Our collection of cars
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Keith Hill
Stuart Dunn
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Martin Jones
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Peter Dunn
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Steve Amos
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Dave & Gaynor Ormerod
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Ruth & Dave Webb
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Chris Hasluck
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Nigel Evans
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Rod Downs
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Gordon
MY 1978. MG.BGT. DFK 218T.
Martin Jones
I was looking for a car which wouldn't lose as much money as my previous acquisitions. Namely my 1st car a Morris Marina 1800, 2nd Austin Maxi 1750 and 3rd Austin 1800 wedge
Purchased in June 1983 with the intention of keeping it for 2 years, the car had done 40,000 miles had a full service history, was Inca yellow, had new tyres and 12 months MOT. It just needed the wheels painting. It had been part wax-oiled, Zeibarted and always had a shot of RedX in the petrol. I paid £2850 and have now
Owned it for over 22 years. 
I joined the MG owners club before I brought the car to take advantage of their then cheap insurance scheme. Being only 21 at that time and had just written off the Austin 1800, the car club insured me fully comp, cheaper than anyone else would insure me third party.
The car was used every day for 8 years and included holidays and week end breaks. It was kept outside for 6 years, fully wax-oiled with the box sections drilled and filled with a mixture of anti-rust oil and wax-oil every year,(it would run out of the drain holes for months) then in 1990 I brought a new Fiesta 1600 Sport, and the MG became used only in the summer.
During the winter months over the next 5 years all the suspension components were removed, Shot blast, painted, re-bushed and put back together using new nuts and bolts. The engine bay has been cleaned and the block painted.
The car has had no new panels or trim. A SS stainless exhaust was fitted in 1985 and a stainless steel petrol tank in 1987. It has had an oil and filter change every 12 months and always passes the MOT first time. I had to stop using the RedX when only un-leaded fuel was available.
In 1993 we joined the Black Country MG club, then a much small and younger group of enthusiasts. With the arrival of Alexandra at the end of that year and Daniel in 1995, we have enjoyed the last 12 years attending many different events and marshalling at several rallies.
Martin Jones & Family.
1971 MGB Roadster British Racing Green
Originally purchased & registered in Dorset were it spent most of its life and a few later years in Torbay Devon. It was then purchased in 2006 from Ebay by a friend of mine Gary Millington who lived in Brixham, as a rolling restoration for £3K. It was in very poor condition and was close to being scrapped. 
The sills and floor had been replaced, my friend continued with the restoration for 2 years replacing both doors the near side rear wing, and detailing the engine bay along with a new wiring loom.
I drove the car in 2007 from Paignton to Dartmouth. It drove well and put a smile on my face for the rest of the week.
A colour change to the interior from brown to black including a new dash board. A brake servo was added to improve the feel of the brakes. The rostyles were changed for refurbished, painted wire wheels that were supplied with the EBay purchase along with the wire wheel axle and front hubs, and then further upgraded to chrome wires in August 2008 I viewed the MG again in October 2008 when it was then starting to look as it should, but at a considerable drain on my friends pocket as all the work was carried out by professional MG specialists. I mentioned to my friend that when he was looking to sell the car I would be interested in the car for myself. Less than one week later my friend drove the car 190 miles up from Devon to Tipton. The last 10 miles from Frankly service station on the M5, was done on the back of an AA wagon due to it snowing most of the way and the window screen wipers kept blowing the fuse.
That winter, my son Daniel and I, continued to improve the car. We removed the petrol tank and re- painted it. We also removed and refurbished the rear suspension and scraped all the old under seal off the underside, then gave it a fresh coat of paint and new under seal. In The winter of 2009 the front suspension was rebuilt using Polly bushes and a thicker anti roll bar. We also upgraded the brake discs to drilled/slotted with performance pads, the hoses were changed to braided stainless steel.
Winter 2010, the gear box cross member was removed and painted, seats were removed and re- bolted along with other minor jobs.
We plan to replace the off side wing and repaint the car at sometime in the future.
Stuart Dunn
OWNER |
MAKE |
MODEL |
YEAR |
COLOUR |
Stuart Dunn |
MG TF |
135 Sprint |
2002 |
X-Power Grey |
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HISTORY |
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WHEN BOUGHT : - 2005 |
Monogram Interior as optional extra. Only went to the garage to pick up a part from summit garage in Gornal for my ZR and fell in love with the TF, which is how I come to purchase mine. |
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WHY AN MG? |
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My grandfather worked at longbridge, also my father has always owned Rover’s so the interest has simply spread. I see the marque as a historical one, and a marque of a true British sports car. |
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WHERE FIRST SEEN (ADVERT/WORD OF MOUTH ETC) |
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After going to collect the part at Summit, myself and My father took the TF for a test drive, fell in love but didn’t buy it. It was on the way back from a shopping trip in Chester, that I came across my TF at Brindley in Wolverhampton. |
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ORIGINAL CONDITION – INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
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X-Power Grey, LEF Metallic ( Part of the Tempest Grey family ) Tan leather interior with black alcantara centres, tan door cards and dash. |
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RESTORATION WORK BY SELF OR OTHERS |
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Front wings, and under body protection, Under bonnet and boot internals re-sprayed by myself, however I did make a right mess of the bonnet at one stage and had to get someone who knew what they were doing to put it right.. |
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MODIFICATIONS |
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Bespoke Exhaust, 4-2-1 manifold by Janspeed, One off back Box. Uprated EBC AP Brakes disks and pads. Gas flowed head along with Paul Ivey oversized valves. Head also blue printed to exhaust manifold and Inlet Manifold. Uprated Cylinder liners. Uprated Valve Springs. Piper High lift Cams on Kent Vernier Pulley’s. Variable fuel pressure regulator running 3.9 Bar. SU KV6 Swan Neck throttle bodies, With ITG Race air filter, Bespoke Idle Air Control and Breather system Which I fabricated as was unable to get parts to enable fitment to the EU3 MEMS3 engine. ( Bodies From a Caterham R500 ) All of which now running on an Emerald K6 ECU. Very little acoustic panelling and a lot of brackets now made from aluminium for lightness. |
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MODIFICATIONS PLANNED / WISH LIST |
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Wide Band Lambda sensor to enable true AFR ( Air Fuel Ratios ) to be set by the ECU, which would be determined by ambient temperature and humidity or altitude, this would also make the engine more efficient. Carbon Fibre Boot lid, Fibre Glass rear bumper. The aim is to do as much as possible, without losing drivability or altering the look of the Car in anyway, MG Themselves made to good a job of making the thing look pretty so I don’t have to. |
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INTERESTING JOURNEYS, EVENTS OR USE |
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Heritage run, 2008 Gaydon Warwickshire. Brilliant run. Also the surprised face of an Audi TT driver who wanted to be in my lane on the way back from Bromsgrove, priceless! |
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TIPS - TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE |
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Check Water regular, Run EBC Brake Disks. Wrap your Exhausts, Best mod for £10. |
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Keith Hill
OWNER |
MAKE |
MODEL |
YEAR |
COLOUR |
Keith Hill |
MG B |
Roadster |
1973 |
White |
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HISTORY |
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WHEN BOUGHT |
1993 |
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WHY AN MG? |
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Because of the sensible prices, still modern looking, all parts available and potential for modifying. Also capable of keeping up with modern traffic |
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WHERE FIRST SEEN (ADVERT/WORD OF MOUTH ETC) |
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Bought via an advertisement in the local evening newspaper. Paid £2700, came with lots of history (and jobs to be done) But it was white and chrome bumper, two of my criterior. It also turned out to qualify for tax exemption, registered 3rd January 1973 – when exemption came into force in the mid 90’s. |
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ORIGINAL CONDITION – INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
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Interior in need of refurbishing. Outside, required new soft top, rear window yellow and difficult to see through. Bumpers no chrome |
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RESTORATION WORK BY SELF OR OTHERS |
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I have fitted new soft top, (don’t recommend it) new brightwork eg bumpers, overriders, radiator grill, door and boot catches, driver quarter light, (broken catch). Outer sills, front and rear quarter panels fitted by body repairer. Interior – carpets, doorcasings seat covers, all foam and webbing etc. Other work done includes, engine out for clutch replacement, engine and gearbox mounts, propshaft universal joints – twice, steering rack, front shock absorbers, rear springs and shockers, new petrol tank, Minilite pattern wheels replaced Rostyle originals. |
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MODIFICATIONS |
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Solid state mod to distributer, solid state fuel pump. |
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MODIFICATIONS PLANNED / WISH LIST |
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Complete spray job required. |
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INTERESTING JOURNEYS, EVENTS OR USE |
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Three trips to Normandy, France. Long distance in the UK, have driven as far as Middlesborough while staying in Whitby, also Cornwall, Swanage, Torquay, North and South Wales. |
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TIPS - TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE |
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Brakes pulling hard left or right, intermittent, flexible hoses to back of discs. Gunge in rear drums, suspect wheel cylinders, expect difficulty getting the circlip back on to rear of new cylinder, behind the back plate. Make a diagram – or take a picture – of brake shoe spring arrangement, (unless you have a good memory or done it before) There are three springs. |
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Peter Dunn
OWNER |
MAKE |
MODEL |
YEAR |
COLOUR |
Peter Dunn |
MG |
F |
1998 |
Anthracite |
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HISTORY |
First registered in Chester |
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WHEN BOUGHT |
October 2008 |
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WHY AN MG? |
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My first MG was a MG ZS 120 purchased new in 2003, my son already owned a MG ZR . Both of us joined the MG car club and I found that I enjoyed being in the car club going to events etc. When the time came for me to change the ZS I missed not being in the car club, and then in the summer of 2008 I went with my son, who now had changed his ZR for a TF, on a heritage run from Longbridge to Gaydon. It was a beautiful day and I found that I really enjoyed it. That started me thinking and that’s how I came to buy my MGF. |
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WHERE FIRST SEEN (ADVERT/WORD OF MOUTH ETC) |
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An advert on Auto trader.. |
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ORIGINAL CONDITION – INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
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Original outside and inside. |
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RESTORATION WORK BY SELF OR OTHERS |
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MODIFICATIONS |
1mm skim off cylinder head, valves (inlet and outlet) oversize by 2mm, 52mm Throttle Body, K&N Induction System, Bespoke Exhaust, EBC grooved and dimpled discs and pads, Spax adjustable shock absorbers. |
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MODIFICATIONS PLANNED / WISH LIST |
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Might try an Emerald ECU. |
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INTERESTING JOURNEYS, EVENTS OR USE |
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MGFest 2009, MGFifteen 2010. |
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TIPS - TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE |
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Keep a close watch on the coolant level. |
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Steve Amos
OWNER |
MAKE |
MODEL |
YEAR |
COLOUR |
Steve Amos |
MG B |
GT |
1972 |
Blaze |
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HISTORY |
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WHEN BOUGHT |
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July 2008 |
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WHY AN MG? |
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When a family friend moved house he used my garage to ‘temporally’ store his 1972 MGB GT. (see below) But after the move he realised he had limited space to keep the car and so offered it to me. I had previously rebuilt other cars and was ready to take on another challenge |
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WHERE FIRST SEEN (ADVERT/WORD OF MOUTH ETC) |
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The car was bought from a long-time family friend after his home was sold. He had owned the car for over 30 years. |
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ORIGINAL CONDITION – INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
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The car had stood for over twenty years and had to be dragged, reluctantly, out of its resting place by a recovery vehicle, clutch, brakes & water pump seized. The Sills and bottom of the front and rear wings were in holes. |
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RESTORATION WORK BY SELF OR OTHERS |
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After 12 months of cutting, grinding, welding, replacing the sills complete, brakes, the engine out & other major spanner work the car was prepared for a respray as the paint had faded. Apart from the final respray all of the work was done by myself. |
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MODIFICATIONS |
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It has to be said before it was put way in a garage by its previous owner it had had a lot of loving care and money spent on it, tuning the car, sliding roof, period alloys, and lots of personalisation. |
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MODIFICATIONS PLANNED / WISH LIST |
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This car is not A1 concourse by any means, with ‘work in progress’. My wish list would be leather seats, perhaps sometime in the future. |
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INTERESTING JOURNEYS, EVENTS OR USE |
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Mainly local rallies, Bishop’s Castle being one. |
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TIPS - TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE |
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Measure the gaps & take lots of digital photos for references. Store all parts removed with labels, in bags or boxes. Buy the best panels on the market, don't be tempted to buy cheap, it will take longer to get the gaps correct, and more frustration in the long run. Oh! And mind your thumb when chiselling. |
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Dave & Gaynor Ormerod
OWNER |
MAKE |
MODEL |
YEAR |
COLOUR |
Dave & Gaynor Ormerod |
MGB |
Roadster |
1978 |
Vermillion |
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HISTORY |
Only one previous owner, Collector with 8 classic cars |
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WHEN BOUGHT |
August 1999 |
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WHY AN MG? |
This is my second MGB, the first being sold |
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to a BCCC member who used it on car club runs & Welsh Rally’s for many years. We changed the car after seeing this MG in the seller’s collection, it had only done 29000 miles & came with a complete history including all MOT certificates except two when the car never left the garage. Some years the car only did five miles & that was to get it MOT’d. Most of the cars in the collection had been owned from new which included a Ferrari, Aston Martin, Delorian, E Type Jag. Austin Healy & Frog Eye Sprite. The B was being sold to make way for a Bugatti. |
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WHERE FIRST SEEN (ADVERT/WORD OF MOUTH ETC) |
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Advert in MGCC Safety Fast Magazine & word of mouth by MGCC committee member. |
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ORIGINAL CONDITION – INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
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The car is in original condition & has not been restored in any way. |
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RESTORATION WORK BY SELF OR OTHERS |
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The bonnet had to be resprayed due to tree sap damage in 2006 |
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MODIFICATIONS |
The fitting of leather seats, mohair hood, electronic ignition & a stainless steel exhaust. |
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MODIFICATIONS PLANNED / WISH LIST |
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None. The car is now possibly up for sale due to spinal surgery as I can no longer get in or out or drive it. |
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INTERESTING JOURNEYS, EVENTS OR USE |
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We have toured Northern Spain & southern Ireland & has competed in 10 MGCC Welsh Rally’s. |
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TIPS - TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE |
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Ruth & Dave Webb
OWNER |
MAKE |
MODEL |
YEAR |
COLOUR |
Ruth and Dave Webb |
MG B |
GT |
1971 |
Teal blue |
HISTORY |
There was quite a lot of documentation with the car, old tax discs, MOT’s, receipts, and a Heritage report. |
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WHEN BOUGHT |
April 2010 |
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WHY AN MG? |
Ruth always wanted an MG and I thought it may be good fun to own one. |
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WHERE FIRST SEEN (ADVERT/WORD OF MOUTH ETC) |
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Advertisement on Ebay |
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ORIGINAL CONDITION – INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
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Generally the car was in fairly good condition, but on closer inspection required some body repairs. I think the interior is original, apart from the carpets which I have replaced. |
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RESTORATION WORK BY SELF OR OTHERS |
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The car has had quite a bit of restoration work done by the previous owner, running gear, i.e. Polly bushes all round, new brake cylinders, discs etc, ball joints, track rod ends, an alternator and distributor, full stainless steel exhaust, tyres, engine parts, h4 light conversion .There were numerous receipts adding up to over £1900. I have also done quite a lot of work myself, it has had full inner and outer sills, castle rails, rear quarter panel repairs, I made the bottom sections of the wings (the fence post makes a brilliant jig). I did a few bits of welding, i.e. behind rear windows and the usual B places, there were various repairs using lead loading and filler, to get the panel fit correct and straight, finally giving it a full 2 pack respray and polish. I have also refurbished the wheels. |
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MODIFICATIONS |
None |
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MODIFICATIONS PLANNED / WISH LIST |
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We would like to replace / re-chrome bumpers and other bright work |
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INTERESTING JOURNEYS, EVENTS OR USE |
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We haven’t been on many runs in the short time the car has been finished but enjoyed the run to the Toddington Railway and Bourton on the Water with the club on ‘Drive It Day’ and hope to do many more. |
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TIPS - TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE |
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If you can’t locate wheel bearings Mk 1 Ford Escort will fit in an emergency, ha ha (which is what I found out on Saturday night before the ‘Drive It Day’ run to Toddington) |
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Chris Hasluck
OWNER |
MAKE |
MODEL |
YEAR |
COLOUR |
Chris Hasluck |
MG |
Midget MkIII |
Manufactured in 1970 (First registered in 1972) |
Teal Blue |
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HISTORY |
Had 10 owners since registration in 1972. Sold as scrap for parts in 1900 but restored between 1990-1999. |
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WHEN BOUGHT |
2000 |
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WHY AN MG? |
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I had an MG in my teens and always regretted selling it. When driving this car I’m reliving my youth. |
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WHERE FIRST SEEN (ADVERT/WORD OF MOUTH ETC) |
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Auto Trader magazine |
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ORIGINAL CONDITION – INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
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This car was scrap in 1990 but later restored over a 10 year period. When I bought the car, the bodywork was excellent but all the mechanicals needed restoration as well as many other components. |
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RESTORATION WORK BY SELF OR OTHERS |
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British Motor Heritage bodyshell, rebuilt engine, gearbox, differential, new clutch hydraulics, leather seats and new interior trim/carpets |
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MODIFICATIONS |
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1330cc rally spec engine, 7.5 inch rally clutch, MG Metro cylinder head, single HIF44 carburettor, long centre branch (LCB) exhaust manifold, electric cooling fan, Spax rear telescopic shock absorbers, Green Stuff brake pads, laminated windscreen, padded roll bar, period Compomotive 5.5J alloy wheels (on 165/70/13 tyres). |
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MODIFICATIONS PLANNED / WISH LIST |
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Perhaps electronic ignition and/or Frontline tube shock front conversion. |
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INTERESTING JOURNEYS, EVENTS OR USE |
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Spridget 50, May 2008; Midget 50 in June 2011. |
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TIPS - TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE |
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Fit a single SU carb – it makes life so much easier and greatly improves fuel economy as well as performance! |
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Nigel Evans
OWNER |
MAKE |
MODEL |
YEAR |
COLOUR |
Nigel Evans |
MGB |
GT |
1967 |
Old English White |
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HISTORY |
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WHEN BOUGHT |
2000 |
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WHY AN MG? |
Couldn`t afford a DB5 |
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WHERE FIRST SEEN (ADVERT/WORD OF MOUTH ETC) |
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ORIGINAL CONDITION – INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
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Rotten as a pear |
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RESTORATION WORK BY SELF OR OTHERS |
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Both, last few years by Peakrevs Autos |
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MODIFICATIONS |
Stage 2 cam, upgraded brakes and suspension, straight through stainless exhaust etc, etc, etc |
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MODIFICATIONS PLANNED / WISH LIST |
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INTERESTING JOURNEYS, EVENTS OR USE |
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TIPS - TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE |
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Lie to Martin about your engine size!!!! |
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Rod Downs
OWNER |
MAKE |
MODEL |
YEAR |
COLOUR |
Rod Downs |
MG |
B GT |
1972 |
Glacier White |
WHEN BOUGHT |
HISTORY |
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August 2006 |
Car is named Jonny Morris – read on. |
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WHY AN MG? |
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Having built a Quantum kit car I wanted another car project. I’ve never owned an MG BGT but always liked them, they are instantly recognisable, easy to acquire, basic to repair/maintain with spares readily available. My wife and I have two dogs that go most places with us so the added bonus of luggage/dog space in the back is very convenient. The car also enjoys tax exemption which is another added bonus. |
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WHERE FIRST SEEN (ADVERT/WORD OF MOUTH ETC) |
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My two brothers are car enthusiasts; one living in Suffolk is a Triumph enthusiast (a spot of family rivalry…). He heard of an MGB GT restorable car for sale via his local connections so on a visit to him we met Joy, Jonny’s owner. Jonny was originally owned by Joy’s son who used it until it failed the MOT. It was then passed on to his father John who intended to restore Jonny as a retirement project. Unfortunately John died suddenly before work began so Jonny sat in a garage for five years untouched until Joy was ready to move him on. On meeting Joy and the family it was obvious that the car still meant much to her, so the car carries John’s name and the logical choice of the surname was Morris (MG Garages) hence Jonny Morris as he is now known. Joy became a family friend and was kept updated with the restoration. |
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ORIGINAL CONDITION – INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
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Although garaged Jonny was in a sad and sorry state when first seen, it was obviously going to be a total restoration project. The interior trim wasn’t too bad but the exterior was in poor condition. |
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RESTORATION WORK BY SELF OR OTHERS |
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All work welding, engine/differential rebuild, lead loading, re-spraying was done by myself. Everything was removed down to bare metal. New floor panels, castle rails, spring hangers, sills, wings, doors, total engine rebuild (gearbox and overdrive reconditioned by specialists) all then soaked in Waxoyl. Anything original and restorable was re-used otherwise replacements found. Except for a minor area of mouse damage the interior just needed a clean and tidy, the seats being refurbished. |
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MODIFICATIONS |
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Electronic ignition added, unleaded cylinder head, silencer removed from middle of exhaust to improve umff. Stainless steel rear exhaust box fitted. De-seamed the rear wings to reduce rust and rot. |
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MODIFICATIONS PLANNED / WISH LIST |
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Have tried to retain originality but will change the castor angle for lighter steering and improved handling. Have kept period radio/cassette now need upgraded speakers as over 50 mph you can’t hear much other than the car itself. |
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INTERESTING JOURNEYS, EVENTS OR USE |
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After about 2 years work Jonny Morris was fit & up & running again. His first real outing was to see his original owners in Felixstowe and take part in the Ipswich-Felixstowe Classic Car Run, Joy enjoying the ride as passenger. 2010 Events include two adults and two dogs going to Northern Holland via France & Belgium and a weekend camping at the Le Mans Classic 24 Hour event. |
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TIPS - TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE |
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Remove lead from right foot to aid fuel and finance |
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Gordon
YOUR CAR
OWNER |
MAKE |
MODEL |
YEAR |
COLOUR |
Gordon |
MG |
BGT |
1971 |
Mid Night Blue |
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HISTORY |
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WHEN BOUGHT |
1991 |
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WHY AN MG? |
From a small boy I always liked the ahape of the MGB GT (and my initials are G.T. |
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WHERE FIRST SEEN (ADVERT/WORD OF MOUTH ETC) |
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An advertisement in a newspaper
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ORIGINAL CONDITION – INTERIOR/EXTERIOR |
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A complete rust bucket but everything was there so I could strip, record and restore as a hobby. I paid £800. |
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RESTORATION WORK BY SELF OR OTHERS |
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A complete nut and bolt restoration. The body was rebuilt using Heritage panels, all part of the hobby. The only thing I didn’t do was the respray, so whilst the body was away all the mechanical parts were completely restored
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MODIFICATIONS |
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As original (concours)
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MODIFICATIONS PLANNED / WISH LIST |
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none
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INTERESTING JOURNEYS, EVENTS OR USE |
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Used on club runs and shows
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TIPS - TECHNICAL OR OTHERWISE |
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