news update august 2016 (No5/16) At last the summer seems to be upon us. After a fairly miserable start to summer 2016, we have been able in the last few weeks to enjoy some good vintage motoring weather. The most recent event which brought many members together, was the annual VSCC Speed Hill Climb weekend at Prescott. This event has become the summer focal point for many EMGS members and apart from the fantastic display of vintage cars in The Orchard car park, the event is enhanced by Tony & Ros Hartnell s superb organisation of evening get-togethers, including supper for about 100 of us on Saturday evening, this year in Guiting Power village hall. Our usual Saturday Supper venue at Toddington village hall wasn t available this year because someone had the temerity to book our hall for their wedding reception! A Tigress on the hill but can you identify the driver? There were some fast climbs and some, not quite so fast!
Terry Marsh s Derby Bentley in The Orchard car park. Our EMGS group display of cars in The Orchard was down in numbers this year, but let s have a big effort to encourage members to join us next August. * * * E.M.G.S. Brittany & Normandy Tour At the very last moment before departure on the trip to France, Janice & I had to abandon going, so I asked several entrants to take as many photos of the event as possible, for use in our magazine report. I subsequently received about 2000 pictures to choose from! Here is a small selection of them. A full report on the event will be published in the Christmas edition of the magazine.
Our venue hotel on the southern Brittany coast near Vannes A welcome notice from hotel management. The Tigress goes quite well on diesel, we hear. In Chateaubriant.
Go for it! (Remember they re driving on the RIGHT.) Mike Heins & Frank Bond discuss the finer attributes of an M.G. 14/40.
At one of our hotels, they even supplied these corks in case anyone wanted to reline a clutch. * * * new members We are very pleased to extend a warm welcome to Barry and Nicky Faiers, who live in Chelmsford, as members of the Society. They are the proud new owners of Michael Applebee s 1926 2-seater M.G. Super Sports. We look forward to meeting them on future EMGS events.
September 3 rd & 4 th Beaulieu International Autojumble Bargains, tea and sympathy usually available from Bod & Grudge s stall in Red Field, and next door at the Herkes stall. September 12 th to 15 th E.M.G.S. Autumn Rally The Hampshire House Party based at Audley s Wood Hotel, Cliddesden, near Basingstoke. Information for this event has already been sent out and so far 15 double rooms have been reserved. The programme will include a visit to Whitchurch Victorian Silk Mill on the River Test, a trip on The Watercress Line historic railway and a visit to Hinton Ampner N.T. Anyone wishing to join the event or requiring details, please e-mail earlymgsociety@btinternet.com
2017 Events Preliminary information Will be held at the usual venue, The Lambert Arms hotel near Watlington, Oxon. Full details and meal reservation forms will be included in the Christmas edition of the magazine, together with overnight reservation special deals. We are pleased to announce that as our after-dinner speaker, we have engaged the services of Robin Batchelor a Vintagent of some repute and truly a Balloonist Extraordinaire. Robin has starred in several T.V. series about hot air ballooning, and performed the task of teaching Richard Branson how to fly balloons. You will find his tales about his ballooning adventures world-wide most entertaining. Will be held in the beautiful county of Dorset, based either in Blandford Forum or near Sherbourne the actual venue currently being decided. A week-day event, the anticipated dates will be 3 days during the sequence June 19 th, 20 th, 21 st, 22 nd & 23 rd 2017. A full programme of outings to local attractions will be included. Will be held in the Brecon Beacons/Black Mountains region of Wales. Much planning work has been done as regards routes and local attractions, but the final choice for our hotel base is yet to be decided. Again, it will be a week-day event, the anticipated dates being 3 days during the sequence September 11 th, 12 th, 13 th 14 th & 15 th 2017. wanted Paul Cooper seeks a good original cycle-wing M.G. J2. He doesn t want to undertake a full rebuild, but some re-commissioning work would be acceptable. If you know of one, please let him know by phone on 01789 750667 or email chrissiecoops@yahoo.co.uk
available This 1929 M.G. 18/80 Mk I Saloon, with metal-clad Carbodies body is available from Chris Cooke. The car was restored, re-painted and trimmed only a few years and remains in good condition. Contact Chris Cooke on 01938 590272 or by e-mail kippycooke@yahoo.co.uk * * * for sale M.G. 18/80 Mk I 4-seater tourer, 1929. In good condition and re-painted only a few years ago. For further details please contact John Cooper on 01276 501101 or by e-mail j-jcooper@ntlworld.com
spare parts A new batch of cylinder-head gaskets for 18/80s has been made. These feature improvements over the previous gaskets. For details please contact Bill Grudgings on 01303 274508. A Smith mechanical windscreen wiper is available from Frank Bond. This wiper is driven by a cable from either the speedo drive, or from a fan-belt pulley and is the type fitted to M.G. 14/40 models. Frank has given it to me, to take to Beaulieu in September to sell for him. If any member wants it, please contact me on 01189 761672 or by e-mail on c.keevill@btinternet.com. We reckon these wipers usually sell for about 250 if you can find one!! Drive safely, Chris Keevill.