Safety Fast! August 2019

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSHIP

August 2019 Volume 63 Number 08 £3.95

THE

CAR

CLUB

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

THE BATTLE OF THE BABIES ● CLUNKING AND CREAKING ● JEKYLL AND HYDE Safety Fast_Cover August2019.indd 1

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

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WELCOME AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS

T REGISTER T PARTY This year the T Register returns to the Shuttleworth Museum at the Old Warden Aerodrome on August 4 for their popular, annual T Party. Visit www.mgcc.co.uk/tregister/ for more information.

J

uly turned out to be an exciting month for the Club, with good weather in the UK and lots of events to participate in. MGs were seen up and down the country, taking to the roads, basking in the sunshine. Part of the enjoyment of summer motoring is attending the many Monthly Club Meets (Natters) hosted by our Centres, congregating around the MGs with fellow enthusiasts whilst enjoying a cold beverage. There’s a full listing currently on our website www.mgcc.co.uk and we hope to publish this in Safety Fast! soon, as well. Can I ask anyone running a Natter to examine the details published online, to check that everything is correct and let us know of any changes please.

For those of you who attended the British Grand Prix, or managed to catch the F1 drivers parade on TV, you would have seen a procession of MGAs, MGBs, MGCs and Midgets taking the F1 drivers around the Silverstone circuit so they could wave to their fans. The parade was led by MG Car Club member Anthony Hamilton, who had both his sons with him, Nicolas and Lewis, in his MGC. It was a wonderful sight and something that the MGCC have been trying to organise with the F1 owners ever since TRs led the drivers parade back in 2017. What better way to put our wonderful cars in front of millions of people! It’s not the first time MGs have led the parade this year, either; members from the Victoria MG Car Club drove the F1 drivers around in MGAs during the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. We’ll bring you a full report with photos of the British Grand Prix ‘MG’ experience in the next issue of Safety Fast!

In this month’s issue we bring you an article written in 1959 by the incredible Bill Boddy, the British journalist who was the editor of MotorSport from 1936 to 1991. Bill still contributed to MotorSport until his death in 2011. Titled Battle of the Babies, it’s written at a time when MG and Austin Healey were rivals in the Record-Breaking scene. Enjoy.

Until next month, drive safely.

Andy Knott

Membership Type

TOUR OF THE SOUTH EAST This year the South East Centre’s tour on August 11 is a scenic run of 38 miles through some delightful Surrey and Sussex countryside. More details and booking on www.mgccse.co.uk

CALEDONIAN FIVE-DAY TOUR This year’s fabulous five-day tour from Monday August 12 takes us south of the Scottish Border to the stunning Lake District in the North West corner of England. www.mgcaledonian.com for details.

OULTON PARK RACE MEETING Direct Debit Rate

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The MG Car Club race Championships head to the scenic Cheshire Oulton Park Circuit on August 31. With a variety of MGs from different decades battling it out, an exciting day is bound to ensue. www.mgcc.co.uk/motorsport For many more events during August please visit www.mgcc.co.uk

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

www.mgcc.co.uk

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

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INSIDE REGULARS 7 8 10 12 65 66 67 69 82 92 98

Club Matters and Kimber House News News Products Young Members Branch Race Torque MGs on Track MGCC Speed Championship Centre Updates Register Updates Classifieds Looking Back

NEWSLETTERS 34 39 44 49

Midget Newsletter MGB Newsletter V8 Newsletter FWD Newsletter

FEATURES 15 BATTLE OF THE BABIES Bill Boddy looks back to the time when Austin and MG were deadly rivals in the record field MG Car Club Member Anthony Hamilton leads the F1 Drivers parade in his MGC, accompanied by his sons Nicolas and Lewis. Photo: Pixathlon / Shutterstock

14

53

24 CLUNKING AND CREAKING Replacing anti-roll bar links on an MGF

26 JEKYLL AND HYDE Two MGAs with totally different personalities

33 EVENT REPORT The Yorkshire Centre’s Heartbeat Run

53 THE NAMMMR ANNUAL GATHERING Report on the 2019 annual MMM gathering for North America that took place in Kentucky

26

58 BRILLIANT BRANDS The editor of MGCC Sweden´s club magazine MG Bulletinen headed to England to watch some MGs in action at the fantastic Brands Hatch

62 BTCC ACTION All the MG action from the Oulton Park Race Circuit

www.mgcc.co.uk

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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CHAIRMANS NEWS

I

hope you are all enjoying the warm weather and getting plenty of opportunity to use your MG at one of the many events being run by our Centres, Registers and Branches. Details of events in your area or farther afield are available from the Events Calendar, under the News and Events menu of our website www.mgcc.co.uk On the subject of our website, how many of you have visited the members area lately?

Did you know that you can find an electronic copy of the latest Safety Fast! and indeed copies going back to 2011 there? As well as Safety Fast! there are a number of other documents from Technical documents, official MGCC documents containing CRB Bulletins and guides on GDPR, plus lots more.

On the subject of Centres, are you aware that you can change the Centre you belong to? Your membership of a centre is applied by the Kimber House team depending on your postcode, which in some cases could mean you are in a Centre that geographically is not the best for where you live. Should you wish to change, it’s a very simple process. Ring our membership Secretary, Liz Allsworth, on the main Kimber House telephone number 01235 555552.

The Racing side of the MG Car Club is organised by the Racing Sub-Committee (RSC), and one of our longer-serving members, Andy Green, has decided to step down to enjoy his retirement and spend more time with his family and renovating his house in Portugal. Andy will still be at a number of MGCC Race

meetings, acting as a Clerk and also taking part in some of the races.

I would like to thank Andy for the hard work he has put into the RSC and wish him all the best for the future.

Have you had good service from an MG-related trader in your area? If so, why not let others know about it by passing their details to the Kimber House team.

Did you watch the British Grand Prix Formula 1 race at Silverstone? If like me you did, you would have been delighted to see the Drivers Parade featuring MGBs, MGCs and MGAs belonging to members of the MG Car Club taking all the Formula One drivers around the track, with a very proud patriarch of the Hamilton family taking both his sons around in his MGC! It took a lot of hard work to organise the cars and thanks must go to Lauran who spent weeks organising the cars and lead the Kimber House ladies, Cherina, Ineke and Liz. Thanks also to all the volunteers who brought their MGs along.

They all spent four days at Silverstone in order to get everything in place. A big thank you to you all!

Until next month, happy MG-ing.

KIMBER HOUSE NEWS A lot of Centres and Registers stop at Kimber House whilst touring the scenic Oxfordshire countryside, and recently it was the turn of the Anglia Centre Longham Natter group to visit. They were taking part in their eighth annual tour, which this year took them towards the Cotswolds. Four couples decided to detour off route whilst meandering their way from Longham, near Dereham, to visit Kimber House. After being greeted

www.mgcc.co.uk

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and having coffee, Colin Grant and Ineke Sherman gave them a tour of Kimber House, including the archive and the John Thornley Suite which had three unique MGs on display.

Those visiting were Ian and Bernadette Howard in their MG TF, David and Helen Walker in their lovely MGC GT, Mike and Liz Spivey in a Varitone Magnette and William and Vicky Ball in their 80th Anniversary MG TF.

During July we were privileged to be asked to display an MG at the prestigious Cornbury Music Festival by our friends at the charity SeeSaw, who offer grief support for children and young people in Oxfordshire. MG Car Club Director, Dave Saunders, didn’t hesitate in offering his stunning MGB GT V8 which was on display during all three days of the festival and drew many people to the MGCC and the SeeSaw marquees.

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NEWS THE FAMILY FRIENDLY ELECTRIC CAR During July MG Motor UK announced its entry into the zero-emissions vehicle market with the first truly affordable, family-friendly electric car. The sensational MG ZS EV has been designed to bring EV technology to a wider audience than ever before and represents an exciting new chapter in the MG story.

ZS EV is MG’s most high-tech car ever, with the MG Pilot driver assistance suite setting new standards of specification and delivering exceptional value for money. ZS EV combines the spacious and practical design of the original ZS with a clean, efficient and dynamic electric powertrain.

With the first 1,000 retail customers able to get behind the wheel from just £21,495, MG is bringing zero-emissions motoring to the people. Combining a WLTP-certified range of 163 miles and frequent rapid charging capability, families can enjoy the freedom to go anywhere in an electric car. MG is also proud to be offering ZS EV with its famous 7-Year Warranty that covers the car and the lithium-ion battery.

Packed with innovative features, ZS EV is designed to provide customers with a stress-free driving experience. MG Pilot is a driver assistance suite which complements the driver and offers support when required. Excite and Exclusive versions both include MG Pilot as standard, with features including Advanced Emergency Braking, Blindspot Monitoring, Lane Keep Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control.

ZS EV majors on interior space, making it ideal for busy families and those who value practicality. Boasting some of the most generous shoulder, leg and headroom in its class, the ZS EV also features a substantial, full-sized boot. With hidden storage areas, a split-level boot and practical features to keep items secure on the move, ZS EV can handle bikes, pushchairs, luggage and bulky loads with no trouble at all. In the cabin, the sky really is the limit with the panoramic, sliding Sky Roof offering uninterrupted access to the sunshine above, creating a bright and airy experience for the whole family.

Customers will also enjoy the latest generation of MG’s responsive infotainment system, with an 8” colour touchscreen featuring satellite navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming and DAB radio.

ZS EV features an intelligently packaged and water-cooled 44.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack, fed to a frontmounted electric motor which delivers 105kW / 143PS of power and 353Nm of instant torque. Water-cooling manages the battery temperature allowing frequent rapid charging and optimum range whatever the weather. MG’s ingenious

packaging positions the battery pack underneath the car, meaning that there’s no compromise in cabin or storage space. This also results in a low centre of gravity, making ZS EV agile and dynamic through corners. While power and weight distribution are important, ZS EV also boasts some impressive technology to maximise range, efficiency and convenience for the driver. With three driving modes and three levels of regenerative braking, ZS EV can be tailored to suit the driver’s preferences, making it the perfect companion for everyday driving.

The ZS EV sports the latest evolution of MG’s distinctive star-rider grille which perfectly frames the famous octagonal logo. It also seamlessly integrates the CCS charging port. The new-style 17” alloy wheels are designed to be light and extremely aerodynamic, helping to maximise range even further, and the choice of four exterior colours includes the new and vibrant Pimlico Blue.

ZS EV customer deliveries will begin in September 2019. Customers wishing to make sure they secure one of the first 1,000 retail cars, available from just £21,495, can place a £500 deposit to reserve their place in the queue by visiting MG.CO.UK/ELECTRIC

THE ANGLIA CENTRE AGM Venue: The Lion Public House, 44 Ipswich Road, Needham Market, Suffolk IP6 8EH (Tel: 01449 720849) Date: Saturday September 28 2019 Time: 11.30am Agenda 1. Present 2. Apologies 3. Approval of Minutes of last

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AGM held on September 15 2018 4. Matters arising 5. Chairman’s Report 6. Secretary’s Report 7. Treasurer’s Report and adoption of accounts for year ending 31.12.2018 8. Election of Officers 9. Election of Committee 10. Any other business For organisational reasons, members are requested to inform Roger Moran, Anglia Centre Secretary, if they will attend (secretary@mgccanglia.com).

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:09

NEWS A TRIBUTE TO JOHN LAURENCE John Laurence, the former Lincolnshire Centre Chairman, died whilst on holiday in Scotland on May 27 2019. He was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, but was determined to continue to live life to the full and future holidays in Malta and Scotland were booked.

John joined the MG Car Club in 1973 when, in his words, “MGBs were referred to as convertible Morris Oxfords”. He was determined to ensure that this old-fashioned idea about MGs was misplaced and he went to great lengths to ensure that all MG cars, no matter how old or young, were welcomed into the MGCC. He was a great ambassador for the MGCC, continuing throughout this long association to promote the benefits of membership and motorsport.

John had four separate stints as Centre Chairman: 198386; 1993-1996; 2005-2009 and 2013. He was also the Lincolnshire Group Secretary from 1974, continuing in the role through Sub-Centre status to full Centre status in 1981.

John was Natter Leader of the Abbey Lodge, the Ferry Boat and the Black Horse Natters and organiser of the renowned Tour of Lincs for a couple of years. He was so passionate about MGs and the MG Car Club and it was under his leadership that the Centre won the prestigious Nuffield Gold Cup in 2006 and 2008.

He loved local club motorsport and was enthusiastic about autotests and navigational scatter rallies. He was a keen competitor with his red MGB, although occasionally got a little stroppy when beaten by his wife, Sheila, who also drove the same car to record a better time or score.

He also had an encyclopaedic knowledge of steam locomotives and in the 1990s and 2000s worked as a permanent way volunteer on the Great Central Railway in Ruddington, Nottingham.

He will be remembered for his great sense of fun, his sharp wit and his unwavering passion for all things MG. John was cremated at a private service in June in Inverness, Scotland. However, his widow, Sheila, is arranging a “Celebration of Life” service on Saturday September 28 2019 at 2.00pm at Sibsey Church, followed in the afternoon and evening by refreshments and time to share memories in Sibsey Village Hall. Sheila extends an open invitation to all MGCC friends to attend and would appreciate confirmation by email to sheilalaurence1@gmail.com

www.mgcc.co.uk

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PRODUCTS

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

MG LE

Dev the gas buz

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MIVUE 766 DASH CAM Sadly, in this day and age where crash-for-cash scams are commonplace, a dash cam is becoming an essential accessory for any car windscreen. One manufacturer with an excellent reputation is Mio, the dash cam featured here the Mio MiVue 766 WiFi which has a host of useful features, including wi-fi connectivity, speed camera warnings and GPS locating. The 766 looks stylish, and its compact layout due to the touchscreen sees it slot neatly behind my MG rear-view mirror. Setting it up in the MG only took five minutes, with the power button and micro SD slot easily accessible. The touch screen was easy to navigate and Mio even have a useful app you can download to your smart phone, which gives you lots of useful information on the MiVue, and even allows you to transfer footage directly from the camera to the phone using the wireless technology. Turning the ignition on the dashcam fires into life, with the 1080P HD Screen, which utilises a Sony high quality optical sensor, being bright and sharp and the GPS tracker giving information in the bottom right corner of the screen, such as speed, date and an accurate location. Whether you’re driving in bright sunshine, rain or at night the picture is clear, and I’ve found the footage from the camera brilliant when reviewed on the computer. For more information on this dash cam and the rest of the MiVue range please visit www.mio.com

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MG ZS FULL SIZE BOOT LINER

This brand new Boot liner specially produced by us for “all models” of the new MG ZS. It has reinforced and strengthened edging and centre panel to maintain shape.

It is totally waterproof and will contain any spillage, and comes with the ZS inscription.

We are offering this Boot Liner at an introductory total price of £39.95 plus P & P of £8.97 For more information contact MG and AMC Parts, The Smithy, High Street, Southwick, Hampshire, PO17 6EB. Tel: 02392220222 email: enquiries@mgandamcparts.com

NEW REAR LIGHT POD FROM RPS

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RPS are pleased to announce their new rear light pods, which are a development from the light pods that are on their RPX rear bumper and these will fit either the MGF or TF. The cost of these will be £78 per pair.

RPS will be stocking E-Marked rear reflectors to fit these rear lights and these will be £5 per pair. There are a range of options available for the LED lights and RPS will be advising on suppliers and types that will fit. All of the recommendations will be E-Marked. For more information contact RPS Ltd, telephone number 07900431244 or email: enquiries@rps-ltd.info.

Visit their web site at www.rps-ltd.info

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YOUNG MEMBERS

MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT –

KEIRAN REID

T

his month, we’re featuring Keiran Reid and his MGB GT. If you have any stories you’d like to share, or cars that you would like to feature in our column, then do please get in touch!

When I was quite young, I used to ride my bicycle around where I lived and just around the corner from me there was an MGB GT. It was a Mk1, which had been left to rust away under a bit of tarpaulin outside somebody’s house. I found it fascinating and used to visit the car quite regularly. Although it was sad to see it left out in the elements, only to deteriorate over time, I imagine this is where my love for the MGB GT began.

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Shaun Nelson shaunnelly@hotmail.com

I’m a 20-year-old Student Pilot from Dudley in the West Midlands and since December of last year I’ve owned my very own 1971 MGB GT. It’s in British Racing Green and features the Webasto sunroof, along with Minotaur wheels and its original Mk2 recessed grille. The interior is the tan autumn leaf colour with the Mota Lita steering wheel. Since I’ve owned the B, it’s been a labour of love keeping it clean and healthy, and I’m looking forward to continuing that labour of love in the future.

Driving the MG is an experience; it evokes feelings that you just don’t get in a modern car. Yes, it breaks down, but I learn so much about the car after each and every breakdown – you could almost say it’s worthwhile! I’ve also met some amazing and kind people who have welcomed me into the world of classic motoring. Joining the MGCC Young Members Branch has enabled me to meet fellow MG enthusiasts around the same age as myself, and chatting to people who enjoy the kind of cars I love being around is great. Even when I’m out and about, the car gets so much attention and always seems to put a smile on people’s faces. “I used to have one of these” is a common phrase.

The social side of classic car ownership is brilliant, I love listening to people’s MG stories, and I’ll happily talk cars and planes and everything in between.

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:09

YOUNG MERCHANDISE MEMBERS

LAST CHANCE

LIMITED EDITION MG WATCH T

he MG Car Club is delighted to announce the launch of a Limited Edition MG watch, created by fine French Watchmaker, Yema.

The watch is a Limited Edition version of Yema’s famous Rallygraf watch. The chronograph uses a Quartz movement and consists of a main dial and two sub-dials with beige aluminium insert, reminiscent of a dashboard, finished with an MG logo.

The perforated British Racing Green leather bracelet is finished with beige top stitching, reminiscent of a colour scheme found on many classic MGs. The Rallygraf watch was first launched in 1966 and was designed for motor racing and drivers of classic cars with a tachometer and chronograph

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 13

protected by an ultrasolid stainless steel case and mineral glass.

The MG Car Club have opened order books for this watch at the price of £215 for MG Car Club Members or £250 for non-members, plus postage and packaging.

Once the Limited Run is reached, the batch of watches will be handmade at Yema’s workshop in Motreau, France. Pre orders can be placed by emailing office@mgcc.co.uk or phoning Ineke on 01235 849737

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 13

25/07/2019 10:09

The original green oil is back.

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25/07/2019 10:09

FEATURE

George Eyston piloting EX120 at Montlhéry

THE BATTLE OF THE BABIES

By W. Boddy

Following our articles on the successful Utah record attempt in 1959 by a combined BMC team of Austin Healey and MG, this month we’re reprinting an article from Safety Fast! that looks back to the time when Austin and MG were deadly rivals in the record field

T

oday the majority of cars will attain the ‘magic century’ as a matter of course, although this is still a remarkable speed for a 750cc car. In 1930 it was that much more remarkable.

Now by that time the MG was firmly

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 15

established, not only as a highly successful sports car but as a useful competition car with many important successes to its credit. So, naturally, the thought came to the Top Brass at Abingdon that it would be very nice if their make of car could be the

first Class H (750cc) machine officially to reach a speed of 100mph.

In 1930 the fastest Class H record, the flying five miles, stood to the credit of Venatier with an obscure car called a Grazide. At the Montlhéry track near Paris it had averaged 96.57mph for this distance as early as I927. However, what was perhaps of more concern to MG was an onslaught at Brooklands made by Austin after they had won the 1930 B.R.D.C. 500 Miles Race. Driving a normal-looking supercharged Ulster Austin two-seater with which he had shared victory in that gruelling race with the Earl of March (now the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, owner of the Goodwood circuit) S.C.H. Davis came out on two occasions at Brooklands and wiped up every record in the class, with the exception of four held by the fabulous Grazide. This included records formerly held by other Austin Sevens and a Rovin J.A.P. With a special four-speed single-seater Austin, Davis also attacked short- distance records and left the fastest speed (fs) kilometre at 89.08mph. It was this record that Cecil Kimber, head of the MG Car Company, backed by Nuffield, sought to break.

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 15

25/07/2019 10:09

George Eyston inspecting the clay model of EX120

For the purpose, an MG known as EX120 was prepared. This started life as the prototype of the 1931 racing MG Midgets and was a very considerable advance on the current ‘M’ type Midget – perhaps John Thornley will say this is an understatement!

Into this new chassis an engine was installed which had been evolved

by J. Palmes in the rooms he shared at Cambridge with George Eyston. Palmes had reduced the size of the MG Midget engine from 847 to 743cc by linering down the block by 3mm and reducing the stroke by 2mm, with a new crankshaft.

The idea had been to use this engine to attack the long-distance Austin records, running it unblown. But Sir Malcolm Campbell had left for Daytona on one of his periodic onslaughts on the Land Speed Record and had taken with him the fourspeed single-seater Austin to see whether it would go faster on the sand than it had done for Davis at Brooklands.

So, it was decided to supercharge EX120, a perfectly logical development in view of the fact that Eyston was to drive the MG and that he was at the time closely associated with the Powerplus vane-type compressor.

EX120 with the rough cowling made at Montlhéry in 1931. Behind are ‘Jacko’, Kindell, Eldridge, Cousins and Phillips.

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One of these superchargers was fitted to the new Class H engine, driven by chain and sprockets from the front of the crankshaft, enabling the ratio of the drive to be altered easily if required.

The year 1930 was nearly over by the time the car was in one piece, and Brooklands was closed for repairs to its battle- and weather-scarred surface.

However, resource is one of the byproducts of Abingdon, so EX120 had its first taste of high speed on a public road.

Ernest Eldridge, acting as engineering consultant, insisted that the compression ratio be raised, and then the little MG was shipped across the Channel and driven to Montlhéry in a lorry, accompanied by Reg Jackson. On December 30 Eyston made his record bid, the car running in unsupercharged form. He took three records from the Austin, covering I00 kilometres at 87.3mph, before a valve broke. The margin of speed was not impressive, and without more ado the MG was brought back to England for a blower to be installed.

Two different-size Powerplus blowers had been painstakingly tested at the factory and thus it was possible to return to Montlhéry for tests of the car in supercharged form.

Finally, after the inevitable delays due to bad weather, the larger compressor was decided upon. While some difficult tuning on a higher-content alcohol fuel was being undertaken, news arrived that Campbell had raised the Class H fs mile record at Daytona to 94mph!

Clearly, the Austin was getting near the coveted goal of 100mph. To this Eyston responded by going out after the Grazide records, which were still the fastest 750cc figures. In this he was successful, breaking the only four records not held by Austin and another in addition, the MG’s best being the fs five kilometres at 97.07 mph. The ‘century’ was getting to look a possibility...

These very fast records were captured in February 1931. They had not been lightly attained. Indeed, ‘Jacko’ and Freddy Kindell had worked so hard – 126 hours continuously, in conditions of intense cold – that, before further work could be

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:09

George Eyston and EX120 with the Brooklands banking in the backgound

EX120 running at speed

Abingdon, driven by an 847cc Midget engine. Time was creeping on, a way it has, with 100mph from a 750cc car seemingly in the grasp of Austin or MG. Austin had a new, properly streamlined car in hand, but MG decided to stay at Montlhéry and see what they could do with EX120, which was virtually a two-

contemplated, Cecil Cousins and Gordon Phillips were sent to relieve them. The chief difficulty had been persuading the carburettor not to ice up on alcohol fuel, for if alcohol warms humans, it has the opposite effect on the engine, especially when the gas-works are isolated away from the cylinder block on a supercharger.

Cousins boxed in the carburettor, and he, ‘Jacko’ and Kindell fashioned a rough cowl for the radiator, the dumb-irons being already faired in.

It is amusing to look back and recall that ‘Jacko’, having no faith in French lorries, had brought the superchargers and a spare engine out from England on an MG Tigress experimental chassis from which the ‘Double Twelve’ 18/80 MG had been evolved, while the superchargers had been tested for two whole days at

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 17

seater with high radiator and bonnet.

Eyston, record-breaker extraordinary, stood by for another go.

On the appointed day the track was wet (a nasty hazard on smooth racing tyres) a stiff wind was blowing, and, to add insult to injury, the timekeepers crashed their car on the way from Paris,

leaving but half an hour of daylight.

But hard work had its just reward. After a sudden storm of hail had abated George Eyston set off and the little MG ran beautifully. Engine speed was up to 6,500rpm; Eyston rammed down his foot until 7,000rpm showed up and set off on his 10-mile sprint. At times the car snaked alarmingly as its driver steered with one hand and sought to maintain pressure in the fuel tank with the other, and the tense observers thought they heard misfiring just as the attempt was nearly over. But EX120, most gallant of prototypes, held together; four Class H records fell, from

Cecil Kimber leaning over, talking to George Eyston and inspecting the gutted remains of MG EX120

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 17

25/07/2019 10:09

Bobby Kohlrausch in EX127

George Eyston having a trial fitting in MG EX127

five kilometres to 10 miles. But what really counted was that every one of them was taken at well over 100mph, the fastest being the five kilometres. at 103.13mph.

MG had beaten Austin and Grazide to the magic century!

The goal had been attained! It is pleasing to note that when this historic achievement was celebrated, the visitors’ toast was replied to by none other than Arthur Waite of the Austin Motor Company. The publicity resulting from being the maker of the first 750cc car to exceed ‘the ton’ was exceedingly

important to both Austin and MG companies, for both were selling small sports cars which were based on popular baby-car designs. But, beaten, Austin showed no resentment, proving that sportsmanship is not confined to the track.

Having attained the main objective, MG decided to take the fs kilometre and mile records from Austin. This Eyston sought to do at Brooklands, but it was Friday the 13th (March 1931) and EX120 ran badly. In the end the records were broken at 97.09 and 96.93mph respectively, bettering Campbell‘s speed.

Roughly a second of the times would have seen these distances, too, at 100mph, so it isn’t surprising that Eyston was dissatisfied and essayed a test-run that evening.

But it was still Friday the 13th – and the engine blew up in a big way. A piston had escaped from captivity by way of the cylinder block. The starter motor resided in the sump...

This failure, attributed to weak mixture but possibly hastened by the use of the Brooklands silencer, was emphasised when Leon Cushman brought out the Austin and raised the figures to 102.28 and 100.67mph respectively.

Moreover, it wasn’t only Austin who battled with MG for Class H honours.

EX127 at speed during a record run at Pendine Sands, South Wales

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Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 18

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:09

Cockpit being fitted to EX127 ‘Magic Midget’ whilst George Eyston waits tentatively

Lord Ridley had his own ideas of what a 750cc record car should be like. He came to Brooklands with a Powerplus-blown 746cc twin-cam special and put the fs mile and kilometre records respectively to 105.42 and 104.56mph. Later he sustained a nasty crash which wrote off the Ridley Special, but not before the kilometre record had been set to 105.92mph. So there was not too much room for complacency at Abingdon, especially as in 1932 Driscoll set the Class H Brooklands lap record to 103.11mph for Austin, although Eyston was able to reply with 112.93mph for MG two months later, and, before the year was out, Ron Horton’s offset MG single-seater had lapped at 115.29mph. Here I will digress to remark that Austin scored a lead in this sphere, with the first 750cc lap at over 120mph (Dodson, in 1936, at 121.14mph) but that Brooklands honours now rest with MG for all time (Harvey Noble, in 1937, at 122.40mph). These fantastic speeds from the 3/4-litre cars had the expected repercussion on racing, in which the Class H entrants were heavily handicapped.

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 19

I am writing of record-breaking, not racing, however, and MG’s next target was 100 miles in the hour. A plan of action was put into operation which consisted of building a very special new single-seater known as EX127 and revamping EX120 as a long-distance record-breaker. Hearing of this, Austin went post-haste to Montlhéry and set Mrs Gwenda Stewart the task of

trying to do 100 in the hour before MG could take this honour for posterity. This attempt failed, so Gwenda was put on to trying to raise Ridley’s speed over short distances, and in this she was successful, lifting the five-kilometre record to 109mph.

The Austin then went out for its third hour attempt, but it suffered from transmission failure and was returned to

EX127 awaiting the start of another record attempt

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 19

25/07/2019 10:09

England. To this Eyston responded by setting EX120 to try for the hour record. He held the engine at over 6,800rpm for lap after lap of the French track, pumping up pressure in the tank as required, and without fireworks another historic landmark fell to MG – Eyston had covered 101.1 miles in the hour.

Alas, the fireworks were to follow, for on an extra lap the car caught fire.

Somehow George struggled clear of the cockpit, which was so cramped that he had

only with difficulty got into the car, and he jumped off before the flames took hold and gutted the body of the MG. He was badly burned, however, and it was some time before he was able to drive again.

With Eyston in hospital (but the onehour record on the books at over 100mph) diminutive Albert Denly began to test EX127, for Cecil Kimber was thirsting for the fastest-ever 750cc record. Incidentally, the comparatively narrow margins by

which the records were being broken, and EX120’s failure just after the hour was up, indicate how difficult was the science of making tiny cars exceed 100mph in those days.

EX127 was afflicted with boiling, the high-set supercharger necessitating a small radiator. An aeroplane-type surface radiator was made in Paris and substituted, and in this guise the singleseater just broke Mrs Stewart’s Austin record – but only by 1mph. Eldridge drove in place of Eyston, but his attempt was cut short when the radiator burst. There was nothing for it but to take the car back to Abingdon, fit a smaller supercharger, and thus be able to make use of the original radiator. While this was being done the 1931 season was running out. Ridley tried for the MG five-kilometre record but crashed, as recounted, and Austin virtually admitted defeat in the high-speed field by concentrating on taking six long-distance records from MG. Brooklands again closed for the winter but, undaunted, MG took EX127 to Montlhéry. Just before Christmas, Eyston took the five-kilometre record at 114.77mph. He took three more records as well, all at over 114mph, but had to swallow the bitter pill of knowing that a saving of

The Magic Midget in Abingdon outside the MG Factory 20 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 20

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:09

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All MPG and CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU regulated laboratory test results. These vehicles are WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure) type approved vehicles. However, in-line with Government guidance, to facilitate direct comparison between different models from different manufacturers and to accommodate the full transition to this new testing regime, we have displayed the NEDC figures. These NEDC figures are the values for this vehicle used in all registration and taxation until further notice from the UK authorities. Fuel consumption and efficiency figures are provided for comparative purposes only and may not reflect “real world” driving results. Model shown: MG3 Exclusive with Hello Yellow paint at £12,795 on the road (OTR). OTR prices include VAT where applicable, vehicle first registration fee, delivery, number plates and 12 months’ Vehicle Excise Duty. “From” price is based on OTR price of £9,495 for MG3 Explore. £1,250 deposit contribution applies to 4 year 5.0% APR . Representative on Personal Contract Purchase and is available at participating dealers until 31st March 2019. Finance by MG Financial Services CF15 7YT. Subject to satus, availability and terms and conditions. Applicants must be 19 or over.Prices are correct at time of being published and are subject to change without notice. Please see your local dealer or visit MG.CO.UK for details. * Not available on Explore.

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25/07/2019 10:09

Checking the cowling before another run, Cecil Kimber far left

a mere 15 seconds over 10 miles would have given him an average of 120mph. Icy conditions were against further attempts, so George had Christmas at home.

Eyston and Kimber were forced to wait patiently until the New Year. Early in 1932 the MG, now known as the ‘Magic Midget’. was taken to Pendine sands in South Wales.

It suffered all the setbacks so well known to those who go for records on waterlogged sands. At last all was ready, but then the timing apparatus failed just when Eyston was thought to have done 121mph over the mile. Eventually he was able to record 118.39mph for the two-way mile, his best speed in one direction being 119.48mph – so near, yet so far from the goal.

To end the suspense, let me say right away that they got there in the end! Fitted

Albert Denly testing EX127

with a closed cockpit, the ‘Magic Midget’ was taken again to Montlhéry in December 1932, after having taken, as aforesaid, the Class H Brooklands lap record from Austin at over 112mph. On this occasion Eyston planned to capture all the records in this class for MG, the standing start kilometre and mile having already been taken by Hall’s MG at Brooklands earlier that season. After innumerable delays due to bad weather, George, wearing the asbestos overalls he had insisted on after the EX120 fire (he had also tried a gas-mask, but it wasn’t necessary, the covered cockpit having been partially cut away) really got going. The Class H mile record fell at 120.56mph, the kilometre at the same speed, the five kilometre at 120.5mph. Another notable

landmark had fallen to Abingdon – that of producing the first 750cc car to exceed two miles per minute.

Eyston, partnered by Denly and Tommy Wisdom, went out next in a J3 MG Midget and took all the remaining Class H records.

But it is the first 100 mph, the first 100 in the hour, and the first 120mph that are the historic landmarks of the period about which I am writing. These great achievements were the prelude to many more successful MG record bids.

But there is something especially intense about these early efforts, when rivalry was keen between Austin and MG and far less was known then than now about extracting reliable power from very small supercharged engines.

Last minute fettling to EX127, with the M Type High Speed Van supplying back up spares in the background

22 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 22

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:09

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19/11/2018 13:46 25/07/2019 10:09

TECH TORQUE

CLUNKING AND CREAKING I recently noticed a dreaded clunk, followed by a creaking sound coming from the front suspension of my MGF whilst pulling away – time to investigate!

On inspection, after jacking up the car and securing on axle stands, I couldn’t feel any movement in the ball joints, etc, but the rubber bushes in both front anti-roll bar links had seen far better days. Looking through the extensive history that came with the MGF, I couldn’t find any receipts for anti-roll bar drop links. This could be the cause of the clunking and creaking, as the anti-roll bar link is the connecting piece between the anti-roll bar and the

1

4

The bushes in the anti-roll bar link have clearly seen better days.

Make sure you support the car securely before removing the wheel; as you can see from the photo with the steering on full lock accessibility of the anti-roll bar link is easy.

Fit the new anti-roll bar link (making sure it’s the correct one) to the lower arm bolt that is still in situ (you can’t remove the bolt due to clearance on the hub) and fit nut but do not tighten at this stage. Set your torque wrench to 35nm (26 ft lbs).

24 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 24

2

5

suspension. The purpose of the anti-roll bar and the links that attach it to the suspensions is to keep the suspensions rigid and minimise flex. The links do take a bit of a battering on our roads, what with pot holes and speed humps, and it’s not uncommon to have them snap on the MGF. Luckily mine hadn’t got to this state.

I decided to go down this route first and replace the front anti-roll bar links, which is a relatively easy job and detailed below.

I soaked the two nuts and bolts in penetrating fluid before removing them. Using a 15mm socket and 13mm spanner, remove the nut and bolt securing anti-roll bar to the link (bottom nut and bolt) and then remove the nut securing the anti-roll bar link to the lower arm (top).

Align the new anti-roll bar link with the hole in the anti-roll bar, slide the bolt through and fit the nut, tightening to 35nm. Now tighten the anti-roll bar link to the lower arm nut (top), which you loosely fitted in the previous stage, to the specified 35nm.

3

6

Old and new together, you can see how much the bush has been compressed and that it’s cracked and perished. Assuming these are the originals, they are 23 years old. Note that the front anti-roll bar links are handed – this one is clearly marked with an ‘R’.

Make sure you’re happy with the installation before putting the wheel back on and lowering the car. Always check torque settings of the wheel nuts for your MG. My MGF has the 15” alloys, and the specified torque setting for those is 70nm (52 ft lbs).

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:09

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25/07/2019 10:09

JEKYLL AND HYDE Words and Photos by Colin Grant and Andy Knott

Two MGAs with totally different personalities, we endeavour to find out what makes them tick

I

f you attended the November Classic Car show last year at the NEC, I’m sure you would have seen the special MGA Graduate converted car on the Oselli stand. We were keen to find out more about this car and were pleased when we had an invitation from Oselli’s Paul Eales to go along to their premises and try it out.

Oselli History……..

Oselli have a long history of tuning and preparing cars for motorsport. It all started in 1960 when David Oldham and Dudley

26 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 26

Gliddon, who were engineers at BMC, decided to gas flow cylinder heads in their spare time starting in a small garage in Wheatley, Oxfordshire. At this time they went with the name Oxford Engine Services. The Oselli name was conceived as being more appropriate to motorsport: it was a derivative of Oxford Engine Services (OES or OSE) with an Italian ring to it (lli).

David and Dudley soon parted company and David branched out into supplying tuning components for BMC A and B series engines as well as parts for Ford and Lotus Twin Cams. Oselli

then had a series of moves over the years from Wheatley to Baynards Green, on to Eynsham, Oxford, Witney and where they are based today at Great Horwood, near Milton Keynes.

They also had a change of owners, with David retiring in 1993 and the business being sold to Barry Coombes. As part of Barry’s plan for the company David Eales was invited to join. David worked as an international troubleshooter for Aston Martin, travelling the world for the company. David had previously contacted Oselli to undertake work for Aston Martin,

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:09

FEATURE and when Barry outlined his plan for the company David decided to join in early 1994. Eventually Barry decided to sell his share in the business, which David bought.

Oselli then consisted of the engineering side coupled with sales and classic car restoration.

Their new premises at Great Horwood consist of a large showroom, rolling road, and motorsport preparation department for Aston Martins, MG, and other upmarket cars. David’s son Paul has been racing for some years, firstly with an MGB GT, then on to an MGB roadster and an MGA Twincam into which they fitted one of their overbored full race FIA MGB units. He then returned to racing an MGB again. The company has diversified into competition car management, whereby they make an undertaking to their clients to do all the necessary engineering and

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 27

THE EXTRA POWER FROM THE ‘B’ ENGINE WAS IDEAL WHEN OVERTAKING SLOWER TRAFFIC, ALLOWING ME TO OVERTAKE QUICKLY AND SAFELY repairs and have full responsibility getting their race cars to and from race meetings.

The test cars………

Paul had arranged for us to try another MGA alongside the Graduate which was fitted with a Sierra type 9 gearbox, uprated engine and other upgrades, but leaving the car with a ‘standard’ look.

This was the ‘A’ we tested for Safety Fast! back in 2008, so it was good to reacquaint ourselves with the car.

With both cars parked side by side outside the Oselli premises we chose the

‘standard’ A to test drive first. Although fully restored some years ago, it still felt quite fresh with the steering, brakes, and handling being spot on.

The countryside around Oselli’s premises is stunning, with the winding country roads being ideal to test dive an ‘A’. Although cold it was a beautiful sunny day with lovely wisps of cloud in the sky, perfect for open-top motoring.

We chose a route around the Winslow and Great Horwood areas which were ideal and included some long straights where we were able to give the car its head.

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Colin thoughts…

Out on the road the power delivery was very smooth, benefiting from the Oselli 1950cc MGB engine. The five-speed Sierra box, although slightly notchy, matched perfectly with the B engine. The uprated servo-assisted MGB brakes pulled the car up effortlessly without having to stand on the pedal. The handling, having been subject to uprated bushes and shock absorbers, was very precise and gave confidence when going into a bend. The ride was good, being firm but very stable.

Driving along our chosen test route the ‘A’ came into its own, taking the sharp corners we encountered with ease and very little body roll. The extra power from the ‘B’ engine was ideal when overtaking slower traffic, allowing me to overtake quickly and safely. Keeping up with modern traffic was no problem with the 1950cc ‘B’ engine burbling along quite happily.

This car was a joy to drive and, although updated, kept the look of a standard car whilst benefiting from modern upgrades. Would I like one……. you bet!!

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Andy’s thoughts…

Reacquainting myself with the Oselli MGA was like meeting a good friend after a long absence; we had a lot to catch up on, and this test drive could go on for a while! Externally this Old English White A looked stunning, but standard. Opening the bonnet was a whole different story, though. The red rocker cover emblazoned with OSELLI leapt out at you, as did the blue ‘Oselli Tuned’ plaque mounted just in front of the radiator, proudly displaying 1950.

Hunkering down in the plush red interior, which goes so well with the OEW paintwork, I instantly felt at home as I reacquainted myself with the MGA switch gear. A flick of the key and a tug on the starter pull, the B series engine burst into life with its distinctive burble. As we headed out on quiet, twisty country roads around Great Horwood and Winslow the 1950cc engine made it easy work keeping up with the modern cars, with oodles of torque and the engine eager to pull in any of the five gears.

Five gears, because this one was fitted with a Ford type 9 gearbox as used in

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THE GRADUATE WOULD LOOK MORE AT HOME PARKED IN THE PITS OF A RACE TRACK THAN PARKED IN THE TRANQUILLITY OF LITTLE HORWOOD was no drone and strain on the engine.

All too soon it was time to pull over and reluctantly hand the keys to Colin to take us back to Oselli’s base at Little Horwood.

I loved driving that A, with the slightly notchy Ford gearbox reminiscent of times gone by, but I was keen to try Oselli’s latest creation, dubbed the Graduate!

The Oselli Graduate spec MGA… the 1980s Capris and the whole range of Sierras. As much as I do love the standard MGA box, I was thankful for the extra gear when pushing along at speed as it brought the revs down enough so there

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The first Oselli Graduate dates back to 1988 with an updated MGB. The name Graduate refers to the upgrades on offer.

1958 MGA Roadster Spec Restored by Oselli.

Body off total nut and bolt restoration 1950cc stage 2 lightened and balanced lead free engine.

Ford Type 9 five speed gearbox conversion.

Overhauled rear axle with new rear road springs and uprated shock absorbers.

Front suspension totally rebuilt with uprated rubber bushes, new springs and uprated shock absorbers.

Front brakes converted to discs, all braking system overhauled and renewed.

60 Spoke chrome wire wheels with radial tyres.

Wiring harnesses and systems replace.

Negative earth single 12 volt battery with alternator charging, electronic ignition and cooling fans fitted.

All new lights.

All chrome and bright work replaced along with new windscreen.

New interior floor panels.

All new interior trim in Burgundy leather and Burgundy carpets.

Burgundy mohair hood and tonneau cover.

Static style seat belts.

Tubular long-branch, large bore exhaust system with single tail pipe

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MGA Graduate Spec Oselli 1950cc stage 2 lightened and balanced ‘B’ series engine.

Weber 45 DCOE carburettor.

Tubular Long Branch exhaust system with twin side exits forward of the rear wheels.

Five speed ‘Vitesse Engineered’ gearbox system.

Engine oil cooler, aluminium radiator cooling options, plus electric cooling fan.

Negative earth electrics with alternator charging and single 12 volt battery.

Performance distributer with electronic ignition.

Suspension upgrades with Polly bushes and front roll bar installation.

Brake upgrades with front brake disc conversion.

Sebring body styling Reduced height from windscreen Louvered bonnet options Boot lid, head rest/aerofoil Vents to front for carburettor feed and car interior feed Passenger side fixed aluminium tonneau cover options Four point fixed seat belt harness Bonnet and boot retaining straps

Our test car was conceived in 2018 and was fitted with a 1950cc stage 2 lightened and balanced ‘B’ Series engine, Vitesse 5-speed Mazda gearbox, Weber 45 DCOE carburettor, uprated suspension, servo assisted brakes, and electronic ignition.

The body kit consists of a louvered bonnet, reduced windscreen height, bonnet retaining straps, fixed point seat harness plus other options. The test car looked amazing in its colour of Old English white with black spoked wheels.

Andy’s thoughts………

The Graduate is not a car for the purist, but as soon as I set eyes on it I liked what Oselli had done. It’s like the MGA of the 21st century! The chrome grille and headlamp surrounds had been replaced

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WITH THE LARGE MGB SILVER CALIPERS JUMPING OUT FROM BEHIND THE WIRES with matt black items, the bumpers have been removed and a valence reminiscent of an MGB Sebring looked purposeful on the front of the A, even the spoked wire wheels were black, with the large MGB silver calipers jumping out from behind the wires. The windscreen had been cut down to make a low-slung aeroscreen, and the most visually striking feature being a single seat hump that had been added behind the driver’s head. Walking around the car with the two large intakes either

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side of the grille ready to gulp in plenty of fresh Buckinghamshire air, and an exhaust tailpipe protruding just in front of the rear wheels, one either side, the Graduate would look more at home parked in the pits of a race track than parked in the tranquillity of Little Horwood. Sitting snugly in the red leather seats, key turned, I pulled the starter in trepidation. The engine burst into life, blipping the throttle the large Weber sounded eager and the noise from the handcrafted exhaust was…loud!

Being a car prepared by Oselli, it was well sorted in all areas: whether braking hard for a sharp bend or pushing through said bend, the Graduate behaved impeccably. I am a big fan of the Oselli 1950cc engines, with this being no exception, although driving through the built-up areas I did feel that the large Weber was more akin to a life on track after driving the previous A with the super smooth twin SU setup. Handing the keys to Colin and clambering into the passenger seat I was able to admire the work that Oselli put into their cars – they definitely know their way around an MGA.

Colin’s thoughts………..

Once Andy had test driven the car and handed over to me, the first impression

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was that it was built for a purpose: speed and noise. The Tubular Long Branch twin side exit exhaust system fitted to this car was… ummm… noisy, but Oh what a sound!! It sent the hairs up on the back of your neck. This coupled with the induction roar of the Weber was music to my ears.

When driving through built-up areas you really had to lower your speed to 20mph, to keep the noise down as we didn’t want to upset the locals. The power delivery is quite exhilarating as it pulls like a train. This, together with the super slick Vitesse gearbox, which is from a Mazda MX-5, made it a joy to drive. The car rode firmly, but comfortably and absorbed bumps well with good stability.

We did some of our pass by pictures on an S bend and the car took the bends as if on rails, a testament to Oselli’s set-up.

The servo assisted brakes, being a similar set-up to the previous ‘A’ we tested, were excellent and brought you to a halt in a controlled manner.

You would have to pick your days when going for a drive as the model tested had a reduced-height front windscreen with no provision for a hood to be fitted.

To get into the boot you would first have to remove the extended head rest/wind deflector, but this will be changed for a quick release unit that gives access to the boot in seconds.

BUT, LIKE JEKYLL AND HYDE, THEY HAD TOTALLY DIFFERENT CHARACTERS This is a car for someone who wants something totally different from the mainstream MGA contingent. I personally would request a quieter exhaust system as it may attract the boys in blue, but other than that I found it a really exciting car to drive and would love to have one in my garage.

Conclusion……….

We were both really excited about testing these cars and they fully lived up to our expectations. But, like Jekyll and Hyde, they had totally different characters. The Graduate is about power and noise and it gives this in bucketfuls and really finds your dark side when driving, whist the ‘standard’ car is a more sedate, mildmannered car that you would be happy going to church in, but when the mood strikes you… the open road beckons.

Our thanks go to Paul Eales of Oselli Ltd for the loan of these cars. For more information on Oselli Ltd services and car sales, contact Paul on 01993 849610 or visit their premises at D2 & D3, Greenway Business Park, Great Horwood, Milton Keynes, MK17 0NY.

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EVENT

MGs by Scipps Garage in ‘Aidensfield’

HEARTBEAT RUN

By Ken Cothliff

O

n May 25 the second major Yorkshire Centre Run organised by the new Vale of York Natter since its inception took place in the area around the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The run was named after the popular TV series filmed in the area, based on the ‘Constable’ Books by Nicholas Rhea. The weather was especially kind, and we were blessed with clear skies most of the day. We had 40 cars in attendance to start a route planned by Dennis Hodge and Dave Fletcher.

We had MGs from many eras, but some of the earliest pre-war cars, regular attenders at the Natter meetings, were missing due to an earlier commitment elsewhere. The oldest on the run was Chris Morley’s 1953 MG TD, and the latest was David and Carol Copeman in their new MG3, with Dave the dog! Two welcome ‘interlopers’ were Jo and Neil Benson in Jo’s 1993 BMW roadster, and Len Hodgkinson in his 1963 Vauxhall Velox.

The starting point was the North Yorkshire Moors Park Centre at Sutton

MGs at the finish ‘The Inn on the Moor Hotel’ www.mgcc.co.uk

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Bank, on the A170 Thirsk to Scarborough road, and Rod Moreton arranged for Rhoda Walker, the author’s widow, to flag off each starter with an MG flag. The route began with a winding series of country lanes, the village of Hawnby, then joining the B1257 running from Helmsley to Stokesley. Before reaching the latter, the route peeled off onto little lanes again round the northern side of the moors. Here a bit of proper navigating had to be done, as the North Yorkshire Council had re-dressed many of the roads, obliterating road markings. After negotiating Gisborough Moor, and Roxby High Moor, the route approached Whitby through Sandsend, giving spectacular views of the bay, with Whitby Abbey on the cliffs above.

We left the outskirts of Whitby, often used as a location for the TV series, and routed back inland through the villages of Ruswarp, and Sleights, where we peeled off and headed again to the moors, heading first to Grosmont, main base of the North Yorkshire Steam Railway, again widely used in the series. The final part of the 66-mile run was a winding route around the area of Goathland, (“Aidensfield”), and past locations such as the “Doctor’s House”, the school, the village shops and, of course, the Goathland Hotel (“The Aidensfield Arms”).

The Village is decorated with cars used in the series including a 1960s Ford Anglia ‘Panda’ police car.

Rhoda Walker flags off an MG TD

Finally, everyone finished at “The Inn on the Moor Hotel”, next to “Ernie Scripps Garage”, where Nicola and her staff had laid on an excellent buffet.

Photo opportunities were taken outside the famous “Scripps” garage, with the agreement of the owner, Bob Wood. To add to the Bank Holiday atmosphere of the weekend, some local morris dancers added to the fun, and danced around the car park.

It was also special to have some members of MG Car Club in Scandinavia, including Ewa Brander, Chairman of MGCC Sweden, roll up whilst we were at the hotel, amazed to see so many MGs. The day was a great success, expressed by all those who attended, and our thanks go to the staff at “The Inn on the Moor”, the North Yorkshire Moors Visitor Centre, and all those in the Natter who did so much to help.

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NEWSLETTER

Mike Parker mikeparker78@btinternet.com www.midgetregister.com

WELCOME TO THE

F

MIDGET NEWSLETTER

irstly, I would like to thank Iwan and Max for their input with the notes. They are both on the Young Members committee; Iwan is the chairman so does not have as much spare time as some, but they are the future of the Club so we must support them where we can.

I have missed MGLive! this year, and I must say I did not think I would, but it has left a big hole in the events calendar for all Centres and Registers.

The dates between MGCC race meetings have been quite considerable, but we in the Midget Challenge, thanks to Robin Lackford, were lucky to have a race date on the last May bank holiday at Mallory Park which had all weathers. With a wet first Race, some were on wets and some braved the slicks, making the racing very close and exciting. Andrew McGee had a lucky escape, as he span four or five times during the run in to hairpin, but it was well held without hitting anything. Seeing him in the paddock after the race he said he was still getting over it (I don’t think the editor will let me write what was said!). Come race two,

the track had started to dry with a dry line appearing, and again some very close racing down the field. The class A battle at the front was exceptionally close between Steve Collier and David Morrison, which saw Steve winning but David setting a new lap record for an MG Midget race. It must have been a good day as my wife enjoyed it and wants to attend again! Hopefully she’ll agree to Castle Combe on August Bank Holiday Monday. Let’s hope for good weather!

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost time for the Midget Register Road on Sunday September 1 2019. It’s is filling up nicely, but it would be great to have a few more MGs. If you haven’t already done so, fill in the advert in this copy of Safety Fast! or book online www.midgetregister.com I understand from the guest house which the Register has booked for their few days away in September, that they still have three rooms spare. The event is on Monday to Thursday this year, September 16-19 2019, departing on the Thursday morning.

Everything is being handled by the guest house with road runs, etc. I look forward to seeing you there.

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NEWSLETTER TERRIFYING BUT AMAZING – MY FIRST CAR There is a difference between what a parent and a teenager want in terms of a new car. Often a teenager’s only criteria will be ‘show-off factor’ for turning up to your school car park; Parents on the other hand look for safety, reliability and fuel economy. So, after I won the argument of ‘it’s my money, I’ll get what I want’, I immediately turned to the classic car ads of the internet and magazines scouring for a Midget.

Luckily for me, the perfect candidate showed up, a 1971, 1275cc Blaze car with a seized engine and a newly fitted fivespeed gearbox. The car was solid enough to be a great base for a daily driver, so the engine was pulled for repair and modified slightly for a little added performance.

This included a bore to 1310cc, a Kent 266 cam, a lightened flywheel and a freshly balanced crankshaft. The car had some other little bits of ‘tidying up’ done whilst I awaited my 17th to come around, including new seats, wheels and tyres, and a repaint of the engine bay after scraping off the thick black paint from before.

Three days post passing my test I competed in my first Autosolo in the car, just to keep things interesting. From here on, I would end up driving the car around 14,000 miles over the year, through the summer heatwave that caused a split hose and then a head gasket failure, and

The all-year-round Midget covered 14,000 miles last year

through the ‘beast from the east’ snow and winds in early 2018 where I was lucky to find any kind of grip and had to cross my fingers each morning through each bitter cold-start. You quickly learn how to bodge exhaust pipes with old electrical wire found under your carpet, or how to make elaborate zip-tie fixings to hold a hardtop to your car when you have big problems and little materials available.

The experience of driving a car like this is one I will never forget, through thick and thin, I never once regretted choosing this car as it brought such joy to not only myself but anyone that came along for a “terrifying but amazing” ride in the passenger seat. So I’d thoroughly support any young drivers who chose an MG as a first car.

Max Authers

The 1310cc A series engine, with a five-speed gearbox

Max’s Midget, proudly sporting an MG Car Club Badge www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER FOUR YEARS AND COUNTING It seems strange to think WYP 290G is 50 years old this year. I may have only owned my MG Midget for just over four years but I have enjoyed every moment, having taken her to events in the UK and even one in France.

I bought my Midget back in 2015 when I was 17. Having always wanted a classic car from a young age, an MG seemed like the ideal car to buy as I was an apprentice in Classic Vehicle Restoration at Manor Garage in Wantage, Oxfordshire. One of the first jobs I took on whilst working at Manor Garage was to strip down a 1980 1500 Midget in Black for a full restoration for a customer. I was surprised at how simple the car was to work on and how enjoyable working on these cars was.

Through my time working at Manor I got to experience working on all types of MGs as well as other classic cars like Triumph, Rover and Daimler. But the cars that stuck out the most were always MGs. This car came with a very interesting story when we collected it from the previous owner. The owner of WYP and my dad were talking about it being a

London car, registered out of University Motors. The conversation moved on to the subject of where he lived, as his family had owned the car from nearly new. His family lived in Pinner, Middlesex, which is where my dad grew up. What are the chances of that? He was also at school, and very good friends, with my uncle. It is weird to think that my dad most likely had seen this car drive past his house countless times!

Iwan Jones

The Midget in good company at an event at Silverstone

A spot of maintenance, working on WYP 290G

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NEWSLETTER

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

NEWSLETTER

WELCOME TO THE

A

MGB NEWSLETTER

t fairly frequent intervals on the various public pages on Facebook, for instance, I see questions about what fuel an MGB requires. The issue promptly gets confused as various people put in comments about running their car, without any mishap, on 83 octane with a supplement of donkey droppings and the thread then wanders off into the whys and wherefores of fitting different engines, carburettors or whatever.

My sole contribution to these ramblings is always to remark that the MGB was intended to run on high octane fuel. Interestingly, I found an old BP advert, from the 1960s, which proves the point. As you can see it lists the various octanes that BP supplied in those far-off days and suggests the cars for which the various grades would suit.

99 octane is the highest grade of fuel supplied and it is that grade which BP recommended for the MGB. Obviously, things move on and the majority of petrol engined vehicles run cheerfully on the current 95 octane supplied readily on every forecourt. I have noticed that 97 octane is becoming more widely available, at the supermarkets not just the major fuel suppliers.

My MGB runs without issue on this grade and I am aware that 99 octane has been available at Tesco for quite a while and, again, this suits my old engine. I know these premium fuels cost more, but, for the limited number of miles I achieve each year in my B,

I consider it worthwhile to provide the fuel it was intended to use.

My car is now 52 years old and, touch wood, seems to be running without any issues. I am using it frequently on local day-to-day trips, usually of around 30 miles as The broken turnbuckle for the nearside quarterlight everywhere from where I live seems to be about 15 miles away‌ Truro, Penzance, Falmouth, St Agnes for Tim Kelly where I went the other day as a piece of my car had fallen off! Nothing truly dreadful, just the turnbuckle for the nearside quarterlight. The bracket holding it has snapped. Tim has the appropriate bits on order, not having one complete in his vast repository of parts. Looking at the fiddly assemblage I shall leave it to him to take the broken bits out and fit the new one.Lastly, a reminder that the Register AGM will be held during our weekend at Pateley Bridge showground (August 3-4) courtesy of David Griffiths and the Harrogate MG Club. We expect to have the meeting about 5.30pm on Saturday, before the evening barbecue. As usual, anyone interested in joining the committee will be very welcome, and any matters for discussion should be submitted to secretary, Clive Webb, beforehand.

An old BP advert, displaying 99 octane fuel for the MGB

Happy 52nd Birthday to my MGB GT www.mgcc.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER

MARATHON TO WALES AND BACK

Meeting at the services, the London to Sydney MGB, London to Mexico Maxi and the ex-Pirelli Service truck

We all meet up at Mollies, a new diner on the A420 West of Oxford, Bron Burrell with “Puff” the 1970 London to Mexico Maxi, David Scothorn with his ex-Pirelli Service truck and myself in the Jean Denton Marathon MGB. We departed at 4.00pm to drive to Celtic Manor Hotel, near to Newport, where a new event was to take place on Sunday June 16, a good run down the M4 with a stop at the Services for a coffee, etc.

As you can imagine with a convoy of these special vehicles, we had quite a few drivers slowing down to wave and take pictures. All went well over the Severn River bridge, the second one, which was the first time for me. It seemed very wide compared with the original one! Newport was the next stop; we were all staying in different locations so we waved farewell until the morning.

Leaving England and entering Wales as Puff and the Marathon MGB drive across the Seven Bridge

In good company with Andy Smith’s Monte Classic MGB

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I was up early, had some breakfast and loaded the Marathon B with my bags and then headed off to the location of the ‘Motoring at the Manor’ event. It was on the edge of the River Usk and was used for a Polo match the previous day. David was already on site with the Pirelli van together with the Ford Cortina that Bill Bengry drove on the London to Sydney. This is an unusual car where the exhaust runs over the roof of the car!

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NEWSLETTER

Heading to the start of the demonstration run. Photo: Mark Little

By mid-morning there was a good display of approx. 30 rally and marathon cars, including a couple of Audi Quattros and Lancia Stratos. Other displays included

Darrians (visit www.darrian.co.uk if you’re unsure what a Darrian is), classic cars and in one of the marquees was a stunning selection of Williams F1 cars.

At 11.00am we were asked to drive over the bridge to the start of a two-mile demonstration run. The Maxi, Marathon MGB as well as Andy Smith’s Monte Classic MGB joined in with the modern Escorts, 6R4s, Darrians and others. We were not timed and it was only a drive, but the red mist came down on some who blasted off the start line, through a couple of twists and across the bridge before a hard right along the track and finally around a left-hand bend where you turned round and returned to the start.

This was an interesting drive in the MGB, especially with all the weight of the jerry cans on the back, but it did help with a pendulum effect to spin it round at the turn point. We did this a few times during the day and Jean’s Marathon MGB went well.

We eventually departed around 5.00pm for the drive back to Abingdon; we all felt this will be an event that will go from strength to strength over the years to come.

John Watson

John Watson blasting away from the demonstration start line in the Marathon MGB. Photo: Mark Little www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER

MGB to the fore of the display cars. Photo: John Watson

2019 F1 WITH MG CAR CLUB

Lauran at Kimber House was asked, at short notice, if she could arrange a selection of 20 plus two reserve Chrome bumper MGA, MGB, MGC roadsters and Midgets to Silverstone from Thursday to the main F1 race day on Sunday July 14.

The purpose of this model choice was made so the 20 F1 Grand Prix drivers could be driven around the newly surfaced Silverstone F1 track, either in, or sat on the back of, the MGs. So, on Thursday prior to the race we all arrived and set the MGs on display ready for the track parade on the Sunday. Come Sunday, it was a wonderful experience for the MG owners and I’m sure the F1 drivers enjoyed it as well.

A full report will be in next month’s Safety Fast!

Andrew Vigor by his MGB ready to take Alexander Albon on the parade lap

MGs gather in the National Paddock during the British Grand Prix. Photo: John Watson

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NEWSLETTER

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

WELCOME TO THE

V8 NEWSLETTER

EARLY RV8 SOLD TO AN RV8 ENTHUSIAST

An early RV8 in Oxford Blue (VIN 0024) has been sold by Brown & Gammons to an RV8 enthusiast, Marion Quarrington, who says it “was built on April 2 1993, registered as K70 MGR on May 14 1993 and sold to Rover Group Company Sales at Canley in Coventry where it was a press and dealer demonstration car. The car then passed through three female and two male owners. The previous owner obtained records from DVLA of all its former owners, so I have a very full history on the car.”

Marion adds: “There is some debate about the phrase ‘press car’ and K70 MGR would appear to be one of a number of cars sold and registered by Rover Group to be used by dealers. This car was in London for nearly 12 months as a demonstrator before being sold to a lady with a Sloane

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Square address in London. I have the selling price at that time, some £5,000 less than the cars were originally on sale for at £26,000. The dealer handling the sale was Park Lane Garages.”

Ron Gammons says they purchased the RV8 from a father and son who had moved to Cheshire and it was in pretty good order with only 43,000 miles showing, but perhaps not as sharp as one would like with splits in the elm burr door caps

and the leather in need of freshening. In their workshop some minor rust on the windscreen surround was dealt with and a decision was made to completely respray the car and strip and fully refurbished the wheels. It also had a full mechanical check and service including new Gaz dampers which improve the ride.

Marion had owned another RV8 (Woodcote Green 2150) for many years and with husband Ian had enjoyed it a great deal when Marion “had always tried to use it on my marshalling duties wherever they were in the country and see no reason why I should not use 0024 in the same way. I started my marshalling with the MG Car Club and now also enjoy working with HSCC and VSCC among others, and have been marshalling at the British Grand Prix and the Silverstone Classic for a number of years. There are a huge number of lady volunteers in the Club doing a variety of work, including marshalling, and long may that continue.”

www.mgcc.co.uk

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NEWSLETTER

Graham Brown’s Glacier White MGB GT V8 alongside Peter Berry’s Teal Blue car fitted with a Vitesse gearbox

V8 TECHNICAL DAY With glorious weather in June and meeting at a study centre on a farm overlooking the River Thames near Watlington in Oxfordshire, the event was an opportunity for members to meet up and to enjoy presentations on interesting MG V8 technical topics.

Christian Disney from Vitesse and fellow member Peter Berry set the day running describing the replacement 5-speed Mazda gearbox kit and how it performs in an MG V8, what is involved with an installation, who can supply and install the kit, and the costs. See Peter’s summary on the event report via a link on our ‘More’ web page.

Tony Lake provided a thorough assessment of waterless coolants and their claimed benefits, then his views on waterless coolant products ending with a suggested choice of coolant for an MG V8. Then Victor Smith described how trackers help secure your MG V8 and aid a successful recovery if the car is stolen. The device works by monitoring a classic car, by notifying you of any disturbance to the vehicle and providing location information to help recover the car if it is stolen. The presentation looked at available tracker options, how they are installed, what

Phillip Gent, longstanding V8 enthusiast

24/7 monitoring services are available and the costs of the kit, installation and monitoring services.

Andy Goves and Victor Smith gave an update on the six-monthly MG V8 market review and price guide released in May 2019 on the

Hosts Tom and Charles Peers

Chris Bound (currently undertaking a V8 conversion of his MGB GT) and Martin Selwyn (longstanding RV8 enthusiast www.mgcc.co.uk

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Ian Hanstead, Peter Berry and Paul Keeler enjoying the sunshine

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 45

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NEWSLETTER V8 website. This was followed by a presentation on the topical issue of the tyre age effects by Victor Smith and the possible introduction of limits on tyre age for vehicles in the UK. It was followed by an interesting piece on why tyres are black by Nic Houslip!

Many thanks to our hosts, Charles and Tom Peers, for the use of the Jack Peers Centre and to Sheila Cumming, Carol Edwards and Lesley Smith for the catering during the day. Reports on each presentation are on our ‘More’ web page at www.v8register.net/ more.htm

RV8 PARTS NEWS

RV8 servo exchange or outright sale

RV8 clutch kit

Clive Wheatley has been beavering away sourcing replacement parts and is offering a new complete clutch kit for the RV8.

Clive Wheatley says: “We now have the RV8 clutches available with the new, improved, heavy-duty steel carrier with bearing which replaces the plastic carrier that had given some problems.”

He adds that the RV8 clutch slave cylinder is being remade by the original manufacturer. They are available as an outright sale or as an exchange unit.

He is also looking into getting the RV8 brake servo re-manufactured, also by the original company.

Clive says” “I am also in discussion with a supplier regarding new replacement RV8 leather seat covers in soft Stone Beige Connolly leather. We will be able to release details of the cost soon.” He also offers RV8 locking wheel centre caps as a security device.

A supply of new RV8 rear lamp units is being obtained by Clive Wheatley who says: “Hopefully they will be ready in a few months’ time. They are being built to the original specification.” Clive adds: “As soon as we have more news it will be available for members in the V8 Column in Safety Fast! and on the V8 website.”

NEW NOISE CAMERA TRIAL The UK Department for Transport has commissioned a prototype noise camera to be tested at several locations over the next seven months as part of a new noise camera trial to crack down on illegal vehicles. Reports note “the DfT has said that it will not subject historic vehicles to the same noise criteria as modern cars when it begins seven months of trials with so-called ‘noise cameras’. The new ‘cameras’ are aimed at reducing anti-social noise pollution and

46 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

Safety Fast_August2019 3-48.indd 46

All three lenses and the back of the rear lamp are in one unit although the parts are individually made and assembled as a single unit

the new equipment could fine motorists driving illegally loud cars.”

A DfT statement said they “recognise that older vehicles introduced before the introduction of noise limits will need to be taken into account.” We understand the FBHVC has asked the DfT for more information and greater clarity of the pilot scheme. Fortunately, a characteristic of factory spec MG V8s is their understated power and exhaust noise, so hopefully they would not be caught by any ‘noise cameras’ but other classics, even in factory spec, are noisier under acceleration so you can understand their concerns

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:10

NEWSLETTER

Work in progress on the rare V8 Roadster built by Beer of Houghton

MG 3621 Peter Ellis, V8 enthusiast and former Safety Fast! editor, feels fortunate to have been able to purchase a rare V8 Roadster built

by Beer of Houghton for Barry Boyd. It is in need of some work to recommission it as it had been off the road for over 30 years.

Here he relates the story: Barry Boyd asked Beer of Houghton to produce an MGB V8 for him and I took him down to Houghton to collect the car in early 1982. It had been built on one of the original Factory O-series MGB Roadster shells, finished in Ermin White, and was originally registered RUD 224T (now 3621 MG) and

numbered L9. I believe Don Hayter’s O-series V8 Roadster was L8 but there does not seem to be much information available so I’m still searching. MG 3621 appeared on the cover of the February/March 1987 issue of the original MG Enthusiast magazine, and in an article in an earlier edition under the heading ‘Development MGB finds new heart’.

Barry did about 18,000 miles in the car, visiting MG Car Club events at Hausach and Luxembourg in 1982 where his V8 gave an E-Type a fright in the sprint. Early in 1985 Barry became ill and stopped using the car, the last tax disc expiring in April 1985. The

car was stolen and recovered on, we believe, two occasions, which unfortunately left the steering lock/ignition switch, nearside quarter light and boot lock damaged. Barry sadly passed away in late 2018 and we were surprised to find that the car was still in Barry’s possession and had been stored since 1985.

We were fortunate to be able to purchase it and had it delivered in December 2018. We could see it would obviously need some work to recommission it as it had been off the road for over 30 years. We hoped that the bodywork would not need too much work, although there are a few small spots of rust and some orange peel which I am hoping to polish out as the car was originally painted in two-pack epoxy.

The bodywork and wheels have cleaned up reasonably well but there are a couple of small areas that require refinishing and there will be quite a lot of cosmetic replacement, as well as replacing the theft-damaged parts.

I am at present rebuilding the carburettors and inlet manifold and replacing all the hoses and hope to try to start it soon. The braking system is going to be replaced and it will need new tyres.

Additional photos available via our ‘More’ web page show the car on the cover of MG Enthusiast, ‘as found’ and cleaned up. Peter says: “The story will be continued at some stage in the future, as at my age everything always takes at least twice as long as anticipated!”

V8 LINCOLNSHIRE TOUR

V8 KENT TOUR 2020

The next V8 Tour will be from Thursday 12 to Monday September 16 2019 in Lincolnshire and is planned to give a taste of some of the attractions in this oftenunderrated county. The tour will have contrasting scenery from the open, flat fenlands to the largely unknown Wolds, with visits to Lincoln Castle and Cathedral, Heckington Mill Windmill, the 8 Sail Brewery, the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and the Kinema in the Woods at Woodhall Spa. The tour organisers, Richard and Victoria Withington, say: “We now have several sponsors and a television personality guest speaker for our Saturday dinner. We have extended the route for Sunday September 15 through the Wolds and to include the purpose-built North Sea Observatory, a chance to view the dunes with the birds and all the animals that call them home, and a natural history exhibition.”

A few spaces are available, V8 ownership is not essential, all friends welcome.

Contact the organisers on 01949 844066 or go to the event information web page via the ‘More’ web page where booking details are available at www.v8register.net/ more.htm

Ian Quarrington has volunteered to arrange the next V8 Tour in 2020, which will be based in Kent. In September at the V8 Lincolnshire Tour he will announce the dates, hotel location, booking details and tour itinerary. In order that other V8 members will not miss out, full details will be posted on the V8 website simultaneously.

V8 Tour enthusiasts can be assured of a first-class hotel with an award-winning restaurant, and visits will include several National Trust locations as well as historic Rochester and Chatham. There will be a choice of daily events to please both the ladies and gentlemen on tour.

www.mgcc.co.uk

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MERCHANDISE

New products available from

KIMBER STORES Bespoke Car mats. From £103

Clock £32.50

Ctek battery conditioner.

From £63

MG travel wallets £16.50

MGB Cuff links £18

Heritage Hats £12.50

MGs Abingdon Factory Book £15.99

Multi Tool£12.50 Ruck Sack £25

All prices exclude P&P

To order please visit shop.mgcc.co.uk email ineke@mgcc.co.uk or Phone 01235 849737 48 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

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www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:10

Ben Hatton ben2692@hotmail.co.uk www.mgcc.co.uk/fwd-register/

NEWSLETTER

WELCOME TO THE

I

FWD NEWSLETTER

t is difficult to believe that up until six years ago the FWD Register within the MG Car Club had remained fairly dormant for a number of years. Difficult to believe because the cars themselves were launched now nearly 40 years ago.

You could go on for a whole magazine as to why this was, but the sad fact is that the MG Metro, Maestro and Montego were labelled by many in the motoring world, and not just the MGCC, from the moment that they were launched as “not real MGs”.

This is a label that stuck with them and has been a difficult label to shake off. My personal opinion is that it was a bit of a bitter backlash towards BL who in 1980 closed the MG works at Abingdon ending, as it seemed at the time, the MG marque.

Cut to three years later and BL announced a new MG with the sales line “It’s nice to be back.” What was the car, an updated re engined B, a newly designed two seater?

No, a new version of BL’s latest best-selling

Jeff Paterson’s immaculate Montego on display in 2014, marking the Montego’s 30th birthday

car, the now octagon-badged MG Metro.

To many at the time this was unbelievable; how can the badge have found its way onto a car that was essentially a two-door, small family hatchback that now had red seat belts

and some styling tweaks. (The reworking actually went far beyond what it seemed on the surface. The car featured a substantially tuned-up version of the Metro’s A series engine with an impressive, for its size, 72hp.) This gave the car really sprightly

The FWD Register stand at a previous NEC Classic Car Show www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 49

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NEWSLETTER performance and was much improved on the standard car. It is a very similar story when you look at what BL did for the MG version of the Maestro and Montego – they were far from standard cars with a few MG stickers slapped on.

Despite this, they were labelled by many as not a true MG; however, they can be classed as much an MG as anything before or after. I say this because throughout the marque’s history the badge has appeared on so many different types of car, not just sports cars, be it the T type, the iconic B and its redesigned GT counterpart, the Y type saloons and not forgetting the very first MG cars the Morris Oxford-derived cars that were reworked by Cecil Kimber. So the very first MGs were a reworking of an existing car design. Cut to many decades later and look at what Rover did with the Zed range of cars… There’s a theme there!

Despite selling well and proving themselves, the cars never had a following once they were superseded and replaced.

It wasn’t until shortly before MG90 that the FWD Register really started gathering momentum again. Slowly from that point the cars have at last earned their place in the classic car and MG world. Although relatively small in terms of the number of cars the Register has, this is something we are constantly trying to address, but unfortunately it has always proved difficult as the surviving cars are relatively low in number. What the Register has achieved in recent years clearly shows that there is an ever-growing interest in them.

The Register now regularly attends many well-recognised classic car events

Flying the register flag at The British Motor Museum during one of the events organised by the FWD Register

ranging from BL/BMC day at the British Motor Museum to the MG Era day at Brooklands. However, surprisingly, the events where the Register is most successful are the classic car shows held at the NEC. Over the past five years now the Register has attended either the Classic Car and Restoration Show or the main Classic Car Show held in November. However, this year the Register has achieved something new: a stand at both events. This might not sound like a lot but, for a group of cars that up until a few years ago had virtually no representation in the classic car world, it really shows that the cars are now being recognised as the classics they are. I’m also very happy to say that, each year, we have been able to find and display at least two or three cars that we have not displayed

before on stand. The stands always prove immensely popular with the public and through them we have learned that so many more of our cars are out there – it’s just finding where they have been stashed away for so many years. They are slowly coming back now they have their place in the classic car world and it is definitely not too little too late, as it once seemed.

We recently received an excellent article from Jeff Patterson on his Montego history, look out for this in a future Safety Fast! soon.

MG1300 takes its place in the MG timeline at MG90

FWD MGs and their owners line up at MG90 50 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 50

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:26

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OVERSEAS

Jack Kahler’s Brooklands double 12 Midget

THE NAMMMR ANNUAL GATHERING.

By Peter Cook Photos by Peter Cook and Adam Sloman

T

he 2019 annual MMM gathering for North America took place in June at a Holiday Inn in Bowling Green, Kentucky. About an hour’s drive from Nashville airport, the location was in North American terms fairly ‘central’ for many attendees. Those travelling from the east or western seaboards would be expecting round trips of four thousand miles or more, and involving a number of overnight stays.

Attending a MMM event therefore requires a commitment of time, effort and fuel only seen on the European mainland by some ‘European Event of the Year’ attendees.

The choice of the large hotel was not merely to accommodate MMM guests

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 53

and provide meeting space. The MMM cars were overwhelmingly trailered to the event by their owners. MMMs are not only by their nature unsuited to long distances, but being overtaken by large trucks travelling at 70–80 mph is unsettling for many. While they were displayed on the hotel tarmac for some time, they were also moved into the hotel’s ballroom for overnight safekeeping with drip trays and cardboard suitably applied.

The safekeeping was not just because the cars were in the main valuable; they were also vulnerable to the prevailing weather.

While the daytime temperatures were in the ‘eighties’ (27- 33°C), there was a

danger of storms, including hail storms.

We did experience short-lived deluges as well as very large hail stones. There were everyday parked cars which had suffered a heavy hail storm and the indentations on bonnets and roofs were permanent.

Many MMMs would have suffered serious damage had they been exposed to the large hail stones. The ballroom was a wise and necessary precaution.

After registration on the Wednesday a barbecue was held at Bill and Sarah Richey’s home. Bill and Sarah played a prominent role in organising and administering the entire event and their ‘garage’ (which could seat about fifty,

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 53

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OVERSEAS plus seven cars and garage equipment) doubled as a meeting point for the entire event. The barbecue enabled newcomers like Adam Sloman and I to meet MMM enthusiasts for the first time and to answer questions regarding Kimber House matters.

The following morning brought the ‘Swap Meet’ in the hotel grounds: it was the opportunity to assist others by bringing excess or no longer needed components to be exchanged or sold. It was also the opportunity for suppliers of LED lights and other equipment updates display their wares. The afternoon was taken up with three events. The first was a visit to the nearby Holley Carburettor factory.

This was a specially arranged visit and we were shown around by one of Holley’s knowledgeable design engineers who was able to answer all of our questions.

It isn’t just carburettors now, injection systems which are sometimes disguised as carburettors are now available. Holley

also designs and supplies exhaust systems.

One interesting aspect of this arises due to the USA’s federalised political system where states have a degree of autonomy.

For instance, a Holley modification to a relatively new car in Kentucky where it is perfectly legal under state regulations may be illegal if the owner were to move to a neighbouring state. To avoid having to refit original equipment the owner would need to retain an address for vehicle registration in the less regulatory state - a long-winded endeavour.

After the Holley visit it was back to our hosts Bill and Sarah Richey’s ‘garage’ for a slide presentation by Tom Wilson. Tom and Emily own at least eleven MMMs, as well as a Frontline MGB GT. Tom’s ‘day job’ is MMM and T-Type interiors and weather equipment, and he is currently working on two TCs. Once these are out of the way he has taken on a far more challenging project – the basis of his talk. He recently bought two shipping containers full of

MMM parts – chassis, engines, tubs, and much more. The starting point was a reluctant seller in the UK whose wellintentioned plans were no match for the frequency of his birthdays (how many times have we heard this?). The containers hold four J2 chassis, an L1, four PAs, and two PBs. Once these are restored Tom’s VA saloon will be restored. Having created a large workshop adjacent to his home in Indiana for the purpose, the intention is to create a ‘production line’ of restoration.

While the chassis are different, the bead blasting, repair and undercoating should save time and money without any detrimental effect upon quality. Contrary to many individual restorations, the imperative in this instance is completion.

We will no doubt be hearing regular updates of progress.

Also in attendance were Peter and Beverley Thornley. Peter gave an informal talk on childhood memories when accompanying his father John to

Adam Sloman tries Tom Wilson’s MGB LE50 on the track 54 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 54

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:26

OVERSEAS

the Abingdon factory or to MG events.

He recalled the names and characters of some of the then employees when his father was in charge. An addition to

Jack Schneider with his MG J2

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 55

the talk was a photograph dating from 1932 and supplied by Gaydon. The photo had remarkably good definition when displayed on a large screen, a tribute to the larger format film of the time. The scene showed J2s being assembled with bodies being lowered in the background from the mezzanine above. There may have been an L1 in the distance as well.

The quality was so good that nickel-plated and non-plated petrol pipes could be identified.

Friday, a blisteringly hot day, was the last full day of activity. First off after breakfast was a visit to the nearby NCM Motorsports Track.

Here MMM owners could drive at their own risk outside of public road regulations. The main stipulation was a bar on overtaking. The track was created by Corvette in 2013 and at its maximum is 3.15 miles long with elevation changes as well as turns and straights. Its design is reminiscent of La Sarthe at Le Mans.

Those wanting to put their MMMs through their paces with both speed and exhaust noise were in their element. The rest of us were content to watch.

Afternoon brought a tour of the Corvette Museum. It was not possible to visit the factory as there is great secrecy surrounding Corvette’s first midengined model due to be launched in July. However, the museum itself was very interesting with many examples of Stingrays over the years and technical displays. A specific point of interest at the museum was the sinkhole which occurred in the middle of the night in 2014. The 13 metre-wide, 10 metre-deep hole devoured eight display cars, only four of which could be repaired.

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 55

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OVERSEAS

The final day’s dinner and awards was held at an Auburn, Kentucky restaurant called Federal Grove. Built in 1871, it is in a classical Southern style of mainly wood construction. We were uncertain regarding the no-alcohol rule of the establishment – whether they didn’t have a licence or they were located in a different and ‘dry’ county – for some of us this was the first unique experience of the evening.

The home-cooked style dinner was well received, less so the sudden break in the weather. Torrential rain, hail and lightening put the lights out and delayed our departure. Few, if any MG award dinners

Crystal Klemmin in her1929 M-Type

have been candle-lit and as our host Sarah Richey pointed out, we were not charged extra for the pleasure!

Old and New. Reinout and Henneke Vogt’s 1931 M-Type with Tom Wilson’s Frontline LE50.

56 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

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www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:26

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

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COMPETITIONS Harry Painter in his MG PA

BRILLIANT BRANDS

By Tommy Lyngborn

I’ve always been interested in historic racing and although there are some events in Sweden, which is my home country, there are almost no MGs racing here. As I’m the editor of MGCC Sweden´s club magazine MG Bulletinen I decided to take a trip to England to watch some MGs in action at the fantastic Brands Hatch Circuit

I

contacted my friend Colin Murrell who has shot many quality photos for the magazine, and he recommended that I visit the MGCC Spring Race at Brands

The sound from this 500+ hp V8 was great 58 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 58

Hatch. Andy, the editor of this magazine, also helped me with some important details. I booked a room at the Mercure Hotel just at the entrance of the track. On

the Saturday morning of the race meeting I walked down to the MMM pit area to meet the cars and their drivers. There was a real buzz of excitement and preparation among the drivers and their crew, but they were always happy to see me and let me have the opportunity to chat with them.

On the Saturday, the qualifying took place in the morning to noon, and after lunch the races began. There were 10 races during the day, not only MGs racing but also a multitude of other marques could be seen taking to the track. During the Equipe GTS races (three different classes) you could see Triumph TRs,

The MG6 course car, Safety Fast! www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:26

COMPETITIONS Austin-Healey Frog Eye Sprite of David Jenkins

One of the Cream Crackers belonging to Richard Frankel

Austin-Healeys, TVRs, Lotus, Morgans and Porsche. There were also Clubman races, some ‘modern’ production saloons and the Morgans also had their own race.

The first MGs that took to the track were the cars in the Maidstone MG Trophy.

There were about 20 ZRs, in three different classes, that were to race twice during the day. It was good and sometimes tight racing with the fast 190 ZRs. The next MGCC Race was the MG Cup which

Paul Luti pushing hard in his Class B MG ZR www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 59

Piers Prior at the wheel of the new MG3 Cup Racer

THERE WERE 10 RACES DURING THE DAY, NOT ONLY MGS RACING BUT ALSO A MULTITUDE OF OTHER MARQUES COULD BE SEEN TAKING TO THE TRACK

contained a mixture of MGFs, ZRs, ZSs and some fast Rovers. After that, the MG Metro Cup with Metro GTI and Turbos battling it out. Race six was very awesome: there were some very fast Spridgets racing, and the sound from the A series engines was amazing. As an old Sprite owner, my heart beat fondly for them. Those were the MG races for the Saturday; some of the Championships mentioned were also racing on the Sunday.

Onno Konemann MG D-type special AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 59

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COMPETITIONS

MG K1 monoposto James Ricketts

Kyla Birdseye in a nice MG Metro turbo

Austin-Healey politely gives way to the faster car on the inside

A great moment was when the MGCC BCV8 Championship started the Sunday morning off. There were approximately 30 cars featuring MGBs, MGCs and V8s which were very fast and made a good impression on me.

Races 17 and 22, during the afternoon, were when the old Triple M cars were going to make an appearance around the hallowed Brands tarmac.

Charles Jones L2 Magna

Emma Potter MG C-type

Family racing Harry and Mike Painter

There were 27 cars of different Triple M types: J2s, P-Types, C-Types, D-Types, K3s and more. The first race with the MMMs was the Mary Harris Trophy, a 15-minutes handicap race that is one of the Triple M Register’s highlight races of the year. I was standing at the Druids hairpin bend where most of the pictures here were taken. I was amazed at how fast these old cars were. The most spectacular driving was from Harry Painter, in his grandfather’s old car, who drifted around the bend in a very controlled manner every lap. I could

see where he got it from, as his father Mike, driving the MG Kayne Special, made it look easy. Harry won the race and was awarded the Kimber Trophy, and when the mathematicians had worked out the results Charles Goddard stood there with the Mary Harris Trophy. An outstanding drive was also given by the Dutchman, Onno Konemann, in his new-built orange D-type special, and for this he was awarded the ‘new car/driver award’. All the drivers did a very good job and it was an unforgettable experience to see, hear and smell these cars driven in anger.

Race number two for the MMMs, Baynton Jones Historic Motorsport Triple-M Racing Challenge did not see all the earlier

MG K3 john Gillet passes David Downes in the Montlhery Midget

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www.mgcc.co.uk

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COMPETITIONS

Fast TVR Grantura MkIII of Mark Ashworth

THE MOST SPECTACULAR DRIVING WAS FROM HARRY PAINTER, IN HIS GRANDFATHER’S OLD CAR, WHO DRIFTED AROUND THE BEND IN A VERY CONTROLLED MANNER EVERY LAP

Tom Butler’s MG ZR

entrants, but it was as good a spectacle as the first one. This race was also won by Harry Painter in his MG PA special.

I enjoyed my time in the UK at the iconic Brands Hatch Race Circuit. My impression of the weekend is that the MG racers are like a family and that they have a very great cohesion among each other, like at the MMM barbeque party on the Saturday night that I was invited to. Everyone brought something with them and with a lot of work from people, suddenly there was a great party. And, best of all – it was free for me, the food and beer.

Another thing was that there were two tight family teams; one father/son team, Harry and Mike Painter, and one wife/ husband team, Emma and Duncan Potter.

I hope one day it will be possible to see such a race in Sweden also; until then I will surely come back to England again to watch some real racing…

Charles Goddard winner of Mary Harris Trophy

Husband and wife Duncan and Emma Potter with their MGs www.mgcc.co.uk

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BTCC

BATTERED AND BRUISED AT OULTON Photos: Dickon Siddall

H

opes were high ahead of the fifth round of the campaign at the Cheshire track as, after three consecutive rounds of having to learn new circuits, Oulton Park at least represented a familiar venue for the team. However, three bruising races presented the team with the biggest technical challenge of its BTCC life so far.

On paper, the Oulton Park results don’t reflect the team’s work. But under the surface both the team and drivers made big steps in terms of both driving style and setup. The drivers are starting to understand the handling characteristics of NGTC hardware, and the requirement to give the front tyres an easy life. This, combined with setup changes, has allowed the outfit to reduce the lap time deficit to the frontrunners by about 25% compared to the start of the campaign, and they are now within 0.6s of the works Toyotas and Vauxhalls. If that rate of improvement continues across the second half of the year, the team has high hopes of fighting well within the top 15.

Smith decided to take the option of softer tyres for race one, diverging strategies with Osborne, who would start on the prime medium rubber. Smith engaged in a great battle with Mark Blundell’s Audi, both cars

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running off the circuit at Lodge at one point as Blundell defended solidly from Smith’s attack, allowing Osborne through.

A mid-race safety car period allowed both MG drivers a chance to cool their tyres. With Smith’s softer rubber benefiting from the break, he launched a series of great attacks over the race’s second half to move up to 25th by the flag, with Osborne following him home in 26th.

Race two started so well, with Rob Smith dodging the debris of a chaotic opening lap.

When things shook out after the resulting safety car period, Smith ran 19th with eyes on fighting for the team’s first points finish.

However, his medium Dunlops simply ran out of grip towards the end and a last-lap battle with Michael Crees’ Volkswagen ended in disaster, with Smith being put into the tyre wall hard at Deer Leap corner after contact between the two on the run

to the flag. The stricken MG was returned to the garage but, with a short turnaround between races, little could be done to get the car into a competitive, and safe, shape for race three.

With Smith sidelined, the team suffered a double-whammy when Osborne pitted from race two with a mysterious knocking at the rear. Contact in the race had dislodged his rear splitter, but there was something amiss with the suspension also. Osborne re-joined without the broken bodywork, but later lost control out of Old Hall corner, clattering the barriers.

With two broken cars, EXCELR8’s engineering team jumped on Osborne’s machine, just managing to complete the necessary repairs in time to get him to the collecting area for the finale. Osborne repaid the team’s hard work by climbing from 27th on the grid to finish 21st after a fine, battling drive, despite his car still carrying some handling issues as a legacy of the earlier accident.

The man of the weekend was undoubtably Team BMW star Colin Turkington, who has notched up a fantastic half-century of Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship victories after producing a dynamic double win, with Stephen Jelley taking the third win.

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:26

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RACE TORQUE

Anthony Reid by Peter’s MG ZS

RACE TORQUE

by Mark Baulch

T

his month sees me writing from the paddock at the British Grand Prix, which it is always a privilege to work at. It is great to hear that we will now have at least another five years of Grand Prix racing at the Northamptonshire Silverstone circuit.

The Race Sub-Committee met recently and has started work on a potential race calendar for 2020, which we are all very keen to deliver. Of course, this will be dependent on being able to visit the right race tracks at the right time and also being able to entertain some guests, which we have been very pleased to do for some years.

More news on this in the coming months.

It is also important to make sure that we meet the needs of the MG Championships, including the resurgent MG Cup supported

by Peter Best Insurance, which has seen some great grid numbers recently, with the energy and zest that Peter Burchill has been injecting into it, encouraging many drivers to join them. So here is an introduction to Peter.

1. Been a Car Club member since?

2000 2. Favourite motorsport moment in history?

Jenson Button’s first win in F1, Hungary 2006, supporting our local Brackley-based team, British American Racing 3. If you could invite three motorsport drivers to a dinner party, who would you invite?

Tony Pond, Anthony Reid and Jenson Button 4. What would be your dream circuit to drive around and in which car?

Spa in EX259 Lola 2.0 Kv6 MG ZS touring car

www.mgcc.co.uk

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5. What is your driving pet hate?

Motorway road works, with miles of 50mph speed limit and not a workman in sight 6. Your proudest moment in motorsport?

Winning class C in MG Cup in 2018 and runner-up in the Championship. Sharing my car with Anthony Reid at MGLive! and for charity at Stroke Association supercar Saturday at Castle Combe 7. Year and specification of your race car?

1999/2000 Rover Pre Production Development MGZS which was used as course car at Thruxton for the launch of MG ZR ZS ZT range. Stock engine and Piper Cams with ITG induction. The 2.5 KV6 has plenty of torque and is pretty bomb-proof 8. Other MGs in your ownership?

MGTF 135, there is nothing better than blasting through the lanes with the roof down. She is 15 this year and has just had sympathetic restoration by Revival HQ 9. Assisting MGCC Championship since?

I have been racing with the MGCC since

2003 in the Drayton Manor Metro Cup, then the Peter Best Insurance Championship and Cockshoot Cup. I have been treasurer for PBIC and social secretary and in 2019 became chairman for the MG Cup sponsored by Peter Best Insurance. I have been pushing the MG Cup to the fore within the MGCC with new drivers and new cars and getting back to basics with good, close, clean club racing. I look forward to bringing some new blood to the Race SubCommittee and ensuring racing continues in the MGCC for years to come 10. Favourite music to drive to?

Pearl Jam, Metallica, Nirvana are regulars on shuffle in the car We now look forward to our next fixture, Oulton Park on Saturday August 31. As always, we look forward to seeing you there and do come along to the MG Welcome Centre. Remember that Club members can also drive their own car around the circuit during the lunch break in the parade lap, which is a fantastic opportunity at this great circuit.

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MGs ON TRACK

MG on track

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

Sam and Mark Fitzpatrick line up in their MGB

GENERATION GAMES O

ur annual North Weald experience day was held at the beginning of July in very hot and sunny conditions with never a threat of rain. The event is organised for MGs on Track by Car Limits, and we enjoyed the services of Steve and Graham who ensured that the event ran smoothly and was very relaxed. At North Weald a series of courses are laid out on the wide tarmac airfield, which drivers are encouraged to tackle as fast as they dare. Whilst our events held on race circuits are strictly noncompetitive and driving standards and overtaking etiquette are monitored to ensure a safe and enjoyable day for all, at North Weald cars run individually and are timed, so rivalry is positively encouraged, and an element of recklessness might just creep in!

Although primarily aimed at novices and those who have yet to try a full-blown track day, North Weald also attracts some of our regular attendees who enjoy the different format. Clearly these members harbour a barely concealed inner hooligan, as both the competitiveness and the driving became more heated as the day proceeded.

Andrew Watson took extreme measures when his MG3 mysteriously morphed into a Ford Mustang during the lunch break;

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possibly he thought this transformation might go unnoticed as both cars were white! However, Andrew’s gamesmanship ultimately counted for little as Charlie Freeman, in the very last run of the day, eased ahead of him by 0.6 of a second to claim bragging rights. In truth, Charlie’s real target had been his dad, Clive, with whom he was sharing a TF and whom he defeated by nearly two seconds. Just to add injury to insult, Clive was the one paying for the fuel and tyres!

Disguising their rivalry rather better than Clive and Charlie, the father and son pairing of Mark and Sam Fitzpatrick were sharing Mark’s MGB Roadster. Mark has owned the car since 1987, but it was off the road from 1992 until last year, so our Snetterton track day this May was his first real opportunity to test the car’s potential.

Sam had never driven the car before North Weald and, at eighteen years old, his road driving experience has been limited to a Fiesta and a Citroen C1. However, some kart-racing in his (even) younger years and his current online racing successes clearly stand him in good stead, as he quickly got to grips with the gears, clutch, and non-powered steering of a ‘real’ car, and

Jemma and Margaret O’Kane in the MGF

he went on to set some very competitive times. Sam obviously relished being able to drive the car on the limit and almost beyond it, as was evidenced by some nifty power sliding. Mark is more than happy that his son shares his enthusiasm for the MGB, and Team Fitzpatrick plan to join us at another MGoT event before very long.

Jemma O’Kane has owned her MGF for three years and, although she had previously enjoyed one of North Weald’s supercar experiences, she was understandably a bit nervous to be using her own car in similar manner. However, spurred on by her mother, Margaret, who rode shotgun for the day, she put aside her reservations and was soon zipping around the coned layouts in confident fashion. Like everyone else Jemma enjoyed the freedom from traffic and the sometimes-questionable standards of other road users that the day offered, and she and Margaret are already planning their next outing with MGoT. The next North Weald Experience day will not be until the middle of 2020, but if you haven’t yet tried an MGoT event and can’t put it off any longer, we still have

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:26

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

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

track day.

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

Anglesey – August 12 Experience this challenging circuit on a day shared with the Lotus 7 Club.

Overlooking the Irish Sea and with views to Snowdonia this track offers something for all.

Castle Combe – September 9 A second opportunity to enjoy the thrills of this ever-popular track which includes

Andrew Till blasts off the line in his MG ZR 105. Photo: Lynn Till

a couple of chicanes and high speed, technical corners!

Donington Park – October 7 A flowing, historic circuit in the Midlands, featuring the fantastic Craner Curves and Old Hairpin sequence.

Goodwood – October 28 A second visit in case you missed the first due to popularity!

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

several events left to book this year. Donington Park is a fabulously entertaining circuit with a history that pre-dates WW2, and yet is one that we are happy to promote to track day novices; in fact, we offer a complimentary instruction session to first-timers as encouragement, so please do take advantage.

The Brands Hatch Indy circuit should also appeal to novice members as it is short and easily learnt in a few sessions, although mastery may take considerably longer! Study our Calendar and join us soon.

www.mgcc.co.uk

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Last month I published a report highlighting Andy Walker’s success at Prescott, a truly remarkable achievement.

Along with Andy were 30 MGs in total, which speaks of the popularity of the venue; this is almost half of our registered competitors this year. I expect a similar turnout at Shelsley as well.

This highlights the continuing interest in historic Midlands-located venues and their geographical accessibility.

Other high scorers at Prescott were Keith Beningfield, Ian’s dad, in his muchmodified TC, also Neil lock, Richard Watkinson, Rob Bell and Andrew Till.

All long-term and ever-enthusiastic competitors.

A fairly busy calendar in June started with the Abingdon Carnival on the 8th.

This is an interesting event as it is split into two separate sprints and the aggregate of the two go to your final score. Set on an airfield at Abingdon, it is a very popular event which attracts a huge entry. High scorers were Rob Bell, Neil Lock and Ian Beningfield.

We then moved north to the Three Sisters circuit near Wigan. This is primarily a kart circuit which can be laid out in several different combinations and, while twisty with no great straights, benefits from a recent resurfacing and provides a very

challenging driving experience. The day was overcast but dry and the organisation very professional, with a large entry being processed very efficiently. Tim Kirkham, Ian Howlett and John Payne all managed to equal the course records for their classes and score the magic 100 points.

Staying in the North we made our first visit to ‘The historic Aintree circuit’ in Liverpool. Younger readers may not know that the British Grand Prix was run at this venue for many years, although the circuit was twice the length of the one in current use.

I, on the other hand, have many happy memories of the place, both as a spectator and competitor. Only five of our number made the journey, which was a pity as the weather was fine and the organisation first class, as always. Top honours on the occasion went to Andrew Till in his standard MG ZR 1400cc.

At this stage we are halfway through the season and it is too soon to start drawing conclusions from the scores available, but I would predict a close finish for top honours again.

August is quite a busy month with a double-header at Castle Hill in Cornwall on 3rd-4th and our old favourite, Curborough, on the 4th for the North and Midlands contingent.

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25/07/2019 10:26

CENTRES ABINGDON WORKS Tony Cotter sfscribe@mgabingdon.org.uk www.mgabingdon.co.uk I’m writing these notes just as summer seems to have started properly. June was very disappointing weather-wise, but we’ve just had the warmest day of the year so far, and hopefully by the time you read this, we will have had a few more perfect MG driving days.

Despite so much rain last month, many AWC members enjoyed the Kimber House Open Day held over what would have been the MGLive! weekend. It was also great to see the AWC represented at the Oxfordshire MG Owner’s Club annual gathering at the Cotswold Wildlife Park on June 9. Looking ahead, our next organised road run is the popular Autumn Leaves on October 6. This year, we take a leisurely run through the Thames Valley countryside to Batsford Arboretum for what should be a spectacular colourful display of – guess what – autumn leaves! More information and booking form can be found on our website at http://mgabingdon.org.uk.

Lin and I went to the cinema last night to see

ANGLIA Rob Muir 01206 862619 scribe@mgccanglia.com www.mgccanglia.com Anglia Summer Picnic The ever-popular Anglia Centre Summer Picnic was a great success; I let Roger Latham take up the story.

The Picnic was held this year on June 23 at Oxburgh Hall (NT).

Pre-bookings had gone very well, with interest right up to the preceding day!

‘Yesterday’. It’s a story of a musician who awakes from a coma to find himself in a parallel universe where the Beatles had never existed. It really is a great film, and I recommend going along to see it. But it got me thinking…what if MG had never existed? How different would the world be today?

There’d be no MGBs on the road, no Zeds or TFs, no Old Specked Hen beer, no MG Car Club and you certainly wouldn’t be reading this magazine you’re holding right now. The worldwide network of MG enthusiasts would not exist, there would be no social Natters up and down the country, indeed for many of us, our entire social life would be completely different. Think of all the thousands of friendships that have been built around our common interest. Those friendships would not exist. Even some marriages would not have happened!

What type of cars would we all be driving? Would a different British marque have emerged as the number one people’s sports car? Perhaps

Triumph or Hillman? Looking deeper into the possibility of MG having never existed, without the Abingdon factory, could the wartime production (or lack of it) of tanks and aircraft parts have affected the war effort? Could the outcome of the WWII been different if MG had never existed? If so, perhaps we’d all be driving around in BMWs or Audis or Mercedes? Oh dear, getting silly now…

But the ‘MG way’ is much more than just the cars we drive; it really is the marque of friendship and has shaped a large part of our lives. We surely have to give thanks to those early MG pioneers for the lives we enjoy today.

Finally, a warm welcome to all new members.

We hope to see you at an event soon.

The National Trust had roped off an area on grass for our MGs suggested arrival time which was from 11.00am. However, it was not long before it became apparent that the space was not going to be adequate for the expected turnout. The fine, warm weather was an important factor contributing to the success of the event. We managed to cram 50 MGs into our space and then overflowed into an adjacent area with about 20 more cars. The overall turnout was a new record for the Picnic with 67 MGs and 3 other cars.

It was good to see some pre-war MGs in the shape of three P Types, including a PB Airline saloon. Other MGs included several T types, 3 MGA roadsters, a Magnette saloon, a pair of Midgets, a variety of MGBs, MGC, MGB GT V8, RV8s, an MG6, MGFs and TFs and a sprinkling of MG3s.

A very varied selection.

Many members expressed their thanks on the day for the event.

Thanks must go the NT staff who were very helpful on the day. Thanks also to the Anglia Centre Committee members who assisted me on the day.

All in all it was a very successful day for the MGCC Anglia Centre.

Roger Latham.

Tony and his TF

Anglia Centre Annual General Meeting The 2019 Annual General Meeting of the MG Car Club, Anglia Centre, will be held at 11.30am on Saturday September 28 2019, The Lion Public House, 44 Ipswich Road, Needham Market, Suffolk IP6 8EH. (Tel: 01449 720849) For organisational reasons, members are requested to inform Roger Moran, Anglia Centre Secretary if they will attend (secretary@mgccanglia.com).

Events Planning Helmingham Hall Classic Car Show. The Anglia Centre will have a large presence at the show on Sunday August 4, which is well worth a visit. The post code is IP14 6EF. August 6 sees the Longham Club Meet Pride of Ownership held at The White Horse, Longham NR19 2RD, contact William Ball 01508 471506.

2019 Airline coupe at Oxburgh Hall picnic www.mgcc.co.uk

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25/07/2019 10:26

CENTRES CALEDONIAN Bob MacGillivray 07870 407111 mgcarsscotland@gmail.com www.mgcaledonian.com As I write this there are two shows to come this season, Glamis and Bo’ness, but by the time you read these notes there will only be one…

So if you missed Thirlestane and Glamis and want to attend a show contact me now, please, re Bo’ness on August 31 and September 1. It is just possible that you might get a late entry for this excellent weekend! If you have never been, then give it a try!

Our Solstice and one-day runs have been well supported this year… more to come on August 25 to the Isle of Bute, September 15 in the Borders, October 6 in the Central belt and the final one in November. Check the website for details and to enter. And you can also enter for the final lunch of the year on November 24.

I’m now working on the annual newsletter for this year. If any of you would like to contribute an MG-related article regarding a car you owned or own, or a trip you undertook in an MG, or perhaps some motor sporting

DEVON & CORNWALL Young Janner II bobslatter@hotmail.com www.mgcc.co.uk/devon-cornwall-centre I would like to start these notes with a big thank you to all the members who brought their cars along to both the Crash Box Club’s Powderham Vehicle Gathering and Torbay Old Wheels’ Paignton Green Classic Car Show to help publicise the Centre and the MG Car Club.

A bit of advanced notice: Sunday September 22 sees Centre members descending on

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memory, then please get in touch. Even unusual or interesting or simply old MG-related photos would be useful.

I heard recently that the 2019 European Event of the Year in Spain had been cancelled.

That is unusual! Next year’s is in Germany and I’m certain there will be no possibility of that being cancelled, and I’m also certain that it will be organised to the Nth degree! Entries open on October 1 and the event itself will run from August 5-9 2020. This will fill up quickly so make a note of the dates if you are interested.

Be good to get a decent-sized team from Caledonian to attend.

Surprising though it may seem, your committee will soon be looking at the 2020 calendar. If there is an event that you think we could attend then please get in touch or, even better, if you would like to assist in running a Caledonian event then also get in touch.

Assistance is always welcome, especially with Regalia! Still needing help there.

And as mentioned last month, I’m still looking for Jim Clark/MGCC info and for your email address if you are not receiving regular updates from me.

the Haynes International Motor Museum at Sparkford, near Yeovil. This is the biggest exhibition of cars and bikes in the UK. The plan is to meet up at Exeter Moto Services at 9.309.45am to leave at 10.15am. It is about 50 miles from there to the museum so we plan to arrive by 11.30am. As a group, there are discounts available and the costs are £12.50 per adult and £7.00 per child. There is a large Café on site for those wanting to partake of lunch there, or the Sparkford Inn is less than a mile from the museum. I would like to extend a welcome to any Club members from other Centres to join us

Two Caledonian ne’er-do-wells on a previous European event

on the day. Details of the museum can be found on www.haynesmotormuseum.com.

As mentioned last month, planning is well underway for the running of the Exmoor Rut which is being organised by the MGCC this year instead of the usual Healey Drivers Club. The date is Sunday October 13 and the start will be from the Dartmoor Lodge Hotel, Ashburton, TQ13 7JW and not the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh as in previous years. The route will be under 100 miles and the finish will be at the Old Station House Inn at Blackmoor Gate for a Cream Tea finish. If you have not yet received an entry form, contact me or download it from the Centre website.

Another event in October, so plenty of warning once again, is the Tamar Classic Trial jointly organised by the Centre and Launceston and North Cornwall Motor Club taking place on Sunday 20. We will be marshalling a few sections in the middle of the trial so all offers of help would be gratefully received. It takes place around the Callington/Tavistock area for our sections and will probably be from about 10.30am onwards. Further details again next month.

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CENTRES LINCOLNSHIRE Ian Mackenzie 01529 497849 MaccaV8@aol.com www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk August Natters: Wolds Wednesday 7; Abbey Lodge Monday 12; Wishing Well Wednesday14 (Landlords Choice); Three Horseshoes Thursday 15; Ferryboat Tuesday 27; White Hart Thursday 22.

Luncheon Club: Wednesday 21.

August Events: East Kirkby Air Show Saturday 3; Revesby Country Fair Sunday 4; Poacher Concours Show, Doddington Hall Sunday 18; Boston Steam Rally Saturday 31 and Sunday September 1.

Well, this year’s show season has now kickedoff, with the first two Landlords Choice events resulting in rather surprising winners. As the judging is undertaken by an independent member of hostelry staff, perceived values and rarity count for naught, as their brief is to pick the cars they would most like to drive home. It does, however, give everyone a chance of an award, not just the ‘lucky few’ owners of rarer vehicles.

Stepping up a gear, the ‘interested’ judge at the East Kirkby Rover Day & MG Display will by now have picked their ‘Car of the Show’, leading on to the Centre’s Poacher Concours Show, which takes place at Doddington Hall, near Lincoln, and is a

The famous Just Jane at East Kirkby

rather sterner test by informed judges of cars on the basis of either Originality (concours/as factory), or Condition (modified/pride of ownership). Again, all cars are judged on their own merit, not how rare, or expensive, they might be. A great day out, with a spot of light competition. For entry details, please see the website, or contact Geoff and Vicki Edge on 01205 871973 or email geoffjedge@aol.com Looking further ahead, we have another autotest at East Kirkby on Sunday September 8. For details, see the website, or contact David Stonehouse on 01790 754774 or davidstonehouse1@btinternet.com On Sunday October 6 we have the Jubilee Trophy Naviscat Rally, based in the Sleaford area. For information, please contact me.

Keep January 11 2020 in mind, when all this year’s event winners will receive their awards at the Centre’s 40th Anniversary Year Annual Dinner, to be held at a new venue. Details, through the usual channels, will follow shortly.

Following on from last month’s sad news, there will be a service celebrating the life of John Laurence at 2.00pm on September 28 at Sibsey Church.

All are welcome, but please contact Sheila on sheilalaurence1@gmail.com to give her some idea of expected numbers for catering.

MIDLANDS David Russell d.a.russell@btinternet.com With the cancellation of MGLive! this year we were left with a gap in our planned calendar of events for June. Fortunately, Andy Robson had this covered quickly and with his MAC contacts at Shelsley Walsh organised a visit to Classic Nostalgia for Sunday June 16. Not only did he manage to agree discounted tickets for MGCC members but also on the Friday before said they had offered a limited number of garages in the paddock for us! 21 members booked places for the visit.

The day dawned fine, and with much excited expectation I left home in sunshine in the GT V8 to enjoy a drive to Shelsley Walsh in Worcestershire. I had not been to this event before and was looking forward to seeing the classic cars race up the hill. I had been to Prescott Hill and been fortunate enough to be able to drive up the hill at speed, so was looking forward to this competitive event.

On arrival at Shelsley Walsh it felt quite special to drive in through the competitors’ entrance to the Paddock and park up in a garage. The 21 members

www.mgcc.co.uk

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Midget blasts up Shelsley Walsh during the Classic Nostalgia event on June 16

came in a range of MG cars. MGA, MG Magnettes, MGBs, MGCs, V8s, MGFs and TFs; visitors enjoyed coming over to see the cars and to talk to the owners.

Back to the main event… this did not disappoint. To see classics from the 1930s, single-seater racing cars to modern classics of the 1980s was brilliant. The speed and bravery of the competitors was amazing and it was clear how addictive it was to have one more go to improve your time. I’m sure the drivers made it look easier than it looked from the spectator seats! One or two showers halted the meeting for short periods of time but the racing soon made up for the waiting.

The spectacle of seeing some Group B Rally cars was fantastic, Subaru Impreza, Audi Quattro, Ford Sierra Cosworth, Metro 6R4, Lancia Delta and more doing demonstration runs bought back memories of seeing them in the RAC Rallies. Overall, a great day and well worth looking out for next year’s Classic Nostalgia and joining as part of the Midland Centre.

Looking forward to the months ahead, if you have not seen the Midland Newsletter, we have the MGCC Midland Sprint on August 4 at Curborough, near Lichfield. On September 29, the MGCC Midland Autumn Trial is at East Lodge Farm near Worcester. Contact Tony Lake 01604 589104 for further details and to enter.

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August activities begin with our monthly gettogether at The Shrewsbury Arms on Tuesday August 13. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow MG owners who live in the West Cheshire and Wirral areas. Then a few days later, the Cockshoot Cup Championship race drivers will be heading for Anglesey Circuit. The traditional double-header will be on Saturday August 17 and Sunday August 18 at a meeting run by the British Racing and Sports Club. This will have a real variety of races including the VW “Fun Cup” into the night endurance race. The circuit amenities have been improved for this season and there are great spectating and photo opportunities.

Then on Tuesday August 20 it is another social event, the late summer gathering at the Plough and Flail. The pub has a new tenant with a muchimproved food offer, and it is well worthwhile having a meal as well as chatting with fellow enthusiasts.

Next up is our display at the Oulton Park Gold Cup. It is too late to book a place, but if you are attending please come and have a chat with our

SOUTH EAST

members on either Sunday August 25 or Monday August 26. Later that week on Wednesday August 28 the lunchtime pub meeting will be at The Golden Pheasant, Plumley, Knutsford, WA6 9RX. Our final big event of the month is the MGCC Race Meeting at Oulton Park on Saturday August 31. This will be run on the full circuit and feature the Cockshoot Cup, Peter Best MG Cup, The MG Trophy Championship and the Drayton Manor Park MG Metros. There will be an opportunity for members to drive around the circuit in a convoy at lunchtime.

There is no need to pre-book. Signing on will be in the MG Welcome Pit Garage; you just need to show

T Types at the Plough and Flail Concours. Photo: Paul Goodman

The main event this month is the Tour of the South East on August 11, centered on West Ray Ruffels and William Opie Surrey with easy access from the M25 and M23. raywillmg@gmail.com The start is at the Dukes Head, Turners Hill Road, www.mgccse.co.uk Copthorne, RH10 4HH. A scenic run of about 38 A well-deserved thank you to Peter Haynes miles will finish for lunch at the Copthorne Hotel, who has completed his final SE Newsletter after Copthorne RH10 3PG. seven years. The new scribes have undertaken to Full details and booking are on the SE continue the task and will provide members with website at www.mgccse.co.uk/calendar-2019/ or a new quarterly newsletter starting in the autumn. contact Roy Baker 07768 314226.

To achieve this we would be very interested to The Shere Hill climb and SE Centre display hear from all SE Natter leaders and members with are on September 1 at East Clandon, Staple information/reports, including pictures/content, on Lane GU4 7RL. This eclectic motoring event in planned and completed local events and rallies: the Surrey countryside is not to be missed and email raywillmg@gmail.com is the ultimate speed challenge to the top of the hill. Further details https://www. sherehillclimb.co.uk The Autumn Gathering takes place on September 22 at Polesden Lacey, an Edwardian mansion and estate located in the Unique MGA hawk at Brooklands 12/12. Modified in the USA Studebaker garage back in the 1950s. Photo: John Davies

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your driver’s licence and Club membership card.

Advance tickets are available at a reduced price from the Circuit. This will be the final round of the 2019 Cockshoot Cup Championship and there will be a new winner of the solid silver trophy.

Back in June, there was an excellent turnout for the Plough and Flail Concours although the number of cars was slightly down on previous years because of the weather forecast. The promised rain duly arrived in the middle of the evening, which meant some very wet flags and gazebo panels to dry out the next day. Thanks are due to all those that helped with the organising and judging.

North Downs at Great Bookham; a favourite for National Trust and MGCCSE members. Booking forms available on website.

Events round-up A successful Belgium Rally took place on May 3-6. First stop was Ypres, visiting the Menin Gate War memorial then on to the Leopold hotel located in the centre of Oudenaarde.

Day two saw a visit to the Museum of the Battle of Waterloo with its marvelous exhibits of weaponry, waxwork statues of soldiers, generals and a 3D film on the battle itself.

Day three saw either further exploration of Oudenaarde or the cathedral city of Ghent, returning to the UK on the Monday via Dunkirk.

The two-day Brooklands 12/12 event was very popular, with a busy SE Centre display and a fantastic MMM entry. Saturday saw speed trials on the adjacent Mercedes World circuit and Sunday saw driving tests, the Concours and presentation of the coveted Double Twelve award to the most successful competitor over the weekend.

For more details on events visit www. mgccse.co.uk/reports

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Tyne-Tees Old Speckled Hen Run & Road Safety Trial “The Road Run with a Difference” Sunday 1st September 2019 ENTRY FORM

This year’s event is a 95 mile tour on classic driving roads in the Vale of Mowbray and North York Moors, starting and finishing at the Allerton Court Hotel in Northallerton, with a lunch halt in the beautiful town of Helmsley. The Road Safety Trial introduces a mild competitive element with simple untimed tests of driving skill on private land, plus questions on the Highway Code and motoring history, all of which gives this event its unique character.

Your details: Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Address Email: MGCC Membership No: (if applicable)

Surname Home Tel. No.

Postcode Mobile:

Your car’s details: Make Model Year Reg. No. Entry fee: £20.00 per car for MGCC members or £24.00 for non-members. All entrants receive a Rally Plate, Route Book, and based on 2 per car, a drink at the start & light afternoon tea at the finish.

Breakfast rolls are available at the start and these can be pre-booked.

Please insert requirements for bacon / or sausage butties at £3.00 each and include with your entry fee.

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) = £………..

Make cheques payable to MGCC Tyne-Tees Centre. If using Internet banking the details are as follows: Sort Code: 40-43-13 Account No: 41051067 quoting TTOSH and your surname.

Entry forms to, Anthony Wood , Rose Cottage , Scruton, Northallerton, DL7 0RD, or email anthony@scrutonvillage.co.uk For further information call 01609 748301 or 07885 654795. Where possible please use electronic BACS payment or cheques only.

Closing date for entries is 24th August 2019. Entries to this event are limited to 40 cars, so don’t delay.

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CENTRES SOUTH WEST Jim Lott chairman@mgccsw.com www.mgccsw.com/ www.facebook.com/MGCCSW @mgccsw

Welcome to the notes from the SW Centre. August is a quiet time for our events as most of the committee are on holiday.

Our next event will be the Centre’s premier event, the Wiscombe Hill Climb, on September 14. This venue is stunning for spectators, and we normally have a full house of competitors,

mainly MGs, but other clubs are invited as well, providing an excellent day’s motorsport. If you are coming, the best way to see the action close up is to volunteer to marshal. Free snacks and lunch are provided. If you want to come and marshal contact Jon Pittard (jon.pittard@btinternet.com) and he will add you to the Wiscombe marshals mailing list. The photos are from Wiscombe 2018, courtesy of Colin Murrell.

Two weeks after Wiscombe, we are planning to have another Autumn Social Run. The venue has yet to be decided so check out the Events Calendar on the website www.mgccsw.com/event/ for further details.

Rob Bell in his MG F ‘Project Shed’

The cars in the paddock being prepared for the event

TYNE-TEES Tony Wood anthony@scrutonvillage.co.uk Did Scruton Fete make up for the loss of MGLive!?

Truthfully, No, but thanks to all the Tyne Tees members who turned out and helped to make the afternoon a great success. In the same spirit of fun, why not come along and join our Southern Treasure Hunt and Supper on Saturday August 17.

Starting at 4.00pm from Strikes Garden Centre in Stokesley, expect Jennifer Nixon to have dreamed up a good route and tricky clues which should get you to the pub for an evening meal. Entry is free, food isn’t! Contact Jenn at jennifer.nixon881@ btinternet.com for details.

The Bank Holiday weekend provides more opportunities for taking your MG out and about. On Saturday 24 we have been invited to the Darlington Vintage Vehicle rally which takes place around the Town Centre; contact Noel for details. Sunday sees the ever-popular Hamsterley Hoppings event, a village fun day where we put on a display as part of the show; contact Dennis Hope at denhope@hotmail.

www.mgcc.co.uk

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John Pinkney’s TA at Scruton Fete. Photo: Kevin White

co.uk for details. Numbers limited to 10 cars, so don’t delay!

Finally, on Monday 26t we have been asked to support the Wings and Wheels event at Fishburn airfield where there will be historic aircraft on display and a range of light aircraft coming and going all day. We have visited the airfield for a couple of our Breakfast events and have been made very welcome with hangar tours and the like, and I can vouch for the quality of the catering. Our own John Grant is heavily involved in the restoration of the aircraft there so come along and enjoy something different.

September 1 sees our annual Old Speckled Hen Reliability Trial, the road run with a difference (assuming sneaky questions and devious tests of driving skill aren’t your everyday life). This year’s event is again sponsored by Greene King and starts and finishes at the Allerton Court Hotel in Northallerton. The southerly start allows us to access roads not used by Tyne Tees for many years, including many used in the golden age of road rallying. Expect Castles and Abbeys, steep hills and secluded dales, woods and moors with the odd ford for good measure. Entries restricted to 40 cars, details from me at anthony@scrutonvillage.co.uk

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Lancashire Classics Unit 8, Kings Court, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 2LE

MG A 1800 1957 MGA, 3,800 miles since total nut & bolt restoration. Finished in Red with Black interior. The car has undergone a total restoration & is fitted with a modified MGB 1800cc engine & Sierra 5-speed gearbox, which gives excellent performance. It is also fitted with up-rated seats for a more comfortable ride. The original engine, gearbox & seats which have all been fully refurbished will be supplied with the car.

£34,995

MGB 1976 “P” MGB Roadster. Recently converted to Chrome Bumpers. Minilite style wheels. Lots of work undertaken & a huge history file comprising previous MoT’s & invoices.

A good usable classic British sports car.

£6,995

Details of all cars can be found on our website

email: daniel@lancashireclassics.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 78

website: www.lancashireclassics.co.uk

Mobile: 07434784444

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CENTRES YORKSHIRE Ken Cothliff kencothliff@hotmail.co.uk, mgccyorkshire.co.uk Summer is at last upon us and in Yorkshire we are in the middle of a busy time for the various Natters. We have had three Centre runs this year so far, ‘Daffodil’ organised by South Natter, ‘Wolds Way’ organised by East Natter, and a new run, ‘Heartbeat’ organised by Vale of York Natter. When this is read the ‘Compass Run’ will have happened, then the North Yorks’ Dales Run to come on August 25.

The Natters have been busy with their own events, the Tiger Natter having a very damp run out for their June lunch, and evening runs organised

ULSTER Carol Willis 07831 345560 www.mgcculstercentre.co.uk carol.mgulster@hotmail.co.uk Things have gone quiet on the competition front for the summer, leaving space for a few social events. On Sunday June 30 we met in the centre of Comber for a short run to 12th Century Killyleagh Castle, ten or so miles down the Strangford coast.

Coincidentally, the MG Owners Club had also arranged the same time and place to start their run to Castlewellan, so we had quite a gathering of MGs from 1930s - 1990s models.

The day was bright and 20 minutes from Comber we parked outside the castle and were greeted by Mr Gawn Rowan-Hamilton whose family has owned it since the 1600s. After viewing the extensive gardens, Gawn treated us to a guided tour of his splendid family home. He gave us an enlightening history of his family’s past, illustrated with portraits of family characters and descriptions of how the castle has changed over the years.

The castle, dating back to 1180, has retained much of its original construction, avoided major

on ‘Natter nights’ by East Natter, each taking place from the Humber Bridge Car Park. The new run organised by Vale of York Natter, taking in the sights of the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors and the locations of the TV series “Heartbeat”, was a success and there are chances we mighty build on this.

As summer progresses, Natters organised their Pride of Ownership competitions, though bad weather forced the North Group to postpone for a month, the evening resorting to a last-minute presentation on the Italian European Event of the Year by Paul Croft and David Copeman. South’s PoO was won by Malcolm Perry in his immaculate YA, just back from his outing on the North York Moors. Vale of York’s will be in July, after their day out at the Real Aeroplane Company air museum on July 6.

The other exciting thing for the Centre is the establishment of a Facebook site by young member Josh Langstaff, encouraging younger MG owners to get involved.

This is a new format for the Yorkshire Centre’s monthly report, standardising with other centres, and allowing for the possibility of a photo inclusion.

Your Committee hope you like it.

Yorkshire Centre Natters meet as follows: Lunchtime Tiger Natter – 1st Wednesday of month (often 3rd Wednesday is a run): East and North – 2nd Thursday of month; 24/39 Natter – every other month on 1st Wednesday; West – 3rd Tuesday evening; Vale of York – lunchtime 3rd Thursday; South – 4th Wednesday monthly evening; Locations may vary, so always check out our website if you are visiting the area. Visitors are always welcome.

siege damage and was extended in the 1800s in magnificent Scottish baronial style.

Cue weather change! Good job we put the hoods up before going into the castle as it was tipping it down when we commenced the second leg - a ‘tulip’ run through waterlogged byways to the fishing port of Ardglass. We had a delicious lunch and good company at the Golf Club, another historic building, dating from around 1405 and the oldest building in the world used as a clubhouse!

Friday August 30 Ulster Classic Trial (start venue tba) Sunday September 1 MGs and Breakfast, Ulster Transport Museum

Dates for your Diary: Thursday August 22 Visit to Ferguson Linen Banbridge, Run and Meal

MGCC meets MGOC. Photo: Roger Dawson www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 79

Killyleagh Castle, Co Down. Photo: Roger Dawson AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 79

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PLEASE NOTE: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THIS ARTWORK IS THE PROPERTY OF CLASSIC CARS FOR SALE MAGAZINE. Fixed price servicing

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

URGENT PROOF

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

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1969 MG Midget Chrome Bumper 1275cc

Here we have a Stunning 1275 chrome bumper MG Midget which underwent a complete bare shell restoration and was completed in 2014.

The car has the luxury of a 5 speed gearbox to ensure that you get the ultimate drive and pleasure from the little Midget so keeping up with the modern day traffic certainly isn’t a problem.

Same owner for over 38 years. Spec includes: Original steel wheels, Chrome bumper, Bucket seats, 5 Speed gearbox, Stainless steel exhaust.

Much Much More!!

£10,995

1981 MGB rubber bumper roadster in green, (originally an LE in gold) Black vinyl interior with black carpet, New black vinyl hood, Alloy wheels, Hard Top, Various MOT’s and invoices

£7,495

Classic and Sports Cars are extremely proud to have for sale this newly completed MG TA Special.

This MG TA Special recreation has just been finished to the highest standard and the rebuild and restoration quality is “probably” the best you will ever see. No expense has been spared and the eye for detail is second to none.

SPEC All aluminium ‘Boat-Tail’ design bodywork.

Small boot space for overnight bag.

Side foot plates to aid entry to the interior.

Fully overhauled XPAG Engine bored to 1300cc.

Ported cylinder head and fully unleaded.

New Sports Camshaft and matched distributor.

Engine Fully Balanced.

Stainless Steel fish-tail side exhaust.

£80,000.00

1952 MG TD in old English white, Body off restoration with photographic history folder showing the chassis up nut and bolt rebuild, 5 speed gearbox conversion, Chrome Luggage rack

£31,995.00

View all cars at www.classicandsportscarsessex.com Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 81

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REGISTERS VINTAGE

owners to enjoy. Now that the Triple M and VR folks have enjoyed each other’s company once again, we ought to start thinking about more joint ventures. We are extremely grateful to Peter for this year’s invite, thank you once again. If you contact Patrick Gardner there is the annual event, the Black Horse Trophy at Peper Harow, to look forward to this month. It is on August 11 in the same field as last year and starts at high noon.

If anyone has any photos or words to report from the Pre-War Prescott gathering can you please

send them to Debbie as she will be looking for more contributions to the next Bulletin. I hope you all enjoyed the bumper edition that came out early last month. We are always looking for lively topical and interesting news to share. Final note for this month.

There are still a number of Vintage MG cars for sale, more details can be obtained from John Day but having said that, Peter Mace coming along to Farnham in his 18/80, the first time I had seen it in three years, led Peter to say “I was thinking I ought to sell it but now I have been driving it, I think not”.

CATHELIJNE SPOELSTRA +31 (0)6 41216600 cathelijnespoelstra@outlook.com www.triple-mregister.org

splendid bunch of grandparents! Being allowed to drive at 16 in the US, Iain has already started to familiarise himself with the car, loading up his bicycle on the back and going on trips with it. Too marvellous for words if you ask me!

There’s hope yet!

Forget event reports or announcements, forget whatever you were working on in the shed, we have a new youngster aboard! And not simply some mid-30s youngster, but an actual notquite-17 one! When his Grandad passed away, his Nan shipped her late husband’s M-type (2M0662) to America for Iain MacKeith to enjoy. What a

Car of the Month Time to put the L in the limelight! I found this fabulous photograph of L0699, at the time owned by stalwart SW Centre member Nick Dean, while leafing through some 1979 issues of Safety Fast!.

Nick extensively trialled and raced this L1 (a fourseater rebuilt as a two-seater back in 1934) in the late 1970s and early 80s, often featuring in

the Club’s magazine with it. Loving the sideburns, Nick! As an aside, there’s a bit of a strange thing going on with the registration number which I can’t get my head around, but who cares about such trivialities as numbers, right?! (What were we doing again with this Register?) As long as they get used, I’m quite content really! I believe the car is currently in America being restored.

More info on all things lovely L-type on our website under Model Profiles, as ever.

Happy reading!

P.S. Of course I knew only 22 J3s were made as opposed to the 33 I may have stated in the June issue; I was just testing you …

Ian Quarrington IanQuarrington999@BTInternet.com The picture alongside says it all. Three VR enthusiasts enjoying the day with the Triple M Register at Peter Green’s home last month. 191 people and 94 cars were booked in to the event making it the largest gathering at Farnham Royal in the 15 years since Peter began to welcome the owners to meet. There were folks from Germany, France, Italy, the USA and Cambridge. The VR and EMGS cars looked really well in their own parking area even if someone well known to us had parked Hamish the MGB in pride of place beside them! Rosemary and Philip were manning their spares stall again and plenty of folks were helping the Green family out with catering and organisation.

A big Marquee had been set up in case of inclement weather but I had imported the sunshine from England’s finest University City to clear away the grey clouds coming from somewhere up the A34.

It was good to see Geoff Radford and the Tigress again, he and Jerry Salaman had convoyed around the M25, not a sight one would see every day. The food and atmosphere were terrific and this is just the sort of event for these wonderful older cars and their youthful

TRIPLE M

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REGISTERS SVW

Green Heart of Holland, which boasts its own amazing bird zoo. The Tuesday evening boat trip starting near the hotel was excellent with a superb buffet during which we could chat with friends old and new. For some the weather was a bit too hot, but not like the record-breaking temperature in France; it did cool off and became rather more pleasant. The main focus of Wednesday was to explore Kinderdijk, a Unesco World Heritage site. Mainly below sea level, this is a wonderful area of dykes, rivers, canals and windmills. That evening we had the AGM (more on this another time) and the gala dinner. The ‘big surprise’ on Thursday was a trip to Haarlem to visit member Rob Woud’s very special collection of cars, collectibles and ephemera.

This ultimate ‘man-cave’ with its fantastic bar is a regular meeting place for local classic car owners.

Gobby and myself returned home

Paul Campbell svw.safety.fast@gmail.com www.svwregister.co.uk Many of you will have already heard via our various newsfeeds of the sad death of Bas de Voogd at his home in Holland on Monday June 24 after a long illness. This happened to be the same day we arrived in Holland for the annual SVW event and it also coincided with the day on which VA Saloon 0251 went to its new owner. This prototype VA was beautifully restored by Bas many years ago, later adapted to his circumstances and subsequently sold to Keith Bush when Bas could no longer drive. Some of us attended the funeral and next month I want to dedicate much of our four-page spread to Bas as there’s so much to write about.

The Holland event (June 25-27) at Alphen aan de Rijn was very enjoyable with 19 SVWs in attendance with others in non-SVW cars. We stayed at the Van Der Valk Avifauna hotel in the

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AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 83

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REGISTERS T TYPE PAUL PLUMMER 01926 854574 scribe@tregister.org In July’s offering I advised you of Keith Benningfield’s hill climbing challenges in his supercharged TC. Keith had entered the Classic and Vintage hill climb at Harewood in Yorkshire, in June, where he ran in the C20 Classic Sports Car class and came fourth with a very creditable time of 71.94secs. Keith’s reports on his exploits are available on the T Register website.

Dates for your diary.

By the time you read this, our next event, the annual T Party will be upon us. This takes place this year on Sunday August 4, coinciding with the Family Air Show Day, at The Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Bedfordshire.

The Autumn Tour to Rutland takes place on September 13-16 and is based at the Haycock Hotel in Wansford, with an attractive programme of events and visits planned.

However, this event has proven to be so popular it is now fully booked, and the alternative accommodation is full! Book up now for next year!

Keith at Harewood hill climb

Y TYPE Jerry Birkbeck 01926 258691 Mob: 07855 566325 birkbeckjerry@gmail.com www.mgccyregister.co.uk Welcome By the time you receive this edition of SF! we will be more than half way through the classic car ‘season’. Several of you have attended local events and reported on them enthusiastically, not least being regular contributor, Alan Chick, on both the Register’s website but also a number of

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Further information about these two events can be found can be found on the events page of the T Register website.

Globe-trotting T Types.

This TD was spotted recently in the small village of Los Belones near Cartagena in Spain. We saw the car at a roundabout and chased it for half a mile or so until we were able to get him to stop.

The owner is British, living in Spain, and the car is Spanish registered.

T Types get everywhere!

the Facebook sites where references to the Y are a welcome feature.

This month’s photo was posted on the Y Register website. However, I thought that it was well worth including in these notes. It shows Peter Vielvoye’s lovely YT (which has benefited from some ‘tidying up’ and the refurbishing of his wheels, which he has had shot blasted and repainted) taking part in the Cotswold Caper Keeping your Y on the road One of the most noticeable changes over the last 20-25 years in the classic car world has been the high quality of restoration work and regular maintenance work that all cars need. We live in a changing and uncertain world where several everyday activities are under the microscope. Not least are the understandable worries of climate change which are likely to outweigh even that the elephant in the room (which I won’t mention!).

A possible outcome in the next four-five years could be the reduction in the use of classic cars on our roads, and certainly in the centre of our cities.

Another is the availability of fuel as the switch to

electric cars becomes more commonplace. Also the additives to petrol that could possibly lead to the potential deterioration of key elements through the addition of increased levels of ethanol. In this respect I suggest that you read Paul Ireland’s excellent articles on this very topic that have been published in Safety Fast!.

Another rather worrying concern is the quality of some of the spares that are being produced. An example of this is the points that we use. I have found that a good number of the issues that I have had, during regular use of the Ys and Ts that I have owned over the last 27 years, have been around the ignition system. In 2013 I fitted a simple electronic system from one of the major suppliers on both the YT and TC. I keep the original base plate from the distributor set up with me in the cars so that it can be easily replaced in the event of a failure in the EI system. In my view, worth the 30-40 quid layout, rather than fitting new points every 500-1,000 miles at a tenner a throw!

Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Enjoy the rest of the summer and please keep me informed of your experiences!

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:30

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

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

Pride of Ownership winner at MGs in the Park

Roger Andreason at Silverstone 1978

Somewhat belatedly, I’m sad to report the passing of Roger Andreason on May 21, but thanks to Mike Lamplough for bringing it to our attention. Mike owns ‘Emma’, one of the ZAs originally prepared for racing by Roger, who was perhaps best known in

MGA Edward Vandyk 01488 608810 mgascribe@vandyk.co.uk Hot off the press we have details of the MGA Register 2020 Spring tour being organised by Janet and Richard Day, to whom many thanks. The event, One Weekend – Two Countries, will be held from Friday 8 to Monday May 11 2020 and be based at The Grange Hotel, Mercure Bristol North, Winterbourne, Bristol BS36 1RP where 55 rooms have been reserved. The event will run though Glorious Gloucestershire and Wonderful Wales, taking in castles, gardens and more. You will find details and booking form on the 2020 Events Page on the MGCC MGA Register website.

The South West MGA Day event was held on Sunday July 14 and started in Taunton with

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Magnette circles for building ‘Bumble’ around 1970.

In its distinctive brown and cream livery, he and his wife, Judy, raced Bumble successfully in the early years of the Classic Sports Car Club series. He later drove it to great effect in a number of the Classic Marathon rallies, including to Morocco. The car is still competing and under a new owner has been seen several times at Goodwood Revival.

In fact, as other obituaries have mentioned, Roger drove a wide variety of cars from Formula three to Jaguars and a Cosworth Lola over a long career starting in the 1960s. After taking over Chevron Cars with Tim Colman in 1983, he was responsible for preparing and tuning cars for a

number of world sportscar championships, and mentoring several drivers to early success. As well as the obvious respect and affection for Roger himself, his cars will very much endure as his legacy.

Just catching up with recent events, there were seven Magnettes at ‘MGs in the Park’ near Burford on June 9. Good weather was enjoyed, along with the usual Wildlife Park attractions at this longestablished MGOC gathering. Encouragingly, two of the Magnettes were brought by new owners, Tim and Margaret Knight, and Colin and Nicola Mayling.

The latter received a Pride of Ownership award for their ZB and we look forward to seeing all of them regularly at Register events.

a hearty breakfast. The weather was once again glorious as it had been the previous two years.

After registration 12 MGAs set out on what appeared to be the deceptively short 34-mile tour of the Blackdown Hills, the Wellington Monument, leading to the eventual destination of Cothay Manor, near Wellington. The narrow nature of the roads and the lack of sign posts (plus a few errors in Alan Whitfield’s Tulip diagrams) made navigation challenging which added miles, time and interest! As you would expect, all the MGAs made it to Cothay Manor where a picnic took place before a conducted tour of the house, or an afternoon sunshine walk in the large gardens. Thanks again to Alan for organising the event.

Yet again MGAs featured in the drivers parade for the 2019 Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone although, unlike in Australia earlier

this year, they had to share the limelight with MGBs, MGCs and Midgets. A special feature on the event will appear in September’s Safety Fast!

As a prequel to commemorate the Golden Anniversary of the MGA Register in October 2020 a reunion, with lunch, is planned at the Phoenix Inn, Hartley Wintney on October 26 2019. The Phoenix Inn was the centre of agitation and planning, by MGA owners, that led to the Register being created and ratified by the MG Car Club Central Council in October 1970. A date for your diary!

MGs ready for the drivers parade www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:26

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25/07/2019 10:26

REGISTERS MGC Mike Haughton mgc_mike@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/mgc-register/ For those who made it to MGC Day 52 we hope you all had a great time at what turned out to be a very relaxed and tranquil setting for the event.

The weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold. We were also treated to a remarkable display by the birds of prey from the falconry team at Holdenby House.

The Saturday was also extremely enjoyable, with a leisurely drive through the Cotswolds and a visit to the Cotswold Distillery. On the Sunday we

had a total of 52 MGCs present, which was rather appropriate for the 52nd Anniversary!

Awards on the Sunday were presented to: Furthest travelled were Tim and Christine Moore from Portree, Isle of Skye. Pride of Ownership was awarded to Andy Leete. Concours was presented to Mick Richardson. Car of the show was won by Steve Adams.

Also, a special thank you to Paul Mol and Ron Nieuwenhuijs for bringing their cars over from the Netherlands, and to Harvey Heath for making the journey over from New Zealand.

A quick ‘heads-up’ for those owners living in the Home Counties for the 10th Annual Charity Day being held at Beech Hill Garage on Saturday

Steve Adams being presented with his award for the Car of the Show

Just a few of the cars attending Holdenby Hall

MGF Tim Morris 01932 882467 scribe@mgfregister.org www.mgfregister.org No sooner had we gone to print for the last Safety Fast! than the news came that there was a problem with our booking for MGF25 at the British Motor Museum. However, as there is still a year to go, we hoped that not too many people had placed it too firmly in their diaries because we’ve had to change the date! So, get your erasers out and scrub out August 1-2 2020, as had previously been announced, and scribble in July 25-26 instead. We are sorry about the change but hope that it doesn’t cause anyone too much inconvenience.

The show is taking shape and will be a celebration of all things MGF and TF, and will feature displays of feature cars and interviews with MGF people – Roger Parker and Ian Pogson are already on board. There will be technical demonstrations and a pride of ownership to find the ‘best’ MGF and TF out there. Saturday will be show day with a silver anniversary party featuring live music in the evening.

The next day will be a road run from Gaydon but we promise it won’t start too early!

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September 21 from 10.00am-2.00pm. Over the years Beech Hill Garage has made significant contributions to the C Register and it would be great to give our support to Sally and Ted de la Riviere at their event which is in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.

Finally, if you have a story to tell about your MGC please let me have details for possible inclusion into the Register section of Safety Fast!

Happy C motoring.

Colin Howes

Lots of summer sunshine means that the regions are out and about at shows and drive-outs. Check the regional forums on the good old mgfregister.org website or the social media pages. There is plenty going on around the country to enjoy.

As MG announce the details of their first allelectric car we take a look at an electric TF conversion carried out by Indra Technologies in Malvern.

You’ll find some details on that in the next issue of FasTForward, our Register quarterly magazine and, hopefully, in Safety Fast! soon. We haven’t heard of any other TF conversions but if anyone is aware of any then please get on touch, as I have a feeling it could become a small trend for the future.

There may be a couple of caravans left for our National Event in Durham in September (20-23). If you are local and just want a day out then there is an option to just join us for a drive-out on Saturday September 21 without staying the whole weekend. We also have some spaces on a rare visit to Fawley Hill in Berkshire on September 8. This is a

private steam museum with a full-size railway and station in the grounds of Sir William McAlpine’s estate, near Henley. A fascinating place with a varied museum, carousel, railway artefacts and more – it is rarely open and then only to clubs. If any member is interested please email Tim Morris at tim.morris@mgfregister.org We are also thinking about Christmas and will be making another visit to Cricklade House Hotel on the weekend of November 30 for our annual festive knees-up!

Email Ian at events@mgfregister.org to let him know you are coming. There are still a handful of rooms available but be quick before they all go.

Finally, we’ll be back at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC in November and there is a special code to obtain discounted tickets which you can get from Keith Williams – keith.williams@mgfregister.org

Register stand at a local Classic Car Show – this is Clandon in Surrey with our South East Region www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:26

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JOIN OUR TOUR, ENJOY OUR SHOW! The Stockfest Classic Car Show, now in its fifth year, will take place on the Glebe at Stockcross from 12 noon. Promoted by MG enthusiasts, it’s aimed at MGs but all cars are welcome.

Free admission with any classic car.

Not only a car show, the day also features the Phoenix Brass Band and the Inn on the Glebe, our pop-up pub, as well as much more including hot food. Details at stockfestcarshow.co.uk.

In the morning why not join our touring assembly, The Rare Breeds Tour, which returns in time for the Stockfest car show? A 70-mile tour, it’s organised by Mark Appleton, one of the very few full time rally organisers.

Entry forms and details at rarebreedstour.co.uk.

Stockcross is 2 miles from Newbury, West Berkshire RG20 8LN

DENIS WELCH MOTORSPORT, YOXALL, BURTON-ON-TRENT, STAFFS DE13 8NA, UK

www.mgcc.co.uk

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REGISTERS ZR/ZS/ZT JOHN THOMPSON 01702 298866 johnt5@btinternet.com www.mgcc.co.uk/zedregister Events After the relatively quiet month of June, July followed with two major events on consecutive weekends. Firstly, the Donington racing rounds over the weekend of July 20-21, closely followed by MG Saloon Day 2019 at the Shuttleworth Museum on Sunday July 28. Please find a full review of both these events in the next Safety Fast!.

Upcoming Events Moving into August, Monogram Sunday takes place at Burghley House on 18th. This event has been publicised quite heavily since the flyers and posters were released at the beginning of May. We have jointly been organising this event with the MGF Register to celebrate the Monogram range of colours which were introduced by MG Rover in 2002. Initially 20 colour variations were available, with an additional 12 colours following in 2004. The exterior theme was carried inside

MG6.3.5 Steve Haines Steve-haines@live.co.uk www.facebook.com/groups/MG635Register twitter.com/635register

the cars, too, with various trim combinations and technology features creating some truly individual cars. Between the two Registers we aim to gather a large number of cars from all models and colours to create a really colourful display. This is a charity event with monies raised donated to The Stroke Association and The Brain Tumour Charity. Entry into the event is only £5.00 and we have also arranged discounted entry into the house and gardens. Burghley is one of largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan age. Visitor facilities include The

Orangery Restaurant, gift shop, gardens and walks around the parkland. The event is open to ALL MGs so come along and enjoy a day out at an exquisite country house.

At the end of the month the racing championships continue at Oulton Park on Saturday 31. Visit Geoff in the Welcome Suite to sign on for the parade laps. These can be subject to alteration due to the racing timetable. The parade laps are free to Club members and a perk of your annual membership, so make the most of the opportunity.

Owners have been very busy this month at plenty of local classic car shows, with lots of interest and the usual questions from the public! There was a great turnout of MG3 and 6 owners at the Powderham Classic car show in Exeter over the two days of July 13-14 on the Devon and Cornwall MG Car Club stand, including one very fresh facelift MG3.

We will report on Saloon Day which was held at the Shuttleworth Collection on Sunday July 28, in collaboration with the Zed and FWD Registers, in next month’s notes.

We then look forward to the BTCC event at Silverstone on Saturday 28 and Sunday September 29, where you can take advantage of infield

parking. We will have the gazebo set up and are looking forward to catching up with everyone at this great event.

We will keep updating the Facebook page for all of the events this summer.

A selection of MG3s on display at Powderham

Bob Slatter flying the flag on his MG6

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www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:26

MARTIN MARTIN SMITH SMITH

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

www.usedmgtfspares.co.uk

2011 MG TF135LE, one owner (MGOC Member) just 7,900 miles. Supplied with original bill of sale service/handbook, service bills, two sets of keys with codes.

Just had a 4 years / 60,000 miles ‘C’ service as well as being fitted with a new cambelt, water pump, battery etc on the 24/6/19 plus a new Mot. Fitted shadow chrome 11 spoke 16” alloys, heated glass rear screen, engine water level sensor, soft ride suspension, passengers airbag, remote boot opening etc.

This TF135 LE is one of the last of just 356 of these TF’s made.

Immaculate condition. £8,695

MG TF 135 LE, (One owner just 7,900miles)

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The MG specialists for MGF-MGTF-MG3-MG6

MARTIN SMITH Quality new and used spares.

Car trimmers/upholstery.

MG car sales and MG repair service

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

MG TF LE 500 +H/T+A/C (1 owner just 7,081 miles)

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

Dry stored since 2008. Fitted with Abs braking, spare wheel, wind deflector. Just fitted with a new headgasket/water pump/cambelt and 12 months mot Totally immaculate. £7,495

2009 (59 Reg) Manual, Petrol Finished in: Graphite Grey/Black leather A very rare Immaculate 1 owner low mileage LE500 254/500. Full spec,, supplied with a full service and a new cambelt and water pump etc. Full service history. This LE500 is totally immaculate thoughout. £9,950

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

This is just a small selection from our stock

Robin Lawton www.churchsquareautos.com

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

FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

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Vintage & Classic car specialist Fellow Enthusiasts always welcome at our new Premises in the Heart of The Meon Valley Over 50

Robin Lawton

1924 Vauxhall 23/60 OD Kington Tourer

1950 MG TD Restored to show standard 1952 Healey Tickford Sports Saloon

1924 Vauxhall 23/60 OD Kington Tourer

Imposing and powerful - ideal for longer distance touring

Imposing and powerful - ideal for longer distance touring

1952 Healey Tickford Sports Saloon

In fastidious ownership last 20 years, extensive history

In fastidious ownership last 20 years, extensive history

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NDSHIP THE MARQUE OF FRIE

1968 MGC GT Automatic, 61,000 miles from new

1933 Riley 9 Lynx - Almost Certainly the best in existence £49,500 SOLD after just 3 days with us!

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1932 Riley 9 Gamecock

Riley 9 Lynx - Almost Certainly the best in existence £49,500 Riley Alpine 14/6 Fabricborders Saloon 01420 474919 enquiries@robinlawton.com1931 Surrey/Hampshire/Sussex

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www.robinlawton.com

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1958 MGA ROADSTER - last owner 21 years

THE MARQUE OF FRIENDSH IP

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06/02/2019 13:59

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CLASSIFIEDS How to Advertise

Members can advertise their cars free of charge in Safety Fast! The cost for non members is £20. The advert will also be posted on the Club website in due course. To place an advert in Safety Fast! please email colingrant@mgcc.co.uk with an attached photo of your car, details of your car, your contact details, price of your car, area where you live and membership number. Please keep your advert to 60 words The editor reserves the right to edit longer adverts.

This is for one insertion only, for additional insertions please email Colin at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk

MG ZT-T 260 SE

Rare Monogram Poseidon, 2004 Facelift Estate, 70k, excellent condition, full very extensive service history/paperwork, full MOT, SE with SE Extras pack, Sunroof, Special order Leather/Alcantara, Xenon, Heated Power seats mirrors etc, Shadow Chrome Alloys, new tyres. Rare chance to acquire. £13,995 ono.

Tel: 07534 466 595 or Email: ZTT@mg-rv8.co.uk (Hants)

1953 MG YB

Older restoration (1996) and gradually improved in my 14 years of ownership, including re-covered seats, and just been re-wired. Room for further improvement.

Maintained in my ownership by Peter Edney, Classic and Sports Car, MG Mecca (See their website page) and my local garage. Original YMG numberplate.

Only arthritis forces sale. £11,000 ono.

Email; graham.mack14@gmail.com or phone: 01359 408130 (Bury St.Edmunds)

1955 MG TF 1500

Scarce model, one owner in the last 40 years. Most items renewed,replaced or reconditioned.Engine reconditioned and now unleaded. Documented history for last 40 years. Chrome wire wheels,boot rack,fog and spot lights also a new hood and tonneau.Maintained by MG Specialist. £26,950.

Contact Ian on Tel : 01698 263062 (near Glasgow)

MG3 3Style 2014

Owned from new. 31,500 miles. fsh.

Mot to July 2020. Autoglym lifeshine.

Treadyred vehicle. Reluctant sale but now need an automatic. £4,500 ono.

Excellent condition. MG number plate.

Club member.

Tel: Nigel on 07981 267171.

1959 MGA 1500 Mk1

Restoration project unfinished due to bereavement. Chassis fully restored to a high standard complete with fully reconditioned transmission, steering and suspension. £1500 o.n.o. Remaining parts in storage onsite, condition varies. Seller prefers these to be taken by the chassis purchaser. godwinm511@gmail.com (Derby)

MGB GT 1977

Only 32,000 miles from new, immaculate Brooklands Green paintwork, as new orange deckchair upholstery, overdrive & period radio/cassette, significant service history & old MoT documents to fully support the mileage recorded. Registered as Historic (free road tax), could be MoT exempt but comes with full MoT. Some upgrades carried out, but original items come with the car as well as several new spares. Genuine unavoidable reason for sale, £7,500. (Nr Helston, Cornwall) Mobile 07985 307779.

Email: mike.breedon@btinternet.com

1968 MGC GT

59,000 miles. Overdrive. Chrome wire wheels (5). Electronic ignition. Stainless steel exhaust. Koni adjustable rear shock absorbers. Heritage certificate. Full engine re-build in 2013 including re-bore, new pistons, 6 branch manifold, lightened and balanced flywheel, new camshaft, new clutch etc. Full body re-build and glass out full respray in 2016 with many photographs. Owned by me for over 10 years. Recent MOT plus previous MOTs going back to 1991. £25,000.

01292 849909 or 07989 318737 (Ayr. Scotland)

MG RV8

Nightfire Red. 1995 Vin 1392 Back to UK spec.New dash,new tyres,refurbished alloys,good screen,new full tonneau, complete with all the original ‘bits’ 35000 miles recent mot Mark Adams re-chip. Dry use only. Superb condition. £25,000 ovno.

Tel.01454 613561 (Bristol) or Email: berettaso4@gmail.com

1965 MKII MG MIDGET

Possibly one of the prettiest early Midgets you’ll find - Fitted with an Ivor Searle Stage II 1103cc engine with a fast road cam - Comes complete with Heritage certificate, original brochure and owners handbook, a huge amount of receipts and bills and MOT’s dating back to 1996 - Serviced every year and fastidiously maintained. £10,995.

Tel: 07831 852 510 or Email: darrenwilliams63@icloud.com

Hard top and soft top option. Good Gold Seal engine. Wire Wheels. No rust. Drives OK. Older restoration. Could be used for everyday use, tidying up a bit or a full restoration. Price: £6,500.

Contact Melvyn on 07966 482 351.

(Esher, Surrey)

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 92

Superbly restored original cycle-wing flat-back petrol tank, with matching numbers in Oxford blue. Total ‘nut and bolt’ restoration to original specification.

Professional engine rebuild (new c/b crank, u/l head), new body tub, new grey Collingburn leather upholstery, new professional paintwork, full new hood/ tonneau/side-screens. V5C (+ old log book) and original registration number.

Currently taxed, insured, and run regularly. Stunning condition. One of the best available. £38,000.

Email: andy.rogers99@gmail.com (Devon)

WANTED

I would very much like to hear from anyone who has knowledge of the whereabouts of an MGB 1964, Registration No. HMH 480B. I owned it for a number of years in the 70’s and recently have seen that it is still registered on the Government Website. If anyone could assist please ring me.

Chris Messenger – 07500 828334 or, chris@cmconsultantsltd.com

1970 MGB

Please note that the Advertising deadline is August 10 for the September issue of Safety Fast!

92 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

1959 cherry red frogeye sprite in excellent original unrestored solid condition. New battery, hood, tonneau and side screens, some spares, handbook and manual. But needs new master cylinder and some attention to paint work. £12,950.

Please phone 0208 393 5381 (Epsom)

1933 MG J32

1954 MG TF 1250cc

Old English white with black interior.

Restored by Naylor Brothers in early 1970s, detailed inventory of work carried out. Owned by me for last 13 years with small amounts of local use including trips to Goodwood. Purchased from and bmaintained by local MG Specialist.

Extensive history file. Excellent condition.

A joy to drive. £33,000.

Call Roger Burt on 07734325834. rogerjburt@yahoo.co.uk (South Hampshire)

1959 Sprite

2002 MG TF160

Trophy Blue with dark grey/black interior.

55000 miles, MOT until March 2020.

New rear shocks and brake discs fitted in March along with a few other items.

New rear window. Recent front wheel bearings. Great fun car in good condition - apparently I have too many cars so need to sell one! £2200.

07801 288751 andy@sherratt.me.uk (West Yorkshire)

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 members fee is £20

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:27

A37 - Barry Walker_CLASSIC 23/07/2018 10:30 Page 1

BEAULIEU INT. AUTOJUMBLE

THE NEW

SEPTEMBER 7TH & 8TH 2019

STAND IS HERE 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57

64 63 62 61 60 59 58

MARQUEES (BLUE)

GR

GREEN FIELD

65 66

80 79 78 67 77 68 76 69 75 74 70 73 71 72

81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89

96 95 94 93 92 91 90

GREEN (B) FIELD

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

GREEN FIELD

28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

6

55c 55b 55a 55 54 53 2

87a 56 87 57 86 58 85

MARQUEES (BLUE)

27 26

48 47 46 35 45 36 44 37 43 42 38 41 39 40

130 157 131 156 132 155 133 154 134 153 135 152 136 151 137 150 138 149 139 148 140 147 141 146 142 145 143 144

30 29 28

33 34

93 118 94 117 95 96 97 116 98 115 99 114 100 113 101 112 102 111 103 110 104 109 105 108 106 107

32 31

59 84 60 83 61 82 62 81 63 80 64 79 65 78 66 77 67 76 68 75 69 74 70 73 71 72

6 7

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

9 10

170 195 171 194 172 193 173 192 174 191 175 190 176 189 177 188 178 187 179 186 180 185 181 184 182 183

163a 202 164 201 165 200 166 199 167 198 168 197 169 196

PUBLIC ENTRANCE

PUBLIC ENTRANCE

3 4 5

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8

124 163 125 162 126 161 127 160 128 159 129 158

OAK TREE GONE!

BEER

94 93

1 2

88 123 89 122 90 121 91 120 92 119

57 63 62 58 61 59 60

97 96 95

GREEN (D) FIELD

T O I L E T S

33 32

139 138 137 136 135 134 133 132

BANKING

164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 1 173 1 121 152 122 151 123 150 124 149 125 148 126 147 127 146 128 145 129 144 130 143 131 142 82 108 83 107 84 106 85 105 86 104 87 103 88 102 89 101 90 100 91 99 92 98

RED FIELD

69 68 67 66 65 64 51 52 53 54 55 56

RED (A) FIELD

25 38b 26 38a 27 38 28 37 29 36 30 35 31 34

115 157 116 117 156 118 155 119 154 120 153

76 114 77 113 78 112 79 111 80 110 81 109 75 74 73 72 71 70

RED (A) FIELD

19 20 21 22 23 24

15 16 17 18

S

45 46 47 48 49 50

RED FIELD

TO RED & YELLOW FIELD

44 43 42 41 40 39

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 15 16 16 16 163

BE SURE NOT TO MISS IT. STANDS R60-63. RIGHT BY THE ENTRANCE

CAR SALES plus a full complement of spares for the models we sell: M, D, F, J, K, L, P, N, TA, TB, TC, TD.

… for the very best in vintage MGs … Estd. 1968

www.barrywalker.com email barry@barrywalker.com (we are close to Stratford-on-Avon)

MGOC. OCC.

Recommended spares supplier

CM09.18/A37/g

Including side and nose mounted superchargers (incl. all fittings), original badges, original tool kits, luggage racks, mascots and manuals.

TEL: 01789 400181/FAX: 400230 MOB: 07836 244103

A lovely ZT on which no expense has been spared. Full service history from new. Pearl Black with full black leather interior. Cruise control. Heated electric seats. Electric rear blind with MG X Power logo, DVD units in front seat head-rests, Auto gearbox replaced with 40K unit, Auto Webasto engine heater, New Nexen 8000 tyres (including spare) on refurbished wheels, cat back Longlife stainless steel exhaust, full (£400) recent steam clean and black waxoyl underseal, mud flaps, painted dash, MG floor mats, Quad xenox headlights with BMW halos, MG7 rear tail clusters with LEDS, Front Splitter, purpose made stainless front grilles, front fogs, new aircon condenser and compressor, new 120ah alternator, new battery, MG190 brake callipers and slotted/dimpled discs plus Greenstuff pads, Plenum tube mods, Navall 3 system with Harmon Kardon sound, Illuminated boot with spring release boot lid, Handbrake compensator, Reverse sensors, New front and rear SK wheel bearings plus ABS sensors, new wishbones, bushes, front struts, springs and shocks, new CV joints, drop links and poly bushes fitted, ECU and BCU upgrades, new power steering pump, water pump and thermostat.

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

Although every care is exercised in preparing your advert, weAllcannot hold out by previous engineer owner and current owner work carried ourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook. in last three years. Mileage 110K on the M47 long life chain drive SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE BMW unit upgraded to 160 bhp. _ _ 2020, _ no advisories and a near perfect previous long TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO MOT. _to_June MOT history showing that the car has always been looked after.

Car drives beautifully and had full Brown & Gammons service 400 miles ago (Nov 2017) with engine and gearbox oil, coolant flush, all filters replaced, and an oil change (Millers Semi-Synthetic) June 2019. Good number plate (FF04MGZ) stays with the car. Tailored We reserve the right to charge for any alteration to thisdust proof which sheet.

Lack of use and advancing years results in reluctant is a departure from the original copy sale. Car in storage North Bucks but taxed/insured.

URGENT PROOF MGZT 2005 CDTI 160 SE Auto

Priced at £2450.00

Contact David on 07785 727777 or davpil@me.com for photos/viewing www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 93

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 93

25/07/2019 10:27

1967 Mk1 MGB Roadster

1973 MGB GT V8

Factory produced.Glacier White.Bare metal respary and engine rebuild in1999.S/S exhaust.Uprated suspension.

Garaged.History.Current owner 8 years.

Excellent condition. £19,995.

Email: rgtysoe@hotmail.co.uk Mobile No 07785 734310 (Oxon )

The car is in excellent condition having been cared for by myself and other owners over the years. British Racing Green with black leather interior. She has green piping on the seats which are in superb condition as is the whole interior.

The walnut dashboard lifts the whole cabin. Body and paintwork are very strong with no rust and the underneath is sound. Engine bay immaculate. She was restored in the late 1990s. The car has electronic ignition and a Kenlow fan fitted other than that an original. A truly stunning example of 1960 s British engineering.

Based in Sevenoaks. £12,995 Call 07930491027 or 01732 887265 email: walkermr20@gmail.com

MGA Twin Cam

Owned since 1969. We Matching numbers. Or with pale grey Connoll seats. Body-off 10,000 everything renewed. B traffic. 1762cc TC engi MGB overdrive gbox a original bits included. £ Email: jfarrington999@

2010 MG TF 8

1959 MGA

Built in 1959 in Dove Grey, she was restored into Chariot Red during the 1970’s by actor Michael Crawford (large amounts of invoices etc in history) and then returned to Dove Grey in a 1990’s restoration. Heritage Certificate. Comes with assorted stone chips and scuffs, paintwork not concours. Rust spots are cosmetic only. Downsizing time means we have decide which of our ‘children’ we have to sell.

For more information telephone Chris on +44 (0)7540 406098 or email: chris@jcharman.eu

MkII MGB roadster

Red with black interior. The car has undergone hours of bodywork restoration which is holding up extremely well and has had over £10,000 spent on it over the past few years. No rust or rot in the car. The engine has been recently rebuilt allowing unleaded to be used in the car. The interior refreshed with a new dashboard and doorcards lifting the whole feel of the car. The car has a sports exhaust which sounds amazing and she goes very well. £10999.00. ono.

Please call on 01732 887265 or mobile 07930 491027.

Email: walkermr20@gmail.com

Anniversary Edition. On built, full leather seats glass rear window, Twi wheels, wind stop, hoo spare wheel and the ra This edition is the only have mechanical modi factory uprated suspen the best driving MGTF Only 26000 miles £8,9 Tel: Alan on 07799 71 email: motorfan@hot (Fleet Hampshire)

1960 MGA 160

1973 MGB

Blaze Red. This beautiful roadster was professionally restored twenty years ago and has since completed only 10,000 miles. It has had £10,000 spent on it recently at a well-known MG specialist including a respray and to a very high standard and a new mohair hood. The engine bay is nicely detailed and the engine is fitted with a Peter Burgess cylinder head, a performance manifold and has excellent oil pressure. The front suspension was also refurbished with powder coated wish bones, new poly-bushes and a ¾” roll bar. The original interior is complimented by a Mota-Lita steering wheel and it drives and handles beautifully. It can be used immediately for touring and has a very useful stainless steel boot lid mounted luggage rack. The current MGCC member owner is sadly unable to enjoy the car after 13 years ownership due to health issues. £11,000.

Contact John on 07817 295570 or email mg1880@ntlworld.com for more details and photographs.

Please note that the Advertising deadline is August 10 for the September issue of Safety Fast!

94 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 94

L/H/D. complete body finished in old english leather trim. Thousand be seen to be apprecia Tel: 07813743576 or Email: grahamallaway (North Yorkshire)

1960 MGA 1600

Only 14500 miles since 2011 nut & bolt restoration & complete mechanical replacement. 500+ photos. Original reg number. Head-turning car with stunning paintwork. Uprated B 1800 engine producing 107 bhp, unleaded, alternator, negative earth, electronic ignition (Novatech tuned), 5-speed box, 3.9:1 diff, assisted brakes & larger wheels enable FUN DRIVING, with extractor exhaust distinctive sound! Hi-end security devices, extensive tool & travel kits. Owned for 50 years, now time for someone else to enjoy. £32,000 reflects an exceptional car.

Email: mga1600sale@gmail.com

1931 MG M Type

Matching numbers engine fully rebuilt, rewired, recore rad,this is the car the late robin gordon owned and drove to monte-carlo in 1954 after he modified rear end to take his racing cycle, see yearbook 2003 for story. Much history, loved and reliable car £14,500.

Tel:07986530555 (Gloucestershire)

1968 MGC GT

Finished in Primrose Ye spoke wheels and blac The car underwent a b 1997/98 with photogra engine was rebuilt in 2 up-grades including lig ported head and fast r on twin 2” SU’s. Extens with invoices and MOT £19,250.

Tel: 07710 399510 (W

SELLING YO

As a member of the can advertise your ca free. Just email your c words, together with Colin Gra colingrant@m Non members

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:27

MGB Roadster

nt condition having myself and other ars. British Racing ather interior. She has seats which are in is the whole interior. ard lifts the whole ntwork are very and the underneath y immaculate. She late 1990s. The car on and a Kenlow fan at an original. A truly 960 s British engineering. . £12,995 or 01732 887265 @gmail.com

MGA Twin Cam Coupe

Owned since 1969. Well known to MGCC. Matching numbers. Original Mineral Blue with pale grey Connolly hide on De Luxe seats. Body-off 10,000 miles ago. Almost everything renewed. Built for modern traffic. 1762cc TC engine, Barwell head, MGB overdrive gbox and diff. Most original bits included. £29,000 ono.

Email: jfarrington999@gmail.com

2010 MG TF 85th

oadster

rior. The car has bodywork restoration extremely well and 00 spent on it over No rust or rot in has been recently eaded to be used in refreshed with a d doorcards lifting the r. The car has a sports ds amazing and she 999.00. ono.

2 887265 or mobile

Anniversary Edition. One of only 50 ever built, full leather seats, air con, heated glass rear window, Twist of Pepper alloy wheels, wind stop, hood cover, full size spare wheel and the rare MGTF toolkit This edition is the only MGTF to every have mechanical modification with factory uprated suspension to make this the best driving MGTF every produced.

Only 26000 miles £8,995.00.

Tel: Alan on 07799 717007 or email: motorfan@hotmail.co.uk (Fleet Hampshire)

@gmail.com

1960 MGA 1600 Mk 1

L/H/D. complete body off rebuild. finished in old english white with black leather trim. Thousands spent and must be seen to be appreciated. £29,750 Tel: 07813743576 or Email: grahamallaway@yahoo.co.uk (North Yorkshire)

1600

nce 2011 nut & bolt lete mechanical photos. Original reg ng car with stunning B 1800 engine unleaded, alternator, ectronic ignition 5-speed box, 3.9:1 diff, rger wheels enable extractor exhaust disnd security devices, vel kits. Owned for for someone else to ects an exceptional car. e@gmail.com

Type

engine fully rebuilt, ,this is the car the wned and drove to 4 after he modified racing cycle, see story. Much history, ar £14,500.

Gloucestershire)

enquiries@mgsforsale.com

01707 876089 2016 MG6 GT diesel

Facelift model. Top-of-the range TL model. 1.9 turbo diesel. 48,000 miles (daily driver so mileage will increase) 18” alloys, red bumper inserts. MoT’d until June 2020. Recent discs and pads as well as new tyres. Full leather interior, satnav, Bluetooth connectivity. Full service history – serviced by SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre. In good condition. Spacious, economical engaging modern MG. £6500 ono. Call Adam on 07530734044

Finished in Primrose Yellow with chrome spoke wheels and black leather trim.

The car underwent a body restoration in 1997/98 with photographic record, the engine was rebuilt in 2011with many up-grades including lightened flywheel, ported head and fast road cam, running on twin 2” SU’s. Extensive history file with invoices and MOT certificates. £19,250.

Tel: 07710 399510 (Warwickshire)

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 members fee is £20

www.mgcc.co.uk

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 95

07831 556666

MG CGT 1968 AUTOMATIC Older Nut & Bolt Restored (RWD628G) MG CGT 1968, automatic, excellent Mineral Blue coachwork with nicely mellowed original Black leather interior trim, original genuine leather bound MGC steering wheel, nicely detailed engine compartment housing the smooth 3.0 litre engine ideal with the Borg Warner automatic gearbox making this particularly rare model an ideal classic today, this vehicle apparently formed part of a collection of a deceased estate, on inspection one can see the quality of the rebuild from a number of years ago and with likely little miles since is still very fresh in appearance, just arrived £24,950.00 MG BGT 1972 Last Owner 37 Years (LLF951K) MG BGT, 1972, last owner 37 years, chrome bumpers, overdrive, chrome Rostyle wheels, Aqua coachwork now requiring some improvement but a very solid vehicle indeed with a nice original feel and appearance, original style navy cloth interior trim, gold seal engine fitted mid 80’s and drives delightfully, good history file with original documentation back to the 80’s, a plethora of invoices from renowned specialists Brian Brown Classics & B Hive, original Unipart Gold Seal papers, old mot’s etc. etc. just arrived £5,950.00

URGENTLY WANTED

ANY MG MG A 1600

In good condition, built 1961. On the tacho are 58’000 miles. It has EU approval papers (before this it was approved in Switzerland) The power of the motor is 79 PS and had be changed to lead free petrol. The car is black with a beige interor. It’s in a good condition.

The wheel is on the left side of the car.

Price 38’000 Euro or £34’200 GBP. The car has to be picked from France. Phone 0033 389 89 40 56 or Email: francoise@bignens.org

ANY YEAR

ANY CONDITION SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF OUR STOCK

www.mgsforsale.com

Do not confuse the above vehicles with cheaper inferior quality models offered elsewhere. Part exchange any make of Motor Car with generous allowances. Discounted cash purchases. Viewing by appointment only please (available evenings & weekends) no obligation to purchase. All our vehicles carry a warranty, have an MOT and are fully serviced prior to collection/delivery.

www.mgmecca.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1953 717618 Fax: (0) 1953 717850

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

Cash buyer. Discretion assured.

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

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

1968 MGC GT

www.mgsforsale.com

1972 MGB Roadster, Old English White, red trim.

Totally restored on dry state shell, everything is new/ recon. 2L fast road engine. Sports leather seats.

Everflex red hood. W/Wheels. Drives like a new car, superb, S/S boot rack, sports wheel, painted dash.

Hydraulic bonnet struts, K&N filters. Would cost in excess of £35k to build. £27,995.00

1995 MGRV8, Woodcote Green, stone beige trim.

New beige mohair hood, new (original) tonneau, interior in excellent condition, new door cards. Re veneered dash console and door caps. 48,500 mls.

Screen frame (refurbed). Power steering, upgraded to Clive Wheatley Spax shocks. Suspension poly bushed. New clutch and slave cylinder, new boot stayst. £22,995

CALL DIRECT ON: 07787 528131 UK Based Buyer

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

MIDGET MK1 Almond Green, Shadow Green trim.

Totally immaculate. Totally restored car, probably the best MK1 available! Restored in 1992 and still looks like it’s just been done. Immaculate underside, engine bay, interior trim etc. Drives like new. Unique opportunity. £18,995 (would cost well over £40-50k to restore now!) £18,995

1972 MGB Flame Red, Tan leather trim. Full bare shell rebuild with history and photographic record.

Minilites. Lovely engine bay. Drives superbly. Some marks in paint. Superb summer fun and great investment. £11,995.00

1976 MG MIDGET 1500 British Racing Green, Autumn Leaf trim. Everything on this car has been renewed or refurbished. All new trim.

Over £12,000 spent on parts alone, plus 1000’s of hours. Immaculate inside and out and underneath! Fantastic value £12,995.00

1969 MGC Mineral Blue, grey leather trim. Chrome wires. Overdrive. Totally restored by ourselves 10 years ago. Superb car in superb condition. Lovely engine bay. Unleaded rebuilt engine. Bespoke grey trim, leather seats. A fine restored and very well looked after car £27,995.00

www.mgmidgets.com

AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 95

25/07/2019 10:27

Insurance for all MG’s classic and modern STEVE McKIE SPORTSCARS CHESTERFIELD

•

DERBYSHIRE

Specialists in the repair and restoration of MG cars Suppliers of parts for • MGA • MGB • MGC • Midget • T Type • MGF/TF

www.stevemckiesportscars.co.uk

Custom made and standard fit covers for your car from £99

Steve McKie Sports Cars Hi-Res.indd 1

Engines newly built. Fast road camshaft, lightened and balanced. Lip sealed. Stage 11 unleaded. TC-same specigication. Later build 1350cc , either TC or TD/TF. Can be fitted with laystal alloy cylinder head.

Contact Ron on 01422 823649 or 07790458386. valerieandron@gmail.com

• Custom Waterproof Outdoor £295 • Standard fleece-lined breathable from £112

• Soft Indoor Stretch from £99 NEW!

MGA

(Covers for all other cars too)

Original MGA early gear box and prop shaft. 5 wire wheels. Sensible offers to mikepayneinteriors@hotmail.com or Tel: 07885674540

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

TED

AN W G

r e m

y r o Gl BY

MG TA and VA Tourer 15/05/2017 13:33

01844 281700

nigelguild@hotmail.com

MGOC Recommended Dealer 40 MGs in Stock Best Prices paid with friendly advice. Est 1986 DONHOODS-SFAug07.QXD:Layout 1

23/9/09

Fast payment and collection

16:22

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

Choice of heavy duty PVC, ICI Vynide, Everflex, Duc k and Mohair AL MAKES & L incl: MG, MODELS Tr Escort, Giumph, olf etc.

ingham B23 7JJ Hampton Road, Birm

13 Tel: 0121 373 13ICE OFF SOUTHERN SALES

00 Tel: 01202 7422

CARPET SETS FOR MOST

MODELS

www.donhoods.com

96 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 96

Complete correct tool kit for your under bonnet trays. As found and all in good condition. Head spanner, tappet spanner, 3 open end. 2 prewar Dunlop tyre levers, Shelley hammer,screwdriver pliers and adjustable. Tyre valve tool, feeler gauge, lucas tool 3 stacking box spanners and bar jack handle(repro) £250 ovno. Photos available on request.

Call Mike on 07905737715 or 02380892723.

Email: mgtamike@yahoo.co.uk

MGF

Azev 17” x 5” Alloy wheels. These very rare wheels are the same as fitted to the MGF Cheetah, look superb on any MGF. Will also fit MG TF, Meastro and Montego. Stud pattern 95.25 Very rare Krafthaus Hardtop.

Page 1 This hard top must be the best looking of any MGF/TF hardtop with its unique design. Think there was only about six ever made.

For more details and photos Tel: 07795670881

DON HOODS •BETTER THAN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT QUALITY •STITCHED AND WELDED FOR MAXIMUM LIFE •WIDEST CHOICE OF COLOURS AVAILABLE •ALL FASTENERS & FITTINGS INCLUDED D PRICE FOR LEAFLET AN LIST CONTACT Ltd Don Trimming Co.

ZA/ZB, 4 maroon door cards very good condition. £120.

Contact Kev on 01359 221133 (Suffolk)

TD/TF XPAG 1500cc

• Custom Indoor from £150

For

MG Magnette

23/06/2010 13:46

Premium Quality since 2003

RM

MGB or GT

Salisbury Wire wheel rear axle, complete and robust but in unknown working condition. Buyer collects from central Bedfordshire. £15. Tel 01525862297 (Brian).

Tel 01246 454527 • Fax 01246 453681 Albert Street North, Chesterfield, S41 8NP

U YO

How to Advertise

Members can advertise their cars free of charge in Safety Fast! The cost for non members is £20. The advert will also be posted on the Club website in due course. To place an advert in Safety Fast! please email colingrant@mgcc.co.uk with an attached photo of your car, details of your car, your contact details, price of your car, area where you live and membership number. Please keep your advert to 60 words The editor reserves the right to edit longer adverts.

This is for one insertion only, for additional insertions please email Colin at colingrant@mgcc.co.uk

MGC

Dashboard professionally restored

by Richard Woolley, £120 to include postage. Excellent condition rare original MGB/ MGC Centre Console, £90 to include postage. Barely used wood rim 15” Astrali Steering Wheel to fit MGB or MGC with boss and MG logo, £90 to include postage.

Contact James Thornborough on 07789 176260 or james.thornborough@gmail.com

Call for a quote today

01376 574000

www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk MGF/TF

2 x F/TF hood tonneaus 1 x black + 1 x light tan (good used) oiro £35ea 1 x F/TF toughened smoke grey acrylic windstop (no drilling req’d) oiro £20 1 x F/TF emergency 14”spare wheel + Goodyear GT3 (slight use once only) oiro £20.

1 x F/TF CD413X OEM radio/CD player (unused old stock) oiro £70 1pr F/TF chrome rear lid panel/deck finishers + fittings (good cond.) oiro £15.

Local pickup or p+p by arrangement.

Pics available. email: chris.muffett@talktalk.net (West Sussex RH20area)

MGA

Works Aluminium Hard Top. Original rare hardtop made by BMC subsidiary Vanden Plas, complete with fittings. Very good condition. Sensible offers for more details.

Tel: 07795 670881

MG TF

Hard Top. Black. Excellent condition.

Heated window £199.00 Buyer collects.

Telephone: 01568 709376 (Nr Leominster, Herefordshire)

MGB GT

P Reg body with good rubber bumpers, sitting on Rostyle wheels laying outside.

Parts dry stored! 1800V 1976 vintage, 160,000 miles, still only quart of oil between changes. Matching gearbox with overdrive, no gear lever.

Front rubber bumper new condition with lights. Spare armiture (bumper front) shot blasted, zinc flame sprayed, black powder coated.

Set of LE wheels 14” sprayed silver. 5x10, also set Rostyle wheels chrome.

Early cross member shot blasted/primed.

Radiator panel, box of carburettors-early type.

Edd brock/Webber Carburettor suitable for reconditioning from 3.9 Rover V8.

Cast iron exhaust manifold 18v.

No reasonable offer refused.

Buyer collects.

Tel: 0208 7788160. (East Sussex)

MG TC

Brake shoes (Set) £95 Brake drum £30 Brake pipe 3 way union £30 Brake Pedal £50 Clutch Pedal £50 First chassis cross tube £40 Headlamp bracket £65 Badge Bar Bracket (new) £25 Handbraker ratchet £20 Handbrake X shaft complete. £250 Handbrake X shaft Chassis brackets £40 pr Handbrake cable brackets for back plates £20 pr Brake shoe springs (front and rear) new £10 Brake shoe springs (front and rear) used £5 Email: peterjones1880@me.com

SPARES WANTED

WANTED

Wanted cup holder drivers side (right hand) Rover 75/MGZT Wanted front windscreen with top tint Rover 75/MG ZT Please contact Keith on 01215503908.

(Halesowen Area)

Please note that the Advertising deadline is August 10 for the September issue of Safety Fast!

www.mgcc.co.uk

25/07/2019 10:27

Call for a quote today

B4 - BARRIE CARTER_CLASSIC MOTORING 21/02/2019 11:20 Page 1

01376 574000

Insurance for all MG’s classic and modern

MGC GT BARN FIND. Ex standard class race car.

Straightest rust free body around.

Stage 2 head, 6 branch manifold.

Lowered negative minilites etc.

New 95 dcbls exhaust system - all modifi cations you would need. A fast road car/hill/c sprints. Bare interior. Huge fun. £12,995

MGC GT 1968 Beautifully restored to endurance and historic rally specification.This is probably the best “C” I have owned and I’m very tempted to keep it. It has been fully restored and has pictorial evidence but has had sensible upgrades, gas shocks all round, Anti Roll bar, Minilite reps with rally tyres. Sebring headlight covers and front valance. Competition quick Overdrive on all gears 10 gears!! Stage 2 head with mild cam, six branch exhaust and special system. Inside the car has rally cobra seats, belts and the correct rally navigation aids. Halda, stopwatch and Brantz clocks for endurance events. It is all topped off with a Britax matching sunroof. The car is an absolute delight to drive with oodles of torque and power. If you want the best “C” look no further. £27,500

MGC Roadster 1968, In Mineral Blue manual and Overdrive.

One attentative owner for 17 years. It has a historic and very nice restoration that inccured new panels, carpets, hood, wire wheels, modified head and engine rebuilt to fast road specification. This “C” is in very lovely instantly useable condition. These cars are romping away in valve so next year you can make a profi t!. £23,500

PLUGS, POINTS & CARBS ARE WHAT WE DO! So Somehow Alan & I have Three MG C’s. We restore “T” Types, and have a massive stock of “T” Types spares and Xpag Engines. We Can carry out works on any classic, vintage or race car and have nearly 60 years experience.

Collection & Delivery is not a problem. We can prepare and rebuild race MGs or any competition car, my preivious life was in F1. Come and watch our MGA & Edd Shahs TR3A rebuilt by us, at Silverstone on Aug 8th. Always ready to advise

This lovely Citroen 2cv Dolly has undergone a very nice restoration at some point. It has more performance than most, Don’t know why, but its quicker than some others!! It has a lovely body , interior, galvanised chassis, boot rack and a large history fi le. These cars are rising in value very quickly and I love em! £9,995 MG MIDGET MK III 1275cc Wow! What a little bullet! This brings a smile to my face! Lovely body with bills for work carried out, re trimmed in black with white piping, superb box and I don’t what has been done to the engine,, but it is bloody lively! New hood, lovely all round. Masses of grin factor. £6,995 Subaru Justy You’ve forgotten these 1200 cc FWD! Switchable!

34K I love these, a low milage lovely example. They have MX5 Performance. Cheeky, quick and great off roaders. Beautiful inside and out. It rubbishes 205s and rare. £4,250

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

www.barriecartermg.com 4Sight Lighting Company................87

Hoyle Suspension............................68

Adrian Flux ......................................63

Just Right Autos Ltd........................52

Auto Car Electrical...........................70

Kmaps.............................................68

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

Lancashire Classics.........................78

Barry Walker ...................................93

Longstone Tyres .............................38

Beech Hill Garage............................94

Machine Mart..................................25

British Motor Heritage.....................IFC

Manor Garage.................................72

Brown and Gammons.....................11

Martin Smith Used MGTF Spares ..91

Bucks Sports and Classic................97

MG Mecca.......................................95

C&F Engineering.............................87

MG Sales Centre.............................21

Car Covershop.................................96

MGZT FF04MGZ For Sale...............93

Carole Nash Insurance ....................6 Chisbon Restorations......................63 Church Square Autos......................91 Classic & Sports Cars (Essex)....80, 81 Classic Car Hub...............................70 Clive Wheatley.................................57 College Motors Burford...................72 Colne Classics.................................89 Crown Classic Cars.........................87 David Manners..................................6 Dennis Welch..................................89 Distributor Doctor.............................85 Don Trimming..................................96 Duckhams ......................................14 EJW Classic and sports...................97 Fishers Services..............................83 Footman James..............................23

Oselli Ltd .........................................25

(Northwood, Middlesex)

Rees Bros........................................51

URGENT PROOF Bucks Sports & Classic Car Centre

Retro Sports Cars............................43 Rimmer Bros Ltd.............................43 RJH Automotive...............................85

Specialist in MGA, B, C, V8, RV8, Midgets, and MGF. SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THIS PROOF PLEASE Also specialists in TELEPHONE BEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO. _ _ _ _ _ early Minis

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

RJJ Shipping...................................83 Although every care is exercised in preparing your advert, we cannot hold RM Car Care....................................57 ourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook.

Robin Lackford Motor Engineering .51 Robin Lawton..................................91 Skiptune..........................................85 SMR ................................................95 Steve McKie Sports Cars.................96 Sussex Classic Car Parts.................63

Frontline ..........................................32

The Hutson Motor Co Ltd..................4

Safety Fast_August2019 49-98.indd 97

14:24 Page 1

Peter James Insurance.....................9

Stockfest..........................................89

www.mgcc.co.uk

Any Condition from non runners to rebuilt cars

Peter Best............................96,97,IBC

Foston’s Ash Inn..............................74

Heathrow Transmission...................83

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

Please call Edward 01923 840236 or any time on 07774 484497 Midland Classic Restoration..............4 MG16 - BUCKS SPORTS CLASSICS_BUCKS SPORTS CLASSICS 26/09/2012 Mike Authurs Classics.....................95 Email: ejwhitescars@aol.com Mike Satur.......................................51 Website: www.mgandporsche.com NTG Services................................OBC

Former Glory ...................................96

Halls Garage....................................57

URGENTLY WANTED

Torro Sports Cars Ltd.......................95

For friendly advice contact Pete Giles on Tel: 01296 433550 or Mob: 07831 404968 www.mgsonthenet.co.uk www.mgsonthenet.co.uk email: peter.giles@mgsonthenet.co.uk 10STREET Rabans Aylesbury.

HP19 BUCKS 8RS HP20 1EB UNIT 18, PARK IND Close, ESTATE, OSIER WAY, AYLESBURY,

Global Ltd WeVitesse reserve the...........................76 right to charge for any alteration to this proof which is a departure from the original copy

CC10.12/MG16/p

TC Race/ Fast Road Car. Allegedly twice championship winner, fully modifi ed to T reg. specs. Full race 1350 engine! “1/2” S.Us branched manifold, plumbed in ext. comp clutch, alloy body panels, 15” wheels, tramp bars modifi ed brakes, teles, cage, race seat, and more. It’s as scruffy as raced and very quick. Ideal circuit, race or hillclimb. £19,500

www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk

CM04.19/B4/pa

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AUGUST 2019 SAFETY FAST! 97

25/07/2019 11:02

LOOKING BACK The official publication of The MG Car Club Incorporating ‘The M.G. Magazine’, ‘The Sports Car’ and ‘Brooklands Track and Air’, Safety Fast!

Copyright MG Car Club 2019

Editor: Andy Knott 01235 849730 / 01235 555552 andyknott@mgcc.co.uk Deputy Editor: Colin Grant 01235 849733 colingrant@mgcc.co.uk Editorial Committee: Andy Knott, Colin Grant, Adam Sloman Advertising: Hine Marketing 01452 730770 Published by: Hine Marketing, Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton Glos, GL2 9LN. Tel: 01452 730770 Distributed by: Air Business. Merlin Centre, 4 The, Acrewood Way, St Albans AL4 0JY Tel: 01727 890600 President: John Day Vice Presidents: Ron Gammons, Don Hayter, Peter Best, Bill Silcock.

Chairman: Dave Tynan Vice Chairman: George Wilder Treasurer: Richard Colston

O

ur first offering shows the Z Magnette of Roger Andreason (who sadly passed away recently, there’s a tribute to Roger in this month’s Magnette notes) and Nick Atkins looking resplendent despite missing the chrome finisher from its front wing. Car and drivers are, of course, taking part in the Pirelli Classic Marathon in, we think, 1990. Note the other Abingdon ‘Classic’ following them! Can you help us to identify where this shot may have been taken?

These two smart young gents look mighty proud of their MGB GT with its sunshine roof. Please let us know if you have any further details.

We doubt that this happy-looking owner would normally have let the grass grow under his wheels! This photo comes with no information on car or driver. Can you help?

Directors: Dave Saunders, Peter Opie, Peter Cook, Keith Williams (co-opted) and Paul Money (co-opted) Company Secretary: Colin Grant Staff Members: Adam Sloman (General Manager 01235 849732), John Hutchison (Competitions Secretary 01235 849738), Andy Knott (01235 849730), Lauran Gallacher (Assistant General Manager 01235 849735), Liz Allsworth (Membership Secretary 01235 849734), Colin Grant (01235 849733), Cherina Scarrott (Finance Officer 01235 849736) and Ineke Sherman (Merchandise 01235 849737) Honorary Members: Michael Allison, Ron Gammons, Peter Best, Don Hayter, John Quenby, Sir Stirling Moss, Paddy Hopkirk, Norman Ewing, Piers Hubbard, 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.

98 SAFETY FAST! AUGUST 2019

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PeterBest_SafetyFast_MGCarClub_Advert_297x210.pdf

1

07/01/2019

14:28

classic car insurance PBIS specialises in classic car insurance, as well as insurance for other collectable classic vehicles. We have been supporting the MG Car Club, its Centres & Registers, for over 30 years so we know what is important to you.

Approved Insurance Provider

Our ‘Abingdon’ policy covers classic use for MG’s 3 years and older.

Policy benefits may include: • Free agreed valuations • Roadside assistance and recovery within UK/EU • Limited mileage options • Discounts for multiple car ownership • Club member discounts

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visit: www.classiccar www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk email: info@classiccarinsurance.co.uk info@classicc

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Peter Best Insurance Services Ltd Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration No. 307045 | Registered in England No. 2210270

Safety Fast_Cover August2019.indd 3

25/07/2019 09:09

Parts for TA to TF 1936-55, YA YB YT, MGA & Magnette.

Secure online shopping at: www.mgbits.com or by phone.

Worldwide shipping.

T&Y Type or MGA & Z series catalogues- email or phone for your copy

K950

Disc brake kit for most models from £612

K189TS TA/B or K189RS TC Superior master cylinder with brass body & stainless cap

£296.40

Stainless steel items:

B590TA Breather pipe £28.80 B750Y Water branch pipe Y-Type £49.20

NTG Motor Services Ltd 282-284 Bramford Road Ipswich IP1 4AY Tel: +44(0)1473 406031/2 Fax: +44(0)1473 742087 sales@mgbits.com British Motor Heritage Approved - founded 1966

Safety Fast_Cover August2019.indd 4

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