Mg Exe November 2014

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facebook.com/ExeterMGOC @ExeterMGOC Exeter MGOC 67 Branch 0708 Just 117 miles on clock Sunday sunshine run Cabbage-free day out: Page 3 How did this GT do at auction? Page 6 MG’s swinging 60s The MG Years reaches 1967: Page 12 The magazine for the Exeter Area MG Owners Club November 2014

2 November 2014 Exeter MGOC committee contact details Chairman Roger Luscombe 01392 495757 rogerlus@talktalk.net Area Secretary Aly Howard 01392 670421 mg@lakesidemedia.co.uk Treasurer Pat Mayo 01395 233848 roger.mayo1@mypostoffice.co.uk Editor Andrew Howard 01392 670421 mg@lakesidemedia.co.uk Membership sec Andrew Howard 01392 670421 mg@lakesidemedia.co.uk Events secretary Maureen Heawood 07870 787644 maureen.heawood@nhs.net Regalia Stuart Sinclair 01414 892704 pixievan@talktalk.net Quartermaster Roger Mayo 01395 233848 roger.mayo1@mypostoffice.co.uk MGExe is produced for the Exeter MG Owners Club by Lakeside Media of Exeter Letter from the secretary Last month was our annual general meeting, and the members kindly voted me in again for a further year. We have had a change in the committee and I would like to say thank you to Mo for stepping up as events co-ordinator, and a huge thank you to Sean for carrying out the duties in the previous year. This month is our 35th birthday and to celebrate at club night a fabulous cake is being made by Rene. The next Sunday run is on 16 November, being organised by Andrew and I starting at Moto services Exeter meet at 10.45 for start of run at 11.15 prompt for a 25-mile autumnal amble ending up at a pub for lunch. We have a menu for you to pick your choices beforehand, preferable by club night so we can give them advanced warning of numbers. The next 12 months will be bringing us new challenges, and of course the annual BIG event. Most of you know this as Moor 2 Sea, but this year M2S will be not organised by Roger Luscombe as we have given him some time off for good behaviour. We are looking for some new faces to join us to make the event another great and memorable one. The event will be on Sunday 24 May 2015 and yes, it’s a bank holiday weekend. We will also looking to do a few more events such as Powderham, we will keep you posted on what’s coming up as events are confirmed. There will be no club night in December but we will be back at the Ley Arms on 13 January from 8pm for club night. And of course there’s the New Year run by Tim and Georgie Hipwell on 11 January 2015 meeting at 10am for a 10.30 start from Tesco’s at Cullompton, ending up somewhere for a carvery lunch. Exeter MGOC has been doing well in the digital world and has increased followers on Facebook and Twitter, we are also getting more people finding us online. So why don’t you visit us? TTFN Aly By Aly Howard Area Secretary

3 November 2014 Big waves from Alan and Jennie. Something odd lurking at the back of the queue though. A roof-down October run! Congrats to Stuart and Susanne for another fantastic Sunday run. How they arranged such fantastic weather we’ll never know, but as the pictures prove it was a roofdown October day! A good number of MGs and another car (Roger L has pleaded for special exemption as YUK is Sorned) set off from the Greendale Farm Shop on the Sidmouth Road for a route that promised no dual cabbageways (veterans of their run last year will understand) and certainly delivered, ending up at Upottery for an excellent Sunday lunch in the Sidmouth Arms. Next up is Andrew and Aly’s Autumnal Amble: see the diary on page 15 for more details! Now get into that! Stuart S demonstrates perfect MG parking

4 November 2014

5 November 2014 More pictures from the October ‘Sunshine Run’!

6 November 2014 MGs sell well at auctions MGs continue to sell well at classic auctions, and an unregistered BGT with 117 miles on the clock sold for £9,240 at Anglia Car Auctions earlier this month. It was fitted with overdrive and bought in 1980 by a man in Dorset for his children to use. They, it seems, didn’t like it so it was stored in a shed until 2008 until it was sold and put into climate-controlled storage. A 1968 CGT, with full restoration file, and 67,000 miles on the clock went for £11,760. Four Midgets, ranging in vintage from 1961 to 1980, went for between £3,045 and £3,360. A 2003 TF 135 with 43,000 miles went for £1,900. At the other end of the scale, a 1932 J2 complete with buff log book sold for £24,675. A 1968 CGT in Brooklands Green, with Webasto sunroof, which requires some recommissioning, sold for £7,500 at Charterhouse Auctions in Dorset, and a 1947 TC repatriated from California sold for £30,000, and a ‘49 TC went for £26,000. In comparison, a 1935 Rolls Royce 20/25 tourer went for £22,500. An X-reg 2000 Toyota MR2, with 84,000 warranted miles, went for £450 at Anglia, so that gives some idea of the premium value people see in proper British sports cars compared to Japanese ‘classics’. Also, for those interested in Japan’s answer to the MG, a 1993 MX-5, one of a collection of six, went for £335.60. Presumably it was that 60p that swung the auction. Little used: With only 117 miles on the clock, this MG sold for £9,240 CGT made £11,760 £26,000 bought this 1947 TC

7 November 2014 MG ends Honda BTCC dominance MG celebrated its maiden manufacturer’s title in the prestigious Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in the season finale at Brands Hatch. The victory was an incredible result for MG, following the brand’s race to the grid after the rapid formation of the team in 2012 and ending the four-year dominance of Honda in the championship. MG Sales and Marketing Director Guy Jones said: “Everyone at MG is delighted with this victory and the team’s success in placing the iconic MG brand, with its rich history of motorsport, back at the top of such a prestigious, exciting and challenging championship as BTCC. I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make this a success both on and off the track: the team here at MG, Ian Harrison and the team and Triple Eight, the drivers Jason Plato, Sam Tordoff, Tesco, Castrol and all our other sponsor partners.” This programme has been a key part in re-establishing the MG brand in the UK and also globally. It has raised awareness of the brand with TV, online and press coverage. MGBits Bruce’s jacket: An apology In the last issue of MG Exe we noted that old photos survived of an Exeter MGOC member helping out at an annual Jersey club events from 1998. What we should also have noted was that the leather jacket Bruce was wearing in the pictures was the same jacket he still wears to Exeter MGOC events to this day. Blimey. Does anyone else have items of clothing that have, literally, worn so well? Rhetorical question, please don’t let us know! Bruce and jacket 50mph cameras Guy Jones and Alan Gow with the BTCC trophy Video: Click the image above for more from Brands Hatch For those of you heading for the Ley Arms for a monthly meeting, look out for roadworks on the A38 Splatford Split. The works, which include 50mph average speed cameras, are due to end in March 2015.

8 November 2014 Old ads revisited: From 1954 two MGs for the price of one in this ad previewing the Motor Show

9 November 2014 Have an MG Christmas! New from the MGOC is a small selection of metal signs, including this one of an MGB GT. It is 300 x 400 mm and is priced at 313.95. www.mgocshop.co.uk The 3-in1 waterproof jacket from the MGOC is reduced from £54.95 to £39.95. Available in small, medium or extra large www.mgocshop.co.uk If you're looking for top-value MG gifts this Christmas, MG Exe has scoured the internet for the best bargains. If you fancy an MG book, website www.mgbooks.com promises to try to find the cheapest price for you online. For instance, Malcolm Green's MG: Britain's Favourite Sports Car is on Amazon at £13.19. Official MG models, 1:16 scale, of the MG3 and MG6 in a range of colours: £45 from shop.mg.co.uk MG Mug from Zazzle, available in a wide range of colours, from £12.35 www.zazzle.co.uk If your beloved prefers their pads without an i at the start, these four A6 notepads cost £3.99 inc p&p on ebay from Snailprint's shop. www.ebay.co.uk

10 November 2014 If you have any MG-related items for sale, please email mg@lakesidemedia.co.uk If anyone wants to get their hands on a late-model MGTF LE500, now’s your chance. Member Jim Ferris has one for sale. He writes: “I'm afraid a change in lifestyle is forcing the sale of my gorgeous 2009 (October, 59-reg) MGTF LE500 as I'm simply not finding the opportunity to drive it enough. “Fully loaded with all the normal LE500 extras including full leather and aircon, this car is immaculate and totally pampered. Always garaged and very rarely run when the roads are wet, it has only done 19,200 miles and is running beautifully. “The hardtop is included and I will include mounting brackets for a garage wall to hang the hardtop on during the summer months. “The engine is 135bhp 1.8 and features the revised 'N' series MG engine, which solved the head gasket and cooling problems seen in the MG Rover 'K' series engines. It regularly returns 38mpg. “This car was number 465 out of 500 made and comes with an in-car plaque and a certificate from MG UK. The colour, Graphite Grey 'mica-talic' is one of only 100 cars made in this colour (I have touch-up paint to supply with the car). It comes with full service and parts history file, plus the previous two MoTs, and the car was serviced and MoT’d in late October, with no advisories. The price includes the private plate: £8,699 (no offers).” You can call Jim on 01395 275839 (9am to 8.30pm). LE500 seeking new owner Complete with hardtop Jim Ferris is reluctantly selling his MGTF LE500 - number 456 out of the limited run of 500

11 November 2014 MG CST returns for fifth season MGBits Stuart picks up Secretary’s Cup Congratulations to Stuart Sinclair for winning the Area Secretary’s Cup - awarded this year for the Exeter MGOC member with the highest attendance at official club events. Records show Stuart only missed one event, so gets to keep the trophy for a year. He must still be celebrating, as he promptly missed this month’s committee meeting! Stuart is presented with his attendance award LRG website London Road Garage near Ottery St Mary, highly recommended by many local MG owners, has launched a new website. The owner, Jeremy Board, has many years’ MG experience. See the website www.londonroadmg.co.uk to find out more. Alice in Wonderland is the theme for Cricket St Thomas 2015 After a short break MG Cricket St Thomas will be back on next year from Friday 18 to Monday 21 September. This event, usually held biannually at the Warner Cricket St Thomas Hotel in Chard, Somerset, is hosted by the Southern Regional Secretaries of the MG Owners Club (MGOC), and is an opportunity for like-minded individuals to get together. Now in its fifth season, it has fondly become known as MG CST. With theming of the event on each occasion now considered obligatory, the committee has decided to take “Alice’s Adventures” as the 2015 theme. The long weekend will follow previous successful formats at the stunning “To The Manor Born” hotel in Somerset and will include MG welcome packs on arrival, first night drinks reception, comfortable en suite accommodation, full English or continental style buffet breakfasts, three-course evening dinners, road runs and more. Upgrading to a room between the Main Reception and Manor House, as well as any room with a patio, usually incurs additional supplement(s). These rooms are highly sought after, but these are available with no supplement on all bookings where deposits are paid by 31st December 2014. See our website exetermgoc.co.uk for an info booklet and booking form. Cricket St Thomas Hotel

12 November 2014 The Years Still in the Swinging Sixties, we leap forward a massive two years, to 1967, and the days of nationalisation, Carry On films and the MGC… Codenamed ADO52, the six-cylinder 2912cc MGC launched in 1967 was designed as, perhaps surprisingly, a replacement for the ‘big’ Austin Healey 3000. ADO51 was, apparently, an Austin Healey badged version of the MGB, with a bigger engine, of course, possibly sourced from Rolls Royce, or a development of the 3000 AH unit. At the time, BMC, owners of both MG and Austin, was merging with Jaguar to form British Motor Holdings, so politics as much as engineering put paid to the Roller plan. In addition, Donald Healey rejected the proposal outright, and walked away from the company, taking the rights to his name with him, so the Midget’s cousin, the Austin Healey Sprite, became the Austin Sprite at the same time. The MGC, of course, was not much liked by the press at launch, possibly because not enough work had been done to match the handling to the 145bhp of the new, heavier engine. The C came in GT or roadster form, starting at £1,102 for the roadster, £1,249 for the one with the metal roof. That’s £18,000 and £20,000 in today’s money. Other cars: First seen in the UK at the end of 1967, and shown to the world at the Brussels Motor Show in 1968, Ford gave us the new Escort, a replacement for the Anglia. It sold quite well: until it was itself replaced by the Focus, more than four million Escorts (Mk1 Mk6) were registered on UK roads. The only other British car launches of note in 1967 were the Triumph TR5 and the TR250. The TR5 was a stop-gap replacement of the TR4 and was visually similar, but with a 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine with fuel injection. The 250 was a version for US export only which, without the fuel injectors, produced just 111bhp, 39 fewer than the 5. TVR did replace the MGB-engined Grantura 1800S with the Fordpowered Vixen, and also introduced the Tuscan, initially only available with a Ford V8 similar to the plant in the Mustang. Alfa Romeo brought us the 1750 Berlina, the 33 Stradale, and the Montreal, and Fiat introduced the 125. The latter was to have an amazing global following, the rights being taken up in Poland, by FSO, in Yugoslavia by Zastava, and in Egypt, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Morocco. From West Germany came the revolutionary NSU Ro80, with a twin-rotor Wankel engine driving the front wheels through a semiauto box. Opel introduced the Commodore, a larger-engined version of the Rekord saloon. The Saab 99 and Simca 1100 were other notable European cars from 1967, and from Japan came the Toyota 2000GT, now a much-prized classic. Prototype ADO51? The NSU RO80 Ford’s MK1 Escort TVR’s MG-powered Grantura

13 November 2014 Politics: In May 1967, Prime Minister Harold Wilson said the UK would be applying for membership of the Common Market, a move vetoed later in the year by French president Charles de Gaulle. Shadow Cabinet Minister Enoch Powell described Britain as the ‘sick man of Europe’ as he attacked Wilson’s Labour government. The steel industry was nationalised, and Jeremy Thorpe became leader of the Liberal Party. The Marine Broadcasting Act banned offshore ‘pirate radio’ and the BBC reorganised the airwaves, launching Radio One. People: Jimi Hendrix set fire to his guitar on stage at the London Astoria. he was taken to hospital with burns to his hands. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones were sentenced to jail for possession of drugs, and Pink Floyd released Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Ed Balls, Paul Gascoigne, and John Barrowman were all born in 1967. Speed record holder Donald Campbell, actress Vivien Leigh and politician Clement Attlee died. At the movies: The Peter CookDudley Moore vehicle Bedazzled hit the silver screens in 1967, as did Billion Dollar Brain, starring Michael Caine, the Plank, starring Eric Sykes and To Sir, with Love, starring Sidney Poitier. The Carry On team gave us Follow That Camel, and Carry On Doctor, and the proper Bond release of ’67 was You Only Live Twice. Sir James Bond 007 was played by David Niven in Casino Royale, with Peter Sellers as Evelyn Tremble, and Woody Allen as Jimmy Bond. Shopping: The first counter-top microwave oven, produced using technology developed for radar, was sold by the Amana Corporation. As it was built in the US it suddenly went up in price, as did practically every other import, as the pound was devalued from US$2.80 to $2.40. Mind you, if you were a customer of Barclays in London you could use a cashpoint machine to get at your money. New on the shelves were Ariel washing powder, and colour televisions. Sport: Wimbledon was won by Australian John Newcombe and American Billie Jean King, who beat Briton Ann Haydon Jones in the Women’s final. Most exciting of all, it was broadcast in colour on BBC2. Jim Clark won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, driving a Lotus-Ford. Kiwi Denny Hulme won the F1 championship that year, driving for Brabham, who won the constructor’s title. Manchester United won the 1966-67 football season, while Spurs won the FA Cup, beating Chelsea 2-1 in the first final played between two London teams. Pat Jennings and Peter Bonetti were in the opposing goals. Child of the 1960s, this is a US brochure image of the new MGC

14 November 2014 Puzzle page ACROSS 1 Clairvoyant is to support the nuts in charge (9) 6 One with the hump caught male out (5) 9 Wife perhaps is inactive business associate (8,7) 10 Split reported initially by one newspaper (4) 11 Dance follows live jazz (5) 12 Song for that man on the radio (4) 15 Warm review read out (7) 16 Betray one’s principles in very popular show (4-3) 17 Completely finished with a Latin paramour (3,4) 19 Old king hugs wayward son for comfort (7) 20 Part of azalea, for example (4) 21 Vietnamese perhaps is like Scot (5) 22 Oddly ignored fondness for poetry (4) 26 Quick excursion to see small railway stations? (7-4,4) 27 Act on desire to find most senior member (5) 28 Evil bank acquires church, honestly! (9) DOWN 1 Awkward question for affected sort (5) 2 Poor formality, I aver, involves one showing this? (4-11) 3 Writer’s optimism (4) 4 Hide treatment from the workers here? (7) 5 Generous policeman promises to pay (7) 6 Low-life needs time with brief (4) 7 Fed poorly no more, somehow getting easy cash (5,3,3,4) 8 Left regent to change spectacles (9) 13 Start court proceedings? (5) 14 Criticism involving northern side (5) 15 Drank with heads of state when permitted (9) 18 More reckless son provides the bacon (7) 19 Punish devious cheats to a point (7) 23 Sprinkle water on some flowers (5) 24 Most put up with this chap (4) 25 Sword turns up in Dundee perhaps (4) Crossword from www.alberichcrosswords.com Wordsearch made at puzzle-maker.com An extra puzzle this month: What links the clues in the wordsearch? Ambassador; Belmont; Continental; DuPont; Excalibur; Franklin; Geronimo; Haynes; Imperial; Jaeger; Keystone; Lambert; Midland; Olympian; Pullman; Quick; Rugby; Standard; Tucker; Vulcan; Windsor. Last month’s crossword answers: ACROSS: 1 panel beaters. 9 Arizona. 10 portico. 11 peacock. 12 chinook. 13 inlay. 14 adversary. 16 henpecked. 19 belay. 21 attains. 23 Oceania. 24 rebuild. 25 address. 26 the done thing. DOWN: 2 abigail. 3 economy. 4 blackjack. 5 aspic. 6 earlier. 7 Spinoza. 8 donkey's years. 9 amphitheatre. 15 videotape. 17 not a bit. 18 edifice. 19 breadth. 20 lantern. 22 saddo.

15 November 2014 November 11 Exeter MGOC Club Night A chance for the new committee to shine at its first club night, at the Ley Arms from 8pm Plus birthday cake! November 14-16 NEC Classic Car Show Let Sean know if you fancy making up a trip. Tickets are now on sale for the event, which has been going for 30 years! This year the organisers are promising everything from Austins to Astons, Fords to Ferraris, Morrises to Maseratis, Peugeots to Porsches, Lancias to Lamborghinis. See the website www.necclassicmotorshow.com. November 16 Exeter MGOC Sunday Run Andrew and Aly’s Autumnal Amble. Not a great long run as it’s not the middle of summer any more! Join us at Exeter M5 Moto Services for am 11.15am start, heading off for lunch at a specially selected venue. Club members will be emailed menu choices. December 6-9 LE JOG The Land’s End to John O’Groats Reliability Trial and Touring Trial. For more details see www.heroevents.eu December 7 Christmas Cracker Run The Famous Christmas Cracker Run starts in Penrith and finishes in Keswick after 70 miles. A fun event taking in some of the best roads in the Lake District. Dress up, decorate your car, fun quizzes. Entry fee includes coffee and lunch for two. Entry limited to 70 cars. www.wigtonmc.co.uk December 20 Exeter MGOC Christmas Dinner To be held at the Dartmoor Lodge, like last year. Menus now available online! www.dartmoorlodge.co.uk/ December 28 16th Malvern Drive-In Classic Car & Bike Autojumble The Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6NW, UK. See the website www.classicshows.org for more details. January 13, 2015 Exeter MGOC Club Night From 8pm at the Ley Arms. February 10, 2015 Exeter MGOC Club Night From 8pm at the Ley Arms. February 14 & 15, 2015 The Footman James 5th Great Western Autojumble Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. In the main hall, exhibitors will be invited to showcase cars from the 1950s, 60s and early 70s as rock and roll takes over the Bath & West. February 21, 2015 Cambridge & District Snowdrop Run Starting at Over Community Centre, near the MGOC Headquarters, this run of approx 55 miles will be a great way to start the year. A hot drink and bacon butty will be provided as well as a rally book and plaque together with a small starter gift. £28 per car with two occupants. petercowper@btinternet.com March 1, 2015 Cobweb Spin Join the Winchester MGOC in blowing away the winter cobwebs at Hillier Gardens, near Romsey in Hampshire. World famous gardens, gathering of MGs with all other marques welcome, fun competitions, refreshments & hot food available. £9 per car including occupants. 01962 854243 March 10, 2015 Exeter MGOC Club Night From 8pm at the Ley Arms. April 9-12, 2015 MG York Join other MG Owners as we explore the historic city of York and the surrounding area. Stunning rural scenery for our road run, with the unique architecture, shopping and museums of the city make a fabulous destination for this MG weekend. Includes three nights at a 4-star hotel in York, evening dinners included in your half-board stay. mgtravel@mgownersclub.co.uk or 01707 329988. Tour Price: £229 per person (based on 2 people in a car sharing a double/twin room) April 14, 2015 Exeter MGOC Club Night From 8pm at the Ley Arms. May 3 & 4, 2015 Stratford Festival of Motoring See www.theopenroad.co.uk for more info. May 12, 2015 Exeter MGOC Club Night From 8pm at the Ley Arms. May 24, 2015 Exeter MGOC’s More To See It’s the Big One! Book early as places are limited and at a premium! More details of how to book in next month’s edition. May 31, 2015 MGs in the Park Organised by Solent MGOC, this event is a chance to see Stansted Park, Rowlands Castle. Visit the house, gardens and much more for only £6 per car. malcolm6390@talktalk.net for details. June 9, 2015 Exeter MGOC Club Night From 8pm at the Ley Arms. June 11-14, 2015 Dutch MG Car Club 60th Exeter MGOC members Nigel and Ann Hodkinson are planning to join the Dutch MG Car Club’s 60th anniversary celebrations near Hilvarenbeek. See Nigel or Ann for details, or www.agelink.nu/lustrum/english/index.html July 6, 2015 Yorkshire Pudding Run Returning to The Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley for the start and finish venue, with increased numbers and also a run of approx 100 miles of God’s own County to enjoy. Entry fee will still be £25 per car (two people) and will include a bacon sandwich and coffee at the start, road book, rally plate and a commemorative gift. www.leedsmgccc.co.uk . Dates for your diary If you know of an event coming up, please email mg@lakesidemedia.co.uk

EXETER MG C For owners of MGs from As to Zs About us: The Exeter Area MG Owners Club was formed in 1979 and is affiliated to the National MG Owners Club which has around 30,00 members. The Exeter club attracts owners from East, Mid and South Devon, as well as Torbay. We cater for all MGs, and members have cars ranging from MGAs to ZTTs, with pretty much everything in between also represented. We also welcome members with MG6s and MG3s! Meetings: We have club meetings once a month, on the second Tuesday throughout the year, apart from December. They are held at 8pm at the Ley Arms, Kenn. In December, the monthly meeting is replaced by a Christmas dinner. Runs: Members organise a Sunday run, usually on the third Sunday of the month. These take around an hour and a half, and pretty much always end up somewhere nice for lunch! The club also organises a major annual run which attracts participants from across the country. Keeping in touch: We have a website, exetermgoc.co.uk, as well as a Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ExeterMGOC – and a Twitter account, @ExeterMGOC, so there are plenty of ways for members to keep in touch with what is going on. Award-winning magazine: We produce our own award-winning monthly magazine, right, with news about the club as well as other MG-related content. This is emailed free of charge to members. For more details: Contact Area Secretary Aly Howard, or Membership Secretary Andrew Howard, by email at mg@lakesidemedia.co.uk, or write to 6 Lakeside Avenue, Exeter EX2 7BL facebook.com/ExeterMGOC @ExeterMGOC exetermgoc.co.uk