There are lots of different types of crash that can be sustained by motor vehicles on the roads and equally there are a number of different parts of the vehicles where the impact of a crash can be sustained. While many people, when they think of car crashes, picture frontal collisions, one of the most common types of motor vehicle crash is actually that of side impact crashes. As the name fairly clearly indicates, this type of crash refers to instances where the crash impacts the side of the vehicle and usually occurs when the front of one car hits the side of another. In fact, although it is not widely assumed to be the case, the damage sustained by both the vehicle and the occupants of it in a side impact crash can actually be more severe than those sustained in either front or rear-end collisions, because there is less buffering and protection offered by the sides of the vehicle than there is by the front or the back.
Amongst the circumstances in which a side impact crash is most likely to occur, the most frequent is at the junction of one road and another, and occurs when the driver of one vehicle pulls out directly into the path of the other. However these types of car crashes can also frequently occur in car parks or if the driver of a vehicle ignores a red light signal. In a number of these circumstances mentioned, the crash is likely to be the result of dangerous or reckless driving on the part of one of the driver involved and – if you are the innocent party in a side impact crash – you may be able to pursue a road accident claim for compensation, by means of a legal firm specialising in these types of cases, such as Road Traffic Accidents.
As mentioned earlier, these crashes can cause more severe damage than front or rear collisions and amongst the injuries they can cause are, head and neck injuries, internal injuries and paralysis.
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by Gerald Ferreira of 3D Car Shows
The very last MGB Roadster made, which rolled off the MG Car Company’s Abingdon production line on October 23, 1980, made a dramatic return to its home town today on December 1, 2011.
Last MGB Returns Home
The property of the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, it has been placed on indefinite loan to the 17th Century Abingdon County Hall Museum. And, due to the practical limitations imposed by the picturesque Grade One listed building, the car had to be ‘posted’ on its side through the arched windows of the first floor, with just inches to spare.
The task of first stripping the MG to its bare shell, fitting that to a specially designed cradle, masterminding the pair’s delivery into the building via a gigantic 30 ton scissor lift, and finally rebuilding the car for public display, fell to Witney-based British Motor Heritage (BMH), which also sponsored the ambitious project from start to finish.
Said BMH’s Managing Director John Yea: “As the only manufacturer of original-quality replacement panels and complete bodyshells for the ubiquitous MGB, we felt we were the appropriate company to help bring this challenging task to fruition for all concerned. 2012 is the 50th anniversary of this perennially popular sports car, and it is very fitting that a representative example will be proudly displayed in the town where over 500,000 were built; a high percentage of which were exported to America.”
Loading Last MGB Into Museum
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by Frank Ochal
Welcome to the new members that have joined since the last issue.
We would like to thank Florence Cyr, fellow AMGBA officers Margie Springer and Bruce Magers 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.
I am sure you have noticed the improvement in the look and feel of the Octagon. The pages are brighter, the paper is better and there are more color pages with color pictures in better quality. We have made another change in printers to make a better looking magazine. The delivery of your magazine may have also changed and hopefully the Octagon should be received with less damage. Let me know what you think of the changes.
The 34th Annual American MGB Association Meet 2011 was held in Dayton, Ohio and this issue contains a report and many photos.
As requested by our members, Tech Sections Volume III in now available in printed format as well as CD format. It previously was only offered on CD. Pricing can be found on the regalia/store page and is priced the same as printed volumes I and II. Combos of more than one volume are also available.
In addition to the items found in our regular club regalia / store, more store merchandise including tote bags, caps, sweat pants, shorts and other items can be found at our Fieldhouse Club Store located at www.fieldhouse.com/amgba .
We now have member grille badges and key fobs. 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.
American MGB Association members receive the Octagon, now published in March, June, September and December and the eOctagon, published in February, May, August and November.
We 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. We also 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 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 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 your 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 website 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.
Have a great holiday season!
Top Photo: 1st place winner at AMGBA Meet 2011 – ’66 B of Steve Howard
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This issue’s Queen B is the ’80 MGB of Florence Cyr. Here is her story:
I purchased the car in April of 1980. It was brand new. Right now it has 8,800 miles on it. We have taken it to several car shows of the American MGB Association and won first, second and third place trophies so far and now we are working on and aiming for the big Concours competition.
The car is still all original and even the tires are the same tires as when we bought the car. During the first 15 years we took the car to many cars shows but since we had it stored for the last fifteen plus years.
Now we are ready to get back to the car shows. We did put all new hoses in it using all original hoses. It has always been stored in a garage. It still is brand new in my eyes and I believe it even smells new. It is my pride and joy!
My new book titled “They Started in MGs” has recently been printed by McFarland. It features profiles of 80 sports car drivers of the 1950s, in 291 pages of original racing stories and 278 photos by the great racing photographers of the past. The forward is written by John Fitch.
Highlights of the book include a chapter on Cam Argetsinger, the father of road racing in America, racing patron Briggs Cunningham, first SCCA National Champion John Fitch, American Formula One Champion Phil Hill, Midwest Elva driver Suzy Dietrich, SIATA pilot Isabelle Haskell, Pikes Peak winning Porsche driver Bob Donner, Formula III ace Rowland Keith, Carroll Shelby, five-time Corvette titlist Dick Thompson, Bridgehampton race founder Bruce Stevenson, MG Specials builder Ken Miles, Alfa Romeo champion Chuck Stoddard, Charlie Ellmers of the Funny Face Auto Racing Team and the 1955 SCCA H-Production winner, George Valentine in his MG TC. Featured cars include MG, Austin Healey, Jaguar, Allard, Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche, Cooper, Elva, Lotus, Lola, OSCA, Bandini, Nardi, Alfa, Cunningham, Ford GT40, Shelby Cobra and many more.
The book can be ordered directly from the publisher at www.mcfarlandpub.com . You will enjoy reading it. Let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Carl Goodwin, attlastt@ frontier.net.
A new interesting book “Earning the American Dream,” is about the introduction of foreign made automobiles into North America, back in the 1940′s and 1950′s, and the great success’ foreign cars enjoy to this day. During that same period, the U.S. totally dominated the world’s production of cars / trucks, tires, steel, locomotives, and aircraft. Unfortunately that domination is no longer the case.
Whitby’s unique experiences and well documented book reflects the rise of Britain’s and Europe’s largest automobile company, when Austin Motor took over the Nuffield auto group in 1952, forming British Motor Corporation (BMC) making it the fourth largest auto company in the world. Whitby goes into great detail on how BMC sports cars; the Austin Healey and MG, were so successful in America through the 1960′s yet BMC, old design, poor quality control sedans, failed miserably.
Whitby was invited to join BMC record attempts on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1956, 1957, and 1959, during which he became a good friend of Syd Enever, Chief Engineer and designer for the MG Car Co. Ltd. His direct communications with Enever, helped to improve the quality of the MG and Austin Healey cars. Many interesting copies of their correspondence spanning ten years are reproduced.
Car lovers will enjoy the great road racing photos, many in color especially those covering BMC Bonneville Salt Flats of 1956, 1957, and 1959 and will be amazed at the very successful endurance and speed records established by Syd Enever’s outstanding MG and Austin Healey sports car designed streamliners, all of which are well documented.
The book should also appeal to those that are interested in economics, especially as it relates to trade, manufacturing, and transportation, and in the demise, of so many British and American auto companies, over the years. Throughout the 338 page book, Whitby and BMC American dealers’ recommendation to have new modern designed sedans, quality control, more powerful overhead camshaft engines, and full synchomesh transmission, were totally ignored by BMC top management. This allowed progressive Japanese companies like Nissan and Toyota and later Korean companies to take over from the pioneering British with better designed and higher quality cars.
Whitby devoted 16 years with the British Motor Corporation in the US, 17 years as a sales executive of Nissan Motor Corporation in USA. and he finally completed his successful career as Vice President of Business and Finance for years where he guided a debt ridden and badly managed private university in Southern California to one of fiscal responsibility and success. There is a wealth of knowledge in this remarkable book that would be very difficult to find elsewhere. In addition it is a book well worth owning as an profits wiIl be donated to cancer research.
Author: Gordon Whitby Retail: $50.00 Dimensions: 8.25″ x 10.75″ Pages: 340 Phone: 626-688-3554 Email: gordonwhitby@yahoo.com
We would like to thank Robert Crane, James Kasper, Lucy Hansen, Jeff Dutkovic, Ted Schneider, Larry Youngblood, Jonathan Knowles 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.
The 34th Annual American MGB Association Meet 2011 was held in Dayton, Ohio in early August. A report of the show will be in the next issue of the Octagon.
In addition to the items found in our regular club regalia / store, more store merchandise including tote bags, caps, sweat pants, shorts and other items can be found at our Fieldhouse Club Store located at www.fieldhouse.com/amgba.
You need an ID and password to access the “members only” section of our website 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 shows this season including Meet 2011 in Dayton, Ohio!
Top Photo: ’79 B of Jeff Dutkovic
Story by Bruce Magers, photos by Frank Ochal and Bruce of Dayton British Car Show Staff
The American MGB Association (AMGBA), a nationally recognized organization headquartered in Chicago for MGB’s, MGB-GT’s and Midgets held it’s 34th annual meet on August 6th, 2011 at Dayton, Ohio. The gathering was in conjunction with the All British Car Show that has been held in Dayton, Ohio for the past 27 years.
The popular show over 300 cars representing numerous British manufacturers. The largest contingency were MG’s followed closely by Triumphs and Sunbeams.
Participants enjoyed the low key popular vote contest which has proved successful for several years. The various class winners drove their cars up to the reviewing stand to accept their awards. All of the MG winners received trophies from the AMGBA as well as the event organizers. Food and drinks throughout the day for the crowd estimated at 500.
The AMGBA officers were busy all day enrolling new members and processing regalia sales. Many vendors were also in attendance selling a wide variety of British auto-related items to the enthusiastic crowd.
The AMGBA wishes to thank Skip Peterson and his fellow members of the MG Car Club Southwest Ohio Centre for hosting such as well organized event. Information on next year’s show can be obtained by going to their website at www.mgcars.org.uk/mgccswoc . The show winners are as follows:
AMGBA Meet 2011 Award Winners (AE- Award of Excellence)
MG B Roadster ’63-’67
1. William Hunter ‘63 MGB
AE. Dave Estell
MG B Roadster ’68-’74
1. Steve Howard ‘68 MGB
AE. Ron Parks
AE. Stephen Ramsey
AE. Dwight Patrick
AE. Jim Walker
AE. Skip Peterson
AE. Tom Crouse
MG B ’75-’80
1. Larry Youngblood ‘79 MGB
AE. William Bitner
AE. Gary Wagner
AE. Cheryl Ross
AE. Jeff Hoering
MG B-GT
1. Ben Grabow ‘74 MGB
MG Midget
1. George Chase ‘70 MG Midget
AE. Tim Shaw
AE. Bruce Duncan
AE. Ken Light
For information on next year’s event or on the American MGB Association, please contact the AMGBA, P. O. Box 11401, Chicago, IL 60611; phone: (773) 878-5055; email: meet@mgclub.org ; website: www.mgclub.org .
1st place ’63-’67 B roadster - ’63 of William Hunter
1st place ’68-’74 B roadster - ’68 B of Steve Howard
1st place ’75-’80 B roadster - ’79 of Larry Youngblood
1st place B-GT - ’74 of Ben Grabow
1st place modified - ’80 B V8 of Eddie Cole
1st place Midget - ’70 of George Chase
Skip Peterson - Dayton British Car Day Chairman
AMGBA Tent at Meet 2011
The September 2011 issue’s Queen B is the ’65 B of member Jonathan Knowles Here is the story:
The photo was taken at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field California with historic Hangar One in the background.
The airplane in the photo is a P3 turboprop anti-submarine aircraft which belongs to the United States Navy.
The 1965 MGB is completely restored with the original California black on gold license plates.
Lime Rock Park, the “Road Racing Center of the East” since 1957, located in scenic Northwest Connecticut, will host its 29th “Historic Festival” Labor Day weekend. This year “MG” will be a “Featured Marque”, and the “MG Vintage Racers” (MGVR) will also be celebrating their 30th anniversary at the track. As of June 24th , 65 MG’s are already registered to race, and there may be more! T’s, A’s, B’s Midgets, and Pre-War MGs! Come watch these MGs dicing it out on the track, plus come meet the cars and drivers in the paddock. Why is this a “Festival” you ask? To start with, vintage car races Friday, Saturday, and Monday, with around 300 vintage sports cars racing. This is better than any car museum! See them up close – see and hear them at speed! They will be giving guided tours of the paddock race cars if you’d like to join in. Special guest cars will include the Collier family’s “Leonidis” MG which raced at Le Mans in 1939, and a MG K-3 from the Simeone Museum that won the index of performance at Le Mans in 1934! The midway in the center of the track will have displays by car manufactures, vendors of all types, race car simulator, and lots more! If you get hungry, stop by the “Lime Rock Café which will be serving up everything from gourmet foods, to dogs and burgers all weekend long. Consider bringing a little extra cash, as they will have a large “Auto Jumble” swap meet. This is a “park” – not a grandstand to be found! Bring a blanket, a picnic basket, and maybe a folding chair, and sit on one of the grassy hillsides to watch the races. There is no racing on Sunday, as they stage their “Sunday In The Park Concourse” with around 700 fabulous cars which will line the race course. Show starts at 10AM! Show “entrants” must be lined up on the track by 9:30AM. Check with the track in advance for details if you’d like to enter your MG in it – please do! There will be an MG section. The “MG Vintage Racers” will have their own special section in it just for “racing MGs”, and will use it as a fund raiser for the “Make-A-Wish” foundation! Lime Rock is graciously offering special discounted tickets to “MG enthusiasts”. But you “must” order your tickets by Midnight August 26th to get the discount, including your credentials for the “MG Corral” parking area. Otherwise “regular price and general parking”. To get the “Code” for the discount (over 20%), e-mail Greg Prehodka of MGVR at MGracer53@aol.com, identify yourself, tell him what MG you plan to bring, your club affiliation, and he will give you the code for your personal use. Then go to the Lime Rock Park web site (or call) and place your order by August 26th. First 50 “corral” cars to “enter the track gates” on each race day, will also have the opportunity to do “parade laps” on the track – so arrive there early! Make your Labor Day weekend truly memorable for a day – or the whole weekend! Camping is available at the track also! Area lodging listed on the Lime Rock web site. These are just some of the highlights. Lots more information can be found at the following web sites:
- Lime Rock Park: www.limerock.com/ Track rules and regulations here. Go to this home page and click on “Historics” for lots of supporting information on the event. (Toll Free: 1-800-RaceLRP or 860-435-5000) 60 White Hollow Road, Lakeville, Ct 06039
- MG Vintage Racers: www.MGVR.org