June 2011 £2 No. 327 Mascot The Magazine of the Midget & Sprite Club

www.midgetandspriteclub.co.uk Whatever your pride and joy. Rest assured. We’ll get you covered.

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COMPETITIVE RATES on Modern Car, Motorcycle, Home & Contents insurance. THE WHO, THE WHAT & THE WHERE of THE MIDGET & SPRITE CLUB COMMITTEE CHAIRman Alan Anstead, Tel: 01322 384050, email: [email protected] GENERAL SECRETARY Philip Sellen, 40 Amberley Way, Wickwar, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos, GL12 8LP. Tel: 01454 299222 email: [email protected] TREASURER Natalia Flynn, Tel: 0121 559 3103, email: [email protected] editor Gary Lazarus, 40B Hungerford Road, London, N7 9LP. Tel: 0207700 5696 email: [email protected] Area Rep’s DELEGATE Alan Anstead, Tel: 01322 384050, email: [email protected] MEMBERSHIP John Platt, 2 Pear Tree Gardens, Bearley Road, Aston Cantlow, Henley-in-Arden, Warks. B95 6HT Tel: 01789 488321 email: [email protected] GENERAL MEMBER Mark Hall, Tel: 01296 660103 email: [email protected] Tim Saunders, Tel: 07968 261990 email: [email protected] Alan Couch, Tel: 01564 773302, email: [email protected] David Dixon, Tel: 01733 222810, email: [email protected] Geoffrey Hunter, Tel: 01562 851544, email: [email protected] Jim Willis, Tel: 01527 402804, email: [email protected] OFFICERS CLUB ARCHIVIST & Terry Horler, 63 Littledean, Yate, Bristol, BS37 8UQ. Tel: 01454 881770 TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION MEMBERS ADVERTISING Alan Lo, Tel: 0117 9572617 Mob: 0775 3867806 email: [email protected] MUTUAL ASSISTANCE David Hill, Llyserfan, Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn, Ceredigion. SA38 9QB. CO-ORDINATOR Tel: 01239 811307 email: [email protected] CAR REGISTER Bob Clarkson, Tel: 01902 842643 email: [email protected] REGALIA OFFICER Mike Grout, 55 Park Road, Spixworth, Norwich, NR10 3PJ. Tel: 01603 890211 email: [email protected] Technical Advisor Mark Boldry, email: [email protected] WEBMASTER Toby Anscombe, 7 Lysander Court, High Road, North Weald, Epping, CM16 1HF. email: [email protected] TRADE ADVERTISING Richard Flynn, Tel: 0121 559 3103, Email: [email protected] AREA REPRESENTATIVES BRISTOL Terry Horler, Tel: 01454 881770 east anglia David Dixon, Tel: 01733 222810 email: [email protected] DEVON Vacant DORSET Ian Beaver, Tel: 01722 326840 email: [email protected] ESSEX Jane Gates, Tel: 01255 830 509 Email: [email protected] HAMPSHIRE Terry Langridge, Tel: 01252 626063 email: [email protected] HOME COUNTIES Chris Jackson, Tel: 01707 261567 [email protected] NORTH WEST or Mark Hall, Tel: 01296 660103 [email protected] KENT Alan Anstead, Tel: 01322 384050 email: [email protected] LINCOLNSHIRE Vacant LONDON Gary Lazarus, Tel: 020 7700 5696 email: [email protected] SOUTH STAFFS & John Collins, Tel: 07970 213084 email: [email protected] NORTH BIRMINGHAM SCOTLAND Betty Kerr, Tel: 01357 300355 email: [email protected] NORTH WEST Les & Diane Robinson, Tel: 01772 432138 email: [email protected] NORTHERN IRELAND Robert Holmes, Tel: 02892 689274 email: [email protected] NOTTS/DERBY Ian Cooke, Tel: 0115 938 3838 email: [email protected] OXFORD Grahame Gibbins, Tel: 01865 383199 [email protected] SOMERSET Dave Bearne, Tel: 01823 412004 email: [email protected] SOUTH WEST WALES David Hill, Tel: 01239 811307 email: [email protected] SURREY Alan Anstead, Tel: 01322 384050 email: [email protected] SUSSEX David Southcott, email: [email protected] WARWICKSHIRE Alan Couch, Tel: 01564 773302 email: [email protected] WILTSHIRE Andy Cross, Tel: 01225 743554 email: [email protected] YORKSHIRE Caretaker Area Reps: Sarah and Tim Saunders, Tel: 07968 261990 email: [email protected] Also see the Club Nights section on page 2 for new areas and contacts. Compiled by Richard Flynn ([email protected]). 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 Print Services Ltd, Units 3&4, Lansdown Industrial Estate, Cheltenham, GL51 8PL Tel: 01242 584984 Website: www.quorumprint.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] June Editorial

ello again and welcome to another edition of MASCOT. This month’s magazine is special, not specifically because of its content (for which I wish once again to thank all of your Hcontributions), but because many of you may be reading it for the first time. This is because as well as it arriving through many of your letterboxes in the usual way, another 600 of you should have been given a copy at the Midget50 celebrations at Burghley House. To those 600 of you who have just had it thrust into your hands on (what we hope will be) a beautiful sunny June day, the Midget & Sprite Club would like to wish you a very warm welcome to both MASCOT magazine and Midget50. If you have received this copy but already have one at home, please keep it in your car in order to pass on to another Spridget owner should you meet one on your travels. An event like Midget50 and Spridget50 before it doesn’t just come together on its own. The whole thing has been organised by a small team of volunteers who have worked tirelessly for well over a year and given up an enormous amount of their personal time (and money) to bring this event to you. The committee of the Midget and Sprite Club would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank those volunteers for making this event happen. And we are sure that the 12th of June will be a fantastic way to celebrate of the Birthday of the MkI Midget and the MkII Sprite. MASC also announces the launch of the latest version of the club’s website. You will see a much improved and updated site and we’d like to thanks our outgoing webmaster Toby Anscombe for all his work in the past, as well as welcoming Richard Mumford who has already been working behind the scene for many months to design the new site. Why not take a look for yourselves at: www.midgetandspriteclub.co.uk We hope that you like the improvements and we are always grateful for any feedback. Have a wonderful day and an exciting month and I will be expecting to hear tales of how you all participated on the day as well as news of adventures, surprises and interesting stories. Gary and “Gaps” (Both missing in action at Le Mans) Next month's deadline for articles and reports to be included in MASCOT, is Tuesday the 14th of June.

A small reminder of Spridget50

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.

Cover image: Ray Downham’s beautiful Midget outside Oulton Park

2 News News News News News

wo weeks to go and all the final pieces Weekly were certainly not holding back with of the puzzle are falling into place. their praise with lines like – "The steering is TYou will see on this site’s home page beautifully alert, and the 1275cc engine just a link from the download button for event sings its way around the rev counter. There's clothing, this takes you directly to "TopSigns" little that can make tackling a twisty B-road website, the event's official supplier. All as much fun as a well sorted Midget". We all the clothing on their site, colours, styles, know this of course, but what can you say? either for the blokes, the ladies or your Independent to Midget 50, a group of children, can be ordered with the event logo enthusiasts have decided to use the event to embroidered upon it. This means that your launch their charity drive from Lands End to event regalia could be totally unique to you, John O'Groats. The intention being to leave making your garment truly 'one off,' while Burghley at about 4.00pm, drive to Abingdon allowing those who have a passion for a for an overnight stop, then leave Kimber certain colour, perhaps to match their car, to House the following morning for Cornwall. indulge themselves however they wish. For The Midget 50 committee is wholeheartedly Midget 50 any combination is possible. behind the idea, and is hoping that Roy The MGCC's sensational Star Car Midget that Locock will flag the group away. All in aid of will be given away at Burghley is taking part Cancer Research, we wish the group safe in its final few events, before undergoing a motoring, and great success with raising full overhaul prior to presentation. It already funds. has a quite a following, if you picked up the Other outside group activity involves road appropriate copy of Classic Car Weekly, runs to Midget 50. Various groups of friends, (26/1/2011), you'd have seen the Midget was and people who live relatively local to each covered in praise in a road test they carried other, are planning to meet early on the day out, the only criticism being the difficulty at various locations and drive in together. the writer had getting in and out of it. Well For details you will need to contact your that was always a problem with Midgets, as local group or club, but also if you let the it is today with a Lotus Elise – the Midget's Midget 50 committee know, we’ll publish the modern counterpart – so nothing new. (Cod meeting places and contact details of those liver oil helps, keeps you bendy)! Classic Car doing the organizing.

See you on 12th June, don't forget it's 01954 231125 to get your tickets.

3 Club Nights

1st Tuesday Essex Area – Now meet at The Bell, Beckenham Road, Tolleshunt Major, CM9 8LL. For further details contact Jane Gates Tel: 01255830 509 or email: [email protected] 2nd Tuesday London Area (Congestion Zone) – Meet at The Ace Cafe at 7:30pm. together with the Classic Cars Magazine night. Details: Gary Lazarus on 020 7700 5696 [email protected] 1st Wednesday South Staffs & Birmingham – Meet at The Green Man, Middleton Village, 8.30-8.45pm Contact: John Collins, Tel: 07970 213084 email: green _ [email protected] 1st Wednesday Oxford Area – Meet at the Blackhorse Pub, Gozzards Ford, Nr Abingdon. 7pm for those eating or 8pm for those not. Contact Grahame Gibbins at grahame _ [email protected] 1st Thursday Notts/Derby border Area 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] 2nd Wednesday Heart of England, covers Worcs, Warks, West Midlands and surrounding areas – Meet at The Green Dragon, The Green, Sambourne, Redditch, B96 6NU, at 8.30pm as usual. 2nd Wednesday North West Area meet at The Kilton, turn off M6 at Jct 20 onto A50 towards Macclesfield. Pub 4 miles on left. Please note new venue. 2nd Wednesday Bristol Area will meet at The Rose and Crown, Pucklechurch at 8pm. All Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas members welcome. Contact Terry Horler on 01454 881770 2nd Thursday East Anglian Area. Previously the Cambridgeshire Area meet at The Ferry Boat, at Holywell, 8pm 2nd Saturday Yorkshire Area – meet each month at Ye Jolly Farmers Inn, Dalton near Thirsk YO7 3HY – please note new fixed venue – more information at http://yorkshiremasc.blogspot.com/ 3rd Monday Dorset – Meet at St. Peter’s Finger, Lytchett Minster, Poole, BH16 6JE 7.30pm 3rd Tuesday Scotland – Meet at Holiday Inn Express, Keith Street, Hamilton 7:30pm. Contact Betty Kerr on 01357 300355 3rd Tuesday Surrey – Meet at The Blue Ball, Walton-on-the-Hill, 7.00pm onwards. Contact Alan Anstead, Tel: 01322 384050. [email protected] 4th Thursday Sussex – Meet at Selsey Arms, Coolham, RH13 8QJ from 19:00. Contact David Southcott at [email protected] 4th Thursday Hampshire –New Venue! Now meeting at The Fox and Goose, Greywell, RG291BY. Please ring Terry or Harriet Langridge on 01252 626063 for details. 4th Sunday Kent Area – Meet at The Angel, Addington Green, West Malling, Kent, ME19 5BB at 12:00 for lunch. Contact Alan Anstead, Tel: 01322 384050. [email protected] Last Monday Wiltshire – Meet at The Barge Inn, Seend, Nr. Devizes, about 7pm except on Bank Holiday Mondays when it will be the Bell Inn at Yatton Keynell near Castle Combe, 6.30pm. Contact Andy Cross on 01225 743554 or e-mail [email protected] Last Wednesday Home Counties North West for members in Herts, Beds, Bucks, Berks, N. London or anyone interested! Meet at the Chequers Inn, Redbourn, AL3 7AD from 6:30pm. Please contact Chris Jackson Tel: 01707 261567 or Mark Hall, Tel: 01296 660103 Last Thursday Somerset – Meet at The Lord Nelson, Norton-sub-Hamdon. 8.00pm Last Thursday South West Wales – Venue changed. Please contact David Hill for details of new venue, Tel: 01239 811307 or email [email protected] Northern Ireland [email protected]. If enough interest, will arrange a meeting. Club Website www.midgetandspriteclub.co.uk Members Only pages User name: Micro Password: Blister

4 Events From Richard Flynn & Webmaster Toby Anscombe June Thursday 2nd Spridgettreffen Germany. Event organised by the German MG club that attracts entrants from all over Europe. Contact Jim Willis. [email protected] Sunday 5th Heart of England Shelsley Walsh hillclimb. Contact Bob Baylis. [email protected] Sunday 12th Midget 50 At Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire Register at the web site and order tickets at www.midget50.com or call the ticket hotline 01954 231125 Tuesday 14th East Anglia evening run to Ace Cafe, meet at entrance to Knebworth house near novote on the A1M 1800. Contact Graham (01223-511835) Saturday 25th East Anglia Lowestoft run and Museum visit with brilliant fish and chips Contact Mick Hall (01223-263697) Sunday 26th Heart of England Worcester and Shropshire Run. Contact Stewart Watson. [email protected] July Sunday 10th East Anglia Kimbolton classic and country fayre contact Dave Dixon for tickets (01733-222810) 12th East Anglia Another Ace Cafe night, meet at entrance to Knebworth house near novote on the A1M 1800. Contact Graham (01223-511835) 13th East Anglia Treasure hunt, Contact Chris ( 01480-880268 16th SW Wales Area's Run around Pembrokeshire. Meet at car park on A40 just east of the roundabout where the A478 crosses just north of Narberth. 11am Details from David on 01239 811307 Friday 22nd – Saturday 23rd – Sunday 24th July National / international MASC event of the year at Silverstone Classic, the biggest and best classic sports car event in the world including dedicated MASC members infield parking area, celebratory lap of the circuit for Midget 50th birthday, over 6000 classic cars, classic racing and lots more. see further information on Silverstone classic website and elsewhere in MASCOT for booking info or contact David Dixon [email protected] Tel 01733 222810. Note heavily discounted tickets available to MASC member 28th SW Wales Area are meeting in Cenarth, at car park on B4332, 100 yds from junction with A484, just south of the bridge. 8pm Details from David on 01239 811307 August 7th Two events on the same day either join us at Bletchley park classic car day contact Hubie for details (01733-212722) or join us on our stand at Ferry meadows BMC Rally near Peterborough, contact Dave Dixon (01733-222810) or just turn up on the day and find us Sunday 14th Heart of England Cotswold Capers. Contact John Platt. [email protected] 20th/21st SW Wales Area are going on the MGOC Snowdonia Run. Details from David on 01239 811307 25th SW Wales Area are meeting in New Quay, Ceredigion at 8pm. Details from David on 01239 811307 Monday 29th Heart of England Pershore Plum Fair. Contact Tim Storrer. [email protected] September 4th East Anglia Visit the top secret Nuclear Bunker, contact Hubie ( 01733-212722) 10th – 20th MIGLIA 2011 For M.G. Midgets, Austin Healey Sprites, and derivatives only. For more Details contact Alan Anstead Surrey / Kent Area Rep. [email protected] Tel: 01322- 384050 10th SW Wales Area are going on a Carmarthenshire Run. Meet at Morrisons Car Park, Carmarthen at 10:30. Details from David on 01239 811307 18th East Anglia Mystery Tour Details from Nigel and Dianne ( 01954-789503) continued on page 25

5 New Members

We extend a warm welcome to the following new and rejoined members 2411 Alec & Joan Spencer Clackmannanshire Frogeye Sprite 2493 Anthony Bending Essex Frogeye Sprite 4444 Richard Morley Derbyshire Midget Mk 3 / Midget 1500 4445 Tim Aplin Nottinghamshire Midget Mk 3 RWA 4446 Mike & Susan Dixon County Durham Midget Mk 3 RWA 4447 Chris & Dianne Rickard Kent Frogeye Sprite 4448 Matt Traxton Northamptonshire Sprite Mk 4 4449 Herbert & Sabine Kober Germany Frogeye Sprite 4450 anon Hertfordshire Frogeye Sprite 4451 Tom Thompson East Sussex tba 4452 Andrew Williams Wiltshire Sprite Mk 3

Clockwise from top left: Tony Bending’s wonderful Mk1 Sprite Tim Aplin with his RWA MkIII Midget Rosie the 1967 Sprite Mk4 of Matt Traxton Herbert & Sabine Kober from Friedberg, Germany with their Mk1 Sprite Andrew Dawson & Emma with Andrew’s Sprite

6 Five Speeds for a Frogeye Isle of Wight Frogeye that is

sle of Wight (IOW) Frogeyes were built, as the name suggests, on the Isle of Wight, Iat Ryde, by Keith Brading, trading as the Frogeye Car Company, but with the approval of Geoffrey Healey (1922-1994). Each vehicle has a plaque on the dashboard announcing that approval.

Inside the Isle of White Frogeye factory A group study of the IOW Frogeye after the gearbox conversion

of a green IOW Frogeye but it had an ailing ribcase gearbox which, unfortunately, caused him to drop out of the London Bridges Run, The IOW Frogeye differs from the original organised by Darren Tyre in Jan 2011, when Austin Healey (Frogeye) Sprite Mk1 having about half way along the route, and return a space frame, tubular, chassis upon which home. sits a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) body tub. Crispin wanted a Sierra Type 9 five speed Incorporated into the space frame are the gearbox conversion. After some research dumb irons, front suspension mounts, and that involved contact with two Midget and engine mounts from an original Spridget. The Sprite Club members whose cars had been IOW car retains the chassis plate and identity professionally converted and viewing pictures of its donor. The rear suspension is an entirely of the bare space frame I was reluctant different set up. to get involved in the project fearing that The original sales leaflet states “The Healey cutting the space frame, to fit the gearbox, Frogeye continues this tradition retaining might compromise the integrity of the space the nostalgia of the period but utilising the frame and raise safety issues. Photos of the technology of today. The galvanised chassis professionally converted cars did nothing to and GRP body guarantee maximum resistance allay my fears. Crispin was so enthusiastic to corrosion, the updated suspension that he tracked down Keith Brading's provides improvements in ride comfort and telephone number, on the Isle of Wight, and handling, and the tailored carpets and stretch invited me to discuss the project with him. vinyl trimmed interior add quality to the Now if only he could be persuaded to write driving compartment. With a power output an article about his manufacturing of these approaching 70Bhp and a kerb weight of Frogeyes, and Sebring replicas! Some IOW under 625Kgs, the Healey Frogeye is a lively cars were fitted with Ford MT75 gearboxes performer. Its compact dimensions, very which necessitated manufacture of modified low centre of gravity and precise steering engine flywheels and back plates but none, I provides maximum stability therefore allowing am informed, left the factory with the Sierra the considerably improved performance to be Type 9 gearbox fitted. safely enjoyed.” Eventually it was decided to remove the Crispin Whiting, a fairly new member to top section only of the space frame cross Midget and Sprite Club, Kent Section, had, member. The cross member is formed of a after a ten year search, become the owner lower one inch square hollow section (SHS)

7 steel tube, which would remain, surmounted with a three inch by one inch section (formed by joining a one inch SHS tube to a two by one inch rectangular hollow section (RHS)) tube that would be cut and a portion removed. When combined the various original tubes project a sectional view as a T. Imagine, in profile, the T being cut to become a small I (without the dot). The approach to be taken was to fit a one inch SHS brace under the space frame cross member allowing the aforementioned top section to have a six to seven inch section removed where the original rib case gearbox mount sat. The brace would be initially be Checking engine angle in comparison bolted in to position and then welded for to original installation maximum strength. The brace would have a gearbox support, again of one inch SHS tube, Nuts ready for captivation welded to it. Having prepped the gearbox as one would for any type 9 conversion, and made the brace/ gearbox mounting, Friday 1st April was chosen for installation. Crispin and, Sprite owning, Peter Jones, whose garage was being used for the conversion, had already removed the engine, gearbox, and propshaft prior to April 1. On the day Crispin made the necessary cuts to the space frame, where I suggested, and the engine and five speed gearbox, as a unit, were offered up to the car using block and tackle together with Peters home made engine leveller. Prior to removal of the engine Peter had checked the level of the engine, with a spirit nuts, sits just behind and flush to the bottom level, which he had marked, and left for of remaining original one inch SHS cross me, with a note, to use as a reference upon member bringing the engine slightly rearward refitting. He also left a note not to cut through The engine mounts, being slightly adjustable, the fuel line but Crispin ignored that one. allowed for this adjustment without The actual Type 9 gearbox mount, which I modification. A bonus is an increased gap had modified slightly by welding on captive between chassis and front engine pulley when fitting a fan belt. The brace/gearbox mount when clamped in position was 20mm too long front to rear but Peter had welding equipment and was to shorten it later, in my absence, on the morrow when, unfortunately, I was not available. The propshaft then would not fit but Peter knew of a tractor engineer ‘out back’ who had a lathe that he might let Peter use to make a sleeve. The prop shaft could then be cut, shortened, sleeved, and re welded. I asked Peter for a propshaft one half inch shorter than that supplied. Peter disappeared with the propshaft to, seemingly within not more than an hour, return with a sleeved and tack welded The finished gearbox mount propshaft for a trial fit – perfect!

8 Mk2 gearbox platform

T9 support again prior to welding From lessons learnt, on this conversion, I have already redesigned the brace / gearbox Modified propshaft (shortened 0.5 inch) mounting ready for the next time. prior to final welding and painting Alan Anstead The project really sums up what the club is all about. Thanks to some serious thought and preparation from Alan and inspired improvisation and hard work from Pete, the Healey Frogeye is transformed. Four days' work and fifth is seventh heaven. The old Spridget box had no Again he vanished to then return with the fully first gear left welded item. Balance? We shall have to see in at all, and use how it performs. I wish I had neighbours reverse rapidly like that! disappearing The day came to an end but Peter volunteered due to layshaft to continue, with Crispin, in my stead, on the wear. But the morrow. recon Type A six inch long one inch SHS brace would 9 box (£295 have to be fitted across the top of the space on eBay) is superb, with Modified remote to clear frame where it was necessary to cut out a chassis brace as it impeded the gearbox remote. To considerably remove this brace a small section of GRP reduced noise transmission tunnel, about eight inches long and seriously improved fuel consumption. and the width of the transmission tunnel, was There was no way I could have attempted the removed probably to be replaced with a sheet project alone and at garage rates it would steel cover. It will, after all, be out of sight have run to thousands. Although neither are under the transmission tunnel carpet. going to be offering their time for engine and gearbox removal and replacement (I was lucky If contemplating this conversion I have – my good friend Pete was Best Man at my contacted Morris Minor Centre Birmingham wedding 25 years ago this year) details of the (www.morrisminor.co.uk) and have been lessons learned are freely available. And I'm told that they would be willing to supply a sure Alan's would knock out a Mk II gearbox shortened propshaft as a ‘special order’ but support frame for anyone interested. it would probably be a six week delay. Most of the parts for five speed conversions, to And by the way, there is absolutely no Spridgets, that I have done or been concerned vibration from that 50 minute propshaft. with, have been sourced from MMC. Crispin Whiting

9 Wheels and Tyres and Things

the car, although this can only be done on the front. Dave Hansford Ed’s note: I had a similar experience a few years back when a young tyre fitter not only broke two studs before I could get to him but was also about lift up the front of the car by placing the jack under the anti-roll bar! It cost them eight new wheel studs and they threw in the new tyre and balancing for free.

eware! I have just replaced the tyres on Jill’s 1971 Austin Sprite, which has the Bearly Rostyle wheels. We had a slight problem. The local Tyre Shop tried to torque the wheel nuts up to 100 lbs ft … whoops … a broken stud! Rostyle wheel studs should be 45 lbs ft. If you have centre lock wire wheels and want them balanced, this must be done correctly. The balancer lock nut needs to locate from the outside as they are on the cars hub. If this cannot be done, then balance them on

An Early Spridget Wheel Conundrum hadn't noticed until last week that I’ve got two different types of pressed wheel on my car! They've only been on for 20+ years too! Could someone let me know which is the correct I style please? Email Dave directly [email protected] or Gary at: [email protected]

Type A Type B

10 PARTS & ACCESSORIES www.moss-europe.co.uk keeping the great marques alive BEST OF BRITISH Est.1975 Parts & Accessories for Classic British Cars Image: ©BMIHT. t. 01926 645073 Image: e. ©BMIHT. [email protected] Established in 1975, Moss Europe is one of the founding companies of the British classic car parts industry. As a market leader, Moss strive to maintain parts availability to help you keep your classic on the road. Moss resource and manufacture products for some of the most popular classic British cars, including MG Midget and Austin Healey Sprite models. All parts are available to order online, in branch or from our free mail order catalogues. Moss prides itself on offering excellent service to classic car owners worldwide, stocking the broadest range of parts and accessories available.

Order online www.moss-europe.co.uk Free 2011 parts & accessories catalogues Either complete & return the form, call 0800 281 182, email [email protected] or visit www.moss-europe.co.uk

✓for catalogue, send coupon to: Customer Services, Moss Europe Ltd, Unit 16, Hampton Farm Ind. Est. Bolney Way, Feltham TW13 6DB ✁ Mascot June Sprite&Midget T-Type MGA MGB Restoration Tools Triumph, Minor & Mini catalogues available

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------Postcode ------Moss Europe will not share your information with any other party. Moss may use it to send you product and special offer information. If you would prefer not to receive this please tick here Product prices include UK VAT and are correct at time of going to print. For the latest prices please visit our website. Moss Europe Ltd. E&O.E. 2011 London Bradford Bristol Manchester 020 8867 2020 01274 539 999 0117 923 2523 0161 480 6402 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] *Catalogue11 P&P per item: Mainland UK Free, EU £5.83 (plus applicable VAT) Non Mainland UK & ROW £7.00 Stuart James Bullas R.I.P. 27 September 1953 – 10 April 2011

Masc member Colin Gale has been in contact U tube TOP GEAR challenge at Prescott. He to inform me of the sad news of the death of was very popular, his life revolved around Stuart Bullas. Stuart was best known in the motorsport and Stuart he will be sadly Healey, Hill Climb and Sprint Group. He was 3 missed. times champion in the SPRITE class, he still Many thanks. Regards. holds 5 records to date. Maybe better known driving his yellow frogeye as seen on TV and Colin Gale

Competing at Gurston

Letters Hi Gary, You may remember that about a year ago I contacted you by phone with regard to a picture in MASCOT of a guy called Peter Hewitt standing next to a Frogeye which he was trying to trace. I mentioned that I had played in a band with him many years ago and had been trying to trace him with a view to organising a re-union of the band. I had been searching for about ten years on things Peter in 1962 in Manchester with 668 MTU like Friends reunited, Facebook etc., with no luck, until I opened the MASCOT and there he was like we were all 19 again. Well almost! was. You gave me his contact details and I Fabulous! managed to get in touch with him. I just thought you might like to know the Well to cut a long story short, it took until outcome of that chance picture and you December of last year but we did have the giving me Pete's details. re-union and what a great night it turned out Many thanks again. to be. Everyone brought pictures and other memorabilia with them and we had a great Bernie Higginson meal and chin wag at The Red Bull pub in P.S. I hope to maybe catch up with you at Stockport. The years just fell away and it Midget 50. It's certainly sounding good so far.

If you have any memories, tales or questions for insertion in MASCOT please send them to me at [email protected]

12 On Replica Parts (Particularly Replica Brake Light Switches)

More often than not, most owners – especially those who strive to maintain their car in ‘original’ or ‘factory’ condition – prefer to fit original ‘NOS’ (New Old Stock) replacement parts rather than modern replica components, despite the fact that the latter are usually easier to find and often much cheaper to buy. Exceptions are confined either to perishable items (e.g. rubber bits and batteries which can deteriorate badly during long-term storage) or items which can improve considerably the safety of the vehicle (e.g. a modern laminated windscreen rather than the early Triplex toughened type which becomes instantly opaque when broken*). The hard-to-beat quality of original Midget and Sprite parts is hardly surprising when one Examining a camshaft in the Inspection remembers (a) that the factory ordered parts Department at Abingdon. Few (if any) modern in batches numbered in thousands or even replica parts will receive such scrutiny. tens of thousands of units from competent and very reputable companies and (b) that this is sometimes easier said than done. To the company (BMC, later British Leyland) illustrate this, we now concentrate on the one exercised extremely strict quality control and component which receives my personal prize was able to reject outright any batch of sub- for being the worst replica part currently standard components. available for our cars: the hydraulic brake light switch fitted as original equipment to all Inevitably, as time rolls by the supply of NOS Sprites and Midgets AN5 to GAN5 with single- parts must decrease, their price will increase circuit brakes. and the availability of replica parts for classic cars in general will become ever-more Early original brake light switches for the Mk1 important for those of us who wish to keep (Frogeye) Sprite had screw connectors and our cars on the road. We Midget and Sprite were made by either Lucas or Girling, later owners are luckier than most, much more so switches were made by Lucas with Lucar now than in the 1970s and early 1980s when connectors. All require a large 1" AF spanner the popularity of our cars and the availability and are extremely, prodigiously robust: of spare parts for them reached an all-time many cars have reached either old age or low. Happily for us, there is now a flourishing the scrap yard with their original switches industry busily re-manufacturing all sorts of still functioning perfectly, a tribute to the Spridgely bits and pieces. Although we should people who made them and a monument to all be extremely grateful for this, we must the quality control within the British Motor also acknowledge that the quality of these Corporation. replica components is extremely uneven: Anyone restoring or titivating their car should some are better than the original while others not even think of replacing a working but are vastly inferior. The trick is to be able to grubby-looking original brake light switch with recognise the good and reject the bad, but a bright shiny new replica one -for in very marked contrast to the original, the modern * Youngsters born into the laminated windscreen age and replacement is so unreliable that its operation driving behind an early toughened windscreen should know really should be checked before the start of that if their screen shatters they must punch a hole in it with every journey. Even better, a small repeater their fist. The punch must be an immediate, reflex action: light might be installed on the dashboard to it will not much damage the fist but it will (usually!) allow enable constant monitoring. This switch is sufficient visibility to ensure a safe stop from speed ... one of the most important pieces of safety

13 switches and suggest that the problem can be solved by the addition of a modern relay; Original brake light others suggest adding a brake light micro switches require a switch operated by the brake pedal (similar large 1" AF spanner. to that used by GAN6 Midgets and US spec Early switches 1275cc Spridgets with dual-circuit brakes); (left) have screw yet another group suggest simply fitting a connectors, later good original switch (providing that one can switches (below) have be found). Lucar connectors. Having stupidly lost my original brake light switch during the restoration of my GAN2 Midget and after replacing three replica switches in as many years, my patience expired. Preferring the simple solution and following an extremely strenuous search, I eventually acquired a job lot of six NOS Lucas switches, each in its original red box. Thus freed from the worry of malfunctioning brake lights and overcome with curiosity, I resolved to dismantle two switches (one broken replica and one sacrificial NOS unit) in an attempt to understand the extreme difference in their reliability. These switches are all sealed units and are best sprung apart with a lathe, spinning off a little metal from the top of the hexagonal nut. My friend Roger Ward (who owns a suitable lathe) finally agreed to do this for me– but equipment in the whole vehicle and, if it fails, only after several days of crabby argument one needs to know immediately: there is not and shrewish procrastination. An ex-Lucas a moment to be lost unless one is prepared mechanic, Roger believed it was sheer to suffer the constant risk of a serious rear- madness to destroy a good original switch. end accident. Random fragments of Roger’s mutterings Evidence for the poor quality of these replica at this time include ‘... mad Australians ... switches is abundant in folklore and internet chat rooms. A typical story is that provided by one Graham Palmer who replaced the same switch on his 77 MGB GT fourteen times in three years (one switch lasting less than a day): one can only admire his extreme patience and perseverance. Others on the web, including one David DuBois ... http://www.omgtr.ca/technical/ brakelightrelay/brakelightrelay.htm ... attribute the problem to the very ‘light duty’ construction of the replacement

A modern replica brake light switch. This requires a smaller 22mm (approximately 7/8" AF) spanner and is sometimes supplied Reluctantly, Roger dismantles a perfect NOS in a green box labelled switch. Attempts to make him turn and smile at the ‘Lucas’ camera all failed. What a misery!

14 hen’s-teeth ... a fever tortured brain ... it’s brand-new, still in its box ... sheer lunacy ... he should be re-transported ... they can’t play cricket either, which probably explains everything ...’ etc. etc. The emotional scars from this episode prevent me from discussing it in detail. Instead, we now move swiftly on with our main story ... Sprung apart, the crude internal mechanism Figure 1: Replica Brake light switch. In the ‘OFF’ of a replica switch is apparent immediately state (left) the two prongs of the connectors (Figure 1). If this switch is to operate (yellow) and a circular metal plate (green, seen correctly, hydraulic pressure must force a in cross section) are held apart by a spring circular metal plate into contact with both (omitted for clarity). In the ‘ON’ state (middle), prongs of the connectors (i.e. two good hydraulic pressure forces the plate up against contacts are required, not one). This switch the spring to short-circuit the prongs. This design can fail in one of two major ways. switch will fail (right, exaggerated) if the plate First, a slight miss-alignment of plate and does not touch both prongs. prongs may cause only one prong to hit the plate: the switch which lasted less than one day for poor unfortunate Graham Palmer probably failed for this reason. Second, the soft metal of the prongs is entirely unsuitable for switch contacts and is easily burnt: if one prong becomes shorter than the other via sparking and burning, then plate and prongs will again be miss-aligned and the switch will fail: this is why David Dubois’ relay solution Figure 2: NOS brake light switch. There is only is so sensible – David’s relay contacts take one contact (blue) shown (left) in the ‘OFF’ state. the main current to the brake lights, there will A small piece of springy metal (orange) is firmly be no significant sparking inside the switch. attached to one of the prongs and a small ball My broken replica switch – the one Roger bearing (red) in the middle of the circular plate dismantled – definitely failed for the second (green) ensures proper operation even if the reason: the internal contacts were very badly, plate is mis-aligned. very obviously burnt. When Roger finally dismantled the NOS design and are so unreliable that they should switch, it was one of those ‘Eureka!’ moments not be used at all unless fitted with one of when everything suddenly becomes crystal David DuBois’ relays. Even with a relay, these clear. In this design (Figure 2) only one replica switches may still have a very short contact is required: inside the switch a short service life. The best and cheapest solution piece of thin springy metal is firmly attached is to find and install an original brake light to the end of one prong, contact occurs switch: these were fitted to many different between the other end of the spring and the British cars in the 1960’s and early 1970’s end of the other prong. In addition – and quite and one can still find them if one is prepared brilliantly – a small copper ball bearing in the to search auto jumbles and trawl ebay. NOS middle of the circular plate ensures (a) that is best, of course – but if a grubby second- the spring is always pushed up at the correct hand one is still working after fifty years, it point and (b) that the switch will still work may well be good for the next fifty. perfectly, even if the plate is miss-aligned. Finally, the contacts are proper switch I thank Niek Herwegh and Terry Horler material: instead of damaging the contacts, who read my first draft and made valuable any sparking here is probably positively suggestions for improvement. I also thank beneficial, cleaning the metal for good Roger Ward who dismantled the switches electrical contact and long life (providing, of (our friendship has survived the experience). course, that the vehicle is used regularly!). Finally, I wish everyone safe braking. In summary, the commonly available replica John E. Davies brake light switches have such a poor internal (Member 3443)

15 The New MASC Website

hen was the last time you looked at There will still be a members area, giving the club’s website? Not very recently? members access to back copies of MASCOT WWell you should as it's about to and other club information, as well as sales change! and wants, technical information and the all To coincide with Midget 50 the club is important link to buy Regalia online. re-launching its new look website at: You can even renew your membership quickly and securely. www.midgetandspriteclub.co.uk We want to make sure that the site gives you, The site will give the club a more modern the members, what you want, so please have presence on the internet and provide people a look and give some feedback either with simple and easy access to the club to through the site, to the committee or your find out who we are and what we do. Area Rep about anything you would like to For prospective members it will let them see on it. see what the club is all about. An interactive So make a note in your diary and check out national map will allow them to discover the the new website from Friday 10th June. local area group nearest to them, so they www.midgetandspriteclub.co.uk can join in with club activities, and the site Mark Hall provides easy access for joining online too. On behalf of the Committee

16 the only solution to your ignition problems!!!

Reconditioning Service Performance This is a complete over haul of a customers own H&H can customise advance curves for use on mild fast distributor, including replacement of all serviceable road, fast road, race and rally spec engines, matching parts, shot blasting and re-plating of all bolt on parts, the distributor exactly to any modifi cations made to the available for conventional and electronic ignition engine, this service is available on all H&H distributors for systems for classic and modern vehicle applications. all vehicles applications. 48hr turnaround on most units.

Electronic Replacement Obsolete Replacement We offer direct electronic replacements ignition Because of the shortage in classic and vintage distributors for all vehicle applications replacing ignition distributors and servicable parts, H&H use a existing points type ignition, giving your classic vehicle Lucas based distributor in points and electronic versions the reliability of a modern engine, these distributors as a direct replacement for vintage and classic can be offered as a full kit including HT coil. applications, giving ease of maintenance and off the shelf parts availability. Engine Management Replacement Due to reliability and durability, later model engines are OE Replacement now commonly being transplanted into older vehicles, H&H offer a full range of new and reconditioned ignition unfortunately late engines often come with complicated distributors for all OE applications for British, European and engine management systems, H&H offer a direct Japanese vehicles. replacement mechanical distributor system to replace the engine management on most applications enabling the engine to run with carburettors. Note: Engine must have a location for a distributor. Light Weight Race Alternators For all applications in cast aluminium or chrome show fi nish. Competition Starter Motors In addition to H&H ignition distributors we also stock a small range of reduction gear high torque starter motors as direct replacements for performance engines and OE applications Unit H Fens Pool Avenue, The Wallows, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, England, DY5 1QA T: +44 (0) 1384 261500 M: 07787 114417 / 07989 744351 E: [email protected] W: www.h-h-ignitionsolutions.co.uk Terms of Trade: Carriage is at additional charge on individual orders. VAT charged at the current rate at time of purchase. Accepted methods are credit card or pro forma other than these methods account terms apply

WANTED Midgets and Sprites Excellent prices paid for properly restored cars Especially Frogeyes, Original or IOW Frogs Even unfinished restorations and Heritage Shelled cars

Call Mike Authers Classics on Abingdon Tel: 01235-834-664

Mobile: 07703 465224 or www.mgmidgets.com

17 Up and over

Repair of the Flat Chassis Box Section Between the Front Chassis Rails, and the Sump and Radiator

thought this might be of interest to getting it up and onto its side. The initial lift members who may be looking to get this was done with a BIG trolley jack, and it took I box section repaired. As is well known, (and 4 of us to lift it up and over the last couple done), this is nearly always used as the lifting of feet. It didn't help, I suppose, having the point for trolley jacks ... and over the years engine and gearbox in. The ideal, of course, becomes badly dented inwards. is to have these removed, (which they will Recently, a friend and I purchased one of be in the Minor and Rover). I did remove the these "new fangled" roll-over kits. It's the type battery, and drain oil and water too! Repairing that bolts to the wheel hubs for the car to be the said offending chassis area was then literally rolled over and onto it side, so as to straightforward! be virtually vertical, therefore giving a perfect What I did do was to weld in a couple of large opportunity to do underside repairs. bits of steel bar, about 30 mm dia, so as I've done plenty of MIG welding, and those that newly fitted plate didn't get bent inwards welders amongst us will know welding upside again. Hopefully the photos will show what down is VERY difficult, particularly over a I did. I should have taken a couple when it large area! was done, but I forgot, so apologies for the intrusive trolley jack! So I thought I’d bite the bullet and commit myself to getting it done and use the roll-over If anyone local wants this section repairing gear for the first time. (A sort of dry run for please get in touch. a Morris Minor we'll be doing shortly, not to Dave Gilbert mention a Rover P4!). Anyway, all went well at 531

The usual looking dented front rail

18 Building a Recreation of the 1966 Le Mans Sprite Part 1

s a 17 year old, when Saturday mornings were either spent thumbing through the Acar magazines in WH Smith or visiting the local British Leyland garage to look at the new shiny cars, obtaining a book about racing Spridgets started a spark that’s lasted 30 years. To read about the Streamlined Lightweight Austin Healey Sprites racing at Le Mans in the 1960s which were designed in-house by the team at Healey and based on the standard Sprite floor pan with truly David and Goliath feats of achievement stayed with me for years. The team at Austin Healey An original car being built at Austin Healey produced six cars, two Le Mans versions in 1965 and one in 1967, plus three Sebring Sprites – two in 1965 and a further one in Craig Chapman a specialist in Scotland. We 1966. The streamlined coupe body was were extremely limited for information and fabricated almost entirely of aluminium and had to develop the body from old pictures in books and an article in the 1990 Classic cars even with a relatively mildly tuned ‘A’ series magazine called ‘Small Green Wonder’. From engine the cars developed between 105 bhp these few photographs of the original cars and 111 bhp depending on which article you we were able to determine all the features read but still resulted in a top speed in excess and dimensions and with many of the critical of 140mph. Unsurprisingly the Sprites were components coming from the production hugely successful even first time out. Sprite we thought it would be relatively easy In 1965 the scrutineers at Le Mans threw out to pick key datum points to build up the the two Streamlined Lightweight Austin Healey bigger picture and maintain the spirit of the Sprites as their day glow green paint was original car. deemed to be unsafe for other competitors, First it was decided to build an “egg box” the team eventually painted the cars in a working buck, with all the hard-sought body conventional green paint and one car went on shell datum points plotted in three dimensions to win its class in the 24 hours race. and to use a brand new Sprite steel floor Fast forward 30 years and I decided to to the period of the original cars. The rebuild an abandoned AH Sprite Lenham dimensions were taken from a full size CAD GT which ultimately got me thinking about drawing of the body and by measuring my the Streamlined Lightweight Austin Healey MG Midget and ensuring that the CAD picture Sprites. Whilst undertaking the rebuild of was transposed to the working buck we were the Lenham into a race car I also bought a happy with the dimensions. Remember that half finished MG Midget MK2 which came the original cars were hand built in the same with another donor car and added to my way so no two cars will be exactly the same. donor car collection and with so many So we were confident we could maintain the parts somehow on a sunny afternoon I had spirit and develop the car the same way the a eureka moment and decided to build my factory had developed its car. own Streamlined Lightweight Austin Healey Craig set about building the egg box body Sprite. So this is the story of my Streamlined buck and fabricating the body in aluminium Lightweight Austin Healey Sprite Le Mans and whilst I tried to obtain a new tub. After trying how by luck I’ve met the correct specialists to obtain a clean tub or attempting to rebuild and enthusiastic Spridget people that have one of my donor cars tubs, I decided that it enabled me to live the dreams of a 17 year would be better to build my own tub from the old. panels available through Moss Europe. So After a chance meeting the development of after purchasing all the tub components and the new replica shell was put in the hands of the whole year’s supply of the front cross

19 I progressed to the Austin Healey Lenham GT and built this into a race car which put me in contact with many specialists. Looking back it has taken longer than I wanted but it has been the right progressive build decision as I needed to build the complexity in gradually and learn who and where to buy parts as well as learning who was reliable and trustworthy, so that I could build the Le Mans car correctly. Both the Midget and the Sprite now sit at home proudly finished in my garage waiting the return of the ‘Special One’. On completion of the other cars the thought of restarting the work on the Le Mans car Front of the Egg Box Body buck seemed to be low priority as I played with the Rear of the Egg Box Body buck Midget and raced the Lenham Sprite and at one time even thought about abandoning the car. Again though fate intervened and after talking to an enthusiastic Pete Taylor I decided it was time to bite the bullet and on with progressing the car. At this point I decided I needed a true expert and liked the sound of Andrew at Archers. So the car was transported down to Archers Garage. At the time I thought that Andrew

members, we then built these into the steel tub as per my original 1966 donor car. Once the chassis tub had been completed the alloy panels were then taken from the egg box buck and mated up to the body and the assembled car looked spookily like the original in the factory picture. The dream of owning my own Streamlined Lightweight Austin Healey Sprite was starting to become a reality. The completed tub On completion of the body I needed to The body being mated to the completed tub transport the car home. But as I was still in the process of rebuilding the Lenham GT and my MG Midget, that car sat in a friend’s garage for over a year while I completed my MG Midget and Sprite Lenham GT. This delay in the build though was part of the plan as I wanted to find suppliers, do more research and learn about the mechanics of the standard Midget and Sprites and learn about building the cars. The idea was to do my homework and then progress onto building the slightly more complicated Le Mans car. After completion of the MG Midget

20 The completed car just waiting would just need to fit a roll cage, however on delivery Andrew pointed out some errors that first needed to rectify. This is not a slight on anybody else’s work or my patchy research as what can you realistically expect from pictures in magazines and books. So with some trepidation it was decided to take a deep breath and let Andrew get started to rectify the problems and get the car to the level of detail it truly deserved. We also had to decide which of the cars were we trying to replicate and in discussion with Andrew it was The car stripped back and remedial decided that the 1966 car was the one that work being undertaken we would try to emulate and unfortunately this is also probably the hardest. It was also discovered that the windscreen The mechanical specification should be 1293 surround needed to be reworked in order to fit cc engine with a cross flow head and fully dry the cut down mini screen and whilst that was sump system complete with fuel injection and being done the doors were also rechecked a converted MGA 3 syncro 5 speed gearbox. and the correct hinges sourced. There was Obviously not a lot of the specialist parts also additional bulkhead work required in are available, so once work starts on these order to add strength to the foot wells as I’ll write a few more lines to let you know this car will run the bigger MGA 3 syncro box how we’re progressing. At present it’s a bit mated to the A Series engine, which also of a one step forward and two steps back requires the central tunnel to be much larger. approach in order to get the details correct. It’s taken a lot of trail fitting and welding So now with the car at Andrew's it was but we’re now at a point where we can start decided to remove the aluminium body by thinking about applying paint to the inside of drilling out the pop rivets in order to expose the car before the roll cage is finally welded the tub. All dimensions were then checked into place. and the tub was painted in red lead. The rear The plan is now to complete the work on the legs needed to be aligned so these were tub and for me to mechanically fit up the removed and welded into place to allow the car into an interim specification before the fitment of the roll cage onto the rear legs and car returns to Andrew for the glazing to be to make them a bit more watertight. This is completed and with his help to develop the very important as the rear floor is now in alloy mechanical specification correctly. rather than steel so we needed to ensure that the structural integrity remains. The roll cage Fingers crossed and hoping it doesn’t take me although bigger in cross section mimics the another 30 years to finish! factory steel trellis frame that was used to Chris Pass support the alloy body. Angus, Scotland

21 Spridget Book Reviews (Not one but two)

The Essential Buyers Guide – MG & Austin Healey Midget & Sprite (All models 1958-1979) Written by Terry Horler and published by Veloce ISBN 978-845843-54-0 RRP £9.99p www.veloce.co.uk

or anyone with a passion for Spridgets a ‘must have’ on the bookshelf is “Original FSprite & Midget” by one of the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the Midget & Sprite Club, and Spridget authority Terry Horler. Therefore on hearing that he had written, and had published, another book I could not resist a visit to the local Bookshop to make a purchase. The rear cover announces “Don’t buy an MG Midget or an Austin Healey Sprite without buying this book first” and that appears to be worthy advice because, for the potential, first time, buyer this book gives excellent advice. Alan Anstead Features • Full coverage of all MG Midget & A-H Sprite models • Where and how to buy a MG Midget & A-H Sprite • Advice on choosing the right model and condition • Key checks – spot a bad car quickly Comprehensive inspection guide All the information is here to help make a • clear and balanced decision, to counter the • In-depth analysis of strengths and vendor’s claims, and even negotiate a better weaknesses price. Terry has bought and sold many MG • Discussion of desirable upgrades as well as Midgets & A-H Sprites over the years, and his modifications to avoid knowledge and enthusiasm will prove a vital • Market and value data, predicts which resource for potential buyers. models will become collectable Additional Information • Details of club back-up and support Period covered: 1958-1979 organisations Models covered: Austin-Healey Sprite MkI, II, Synopsis III, IV and Austin Sprite (1958 to 1971) This book is the perfect companion for the MG Midget MkI, II, III and Midget 1500 1961 first-time or even more experienced buyer. to 1979

22 Original Sprite & Midget The Restorer’s Guide Written by Terry Horler, photography by John Colley and published by Herridge & Sons ISBN 978-1-906133-33-7, Price £27.50 www.herridgeandsons.com

ccasionally a book comes along refused to pay the highly inflated prices being which so successfully deals with asked by owners looking to sell copies of the Oits subject matter that it instantly original book. Until this reprint in hardback, it renders any similar publication redundant. Terry’s now famous (within Spridget circles) book has justifiably become the “Bible” for anyone wishing to learn about the original specification of any particular MG Midget or Austin Healey Sprite model built between 1958 and 1979. With 144 pages divided into eight sections and containing excellent photographs by John Colley, Original Sprite & Midget gives accurate information and must be considered the essential guide to anyone looking to restore their Austin Healey Sprite or MG Midget. Additional sections with details such as production changes by chassis number of each and every model helps the owner to understand how and where their particular car fits within the chronology of the various Spridget models. So highly regarded has this book become that it has spawned the phrase “ACCORDING TO HORLER” as used by Midget and Sprite owners worldwide. For those owners who for what ever reason have modified cars, or are simply fans of Midgets and Sprites, would not have been unusual to pay a three this attractive, well written and meticulously figure sum to get hold of a copy. researched book is still a fascinating insight Now that it is once again available to into the wide and varied model range. everyone at the realistic price of £27.50 This hardback edition, following a few years there is no longer any excuse for it to be after the reprinted softback version, should missing from your bookshelf. satisfy the hundreds of buyers who have Gary Lazarus

Please see the competition to win both of these books on page 25 of this month’s MASCOT.

23 24 Spridget Books Competition (And it’s a hard one!)

ssuming that you have already read the away my review copy. I really do need all the review of these two books written by correct answers before I prise it from my ATerry Horler (that’s the books, not the iron-like grip. reviews!) on pages 22 and 23 of this month’s Over to Terry who asks: MASCOT. You will be desperate to get hold of them. You have two choices. What do the following letters indicate in our Spridgley thing's Vehicle Choice number 1 Identification number (Car Number)? Go out and buy the books immediately (or put The prefix G them on your Christmas/Birthday list). The prefix H Choice number 2 The suffix G Simply correctly answer this fiendishly The suffix M difficult competition set by Terry Horler The letter L (which means that you can blame him and not The letter U me). The letter N The first correct entry received by email to [email protected] will The letter Y receive a copy of both books. And in the engine number There may also be an additional copy of The letters DA “Original Sprite and Midget” available as The letter H a 2nd prize, if I can be convinced to give

Events (continued from page 25) October 15th East Anglia Bowling and Meal in Pidley 1700 details from Nigel and Dianne ( 01954-789503) Sunday 23rd MASC AGM 2011, Coventry Transport Museum Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry CV1 1JD. 024 7623 4270. 1:30pm for 2:00pm start November Friday 11th Join Heart of England group at the Classic Car Show at the NEC. Details from John Platt on to Sunday 13th 01789 488321 or email [email protected] 12th East Anglia we are all going to the dogs (Greyhounds that is) Contact Dave Dixon (01733-222810) December 11th East Anglia Christmas meal (Sunday lunch) details from Dave Dixon on (01733-222810)

25 MG Era at Brooklands Museum Sunday, April 10, 2011

Kent Sail Sussex Sail Surrey Sail

ll M.G.s, of all ages, were welcome Old buildings have been restored and house at this annual event, which this year excellent exhibits of the sites early motor Acelebrated the 50th Anniversary of the racing and aviation history whilst outside Triple M Register. I had obtained permission stand some examples of complete aircraft / agreement, from Brooklands management, such as the development Concorde. that any Midget & Sprite Club member could Newly under construction is a garage large obtain entry, with an Austin Healey Sprite enough to house the Chobham bus museum. or derivative, on payment of the entry fee and production of their club membership Ten cars from the Midget and Sprite Club card. The programme of organised events were present. Mark Tossell in his very well was a Concours d’Elegance with classes presented snowberry white, T9 five speed for Pre-war MGs, Post-war MGs and Car of gearbox, Weber DCOE’d 1275 Spridget had the Show starting at 11.30am with the prize come all the way from Devon especially for presentations at 2.30pm. Test Hill to be in the event joining members from Sussex, action at 1.30pm with a cavalcade down HCNW, Kent and Surrey Sections. What a Brooklands Drive at 3pm. sight the sails of Surrey, Sussex, and Kent made fluttering in the breeze. I understand Parking for MGs only was on the Museum that North West area now have a sail to the site – accessed through the Campbell Gate same design with dark blue background. off Brooklands Road (the B374) with an area for Midget and Club members to park, as a David Bruzas is without a car at the moment group, in the village, by the Jackson Shed. but hopes to have the restoration of his Brabham, Coventry Climax engined, Midget Historic Brooklands, at Weybridge Surrey, is a complete in time for Midget 50. Whilst on the great venue for a day out with so much to see subject of Midget 50 it is not my intention so when the weather is as good as it was on to arrange a convoy from Kent / Surrey but the day it is doubly so. I must remember the I will be attending the event and the concert sun crème next year! on the evening before. Somewhat sad news, Unfortunately the pre WW2 circuit banking is regarding the event, is that our twin club incomplete but the test hill remains intact Amicale Spridget will not be attending this and was put to good use during the event. afternoon. Alan Anstead

26 Waiting to go on track

Donington Historic Festival

or some reason the inaugural Donington with Ferraris, E type Jags, TVRs, MGBs etc Historic car meeting slipped through the at the bottom of the Craner curves and made FMidget and Sprites radar and it was only rapid progress, clipping the apexes etc to with two weeks to go that I organised a car form a grid on the start–finish straight. We did club pitch in the infield and the subsequent a full lap at some speed and took photos and club discounted tickets. So I was relatively videos of each other. We then formed up on pleased when seven cars on a sunny but the Craner curves to make our way back to windy 1st of May. A couple of Midgets the infield club with big grins and windswept from the North with Peter Vass and Bernie hair (some of us!) Higginson, John Platt with his nephew James, Donington Historic was a smaller version Alan Pritchett, Dave Parker, Geoff Hunter, of the Silverstone classic event that we will Alan Couch and Pam and Alan Jones from attend later in the year. The bonus was no Warwickshire plus. queuing to get in, space to walk around with Most marques of car were represented in the good access to the race cars in the paddock club area from AC, Austin-Healeys, Bentleys, a and great racing. From the 1920s and ’30s nice pair of Bristols, a big bunch of Corvettes, Bugatti’s, Bentleys, MGs, Lagondas etc. Lotus, some lovely Ferraris, lots of Porsche, thundering around, won by an Alta average lap Jaguar and MG’s of all types, Morgans, Rolls- speed of 73 mph. Royce, Triumphs (a Spitfire even managed to There were big fields of formula 2 cars, pre make the parade lap). Lots of other makes 61 sports cars like the Maserati Birdcage too, including a Gordon Keeble – No I don’t lapping at 87mph, pre 63 sports cars and know what that is either! pre 72 sports racing cars like the Lola’s, Highlight for most of us were our laps of Chevrons etc. lapping at 99mph. Noisiest the circuit, we were allowed 3 cars each were the Le Mans type GT cars including day. Due to some diligent blagging and deft the Silk Cut Jaguars with the Mercedes C11 negotiations we managed to get six of our winning at a fastest lap of 116 mph. Jags cars on the start line. We entered the track were well represented in races by C, D and E types. Virtually every historic racing car was represented including my favourite the Ford GT40. I did suggest to the organiser that they invite a round of the MG Midget (and Sprite) challenge next year! Oh! and it’s not only Spridgets that break halfshafts when a bit too much power is applied, a nice Aston Martin DB2 lost a wheel at Redgate corner, the marshals were asked to see if they find the brake shoes in the kitty litter when the race finished! See http://glynnallen.blogspot.com/ Spridgets on track Alan East-Jones

27 Surrey Club Night nce again at the Blue Ball P.H. Walton on the OHill Surrey. Past member Colin Aldridge turned up still the owner of his Sprite. A non member young Emily turned up supervised by dad as she was still driving under L-Plate Original (Alan’s) & Tifosi rep rules. Dad had built her a (Emily’s) at the Blue Ball Tifosi Rana Frogeye rep on a Midget 1500 base that they had brought along to show. Hopefully dad will Not a lot else to write other than a pleasant add Masc membership to the package. evening spent amongst friends.

Packing them in at Kent Meet the Kent meet pril 24th and time for Sunday Lunch at the AAngel, Addington Green, Kent. Twenty six people turned up with eleven Spridgets. Crispin Whiting appeared ‘over the moon’ with his recent T9 conversion on his IOW Frogeye. He arrived in convoy with Peter Jones who was driving a MK2 Midget with Tifosi like Frogeye conversion further developed, by Peter, to include an opening bootlid. We might have had two IOW Frogeyes but Neville & Pam Plummer had to return home, to swap to an MX5, as they suffered a recurring problem with Emma, came to say hello for the first time. brake failure. The braking system has been Straight in at the deep end, hoping to pick replaced twice and the pipes have even been up his Spridget soon, the young couple are blown out but the frustrating problem keeps planning a trip to the south of France once recurring. Emma has completed her exams. That’s the spirit! MX5s seem popular amongst Spridget owners as John & Bethany came in one also. It was a bit of a squeeze but we managed I think that we may have had one model of to cram all, bar one, of the cars in the small each mark of Spridget present. car park out front of the pub. Let’s hope the weather will last! Good to see some youngsters joining us. Rylan Williams was disappointed to be without Alan Anstead his newly bought Midget 1500 as it had failed Mail to: [email protected] its MOT a few days earlier. Preparation and Tel (answer phone) 01322-384050 Presentation! Hopefully he will be ‘on the Kent and Surrey Rep road’ soon. Andrew Dawson, with girlfriend Reps Rep to National Committee

28 Scottish Group Report

Scottish Group at Loudounhill

he first run of the Scottish Group took At Galston we left the Irvine Valley and turned place on Sunday 24th April. Following off over the moors to Sorn and thence headed Tthe almost obligatory bacon rolls, nine up the River Ayr valley to Muirkirk. Continuing of us in five cars left John and Betty’s at east took us through Glespin and towards Limekilnburn for their Spring Mystery Tour. Douglas. Unfortunately just before Douglas, Weather for the day was bright and sunny David’s Sprite, which had been “coughing” but slightly on the cool side. So while it was for a couple of miles, decided to expire. By hoods down for everyone, there were some removing the petrol feed at the carburettors hats and jackets on view. we quickly established the problem was fuel supply. The “usual” SU electric fuel pump fix The route taken was via Strathaven, of crawling under the car and hitting it with Dungavel and Drumclog to Loudoun Hill for a a spanner proved effective and the car burst photographic stop. Loudounhill is a volcanic back into life. However, from this location, plug and interestingly is alleged to have been it was a shorter distance for David to return the site of two battles. The first according to home rather than continue the run so he bid Blind Harry’s poem “The Wallace” took place us goodbye and headed off. We established in 1296 and Sir William Wallace is supposed later that he got home safely, but required two to have ambushed and defeated an English more “hitting the pump” stops on the way. force. However, this is now regarded as historically incorrect and, in fact, fictional. The remaining cars continued via Hyndford The second and undisputed battle was in Bridge to Lanark for an ice cream stop. I May 1307. It was between a Scots force led think by this time we had all realised where by Robert Bruce (Robert the Bruce) and the the Mystery Tour was heading and, sure English commanded by Aymer de Valence. enough, from Lanark it was through the lanes It resulted in a victory for Bruce and was to Kilncadzow and The Village Bakery. This Bruce’s first major military victory. is famous (or infamous) locally for producing larger than normal cakes and pastries. Having From Loudoun we travelled west down the succumbed to temptation, there was one last Irvine Valley through Darvel and Newmilns. stop at the Factory Outlet shop in Carluke This area used to be famous for its textile with everyone then making their own way industry and grew from a centre of handloom home. For me, the mileage door to door was weaving to become one of the main textile 95 miles for the day. An excellent days run centres of the British Empire. The industry with many thanks being extended to John and is now much reduced although there are still Betty for their organisation. factory outlet shops selling knitwear and lace. John Pardo

29 Yorkshire Area Report n order to avoid a day in front of the telly, Yorkshire area of MASC held a Icelebratory Royal Wedding Run on 29th April. We had 8 cars participating and enjoyed a great day of driving in the Wolds, Carrs and North Yorks Moors. The morning started at Tadcaster and we ended at Robin Hood's Bay, via a great lunch at the In the Dalby Forest Gait Inn in Millington and Dalby Forest. We were graced by the presence of is back on the road after a long break, and the royal couple, well, Harvey in a crown and last but not least, Rob & Jenni in the K-Midget. Lesley in a tiara! It was fantastic to see some Embarrassingly for us, everyone’s cars were new faces and cars that haven't been out immaculately clean apart from ours… with us before, in particular Jon in his very original, very early Mk II Sprite; Norman & Looking ahead to June, our meeting is on Lynne in their French registered mallard blue Saturday 11th June at Ye Jolly Farmers Inn, RWA, and Mike Bainbridge in his Frog. Dalton near Thirsk from 12pm onwards, and Anita & Mark (our former area reps from May’s meeting had a good mix of old and Australia) are in the UK and will be at the new Spridget friends with Peter & Dorothy meeting, so old friends, please make an travelling across the Pennines in their newly effort to come and see them. Immediately finished white Frog with rather posh new after meeting, Sarah & Tim and Mark & Anita hood; Paul who came down from South will be setting off down south on the drive Shields in his lovely and very freshly painted to Burghley for Midget 50 the following day. red and white Frog, giving the car a decent Anyone who wishes to join us and to drive in length test run; Paul & Lorraine from Great convoy is very welcome. Ayton who had bought a set of Weller wheels for their RWA, but a 1500 with MOT came Don’t forget you can keep up to date with attached, so they thought they’d bring it for what’s going on at a test drive; Dave in Dinky (Mk2 Sprite) which http://yorkshiremasc.blogspot.com now has a completely new floor welded in and Sarah & Tim

King Harvey & Queen Lesley

30 Warwickshire Area Report (now Heart of England Area)

A frogeye view of the Donington Circuit

he April meeting has got to be one for ferry operator didn't help, nor did his threat to the record books. We had 43 people call the police if the cars didn't leave quickly. Tattend, and that was with at least 6 Eventually Chris inched the car over the steep of our regulars absent! If these numbers ramp onto the other side of the river to be continue we shall need an extension put onto greeted by loud applause from the waiting The Green Dragon! It was great to welcome customers who had enjoyed the altercation. 5 new members Alan Spiers, Jackie and Phil On our third day we decided to do our own Fellows, and Pam and Peter Warwick and to thing, with one group visiting the beautiful welcome back Mo Sawyer, who we haven't Garden Festival held in the town and Chris seen in quite a while. We hope that we see and Sheila, Alan and Rosemary visiting the them all again in the near future. Nurburgring to give their cars a 'blast' on the We have had a very busy month, helped racetrack. Needless to say we were passed greatly by the fabulous weather. Firstly there by many other cars doing incredible speeds was Drive It Day, which has been covered by but the old cars did manage 110mph without Geoff Hunter. really trying - we needed them to be in one Then we had 10 members visit the Rhine piece for the long journey home. It was the Valley in Germany over the Easter holiday. experience that mattered, not the speed, and This gave us the chance to drive our classic the pictures on the Internet prove it! cars through stunning scenery in what has Geoff and Janet chose this day to visit the to be one of the most beautiful parts of the Museum at Remegen, which was a famous world. Trouble began on a crowded M25 on bridge in WW2. Leaving Jan in the car with the journey to Dover when Jim and Rosie's her crossword, Geoff claims he was watching car stopped in the middle lane. Luckily he a video on the top floor of the museum when was able to coast safely to the hard shoulder all the power went off. When he arrived but this and 2 later sessions on the hard downstairs in the dark it was to find the front shoulder didn't make for confidence in door locked and everyone had gone home its performance, but once on foreign soil for the night! Of course he didn't have his it performed beautifully. Being based in phone with him so had to resort to banging Koblenz gave us the opportunity to drive on the front door and shouting loudly. Luckily along the Rhine in both directions, taking some girls passing by phoned the police for in the amazing castles and picturesque help who then found the curator. Geoff was villages along the way. Crossing the Rhine by 'released' and rewarded for his traumatic ferry was attempted only once as Chris and experience with a book about the bridge. Sheila found great difficulty getting over the Janet hadn't even missed him and he did ramp without doing serious damage to the have a great tale to tell over dinner, and no underside of their car. Irate words from the doubt to repeat many times in the future.

31 Alan's night time experience involved a naked maypole dancing, morris dancers and lots to woman who he found wandering along the keep us occupied. We left at 4 o'clock after corridor, and later trying to get into our room. enjoying a really expensive meal (maximum She was sleepwalking – sorry no photos. It spend a fiver!) at John Platt's pub The Hop was a lovely trip to a beautiful area helped by Pole. A good day was had by all. the most wonderful weather. A group of 6 cars spent an enjoyable day in Another busy weekend followed with the brilliant sunshine watching the racing at the Droitwich Spa Classic and Vintage Rally and Donington circuit. We were allowed to park racing at Castle Donington. infield with the other classic car clubs and Comments on the Droitwich event courtesy to participate in a drive around the circuit. of Jim Willis: The annual Droitwich Classic This is a new event which we can recommend Car 'Get Together' was on 30th April, highly for the future. with all proceeds going to the Midland Air With the growing number of members in our Ambulance. The weather was fine and about group from areas other than Warwickshire 5 cars went in convoy to Victoria Square (Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire where space had been allocated to us. It is a and the West Midlands are all represented) it very nice day out with cars for the men to talk has been agreed that we change the name of about, and nice shops, especially shoe shops the group to Heart of England. for the girls to spend money in. There was an Rosemary Couch Italian market, ferret racing, a medieval show, Classic Car Meeting at The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (www.e-v-r.com) Sunday June 26th

museum coach and the option for a further train ride up the 1:30 incline to an historic site of the limestone quarrying in this area. A buffet car based at Wirksworth platform provides a selection on light meals and snacks. The market town of Wirksworth provides interesting historical features built on the history of it’s stone quarrying and lead mining industries. From here it is a short – but testing walk to the National Stone Centre. Those with larger rucksacks may venture further along the High Peak Trail with it’s eserved parking for pre-booked classics gentle gradients, perhaps even reaching the is planned at Wirksworth station, picnic site at the Middleton Top engine house, Rand there is to be an award to the formerly used to haul wagons up the steeper best presented car – as judged by railway inclines. enthusiasts – and a small plaque for all An early response indicating an interest would entrants. The preserved line now runs for 8½ be appreciated. I think this could be a very miles south to Duffield where HRH the Duke appealing event for all classic enthusiasts, of Gloucester formerly opened the link with road or rail. (As I write this costs have yet the Main Line here recently. to be determined, but reduced rates will be Situated at the southern end of the Peak offered for participants and I will have details District National Park, the railway provides by the time you are reading this.) much of interest at Wirksworth Station Replies please to Ian Cooke: including narrow gauge, small gauge (model) 0115 938 3838 / [email protected] steam rides, 2-layout model railway, shop,

32 Home Counties North West Report

My hero

or our April monthly meeting, at The There is a whisper, behind the petrol pumps, Chequers, sixteen charioteers shared that Mark has fallen to temptation. The Fvictuals, grog and lively conversation. whisper is so gentle that I think it best to wait The world should be a better place for the until he feels ready to confess. discussions that took place around that table. Sadly but two chariots adorned the parking HCNW MASC member lot, the rest consisting of mere chaises, Philip Herrick at Santa tumbrils, the odd coach and dogcart. We must Pod last year do better (perhaps we did) for the May meet. One subject which raised a comment or two was the oh-so-nearly demise of The Red Lady, our MkIII Sprite. Now the term a ‘hot car’ normally refers to the treatment applied to the going bits under the bonnet. I took the wrong approach evidently. Somehow a pile of brushwood outside my borrowed garage took fire and burned well. When the flames reached the newly re-covered roof all hell broke loose and the lime tree, which was an integral part of one wall, joined in the fun. Fortunately 1: Up coming events mainly involve joining we managed to get the Sprite out with only other local or national gatherings. HCNW minor cooking to the paint- work on one side. organised parties are Pat and Zara’s charity Fortunately 2: the Fire Brigade arrived p.d.q. lunch and drive on August 7th, and Maurice How did the fire start? No idea. Was it an and Sharon’s bbq on August 14th. If you are act of Spriteful vandalism? Lesson learned. interested in joining either of these please Wickes’s bitumen impregnated corrugated contact me. roofing may be reasonably priced but it has a Enjoy the sun, something we look forward to significant no no to be considered. when the Red Lady is released back into our News from our competitions dept. Phillip care. We are waiting for a very recalcitrant Herrick will be taking his “Super Sprite V8” Insurance Engineer to give the go ahead for to Shakespeare County Raceway on June the paint job. 24/25th for the Nostalgia Nationals event as part of the “Rover Racers Reunion”. Now Chris he knows how to relate ‘hot’ and ‘car’ in the [email protected] correct context. Thanks to Kieran for the image of Phillip’s Sprite

33 Essex Trip to Aldeburgh

or 2011, the Essex Group decided to We arrived at The Bull to find 3 other cars – arrange a regular monthly run with the John & Jane Gates and Dave Mathews, both Ffirst one on National Drive It Day (17th in Midget 1500s and Tony Bending in his April). ex racing Frogeye. With views over looking Group leader Jane Gates had organised the River Stour, and on a beautiful day, we the trip to Aldeburgh on the Suffolk all enjoyed a relaxing lunch complete with heritage coast, which started from The a sales pitch for MIDGET 50 tickets, grille Bull at Brantham, just over the border in badges and regalia. After taking a team neighbouring Suffolk. Tim & Linda’s Frogeye photo of the cars, we headed off in convoy in suffered a bout of “loose steering pinch bright sunshine through the grounds of the ex boltitis” but luckily it occurred within 100yds Naval hospital at Holbrook to follow the river of home so after a quick repair, they were up under the Orwell Bridge to join the A14 for and running in convoy with Jonny Garlick and 8 miles. The route then followed a series of his 3 years old son Charlie in his Midget Mk1 very enjoyable Spridget friendly minor roads and Doug & Jenny Plumb in their Midget RWA. through pretty villages, woods and heathland to pass historic Woodbridge. Soon it was more winding minor roads to cross the River Charlie Garlick in front Alde at Snape Maltings to reach the coast at his (dad’s) MkI Midget the Thorpeness, home of the unusual House in the Clouds (a water tower conversion). After admiring waves from the many day trippers, we followed the coast road for 1.5 miles to the controversial Shell Sculpture on the beach before heading for the car park at Aldeburgh to complete our 44 mile route. We then walked into town noting a lone brave soul swimming in the mirror smooth sea. With thirsts to quench after a day in the warm sun, the group headed for a very quaint tea room complete with a display of unusual handmade tea pot cosies. After the obligatory cream tea, we returned to the cars to bid our farewells before returning home after a thoroughly enjoyable day with fellow Spridgeteers. A special thank you to Jane for organising a great day out, great weather and great company. Keep watching MASCOT for details of forthcoming outings. Doug Plumb Member 4071

34 Hants and friends at the Open Day Hampshire Area Report 37 cars, a field and a pub!

ooh and a warm sunny spring day – It vehicle tracking system that can be used with must be Open Day! Terry and I were late any classic car. O– in order to make sure that the Midget From the comments in the Visitors Book, got there. We needed to leave at 11, and at emails and online Newsletter requests people 10 took off the carbs again! This all made enjoyed themselves and even thought we for a more rapid than usual team building were responsible for the excellent weather, exercise (yes we were bringing the Gazebo so THANK YOU all for coming – See you next too). time, watch this space for new ideas – after Home Counties, beat us to our own Open all it will be our 5th Open Day next year. Day, and we only had to drive 11 miles! They could probably smell the beer ... the excellent Sunday Lunch in Romsey Doom Bar. However, less of that, we had As promised Mike arranged for us to meet advertised in the local press and during the for Sunday lunch and seventeen of us sat day had 37 cars come and go. down for a very nice meal at the Bear and Ragged Staff. Sadly the hoped for members Gazebo and flags from the south of the county did not put in an appearance so perhaps if our events do not appeal or the dates are unsuitable could you please get in touch and let us know what we can do to help you get involved in our activities. Help keep Hampshire’s Flag Flying They say there is a book inside everyone so here is the perfect opportunity to hone your literary skills. A vacancy has arisen for someone to write and submit regular reports on Hampshire’s ‘goingson’ to MASCOT. No previous experience necessary but the following would be an advantage. A sharp pencil A splendid array of Sprites and Midgets An even sharper wit from Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Home Counties A nose for a good story (or the ability to make and even Hampshire. Other classics visiting one up) included a Citroen DS, Healey 3000, AC Job share will be considered – please contact Aceca, Triumph TR3, Wolseley 14, Triumph Harriet. Stag, MGB and a Pilgrim all adding extra interest to the day. Also Stan from RBS [email protected] Property Marketing promoting an excellent for further information

35 East Anglian Report

had a hectic month, spending most of it in I arrived a bit late our fellows had assumed France and coming back to a backlog of we had got lost (as they all had) since they I work, my 93 year old mother was taken into were unaware that we had embraced space hospital, the Sprite was due for an MOT, Pat age technology. The pub was very old, was working nights we had a new unexplored beamy, roomy, had a friendly atmosphere pub meeting venue to find and check out, and thankfully not as upmarket as I had been a heavy schedule of events to finalise and led to believe and boasted cheap food. After advertise, a ferry to book for our next Sprite discussing the up and coming events and adventure, the Stondon event to coordinate making a few adjustments it was agreed it and this report to write (phew!) all in a few was time to publish and be damned. days. All this found me grabbing a bite to eat With a little encouragement from Dave, I had on Sprite night before shuffling the cars in the a word with the manager of the Ferryboat drive so that when I returned from visiting the and managed to arrange the use of a private hospital we could park my daughter’s car in ground floor room just off the bar. The room the lay by and roll the Sprite out of its cave. has seating for thirty or more people and All this and the hour drive to the new venue a door out to the car park and looks ideal packed into the space between work and the for our meetings. I have booked the room Pub was a tall order. for the June meeting, and if everyone is Somehow, with the aid of a satellite and Pat happy with this venue (as quite a number of in her new role of satnav holder and relayer other car clubs are) we will make the change of navigational instructions that were almost permanent. The only down side I can see is inaudible above the wind and engine noise that it is about thirty miles from Peterborough of a speeding topless Sprite, we roared into and takes a bit longer for those of us who live in that area, although I took the pretty route the Ferry boat’s huge car park. After some and enjoyed the drive having not driven that precision parking and frantic photography far in the Sprite for quite a while. We had a (there were huge black thunder clouds great blast home without the need for scuba looming and glooming) we ventured inside equipment with our brave little 1098 more the oldest inn in England complete with than keeping up with modern traffic after resident one thousand year old ghost. We quite a successful meeting. The following day soon found the crews from the abandoned she did us proud again by sailing through her Spridgets, although a few people had come tenth consecutive MOT with zero defects, I in inappropriate transport, due to the black was so chuffed I bought her a new tax disc clouds. Not a bad turn out though considering (well I didn’t actually buy it). Chris was in Frogeye cottage, Hubie had phoned to say he couldn’t make it and maybe See you all at the Ferry Boat and beyond. a few more sat in the Mad Cat. When Pat and Dave Dixon

36 NW Area Report

Pete and Bernie at Donington

or May club night we had a tech talk cars. We found the Midget and Sprite parking given by Peter Cavanagh on the subject mixed up with the MG clubs and soon met up Fof gearbox rebuilding. Very interesting with the Warwickshire lads. and he gave a good insight on how to use the A most enjoyable days' racing with a good gearbox properly and look after it in order to mix of historic racing cars. give a long and trouble free life. I counted 21 people in attendance, which was excellent. I The high point being a 2 lap convoy run think it’s only fair that if people give their free around the track, even if we had to queue for time to do these things then they should be an hour. well supported. This excluded the ladies who Definitely look out for this one next year. were elsewhere chatting about girlie things. Pete and Bernie attended the Donington IMPORTANT NOTE Historic Festival. Here is a brief summary For June club night we are changing venue, from Pete: for this meeting only. As per the last few I met up with Bernie at Ashbourne bright and years the June meeting will be at the Plough early Sunday morning and following an easy Inn at Euxton, situated between Leyland and run down the A50 arrived at Donington Park Chorley. If you live nearer to this area why at about 9.00. not come along and join us. Do not go to the Kilton, if you do then you might be very We were directed to the infield, what a mess, lonely. after the abortive F1 attempt, like a bomb site. Fortunately the area on the inside of That’s all for now, see you at the Plough on Redgate and the Craner curves is still green 8th June. and large enough for the assembled classic Les

37 Bristol Area Report

y thanks to Philip Sellen for writing last the Stroud valley bovines are looking very month’s report during my absence. worried about John’s plans for the interior MClear, concise, accurate, grammatically re-trim. As always, I shall keep you posted on correct, inoffensive and entertaining are progress. all things I would like to say about it – but it Also making progress, Philip has at long last chokes me so I won’t. found the cause of his Midget’s mysterious Now onto our May meeting and the very illness. It seems a thingamabob under the welcome return of John Beatty. John’s long bonnet wasn’t working properly. Well, we all absence made us think he was about to knew that but didn’t like to say. Reflecting on surprise us at his next showing by driving the first 9 months of owning ‘Special K’, into the car park of the Rose and Crown in Alan Lo has now replaced everything except an immaculate restored Frogeye. But no, for the boot hinges and the right hand front just the usual ‘naughty table’ fodder of some driving light bracket. Alan assures us that indescribable mode of transport. these will be replaced this month before However, John has been busy emptying out starting the second lap and replacing the 184 bags of bits that once equated to everything that he has replaced before. Now his Frogeye. The contents he has carefully that’s what I call being thorough. arranged in the great hall of Beatty castle, Colin Gale has just completed a destruction high on the hills of the Stroud valley. John has test programme on the gearbox of his connected a large high tension cable to hill climb/sprint Frogeyed Midget. A total success, he broke second gear so congratulations to Colin for all his research. Jim White was alone in representing the club at the ‘Wheel Nuts’ show at Stroud with his Austin Sprite. I was there but in the wrong car, fortunately, the show organisers don’t impose a ‘naughty table’ policy and I was free to wander around. We must get our entries in earlier next year; this very popular show is over subscribed well before closing date it seems. We are looking forward to an extra club night between ourselves and our Wiltshire branch later in the month. I will include a list of survivors next time, assuming that I survive the coming together of course. Sorry, no time John’s previous welding experiment didn’t quite to take any photos at the Rose and Crown work out as expected this month, Alan somehow became entangled with the kiddies swing again (by his feet this the loosely assembled remains and to the time) and we took most of the evening trying castle lightening conductor that runs to the to retighten the knots. very top of the castle’s highest tower. Next As always, all are very welcome at the Bristol good thunder and lightening storm may well Area gatherings at the Rose and Crown at result in all the welding work being completed Pucklechurch on the second Wednesday in one quick flash (yeah, right John). John of each month. As a special incentive to has worked out that it would take around newcomers, we won’t impose the ‘naughty 500 gallons of Old English White paint to fill table’ rule if you turn up in a non-Spridgley the castle pit sufficiently to dunk the freshly thing on your first visit. welded Frogeye for an ‘immersion’ re-paint. Not cheap but certainly quick. Apparently, Terry Horler

38 South Staffs and North Birmingham Report

Catton Hall Classic Show

ell the warmer weather has certainly show (near Alrewas) on May Bank Holiday. bought a busier few weeks with it! Once again the weather was with us and WJust missing last month's report we had 5 cars displayed proudly for all to was the “drive it day” of April 17th. SS&NB see. This was a great relaxing day and we were kindly invited along to join with the wandered around the many cars there before Warwickshire group. Four of us met up at retiring to sit around talking cars, drinking tea the usual McDonalds and managed to find a and watching the world pass by – whilst once space amongst the seemingly endless group more being slowly sunburnt. of large motorbikes who had also chosen Finally a quick comment on our new meeting to start their run from there. Then we set place at Nether Whitacre Ex-Service & Social off for a leisurely run to the start point at Club. Our second meeting there had another Hagley (this involved a mini-tunnels run which wonderful turnout and we were made very gave me chance to hear what the K-midget welcome by all the staff there. Hopefully we sounded like (especially as I removed the will see a few more SS&NB members join us hardtop at last!). On arrival at the Little Chef, in the coming months. we were greeted by a huge collection of classics along with John W from SS&NB. John Collins Mail to: [email protected] A great run was then undertaken, but I Tel: 07970 213084 couldn’t tell you where we went or in what order as my usual poor sense of direction lived up to its averagely poor standard and in no time at all we were doing 3 point turns, u-turns etc before Andy took charge and led us to our lunch stop. Then more driving took place before an afternoon ice cream stop. We then set off for home having covered many miles and once home realising how red and sunburnt we were. But a great day out and again, many thanks to the hospitality of Geoff and the Warks area. Following this run, our enthusiasm for more Spridgety runs was well and truly fired up and Andy had organised us a club area at Catton Hall Classic Drive it Day

39

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• Membership is renewable annually from the date of acceptance. Your Membership A CLUB TAX DISC HOLDER. pack will be sent to the above address along with the next issue of “MASCOT”.

• OUR MONTHLY MAGAZINE “MASCOT” containing news, SUB TOTAL views, events, technical articles also cars and spares for UK SINGLE MEMBERSHIP (Per year). £27.50 (Plus joining fee of £5.00) (Once only). £32.50 sale or wanted. EUROPE SINGLE MEMBERSHIP (Per year). £32.50 (Plus joining fee of £5.00) (Once only). £37.50 • Club discount with insurers. REST OF WORLD MEMBERSHIP (Per year). £37.50 (Plus joining fee of £5.00) (Once only). £42.50

JOINT MEMBERSHIP (One only). £1.50 As a member, you can always be assured of every possible help FAMILY MEMBERSHIP (Each person). £1.50 and support from the club in order for you to be able to enjoy ownership of your MIDGET OR SPRITE to the full. TOTAL AMOUNT (rates effective from 1 January 2011) ______

Please make all payments in £ Sterling

: Please return this form to Membership Secretary. 2 Pear Tree Gardens, Bearley Road, Aston Cantlow, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire. B95 6HT

The Midget and Sprite Club registered address ONLY: Or visit the club website and join online at : Woodfield Cottage, Blakeshall Lane, Wolverley, Worc’s. DY11 5XJ www.midgetandspriteclub.co.uk Registration Number: 06422998 Tick this box if you do not wish to be welcomed in our club magazine.

Application for Membership

Name______(Block Capitals)

Address______

______Postcode______

Tel.______email______

You may include Family Members for an additional £1.50 per person Or one Joint Member at £1.50 Please note the club magazine will only be sent to the applicant.

Name of Family or Joint Member______As a new member of the Midget and Sprite Club you will receive the following: Car(s)______Registration No.______

______Chassis No.______• A CLUB MEMBERSHIP CARD. A copy of the constitution is HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE CLUB ?______available on request.

• A WINDSCREEN STICKER displaying the club logo. Signed______

• Membership is renewable annually from the date of acceptance. Your Membership A CLUB TAX DISC HOLDER. pack will be sent to the above address along with the next issue of “MASCOT”.

• OUR MONTHLY MAGAZINE “MASCOT” containing news, SUB TOTAL views, events, technical articles also cars and spares for UK SINGLE MEMBERSHIP (Per year). £27.50 (Plus joining fee of £5.00) (Once only). £32.50 sale or wanted. EUROPE SINGLE MEMBERSHIP (Per year). £32.50 (Plus joining fee of £5.00) (Once only). £37.50 • Club discount with insurers. REST OF WORLD MEMBERSHIP (Per year). £37.50 (Plus joining fee of £5.00) (Once only). £42.50

JOINT MEMBERSHIP (One only). £1.50 As a member, you can always be assured of every possible help FAMILY MEMBERSHIP (Each person). £1.50 and support from the club in order for you to be able to enjoy ownership of your MIDGET OR SPRITE to the full. TOTAL AMOUNT (rates effective from 1 January 2011) ______

Please make all payments in £ Sterling

: Please return this form to Membership Secretary. 2 Pear Tree Gardens, Bearley Road, Aston Cantlow, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire. B95 6HT

The Midget and Sprite Club registered address ONLY: Or visit the club website and join online at : Woodfield Cottage, Blakeshall Lane, Wolverley, Worc’s. DY11 5XJ www.midgetandspriteclub.co.uk Registration Number: 06422998 Tick this box if you do not wish to be welcomed in our club magazine.