Tappet Chatter - Journal of the MG Car Club of Canberra - the MG Car Club Canberra
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September 2019
Tappet Chatter
Tappet Chatter
Journal of the MG Car Club of Canberra Number 448 September 2019
0413 646 321 2 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019
Tappet Chatter
Number 448 September 2019
Contents: Official Journal of the
MG Car Club Canberra Inc
Presidents Torque 6 ABN: 49 156 199 381
Torque 8
Correspondence to:
Inaugural Ladies Run 13 Post Office Box 4141
The Law’s According to Mike 17 Weston Creek ACT 2611
MG RV8 Air Con refurb 18
Monthly Meetings are held
How much can I get for my TC 21 on the second Thursday of
Other Club Mags 23 each month, (except
January), at St Peter's
2020 Autumn Tour 24 Anglican Church Hall, cnr of
September Midweek Meander 25 Parkinson St & Watling Pl,
MG Mark II Roadster 26 Weston at 7:45pm.
Video’s 29 Banking Details
Club Calendar 30 BSB: 633-000
Account: 144920741
Gear Aug 2019 34 Account Name: MG Car Club
MG an Underrated Marque 37 Canberra Inc
Royal Daimler and NMA Car Club 41
Council Communique 46
Sporting Report 50 A ‘Lunchtime Natter’ is held at
MG News 59 Weston Park, Yarralumla
(second picnic spot on the
Services Directory 43 right) each Tuesday from
Help Line 45 12.30pm.
Marquet 46 The MG Car Club Canberra Inc.
accepts no responsibility for the
Acknowledgments – the editorial team thanks all accuracy or reliability of
articles, correspondence,
who contributed articles and photographs for this opinions and advertisements
month’s magazine. contained herein.
Articles may be copied for
Cover Photo publication by Car Clubs, but
an acknowledgement and
due accreditation is
expected.
Printed Post Approved
100003009
Jo with her MG and snow on them thar hills.
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 3
MG CAR CLUB CANBERRA INC.
LIFE MEMBERS: Margaret Brown OAM, Malcolm Robertson, Ian Holden,
Brian Oxley, Kent Brown & Brian Calder.
COMMITTEE 2019
President: Vice President
Peter Dalton Kent Brown
0412 788 217 0412 558 029
president@mgcccanberra.org.au vicepresident@mgcccanberra.org.au
Secretary Treasurer
Bryan Tuckey Brian Calder
0484 636 355 0434 307 742
secretary@mgcccanberra.org.au treasurer@mgcccanberra.org.au
Committee Member Committee Member
Laurie Gardiner Trevor Clement
0418 488 931 0411 102 759
(Display Events) (Membership)
display@mgcccanberra.org.au secretary@mgcccanberra.org.au
Committee Member Public Officer
Mark Horsfield Bryan Tuckey
0415 400 044 484 636 355
(Editor)
editor@mgcccanberra.org.au publicofficer@mgcccanberra.org.au
4 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019
MG CAR CLUB CANBERRA INC.
NON COMMITTEE 2019
CACTMC Delegates:
Brian Calder 0434 307 742 cactmc@mgcccanberra.org.au
Social Coordinator:
Vacant social@mgcccanberra.org.au
Asst Social Coord:
Graeme Corbett 0437 679 497 social@mgcccanberra.org.au
Motor Sport Coordinator:
Kent Brown 0412 558 029 sporting@mgcccanberra.org.au
Club CRS Registrar:(Historic Plates:)
(Northside)
Greg Whitfield 0498 107 658 historicplates@mgcccanberra.org.au
(Southside)
Robert Chilman 0412 024 228 historicplates@mgcccanberra.org.au
Manager of Club Regalia:
Peter & Val Long (02) 6227 0643 regalia@mgcccanberra.org.au
Manager of Club Library:
John Cooper 0408 624 801 library@mgcccanberra.org.au
CAMS Delegate:
Kent Brown 0412 558 029 cams@mgcccanberra.org.au
Natmeet Coord :
Mick O’Brien natmeet@mgcccanberra.org.au
Club Car Trailer:
Laurie Gardiner 0418 488 931 trailer@mgcccanberra.org.au
Tappet Chatter Distribution:
Laurie Gardiner 0418 488 931
Club Workshop & Equipment:
Laurie Gardiner 0418 488 931 workshop@mgcccanberra.org.au
Webmaster:
Mark Horsfield 0415 400 044 webmaster@mgcccanberra.org.au
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 5
President’s Torque
2019 Presidents Report
Hello MGers,
T he past year has seen very many members participating in the regular and
special club activities that fill our busy calendar of events. Many thanks to
all those members who volunteered to devise so many interesting monthly runs
during the past year. We will be offering additional local and long distance
touring opportunities and reintroducing workshop and restoration runs as we
move into 2020. You will have opportunities to enjoy your cars even more next
year as some fertile minds among us have approached the club committee to
suggest further ideas to keep those MG wheels turning on the tarmac.
New members have been warmly welcomed into our friendly club activities and
these new faces often turn up at our informative MG workshop instruction days
kindly facilitated by Laurie Gardiner and Kent Brown. Our monthly meetings
have been well supported too and we have been spoiled there by the excellent
and too-tempting evening suppers provided by Sandra, Nome, Mo and the other
ladies assisting in the kitchen.
As a new Club President I have been greatly assisted by the experienced com-
mittee members.
Both Kent Brown as Vice President and Brian Calder as Treasurer offered me
wise council. Our club finances continue to track well and I am pleased to report
we have achieved a modest surplus for 2018-2019. A significant financial contri-
bution was produced by the successful Motorkhana Events organised by Kent
and managed by Chris Hillman, together with generous funding support by
Shannon’s Insurance. The free thinking and spirited advice of Trevor Clement
and Mark Horsfield has enlivened the committee debate. Bryan Tuckey (aka B2)
as your dedicated Secretary has complimented our club committee well. Laurie
Gardiner has now stepped down after almost a decade on committee. On behalf
of our club I warmly thank Laurie for his long, strong and committed service on
our team and am pleased to advise that he will continue to assist with the club
workshop and display co-ordination.
6 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019
Planning will shortly commence on a new concept to create an expanded bi-Annual gathering in Canberra, not only for MG T and Y types as has been the case in the past with MG TYme, we will also have the National Assembly of the superb and iconic Pre-War MG Register. This combined event will culminate in a particularly large number of our fabulous and historic vehicles and their interest- ing crews travelling from all corners to assemble in Canberra in October 2021. We look forward to your support for this very special initiative. Looking back I thank all the members who assisted in so many ways to support our club in their non-committee voluntary roles such as with the production, com- position of and contributions to the club magazine and for the web-site, regalia, library, mechanical advice, trailer maintenance, social organising roles, touring planning and for providing the splendid MG club workshop facility at Fyshwick. We lost a couple of very special blokes this year. Both Tony Argyle and Peter Daley were close friends and they each served the club with great distinction as Presidents and in their many other capacities over several decades. In recent years they shared the back row of almost every monthly meeting, happy to con- tribute good humour and unsolicited but knowledgeable advice from the rear. This memorable pair are sadly missed and we are all the better for having en- joyed their company for as many years as I can remember. I look forward to sharing the road with you all in the coming year. Regards Happy MotorinG President Pete September 2019 Tappet Chatter 7
8 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019
Torque
MG Car Club Canberra on the Web
Website: (http://mgcccanberra.org.au)
View our website for information on upcoming events, past events and Gallery's
Facebook Social Page: (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MGCCCSocial)
See what other club members are doing, interesting articles from around the web, or,
just catching up or chatting.
Please send contributions for the October 2019 issue of
Tappet Chatter to the Editor by Friday 27 September 2019 at:
editor@mgcccanberra.org.au
Club Trailer Bookings Membership Subs are Due
T he procedure and protocol for
booking the MG Car Club car
trailer is:
The new membership year has begun
so memberships are due. If you have
CRS (Historic) registration, it is a legal
requirements that you are a “Fully Fi-
1. Bookings for the trailer must be
nancial” member of CRS endorsed
made during business hours;
motor Club.
2. Bookings must be made at least 48
Don’t risk being caught - pay your
hours in advance;
subs today preferably online, but you
3. The trailer must be picked up from can pay at the next club event.
the storage facility during business
hours;
Banking Details
4. Only genuine emergencies will be
BSB: 633-000
considered outside these timeframes.
Account: 1449 20741
A plea from the Treasurer Account Name: MG Car Club
...to ensure that you include your Canberra Inc
name and the purpose when you do Family $70.00
an electronic transfer to the Club’s Single $60.00
bank account. In the last month two
members have made EFT deposits
with no name or purpose.
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 9
Enthusiast day at Wakefield Park the MGs can have a run round the
track, at a 'comfortable' road
F or all the enthusiasts out there,
29 September 2019 is a date to
quarantine in the calendar. Historical
speed. Track departure time would
probably be around 1430.
There will be no cost to Club mem-
Sports and Racing Car Association
bers, other than the trip down and
(HSRCA) will welcome members of
back. Members are welcome to take
the MG Car Club of Canberra to
their own lunch/nibblies/etc, but there
Wakefied Park Raceway.
is also a well stocked canteen on site,
The President of HSRCA would like with plenty of room for tables and
members, with their cars, in place by chairs.
1030. Accordingly, those members
The day offers a fabulous photo op-
travelling to Goulburn are asked to
portunity, but take some extra layers,
assemble at the BP servo, cnr Antill
early spring at Wakfield Park can be a
and Federal Hwy, Watson at 0845 for
tad coolish.
a 0900 departure. Estimated travel
time to Wakefield Park, one hour.
At the lunch break of the day's racing,
10 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019Extraordinary Battery Service tems result in the high parasitic drain
I
after the doors have been opened and
was extremely impressed today
closed but the drain eventually drops
with Unique Batteries in Queanbey-
back to less than 0.1A – within the
an – previously Alpine Batteries –
European standard of 0.125A.
where I’ve been getting my batteries
for years. I think this unusually high standard of
customer service should be rewarded
The fellow I had always dealt with
so if you need a battery check out
happily previously has moved on and
Unique. Their prices are excellent too.
Greg seemed to be the only fellow
working there now.
Anyway, I went to have my battery Ron Jacobs
checked because the starting was
sluggish on the recent cold mornings
and I didn’t want to be stranded on my Rover and MG Parts Suppliers
upcoming desert trip. Below is a link to Parts Suppliers and
The battery was only two years old Service Listing for Rovers and MG’s
and checked out fine on cold cranking which has been provided by the Rover
amps and charge but Greg found Club of NSW. Mostly relevant to own-
higher parasitic drain than he ex- ers of modern “Z” series MG’s but you
pected – 0.28A on Tuesday and up to never know what you may find.
0.5A today, Wednesday. Yesterday he This link will remain in the magazine
insisted that I call back before the trip on the Service Providers page to-
so I could have complete confidence
wards the back.
on the trip.
Not only did he spend an hour or so
checking for the source of the drain, Parts Suppliers and Service Listing
which was intermittent and varying, he
insisted on giving me a new battery
without even asking to see proof of Ready for the Motorkhana
purchase.
Imagine going up against this Monster
I felt badly about this and asked to at GT at a Motorkhana or club run to af-
least be able to pay half the cost of ternoon tea!!
the new battery, but he wouldn’t take
any money. I can not fathom the horsepower this
car would put out or how difficult it
Having done further investigation, I would be to handle if you slapped all
think all the security and courtesy sys- the horses on the arse at once.
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 11If it was on the afternoon tea run then actually happened, at the factory and
odds on there would be no cakes left at the dealership end back in the
when most arrive. day. His nick name refers to someone
claiming he wasn’t trying hard enough
once in racing and that he should be
pressing the accelerator pedal harder.
He has owned and often rebuilt many
MGs over the years, but I think he
sold his last one a couple of years
ago. I think he still works part time in
the motor trade.
Like a lot of these guys, he tolerates
incorrect assumptions and foolish
suggestions poorly, but in response
will often describe exactly what or how
things did actually happen.
This huge archive of what I would
think is, mostly, at the time commonly
available material nonetheless has
plenty of items I’ve personally not
seen. It should provide you with an
endless opportunity to drip feed little
gems into Tappet Chatter, for years to
come should you choose to!
Regards Tom
Mr Balloon Foot - Another tidbit
from Tom https://photos.google.com/share/
AF1QipNcWMoy-
“Balloonfoot” (Lloyd Faust) is an
yu2sJ5j3m9Jf848N8hwSt57zhi-
American guy, (now I’d guess would
cgpaTv7GJCKRR53XhlP2ZI-
be in his seventies) who seems to
ok2AHCxQ?
have spent a lot of his time involved
key=ODkxN2pzMFV2aVh4VWZDZkU
with MGs, including time at dealer-
zY1k3cWZFVU83Rk5R
ships in the US and competing. He
also has had some first hand
Abingdon factory exposure.
Garage Run
As a consequence he has a massive On 19 October we will be holding a
store of personal recollections, and run to a couple of members garages.
understanding of how and what
12 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019The first will be the garage of Trevor For many years it has been a source
Clement who is building a TC Special. for parts and adventures for all sorts
He will run through how he developed of motor heads, with some interesting
a new skill on the English wheel, man- artefacts to be found.
ufactured the chassis, stitched the
upholstery and all the new swear
words he has invented.
Next will be the luxurious garage of
Malcolm Robinson who has just fin-
ished building a TB Special.
I am sure Malcolm will regale all with
the tales of how this pre-war monster
came together and the euphoric feel-
ings that coursed through his body
I wonder if it will remain a wrecking
when he first raced it at Winton .
yard or become the personal parts
So, Ladies and Gents, mark your dia- store for some eccentric car collector
ries and set aside some time on Sat-
urday 19 October.
The club will provide a sumptuous
afternoon tea on completion.
Details will be published closer to the
date.
Flynns Wrecking Yard For Sale
A fixed and historical landmark on the
way to the snow is Flynn’s Wrecking
yard just outside Cooma.
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 13Inaugural Ladies Luncheon
By Nome
Inspired by the “All Womens Car Show”
in Southern California, an article of
which appeared in the April 2019
S eptember 7 2019 saw a paradigm
shift regarding the (perceived)
standard convention of “the man
edition of Tappet Chatter, the Ladies of
drives the car”, particularly now that
our Club arranged a “Ladies Run”
there are a lot of us ladies who own
where the ladies are the drivers. The
run was so popular that follow-on MG’s. As such some of the lovely
events have been planned. This is ladies of the club took the wheel of the
great to see, especially with the MGs and headed off “unsupervised” to
Increasing number or lady MG owners the Inaugural Ladies Luncheon.
within the club.
Some were still not sure if they would
Below: Having arrived at Brindabella, be driving or navigating (plan B) a
the ladies pose for a pre wine picture, mere 10 minutes before departing
with their cars, amongst the grape
home but all was good as her knight in
vines.
shining armour returned from the auto
14 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019So as the ladies were rallied by the
lovely ‘Lady in a Red’ MGB , engines
were started and they were off on their
adventure.
With two hands on the steering wheel,
two eyes on the road and two ears
listening for odd sounds they left the
carpark with high revs and high spirits.
Arriving at Brindabella Winery and
reverse parking their vehicles
shop with a new radiator cap and fin- (as required by some unwritten MG
gers were crossed. rule) between the grape vines they
were met by the ‘staggering(ly)’
Plan B had arrived but was not need-
beautiful ladies who had taken the
ed and they headed to rendezvous
time to make a well informed decision
point (RP) number 1, Scrivener Dam.
about the best wine to have with
Arrival saw two beautiful MGs and the lunch……..the Rosé.
trusty Austin Healey waiting in the
Sumptuous meals were enjoyed by
blustery winds. They waited for one
all, with the mushroom ravioli being
more vehicle to arrive however they
the most popular of the day, topped
did not materialise, maybe they are at
off with deserts for some and coffee
RP 2!
for others, and of course, wine for all.
So at the allocated departure time
Farewells were shared and the ladies
group 1 left RP 1 and headed for RP 2
made their way home, some took the
with the hope all would be there for
scenic route and others the direct, but
the convoy to lunch.
I am sure that none had to stop at the
Arriving at the Dinosaur Museum (RP mechanics or panel shop.
2), the Northsiders were huddled in
their vehicles trying to stay warm, but
alas our missing vehicle was no where
to be seen. As departure time loomed
networks were activated, communica-
tion vines accessed and calls were put
out to find the lost ladies.
They were eventually located …..
safe……. Warm……. and tasting
some wine at Brindabella Hills Winery.
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 15Thank you to all you Ladies who made
our first outing such a wonderful
memory.
As this was such a great success we
propose to continue having a ladies
outing on the first Saturday of the
change of season. As such the next
Ladies outing will be on December 7 Regalia
2019, so keep an eye and an ear out
for upcoming details. CLUB CLOTHING
Names were never included to protect Shirts - Cotton Long Sleeve $32.00
the guilty innocent! Ed- Shirts-Cotton Short Sleeve $30.00
Polo Shirts - Men's & Ladies $25.00
Polo Fleece full zip Jacket - Men's $35.00
Micro Fleece full zip Jacket- Ladies $35.00
Nylon full zip Spray Jackets-Unlined $30.00
OTHER ITEMS
Club Coffee Mugs (Bendigo Pottery)
$12.00
Club Grille Badges $22.00
Club Lapel Badges $ 6.00
Car Lapel Badges $10.00
Club Windscreen Stickers $ 2.00
MG Octagon Car Lapel Badges $10.00
MG Key Rings $ 7.00
Sew-on Embroidered MG Logo in cloth
$ 8.00
16 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019September 2019 Tappet Chatter 17
The “Law’s” According to Mike
by Mike Lawless
This column is inspired by our own Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle
Mike, a veritable font of knowledge
The Heisenberg uncertainty principle
when it comes to Law’s and Sci-
states that it is impossible to know
ence and MG’s Now when you put
simultaneously the exact position and
all this together Mike can regale
momentum of an object. That is, the
like no other with facts and funda-
more exactly the position is deter-
mentals as they apply to MG.
mined, the less known the momen-
tum, and vice versa.
Boils Law
Mike say’s, “The discovery of this
“a law stating that the pressure principle is believed to be attributable
of a given mass of an ideal gas or to our own Trevor F, A multi winner of
liquid is inversely proportional to our most prestigious navigation
its volume at a constant temper- award.
ature.”
On many occasions when Trevor was
M ike says, “when heat is
applied to coolant in MG’s,
the coolant expands more the
leading the pack, in a forward motion,
so to speak, position seemed to be
less than accurate or unimportant
warmer it gets. If it gets too while maintaining forward momentum.
warm it turns ‘boils and can turn
into a gas’. When the liquid When position became undetermined,
turns into a gas and expands the forward momentum had to be reduced
pressure within the cooling sys- (most often stopped) in order to look
tem is inversely proportional to at the map. Once exact position was
the new volume which may cause again determined and forward mo-
the cooling system to “overflow” mentum was reinstated, exact position
or “pop”. You may think the was determined again to be unknown.
name comes from the reaction of This gave rise to the uncertainty we
heating the coolant as it is said to would ever arrive at the correct
“Boil” but that is not the case. destination, and hence the uncertainty
The name was actually derived principle according to Mike…..and
from the action of squeezing a Trevor.”
boil and that fact the liquid inside
could not be compressed, hence
the name BOILS LAW”.
18 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019MG RV8 Air Conditioner
Condenser Refurbishment
By John Woods
T he air conditioner condenser
fans were intermittently making a
horrible grinding noise when the oper-
turely burn out. While I could have
refurbished the fans as detailed in the
RV8 Notes, I decided to order two
ating. While I had my car on the hoist, new fans from Clive Wheatley in the
I spun the fans mounted on the air UK (https://www.mgv8parts.com/).
conditioning condenser and found
The firsts step according to the
they were quite tight to turn and made
MGRV8 Repair Manual Service Re-
a grinding noise. Also the condenser
pair No. 82.15.01 was to raise the
shields were corroded and one of
front of the vehicle and remove the
them had a section that was rusted
front bumper valance. This was easier
out. The RV8 Notes from the UK (http-
said than done as the air conditioner
-www.v8register.net) noted that
piping and fan assembly made access
MGRV8 fans were subject to two
to the 2 nuts and bolts securing bump-
problems:
er to each body bracket very difficult.
It took a lot of tinkering and adjust-
ment but I eventually got them out.
Removal of the indicator lights and
side securing bolts was easier.
The next step was to remove the 3
screws securing front grille to the
bumper brackets. I found that the grille
was not secured to the bumper brack-
et but to the underside of the front
• Grit on the top of the conden- panel (2) at left.
sers was hitting the fan blades.
• Body of the fans were rust-
ing and the flakes were falling
inside the fan blade, causing
tight spots in the fans rotation.
They had to be fixed otherwise both
problems could see the fan prema-
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 19on the bolt head and a 10 mm ring
spanner on the nut underneath the
core. After all four bolts (6) are re-
moved at each corner of the conden-
ser, the fan then can be slid forward
still fixed to the metal base bracket.
You then need to remove the 4 Phil-
lips head bolts (4) which finally allow
Again this was not easy and I found separation of the fan from the metal
that removal of the Under Cowling base bracket.
(3) at right) was required.
On removal of the grill it was discov-
ered that the metal strip on the bottom
and sides of the grille was badly rust-
ed (see below).
The next challenge was to remove the
fan assemblies. This was to be ac- The next challenge was to remove the
complished by disconnecting the mul- condenser shields (7) which were bolt-
tiplug from condenser cooling fan (3) ed to the condenser assembly and
and removing the 4 screws securing condenser mounting brackets by four
cooling fan to condenser and remov- bolts. The only way to get access to
ing the fan assembly and condenser these bolts was to remove the bolts
shield. securing the condenser mounting
Upon initial inspection I thought that I brackets to the body. Once this was
might not be able to remove the fans done removal of the four bolts was
without letting the gas go in the sys- difficult and in most cases resulted in
tem, but luckily this was not the case. them breaking due to corrosion.
To remove the fan (5) you need to At last I had the fans and condenser
remove the outside condenser support shields removed. The shields and the
brackets (7) and loosen off the inside metal strip on the bottom and sides of
ones too, then you can then gently the grille were badly rusted and re-
push down the condenser to expose quired repair. I cleaned up the rusted
the top inside fan bracket bolt which out section and took them and the
requires an 8mm open ended spanner
20 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019grille to Still Standing Sheetmetal in As all the screws, bolts and fasteners
Fyshwick (http:// were quite rusted up or had been bro-
www.sssmetal.com.au/). ken during removal. I took examples
to Speciality Fasteners, Fyshwick
They agreed that the rusted out sec-
(http://www.specfast.com.au/) and
tion on the shields could be repaired
acquired a complete new set.
and the metal strip on the bottom and
sides of the grille replaced. They also Once I had all the components I then
offered to manufacture new shields as reversed the process and reassem-
well as the repairs. I agreed as this bled the air conditioner condenser
would give me a new set of shields assembly including installation of the
with the repaired ones as a backup. manufactured shields and new fans
The repair and manufacture undertak- and fittings, etc. Once again this was
en by Still Standing Sheetmetal was quite difficult due to the restricted ac-
extremely well done and I was very cess caused by the air conditioner
pleased with the result. pipes and fittings.
I took the repaired and manufactured Overall I was very pleased with the
shields, grille and the condenser result but it took a lot of patience,
mounting brackets to Mobile Fabrica- sweat and tears and quite a bit of
tions, Queanbeyan (https:// ##^&%**(.
www.mobilefabrications.com.au/) for
While the car has been out for this
blasting and powder coating. Once
activity, I also undertook seat refur-
again I was very pleased with the fin-
bishment, fitment of floor insulation,
ished product.
wheel refurbishment, cleaning of the
The metal moulding on the top and badly stained aluminium components
bottom of the condensers were rusted in the engine bay and replacement of
so I treated them and painted them the Rover badges with RV8 badges
with matt black. on the front mudguard side panels
and boot. I plan to provide an update
of how these activities at a later date.
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 21How Much Can I get for my 1948 MGTC ?
Check this out from Bonham’s Auc- THE MG TC
T
tions in the US
he right-hand drive TC Midget
first appeared in 1946. Brought
to the US in considerable numbers by
Lot 126
GIs returning from England, the sport-
1948 MG TC Midget ing little MG gained a strong following,
Sold for US$ 112,000 (AU$ 163,09) especially in California and on the
inc. premium East Coast. These MGs had many
endearing features, including a slab
fuel tank, 19-inch diameter wire
1948 MG TC Midget wheels, folding windshields, and oc-
Chassis no. TC/5112 tagonal dashboard instruments. Sales
Engine no. XPAG 5733 of these MGs excelled when a Life
Magazine photographer captured one
1,250cc OHV Inline 4-Cylinder Engine being driven underneath a big lumber
2 SU Carburetors carrier on a Los Angeles street. Many
54bhp at 5,000rpm soon found their way into amateur
4-Speed Manual Transmission racing, and almost every one of the
Front Beam Axle with Leaf Springs - legendary American sports car cham-
Live Rear Axle pions of the post-war era began their
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes careers behind the wheel of a TC.
*Offered from the Robert
"Bob" Koons Collection
*Exceedingly original 28,000-
mile example with factory
paint and interior intact
*Fastidiously well-preserved
by one owner for 51 years
*Offered with its original rec-
ords, books, warranty card,
tools, jack and weather equip-
ment
22 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019THE MOTORCAR OFFERED paint, interior, top and weather equip-
ment. and matching-numbers
With just over 28,000 miles,
mechanical components. Mr. Duck-
fastidiously preserved, and in
ham who cherished this priced MG for
unrestored condition throughout, this
more than half a century, would show
MG TC must be one of the most
it at occasional car shows in the
original examples left. The car was
1970s, and kept meticulous, detailed
completed at the Abingdon MG works
service records (by date and mileage)
during the spring of 1948, and found
for the car. Additionally, he kept the
its first owner, Mr. Bolton Drackett, in
original owner's manual, warranty
Ohio later that year. The TC remained
card, tool kit, and jack. Considering
with Drackett for two years. After, it
the 28,132 miles on the odometer,
was purchased by Mr. Clare Duckham
and overall original condition, this
of Dayton, OH, who would become
spectacular preservation-class MG TC
the much-caring custodian for the next
stands out as a true survivor—
51 years. In 2001, as Mr. Duckham
showing just a lovely patina after 70
moved to a retirement home, the
years. The car oozes with originality,
highly original TC joined the famed
and deserves serious consideration.
collection of Columbia, SC-based
Robert "Bob" Koons, where it has Saleroom notices
remained in excellent care ever since.
Note, this car has less than 12,000
Today, this spectacular MG TC
miles on the odometer, and not
remains in "Time Capsule" original
28,000 as stated in the catalogue.
condition. The car retains its original
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 23Other Club & Online Magazines 24 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019
2020 Autumn Tour - Victorian Alps
and the Great Ocean Road
by Kerry Atkins
2
Snowys to spend the first night in Cor-
020 Will see a departure from ryong with Days 2 and 3 in and
the traditional Annual Weekend around Bright where there is lots to
Away being in Autumn and the Annual do.
Tour being in Springtime, by swapping
On Day 4 head south and spend 9
them around
days touring the Victorian coastline
The Annual Weekend Away will this from Queenstown in the east to Port-
year be in October and the Tour will land in the west, the Grampians, Ben-
be in Autumn. digo, Echuca and Rutherglen to re-
plenish the wine and cheese larders
The first part of the Autumn Tour will
etc and to enjoy this great touring dis-
be : 28 April to 1 May ( 4 days ),
trict.
based in Bright, Vic.
Day 14 we leave Rutherglen for home
via Albury and the remainder by the
route of your choice.
Note that our route to Queenstown
avoids Melbourne entirely. Country
Victoria all the way.
Kerry Atkins.
Mobile: 0438 227 148
The Second part will be on the Great Email: nimbo39@gmail.com
Ocean Road: 28 April to 11 May (14
days ).
The tours are always great fun. If you
haven't joined one before and can
make the time available, either 4 days
for the AWA or 14 days for the GOR, it
would be great to have you come
along.
The tour will head out through the
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 25September Mid Week Meander
T he Lunch run to the Some Café ,
created a squadron of British
Sports cars ( 1 MGC 6 MGB’s ,1
MGA , 1 Austin Healey , 1 TF
1500 , 1 F ), “Boy Racers “ down the
Federal Highway to Collector . It is
reported that one female co-driver
(who shall remain nameless) men-
tioned to the driver “ Bryan your only
doing 100 keep up “
The Café provided excellent meals
and service for the 25 of our club
members, even though they appeared
to be keep busy with the locals (and
children)
The weather turned in our favour after
leaving the Watson BP Service station
with bright warmish weather to see us
there and home .As normal it was not
“just a luncheon “ our MG Club’s
comradery continued well on to mid
afternoon .
26 MG Car Club Canberra September 20191953 M.G. TD Midget Cabriolet
M.G. Mark II Roadster
Designer: Giovanni Michelotti, Torino
(I)
28/11/1952 perspective drawing
04/12/1952 production of chassis no.
TD/C22878 at M.G. factory in
From the production dates of the two
Abingdon-on-Thames (Oxfordshire,
existing chassis only for TD/C22878
GB) (www.tregister.org) chassis num-
the time was enough to coachbuilt the
ber code: EXRK (EX= export chassis,
cabriolet body until Geneva Motor
R = RHD, K = km/h speedometer)
Show 1953. Therefore the features in
(www.mg-cars.org.uk) engine no.
italics must have been changed on a
XPAG/TD2/23269 (www.tregister.org)
later date.
rolling chassis imported to Switzerland
by Nuffield general agency J.H. Keller
Comparison of the Geneva show car AG, Zürich (CH) (Roberts & Green
with the two existing cars 2005)
TD/C22878 Geneva show car TD/25280
chassis pro- (exhibition
04/12/1952 23/02/1953
duction 05/03/1953)
exterior colour red metallic blue
long with 19 braces,
radiator grille short with 17 braces
stronger middle
Ghia-Aigle
shield-shaped triangular
emblem
engine hood
visible not visible
hinges
rear mirror on dashboard at upper windshield frame
wheels wire disc
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 2705–15/03/1953 exhibited at 23. Gene-
va Motor Show (CH) on the stand of
the Nuffield Organization (M.G., Mor-
ris, Riley, Wolseley; or their Swiss
chief agency J.H. Keller AG, Zürich)
TD/25280 (1953)
1953 coachbuilt cabriolet body by 23/02/1953 production of chassis no.
Ghia S.A., Aigle (CH) build process TD/25280 at M.G. factory in Abingdon
overseen by Max Hajek (J.H. Keller -on-Thames (Oxfordshire, GB)
AG) (Roberts & Green 2005) colour: (www.tregister.org) chassis number
red, interior: beige, hood and tonneau code: EXRK (EX= export chassis, R =
cover: beige shorter radiator grille with RHD, K = km/h speedometer)
17 braces, shield-shaped Ghia-Aigle (www.mg-cars.org.uk) engine no.
emblem, no visible engine hood XPAG/TD2/25703 (www.tregister.org)
hinges, rear mirror at upper windshield rolling chassis imported to Switzerland
frame, disc wheels 1953 photos in by Nuffield general agency J.H. Keller
front of Carrosserie Ghia S.A., Rue du
AG, Zürich (CH) (Roberts & Green
Simplon, Aigle (CH) 2005)
28 MG Car Club Canberra September 20191953 coachbuilt cabriolet body by Ghia S.A., Aigle (CH) build process overseen by Max Hajek (J.H. Keller AG) (Roberts & Green 2005) colour: blue metallic, interior: red?, hood light blue longer radiator grille with 19 brac- es and stronger middle brace, triangu- lar Ghia-Aigle emblem, no visible en- gine hood hinges, rear mirror at upper windshield frame, disc wheels, com- petion dampers like TD/C ? 11–21/03/1954 exhibited at 24. Ge- neva Motor Show [Hagen Nyncke, 01/03/1991]; but no mentioning in Au- tomobile Revue (CH), no. 12 (15/03/1954) and no. 13 (17/03/1954) 3/1954 owner Pierre Baltensperger (goldsmith), Zürich (CH) [Hagen Nyn- cke, 01/03/1991] ca. 7/1954 exhibited in Nuffield prod- uct show in the concert hall of Restau- rant Uhler, St. Gallen (CH) September 2019 Tappet Chatter 29
Video’s
Click image to open video
Mo
30 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019Club Calendar 2019
Sundays (when no other MG event is on)
Breakfast @ Poppies Cafe at the Australian War Memorial.
Simply Turn up for 830am in your MG. Underground parking!!
SEPTEMBER
13 -15 Sep - Gathering of the (MG) Faithful (GOF) at Wagga Wagga
15 - 18 Sep - 4 day 3 night GOF tour extension along the Murray.
Contact Graeme Corbett. social@mgcccanberra.org.au
29 Sep - Wakefield Park day - Meet at Wakefield Park at 10:00 am
OCTOBER
-
Thursday 3 Mid Week Meader –Tulip Farm on Federal Highway Bywong
Spring is here and that means Tulips .
Meet 10 am at the BP Servo Antil Street Watson for a 10-15 depart
Entry $16 or $18 p.p. Hopefully the 10-15 start will ensure we get parking and
also leaves everybody the freedom for Morning Coffee and/or plus stay for
Lunch.
Contact . Graeme or Jo Corbett M 0437679497 H 02 62994920
Sunday 13 Oct -Social picnic run organised by Geoff and Lynn Nichols.
A run through the hills to the Wee Jasper picnic area for a picnic lunch.
Meet at Scrivener dam and get your map, at 1045 for an 1100 depart to Wee
Jasper, via Uriarra. There will be no run sheet, just turn up.
Notes:
Remember : Classic Car ‘Lunchtime Natters’ are held at Weston Park, Yar-
ralumla (second picnic spot on the right) each Tuesday from 12.30pm.
“CLUB EVENT” signifies that an MG club representative will be in attend-
ance, regardless of who is organizing. Such events meet the require-
ments for concessional registration.
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 31FORECAST 2019 2019 Runs 24 Nov - Social run organised by Deb and Greg Whitfield. Detail TBA. 1 Dec - Terribly British Day (TBC) 7 Dec - Ladies Summertime Run - Details TBC 32 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019
Time to Laugh or be Amazed
Click Image to begin video
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 33Golden Era of Auto Racing Club Inc
- 28 Aug 2019
by John Harriott
O nce again Wakefield Park south
of Goulburn lived up to its winter
reputation on 28 Aug when Ian Reid
bling Ian to focus on reducing his lap
time and enjoy the event. The stand-
ard shaft had been replaced with a
and I ploughed through the pre-dawn competition thick walled shaft ($38
fog with the red Sprite in tow and be- from Spriteparts) and after resetting
hind Matthew pedaling the open top the valve clearances and a
Green Sprite with no demister and
distributor/’plugs/points and leads tune
multiple layers of thermal clothing.
up the car was running sweet.
After a personal best busting perfor-
“That's what happens with heavy
mance in June that also contributed to springs and high revs. You need a com-
snapping a rocker shaft, I elected to petition thick walled shaft!" - Colin
not compete at the August event ena- Dodds, Spriteparts
34 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019Ian Reid on his way to a PB lap… slide (coolant on track) in the chicane
With a big field in five categories the he was delighted with a best lap of
event attracted many historic racers 1:23.75. As Event 2 had been a regu-
keen to get in some cheap practice larity event his nominated time of 1:25
prior to the All Historic Meeting on the was well off the mark.
subsequent weekend. For Event 3 he was back on the front
Ian’s previous personal best lap time of the grid beside the Hillman and fo-
was at Wakefield Park was a steady cused on a sedate drive to finish the
1:25.08 so his objective was to break day on a high given he had achieved
the 1min:25sec barrier. His plan was his objective and taken a full second
to build up to a couple of flying laps off his PB. Throughout the six laps he
during Event 2 and go for it based on consistently out braked the Hillman
a strategy of smooth driving. and bought the car home with a best
lap time of 1:22.36. with and optimal
Practice was 6 laps and he returned time of 1:21.90.
confident in the manner in which the
car was handling. Event 1 was seven Enjoying a light beer and a sandwich
laps and his best time was a con- after track closure he was pretty hap-
sistent 1:25.24 but his confidence was py to receive some chocolate frogs for
high and he was the fastest in his his efforts. With consistent laps of
group thus found himself at the front 1:22 during the last event Ian’s next
of the grid for Event 2. objective is sub 1:20 before he turns
80 in Nov if not before he turns 90 in
Leading the field of 9 cars through the 2029.
first lap he traded position with a quick
green Hillman Minx throughout the 7 If MGCC of Canberra members would
laps and despite a well recovered like to be part of the ‘castor oil atmos-
phere’ of GEAR without competing,
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 35Wakefield Park is an hour from Can-
berra and the GEAR meetings provide
a great opportunity to get your car out
of the garage for an extended run.
The opportunity to wander through the
garages or volunteer to assist with the
conduct of the meeting can be a re-
warding day out.
Winding back the years 2019 to 1997.
Ian Reid and Matthew Harriott,
Wakefield Park 28 Aug 2019
Matthew Harriott and Ian Reid, Oran
Park 7 Feb 1997
36 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019MG - an underrated marque?
Scarlett Orr
posted in Maximum Velocity
most successful British competition
car until Jaguar’s racing programme
commenced, largely due to its 1087cc
engine that could produce up to 125
horsepower.
W hen you think of classic British
cars, most people’s minds con-
jure up visions of sleek Jaguar E-
Types and feisty Mini Coopers, and
rightly so. These most classic of clas-
sic cars deserve their legendary sta-
tus, but amongst all of them there sits
an often forgotten, often underestimat-
Like many automotive companies, MG
ed brand: MG.
production ceased during World War II
The marque began as a special but all was not lost for the company.
branch of Morris and was known as As a well-respected motor vehicle
Morris Garages. They built a few spe- manufacturer, they were contracted to
cial bodied Morris Cowleys before build a huge variety of tanks, ar-
manufacturing Old Number One in moured vehicle conversions, amphibi-
1925, a one-off car built specifically for ous vehicles, aircraft body panels and
sporting events – with an incredible aircraft engines. Once the war was
11.9 horsepower – which was widely over, the company returned to doing
regarded as the first MG. The brand’s what it did best – making small, two-
racing success began properly at the seater sports cars. Across the dec-
1933 Mille Miglia, where two MG K3s ades, this is what so many people as-
finished first and second in class, col- sociate with MG as they have perfect-
lecting the team prize and breaking all ed the simple formula. The TC is one
previous class records. This success of the best examples of this, and it
was emulated at a number of other captured the hearts of American sol-
races around the world over the next diers stationed in the UK during the
two years and the K3 became the war. The absence of a light, nimble,
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 37open-top sports car in America meant the wheel of the EX 181 and broke
the troops took the TC back home their own record to reach 254.91mph.
with them, paving the way to huge
This level of daredevil engineering
sales of TCs, TDs and later MGAs in
was continued in the 80s with the
the US.
Maestro Turbo. This largely forgotten
MG continued its run of highly suc- hot hatch had 150bhp and could do
cessful sports cars with the MGB, a 129mph, beating the Ford Escort
car that proved highly popular with XR3i, Volkswagen Golf GTi and
512,112 cars rolling out of the factory Peugeot 205 GTi on paper. However,
during its 18 years of production. arguably the most impressive MG
Available in both Roadster and GT from this era is the Metro 6R4. This
guises, the world was smitten with the iconic rally car could go from 0-60mph
B (probably helped by the fact an in around 3.2 seconds thanks to its
MGB piloted by Alan Hutcherson and 410bhp V6 that would rev to 9000rpm.
Paddy Hopkirk won its class at Le It was unusual for the Group B era in
Mans in 1963). that it was naturally aspirated and de-
spite the fact that it never achieved
However, Le Mans wasn’t the only
massive rallying success the 6R4
place where MG proved they could
gained a huge army of fans who love
punch above their weight. In 1957, Sir
it to this day.
Stirling Moss drove the incredible MG
EX 181 to a new land speed record for More recently, in 2001, MG released
1.1-1.5 litre engine cars of its new range of cars: the ZR, ZS and
245.64mph. Two years later, MG re- ZT. These cars were twinned with
turned to Bonneville with Phil Hill at equivalent Rover models and were
designed to revive a failing MG. Unfor-
38 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019tunately, despite the fact that many from the motoring world. Despite a
loved the new range, it ultimately few successful seasons in the BTCC
failed to save the brand. However, a with the MG6, the latest range of cars
few impressive feats were managed haven’t always inspired the British
with these cars, including a land public as much as previous MG itera-
speed record of 225.609mph for es- tions. However, the MG legacy is far
tate cars with a modified ZT-T and a from over, largely thanks to the dedi-
reasonably successful British Touring cated fans that remain. MG enthusi-
Car Championship campaign with the asts can benefit from fantastic clubs
ZS scoring 15 race wins over its ca- such as the MG Car Club and the MG
reer. The final car produced in this Owners Club, with the Car Club re-
stage of MG’s life was the MG SV, a cently setting up a Young Members’
vehicle with lots of modern technologi- Branch to secure the future of the
cal advancements that sadly came at brand’s classic and modern cars.
the wrong time for the company. As a
It is clear from the efforts of the devot-
result, the marque was sold to Nanjing
ed MG owners that love for the
Automobile and subsequently SAIC
marque will not die out completely any
Motor.
time soon. However, I really hope that
These relatively new owners of MG more people, especially the younger
have introduced us to models such as generation, can come to love the com-
the MG3, MG6, MG GS and new MG pany, its history and most importantly
ZS, which have had mixed reviews the cars.
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 3940 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019
Royal Daimler officially launched
and Car club formed
by Graeme Gittins
T he National Museum of Austral-
ia’s Royal Daimler was officially
launched on Tuesday 20 August, after
a ten year restoration period.
When purchased by the Museum in
2009, the 1948 vehicle was in a very
poor state, having been stored in a
barn in South Australia, for many
years. The upholstery was rat invest-
ation of many experts in their field,
ed the body paint was worn and faded
including upholsterers, mechanics,
the engine required a virtual rebuild.
painters, and researchers.
The vehicle had its first public run at
Wakefield Park Raceway on Saturday
17 August in front of a crowd of 3500
car enthusiasts.
The DE 36hp Royal Daimler will be on
display in the main hall of the Museum
for a couple of months, before joining
Perseverance and the assistance of the rest of the museums ever growing
many people and organisations both historic vehicle fleet.
within Australia and overseas bought
the laudaulette back to the condition,
when it was used by Queen Elizabeth
11 and the Duke of Edinburgh during
their 1954 Royal Tour.
At the launch the museums of Curator
of Big Objects, Nathan Pharaoh, said
it would not have been possible to
preserve and restore the four-ton vehi-
cle without the assistance and cooper-
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 41Museum Car Club announced
During the launch ceremony the op- -Mkids (3-12 years) free or discounted
portunity was taken by Museum entry to exhibitions and school
Director Dr Mathew Trinca to programs
announce the formation of a museum
-10 percent discount at the museums
car club under the Museum Friends
shop and café
umbrella.
-Exclusive Museum Friends only
events to behind the scenes tours of
major exhibitions
-Subscription to the Museum
Magazine
-Access to the Friends lakeside
lounge
-Reciprocal rights to other museums
Benefits of the car club include:
Membership details available at
- Viewing of the museums historic car
nma.gov.au/join support/membership
collection, not currently on public
display
-Enjoy tail made public programs
relating to the museums vehicle
collection
- Hear about important collection up-
dates and acquisitions
- Get priority access to any vehicle
related events
42 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019Images from the National Museum of
Australia “A Chequered Past” held at
Wakefield Park
Most courtesy of Paul Smith
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 4344 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019
The new membership year begins on 1 July 2019, so memberships are to be paid by 30 June 2019. If you have CRS (Historic) regis- tration, it is a legal requirements that you are a “Fully Financial” member of CRS endorsed motor Club. Don’t risk being caught - pay your subs today preferably online, but you can pay at the next club event. Family $70.00 Single $60.00 Banking Details BSB: 633-000 Account: 1449 20741 Account Name: MG Car Club Canberra Inc September 2019 Tappet Chatter 45
Council Communique
July 2018
Royal Daimler officially launched painters, and researchers.
and Car Club formed
The vehicle had its first public run
The National Museum of Australia’s
at Wakefield Park Raceway on
Royal Daimler was officially
Saturday 17 August in front of a
launched on Tuesday 20 August, after crowd of 3000 car enthusiasts.
a 10 year restoration period.
When purchased by the Museum The DE 36hp Royal Daimler will
in 2009, the 1948 vehicle was in a be on display in the main hall of
very poor state, having been the museum for a couple of
stored in a barn in South Australia, months, before joining the rest of
for many years. The upholstery the museum’s ever-growing his-
was rat infested, the body paint toric vehicle fleet.
was worn and faded and the en- Museum Car Club announced
gine required a full rebuild.
During the launch ceremony, the
Perseverance and the assistance
opportunity was taken by Museum
of many people and organisations
Director, Dr Mathew Trinca, to
both within Australia and overseas
announce the formation of a mu-
brought the laudaulette back to the
seum car club under the Museum
condition when it was used by
Friends umbrella.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of
Edinburgh during their 1954 Royal
Benefits of the car club include:
Tour.
At the launch the museum’s Cu- Viewing of the museums historic
rator of Big Objects, Nathan Phar- car collection, not currently on
aoh, said it would not have been public display
possible to preserve and restore
the four- ton vehicle without the -Enjoying tailor- made public pro-
assistance and cooperation of grams relating to the museums
many experts in their fields, in- vehicle collection
cluding upholsterers, mechanics,
46 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019Hearing about important collection up- Chequered Past
dates and acquisitions
The National Museum of Australia
Getting priority access to any vehicle Chequered Past vehicle display at
related events Wakefield Park attracted more than
3000 car club members and vehicle
-Mkids (3-12 years) free or dis-
enthusiasts.
counted entry to exhibitions and
school programs
The Museum brought out 12 of its
important vehicle collection to
-10 percent discount at the museum’s
parade around the race track.
shop and café
-Exclusive Museum Friends only Car clubs from Canberra, Quean-
events to behind the scenes tours beyan, Goulburn, Braidwood, Coo-
of major exhibitions ma and the NSW South Coast
attended the event.
-Subscription to the Museum Magazine
MoU to be prepared
-Access to the Friends lakeside lounge
-Reciprocal rights to other museums The Council will prepare a Memo-
randum of Understanding (MoU)
setting out the role and responsibili-
Membership details available at:
ties of the Council and clubs or-
nma.gov.au/join support/membership
ganising the two Council events –
Airbag recall Wheels and Marques in the Park.
The recall of airbags in a variety of ve-
hicles is coming to an end.
More than 100 000 vehicles in
Australia known to have the faulty
airbags have still not had their ve-
hicle airbags replaced.
In certain circumstances, when the
airbags are deployed, small metal
particles can cause serious injury
to vehicle occupants.
Replacement of faulty airbags is free.
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 4748 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 49
SPORTING REPORT
September 2019
Kent Brown
N ot a lot to report on the sporting
side of things this month as I’ve
been somewhat distracted while driv-
treacherous corrugations to the notori-
ous Chocolate Ruffle Pass.
The oldest car to enter the Retrial was
ing/navigating in the 2019 Repco Reli-
owned by New Zealand based and
ability Retrial. The retrial, in large part,
Kiwi, Bruce Washington. His naviga-
sought to retrace the route of the 1979
tor was a Welshman, Andrew Davies.
Repco Reliability Trial in which the first
And the car? A 1929 Chrysler Road-
three placings were filled by 3.3 litre
ster suitably modified of course. In-
VB Commodores with the winning
deed this car has been campaigned in
Marlboro Holden Dealer Team car
a number of endurance rallies includ-
being driven by no less than one Peter
ing two Peking to Paris events.
Brock. Brock shared car #05 with co-
driver Matt Philip and navigator Noel
Richards. Bruce Washington’s 1929 Chrysler
The 2019 Retrial left the Melbourne Roadster – the hood was never erect-
showgrounds on Monday, 5 August ed!
exactly 40 years to
the day after the
1979 event. Forty
Eight (48) cars were
flagged away and
47 returned to Mel-
bourne 28 days lat-
er having covered
around 20,000km of
which about
3,000km was held
as special stages
over dirt/gravel
roads including driv-
ing 100km over
50 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019One interesting statistic is that the Two British cars participated, the old-
competitors, support vehicles and est being a 1959 Riley 1.5 nicknamed
event management cars covered in “Floris”.
excess of 1 million kilometres but
there was not one accident. There
were a number of mechanical failures,
flat tyres, broken windscreens etc. and
a couple of kangaroos hit but all cars
bar one, a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
which suffered a holed piston in Perth,
were fixed along the way, some in
very innovative ways. But that of
course is another story which I will try
and recount at presentation to the
February club monthly meeting.
“Floris” was entered and driven by Paul
“Our” car was a 1975 280SE Mer- Dobney and his son Bruce
cedes Benz – all cars had to be pre-
1979 – which was colloquially referred
to as OMB, Old Menz Benz. The crew The other British car was a 1977 Jagu-
had T shirts to match! ar XJS (V12). The Jag was interesting
as at each stop it was fill with oil, fill
The with water and top-up the petrol!
Ma-
ple
Yel-
low
The John Joass and Glennys James
XJS on start day at Melbourne Show-
grounds
OMB at the end of a rainbow at the
beginning of a special stage near Ce-
duna
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 51Repco Reliability Retrial 2019 pics
Courtesy Graham Gittins and Face-ache
Arriving Cooma The Route
Starting Positions
Broom to Cunanurra
52 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019Dating back to 1922, Redex has a col-
ourful and fascinating history. Not
least that Redex was added to the fuel
of World War 2 planes to keep them
flying for longer. These planes were
marked with a characteristic Red X to
give pilots extra confidence before
flying. A shot of Redex was also given
at petrol stations as a quick and easy
addition to the fuel tank to improve
engine performance. Among other
A common site in front/under the XJS! things it was an upper cylinder lubri-
cant and I can well remember asking
customers if they would like a shot or
Come 1 September we safely arrived two in the tank when I was filling their
at the Melbourne Showgrounds and car with petrol when earning pocket
the successful conclusion of the 2019 money in the early 1960’s as a drive-
Repco Reliability Retrial. What an way attendant. Ah, in those days you
adventure! actually went to a “service station”.
A 1960’s Redex dispenser
We made it! – Colin Wilson-Brown, My-
self and Geoff Corah the OMB Team
There were an amazing 192 entries in
the 1953 Redex Trial. All cars had to
But while I am on the topic of long dis- be standard apart from some protec-
tance rallies in Australia the first was tive devices, auxiliary fuel tanks, differ-
the 6,500 mile 1953 REDeX [Redex] ent seating and so on. Incredibly six of
Trial. Redex was a fuel additive. the seven MG TD’s entered finished
September 2019 Tappet Chatter 53as did the one Prefect, the lone Anglia.
one Riley 2.5, the Singer Nine and a
Terraplane.
The start of the 1955 Redex Trial – the
MG is in row 2, second from right
MG TD #126 of L.V. March from South As far as I can determine no MG was
Australia pictured at 24-hour rest stop
not entered in any of the other
in Victoria Park Racecourse in Adelaide
Australian long distance rallies con-
on 10 September 1953
ducted which included the Ampol and
Mobilgas Trials 1956-58 or the 1964
In the 1954 Redex trial, which covered and 1970 Ampol Trials. And of course
9,600 miles, 2 MG’s competed. The the last around Australia trial until this
MG entered by P & R Williams Pty. Ltd year, the 1979 Repco Reliability Trial.
finished seventy-eighth with a loss of
96 points and the other MG driven by
R. Pryer came in 104th with a loss of Historic Motor Racing
358 points.
In the last Redex, 1955, a single MG
TF started but unfortunately failed to
finish. The MG wasn’t on its own in
this regard however as a single entry
from marques such as Alvis, Buick,
Chrysler, Citroen, De Soto, Dodge, In a week or so Viginia and I will be
Goliath, Hudson, Lloyd, Pontiac, Re- heading over to the Apple Isle
nault, Singer, Sunbeam Talbot and (Tasmania) on the Spirit of Tasmania
Willys also didn’t make the finishing to race the MGB at Baskerville. And
line. to defend my class lap record!
54 MG Car Club Canberra September 2019You can also read
