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Hello <<First Name>>
Welcome to our latest eNewsletter.
We are always looking for stories of you and your MGB,
please let us have these to add to future eNewsletters.
Enjoy your MGB.
Regards
John
John Watson
Chairman MGB Register
MGB Register Mobile 07555 044 528
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Something for this weekend !!
A few cancellations mean places are still available at Crich Tramway Village MGB/C/V8 day on 1st August - great cars, photo ops, territic museum on a historic site, tram rides... and there are MGB/C/V8/GTs - what's not to love?!
Crich Tramway Village, Crich, Matlock DE4 5DP
Don't hesitate, book now... here... https://www.mgb-register.org/events/crich-tramway/
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BL/BMC Day July11th Report
The MGB register attended the BL day at Gaydon. We took the MGB marathon car and as part of the Historic Marathon Rally Group we were given a prime spot at the bottom of the Spine road where we set up our display including our new MGB Register gazebo.
Together with David Laidlaw’s Blue MGB alongside and a table full of regalia we generated a lot of interest, including a visit from Sarah from Bangers and Cash.
The event was very well attended with over 1000 cars on display. I don’t think I have ever seen so many Morris Marina’s in one place! Even the weather was kind to us with the rain holding off until late evening. A great day out.
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MGB’s at the Shelsley Walsh Classic Nostalgia weekend 2021.
Back in 2020 during the lockdown, Neil Hyett, our secretary who is also a member of the Midland Auto Club suggested we should attend the Classic Nostalgia weekend in July 2021. It is held at Shelsley Walsh, the oldest hill climb site in the UK. We booked a space and also accommodation that had been recommended to us at the Fountains Inn, Tenbury Wells.
So 18 months later on Friday 16th July 2021 Mike Barclay drove the Marathon MGB, Andrew Vigor drove his MGB and I took my MGZS to carry our new MGB gazebo. So you say, where was Neil? Unfortunately his wife had hurt her leg badly so Neil had to stay at home.
The weekend, you may remember was very hot and on our drive via Burford we found ourselves in a traffic jam, Stow on the Wold another traffic jam and Evesham, yes you have guessed it, a traffic jam! It was just so hot, especially for Mike as the Marathon MGB has a hardtop and is not the coolest of cars.
We eventually arrived at 3pm and shown to our location for the duration of the weekend. There were 90 MG’s booked in over the weekend so we had a large parking area. We unpacked and put up the new gazebo and for Andrew and I it was the first time we had seen it erected. Mike and Neil had assembled it the weekend before at the BL/BMC day at Gaydon. I must say it does look very impressive in blue with the white MGB Register logo. We parked the Marathon B in it and strapped the gazebo to the B, just in case the wind decided to take it away. Then off to find the Fountains Inn, where we had a beer before a nice cooling shower, dinner then a well-earned sleep.
Saturday we left at 07.15 to ensure we were on site by 08.00. The first thing we had to do was to get the Marathon MGB out of the gazebo, then to set up our regalia table before sitting down and enjoying our bacon and sausage baps supplied by the B&B. By midday we had a good display of around 40 MG’s. The Magnette Register were next to us, with various other trade stands nearby.
 
We had a good view of the hill and all the time we could hear the Shelsley PA system keeping us informed as to what cars were competing. Sunday was the same except the MGC Register made the event their MGC day and they had an excellent display of 32 cars.
By 4pm on the Sunday the visitors cars were starting to depart so we started packing away our regalia. We signed up 3 new members to join the MGCC and sold some MGB regalia.
At 5 pm we departed and started the 90 mile drive back to Abingdon.
I think we may repeat this event, so watch out for the dates on our 2022 events page. Why not join us for an enjoyable weekend.
 
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1977 Queen's Silver Jubilee Special
Will be on show at the British Motor Show with the MGB Register.
 This is the story, as best as I can tell it, of the special edition, one-off 1977 Silver Jubilee MG BGT.
My connection with the car is purely one of circumstance, when in 2020 my late father-in-law signed the vehicle over to his daughter and my wife Doreen, now the registered keeper. Hence it’s become my job to polish the chrome, spared only by black rubber bumpers, with a custodial view to keep the car in its original condition and good running order.
As an eleven-year-old in 1977, my lasting memory of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebration was of a large scoop of red, white and almost fluorescent blue ‘Jubilee trifle’, un-ceremonially dolloped onto my plate by a rather fierce looking school dinner lady. Whilst barely out of shorts and still causing trouble in the playground, feverishly patriotic plans were afoot all around the country to mark this very special occasion.
As the sizzlingly hot year of ‘76 rolled into ’77, a bright spark within the Vale of White Horse District Council approached the MG Car Company Ltd. at Abingdon, proposing an MG be built with a special finish to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. It was put to the board that the car be raffled in support of the Vale’s contribution to the Prince Charles Jubilee Appeal, a fund that today, operating simply as The Queen's Trust, has since made grants of over £80m towards projects helping young people in low-income communities across the UK.
Thankfully, the then MG’s board agreed to the idea, and on 5th April 1977 took a car offline to be built and finished in the Rectification Shop. The car was delivered to Hartwells in Kidlington, Oxfordshire on 11th May to be displayed as first prize in the Vale Jubilee Raffle.
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California Cup Autotest!!
Saturday 14th August at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern.
We need at least one Autotest team of three MGBs to represent the MGB Register in competing for the California Cup and the BMC trophy, plus there is an award for the fastest MGB on the day. The flowing course will suit the MGB very well, and driver skill and finesse in these fine handling cars will provide good competition against a team from the Midget Register…and it is good fun! So come on folks, let’s see some MGBs out there! There is also an award for the fastest lady driver.“
Thanks John
The historic MG Car Club Autotest takes place at the Triumph & MG Weekend on Saturday 14th August at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern.
The California Cup Autotest is open to ALL MG Car Club members and comprises a series of tests laid out on smooth tarmac, initially with two tests run concurrently to avoid waiting time and provide even more of a spectacle for people safely watching the event.
Teams welcome
In particular, we are seeking competitors to take up positions in teams or indeed enter as team with others. Especially from T Register and Triple M cars. But any more team entries will be most welcome. Do we have Vintage Register cars willing to form a team as well? We would like to hear from anyone wanting to join an existing team or form one with others.
Calling all female competitors
Don't forget we have a special cup for women competitors in the California Cup, so come on - lets have you ladies signing up to show everyone else how it is done.
Noel Lindford has once again designed flowing tests that will provide a challenge to the quickest cars but also allow plenty of fair and fun competition for the more sedate MGs to battle it out for the trophies on offer.
This event is run under a Motorsport UK Clubman’s permit. All competitors will need to apply for a 2021 RS Clubman Licence from Motorsport UK, in advance, but its free and easy to get with a simple online application.
A copy of the Supplementary Regulations can be downloaded here.
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Lockdown Outing!
On 27th June as our first experimental outing during Covid, we joined the MGCC Anglia Centre on a visit to Holkham Hall in Norfolk. It is the home of the Coke family but we quickly learnt it is pronounced “Cook” and who are the Earl and Countess of Leicester. There were 86 cars on the run but I have to report that the MGF/TFs were by far in the majority with a good spread of other models.
The MGB and BGTs present were mostly of the earlier Mark 1 and 2 cars with MGAs, MG1100, MGCGTs, MG Magnette Farina, TCs, and the later Chinese MG models. The Hall is definitely worth a visit and we were surprised at how forward thinking the Coke family have been in their business dealings and Environmental thinking since the mid 1700s.
Picture is Register No 1676 as we drove away from the house – we had entered via the rear drive!
Brian G Woodhams
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Have you added a photo to our online album?
Every month 25 randomly selected photos appear on the MGB Register homepage.mgb-register.org
Is your car featured? A few recent photos added to to the album have been randomly selected.
Currently less than 10% of cars on the MGB Register are in the online photo album !!
You can check to see if your car is in the album. Visit the ALBUM
Click the magnifying glass or in mobile click search
Enter #(your mgb register number)
Hit enter to see if your car appears.
Can't find your car - send your photo to webmaster@mgb-register.org along with your MGB Register number and your photo will be added.
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Header photo memories
Hi,
Just scrolling through the home page pictures, and this one appeared.
It is Ken & Barbie Smith, they originally came from Yorkshire and moved to Goleta California USA.
He worked for Moss and was one of the founders of the North American MGB Register NAMGBR. See the registration plate on the B. His own car was a black LE.
When I attended the 1996 NAMGBR event at Indy, we arrived at St Louis airport and a BGT was waiting for us with that plate on it.
Happy days. John Watson
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Fitting a 12V battery to a chrome bumper MGB
Mention the word Batteries to a MGB owner and the term ‘out of sight, out of mind” comes to hand.
The MGB batteries are located behind the seats and tend to get neglected due to the effort required to access them.
The MGB, when launched was originally fitted with two 6 volt batteries mounted behind the seats in separate carriers either side of the transmission tunnel. (A design carry over from the MGA)
Twin 6v Batteries
With the launch of the rubber bumper cars, MG modified the right hand battery compartment to accommodate a single modern type 079 12 volt battery. At the same time altering the battery cover and blanking off the left hand battery compartment.
079 Rubber Bumper Battery
So why fit a 12 Battery to Chrome Bumper Cars?
- The original 6 volt batteries used an old fashioned wet plate design requiring a mixture of sulfuric acid and distilled water.
- They require regular topping up which is quite often overlooked, and leads to premature failure.
- They weep around the fill points, leading to corrosion of the battery terminals.
- They are expensive, approximately £90 each (x2) compared to a suitable 12V battery at around £60.
- The 12 v battery will give a significant improvement in CCA (cold cranking current) and starting.
- The left hand battery compartment can be converted to a useful storage for spares or tools.
- Simple and straight forward to fit (1Hour)
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MGCC South Africa News
Brian Woodhams checked in with Chris Brown of KwaZulu Natal Centre, in South Africa. Here are some of their members MG misfortunes in the recent political rioting and looting.
Hi there Brian
Thank you for your email and for your concern. So far we have had one member, Derek Spavins, seriously affected in that his MGB Roadster which was in storage at a storage depot near Hillcrest, was removed from the cubicle, all the wheels removed, the boot forced to access the spare and the bonnet opened and the distributor and alternator removed. The petrol was syphoned out. The next day the car was towed away by Derek using borrowed wheels and taken to his home. Another member, Terry Cowan, had his caravan, which was in storage at another storage complex, burnt out completely. Only the chassis remains, the rest is ash. Another incident at this complex was an MGA roadster which belonged to a recently deceased member, and which was in storage awaiting finality of the estate before being exported to the UK to his daughter in terms of his will. The club had valued the car for estate purposes. The car was damaged when it was removed from the cubicle and an effort was made to start it by pushing it around inside the complex. The boot and bonnet were bent to get access and the steering wheel frame is bent. Members who were attending to Derek Spavins’ car pushed the A back into its cubicle and the deceased member’s other daughter, fortunately here in Durban was advised to get it removed as soon as possible. Otherwise, I think everyone has survived quite well.
Regards
Chris
Our sympathies go out to Derek Spavins and the members in South Africa who have suffered from the senseless damage inflicted on their property which has nothing to do with internal politics.
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Spring Run Update.
2021 Event.
Further to our email of the 16 th June to all entrants giving notice of the event
cancellation we asked that all entrants advise whether they wished to carry
over their entry to 2022 or receive a refund.
At this time, we still await instructions from a number of entrants.
We ask that we receive all outstanding instructions by the 15 th August to allow
our accounting to be finalised.
Please email secretary@mgb-register.org
Many Thanks.
2022 Event – 10th April 2022.
Planning has started for the 2022 Event
We will keep you posted.
Many Thanks.
MGB Register Committee.
MG & Triumph Spares Day moves to 23rd January 2022
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SUNDAY 08 AUG
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Millets Farm
Abingdon OX13 5HB
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13th - 15th AUG
Three Counties Showground
Malvern
Worcestershire
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The MGB Register will be attending this event in 2021 More ...
THURSDAY - SUNDAY 19 - 22 AUG
Farnborough International Expo Centre
Farnborough International Expo Centre, GU14 7JG
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New Date and a New Venue The MG and Triumph Spares ...
SUNDAY 23rd January 2022
ALL DAY
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SUNDAY 10 APR
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Sunday 25th September 2022
Subscribe to the MGB60 Newsletter for the latest information.
MGB60.COM
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The MG Car Club Podcast
The latest news, interviews and members’ stories from Kimber House, home of the MG Car Club.
Jul 24, 2021
Episode 64:John Harris' amazing 1930s MG PA Midget
On this week's podcast we speak to another member who recently visited Kimber House with his stunningly gorgeous MG PA finished in two-tone blue. We asked him about his many years of ownership and how he restored the car and has enjoyed it ever since.
The latest from the Triumph and MG Weekend is that the California Cup is still very much open for entries and waiting for you to be brave enough to enter!
Jul 17, 2021
Episode 63: An original MG Magnette and our tribute to James Davis
On this week's podcast we speak to Chris Lewis who has an amazingly original MG Magnette, that used to be owned by his Father.
Jul 10, 2021
Episode 62: Racing an MG ZR with Tylor Ballard
On this week's podcast we speak to MG Zed racer, Tylor Ballard. Based in Abingdon Tylor's day job is working on MGs and at the weekend competing as a front runner in the MG Trophy Championship in his ZR170.
Jul 3, 2021
Episode 61 - Around the World in an MG Midget - Roy Locock
On this week's podcast we speak to the current interim-General Manager of the MG Car Club Roy Locock. Roy drove his MG Midget on an epic around the world adventure covering 39,000 miles. He then took Bridget the Midget to Australia and faced flooding in the Northern Territories and an engine rebuild part way through his journey! This is a story that proves the MG Midget is a lot more hardy than many give it credit for and shows just what you can do with your mighty MG with a bit of inspiration! Plus we bring you the latest news on MG Car Club events, including the Triumph and MG Weekend.
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Latest Additions to the MGB Register Photo Album
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Thank You for Sharing with our Photo Album
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Lost & Found News from the Registrar
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Can you help?
MGB Roadster: SHN 276L
I would like to find my old 1972 mg roadster I had this when I was 20 and would like it back if possible. Reg was SHN276L orange colour . This was my first car which Dad helped to repair. It would be great to have it back. Thank you, Dee.
MGB Roadster: HDG 183D
Hello, I’m hoping you can help me.
I’m trying to track down this MGB belonging to my father’s friend who sadly passed away whilst he was still looking for the car. He and my father spent many days in the car together and Dad has so many special memories associated with it.
White MGB Roadster. HDG 183D
First Registered 1966, sold and taken off the road in 1979.
Most recent sale/ log book seems to be 2000 but doesn’t look like it was put on the road as no MOT history available.
Possibly in someone’s garage?
Looking for sentimental reunion.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Many thanks,
Kirsty
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If you have any information about one of these cars please contact
Andrew Vigor, MGB Registrar registrar@mgb-register.org
No personal details will be passed to third parties without your permission. |
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MGB Register Mobile: +44 7555 044 528