Est APRIL The Schofield V8 and RAF Jaguar

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Harold Phelps
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1 Est NEWSLETTER APRIL 2008 The Schofield V8 and RAF Jaguar

2 Editorial Angie Summerfield On Friday the 28 March 2008 Angie passed away peacefully at St. Catherine's Hospice. Some years ago Angie developed breast cancer and 3 years ago was diagnosed with a brain tumour which has now taken her life at 56. She was a Yorkshire lass who married our ex Chairman Steve and with Steve was very active in the club, and whilst he was chairman they owned a BGT. After that he restored a very nice BRG MGB Roadster in which they came on a few outings but as Angie's condition worsened, their involvement became less frequent. She will be sadly missed and our condolences go to Steve, Katie and Ben. Several members attended Angie's funeral service at St. Laurence's Church on 14th April among a huge congregation. It was a very moving occasion with a very evocative eulogy composed by her family, and contributions from Steve and others close to her. The music showed both sides of Angie's character - Eva Cassidy's sensitive 'Fields of Gold' and Norman Greenbaum's raunchy 'Spirit in the Sky', which gave us all a lift as the coffin and congregation left the church. At Roger Schofield's suggestion, we're using the front page photo as a tribute the RAF's 90th anniversary and the inextricable link that seems to exist between the RAF and MG's. Roger and Elizabeth's V8 roadster is shown with a Jaguar fighter at RAF Coltishall. Our MGA went through its MOT without problems and is on the road, though no tax disc yet as the V5 shows it in the Private/Light Goods category and not as a Historic Vehicle, and I've had to apply to the DVLA for a new one. Car for sale 1500 Midget 1976 very good condition. Chartreuse Yellow (looks like primrose), 1750ono (no, it's not my Buttercup!). Finally, a brain teaser - 3 men hiring a car paid 30, the receptionist said that model was 25 and gave the valet 5 to return to them. The valet thinks 5 would be too difficult for three to share so pocketed 2. Now each man paid 10 and got back 1 so each paid 9 totalling 27 the valet has 2 totalling 29. Where did the other 1 go? Bill B Andy s Technical Tip (especially for Godfrey) If you have just picked your MG up from it's yearly MOT, and you find that your indicators are not working then the thing to do is switch your hazard warning lamps on and off a few times. This will clean the contacts in the switch because when your hazard switch is in the off position your normal indicators are wired through it.

3 Chairman's Chat Karen and I were very sad to hear that Angie Summerfield had passed away. Please read the words of Andy and Bill within this Newsletter. On behalf of the Club and its members I send to Steve and his family our sincere condolences on their loss. The first meeting of the Annual Run committee for 2009 has met and work has started on organising the event. The date for the run is provisionally set at 14th September. The run committee consists of: Dave Blacklidge (Chair) Joy Hunter Tony Sharples Andy Schultz Roger Schofield Ian Thompson More details will follow in the next Newsletter. Now that Bill Ryding is back, we will start work on some of the routes for our weekend away at the Trout Hotel. We have 12 rooms booked. We will issue a plan of action for all those going on the weekend in May. The balance of the payment is due by the 30th April, this can be paid by cheques made payable to P&D MGEC. We will contact you direct about the balances. Thanks to Kevin and Rosie for the St George' Day run. Karen and I were unable to attend but Mike and Jo popped in on their way home for a cup of coffee and said it was a very good turnout and that they had enjoyed the run. Below is the start of our calendar. More detail will be added and published as soon as possible. Forthcoming events. Tue 29th Apr - Club The Welcome Tavern. Sun 11th May - Cholmondeley Castle Thur 15th May - Evening Run. Fri 23rd May - North Lakes weekend based in Cockermouth. Tue 25th May - The Welcome Tavern. Sun 8th Jun - Hellifield Run. Thur 12th Jun - Evening Run. Tue 24th Jun - Treasure The Welcome Tavern. Finally a few important notes and reminders. Although we have received some requests for club clothing, I need a few more orders to be able to get the best price. I am hoping to be able to place an order very soon, if you want anything please contact myself or a member of the committee. Tony

Secretary's Scribbles Rosie and I met up with Bob and Carol Moore on Sunday 13th April and together we took part in the Kimber Run, starting at Chatsworth House - Derbyshire.

4 Secretary's Scribbles Rosie and I met up with Bob and Carol Moore on Sunday 13th April and together we took part in the Kimber Run, starting at Chatsworth House - Derbyshire. It was our first run of the year, and if you get the opportunity to do it next year, I can thoroughly recommend it. Well over 100 cars involved, it meant an early start but we had a fabulous day. Photo shows our RV8 and Chatsworth House. It was washed before we set off honest! planning to attend. I have attached a tear off slip at the end of the newsletter so please return that with your 5.00 to any of the committee confirming attendance. Next, we have managed to obtain tickets for Cholmondely Classic Car Show - 11th May. This is an annual event that a lot of our members like to attend. We are meeting at Charnock Richard Services at 9:30 on Sunday 11th May. We will provide tickets on the morning of the event - through the club we've managed to get them for 2.50, (if you simply turn up at the show on the day they will charge you 7.50). And finally We are planning a Cheese and Wine evening on Friday 29 August. We have arranged for a wine importer to come and bring us a selection of fine wines and cheeses. I have been to one of this man's evenings before and believe me you will have a good time. The importer estimates that everyone is likely to drink in excess of a bottle of wine. Being a responsible car club, it is only right that I should point out that you will not be in any state to drive a car at the end of the evening (and don't expect to be fit to drive first thing the following morning either) hence we've arranged for this to take place on a Friday night. So taxis/lifts or walking is going to be the order of the day. It's going to take place at my house in Walton- Le-Dale (which might be a surprise to Rosie because I haven't mentioned it yet) about 1 mile from the Welcome Inn. The cost will be 5.00 per head, but for obvious reasons we are going to need confirmation of those Paddy's pregnant sister was in a terrible car accident and went into a deep coma. After being in the coma for nearly 6 months, she wakes up and sees that she's no longer pregnant, frantically she asks the doctor about her baby. The doctor replies Ma' am you had twins! A boy and a girl The babies are fine, however they were poorly at birth and had to be christened immediately - your brother came in and named them. The woman thinks to herself Oh suffering Jesus no, not me brother...he's a flamin' clueless eedyot!. Expecting the worst, she asks the doctor, Well, what's my daughter's name? Denise says the doctor The mother is somewhat relieved Wow, that's a beautiful name; I guess I was wrong about my brother... I like Denise. Then she asks what's the boy's name? Denephew. Kevin Cheese and Wine Evening Friday 29th August Please reserve me... places at this event. I enclose cheque for... Name(s)...

5 Rosie and Friends go to Kimber The alarm awoke us at 6.00am on an April Sunday to find the sun streaming through the blinds and the promise of a brilliant day's driving top down through the Derbyshire lanes on the Kimber run. After a quick coffee the picnic was packed, the top lowered on Rosie, Carol's MGF, and we set off in the bright sun for the MGOC's Kimber Run from Chatsworth. After 230 miles we had an early spring suntan. That was in 2007, this year was different. Car preparation day on the Saturday began with brushing the two-inch covering of snow off the car! After some debate we decided to leave the hard top in place, the first time we had done an official run with it the armour plating! Despite the forecast Rosie was washed, wheels treated to shine the alloys, pressures and fluids checked ready for the 230 miles that lay ahead on Sunday. This year's 6.00am Sunday alarm call heralded a very dull grey morning but at least it was dry. Carol decided a picnic was out of the question on such a cold grey day so with no food to prepare we were on our way by 7.00am. The dry weather lasted until Gisburn; just 6 miles from home and most of the remaining 79 miles to Chatsworth were covered in torrential rain, which only eased well into the Peak District. Two hours and one fuel stop later we arrived at Chatsworth and registered. Kevin and Rosie in their gleaming RV8 had decided to do the Kimber run with us having listened to our tale of the glorious 2007 run during one of the Tavern club nights. Kevin in his new role as club secretary felt he needed to set an example to mere members so he and Rosie had got up at 5.30am for the trip south! We met up near check in and headed for refreshments in the coach house before making our way to the start line. Over 160 cars were entered for the event ranging from a 1933 MG J2 to a 2006 MG TF. The event offers two routes. Both Preston Club entrants had opted for the Masson Mills route. Comfort break taken, we set off for the start in turn. It was 4 miles into the run before the first driver navigator interface failed and we missed the turn to Beeley Village. However, we were comforted to see M736 BMB coming towards us, Kevin and Rosie having clearly missed the same turn. We drove a few yards further on, ready to turn in a farm track gateway, only to be greeted by an irate farmer, who refused to let us and a couple of following cars turn. He was one stop short of a heart attack and after his tirade of fairly explicit words, stood guard to wait for others to challenge. He obviously realised how the Peak District economy relies on visitors! No further mishaps on the 26.9 miles to Masson Mills our mid run stop this year. The route was well planned and took us through some interesting if wet and muddy lanes. The stop point turned out to be Arkwright's early Mill, sadly now converted to a shopping outlet. A call to Rosie's mobile revealed she and Kevin were in the clothes section and we arranged to meet in the coffee shop. After some debate we agreed on a tour of the mill museum and some shopping but were soon ready to move on. Last year's run included Crich Tram Museum, a much better stop point. We left the mill and after re zeroing the trip set off on the 41.2 mile second leg of the route. This proved the more challenging section both in terms of navigation and driving as we ventured down many narrow lanes meeting junctions with no signposts and obscured markings. Another first for us was crossing a river through a ford, fortunately not too deep despite the recent heavy rains. It was just after the ford that we received our second warm welcome from the Derbyshire natives. A group of young lads had thoughtfully parked up their Mitsubishi Evo, lined up backs to the road and dropped their trousers to moon at the passing MGs. (A reference to old farts in MGs?) This proved a major distraction to the Sat Nav. in the passenger seat but we still managed to keep on track.

Rosie and Friends go to Kimber cont... Some time around the 33 mile mark we must have missed a turn and found ourselves at a junction which did not appear on the route book.

Kevin and Rosie had stopped for their picnic so were later back at Chatsworth. After a look round the cars and another refreshment break at the coach house it was time for the 85 mile trip home.

6 Rosie and Friends go to Kimber cont... Some time around the 33 mile mark we must have missed a turn and found ourselves at a junction which did not appear on the route book. We drove on to find a turning point but by now we were fairly close to Chatsworth and decided to make our own way to the check in. Kevin and Rosie had stopped for their picnic so were later back at Chatsworth. After a look round the cars and another refreshment break at the coach house it was time for the 85 mile trip home. Two hours later we climbed out of Rosie (car) tired but happy. She had done well over 230 miles but by now looked like Graham's Chelsea tractor after a day in Dalby Forest! A long day, but despite the poorer weather, a good start to the 2008 MG season. A later to Kevin revealed they too had a good day. Kimber run is certainly one we would recommend to other members. Well organised with interesting routes and an enjoyable run to and from Chatsworth. Bob & Carol Club Regalia If you are interested in any of the club clothing please fill in the attached form below (Please circle sizes required and enter quantity in the box to the right) and pass on to a member of the committee. A deposit will be required before orders are placed. Description Model No. X Small Small Medium Large X Large XX Large Price V Neck T Shirt SS72 Ladies 8 10/12 12/14 14/16 18 N/A Sleeveless T Shirt H704 Ladies N/A 7.25 T Shirt ZT180 All / / Polo Shirt 538 All / / Rugby Shirt FR1 All 36 38/ / Short Sleeved Oxford Shirt K109 Fleece 870M All Baseball Cap. Bottle Green with Tan Suede Peak 4200 All N/A Sized in shirt collar sized (14.5 to 20) Size rqd...quantity One size fits all Quantity All T shirts are white with green embroidered badge; all other garments are green with white embroidered badge. We have the following items in stock: - Polo 8.00, Large white 'T' 5.00 and Club 0.50

7 'Tin snips' - from Roger Schofield Motoring journalists - can you believe them? Giles Chapman, the former Classic & Sports Car editor has issued his latest book The worst cars ever sold (Sutton Publishing ISBN ). This book takes a look at the worst cars of the '70s and '80s. And alongside the Lancia Beta HPE, the Austin Allegro, the Hillman Imp and the Mitsubishi Gallant is none other than the Mk II MGB. Whilst the MGB might not be the best car ever made, it is certainly nothing like the worst. And a lot of people agree with me - including the current editorial team of Classic & Sports Car magazine who, in 2007, voted the MGB second only to a Porsche 911 in their list of the top 25 classic cars for under 25k. To achieve this accolade, the trusty 'B' beat the E-type (3rd place), the Caterham 7 (4th place) and the Mini Cooper S (5th place). In bestowing praise on the B, Classic & Sports Car magazine said the car is just so willing and friendly, so usable, so practical, reliable, and easy to maintain that it is not just the perfect first classic, but the ideal anytime classic. (It was the Porsche's extra power which allowed it to get the top spot.) So, keep your money in your pocket and avoid Giles Chapman's book. It is clearly not one for MG enthusiasts. Operation Tango a triumph! The odds of colliding with an uninsured driver on Merseyside have been slashed thanks to a two-year police campaign that has taken a staggering 20,000 vehicles off the road. Officers have been using Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to stop anyone driving without the correct licence or insurance & confiscating their vehicles - many of which are often dangerously unroadworthy. Confiscated cars are then displayed at prominent locations across the county to act as a warning that the Force is taking the issue seriously. Insp. Mike McFall said: Every member of the public is paying for drivers who are uninsured and unlicensed. We want to ensure there is nowhere to hide for those who flout the law. What's in a number? The number is sacred in the minds of V8 enthusiasts as the number of factory V8 BGTs built at Abingdon. However, the late Geoff Allen (ex-abingdon Rectifications Department, V8 archivist and historian) researched this 'mythical' figure a few years ago and found that 2600 (or even 2601) may have been built. The reason for this variety of numbers lies in the fact that 5 pre-production cars were built (which are generally not included in the 'official' production figures) and a further 4 were built in the Development Department (and again, are not included in the production figures). The final 'mystery' car which makes up the 2601 is known to the V8 Register, but, as its chassis number does not follow the usual numbering sequence, its provenance as a 'factory' car remains to be confirmed. If (in the future) it is proved to be a genuine factory car, the total production of MGBGTV8s built at Abingdon would number 2601; (or would that be 2592)? Burble, burble And still on the subject of V8s, with membership in the club looking healthy and growing all the time, V8 drivers (or, indeed, anyone else with Internet access - preferably Broadband) might like to have a look at a website I have just discovered - This American-based on-line magazine is now in its 16th year, but it is 'a cracker'! Take a look and judge for yourself. Spotted for sale At Oakfields ( MGTF 80th LE Anniversary - No 1 of the 1600 cars made. New & unregistered. 45 miles only. 29,950!!! MG SV & SVR - choice of new & unregistered cars in RHD or LHD. 46,950 (on the road). MG ZT V8 Endurance - Race car. New/unused. The last competition car built by MG Sports & Racing. 55,000 + VAT.

8 McFuel MacDonald's says it will run its 155-strong truck fleet on bio-diesel, giving a carbon saving 1675 tonnes. Who owns who? We all know that MG Rover is now owned by the recently merged NAC/SIAC conglomerate and 'Tin Snips' recently reported that Ford was in the throws of trying to dispose of Jaguar and Volvo. But whose name is behind some of the other cars we see on a daily basis. Some are better known than others (and, of course, this might have all changed by the time we appear in print). Aston Martin is owned by a consortium led by Dave Richards of PRODRIVE BMW owns - Mini & Rolls Royce Chrysler owns - Dodge & Jeep Daihatsu owns - Perodua Daimler owns - Maybach, Mercedes Benz & Smart FIAT owns - Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia and Maserati Ford owns - Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda & Volvo GM owns - Cadillac, Chevrolet, Hummer, Opel, SAAB & Vauxhall Hyundai owns - KIA Proton owns - Lotus Peugeot-Citroen owns Citroen & Peugeot Toyota owns - Daihatsu & Lexus VW owns - AUDI, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Seat & Skoda Subaru is owned by Fuji Heavy Industries; and Ssangyong is owned by...siac (now NAC/SIAC) (So, if Porsche can have the Cayenne, we might yet see the MG badge on a 4x4!) Not strictly Tin Snips, but worth reporting A schoolboy 'electronics genius' from Poland built himself a TV-type remote device that could control the city's train system. The 14 yr old was able to use the device to switch points at junctions, putting trams onto different lines. The result was four derailments, several emergency stops and a number of people being injured. A spokesman in Lodz, Poland said: He treated it like any other schoolboy might treat a giant train set. Car park prangs cost a packet Some 66,000 drivers will collide with another vehicle this year whilst trying to park their car - and they'll incur an average repair bill of 1350 as a result! According to Accident Exchange, the growing number of parking scrapes is caused by the larger size of today's cars which makes them more difficult to manoeuvre in car parks originally designed for smaller models. This is compounded by poorer visibility caused by the thicker windscreen pillars on modern cars and front ends which are 'rounded' for pedestrian protection but which make it harder for drivers to judge where their car ends. In closing Plagiarising Roche Bentley's 'trademark' closure, I spotted this joke and thought it worth including. (Female members stop reading now ) A senior citizen was driving along the motorway in his MG ZT. He eased the car up to 90 mph, enjoying the thrill of his stunning machine. 'Amazing!' he thought as he flew along the third lane, pushing the pedal further to the metal. Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw a police car behind him, blue light flashing and siren blaring. 'I can get away from him - no problem!' thought the elderly gent as he accelerated up to 110mph, then 120mph and finally 130mph! Suddenly he thought: 'What on earth am I doing? I'm too old for this nonsense!' and he pulled over onto the hard shoulder to wait for the police car to catch up with him. Stopping behind him, the police officer walked up to the driver's window of the MG, looked at his watch and said, 'Sir, my shift ends in 10 minutes; today is Friday and I'm off for the weekend. If you can give me a reason why you were speeding that I've never heard before, I'll let you go'. The old man looked seriously at the policeman and said: 'Years ago, my wife ran off with a policeman; I thought you were bringing her back!' 'Have a good day, Sir', said the policeman.

9 Calendar of Events for 2008 Date Club Event At Time Meet Tue 29 Apr Natter and Noggin Preston Welcome Tavern Sun 11 May Classic Car Show Cholmondeley Castle Charnock Richard services Thu 15 May Evening Run Preston Welcome Tavern Sun 18 May Leyland Motor Museum Leyland tba 25th anniversary Fri-Mon 23 May North Lakes Weekend Cockermouth tba participants advised individually Tue 27 May Show Your Car Off Preston Welcome Tavern Sun 8 Jun Hellifield Run Hellifield, Yorkshire tba tba Thu 12 Jun Roger s Run & Supper finish Southport La Mancha Ristorante A59 Much Hoole Sat 21 Jun North West Motor Show Southport Indian Restaurant Victoria Park Tarleton Tue 24 Jun Treasure Hunt Preston Welcome Tavern Sat 5 Jul Lostock Hall Carnival Lostock Hall open cars required Sun 6 Jul Classic Car Show Garstang Burlington s, Broughton Sun 13 Jul Classic Car Show Leighton Hall Burlington s, Broughton Sun 20 Jul 21st Lancs Classic Car Show Hoghton Tower tba Hoghton Tower Sun 27 Jul NW MG & Triumph Day Capesthorne Hall tba tba Tue 29 Jul Auto Test Schultz Estate Stoney Lane Sun 3 Aug Northern National Pateley Bridge tba tba Sun 14 Sep Lancashire Lanes Run tba tba Outside Events Sun 18 May Leyland Motor Museum Leyland (25th Anniversary) Sun 1 June Classic Car Show Tatton Park

Committee, Contacts & Useful Information Committee Chairman Tony Sharples Leyland (01772) 495417 Mobile 07950 659470 tony.sharples@blueyonder.co.uk Secretary Kevin Doran Preston (01772) 877285 kevin.

10 Committee, Contacts & Useful Information Committee Chairman Tony Sharples Leyland (01772) Mobile Secretary Kevin Doran Preston (01772) Treasurer Mike Newton Liverpool (0151) Membership Gordon Mallett Burnley (01282) Mobile Technical Andy Schultz Preston (01772) Mobile Events Bill Ryding Preston (01772) Newsletter Editor Bill Bradshaw Chorley (01257) Dale View, Chorley PR7 3QJ All articles are to be sent to the editor by the 15th of the month. The Newsletter will be published and posted at the end of each month in time for club night. Trading Members Andy Schultz Cuerden Classics Preston (01772) Mobile John Ashworth Accident Repairs etc Croston (01772)

Est MARCH Bill Ryding showing the pulling power of his TA.

Est MARCH Bill Ryding showing the pulling power of his TA. Est. 1980 NEWSLETTER MARCH 2007 Bill Ryding showing the pulling power of his TA. Chairman's Chat Well that s it for another year, the skiing holiday is over and it s back to work. Although the effects