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Tappet Chatter September 2013

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2 MGCCC September 2013

3 Tappet Chatter September 2013

Contents:

Office Bearers 4 President’s Message 5

Torque 6

50 Sheds of Grey - Ron Cox 9 The Sentry and the Shell Fairy 11 Workshop at the Workshop 13 Shannons Sydney Classic 15 Club Run to Tarago 17 Replacing an MGB Ignition Switch 20 Sporting Report 22

Club Calendar 24 Club Events 26 Canberra Rally Update 30 First Australian Review of the New MG6 36

Help Line 43 Marquet 44

Acknowledgments – thank you to all who

contributed articles and photographs for the

magazine.

Material for the September magazine should be with the Editor by Friday 30 August 2013.

Official Journal of the MG Car Club Canberra Inc

ABN: 49 156 199 381 Correspondence to: Post Office Box 4141 Weston Creek ACT 2611 Home Page: www.mgcccanberra.org.au Monthly Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month, (except January), at St Peter's Anglican Church Hall, cnr of Parkinson St and Watling Pl, Weston at 7.45pm. A ‘Lunchtime Natter’ is held at Lotus Bay, Yarralumla (near the Yacht Club) is held each Tuesday from 12.30pm.

BSB: 633-000

Account: 144920741

Account Name: MG Car Club Canberra Inc

The MG Car Club Canberra Inc. accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of articles, correspondence, opinions and advertisements contained herein. Articles may be copied for publication but an acknowledgement and due accreditation is expected.

Printed Post

Approved

PP237008 00007

Tappet Chatter

Cover photograph

The Red MGB of Roger Amos— Sporting it's winter coverwear

http://www.mgcccanberra.org.au


MG CAR CLUB CANBERRA INC.

LIFE MEMBERS: Margaret Brown OAM, Peter Daley, Malcolm Robertson, Ian Holden and Brian Oxley.

COMMITTEE 2012 - 2013

President: Peter Dechaineux 6281 5917 or 0409 350 984 [email protected]

Treasurer: Laurie Gardiner 6293 4191 (h) 0418 488 931 [email protected]

Secretary: Greg Whitfield 0498 107 658 [email protected]

Asst. Secretary: Graeme Rossiter (02) 6288 2477 (h) 0431 930 710 (Display Events) [email protected]

Public Officer: Greg Whitfield See above

Sporting Secretary: Kent Brown 6255 4943 or 0412 558 029 (also Vice President) [email protected]

Editor: Mark Horsfield 0415 400 044 [email protected]

NON COMMITTEE 2012 - 2013

Social Coordinators: Bruce & Margaret Murray 629 61077 or 0412 322 453 [email protected] CACTMC Delegates: Laurie Gardiner see above Roger Amos 6254 2546 [email protected]

Registrar CRS Historic Plates: John Harriott 6292 8420 (H) 6247 8266 (W) Greg Whitfield see above

Regalia: Tony & Judy Laughton 6255 5207 [email protected]

Club Library: Geoff Nickols 6239 7339

CAMS Delegate: Kent Brown see above

Natmeet Coordinator Greg Whitfield see above

Club Car Trailer: Contact: Laurie Gardiner see above Alternate: Nigel French (02) 6163 5551

Tappet Chatter Distribution: Bruce and 6296 1077 Margaret Murray [email protected]

Club Workshop & Laurie Gardiner (02) 6293 4191 Equipment: Nigel French (02) 6163 5551

Webmaster: Pip Herr [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]













. How time flies! Another Club year has passed and we have enjoyed an active year of social and sporting events. I am pleased to note that this time last year we had 250 members, and we now have 300, an increase of 20%. This increase bodes well for the future of our Club.

Whilst our Club is a relatively small organisation, it requires a large effort to keep it running. I would like to specifically thank the Committee and other volunteers who have contributed so much of their time and effort to keep our Club running and providing our members with outstanding services. Our sec-

retary Greg Whitfield deserves resounding applause for keeping us on track and managing the bulk of our administrative workload. Mark Horsfield is to be congratulated for producing a monthly magazine which has received many

plaudits and which has raised the bar for a Club magazine to a very high level. One of the many laudable features of Tappet Chatter is that it is now in electronic format which enables links to a wide variety of interesting articles and web sites. Well done Mark.

Our social events have been coordinated by Bruce and Margaret Murray – what would we do without the passionate contributions by the Murrays? A special thanks also to Peter Dalton for organising weekends away and to Tony

and Sue Roberts for the Springtime Tour.

Kent Brown, our Vice President and Sporting Secretary, keeps the competitive spirit alive by participating in a range of motor sports and also leading the team that provides four motorkhanas a year. These events are the only ones of their type in the region and are well patronised, particularly by those who

wish to add a bit of spice to their motoring.

My thanks also to Gail Argyle for organising the annual Presentation dinner and for leading the team of ladies who look after us so well at our monthly meeting suppers. To Laurie Gardiner our treasurer and “minder” of the Club’s maintenance facility in Fyshwick. To Graeme Rossiter for organising our dis-play events. To Tony and Judy Laughton for looking after our regalia. To Geoff Nickols for maintaining the library and for doing lots of things in the

background, and to Pip Herr for updating our website.

Happy MotorinG

Peter Dechaineux

President’s

Message


Torque Membership Renewal

I t is that time of year again,

where our Treasurer dons his leather suit, picks up his whip and motions us to renew our club mem-bership. The advent of electronic

banking has made it easier for members to pay their dues and for committee representatives to proc-ess renewals. If you wish to use

electronic means to pay your mem-bership, the details can be found on the flysheet surrounding this maga-

zine. Conversely, if you wish to pay by cash you can do so by paying directly to the Treasurer, who will provide a receipt. If you prefer to pay by cheque, simply complete the

flysheet and send it to the address

indicated on the sheet.

One benefit of membership is the issue of this outstanding Magazine each month delivered to your hand at the meeting, your let-

terbox and your inbox. Don't be tardy, and get those membership

subscriptions in.

Joining Fee $25.00

Single Membership $50.00

Fulltime Students over 18 $25.00

Family $60.00

(Includes spouse, partner and all family members under 18)

Payment can be made by:

Cheque or Money order via post to the club PO Box on page 2 made payable to MG Car Club Canberra Inc. Cash direct to the Treasurer or Secretary, or via direct deposit to:

BSB: 633-000

Account: 144920741

Account Name:

MG Car Club Canberra Inc

Bank: Bendigo Bank

Terribly British Day 2013

T erribly British Day in 2013 will

be celebrated at the Patrick White lawns behind the Na-tional Library of Australia on Sun-day 1 December.

Owners and admirers of all British vehicles are welcome to at-tend the event which will be open to

the public from 10am to 2pm.

More than 350 cars, commercials

and motor cycles are expected to be displayed.

Food and drinks will be available and the car I would most

like to take home and best club dis-play will be judged by the honoured

guest.

Terribly British Day is or-ganised by Jaguar Driver Club and

representatives from British car clubs in the ACT.

For further information please contact:

Graham Gittins: 0419 249 109 email: [email protected]



Guest Speaker August Meeting

T he Guest Speakers at our Au-gust club meeting were Ms

Vicki Humphrey and Ms Monica Lin-demann from the Australian Na-

tional Museum Conservation Divi-sion. The focus of the presentation

was the conservation / restoration of vehicles in museums vast collec-tion of automobiles, including the recently acquired 1948 36hp Daim-ler landaulette as used in the 1954

Royal Tour of Australia. The pres-entation covered the acquisition process, conservation / preserva-

tion / restoration methodologies, highlights of the collection and re-search & development of aspects

ranging from parts manufacture to component preservation. It was interesting to note that where pos-sible, vehicles in the collection are maintained in "running" order. To

view the collection, visit the web address below.

http://www.nma.gov.au/collections-

s e a r c h / r e s u l t s ?search=adv&type=Motor+cars

Trophy Presentations

T wo trophy winning members who were unable to attend

Club's annual dinner were pre-sented with their awards at the Au-

gust club meeting. They were:

Ms Monica Lindemann, Club Presi-

dent Peter Dechaineux and Ms Vicki

Humphrey

Greg Hopwood received the Murray

McFarlane Trophy for the Club mem-

ber who uses their MG in competi-

tion or social events to the greatest

extent possible.

Graham Gittins receiving the Safety

Fast Trophy for the member who, in

the opinion of the magazine Editor,

made a major contribution to

"Tappet Chatter" over the year.


New Members

A huge welcome to new members Terry and Rachael Nieuwenhout

of Jerrabomberra with a 1954 Grey MGTF.

MG Midgets

The choice of Shepherds

G reg Hopwood's German Shep-herd "Bucky", has obviously ob-

served Greg getting in and driving off in his MG Midget often enough that he thought it might be a good idea to

give it a go.

New Shannons Business Develop-

ment Manager appointed.

S hannons Insurance have ap-

pointed Steven Farmer from Mel-

bourne as its new ACT Business De-

velopment Manager, following the

departure of Damian Hawkes who

has left the company to pursue other

business opportunities.

Mr Farmer is expected to take up his duties in Canberra in September.

For Those with an Ornithological Interest.

Seeing this, I would hate to see a Cougar at a Boy Scout rally.

"Sure, I let him drive from time to

time, but I never, ever let him off

the leash."

A lone Falcon nesting in a tree

LIBRARY NEWS

from

Geoff Nich-ols

G o o d news for

all V8 fans; your Library

has pur-chased a copy of “MG V8”, by David Knowles. The 300 pages has plenty of photos and cov-

ers in minute detail, the develop-ment of all the V8s deployed in the MG models from the first Rover/

Buick powered MGB through to the MG ZT 260 and MG X Power SV.

One sad reference, on page 39, is a photo of the first RHD MGB GT V8

prototype owned by Brian Darke.


FIFTY SHADES OF GREY - (a husband's point of view)

The missus bought a Paperback, down Shepton Mallet way, I had a look inside her bag; T'was "Fifty Shades of Grey".

Well I just left her to it,

And at ten I went to bed. An hour later she appeared; The sight filled me with dread.... Her hand at left did grasp a rope; Her right brandished a whip! She threw them down upon the

floor, And then began to strip. Well fifty years or so ago; I might have had a peek; But Mabel hasn't weathered well; She's eighty four next week!!

To witness Mabel bump and grind; Could not have been much grim-mer. But things then went from bad to worse;

She toppled off her Zimmer!

She struggled back upon her feet; A couple minutes later; She put her teeth back in and said I am a dominater !!

Now if you knew my Mabel, You'd see just why I spluttered, I'd spent two months in traction

For the last complaint I'd uttered. She stood there nude and naked Bent forward for a rest

I went to hold her, sensual like and stood on her left breast! She screamed so loud, her teeth

shot out; My god what had I done!?

She moaned and groaned then shouted out: "Step on the other one"!! Discretion says I tell no more; Of what occurred that day.

Suffice to say my jet black hair,

Turned fifty shades of grey.

50 Sheds of Grey

A peek into the secretive world of

club members inner sanctums by Mark Horsfield

This month I beg your indulgence and submit, for your reading pleas-ure, a creative yet insightful verse by noted Poet Pam Ayers on a husbands perspective of 50 Shades of Grey.

Reworded slightly to maintain the high moral and ethical standards of the editor.


Want to service your MG?

Got a rattle that is hard to find?

O ur Club has a well-equipped under-cover service centre with four

post hoist, engine hoist and all the basic big-tools to enable you

to do repairs, service and/or clean your car in a secure area, 24/7.

Simply contact Club members Nigel French on 6163 5551 or 0413

646321, or Laurie Gardiner (Club equipment custodian) on 62934191

or 0418488931 to arrange a time to do the work or just to have a

look.

The workshop is located at:

Budget Storage,

25 Yallourn St

Fyshwick.

Map

The Service Centre and

use of Club tools is free

to Club members.

http://www.mgcccanberra.org.au/Committee/Committee.htm

http://goo.gl/maps/48i0y


THE SENTRY AND THE SHELL FAIRY

By Kent Brown

Here is a small quarto booklet with a title that

definitely does not evoke in the reader’s mind anything at all to do with the car. So where

is the link you say? Well, in 1924 or thereabouts

(the National library records their copy in the Petherick Reading Room as 1923), company advertising looked quite different to how it does in this new technological age. Life

was much more serene and in some ways cultural, I suppose.

The hint that “The Sentry and the Shell Fairy” - it is really a story for children - has anything to do with the automobile actually lies partly in the title where the word “Shell” appears

(but that’s not really a good give-away), rather it is on the frontispiece which, in the lower right hand corner

reads:

With Compliments

THE BRITISH

IMPERIAL OIL CO. LTD

Distributors of Shell Products throughout Australia and New Zea-land.

So how do I happen to have a copy which until recently stood forlorn,

hidden and forgotten amongst a whole range of other motoring tomes but rediscovered when I was search-ing for some other trivia in order to

answer an enquirer’s question?

Well, the motoring heritage in my family dates back to around the first decade of the 20th Century. Pictured below are my grandfather (driving) and his father in what I believe to be a home made automobile c1909.

The picture was taken in South Aus-

tralia, most probably at Glenelg and very near the beach, but I cannot be 100% certain about the location. It could have been Henley Beach.

But I digress. My copy of The Sentry and the Shell Fairy was handed down through the family. It probably origi-nally belonged to my grandfather who, with two other gentlemen, ran a

business founded by his father in Adelaide called Colton, Palmer & Pre-

ston, Limited. It was a bit like a Bunnings of its day but added in Su-percheap Auto – for horse and horse-less carriages - and a Shell service

station as well!


The George W. Martin tale is set in Egypt and revolves around an ANZAC Sentry and his interactions with the local fairies – wherein he is given the

“secrets of the Pharoahs”, that is, the secret behind the technology for building the pyramids. That secret, of course, turns out to be “precious oil” which can be bought through the

Shell supplier. Fortunately, the whimsical story progresses without

overt marketing until one page from the end and even then, the pitch is presented in such a quaint manner that it is entertaining in itself:

“Thus was given to

Australia and New Zea-

land the secret which the whole world has searched for, the knowledge how to de-stroy friction – the en-emy of power.

Your daddy may not know

that he can to-day buy that same precious oil used by the Shell Fairies. So, next time you are motoring with Daddy, tell him about the Sentry and the shell fairy and remind him to be sure

and ask for SHELL MOTOR

OIL.

The use of this wonderful Oil will make his car run much more smoothly, and you will probably be as happy as that

ancient, wise and just Egyp-tian Ruler.”

The booklet is richly illustrated throughout by an Australian artist, Ida Rentoul Outhwaite (1888 – 1960). The colour illustrations were produced by Patterson, Shugg Pty.

Ltd. (Melbourne) while the printing

was performed by Anderson, Cowan Pty Ltd (Melbourne)

Ida Rentoul Outhwaite was among the first Australian book illustrators to achieve international fame and is

most well known for her wonderful fairy and fairy tale designs where her characters are often found playing with Australian flora ans fauna.

Here are a few of examples from The Sentry and the Shell Fairy although they do appear on every second

page.

“To-morrow night your en-emy will be destroyed.”

Ida Rentoul Outhwaite


Saturday 14 September 10am till 2pm

25 Yallourn St Fyshwick. Map (Electronic version only)

Come and join us for a workshop and swap meet at the club

workshop.

Hot Bevies will be available from the Xtek coffee shop and

lunch will be provided

If you have a suggestion for a topic please email Laurie Gar-

diner at:

All suggestions will be considered.

Don't forget to bring those things hanging around the garage

that may be of use to someone else. You may earn some extra

cash

Workshop

at the

Workshop

http://goo.gl/maps/48i0y


Sentry and the Shell Fairy although they do appear on every second page.

The banks of the Nile were very fer-tile, giving forth corn and other

needs.

Research suggests there may have been only 300 copies produced. EBay had one up for sale recently at a starting bid of $950 but a quick

search of the internet turns up one or two copies in very good condition from high-end booksellers at up to $6000!

The last page of the 16 pages is the one that really makes you smile. Oh

how different things were 90 years ago.

“Tell Daddy – the next time he takes you for a run into the country, to be sure and take his Shell Red Can and

spare tin of Motor Oil.”


Shannons Sydney Classic

By Graham Gittins

I t just gets bigger and bigger every year – the Shannons Sydney Clas-

sic held at the Sydney Motor Sport

Park at Eastern Creek.

At least two club members travelled up for the day and were exhausted at the end of the day after walking around the nearly 2000 his-toric, classic, vintage, veteran, com-

mercial, military vehicles and motor cycles, on display by the members of

the 160 affiliated clubs to the Council of Motor Clubs, Sydney (CMC).

A veritable army of volun-teers, many from the Volvo club,

made sure that all vehicles were di-rected to their correct site as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

This year’s display was the 49th or-

ganised by the CMC, which cele-brated its 50th anniversary this year.

A unique part of the display is the opportunity for club members to drive their vehicles around the race circuit. A spectacular display of

three abreast Aston Martins was put on by 80 vehicles of the Aston Martin

car club. The Aston Martin marque celebrates its centenary this year.

The ever popular Sydney Bus and

Truck Museum offered trips around the circuit in a variety of double deck Atlantain, Leyland and British Road Master buses, the trip around the circuit gives top deck passengers a

bird’s eye view of the display.

Many of the pit lane garages are leased for the day to a variety of

traders selling books, model cars, car care polishes, and automotive ser-vices. A four volume set of the James

Flood books was on sale for $400.

The CMC as part of its half century celebrations announced its first ever patron as motoring author and jour-

nalist Pedr Davis.

If you have not attended the Shannons Sydney Classic, make a point of putting it on to your bucket

list, you will not be disappointed. MG Car Club members who make the trip were: Joe Micallef and Graham Gittins

The Starting Grid


The Loaded Dog hotel – Tarago

by Graham Gittins

T he Loaded Dog hotel at Tarago takes its name from a short

story by Henry Lawson* which in-

volved Tom a Labrador dog picking

up a canister of homemade gun pow-der with the fuse burning, which went on to cause havoc and mayhem around a camp site and shanty pub, as the dog chased people with the explosive in its mouth, ready to blow.

The Tarago landmark was the

venue for lunch for around 35 MG Club members on 25 August. This

great old rabbit warren of a country pub offers several small dining areas complete with open fires as well as tables in a closed-in verandah and outdoors. The menu is pub grub: steak, chicken, lamb chops, burgers,

rissoles, pizzas and fish all with salad and chips. The chips are excellent.

Built in 1848 the hotel has a

claim to fame involving the bush-rangers Ben Hall and Frank Gardner’s gangs who holed up in the hotel to plan the robbery of the Majors Creek

gold escort, reportedly carrying one million pounds of gold.

However, a fight between two gang members resulted in one of them being shot. So as not to give

away their location, the gangs agreed

to bury the dead gang member under the floor of the hotel – near a fire place. The plans for the robbery were not continued.

Tarago is around 75 kilome-tres from Canberra and can be ac-cessed either via Queanbeyan –

where most of the members assem-

bled at the Spotlight car park or di-rect from the north side via the Bun-gendore Road.

Both Tarago and its sister village Lake Bathurst had their names transposed Lake Bathurst 7 kilometres from Tarago was sup-

posed to be where Tarago is and vis-

versa, but the names were trans-posed on the map sent to England for printing. A railway inspector decided, to save reprinting the maps, to leave the town names as they were.


About six kilometres from

the town is the disused open cut Woodlawn mine, which is now used as a waste disposal site for Sydney rubbish. Three times a week a train carrying waste material is delivered to the open cut for disposal. A bio-

reactor produces methane gas which supplies power for the site and sold into the national energy grid. About 400 000 tonnes of waste is bought to the site each year.

The pub is a popular stop-ping place for car clubs and is rec-

ommended a pleasant weekend drive.

*The full Lawson Loaded Dog story

can be read and enjoyed at: http://

j e n d i . b o w m e o w . c o m . a u /

loadeddog1.html

http://jendi.bowmeow.com.au/loadeddog1.html




REPLACING A 1969 MGB

IGNITION SWITCH BY John Dowden

I f you are one of those club mem-bers who thinks nothing about

swapping an engine during your lunch break, this article is not for you. Skip to the social pages. How-

ever, if you are someone who would like to do more maintenance on your MGB, but is mechanically challenged like me, this might help you.

The Problem

My 1969 MGB began to have starting problems. I would turn the ignition on, but the engine would not fire when I turned the key to the start position. I had to jiggle the key about a bit to get the engine to fire.

Lubricating the lock helped for a

while. I thought the key might be worn after 40+ years so I replaced it. That helped too.

Inevitably, one day the en-

gine would not start at all. No amount of key jiggling or lock lubri-cation worked. I was stuck.

As I was away from home, I had to call the NRMA. I was a bit em-barrassed about this, but the patrol-

man said he was delighted to work on a ‘real car’. He checked the usual things like the batteries, but I knew they were OK. As the ignition switch was my prime suspect, he ran a wire

from a live feed to the starter motor.

The engine fired immediately. I made sure I did not switch off again until I got home!

The Solution

It is easy enough to get a

replacement ignition switch, the diffi-

culty is how to fit it. The Haynes manual just says ‘With a screwdriver remove the lock-ring and take out the switch’. Sounds easy enough, but it isn’t. Obviously the switch is held by the wires behind the dash and the

manual does not tell you how to get

at them.

After disconnecting the bat-tery, I was thinking I would have to take the speaker and the centre con-sole out to get at the ignition switch.

Thankfully, I got a very useful piece of advice. That was to remove the radio. Obvious, once you know about

it.

My MGB does not have its

original radio, but something from the 1970s. Luckily, the faded fitting instructions were in the documents which came with the car. As it was the 1970s, there were no sophisti-

cated antitheft devices, so by pulling off the volume and tuning knobs and

undoing a couple of nuts the radio came free. I taped it to the dashboard to avoid pulling the wires out of the back of it.

Fitting the new switch

To illuminate the black hole behind the dash I used a small light with a magnetic base. I was now faced with the colourful spaghetti. I made a drawing of the wiring con-nections before pulling off the con-


nectors from the back of the switch. If you have big hands this is easier to do with a pair of angled pliers. The disconnected switch could now be removed through the hole in the dash for the radio.

The next discovery was that

the 2013 switch was not the same as the 1969 switch, as shown in photo-graph 2. There were fewer connectors and they had a different arrange-

ment. To avoid hours of trial and er-ror, it is very important when you buy a new switch to get an illustra-tion of which prongs are for the igni-

tion, the power and accessories. You can then make the correct connec-tions. There was a couple of spare

prongs on the 1969 switch, but I needed to use all the prongs on the 2013 switch.

On this car the red and white wire went to the starter, the white wires were the ignition circuit and the brown wire was power. A green and white wire went to the cigarette lighter.

Once the wiring is in place you just

push the switch back through its hole in the dashboard and reattach the lock-ring. I tested everything before securing the radio back into its slot.

Job done. Now, does anyone want to write about how to check wire wheel bearings without the mysterious 18G

363 service tool?

The colourful spaghetti bologlucas I was faced with.

(Mirror view of ignition wiring)

Comparison of 1969 and 2013 ignition


MGCCC Multi-club Motorkhana, Sunday, 22 September 2013

O ur third motorkhana for the cal-endar year will be held in just a

couple of week’s time on Sunday, 22nd September. As far as I know there are actually no clashes of dates

on this occasion – amazing!

The CAMS approved Entry Form and Supplementary Regulations were emailed to the 172 individuals who have competed at past events (not all at the same time!) a fort-

night or so ago. But it must have been too early as, at the date of pen-ning this report, I have only had 20

acceptances. But I do expect the grid to fill up in the next week or so given the success of earlier events.

Leah Robertson, who will

have her first go as a competitor

rather than a passenger, has been practicing her fast starts, changes

into second gear and facial expres-sions. It will be great to have an-

other junior involved. And in an MG to boot!

If you really do not want to

drive we can always use your help to

assist with timing, documentation, set-up, refurbishing the facility or whatever. Please let either Chris Hillman or I know if you can make it. We are always looking for volunteers.

And if you assist on the day the 2nd Ngunnawal Girl Guides, under watchful eye of “she who must be

obeyed” Leader Virginia, will provide you with the usual range of delecta-ble delights. What more could you want? Come on everyone, give it a

go.

Sporting Report August 2013

By Kent Brown — Sporting Secretary

"Euphoria"

"Concentration"


At the Muscle Car Masters (MCM) race meeting held on 31 August/1 September both Brian Weston (Midget) and I (MGB) competed. The meeting used the 18-turn Brabham

Circuit which suits smaller, better-handling, cars but in truth none of us

like the new layout. The flow of the “old” GP circuit has been lost and if you get into a “freight train” of cars at turn 6 then there is nothing much you can do by way of a pass until heading into turn 15, the hairpin

next to the transmission tower. It becomes very frustrating when the leader of the pack is a large, power-ful car which handles like a barge but can blow you away as soon as a straight appears. Ah, that’s motor racing!

Without giving a whole “race

report” it was certainly beautiful weather for the whole weekend and the track was in good condition with plenty of rubber going down from the

large contingent of Touring car Mas-ters cars plus the over 3500cc Group

N tin-tops which were predominantly V8s from the ford and Holden. The MCM is a huge event; I’ve never

seen so many people at SMSP. In-deed when I rolled up the pit straight garage door on Sunday morning at 7.30am there were already people in the grandstand opposite who had purloined the best positions! And Virginia even had time to take the

tunnel under the track to “the other

side” and had a glass of champagne in the beer garden which had been set up.

The Group S (sports cars) grid was just shy of 50 cars – there were a couple of failures during prac-

tice on Friday – making for some

very close and entertaining racing. Unfortunately there were a couple of “incidents” but luckily no one was hurt and the damage relatively mi-nor. But it certainly makes the heart

beat faster when you are in the mid-dle of the action and sometime an underwear change is necessary. Just

have a look at the grid below and see how many marques and models you can identify.

Unfortunately Brian had a

DNF in the last race on Sunday after-noon. Approaching turn 4 he pulled

Historic Motor

Racing

Kent Brown, MGB

Brian Weston, MG Midget


Club Calendar

CLUB EVENTS

September

Thu 12th Monthly Club Meeting

Fri 13th – Sun 15th Gathering of Faithfull, Wagga (GOF) – Contact: Brian

Calder

Sun 22nd Motorkhana

October


Thu 17th – Sun 26th Springtime Tour “Up The Murray River” – Contact: So-

cial Coordinators

Fri 25th – Sun 27th Pre-War MG Rally, Bathurst – Contact: Malcolm

Robertson

November

Sat 2nd “Warbirds Down Under” Airshow, Temora - Contact: Peter Daley


Sun 17th Motorkhana

Sun 24th Picnic run to The Big Hole, via Braidwood Host: Geoff Nickols

December

Sun 1st Terribly British Day/Club Concours, Treasury Carpark -

TBC

Wed 4th Combined Southside/Northside BBQ TBA


January

Sun 5th Breakfast @ Café Injoy

February

Thu 14th Monthly Club meeting

Sun 21st Picnic run to “Riversdale”, Goulburn (TBC)


March

Sun 2nd Social run to Potato Festival, Crookwell (TBC)

Thu 14th Monthly Club meeting

Sun 16th Shannons Wheels Day

OTHER EVENTS

September

Sun 1st Cootamundra Swap Meet

Sat 28th Queanbeyan 175th Birthday Parade

October

Thu 10th – Sun 13th Bathurst 1000

Sat 12th Gundaroo Music Festival

Sat 12th – Sun 13th Canberra Electric Vehicle Festival

Sat 19th Spin Saturday – TAMS depot, 255 Canberra Ave

Sat 19th – Sun 20th National Trust Centenary Rally

November

Sun 3rd Canberra Swap Meet

Sun 10th Marques in the Park 2013, John Knight Park, Belconnen

Fri 8th – Sun 10th Historic Motor Racing, Sandown

December

Sun 1st Queanbeyan Swap Meet

January

Thu 2nd - Sun 5th Summernats

Note: “CLUB EVENT” signifies that an MG club representative will be in at-

tendance, regardless of who is organizing. Such events meet the re-quirements for concessional registration.

Events listed in “OTHER EVENTS” or in the Sporting Report also meet the requirements for CRS participation although a formal MG club representative may not be attending.

A more up to date calendar is available on the Events page of the Club website.


Club Events

Social Coordinators Bruce & Margaret Murray

For more details go to: www.mgcccanberra.org.au

2014 AUTUMN WEEKEND AWAY

Yes, it does seem a long way off, but now is the best time to start planning if we want yet another great fun weekend.

This event has been a stalwart of

the Club social program for many years. Typically it involves a long weekend (F, S, S) somewhere in our region - a good MG drive to a Fri-day night pub dinner, some event/s on Saturday leading to a themed (dress up) fun filled dinner, and a

Sunday return. In recent years our

destinations have included Tumut, Illawarra & Shoalhaven, Oberon, Orange, Lithgow and Southern High-lands. Each of these have been great fun for the 30 or 40 members who have taken the time to enjoy

themselves.

If anyone is willing to help organize the 2014 event please have a chat about what is needed to any previ-ous organisers such as the Daltons,

Whitfields or Murrays

Picnic run to "The Big Hole", via Braidwood

Sunday 24th November

"The Big Hole", 42 kilometres out from Braidwood, will be a good run for your cars, and for those inter-ested you can take a 4 kilometre

(return) easy walk to see "The Big

Hole", a 35metre diameter, 110 me-tre deep sinkhole.

This will be a bring your own every-thing picnic as there is no water or BBQ facilities. Also, there are only 2 permanent tables, so we'd need to

bring our own tables and chairs. However there are toilets,

and hand washing facilities will be available.

Meet 10.30am Bungendore Park, Gibraltar St (opposite Police Station) where there are toilets, for a one

and a half hour run.

Host: Geoff Nickols

TBA

http://www.mgcccanberra.org.au


out to pass a Porsche when all of sudden blue smoke poured out from under the left hand front guard. I

know. I was right behind Brian! My first thought was that the engine had its internals on the outside and there was oil on the track. Brian pulled off the track quickly and was later re-

covered by the tow truck. But luckily the fault turned out to be nothing

more than a failed rocker cover gas-ket which let oil straight down onto the extractors. Brian was able to drive his car onto the trailer with plenty of oil pressure and the water temperature normal.

And some memories which were stirred as well when around 70 or so original Bathurst cars were lined up on the grid. They did a cou-

ple of parade laps but I did notice that a couple cut the driving short by coming down pit lane with copious amounts of smoke pouring out from

under the bodywork.

If you are interested in hav-ing a go at a hillclimb, or just watch-ing how it’s done, the Southern Dis-tricts Motorsport Association (SDMA) are holding their next event at the

Sutton Road venue on Sunday, 15

September 2013 when their regular Competition Day will be conducted. On competition days you will see cars on track from around 9am -

(Continued on page 29)

(Continued from page 23)


Hillclimb

The Group S cars line up in the marshalling area/dummy grid


3pm, there is spectator seating and food available as well as washroom facilities.

GEAR (“motor sport with a smile”) celebrates an era of amateur motor sport that ended in the 1960s. Their next event is to be held on Wednesday, 2 October 2013. GEAR days are noted for their variety of cars ranging from locally made spe-

cials, famous imported makes and

modified production cars and colour-ful characters. Drivers evoke a by-gone era with surprising speed, skill and respect for others. Well worth a visit at Wakefield Park, a relatively

short drive away. Entry for specta-tors is FREE.

Second GEAR, for those less old racing cars (post 1964) will be held the day before on Tuesday, 1 October 2013.

Golden Era of Auto Rac-

ing (GEAR)

Original Bathurst cars lining up for a parade lap. Can you pick model and year? Note the crowd and other cars on display


The First Australian Review

of the new MG6

T he first review of the new MG 6 is not that flattering.

Toby Hagon recently test drove the MG6 Hatch and made his comments on the Fairfax media Drive.com.

Hagon says ‘Think MG and you probably have images of a classically proportioned, slinky sports car trun-dling down a country road. It's about

as British as a cosy pub and the royal family.

Unlike other Chinese cars, the MG6

isn't primarily about the price - no

doubt a legacy of its British badge and the desire to keep it away from the cutthroat end of the market.

The equipment levels, though, are

underwhelming for a marque with a big uphill battle against the competi-tion. The $22,990 S (plus on-road

and dealer costs) has 17-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, trip com-puter, six airbags and stability con-trol. For that you can have a sedan

or a hatch.

But notable omissions include cruise control and Bluetooth.

The latter isn't even available on the

mid-level SE (which, for another $3000, includes extras such as a sunroof and rear parking sensors), instead kicking in with the flagship TSE ($27,990), which also brings

extras such as a reversing camera, leather seats, electric and heated front seats, dual-zone air condition-

ing and auto headlights and wipers.

For now there's no auto transmis-

sion, which will rule out a large chunk of buyers, but one is due early next year.

What's inside

It's pitched as a mid-size car, but the MG's interior dimensions aren't a match for the latest of the breed. Even some small cars feel more spa-cious inside, especially when it comes to rear headroom, which is compromised by the sloping hatch.

Legroom in the back, though, is re-spectable, and the MG does a decent job of seating five in comfort, albeit


without the sort of lateral seat sup-port that might be expected of a sporty car. The front pews, in par-ticular, lack the ability to keep the

occupants planted through bends.

The rest of the interior package is a mixed bag. While the presentation is adequate - with some interesting

materials and finishes - the execution is sometimes left wanting. Storage for odds and ends, for example, is seriously lacking - there's an ashtray, slim door pockets and modest cov-ered centre console, but none of the smaller cubby holes common in most

modern cars.

The cheap-feeling single cup holder that springs out of the dash positions whatever you're drinking bang in

front of some of the audio controls. Speaking of which, the functionality of the system - with its colour screen and separate selector knob and but-tons - takes some getting used to,

such are the menus.

Under the bonnet

The MG comes with a turbocharged engine but you would barely know it. Response is average, which is per-haps unsurprising given the peak

power is a modest 118kW.

But even mid-rev response - usually a highlight of a turbo engine - is

lacklustre, with only 215Nm. When Nissan's Pulsar makes 140kW/240Nm from a 1.6-litre turbo, it reinforces the fact the MG's

engine is off the pace.

It also makes some odd noises - the raucous roar above 5500rpm is less than endearing, while there are

plenty of low-rev rumbles and rattles at low engine speeds. The driveline has slack in it, which can be jerky on and off the throttle, and the occa-sional whine from the gearbox isn't pleasant.

Fuel use is claimed at 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres, although we used

closer to 10L/100km in the real world. The car prefers a brew of pre-mium unleaded.

The engine's plight isn't helped by the five-speed manual, which, while being tight enough in its shift action, is lacking a sixth forward ratio, something that means you can be

fighting to keep the engine on the boil by changing gears more than usual.

On the road

The MG6 has sporty pretensions but

it's not about to reset any bench-marks. Body control is OK without being brilliant, although the tyres grip well enough, helping build confi-dence.

The downside is a ride tending to-wards firm. While it doesn't jar, the car doesn't settle as quickly and ef-

fectively as some models it will com-pete against, something that doesn't

help its dynamic cause.

Steering is another story, though. Kickback over bumps is pronounced,



MG CENTRE OF SYDNEY

RV8 CARS AUSTRALIA P/

L

HOME OF ADDER THE NEWSLETTER

ALL YOUR MG PARTS & SERVICE NEEDS

IN ONE EASY TO FIND LOCATION

Ring Stuart or Sally Ratcliff MG Car Club Life Member

26 COWPER ST GRANVILLE

PH (02) 9682 6655 FAX (02) 9637 0199

Service Tuning

Clutch

Suspension Cooling

Engine &Gearbox

Parts Interior

Body

Mechanical Accessories

Anything MG


and the steering feel is inconsistent, with little weight close to the straight-ahead position but too much weight

when turning.

Verdict

It's an MG, but not as we know it. It's not a bad car, but it has its is-

sues with finer details and refine-ment. The lacklustre driving experi-ence and the odd array of equipment means it's a car likely to struggle to stand out in what is a highly com-petitive market.

There's also the question of whether it lives up to the badge, which is the most British part of the car.

The details:

Price: $27,990, plus on-road and dealer costs

Country of origin: China

Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol

Power: 118kW at 1750-4500rpm

Torque: 215Nm at 5500rpm

CO2 Emissions: 174g/km

Transmission: 5-sp man, FWD

Weight: 1495kg

Safety: 6 airbags, stability control

Pros: Well-known brand; rear air vents.

Cons: Lacks refinement; engine can

be harsh and not particularly punchy; poor interior storage; no auto and manual needs another ra-tio; inconsistent steering also has kickback; pricing not sharp.

Fuel use: 7.5L/100km (average)

Performance: 79kW/tonne (average)

Boot: 429 litres (good)

Resale: 50 per cent (average)

(Continued from page 37)


Melba Motors

More than 30 years experience

Melba Motors is a car repair and maintenance business with a

special interest in British vehicles. Proprietor Mick Wilson is a UK

Leyland workshop trained mechanic experienced in all aspects of

MGs and other British cars and can get your vehicles into tip-top

shape.

Mick and the staff carry out general repairs, engine rebuilds and fix

carburettors. Melba Motors diagnose and fix suspension problems

and specialise in small welding and rust repairs.

Transport can be arranged for cars that won’t go. There is a 24

Hour emergency response – get you started or tow your car to

safety.

Call Mick on 02 6253 1523

12 Purdue Street

Belconnen


Pre-war Malcolm Robertson (02) 6288 9343 Brian Oxley (02) 6281 2351 Harry Hickling (02) 6230 2150

T Series

Brian Oxley (02) 6281 2351 Peter Dechaineux (02) 6281 5917 Peter Daley (02) 6291 0612

Kent Brown (02) 6255 4943

Y Series Mike Stearn (02) 6291 6030

MGA Mike Stearn (02) 6291 6030

MGB

Kevin Kirk (02) 6231 4617

Kent Brown (02) 6255 4943

MGC Roadster and GT Denis Hensby (02) 6259 3818

MG RV8 Graeme Rossiter (02) 6288 2477

MG Z Magnette

Peter Daley (02) 6291 0612

Midget/Sprite John Harriott (02) 6292 8420 Ian Reid (02) 6231 8959

Modern MGs Malcolm Robertson (02) 6288 9343

Restoration Brian Oxley (02) 6281 2351 Mike Stearn (02) 6291 6030 Malcolm Robertson (02) 6288 9343

Club Trailer Laurie Gardiner (02) 6293 4191

Club Servicing Facility & Tools Laurie Gardiner (02) 6293 4191 Nigel French (02) 6163 5551

Concessional Registration

John Harriott (02) 6292 8420 Greg Whitfield 0498 107 658

Help

Line

Club Service Centre: Our Club

has a well equipped under-cover service centre at Budget Storage, 25 Yallourn St Fyshwick. It has all

the basic big-tools to enable you to do repairs, service and/or clean your car in a secure area, 24/7. Simply contact Club member Nigel French (who owns Budget Storage)

on the number above or 0413 646 321 to arrange a time to do the

work or just to have a look. The Service Centre and use of club tools is free to Club Members. Visit Website

http://www.mgcccanberra.org.au/Tools/Tools.htm


Marquet

‘1995’ MGB V8 Roadster

For the enthusiast, if not the purist! The ‘B’ MG should have made – 4.6 litre,

five speed, and convertible. An exceptional vehicle with fully documented

history since it was built by a UK MG specialist in 1995. Over $50,000 was

spent back then creating a V8 roadster with an authentic MG look and feel. A

brand new ‘chrome bumper’ body shell formed the basis of the ‘no expense

spared’ build. I am the third owner and acquired the vehicle with only 4,000

miles on the clock. MOT documents show that the vehicle was rarely driven,

and it was clearly never exposed to Britain’s salty roads!

I brought the vehicle to Canberra in 2003. Current mileage is 20,000 miles,

but a brand new motor, gearbox and limited slip differential were installed at

13,000 miles in 2007 at a cost of over $20,000. The original build and per-

formance enhancements since, including improved braking, suspension and

cooling, are fully documented. The vehicle is registered in the ACT as a 1970

MGB, was engineer certified in 2003 and again in 2007 for the engine up-

grade. The paint is good, interior is excellent, and the shell is completely rust

free – it has been kept undercover since new.

I recognise this is a niche vehicle of interest to a select few and therefore dif-

ficult to price – but check out national and international prices for poorer ex-

amples on the internet. Tens of thousands have been spent to create and

maintain a rare (and fun!)

driving experience that will

last for years. All genuine

inquiries welcome and of-

fers will be considered – I

would like to see it remain

in Canberra and a part of

the MGCC.

$19,900

Contact: Tony 0418 203

318


MG YA. Chassis

Derusted and painted bare chassis.

Best offer

Contact: Tony Roberts. 02 6259 2088 or [email protected]

Wanted

MG TC generator even if in need of reconditioning.

Contact: Paul Smith Mob 0400 323 835

1973 MGB:

Owned since Feb 98 and used as my daily driver, but has been stored in the garage and under cover for a number of years due to health rea-sons. Previous owner completed a rebuild in Adelaide. Whilst I was living in Adelaide, the car was maintained by Emgee Sales and Service. Colour is

Blaze (Orange) with Black interior. Overdrive, Twin SU, Chrome bumper bars, Soft top, Tonneau cover, and Handbook. ACT rego until Mar 14. The

car is in original condition, not modified in any way.

Requires very little work to get back on the road. Needs a clean up, motor turns over easily, clutch is OK, needs new batter-ies - nothing in mechanical nature indicating any

problems. Minor paint, body and interior work/maintenance needed.

Just wants some tlc to get it back on the road and be enjoyed.

As Is, Where Is, $9,500.

Contact Anne Holmes 0417 113 098

Books

Observers book of Automobiles 14 copies dating from 1958 to 1987 in very good condition, they list every car available in that year with specifications

Etc These are very collectable A mere $99 gets the lot.

Also have about 100 books on Classic cars to clear out as I need the space, they include Morgan, Jags, Minis Morris Minor Etc. Also World Encyclopedias

Contact: Tony Argyle 62862282. or [email protected]



MGZT 260

Australian delivered ZT 260 V8

(4.6 litre Ford Mustang V8)

5 Speed manual transmission, limited slip differen-tial

Sold new at MG/Rover closing down auction in 2005

110,000 km on the clock. One of less than 600 ZT's produced with V8 and RWD. Air conditioning , sun roof , power seats etc etc

X-Power Grey

$27,500.00

Contact: Stuart (W) 02 9682 6655 (H) 02 9899 1690

1954 MG TF & 1964 MGB

Due to family circumstances it is necessary that my 1954 1250 TF and 1964 MGB MK1 should be passed onto new custodians.

The TF has undergone a professional bare metal respray in MG Red and has had all it chrome redone including new bumpers and chrome wires. New knock offs in stainless steel complete that aspect. The trim is in light tan with an excellent hood and side curtains.

The MGB has also had a bare metal professional respray in burgundy. The

motor has a slightly warm cam and was overhauled by Ian Stewart who also fitted the Toyota Supra five speed gear box. The combination of the mo-

tor, gear box and electronic ignition provides for lively performance ena-bling the car to hold its own in modern traffic and at highway speeds. An anti

run on valve prevents the usual MGB problem at shut down.The seats were

refurbished by John Soustal at some cost.

The hood and side curtains are in ex-cellent condition.

I would like to see both cars remain in the club and towards this end am pre-

pared to accept less than might be ob-tained on the open market should I have the energy to pursue that course.

If you are interested, give me a call to arrange a viewing and possible discus-sion of any offers.

Contact: Norman Lee, 0262882285.

a....the focus of the presentation was the conservation / restoration of vehicles in museums vast...

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