, Gardens and Grounds. Note – English Heritage (EH) members entry is by their membership card – but please advise me for planning purposes (no SAE needed). Email is fine. EH members are asked to make a £1 donation on the day towards costs.
Booking Form (a photocopy is acceptable)
Name ................................................................................................................................................................................. Address ............................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................................................... Post Code .......................................................................................Phone ............................................(in case of query) MG model .......................................................................................................................................................................... Number of adults ............................. MGCC membership no ................................Number of children ........ (age 5 to 15) Cheque enclosed for £ .......................................................................................... payable to MGCC Anglia Please send booking form and cheque – with SAE please to: - Roger Latham (MGCC Anglia Centre), 10 Hawkridge, Shoeburyness, Essex SS3 8AU phone 01702 580472 (evenings) - queries only. Email rogerlatham@talktalk.net
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CALEDONIAN Bob MacGillivray 07870 407111 mgcarsscotland@gmail.com www.mgcaledonian.com
Well our AGM passed over smoothly with the existing committee being reinstated ‘en mass’ so that was encouraging, and by the time you read this our first run will also have been completed… hope the weather is kind! Our first May event is probably full, The Aircraft Carrier visit on the 8th. But if you are not booked in and would like to go, it might be worth giving David Reid a call. Similarly our first show, Stirling, on the 15th, will be fully booked but why not drop in on the day and say ‘Hello’? However there will be spaces available on our May run on the 22nd. This starts in Gourock and includes a trip over if not doon the water to Rothesay. Details are available on the website. This may not suit many but there is an ‘Open Day’ at Kimber House on May 28 to show off the new Bill Wallis extension. If any of you are on holiday in the area over that weekend it will be a worthwhile visit… Almost tempted myself! There will be a smaller group than normal both at MGLive! and at Thirlestane over the first weekend of June due to the clash of dates but again, if you are in the area please look us up. Glamis in July is normally our largest show! This year we will have a new and exciting way to show the cars… But we need your cars! Entries must close on May 13 and we cannot
accept latecomers. This is a great event and well worth attending with inhouse catering second to none…. If you haven’t been before why not make this year your first visit… You know it makes sense!! And we want ALL MGs so whether it’s very old or relatively new please get it entered! Looking further ahead, the Bo’ness event in September is being expanded with a greater area for car club stands. Again we have some great ideas for our display so check our website for details. I’ve been asking in my irregular emails for details of ‘new’ MGs in the Centre and I have some details. If you don’t receive my emails and would like to, please contact me, email address is above… and I’ll be happy to include you and if you have a ‘new’ MG or are restoring one please let me know. Pleased to announce that we have a new sponsor in the form of Chic Doig who is based near Lochgelly in Fife. Chic and his team
DEVON & CORNWALL Granny Janner www.allegropeter@aol.com www.mgcc.co.uk/devon-cornwall-centre/
The Centre AGM took place at a new venue ‘The Callington Bowling Club’ and they put on a very good spread. Thanks go to Terry Bolt for finding this venue for us at short notice. The Centre welcomed our first lady Chair Wendy Keeling with Bernard Curren as Vice Chair, with one new face on the Committee, Angus Wakeham. The lunchtime Torbay Natter was a success, so why not take the MG for a spin to the next one in June Nice to see an old friend Neil Farnfield now back living in Cornwall, hope to see more of you at events. The Lands End Trial was held over Easter, and Bob thanks everybody who helped to marshal at this event. The start was dry but further into the night the weather changed and at one section, Bishops Wood, they had to use three different routes to get the cars out and the marshals finished their stint like drowned rats. Fred Moores’ J2 was seen en-route and the finish was The Loggans Moor Inn at Hayle. 90th Anniversary of the ACE RUN – June 19 2016 This will be the 18th running of the commemoration event known as the ACE RUN. In the glory days of steam, it ran from Waterloo to numerous destinations along the Westcountry coastline and was christened the ‘Atlantic Coast
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Express’. This was the Southern Railway’s answer to GWR’s ‘Cornish Riviera Express’ and very soon became much more popular with holiday makers, so much so that in peak season, five different trains carrying ACE name boards were leaving Waterloo between 10.20 and 11am for nine separate destinations. The service was in operation from 1926 to 1964, when it was axed along with a great many more, partly due to the popularity of the motor car. So with this in mind, to once more pay homage to a bygone age, a special anniversary ACE RUN will take place as usual on Fathers Day, leaving from Okehampton Railway Station. With the emphasis on Steam and proximity to the original trackbed, the planned route will visit Launceston Steam Railway and Bodmin and Wenford Railway together with views of the Atlantic ocean. Entry fee is £25 per car including two cream teas. Contact Terry Bolt now on 01579 383497, 07432 103223, terry@terrybolt.plus. com or download an entry form from the website. Entry will be limited to the first 90 cars in keeping with the 90 years.
CENTRE have a wealth of experience in every aspect of MG restoration and maintenance so if you are in need of assistance check his website at www. chicdoig.com/index.html Our Regalia people Barclay and Allison Henderson have some new items available. As always contact them if you are stuck for something extra for a birthday or whatever…! And finally if there are any points you want to raise please contact me or any other committee member… We live to serve…!
The Caledonian onsite catering team at work!
CENTRE Events For Your Diary May 22 – ‘ ueen Eli abeth 90th Birthday Celebration Run’. Leaving Buckfastleigh Steam Railway 10.00am, stop at Bickleigh Mill for a booked Carvery or bring a packed lunch, onwards to Totnes for a cream tea. Contact – graeme mo yahoo.co.uk. May 28–June 4 – Final Janner Week at Berrynarbor in North Devon. One can join us for a day or two on the different events taking place. ueries Peter Heath – allegropeter aol.com. September 11 – MGCC Cornish Riviera Run – Sue Heath – allegropeter aol.com.
www.mgcc.co.uk
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LINCOLNSHIRE John Hebb tel 01522 683542 jhebb38@virginmedia.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk
May Natters: Wolds Wednesday 4; Lincolnshire Poacher Friday 6 (Landlords Choice); Abbey Lodge Monday 9 (Landlords Choice); Wishing Well Wednesday 11 (Social Run) Three Horseshoes Thursday 19 Admiral Nelson Thursday 26. May Events: Sunday 8 Autosolo East Kirkby (David 01790 754774) Sunday 15–Saturday 21 Scottish Tour (Keith 01472 602949) Sunday 22 Spring Social Run (John Bromfield 01636 677513) Sunday 29 RAF Digby Museum Tour (Keith 01472 602949). Luncheon Club: Wednesday 18. Early June Natters: Wolds Wednesday 1, Lincolnshire Poacher Friday 3. Early June Event: Saturday 4–Sunday 5 MGLive! Silverstone. The most important event of March, and arguably of the whole year, was the AGM held as usual at the Abbey Lodge. As the outgoing committee were all re-elected we can assume that our members are happy with the way the Centre is operating. Certainly last year there was a wide variety of events, with the
Sunday drives to various places of interest being very well supported, as were the qui es, talks etc organised by the different Natters. As you will see above, the first of this year’s runs is on the 22nd, followed by a visit to the wartime operations room at RAF Digby on the 29th. Digby is still operational, the museum is only open on Sunday mornings, visitors must park in the area opposite the main gate and are escorted through the camp at 11.00am. Don’t be late! Abbey Lodge Natter hosted a talk by Mike Chatterton, one of Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ pilots. Mike is a former pilot of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster ‘City of Lincoln’, following in the footsteps (or flight path) of his father, a WW2 Lancaster pilot. Towards the end of the month seven members made the annual weekend trip to Settle, organised as usual by Steve and Lynne Hall. Five (and a dog) enjoyed an invigorating walk on the Saturday morning from Clapham to the Gaping Gill pothole, the rest of the weekend being devoted to sightseeing, eating and the
John Fry jcfryza@gmail.com
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odd pint. This weekend was the end of an era, as since the Spring Weekend was inaugurated by Steve and Lynne in 1988 weekenders have stayed at the Whitefriars Guest House in Settle. Whitefriars has now been sold and will no longer be a guest house. The Luncheon Club made a return visit to the Carpenters Arms in Fiskerton and was, as usual, well supported. All Centre members will have now received their Summer Newsletter which contains the events calendar for the year. However, things can change, extra events added, so please keep an eye on our webpage for up to date news.
The walkers at the mouth of Gaping Gill
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MIDLANDS Our Centre’s Curborough Sprint – a round of the Luffield Championship – took place on April 3, on the exciting figure of eight circuit. We had 41 entrants, and despite a chilly day the rain held off, enabling competitors to have two practice runs and three timed runs. Fastest MG of the day, and so awarded the prestigious Midnight Cup, was Andy Walker in an MGB (64.18 seconds). Ok – so it did have an engine of 4600cc – which sounded fantastic, as did Stuart Gilbert’s BGTV8
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of 5300cc. It was pleasing to see several MGCC sprint and hillclimb novices taking part in various steeds including a Metro, MGB and an RV8. Many thanks to all the Marshals and Officers, and especially to Barbara and David Whale (Secretary and Clerk of Course) who have both been involved with MG Curborough almost since this Club’s first promotion of events there. Our Welsh Rallye in May is now fully subscribed, but what about joining us for our 20th (modern) Anniversary Rallye in May 2017, centred on the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells? Whilst our ‘rallies’ now are non competitive, that was not always the case, as in the 50s competition was fierce! What they have all set out to do over the 60 years or so is to give participants a relaxing (!) drive down little used roads, with the added bonus of stunning scenery. Other events coming up are the Charnwood Caper on May 8 starting
at uorn and finishing near Ashby de la ouch – contact Colin on 07583 231393, and the Ratae Run on June 12 which starts at Broughton Astley and finishes at Belvoir Castle, Leics – speak with Michael Ricketts on 01455 553868. The following Sunday June 19, there is the Arden Heritage Run which starts at Stratford on Avon and finishes at the Ashby Magna Vintage Festival. Ring Allen Smith with your booking on 01789 488280. The Midlands Centre have for many years organised the ‘Carry on Camping’ set up at Silverstone for MGLive!, and this year we have again been awarded the contract! Enormous fun and you do get to meet a lot of MG fans. Interested parties who would like to lend a hand please contact Lech in the first instance on 01789 294753. The picture is of a Ford F-150 truck which I spotted at the recent Vancouver Auto Show. Not any F150, but one modified by Shelby with Factory approval and warranty. Yours for $139,900 Canadian (plus tax). The information literature stated: ‘The proprietary system provides the ability to tune your Shelby truck from luxury car, smooth to hard core off-road, or track handling’. I reckon therefore that a supercharged 650 HP Ford F-150 might just be interesting at Curborough – more so if the track is wet! Oh yes – and the load area is carpeted!
www.mgcc.co.uk
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NORTH WEST Paul Goodman 01625 876300
There is something for everybody in our programme of events this month. Evening daylight will make our pub meetings outdoor happenings. First up will be the West Cheshire gathering on Tuesday May 10 at The Old Hall Farm Pub. This will be followed by the Plough and Flail meeting a week later on Tuesday May 17. These meetings are a great opportunity to meet us. We can usually answer any questions that you might have about using and maintaining your car. Finally, the lunchtime meeting will be on Wednesday May 25 at The White Lion, Manley Road, Alvanley, Frodsham, WA6 9DD. The main run this month is the Cheshire Candles which is going to be a major event. It is taking place on Sunday May 22 and more than 100 cars will be participating. If you are not going on the full run, it will still be worth going to watch. No racing this month, but we will be organising our annual hillclimb at Scammonden Dam. This will be on Sunday May 15. The venue is next to the M62 on the Lancashire/Yorkshire border and the access is via a tunnel from the north side of the motorway. The cars compete against the clock up a steep twisty tarmac road from the base of the dam. We will need helpers on the day both as flag marshals and off the circuit. Please get in touch with me if you are
interested. You can also come and spectate with parking available by the water. The build-up has started towards MGLive! which will be held at Silverstone on June 4-5. There will be two rounds of the Cockshoot Cup Race Championship on the Grand Prix Circuit and on Sunday the Centre will be running the sprint on the Stowe Circuit that is located within the perimeter of the GP Circuit behind The Wing. Once again, we need members to help run this event which will have a varied entry of cars.
Cars line up in the Top Paddock at Scammonden Dam. Photo: David Coulthard
SOUTH EAST Philip Bayne-Powell philipbp@mgcottage.freeserve.co.uk www.mgcars.org.uk/mgccse/
Unfortunately we haven’t had any joy in getting a replacement for our regular Safety Fast! scribe, John Bennett, so the committee has decided to do every other month with John, until a new person comes forward. Please consider helping your Centre in this small but essential way, and contact any member of the committee. Our first competition of the year, our Spring Naviscat was a great success, with 21 cars entered, helped by eight cars from the invited Inter Register Club, which caters for pre-war Humbers, Rileys, Austins and Alvises and others. The sight of these cars mixing with our own MGs from the 1930s through to MGFs created a great impression outside the charismatic rally pub, The Star, at Dunsfold. After three and a half hours of scouring the local lanes for clues, we returned for a late lunch and the results. The winner was an Alvis 12/50, beating all the MGs, but only by a point or two. The last Regency Run will be leaving Kempton Park on May 8, with marshals from our Centre. This event has now been running for many years and was in fact one of the very first tours that the MG Car Club organised. However now there are so many new and different tours being organised by a variety of clubs, not necessarily car clubs. For example, the Lions Club organises events and others are held to support various charities.
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If you are not able to attend Silverstone, then the Tatton Park show is the place to be. The Centre will have a prominent display on both days at which you can drop in for a chat. Finally, advance notice that the Plough and Flail concours will be held on Tuesday June 21. We hope to break the record number of cars that attended in 2015. Please take photos at all our events this year to enter in our competition. Details of how to enter will be in this column next month.
On Sunday 22nd, our annual Tour of the South East will be organised by Angie Vickers (tel. 01342 843656 for details). Hopefully there will be full details posted on the website by the time you read this. Despite the entry in our 2016 calendar, we shall not be doing a display at the Crystal Palace Motorsport weekend, due to various difficulties, especially as MGLive! is just a week away and we are planning a special display there. The MGLive! stand is already fully manned, and we will be selling our regalia and other items, but please come and see us and tell us how we can improve your Centre, which is the biggest Centre in the UK! MGs enjoy a previous Regency Run. The last one will take place on May 8, leaving Kempton Park.
CENTRE Three days after MGLive! at Silverstone, a group of our members are off to Le Touquet for the European Event of the Year, which promises to be four days of packed action. On June 18-19 we have our annual display at the Brooklands 12/12 event. Our stand will be selling regalia and publicising details of forthcoming events. John Davies is organising cars for showing in front of our stand. Our popular Alternative Pride of Ownership series starts off on the evening of June 20 at the Three Horseshoes at Sidlow. Our Summer Gathering this year is going to be at the Historic Chatham Dockyard on August 7. There is a lot to see at this big place, including organised tours to the famous Ropery and the submarine, Ocelot. We are also offering a walking tour of the site with a period guide, and if the Dockyard doesn’t appeal, we are offering a guided tour of Dickens’ Rochester, with transport provided by a vintage East Kent bus. The dockyard has been used for many films and TV series such as Sherlock Holmes, Mr Selfridges, Call the Midwife, and James Bond. So put this date in your calendar now, and the forms will be shortly posted on the website for downloading: www.mgcars.org.uk/mgccse You will see therefore that we have a wide selection of events for all. Hope to see you there.
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SOUTH WEST Dave Coppock 01934 834429 dave_coppock_mg@hotmail.com
A couple of anniversaries to note. This year my TC is 70 years old, built in January 1946 and registered in Carlisle three weeks later. I wonder who drove it to the MG agent there, 300 miles in January with no heater on poor roads at the end of the war. How long did that take and was it really run in at 30 MPH. I doubt it. The new owner chose a fine car which continues in that great tradition and has just celebrated its 70th birthday with a thrash and splash on this year’s splendid Kimber classic trial. The second anniversary is 80 years of the South West Centre. The minutes of the inaugural meeting show that it was held in Bath and attended by the great man himself Mr Cecil Kimber. He presented the new centre with a bronze trophy which continues to be awarded annually. Neil Lock is collating the early history and will be organising a commemorative run towards the end of the year. More news on this later.
Wye Valley Social Run Sunday May 15 The run starts at Symmonds Yat with a leisurely signing on in the tea rooms. Directions for the days route will be supplied which includes a picnic lunch stop and more food and drink at the finish. This is my personal favourite for its friendship, lovely quiet roads and usually great spring weather. For those travelling across the Old Severn Bridge, meet up with chairman Jim Lott for an 08.30 depart following the River Severn to the start. Contact Terry Davies 01989 562366 MGLive! Silverstone June 5-6 Lots about this weekend, the main clubs flagship event, is written elsewhere in the magazine. Your very own centre are running the California Cup Autotests on Saturday morning and we have
opportunities to marshall and become part of the weekend. Details including admission and camping benefits are on the centre website. Mid Summer Social Run Sunday July 10 This event returns to Somerset with a visit to the National Trust property Barrington Court Near Illminster. We will be parking in front of this grade one listed Elizabethan building, Cafe and restaurant facilities nearby. This was the setting for much of the BBC historical drama chronicling the rise of Oliver Cromwell. Contact Alan Diamond on 01934 415764 Now I must get back to cleaning the mud off the car after the recent Kimber Trial. 40 cars, 80 miles of muddy lanes and 12 sections. Find out how we got on next month.
Some of the MGs that took part in last year’s Wye Valley Social Run, parked up for the lunch stop at Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire. Photo: Jim Lott
MGs on Grass I Saturday May 7 The day will include a pub lunch and our genial hosts Victoria and Peter Jones are “happy to declare that they are breathing a social angle on this particularly entertaining and endearing mode of entry level motorsport for the astonishingly modest £15 entry fee” Read more of their flowing words on the website.
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TYNE TEES Noel Lindford noel.lindford@btinternet.com
Visit to Classic Mercedes: March 5 Twenty-four people from the Centre attended this visit hosted by Walter Nieuwkoop. Once again, Walter did not disappoint, with an amazing collection of early Benz and Mercedes Benz cars in various states of restoration, which demonstrated his skill and dedication to rebuilding these lovely old cars, many of which were technically innovative in their day, some being very rare examples. Following the visit, a number of us had lunch at the nearby Dyke Neuk Inn. MGCC Tyne-Tees Centre Members Loyalty Scheme. To recognise the support and loyalty of active members of MGCC Tyne-Tees Centre, the Committee have agreed to a new Loyalty Reward Scheme for 2016. It works like this any TyneTees Centre member who enters any one of the four major road runs this year (the Cobweb Run, the Prince Bishops Run / St. Cuthbert’s Run or the Old Speckled Hen Run) will be credited with one Loyalty Voucher to the value of £10, which can be used as a one-time discount on the entry fee to any one of those four runs in the 2017 season. The email acknowledgement of entry to the first run you do in 2016, will include your reserved Voucher Reference Number.
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Only one voucher can be gained by a valid Tyne-Tees Centre member in 2016, whether entering one, two or all three of the events mentioned, and it will be sent out at the end of October 2016, by email as a pdf file, or posted if necessary. This is just one way of giving something back to our members, given the Centre is now running a healthy, risk-manageable operating surplus. Events coming up: Friday May 6: Fish & Chip Supper Run Meet at Durham Services (A1M J61) from 6.30pm, for a 6.45pm start. The 35 mile route concludes at an excellent fish restaurant on the coast. Please contact Dennis Hope denhope hotmail.co.uk or 07970 115202, but you can also just turn up on the night. Sunday May 15: Regularity Production Car Autotest: to be held from 10.00am on the seafront at Seaton Carew, in conjunction with Hartlepool and District MC. Entry fees are £20 per crew. Full event details from Tony Coates anthony.coates stocktonriverside.com Thursday May 19: Visit to Nissan Sunderland We have assembled an MG Timeline of 30 cars from 1933–2010, and all cars are now allocated,
but there are places available as passengers, if you would like to take part we are limited to 60 people on the tour. Cars need to be at Nissan for 9.30am for a factory tour from 10.00am to noon. Please contact me on 07432 152095. Saturday May 21: Northern Natter Supper Run starting and finishing at the Ridley Arms, Stannington. This 40 mile run will start at 4.30pm and be back for dinner at 6.00pm. David Rawlinson has details and menus, so contact him on 01670 790212. Saturday May 28 2016: Skylive Airshow at Teesside Airport We have been invited to display a number of MG cars, ideally with a wide variety of types. As the display is ‘airside’, cars must be on site and displayed from 8.00am to 5.00pm. Booking form on our website or from me. If you wish to take part be quick, as places are limited. Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Typhoons & Falcons Parachute Team will be doing displays. Finally, MGCC have been invited to enter Durham Automobile Club’s All Forward Autotest Series at Croft. Dates are May 14, July 2, October 1. Call me on 07432 152095 for copies of the Regulations and more details.
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Two tours through history - one magnificent finish!
MG CAR CLUB TYNE-TEES CENTRE Sunday 12th June 2016 ST. CUTHBERT’S RUN
PRINCE BISHOPS RUN Stokesley to Durham City
Seahouses to Durham City
This 86 mile route starting from Stokesley, traverses North Yorkshire, takes in some breath-taking scenery over wonderful driving roads, then onwards across the County Palatine of Durham, following parts of the routes taken by the medieval Prince Bishops of Durham.
This 77 mile route starting from the harbour at Seahouses, in sight of the Farne Islands where St. Cuthbert lived, takes in stunning scenery over superb driving roads in Northumberland, then onwards across the County Palatine of Durham to St. Cuthbert’s final resting place.
Both runs come together in Durham City and end at Palace Green in front of the World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral (by kind permission of Durham University). ENTRY FORM
Please enter details below:
Your details: Mr/Mrs/Ms: First Name: Surname: Address: Postcode: Home Tel: Mobile: Email: MG Car Club Membership Number (if applicable): Total number in car: including Driver, Navigator and any Passenger(s): Your Car’s details: Make: Registration:
Model:
Year: Years owned:
Now please select which run you would like to enter, and any pre-booked breakfast requirements.
Prince Bishops Run
St. Cuthbert’s Run
Bacon breakfast rolls are available at the start, and can be pre-booked for £3.00 each, so if you wish to preorder, please include with your payment.
Bacon or sausage breakfast rolls are available at the start, and can be pre-booked for £3.00 each, so if you wish to pre-order, please include with your payment.
I would like to pre-pay for @ £3.00 each.
bacon rolls
I would like to pre-pay for bacon Y/N sausage Y/N
breakfast rolls @ £3.00 each
Entry fee £17.50 per car for MGCC members, £20.00 for non-members. All entrants will receive a Rally Plate, Tulip style Route Book, and based on 2 per car, a hot drink at the start and a traditional cream tea at the finish. Refreshments for extra passengers are charged at £5.00 per person, so please include with your payment. Total payment (entry fee + any pre-paid breakfast items) = £ ……………. Please send your form and payment by post to: Noel Lindford, 3 Springbank, Peterlee, Co. Durham, SR8 1FA, making cheques payable to MGCC Tyne-Tees Centre. Email: noel.lindford @btinternet.com If you have Internet banking facility and would like to pay by this method the details are as follows: Sort Code: 40-43-13 Account No: 41051067 quoting PBR or SCR and your surname. Closing date: 3rd June 2016 Both events have MSA approval * Limited to 60 cars in total *
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CENTRES
YORKSHIRE David Copeman 07920 064585 www.mgccyorkshire.co.uk
North – Ken Cothliff It was a busy night at the Tempest in March. There was a lot to discuss and another new member Chris Hall from Guiseley. Mike Payne gave an extensive briefing on the Club trip to South West Wales. He really has put a lot of work in to this, and we are eager to go. Afterwards Nick Mann produced a great qui based on a children’s game – great fun. Also not to forget the new meet for all classics, now established on the second Wednesday of each month at 4.00 to 4.30pm. The location is the Woolpack Inn at Esholt near Shipley – BD17 7 . The village and pub is famous for being the original location for the ‘Emmerdale’ ITV soap series. South – Geoff Norcliffe Thanks this month to Alastair Twiby for a good job well done in completing his two years term as Natter Leader and to Kathryn for her support work. Welcome to longstanding member Malcolm Perry who takes over from Alastair for the next two years. During March several members took part in our traditional Winter Walk, six miles around the South Yorkshire village of Tickhill, organised by Iris. She must be very well connected because the weather on that day was the best all month.
We had a bumper turnout on Natter night giving the opportunity to put names down for the forthcoming spring and summer events. Delicious homemade cakes were provided by Glenys to mark Vaughan’s birthday with a ‘0’ in it, well, we didn’t want them to have to take any back home did we East – Brian Rylance David and Pauline Carey set us a qui to test our level of alertness for the coming season. Team Tomlinson, Hotchkin and Collins were more awake the rest of us! A dozen or so Natter members supported the Centre’s Daffodil Run rewarded by a fine sunny day and a great route. Don’t forget The “Wolds Way” is our next run, May 8 from Maple Garage. West – David Copeman West Natter hosted the Centre’s AGM with 40 plus members in attendance. The evening was rounded off with a warm supper. Thanks to David Chapman and Roger Flanagan for organising this year’s Daffodil Run on Easter Sunday which once again attracted entries in the high 90s. Although cold, the sun shone for the 86 mile route to the finish at Eden Camp.
CENTRE Our May meeting will be a Pride of Ownership with the option of a pie & pea supper so plenty of notice to start polishing. Tiger – Pete Welbourn Well done to all those involved in the planning of the Daffodil Run. Mel and I enjoyed the route and although we are familiar with the area, it looked well in the spring sunshine with the daffodils in bloom. Not such a good day for the MGA, a good few hours work sorting out the handbrake came to nothing as it failed again on the Sunday morning. The Dales and a sticking handbrake did not seem a good idea so we cheated and used the oldish MB. The first Tiger Natter luncheon run was on April 20. We went to the Downe Arms in Wykeham, as I write we have sorted the route, tried the food, all good, now what we need is a sunny day. Vale of York – Ken Cothliff New Natter in the North Yorkshire Area. Named the ‘Vale of York Natter’ it will meet at lunchtime, aimed at MGCC members in the York, Northallerton, Ripon and Harrogate areas. The Mason’s Arm, Hopperton (HG5 8NX) starting from noon every third Thursday of the month.
CENTRE
ULSTER
Carol Willis Tel: (028) 9079 9997 or 07831 345560 Email: carol.mgulster@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.mgcculstercentre.co.uk
In March the AGM was held at Shandon Park Golf Club, a poor turnout needless to say but we got through the election of officers and committee without delay. Gordon Buckley stood down as Chairman having completed two years and Mike Armstrong kindly took the chair while the election of the new Chairman took place. Afterwards some of us retired for refreshments to finish off another good year. Your new committee is as follows: Chairman: John Clarke, Treasurer: Garth Maxwell, Secretary: Carol Willis, Committee Members: Gordon Buckley, Ian Campbell, Stephen Dawson, George McMillan, Malcolm McQueen, Social Media: Continues to be maintained by Richard Earney. The weekend of April 2-3 was extremely busy for The Ulster Centre as, for the first time, we hosted the 3rd Round of the NI Autotest Championship with 20 young men champing at the bit to get started in their various cars, five of whom were Ulster Centre members. Colin Earney was Clerk of the Course and together with his team kept things running smoothly all day. There wasn’t a gripe from anybody which is rare at any event. The quality of driving was ‘out of this world’, utterly amazing and a joy to behold. The advancement of the discipline over the past 20 years is unbelievable. Ashley Lamont won overall
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with Paul Mooney a close second, and Paul Blair won his class. The awards were very generously sponsored by CIP Insurance courtesy of Conn and Paul Williamson. On Sunday, April 3 the same site at The Maze welcomed our Tandem Autotest which was very kindly sponsored by George McMillan of McMillan Porsche. He presented all the finishers, who stayed until the end, with beautifully engraved paperweights. We had two past Chairmen out that day, Noel Cochrane and Gordon Buckley in their Midgets, sadly the only MGs but nevertheless a great time was had by all. A massive thank you from the Ulster Centre Committee to all who were involved, organisers, members, marshals, timekeepers and competitors, in making this weekend such a success.
Our first Sunday Run this year will be to The Argory, leaving Sprucefield 11.30am for a drive off at 12 noon sharp. We will do a scenic drive to get there shortly before 2pm and then do a tour of the house. National Trust members get in free, others at the group rate will be £4 each. For those who can’t make it to Sprucefield by noon why not join us at The Argory. More information will be forwarded to all in due course. Dates for your Diary May 19 – Autotest – Morrows, Gilnahirk tbc May 22 – Outing to The Argory – leaving Sprucefield 11.30am for a drive off at 12 noon sharp. June 16 – Autotest – TTS, Nutts Corner tbc
Gordon Buckley competing in his Midget
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REGISTERS
VINTAGE John Venables 01865 862573 johnandtriciav@gmail.com
Summertime is here, and looking at the calendar there is a huge choice of events in May and June. Some days there seem to be at least four events in quite a small area. However, the big commitment for the Vintage Register is of course MGLive! at Silverstone on June 4-5. We
shall have a stand in the main marquee where we shall depict the Heritage of MG, and it is well into the planning stage. As usual we ask members to bring items along we can sell on your behalf for a very reasonable commission, so you have the advantage of selling your unwanted
Old and new together at last year’s MGLive! John Day’s 18/80 and a new MG6. Photo: Martin Cumming
TRIPLE M Jeremy Hawke +44 (0)1225 863934 mgk3007@btinternet.com www.triple-mregister.org
Kimber Classic Trial A strong MMM entry was received for this year’s event down in the West Country. Not all made it to the start line and there were further casualties before the day was out, some due to the challenging weather, others not… All the gory details will be in next month’s bumper MMM spread as these notes are being rattled off just as the J2 has been de-mucked after returning home and they’re late already. Early indications are that Olli Richardson / Cat Spoelstra walked off with the MMM class award and that the Kimber Trophy was stolen by a T Type. It was particularly pleasing to see Andy King bringing the PB Cream Cracker back into its natural element again, as was the Cracker’s former owner Steve Dear who was navigating for son Kim who has acquired Steve’s old P Type (pictured in the March notes). D0285 Colin Murrell (he who takes pretty good photos of our cars) has taken the plunge into MMM motoring and acquired D0285. Originally supplied by University Motors in November 1931, registered MG1346 and with some early factory correspondence, the car re-emerged in the late 60s. In 1975 it was bought as a rolling chassis wearing the remains of a two seater body. The car then changed hands another couple of times before Alistair Malcolm bought it in pieces from
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Andy King as a retirement project in September 2008. Sadly, part way through the restoration Alistair passed away and his family engaged Phil Cornut to finish the car off in the style that Alistair had wanted (see Colin’s picture). The car has a 4-speed box and a Marshall supercharger lurks under the cowl, so it should be fairly lively. Colin is on a steep learning curve! Upcoming events: Sunday July 10 – The MMM Summer Gathering. Note: I suffered ‘brain fade’ last month and
REGISTER spares. Small toys, jigsaws and books are good favourites and sell well.We prepare on Friday 3rd but you can bring the items for sale any time during the weekend. Our Club president, John Day, hosts the President’s dinner on the Saturday night, ladies are of course very welcome, and we have a Vintage table. We have a few members attending, more are very welcome and John would be very pleased to see you there. MGLive! is a very special occasion and a good opportunity to meet people from the UK and abroad. I have been going for over 30 years now. We used to have a team of three cars in the California Cup autotests, it would be nice to see this again. If anyone is interested I will get a team together of the Vintage Register. As the longer nights are upon us there is ample opportunity for our cars to be out and about for a Natter evening, and we are always welcome at local events. I for one always take a couple of cars to our local church fete and give the local youngsters rides round the village, maybe one of them will be the custodian of our cars one day, and I have used the car for a wedding occasionally. See you all at Silverstone, remember we are always glad to see you on the stand.
REGISTER was out by a week! Held as usual at the Green establishment in Farnham Royal near Slough. Further details can be found on the MMM website www.triple-mregister.org/events.asp and also from Peter at p.green mgk3.co.uk or 01753 643468. July 16 – Pre-War Prescott: a noncompetitive good all round weekend social with MMM cars welcome, lots to see and do, with a few runs up the famous hill thrown in for good measure. Details can be found at: vintageminor@ gmail.com
Colin Murrell’s new acquisition, MG D0285
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REGISTERS
SVW Paul Campbell svw.safety.fast@gmail.com www.svwregister.co.uk
Spring is slowly arriving here in the UK and our cars are starting to come out of hibernation. I hope the ravages of winter have not been detrimental to your loved one(s) and you’ll enjoy all the events that are coming on stream. SVW Register Annual Event June 14-16 2016 FINAL REMINDER: The SVW Register Annual Twoday Event in the beautiful Ardennes Region of Belgium is filling up fast. At the time of writing at the end of March there were only nine rooms still available. If you are interested in attending, please follow the booking instructions in the March and April editions of Safety Fast! or check ‘Social Events’ on the SVW Register website. SVW Facebook Group Our Chairman John Dutton has recently set up a Facebook Group. For those on Facebook, search for SVW and see what you think. This is still workin-progress, but take a look then please ‘like’ and ‘share’ to make other interested people aware of it. It is hoped this will become a useful location for pictures, technical comments, general chat and so on. LED Headlights In the January 2016 edition, I documented my initial
experiences of fitting LED headlight replacements supplied by Classic Dynamo & Regulator Conversions. In the throes of winter I was disinclined to spend too much time setting them up as it means moving several other cars to have a decent distance on level ground to adjust the beams in the dark. At the end of March I carried out this process, which entails dismantling each headlight to access the back of the reflector. This is simple enough once the headlamp rim has been removed. There’s a cork seal around the front of each reflector which needs to be removed to reveal the single screw that secures the reflector to the headlamp bowl. The reflector can then be pulled out and the collar that secures the bulb holder loosened. With the reflector back in place the bulb can now be moved in an out to find the focal length. This is easier with LEDs as they remain quite cool. I also loosened the nut on the universal mounting of each lamp to adjust the alignment. Once all seemed to be set up as well as possible for both main and dipped beams, I refitted the rims for final checks. Once satisfied I tightened the clamp at the back of each reflector and put it all back together. One issue I found with my set-up was that the nearside lamp had been converted from mechanical dipper, but the reflector is the original and is still fitted with some of the redundant components. So in my case this means there is
REGISTER little sliding adjustment in the bulb holder, so further improvement may be possible. Solid Copper Head Gaskets Quite a few members may by now have decided to fit these gaskets in place of the conventional composite gaskets. To allow the Register to assist other members with technical advice we would welcome your comments and experiences with solid copper gaskets. It would also help if you could advise us if (and how) you annealed the gasket before fitting and if a jointing compound was used so we can share your experience with other members.
The new SVW Register Facebook page
REGISTER
Y TYPE
Jerry Birkbeck 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325 jerrybirkbeck@btinternet.com www.mgccyregister.co.uk
I hope that by the time you read this the weather will have improved and that you are out and about in your Y. A number of you may have attended a local run or Natter on Drive it Day that was held on Sunday April 24. If you have a photos or a report then please do forward them to me for inclusion in future editions of Safety Fast!. Annual General Meeting –Saturday May 7 2016 Our AGM will be held at the Hatherley Manor GL2 9 A. (www.hatherleymanor.com) on Saturday May 7 at 4.30pm in the hotel bar. This is during the Spring Run weekend. Committee Nomination forms will be available on request. Please contact Chris on chrismgabingdon yahoo.co.uk There will no doubt be some disquiet about this but considering that we rarely get that many folk attending a meeting, other than the Committee, this does seem a rather obvious choice! The Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show This event, held in the first weekend of March, was an excellent occasion attended by over 30,000. One of the cars present in PC’s `Barn Finds’ was Keith Buckley’s YB with Chassis Number YB 0251. It was the first of the updated
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YB of which 1,361 were produced. The car was known to the Register before Keith acquired it on eBay last year. Jack Murray noted in his Register Notes (2007): This car, the first B built, had more or less disappeared until a bit of detective work in late 6 by members of the MG Car Club Type Register Committee and with the assistance of the DVLA elicited a phone call from the present owner Gilbert Vickers who lives in Kent. Mr Vickers kindly invited Peter Arnell and Ted Gardner to visit by Peter s Type in anuary 2007) and see the car that had been owned for 37 years but not on the road for a while. Most of the components of the car were original apart from the wheels, and the original supplier’s plate on the instrument panel was noted. Some close inspection showed that it may not have been white from new but maybe Sun Bron e or similar. Mr. Vickers was very kind and gave us tea and chatted about the car and his others, an MGB and T . Certainly a car that could be on the road again and interesting to know it’s still in existence. Keith has stripped the car down and refurbished the engine. He commented that he “managed to get the engine running after I replaced a corroded earth lead and installed a
new battery. The interior woodwork was pretty good but overall the body was too far gone for a rolling restoration, and so I decided on a complete body off rebuild.” The YB was recently fitted with a new clutch cable and engine core plugs and Keith has bought a brake system and replacement panels and sills. As for future work Keith adds, “I set myself a 12 month target for completion!” We look forward to seeing it completed at the PC Restoration and Classic Car Show in 2017. It would be a fitting occasion to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Y Type!
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REGISTERS
MAGNETTE Stephen Tickell 01737 760330 stephen.tickell@gmail.com www.magnette.org
It was good to see plenty of hardy enthusiasts in Derbyshire, as reported here, and the welcome from Peak Rail was warm even if the weather wasn’t. On that subject, we’re pressing ahead with the purchase of a new Register gazebo with logo, thanks to a generous donation by John Shorten (in memory of Lou), and an unusually decisive committee meeting in March! There’s a bit of a gap in Register events now until June, but hope you managed to get out for Drive It Day in April. Of course if you have suggestions for other events we could try, or join in, the committee would be delighted to hear about them. Magnettes & Steam March 26 A total of 14 MG Magnettes congregated at Rowsley (pronounced ‘Roseley’) South Station on the Peak Rail line in the heart of the scenic Peak District on Easter Saturday for the traditional opening event of the Magnette season. Thanks to local Chesterfield and Staffordshire groups there were some other MGs as well – including a very nice MGA 1600 Mk II – and also Paul Batho’s MGB V8. Some owners attended without their Magnettes including ex-Register committee member Kevin Williams, who owns a very early non-quarterlight A. Hopefully the event will have fired up Kevin’s enthusiasm to get his car back
on the road. Although the sky was overcast and the weather a bit cold and dri ly, we had a lucky escape bearing in mind the ominous forecast! The event was organised by Stephen Coates who also kindly provided his ga ebo. (Stephen had ‘rescued’ me when I met him and his wife at Ripley for last year’s Pateley Bridge event – telling me where the AGM was taking place!) There was plenty of chatting and looking at the impressive array of Magnettes on display, and as usual several other members of the public commented on our lovely cars! I arrived late (as usual!) as I got lost between Ashbourne and Rowsley South but had a lovely warm drive up thanks to my recently overhauled heater!
Edward Vandyk 01488 608810 mgascribe@vandyk.co.uk
Patrick Barry – MG Racer Patrick Barry, my uncle, was an MG nthusiast. After owning an MGA 1600cc Roadster he bought his MGA Twin Cam coupe, registration number B in Old nglish hite, from University Motors in Piccadilly. At his request the car was modified with a low ratio final drive. e competed in MGCC races from 1960 to 1962 at ilverstone, Brands atch and Goodwood. e says he never did very well in the competitions as he drove the car from home whereas other competitors brought their specially adjusted cars on trailers. owever, he loved being there
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Splendid bacon sandwiches were available in the cafe and the journey to Matlock via Darley Dale Station was very enjoyable – taking about 20 minutes. A group of us did a quick tour of Matlock town before repairing to The Snug at the Bow Boutique for some coffee and marmalade cake! Matlock Bath is even more scenic but is a bit far to walk from Matlock Station. By four o’clock, farewells had been said, the gazebo dismantled and gradually the cars started to set off on their rain-drenched journeys home; a particularly enjoyable Magnettes & Steam event had concluded. Thanks are due to Stephen Tickell and Stephen Coates for co-ordinating the day. Clive Webb
Good Magnette turnout in Derbyshire
MGA With MG Era and Drive it Day now behind us the season is in full swing – let’s hope the weather remains kind. The appreciation of the life of Patrick Barry below by his nephew, John Boult, who himself has a Glacier Blue Roadster with Grey Trim, illustrates the role the MGA can play in the owner’s memories, and their life, long after the car has gone. John originally contacted me about the MGA rimbellishers, the subject of an earlier article. In our conversation he told me about his uncle, Patrick Barry, who was 101 and who raced an MGA back in the 1960s. Patrick passed away two days after my conversation with John, who subsequently sent me the following.
REGISTER
and racing his Twin Cam. There is an illustration of Pat racing his car on page 114 in ‘MGA The Complete Story’ authored by David G. Styles. uring orld ar Pat saw action in the Royal Navy and was the radio operator on a motor launch (ML307) which took part in the famous Raid on t. a aire, for which he has subse uently received the Legion d onneur, the highest French award for gallantry. Pat’s 100th birthday was celebrated in August, 1 with a card from .M. the ueen, congratulatory letters from .R. . Prince Philip, patron of the t. a aire ociety, and ir tirling Moss O.B. . and a party with over 90 guests including representatives from the Royal Navy and the British Legion, the local Mayor, family and friends. Patrick died in March, 2016 aged 101. Now Patrick’s car (YM1-2495) was not just any Twin Cam but was the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show car fitted with an impressive list of extras. Old English White,
REGISTER Black Trim, Ash Tray, Badge Bar, Cigar Lighter, Competition Seats, two Fog Lights, Heater, Luggage Carrier, Oil Cooler, one Wing Mirror, Radio, Windscreen Washer, White Wall Tyres and finally Perspex Bonnet! By the time it was on track at Silverstone it seemed to have acquired half of another Wing Mirror (the stalk but not the head), probably lost its Luggage Carrier, kept its White Wall (presumably road) Tyres and lost the all important ‘Perspex Bonnet’. Finally another plea to take your MGA out come rain or shine as lack of use will ultimately do far more damage than any summer moisture.
Silverstone 27 May 1961 MGCC Meeting
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REGISTERS
MIDGET Neil Thomas 07891 684435 ns.tenby@hotmail.com www.midgetregister.com
Well I survived the AGM and so am still here writing my monthly notes. There were no changes in positions on the committee and we continue with our work. It’s been a bit quiet during March on the Midget front but I was delighted by an item that Graham Springthorpe brought to my attention, and this was the fascinating re-appearance of a rare 1960 AH Sprite. This one was individually
Neil with an iconic American Car
unique and purpose-built for the track by Donald Healey. It was constructed with an 1100cc SP racing motor that produced an estimated 97 horsepower. That might not seem like much, but it was a 64% jump in power over the similar displacement in the production MkIII Sprites. Combine that with the bespoke wind-cheating alloy body, and it was going to be a lightweight competitor to watch. This prototype wore number 67 at Sebring, but not for very long, having suffered a bent rear axle in the ninth lap. The damaged car was packed up and shipped back to England. The car was immediately restored and sold to an interested buyer in the States for $5,000 (about $38K today). This car then basically vanished. The car had some use in local hillclimbs in Pennsylvania but in its 52 year history it amassed only 800 miles. This is supported by its great condition. It’s rare to have a racer that’s a survivor. It still has its special competition magnesium wheels wearing the same Dunlop tyres. The pictures are testimony to this. This month you should see an advert in SF! for our annual Midget Register Run on September 4 2016. We would love you to join us. We are of course looking forward to MGLive! in June and will have a fab display of standard
V8 Victor Smith 0208 392 9434 victorsmith@v8register.net www.v8register.net
Brass alternative to a plastic rear axle breather Checking your plastic breather pipe is not missing from the top of the offside of your back axle was highlighted in this column in the February issue. Subsequently Richard Withington spotted a brass alternative and Jonathan Buckley then contributed some useful information on his experience, saying “After reading the article I decided to have a look at mine and not surprisingly the plastic breather tube had sheared off and was missing. As the correct replacement
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part ( KC5726) seems to be NLA, I ordered the ‘equivalent’ part to fit an MGB (21H6060) with the same thread (3/8” UNF). When this arrived I was rather disappointed with the poor quality of the plastic part, and was convinced that it would soon go the way of the previous breather tube fitted on my car. I therefore looked around for a better quality or metal breather tube that would hopefully fit the same hole and thread.” He found that Land Rover (LR) uses a similar rear axle breather (515845), but of better quality, in brass and incorporating a ball-type non-return valve to exclude water and dirt. These breather valves are widely available from LR dealers and on a well-known auction site, generally for less than £5. Unfortunately, the thread size is ‘strangely’ 1/8 BSP, which is slightly different to 3/8 UNF (28 TPI rather than 24 TPI). There may be other slight differences in diameter, pitch and other aspects. However, Jonathan decided to re-cut the 1/8 BSP thread on the LR breather tube using a 3/8 UNF die. This seemed to work well despite the above differences in TPI and other aspects. He then removed what remained of the plastic breather tube in the axle via the battery compartment opening using a sharp knife and then fitted the new LR breather valve. With the brass breather valve fitted in place in
REGISTER
A rare 1960 AH Sprite, built for the track by Donald Healey.
Midgets there and of course a healthy number of K series Midgets too. We still have a few places left for our Exmoor weekend on the first weekend of July if anyone wants to come along with their Spridget. Just email me and I’ll send you details. As I mentioned Sebring earlier, I visited there in January. Whilst I didn’t have a Midget with me, I did have another iconic Amercian car, hence the photo.
REGISTER the rear axle, Jonathan felt it provides a more substantial and better designed breather valve than the original or replacement plastic RV8 and MGB versions. We hope to have news next month that supplies of re-threaded brass breathers are available as a direct replacement for MGV8 owners. Full details on the “More” webpage. V8 Technical Day 2016 Following the successful V8 Technical Days in 2014 and 2015, Roger Aldridge has another arranged at Club Office for Saturday May 21 2016 which will include technical presentations in the morning and after lunch a visit to Frontline near Abingdon. For details and booking a place, see the “More” webpage. V8 Autumn Tour 2016 The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in The New Forest National Park from Thursday 1 to Monday 5 September 2016. Mike Lane has arranged a tour through beautiful areas of the forest with visits to a winery, the famous Buckler’s Hard where ships of the line were built and finishing at the Museum of Army Flying for a tour followed by a buffet lunch prior to departure for home. For full details and booking see the “More” webpage at www.v8register.net/ more.htm
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REGISTERS
FWD Ben Hatton - ben2692@hotmail.co.uk http://www.mgcc.co.uk/fwd-register/
The last month has been a very busy and productive one for the MG FWD Register again. On April 2 we held our annual Spring Run. A run starting at Kimber House with stops at the BMW MINI Plant in Cowley, moving onto the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, the MG Sales Centre, Longbridge and finishing with tea and cake, kindly arranged by FWD Register member Colin Corke at St John the Baptist church. Through kind donations we raised £110 for charity. The run started at Kimber House with MG variants of the Metro and Montego being joined by an MGF, an MG6 and Colin Corke’s Rover 75. As
we are all aware our cars don’t always want to play so some members had to use alternative vehicles. From here we went onto the BMW MINI plant at Cowley. Here more MG Metros, an MG Maestro as well as stunning example of a VP 1300, joined us. Our next stop was the British Motor Museum, which was an extended stop for lunch and a few photos. Here even more cars joined us, including a few MGFs, an Austin Maestro as well as our sole MG Montego for the day. As might be expected on any run, a few members got a bit lost. Due to traffic problems the group got split into two and thanks to a
MGs arrive at St John the Baptist Church for the finish of the FWD Register Spring Run. Photo: Jim Lott
MGF Tim Morris 01932 882467 scribe@mgfregister.org www.mgfregister.org
It’s a bit like the Oscars, red carpet, lots of celebs, glitz, glamour and gleaming awards to hand out to the great and the good. Only a bit though, and that bit was the handing out of the awards at the annual MGF Register dinner which took place in Abingdon in March. It was all part of the Chairman’s Charity Weekend which included the good old AGM in the afternoon, Blue Bird Speed Records, a dastardly qui , charity raffle and a lovely scenic run the following day to the home of the MG godfather William Morris. Unusually we also welcomed some of our canine friends in the form of the Guide Dogs and their owners who came to the dinner and waved us off from the Market Square in Abingdon. I’m not sure if it was the dogs or the cars that drew the attention of the public milling around the square, maybe a little of both!
The 2016 MGF Register committee at the AGM
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The AGM saw little change other than we welcomed Neil Mattock on board as a new committee member (you may remember him as past Chairman of the MG R/ S/ T Register) and Nigel May is now the vice-chairman – Adrian Clifford and Martin Rees were both confirmed as full committee members and the rest are the same crew that sailed the good ship in 2015. Check out our website for a full listing. I’m sure by now you are wondering who was the MGF Register Member of the Year – wait no more for it was Dave Jenkins who after a while away from the MGF Register scene has returned with renewed enthusiasm and also taken over our Hertfordshire and North London Region in the process. The other major trophy is for a ‘significant contribution to the MGF Register’ and this year Pete Opie was the winner
REGISTER malfunctioning sat-nav a few of us took a somewhat different route to everyone else, however we made it to our final stop, Longbridge, be it a little later than everyone else. Altogether a great day was had by all with plenty of opportunities for photographs in great weather and our cars proved as popular as ever with members of the public. There’s a detailed report and more photos of the day published on page 27 of this issue. The FWD Register were also in attendance at MG Era day at Brooklands, on April 10, where Alan Webb-More’s MG Metro 1300 was joined by Ian Kimpton’s MG Maestro 2.0i and Tanya Field’s MG Maestro 1600. Again all had a great day in the sun, and the cars proved very popular. As mentioned in last month’s Safety Fast! we have now launched our how-many-left campaign. Our aim with this is to build our own database recording what MG Metros, Maestros, Montegos 1100 and 1300 have survived. The initial response to this has been very promising and is showing us that the cars are out there. So, if you know the whereabouts of any of these cars, regardless of condition, could you please get in contact with either myself or Ian Kimpton, who is compiling the database. Here’s to another great month FWD fans.
REGISTER for his diligent and difficult work on rebuilding the Register’s website after its fatal infection last year and setting up a ‘sister’ subsite amongst the MGCC pages. You can find who the other winners were on our website and Internet Forum. Whilst on the internet we have a busy Facebook Page already and have recently re-activated our Twitter account – just search for MGF Register. It had been dormant for several years but now we are hoping to keep it more active with regular Twittering… Tweeting! The Hard Top Relay features heavily on here – take part yourself by checking the Announcement section on our Internet Forum.
Guide Dogs charity waved off the cars at the start of the MGF register Chairman’s Charity Run in the Market Square in Abingdon; eagle eyed readers may also spot the Hard Top which is taking part in a relay to raise money for the charity
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:47
SCC16097
Est. Korea 1954
SC16 Car Clubs Advert A4 V1.indd 1
18/11/2015 14:59
MIDGET REGISTER ROAD RUN September 4 2016 This Year’s MGCC Midget Register’s September Run’ is open to all types of MG’s and derivatives and to both MGCC members and non-members. It will take place on Sunday September 4and will based around the Ludlow area and the Welsh Marches. The event will be centred on the beautiful 13th century fortified manor house of Stokesay Castle, just nine miles from the charming town of Ludlow in Shropshire. It is undoubtedly one of the finest and best-preserved fortified medieval manor houses in England, constructed at the end of the 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, once one of the richest men in England. The great hall has been unchanged for over 700 years and its fairy-tale tower gives breath-taking views of the Shropshire Hills Once again, this year’s event is planned to start and finish at
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Stokesay Castle. Entrants will assemble close to the Castle and be able to take advantage of the Café which will be open early to welcome participants, before following a route through the adjacent Shropshire Hills and Border country. Having followed a circular route, Cars will arrive back at the Castle to provide an opportunity to visit the attractions there. See www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stokesay-castle/ The entry fee is £26 and includes entry to the Castle for two people, Route Book and Plaque. Joining instructions will be sent to you prior to the start date. A booking form will be included in a future issue, if you need any more information visit the Midget Register Website www.midgetregister.com
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REGISTERS
ZRZSZT John Thompson 07854 275541 johnt5@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/zedregister
Events & Shows It was a busy month for the Register as our events season gained momentum, beginning with the first meeting of the 2016 Racing Championships that took place on April 3 at Donington Park. The sad loss of John Horton who for many years had organised the prize presentations was recognised at Donington. Zeds were well represented at the first MGCC race meeting of the year. The final round at Snetterton in October seems a long way off but it was important to gain an early advantage in the various championships. A grid of 29 ZRs was entered for the first two Trophy rounds. Chris Bray took pole position in the early morning qualification with the track still greasy after overnight rain, but he was beaten to the chequered flag by Doug Cole. The competitive 170 class was taken by Lee Sullivan from Fergus Campbell and Paul Luti. The overall positions were the same in race eight but Luti held off Robin Walker to take second place in the 170s. In the 160 class there was two victories for William Payne. The Cockshoot Cup, based in the North West Centre, attracted a mixture of ZRs and ZSs. It was the 180 of pole-man Jason Simm, the 2014 champion, that took the honours ahead of last season’s winner Gary Wetton’s 190. In the Peter Best Insurance Cup another ZS, that of Dan Ludlow, led a competitive field to the finish line ahead of the
ZR of Tom Halliwell. This was a sound start to 2016 with the two-day meeting at Brands Hatch eagerly anticipated. The sight of nearly 30 ZRs diving down Paddock Hill bend is a mouth-watering prospect. We’ll see you there. Geoff Hirst A warm breezy spring day greeted us later in the month at Brooklands Museum for the MG Era Day that took place on April 10. Fortunately, the arrangements this year were slightly better and our allocated space much larger. We were able to assemble a group of 25 Zeds together, however there were others parked around the museum site too. Together with the FWD Register we took the opportunity to promote ZED15/MG Saloon Day. The interest being shown already is huge, so the day itself should be massive. There is always a good mix of MGs each year and
REGISTER together with the relaxed ambience in an almost period setting makes for a very enjoyable day out. News in Brief As Geoff mentioned, the next rounds of the 2016 Racing Championships will be taking place on April 30 / June 1 at Brands Hatch in Kent. We will be present both days supporting the racing Zeds and organising the lunchtime parade laps. If you have never been to this famous racing circuit, then you’ve got to come. The whole race can be viewed from the main stands including the legendary Paddock Hill bend. We aim to hold a Committee Meeting on the Sunday, the time and location are to be confirmed. Please come along and say hello, you will be most welcome. For further information or the latest announcements please visit the Register Facebook Group.
Zeds at Brooklands MG Era Day. Photo: John Thompson
REGISTER
MG6.3.5
Steve Haines Steve-haines@live.co.uk www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register twitter.com/635register
Spring has sprung and events have started to happen for the 635 Register. On Sunday April 20, the 635 Register attended the John Woods Motorcare open day in Mollington, Cheshire. We were given a prime spot to park up and use the opportunity to show off our cars. The event was well attended by various clubs from across the country and also featured guest star, Fu Townshend from Car SOS. There was a lot of interest in the latest modifications for the MG3, including the high flow air filters and exhaust systems. A great day was had by all those who attended and we’d like to extend our thanks to John Woods and Mark Burnham of JWMC for their invite! See you again next year! The BTCC has kicked into life with a great media day unveiling the new liveries of the MG6GT along with our two hungry young drivers Josh
BTCC and Events Co-ordinator Sean Round and Fuzz
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A good line up of MG6s and 3s at the JWMC open day
Cook and Ash Sutton. Their first rather public testing session went extremely well, with Ash putting in some very competitive driving and times. It’s nice to see both cars in the same livery and a big support from sponsors, Castrol. The first weekend of racing went well for MG/888 with both Ash and Josh up at the sharp end of the grid and being very competitive in the racing, which bodes well for the rest of the season. The first trophy of the year went to Ash for the best rookie of the meeting. We are very thankful once again to our friends at MG Motor for giving us tickets to give away for race days at the BTCC events, of which Jon and Cheryl Reeves were the lucky recipients on this occasion. Events are being planned for the whole summer and are looking to be very popular judging by the interest so far on the social media sites. The next event is the Register’s support of
MG Motor at the BTCC Thruxton meeting on May 7 and 8 where we will have owners’ cars on the MG Motor stand as we have done for the past two years with great success. Please come along and say hello! Planning is also in hand for MGLive! on June 4 and 5. We are looking for as many owners as possible to take part in the Pride of Ownership on the Sunday this year, so please get your forms in to the Car Club asap to book in.
Photo Courtesy of AM Soul Images www.amsoulimages.com
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:47
A SELECTION OF MGTF LE500’S BREAKING FOR SPARES
MG SALES
SHEPPERTON, MIDDLESEX TEL: 01932 241843 / 07836 281493 WWW.CHURCHSQUAREAUTOS.COM EMAIL: MGSALES@CHURCHSQUAREAUTOS.COM
MG TF 135 85TH ANNIVERSARY (35,000 Miles)
MG TF LE500 CSA 160vvc. Pre Production
MG TF 135 facelift model (just 53,000 Miles)
MG TF 115 Facelift model (56,000 Miles)
2009 (59 Reg Manual, Petrol. Finished in Intense Cassis/ Aubergine Leather. One of only 50 made 85th ltd edition. Only 19 in this colour. One owner from new and just 35,000 miles with full model £7,895.
2008 (08 Reg), 27,000 Miles, Manual, Petrol. Finished in White/Black leather grey inserts Very much a one off. Based on a pre production LE500 MG press/ showcar. just converted this TF fitting a 160 VVC Engine into it, with a sports exhaust and a Kmaps upgraded ECU. New salt & pepper hood with a heated glass rear screen. This car was the Autocar mag road test car when just 600 miles back in 2008 see photos. Just 2 owner MG + ourselves. Possibly the only LE 160 vvc ? £7,495.
2006 (06 Reg) Manual, Petrol. Finished in Xpower Grey/black leather Facelift model One of the last TF135 made by MG/Rover. Fitted with soft ride suspension, glass heated rear screen, engine water level censor, upgraded alloys. Plus full black leather sport seats. Silver interior trim, front fog lights. Full service history bills and old mots, we have just completed a major service including a new headgasket/ water pump / cambelt and brakes. Superb condition. £3,995
2005 (54 Reg) Manual, Petrol. Finished in: British Racing Green with a Tan cockpit plus tan leather seats MG TF115. Wood console. Heated glass rear screen, engine water level censor, soft ride suspension. remote locking.Full service history. £3,795
MG TF 135 Spark. High spec (69,000 Miles)
MG MGF FREESTYLE VVC (just 45,000 miles)
MG TF 135 Facelift (just 26,000 miles)
MG TF 135 facelift model (just 53,000miles)
2005 (54 Reg) Manual, Petrol. Finished in Sonic Blue/ black half leather grey inserts TF135 Spark ltd edition. All usual Spark extras plus fitted with a Daytona sports exhaust and a Kmaps ECU plus induction kit. Club members car, excellent condition, Just been though our workshop and had a new Headgasket / cambelt / water pump front and rear brake dics’s and mot. Superb condition and value. £3,695
2001 (51 Reg), Manual, Petrol. Finished in Silver/ black leather A rare Freestyle VVC ltd edition model, having covered just 45,000 miles. This model looks like a trophy but without the uprated hard ride suspension. Fitted with full leather sport seats, front and rear trophy spoilers, multi spoked ‘SE’ alloys, blue soft top, mudflaps, chrome packs, rear park censor, engine water level censor, recent headgasket etc, new tyres, Club members car. Outstanding condition. £2,995
2005 (05 Reg)26,000 Miles Manual, Petrol. Finished in: Silver/Black leather TF135 Facelift model one of the last made. Just one Lady owner having covered just 26,000 miles. Fitted with soft ride suspension, facelift alloys, glass heated rear screen, engine water level censor, full black leather sport seats. Service history plus every mot. Supplied with a new headgasket/cambelt /water pump. £4,795
One of the last made MG TF’s, Facelift model, Full service history. High spec fitted with a Heated glass rear screen, soft ride suspension, unmarked facelift alloys, engine water level censor, full black leather sport seats, Silver interior trim, front fog lights. Colour coded hard top available @ £350+vat. Just been through our workshop, serviced including fitted with a new headgasket/cambelt /water pump brake disc’s and pads . £4,295
This is just a small selection from our stock
FAMILY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED 1981 OUR OFFICE/ SHOWROOM IS AT 62B HIGH STREET SHEPPERTON TW17 9AU VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE
www.mgcc.co.uk
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www.churchsquareautos.com MAY 2016
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LOOKING BACK
Looking
Back
If you can tell us more about any of these cars or the events, we are always keen to hear from you at Kimber House; contact the MGCC Archivist Pete Neal on peterneal@mgcc.co.uk.
As the result of sorting through some of our photographs during the relocation of the archive here at Kimber House, a small album came to light containing a number of photographs which were taken at MGCC Silverstone in May 1989.
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Trawling back through Safety Fast! we found a report of this meeting in the July 1989 edition which features a couple of these photos, albeit in black and white, and we were able to confirm that they were supplied by John Picton-
Clark. It is with pleasure that we are now able to reproduce a small selection of them again in full and glorious colour! Richard Croft with his MG1300 added a splash of colour to the grid for the High Speed Trial, whilst Tony Price is seen receiving his winner’s garland from Jean Kimber Cook. As we appear to be missing the programme for Silverstone ’89, we cannot identify the other cars and drivers. Perhaps you can help?
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:48
CARS FOR SALE
BARRY WALKER British Motor Heritage approved
.....for the very best in vintage MGs.....Estd.1968
ARRY WALKER BARRY ALKER BARRY WALKER
BANK’S NO GOOD, SUMMER’S COMING, CARS GOING...come on: .....for the very best in vintage MGs.....Estd.1968 .....for the very best in vintage MGs.....Estd.1968 BANK’S NO GOOD, SUMMER’S COMING, CARS GOING...come on: BANK’S NO GOOD, SUMMER’S COMING, CARS GOING...come on: British Motor .....for the very best in vintage MGs.....Estd.1968 Heritage approved BANK’S NO GOOD, SUMMER’S COMING, CARS GOING...come on:
British Motor Heritage approved British Motor Heritage approved
MGA Coupe 1959
MGTF 2004 Sunstorm
SE 135, Starlight Silver, 61000 miles Factory Hardtop, 16"wheels,, ABS, Brightpack. Alacranta/leather interior full size spare wheel coolant sensor, new under floor coolant pipes, drilled slotted front discs MG calipers £1450. Contact Pete Hanaway 0208 302 1739 (Sidcup Kent)
MGF 1.8i VVC 1998
Only 33,000 miles, MOT until Oct 2016, Blue soft top, full leather upholstery, complete with colour coded hard top, 5 spoke alloy wheels. £2,500ono Telephone 01895 637031 (Middlesex)
Been in my family since new. Body off rebuild last year. 50750 recorded miles Always garaged. Runs on unleaded petrol. All paperwork. car with real comfort, 1500cc power a mass of luggage space.power Rebuilt and some offers a true touring car withand real comfort, 1500cc while back, of it needs a littlespace. mechanical refurbishment but drives well, with superb aMust mass luggage Rebuilt from the chassis-up, both be seen.Contact 01280 bodywork, paint & trim. Above allthis it’s original. 2-tone sage green leather new mechanically & bodily, lovely cargreen, is original throughout and finished in two-tone greens with sage green leather interior £36,500 weather gear ..................................................................................................just 812850 / 07531 488885 and beige weather equipment...a rising investment at...£39,500 (Buckingham)
1938 Head Coupe This well restored dhc offers a true touring 1938 MG MG VA VADrop DROP HEAD COUPE. This superbly restored dhc car with real comfort, 1500cc power a mass of luggage space.power Rebuilt and some offers a true touring car withand real comfort, 1500cc while back, of it needs a littlespace. mechanical refurbishment but drives well, with superb a mass luggage Rebuilt from the chassis-up, both bodywork, paint & trim. Above allthis it’s original. 2-tone sage green leather new mechanically & bodily, lovely cargreen, is original throughout and finished in two-tone greens with sage green leather interior £36,500 weather gear ..................................................................................................just and beige weather equipment...a rising investment at...£39,500 1938 Head Coupe This well restored dhc offers a true touring This superbly restored dhc 1938 MG MG VA VADrop DROP HEAD COUPE.
1934 MG PA Deluxe. A rare chance for an all-matching nos. PA. Well known to MGCC & VSCC (non race) events, this superbly presented MG has been fully serviced and prepped by us, 1934 MG PA Deluxe. A rare chance for anand all-matching nos. PA. and offers pride of ownership, rallying events or really Wellroad knownuse to MGCC & VSCC (non race) events, this superbly enjoyable with minimum maintenance. Beautifully presented MG has been fully serviced and prepped by us, finished Raven black with Apple Green Collingburn andinoffers pride of ownership, rallying and events or really interiorenjoyable and full weather Top of the range car....£48,500 road usegear. with minimum maintenance. Beautifully finished in Raven black with Apple Green Collingburn interior and full weather gear. Top of the range car....£48,500
MGB Roadster 1970
MG TD 1952.
Red, LHD for Full Restoration.Complete. Engine turns.. Wire Wheel Conversion. Good Body Tub, hood frame, side screens with car. All instruments. £7100. Tel: 07760854622, email baggieslamb@gmail.com (Nr Monmouth)
MGF VVC 1997
British racing green. Only 42770 miles. One owner. Garaged since new. Head gasket replaced. MOT to November 2016. Reliable car, in good condition. £1950. For more details, contact Ian on 01329 846604 or email iandjpile@ntlworld.com. (Fareham, Hampshire)
Tartan red, lovely car, full refurbishment in Scotland by the previous owner,bills and history file, mohair hood, black leather interior, wooden dashboard trim, full years MOT. £11,500 For more photos please 1935 PA SPORTS a fine driverscar, car,not not concours, concours, 1935 MG PAMGSPORTS HereHere is aisfine drivers contact Dick on 07802 637896 1936 NB TOURER. of the ohc MGs. This but in MG excellent overall cond. Athe recently well built engine affords 1936 NB TOURER. One of rarest ohc MGs. This but in MG excellent overall cond. AOne recently wellrarest built engine affords the beautifully Magnette with 1300cc straight beautifully restored with itsits1300cc straight opportunity forrestored good Magnette reliable driving with perhaps minorimprovements improvements opportunity for good reliable driving with perhaps minor 6cyl. engine will take touring both home&&abroad abroad (Cirencester) 6cyl. engine will take youyou touring whilst the road. Everybody oneboth like this.home Blackspace. with beige hide, with on reliability, comfort wants & huge luggage Two-
MGTF 2003
X-Power Grey, 1/2 black leather; 16” alloys, windstop, spare wheel. 1500 miles since full service - cambelt, waterpump, full head overhaul matching nos. TC has been completely restored. A really enjoyable car to drive; just feels ‘right’. Perfect for the comskimmed and tested; new ing summer in Old Eng. Whitepressure with wine leather. A great TC. £32,500 or serious offer secures. Another MG TC, red, equally as good as above £32,500 or serious offer full secures. stainless steel water pipes; professional waxoyl rustproof treatment. £1995 ono. Tel: 01526-388680 or 07949 031818
1948 MG TC SPORTS. Never before on the UK market, this allmatching nos. TC has been completely restored. A really enjoyable car to drive; just feels ‘right’. Perfect for the coming summer in Old Eng. White with wine leather. A great TC. £32,500 or serious offer secures. Another MG TC, red, equally as good as above £32,500 or serious offer secures. 1948 MG TC SPORTS. Never before on the UK market, this all-
1932 MG F1 MAGNA. I know these aren’t everybody’s ‘cupof-tea’, but if you want practicality, very little maintenance, MG’s most reliable early engine and a car that is clearly
1932 MG F1 MAGNA. I know these aren’t everybody’s ‘cupunderpriced, you should give this much consideration. of-tea’, if you want practicality, verythe littleroad, maintenance, Totallybut restored, fully proven on loads luggage MG’s most reliable early engine and a car that is clearly space, this is a cracking opportunity snatch a seriously underpriced, you should give this muchtoconsideration. USABLE investment...............................................£49,500 Totally restored, fully proven on the road, loads luggage space, this is a cracking opportunity to snatch a seriously USABLE investment...............................................£49,500
MGTD LHD 1952
Registered in the UK, matching number car. Partial restoration, new brakes, new leather interior, new fuel pump and new battery. Good 1934 SPORTS. A beautifully restored PA without being being 1934MG MGPAPA SPORTS. A beautifully restored PA without oil Apressure , body panels and wood overdone. really usable thing that you’ll be more than proud overdone. A really usable thing that you’ll be more than proud to serviced engine, rebuilt steering, deluxe deluxe dash, dash, toown. own.Fully Fully serviced engine, rebuilt steering, aeroscreens, stoneguards and and superb leather interior.interior. All frame in very good condition. aeroscreens, stoneguards superb leather All new weather equipment just fitted , this is really worth viewing whilst the road. Everybody wants one like this. Black with beige hide, new weather equipment just fitted , this is really worth with on reliability, comfort & huge luggage space. TwoCOMMISSION SALES: Our highly. £42,500 regarded service is(Optional always available to you. at cost)viewing ..........£45,000 s/charger available new roof, tonneaux & s/screens.........Nice car............................ tone green. Offers close to................................£65,000 £11,750.00 ovno. from (Optional s/chargerCar available at cost) new roof, tonneaux & s/screens.........Nice car............................. £42,500 ..........£45,000 tone green. Offers close to................................£65,000 1933 MG01789 J2. Near400 concours wings with heavyMob: crank. Beautiful car...£46,500 Tel: 181.condition. Fax: Cycle 01789 400230. 07836 244103 California. Call 01273 945877 for 1933* MG J2. Near concours condition. Cycle wings with heavy crank. Beautiful car...£46,500 *Email: COMMISSION SALES: Our highly regarded service always available to you. barry@barrywalker.com Web: is www.barrywalker.com COMMISSION SALES: Our service always available COMMISSION SALES: Ourhighly highly regarded regarded service always available to you.to you. detailsis is Tel: 01789 400 181. Fax: 01789 400230. Mob: 07836 244103 01789 181.Fax: Fax:01789 01789 400230. 07836 244103 Tel: Tel: 01789 400400 181. 400230. Mob: 07836 244103 Email: barry@barrywalker.com Web: Mob: www.barrywalker.com Email: barry@barrywalker.com Web: Email: barry@barrywalker.com Web:www.barrywalker.com www.barrywalker.com
MG TF 160 2003
British racing green, cream interior. Only 3,621 miles. One owner from enquiries@mgsforsale.com
new. Only once been out in rain. Every extra. Hard top, full factoryfitted walnut interior, boot rack, car cover, MG watch, lambs wool rugs. It’s got the lot—all as new. You won’t find another like this! Private Sale—£4,800 Phone: 01992 893 649
01707 876089
MGB GT 1972
Beautiful BGT.Totally rebuilt in 2005 (photos) and less than 10,000 miles of careful use since. New body shell, reconditioned unleaded engine, mechanically overhauled, Koni shock absorbers, new electrics, new interior etc. and power steering fitted. Insured agreed valuation £9000. Offers over £7500 please. Tel. 01327361053 (Silverstone area)
MGTF 135 2003
In Cool Blue with one owner from new. Genuine 6500 miles only. Silver with blue hood and alcantara/leather seats. Windstop. FSH. New camshaft drive belt in 2014. Excellent condition sold with a long MOT. Personal plate not included. Offers over £2000 please. Telephone: 01686 689181 or email alanjdunstan@yahoo.co.uk (Powys)
5DR Hatchback, 53 Plate, Trophy Blue, full leather, A/C, radio/CD player, 72K, MOT til Oct 2016, vgc especially interior. New parts fitted; inlet manifold, cam belts, rear discs/calipers, centre exhaust section, front tyres, battery, hence price of £2,450 Tel: 01379 677866/07831 115005, keithbroomhall185@btinternet.com (Norfolk)
www.mgcc.co.uk
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ZB MAGNETTE 1957
Excellent condition. Fully restored 2005. Full restoration history with receipts for all replaced parts. Standard specification except for electronic petrol pump and ignition conversion, (impeccable reliability), unleaded petrol, seat belts front and rear and flashers. £12,250. For more details and additional pictures please call 07873758167 or 01454528018. (South. Glos)
07831 556666
URGENTLY WANTED ANY MG ANY YEAR, ANY CONDITION MG ‘M’ 1929
MG ZS 180,
www.mgsforsale.com
MG TF 1250 1958
First registered 16/9/1958. Green Two owners since 1965. It has had a full nuts and bolts rebuild 2004/2005. All bills available with full list of the many replacement parts. Engine and gearbox removed and overhauled and converted to run on Un-Leaded fuel.New green leather seats and new carpets. Beige hood, toneau and side screens.Electronic ignition and high performance coil fitted. Dry use only since rebuild 60K genuine miles.Drives and handles extremely well. £26,990.00. To view please phone 07785 320041 or e mail MGB Roadster 1965 Nut &forBolt ajsecker@btinternet.com more Rebuild (YRD502C) MGB Roadster details. 1965, chrome bumpers, older nut & bolt (North Cheshire) show standard rebuild still displaying
Oxford built, chassis number 2M548. One owner for 41years, rebuilt body and chassis 1975/89 inc upholstery and weather equipment original dash, white faced instruments and transmission hand brake. an impressive fresh appearance, Red Top overhaul inc rebore 2007. coachwork with virtually as new black leather interior trim, Black Mohair Appears on front cover of Safety hood, chrome wire wheels, 5 speed Fast Nov 1992 and May 2003, also conversion, mot YOUR March 2017, SELLING CAR?just featured in Granada TV programme arrived, call of for the full details of thisClub As a please member MG Car about MG’s. Fitted with Derrington delightful example. £19,750.00 you can advertise your car in Safety gearchange, MMM registered. FastLISTING for free.OF JustOUR email your car SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE STOCK Comes with rebuild records, tool details, max 60 words, together kit, owners manual and some with a JPEG picture to Colin spares. £26250. Contact Brian Do not confuse the above vehicles with cheaper inferior quality models offered elsewhere. Part exchange Grant at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk. Bassett on Car 01189265351 any make of Motor with generous allowances. Discounted cash purchases. Viewing by appointment only Non member fee ishave £20 please (available evenings & weekends) no obligation to purchase. All our vehicles carry a warranty, an (Reading)
www.mgsforsale.com
MOT and are fully serviced prior to collection/delivery.
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CARS FOR SALE
CARS FOR SALE PLEASE NOTE
CUT OFF DATE FOR ADVERTISING IN THE JUNE ISSUE IS THE 10th MAY
MGF MK2 200
How to Advertise Members can advertise their cars free of charge in Safety Fast. The advert will also be posted on the Club website in due course. This is for one insertion only. To place an advert or for additional insertions email Colin Grant at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk with details of your car, around 60 words, together with an attached picture, your contact information, price of your car, the area where you live, and
MGTF 1500 1955
Ivory white with dark green leather interior. Complete nut and bolt restoration in 1992 with Monza Classic Cars and complete engine and gearbox rebuild. Since then has won a number of show awards and very well cared for. Drives superbly well and is in excellent condition. Extensive paperwork, bills, receipts etc. £32000 Tel: 01323 410069 (Eastbourne)
membership number. Cost for nonmembers to advertise is £20. All adverts should be submitted by the 15th of the month for the following months issue.
In silver, good so New parts inc Gasket, 10 head water pump, Stain floor coolent pipe system flushed, bra allround, ball joint completley regre sealed, new tyres Inc, rear boot spoi 8 Spoke mini light logo chrome dust spaner keyfob, El Electric heated mir wheel & power s head unit with iPod speakers, wired f screen in Gloss included in price, lo enjoy +CLASSIC IN bonus Tel 0788906 N/Ireland)
MGTF 135 1.8 2003
MGA '59 RACE READY
Winner of its last race at BDC, Silverstone last year. 1950 cc 150 bhp engine, with all syncro box. Uprated everything, with work by Ron Cody to the highest standard. All original panels, raced for 8 seasons at MG Live, with Iconic 50's, AMOC and Equipe GTS. A well known car, fast, reliable and handles beautifully, it now needs a braver driver. £24750. Email nickwilkinskirnan@btinternet.com or mobile 07720 416223 (Northamptonshire).
Blue, excellent/good condition, immaculate beige interior, MG logo carpets, silver trim package, driver & passenger airbags,1 owner, FSH, head gasket & suspension upgrades, all-round lights upgrade, Daylight Xenon & fog lights, roll hoops, windstop, heated glass rear window, Z&F tuned, Taipan coldair induction, 4 new Toyo tyres + full size spare, MOT May, taxed Nov, 60,200 miles. Reg J500 MGT. Everyday & Track day use. £3,125. Tel: 07766313047 johncohen1946@gmail.com (Kent)
MGB Roadster
Tastefully modified Tax exempt. 12 Denim blue exter black interior and l Minilite style alloys has original factory £7950 ono. Pers 07572 481517 for zeanfairbanksgilber
MGF 75 Anniversary
MGB ROADSTER – 1974/5
Late chrome bumper model with wire wheels in racing green unleaded engine with overdrive and some modification - leather seats good condition and looks very smart – drives nicely and goes well – used regularly – tax exempt – MOT October – lots of history and MOTs – arthritis forces reluctant sale. £7950. Contact Michael on 01858 555268 (Leicestershire)
92
MAY 2016
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Very good condition 55786 miles. s/s exhaust .Early warning water level system.All leather seats.Fan belts renewed at 34692 miles. lncludes Hamilton fitted cover when not garaged. £2,600. Tel 01507. 442256. (Lincolnshire)
WANTED
MGB GT or MGC GT. 19661973. Must have tax and MOT and be fitted with wire wheels or knock-on alloys. Will consider car on disc or rostyle wheels if reasonably priced. Would prefer seller to be located within 40 miles radius of Stourbridge please. Telephone: 01384 422178
MGTF 160
In gorgeous Le Ma with contrasting g 36800 miles. Head replaced at 310 Matching hard top, tonneau, wind de boot release. In im tion inside & out. engine, a delig Enthusiast's car, £3595 ono Cal (Cheshire).
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:48
CARS FOR SALE
Silver Arrows Automobiles Silver Arrows Automobiles MGA Coupe 1959
C 1998
es, MOT until Oct top, full leather plete with colour p, 5 spoke alloy no 637031
tel 020 8789 8525 www.silverarrows.co.uk Classic Mercedes-Benz
tel 020 8789 8525 www.silverarrows.co.uk
MGTF 2003
X-Power Grey, 1/2 black leather; 16” alloys, windstop, spare wheel. 1500 miles since full service - cambelt, waterpump, full head overhaul skimmed and pressure tested; new stainless steel water pipes; full professional waxoyl rustproof treatment. £1995 ono. Tel: 01526-388680 or 07949 031818
MGB Roadster 1970
97
een. Only 42770 er. Garaged since et replaced. MOT 16. Reliable car, in £1950. For more Ian on r ntlworld.com. shire)
Tartan red, lovely car, full refurbishment in Scotland by the previous owner,bills and history file, mohair hood, black leather interior, wooden dashboard trim, full years MOT. £11,500 For more photos please contact Dick on 07802 637896 (Cirencester)
MGTD LHD 1952
Registered in the UK, matching number car. Partial restoration, new brakes, new leather interior, new fuel pump and new battery. Good oil pressure , body panels and wood frame in very good condition. £11,750.00 ovno. Car from California. Call 01273 945877 for details
1969 MGCGT A spectacular rebuild by perhaps the best MG specialists for a very discerning client, and has since been called “Probably the best MGCGT in the world” Tartan Red with Black trim and incorporating some subtle upgrades to bring this car into the 21st Century and make it more usable. Now available at considerably lesswebsite than cost.for Asking £39,950 Please visit our current stock
www.silverarrows.co.uk www.silverarrows.co.uk
Please visit our website for current stock
MG TF 160 2003
003
h one owner from 500 miles only. hood and alcans. Windstop. FSH. drive belt in 2014. on sold with a long plate not included. 00 please. 6 689181 or email hoo.co.uk
TTE 1957
Been in my family since new. Body off rebuild last year. 50750 recorded miles Always garaged. Runs on unleaded petrol. All paperwork. Must be seen.Contact 01280 812850 / 07531 488885 (Buckingham)
Classic Mercedes-Benz
British racing green, cream interior. Only 3,621 miles. One owner from new. Only once been out in rain. Every extra. Hard top, full factoryfitted walnut interior, boot rack, car cover, MG watch, lambs wool rugs. It’s got the lot—all as new. You won’t find another like this! Private Sale—£4,800 Phone: 01992 893 649
MG ‘M’ 1929
on. Fully restored ation history with l replaced parts. cation except for pump and ignition eccable reliability), seat belts front and £12,250. For more dditional pictures 07873758167 or South. Glos)
Oxford built, chassis number 2M548. One owner for 41years, rebuilt body and chassis 1975/89 inc upholstery and weather equipment original dash, white faced instruments and transmission hand brake. Top overhaul inc rebore 2007. Appears on front cover of Safety Fast Nov 1992 and May 2003, also featured in Granada TV programme about MG’s. Fitted with Derrington gearchange, MMM registered. Comes with rebuild records, tool kit, owners manual and some spares. £26250. Contact Brian Bassett on 01189265351 (Reading)
www.mgcc.co.uk
MG_SafetyFast_May16_50-98.indd 93
MG TF 1250 1958
First registered 16/9/1958. Green Two owners since 1965. It has had a full nuts and bolts rebuild 2004/2005. All bills available with full list of the many replacement parts. Engine and gearbox removed and overhauled and converted to run on Un-Leaded fuel.New green leather seats and new carpets. Beige hood, toneau and side screens.Electronic ignition and high performance coil fitted. Dry use only since rebuild 60K genuine miles.Drives and handles extremely well. £26,990.00. To view please phone 07785 320041 or e mail ajsecker@btinternet.com for more details. (North Cheshire)
SELLING YOUR CAR?
As a member of the MG Car Club you can advertise your car in Safety Fast for free. Just email your car details, max 60 words, together with a JPEG picture to Colin Grant at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk. Non member fee is £20
MGC GT 1969 – Restored to Concours Standard on a rust free shell MG Motorsport Fast Road Engine. Air Condi-oning. Power steering. Choice of Knock-‐on alloys or chrome wire wheels. £POA
MGC GT 1968 First rate body & mechanically. Power steering. Dunlop alloy wheels. £17,995
MGC GT 9169 Superb drive. Under 70,000 miles. Webasto sunroof. Chrome wire wheels. Power steering. Overdrive. £16,995
MGB GTV8 1973 Superb condi-on. NOW SOLD. Another undergoing restora9on available soon.
For more informa-on on these, or our other cars for sale and under restora-on, visit our website www.claytonclassics.co.uk or call us on +44 2476 691916
MAY 2016
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CARS FOR SALE
ANY MG WANTED CARS FOR SALE PLEASE NOTE
CUT OFF DATE FOR ADVERTISING IN THE JUNE ISSUE IS THE 10th MAY
How to Advertise ANY CONDITION
Members can advertise their cars free of charge in Safety Fast. The advert will also be posted on the Club website in due course. This is for one insertion only. To place an
MGF MK2 2001
07774 484497 • 01923 840236 Ivory white with dark green leather interior. Complete nut and bolt ejwhitescars@aol.com restoration in 1992 with Monza Classic Cars and complete engine www.mgandporsche.com advert or for additional insertions MGTF 1500 1955
and gearbox rebuild. Since then has
won a number of show awards and Northwood, Middlesex very well cared for. Drives superbly
email Colin Grant at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk with details of your car, around 60 words, together with an attached picture, your contact information, price of your car, the area where you live, and
well and is in excellent condition. www.mgandporsche.com Extensive paperwork, bills, receipts
To advertise in the next issue of Safety Fast! contact us on 01452 730770
etc. £32000 Tel: 01323 410069 (Eastbourne)
membership number. Cost for nonmembers to advertise is £20. All adverts should be submitted by the 15th of the month for the following months issue.
£3.50
Volume 60
Number 04
APRIL 2016
60
Number
03
22/03/2016 09:58
st_March16_
Covers.indd
THE MARQ
MARCH 2016
UE OF FRIEN
Turn Ethan ol into Ethan Importing il an MG Car Club MG TF-1500 The Power History – Part III of the 3
MG_SafetyFa
DSHIP
MGB 1966
1
16:30
ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
MG_SafetyFast_May16_50-98.indd 94
Woodcote green with cream leather interior; imported from Japan, 2010, two owners since; approx 22,000 km recorded before mph-calibrated speedometer fitted: now reads less than 1,000 miles. New 4.6 litre engine built by Rover V8 specialist RPI Engineering with new clutch fitted in September 2015 together with power steering kit and DAB radio with four new speakers.Car also has hood cover, rear wind deflector, air conditioning and original tool kit. Taxed and tested until 2017. Offers around £20,000.Contact Bruce on 01732 353319, 0779 6660703 or Email bruce.hales-dutton@talk21.com (Tonbridge, Kent).
THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP
The Beast of Callander Diesel Midget MG Car Club History – Part IV Mary Harris Trophy £3.50 2016 – Part II Volume
MG_SafetyFast_April16_Covers.indd 1
22/02/2016
MAY 2016
1994 MG RV8
MGTF 135 1.8 2003
Blue, excellent/good condition, immaculate beige interior, MG logo inside carpets, silver trim package, driver this month & passenger owner, FSH, insidairbags,1 this m on e head gasket &thsuspension upgrades, all-round lights upgrade, Daylight Xenon & fog lights, roll hoops, windstop, heated glass rear window, MGA '59 RACE READY Z&F tuned, Taipan coldair induction, Winner of its last race at BDC, 4 new Toyo tyres + full size spare, Silverstone last year. 1950 cc 150 MOT taxed Nov, 60,200 miles. bhp engine, with all syncro box.MG and AMC PartsMay, ................................................43 4Sight Lighting Company.......................................55 J500 MGT. Everyday &97Track Adrian Flux ............................................................. .............................................................. Uprated everything, with work61byMG MeccaReg Airflow .....................................................................69 day ......................................................69 use. £3,125. Tel: 07766313047 Ron Cody to the highest standard.MG Motorsport Barrie Carter ..........................................................95 johncohen1946@gmail.com .....................................................16 All original panels, raced for 8 sea-MG Sales Centre Barry Walker ........................................................... 91 MGF Mania(Kent) .............................................................53 sons at MG Live, with Iconic 50's, Beech Hill Garage ...................................................92 AMOC and Equipe GTS. A 97 wellMidland Classic Restoration......................................3 Brian Brown Classics.............................................. known car,............................................IFC fast, reliable and handlesMike Authurs Classics............................................ 97 British Motor Heritage beautifully, it now needs a braverMike Rolls................................................................ 97 Brown and Gammons .............................................11 Bucks Sports & Classic Car Centre ....................... 75 Mike Satur............................................................... 57 driver. £24750. Email Car Cover Shop ..................................................... 81 MJS Auto and Marine ............................................26 nickwilkinskirnan@btinternet.com Carole Nash ..............................................6 or Insurance mobile 07720 416223Moss Europe Ltd ....................................................33 Central Classic Auctions.........................................33 Norton Insurance ................................................... 71 (Northamptonshire). Chertsey Minors .................................................... 81 NTG Services.......................................................OBC Church Square Autos .............................................89 Oselli Ltd..................................................................26 Classic and Retro....................................................49 .................................................IBC, 75 Anniversary75, 81 Clayton Classics......................................................93 Peter BestMGF ............................................................ Very good condition 55786 61 miles. Colin Groom Vehicle Storage ................................53 Prestige MG College Motors Burford .......................................... 75 Rees Bros................................................................95 s/s exhaust .Early warning water Colne Classics ........................................................ 75 Retro Lifestyle level........................................................38 system.All leather seats.Fan Crown Classic Cars ................................................69 Rimmer Bros Ltd.....................................................35 belts renewed at 34692 miles. Dennis Welch.......................................................... 75 RJJ Car Shipping and Transportation .................. 81 lncludes Hamilton fitted cover Distributor Doctor ...................................................53 Robin Lackford Motor Engineering ....................... 57 when not garaged. £2,600. Don Trimming ......................................................... 75 RPS Ltd ...................................................................35 Tel 01507. 442256. EJ White Cars .........................................................94 Tours ....................................................13 MGB – 1974/5Scenic Car(Lincolnshire) EZ Power SteeringROADSTER .................................................43 bumper model 57 withSilver Arrows Automobiles Ltd ...............................93 Fishers Late Serviceschrome ..................................................... in racing green -SMR ........................................................................ 91 Footmanwire Jameswheels .....................................................58 WANTED 81 Frontlineunleaded .................................................................98 engine with overdrive andSports and Vintage................................................. MGB GT....................................... or MGC GT. 81 1966Sports Cars Halls Garage............................................................ 75 -Steve McKie some modification - leather seats 1973. Must have tax and MOT and Heathrow Transmission .......................................... 81 Summit MG.............................................................55 good condition and looks very Hoyle Suspension ......................................................6 Surrey Sports be & fitted with wire wheels Classics........................................ 97 or smart – drives nicely and goes well JLH Minor Restoration............................................54 Sussex Classic knock-on Will consider car Car Partsalloys. ..........................................4 – Autos usedLtdregularly – tax exempt – Just Right ..................................................8 on disc or rostyle wheels if reasonThe Hutson Motor Co Ltd ..........................................4 MOT October – lots of history81and Kimble Engineering Ltd .......................................... ably priced. Would prefer seller Tim Kelly MG Specialist .......................................... 97 to MOTs – arthritis forces reluctant Longstone Tyres .................................................... 47 be located within 40 miles radius of Luffield sale. Cars Limited .............................................. £7950. Contact Michael57onTMS Storage..............................................................3 Trickett Welding ...................................................... 71 Stourbridge please. Lycian Events ..........................................................38 01858 555268 Ltd ..................................................55 Telephone: 01384 422178 Manor Garage ........................................................95 Vitesse Global (Leicestershire) Martin Smith Used MGTF Spares ........................89 Webcon ..................................................................49
94
In silver, good soft top.Full MoT New parts inc Uprated Head Gasket, 10 head bolts, Cam belt, water pump, Stainless steel underfloor coolent pipes, thermostat & system flushed, brake pads and discs allround, ball joints, drop links, car completley regreased & undersealed, new tyres & battery Extras Inc, rear boot spoiler, wind breaker, 8 Spoke mini light allows with MG logo chrome dust caps and 10mm spaner keyfob, Electric windows, Electric heated mirrors, tilt steering wheel & power steering, JVC CD head unit with iPod & USB + 6 way speakers, wired for heated rear screen in Gloss black Hardtop included in price, lovely car ready to enjoy +CLASSIC INSURANCE as a bonus Tel 07889063339 (Co Down N/Ireland)
MGB Roadster 1970
Tastefully modified to Rally style. Tax exempt. 12 months MOT. Denim blue exterior colour with black interior and leather seats. 15” Minilite style alloys. Yoko tyres. Also has original factory Overdrive. £7950 ono. Personal sale. Call 07572 481517 for details or email zeanfairbanksgilbert@yahoo.co.uk.
Tartan Red, original black leather interior. Owned 15 years, garaged, dry use only. Lots of history. Very reluctant sale. £5,000 Tel: 07522 207025 (Kent)
1955 MG TF 1500
Green with beige interior, 60 spoke chrome wheels. SSE. Restored engine, gearbox and suspension. Complete 10 year history & receipts. Photos available. 30,000.00 GBP. Located in Charleston, SC USA. Telephone William King on 843 886 4473 mrroki@earthlink.net
MGTF 160
In gorgeous Le Mans metallic green with contrasting green hood.Only 36800 miles. Head gasket & cambelt replaced at 31000 miles. FSH, Matching hard top, new hood cover, tonneau, wind deflector, internal boot release. In immaculate condition inside & out. Very quick 160 engine, a delight to drive. Enthusiast's car, reluctant sale. £3595 ono Call 07947244320 (Cheshire).
MG TF 1954
Lovely unrestored car in ivory with red leather, was in one family ownership for 41 years. Tel: 01932 231615 (Surrey)
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:48
B13 - Barrie Carter_D MIDDLETON 08/04/2016 15:44 Page 1
CARS FOR SALE
C a e i r ter r r a B MG TA fitted with an TC XPAG engine and box, Thomkins steering conversion and later TC wheels. It is a local car and being sold for its owner. I sold this about 4 years ago and it is used regularly at local shows. Nicely pattinated, [I hate that word] and with excellent weather equipment including a full tonneau. Essentially a TB in spec. Not expensive. £25,995
1939 TB with a lovely cycle winged body. This car was built many years ago in Australia and is well known tom the TB register. I bought it for me, but I’ve too many toys. It sits in my garage at home while I play with it. The car that is.... It is a lovely TB fitted with a mildly modified XPAG engine and steering upgrade, it drove fast and well when I last used it. Our local auction house valued it at £35K which is par for the course for a TB, and this is unique. I’m not fussed if it goes, but ring if you are interested. £26,950
1950’s Morris Special. Morris/Xpag engine and gearbox, totally unique, trialed, hill climbed and sprinted in Australia and unused for 25 years. Now you have retired this will keep you away from your missus £9,995 Wade blower complete with all pulleys belt and manifold for weber. Used on an Xpag. £1650.00 Rare Derrington exhaust and inlet manifold for 2inch SUs. £350 New Xpag extractor manifolds.£525 Xpags rebuilt to any spec. Outright or rebuild your unit. All bench tested before delivery. Rebuilds of all T types and MGAs
1936/7 Ashley Cleave Brooklands/Shelsey Special
XPAG engines supplied
Professionally rebuilt (there are a lot of amateurs out there) to any specifications – please call for further details. CM05.16/B13/fr
As previously said my Ashley Cleave special,as raced at Brooklands in 37, is still for sale. It can be bought as is or I can complete it. It is a recognised Brooklands competitor. Shelley Special, dominant in trials, circuits sprints, h/c and with over 500 awards. Reviewed by Bill Boddy in Motor Sport. It is eligible for many varied and coveted races and events, and a possible Goodwood entry. It starts at 35k as is with the rolling chassis restored and the rest negotiable. I've had it for 23 years. Or you could be a real anorak and buy an inelligable for anything pointy tail pub car for 50k. Price according to spec when finished, starting at £30k but make me an offer.
MG T-Types and complete collections purchased in any condition. Garage clearouts. Many parts for sale. Collection and delivery arranged world-wide. Advice free, and I hope, correct. If not, try someone else.
Manor Garage & Sons! Tel: 01235 767751
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 Failing 6v batteries? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO. _ _ _ _ _ TELEPHONE BEFORE
Fit Manor Garages twin 12v conversion.
Still 12v but with double the capacity. Fits existing battery boxes, with minimal extra Fax 01206 500180 wiring. Reliable starting power after your MG hasTelephone 01206 We reserve the right to charge for any alteration to this proof which been parked up. KIT £150 +vat. is a departure from the original copy
Visit our website: www.manorgaragewantage.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk
MG_SafetyFast_May16_50-98.indd 95
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CLASSIFIEDS
SPARES FOR SALE HOW TO ADVERTISE
Members can advertise their spares for sale/wanted free of charge for items up to £250. Over £250, or for non-members to advertise, there is a charge of £20. To submit your advertisement email Colin Grant at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk. Please remember to include your membership number in all correspondence
MGTF Daytona Seat Cover
Brand new in its original MGRover packaging. Will fit either the driver or passenger seat. £50 plus £8 P&P or collect For more information contact Colin at the MG Car Club on 01235 555552. (Abingdon)
Rover/MGA spares
Rover 3.5 V8 engine £100 MGA Spares 1 Steel wheel back axle £25.00 1 O/S Roadster Door £25.00 1 Pr Alloy side screens, no brackets £25.00 Buyers Collects. Contact Richard on 01892 722370 (Tunbridge Wells)
MGF/TF.
Brand new black hood with heated glass rear window. £225. Tel: 07808 844038. (Notts)
MGA 1600
Mk 2 steel wheels for sale. Sound but need cleaning and painting. £60. Buyer collects. Contact Robin on 01531640166 (West Mids)
MGTC
Pair of front wings, professionally repaired, vgc. £ 250 each. Tel: 07717 232692 or johndhazell2@gmail.com (Norfolk)
MG TF HARDTOP
Ex Brown & Gammon of Baldock, X Power Grey, very good condition with unmarked light interior.Heated rear screen, stand and cover. £295 o.n.o. Ring 'John' on 07941 952651. Buyer to collect (Harrogate)
MGB Spares
1. Chrome Grille £50(small mark) 2. Clubman seat with Harness slots £60 3. 2 x 1.5" HIF SU carbs clean £55 4. Air cleaners repainted £10 5. Indicators/sidelights new £10 6. Original front bumper/irons for rechrome £15 All ono, would suit budget chrome bumper conversion. Cash on collection please from Pete Hanaway, telephone 0208 302 1739 (Sidcup Kent)
96
MAY 2016
MG_SafetyFast_May16_50-98.indd 96
MGF/TF
Wooden steering wheel.This is in excellent condition with only light signs of use. £195 + £10 P&P or collect. Contact Colin at the MG Car Club on 01235 555552. (Abingdon)
MG J2 Body tub, no doors.
For restoration. Excellent Scuttle top. £250. MG J2 near side screen pillar, 2 piece original, £50 N Type Chassis - All springs complete front axle with 12" brakes, 18" wheels, trunnion boxes. Serious Offers. Tel: 07760854622, email baggieslamb@gmail.com (Nr Monmouth)
MGA Coupe
Right hand door shell. New bottom, all other corrosion repairs done, new skin, sandblasted and painted Iris Blue, unused since refurbishment, £250. Also voltage regulator and original tacho. Please contact Dave davidandpammy@btinternet.com
or Tel; 01444881866.
Pirelli P6 Tyres
A pair of 215x60xR15 effectively new with approx. 20miles of running on them - these were incorrectly fitted to a car that I have just purchased. £60.00 ono the pair. Pick up only (Bristol area) Could meet M4/M5 (local) Contact: berettaso4@gmail.com or Tel. 01454 613561
MG YB Original MG Car Company Workshop manual in grubby condition but appears to be complete. Some pages quite tatty. Only fit for workshop use. £10 plus UK mainland postage of £3.00. Refund if not satisfied. MG ZA - FREE to a deserving home - Original MG Car Company Workshop Manual apparently complete but very dirty and grimy. It has had a busy life. Only fit for your continued use in the workshop. The postage will cost £3.00. If no takers it goes in the bin. MG TA Original Owners Instruction Manual for MG series 'T'. Dated October 1936. Very lightly soiled covers, adds to the patina. 94 internal pages are almost mint. Totally complete and includes fold-out Maintenance and Lubrication chart within the rear cover. Can send email photos if required. £50 plus UK mainland postage of £3.00. Full refund if returned at buyers expense. Tel 01224 316879 or 07919327724.
Spares for Sale
Pair of unused wiper wheel boxes, believed MGB GT £15:00 MGB Aluminium Grill Insert (insert only) - good condition £ 5:00 Wipac 5.5" Stainless Steel Fog Lamp + Second as spare £10:00 Bosch Ignition Coil, unused. Suitable for Lucus 'Opus' V8 Ignition. £20:00 MGB Roadster Hood Cover by 'Cover Systems'. Unused £40:00. All offered in good condition. Prices + P & P or collect from Taunton. Call Ralph on 01823 335657
Flying Jacket
In Black with black fleece, size medium, excellent condition with no scuffs tears or scratches. £150 Plus £10 P&P or collect. Contact Colin at the MG Car Club on 01235 555552. (Abingdon)
MGB Roadster
1 pair of black leather seats with headrests removed from 1974 c/b Roadster. Would benefit replacement seat foams. Buyer to collect.£50 Call Mike on 01327 830419 or 07757787876 (Northants)
MGB Works Style Hardtop Glass rear window, new seals and rear mounts, black vinyl covered for soundproofing £185. manchester. tel 01613366982/ 07594368020.
MG Workshop Manuals,
Parts books and Drivers handbooks available too many to list so please email for information davideperry@hotmail.com
Rover 213 front brake disc. for 1984 213 SE. Bought new 20 years ago but never used. Has been stored ever since. Buyer to collect and approve item before purchase. No obligation. Price 15.00 GBP. Folding Ford road map, from the 1960's. Hard cover, well worn condition 3. Would make an ideal glove box accessory for a Ford with patina. Cost of postage is £1.20 standard second class or £2.30 second class signed for. Telephone number is 01384 422178
MG Abingdon Jubilee
Celebration Pewter Tankard. We have been asked by Mollie Day, whose late husband Tony worked at the MG Factory in HR, to find a buyer for two of his tankard collection. Only 50 of each model (MG Midget, MGB Tourer and MGBGT) were made, engraved with the appropriate model on one side and the Jubilee logo on the other. The one offered for sale is an MGBGT and is numbered 1930 together with a signed certificate. There is also a similar Tankard (the prototype) with no engraving. The two are offrered for sale at £125 ono. Contact Peter Neal at the MG Car Club on 01235555552.
WANTED WANTED
MGA Roadster,1955 or 1956. Complete or uncomplete car, in need of full or part restoration. Any car considered. Genuine MGA enthusiast. Also wanted Alloy rim wire wheels. 15 x 4.5j alloy rim 60 spoke.Please tel 07795670881
WANTED MG TD Front wings.
Tel: 07760854622, email baggieslamb@gmail.com Nr Monmouth.
WANTED SCCR MGB gearbox with or
without overdrive, and a pair of Split 45 Webers and an MGB manifold to suit Please email details & price to Bob MacGillivray at mgcarsscotland@gmail.com or phone 07870 407111
www.mgcc.co.uk
25/04/2016 16:48
B32 - MIKE ROLLS SERVICES_MIKE ROLLS SERVICES 13/12/2012 09:50 Page 1
201< 2015
TRADE MEMBER
MIKE ROLLS SERVICES FOR MGs Specialising in all MG’s
TEL/FAX: 01258 820337
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-6pm, Wed: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-1pm MG TD 1950, this car was originally a righthand drive and then MGBUS export ROADSTER, returned back to the UK in 2002 and re-registered in 2004, it has since 1977 undergone a full body off restoration with photographic and invoice history, Rubber bumper, it now looks stunning in its gleaming red body work complimented with beige leather interior and matching mohair hood and side screens, does Finished in not red,only MOT’d this car look beautiful, but it drives superbly. . . . . . with . . . . . just . . . . .over . . . . .£23,995 81,000
Requires an experienced classic car mechanic for general maintenance, servicing and restoration of MG’s & classics. Also Classic Car Restoration Assistant. Must have previous bodywork experience and the ability to work to a high standard. Wages based on experience & skills.
Contact 01872 553040
MG TF 135, 2003, Dark green, Biscuit leather interior. MOT March Tax wheels, Black 2013, leather Feb. 2013. Radio C/D player, hood cover. Recent head pipe, seatsgasket, with coolant red piping, cambelt and clutch. Good service history. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£3,650
Stainless Steel bootrack,
MG Midget, 1980, Flamenco Red, much money spent including Motolita black up-rated leather suspension front and back, K & N Filters, Various new mechanical Full steering wheel,parts, Full and tonneau,and Motolita steering wheel, It comes with a very good service half tonneaus, Detailed history, Bootrack, Kenwood radio/CD player and Black vinyl seats. The car is bay, Boot carpet MOT'd up to September 2013 and taxed until end ofengine July 2013. . . . . .£3,500
set and a Windstop.
MG TF 135, 2002, Silver, MOT July 2013. New head gasket, coolant pipes, It black is in very cambelt and service carried out by ourselves. Navy hood, cloth good seats. large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . condition . . . . . . . . . with . . . . . a. .£2,995
detailed history file.
MG TF 115, 2003, X Power Grey with grey hood, Has recently had a new headgasket, bottom engine rail, Stainless steel coolant pipes and full£7,995 service, MOT to May 2013, Taxed to Feb 2013, 71835 Miles, comes with Radio/CD player. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£2,750
ARRIVING SOON
MGF, 2000, Alumina Green, 62,000mls, Green hood, Green leather seats, PRIMROSE YELLOW CHROME BUMPER ROADSTER. Chrome roll hoops, Recent headgasket replacement, Taxed Jan 2013, MOT March 2013. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£1,950
SEE US AT MG LIVE ON STAND G8
MGF 1.8i, 1996, British Racing Green, cloth interior. MOT Maarch 2013. Tax end of January 2013. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£950 Units 9/10 Fifehead Business Park, Manor Farm, Fifehead Magdalen, near Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5RR
E-mail:mail@mikerolls4mgs.co.uk mail@mikerolls.4mgs.co.uk • www.mikerolls.co.uk E-mail: • www.mikerolls.co.uk Mail Order “Friendly Quality Service”
M.G. in North Herts
MGOC Recommended Workshop and Power Steering Installer MoT & Failures Repaired Servicing, Welding, Restoration M.G.A. – B – C – V8, Midget Rear of Langley Garage London Road, Langley, Nr Hitchin, Herts SG4 7PJ
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
CM02.13/B32/d
ST AGNES, CORNWALL
from new. MGB GT, 1969, British racing green, Chrome miles Bumper, Tax exempt, Overdrive, Wire wheels, Full sunroof, Autumn leaf interior with new front Recently re-built seat covers, Electronic ignition, Stainless steel exhaust system,much Restored by us engine, money in 2000, Service history, In excellent order. . . . . . . . spent . . . . . . .including . . . . . . . . .£6,500 Alloy
www.mgmecca.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0) 1953 717850
1969 MGB ROADSTER V8, Nightfire red, tan leather, mohair hood, 3.9 Rv8 engine + running gear, restored at no cost spared a few years ago, RV8 dash, motolita etc, etc , superb fast touring car £26,995.00
01438 729288
1972 MGB ROADSTER Now almost completed, immaculate car l/h/d with european style dash superb1972 l/h/d. Old English White, red trim, w/w, o/drive. Total bare shell rebuild, no expense spared. Better than new condition. Shell is being fitted up now after two year rebuild. Stunning colour combination with red hood. £24,995.00
URGENT PROO
Please check this proof carefully for errors in style, content a Although every care is exercised in preparing your advert, we ourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook
07860 473298 www.mg-repairs-hertfordshire.com
SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PR TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT
Restoring the beauty of the past Restoration, Parts Servicing, Tuning, MOT’s, Bodywork, Mechanical
1965 MGB ROADSTER BRG, black/white trim, chrome wheels, rare o/drive. Total last nut and bolt renovation, with pictures. Matching numbers (engine/ box/axle) Heritage certificate, restored to original show standard regardless of cost (would cost easily in excess of £35k). Car is immaculate inside/ underside/outside. A rare car indeed. £24,995.00
1980 MGB ROADSTER Blaze, black cloth trim. Wood dash. Body is superb, underside immaculate, fully restored by engineer, with photos. Boot rack. All new chrome. Webber carb. New u/l engine. Would be hard to find better car @ £8,995.00
We reserve the right to charge for any alteration to th is a departure from the original copy
Tel: 01483 223830 We have many cars for sale Why not visit our website to see the full range
www.mgspares.co.uk
Portsmouth Road, Ripley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6EL
www.mgcc.co.uk
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1967 MGB GT V8 BRG, Biscuit/green leather trim. Fully restored last nut & bolt 5 years ago. Professionally converted to V8 spec, no expense spared. Webasto roof. Moto Lita wheel. 15” minilites. Fast touring car. Rare early GT. Superb! £23,995.00
MGB GT V8 Dark BRG, black trim. Full Sebring body as per works MGC’s. Fully restored shell. Bare metal repaint. 8 x 15” minilites. Superb car, stunning to drive. Practical fast road/track car. £22,995.00
MAY 2016
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