A Very Happy New Year! Happenings in January …

BROOKLANDS 29 January - Friday meeting at The Whipping Stocks, New Years Day at Brooklands Museum A 50, Lower Peover. Again, should we consider 10.30am onwards alternating with The Windmill? Next meeting 5th January at the New Inn, Send, Surrey GU23 7EN OXFORD Brooklands Group Christmas Dinner Next Meeting: Thursday 31st December, 27th February at the Canadian Pavilion, Bisley. The Abingdon Arms, Beckley, noon. st EAST ANGLIA 2016 meeting: 31 January, The Abingdon Arms, Monthly meet. Hare Arms, Stow Bardolph, Beckley, noon. 3rd Tuesday of month, 8pm. SCANDINAVIAN EAST ANGLIA – WOOLPIT The date for the Viking Run in Horsens is changed First Tuesday, every month. The Bull, to 5-7 of August 2016 Woolpit, 12 noon.. SOUTH COAST EAST MIDLANDS Wednesday, 20th January, 8.00 pm. Photographic January meeting Wednesday 20th, 6pm till late Competition. Six Bells, Chiddingly. 29th to 31st July 2016 SILVERSTONE CLASSIC, SOUTH EAST book early, you will not be disappointed. Wednesday 2nd Dec – informal midweek meeting Saturday 5th Dec - The Swan, Horndon on the-Hill FAR FAR SOUTHWEST th Fri 1st Jan. Black and White breakfast meet, Wednesday 9 December - Wednesday Irregulars 10.00am, Fox & Hounds, Scorrier pre-Christmas lunch (if interested, please contact Tue 12th Jan. VSCC Group meet, 7.30pm, Dennis Plater for details) Wednesday 16th Dec informal midweek meeting Hawkins Arms, Zelah. nd Thur 21st Jan. MTWC Group meet, 7.30pm, Sat 2 Jan 2016 - The Swan, Horndon-on-the-Hill Fox & Hounds, Scorrier SOUTH WEST st FAR SOUTH WEST Fri. 1 January 2016 12:00 hrs. Ring O’Bells, Next meeting: Third Tuesday in the month Moorlinch, lunchTA7 9B at the Hunting Lodge, Lee Mill. Then: 14.00 hrs. Steam MuseumTA7 0LTA7 9B Tue 19th Jan 12:00 hrs, lunch: HERTS, BEDS AND BUCKS. The Failand Inn BS8 3TU rd 3 Wednesday, every month: Noon, The Swan, Sat 6th Feb 12:00 hrs, lunch: The Park Hotel Northall, Beds. LU6 2EY. GL12 8DR LANCS and LAKES th WEST MIDLANDS Monday 28 December – lunch meeting: th at The Calf’s Head, Worston from 12.30 Wednesday, 30 December, Monthly Meeting. st The Clent Club 20:00 Thursday 21 January – group meeting at st The Royal Oak, Garstang 8pm (eating from 6.30) Friday, 1 January, VSCC New Year’s Day th Meeting, Royal Oak, Much Marcle 11:00 Friday 29 January – curry night at the th Far Pavilion Restaurant, Hest Bank, near Carnforth Wednesday, 13 January, Mid-month Meeting. Fruiterer’s Arms, Ombersley 20:00 NORTH WEST Wednesday 27th January, Monthly Meeting. 13 January, Wednesday lunch at the Smoker The Clent Club 20:00 Inn,12.30, A556, Plumley Decision to be made YORKS,NOTTS and DERBY whether we continue with this venue or jump ship 12th Jan - The Bay Horse, Scholes. M1, J35, to The Windmill. A629 Rotherham, 3rd left Scholes, Cont/…. Sat Nav S61 2RQ.

Verity Pearson displaying the uncontestably splendid JAP T shirt . Just look at those barrels .. on the JAP motor Contents: 15 Registry Ramblings/ 30 Group Reports 3 Editorial Obfuscation Spare Wheel Cover 37 F Questions Adrian M-L’s conrod 39 Design Flaw 5 Competition report 18 Scandinavian Run 20 Wide B Rear Wheel 40 Story of Smaug 8 F Types 42 TWTYTW/Helmet 22 hint 24 Mogspares 43 Images 12 OPENING RUN 25 R/C LEGO Morgan 44 Floggery/GPRLPND 14 Letters/postcards/emails 26 UPE … again 48 Seasonal Pics 49 only visible to the ardent followers of Mrs Trellis

2 Vol. 71 January 2016 No. 1 THE BULLETIN

AFFILIATED TO THE ACU: NON - TERRITORIAL CLUB WEBSITE: www.mtwc.co.uk Editorial · "I'm often prone to bouts of misplaced as those hardened individuals who have optimism. This year's going to be a hum- relished most of the disappointments, break– dinger!" downs, troubles and frustrations Morgan Within the contents this month, are hidden a ownership. One learns something new every few gems - in ConRod ... at Shobdon, the day … or at least I do …. Chairman was walking back from the pub, For those of you who didn’t get out much - when the Clements brothers pulled up and me included - there is a review by Ian asked if he would like a Parkinson of “That was lift the Year That Was”, There is a delightful listing the principal tale by Glenn Burnage events of 2015. Looking which encapsulates the back; it was a VERY trials of getting one’s eventful year with just Morgan to run at about every type of all ...let alone properly. event for us to enjoy … Glen mentions fitting and 2016 promises to be new barrels and “easing at least equal. the head bolt holes” a This Year’s Opening salutary note that Run comprises a two- “fitting” in the old sense day event in and around of the term means just the Crich and Matlock that. A Fitter ensured area. This is a truly that any adjustments or beautiful part of the “easing” - when dealing country and well worth with old engines and ‘It’s one of those cyber crimes … making arrangements to machinery and new … it drains our bank account attend. It must be a fine parts, one must exercise area - it’s where my due care and make any without me knowing’ father proposed to my adjustments not force parts together ham-fistedly and then and she spurned the advances of the West complain about the manufacture. It is a point Indian cricketer CLR James … it’s getting of fact that, by the mid 1930s, the machinery late and I’m running out of things to write. .. at the JAP factory was well worn and There is also a fair discourse on F-Type “fitting” was essential. I have compared front nomenclature and as well as the cover, lots of photos of lovely girl members at the Sporting and found a discrepancy of 3° between the Dinner - what with Adrian’s comments included angle of the crankcase mouth. about the spirit of the Club .. there is much Grahame Chivrall provides readers with evidence throughout this January copy of the benefit of his years of threewheeler what fun and how inclusive is the Morgan driving experience - ideal for newcomers to ThreeWheeler Club. Make it a great the vagaries of Morganing pleasure as well year .. and Happy New Year to you all.

3 Connecting Rod Adrian Murray-Leslie Happy New Year everyone! I am very much aware of the distance that Looking back on the past year, the lies between the UK and our friends abroad. Committee has been working on pulling You are an important part of the Cub and if things together so that officers and members ever we seem to forget that, please remind can get on with the jobs knowing what the us. rules/guidelines are. My thanks to all those involved in the You will find the “Definition of a Club stand at the NEC Classic Car Show. I think event or activity” which is accessible to all we may have been unique in inviting members with a website login. (If you don’t members of the public to sit in our cars and have a login, please help our Secretary by have their photos taken. The Bugatti stand finding a friend to download it for you was all roped off. A very well received before you ask her to post it.) This makes it effort. clear what is needed to ensure that events Good news. There is another Goggles and are supported by the Club and are covered Gauntlets weekend event planned in Dorset by Club insurance. – if it is half as good as last year’s, you need Financial accountability is built in to this to be there! Last year’s event at Shobden and relates to the new Financial Protocols, Airfield in Herefordshire was well organised also on the website. None of this should in an ideal venue amidst beautiful make life significantly more difficult for countryside accessed by Morgan friendly anyone organising an event. For instance roads. It was very well attended indeed, GOs are expected to get on with life as usual particularly by 5-speeder owners and I whilst observing four basic ground rules. enjoyed it hugely. Only dodgy moment for Also in the area of financial management, me was on the way back from the pub, work is beginning on a reserves policy for swinging back onto the grass parking area the Club. This is intended to free up money sitting astride the tail of Pete Clements’ to be used for the benefit of the membership beetleback when I very nearly lost my grip rather than depreciating in a minimal on the wired edge of the cockpit. I have interest deposit account. heard it said that growing old is inevitable, As you have probably noticed, a major but growing up is definitely optional! step forward has been the introduction of the More good news is that following use of Paypal for renewals and purchases Michael Joseph’s pioneering work on the from the Club. The benefit has been Training Days, Colin Seaton (who has immediate with a renewal rate doubled organised many such days for the VMCC) compared with this time last year and Eric’s will be working with Ian Parkinson to run job as Membership Secretary being made one again at Bicester this summer if a much easier. Thanks to Steve Uprichard, suitable date can be found. Eric, Charles Smith and others for A heart-warming bit of news reached me implementing it and for Bob Wilson of the this week. Malcolm Bull, East Midlands USA for bringing the proposal to the AGM. GO, who lives alone, has been staying with Apropos of Bob’s proposal, I was Chris and Sheila Dickson following his delighted to share the AGM weekend with discharge from hospital after an operation. fifteen overseas members (Nice Lederhosen The MTWC is not just about three from Bavaria but I was disappointed at not wheeled cars, it is about people too. Hope having any thigh slapping from Gernod and your recovery proceeds well, Malcolm. Wolfgang . . . ) Adrian

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Competition Report Pete Clews

It was another good year for the sporting The MTWC Challenge rounds will be: fraternity with Morgan Three Wheelers Round 1 Loton Park 16/17th April taking part in all BHR meetings, most 2 Oulton Park 21st May VSCC meetings and a number of overseas 3 Prescott (La Vie en Bleu)29th May events as well as our own Club Sprint at 4 Curborough Sprint 5th June th Curborough. Circuit race competitors 5 Cadwell Park 25 June (double points) were slightly down on the previous season 6 Mallory Park 28/29th August due to some members retiring but there was The Sprint/Hillclimb Series will take place an increase in Sprint and Hillclimb again with the 3 events from the MTWC competitors. and it was against this positive Challenge plus at least 2 others yet to be background that the Sporting AGM and the decided. Sporting Dinner took place at the Stonehouse Hotel. News Earlier in the day the AGM took place You should by now have received your ACU with only a proposal to change the Unique Number which you will need to designation of the Morris Stapleton Trophy apply for your 2016 Competition Licence, from the BDC Silverstone race to best If you have not received this and need one performance against four wheelers. This please contact me and I will send it by email was agreed after some discussion. or post, whichever suits you best. There was little that was contentious to I realise that there can be some confusion be discussed and it was an amicable about the points system we use for the meeting which approved several changes to MTWC Challenge so I will try to clarify this. the 5 Speeder Sporting Formula to bring it  At each event everyone who signs on and in line with the pre-1953 Sporting Formula. completes Practice receives 3 points. The detailed engine specification for each  The winner of each class of the event stage of tune was deemed unnecessary as receives 12 points + 3 points for their Practice making 15 in total. of tune so only this needs to be stated. There were changes to the mudguard size  The points awarded then reduce at one in Touring Modified Class to bring it into point per place to 12th place. line with the with TM class in the Pre-53  A complication to this is the award of one formula. extra point for sidevalve cars; The 2016 Calendar was discussed and consequently if the winner of a class is will be similar to last year. The MTWC driving a sidevalve car they will have 3 Challenge will begin with times aggregated points for Practice + 12 points for the win from the 2 day Loton Park meeting and for + one point for their sidevalve making a the BHR 50th Anniversary Cadwell Park total of 16. I hope that this offers some meeting there will be 2 Morgan Races on clarification. Saturday 25th June which will both qualify On behalf of all of us who compete in and for full points. There will be Morgans at support the Sporting Section of the club most BHR and VSCC events. All 6 we wish you all a Happy New Year. Rounds are open to 5 Speeders.

“The Nipper” does the AGM - Corrigenda/Eratum ... Yes … another mistake .. Rich. Woodcock owns the Nipper AND wrote the article - Not Dave Anscombe, who was erroneously credited with authorship. My humble apologies Richard. Also … the ‘rumour’ of the possible cessation of 5-Speeder production proved unfounded - although from a previously unimpeachable source .. the factory are considering how many to produce in 2016 probably in excess of 200 .. although that also requires substantiation … Ed.

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The Sporting Dinner Pete Clews Lesley Reynolds worked her magic with outstanding contribution to Morgan Three the hotel and over 70 members enjoyed a Wheeler Racing. glorious, fun filled evening. Balloons, with a By 11:30pm it was time for the raffle sound like a de-tuned F-Type punctured the which helps to pay for the evening and this air, Christmas crackers cracked, glasses was swiftly dispensed with by Sue Clews and clinked and plastic Spitfires flew from table Cerys Uprichard. The jazz music drifted to table. back into focus and with a background of The jazz trio played enthusiastically sporting photographs the atmosphere became competing with the happy giggles of youth more relaxed as the midnight passed into and the Morgan girls selling raffle tickets, yet Sunday. somehow amidst all the frivolity the hotel It was well after one and the band had left staff served a delicious dinner. when the last revellers drifted off to their As dinner came to an end, the Competition sleep. Our grateful thanks go to Lesley for Secretary and Steve Lister took to the floor organising such a memorable with their well un-rehearsed double act for occasion. the Trophy presentations. Beside them, this time glamorously dressed for the occasion, not in her usual leathers, was Becky Washington to present the awards and receive her awards from Steve. The Competition Secretary was voted Sportsman of the Year and Sue Darbyshire, herself the recipient of several awards including the Jacques Potherat Trophy, had the honour of presenting The Caroline Trophy to Iain Stewart - for it is he - receives the Dennis Bill Tuer in recognition of his Rogers Trophy

Steve Lister presents the Pump Fuel Trophy to Pete Clews. Becky Washington, Pete’s race passenger is delighted! More photos next page ….

6 Becky Washington with the Best Newcomer Award Steve Lister presents The Pump Fuel Awards won by Pete Clews and Becky Washington

Julia Perry finds out that L - R Verity Pearson, Julia Perry and Becky Washington it’s not Liberace

Merry Tony Pearson collects his award Revellers

7 Editors Note: Recent F-Type queries ha(s)ve The very first one built, was F428, the generated some interesting response - enjoy: 1938 show model, built in September 1937 F2 or F-Super - Which came first? and subsequently reallocated chassis F493 in The very first 2-seater F-type, was the model May 1938. The last one built before war, was known as the F2. Based on the F4 chassis, it F590, in December 1939. Approximately 49 was introduced in 1935. The very first 12 pre-war F-supers were built. models built, starting with chassis number When production of three-wheelers F206, which was built in July 1935, were, commenced after the war, in 1946, only two interestingly, listed in the factory records as models of F-type continued to be built, apart Super Sports and then subsequently as F2- from a few twin super sports built from left seaters from chassis F244 onwards. over parts, which were exported to Australia. They continued to be built until 1938, the These were the F4 and the F-Super and they last one being chassis number F515 in continued to be built in small numbers until September 1938. Like the F4, the F2 had car the factory ceased production of three- -type flowing wings but the tail wheelers altogether in 1952. had a barrel-back shape, like the twin Super Sports. It had a curved top fold-flat windscreen, instead of the straight top fixed one found on the then F4. Approximately 100 F2 s were built between 1935 and 1938. In 1938, Morgan introduced a new Ford-engined 2-seater model. The chassis was longer and narrower than the F2/F4 chassis. It had a barrel-back Factory photograph: F-2 Seater and ribbed twin-type cycle- type wings were fitted instead of the flowing wings. Another distinctive While the F4 remained substantially the feature, was the bonnet, which had louvres same in appearance, the post-war F-Super all the way down the length of both the top lost its cycle-type wings and was fitted with and side panels and it had a curved fold-flat flowing wings, which also have a slightly windscreen, all of which contributed to different shaped valence compared to the F-4 giving it a more sporty appearance. wings. The bonnet was re-shaped to fit the In both the factory records and the works flowing wings and the number of louvres catalogues, the new model is simply called was also reduced to the same number as on the F-Super, not the F-Super Sports, as pre- the F4 bonnets, giving it overall, a less sporty war F-Supers seem to have become erron- look. Chris Drinkwater eously known over the years. This misnomer could be due to the fact that, appearancewise, F Super Sports they do look a bit like the 2-seater barrel- By amalgamating the front end of the F 2 back twins, of the same period, which were Seater and the rear end of the Super Sports called super sports and also possibly because, the factory announced the new model "F in a review of the new F-Super in the Light Super Sports" September 1937. The top of Car and Cycle Car in 1938, the writer the bonnet had two long lines of louvres referred to the model as the new F-Super with one in front of the driver and the other in front of the passenger. Sports. cont/...

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Super Sports type mudguards. The Library has photographs. Only available with the 10hp engine the new model was faster than a Super Sports MX4 twin until both flat out and the twin 2mph faster. March 1938 it was Road Tested by Henry and Barbara Laird. Misnaming models is endemic in Morgan circles so Factory photograph: F-Super the Super Sports Aero becomes "Super Aero" or "Aero Super Sports." The F 2 Seater the "F2” This happened to the F Super Sports in that the press often called it the "F Super" Morgan and the name stuck. Brian Watts

Regalia/The F4 “Gerald” Custodian Ross Herbert

The ‘Gerald’ F4 No news on the ‘Gerald’ this month, she is tucked up in the workshop with a low voltage heater under the sump. Regalia Matters Two new items have been added to the Regalia range, based on the fridge magnet design. We now have stocks of bone china mugs. These have both three and four wheeler designs.

Coaster TR11 £5

Also some ceramic coasters with a three and four wheeler on them. There are also plans to produce the Retro Classic t-shirts with an F-type and new Three-Wheeler design. We have now run out of the old Christmas cards and it is hoped the new designs can be incorporated into a new range of cards, suitably Christmas themed. Mug TR10 £5 Ross Herbert

9 Goggles and Gauntlets Ian Parkinson Goggles & Gauntlets bar till the early hours. During the evening Shobdon Airfield - 7,8,9th August 2015 the raffle was drawn, the amount raised was The event came about through a chance £300 which more than covered the costs. meeting between Ian Parkinson and Stephen The main prize was won by the Chairman Harris. Stephen had organised the first Adrian Murray-Leslie, a flying lesson on the meeting in Northants in 2014 as a means of Sunday morning, with Pete Clements and getting five speeder owners together. The Jerry Rea