February 2013

Dont worry, Summer isnt as far away as you think!

www.mgnorthumbria.org

Chairmans Chat Hello again. Well winter has well and truly arrived causing problems for many. Despite this I have seen a few cars out and about including the first member's car on New Years Day. I have been out a few times including committee night when my two son's cars were both so iced up I got the MG out of the garage and made my way slowly to Backworth. The events programme is almost complete and is available in draft online, which also includes. We always wait until Morgans Diary is published, Feb/Mar, to check for any conflicts before going to print. I am pleased to see four new route planners have volunteered this year which is good for the future. Thank you Mike. While on the subject of volunteers if you are able to give a talk, organise a quiz or something else
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for a club night please get in touch. It doesnt need to take up the whole night as we still like to have time for a natter. After the AGM, the committee agreed to set up a sub committee to manage Julys Corbridge Car Show. This consists of George & Lorraine Hunter, George Dalgarno, Dave Ellison & myself. Depending on when you get this we meet/met for the first time on 30th Jan. Fact or Fiction The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers. See you next month.

Tim Cook
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How to awaken a sleeping MG

Its the time of year to think about getting the MG out of storage. One of the first jobs to do is make sure the battery is fully charged. Start from the ground up and check for fluid leaks on the floor, check the tyres for wear and damage, Bounce and test the suspension. Under the bonnet check the oil water and brake / clutch fluid levels and fanbelts. Inspect rubber hoses and electrical wiring and fuel lines. Start Up Turn ignition on allow fuel to fill carburettors, Inspect under the bonnet for fuel leaks. Choke fully out turn starter motor for 8-10 seconds (no accelerator pedal). Upon starting [you wish! Ed.] adjust the choke and accelerator to warm up engine.

If after a few attempts the engine does not start check the points gap, ignition timing and fuel filter for blockage. Pre road test check Test all lights, Headlights Indicators Hazard lights. Turn steering wheel lock to lock, engage clutch and check gears. Test footbrake and handbrake. Road test Choose a short circular route listening for clues of anything unusual. Test for engine brakes and steering for smoother operation. On returning home inspect car underneath and under bonnet. It is recommended to top up with fresh fuel if the vehicle has not been used for a while. Happy MGing and hope to see you all on the road soon

David Dodds

Clubnight, Backworth 8.00 pm. Our old friends at Emblematic will be there so you can have a good old rummage for a new fleece, top etc. Dont forget, Emblematic will also add a logo to whatever you buy.

The cost of being a member of MGN is being held at last years price i.e. 8 plus 5 Backworh fee. George is waiting to take your renewal now so dont forget to cross his palm with folding stuff at clubnight. Alternatively you can send a cheque, payable to MG Northumbria to: George Dalgarno
Denecroft, Wallridge Drive Holywell, Seaton Delaval NE25 0NN

Please enclose SAE with your cheque.

I have come across a pair of (well) used kingpins for MGB. There are only fit for rebuild so maybe of more interest to our advertisers but are free for collection. Paul Humphries

For sale
1964 MG Midget Fully restored by Classic Coachcraft in Newcastle Originally intended to be a gift for daughter (was her Grandfathers car) however she needs the money for Uni Has lots of photos Looking for about 10,000 Contact Ed Rogers on 07870237791
er@lifeplanfm.co.uk

This months competitionwhat is that funny yellow thing on the left? You didnt know? Well its the sun and this is a reminder that Spring will (eventually) arrive. With this in mind you might be interested in one of the following Spring breaks.

MG North of England Weekend

After the success of last years Fountains Abbey Run for MGB50, Derek Burnell is organising a weekend break in the Lake District. This will take place on 13th - 15th April 2013 based at the Patterdale Hotel. A special rate for 2nights, Friday & Saturday, DB&B has been arranged for 111 per person. Options for 1 or 3 nights, or Sat & Sun will be available. There will be a run around the Lakes on the Saturday and a short run on Sunday morning. Full details will be available on http://www.mg-northof-england.co.uk/ soon.

The N.E. Daimler and Lanchester Club are organising a the following weekend in April.
Saturday 13th April.. Travel to Keighley near Leeds to the Keighey and Worth Valley Railway. Pick up points possibly Newcastle Central, Gateshead Metro, Washington Services, Durham Services and Scotch Corner Sevices. Times to be advised. Rover Ticket for Railway which covers all the exhibits plus unlimited travel for that day on the Trains most of which are steam hauled. Leave Keighley for Double Trees Hilton in Leeds for overnight stay. Possible Block Evening Meal (cost not included in hotel price shown below). Spare time in evening. Sunday 14th April..Double Trees Buffet Breakfast. Check out and put luggage on Coach. Free time in morning. Canal Cruise Base is just across the Canal from the Hotel. Need to be there for 1-00pm. 3 Hour Cruise including Basket Meal (Chicken, Sausages or Quiche). On leaving the cruise travel back to Newcastle. Costs Coach 20-00

Rail Ticket 15-00 (Rover) Hotel Cruise Total 54-50 per person 15-00 including Meal 104-00

If you are interested in going on this trip (please note that the cruise is limited to 40 people) please contact George Dalgarno or see him at club night.

You never

forget you first love

Recently when talking to two very good friends of mine about cars (as girls do) we starting sharing experiences of our first cars. I thought you may be interested in what they had to say.
Barbara: My First Car was a dark blue Austin 1100, registration EOF 772L. I paid 200 for it in 1980. It was a rust bucket! I bought it from a guy in a nearby town. He'd advertised it in the local paper. A friend of my father's who was a garage mechanic looked at it for me but was obviously too polite to tell me I needed to pay a lot more for something decent. As soon as it was mine I proudly took my best and most longsuffering friend for a drive. We crawled round the town at a snail's pace. Back at home I needed to reverse park at the roadside, but I just couldn't get it into reverse gear! On my driving instructor's car you lifted the gear stick, but that didn't work. My friend said on her driving instructor's car you pushed the stick down, but that didn't work either. Just as we were wondering what to do next, one of the neighbours, lurching home from the pub, stopped to help. You had to whack the stick across, which he did before staggering off home. I was glad of his help, but even more grateful that there were no police around as I'm sure he would have failed a breathalyser test. I had the car for about eighteen months before I was advised not to throw good money after bad. I scrapped it and bought a Ford Escort. Debs: My first car was a mustard yellow 1974 Austin Allegro 1300DL. It was an M reg, 11 years old at the time, and cost the whole of my first pay packet (90). It was my pride and joy, and I lovingly installed a stereo radio cassette player (cutting edge at the time, I'll have you know) and a gold pinstripe down each side. It had a rather unfortunate tendency to burst its hoses, which meant that it would often boil up in 10

the summer, or freeze solid in the winter because the constant topping up meant that there was never enough antifreeze in it. However, it got me where I wanted to go, and I loved it. Until it got stolen that is, and even though the Police found it and I got it back (in right state I might add) I didn't feel the same about it anymore. All was not lost though - I sold it for 120, and bought a black P reg Mark 2 Escort 1.3L complete with body kit, rear window louvre and alloy wheels. All for this just 250, what could possibly go wrong?

Katrina Peddie

Cutting edge Austin Allegro.. The epitome of 1970s chic (or maybe not).

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Beer Can Chicken

Ever open to new ideas [i.e. I print whatever I get my hands on Ed.] the newsletter is proud to include what is probably one of the first recipes to be suggested by a member. This one has been sent in by Bob Heslop. You need; 1 can of beer (or other drink, ginger ale is good and a tin of baked beans works), 11/2 kg chicken, 2 tsp oil, barbeque rubs/glazes (optional). Instructions; open beer, drink half (half mind you). Clean the chicken inside and out, stand the can upright in the birds cavity so the chicken sits upright. Drizzle the oil on to the bird, adding barbeque rub or glaze to taste. Roast for around two hours in a cast iron pot or camp oven. The beer steams the chicken from the inside. Fantastic! Let me know how it goes. Bob

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Established 1983
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Scotlands largest stockists of new & used MG & other Classic Parts. MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award . Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken. Always breaking Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares. Fast & efficient Mail Order service -----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND E-mail :- sales@chicdoig.com Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

Classic Coachcraft. Classic vehicle specialists.

Dave Bush 16 Riverdale Court Newburn Haugh Ind Est Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 8SG Tel/Fax: 0191 264 8600 Mobile: 07940 919 670 classiccoachcraft@googlemail.com

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Macintyre's of Gosforth Classic Cars Unit 6 Strand Business Centre Locomotion Way Killingworth Tyne & Wear NE12 5US 0191 221 2889 0191 268 8100 07587 190 222 Restoration of Classic Cars Fabrication Engine Rebuilds Resprays Service Upholstery

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