Tom and Lynette Hummel became owners of their MG by chance. Tom was visiting his mother when he saw a small red convertible drive by. As he was leaving, he saw the car again. He drove by it slowly and saw a for sale sign on the front seat.
They then took the car for a test drive. The owner gave them a list of problems but they did not matter as they were in love with it already. The next day they bought the car. The owner had the 1974 Midget for five years while she lived down the street from his mom. He had never seen it before that day. The photos show Lynette in the Midget on the day they bought it and the other one is Tom washing the car.
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MG not defiere history in excess of other British signatures, at least in his genesis. A concessionaire of a big signature, in this case Cecil Kimber, who had Morris’s representation in Oxford, began modifying the cars that it was selling to take part with them in competition in highway.
The success of the first models they provided orders to him and, little by little, what was only a parallel activity turned into the principal one. This way it began MG, modifying Morris for competition and selling short series of cars as the Super Sport 14/28, derivative of Morris Oxford, with open bodywork of two or four squares. Kimber kept on throwing new built models of handmade form, until in 1928 it met in the nail on the presentation of the Midget, a sports child of 847 cc that was using the platform of Morris Minor.
Child and Spartan, although very sports, the Midget supposed an authentic success in sales up to the point of which Kimber turned out to be forced to buy an old leather factory in Abingdon to initiate there the serial production.
In the thirties, the MG added innumerable victories in the highway tests and even ran in mille Miglia. The most important of these victories achieved the big Tazio Nuvolari in Tourist Trophy, in Island of Man, where with a MG Magnette established a mark that was not beaten until 1951. The children MG captivated for his sportsmanship the North American soldiers emphasized in the United Kingdom, which took them back to the United States.
To face to the demand, MG had to extend the production of the successor of the Midget, the Type T, and decided to leave the careers to concentrate on the serial production.
In 1955, the signature threw the Type A, more refined and expensive. By that time, the mark already was part of British Motor Corporation, after his merger years earlier with Austin. It implied that MG was spending to make of his plant Austin Healey and was beginning developing the MG B, which was his only product to the sale between 1962, year of his throwing like substitute of the A, and in 1980, year in which I stop the production.
Integrated to the consortium British Leyland along with Austin, Rover, Jaguar and Triumph, the mark MG served simply to designate the most powerful versions of Austin’s models, before disappearing definitely in 1986. Fortunately, the Rover privatization allowed to recover the mark and, under the name MG, a child appeared in 1996 roadster two-seater of central engine, the MG F, which is still supported in production and to which they have been added it, in a return to the recent past, promoted versions of the Rover 25, 45 and 75.
After happening, (together with Rover and Mini) for BMW hands, the signature remained alone with Rover. The MG-Rover bankruptcy in 2005 took it almost to the disappearance, but now this in a new way thanks to the Chinese group SAIC.
The MG 6 mid-class hatchback, equipped with a 1.8-liter turbo engine, will be produced by SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle Co in a plant in Lingang.
“There will be market potential for the MG 6 if SAIC prices the car competitively,” said Ye Sheng, an auto analyst at automotive consulting firm, B. Thinking Management, in Shanghai.
MG 6
SAIC has operated the sporty MG brand as its own since the car maker acquired smaller domestic rival Nanjing Auto at the end of 2007. SAIC now produces the MG 7, MG 3SW and MG TF sports car in China as well as the Roewe series that came from the Rover Group of the UK. Despite its western pedigree, MG remains first and foremost a brand focused on the Chinese market first and overseas markets second, and if it can assuage western concerns about product safety and quality upon its British launch next year, it could give Chinese (or at least Chinese-owned) car companies a much-needed PR boost.
Filed under: New and Future MGs | No Comments »
The December 2009 Queen B is the 1973 B of David Perkins: Here is his story:
Here are some pictures of my newly restored (in 2009) 1973 MGB. The frame, most body trim, chrome bumpers, and engine are original. The interior is new, as are the wire wheels, and the convertible top. The British Racing Green paint job is also new, as well as all of the front/rear light lenses. It runs beautifully at about 87,000 miles, and never needed any major mechanical work. I replaced the wiring. I’ve owned it since 2005. Nearly all of the restoration and paint work was done by Mods for Rods in Fountain Hills, Arizona.
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Welcome to the new members that have joined since the last issue.
We would like to thank Jack Feldman, Lee Shook, Roger Ayers, David Perkins 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 larger, the paper is better and the quality of the color pictures is considerably better with more vivid colors. We have made a change in printers to make a better looking magazine. Let me know what you think of the changes..
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.
American MGB members receive the Octagon, now published in March, June, September and December and the eOctagon, published in February, May, August 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 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 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.
Have a great holiday season and start making plans to get your car back on the road in the spring!
by Jack Feldman
Over 800 British car owners and enthusiasts were greeted by picture perfect weather at the 23rd annual Chicagoland British Car Festival. The event took place on Sunday, September 13th at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.
There were nearly 600 cars in the field. All British cars no matter what condition were welcome as was anyone who enjoyed British cars. The cars ranged from a rare Morgan three wheeler to a Concours condition Aston Martin. In addition, a selection of British motorcycles was welcomed.
In addition to the joy of exploring other marques and meeting other enthusiasts, a full range of vendors, local, national and international lined the field. You could find that rare part, discover a new book or enhance your collection.
All registrants received a free special gift and many donor prized were awarded during the day. For the hungry car lover, food vendors presented traditional delights.
Mark your calendar for our next festival on September 12, 2010 when we gather again at Oakton Community College. It is an event you will not want to miss.
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from Autocar
MG TF production halted
MG Motor is to halt production of the Longbridge-built TF sports car for six months until March next year.
Sales of the TF, the only vehicle now built at the once-massive Longbridge factory in Birmingham, have been modest with only 265 sold during the first nine months of this year, although September has been the best month yet for the revived marque with 65 cars sold.
Newly appointed sales and marketing director Guy Jones says that the low volume TF is ‘batch built’, and that the summer selling season, which runs from March to September, is now over.
Despite introducing a 50-copy limited edition 85th anniversary edition, all of which have been sold, production will not restart until next spring. The small sports car market is down 30 per cent this year and 40 per cent since 2007, adds Jones, who thinks that ‘up to 20’ of the 100-strong vehicle assembly workforce will need to be laid off.
When production does restart it will be with a modified line-up, a series production version of the limited edition, which features a mildly revised chassis and interior, going on sale positioned above the entry level £13,511 TF 135.
Despite the shutdown Jones, who previously held the same job at the LDV van company, is optimistic about the future for MG and Longbridge. Owners Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, China’s biggest indigenous car manufacturer, have ‘ambitious plans for the MG brand,’ he says.
These are thought to include the development of a new range of sports cars to be designed, developed and built at the company’s British factory. But it’s not clear whether earlier plans to manufacture the MG7, a Focus class hatchback also sold as the Roewe 550 in China, will see UK manufacture. But of the 300 staff currently on site some 200 are in design and engineering.
Jones claims that more details of SAICs plans for MG and Longbridge will be revealed ‘soon’, while adding that the vehicle assembly halls have recently been redecorated. In China, the development of the Roewe and MG marques is going well according to Jones. SAIC is expecting to sell some 50,000 Roewes and MGs in 2009 – ahead of its target.
53 MGs Win Historic 25th “Collier Cup”
The “Vintage Collier Cup” began as a spark between Miles C. Collier and the Sportscar Vintage Racing Assocation (SVRA) in 1985. They inaugurated a new annual all MG race at Watkins Glen, in memory of the Collier brother’s early pioneering efforts from the 1930’s to the 1950’s in racing MGs. The MG Vintage Racers group also helped them formulate the criteria for the race. Only eight MGs raced in the first “Vintage Collier Cup”. Back then no-one could have imagined what that humble beginning would lead up to in the years to come! In 1994 there were 60 MGs; 72 MGs in ‘98; and a record smashing 143 MGs racing in 2004! Plus over the years four other additional awards were added to the race, increasing its stature. This year became its silver anniversary race on September 13th, and it would be SPECIAL! 53 MGs of all types showed up, ranging from a 1933 supercharged MG-L2, to a thundering MGB-GT V8. The Collier Cup is a “Spirit Award”, which gets presented to one of the MG racers in the race as selected by a vote of their peers, as the driver “Best Representing the Spirit of MG Vintage Racing”. But this year would be different. In celebration of its 25th running, “All The MG Racers” there were voted as “Collier Cup Winners” and each one received their own personal participant’s “Collier Cup” from the Collier family, along with a letter to them from Miles C. Collier, that said in part: “On behalf of my family, I would like to extend my most sincere thanks and appreciation for your 25 years of patronage in the Collier Cup and remembrance of my father, C. Miles, and my uncles, Sam and Barron, and their contributions to the MG marque in the USA and to the origins of modern American road racing…” This year there were no losers – only winners – and so many smiling faces! Other trophies awarded in the race included: The “T” Cup for first ‘T’ Series MG to George Shafer in his MGTD; The NAMGAR Sponsored Bucher-Decker Trophy for first MGA to Chris Meyers; The MG Car Club Western NY Centre sponsored Bill Glanville Memorial Cup for the first MG Midget to Dave Brown; And the Denver Cornett Trophy, sponsored by SVRA and Denny Cornett, for first overall finisher to Butch McKenzie in his MGB. Plus two of the MG racers from the first Collier Cup were back. Bob Colaizzi – who was awarded the first Collier Cup in 1985 – was reunited with his MGTD (now owned by Jeff Brown) so he could race it in this 25th Collier Cup. A most gracious offer by Jeff, and typical of the spirit of MG Vintage Racers! Plus Greg Prehodka returned, but this year as crew for his daughter Rachel, who was now behind the wheel of his MGTD in her first Collier Cup race, as the MG racing torch and traditions were being passed on. To find out more about MG vintage racing go to the web site: MGVR.org
Greg Prehodka Publicity Coordinator E-mail: MGracer53@aol.com
Road to the 25th Collier Cup
Introduction
I’ve been involved with SVRA’s “Collier Cup” race for MGs from its inception in 1985. It is hard to believe that we are now celebrating its 25th running. These things don’t “just happen”! I’d like to briefly reflect on the past 24 years leading up to this benchmark year, for those who might not know how we got here. Few have been involved from the beginning. I’ve been vintage racing my MGTD since 1977 and have witnessed the growth and changes of MG vintage racing with time. Over the years the Collier Cup has been a wonderful event for MG racers in so many ways, and thanks to SVRA for staying the course with it, even in the lean years when they could have easily scratched it. The MG Vintage Racers have also played a key role in its success. And thanks to so many other MG racers and enthusiasts who have dedicated their time to make it successful in past years in a number of way. Some key supporters have included MG racers Joe Tierno, Dick Powers, Mark Palmer and Chris Meyers, but there are so many others too – thanks to all of you, plus every MG racer who has ever participated in it! It has grown into being the most significant MG race in North America, and has expanded to much more than what it first started out as. It use to be hard to get a dozen or so MGs to some races, and no one would have ever believed that the Collier Cup would have 143 MG entries in 2004! And not only have MG racers supported this event, but so have MG clubs and enthusiasts in a variety of ways. NAMGAR, New England MG ‘T’ Register, and MG Car Club – Western NY Center, are a few which come to mind. Plus who can forget the warm memories of historic MG racers like Denver Cornett, Jack Archibold, Syd Silverman, and Jim Carson – only to mention a few – who joined us over the years. The Collier family even sent two of their family’s historic MGs up from their Florida museum to be on display in 2004. Also lets not forget the town of Watkins Glen. Most towns near race tracks would be happy to have them go away. But Watkins Glen welcomes us with open arms. They revel in their racing history, and they put on their street festival for vintage racers on Friday of the vintage race weekend. Main Street gets closed down and it turns into a huge party for vintage racers and thousands of spectators! For it the race cars are driven down (with police escort) from the race track over the original street race course to the downtown festival, as many drivers find it hard to imagine how they actually raced at speed on these public roads! So many wonderful memories over the years, with more to come! I expect this year’s 25th Collier Cup will become another great experience for all involved. And it will have special meaning for me, as it will be the first time my daughter Rachel will race a MG in this historic race!
Enjoy the article, and feel free to share it with any friends, clubs, publications, newsletters, etc. This introduction and the article below may be reprinted in whole or part without permission. I can also provide this article as a Microsoft Word document on request if needed, and I have a number of photos that I can provide to support it.
“… we few, we happy few, we band of brothers”
Greg Prehodka MG Vintage Racers Publicity Coordinator (Editor MGVR Newsletter, 1981-1995) E-mail: MGracer53@aol.com
July 26, 2009
MGVR on the web: MGVR.org
**************************
By Greg Prehodka
It began in 1985 as a spark between SVRA and the Collier family, along with the support of the MG Vintage Racers, but would it catch on?
Flashback to 1954, when the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) established the “Collier Brothers Memorial Trophy” to remember MG racers Sam and Miles Collier. But as the years passed it wandered from its original intent of recognizing MG racers and remembering the Collier MG legacy. Then in 1980 MGs stopped being imported into North America from England, as the MG marque began to fade. But during the 80’s vintage racing was catching on, and MGs began making a comeback in “vintage racing”, recapturing their racing heritage. So in 1985, as SVRA was expanding to support the growth of vintage racing, they decided to “Re-establish the original Collier Memorial concept, but with vintage MGs now, while maintaining a consistent “MG” theme this time”. SVRA’s 1985 letter to MG racers for the first Collier Cup read in part “The idea for an all MG race event was initiated by SVRA, and is sustained by Miles C. Collier …and much thanks to Mr. Greg Prehodka (MG Vintage Racers) … he has provided valuable advice….” The result was the first “Collier Cup” all MG race at Watkins Glen, in SVRA’s first full vintage race weekend there. This would differ from the SCCA concept, in that only MGs were invited to compete, and the cup’s winner would not necessarily be the race winner, but rather a MG racer, voted by their fellow racers, as best demonstrating the “Spirit of MG Vintage Racing”. This would include car preparation to being period correct, its appearance, racing skill on the track, and overall MG spirit. The first race in 1985 saw only eight MGs entered, and the Collier Cup was awarded to MGTD racer Bob Colaizzi (who will race the same TD in the 25th Collier Cup). SVRA stayed with this concept as the number of MG entries began to grow. Benchmark years included 60 MGs entered in 1994; 72 MGs in 1998 for the 50th anniversary of the Watkins Glen races; and in 2004, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of SCCA’s “Collier Brothers Memorial Trophy”, an incredible record-breaking, 143 MGs showed up to compete – a North American MG record which may never be broken! All of this has led up to celebrating the 25th running of the Collier Cup this September, backed up by a quarter century of MG vintage racing heritage! MGs are British sports cars. Mostly two seat convertibles, with modest four cylinder engines, manufactured between 1946 to 1980. This includes MG-T’s, MGA’s, MGB’s, and MG Midgets, although you may see a few Pre-War MGs and specials to. Vintage rules limit the modifications and updating allowed to these cars. In a general sense they have to be prepared similarly to the way they were originally raced when they were new, have original components, and meet current safety requirements. Most of the MGs you will see in the Collier Cup are street production cars with some modifications for racing. Period appearance is strongly encouraged and you will not see sponsorship decals on these steeds. This mix of many different MGs is very unequal in their performance potential, but winning the race is not the objective. So what is to be won in vintage racing MGs? Just the fun and enjoyment of racing a piece of history, and sharing that enjoyment with other MG enthusiasts – both racers and spectators. Some of the racers you will see at the race have even been vintage racing their MG for over 25 years! A number of them even have their kids racing MGs now. They are all most proud of their cars and take a very personal interest in them and MG history. So why are Sam and Miles Collier being remembered? They were the earliest MG racers in North America, who started racing their MGs in the 1930’s while sports car racing was in its infancy, and MGs were almost unknown over here. They continued to race MGs up through the 40’s and 50’s including the inaugural Watkins Glen street race in 1948. This ended when Sam died in a racing accident at Watkins Glen in 1950, and then Miles passed away from polio in 1954. Over the past 24 years recipients of the Collier Cup have almost become a “Who’s Who” of MG vintage racing. As the race has grown in stature, other awards have been added to it by various sponsors, increasing its prestige! This includes the “Denver Cornett Jr. Trophy” for first MG overall; “T Cup” for first MG ‘T’; “Bucher-Decker Trophy” for the first MGA; and the “Bill Glanville Memorial Cup” for the first MG Midget. But when the checkered flag falls on the race, all the MG racers will be “WINNERS”! I trust that you will enjoy the trip back into memory lane if you come! Even if you’re not a MG racer, take some time to look at these wonderful MGs in the paddock, and chat with their drivers – there is nothing they would like better! Then enjoy watching them at speed and notice the huge grins on their faces after the race! To find out more about MG vintage racing, go to the MG Vintage Racers’ web site “MGVR.org”.
Past Collier Cup Recipients:
1985: Bob Colaizzi, MGTD 1986: Tony Simms, MGA Twin Cam 1987: Alex Heckert, MGA Twin Cam 1988: Joe Tierno, MGA 1989: Alex Quattlebaum III, MGA 1990: Don Funke, MGA Twin Cam 1991: Tim Handy, MGB 1992: John Faulkner, MGB 1993: Jim Carson, MG TC 1994: Greg Prehodka, MGTD, & Joe Tierno, MGA(repeat) 1995: Mark Brandow, MGTC 1996: Denver Cornett, MGTC 1997: Bob Schoeplein, MGA 1998: Jack Archibald, MGTC 1999: Mark Palmer, MGA 2000: Frank Mount, MGTC 2001: John Targett, MGB 2002: Mark Palmer, MGA (repeat) 2003: Sid Silverman, MGTC 2004: Dick Powers, MGA / Bill Hollingsworth, MGTC 2005: Dan Leonard, MGTD 2006: Dave Smith, MGA 2007: Bill Shields, MGB 2008: Chris Meyers, MGA
by Frank Ochal
We would like to thank George Gallagher, Ken Holznagel, L. Gene Enke 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.
It saddens me to find out that one of the rock solid institutions in the American MG world no longer operates. As you may have heard, John Twist and University Motors ceased fulltime business on July 1, 2009 after 34 plus years of service. I have always considered John a friend and I wish him luck in his future endeavors. The business was another victim of the economic recession.
We have made a change in printers that results in a slightly different format. Let me know what you think of the changes..
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 AMGBA will not be involved in the Clovis, California event in October because many of our west coast members have told us they do not have the resources to attend. The show itself in Clovis, California will still be on and members are encouraged to attend.
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!