Club Newsletter

For members of MG Northumbria

May 2016

The cover of this months newsletter depicts the TF Midget. Many thanks to
Russell Redwood of rustygallery.co.uk for allowing us to use his drawings, visit his
site for more. Launched 15 October 1953, it was a facelifted TD, fitted with the
TD Mark II engine, headlights faired into the fenders, a sloping radiator grille
concealing a separate radiator and a new pressurized cooling system along with a
simulated external radiator cap. The engine's compression ratio had been
increased to 8.1:1 and extra-large valves with stronger valve springs and larger
carburettors increased output to 57.5 bhp at 5,500 rpm.
In mid-1954 the engine capacity was increased by 17 per cent to 1466 cc and
designated XPEG. The car was now designated TF1500 and externally
distinguished by a cream background enamel nameplate on both sides of the
bonnet, placed just to the rear of the forward bonnet-release buttons.
Production ended at chassis number TF10100 on 4 April 1955 after 9,602 TFs
had been manufactured, including two prototypes and 3,400 TF1500s. The TF
was superseded by the MGA but the TF name was reinstated in 2002 on the midengined MG TF sports car.
I am not aware of any TF Midget owners in the club but you never know, one
day

MG Northumbria club meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month.
Most months we have a presentation, often car related but not always. In the past
for example we have had talks and demonstrations covering such varied topics
as:

Car tyre advice

Leather seat maintenance and renovation
Northumbrian area history
Toys & model cars

This month on 4th May we have feely bags organised by George Dalgarno.
Curious? Come along and you can find out what they are. More about
upcoming events is on our events web page.
Why not come along, meet other like-minded members and have a chat and/or a
drink, ask others about problems you may be experiencing with your car, find out
about club runs, shows or other events etc.
If youve not been before, give it a try. (NB If you want to attend regularly you
would need to become a social member of the club but it only costs 10 for a
whole year).

Hello again,
May (sorry Ive been waiting for 12 months to do that) I begin by
congratulating Peter on his first newsletter, thanks and well done.
Last month I mentioned the state of the flooded container at Corbridge. Well
on 9th April seven of us, armed with pressure washer, brushes, wellies and
waterproofs, went and sorted it.
Everything came out and was sorted
into washable or rubbish piles.
The container was hosed out and then
the tables and other equipment hosed
and washed. After 5 hours we had

finished and retired to The

Wheatsheaf for something to eat and
drink. Well done to everyone and in
particular Phil Kirkland for bringing his
trailer and taking some bigger items
away for cleaning.
The rest of the month saw some members, including me, going to Durham
MGOC's Bobby Shafto Run and others going to the Bellingham Heritage
Centre open day. On 24th despite forecasts of wintery weather it was a cold
but bright day for the annual Drive It Day outing with NECPWA. There was a
very good turnout, great route and meal at the end. Thanks George & Eileen.
The CiC organisers met and mainly discussed traffic issues, including
signage, the use of a traffic management company and what to do with the
bridge lights. Discussions are ongoing but we are hopeful the offsite issues
will be better for us and the residents of Corbidge.
Posters for the show will be available at club night and you should receive a
version attached with your newsletter for you to circulate, print, add to your
social media etc.

John Mitchell contacted me about an incentive scheme being run at MGCC to

get more members on runs and asked us to discuss it at Committee. We
discussed two main areas: 1: do we need to increase attendance on runs with an incentive scheme?
2: what incentives might work?
To give a very brief summary we felt that there was no need to offer any
incentives and considered the increased variety we now offer, partly as a
result of the recent member survey, offers the best package and we cannot
make people take part who dont want to. We also discussed incentives from
the awards schemes we have had, to a points scheme eg for attending club
nights, runs, shows etc, as well as giving free entry to the Heritage Run for
attending a certain number of runs, but felt that this wouldnt make any
difference and in the latter option would reduce income and affect the net nil
cost target of the Run.
We have listened to members and will continue to do so. If you have any
comments to add to the above debate please get in touch. If you come
across something at another club, show event that you think we could
consider, let us know.
What do you think of the whole Heritage Run package? Drinks & food at the
start?, route?, information book?, cost?, - let me know your thoughts.
After all that, I'm looking forward to our trip to Northern Ireland. Its been a
challenge to organise but the group of 24 will have a good time. We also
have the first social night, which is a new feature so hope to see you there.
Tombola Items If you can donate any new gift items or bottles for a tombola
stall at Classics in Corbridge please can you arrange to get them to Eileen
Dalgarno or Sandra Wood either at a clubnight or on a run.
Volunteers In previous years we have asked for volunteers much nearer the
show but one of the requirements of the event planning process is that we
need to plan and record many areas in more detail. Last year we had a plan
and rota which didnt work for a number of reasons and we will be addressing
these but for now please can you let me know if you, your partner, any family
& friends will be available to help on the show day 3/7/16. We hope no one
will need to do more than 2 x 1hour tasks during the day. If you have any
special requests eg no standing, no cash handling, do or dont want to be
paired with your other half also let me know.
Happy motoring
Tim Cook

Durham MGOC Car Show

This years show is on 15/5/16 at Riverside Park, Chester le Street as the
usual Houghall College site is unavailable this year. Closing date for entries
is 6/5/16 and an entry form is available on the website.
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The (mid week) run on 5th May is from the Robin Hood at Wallhouses to
Simonburn tearooms 1pm for 1 30pm start, approximately 35 miles.
Jim and Shirley's run on 22nd May is from Heighly Gate garden centre,
Morpeth, 11am for 11 30am. Approximately 50 mile to the Fontburn reservoir.

David Hall
I recently joined MG Northumbria and my car is an E Type Jaguar 1969
Saloon 2+2 Registration UFS 149H.
The car was exported to California, USA by Jaguar as a left-hand drive and
registered there in 1970, where it was used as a sports car for many years.
Gerald Wendell Green of Pomona California
sold it on 27 March 2002 to John Robertson of
Livingston. On 21 June 2002 it was brought
back to this country by Mr Robertson, who
rebuilt and refurbished it. Having been in a
warm climate for most of its life, there was little
rust in the car. The rear axle and complete
suspension was rebuilt. Replacements included
new windscreen, fuel pump, fuel tank, brake
callipers, discs and pads with shock absorbers,
chrome spoke wheels and federal spinners.
The car was changed back to right-hand drive,
chrome was re-plated and the body re-painted.
The 6-cylilnder 4.2l engine was refurbished. Internally the uphostery was
refurbished, new carpets and interior linings were added and door/window
seals replaced. The car was then sold to George Sangster of Montrose, who
upgraded the engine to run on unleaded fuel. I purchased the car in 2009 and
brought it to the North East.
Because of USA emision control laws, the car had 2 Stromberg carburettors
with a distribution manifold trumpet. The trumpet had been damaged and
poorly repaired. When it started to let me down, I replaced the carbs and
manifold with 3 new SU carburettors and distribution manifold. This returned
the car closer to the original UK specification.
With the heavy engine and wider wheels, steering was difficult so I had
electric power assisted steering fitted, as well as a smaller steering wheel. I
then had the automatic gearbox refurbished, as it wasnt using second gear.
This involved removing and re-assembling the whole engine and gearbox.
Then came the brakes. The car had discs on the front and inboard discs on
the back, but none were vented to dissipate the heat generated. During a trial
run with the MG Club around the Yorkshire Dales, the brakes over-heated and
suffered brake fade. Luckily I was able to recover without incident but this
persuaded me to have vented discs and special brake pads fitted to the front.
I dont race the car but I try to exhibit it at as many classic car shows as I can.
I also take it on regular club runs. Im a member of the Jaguar Enthusiasts
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Club, Northern Jaguar Club, E-type Club, NECPWA and, of course, MG

Northumbria.
Dave Angles
Another new member, David came across an unbadged car at Minories
Benton Road in the early 1970s but was unable to find out anything about the
car. Several months later the Clan Crusader announced that it was going to
be made at Washington. The car used Hillman Imp running gear, but
Chrysler were on strike. When the factory closed with full order books, it was
announced in the local press that a Japanese car firm was showing interest in
manufacturing it at Washington. The rest as they say is history.
David says, I have owned my Irish Clan since the early 1990s, first used as
daily transport. Then I used it for clubman motor sport, along with several
specials both cars and bikes.
I would be interested in receiving in any information about the Clan production
and personnel for the Clan Club archives before it is lost

Thanks go to Dave Dodds for finding the cartoons, more next month

Spitfire Tank
Ever been put off trying something difficult for the first time? Heres an
inspiring tale from member Ian McGregor.
Well, it had to happen on a camping weekend - the fuel tank on my Spitfire
started to leak. I had sealed the tank a year earlier. So what to do?

Option 1. Fit a steel tank from another

model (would not look like a Spitfire)
Option 2. Buy an Indian tank (mixed
reports but a good option - 270 was
the best price I found but +Vat and
maybe import tax)
Option 3. Make my own (never
attempted anything like this before only car patching).
After I measured up for the steel it came in at less than 40, so for that sort of
money why not give Option 3 a go. (Never done it so don't know I can't!)
First this was going to need wheeling (English Wheel). I had planishing
hammers for working on bits of small metal but this was going to be bigger so
came up with a pillar block bearing a small cast iron wheel. Next, I needed
something to work to so made some patterns out of cereal boxes (ending up
with lots of bags of cereal in kitchen cupboard!) Out with the jigsaw to make
the buck/former.
I did make ribs to form the metal skin on to but in the end used the tank as
getting a true profile of the tank was difficult with the materials and knowledge
I have. I started the metal work with the bottom of the tank, so now I have the
buck.
I tried to make it in as few parts as
possible to save the possibilities of leaks.
Now the top of the tank is another thing, I
knew it wasnt going to be made in one
but could I make it in two pieces? The
simple answer was no! I tried but got into
all sorts of difficulties, but did learn a lot
about wheeling. The decision was three
sections - top and two sides, starting with
the centre section. Well I was made up
with the way this came out. When you have no idea what youre doing this
helps. I was on a roll (pun not intended!) To get to that stage another tool was
required called a tucking fork. Easy to make and what it does is form tucks in
the steel so you can knock them down and into themselves shrinking the steel
and then back onto the wheel to flatten.
So far so good. Three sections done and I had even knocked the cut out for
the knees. At this point I could have welded the sections together, but as I got
to this stage why not try for the star detail. So I made two formers, one for the
inside and the other out, lined up on the tank and under the wheel. Now we
can weld the tank up but this was quite a task as all the parts are over size
and need cutting, measured twice and cut once.

All tacked up at this stage so just a tweak

and to fully weld up. The next challenge
was the filler as the detail around the filler is
quite deep. I was still trying not to make too
many cuts so out with the hammers and
dollys to form the recess. I did cheat here
and bought a filler neck. I wish I had made
it myself, as the cap didnt quite fit. After a
few cuts it was welded up. You can see all
welded and welds dressed and also the
shrink marks. The bottom of the tank was going to be fun, as I had not given
much thought to how it would attach to the top. I just knew I wanted it to look
as much like the original fibreglass tank as possible. More paper templates
for the end closers. Not a straight line to be seen so lots of forming. With the
tank being so big, I used .9mm sheet steel. I decided to reinforce the tank to
stop the flexing that often happens with a saddle tank. Well the next
challenge was to offer the two sections up and weld it all together. Not an
easy task with the internal flange. The welding went well with only a small
amount of distortion at the rear of the tank - but not bad. I filled the tank with
water to test for leaks and I wish I could say none but 4 or 5 did show.
Pleased I then installed the stiffener, as this
tank is heavy when full. I used a tank sealer
just in case I missed any pinholes. Then I
got the tank filled and primed - very surprised
at how little filler I used.
With the tank finished it was then painted, a
slightly brighter red than original.
Thanks to Ian McGregor (Ian provided many more fascinating
photos sadly not room here but Im sure hes happy to share them with you if you ask).

MGBirthdays
Barry (Sideways) Siddery-Smith reaches 80.
Those of you who attended the MGOC anniversary at Swavesey might
remember Barry with his racing MGB. As I booked late I stayed in a different
Lodge, and Barry was in the next room. Barry has been racing for over 57
years. His birthday party earlier this year was a feast of 1950s motoring
memorabilia. His cake was decorated as the Dunlop Bridge with MGs racing
through it. Apparently Barry has no intention of retiring from racing for some
time yet.
(Spotted in Enjoying MG, March 2016 p17)
Don Hayter, 90 on 24th January.
Congratulations to Don "Mr MGB" Hayter. Don designed the B when this was
done on an eight-foot wide roll of paper. Don was employed by BMC on the
MG team in 1956 and was instrumental in ensuring that the B was well cooled
(wide grill) and strong enough as an open monocoque car. His comments on
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the MGB 50 video are well worth the price of the disc. Don currently drives an
MG3.
Thanks to Bob Heslop for both of these landmark birthdays.

MGN member Jim Clynes has a sizable number of small and large MG
spare parts for sale. You can contact Jim on 07875120244 & 01661
833072 or his e-mail address is jimclynes@talktalk.net.
Another member, Ken Robinson needs some help. Has anyone had any
experience of having a soft-top car hood repaired locally? Kens MGF
hood needs some work. Its the convertible SE roof with a heated screen
and the zip has gone. If you can help, please contact Ken on
kenrobinsonblyth@yahoo.co.uk.

Hey mate, a fly just landed on your car

Classic car owners make great cleaners but it is amazing how the thought of
picking up a vacuum cleaner or being asked to clean the house windows can
send shivers down the spine of any sensible and normally rational car
collector.
In my mind, there is very little transfer of knowledge or experience and it is
vitally important that we are not seen to be too good at any activity which
could eventually keep us out of the inner sanctum of the garage. Now I am no
male chauvinist, but the very words can you give me a couple of hours on
Saturday to tidy the attic can result in palpitations and severe sweating and
lead to a need to sit down in a darkened room for a few hours.
I run The Abingdon Collection in Omagh,
County Tyrone and anyone who has
visited us has always been reasonably
impressed with the quality of the cars and
motorcycles, and in particular the way the
vehicles are presented. I will spend hours
on a car just getting it ready for the next
group of visitors to enjoy and then see
hand marks all over it when they leave
and the cycle starts again this is par for
the course and is not a problem.
Visitors want to be up close and personal to a vehicle, which very often sparks
pleasant memories from their youth or can generate a conversation that can
take both them and myself on a road we never started out on. Keeping
classic cars clean has always been something I think I can do quite well. I am

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a terrible mechanic but there are times when, with a lot of elbow grease and
hard work, you can transfer the ordinary into the excellent.
I normally have about fourteen vehicles on display at any time with another
7,500 other small items on permanent display. If you let the collection catch
up with you then it will bite you and the visitor experience will be dented. I try
to keep the collection in good condition with the help of my ever-sympathetic
wife, who is excellent at keeping the major circulation spaces and glass
cabinets clean and up to standard. I also have two students who help out
when large groups visit the collection.
When it comes to presentation the buck
stops with me and then the hard work starts.
While the winter period is a time for keeping
the areas ticking over, the spring, as with all
car enthusiasts, sees the vehicles move for
testing, cleaning servicing and repair. The
majority of the cars MOT in March ready for
the new season and it is then that a full
assessment is carried out on what needs
done for the year. Vehicles could quite
easily be SORNed in this collection, but all of them will be road ready in April
at the latest.
I do very few shows now as our busiest time is always the weekends with car
and motorcycle clubs dominating the visitor numbers and all monies raised
going to Cancer Research UK. As much as I would like to visit the classic car
rallies, I get as much satisfaction with some fantastic motors visiting us
throughout the year. Very often the car park is full of some of the best classic
cars in the country and this really adds to my own personal enjoyment of this
great hobby.
So if you and your car want a run out with a difference in 2016, just give me a
call on 028 8224 3373. Admission is free, with just a small contribution
accepted to Cancer Research UK.
You will meet Harley and Dusty, the canine security staff, and you might even
see an item you have never seen before.
Check out www.theabingdoncollection.com and The Abingdon Collection on
TripAdvisor.
I look forward to seeing you in 2016. Good collecting.
Philip Faithfull
Thanks to Club Works Article Exchange for this article. It was brought to our attention just in time for the
NI trip, well let you know how it went next month.

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All the answers this month are car engine parts. There are 20 to find, have a
go and let the editor know if you find them all. (Answers next month)

Thank you for all your positive comments regarding last months crossword
but apologies for the spelling error on quatro/Quattro (never trust auto
spellcheck!). The correct answers should have been:Across

Down

2. (Aston Martin) [VANQUISH]

4. (Audi) [QUATTRO]
7. (Citroen) [SAFARI]
9. (Ford) [FOCUS]
10. (Mitsubishi) [GALANT]

1.
3.
5.
6.
8.

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(Ford) [TAURUS]
(Bugatti) [GARROS]
(Triumph) [DOLOMITE]
(Ford) [FIESTA]
(Triumph) [ACCLAIM]

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