FEBRUARY 2018 FEBRUARY 407 ISSUE
MASCOTTHE MAGAZINE OF THE MIDGET & SPRITE CLUB £3 Latest on the London Bridges Run
IS IT FATE? A RALLYING REUNION BATTERY CUT-OUTS – A WHY AND HOW BY DR JOHN
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH • ALPINE MIGLIA PART 2 • PULL A WISHBONE? Specialist vehicle insurance from people who share your passion.
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17812 06/17 MIDGET & SPRITE CLUB ISSUE 407 WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY EDITION OF MASCOT
NEIL THOMAS [email protected]
Thank you for the very nice messages you have sent sending me in larger resolution photos. This is me regarding the new MASCOT layout. I am pleased fantastic. With the new look mag I really need the and relieved that you like it. best quality pics you can supply me. The ‘Dear Mascot’ section this month contains Richard Wharmby is doing a great job with the letters regarding concerns over the theft of classic social media side of the club and we have a vehicles. This is a worrying matter for us all. This very active Facebook site. Take a look at it and will be followed up in a future issue. contribute. There are non MASC members on there In January I discovered that the owner of Dragonfly too so try and encourage these to join MASC. Quite cars, Mervyn Rees, had retired to Saundersfoot just a few have done so over recent months which three miles from my home. I contacted Mervyn, we is great for the club. Thanks to Richard, we now met and a feature on his involvement with the cars also have an Instagram site which is beginning to will appear in a forthcoming MASCOT. attract more and more followers. It’s a great way to promote the club to potential new members This last week also I had reason to speak to and to attract younger Spridget owners. Take a MASC member Andrew Webb from Somerset. look at it and watch it as it builds. Mike Bennett, Andrew’s son, Ben, has bought a 1961 Midget our webmaster, does a great job maintaining our which he is learning to work on and hopes to drive website. If I’m short of room to advertise an event, once he has passed his driving test (the photo then Mike will load the details up onto the website. shows Ben looking under the bonnet). I think it is For example, details of the forthcoming Treffen really important that we do everything we can to in Germany in May, which has a fast approaching encourage young members to get involved with the closing date. Check it out if you want to go. Also club. If any of our younger members want to contact details and discount codes for the Donington me, I would be more than happy to save a page for Historic Festival will be on the website, once the you each month to tell us what you have been up to organisers have supplied us with the information. with your cars. Now there’s an opportunity. Perhaps see some of you at Stoneleigh? If not, have I notice this month that members have been a great month. Neil
COVER IMAGE: The statements and opinions expressed in each THE DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES Photo of Swiss and every issue of Mascot are not necessarily the AND REPORTS TO BE member, Oliver considered views of the Midget and Sprite Club. INCLUDED IN MARCH’S Wilkinson’s lovely The views expressed by the editorial contributors, letter writers and advertisers are their own and do EDITION OF MASCOT IS... 1964 Midget Mk2 not necessarily reflect the view of the Club. The Midget and Sprite Club accepts no responsibility FRIDAY 10TH for the results of following contributor’s advice, nor does it necessarily endorse the services or OF FEBRUARY products offered by advertisers.
1 EVENTS CALENDAR 2018
11th Feb MG/Triumph Spares Day 23rd-25th March Practical Classics Show, NEC (see flyer) 22nd April Drive it Day to Bletchley Park (contact Richard Bowles at: [email protected] 4th-6th May Donington Historic Festival (see website for details) 20th May Dorset 60th Celebration 20th May (contact Ian Beaver at : [email protected]) 3rd June Autokarna, Wollaton Park, Nottinhgam (see flyer on page Page 23 of this issue) Be part of the 20th-22nd July Silverstone Classic world’s biggest classic motor racing festival 24-26th August Spridget 60th, Wroxall Abbey Hotel, Warwick All-inclusive tickets are fabulous value, providing: ■ A packed schedule of historic motor racing Send your events details to [email protected] on the famous GP circuit ■ Full access to the paddocks – get close to Area Reps, Please remember that you can now add your monthly events on the Club’s website. the cars and talk to the drivers ■ Great viewing from the grandstands and Please contact Mike [email protected] on the big screens ■ The chance to display your car with like- minded enthusiasts inside the event when buying a car club package. ■ Live music on Friday & Saturday evening ■ A vintage funfair & much more! ... all included in the ticket price!
Use our offi cial club booking code. The Super Early Bird price applies until 31 Dec “We just couldn’t believe the access. It changed it from being an event we went to watch to one we felt like we were part of” CLUB WEBSITE 2017 visitor WWW.MIDGETANDSPRITECLUB.CO.UK Members Only Pages: Go to the members area and select ‘website registration’ from the drop down menu. Follow the instructions on the screen.
Car club packages for 2018 are available at 2017 prices until 31 Dec /silverstoneclassic @silverclassic @silverstoneclassic /silverstoneclassictv Book today at: www.silverstoneclassic.com/clubs WHY NOT FOLLOW US ON WANTED Offi cial Partners Offi cial Charity
FACEBOOK & TWITTER SC18 Car Clubs A4 V1.indd 1 17/10/2017 11:47 MIDGET AND SPRITE CLUB TECHNICAL (MASC)@MASCUK ARTICLES AND ON INSTAGRAM MASC@MASCUK 1300 Facebook members as of 1st October
EVENTS DETAILS NEEDED FOR 2018 Area reps please make Neil Thomas aware of any events already in your diaries and any that are planned for 2018 so that they can be added to this section of the magazine and the website. For the magazine Neil can be contacted at [email protected] For the website Mike Bennett can be contacted at [email protected]
2
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394478_PCRS04_Ad_A5_Portrait_2018_V1.indd 1 29/11/2017 11:37 DECEMBER 2017 > JANUARY 2018 We extend a warm welcome to the NEW MEMBERS following new and rejoined members 5567 David Hunt Cheshire Midget Mk 3 5568 Paul Bottrill Shropshire none None 5569 Alan Lodge Nottinghamshire Sprite Mk 1 5570 Robert & Jennie Harrison Hertfordshire Sprite Mk 1 5571 Rob Mcgeown West Sussex Midget 1500 5572 Bryan Horrocks Devon Midget 1500 5573 Mike Brown Monmouthshire Sprite Mk 1 5574 David & Colin Curle South Lanarkshire Sprite Mk 1 5575 Keith Warboys & Mike Osborne Kent Sprite Mk 1 5576 Jason Dring-Morris Leicestershire Midget 1500 5577 Paul Beardmore Staffordshire Sprite Mk 4 5579 Sven Eckhardt Germany Sprite Mk 1 5580 Rick Wood Essex Midget 1500 5581 Antony & & Sam Feltham-White Herefordshire Midget Mk 2 5582 Emma Jacobs South Yorkshire Midget Mk 4 5583 David Bergg Kent Sprite Mk 3 5584 Johnathan Frame Cornwall Midget Mk 3 Rejoined member, Dennis Tower, about to start the New member Chris Roberts looking forward to restoration of his sleeping Frogeye tackling the restoration of his 1500 Midget, last driven in 2004. He’ll be looking for advice.
Rob & Linda Owen putting their Frogeye through its paces on a track in Wales. Emma Jacobs and her Mk4 Sprite
Keith Warboys with his Frogeye Rob McGeown on track with his K series Midget but now currently undergoing a Jag V6 transplant
5 SPRITES IN MASCOT BY TERRY HORLER
In the December edition (405) a winged Frogeye down a hill before the smell and smoke revealed the appears on page 29. Have I seen one before? Yes, problem. I pulled off the hubcaps, backed off the we had one on the club stand at Bristol Classic Car brake adjusters, drums all round, and completed Show back in the 1980s. That one had just about the journey on the handbrake and gears. Those every conceivable accessory and modification, were the days! Andy sold the Sprite to his friend, most of which, most owners would probably been Richard Heaton in Stogumber, Somerset. I think the quite happy not to have on their Frogeye thank you Sprite then suffered a heavy rear end shunt. I then very much! It was quite outrageous as I remember lost touch believing it may have been written off. and caused great interest. It was a real crowd Thankfully, not the case. puller at the show. No so good, nearly all of the Next to 948 SKP on the same page, James Bacchus accessories and modifications were simply carried is the proud owner of Frogeye 994 THT. The VIN out in the desire to make it different rather than any for this example being AN5 – 19970. My first better than the original. The rear wings and flared Frogeye was AN5 – 19969 and registered 982 FHT. wheel arches make me wonder if this is the same Consecutive by VIN but not VRM. I owned 982 FHT Frogeye. So far, I have not been able to confirm the in 1969/70 when it was just 10 years old and fairly registration number PFX 458. The 1980s winged rusty. As far as I am aware, my first Frogeye has Frogeye belonged to someone who lived near me in not survived. A friend’s father sold it for me from Yate. The car was then painted gold or beige I think. his garage after giving it a cosmetic respray. Not Also in the December edition, on page 17, I note long after the sale, I had a visit from the police. that Gilles Irwin now owns a white Sprite Mk11, 948 The officer asked me if I was the previous owner SKP. I first knew this car when it belonged to Adrian of 982 FHT and wanted to know all about it. Gulp! Kelly from Bath; again, this was in the 1980s. It transpired that he had bought it for his wife from Adrian sold the Sprite to my neighbour, Andy Hunt my friend’s father’s garage. I don’t know who would who became the Treasurer of the club for a while. I have been in the most trouble over that one if the did some work on this car and borrowed it to take awful truth was known about the Sprite’s true to the Tredegar House Show in south Wales when condition. Andy was on holiday. The brakes stuck on during Terry Horler (no known police record) the journey, I had to change into 3rd gear to get
6 PULL A WISHBONE: MAKE A WISH
while also requiring much more closely fitted parts than when soldering. The filler metal flows into the gap between close-fitting parts by capillary action. The filler metal is brought slightly above its melting (liquidus) temperature while protected by a suitable atmosphere, usually a flux. It then flows over the base metal (known as wetting) and is then cooled to join the work pieces together. A major advantage of brazing is the ability to join the same or different metals with considerable strength. It was then a matter of finding someone with the heating equipment to heat a suitable wishbone requiring reconditioning, having checked it for signs of cracking and rust damage, and to heat and remove the worn bushes replacing them with correctly spaced and aligned new bushes suitably brazed. I had no idea from where the kit was sourced as it was not boxed nor labelled. Next time that you pull a front suspension wishbone Was it something (A-pan) off a Sprite or Midget you will probably available in period be wishing for / hoping for a replacement that is but no longer? suitable for purpose. Subsequently I discovered that the Replacement is usually, but not always, due to A30 / A35 Owners excessive wear in the outer trunnion / fulcrum pin. Club, through its Previously I have highlighted problems encountered ‘Club Spares Project’, by myself and MASC members when sourcing new supply its members and reconditioned wishbones. with such bushes: the fulcrum pins are available Faults in the new or reconditioned wishbone pans from most of the usual suppliers. included badly formed pans & misalignment of the Their bushes are advertised: ‘Threaded bushes outer trunnion / fulcrum pin. Other faults that may £10. Price per set for one A-pan (another term for be encountered in wishbone pans, that render them the wishbone-AA). These are the bushes that the unsuitable for reconditioning, can be rust damage threaded outer fulcrum pin, at the lower end of the or cracking. kingpin, screws into. They are brazed into position Some years ago when clearing the garage after the in the A-pan’. death of a friend, the late John Larrington, I came (This service is only available to A30 / 35 Club across a small kit of parts. The kit included the members). outer fulcrum pin and the two threaded trunnion What is needed, for Midget and Sprite Club bushes that the fulcrum pin fits into. members, is to find an engineer with suitable On original wishbone pans the trunnion bushes tooling and skills to be able to make the threaded sit in holes in the wishbone pan and are brazed trunnion bushes to sell to members so that they onto the pan to secure. Brazing is a metal-joining can restore their worn wishbones back to a good process in which two or more metal items are standard. Better still would be if that engineer could joined together by melting and flowing a filler metal fit and align the kit on an exchange basis. into the joint, the filler metal having a lower melting Alan Anstead point than the adjoining metal. Brazing differs from welding in that it does not Kent Rep & Reps Rep to National Committee involve melting the work pieces and from soldering [email protected] in using higher temperatures for a similar process, 01322-384050 (answer-phone)
7
To submit your photo by email to [email protected] (jpeg, max file size 5meg)
Ron Edwards enjoying his Mk1
Alex Gleed’s Midget feeling dwarfed Mike Davis giving it the beans on track
Charlie Chapelle’s 1500 from over the pond Richard Wharmby’s collection
9 A VIEW FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT BY IAN COOKE THE ALPINE MIGLIA TOUR 2017 PART 2
Switzerland: While based in Sedrun for the next four days, we had the choice of daily planned drives or walking and rail trips along the Rhine valley, with opportunities to catch up with Spridget maintenance. All topped off with daily socializing and great meals throughout. The Swiss routes had been planned earlier in the year by Oliver and Georges with the aim of driving many scenic passes around our central hotel base over the next few days. I had a somewhat different passenger experience one day in Peter’s Mk3 Midget, a nice original car that he had driven from Germany with a 1098cc engine running on a single carburettor, but this time I was sat on the right without a steering wheel. This felt very strange after just getting used to the roads being “the other way round”. The only exception to the well-maintained smooth tarmac roads of Switzerland was the granite- cobbled surface of the preserved historical route known as the Tremola. Originally linking the northern German speaking parts of Switzerland to the southern Italian speaking communities by horse-drawn carriages, the road rises to a height of 2091m over the Gotthardpass. A truly testing experience for our cars suspension too. If only one could focus on the stunning views while traversing the teeth-chattering surface! The Swiss passes never failed to offer spectacular views from their sinuously flowing roads with never ending hairpin bends. We were extremely fortunate that the weather, although misty first thing some mornings, usually turned crisp and bright. While participating in one of the runs in Switzerland, Robin gained the title of “Round (about) Robin” after negotiating some roundabouts in a clockwise direction. Perhaps he was thinking of Swiss cuckoo clocks at the time...? Dave Chalk and Supersprite at Reims On the return leg from Switzerland into France we visited the Monteverdi car collection and transport museum at Lucerne. We were privileged to be able to park inside the museum complex in front of their impressive centrepiece installation of road signs, becoming part of the attractions for the day. From
10 THE ALPINE MIGLIA TOUR 2017 PART 2
Our return crossing from Dieppe to Newhaven was delayed by the poor weather conditions over the Channel, resulting in a rather choppy swell and uncomfortable five hours at sea. here the European and British cars left in different The late evening arrival on British shores meant we directions for their respective journeys home. all said our farewells on the ferry then took to our Back through France: cars to head back home in the dark. Summing up/overview: Victor ably demonstrated the necessary skills of a seasoned navigator honed on the Kent Old Boys Although it helps to runs. With a tactful wit and little idea of where have a well prepared he was going, he naturally utilised the smoke car for such a journey and mirrors approach to guide his trusting driver in excess of 2000 Ron around the narrow villages and towns closely miles, the unexpected followed by a string of Spridgets, all totally oblivious will always happen. of north from south (It was cloudy). Such opportunities are seized with gusto Robins technique of getting out of buying a round by participants, appeared to be to slowly drop back behind the always prepared to others throughout the day, until they no longer don overalls and noticed his squealing brakes, then reappear as if by rubber gloves and stand magic later in the evening (or Sat.Nav as we later ritualistically around any stricken vehicle. A discovered) while we all sat at the bar reviewing the well stocked boot with essential spares and an days travel. The case of Robins missing trousers imperial set of spanners is advisable, although not was also pursued on the route back through France compulsory. Robin managed with one screwdriver to no avail – rumour has it that they were last seen and an allen key, although we never did discover sheltering a family of illegal immigrants in Calais... what it fitted! We crossed the Alsace wine region before climbing Five-speed gearboxes have the advantage over over the Vosges mountains, with stops for calls standard, but Ron’s lovely blue Frogeye proves that of nature becoming more frequent as we gained our cars are built to take on all types of driving height. Crossing the River Marne at Chateau- experiences in original form. Thierry, we stopped for lunch and a walk up to the Medieval castle overlooking the town and river As a Midlander joining Kent members for such a crossing below. The views stretched out over the jaunt, it may have seemed like “Eastenders on tour” Champagne region of Reims through which we had at times, especially with Vic + Ron’s banter, but I travelled only days before. soon picked up the lingo. With time on our side, Ron’s Frogeye decided Although aching on the cheek muscles, 10 days of to offer us a challenge with some intermittent grinning certainly lifts the spirits. misfiring. A very entertaining two hours followed in which Alan Anstead donned his high-vis jacket With thanks to all the drivers and organisers of the and proceeded to direct the local traffic to pass the tour for a truly memorable experience. time. Apparently something he had done in a former Ian Cooke life.... Notts + Derby area
11 MEMBER ARTICLE BY JOHN E. DAVIES A BATTERY CUT-OUT FOR +VE EARTH
For many of us, particularly old timers like me who grew up with Meccano sets and the cutaway diagrams in Eagle magazine, the extreme mechanical and electrical simplicity of a Sprite or Midget forms a large part of its appeal. On the other hand, we should not become too infatuated with this idea: some aspects of our cars are arguably just a little too simple for comfort, one fine example being the lack of a battery cut-out switch for the wiring system. With his usual deadly accuracy Grahame Bristow summed this up nicely when he wrote1 “Original Sprite wiring ... never evolved much beyond the wiring equivalent of Homo installation on the positive terminal of a battery3 Erectus ... the car was just about road legal”. because all modern cars are wired with negative earth to accommodate their alternators. Mandatory on race-cars, a good battery cut-out switch is always desirable no matter the vehicle. This positively earthed early Midget has a cheap Very sensibly, some insurance companies require after-market cut-out switch connected to its one to be fitted if the vehicle is in storage for large negative (‘live’) battery terminal. parts of the year. A cut-out switch is a particularly Short circuits are possible here because (a) the good idea for our cars because the extremely basic brown wire which carries all battery current (save electrical system of any Sprite or Midget is best that for the starter motor) is rubbing against the described as ‘dangerously simple’: the possibility metal heater control cable and (b) this same heater of a major short circuit is ever-present. With only cable is dangerously close to the exposed metal of two 35 amp fuses, one serving just the horn and the cut-out switch. neither protecting the ignition circuit, and with permanently ‘live’ wires running to the wiper motor One drastic solution is to switch the whole car over and horn – both components activated by switches to negative earth. This risks further offending the shorting to earth - the electrical system of my early pinstripe suited judges and is not a particularly easy Midget would fail modern legislation. Today, many task for cars with the later impulse type tachometer. surviving Sprites and Midgets will fail even the Also note: negative earth is only a good idea if you primitive regulations of the 1960’s - either because wish to install modern electronic gizmos: positive of errors made during a partial or total restoration or earth is otherwise positively beneficial4. A far better because of an accumulation of rather dodgy repairs solution is to fit an original LUCAS ‘master battery or additions to original 50+ year old wiring looms. safety switch’ (Lucas part number 76606) or its So, if one rates safety and peace of mind above aftermarket equivalent (often given part number the need to score maximum points from a pinstripe SSB106 or ST360) in the bulkhead of the car. suited concours judge, one should definitely install Unlike many of the cheap and flimsy negative- a cut-out switch. Unfortunately, this is not such an battery-terminal switches with doubtful provenance easy task if one’s car is an early model wired with positive earth2. The cut-out switch should always 3 To prevent wrong installation, the positive and be placed on the battery’s earth side because this negative terminal posts of a car battery have greatly reduces the chance of an accidental short different diameters. circuit - but such switches are not available for 4 The laws of electrochemistry are such that positive earth REDUCES corrosion around electric terminals and batteries: a few grams of lost iron 1 “Restoring Sprites and Midgets, an enthusiast’s from the shell of a car will be less devastating guide” Grahame Bristow, Brooklands Books. than the loss of brass or copper from electrical 2 Anticipating the advent of alternators, the change connections. This is the reason why our early cars from positive to negative earth occurred at HAN9- were all positive earth and it is yet another reason 72034 and GAN4-60441 on North American cars why we should retain our dynamos and voltage and at HAN9-72041 and GAN4-60460 elsewhere. regulators, resisting the temptation to move to the See Terry Horler ‘Original Sprite & Midget’ page dark side of negative earth, alternators and NPN 105. transistors.
12 A BATTERY CUT-OUT FOR +VE EARTH
An original-style battery with exposed lead connectors between its cells and ‘top-hat’ battery connectors on its terminals will certainly look the part and win extra concours points - but these early exposed connectors were always downright dangerous, the cause of many serious accidents, showers of sparks from dropped spanners etc. Too often, a short circuit via a gold ring has left a available from the usual sources, this is a proper splatter of molten gold on the floor and third degree switch with a delightfully crisp 90° on/off action. burns on a finger. An added bonus is that this option allows the switch to be operated swiftly from within the cockpit. Here the ‘live’ terminal of a modern battery in a GAN1 Midget is protected by a black insulator The Lucas ‘master battery safety switch’ 76606 and the vital brown wire is kept safely away from can still be found in autojumbles etc., albeit with rubbing on the metal heater cable. With this a hefty price tag. The aftermarket equivalent arrangement, a ‘dropped spanner’ incident will not SSB106/ST360 is a cheaper alternative, freely be an accident. available from the usual sources. Summing up, a modern sealed battery with a good On Frogeyes and all other side-screened Sprites cut-out switch on its earth terminal and its live and Midgets, this Lucas switch can be installed terminal properly insulated is an excellent way of neatly and unobtrusively by first disconnecting avoiding serious damage to you and your vehicle. the battery’s earth strap where it is bolted to the This is particularly true if you remember to switch bulkhead and then using the spare hole immediately the cut-out OFF before performing any mechanical below this point to mount the switch. To fit the or electrical work on your car. switch, this spare hole (often sealed with a clear plastic grommet) must be enlarged slightly to 19mm Finally, if you have read this far and if you are diameter, a job that can be accomplished very easily familiar with my earlier scribbles in this magazine, with a “Qmax” sheet metal punch5. Owners with you may have twigged already that this essay is right hand drive vehicles and/or later cars with later just the latest instalment (disguised this time) of my style dashboards may prefer to punch their hole in a on-going campaign to encourage the preservation different place to ensure easier access to the switch of original dynamos and voltage regulators. If you from the cockpit. are toying with the idea of upgrading from alternator to dynamo, please do read my advertisement in the Here the spare hole in the bulkhead of a +ve earth Market Place at the rear of MASCOT. GAN1 Midget has been used to mount an original LUCAS cut-out switch. The owner of this car can John E. Davies (Member 3443) sleep soundly at night despite the possibility of lost [email protected] concours points. With a good cut-out switch safely installed on the earth side of the battery, electrical safety can be improved still further by ensuring that the other ‘live’ terminal of the battery is suitably insulated.
5 This is a nifty gadget that can punch a perfectly clean hole. Available via ebay etc. or from the manufacturer Q-MAX (ELECTRONICS), 15 Raymond Close, Wollaston, Northants NN29 7RG Tel: (01933)665477. Alternatively, I am prepared to lend my 19mm punch to any member of MASC who is willing to accept the P&P charges.
13 MEMBER ARTICLE BY DAVID MASKELL TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH
Our Sprite 990 LRO originally saw the light of day was unused. All rubber bits were replaced with new on the 22nd November 1962. It is a HAN 7 with the as were all wheel bearings etc. All the brake and 1098cc engine and discs on the front. It was bought hydraulic lines were replaced. by my sister-in-law to be, in 1970 who used it as Then children (and grandchildren) happened and a general run-around for the next ten years. On the restoration mainly ground to a halt for a couple getting married in 1980 it was stripped down, the of years. The car was covered in the garage and body sand blasted and all the bits put in boxes and largely left alone. stored at the family farm, to be restored at a later date but then largely forgotten about. I knew of its Around 2015 the restoration resumed, the original existence as I had driven it years ago before it was wheels were sand-blasted and powder coated and stripped down. new tyres fitted. The electrics were completed and the car really started to look like a car. At this point In late 2008 it was mentioned that it was still in the we really needed some professional input for the re- barn and my sister-in-law wanted to sell it as she commissioning. It was looked at by a local classic didn’t think she would ever get around to putting car restorer but the cost was prohibitive so we it back on the road. Not wanting it to go out of the decided to plod along as best we could. family I somewhat foolishly bought it together with my son James. At this time in July 2016 tragedy struck. My son James had an allergic reaction to an anaphylactic It was literally just the body and boxes and boxes shock, was taken to hospital and tragically died a of bits. It was recovered from the barn in 2009 week later. and over the next couple of years, the body was completely restored by a friend, Marc, with all rusty After the initial shock had passed I didn’t know parts either being replaced or re-made and welded. what to do with the car as he had been the driving All panels that hadn’t been previously sand blasted, force whenever we worked on it. I decided to sell were stripped down to bare metal. The whole of the the car as it stood as a project and just get rid of it. underside was sealed and is now better than new. Then in conversation with friends and family, a car Several coats of primer and undercoat were applied restorer in Norfolk was mentioned who might take before being finished off with a sparkling new coat it on. What better way to honour my son’s memory of Old English White. after all the hard work and time spent on the car than to get it running for him? So the decision was The shell was trailored back to our small garage made and it was duly transported to Mark at MD where we slowly started to reassemble it. Due to Allen Engineering in Norfolk who was brilliant in as work, family commitments and money it was a very much as he only did what was absolutely necessary slow process but by early 2012 we were ready to in an affordable way to get the car back on the road. install the engine and gearbox. My father-in-law By December 2016 it was MOT’d and driven under had stripped and rebuilt the engine when the car its own power for the first time in 36 years. was stripped in 1980 and on inspection seemed in good order, only having covered 42,000 miles. The I decided that, although it was never going to be gearbox was a gold seal reconditioned unit which a concours winner, it needed new seat coverings
14 TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH
and carpets and a new hood so we left it with we were at it, a new radiator was fitted which of Mark who carried out the work and we eventually course has solved the problem. brought it back home in the Spring of 2017. After Well now it was time for its MOT again and having a couple of runs it developed some teething covered only a handful of miles since the last one, problems. Firstly while out on a busy main road it passed albeit with an advisory due to deteriating the car ground to a halt and thinking the rear diff rubber on the trackrod ends. Although these had had seized I had the car recovered to “Revivals” been on the car for maybe 5 years, they certainly a local classic car garage that I knew of. It turned don’t make rubber like they used to. out to be a problem with the brakes remaining on after a few applications. After some adjustment of So the car still needs a bit fettling but will be ready the operating rod not solving the problem, it turned hopefully for the summer and will be a tribute to the out to be dirt blocking the relief valve on the master time and dedication spent by my much loved and cylinder. Also while road testing the car, it boiled much missed son. over! Oh, and if any sharp eyed person has noticed the A new thermostat was installed and all seemed OK. lop-sided look of the front indicators this is due to But on a longer run it was discovered that it would the replacement of the wing by my father-in-law in run too hot and on slowing down or stopping would the seventies and it was long ago decided by my then boil. It was then that a friend came to have a son to keep the look, so who am I to change it? look at the problem and we realized a mini fan had Thanks to Mark Allen of MD Allen Engineering, Mark been fitted (by us!) which of course sucks instead of Day and Richard of Revivals and Simon Denney. blows thereby blowing hot air at the radiator instead of pulling cold air through it. A new fan and while David Maskell East Anglian Member no 4535
15 MEMBER ARTICLE BY NEIL & SHARON THOMAS LONDON BRIDGES RUN
Sharon and I had wanted to do this event for contingent from Kent, Gary Lazarus then arrived years but never got around to it. Coming just after and new members Francis and also David Shepherd Christmas and being a 244 mile drive and 5 hours from Essex came to join in. There were others too each way somewhat dampened the enthusiasm. who I got to chat with during the day. Last but not But this year, spurned on by postings on the MASC least were Darren and Tracey, our red leader. 19 Facebook Page, we thought it was the right time to Spridgets and a TVR I believe was the final count. join Darren and Tracey Tyre’s London Bridges Run. These cars were going to make a pretty impressive It would also give me an opportunity to show my sight and sound driving through the streets of face and make myself known to those other MASC London. members taking part. We were due to set off at 10am. Everyone was Having a daughter living in Royal Wootton Bassett punctual in their departure, fearing the £100 fine for meant that we could travel up on the Saturday, parking over the time limit. The weather was just spend some family time with her and then do the prefect. Bright sunshine, blue skies, a nip in the air final hop to London early on Sunday morning. and with hoods down, we were off. Knowing that new member Steve Goodchild and his For Sharon and I this was something a bit different. friend Adrian were also joining in, we arranged to Living in sleepy Pembrokeshire in Wales, driving meet them at Reading Services at 7am. We were a over the 18 bridges along the Thames between little late getting to the rendezvous but nevertheless Tower Bridge and Richmond was something totally made it to the starting point at Roterhithe different and to top it all, not a toll insight! McDonalds in the Docklands area at 8.40am. When we arrived we saw that Mark Jackson and his Gary told me abide by the 20mph speed limit as the grandson in their 1964 red Midget were already cameras would get me. I did as he said and driving there. It wasn’t long before other Sprites and over the Tower Bridge seemed to take forever, but it Midgets began to roll in. Time for breakfast and the was such a spectacular sight, I didn’t mind. McD breakfast meal went down a treat. McDonalds We continued winding and zig zagging our way was soon alive with excitement as everyone was through London, taking in the terrific skyline and looking forward to the Run. There was a strong famous landmarks of this fantastic city such as the Shard, the Walkie Talkie building, the Strand, Charing Cross Station, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall
16 and on to Parliament Square complete with Big Ben The K series Midget ran like a swiss clock all totally covered by scaffolding. weekend but with my 4.5 diff in, did prove a little The traffic began to build up as the morning noisy at speed and a little juicy on fuel. We got progressed and there were more people about. home at 7pm but both of us were over the moon They all seemed to have a camera and were taking that we had made the effort to join in on this event. photos of our little Spridgets with curious interest It was a cracker and for us really interesting and a and great enthusiasm. We felt like rock stars! I chance to speak to others taking part. Thank you might even say that they seemed more interested Darren and Tracey. in our cars than the numerous Lamborghini’s and Neil & Sharon Thomas Ferrari’s littering the streets around the more affluent areas we passed through. Darren had arranged a mid way break at another McDonalds near Wandsworth Bridge where a coffee and a chat again hit the spot. Sharon and I were the last to leave the car park to continue the route and were entertained by a display by Darren. I’ll let you ask him what that was. But soon he had disappeared in a puff of smoke! The finishing point for the Run was the Rose of York pub on the riverside at Richmond. We took advantage of the Sunday lunch as we knew we had a good journey back home, well the entire length of the M4 and some more. Did I tell you that actually Dublin is much closer to us than London is!
17 WORDS EXTRACTED FROM AN ARTICLE BY ANDREW POLLOCK A RALLYING REUNION
Words extracted from an article by Andrew out in a Mini, before graduating to an Austin Healey Pollock and reproduced with kind permission of Sprite and a Mk1 Escort. However, the Midget Retro Classics Magazine ISSUE 19 - OCT. - DEC. appealed for its competitiveness, reliability and, 2015. Article supplied by Peter Morrow. surely, its fun nature too and it fulfilled admirably Having first owned this MG Midget when it was every task that was asked of it. Peter and his wife, just a year old and taken it on many adventures, Ann got married in it, took it on honeymoon, and including a successful appearance in the Circuit of Peter even taught Ann how to drive in it, so it was Ireland, Peter Morrow sold it off in 1976 and never certainly part of a special time in his life. saw it again. That was until he came across it by At the time, Peter was involved in building and chance in 2009. rallying Mk1 Escorts and navigating in them. When Peter had bought this Midget in 1971 when it was his then team mate, Des Lavery, changed to forestry only a year old, primarily as everyday transport but rallying, Peter decided to convert the Midget and also with some motorsport in mind. He’d started drive it himself. With his co-driver, Colm Gallery on A RALLYING REUNION
the notes, Peter and the Midget achieved a fantastic in the forties, it would not rev out. It was discovered second in class on the ‘75 Circuit of Ireland event, that the timing was two teeth out and must have the only occasion that this car would be used on been like that since it was restored in 1990. the event, as Peter returned to the navigator’s seat Even though this problem could be easily sorted, in an Escort for ‘76 and again in ‘77, when finally Peter decided to shelve the original engine and to he and Des got across the line in another second in build up a 1,380cc powerhouse more in keeping class. “So I had a second in class as a driver and with the competition theme he was going for. The also as a navigator!” Peter laughs. Ann drove the engine was mated to an autotest-spec camshaft Midget in a few navigation events in late ‘75, but in and a single 1.75-inch SU carb. Telescopic dampers early ‘76 Peter sold it off to one of the guys in the were fitted front and rear in place of the stone-age servicing team. lever-arm dampers fitted from the factory along And that was the last Peter saw of it until he found with 8.5-inch Riley 1.5 rear brakes, a rear Panhard it on the internet in 2009, completely by accident. rod and uprated front pads. Peter had experimented It was a road car again and had been very poorly with anti-tramp bars in the rear, but found they restored around 1990. It looked alright and was made the ride much too harsh for his requirements driving grand, but underneath it was a total mess. and so these were removed. The competition theme It had only done around 3,000 miles since the extended to the interior, which boasts a sturdy roll restoration, but had covered most of Northern bar, smaller steering wheel, harnesses, a classic Ireland sitting in sheds! Despite its poor condition, Halda tripmaster, map lights, quick-access fusebox Peter knew he had to buy his old Circuit Midget and a plethora of extra switches. Amazingly, the back and managed to pull it from the auction and extra gauges in the dashboard today are the same buy it straight from the vendor. ones used in this car when Peter rallied it all those Peter’s first step was to embark on a full body years ago, as they’d sat on the shelf in his garage restoration in order to put the abused shell to rights. ever since! It had been restored by putting the new panels over Peter ran in the 1380 engine by taking the car on a the top of the old rust. Peter spent the first year three-week trip to France, as you do, and since then chopping out all of the rot and properly welding it’s performed perfectly, taking in many car shows in new panels. With the body completed and the and long-distance trips including Classic Le Mans. car back running, Peter then discovered that even It’s got a standard gearbox, but Peter explained that though the engine was achieving great MPG figures as long as you stick to 65 to 70mph, it’s fine. BY KEN DAVIES, IRDC QUATTRO MAGAZINE THE BIG BRIEF INTERVIEW...
...with Rally and Racing legend, Born in Berlin October 1930, John first came to prominence rallying and racing saloon and sports John Sprinzel – Part 1 cars, famously finishing third overall in the inaugural Editors note: Ken kindly shared this with me with British Saloon Car Championship of 1958 driving his the blessing of John himself. Part 2 follows in own Team Speedwell Austin A35. In 1959 John won March’s issue. the British Rally Championship navigated by future BMC and Ford Competitions Manager Stuart Turner, I spent many sleepless nights as a schoolboy using both an Austin Healey Sprite and Alfa Romeo reading John Sprinzel’s unmissable book ‘Sleepless Giulietta Ti, the former being a car for which the Knights’ and this compelling tome was responsible Sprinzel name would become synonymous, as well for first igniting my lifelong passion for motor as the registration number PMO 200 taken from an sport! But, as well as successful international Abingdon Sprite, which found its was onto many rally and racing driver there was so much more to Sprinzel competition cars. John. Add to these two already impressive talents; businessman, entrepreneur, motor sport visionary, In September 1957 John founded the highly writer, journalist, PR man, yachtsman… and successful tuning firm Speedwell Performance raconteur! Conversions Ltd and was joined by future Formula 1 Champion Graham Hill. There, John developed an
20 alloy-bodied version of the Sprite, a streamlined coupé called the Speedwell GT, designed by Frank Costin and built by Williams & Pritchard coach builders. John then sold his shares in Speedwell to Hill and was lured away by Donald Healey to set up Healey Speed Equipment Division London, including the promise of Sebring and Le Mans works drives for the Healey Motor Company. Proving his sublime versatility, during 1960 John won his class at the 12-Hours of Sebring race, then scored 3rd place overall on the Liège-Rome-Liège and 2nd on the RAC rallies. This resulted in 6th place in the European Rally Championship and all achieved in Austin-Healey Sebring Sprites. This too was the car that John was instrumental in developing personally, with distinctive aluminium and glass fibre coupé bodywork sketched out by Sprinzel for Williams & Pritchard to mould into the finished article! The name 'Sebring Sprite' quickly became a generic term for any Sprite fitted with disc brakes and later, for any Sprite with coupé or fastback bodywork. Because of safety concerns about the speed differentials of the smallest and largest engined cars, a separate four-hour race for GT cars of under one litre was organized at Sebring in 1960 where, Stirling Moss drove a Sebring Sprite to a class win and second overall in this event. In the twelve-hour race, Sprinzel drove a prototype
21 Sprite to a class win and 41st overall, built and entered by the Healey Motor Company. John then went on to open his infamous garage in London’s charismatic Lancaster Mews which soon became a Mecca for the racing and rallying community in the capital! Many more successful and high-profile rallies and international forays were undertaken by Team Sprinzel from the rather chic and trendy pied-e-terre Mews location, including the 1968 London to Sydney Rally in a MG Midget famously modified with an innovative roof-mounted long-range fuel tank and, cruel retirement on the last day of the event! All John’s extensive international rallying experience was then harnessed in 1970 when he led the organizing team of the iconic London to Mexico World Cup Rally. The 1972 Welsh International Rally was John’s last rally as a driver, using an ex Björn Waldegård Porsche 911, appropriately registered PMO 220! Next month, Part 2
22 AUTOKARNA & MOTOR SHOW at Wollaton Park Nottingham NG8 2AE 3rd June Probably the largest Classic vehicle event in Nottinghamshire, organised by the Pre-War Austin 7 Club. www.pwa7c.co.uk Over 700 exhibitors, autojumble and charity stalls. Pre-booked cars are £5 per vehicle which includes program and dash plaque. To book a space in the MASC paddock area contact Notts+Derby Area Rep. Ian Cooke before end of April. [email protected] We would love to see more cars from other MASC areas join us at this annual event!
23 AREA REPORT CENTRAL
Justin Bates Frogeye bumper, before and after. A spare part…….a bit of advice also point you in the direction of our own Alan Anstead. Many MASC members will I’m sure have Often at club meetings as area rep I just know that fitted inferior or the wrong type of bearing in the during the evening a member is going to pull up a past. Alan being somewhat of a guru on the subject chair next to me and ask the question, “Where can I is another person who understands the subject in buy this spare part?” Although I have become fairly depth and can supply MASC members with a quality knowledgeable about my own car there are variants replacement. of our cars that I know nothing about. Luckily for me, like most areas, there is always a person I can It would be unfair not to mention the suppliers turn to nearby knowing that they are able to offer that advertise in MASCOT. I’m sure they all strive good advice. I think this alone is a very good reason to give us a good service and I’m sure we all use for being a MASC member. these suppliers whenever we can. We benefit locally having Central members John Collins and Rich One Central member who has been passing on Weaver who source quality secondhand parts and good advice is Justin Bates. After purchasing his vehicles. They sell mainly Midget and Sprite and dream Frogeye his only niggle was that it was MG parts. These can be purchased throughout the missing its bumpers. Justin found that the club country via their website, Little British Sports Cars. website helped greatly finding some second hand Maybe a good starting point if you want to use ones in need of restoration. A little research and original secondhand parts on your classic. Justin found a restorer, Classics and Chrome in nearby Hinckley. They filled the unwanted holes Long time Central member Bill McKenzie has a and chromed the bumpers and over-riders to a typical story regarding spare parts. He owns a very high standard. They also charged a lot less Californian imported car and has been changing the than the cost of new imported bumpers. Relating interior from black to what should have been the this story at a meeting someone then offered the original log book colour of autumn leaf. Undertaking advice, “If ever you need your carburetors tuning this task has been harder than he first thought, then I can recommend Alan Fielding”. Alan, who is particularly as certain parts for the American based in South Staffordshire, travels to your home model differ in a small way from the original UK to undertake the work. Alan has a vast knowledge specification. It was at this point he asked if there of carburetors having worked for SU in Birmingham. was a list of MASC approved suppliers or restorers He can also give you a history lesson on the subject that have been recommended by members. Sadly I whilst tuning your engine at the same time. Member had to say I didn’t think there was. Richard Jenkins also mentioned he has had good Maybe we should start one? service from Classic and Vintage instruments based in Redditch when he needed help restoring Dave Warren his speedometer. If your clutch bearing fails I can Central MASC Email to [email protected]
24 AREA DEVON REPORT
Wednesday 13th December Devon MASC met at our usual Court Farm Pub venue at Abbotskerswell near Newton Abbot to enjoy our club Christmas dinner. Our meal was very good and enjoyed by all, including some unusual secret Santa presents ! Unfortunately, the ice and frost on the roads coupled with salt stopped most of us taking our little cars on the road. Roll on summer, lets hope for a hot and dry one. Wishing everyone a Happy & Prosperous New Year Happy motoring Chris & Gill Wood no 5130 a/b
25 AREA REPORT EAST ANGLIAN As I write this it is definitely not the sort of weather I was recently given a July copy of another for enjoying the Sprite out on the open road (not magazine that featured an article about what was to mention the likely presence of corrosive salts). in many ways a MASC event. Hard top John had What we probably should be doing is getting our invited Rodney Tibbs (who did the first road test Spridgetly things ready for the great new season for the Frogeye back in May 1958) together with ahead. The only real event to report on was the Richard Ladds and MASC members and their Christmas meal that was kindly organised by early cars (including the original car from the Graham. Unfortunately we had the worst snow 1958 road test) so that we, and especially Rodney of the winter on the day, so I didn’t make it at all (who was on great form) could do it all again just and not even those comparatively local to the for fun! This was for me one of the highlights of venue risked the proper cars. We always make it a last year’s Spridgeting adventures and HTJ is lunchtime meal so that, with a bit of luck, we can to be congratulated for having set it all up, and get to use the proper cars and get home again in providing such a brilliant day for all of us. The daylight. I was sad to have missed this festive bit article justifiably turned out to be the main feature of fun. in July’s Enjoying MG, was very well written (apart The other thing that happens at this time of year from getting Stuart Adman’s name wrong) and is the planning of events for spring and beyond, so bristling with brilliant action shots of MASC cars. far I have Bletchley Park (which is shaping up to The main reason for the presence of the additional be another multi-MASC area event) pencilled in for cars was that the original yellow Frogeye had been Drive-it-day (22nd April) and also Kimbolton Classic considerably modified (dare I say improved) for and Higham Ferrers (dates to be confirmed). I am track day use and now has performance much less particularly looking forward to Bletchley having representative of its original manufacture. recently read a fascinating book about the place Graham asked me to mention that Peter Baldwin, and what went on. our local A series guru, has now relocated and Another point of interest (at least for me) is that established himself in Cambridge with a rolling road this is the 200th area report I have produced for at Regency Autos CB1 3LB tel 01223 324050 Mascot for what is now the East Anglian area, over Dave Dixon (AKA Red and sometimes blue a good many years of improvement of the club and Leader) [email protected] particularly the magazine through the hard work and innovation of some great MASC people.
26 AREA ESSEX REPORT And you’ve now heard all the Lingo It’s been sheer murder, And I can’t go any further It must have been the night of the Bingo. Many thanks to Paul again for another amusing ditty. Essex Area members must be made of hard stuff as the January meeting was well attended despite the threat of Storm Eleanor mid evening. Either that or an evening of riveting conversation with like minded Spridget owners. As well as the usual banter about the Christmas and New Year festivities, our favourite little cars did come into a conversation or two. As promised in last months report, I start with Paul is currently undertaking some cosmetic Paul’s poem that was performed during an interval refurbishing of his recently acquired Frog - the between courses at the Christmas dinner: grille is in a 12 week queue awaiting re chroming. One of our group is Graham Prosser He is considering a number of suggestions which With his new MGB he will potter were made as to the best way to tidy up the slightly So much time has been spent scuffed cockpit edge trim and we look forward to On his drive in a tent seeing the result. That the project has started to prosper Owen was discussing the merits, or not, of fitting a Dave Matthews is not well known for his flattery, higher ratio CWP as he often has to do longish runs Particularly when he’s got a flat battery on major A roads to get to events. As his 1969 car When he gets out his spanners has a 3.9, changing to a 3.7 will drop the revs at 70 He forgets all his manners mph in 4th by ~200. A state which is not satisfactory, From experience, I said I thought it was worth Elaine blinked and did a double take while improvement to lower the revs and improve Colin was up and clearly awake consumption particularly as my 72 Midget I was up with the lark incorrectly had a 4.22 so the rev drop was around Or was it Sparrow’s fart? 500. Alternatively, it might have been daybreak The front of Tim’s Frog is currently in the loft of his garage as he prepares to remove the gearbox due to Linda is now at a loose end, a box of nothingness. After helping Tim with his big end, She said ‘To be frank’, Finally I include a photo of a Christmas card I It connects with his crank, received that members would appreciate. Which is something I can’t comprehend. Doug Plumb One lunchtime while out in their Ashley Doug cuddled Jen rather rashly Things got quite on edge When Doug mentioned his meat and two veg, Thankfully it was the contents of his pasty In Mascot, he’s called Gary Knight, With money he’s can be quite tight, He’s just been up to the till, To pay for our meal, And said ‘hang on, this bills not right’ I’m not a Placido Domingo
27 AREA REPORT HEART OF ENGLAND STUFF
have lots of marketing banners etc at the venue, we should also promote MASC of course. A trip over to Alan Pritchett’s garage is then required to load flags and banners. The Event I gained access to the Rugby Club at 5.30 the following day in order to set up and all went smoothly; I even had time to set up a music feed into the PA to play tunes from the Beat and Pop Preparation will Eat Itself, the bands that Fuzz drums with! Well it’s January 9th the day before the visit of The Carole Nash guys Pete and Sam duly arrived Fuzz Townshend to the extended and expanded in good time closely followed by Fuzz. I note that Heart of England monthly meeting and there’s the weather outside is distinctly foggy and cold, a lot of preparation to sort out. I thought that it and I hear tales of nightmare traffic. I begin to would be a good idea use this event to establish consider the possibility that everyone has decided some crossover between the many Classic Car to stay home rather than venture out in the fog as organisations in our area, as all too often, owners many are coming from far afield. I needn’t have of particular marques tend to do their own thing. worried! Classic guys are a hardy bunch and our car In order to achieve this I have shifted the venue enthusiasts begin to wander in. Eventually we end for Fuzz’s visit from our normal 30 or so person up with an audience just shy of 110 which given the capacity room at the Green Dragon in Redditch weather, was great. to the 100 plus capacity main function room at Stourton Park, home of Stourbridge Rugby Club. Questions for Fuzz With this extra capacity in mind I have extended invitations to all neighbouring MASC areas, the Unnamed Classic Car Group plus all contributors to the Midget and Sprite BBS Forum within striking distance. So now that I’ve made it a bigger event I’d better make it a proper job! First of all we would need a proper PA system with two cordless mics in order to get sound from the floor, but luckily I still know the guy who bought all my old sound equipment and am able to borrow it for the evening so it’s duly collected and loaded in the van. Although Fuzz is the ambassador for Carol Nash insurance, who will
28 I have to say that the enthusiasts in the audience My favourite question, however, was from Janet gave Fuzz questions which were both well Hunter. She earnestly enquired as to whether Fuzz considered and varied. We found out that Fuzz’s had “ever experienced a car repair that had gone pride and joy is a Jensen 541R but he also owns wrong. Really really wrong…. you see because a vintage Austin as well as a yet to be restored my husband Geoff took his engine out and put it Classic Bus! Speaking of Buses, Fuzz also back five times!” Cue laughter! Fuzz said that he mentioned that he began his career at Stourbridge had, but asked Geoff why he hadn’t replaced the Bus garage, not two miles from our location and in loose oil gallery plug first, instead of changing all fact I think a couple of his old pals from the garage the other things that were OK? More laughter – its came to see him. We had technical questions about good job Geoff has a good sense of humour! renovating chrome, tuning A series engines, advice on what the classics of the future might be and A Good Cause much, much more. I explained to the audience that we would hold a On the personal side, the audience enquired as to raffle for a good cause which was Primrose Hospice what Fuzz thought of Wheeler Dealers’ work, which who really supported Jim and Rosemary Willis he answered very diplomatically. It got even more when they most needed it. Once again the Classic personal when our speaker was asked if he would community came up trumps and we raised £265 actually go for a beer with Car SOS co-star Tim after prizes were handed out. Shaw. He said that he would, but with conditions attached! We also found out what Tim Shaw Thank you and Good Night did in his hotel room while Fuzz and the camera It then just remained to thank Pete and Sam from crew were in the bar after a shoot. I’ll leave you to Carole Nash for making the event possible and speculate about that one, but it’s not what you’re of course Fuzz for being his unassuming and thinking! entertaining self. Importantly though, I thanked all of the people who made the effort to come out in the fog, were they from TR Drivers Club, Unnamed Classic Car Group or MASC H of E or Central. A thank you also goes out to Jonathan Whitehouse Bird who made the effort to come, which was key, as Fuzz said that restoring Jonatan’s car was one of his favourite programmes and it forged a link between MASC and Car SOS. Over the last dregs of our beer we all agreed that we’d had a bloody good night! Steve
29 QUALITY SPRITES & MIDGETS ALWAYS WANTED Especially Frogeye and Pre-74 cars We specialise in selling quality Vintage & Classic Motor Cars and the above have always been a particular passion. We are located between Petersfield and Alton in Hampshire, between the A3 & A32 in the beautiful South Downs National Park.
Vintage & Cars Classic car Purchased specialists Robin Lawton for Cash with over or Sold 45 years Tel: 01420 474919 Mob: 07710 364945 on Clients experience Email: [email protected] Web: www.robinlawton.com Behalf
30 Robin Lawton Advert aw.indd 1 17/10/2014 13:08 AREA KENT REPORT Drive it Day. Bletchley Park. 22nd April 2018. Christmas and New year over and can’t wait to get on the road again 10th December 2017 and first proper snowfall. Traditionally in Kent there are no monthly meetings Going places that I've never been; Meeting people in December as people feel under pressure to shop that I’ve not, before, seen; until they drop at every available hour including Seeing things that I may never see again; So I can't Sundays. East Kent meetings co-ordinator John wait to get on the road again. Clark had left an opening, that if members wanted a meeting on Sunday 10th December 2017, it could be When I mentioned a return to to Bletchley Park for arranged but no one made contact in the proceeding to display our cars on ‘Drive it Day’ 22nd April 2018, days, perhaps joining the shopping frenzy. The snow there was more than one dissenter in the group. was possibly the final deciding factor. Isn’t there more to where we go? Kent Area Christmas Meal. Any journey, be it at home or abroad, is surely more A change to the Eastern end of the County for our than what awaits at the destination. Every journey festivities this year and the venue virtually selected has more than one route. itself. The usual meeting point for our second Then there is the pleasure of the drive and an Sunday of the month lunch get together, the Crown excuse, if any excuse is needed, to drive your at Sarre. Booking early achieved our chosen date Sprite, Midget, or derivative. What of the pleasure of and the availability of reduced price B&B for the the company of companions travelling with you, or night. The offer proved popular with good take up of around you, and the acquaintances made on route places and rooms. What better than sitting by a log fire with a drink and not having to take the dark cold and at destination. way home afterwards. Well I had to but I live nearby. Let’s all make an effort on the day. Put the date, Our usual Sunday lunch is always popular and this and location, in your Diary and I look forward to meal did not disappoint either with, to be honest, seeing a good turn out for the route to Bletchley and too much to consume. Little talk of back axle ratios a multitude there. or cylinder heads by way of a change and since Entry to Bletchley Park on the day will be free to 50% of our number do not spend their time under MASC members so bring your membership cards to the bonnet, this went down pretty well. A possible facilitate entry. Tour in the UK put together by Phil Manship was discussed – 6 days in May across country to Wales (Event liaison / Kent Member: Richard Bowles - this will now be put out to gauge interest. [email protected] ) We planned to do something with the following Alan Anstead morning and I met up with the overnighters after Kent Rep. what had proved to be a substantial breakfast. As ordered, the sun shone on a crisp morning. A healthy walk to use up some calories was just what the doctor would have ordered. Not a Spridget to be seen so a warm drive to the sea at Birchington and then an energetic walk to Margate for a cuppa and back before everyone went their separate ways. A good time was had by all. I called at the pub on the way home to arrange our next Sunday meet. This was my 4th visit in 24hrs so the normal cheeky greeting was varied to “you’ve got a drink problem”. You know who your friends are! John Clark East Kent co-ordinator.
31 AREA REPORT SCOTLAND
Well welcome to 2018 everyone! So, if anyone knows the whereabouts of a red Frog 950 MLG please let me know - I would For a good long time now, my wife has wanted buy it back quicker than Usain Bolt runs the 100 to transfer all our old slide photographs onto the metres. I suspect, though, it has ended up in the computer and get rid of the slides as part of our de- big scrapyard in the sky. I will forward the picture cluttering purge, the problem being, we could not for Gary to put on his Smug Mug site where it will find the large cardboard box containing them. remain for all posterity. For years we have searched cupboards around I appreciated all my gifts at Christmas but my the house and were beginning to think we had brother and sister-in- law really put some thought inadvertently thrown them out, when during my into it and bought me a pair of overalls with Austin holiday tidy up of the garage I discovered them in Healey emblazoned on the back. They make me the mezzanine part of the black hole of Calcutta. feel like a works mechanic for the Austin Healey I gleefully took my find into the house and a smile team at Le Mans. “as wide as the Clyde”, as we say here in Glasgow, I have now started the second part of the sheet broke out on the better half’s face. It crossed my metal course at the local college, I finished off the mind if this might be an opportune moment to ask standard tool box, we were all making and although if I could buy a Healey 3000 but on quick reflection not part of the course, in the tea breaks and any decided not to ruin her moment. other spare moments, I am now making a box to Now you may all be asking, interesting as all this hold my spot welder. is, what on earth has this to do with Sprites and Graham Smith midgets? Well amongst the lifetimes collection of hundreds of slides, I was pretty sure that the only photograph of my second Frogeye was tucked away somewhere. Sure enough after about a days searching through them, I found it! This car was like the family pet you grow up with as a wee boy or girl, you never really forget it. The adventures, trials and tribulations will live in my memory forever - like running out of petrol the night my wife and I went to a special restaurant where I proposed to her (she still married me). Or, at 20 years old, going from Glasgow to Denmark on holiday on three cylinders, (we used more oil than petrol) the fourth cylinder being stuffed full of Piston Seal. That car also began a lifelong love of Frogeyes.
32 AREA SOMERSET HAPPENINGS REPORT With the festive celebrations high on the agenda it Valerie is co-ordinating the first rush of events for was a surprise that six cars turned out on a dryish the year with 3 ‘down and dusted’ including the Christmas Eve for a run of around 40 miles to the planned trip to Dorset on 20th May for the Dorset coast. Heading west from Chard we meandered Area MASC Mk1 Sprite Birthday Party. our way to Sidmouth. After a short break at the top of Peak Hill, we returned to Sidmouth and climbed Salcombe Hill (on the other side of the resort) heading east, eventually stopping for a pre-booked lunch at the Golden Hind, Musbury. With the weather becoming overcast and darkness looming we wished each other a Merry Christmas and headed for home to prepare for the forthcoming celebrations. A planned run out on New Year’s Eve was supported by just three cars, mainly as several of the regulars were either busy of had succumbed to the ‘bug’. However those who did manage to turn out endured a rather wet and murky run to the coast of South West Dorset finishing at the Seaton Tram station at Colyford, for a light lunch. New Year’s Day classic meet at Haselbury Mill attracted many classics from around the area with the club well represented by some of the latest recruits, but several of the regulars were not feeling up to going out on what turned out to be a rather pleasant sunny few hours, albeit rather cold. Others ventured to Junction 24 (M5 - Bridgwater North) for the traditional classic meet which regularly attracts 300+ vehicles of all types and descriptions. A few members once again turned out during the early hours of Sat.6th January to marshal a section of the 89th Exeter Trial. This is one of the oldest sporting motor events in the country, first run in 1910, organised by the Motor Cycling Club.
33 STRANGE SIGNS... If you need confirmation of strange goings-on that extend beyond the MASC Bristol venue at Codrington, here it is. This sign proudly sits on the A4 adjacent to the River Avon and Brunel's landmark Clifton Suspension Bridge. You see, we are all quite normal round here... Best wishes, Ken #193
Editor’s note: I couldn’t resist taking this pic whilst on holiday in Spain a few years back.
34 DEAR MASCOT... An update on early MASCOT magazines Good to see the development of Mascot featured in the December edition. Needless to say, I can go back a little further. The very first editor was Lindy Clifton. Lindy, who very sadly is no longer with us, was a power house of inspiration and energy. I think it fair to say that without Lindy's input in those formative years of the club, we may not have a Midget and Sprite Club today. The monthly communication that became Mascot was her idea. She chased me unmercifully for copy each month, and then edited out all my best bits! Probably just as well, we would most likely have been sued out of existance before we even got going. Lindy used a Banda or Roneo copier machine to produce those early editions. We then discovered photocopying, well, where we could get it done for free to be more acurate. Collating was often done at committee meetings, Lindy arriving with a wicker basket full of paper and envelopes. Lindy did all the typing and setting, often covered in Tipex and Pritstick, it was a messy job in those days. Without exception, all great value but I would be very hacked off if some our editors over the past 34 years have put their one stole it so I'll be fitting a tracker very soon as I heart and soul into producing Mascot each month, suggest we all do. my thanks to all of them. Regards TERRY HORLER MIKE DAVIS
I can't help but notice that there appears to be an increase in the number of MG'S being stolen, particularly over the quiet season. As thing stand I guess the police do their usual bit but as a percentage of cars stolen I guess that Midgets and "B's" in percentage terms appear low when you consider the number of new high value cars that are spirited away never to be seen again. It's only my gut feeling but I reckon that there is an organisation or two who are stealing these to supply the used part trade and I suspect that sellers on ebay probably aren't too worried where the parts come from. Lets be fair an MG Midget or a B must be one of the easiest car to steal, these low life's don't just cruise streets in the hope of finding one they do their home work and they very good at getting in to garages as well. As was recorded one Frog eye owner had the entire interior removed whilst it was parked in the garage. It's also a known fact they fit trackers to cars, they attend shows etc and then just follow the car back. My MG doesn't have a
35 HI NEIL, Editors Note: Whilst at the NEC Classic Car Show, Just received my copy of Mascot - it looks cracking. Mick McNamara of Classic Tracker had a stand behind our club stand and wished to bring to our I notice at the back of the latest Mascot another attention a product that he supplies. He supported story of a Midget stolen. Classic car thefts, this with a subsequent letter which is published anecdotally at least seem to be on the increase. I below. MASC are not endorsing this product, simply for one and I'm sure many Mascot readers would bringing it to your attention for you to make your be interested in more information on a subject own assessment. After the letter are some links to that potentially affects us all. We all hear about some other tracker suppliers. the crime but we don't often get the background information. How many Member's Spridgets are stolen in a GOOD MORNING NEIL, year? The club has a good membership so potential for meaningful figures. Classic Tracker provides a high-quality, secure and reliable tracking service dedicated for classic cars. Where are cars typically stolen if there is a typical We offer a range of services from simple location - I seem to see many reports of cars stolen from monitoring, live-tracking and incident interaction lockups. with emergency services. What security if any do stolen cars have? Key Features Include: Are there incidents of attempted theft where • Simple 3 Wire Self-Install a deterrent security device has clearly been • UK & Europe Coverage successful. • Police Interaction What happens to stolen cars - Broken for spares, • Vehicle Battery & Tamper Alerts identity changed and sold on? • Internal Battery Backup • Smart Movement Alert What sort of cars are stolen - Race cars, show • Web & App Live Tracking queens, rats? • Remote Vehicle Immobilisation Maybe input from manufacturers of security devices - feature on security devices suitable for our cars As you can see, I'm becoming a 'worry wort' re the security of my Midget (no steering lock, alarm etc). My cunning theft deterrents are an appearance that would hopefully make any villain run a mile (works with my wife, she won't go near Ratty) - the 'rat' look resplendent with rust, chunks of missing paint plus a thick blue cloud of smoke, cloaking system. Best regards ALASTAIR WILSON
We offer three tracker variants, priced the same, and across the range can support both 12V and 6V systems and even positive earth. We offer three different service levels; SAFE, SAFER and SAFEST. SAFE - UK/European Coverage, Single SafeZone Assignment, SafeZone Boundary SMS Alerts, Movement SMS Alerts. Primarily for people using more old-fashioned ‘feature/flip phones’. SAFER - UK/European Coverage, Mobile App & Web, SMS, Email & App Alerts, Remote Control
36 Immobiliser, Multiple SafeZone Assignment, DEAR NEIL, SafeZone Boundary Alerts, Real-Time Map My article in the October 2017 issue of MASCOT Tracking, User Configurable SafeZone Assignment, about the rear brake circlip and wavy washers Power Tamper/Ignition Sense, Battery Health generated more response than anything else I have SAFEST – As SAFER, but also including 24/7/365 ever written for our magazine. It obviously touched Police Interaction. In the event your vehicle is stolen nerves among a wide audience, with one extremely we will provide the designated control-desk with welcome result: AH-Spares have commissioned a secure login to enable the Police to recover your re-manufacture of the wavy ‘Belleville’ washers! vehicle. All we need is the crime-incident number, These plus the circlips will be available to order which is provided to you upon reporting the stolen from the beginning of February; part numbers are car. XBRK182C @ £0.38 for the circlip, XBRK182W @ Our most popular bundle includes a Standard £2.75 for the wavy washer. My sincere thanks go WIRED Tracker with the first-year SAFER service to Jon Hill and his colleagues at AH-Spares for their subscription and the remote vehicle immobiliser interest and expert assistance with this matter. function. This retails for £299, but to club members Without this sort of help and support I believe we is £199 using MASC2018 coupon code on our would all find it much more difficult to keep our website or by phone. ageing cars safely on the road. www.classic-tracker.com JOHN E. DAVIES (MEMBER 3443) Tel: 020 8265 0425 [email protected]
LINKS TO OTHER TRACKERS AVAILABLE: www.trackermonitor.co.uk/Tracker-monitor-reveiw www.trackerfit.co.uk/compare-trackers www.skytag-gps.co.uk/ www.trackershop-uk.com/ www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/tracker–gps–car–vehicle– tracking-device scorpiontrack.com/ www.amazon.co.uk/Tracker-Vehicle-Theft… System…reviews/ www.autoexpress.co.uk tracking.watch/best-car–tracker/ vehicletracking.expertmarket.co.uk/gps-vehicle- tracker–reviews www.toptenreviews.com
37 THE WHO, THE WHAT & THE WHERE OF THE MIDGET & SPRITE CLUB COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Mark Hall, T: 01296 660103 E: [email protected] GENERAL SECRETARY Glyn Polly, T: 07544 302 575 E: [email protected] TREASURER David King, T: 01453 544202 E: [email protected] EDITOR Neil Thomas, T: 07891 684435 E: [email protected] AREA REP’S DELEGATE Alan Anstead, T: 01322 384050 (Answerphone) E: [email protected] MEMBERSHIP Stuart Watson, “Staddlestones”, Thicknall Lane, Clent, Stourbridge, West Midlands. DY9 0HX. T: 01562 883076 E: [email protected] GENERAL MEMBER Alan Pritchett, T: 07720 238810 E: [email protected] Gary Lazarus, E: [email protected] T: 020 7700 5696 FACEBOOK COORDINATOR Richard Wharmby, T: 07814 764546 E: [email protected] OFFICERS CLUB ARCHIVIST & Terry Horler, 63 Littledean, Yate, Bristol, BS37 8UQ. T: 01454 881770 TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION E: [email protected] MEMBERS ADVERTISING Alan Lo, E: [email protected] T: 0117 9572617 Mob: 07474 343643 CAR REGISTERS SPRITES & MIDGETS Stuart Watson, E: [email protected] T: 01562 883 076 (EXCEPT MK1 SPRITES) SPRITES MK1 Gary Lazarus, [email protected] T: 020 7700 5696 REGALIA OFFICER Mike Grout, 55 Park Road, Spixworth, Norwich, NR10 3PJ. T: 01603 890211 E: [email protected] TECHNICAL ADVISOR Mark Boldry, E: [email protected] WEBMASTER Mike Bennett, [email protected] T: 01925 727479 TRADE ADVERTISING Gary Lazarus, [email protected] T: 020 7700 5696 ENQUIRIES E: [email protected] / [email protected] AREA REPRESENTATIVES BRISTOL Terry Horler, T: 01454 881770 E: [email protected] CENTRAL Dave Warren, T: 07831 101850 E: [email protected] DEVON Michael Ellis, T: 07527 598091 E: [email protected] DORSET John Gully, T: 07876 334949 email [email protected] EAST ANGLIA David Dixon, T: 01733 222810 E: [email protected] ESSEX Gary Knight, T: 01376 562172 Mob: 07932 077305 E: [email protected] HAMPSHIRE Terry Langridge, T: 01252 626063 E: [email protected] HEART OF ENGLAND Steve Newton, E: [email protected] HOME COUNTIES Mark Hall, T: 01296 660103 E: [email protected] NORTH WEST KENT Alan Anstead, T: 01322 384050 E: [email protected] LINCOLNSHIRE Currently vacant LONDON Gary Lazarus, T: 020 7700 5696 E: [email protected] NORTH WEST Neil McLeod, T: 01772 466648 Mob: 07921 089 680 E: [email protected] NOTTS/DERBY Ian Cooke, T: 0115 938 3838 E: [email protected] NORTH NOTTS John Austerfield, T: 07778 636070 E: [email protected] & SOUTH YORKS OXFORD Grahame Gibbins, T: 01235 530456 E: [email protected] SCOTLAND Graham Smith, T: 0141 954 8276 E: [email protected] SOMERSET Valerie Young, T: 01460 391431 E: [email protected] SOUTH WEST WALES David Hill, T: 01239 811307 E: [email protected] SURREY Mike Gorman, T: 01737-552256 E: [email protected] MIDGET & SUSSEX Chris Harding, T: 01342 718860 E: [email protected] SPRITE CLUB WILTSHIRE Andy Cross, T: 01225 743554 E: [email protected] YORKSHIRE Rob Armstrong, T: 07889 090411 E: [email protected]
ALSO SEE THE CLUB Compiled by Neil Thomas. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: NIGHTS SECTION FOR NEW Please advise me of any If you experience ‘MASCOT’ problems upon renewal, please contact AREAS AND CONTACTS changes, errors etc. the membership secretary or the treasurer straight away.
© Midget & Sprite Club. Printed by Quorum Print Services Ltd, Units 3&4, Lansdown Industrial Estate, Cheltenham, GL51 8PL 38 Tel: 01242 584984 Website: www.quorumprint.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] CLUB NIGHTS 1st Saturday YORKSHIRE AREA. Meet each month at lunchtime from 12:30pm at The Nags Head, Pickhill, near Thirsk, YO7 4JG – more information at http;//yorkshiremasc.blogspot.com/ 1st Tuesday ESSEX AREA. Now meet at The Green Man, Green Man Lane, Kelvedon Road, Little Braxted, Essex CM8 3LB. For further details contact Gary Knight, Tel: 01376 562172 Mob: 07932 077305 email: [email protected] 1st Wednesday CENTRAL AREA. Now meet each month 8.30pm onwards at the Tame Otter, Lichfield Road, Hopwas, Tamworth, B78 3AF, 8.30 pm onwards Contact: Dave Warren, Tel: 07831 101850. Email: [email protected] 1st Wednesday OXFORD AREA. Meet at the Blackhorse Pub, Gozzards Ford, Nr Abingdon. 7pm for those eating or 8pm for those not. Contact Grahame Gibbins at [email protected] 2nd Tuesday LONDON AREA (CONGESTION ZONE). Meet at The Ace Cafe at 7:30pm together with the Classic Cars Magazine night. Details: Gary Lazarus on 020 7700 5696 garyfrogeye@gmail 2nd Wednesday DEVON AREA. Meet at Court Farm, Abbotskerswell, TQ125 NY Devon. Michael Ellis [email protected] and telephone: 07527 598091 2nd Wednesday HEART OF ENGLAND. All welcome at the Green Dragon, Sambourne, Redditch B96 6NU for 8.30 start. To check “what’s on” please email Steve Newton on [email protected] 2nd Wednesday NORTH WEST AREA. Meet at The Kilton, turn off M6 at Jct 20 onto A50 towards Macclesfield. Pub 4 miles on left. Please note new venue. Neil McLeod email [email protected] Tel 01772 466648 Mobile 07921 089680 2nd Wednesday BRISTOL AREA will meet at Wishing Well, Wapley Road, Codrington, Bristol BS37 6RY. From 8.00pm – or earlier for a Curry enjoyed in peace! Contact Terry Horler 01454 881770 [email protected] 2nd Thursday NOTTS/DERBY BORDER AREA. The Hunters Arms at Kilburn, DE56 0LU (just off the A38) from 7.30. Venues may change through the summer months for country runs. Ian Cooke 0115 938 3838 [email protected] 2nd Thursday EAST ANGLIAN AREA. Previously the Cambridgeshire Area meet at The Ferry Boat, at Holywell, 8pm 2nd Sunday EAST KENT GROUP. Meet at the Crown Inn, Sarre, CT7 0LF from 12.30hrs Contact Area Rep [email protected] or John Clark group co-ordinator [email protected] 3rd Tuesday SCOTLAND. Meet at Houstoun House Hotel, Broxburn, EH52 6JS. Meetings start at 7.30pm. Graham Smith 0141 954 8276 email: [email protected] 3rd Tuesday SURREY. Meet at The Blue Ball, Deans Lane, Walton-on-the-Hill, Tadworth Surrey KT20 7UE. 7.30pm onwards. Contact Mike Gorman, [email protected] Tel: 01737 552256 3rd Sunday NORTH NOTTS & SOUTH YORKS GROUP meeting is from 10am. The Courtyard Tea Room, Womersley, north of Doncaster DN6 9BH. Contact: John Austerfield [email protected] 07778 636070 4th Monday DORSET. New Venue: Holme Bush Inn, Old Wareham Road, Wimborne, BH21 3RZ, 01202 659420 Contact John Gully. Tel: 07876 334 949 email: [email protected] 4th Thursday SUSSEX. Meet at Bolney Stage, Bolney, RH17 5RL from 19:00. 4th Thursday HAMPSHIRE. Meets at The Golden Pot, Old Odiham Road, Shalden, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 4DJ. Please ring Terry or Harriet Langridge on 01252 626063 for details. 4th Sunday KENT AREA. Back at The Angel, Addington Green, Kent until further notice. Contact Alan Anstead [email protected] Last Monday WILTSHIRE. Meet at The Barge Inn, Seend, Nr. Devizes, about 7pm. Contact Andy Cross on 01225 743554 or email [email protected] Last Wednesday HOME COUNTIES NORTH WEST for members in Herts, Beds, Bucks, Berks, N. London or anyone interested! Meet at the Chequers Inn, Redbourn, AL3 7AD from 6:30pm. Please contact Mike or Sue Gahan on email [email protected] or on 07850 488636. Last Thursday. SOMERSET AREA. Meet at Stonemasons Pub & Restaurant, Ilminster TA19 9DJ. 7pm if eating, 8 to 8.30pm if not. Please contact Valerie Young on 01460 391431 for further information. We may not always be there, especially in the Summer! Northern Ireland [email protected]. If enough interest, will arrange a meeting. South West Wales Non-regular and occasional meetings and runs arranged throughout the summer months. Please contact David Hill on 01239 811307 or email: [email protected] 39 WHO NEEDS EBAY? REACH FELLOW MEMBERS IN NEED OF SPARES, PROJECTS, HELP... MARKET PLACE FOR SALE - One Frogeye dynamo dated ’10_59’ with correct pulley and fan plus one screw-terminal RB106/2 voltage regulator dated ‘3_55’. Both items original LUCAS, both fully reconditioned and tested together. £120 ono. For further details, email John Davies ([email protected]).
FOR SALE - SET OF 4 x 13” WIRE WHEELS REBUILT & REFURBISHED WITH NEW INNERTUBES AND TYRES FULLY BALANCED, WEIGHTS ON INSIDE RIMS £350.00 No VAT Phone Chris on 07803 922510
FOR SALE - 1971 3 doors Ford Escort 1300GT in Evergreen (metallic green), covered 65,222 miles from new. Apart from two new front wings and rear arches fitted in 1990, the car is mostly original (body, interior and mechanical). Recent improvement includes new stainless steel exhaust, 5x12” period Dunlop D1 alloy wheels, rear seat belts, rear brake pipe and brake cylinders. The car is MOT and comes with its full service history from new. The car used to belong to Terry Horler’s family; Terry’s father bought it from new in April 1972, he kept a detail log documenting the work done on the car. The car is one of the most original unrestored MK1 Escort I have seen, no works are required. WANTED - lightweight single skin hardtop suitable Selling for £11,500. Contact Alan Lo, 07474 for Mk2 MG Midget. Contact Neil 07891 684435 343643; [email protected]
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ADVERT TO: 40 Alan Lo, 23 Charnell Road, Staple Hill, Bristol, BS16 5NE. Email: [email protected] 07474 343 643 Est 1969 HARDY ENGINEERING THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST
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