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February 2020 From the club desk...

In This Issue... January has passed in a flash but on a positive note the days are getting longer again! Facebook As you heard at the last monthly meeting we are Something fishy progressing with the year’s plans and to start with Meet the members the Rolling Road Day is set for Saturday, 18th April at AB Garage with the expert input of Adrian Evolution of the marque Blandford. Candles Run 2020 As you will read further on, Winter maintenance has Whitley Bred been progressing well for some, whilst the rebuilds are in full swing, or, indeed, some minor tweaking with some nifty period accessories. Maintenance matters We’re still looking for a date for a “Garage Day” for MGB owners who MG Motor News want to learn about front suspension rebuilds. If anyone would like to

Merchandise volunteer their MGB please contact me. Elsewhere in this issue you will find an update from Neil Wallace on the Forthcoming Events 6th Cheshire Candles Charity Run, so if you haven’t already, please give Contact Us some thought to volunteering and assisting the team this year, it’s all good fun! Send us an email for more information As you will see in the events listing, dates are firming up and the club will about the club’s activities or to join us. have a stand at most of the listed shows. I have applied for a club stand Angie Haughton - Area Secretary for Gold Cup at Oulton Park but after two weeks of “pending” we have [email protected] not yet been accepted, however, I will keep you posted. Unfortunately yet again the alleged cut-off date for display vehicles is 1980. Neil Wallace - Candles Run In other news, Neil Shirley is cooking up a plan for Summer and we will [email protected] be working out a small and informal “competition” to encourage you to Mike Haughton - MGCC Liaison get out there this year in your MG, more details to follow next month. [email protected] In the meantime, keep a look ut on the website for details of the Sunday Martin Williamson- PR/Newsletter Lunches for February and March which Steve Brace is still firming up. [email protected] See you all at the next meeting on Tuesday, the 11th of February at THE Volunteers: Steve Brace, Neil TROPHY ROOM at The Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas Newton Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 1PR. Kennedy, Neil Gray, Richard Hayes, and Matt Brookfield.

Visit us on the web at: www.westcheshiremgoc.club Cover photo: “MG Family motoring” by Martin Williamson

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Keith Davis & Son Ltd

Parsonage Garage

Family run, customer focused business, committed to providing value for money and traditional honest service & repairs on all modern and classic cars. Worked in the motor trade since 1971 and established in Aldford since 1993. Work undertaken on all makes & models - modern or classic. Traditional servicing methods used combined with modern diagnostic technology. Classic car enthusiast and MGB owner for many years. Maintenance, repairs and MOT testing undertaken on all classic cars including MGs.

Parsonage Garage, Middle Lane, Aldford, Chester, CH3 6JA

01244 620 399 or 07714 157200

[email protected] citroen-specialist-chester.co.uk

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From Facebook… This month...tales from the garage, David Thomas’ garage! “A few little jobs completed today, fitted a retro Wipac map reading light which was unused & still in its original box and then a roadster rear seat cushion.”

Photos by David Thomas on Facebook.

To join us on Facebook search for westcheshireMGOC

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Something fishy. By Stuart Bebbington In 2016 the opportunity arose to open a fishmonger’s in Westminster Park with the adjacent shop becoming vacant. In partnership with Dave Williams who worked in the trade we set up Bebbington & Williams Fishmongers. Learning the fish business has been an interesting journey for me with 2.30am starts to get to market to source the best fish. The fish arrives from Scotland or the South and travels overnight to be ready for purchase in the early hours. Quite often we can have fish on the counter which has been out of the water for less than 24 hours. Fish is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and also essential vitamins such as D and B2. It is also rich in calcium and phosphorus and a source of minerals such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium and potassium. The fish trade is very fast paced with a good, quick turnover essential to keeping the freshest of fish on the counter. When we opened we realised that a lot of people were not accustomed to buying fresh fish so we developed a range of ready to cook products which makes life easier for the customer, providing a portion of seasoned fresh fish often in a cooking bag or oven ready tray with full cooking instructions. On the counter we have Teriyaki salmon, Mediterranean sea-bass, Haddock gratin and our hand made fish pies. The most popular fish in the shop is salmon closely followed by cod and sea-bass. We have access to oysters, lobster, mussels and a variety of prawns all of which are readily available at market.

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Meet the members!

Name: Stuart Bebbington Age: 48 What MG(s) or classic(s) do you own? I have a 1973 bronze yellow MGB. How long have you had it/them? Since July 2016. Have you had other MGs or classics before this one? I have owned it since 1997 although it has been off the road since 2003 due to MOT failure from rusting sills. I always wanted to get it going again but due to getting, married, having children time and money no longer existed. The restoration process started about 4 years ago and has been a bigger longer process than first anticipated, I'm sure that's no surprise to most classic car owners. Hopefully 20 is the year of being back on the road again! What made you decide on an MG? Growing up on a farm we had 's and at one time a pick up which we drove around the fields. Worth a fortune now I know, hindsight is a wonderful thing. My brother in law had a GT when he was 'courting' my sister and got me interested in them. I have always had an interest in older cars for their character and an MG was the most affordable for me at the time Working or Retired? I have worked as a butcher since leaving school and became self-employed in 1993 when I bought my first shop in the Chester market. The business moved to Westminster Park in 2012 and after serving Martin and spotting the MG badge on his wallet, we got talking and hence the restoration began. Single or partnered? Married to Jo-ann for 17 years, with 3 girls. Katie, Grace and Holly. I know this is going to be an issue with a two-seater car, some serious negotiating to be done! Hobbies, what floats your boat? I don't have much spare time at the moment, but I used to play a lot of football and have been known to do a bit of painting. Any bucket list items? I’d like to travel more. The dream would be touring Europe in the MG.

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Evolution of the marque. By Martin Williamson

Over the last decade we have been shown a number of MG concepts from SAIC, the current custodians of the MG brand. These have varied from the MG ICON, an SUV concept styled by SAIC’s UK based design director, Anthony Williams-Kenny to the more recent electric MG Emotion sports coupe. To say the reaction has been mixed is to understate the buzz on the internet discussion groups. Comments were both favourable and dismissive in equal measure. But there was no doubting MG had managed to gain valuable media interest on a global scale. That’s not something we have seen in a long time. On the whole, the negative comments tended towards the sheer ugliness of some of the concepts, but many enthusiasts were aghast that SAIC appeared to be missing the point of needing not just a concept, but a sports car halo model to reinforce the brand image. Whilst I agree that the likes of the ICON concept was no beauty queen with the effected over-riders, I was quietly pleased on seeing the images of the ICON. We had been told that an SUV is planned for 2014, and I had feared that SAIC would go down the route of a VW Tiguan or Hyundai iX35 look-alike; safe and generic. But the ICON can hardly be accused of that, if anything the styling is more of a Nissan Juke wannabe; not a bad thing given Nissan’s success in the small SUV sector currently. However, I think many people missed the point that this was a concept and as with many concepts, the styling is intentionally over the top and usually gets toned down before going into production. However the ICON as it is needs to go into production in my opinion.

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I am equally torn between wanting that SAIC should respect the badge that we have come to love through our interest in the classic MG yet I’m wanting SAIC to be successful and evolve the brand further. SAIC are in a strong position in having the MG name if they continue to manage the brand correctly, but unlike previous custodians, they do not have an alternative marque to use for volume production. Roewe is a badge used only in China. Whilst Austin, Morris and Wolseley are also available to SAIC, these are badges that are probably never going to get dusted off again. So it is down to the MG badge to uphold the honour for volume production and that isn’t going to come from simply selling sports cars. I think Cecil Kimber would be delighted. Why else would there have been a factory and saloon models in the line-up right from the beginning, and if nothing else, why was the brand kept separate from the rest of the Morris empire until the 1930s? Surely MG was envisaged as a stand-alone entity from the beginning? Consequently, if SAIC are to be successful with the MG brand in volume production, then it needs to build cars that will sell and generate profits that will then allow niche models, whether that be sports cars as we know, to be built. The current MG range available is aimed at the Chinese market where literally hundreds of thousands have been sold and are safe designs; some may describe as even generic and bland. These models, as I and others will attest, have the handling expected of an MG, even if not the outright power. But that alone is not enough to garner sales in sufficient volumes. What is needed is a funkier model that will appeal to the younger, trendy set and gain attention, raising the brand profile to one of aspiration. The likes of the ICON and Emotion is exactly what is needed to redefine the MG brand; not another clichéd two-seater, soft-top sports car. Let me explain before I am lynched by an angry mod of MG enthusiasts. There are probably around fifty thousand active MG enthusiasts globally, with millions more having a fond memory of the brand thanks to rose-tinted spectacles. The majority of these engaged enthusiasts are classic MG owners many of whom probably would not contemplate buying a new car from MG anyway. So does a new MG have to appeal to them if they are not the ones buying? To achieve the volume sales to become successful, SAIC need to target people who have never heard of MG, or the millions with the soft-spot thanks to rides in Dad’s or Granddad’s MG. The problem is that in MG’s historic markets, most current classic enthusiasts see MG as a small sports car. But is this the true essence of the MG brand as was originally envisaged? Fans of the more recent MG offerings see MG as a sporting family car with some visual sporting appeal and more power. In the 00’s decade, the ‘Z’ owners argued that their cars were the very essence of MG as saloons had always featured in the sales brochures. Just as the ‘Metro/Maestro, Montego’ owners argued likewise in the 1980s. So who is right? What is a proper MG? As John Day, President of the MGCC, put it in a speech once to the members of the MG6 Register, every new MG model has suffered the cry of “it’s not a proper MG”. Even the ubiquitous B failed to gain acceptance initially amongst the MG Car Club when it launched nearly sixty years ago. It was the US airmen returning home in the 1940s that started the belief that MG was about these cute little ‘sportsters’ with their small engines and excellent handling. 9

These days, the idea of a small sports car is fast losing its appeal for a number of reasons. The economic climate has put paid to people buying new sports cars as weekend toys. It’s also become fashionable to refer to such sports convertibles as ‘girly’ cars for hairdressers. If proof were needed, the TF was not a success when it was re-launched in 2008, and sales of the MX5 have slowed (albeit the MX5 now in its fourth generation is holding steady on its sales), whilst Toyota no longer offers the MR2 and even Honda dropped the S2000 and more recently Fiat pulled the plug on their 124 based on the MX5. In addition, the increasing number of SUVs has made driving a small sports car less enjoyable in the daily commute, with the occupants feeling far more vulnerable and often blinded by the headlights of these high riding vehicles. With the increasing need for practicality, four seats are the very minimum so that any purchase of a fun and funky vehicle can be justified by using itas an everyday car. Sporting saloons and hot hatches with big engines are also falling out of favour thanks to current taxation laws, increasing environmental lobbying and the price of fuel. Every current manufacturer has had to evolve to survive. It was ever thus. Land Rover scrambled the word utilitarian and came up with luxurious starting a whole new trend in Chelsea tractors. Look at ; they’re done a 4x4. Porsche have already gone down that route, and even added the 4 seater Panamera. BMW showed the ultimate driving machine could also be a 4x4. Jaguar had to develop a diesel model and then an SUV in order to survive. The simple fact is that to be successful, manufacturers cannot live in the past, as much as we enthusiasts would like them to do so. By evolving and appealing to a whole new generation of buyers new to the marque, SAIC will entice fresh blood into the MG club scene. MG is a brand that creates passion, much like Alfa Romeo. It is brand bought with the heart, not the head. MG is as much about the ownership experience as it is the car. Look at the success of the MG Car Club and the MG Owners’ Club, and the huge number of online social groups. Every new MG model has always attracted new members into the MG family. These new members help to sustain the clubs for the benefit of the existing enthusiasts. Just as younger people who bought the MG Z cars then got into the club scene and even buying classic MGs, so, too, these next generation owners will be introduced to the social aspects of MG ownership and will then most likely want to share in the classic experience. That can only be a good thing for the value of our classic MGs.

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CHESHIRE CANDLES CHARITY RUN 2020 Planning is proceeding at pace and the route is almost finalised (thanks to Steve Brace) and ready for the planning team to check out for accuracy of instructions and attractiveness of scenery. Our major sponsors include KEW Engineering and, for the 5th consecutive year, Carole Nash Insurance - although at this stage we don’t know if Fuzz Townshend will be able to join us. Whether or not, we will still have a lovely plaque to present to the “car of the day” before we depart from the Hawarden Castle start. As always, several others including members have also contributed generously to the costs of running the event so as to enable us to keep our long held promise that all monies raised from fees and the raffle will go to our nominated charities. Speaking of the raffle, our members and others have contributed wonderfully to the provision of raffle prizes in the past and we are confident that generous support will continue again this year - and even enable us to exceed the £900 or so that we raised last year (a record!). Planning for a selection of snacks and drinks at the midpoint halt (Hartsheath Hall) is well in hand thanks to our intrepid member volunteers mentioned last month and a lovely offer to contribute to that pie, so to speak, from Stuart the butcher (and fishmonger). Thanks Stuart, much appreciated. Finally, we can report that we already have in excess of 50 cars booked on the run, so we are one third of the way to our usual maximum of 150 historic cars and MG’s already! Bookings on-line are now available as previously, at www.westcheshiremgoc.club or www.candlesrun.org. Payment is via either PayPal or cash or cheque to Angie Haughton.

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The Plant At The End Of My Mum's Road By Steve Brace

I was born in Abbey Road, in the Whitley district of Coventry. I still go back there regularly as my mother still lives in the very same house. Abbey Road, Whitley also happens to be 's - Headquarters. So I have always remembered a car plant being at the end of her road, and have also been interested in its history. The Whitley site was originally an airfield built during the first world war. In the early 1920's the site and buildings were bought by the Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Company. Until the end of the Second World War several different types of aircraft were developed and built there. The most famous being the Whitley Bomber. The bomber was made at three factories in Coventry with the Whitley site fabricating the fuselages and detailed components. The Whitley was a twin-engine front line medium bomber used by the RAF alongside the Vickers Wellington and the Handley Page Hampden. The Whitley was developed during the mid 1930's and entered the RAF squadron in 1937. Following the outbreak of war it participated on bombing raids into German territory before being superseded as a bomber by the larger four engine heavy bombers including the Avro Lancaster. After the second World War Armstrong Whitworth concentrated its guided missile work at the plant, including the development of the Sea Slug surface-to-air missile. Armstrong Whitworth were eventually taken over by Hawker Siddeley Dynamics who closed the Whitley site in 1968 with the loss of over 2000 jobs.

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The bought the 187 site in 1969 with the aim of centralising all of its design and engineering teams into one facility and from 1970 all their new trucks and cars were designed there. As a kid, causing havoc in Whitley, I can remember the site being referred to as the Chrysler works and then later the Talbot works after Chrysler sold its European operations to Peugeot in 1978. Sadly by 1985 Peugeot-Talbot had moved all its design and development work to Paris. In 1987 Jaguar Cars bought the site in order to establish its own design and engineering centre and in 2005 moved its Headquarters to Whitley following a scaling down of operations at its Browns Lane Coventry factory. Today the site is still one of Jaguar Land Rovers design and research centres and used for the development of Jaguar and Land Rover Vehicles. Just to complete the Whitley connection Armstrong Whitworth purchased the engine and car manufacturer Siddeley-Deasy in 1920 . The company was renamed Armstrong Siddeley which became best known for producing luxury cars. The last car produced by Armstrong Siddeley was in 1960. However, in 1946 it produced the Armstrong Siddeley Whitley car. This was an 18hp Sports Saloon that remained in production until 1954. Armstrong Siddeley became part of Rolls Royce and eventually the remaining spares and motor interests of the old company were sold to the Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club Ltd. So not bad to have both a plane and a car named after my place of birth.....and it may go some way to explain my current interest in old cars and planes.

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Grove Components - supplier of nuts, bolts, washers and much more for the classic car owner.

Getting your MG sorted over Winter?

Then check out our range of stainless steel kits specifically for MGs.

Phone: 0151 336 6019 Email: [email protected] www.groveco.co.uk

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Maintenance Matters- Just Ask Bond, Keith Bond! By Steve Brace

December and January are normally good months for commencing maintenance projects with many classic car owners starting to think about sorting out those little niggles and introducing improvements to their cars for the next season. This was no different for many of our West Cheshire MGOC members.

Mike started to do the simple job of replacing the King Pins and the dampers on his MGC but three weeks in and with much violence being unleashed on the car, realised that this was not quite so simple...even with a little help from MaGnus.

Mean while Keith Bond was making use of his 46 years in the motor trade with a little work on his already immaculate MGB. First on the list for Keith was the replacement of the splined hubs in readiness for a new set of chrome spoke wheels. Next was new bushes in the peddle box in order to satisfy his heavy right foot. Other work to be completed will include a strip down of a troublesome door mechanism so that Keith can actually get out of the car and a good clean of the K&N air filters. Keith also explained that following last year's Summer a re-waterproofing of his MGB hood is also on the cards - although I don't know why as when it did rain on our drives, Keith seemed to be the only one who had forgotten to put his hood up! Lastly, once the new wheels are ready to be fitted, new tyres will follow in order to conclude a 'gripping' end to his maintenance projects for this year. Another great example from Keith on how to keep on top of your classic and that prevention is better than cure.

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MG ADDS TO RANGE WITH NEW MG3 EXCLUSIVE NAV

Exclusive Nav trim level adds iGo satellite navigation to the MG3 range Model also features 8” colour touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay™ New version available in showrooms now from only £12,995 Fantastic Q1 2020 offer includes a Finance Deposit Allowance of £1,500rating

Following the wide success of the MG3 hatchback, MG Motor UK has improved the range with the launch of the brand-new MG3 Exclusive Nav. Available from only £12,995, MG3 Exclusive Nav builds on the generously equipped MG3, adding MG’s latest iGo In -Car Navigation system into the model for the first time. The Exclusive Nav version features an 8” colour touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay™. Buyers can also enjoy a 6-speaker audio system, DAB Radio and rear parking camera. After its facelift in September 2018, the number of new MG3s hitting UK roads has steadily increased. Backed by MG’s famous 7-year warranty, MG3 continues to win the hearts of buyers across the country, thanks in part to the brand’s commitment to providing the best value-for-money cars in the UK. During Q1 2020, new car buyers can easily get behind the wheel of a brand-new MG3 Exclusive Nav with a £1,500 Finance Deposit Allowance when purchased on a PCP finance package via MG Motor Financial Services. Daniel Gregorious, Head of Sales & Marketing at MG, said: “We are constantly analysing customers’ needs and requirements to produce a line-up which truly complements the buyer’s busy and varied lifestyle. The introduction of the MG3 Exclusive Nav brings our smallest model in line with the rest of the MG line-up and further solidifies our promise to offer affordability without compromising on specification or quality. The affordable model continues to stand out as an attractive option in the supermini market with its intelligent design and generous 7- year warranty making it the perfect small-car partner.” Also in the MG3 range, the mid-level MG3 Excite is now available on a four-year 0% APR PCP finance deal as part of MG’s new year offers. For customers looking to trade in their car, the MG Swappage scheme offers buyers a minimum part exchange of £2,000 on cars older than seven years.

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Club branded Merchandise

We're using a local firm and are adding a small mark up to go towards the club funds. Orders will be taken at each monthly meeting along with payment (we've decided to avoid PayPal owing to the charges) and the items will be delivered at the following meeting.

Tee-Shirts by Kariban Short Sleeved Polo Shirts by £14.00 each Uneek. A variety of colours £14.00 each. and sizes available. A variety of colours and sizes available.

Fleece Jacket Sweat Shirts by Uneek (Long Sleeved) £20.00 each by AWDis Variety of colours £17.50 each and sizes available. Variety of colours and sizes available.

Base Ball Cap by Beechfield £10 each Long Sleeved Variety of colours available. Polo Shirts by B&C Safran £17.50 each. A variety of colours and sizes available.

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2020 Club Events

Visit the club website for updated information and more details.

Look out for another great year ahead with lots of events and activities! Rolling Road Day Garage Service Day Museum visits Winter Sunday Lunches Summer Evening Runs www.westcheshiremgoc.club

February Sunday, 9th - MG & Triumph spares Day Stoneleigh Tuesday, 11th - Monthly meeting March Tuesday, 10th - Monthly meeting Fri/Sun, 27th/29th - Classic Restoration Show NEC Birmingham April Tuesday, 14th - Monthly meeting Saturday, 18th - Rolling Road Day at AB Garage, Hawarden Sunday, 26th - Drive it day - Club outing May Sunday, 3rd - Cheshire Candles Charity Run - www.candlesrun.org Tuesday, 12th - Monthly meeting Sunday, 17th - Festival of 1000 Classic Cars at Cholmondeley Castle Sat, 30th - VSCC Vintage Motorsport Festival at Oulton Park June Sat/Sun, 6th/7th - Classic & Performance Car Show at Tatton Park Mon/Fri, 15th/19th - Llanerchindda Farm - 2020 Club Summer Tour. Tuesday, 9th - Monthly meeting Sunday, 28th - Lymm Historic Transport Day July Sunday, 12th - 30th Caerwys Classic Car Show - Club stand. Tuesday, 14th - Monthly meeting Sunday, 26th - North Wales Classic Car Show at Bodrhyddan Hall August Tuesday, 11th - Monthly meeting Sat/Sun, 15th/16th - Passion for Power Classic Motor Show at Tatton Park Sat/Mon, 29th/31st - Gold Cup at Oulton Park (Club application still awaiting approval). September Sunday, 6th - North Wales Classic Car Show at Bodrhyddan Hall Tuesday, 8th - Monthly meeting Sunday, 20th - Festival of 1000 Classic Cars at Cholmondeley Castle

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