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August 2020

In This Issue... Club Update

Inspirational Youth

Down on the Bayou

Meet the members

Chasing Sunbeams

Merchandise

MG bucks the trend

If I were a rich man…

Some like it hot

Strutting your stuff

Forthcoming Events

2021 Club Update

Contact Us

Send us an email for more information about the club’s activities or to join us.

Angie Haughton - Area Secretary angie_neston@btinternet.com

Neil Wallace - Candles Run neil.d.wallace@me.com

Mike Haughton - MGCC Liaison mgc_mike@btinternet.com

Martin Williamson - PR/Newsletter martin@mginfo.co.uk

Volunteers: Steve Brace, Neil Kennedy, Richard Hayes, and Matt Brookfield.

Visit us on the web at: www.westcheshiremgoc.club

Cover photo: by Steve Brace

From the club desk...

Firstly, my apologies for the delay in the publication of this month’s magazine which, apart from the professional pressures of a new joint venture in online training, I’m also going to blame on holding back so that any news from last night’s committee meeting could be added, as you will see on Page 5.

As mentioned, the pressures of creating online material has meant re-evaluating just how much I can do but I am most grateful to Mike and Angie for picking up on some of the workload and knowing that the rest of the team are also willing to be supportive. In fact, I feel a little guilty as I know the rest of the team are just as busy with day jobs, charity work and other car/bike/running club related matters so I really do appreciate the effort everyone makes.

Do make sure you take a look at the events for the remainder of the year and check the website for updates. Whilst it was a disappointing decision to cancel our Cheshire Candles Charity Show in September, the Chester Lakes Sunday Breakfast Meets are still going ahead and indeed, comply with the guidelines thanks to the management team on site doing their best to ensure everyone’s safety. As you will see in the Club Update by Angie, we will be tying in with some of these Breakfast events (held on the third Sunday of each month). I’d like to thank Terry, Richard, Steve, Neils W and S and Phil for assisting me at the July event where we helped with handing out the compliance notices on the morning. We had over two hundred classics turn up! A great morning, indeed.

All the remains is to wish you all well, and I hope we’ll see some of you next week at the drive out to Manor Wood Park, or the following day at the Charity Cheque handover at Chester Lakes, or the Sunday after at the Breakfast Meet.

Martin Williamson

from March 67 "Sports Car Graphic"

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Keith Davis & Son Ltd

Parsonage Garage

Family run, customer focused business, committed to providing value for

money and traditional honest service & repairs on all modern and classic

cars.

Worked in the motor trade since 1971 and established in Aldford

since 1993.

Work undertaken on all makes & models - modern or classic.

Traditional servicing methods used combined with modern

diagnostic technology.

Classic car enthusiast and MGB owner for many years.

Maintenance, repairs and MOT testing undertaken on all classic

cars including MGs.

Parsonage Garage, Middle Lane, Aldford, Chester, CH3 6JA

01244 620 399 or 07714 157200

keithdavis.citroen@hotmail.com citroen-specialist-chester.co.uk

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Club Matters COMMITTEE EVENING - 4TH AUGUST 2020 by Angie Haughton

Present: Angie & Mike H, Steve & Amanda B, the Neil W, Neil K, Neil & Anne S , Martin & Gail W.

Apologies: Phil & Anne R, Richard H and Mat B

Treasurer’s Report

We have £500 in the account, of which there is £24 that has been paid in, but we don’t know from whom.

Steve B has agreed to take over the Treasurer role, with support from Amanda.

Reallocation of Duties

Due to pressure of work Martin W has handed over some of the organising that he has been doing. We all want to pass our thanks for him doing it all for the past years – we wouldn’t be half the club without all of Martin’s efforts. Martin is still going to do the magazine, he will send us a list of deadlines for doing articles etc. Feel free to contribute, the more Martin receives the better the magazine. He will also keep doing the monthly Area Report for the “Enjoying MG” magazine as well as the monthly email meeting reminder.

Magazine advertising and sponsorship - please keep an eye out for any likely advertisers and encourage them to participate to help keep the cost of the magazine and membership fees in check. Please also support our existing advertisers, too!

Mike H is going to take on the Merchandising.

Mike & Angie are Admin on the Facebook and will keep an eye on admissions etc. and ensure that there are regular updates, along with Steve doing the website updates for the events.

The events i.e.. Rolling Road Day, Garage Day etc. will be picked up when we start doing them again, Neil Wallace has volunteered to organise the Rolling Road Day next Spring. Other events can be picked up by other members or the committee as we start to do more next year.

We decided not to go forward with the Cheshire Candles Charity Classic Car & Bike Show this year.

Future Events

Club Nights: August -Steve has organised a run for the Evening 11th August. Thank you, Steve.

In September the club’s monthly meeting will take place in combination with the Chester Lakes Sunday Breakfast Meets on Sunday, 20th followed by a run to Neil & Anne’s for afternoon tea. (Neil & Anne don’t forget to send us the bill.)

Nothing was planned for the October onwards club meetings but there were some suggestions one of which was:

Sunday mornings meet somewhere, such as Chester Lakes?

Go for a Sunday run, possibly to a café with outdoor seating.

Possibly meet up with another club for a run, numbers permitting.

We will keep the option open for returning to the Trophy Room, whilst looking for another suitable venue. However, Neil W visited the Cheshire Sports and Social Club this afternoon (Wednesday, 5th). They opened this last Monday but only for indoor gym and outdoor sporting events. Group meetings indoors are limited to six persons from not more than two households until HMG changes the guidelines. So meetings for us are not yet permissible at the Trophy Room.

Other events

Sunday, September 6th North Wales Classic Car Show at Bodrhyddan Hall - we will have a club stand if the event is on.

We will put other events in the calendar for information for anyone who wishes to attend on their own.

Sunday, August 30th Capesthorne Hall

Bank Holiday weekend The Gold Cup at Oulton Park is going ahead but no confirmation as yet on club stands.

Sunday, September 20th Festival of 1000 Classic Cars at Cholmondeley Castle

We will re-launch Neil Shirley’s Summer Saunter, hopefully it will encourage people out in their cars.

We will promote the Chester Lakes Sunday Breakfast Meets (the third Sunday of each month) for those members wishing to meet up.

The marquee at Chester Lakes may not be taken down this Winter, and this was suggested as a venue for our Christmas get together (with heaters!), and perhaps some other events, such as a Film Show or talk from someone?

Trips

Neil W did an update on the Trips for next year the trip to Wales is fully booked, but there is some space on the Isle of Man trip and you can take your dog, too.

Next meeting will be at the end of September/beginning of October when hopefully we can plan more for the Winter months with hopefully a little more certainty.

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Young people that inspire! by Martin Williamson

Back in June 2018, a post appeared on the forum of the MG Owners’ Club site from a Mark Burton, titled “Steel arched Sebring”.

For those that are not aware, the Sebring MGBs (and I believe they were MGBs, not MGCs, to begin with), were modified GTs done for the 12-hour endurance Sebring race in the US. The signature trademark of the Sebring was the large wheel arches over each wheel, and the removal of the bumpers aiding the aerodynamics with smoothed in valences.

Naturally, over the years Sebring replicas have become a thing amongst the modifiers in the MG community, some based on MGC GTs whilst most use the ubiquitous Rover V8. However, the usual route to achieving the bodywork modifications is to use a fibreglass wing and valence set sold be various companies, all reputed to be extremely difficult to fit, not helped by the rumour that that moulds were taken off damaged originals.

Consequently the thread title struck a chord with me. On opening the thread, Mark Burton, a new member to the MGOC and the forum introduced himself. Mark has a background in professional bodywork in the trade but whilst his career has moved on, he still has a small holding with barn and some

tools and equipment that he retained from his earlier business.

Step in Harvey, Mark’s teenage son. This is actually Harvey’s first car and he sold his motorcross bike to pay for the MGB when he was 15, and at this point was just turned 16 in June, 2018. The first job Harvey was tasked with making a rotisserie to mount the shell.

What really piqued my interest was the fact that they were planning to use a Rover 2.0L T Series engine which can bolt directly to the original gearbox via a modified backplate, and still retain the original clutch form the B on the modified flywheel. About fifteen years ago I had set to investigating this route myself for my 1980 MGB GT I had at the time but with one thing and another I

had ended up selling that project on. I documented all my research on my website (www.upgrades4mgs.co.uk) and it transpires that it was my website that lead Mark and Harvey to go this route. Henceforth, their project became something of an obsession for me and I have been following it closely ever since. In fact some of you may have seen it in the “Enjoying MG” magazine as well as the shell down at the NEC last November. When I saw Mark’s update posts, I knew this would always be something special as Mark has the eye for detail and goes the extra mile to achieve the perfect result. To say that the paintwork on the rear axle is better than many new cars’ bodywork only just begins to describe the painstaking detail that has gone into this build. If it is bare aluminium it has been polished to a mirror finish. Anything else, and the surface has been smoothed, protected, flatted, painted, flatted, clear-coated and then polished to a mirror finish. That’s before we get to the bodywork.

As you will see in the photographs, that attention to detail and perfectionism is all too obvious in the bodywork. The wings are indeed steel, hand beaten into shape using a concrete former made from one of the fibre-glass wings. The rear valence is a perfect blend of Midget rear valence incorporated into the MGB body work. The fronts are adapted. But whether it is the footing for the roll-cage, the brackets for the rear suspension upgrades or the bodywork itself, the welding is to a standard beyond Concors!

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Needless to say, I was delighted to get a chance to pop over to Derbyshire a week ago where Mark and his wife hosted a few of us from the forum and it was also a great opportunity to catch up with fellow forum members Mike Barnfather and Maurice Irwin whom I have know since joining the MGOC and the forum back in 2002.

However, I lost count of how many times I tripped over my jaw ! Now that the shell has been painted and the drivetrain is in place, the whole car is stunning and it isn’t even anywhere near finished yet!

This last week, Harvey was taking on some paint work to earn some more money to assist with the costs. Whilst the “Bank of Mum & Dad” have helped , Harvey has worked hard to pay for the parts himself. In fact, he has even had his Tech. Teacher involved from his school where ehe has been able to use equipment to machine adaptors and such like.

If nothing else in looking at these photographs, rest assured that if Harvey is representative of today’s youth, then the MG scene has nothing to fear going forward and it looks to me like it is in capable hands!

Take a look at “Burton MGB” on YouTube for videos on how they’ve crafted the panels.

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On the Bayou! By Stuart Bebbington

Jambalaya is a popular dish of West African, French, Spanish and Native American influence, consisting mainly of meat and vegetables mixed with rice. Traditionally, the meat always includes sausage of some sort, often a smoked meat such as andouille, along with pork or chicken and seafood, such as crawfish or shrimp. The vegetables are usually a sofrito-like mixture known as the "holy trinity" in Cajun cooking, consisting of onion, celery, and green bell pepper, though other vegetables such as okra, carrots, tomatoes, chilis and garlic are also used. After browning and sauteeing the meat and vegetables, rice, seasonings and broth are added and the entire dish is cooked together until the rice is done.

Jambalaya originates from the French Quarter of New Orleans, in the original sector. It was an attempt by the Spanish to make paella in the New World, where saffron was not readily available due to import costs. Tomatoes became the substitute for saffron. As time went on, French influence became strong in New Orleans, and spices from the Caribbean changed this New World paella into a unique dish. In modern Louisiana, the dish has evolved along a variety of different lines. Creole jambalaya, or red jambalaya, is found primarily in and around New Orleans, where it is simply known as "jambalaya". Creole jambalaya includes tomatoes, whereas Cajun jambalaya does not.

Creole jambalaya (also called "red jambalaya"). First, meat is added to the trinity of celery, peppers, and onions; the meat is usually chicken and sausage such as andouille or smoked sausage. Next vegetables and tomatoes are added to cook, followed by seafood. Rice and stock are added in equal proportions at the very end. The mixture is brought to a boil and left to simmer for 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the recipe, with infrequent stirring. Towards the end of the cooking process, stirring usually ceases. Some versions call for the jambalaya to be baked after the cooking of all the ingredients.

The second style, more characteristic of southwestern and south-central Louisiana, is Cajun jambalaya, which contains no tomatoes (the idea being the farther away from New Orleans one gets, the less common tomatoes are in dishes). The meat is browned in a cast-iron pot. The bits of meat that stick to the bottom of the pot (sucs) are what give a Cajun jambalaya its brown colour. A little vegetable oil is added if there is not enough fat in the pot. The trinity consisting of 50% onions, 25% celery, and 25% green or red bell pepper, although

proportions can be altered to suit one's taste, is added and sautéed until soft. Stock and seasonings are added in the next step, and then the meats are returned to the pot. This mixture is then simmered, covered, for at least one hour. Lastly, the mixture is brought to a boil and rice is added to the pot. It is then covered and left to simmer over very low heat for at least 1/2 hour without stirring. The dish is finished when the rice has cooked.

In a less common method, meat and vegetables are cooked separately from the rice. At the same time, rice is cooked in a savory stock. It is added to the meat and vegetables before serving. This is called "white jambalaya". This dish is rare in Louisiana as it is seen as a "quick" attempt to make jambalaya, popularized outside the state to shorten cooking time.

Many people in the south, and typically in Louisiana, enjoy a simpler jambalaya style. This style is cooked the same as the Cajun style, but there are no vegetables. Many restaurants serve this style as opposed to the others, because it is more child-friendly, has a more consistent texture, and is easier to make.

In 1968, Louisiana Governor John J. McKeithen proclaimed Gonzales, Louisiana, "the Jambalaya capital of the world". Every spring, the annual Jambalaya Festival is held in Gonzales.

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Meet the members!

Name: Nick Marsh Age: 55 near enough What MG(s) or classic(s) do you own? 1978 MG Midget 1500 How long have you had it/them? Since August 2018 Have you had other MGs or classics before this one? MGB GT 1980 bought as a non-runner and sold running and mechanically sound to a body work specialist who could stop it losing weight every time you closed the doors! I owned a Morris Minor 2 door saloon in Snowberry white which was my first car. I loved it and it taught me along with help from my Dad, about vehicle maintenance and basic mechanics. I sold it for £125 and bought a 1975 Opel Manta Berlinetta 1900 for the same price £125! Not bad I thought at 18 to have a car faster than my Dad’s Cortina! What made you decide on an MG? A child of the era I guess. Seeing and hearing them as a teenager, being a passenger in a family friends 1975 Midget gave you the sense of fun and freedom that we all get from our MGs today. The decision to buy one was progressed by my eldest son who was studying engineering at school and was keen to practice his spanner work and have a ‘Project.’ Needing no second bidding, we set about searching for something to work on, ‘not too easy Dad’ he said, ‘I want something I can get stuck into….’ Rose -tinted memories of my Dad and I and the Morris Minor brought us to the insane decision of buying the GT from South Wales! Well I duly went for it hiring a trailer and hitching it to the back of the Volvo. ‘Are you coming with me son?’ ‘No dad, sorry, I’m doing Duke of Edinburgh this weekend’ – still no alarm bells! The project didn’t really go to plan and although enthusiastic to begin with, the novelty wore off and my rose-tinted memories of working on the moggy probably weren’t that rosy! Several £££ in and marital tolerance wearing thinner that the GTs floor pans, I cut my losses and bought the Midget from an Antique Shop Nr Oswestry. Was it all worth it? Well yes, I have a car I can maintain and have fun with and the eldest son has joined the British Army learning the trade of an Aircraft Technician. There is an engineer in there after all! Working or Retired? Working, Self-employed for 17 years having had a career in Hospitality. Started Cheshire Chutney Co. in 2011 with my wife Jill and we have been working together ever since. Single or partnered? Happily married to Jill for 24 years this year. Hobbies, what floats your boat? Woodwork, I enjoy a bit of furniture restoration, Music – listening to

mostly nowadays, but have sung in a couple of choirs and can knock out a couple of tunes on the piano while no ones listening… I volunteer for RAF Air Cadets and enjoy camping and hill walking. Any bucket list items? I’m not really one for lists, generally content with life and take things as they come or if an opportunity of interest arises.

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With Wales coming out of lockdown, it was time for a trip out in MGB. We wanted to head for Llyn Brenig on the Denbigh moors, partly to drive the superb roads that make up the Evo Triangle but mostly to do a bit of wild life spotting and get some views of the Ospreys, so far denied to us this year due to lockdown.

The Llyn Brenig Osprey project began in 2013 with the first nest posts being built. Ospreys were spotted in the area since 2015 checking out the possible nesting sites. 2018 was the first year that a breeding pair of Osprey birds settled at Llyn Benig. This was the first time in over 100 years that Ospreys had hatched in the area. Since then the Ospreys have returned to breed every year. Its A great to see these big and powerful birds - definitely the MG RV8s of the bird world.

Checking the West Cheshire MG Owners website, I realised that we could combine our trip by visiting some of the other venues included in Neil Shirley's Summer Saunter competition. Designed to get us out in our MGs over the

summer, lockdown or not, it seemed a good idea to plan a route to incorporate some of the other Welsh locations included on the list. Further days out by me and Amanda to do the Cheshire and Wirral locations will be planned for later on in the summer.

Our first location was the Loggerheads car park. Due to this being our first

location, the thought of rattling around in the B for a good few miles and the effect this normally has on my bladder, we were not swayed by the opportunity to grab a quick coffee at the take away cafe. However, a quick walk around and a photo for evidence and we were off again.

Ospreys & Tigers in North East Wales By Steve Brace

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Next stop was the Moel Fammau top car park sampling the fantastic views of Ruthin and the Vale of Clwyd towards the Denbigh Moors down below. This was followed by a great drive down the valley on to the main road and into Ruthin.

Next stop was the 50's Museum just outside Denbigh. A chat with the owner proved that this could be a good venue for a future West Cheshire MG Owners Club drive out, once the full effects of lockdown have diminished.

So next was Llyn Brenig, our original planned destination. With a quick look around the information centre, it was out with the scope to get the required views of the Ospreys that we were after. Although the sightings of the Ospreys was expected, we didn't think we would also get to see a Tiger as well. I was

definitely outshone on the car front as hiding in the bushes was a stunning Sunbeam Alpine Tiger, complete with a purring V8.

Leaving Llyn Brenig following a sunny but chilly picnic we made our way over the Denbigh moors towards Llangollen with another good drive up the A5. Calling in on the Llangollen Motor Museum - closed for the rest of the year due to Covid 19 - but an ideal photo opportunity we then took a look at the impressive Horseshoe Falls.

Our last location was the Ponderosa Cafe following a brilliant drive up the Horseshoe pass. And here, overlooking the Llangollen Valley, I was outshone again. A fellow classic driver pulled up in an immaculate TR5. It was a fitting end to a great day when he suddenly asked "do you know Neil Wallace"...

The Summer Saunter is a great way to get out and about in your MGs to enjoy the scenery and various facilities at named destinations in the absence of our normal evening and day drives. Details can be found on the West Cheshire MG Owners Club website at: mginfo.co.uk/westcheshiremgoc/content/neilssummersaunter

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Club branded Merchandise

We're using a local firm and are adding a small mark up to go towards the

club funds. Orders will be taken at each monthly meeting along with

payment (we've decided to avoid PayPal owing to the charges) and the

items will be delivered at the following meeting. Please speak to or contact

Mike Haughton for Merchandise queries and orders.

Short Sleeved

Polo Shirts by

Uneek. £15.00 each.

A variety of colours

and sizes available.

Long Sleeved

Polo Shirts by

B&C Safran £18.50 each.

A variety of colours

and sizes available.

Tee-Shirts by

Kariban

£15.00 each

A variety of colours

and sizes available.

Base Ball Cap by Beechfield £12 each

Variety of colours available.

Fleece Jacket

by Uneek £24.00 each

Variety of colours

and sizes available.

Sweat Shirts

(Long Sleeved)

by AWDis £18.00 each

Variety of colours

and sizes available.

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MG SETS NEW HIGHS IN JULY!

MG Motor achieved its best-ever July sales volume with 1,846 cars sold

July sales increased by 78% versus same month in 2019

MG sales volume up 31% year-to-date, the UK’s fastest growing mainstream car brand

London, 5th August 2020.

MG Motor set new highs in July,

achieving 1,846 new car sales during the

month, according to new figures released

today by the Society of Motor

Manufacturers and Traders. In the first

full month since the staged re-opening of

UK car showrooms in June, MG’s record

July volume was an increase of 78%

versus July 2019.

Year-to-date, MG has cemented its

position as the UK’s fastest growing

mainstream car brand with sales volume

in the first seven months of the year up

by 31% when compared to the same

period in 2019. MG’s market share has

more than doubled to just under 1.2%.

So far this year, MG has sold 9,558 new

cars which is more than it achieved in

the whole of 2018 and, remarkably,

more than it achieved in 2016 and 2017

combined.

MG’s record-breaking performance can

be ascribed to its Momentum & Growth

three-year mid-term plan, which is built

upon new models and network

expansion. MG’s two newest cars, the all

-electric MG ZS EV and the high-quality

MG HS SUV, have together added more

than 3,500 sales this year. With two

more electrified models set to arrive in

2020, All New MG5 EV and MG HS Plug-

in, new car launches will continue to

drive sales volume in the second half of

the year. At the same time, the MG

dealer network has expanded from 100

to 110 sites, with several more due to

join in the next few months.

Daniel Gregorious, Head of Sales &

Marketing at MG Motor UK said “This is

such an exciting time for MG and its

dealer network with interest in our

brand and cars reaching record levels.

Every time I visit an MG showroom I’m

struck by the energy as customers and

staff members alike are engaging with

our brand. New customers are joining

MG all the time, attracted by our young

range and strong finance offers. With

two more EVs due to arrive shortly, MG

is now the leading player in value-for-

money electric cars, and we continue to

make it our mission to bring zero

emissions motoring to everyone,

throughout the UK”.

To find your local MG dealer, or to

discover the high-tech, value-for-money

range of cars on offer, please

visit MG.CO.UK

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If I won the lottery… In the first of these interviews, Steve Brace tells us about his three dream cars.

The question being what three cars would I purchase, should I be lucky enough to have a big win on the lottery. With so many cars that I fancy owning, picking just three is a very hard test. To make the task easier, I have stuck to classics and to my favourite period of car production - the 60's. With my own MGB being from this time span, I love the simplicity but also the stylish design of cars from this period.

Up to £20,000

For my first choice, I would go for a go anywhere practical workhorse. So undoubtably, this would have to be either a Land Rover or a very early Range Rover. I love the styling of the early Range Rovers with their two doors, plastic and rubber hose-down interiors and deep windows - still the best shape, in my view, throughout its many evolutions. However, a really good one may be stretching the budget slightly and is also tipping over into the 70s. Therefore, for me it would be the Land Rover and the increased practicality that it offers. To stick to my budget and a 60's model I would go for a Series IIA that were in production from 1961 to

1971. l would love to own a vehicle with the famous Rover 3.5 V8 engine in but as this was not available in a Land Rover at this time. I would go for the 2.6 straight six petrol engine that was available from 1967. I would go for the long wheel base version for maximum practicality and space.

I love the idea of the freedom this vehicle would provide, giving me the opportunity to explore the wildest parts of the UK and further afield. I would convert this to half camper with stove, fridge and all other things required - including the kitchen sink. I would sleep on top in a custom built tent and you wouldn't see me for weeks on end. A good thing some might say!

Up to £100,000

I have always loved the Jaguar Mark II and with the budget available, a really nice one could be purchased. The idea of a really stylish four seater saloon sounds really attractive if there was more than just me and Amanda going out and about.

However, I like to be different so to own a car that very few other people own would overrule this. My choice is all about the looks and style and I can think of very few cars from the 60's that that look this good. I would choose a Triumph

Italia which in my view perfectly illustrates my requirement of simplicity and style. I love the idea of Italian styling matched with good old British engineering.

The Triumph Italia was produced from 1959 to 1962 and only 330 were produced, including to prototypes. The TR3 Chassis and mechanical parts were supplied by the Standard Triumph Company and the car was designed by Giovanni Michelotti.

The cars were built by Alfredo Vignale in Turin under contract to Salvatore Ruffino who had first contacted Standard Triumph regarding the production of such a car.

I am a firm believer that certain paint colours suit certain cars and I would choose either silver or a light olive green. But with only about 100 Italias now known to exist and with a price tag towards the top end of my £100,000 budget, I guess I couldn't afford to be too fussy.

So not quite a four seater saloon but a two + 2 coupe will do me fine. A real head turner and after all, if I need more space I could always take the Landy!

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Over £100,000

I now need open top motoring. So a convertible roadster is now on the cards. Good looks and styling would again be important so two candidates spring to mind.

If I really wished to blow the budget, I could go for a Ferrari 275 GTS. However, a really nice example could cost me nearly £2 million. Produced from 1964 to 1968 with a V12 engine producing 260 bhp, what a good looking roadster the 275 is. The other contender would be an early Jaguar E -Type Series I, with its 6 cylinder 3.8 engine also producing over 260 bhp. So do I stick with Italian flair and styling as per the Triumph Italia coachwork or do I stick with British engineering as per the Land Rover and the mechanics of the Italia.

I think I would save the budget and buy British, so it would be the E-Type for me. After all Enzo Ferrari did say it was the most beautiful car ever produced and who am I to argue with that .

But here is my dilemma, do I stick with my initial thought of an original restored Series I that I could probably get for between £100,000 and £140,000 or do I break the mould. Just for once, I think I would break the mould and go for one of the Eagle E-Type Speedsters.

The Eagle E-Type Speedster starts out as an original Series I car and retains the classic detailing and finishing lines of the 60's icon but also benefits from truly modern engineering. With a lightweight aluminium body, 4.7 litre Eagle engine and a 5 speed gearbox you get a classic that isn't a classic. Lighter than the original and an increase in bhp to 310 takes you from 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds. And although not quite carrying

the same weight as Enzo Ferrari, Jeremy Clarkson did say "the most beautiful thing I have ever seen". That will do for me even though I could be shelling out closer to half a million.

So there is my trio of 60's based cars; practical, stylish and fast. However, having said all that I am gaining a growing appreciation of pre-war cars and if Martin asks me the same question again, then who knows...

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The heater, in my ‘C’ whilst I have owned it has never been very good, the motor squealed when started and the warmth could only be described as tepid. I owned a Frog Eye many years ago with the same heater, and that took the skin off your knees in winter, so I know the heater can work. It all came to a head last year in Ireland on the Gordon Bennett run. We had a day of torrential rain, the windscreen misted up, and no amount of fiddling with the heater settings seemed to clear it, plus we were cold and there was more heat coming from the tunnel and gearstick than the heater.

I asked around if anyone had changed a heater out, and got the answer that it was a bit of a pig. Well I wasn’t disappointed. How on earth did they put these things together on a production line.

A bit more thought and they could have made it impossible.

At just the right moment the MG owners club had an offer available on an uprated heater matrix with a two-speed motor and fan unit, so that was the trigger for doing the job.

The heater unit as we know (or perhaps we don’t) sits against the bulkhead behind the engine and blows the air downwards in to an enclosed box formed by the firewalls and the top of the gearbox tunnel. The perceived wisdom is that rainwater going in to the inlet on the top in front of the windscreen falls in to this box and the drain hole in the box becomes blocked. The water then builds up and sloshes about, coming on to your legs on a left hand bend as I found out in Ireland.

Long term, it’s possible for corrosion to take hold in a most important part of the cars structure. Do I have your attention! So I was also interested in seeing in to this area.

All the pipework was disconnected and the relevant screws taken out. The Bowden cable connection for the flap control was impossible to get to so it was disconnected from the rotary control on the dashboard and that was going to come out via the engine bay too.

Every thing undone and the unit remained resolutely in place held by foam strips that had no intention of letting go of their fifty year hold.

A fair amount of work with a Stanley knife blade and judicious levering got it free. It then needed to be lifted and taken out towards the passenger side of the car.

Once out it looked in poor condition but it turned out to be only surface rust.

The part I was worried about, the bulkheads and tunnel, were full of debris and the drain was blocked solid as expected, but once cleaned up was found to be all in good order. Quite a relief.

Here’s the drain hole once cleaned. It leads to a flexible pipe running underneath alongside the clutch bell housing. A bit difficult to get to unless you have a ramp, as it is only accessible

from underneath, but it will be well worth making sure it is clear in the future.

The reason for no heat in the car was found to be the connection to the control flap. It had corroded and broken off leaving the heater in the closed position. No amount of fiddling with the control was going to do anything.

Simple job to clean up, paint, and pop rivet back in to place.

Here’s the inside of the heater box with the matrix removed. The matrix was in fairly good order, but it was blocked with leaf type debris on the outside, which would have reduced its effectiveness.

Over the page, here’s all of the component parts ready for cleaning and painting.

The new uprated fan unit is slightly larger than the old one so the inside of the heater box requires a bit of surgery to accommodate it.

Some like it Hot! By Neil Shirley

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The difference in size is subtle and can be seen below. The new fan is the one on the left. Plus a new larger heater matrix, which also has to be shoehorned in to the box.

The bulkhead and the area around the heater was cleaned up and given a coat of paint. The drain was checked again with compressed air and everything was readied for the new assembly to be put back in. In the kit of parts are all the new foam strips that need to be glued in to place on the heater box so that it will seal and be effective. They were twice the thickness of the old ones because they had not been compressed. This in itself is a problem when getting the box back in. They are thick enough to prevent the screws from engaging, so a fair amount of pressure is required. Once the screws take hold then the foam can be compressed.

Now the fun started, as the Haynes manual always said…... replacement is the reverse of removal.

Because it will be impossible to connect the Bowden cable to the flap control once it is in place. This has to be attached whilst out of the car. The heater unit then has to be lowered in to the bulkhead whilst the Bowden cable is fed in first, passing through two bulkheads. All without kinking the cable.

Looking along the line of the gearbox tunnel you can see where the demister tubes come in to the car and all the metalwork that stands in the way of you feeding the Bowden cable in. An apprenticeship with a contortionist would be a recommendation at this point. I took the seats out to give me more room to lie down whilst I was doing it.

After much lost skin, it was all in place. The Bowden cable was re-attached to the flap control on the dashboard, this was made easier by taking the control out of the dashboard connecting it all up, and setting the movement correctly, and then putting the control back in to the dashboard.

A new two-position switch was installed with the extra wire routed to the motor

to provide the two speed settings, and the temperature control cable was re-attached to the valve on the heater box.

I had taken the opportunity to remove all the heater flaps and the cold air flap within the car and clean and paint them, plus lightly lubricating the various springs and hinges that hold them all which gives a much nicer movement to them. The one thing I failed to do was renew the foam seals on to the doors before I replaced them. I have now found this almost impossible to do with them in place. Maybe when the weather is good I’ll take them off again and do it.

With the coronavirus lockdown I hadn’t been able to try the heater out in anger until the beginning of July. Wales was limited to a five mile radius, but I live close to some good roads. First time out was a revelation and, I’m well pleased with it.

The motor is quiet, the heat is controllable and it now gets too hot and needs to be turned down. There is a good blast of air now in the demist position so that will be good once the colder weather arrives. A very worthwhile job on what appears to be such a benign component of the car.

All back in place and looking tidy, but best of all, toasty, and working well.

ps. The bit of domestic plumbing on the right is due to the non availability of the correct ‘S’ shaped hose. MG owners spares etc, sell a piece of straight hose for here, which kinks and looks poor.

If you know where it’s possible to get the correct hose, please get in touch.

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One day, many years ago, whilst buying new wipers at Welsh MG, I noted they had a very nice kit as below for a reasonable £35.00 although they will cost more now with Moss selling them at £90.00. Obviously, there was nothing much wrong with the original bonnet support, either you had the swing down rod that you latched into position or later you got the self latching, extendable support. The down side was that the bonnet was supported on one side only and as I have seen a number of times the bonnets sags drunkenly on the unsupported side, especially the later steel bonnets that are obviously heavier. Apart from that, I have been spoilt on the MG ZT having the gas-filled struts that means the bonnets lifts all by itself! So I was keen to give these a try. It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes or so to fit these, but the pleasure of watching the bonnet rise all by itself once you have lifted it a short way is priceless, as they say in the MasterCard advertisements! Note that this set are the type that fit at a more upright angle and other kits have the bonnet end nearer the hinge, being more horizontal and thus less in the way when the bonnet is raised. The bonnet can be raised higher with these than as per the original strut so bear that in mind if you have a low roof in your garage. There is a similar kit available for the tailgate or bootlid that also makes more sense if you use your MGB regularly as it aids opening the heavy tail-gate if your arms are fill of other stuff. These kits

have good instructions and work well, but as noted below, owners with the late rubber bumper cars need to take care as the in-line servo affects fitting. So why buy this kit? Sure, a number of sites will list the possible donor cars that could provide a suitable gas-damper strut but then you still have to make the brackets to fit, so the kit has all that done for you - worth paying the price for that alone, in my opinion. Rubber Bumper Owners be WARNED! This kit does not fit straight out of the box! Well, what started as a simple enough job with relatively clear instructions soon became a major headache! The instructions were clear enough as to which way round the brackets pointed, but that didn't allow for the conflict

between the bracket and the master cylinder reservoir on the inline servo unit fitted to the 1976> B/BGTs. The bonnet is easy enough, mine had holes both sides, and I started by fitting the off-side strut first using the existing strut to provide support. If you need to drill the bonnet for the brackets (3mm drill), then I would suggest the use of a stop to prevent the accidental drilling or pimpling of the bonnet skin when drilling into the bonnet brace below. The top brackets are fitted with two self-tapping screws provided. The holes in the bracket didn't seem to quite be the right distance apart compared to the original holes. I managed to tighten both screws and get a good seat, but it may help to enlarge the bracket holes to ensure the screws tighten up properly. However, when I looked at the lack of space at the lower end next to the reservoir, I realised that by inverting the bracket it would possible just fit. This lower mounting requires two holes to be

drilled using a 6mm drill. I made the holes slightly larger to allow for the longer, M8 bolts I used instead of the M6 provided with the Nyloc nuts. I fitted the bracket inverted but found that it forced the bonnet to sit proud. The solution appeared to be to keep the bracket inverted but to lower it using spacers. This seemed to work well, so I continued with the near side. The new gas strut on its own is insufficient to hold the weight of the bonnet so before removing the old strut, I would recommend bracing the bonnet securely! The near side involved, after removing the old strut, the cutting off of the original metal bracket. This was easily done with a junior hacksaw, and don't forget to clean and paint the bare metal when finished. Once both gas struts were in place the whole assembly could be tested. Once the bonnet drops below a point about a foot above the slam panel, its weight will overcome the gas struts and it will fall by itself. As mine was fortunately well aligned, the bonnet now drops straight into the locked position. It requires a reasonable effort to pull the bonnet down, but not sufficient to bend the panel. For the price, I think it is well worth doing, although I appreciate it won't be something you want to do if you like your originality. I also bought a similar kit off eBay for the tailgate, and it was equally good fun watching that rise by itself!

Fancy bonnet struts! By

Martin Williamson

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2020 Club Events Visit the club website for updated information and more details.

www.westcheshiremgoc.club

With the restrictions easing please check the website events pages as we may modify certain club activities to fit with the allowable activities.

August Tuesday, 11th - Summer evening run - contact Steve Brace Wednesday, 12th - Charity Cheques Handover at Chester Lakes at 11.00am. Sat/Sun, 15th/16th - Passion for Power Classic Motor Show at Tatton Park - Cancelled Sunday, 16th - Sunday Breakfast Meets at Chester Lakes - Still on! Wednesday, 25th - Summer Evening Run - Cancelled Sat/Mon, 29th/31st - Gold Cup at Oulton Park - Club stand - awaiting MSV confirmation September Sunday, 6th - North Wales Classic Car Show at Bodrhyddan Hall - Club stand Tuesday, 8th - Monthly meeting - see new date - 20th September. Sunday, 13th - Cheshire Candles Charity Classic Car & Bike Show - Cancelled Sunday, 20th - Sunday Breakfast Meets at Chester Lakes and club monthly get together. Sunday, 20th - Festival of 1000 Classic Cars at Cholmondeley Castle

Isle of Man Tour 2021

I now attach below the latest details of the tour, at 2020 prices, which includes a change to the ferry arrangements and arrangements for dogs (in red font). The revised return ferry should be more convenient to us, but an outbound daytime ferry from Liverpool is not likely.

I have reserved spaces for 19 cars on the ferries and 19 double/twin/single rooms in the Comis Hotel and Golf Resort. Currently 15 have been booked.

A booking form is is not yet available but I will issue it as soon as I receive it from Isle of Man Steam Packet Co.

Dates: Depart Heysham 14:15 Thursday afternoon 9th September 2021; return 15:00 to Liverpool Monday afternoon 13th September 2021.

Heysham - Douglas takes 3hrs 45min; Douglas - Liverpool takes 2hrs 45min.

• Hotel: Comis Hotel and golf resort, Santon (near airport). This hotel is a large new build with outdoor car parking.

• Cost: For two persons travelling in one car £618; for single person in one car £616 (all at 2020 prices, will be subject to change).

• Deposit: Non-returnable deposit of £50 per person with booking form; balance payable not later than 26th August 2021.

Booking form and deposit to be sent to Catreeney Denham, Steam Packet Holidays, Imperial Buildings, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2BY.

Prices: Quoted at 2020 rates, includes return ferry plus bed & breakfast; evening meals are extra and booked direct with hotel.

Lunches, snacks, and entry to places of interest are all extra.

Dogs: Dogs allowed; leave in car on ferry or car deck kennel (£5 each way), hotel has special facilities for dogs in bedrooms free of charge.

Update - Club Travel and Activity for 2021 By Neil Wallace

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