MASCOTMASCOT THE MAGAZINE OF THE MIDGET AND SPRITE CLUB

Alan Anstead: Florence and back on the Euroclassic. (Also see inside. Ed) ISSUE NO. 250 NOVEMBER 2004 www.mgcars.org.uk/midgetspriteclub THE WHO, THE WHAT & THE WHERE of THE MIDGET & SPRITE CLUB

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON John Ruderman, 24 High Street, Kingswood, , BS15 4AR. Tel: 0117 967 8351 email: [email protected] GENERAL SECRETARY Terry Horler, 63 Littledean, Yate, Bristol, BS37 8UQ. Tel: 01454 881770 TREASURER Pauline Walters, 18 Lodway Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 2NR. Tel: 0117 971 3092 DEPUTY TREASURER Brendan Joyce, 18 Lodway Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 2NR. Tel: 0117 971 3092 MEMBERSHIP Nigel Williams, 7 Kings Ave., Hanham, Bristol, BS15 3JN. Tel: 0117 961 2175 email: [email protected] MAGAZINE EDITOR Mike North, 123 Devonshire Road, , NW7 1EA. Tel: 020 8343 2817 email: [email protected] REGALIA Christine Barton, 10 Wrens Park Ave., Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, , B76 8LP Tel: 0121 351 2513 GENERAL COMMITTEE Alan Barton, 10 Wrens Park Ave., Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 8LP Tel: 0121 351 2513 OFFICERS CLUB ARCHIVIST Terry Horler, 63 Littledean, Yate, Bristol, BS37 8UQ. Tel: 01454 881770 TECHNICAL ADVISER David Smith, Doric Lodge, 10 Mansfield Terrace, Budleigh Salterton, , EX9 6EN. Tel: 01395 446353 email: [email protected] WEBMASTER Chris Nevard, Tel: 01932 847933, Mobile 07798 743922 email: [email protected] Website: http://www.mgcars.org.uk/midgetspriteclub EVENTS CO-ORDINATOR Alan Barton, 10 Wrens Park Avenue, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 8LP. Tel: 0121 351 2513 MEMBERS ADVERTISING David & Jenny Smith, Doric Lodge, 10 Mansfield Terrace, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 6EN. Tel: 01395 446353 email: [email protected] MUTUAL ASSISTANCE David C. Hill, Penrallt-Y-Cordde, Glynarthen, Llandysul, Dyfed. SA44 6PE. CO-ORDINATOR Tel: 01239 811423 email: [email protected] DATA HANDLING Dave Symes, email:[email protected] TRADE ADVERTISING Ian Rider, Tel: 01793 685351. Email: [email protected]

Trade Advertising Rates Full page one issue £30. Half page one issue £15. Full page whole year £300. Half page whole year £150. AREA REPRESENTATIVES Simon Jennings, Tel: 01296 482573 David Dixon, Tel: 01733 222810 email: [email protected] DEVON David & Jenny Smith, Tel: 01395 446353 email: [email protected] Pete Downton, Tel: 01202 515544 email: [email protected] Ian Swinden, Tel: 01202 623002 email: [email protected] Terry Langridge, Tel: 01252 626063 SOUTH STAFFS & Bill Mohan, Tel: 0121 353 7211 or mobile: 0798 461 6371 email: [email protected] NORTH BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL SCOTLAND Carson Thomson, Tel: 0141 245 6327 day or 013606 22334 evening NORTH WEST Les & Diane Robinson, Tel: 01772 432138 email: [email protected] SOMERSET Dave Bearne, Tel: 01823 412004 email: [email protected] SURREY David Wright, Tel: 0208 642 4789 email: [email protected] WARWICKSHIRE Alan Couch, Tel: 01564 773302 email: [email protected] Chris Yates, Tel: 01608 665066 email: [email protected] WILTSHIRE Ian Rider, Tel: 01793 695351 email: [email protected] YORKSHIRE Anita Campbell, Tel: 01423 862738 or mobile: 07720 725429 email: [email protected]

Also see the Club Nights section on page 2 for new areas and contacts. Club Mileage Competition Contact and Co-ordinator is David Southcott, 29 Skylark View, Horsham, RH12 5EA. Email: [email protected] Compiled by David Hill. Please advise me of any changes, errors etc.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: IF YOU EXPERIENCE ‘MASCOT’ PROBLEMS UPON RENEWAL, PLEASE CONTACT THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY OR THE TREASURER STRAIGHT AWAY. The Committee

© Midget & Sprite Club

Printed by Quorum Technical Services, Unit 3, Lansdown Industrial Estate, Cheltenham, Glos GL51 8PL. Tel: 01242 584984 Fax: 01242 527634 E-mail: [email protected] ISDN: 01242 250756 Modem: 01242 528185 Editorial Firstly, a Guardian style ‘errors, omissions and corrections’ feature: Thank you to ‘Disappointed of Chipping Norton’ for pointing out that the Frogeye road test reprint in the last issue (Oct, page 24/29) was in fact missing the last paragraph! Sorry about that, the missing paragraph is reproduced elsewhere in this issue. Ok, having managed not to choke on that small piece of humble pie I’ll continue. So how was your month? Get the car out did we, do an event, go on a run? Well let’s have the reports then, photos etc. We have some reports already. Inside you will see an excellent report on the Arkley event organised by Fleur Britten and held at the Bedford Autodrome, excellent idea and well supported. We also have some late updates on Goodwood, a report on the Classic Cars Action day at Castle Coombe and of course we all went to the Classic Car show at the NEC on the 23rd (didn’t we?). If you did, did you remember to hand in your ticket stub to the stand? Every one earned the club £1.50. Don’t worry if you didn’t, just send me the money. Cash only, low denomination notes etc, you know the drill J Earlier in the month Ed spent a week in France, Bordeaux in fact, very nice. Obviously a fact finding mission but Elaine and I did manage to acquire a few samples! Tried for some ‘seen abroad’ photos but didn’t see a single MG or Healey, however I did spot an Aston Martin DB3, running with a 1950’s 300SL which wasn’t bad for the services on the E3, see elsewhere. Just as a general comment I do appear to be running this feature on my own at the moment. Laura was the last non Ed contributor with the Frogeye. So what’s the deal, nobody going abroad anymore or no cameras (or no interest)? Talking of interest, ever fancied doing something for the Club? Have a look at the inside back cover. Elsewhere we have details of the AGM, Sunday 14th November, try to make it, it would be great to see you. We also have the official election results, but even with a good turn out and with no alternative candidates, a predictable result. However, talking of membership action Chris Barton forwarded the details of the latest stealth tax proposals from HMGov./DVLA regarding vehicles off road, stored etc etc. This needs action and SOON. I have already forwarded my comments to HMGov., I recommend you do too. Well, that’s me done for another month. Remember, only 46 shopping days to Christmas... J Talking of Christmas, don’t forget that a bumper issue of Mascot awaits you, more pages, COLOUR section, loads to see and read. Hope you enjoy it. Mike North ‘Ed at Large’ PS: Did you notice the front cover? Issue 250, yes two hundred and fifty issues and over twenty years of Mascot ... has anybody got all of them? Please let me know: Ed.

All articles and photographs for the magazine must be received by the first of the month preceding publication. Articles submitted for publication should be e-mailed to the editor if possible or on disc accompanied by hard copy. Members should be advised that pictures will be returned the month after inclusion in Mascot. Photos will only be returned if supplied with a SAE. The statements and opinions expressed in each and every issue of the Mascot are not necessarily the considered views of the Midget and Sprite Club. The views expressed by the editorial contributors, letter writers and advertisers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Club. The Midget and Sprite Club accepts no responsibility for the results of following contributor’s advice, nor does it necessarily endorse the services or products offered by advertisers.

1 Robsfrogs

Austin Healey Mk1 Frogeye Sprites fully restored to Original specification

Servicing, welding to MOT standard, re-sprays All work undertaken on all Sprites & Midgets Contact Rob Tel: 01264 790744 or 07778 667458 Email: [email protected] Visit my web site @ www.robsfrogs.org.uk

Call for a free copy of our MGB catalogue or download from our website!

2 Club Nights 1st Wednesday Wiltshire – Meet at The Forresters, Leigh, near Cricklade. NOTE CHANGE OF NIGHT 1st Wednesday South Staffs & Birmingham – Meet at the The Green Man, Middleton Village, 8.30-8.45pm 1st Thursday Area – Meet at Heneage Arms, Hainton, nr. Wragby. 8pm. Contact Brian Sumner on 01507 328128 1st Thursday Notts/Derby border Area (note change of day) at the Sitwell Arms near Horsley Woodhouse from approx. 8.30. Just a mile north-west of the A608/A609 crossroads. Ian Cooke 0115 938 3838 [email protected] 1st Thursday Yorkshire Area – November meeting at The Fleece Inn, 152/154 Main Street, Addingham, near Ilkley LS29 0PL – meeting from 7.30pm onwards. Food available. Contact Anita Campbell 01423 862738 or 07720 725429 email: [email protected] 2nd Tuesday Surrey – Meet at The Blue Ball, Walton-on-the-Hill, 7.45pm. 2nd Wednesday Warwickshire – Meet at The Green Dragon, The Green, Sambourne, Reddich, B96 6NU, at 8.30pm as usual. 2nd Wednesday North West Area meet at The Kilten, turn off M6 at Jct 20 onto A50 towards Macclesfield. 4 miles on left. Please note new venue. 2nd Thursday Cambridgeshire – Meet at The Mad Cat pub in Pidley Village, midway between Huntingdon & Chatteris, 8pm 3rd Monday Dorset – Meet at St. Peter’s Finger, Lytchett Minster, Poole 7.30pm 3rd Tuesday Central Scotland Meet at The Wheatsheaf, Torrance, East Dunbartonshire. 7.30pm in the Lounge. Check first with Carson on 0141-245-6327 day or 013606-22334 evening. 4th Thursday Hampshire – Meet at The Lord Derby, North Warnborough. Please ring Terry or Harriet Langridge on 01252 626063 for details. Last Thursday Somerset – Meet at The Lord Nelson, Norton-sub-Hamdon. 8.00pm Club Website Members Only pages for November User name: wallace Password: gromit Events From David Hill and Webmaster Chris Nevard 2004 November Saturday 13th Devon Area’s Slide Show, including MGCC visit to Brooklands plus many more classic car events. 8.15 pm at The Cannon Inn, Newton Poppleford, Nr. Exeter. Contact David and Jenny Smith 01395 446353 for further details. Sunday 14th M&SC AGM. At Gee & Company, Holborn Hill, Birmingham, B7 5JR. Details in this month’s Mascot.

3 Monday 29th Ace Café, North Circular Road, London. 6pm BMC Cars Meet Up. Details from www.ace-café-london.com Every 2nd Tuesday, Classic Cars December Sunday 5th North West Area are going on the MG Christmas Cracker Run. Details from Les or Diane Robinson, Tel: 01772 432138 Wednesday 8th Warwickshire Area’s Christmas Dinner. Details from Chris Yates on 01608 665066 Sunday 12th North West Area’s Christmas Meal. Details from Les or Diane Robinson, Tel: 01772 432138 Tuesday 14th Surrey Area Christmas Dinner. Details from David Wright, Tel: 0208 642 4789 email: [email protected] Saturday 18th Warwickshire Area are having a Christmas Party at Mo and Phil’s. Details from Mo and Phil Wood on 01905 456303 Events organised so far for 2005 April Saturday 23rd Yorkshire Area’s Yorkshire Moors Daffodil Scenic Tour Weekend. Overnight and Sunday 24th stop at The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge. Limited numbers so early booking essential. Details from Anita Campbell. Tel: 01423 862738 or mobile 07720 725429 email: [email protected] Area Reps please let David Hill have confirmed dates for new events asap. Remember there are Club Night Natters throughout the year and that area events are also open to members from other areas! Please also note that the above lists only M&SC events or events where we have a presence or an interest. General classic events are listed in the classic press.

‘Bodger’s Corner’ The Anonymous Bodger’s tip of the month’ e covered the topic of oil 24 hours, and then hose it off... marks on the concrete in Just like magic! (For the Wthis column a while back technically minded... Jenolite is – – you just use oven cleaner or I think – pretty well pure dilute Gunk, and hose it down (but don’t phosphoric acid – so virtually any do it on asphalt). other rust-remover would do, as most of them contain this or However, what to do about those something similar). horrible rust marks on the driveway or the pavement where (Sorry Mike, these are getting you left those old rear springs or feebler by the month... too bad no whatever?? Rust stains are one else seems to want to stump dreadful, and even seem to up with anything...!) penetrate ceramic tiles and suchlike, and are Happy Spridging! a devil to remove... No matter what you do, they just won’t wash off... ‘AB’ AKA The Anonymous Bodger Is AB correct, does nobody have a bodge Answer – Easy!! – use Jenolite or similar (you untold? Come on tell your friends... can dilute it 50:50 if you haven’t got much). Brush it on, leave it to soak in for about Meanwhile, Ed says: Thanks AB.

4 5 AGM Invite 14th November

Copyright: Collins Bartholomew Ltd 2004 – Free advert for this excellent site: Ed

our Chairman and Committee invite you If you have an issue you would like to put on to the 2004 Annual General Meeting on the agenda for discussion please let me YSunday 14th November. Meeting to know. I hope there will be a good attendance, start at 2pm. see you there. The membership has been granted the use of facilities at This year the meeting will be in the Midlands, and Alan Couch has kindly offered the use of Gee & Company, his premises. At the meeting club committee Holborn Hill, members will give reports on the club, the Birmingham, B7 5JR result of the ballot announced and the the new committee will be confirmed. The venue is very close to junction 6 of the M6 (Spaghetti Junction) We look forward to You will have the chance to air your views seeing you there: about the club, ask questions and make suggestions for the coming year. The Committee Mutual Assistance Directory t’s cold, wet and really miserable! Not away from the fire and go and work in a cold weather to get out and about in an open garage. I suppose I must be a wimp! Itop is it? Still, Spring is only 5 months away! That does give me lots of time to fettle At the moment, we have 155 MAD members the old Midget. Trouble is on a wet, cold with most areas of the UK and some overseas evening, the last thing I want to do is move countries represented. Not bad but could be

6 better considering the membership base that would like a copy you can download it from we have. So, if you are not a member of the members only section of our website but MAD, let me have your details for inclusion in if you do not have access to the web or don’t the scheme. It costs nothing but pays plenty know someone who does, I will print off a in satisfaction. Apply on the club’s webpage, copy and send it to you. members only section or to me by email or even snail mail. David Hill

Do you all carry your copy of the Mutual Assistance Directory? If you don’t and you Annual Ballot Results ur thanks to all who returned their annual ballot papers for the election of a committee to serve the club from the 1st of October 2004. Considering that only 6 candidates put their Onames forward and that no committee positions were opposed, then 124 returned ballot papers was a very good result by our usual standards. It does seem rather pointless in having an election under such circumstances but that’s democracy for you! Anyway, the votes went as follows: Votes For Abstain Chairperson John Ruderman 122 2 General Secretary Terry Horler 122 2 Membership Secretary Nigel Williams 122 2 Treasurer Pauline Walters 119 5 Deputy Treasurer Brendan Joyce 119 5 Mike North Editor 123 1 The above named find themselves so encumbered for yet another spell in office. At this point, we thank our two retiring committee members, Chris and Alan Barton for serving the club for a number of years. We shall certainly miss Chris, who personally knitted all the club regalia from recycled ski hats and hand embroidered over 200 cloth badges behind her employer’s back. Chris looks forward to giving her fingers a rest and in a recent interview said “More than anything, I will miss members sending me their money”. Alan, who also served as acting Chairperson when the rest of the committee appointed him during a long loo break at a committee meeting, is looking forward to seeing more of Chris – under the Frogeye scraping off old underseal. Somehow, we don’t think the name of Barton will be missing from the pages of Mascot as both are very active Midlands members. Sincerely, our thanks to them for all that they have done for the club as committee members. Whilst in thanking mode, thanks to members who added some encouraging comments along with their ballot papers. It makes the job so worthwhile to receive a slap on the back – instead of elsewhere! Finally, we must also thank our independent adjudicator, Zoë Goode, for receiving and collating the ballot papers. Terry Horler, on behalf of the committee

7 Webmonster Auto Site of the Month 6th in a series of featured 2004 sites that help members link to the world of motorcars, motorsport and motor enjoyment! This month is...

http://www.classicpartsforsale.com/ News of this site came unsolicited to the offices of Mascot. It purports to be a FREE portal offering users the opportunity to buy and sell parts. Ebay for the classic car world. BE CAREFUL, this is new and has no track record BUT if it works (or doesn’t) please let the Mascot editorial office know. Ed

8 A Club Is Born all standing around one solitary Spridget. It was my Frogeye actually; otherwise I wouldn’t have mentioned it, outside the Mulberry Bush in Southwark. We talked of many things while trying to convince the wardens that my car had actually broken down and we were just having a pint till the AA man arrived. You’ll notice no doubt, that missing from the above list of fine gentlemen is the name of the instigator of the evening’s proceedings. t’s been brewing for a couple of years, a Yes, Toby, he of she-wolf fame, who was mention here, an e-mail there. Hushed unable to attend due to something happening Ivoices. Could we? Should we? Would with his “Rach”. I assumed this to be an anyone care less if we did or didn’t. Where obscure Spridget part from Abingdon’s would we meet, who would come, would we Special Tuning Department, which had get clamped, would we get lost? inexplicably broken, rendering Toby’s Midget inoperable. I was later informed that a “Rach” It was finally decided on the MG bulletin is the term for a Mrs Toby! board (it’s like a natter in a pub, only daily, worldwide and on the internet to those of you So this was the inaugural meeting of the still using steam driven devices), to try and Central London Midget and Sprite Club, MASC Congestion have a meeting of interested parties henceforth to be known as Zone somewhere in Central London. Easy I hear . you say. But you try finding a pub in the City It was such a good evening spent with without double yellows and 24-hour parking kindred spirits that rather than wait till the attendants in attendance! Remember, us same day next month to meet at another Southern types in high-powered jobs, living vehicular unfriendly location, those of us not off the fat of the proletariat, can’t just drop on transatlantic flights, hosting everything and fly back from the four corners celebrity-spattered dinner parties or chairing of the globe for a quick pint and a chat. We meetings with other captains of industry, have to organise things, set up focus groups, thought it might be fun to meet at the Ace gauge public opinion, and synchronise our Café’s Classic Car night (2nd Tuesday of diaries. every month). Another flurry of messages on So one afternoon, 16th September 3:12 pm the Worldwide Web and off we set again on and 19 seconds according to the internet, Tuesday 12 October. Toby, (RWA Midget with fast engine) and whom it turns out was reared by she-wolves on the Russian tundra, issued a call to arms, “Fancy a pint at some point?” To which some 102 communications later found: l Paul H (1961 red Sprite Mk11 with 948 engine), Bridget Bardot’s love child l Nick (Cherry red Frogeye with add-ons), ex rodeo clown l Steve (1959 green Frogeye) mouse trainer from Wigan l and myself (1958 red Frogeye 1275, smokey), estate agent London Sprites at Ace Cafe

9 The weather forecasters predicted heavy rain meal in the café and Matt from Hampshire, at for the evening and Mr Fish and his cohorts Uni in London, soon joined us. He is didn’t disappoint. Roof up, wipers sweeping restoring his mothers old Mk IV Sprite (well as fast as their little arms could flit across the two actually). The five of us were soon to windscreen, the little Frogeye swam up the swell to a heady seven, with the arrival of North Circular towards the legendary Hangar Stuart from Surrey in Stuart’s old MGB, now Lane Gyratory system. Those of you not owned and driven by Rich. And we chatted familiar with this feat of automotive mayhem about bodges, bodywork and BHP. should picture in your minds Spaghetti So two meetings in one month, seven Junction compressed into one roundabout of different people with four cars in attendance four to five lanes bursting with HGV’s and the who I calculate own seven Spridgets and an best that London’s driving academies can MGB between them, plus a few more hiding throw at you. Oh, and put a tube station in in the wings and we have the makings of the middle of it! A real adventure in a Frogeye. something permanent in MASC terms. That successfully navigated, we arrived at the We’ll try to make this a regular thing and automotive Mecca that is the Ace Café to be obviously extend a warm invitation to any one greeted by, amongst others, Paul H’s Mk11 who wishes to join us on one of our yet to be Sprite and Toby’s RWA Midget. As I pulled, in decided upon, upcoming dates. I can be a space appeared next to their Spridgets due contacted at [email protected] to a departing classic (the make escapes me) and look forward to hearing from any Midget who realising the night would only get wetter, or Sprite owners, especially if you are from wisely decided to head home to dry off. the general area of the M25. It was nice to see the three little cars all lined And remember that if you can’t make it up. So with a 200% increase in Spridgets yourself, you could always send your driver! numbers from our first meeting, it bodes well for the future of the Congestion Zone Group. Gary L If we can continue this kind of increase each [email protected] month we should be taking over the world by (”Gary Lazarus”) Welcome on board Gary, look mid March. Toby, Paul H, his girlfriend (sorry Ed says: we weren’t formally introduced) and myself forward to meeting up with your crew soon! all settled down for a beverage and a hot Cambridgeshire Report t’s that time again I’m afraid, we had management”. Now the Mad Cat has always hoped to squeeze in another event before been a slightly run down village pub with a Ithe Spridgets went into hibernation but large car park friendly staff and that bizarre then the weather changed and all those plans name and location (Pidley) my American swiftly evaporated. I will have plenty to do on friends think I have made it up. The Mad Cat the project car and I guess we all have is above all though a genuine place, it is an maintenance plans, jobs and improvements old building it does have beams but they are in mind in readiness for next year. I normally there to hold the place up rather than to look manage to get the Sprite out for the odd four at. The place has just evolved over the years or five mile run on those crisp dry days, just and become what it is rather than being to keep the battery charged up and everything marketed or themed and there is something in working order but otherwise the Sprite is honest about that. On the other side of the relatively dormant. The agenda for this time coin the place could benefit from a little of year is more about catching up on smartening up and making it a bit more maintenance and planning next year’s events. comfortable and maybe a new surface on the Sprite night came around but being a bit cold car park, which I think it may well happen. and damp the Sprite stayed at home however Normally on arrival at the Mad Cat we walk on our arrival the Mad Cat was festooned in through the back door in to a smoke filled with banners proclaiming “under new room through a forest of reciprocating snooker

10 Earlier this year cues wielded by youths and on onto the containing at least one vegetarian option and slightly more welcoming (but usually sparsely ranging in price from £13 to £20 – 50 per populated) lounge. Don’t get me wrong the person for two or three courses. The meal will youths are a considerate and well-behaved be instead of the normal pub night (Note – bunch who take great care not to impale second Thursday of December pub night is classic car owners on their cues, but they do cancelled) I will try to organise a dry sunny seem to make up the majority of the day so we can maybe give the Spridgets an customers on a Thursday night. Imagine my airing. I have booked the meal for those who surprise on entering the pub to find the said they wanted to come at the last meeting snooker table and smoke gone, replaced by and I will have contacted most of the regulars an enormous pine table strategically placed in by the time you read this and paid the £5 per front of a bow window overlooking the head deposit. If I have not contacted you yet entrance to the car park and perfect for us. and you would like to join us please let me The new owners seem a friendly bunch and know ASAP. Regarding the deposit, as long interested in our activities. There is now a bar as I know you are definitely coming I will pay menu rather than just Sunday lunches and it and you can either settle up next time I see the odd plate of sandwiches, and this seems you or at the meal. I rather like the idea of to have attracted a few more mid week going out for a meal and rather than paying customers. With the enthusiastic classic car for it, having people giving me money, it’s a friendly owners smartening the old place up bit like getting cash back at the supermarket. (just a bit) and exploring ways to broaden its Yes I know it’s my money but there is still appeal, I think we may well be able to stamp something very satisfying about getting your our mark on it a little. Maybe get a few shopping and the shop paying you. pictures or something on the walls advertising On the subject of events for next year, I will the club. be devising a treasure hunt and it should be The club night was the usual mix of even more diabolical than was originally good-natured chitchat about almost anything planned (given the extra time I will have to (occasionally even about cars). I have devise it). We will be attending the BMC however finally allowed my natural resistance Rally again, Gransden flying day is a must, I to pretentious intrusive electronic gadgets to would also like to attempt another East be subdued by practicality and splashed out Anglian Gathering (maybe in conjunction with on a laptop so I can now show all my digital some other local groups) and I would love to images of club events in the pub. Not sure join up with the Lincolnshire group for a everyone would agree this is a good thing but Lincolnshire Wolds run. If anyone has any I enjoyed it as did (I suspect) those whose other ideas or would like to organise an event cars featured in the pictures. please let me know. It may seem a little The main business of the evening was to premature thinking about next year’s events organise the last event of the year, the now but time flies by these days and if you Christmas meal. This year we decided to can’t be out in your Spridget you can at least break with tradition and go for a Sunday be planning it. lunchtime meal on the 5th December at See you all at the 2 pm. The venue has also changed to the Mad Cat next time. George and Dragon at Elsworth which is run Dave Dixon by the aptly named Paul and Karen Beer, and comes highly recommended. There are a variety of Christmas menus available each

11 Yorkshire Report

Above: Saturday run. Below: Sunday run

Bootiful view

Dales Weekend sheet and trying to solve the choco clues on route was great fun. Mark and I in the Midget met up with Andrew in his Frogeye at Scotch Corner to make the Sunday’s weather wasn’t as good but we journey across to Ravenstonedale to join were treated to a fantastic tour including a members from the NW and Scotland areas on stunning drive along Kingsdale and Deepdale a weekender. We arrived in good time, giving between Ingleton and Dent. us the chance to get acquainted with the The whole weekend was thoroughly others before setting off on the afternoon tour enjoyable. Andrew won a prize in the quiz. of discovery. We decided to risk going top Delighted to have met Les and Diane (thanks down and were rewarded with plenty of for a well organised and fun weekend) and sunshine and superb views during the Carson and Linda. I can now put faces to afternoon. We had been provided with a quiz names in other area reports. Peter and Dorothy, Stewart and Christine, Bob, John and Betty with GT the dog, Alan and Fiona to

At the Black Swan Wensleydale cheese factory

12 name but a few. Also met Ian and Lynne Plenty to talk about as usual. Martin is from Barnsley in their newly acquired citron waiting for rear bumper brackets for his 1968 yellow Midget. They hope to come to our next Midget restoration. Steve and Jenny are Yorkshire meeting. selling their Alfa-engined Sprite (see Mascot issue 236 August 2003) as they have bought Croft Circuit a V8 MGB roadster and don’t have enough A week later and Mark, myself and Andrew garage space for both. Mark suggested Arthur head off for a day at Croft. We saw Andy Wolf should buy it. (one of our group) racing his Midget in the Matt told us about his Midget. He bought it last rounds of the Cockshoot Cup and we summer last year on a well-known internet spent some time chatting to two Frogeye auction site. Popped outside during the drivers racing in the Historic Ecosse. One evening to have a look. It’s a 1972 Midget in Frogeye had an engine oil seal problem Bronze Yellow without bumpers. Nice. Lizzie caused by excessive crankcase pressure and hasn’t been allowed to drive it yet. An lack of adequate engine breathing system (so incentive for her to pass her driving test that I’m told!). is coming up soon. York Historic Vehicle Show 26th Sept Dave and Andra had seen our details on the MASC website and as they live locally decided to come along. Andra wants a Spridget and Dave likes a good restoration challenge. He’s looking for a Frogeye in terrible condition. Mark thinks he may know of a couple of Frogeye projects. Ian and Lynne had come in their Midget. It’s been off the road with electrical problems. Turned out the battery leads were loose! Our own MASC banner arrived in time for this show and, together with some copies of Simon had a problem with his Sprite on the Mascot, attracted plenty of interest. Nick and way to the meeting having recently Jo joined us in Knaresborough for the drive successfully competed in the Classic over in our Midgets meeting Robin and his Marathon, coming 17th overall, 1st in class wife Jill in York in theirs so we could drive (against Mini Cooper Ss) and 1st novice. This into the show together. Philip joined us later evening’s problem turned out to be a blown with his Midget making our display complete. head gasket that Simon and Mark replaced the next day prior to Simon’s departure for October Natter The Borders to compete in two rallies that Yet another enjoyable evening! A record weekend. turnout to date of 16 and despite the We handed out details of our “Yorkshire autumnal darkness 6 Spridgets parked up. Moors Daffodil Scenic Tour”. This is a The Waggon and Horses at Oxenhope is weekend event for Spridgets in April 2005. where we met with a roaring real fire to More details from me if you are interested in welcome us. Martin and Matthew had arrived joining us (numbers are limited). first and secured an area near the fire. Then there was Arthur, Mark and I, Steve and Next meetings Jenny (the pub was their choice – an excellent one at that), Simon and Phil. This 4th November – The Fleece Inn, 152/154 time Nicola accompanied Phil in his Midget, Main Street, Addingham, Ilkley LS29 0PL well wrapped up as the hood was down. We 3rd December – to be decided were delighted to welcome some new folk too. Matt and Lizzie, Dave and Andra. Also Anita Ian and Lynne made it all the way from [email protected] Barnsley. 01423 862738 or 07720 725429

13 Dorset Report Blandford Brewery Visit – Monday 27th September delicious Ploughman’s Supper washed down by the full range of Hall and Woodhouses’ products. An informative and thoroughly enjoyable evening. Thanks again, Colin and Vi.

Viewing the huge fermentation vessels

Thanks to an initial idea and excellent planning from Colin and Vi Morris, 27 of us attended the Hall and Woodhouse Brewery at Cheers! Blandford. Our host for the evening, Jim, was a font of knowledge and had served this Roll of Honour: family firm for 48 years before retiring to take Ian and Pam Swinden, Pete Downton, on conducting tours on a part-time basis. The Colin and Vi Morris, Ian and Chris Beaver, strength of the staff loyalty to the firm came Janet Webb, Francis and Yvonne Bugler, over strongly with many Dorset family names Kevin and Andrea Bennett, Terry Mobley, appearing on the firm’s 25 and 40 year John and Carole Gully, Robin and Hilary Service boards. Personally, it was the first Hackforth, Sylvie Starr, Ted Dacombe, David time after a number of previous brewery visits and Lynda Stuchberry, Paul and Hilary that I really understood the brewing process. Storey, Richard and Helen Lipsett, Simon We were even able to taste the malted barley Flew (bit like Ovaltine!) and smell and handle the Ian Swinden hops. After viewing the brewery we had a NW Area Report n 18th/19th September we held our Yorkshire Dales but in , but it’s near Yorkshire Dales weekend. We met up enough! Oagain with Carson and the Scottish mob plus Anita and some of the Yorkshire After meeting up we set off over the moors to crew. Carson has very kindly offered to write Thwaite for lunch. Then it was a drive to a detailed report so to save duplication I will Sedburgh for a brief look around before just give a brief overview. returning to the hotel. We met at the Black Swan Hotel in We had a quiz consisting of identifying Ravenstonedale, which is where we also corporate logos and naming chocolate bars stayed on the Saturday evening. The more from cryptic clues. There were prizes for the astute of you will of course realise that individual winner, booby for lowest score and Ravenstonedale is not actually in the a trophy for highest scoring team. I am

14 ashamed to say that the performance by the home. Unfortunately Diane and I missed the England contingent was pretty dire with the Sunday run, as we had to return home for our individual prize going to Scottish members, granddaughters christening. However I gather well-done Betty and John, and the team everything went ok especially the scary run trophy also won by Scotland. We didn’t go into Dent. away empty handed though, the booby prize was won by an England member, however So that was it in a nutshell, hopefully there is consolation in the fact he comes from everyone enjoyed it. Yorkshire and not the N.W. area – well done Next event is the Christmas dinner on 12th Andrew! Overall a pretty poor showing by the December. If you are interested then let me south of the border team, but it was only a bit know a.s.a.p. of fun and not to be taken seriously, not till next time anyway!! See you next month at the Kilten Sunday there was a run down into Hawes Les and then onto Dent for lunch before heading

South Staffs and Birmingham Area News October in Staffordshire (and Warwick’s, too!) ur October-fest was a happy occasion. for an evening gallop around the M42 in the We were joined by a large contingent heavy mist. Ofrom Warwickshire for the evening at the Green Man. Loads of happy chatter went The run to Sambourne from Sutton is on and I had the pleasure of a dash through normally a great cross-country one but with the lanes in the company of my son who was the mist in evidence, prudence took over. It airing his new TF160. On his way home to also meant the excuse for a hearty blast every Nottingham he followed me to the Green Man time we drove out of a 50MPH, road works and shared an hour or so with us. area, to leave the encroaching ordinary cars behind with their companion lorries. I don’t It turned out that he and Christine Barton had know why truck drivers seem to think they mutual acquaintances, which found them are speed limit exempt in these sections but chatting most of the night (except when he the M42 is very heavily (and notorious, went to the bar to buy me a birthday pint!). locally!) speed camera covered. Fines are Lara was really on song too so it was a great very vigorously enforced so we always plays evening. We discussed the odd wintry tasks the game there. I don’t need penalty points to ahead, for me the 5 speed and a possible make my life complete! front suspension re-design and Geoff gave me the plans to look at from his brand new I don’t pretend to be an angel in the National Frontline conversion to make me a little bit Speed Limit Areas though; Lara loves those jealous. Grr! At the end of the evening we all bits, so do I! went out into the car park to say our At our meeting we decided to have our farewells. Christmas Meal during the December Those of us in Spridgets seemed mostly to meeting, as last year, so we would appreciate have parked roofless so after a wipe around knowing how many to book for then we can the glassy bits, in and out, we’d a great dash reserve a lump of pub big enough for us! through the lanes again. Please advise Geoff or myself with bookings, thanks. The following Wednesday Geoff and I paid our mutual friends a return visit, good excuse Bill Mohan

15 Warwickshire’s October Report ur trips to the Beaulieu Autojumble and missed too much. We were wondering Shelsey Walsh were reported last whether next year we could make it a Omonth, but the photograph of the challenge to visit all areas in one year that is Frogeyes, which stormed up the hill, missed including Carson in the far North. Certainly the publishing date, so it is included here. we intend to drop in on at least a couple! The Austin Healey Spares Auction at Nether The next MASC event is the Classic Car Show Whitaker Hall was not well attended at the NEC from 22nd–24th October and it is unfortunately, but those who did go found being organised by Alan Barton. It will be the some real bargains. A set of wire wheels for a last show that he will organise, as he is Midget went for £40 and there were boxes of leaving the committee. Alan has given the mixed parts going for just a £1. This looks club a lot of support over the years, including like an event to watch for in the future. being Acting Chairman while the post However, the Restoration Show at the NAC, remained vacant and I am sure the club Stoneleigh, on the 31st November will officials will miss him. However, he still has provide a great opportunity to source parts for his Frogeye awaiting his attention and, those winter projects, although they are not hopefully, both he and Chris will continue to likely to match the bargains found at the be regulars at our meetings. Chris Barton is auction. also stepping down from managing the club On the first Wednesday of the month, a regalia, which is another important area and number of members met at the Old Royal one, which she has devoted a great deal of Oak for a journey to the Greenman to join the time. Both will be very difficult to replace! South Staffs Group. As the weather had been We are also hoping to support the AGM on exceedingly wet, the little cars stayed safely Sunday 14th November; especially as this warm and dry in their garages, while more year, it will be a short drive for us, as Alan modern, but not so exciting vehicles took to Couch has kindly offered the use of his the road. Unusually for the Warwickshire premises for the meeting. As Birmingham is Group, the ladies, except for Chris Barton, central to the whole country, we hope to meet were busy with other duties and unable to members from all the other areas as well. make the journey. We apologise to South Staffs for our absence and hope we were not Our December meeting will commence with a Christmas meal, which must be booked in advance, so if you have not done so already, please phone Chris and I to book your place. We have already begun to think about next year’s events, but can’t quite make up our minds whether to go to France, Holland, Belgium or Ireland for our venture across the water. We enjoyed a wonderful range of activities this year with everyone making an input and now we are looking for a similar range of ideas so that Warwickshire admiring the Racing Frogeyes at Shelsley we can start putting our Walsh. Picture sent by Stuart. Ed says: presumably for the calendar for next year together. Frogeye and occasional Midget ClubJ! Very nice. Chris and Sheila

16 Scotland Report – The Dales his is hip-hop [that’s music] up to the face embalmed in glumness as he minute alienation and renewal stuff, as morticianed past our smiley, little cars. Stone Tseen in snatches from the Midget on the me! What’s wrong with those guys!? But terrific Dales tour put on by Les and chums; there was a couple who glee’d to see our for there we were in convoy, headin’ south, Spridget column advancing, they and we when slow to recognise but easy to catch up laffing, waving and that was much better. on, was an MG ‘Y’ type driven by a displaced Of the runs. Thanks indeed to Les and Diane, Fangio, wearing slick back round sided Andrew and Peter for putting us on roads thru shades crouching forward over the wheel, lost scenery beyond that which Scotland can in his microscopic world unable to include us provide [the scenic gauntlet comes later, within a glance or wave, his soul having long mutter, mutter] and that’s the highest praise since been intergalactically zapped and I can give. However, Les produced a shaker taken. Sad sack. when he handed out multiple quizzes which Next. On the jaunt over the Dales, on a single Betty Kerr individually and collectively won track road, we stopped for a view and for us by ingeniously contacting the snappings; when came another one, this discredited Major from ‘Who Wants To Be A time, believe me, it was Jasper Carrott Millionaire’. We all could hear coughings thru impersonating a dead man driving a Skoda, the copse, but only Betty interpreted them to

Ed says: More press exposure for the MASC. Carson and chums hit the biggest selling paper in Scotland. Well done Alan Plumtree (and his ’69 Sprite).

17 give us victory. Well done Betty for your on the loose! I told you those Bolshie Boy maximum effort. At lunch on Saturday, at a plates were dangerous’. ‘Oh, Carson! Don’t be delightful wee place with a bus stop, there such a sad sack’. Linda was rite of course, was a rarefied snatch of conversation from because the police peeled off, not having Andrew TR6 ‘She was going with a lad from spotted Hulot’s failed brake lites. the cheese factory’. Now, you need to be Tee-Hee-Hee- a master stroke made possible localised for that line, which tied in nicely by flicking the side lites on and off. [Thanks with a visit to see Wensleydale cheese being John, for the tip]. Everything went well. Then made with lads bending over huge vats, Lash Laru hit us real hard; but as we are now turning large blocks of cheese by hand. Back disciples of Dave [‘what’s a hood?’] Dixon, breaking work; only made visually tolerable nothing daunted us; uplifted as we were at by the suspicion that, behind this scene and the sight of 2 greater loonies in a Lomax with away from the tourist viewing area, the entire only aero screens, goggles and oil slicks for operation proper was conducted by a B.Sc. protection. It made our waterfalls in the pressing a button. footwells seem as absolutely nothing. You’d have loved it all, Dave! At Dent, another lovely spot with a beautiful apple tree, we split for home, 4 cars from Carson and chums Scotland travelling together. We didn’t get far, PS. It was good to meet Anita and Mark, Ian when a Subaru highway patrol car came and Lyn and the interesting Andrew from round a bend, pulled into a gravelled lay-by, Yorkshire together with the NW chums. turned and followed us. I flashed Bob to pull Thanks again, Les and Diane for bringing us over, certain that I was guilty of something together. and wanting to confess to anything. ‘Linda! MI6’s foned ahead and reported Bolsheviks Surrey Area Report hat a splendid gathering for a We welcomed Sam Raouf, from Walton on miserable, rainy October evening! 22 Thames, a club member for a while, and Wpeople was my headcount, and so been through 2 Frogeyes too! Hope you come much news being exchanged! along again Sam! Sue and Guy back from Sri-Lanka, having Mike (Ed) was promoting the Ace Café enjoyed their experience, but concerned special event on 29th November, reserved about the poverty, John and Alan just back just for British Marques – this could be a club from the Haynes Euro-Classic, the inaugural evening outing, subject to British weather of run for the lovely Sebring replica. It acquitted course – if you think you want to go along, itself well too, just a few running in matter more details from Mike. not completely disclosed!! Some of us will have attended the NEC Classic Car Show at the end of October, so Helen has been organising the ladies trip to more of that next month. In the meantime, Amsterdam, which is now all set for the first forthcoming events include – weekend in December, so we will eagerly await the tales from the Lowlands. 29th November – British Marques at the Ace Café Ashley was displaying his latest fashion 14th December – Surrey Area Christmas accessory, a stainless steel luxury version of Dinner – Kingswood Arms Keep in touch the plate that covers the lower half of the regarding other local runs, in case of changes brake/clutch master cylinder assembly – a to our 2004 activities in the events listing, very limited run has been produced, along and in the meantime, you can catch me on – with a signed numbered certificate for each [email protected] for now one (No, honestly I jest!) David

18 Classic Car Action Day Castle Combe Circuit – Saturday 11th September before I could say hello -a belated “Hello Ken”. Action Day regular, Don Francis in his now familiar – and famous – Ford Zetec engined Frogeye again circumnavigated the track like no other Frogeye does, just a bit quickly in case you were wondering. Richard’s dad Ken also sampled the circuit in his MkIII Mini Cooper S and thoughtfully hid it in a ditch behind our display so as not to break the line up! Also attending, but more content to watch others having all the fun were Clive Emmens and son from Southampton in a Round arch Midget, John Alan Lo’s Midget MkI and Don Francis’s Ruderman and Nigel Williams in John’s Zetec-engined Frogeye exercising their Midget MkII, Alan Lo in a very rare Midget hinges whilst John Ruderman’s Midget MkII GAN2 plus tired ole T.H. in the multi shades keeps its lid firmly shut. Asked why, Chairman of red Frogeye. J.R. said “Every time it’s lifted, it costs me at The event organisers had changed a number least £200.” of things this year to ensure fewer cars on the circuit at any one time and to reduce the omehow, this ever-popular event number of ‘Moderns’ creeping in. A part of seemed less attractive to members this this was to increase the cost of Track passes Syear. Not for the ones who attended, but but even so, anyone plonking their £30 on by the much-reduced response from the club the counter suddenly became a Classic Car for free tickets. This is an event unlike any owner for 5 laps. Somehow, I don’t think that other, as those who attended will surely a Vauxhall Vectra or ‘R’ reg Cavalier have testify. MASC is a long time supporter of this become accepted Classics just yet. Indeed, as event and will only continue to be so if the the day wore on, the ages of the cars on the numbers cease to dwindle below the seven circuit seemed to reduce dramatically – or did Spridgley things we managed to muster from I miss something? our considerable ranks. There was a time when we had over twenty cars on our stand, and that was when the club was far smaller – Woz appening? Whinging aside, it was another great day in the company of a paddock full of wonderful machinery. But this is no static show. From 9.00am onwards, classics of all descriptions were out on the circuit blasting cobwebs – and tyre treads – away. From MASC, Richard Gibson with his Sprite MkIV demonstrated that the bulge in the bonnet wasn’t just there From near to far, Alan Lo’s Midget MkI, to direct the flies away from the windscreen. Richard Gibson’s Sprite MkIV with twice as Beneath, a KAD twin cam 16 valve head sat many cams and valves as other A series on the ‘A’ Series block. All the way from engines. Beyond that, T.H.’s multi shades of Anglesey, Ken Jones brought his quick red Frogeye and Clive Emmens’s BMH-bodied Frogeye although rather quickly departed R/A Midget.

19 Much noise in the paddock turned out to be In all, a great day. Action day continues to the mobile rolling road dynamometer doing live up to its name and long may it do so. business. This drew quite a crowd as owners I do hope that members will give this a bit put their cars on the rollers to find out just more support next year. The organisers are how much power they had under the bonnet. good enough to offer the club free Paddock I suspect many of the crowd were waiting to passes but do expect clubs like ours to bring see how much power came flying out of the in some cars. Whether on the track or just bonnet and all over the floor should an parked up and soaking up all that is going engine expire when put to the test. Under on, this is one event that really should be static conditions, a Peugeot 309 reached an high on your list of events to attend in 2005. indicated 150mph which must have pleased Terry Horler the owner no end. Both car and his wallet survived! Seen Abroad

Ed says: I saw this stunning DB3 at the services on the E3 in France. Curiously it was UK registered but also had a Swiss number plate stuffed into the front screen. It appeared to be on the way home after the ‘National Classic Tour’ which covered Switzerland, Germany and France and running in convoy with a 1950’s 300SL roadster. Nice, very Nice. I also saw another David Brown/ Aston Martin product...

20 DVLA: ‘Rage against the machine’ DVLA Plan to Introduce Annual “Registration Tax” on all Vehicles New Tax to Hit “Laid Up” Classics and Disabled Drivers consultation document recently issued history of introducing taxes at low levels and by the DVLA details plans to introduce a then increasing them year on year, and Anew tax on all cars registered on their people are reluctant to trust their assurances. system, even ones that are not used on the This new registration tax gives them a road by their owners. The “Fee Proposals” mechanism for abolishing VED, adding the consultation, which closes on 8 November, cost of this to fuel tax and then increasing the claims the new tax is necessary to cover the registration fee, automatically wiping out the costs of issuing photo licences to all drivers, benefits enjoyed by ultra low mileage classic as required by the European Union. An car owners and disabled drivers alike, as well annual fee of £4.50 is proposed on all as creating a punitive charge for those storing vehicles kept on the DVLA’s computer. For cars off road. That is why it is to be resisted.” most cars used on the road, this extra tax will be collected with the Vehicle Excise Duty The ABD calls on the DVLA to see sense and (formerly called road tax). However, it will desist from penalising classic car owners, also apply to disabled drivers, pre-1973 disabled drivers and car collectors with this classics and cars kept off road under the pointless and bureaucratic system. Motorists SORN (Statutory off Road Notification) pay £36 billion a year to the government in regulations. None of these categories motoring related taxes. If the European Union currently pay VED, so this will be an entirely wants photo licences there is plenty here to new and separate tax. “This means that pay for it. people are going to have to pay tax to keep their own vehicles in their own garage,” said Note – Consultation document is available at ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries. “£4.50 a http://www.dvla.gov.uk/public/consult/driver_f year may not sound much, in fact it hardly ee/df_summary.htm Consultation responses seems worth the DVLA’s trouble to collect it to [email protected] by 8/11/04 where this cannot be done through VED. But Press Enquiries: 0870 4442535 ABD it’s a dangerous precedent, and a matter of general enquiries and membership: principle. Why should we pay anything for 07000 781544 For more information about the details of our property merely to be held the ABD visit our Website at on someone’s computer?” Enthusiasts often http://www.abd.org.uk The Association of have several cars kept off road – future British Drivers is run on a voluntary basis to projects, possible parts cars, “saved” cars lobby for the beleaguered British motorist: they hope to pass on to others to restore – “Reclaiming the roads for the people who pay and they will have to write out and send off a for them” “Demanding proper roads (and separate cheque for each vehicle every year, railways) in exchange for paying one seventh as the off-the-road anniversary of registration of all taxes” “Debunking the nonsense you arises. hear about the environmental impact of the car” “Promoting effective road safety instead The DVLA will then have to bank them. of the criminalisation of safe driving” Well, That’s a lot of trouble and expense for don’t just sit there, email them and tell them nothing, and how much will the DVLA have what to do with it!! left of the money after it has administered this bureaucratic leviathan on behalf of one Chris Banton hapless individual? “And who is to say that the fee will remain at £4.50?” continued Ed says: DO IT, I have! Thanks for the heads Humphries. “The government has a long up Chris.

21 John Britten’s Birthday Bash Or Arkleys go wild in Or Fleur she’s a jolly good fellow couple of parade laps around the west circuit and return to the pit lane. This duly happened, and when we lined up in the pits a beaming John Britten came over and spoke to us all. We were then invited to don helmets, and go out for a few laps around the track. John hitched a ride in one of the Arkleys, Fleur in another, and I offered Gabriel a ride. So off we went, initially behind a Palmer Jaguar JP1 as a pace car (slightly faster than an Car owners from left to right: Chris Vezey, Beatrice El Okbi, Arkley but nowhere near as Roger Jefferson, Andy Gibson, Paul Tyzack, Jonathan Thomas pretty). I lost count of the laps, I was enjoying it so much – it is ten years since I retired from few months ago there was an appeal in racing my mini in the Post Historic Touring Mascot for Arkley owners to contact Cars – I think I needed a few more laps to AFleur Britten as she was organising a perfect my line, but it is difficult to surprise event for her father, who had concentrate 100% and also hold a designed/manufactured the car and raced it conservation in an open top car while in Modified Sports car series in the 70s. wearing a full face helmet. The result was that on October the first, six All too soon it was over, and then in convoy Arkleys arrived at Bedford Autodrome, to take back to the hospitality suite for lunch, during part in a surprise Birthday party for John, which some organised by Fleur and hosted by Jonathan interesting items Palmer. On arrival at the facility, Lainey and were circulated such I were greeted by JP’s staff who escorted us as a postcard on to the trackside garages, where we parked which John sketched inside next to the 3 Arkleys that were already some early ideas, there. We were then whisked off to a artists drawings and hospitality suite to meet the other drivers, and Motoring Magazine also, Gabriel Konig, who had raced as a team Articles. JP proposed member with John in one of his Midgets, he a toast, which was in the 1300cc class and she in the 1150cc. followed by a The other two drivers arrived, and then our rendition of Happy natterings were interrupted by JP’s staff who Birthday. John informed us that JB’s arrival was imminent, enjoyed his day, as so back in the minibus to be taken back to did we all, and the icing on the cake for me, the garages. Here we were told to sit in our was when Fleur presented us with specially cars and wait for a signal, upon which we embroidered “ARKLEY SS” Hats! would start our engines, the garage doors would open, and we would all drive out, do a Roger Jefferson

22 Wolverhampton Wonders! This month David explores the history of a 1958. The Turner weighed just 10cwt, which little-known, yet remarkable successful qualified it for cheap road tax in those days, potential challenger to his own Healey Sprite would achieve 75 – 80 mph, and 45 miles to the gallon! Petula Clark was even drafted in ou wouldn’t think of Wolverhampton as to help promote the car – hers being finished the center of the British motor car in “nipple pink”! The majority of production industry, would you? Well, it claimed a Y was as kits, and fully finished they were a number of parts and engineering companies, practical little sports car, with no real rivals. and one was managed by one Jack Turner, a Welshman from Abergavenny. He had already raced MGs, and in 1949 created a special using an MG Magnette chassis, and clad in his own manufactured body. He went on to develop another prototype of his own, using a Vauxhall Wyvern engine, Morris Minor steering, and unusually, cast magnesium wheels. John Tojeiro fitted these wheels to his cars – remember Tojeiro – only the daddy of the AC Cobra!

In 1957, the Minor 100 engine took over motive power in 1956, and ran until 1959. At the end of 1959, the Turner Sports MkI was announced, with a choice of Coventry Climax 1098 or 1216 engines. By late 1960, this version had been superceded by its successor, the Sports MkII, which featured improved trim levels, and a re-shaped bonnet. Herald suspension was now utilized, together with Ford and Climax engines. Alexander Engineering, known to some of us Eight further Turner cars were made, all to for modifications to the Frogeye Sprite, different specifications, during the early 50s, developed its own high performance version, and some achieved success in Formula 2 with a lovely coupe body, which was very events. For those petrol heads amongst the successful in club racing. Other Turner readership, the Turner originally had 4 Amal specials included the Turner GT, a fixed head carburetors fitted, but soon acquired twin coupe, not unlike the Renault Caravelle with SUs. I personally have known an MG Midget an add-on snout, of which nine were made. with 4 Amal carbs, and they do improve the Finally, a very similar Mk 3 arrived in 1963, fuel flow somewhat! which was propelled by the 80bhp Cortina After the realization that he was not going to 1500 engine, and raced to 60mph in 10.5 reach the heights in motor racing, Jack seconds, easily faster than the MGB! About Turner turned his hand to sports cars, seeing 80 – 100 of these Mk 3s were built, taking that there was no obvious replacement for the the total production of Turners to MG Midget. The Austin A30 provided the approximately 800. Jack Turner decided to answer, with running gear and engine go into voluntary liquidation in 1966, partly available from Austin dealers – BMC wouldn’t due to hospitalization, and partly due to 6 supply him direct as they realised that he was cars needing to be sold at a loss in the USA a competitor – the Sprite didn’t appear until after a US agent let him down.

23 are about 12 in the USA, and they hold an annual reunion. The models Yes, there are only two, a Sports Mk I and a Sports Mk II, the latter, like the real thing, being developed from the former. It was only a matter of time until Barry Smith devoted some “quality time” into making these models, as an interlude from the spare parts production line. And it’s a beauty, made completely in resin material, with chrome plated wire wheels, front bumper, separate grille, and rear overriders, screen and door handles, all separately cast. The bonnet and boot lids are simply Jack made a full recovery, and turned to described and rear lights are picked out and engineering positions in a number of new painted red. The baseplate is a simple flat firms, before retiring to South . sheet, with “Turner sports” added in raised script. The interior, dashboard and steering Turner Models wheel are all picked out separately too in black, complete with chrome gearlever, and Now Turner is not a name that features headlights are little gems literally, with regularly in the world-wide manufacturer’s chrome rims and a clear lens. To finish off, catalogues, and indeed no large manufacturer separate nylon tyres fit well to the rims, has ever produced a model of the Turner. replicating the period size of cars of this age. However, thanks to the skills of one Barry Smith, otherwise known by many as BTS Mine is in white, and other colours include Mouldings of Hastings, we have a model. yellow, red and green, or whatever you wish This is not just because Barry occasionally to order. It takes pride of place alongside my takes a step aside from his mainstream other Sprite models, as the privateer occupation of meeting the demand from challenger, or “what might have been”. countless collectors who achieve restorations Pictured here with its rival the MkIII Sprite, thanks to his high quality resin and made by Triang Spot On, which was the BMC chrome-plated spare parts for a wide range of mainstream small sports car from 1965 to collectable models. 1968. No, our Barry once raced Turners! Barry Bringing us up to date, the legend lived on in bought his Turner Sports in 1975, and raced another guise – Turner’s work inspired a fan and maintained it himself until 1984. It is Mark Clarkson to develop his own almost clear from his recollections that he would identical copy of the Sports Mk I, which he have continued, but unfortunately he had a dubbed the MC Acer. It used either Vauxhall major collision at Silverstone, having spun off or Nissan running gear, and approximately at Becketts, and reckons he holds the twelve were made up to 1991, when rights dubious honour for being the only driver to passed to Carlton Automotive, who made a stop the 6-hour relay at Silverstone! After small number more. approaching Jack Turner, he was a part of Acknowledgements – to Barry Smith for his the Team Turner pack, which continued until personal anecdotes of life with a racing 1986. Indeed, enthusiasts gather at Turner, and Richard Heseltine for his Goodwood once a year, thanks to another excellent book Specialist Sports Cars. owner, Geoff Sizzey, and raise funds for charity. Apparently, according to Barry, there David

24 Story of a Sprite I bought a wreck of a 1971 Sprite to break for parts that I could recondition. Brian Wheeler, whilst making the shell, modified it to accept a Sierra Five speed gearbox that I had sourced from Hardy Engineering. That would save me cutting into a new body. Delays and excuses prevailed but eventually in May 2004 John Larrington accompanied me to Archers Garage at Tividale to collect the completed bodyshell. We had taken the restored running gear and wheels to assemble there so that it could be wheeled onto a trailer and transported home. The bodyshell, much overdue, was not finished as the doors were still aving read Spritely Years by John being fitted, it had not been waxoyled, and Sprinzel and Tom Coulthard (ISBN the sidescreens had not been made. I could H1-85260-498-0 published by Patrick wait no longer so we assembled and Stephens Group and priced at £19.99) which transported. The sidescreens were to follow tells the full history of the Sebring Sprite and but six months later they still have not and in much admired Martin Ingalls well known the mean time I have made my own. Sebring Replica and our own (Surrey Sections) Bill Mcdonagh’s Speedwell Sprite Assembly of the car took the normal course. I placed an order with Archers Garage at the I sourced parts via e-bay, Mascot and the Austin Healey celebration at Thruxton in club Web site. Surrey Section and friends 2002. spurred me on with encouragement and help whilst I spent many an hour in the garage Archers Garage make the Sebring Replica finally getting a complete car onto the road in bonnets and Coupe tops and were to supply a August. new Frogeye monocoque with these parts fitted painted Speedwell blue. The Once M.O.T.d in September John Larrington monocoques are actually made by Brian and I took the car out for a test drive Dover – Wheeler in Leicester. Brian Wheeler owns the Calais – a testing ground outside Paris called Nevada Beige Sprite pick up queried in an CERAM then over the Alps and the Appenines issue of Mascot a couple of months back. to Florence where Ferrari had offered the use Whilst waiting for delivery of the bodyshell of their test track at Fiorano (provided

25 Michael did not want it for testing that day). A sticking brake light sender, a broken speedo cable and a few bits here and there showed a need for attention otherwise not much to do so we turned around and drove home. Building A Sprite: Tips (1) Fitting wishbones. Place the two inner trunnion bushes in the wishbone pan and smother the outsides with coppergrease. Take up two wallpaper / paint scrapers and copper grease the blades. Place the scrapers between the body and the pan being offered up and push / slide the pan into position. bellhousing, under the bonnet, where it can (2) The filler on the back axle is a BSP thread be easily accessed The above tips aren’t my which normally has a filler plug with an ideas but poached over the years and inverted square drive that needs a special tool incorporated in the Sebring build. to undo. Replace it with a brass plumbing (4) Found on the internet and untried and fitting with a raised nut that can be turned untested by me. Use a Bosch oil filter part with a spanner. number 72150 (for a VW) apparently it is (3) Tired of squeezing into the drivers footwell twice as long as a Sprite filter with twice the and trying to undo the clutch bleed screw capacity and twice the filtration surface. Has through an impossible access hole. Take out anyone else heard of or tried this one. the bleed screw and replace it with a Alan Anstead Goodrich rear axle brake hose. At the other Surrey Area end of the hose fit a three way brake union with one hole blanked off. Fot the remaining Ed says: Way to go Alan, excellent result, hole with the bleed screw. Now fit the three nice car (See Cover photo) way union to a suitable bracket off the clutch

New Part from Ashley Hi Mike More new parts made just for the cars in the USA a new rear licence backing plate made in stainless steel so the licence backing plate will not rust this time on your car. The part fits all MGB, MG Midget, and Triumph Spitfire cars from 1974 to 1980. Part number CZK3693S. You will not find this part at Moss Motors, I have put one ebay item number 2491723358 for you to look at. Ashley Hinton Ed says: Ashley does it again.

26 Ace Mystery Midget Owner Found have found your Mystery Midget owner! my husband to an older, more glamorous It’s my husband, Stephen Plester. He model in British Racing Green. Hours were Ibought the car back in 1987, when he spent stripping every nut and bolt from the was 22. For many years, Stephen enjoyed car, as a new body shell was eagerly awaited. and had great fun We had many visits driving about in it, to Auto Jumbles, to until he became a find and buy the self-employed endless supply of builder and the car spare parts and did not have the those oily bits. Then space for all of the I remember with joy tools. As we know the day we the Midget boot purchased our first just about holds the shiny bit, which was spare wheel. So, a new rear the car was retired registration number to his parents’ light! After six house and quietly months’ of tireless left to rot. From this to ... work and one very dirty husband, she I met my husband was ready to go for many years later, her first MOT. and asked why he Would those brakes would want to keep hold out even on the such a rusty old way to get her MOT? wreck of a car. He They did, and she tried to endear me passed! to the car with photos of the car’s And then she was better days, and finished, sitting how other MG pretty on the owners wave at driveway, all shiny you as you’re ... this with her chrome driving along. “A restored and with real experience” he her new soft top, said, “unlike any other”. After a glass of wine which was a Herculean task to fit, as I am too many I suggested that he rebuild it (with sure that ours was a good 3 inches too short! the help of my Dad who was a mechanic in She will always be my husband’s first love, his working life) and the Midget renovation and secretly is probably mine too. Yes, my project was born. feet as a passenger are boiling in the As we pushed the car summer, and I will never get used to having around to a garage at the top down when its OºC outside. But she the bottom of our is ours and although I’m lucky enough to own garden, with the an Audi TT too, the MG always seems a more brakes seized on, I exciting drive! Maybe it’s those brakes and was already regretting those drivers waving at me? my suggestion. My Tracy Badham feelings towards the project didn’t improve, Ed says: Thanks Tracy, mystery solved (also as I found I had lost see letters)

27 Thank you to Mascot friend, Ray English, for this feature. All original copyrights acknowledged. Reproduced here for review purposes only.

28 Mystery Object hairman John Ruderman models this neat little number on Terry Horler’s Sprite. It’s a Csun visor, but then you have probably already twigged that. It’s well made but by whom? I don’t recall such an item in the ads of old and its condition suggests that it could have been made very recently. Any one out there know more? Please let me know. Terry Horler Oh, almost forgot to mention. It’s for sale, John bought it for his MkII Midget but the poor lad didn’t realise that a few changes were made to Spridgley things over the years. Offers to John Ruderman.

Ed says: Nice combo! Seen at Goodwood and snapped by Chris Harding, Surrey area. Many thanks.

29 Oops! Ed forgot the last two paragraphs of last month’s Frogeye reprint (page 24–29, October issue). Here it is. The same credits and disclaimers apply.

Letters Ace Café Mystery Car Issue Number 248 – September 2004 The sound of the Mascot Magazine hitting the doormat always causes a great deal of excitement for my husband Stephen, but never more so than when the September issue arrived, seeing his car in all its glory on page 8 (Ed with mystery Midget) outside the Ace Café. After this initial excitement he promised to get in touch with you, but never has found the time. So I have decided to secretly write a little feature on his car, in a hope that you make be able to use it in a future publication, I have enclosed a couple of photos and a stamped addressed envelope, in order for your to return them. Tracy Badham Ed says: Thanks for taking the trouble, I am sure Stephen will appreciate the thought and I’m pleased to hear that the Midget is in such good hands.

30 Re: Realising a Dream I am now 60 years old and in my mid twenties once owned a Frogeye (bet you have heard it all before). My girl friend (now my wife) and I covered thousands of miles in XSP 712 (wonder where it is now???) and have many happy memories of it. However, I bought it when most mechanical components had reached their “use by date” (but we will don our “rose tinted specs” when buying cars won’t we?) and it always needed something renewing or replacing! But it was great fun, a lovely little car and as I am 6ft 2ins tall found it comfortable to drive with sufficient leg room, but I did modify the drivers’ seat back rest to increase the rake, a very useful mod., so that I was not too close to the steering wheel. However, I always hankered after the Mk III Sprite with its separate boot lid, increased cockpit area, wind up windows and adjustable seat back rests, but my forthcoming marriage meant XSP 712 had to go and be replaced with more practical transport. As retirement approached (40 yrs seems to have shot by) I would say to my wife “how nice it would be to throw a suitcase (small) into the boot of a Mk 111 and set out to tour the Scottish Highlands”, and my wife would say that I was too old for 60’s sport cars, even if I could get in one, I wouldn’t get out of it. But undaunted I began looking at the old road tests and buying any car magazines that carried articles on these wonderful little cars. I carried out extensive(???) research on whether I could fit in a Mk III, you see, although I am still 6ft 2ins. tall, I’m afraid I’m a little (!!) bit heavier now than I was then. Maybe my wife was right (I couldn’t pluck up the courage to ask a sprite owner would they mind if I tried their car out for size?). This year saw the wedding of our only daughter and my wife and I are so pleased she and our son-in-law are so happy. After the stress involved in seeing the wedding plans through to fruition my wife booked us a holiday up at Foyers (close to Loch Ness) for us to quietly recuperate. This holiday coincided with my 60th birthday and off we went, my wife driving as she knew I did not find the Punto particularly fun to drive, good car though it is. After 10mins driving my wife takes a detour saying she wants to show me something. We stop off at the classic car showrooms of Simon J Robinson (located at Ketton Garage, Darlington, Co. Durham) with me wondering what on earth she wants me to see here! We park next to a gleaming red 1967 1275 Midget with wire wheels and with me thinking what a lovely little car, my wife goes into to see Simon J Robinson, comes out 5mins later to announce “you always wanted to tour Scotland in a Mk III Sprite, well that Midget is all yours for a week!” I was lost for words, only recovering to ask all the negative questions like “where do we put the luggage, how will I get in, what about the insurance, what if it breaks down??? But between them, my wife and Simon J Robinson had anticipated all the problems and solved them, even to the fitting of a smaller steering wheel to increase leg room. So off we went, top down and that day we covered 330 miles and it was everything I had dreamed about. It was great fun, I quickly found a comfortable driving position and there were no aches and pains at the end of the journey. It was the only holiday I can remember were I actually looked forwarded to the drive home. Every credit to my wonderful wife for setting it all up even though she had her hands full coping with the wedding plans. Aren’t wives wonderful? After driving modern cars with their fantastic handling, braking and all mod cons there are those “old timers” who prefer to keep their 60s dreams as just that, but for me it was an experience that I will never forget. Were there any problems at all? Well, only one, the Punto has a range of at least 350 miles and not wanting to see the Midgets’ petrol get too low we would refuel every 160 miles and isn’t it amazing how few and far between petrol stations are in the highlands of Scotland when the petrol gauge needle starts to touch the quarter full mark?

31 Many thanks to Simon J. Robinson. It was obvious he had put a great deal of thought and care into a service he does not normally provide. Funds should be available shortly to buy our own spridget, so see you shortly Simon, and look out for me at the Yorkshire area local gatherings. William Longstaff Richmond, North Yorkshire Ed says: A dream indeed! Thanks for proving that there is always time to dream...? Market Place – November Adverts to be received before 10th each month Tel 01395 446353 Email: [email protected] Or Post to: David Smith, Doric Lodge, 10 Mansfield Terrace, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 6EN FOR SALE WANTED Four new Minilites 5 x 13 in anthracite, Good condition 1500 Midget (GAN 6) complete with new 155x13 tyres, only done Spitfire engine with/without accessories. about 50 miles. New price £380, will sell for Frank 01355 233248 (Glasgow) £240. o.n.o. Also various MG Midget parts, call Paul 01327 262411 for details. (Northants?)

32 MIDGET & SPRITE CLUB REGALIA

Be recognised as a Midget & Sprite Club Member with any of our exclusive designer range of regalia items.

Sweatshirts- (In Blue, Red, Bottle Green & Black With embroidered Club Logo) - Please state size and colour required. Each @ £17.00 + £1.75 p&p T-Shirts- (In Blue, Black, Green, Red & White with screen printed Club Logo) Please state size and colour required. Each @ £10.50 + £1.25 p&p Grille Badge- £20.00 inc p&p Cloth Badge- £2.75 inc p&p Windscreen sticker with Club Logo, in Black, Red & Silver. £1.00 inc p&p Leather key fob with club logo, in Black, Red & White. £2.25 inc p&p Midget & Sprite Club “Buyers Guide” £4.50 inc p&p Sprite 40th Anniversary windscreen stickers. £1.25 inc p&p Poloshirts (Red, Royal Blue, Bottle Green: Embossed Logo) Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL. Please state size and colour. Each @ £12.00 + £1.25 p&p Fleece Jackets (Black and Bottle Green: Embossed Logo) Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL. Please state size and colour. Each @ £25.00 + £2.25 p&p Baseball Style Caps (Black brushed cotton with a Red Suede Peak, Embossed Logo) Each @ £7.50 inc p&p

PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to the Midget & Sprite Club. SEND YOUR ORDERS WITH CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER TO:- Christine Barton, Regalia Officer, Midget & Sprite Club 10 Wrens Park Avenue, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 8LP Tel 0121 3512513

VACANCY After many years of loyal service to the Club, Christine Barton will standing down in March 2005 as Regalia officer. We are therefore looking for a member to volunteer to take on the role. Could you be a vital member of the MASC team, put something back into the Club? Enquiries to John Ruderman: Chairman. The committee HARDY ENGINEERING

COMPLETE RANGE OF GEAR BOXES & DIFFERENTIAL UNITS FOR ALL SPRITE & MIDGETS FROM FROGEYE TO RUBBER BUMPER HELD IN STOCK. EXCHANGE OR OVERHAUL YOUR UNIT. NEW AND USED PARTS FROM STOCK.

Working with cars like these since the 60’s actively involved in Club Motorsport at all levels.

SPECIAL SERVICES Competiton gearboxes built. Limited slip differential units. Competition crownwheel & pinion 3.7, 3.9, 4.22, 4.875 HARDY ENGINEERING, 268 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7QA Tel: 01372 378927 Fax: 01372 376794 Visit our Website at: www.hardyengineering.com Ask for Bill or Neil, Club discount given