DURNOVARIA 1008 NEWSLETTER MARCH 2017
The Essential Newsletter for the MG Owners Club Dorchester Area 1008
INSIDE THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER * Editor’s Notes - Skittle Evening * Not Many People Know That - An extraordinary Woman * Book Ends * Other MGOC Events * Pocket Diary for 2017 * Local Vehicle Services
MG Magnettes at the 2016 Athelhampton House Gathering MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - March 2017 Editor’s Notes appy springtime everyone! Spring has sprung Not AWOL - just absent with leave the grass has ris, I wonder where the birdies is - You will know doubt have noticed that there has been no etc. Our front cover image of the three beautiful H newsletter for a few months! This was due to the fact that MG Magnettes reminds us of the season to come when hopefully we will be enjoying some summer sun and some Sarah and I decided to take in some winter sun in southern great runs out and about in our MGs. Spain where we have been for about two months. This had not been the first time we had attempted to migrate Many thanks to our committee and club members involved in planning and volunteering to arrange activities for the south for the worst winter months. The previous time coming months. You should all now have a copy of the we tried was a bit of a disaster - but that’s another story, club’s ‘pocket activity diary’ produced by Paul and as with perhaps for later on. However we enjoyed some great last year’s version, I am sure we will find a most useful and sunny weather and for the most part we were able to eat very handy document to keep in our wallets and purses. outside and bask in a relatively warm 20 to 24 0C - perfect The latest version of which is printed toward the end of this MG weather in fact. We had no rain to speak of and shorts magazine. This document has proved so useful that it is and T-shirts were mostly the dress code during the day, probably no longer necessary to print the diary pages in but the nights were a bit chilly. the newsletter each month. However if there is something We travelled about 1,500 miles in the motorhome and that you would like to promote or worthy of including in the newsletter please contact me. on our return we took in the delights of the Murcia and Andalucia areas and stayed at Granada & the Alhambra, This season our Vice Chairman Peter has had to withdraw Toledo, Burgos and Santander. During all the miles we from his extra duty of club event organiser due to commitments elsewhere and we thank him for some great motored around Spain, we spotted not a single classic car outings in previous years. However his guiding hand is still on the roads, until at the home ferry terminal we spotted a on the tiller for this season and thankfully he has agreed to beautiful Spanish registered white Rolls Royce in the ferry help out in the background as the committee endeavours queue making its way from Madrid to London. to live up to his excellent example over the past years. Understandably I don’t have any club news to report so this month’s newsletter will be a paired down version with a couple of articles you may find of interest.
March Club Meeting MARCH CLUB MEETING As you know, The Colliton Club was not available for SKITTLES our usual first Tuesday of the month slot, so our March gathering will be at the The Spitfire Club Crossways for Saturday March 18th 7.30 pm a skittles evening. The Spitfire is a private club, owned solely by the members and operates on the basis of The Spitfire Club making a small profit each year. Mount Skippet Way - Crossways The club was originally founded at Crossways in the 1960s in an old Nissen hut on land adjacent to Old Farm Way. Dorchester DT2 8TP Later the club moved to a new building which had a large function room with dance floor, a lounge bar and kitchen. MGOC 1008 DURNOVARIA CONTACTS It opened as the ‘Tavern Club’ in 1975. The old club had a very large Chairman - Ray Moore car park and after many months T: 01305 268105 E: [email protected] of negotiations with Taylor Vice Chairman - Peter Elliott Wimpy and the local planning T: 01258 451763 E: [email protected] department, a scheme was Treasurer & Secretary - Paul Storey agreed to build a new club T: 01305 848656 E: [email protected] building which was completed in March 2012. The old car Charity Organiser and Assistant Secretary - Hilary Storey park was developed and is now T: 01305 848656 E: [email protected] the site of the Magnolia Mews NewsletterProduction housing development. Mike Benton - T: 01929 554250 E: [email protected] Alan Cooper T: 07815 305619 E: [email protected]
2 MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - March 2017
Such advice might be expected were the writer in the Wild This is the first (it could be the last) West of the United States, but Levitt was an English lady of a series of occasional articles of privileged background, living a ‘bachelor-girl’ life with about relatively interesting stuff friends and two servants in the West End of London. The that you may wish to bring up at your next dinner party words of wisdom are contained in Levitt’s 1909 book, The when the conversation goes Woman and the Car: A “Chatty Little Handbook for All quiet. The series entitled; Women Who Motor or Who Want to Motor”. ‘Not Many People Know While Levitt did not invent the glove box – credit for That’ will probably, but not necessarily explore that is given by some automotive historians to the auto some lesser know facts manufacturer Packard, in 1900 – she certainly made good about motoring or motoring use of it. Her description, too, of the “little drawer,” usually personalities. located underneath the seat, and the “little flap pocket” gives a good sense of the ways in which manufacturers of the time sought to provide storage space for the occupants of their vehicles. Why is a glove box called a In 1902, for example, an Oldsmobile had a leather satchel glove box? with four buckles attached to the dashboard, while the 1903 Stevens-Duryea had a box built into the dash, opening on The story of an extraordinary woman top instead of in front, with a decorative iron rail on the lid. One pioneering English driver may not have invented Other automakers included baskets, hampers and trunks the glove compartment, but she certainly put it to for storage. good use. What might you expect to find in the glove By the 1930s, glove boxes, also known as glove compartment of the ‘fastest girl on Earth’? According compartments, had become standard equipment on to the extraordinary holder of that title in 1905, Dorothy most cars. But why, out of all the items that can be stored Levitt, there should be a mirror for personal use, but also there – including mirrors and guns – did “glove” became “to occasionally hold up to see what is behind you” and the enduring item associated with such a compartment? “a small revolver.” There are one main and three minor schools of thought “The mirror should be fairly large to be really useful and it on this. The most convincing is that the earliest cars is better to have one with a handle. were open-topped and decidedly Just before starting, take the glass “I have an automatic Colt cold to drive, especially in winter. out of the little drawer and put it into Even later, when enclosed bodies and find it very easy to handle as the little flap pocket of the car,” she became widely available, cars wrote – anticipating the addition of a there is practically no recoil - a great lacked any form of heating until well rearview mirror from manufacturers consideration to a woman” into the 1930s. A driving gauntlet, by about five years. therefore, often fleece lined, was “If you are going to drive alone in the highways and most welcome on chilly days. As a driving essential, it was byways it might be advisable to carry a small revolver. helpful to have a dedicated storage compartment so they I have an automatic Colt and find it very easy to handle were always available with the vehicle. as there is practically no recoil – a great consideration Another explanation is that gloves were essential items to a woman,” she added helpfully. (try that today! - Ed). because they helped to protect the driver against oil and dust in what was potentially a very dirty business. The most prosaic account is that a leather glove improved grip on slippery wooden steering wheels that, in the days long before power steering was invented, required considerable force to turn. Showing that little changes, some sources would have it that gloves were adopted as fashion statements at a time when cars were expensive and seen as status symbols. This might not be that far-fetched; certainly, Dorothy Levitt brought a sense of style to the early motoring scene. Her own preference was for gloves made of “good soft kid,” advising other aspiring female motorists “You will find room for these gloves in the little drawer under the seat of Dorothy Levitt the car.” Continued on next page MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - March 2017
Record-breaker An attractive young woman, Levitt worked in the typing pool of Napier & Sons, a car manufacturer and dealership in Lambeth, London. The company’s owner, racing driver Selwyn Edge, saw her potential promotional value to the company. He arranged a six-month apprenticeship for her with a French automaker, where she learnt about making and driving cars. On her return, Levitt was put to work teaching women to drive – among them Queen Alexandra and the royal princesses. Her mentor also entered her into a string of races, which she started with a win in the 1903 Southport Speed Trial.
For about five years, Levitt wrote a column on “A woman’s right to motor” in The Graphic, a weekly newspaper in London. “I never think of the danger. That sort of thing won’t do. But I know it is omnipresent. The slightest touch of the hand and the car swerves, and swerves are usually fatal. But I am Levitt set the world’s first Water Speed Record when she a good gambler and always willing achieved 19.3 mph (31.1 km/h) in a 40-foot (12 m) steel-hulled, to take the chance,” she once wrote. 75-horsepower Napier speedboat fitted with a 3-blade propeller. Run-ins with the police Levitt quickly went on to become the most successful female competitor in Great Britain. In 1905, she set the In addition to her own writings, there are other clues to the record for the longest drive achieved character of this exceptional pioneering female motorist. In 1903, she was caught speeding by a lady driver, going from London “like to drive over every policeman in London’s Hyde Park. According to Liverpool and back over two days. and wished she had run over the to the police report, she told the In the same year, she set the ladies sergeant and killed him” arresting officer she would “like world land speed record at Brighton, to drive over every policeman increasing it at the following year’s and wished she had run over the sergeant and killed Blackpool Speed Trial to just under 91mph (146 km/h). him.” As a result of this impudence, on a day when six In an intense career, she competed in many races, proving other defendants on motoring charges received £2 fines, herself to be equally fast on water. Levitt won the inaugural she was hit with one for £5. In an article written in 1909 British International Harmsworth Trophy for motorboats at she described her career and spoke of the sensations of Cork Harbour in 1903 and later set the world’s first water travelling at the “awful pace” of world record speeds. speed record of 19.3 mph (31.1 km/h) in a 75-horsepower “Wonderful. One can hardly describe one’s sensations. Napier speedboat. And as if that wasn’t enough, she also There is a feeling of flying through space. I never think of obtained a pilot’s license in France in 1909 and became a the danger. That sort of thing won’t do. But I know it is member of the Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom the omnipresent. The slightest touch of the hand and the car following January. swerves, and swerves are usually fatal. But I am a good gambler, and always willing to take the chance. In going that pace, the hardest thing is to keep in the car. Half the time the wheels don’t touch the ground at all, and when they do touch you must be prepared to take the shock and lurch, else out you will go. It is far harder work to sit in the car than to ride a galloping horse over the jumps in a steeplechase. When I made the records I was in the car alone. I prefer it” She died, unmarried, at just 38 years of age caused by morphine poisoning while suffering from heart disease and an attack of measles; a sad and untimely end to a glorious, Dorothy Levitt at Brooklands sparkling adventure of a life. MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - March 2017
sitting behind only the Volkswagen Beetle and the Model T Ford! Colombia, Yugoslavia, Portugal, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay are just a few of the diverse parts of the planet where the R4 was once produced. The Citroen 2CV however, with a production run of 42 years from 1948 to1990 achieved cult status during its production years. Over 3.8 million cars were produced and with the addition of various other versions and commercial derivatives, a total of over 8.75 million vehicles were produced based on its pre-war designed mechanicals. This was quite an achievement for a car designed to move the French peasantry on from horses and carts, yet there are still almost 3.5 thousand still bouncing around on British roads, but less than 300 Renault 4s are registered in the UK. It’s a sobering thought that these two French basic and almost agricultural little cars achieved sales Where are they now? between them of around seventeen million units. It was love at first sight and I became the proud owner of my ‘black beauty’ 1954 MG TF five years ago. At first I didn’t really use it as much as I would have liked. Perhaps this was partly due to the dire weather at start of 2012, or other diversions, namely the arrival of two more grandchildren in quick succession and an impending house move. Whatever the reason, my first year’s ownership just flew by and old car activities took a back seat. However, Mrs. Revs and I did manage to find time for a touring holiday in Provence, not in the MG but in our ‘home on wheels’. What a fabulous place that part of France is for driving around in an open-top MG, or any classic car for that matter. The pace of life is slow, the roads are uncrowded and the scenery is eye-poppingly beautiful, not to mention the food and wine. On more than one occasion I pined for the MG In 1972 I was to become the proud father of ‘number one’ and as usual I was constantly on the lookout for classic son and had reluctantly decided that my Triumph Vitesse cars. I’m glad to report that I spotted quite a few classics 2 Litre MkII wasn’t really sensible economical transport and surprisingly a high number of British sports cars that for a new baby and all its paraphernalia. Reluctantly the were EU registered, but there were just one or two intrepid ‘boy racer’ car had to go and I became the proud owner GB classic drivers right down south. of a brand new 602cc 32bhp Citroen Ami 8 Club. The Ami In the UK we are obviously biased towards British makes 8 and its forerunner the Ami 6 were really ‘posh’ versions in our classic car interests, but there are a couple of every- of the 2CV, but my little car was a far cry from its original day French cars that until recently were a regular sight back-to-basics cousin. on British roads but now are seen once in a blue moon. My Ami 8 Club sported modern streamlined bodywork, In France five years ago Renault 4s were a regular sight a luxury interior, in-board disc brakes and an up-rated on the roads. These little economy cars were produced engine. At the time it was cheaper to buy than a new Mini between 1961 and 1992 and were the first front-wheel drive but it offered a hugely better ride, a large luxury interior family car produced by Renault. They haven’t achieved and a boot big enough for a pushchair. It also managed the cult status in the UK of their rival Citroen 2CV, but they 55 mile per gallon, which back in that pre-electronic brain do make great little classic runabouts and in their native era wasn’t bad at all. The downside was of course that country, many are still in everyday use. the little two-cylinder air-cooled engine was made to work Back in the 70s I ran a 1974 model of one of these little pretty hard, but once wound up it managed to bat along Renaults and it was great fun to drive with its ‘roly-poly’ quite nicely. Given enough time it could do nearly 80 suspension and its mph, but with a clear road ahead it would happily cruise almost ‘un-burstable’ at the legal limit all day long, which 40 years ago was little 4-cylinder water- quite respectable. I still have fond memories of my Ami cooled 845cc engine. 8 Club but when was the last time you ever saw one of In its time, more than those on the roads of Britain? According to the website; eight million units were www.howmanyleft.co.uk there are just 5 Ami 8 Club sold worldwide in over examples left on the road in this country. a 100 countries, in its At the opposite end of the spectrum to French economy time the R4 was the cars and multi-million production runs, I spotted a rare third bestselling model British open top sports car in a French supermarket car in automobile history, park on our way back from Provence. Frustratingly, before MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - March 2017
I was able to get out of the motorhome to have a word The group’s ‘Reynolds 531’ seamless tubing was with the driver and his passenger, they drove off, but I did the standard of excellence for many decades in the manage to get a snapshot through the window before they manufacture of bicycles and this formed part of the car’s disappeared into the distance. construction. Its chassis was made from Reynolds 531 The overall appearance was of an Austin Healey, but the tubing and the body was a steel inner structural skin and front grill was unrecognisable to me, yet on reflection there aluminium outer. The cars were capable of 100 mph and used the mechanicals from a Triumph TR2. The standard version without overdrive cost £1102 and at the time a Triumph TR2 cost £887 and a new MGA would set you back £844 at its launch in 1955. If you haven’t guessed it by now, the car I spotted was a Swallow Doretti, the Doretti part of the name being derived from Dorothy Deen, who ran the US sales. Production stopped in 1955 when Tube Investments directors decided to cease production, allegedly under pressure from its customers, most notably and ironically Jaguar. It was thought that the car would be in direct competition with them for raw materials, creating a serious conflict of interest. What are they worth now? Five years ago one could be bought for a little more than a top quality MGA, In 2017 one is currently for sale on an Internet site for £80,000! http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/swallow/doretti Mystery car spotted in a French car park was no excuse and I should have been able to identify the make. Once home I stoked up the computer and Googled the registration number - bingo! A link took me straight to the club’s website. Just a few months earlier, at the Le Mans Classic, I had been standing in front of thirteen examples of these Staffordshire built rarely seen British sports cars, so there was no excuse. According to the club’s information there are still 187 in existence out of around 270 built during 1954 - 1955 a remarkable survival rate which must be some sort of record. The mark’s fascinating roots are pre-war in the Swallow Coachbuilding Co. well know for producing Luxury bodywork on Austin Sevens and Standard Cars. Before WW2 William Lyons, co-owner of the Swallow Coachbuilding Co. went on to form SS Cars, which post- Max Revs’ first new car - now much rarer than an MG TF or war became Jaguar. In 1945 Lyons sold Swallow and indeed a Swallow Doretti eventually it passed into the hands of Tube Investments, Max Revs in 1972 with ‘Number One’ son & Ami 8 Club and old established firm that produced raw materials for the motor trade.
6 MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - March 2017
BOOK ENDS
Haynes manuals are well know to nearly all car enthusiasts. Women’s Car DIY They are named after John Harold Haynes. In 1956, when he Men work on cars and women was at school, he wrote and published a book on building a cook. This used to be typical ‘special’ based on the Austin 7, and wrote two further books but not any more, with tasks in while performing national service in the Royal Air Force. J. H. Haynes & Co. Limited was founded on 18 May 1960 and the home often shared equally. the first manual actually entitled “Haynes Owners Workshop But women can go a step further Manual”, for the Austin-Healey Sprite, was published in 1965. and become as confident with a Haynes was made an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours jack as with a power drill. This List 1995 for services to publishing. Many Haynes Manuals empowering Manual, written by a bear a cover illustration of a cutaway view technical drawing female car mechanic, explains all of the vehicle, hand-drawn by Terry Davey, and they bear his areas of owning, maintaining and signature. Below is a selection of Haynes’ current manuals, caring for your car. mainly aimed at more modern vehicles, however many of the £ 16.50 techniques and principles apply to our MGs. This selection is available from www.scparts.co.uk
Men’s Pie Manual The Haynes manual on What chap doesn’t love a good welding pie? But if you thought it was The definitive DIY manual on too hard to make your own at welding. Covers gas, arc, MIG, home, think again. The Men’s WIG and plasma welding and Pie Manual tells you everything cutting techniques. Includes you need to know about making theory, practical techniques, and baking proper pies. Covering safety procedures and advice on tools and equipment, perfect choosing equipment. A practical pastry, and fantastic fillings, it will project chapter shows how to have you wowing your friends use welding equipment to build and family. a trailer. £16.50 £28.00
Haynes Fuel Injection Haynes Bodywork and Manual Paintwork Manual Haynes writes every book based The definitive DIY manual on car on a complete teardown of the bodywork repair! Topics range vehicle. We learn the best ways from simple dent and scratch to do a job and that makes it repair to fitting complete body quicker, easier and cheaper panels, with some useful advice for you. Our books have clear on assessing the severity of instructions and hundreds of accident damage. Starting out or photographs that show each want to become an expert with a step. Whether you’re a beginner spray gun, this book is for you. or a pro, you can save big with £ 28.00 Haynes! £ 25.00
Haynes Automotive How it Works - Electrical Manual The Husband A practical approach to Not a Haynes Manual but one of diagnosing and repairing an excellent Ladybird series on problems related to the chassis how things work. “The husband electrical systems with a may look complicated but in minimum of electrical theory fact he is very simple - he runs and a maximum of diagnostic on sausages and beer. The and repair information. You don’t husband knows many things. have to be an electrician to use For example he knows how this book and you don’t have to many stairs there are, in case he spend a fortune on special tools arrives home unable to see them and test equipment. properly” Available from Amazon £25.00 £3.85 MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - March 2017
Arundel Castle Gathering - MG Showcase Cowdray
Arundel Castle Gathering Chichester 1006 are looking forward to a great year of MGOC events in 2017. They are inviting all MGOC friends to Arundel Castle for their annual gathering at Arundel Castle on Sunday 9th of April 2017 - a warm welcome to all MGOC branches and members. Tickets on the gate.
MG Showcase Gala - Cowdray In the grounds of Cowdray House, Midhurst, West Sussex. Sunday May 7th Olympic gold medallist Joanna Rowsell Shand will greet entrants at this fabulous new charity event in the grounds of Cowdray House, Midhurst, West Sussex. Join Chichester MGOC for this lovely vintage gala, with live music, stalls, raffle, food, refreshments, games, and prizes. Optional run through the beautiful South Downs returning to the show ground. Prices from just £25 per car for early bird tickets. Book early to avoid disappointment. Chichester 1006 expect a great turnout from the classic car community, and spaces are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment. We wouldn’t want any familiar faces to be left out ! Early bird tickets for this event are on sale now at a discounted rate at www.showcase-classic-cars.events so grab them before they’re all gone. As this is a brand-new event, please put it on your club events online calendar for 2017, and kindly communicate it to all your members. Marshals – How about getting involved and being part of the team? To make these events run smoothly for everyone we The Showcase Classic & Sports Car Gala will take place on the need as many volunteer marshals as possible. Please ask polo ground and cricket pitch in front of the spectacular Cowdray your members to email me directly to be part of our marshalling House team. All help will be most gratefully appreciated. Andy Harris - Area Sec for Chichester MGOC 1006
Fold along dotted lines
Ambulance Air Somerset &
All Raffle profits go to the Dorset Dorset the to go profits Raffle All risk. own their at so do
CHARITY OUR by them, and all participants participants all and them, by
caused at any event organised organised event any at caused
damage or injury howsoever howsoever injury or damage
cept no liability for any any for liability no cept
MGOC 1008 and its members ac- members its and 1008 MGOC
Benton Mike Editor Newsletter
summer. the during ings/runs
[email protected] the year and additional meet- additional and year the
Cooper Alan Dorchester DT1 1XJ throughout throughout 1XJ DT1 Dorchester
The Colliton Club,County Hall Hall Club,County Colliton The Members Committee
Tuesday monthly. monthly. Tuesday
Meetings: Meetings: 1st 1st
Storey Hilary Secretary Assistant meetings. club
& Organiser Charity Changes to be announced at at announced be to Changes
2017 Events of Programme [email protected]
Creed Tim Organiser Events
1008 AREA MGOC
DURNOVARIA Storey Paul Secretary & Treasurer
Elliott Peter Chairman Vice
[email protected] Email:
Moore Ray Chairman
Committee Your
Tuesday Club Nights Wednesday Evening Runs Weekend Runs
Wednesday 17th May N .B. All meetings Colliton Club at Alan & Judi’s Mystery Tour Sunday 23rd April: Please Book 7.30 for 8 pm.) “Drive It Day” Classics at the Mill,
Tuesday 7th February Haselbury Mill nr. Crewkerne. 10am - 4.00pm The MG year ahead Wednesday 21st June Saturday 18th March Run to Durlston Castle followed by Sunday 7th May: Skittles Fish & Chips Run + Picnic then run to Compton VENUE: The Spitfire Club, Mount TOTCP 6.30 for 6.45 Skippet Way, off Warmwell Rd., Abbas Airfield TOTCP 11.00am Crossways, Dorchester DT2 8TP Tuesday 4th April Wednesday 12th July Saturday 10th June Peter & Ray’s Quiz Peter & Pam’s Mystery Tour Lunch @ Peter & Pam’s Tuesday 2nd May TOTCP 6.30 for 6.45 TOTCP TBD Bring & Buy Sale Wednesday 9th August Tuesday 6th June Sunday 23rd July Run & Ray & Lorraine’s Mystery Tour The Great MG Bake Off Afternoon Tea at Symondsbury TOTCP 6.30 for 6.45 Tuesday 4th July Kitchen, nr. Bridport TOTCP 1.0pm
Tuesday 1st August Saturday 19th August - Picnic at Display of members’ cars Sculpture By The Lakes, Pallington Tuesday 5th September & Tea at Storey’s TOTCP 12.00pm Note: Wayne’s MG Beetle drive TOTCP : Top of town car park Tuesday 3th October Sunday 10th September TBD (Time) to be decided Haynes Motor Museum TOTCP 9.30am Tuesday 7th November NOTE: AGM & Quiz Friday 16th to Monday 19th June Sunday 15 October Tuesday 5th December Club Weekend away in Bath The Dorset Golf club. Our end of Christmas Dinner Organiser David Moran. Season Run + Lunch TOTCP TBD MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - March 2017
Classic Car Auctions South Western Vehicle Auctions Poole
Next Classic Car Auction Friday 28th October 2016
WWW.SWVA.CO.UK Tel: 01202 745466
Phoenix Classic Cars Ltd
Unit C1 Holton Road Holton Heath, Poole Dorset, BH16 6LT
Contact: John or Martyn Copleston Telephone: 01202 622808 Mobile: 07891 281254 Email: [email protected].