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Most of us here in the U.S. haven’t seen a new production MG stateside since the 1980 MGB LE. However, we have watched from a distance as Morris Garage has changed hands from British owned to the BMW years that produced the MGF and MGTF to present day where this long time British favorite is now owned by the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) based in China. Back in April, SAIC revealed the MG division’s newest MG concept—the MG6.
MG6 Concept
The MG6 concept is based on the Roewe 550 four-door sedan, which is said to use a modified version of the Rover 75’s front wheel drive platform from some years back. Of course this means the MG6 is set to come equipped with the K-series like 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine. The twist—the MG6 will be available with a 160 hp turbocharged 1.8-liter for those looking for a little more punch than 130 hp that will come with the base motor. All of this is wrapped in a Ford Mondeo-esque like body and is slated to arrive as a production car in the Chinese market for 2010.
Will the MG ever make it back to the U.S. though? Currently, there aren’t any confirmed plans for that, however, the Chinese have been looking for ways to break into the U.S. market. I look at this as a repeat of Nissan and Toyota coming to North America. Older generations will remember Toyota’s first venture into the American market in 1957 with the Toyopet Crown. It was a disaster, especially from a public relations perspective and it caused Toyota to pull out of the North American market in 1960. Of course we all know how that story has continued; some 50 years later Toyota is now the number one car manufacturer in the World.
So for all you MG fans, don’t count the marque or SAIC out of the equation. It might take another couple years, but I doubt that would change people’s love affair with the classic British Sports car. It did spawn the Mazda MX-5 Miata revolution.
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by Frank Ochal
'79 B V8 of William Lane
Welcome to the new members that have joined since the last issue.
We would like to thank Doug Bainbridge, William Lane and all of the other contributors to this issue of the Octagon. Also thanks to Art Isaacs for his continued work in answering members’ technical questions and answers. Be sure to send in photos and stories so we can include them in future issues of the Octagon.
Meet 2009 will be held October 10th and 11th in Fresno, California in conjunction with the Valley British Auto Club’s Clovis British Car Roundup.
We have updated our payment form on our website to directly take credit card and PayPal payments. Your credit card is now checked for accuracy and verified and your order is placed into a shopping cart of items awaiting checkout. This type of program should be very familiar to people who pay for items on other Internet websites and is available at the PayPal/Credit Card website button. The old form will also remain for members that are comfortable with it. 5 year recurring membership is now also available so that you can renew automatically every year for 5 years.
Also we now have member grille badges and key fobs. This is in response to many member requests. Technical Sections Volume III is now available which continues the great tradition of practical tech advice started with Volumes I and II. In keeping with the times this one is available only on CD for PC or Mac. Another new item in the store is a complete copy of the past ten years of the Octagon available on CD only for PC or Mac.
Members now receive monthly publications. The Octagon is published in February, April, June, August, October and December and the eOctagon is published in January, March, May, July, September and November.
We now offer a 3 year membership or renewal rate which includes a free t-shirt or tech volume III CD. The rate is $95 or $125 for members outside the USA. And in response to many members we now have a 3 year eMembership for $65 which also includes a free t-shirt or tech volume III CD. Save money and get a t-shirt or tech CD!
The club now has a Message Board at http://board.amgba.com , a blog located at http://blog.amgba.com . The sites are available to all but American MGB Association members are able to place ads and access more tech info.
The new American MGB Association Photo Gallery is located at http://photos.amgba.com . The same login is used for the Gallery as the Message Board. Members can place their car photos directly at this location.
Send us your email address so that we can send you the eOctagon. The eOctagon is sent via bulk email so if you are blocking this type of email you will not get it.
Please send in you stories and photos to be used in the Octagon. You will receive a credit toward renewal or regalia.
Send in your list of spare parts that you have for sale as we send out all lists we have received during the year to members that request lists of spare parts available. These lists are also now appear on our web page in the “members only” section!
You need an ID and password to access the “members only” section of our web site at www.mgclub.org . You will find the ID and password on page 3 of the OCTAGON. These change with each issue so be sure to use only the ones listed in the latest issue. Also now you can to create your own id and password for the members only section. Submit the form on the members only page to do this.
See you at the many car shows this summer!
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85th Anniversary MG TF
MG has announced details of two new versions of the relaunched TF roadster, including a standard model and a special edition 85th anniversary model. The standard specification TF135 is expected to be priced around £13,500, less than the £16,055 LE500 launched last year and making it a more affordable option for MG enthusiasts. It will be equipped with the same revised 135bhp K-Series engine found in the LE500. At the same time, the 85th Anniversary model is due for launch later this summer, priced around £15,750. It will be available in a choice of three exclusive colours featuring special graphics and a bespoke interior trim. The cars were unveiled to MG enthusiasts at the Royal Windsor MG Heritage Festival last month. Reports have suggested a new MG saloon and hatchback – the MG6, shown in Shanghai last month – could join the TF as early as next summer, as the company seeks to expand its model range.
This issue’s Queen B is the ‘79 B V-8 of William Lane. Here is the story:
This is my “King B”. It has a 5.0 liter Ford V-8, Borg-Warner 5 speed transmission and narrowed 8″ Ford rear end. All work done by owner. It is best described as G.L.H. (goes like hell!).
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SAIC MG
Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) is developing new MG models for China and Europe on the platform of its Roewe 550 compact car, say sources at the company.
SAIC will launch a new MG car in China at the end of this year, says a source with SAIC in China who is familiar with the situation.
The five-door hatchback MG6 will have a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and offer manual as well as automatic transmission versions.
It will share its platform with SAIC’s Roewe 550 compact sedan, says the source.
The car will be first sold in China, but will be made available in Europe in the future, he adds.
According to Eleanor de la Haye, spokesperson for MG Motor Co. in Britain, in addition to the new five-door MG car, SAIC is developing another model for Europe.
Says de la Haye: “We are currently developing a four-door model and a five door model based on the Roewe 550 platform that will be sold in U.K. and Ireland.”
She declines to provide more details on the two models. But she adds these cars may be sold in other European markets as well.
MG Motor is now a subsidiary of SAIC.
Currently only three MG cars — the MG7 four-door sedan, the MGTF roadster and the MG3SW hatchback, are built and sold in China.
In Britain, MG Motor Co. only sells the MG TF. In China, SAIC only sold 129 MG TF cars in 2008.
It also sold 4,715 units of the MG3 SW small car and 4,357 units of the MG7 sedan last year, according to JATO Dynamics.
The March 2009 issue’s Queen B is the ‘79 B of Larry Youngblood. Here is his story:
About six years ago, a former high school welding student of mine, called me on the phone and asked if I still had my Midget and if I was interested in another MG. Of course, I had to go look. Drove down to the small town where he lived and there it was outside on the driveway, covered in a ratty blue tarp. Pulled it back and what I saw was rough. Interior basically gone, no top, engine froze up, sill and fenders rusted but other than the top, it was all there. He wanted $700, I offered $500. At the time I had no way of having the car delivered to me so I offered him $20 to trailer it to the school where I work.
Once at the school (end of year), I had my few remaining students (all the rest were out co-oping) start tearing it down. Pulled the engine, removed the head and discovered that the #3 piston was “welded” to the cylinder wall. After removing the crank and other pistons and rods, we took a 2X4 and an engineers hammer to the #3 piston and finally popped it out. We then gave the engine to the Engine Rebuild Class for renewing. Continued stripping the car.
Finally was able to move the car to my home garage and got it up on stands. I then removed the rusty sills, inner panel and castle rail. Welded in all new metal and of course, new dog legs.
Front fenders were gone, so had to find new/used ones. Found a good used fender in Arizona and the other was a perfect NOS item that I got from Matthews Parts in Birmingham, Alabama.
Had some minor rust issues at various places on the floor and footwells. A few patches and good to go.
In the meantime, I was busy ordering new parts, interior components, etc. Got to know the UPS man very well!
After all the welding work was done, I started to do the body work but after working off and on for five years, I thought it might be good to let the Autobody Class at the vocational school work on it. Took them nearly the entire school year to finish the car but they did get it finished and I trailered it home for final assembly. The original color of the car was Pageant Blue. My wife picked the new color of ’02 Ford Mustang Mineral Gray.
As I was assembling the car, I found several flaws in the paint but I wanted a “driver” so I am not too concerned. Overall, I was very happy with the work they did.
The engine rebuild came out nice and has been running for the last couple of years with no problems.
In 2007, I took the car to its first two car shows and a lot of folks really liked the color and various little details that I have made such as the Fiero seats, wood cup holder, Bimimi top/wind blocker combination.
I also own a ’75 MG Midget that I purchased new when I was about 22 years old. The MGB was built to use as a “fair weather” daily driver as it has a bit more room for my old bones and fat belly. In the summer, it gets driven most every day and even in the winter on mild days.
We would like to thank George Furst, Royal & Sheila Shaw, Larry Youngblood, Jack Reynolds and all of the other contributors to this issue of the Octagon. Also thanks to Art Isaacs for his continued work in answering members’ technical questions and answers. Be sure to send in photos and stories so we can include them in future issues of the Octagon.
Information on Meet 2009 will be in our next issue.
Also we now have member grille badges and key fobs. This is in response to many member requests.
Technical Sections Volume III is now available which continues the great tradition of practical tech advice started with Volumes I and II. In keeping with the times this one is available only on CD for PC or Mac. Another new item in the store is a complete copy of the past ten years of the Octagon available on CD only for PC or Mac.
You need an ID and password to access the “members only” section of our web site at www.mgclub.org. You will find the ID and password on page 3 of the OCTAGON. These change with each issue so be sure to use only the ones listed in the latest issue. Also now you can to create your own id and password for the members only section. Submit the form on the members only page to do this.
Start thinking about the spring and all of the great driving days ahead!
NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
American MGB Association Grille Badge
American MGB Association grille badge, 3 color with chrome background, with mounting brackets. $35 plus $5 S&H. Available from the AMGBA by ordering on the website at http://orders.amgba.com or on the order form contained in each issue of the Octagon.
American MGB Association Key Ring with Logo
AMGBA key ring with logo. $5 includes shipping. Available from the AMGBA by ordering on the website at http://orders.amgba.com or on the order form contained in each issue of the Octagon.
Technical Sections Volume 3
A complete copy of all the Technical Sections, topics, questions and answers published in the OCTAGON from 1997 to 2007. Available on CD-ROM only for PC or Mac. It is indexed by category such as electrical, suspension, etc. for easy reference and accessibility and contains over 300 pages.
Available from the AMGBA by ordering on the website at http://orders.amgba.com or on the order form contained in each issue of the Octagon.
$20 plus $5 S&H. It can be purchased as part of a 3 volume combo that contains Tech Sections Volume I, II & III for $70 plus $10 S&H.
Technical Sections Volume I and Technical Sections Volume II are also available from the AMGBA. See the Club Regalia/Store area of Each volume is indexed by subject for easy reference and each contains over 300 pages and over 600 articles, topics, questions and answers.
Octagon Issues on CD
You can have the last 10 years of the Octagon easily accessible on your computer. Indexed by issue. These publications, which are no longer in print contain numerous and diverse articles and photos. Enjoy all the entertaining and informative stories that you can no longer get anywhere else and at a reasonable price.
Available from the AMGBA by ordering on the website http://orders.amgba.com or by using the order form contained in each issue of the Octagon. $15 plus $5 S& H.
The Roadster Factory Will Pay Your Dues
The Roadster Factory will pay your American MGB Association Dues. Spend $850.00 at The Roadster Factory during the current year, retroactive to January 1st, and TRF will pay your dues or your next renewal. Sales amount is determined on a calendar year basis from January 1st through December 31st of the current year.
When your purchases reach $850.00 during the current year, call our sales line and speak to our salespeople. They will take your information and communicate your renewal to the AMGBA.
You must request a membership or a renewal when you are eligible based on your purchases.
from the San Diego Tribune
MG’s plan to return to North America with a revamped version of the TF roadster is dead – or at least on hold.
“The USA isn’t on the short-term radar as an anticipated market for us, but with the right product, it would be good to return there,” Gary Hagen, marketing director of NAC MG, told the British Web site Austin Rover Online (austin-rover.co.uk). Hagen also confirmed that plans to build MGs in Oklahoma from kits shipped from China have been killed.
Not long after China’s Nanjing Automobile Group Corp. bought most of the remains of MG Rover in September 2005, Nanjing told of plans to set up an R&D center and factory in Ardmore, Okla. Then Nanjing was taken over by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp.
“The deal fell through,” Hagen said of the Oklahoma plan. In August, production of MG TFs started in MG Rover’s old plant in Longbridge, England. The cars will be sold in Great Britain.
MGs were last sold in the United States in 1980. Numerous plans have been hatched over the years to return MG to the United States, but none has worked.
I am a professor in the MIT of Korea (KAIST) and brought my MG here 5 years ago when I moved here in 2003. It is the only MGB in South Korea. I see MGFs but they are rare too. I have owned the car for 18 years. It was made 13-14 December 1972. When I arrived here they put a new serial number on the car frame. I think it also is one of the oldest cars in Korea. The car is very original with all the pollution control installed and no rust. It passed the pollution control test with flying colors. They had expected it to fail and were very surprised. I do most of the work myself as it is a mystery car to the mechanics here. Korea’s car culture is limited to new cars but I often am followed by people who want to know what it is. I was offered $20,000 for it to become the center display in a Seoul Night Club having a British theme. I would not sell it as I really love the car. Drivers here are very aggressive so I must be very careful when I have it on the roads. The fall and Spring are wonderful times to drive and the mountain roads are great for top down driving. I have done a history of the car and know the owners back to ’78.
It was sold in St. Louis, Missouri in the fall of ‘74. The car spent most of its time in the Texas Pan-Handle area so it is rust free but full of Texas dust. Fuel is $6 per gallon. I must pay extra insurance as it is considered a dangerous car since it is a sports car. There are no antique plates here. I look forward to being your first car owner in this part of the world. George Furst
The December 2008 Queen B is the ‘70 B of Jeff Wergeles. Here is the story:
I purchased this car in July 1974 with 21,000 miles on the odometer. It was Pale Primrose. It was repainted and given a new interior in 1987. Now, 34 years later, the car has 108,000 miles on the odometer and is still in my garage. It’s driven regularly.