1. automotive and vehicles
2. cars

MG Car Club, Cape Town Centre, Suite 276, Private Bag x16 Constantia 7848
www.mgcc-ct.co.za
Issue 2015/3
MARCH 2015
FROM THE CHAIR!
Well, this is my last ‘From the Chair’ for this Club year. Should all go as planned, this should also be my last
‘From the Chair’. In my opinion the Club is doing just fine and it is time to hand over the reins.
This is also the month of our AGM. Please do make the effort to attend. We need your support to have a
quorum. Should you not be able to be at the AGM please complete your proxy and submit it to one of our
committee members or a member who will attend. Elsewhere in this issue you will find a proxy form.
At the AGM we will also elect a new Secretary. Andrew Blake is not available as he is relocating to Kirkwall,
Orkney Islands, UK. Andrew served your Club extremely well over the past 2 years. Not only was he a
most capable and efficient Secretary but also his balanced input in general was most valuable. Thank you
very much, Andrew, and we wish you all the best for your new venture. Please stay in touch!
Towards the end of last year subscription renewal notices were sent out to all our members. Since, a
reminder was sent to those who have not renewed their membership. Unfortunately there are quite a few
members who have not paid yet. Should you want to know whether you have paid or not please contact
Hildegarde ([email protected]). This is of the utmost importance should you want to vote at the
AGM. Only paid up members are eligible to vote.
Every year the monthly copies of The Breed are collated and bound as one book. The 2014 ‘book’ will be
done and will be put with our other books in the Crankhandle Club’s Library. Thank you, Geoff Husk, for
your contribution in respect of this important matter.
Please note that because of the AGM there will be no Natter this month. As for the AGM, refreshments,
including alcohol will be available after the meeting – compliments of the Club.
Also see details elsewhere about the Chairman’s Tea Run. Traditionally the Tea Run was the event just
prior to the AGM to canvas members to join the Committee. This year the Tea Run will be a Breakfast
Run. Whether the run is early morning or later in the afternoon, it will still afford you the opportunity to make
yourself available to serve on the Committee. Remember we have vacancies as Secretary, Editor and
Veterans’ co-ordinator.
See you at the Breakfast Run and AGM!
In closing – What is a Rabbit after it is four days old?
Five days old!
Safe Motoring!
Robin
1
HOW TO CONTACT US:
FROM THE PEN OF YOUR SCRIBE
CLUB OFFICIALS - 2014-15
Summer continues with lots of south easterly wind. Hopefully,
though, the wind will ease off and March and April will bring us
the calm and mild days that these months usually do. So with
canvas furled (ie hoods down) we will be able to enjoy the many
events planned for the immediate future.
______________________________________________
President: :
Dieter Reck
021 852 4277 083 233 8437
[email protected]
_________________________________________________
Vice-Presidents
Charles Batham &
Ralph Clarke
021 913 2536
[email protected]
________________________________________________
Trustees
Ralph Clarke
021 913 2536
[email protected]
Garth Green
021 701 9273, 082 719 6012
[email protected]
________________________________________________
Committee :
Chairman
Robin Rich
021 903 3426, 082 660 3538
[email protected]
________________________________________________
Honorary Secretary
Andrew Blake
021 781 0114
[email protected]
________________________________________________
Honorary Treasurer &
Brian Aslett
Deputy Chairman
021 671 9250, 083 267 3742
[email protected]
________________________________________________
Social Secretary
Ken Smith
Ph: 021 552 2596
[email protected]
________________________________________________
Publications Secretary
Garth Green
and Editor
021 701 9273, 082 719 6012
[email protected]
——————————————————————————Register Secretary
Peter Jack
021 531 0353, 083 227 1005
[email protected]
________________________________________________
Committee member
Mike Johnson
without Portfolio
021 554 1097, 082 733 7258
[email protected]
________________________________________________
Ex-Officio:
Veteran’s Secretary
Jo Hitchcock
021 939 3803, 082 446 1092
________________________________________________
Membership Secretary
Hildegarde Rich
021 903 3426, 082 660 3538
[email protected]
________________________________________________
Regalia:
Rita Floyd
021 788 7684, 071 911 5963
[email protected]
____________________________________________
Club Historian
VACANT
_______________________________________________
Crankhandle Club Liaison Robin Rich
021 903 3426, 082 660 3538
[email protected]
________________________________________________
MMM Register Captain
Bill ten Oever
021 914 6102, 082 695 2267
[email protected]
________________________________________________
T Register Captain
Mike Johnson
021 554 1097, 082 733 7258
[email protected]
_______________________________________________
MGA Register Captain
Pat Coyne
021 785 4933, 072 348 4493
[email protected]
________________________________________________
MGB Register Captain
Willis Smit
021 554 2230 083 675 5224
[email protected]
_______________________________________________
Moderns Register Captain Ken Smith
021 552 2596, 083 280 8281
Read about some of these outings in this issue and plan to join
in.
Thanks to the inefficiency of our postal system delivery of mail
has been more than somewhat curtailed in recent months. In
October I ordered some parts for my TD.
These were promptly airmailed to me but it was actually three
months before I had them in my hands.
The same has happened with the last five issues of ‘Safety Fast!’,
the magazine of the mother club in the UK. They have at last
arrived and I will put them out for you to peruse at the next Natter.
They really are a good read.
If you would like to borrow one or more of them please do so but,
please, tell me which one(s) you are taking and, please, return
them at the following Noggin so that others can read them too.
The closing date for submission of reports, news, notices of
outings to come and other items will be Friday 27 March. Don’t
leave it until the last minute – do it now!
Garth
_____________________________________________
The club has received a payment for 2015 subscriptions as
follows: A deposit of R 295 on Feb 12th “Cheque deposit
subscriptions Constantia 360”
It has no name or club number. Could the member who
deposited this please contact Brian Aslett on 082 267 3742 or
[email protected] so that your membership can be
confirmed.
Our bank details are:
Bank:
Standard Bank
Account:
MG Car Club – Cape Town Centre
Branch code:
036 309
Internet Branch code: 051001
Account number:
271157925
Disclaimer : Views, comments, opinions, advice or suggestions in this newsletter are those of the contributors and advertisers and are not necessarily those of the
club or its committee. Availability and condition of items advertised for sale are not guaranteed by the club or the committee. Whilst every care is taken in compiling
the contents of the newsletter the club, committee and officials assume no responsibility for any effects arising therefrom.
2
OUT AND ABOUT
MARCH
Sunday
Tuesday
8
10
Chairman’s Breakfast Run
No Natter & Noggin
Saturday
14
Sunday
22
Thursday
25
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
CHC Clubhouse, Riebeek St, Wynberg
BE THERE!!
Run to Franschhoek Motor Museum to see the cars participating in the
2015 MG MMM Gathering. For details, see the notice below.
Vets Run to Simon’s Town and the Naval Museum. For details, see the
notice below.
APRIL
Sunday
12
Tuesday
14
Thursday
30
.
.
Club Run being organised by Philip & Shirley Roux. Details will be in the . .
April issue of The Breed
Natter & Noggin at the CHC Clubhouse, Riebeek St, Wynberg. It is hoped to have
a presentation on the ND Magnette
Vets Run being organised by Len & Carol Victor. Details will be in the
.
April issue of The Breed
CHAIRMAN’S BREAKFAST RUN—8 MARCH 2015
Instead of the traditional Chairman’s Tea Run, we are planning to have breakfast at the Cassia Restaurant
on Sunday, 8th March. The Restaurant is on the Nitida Wine Estate. The Estate is situated on the M13, not
far from Durbanville.
On a Sunday they open at 09:00 and prefer the Breakfast people to be on the move by 11:30 for them to
prepare for their lunch guests.
Please make your own way to the Restaurant and enjoy the company of the members. Should some
members want to meet at Constantia Shopping Centre to drive in convoy, please feel free to do so and
meet there at 08:30.
To facilitate catering arrangements please contact me latest Thursday, 5 th March, because on Friday
morning they want to know the number of people to cater for.
To summarise: Date: Sunday, 8th March
Time: 09:00 onwards
Contact: Robin 021 903 3426 / 082 660 3538
How to get there: Google ‘Nitida’
See you there!
BREAKFAST MENU (Available from 09:00 to 11:00)
Traditional French toast served with cinnamon sugar, maple syrup and sliced streaky bacon - R55
Scrambled egg with beef sausage, tomato provençale, field mushroom and crispy bacon - R65
Continental Breakfast Platter, cheese, cold meats, yogurt and muesli, fruit salad - R75
Cassia breakfast cup: Yoghurt, muesli, fruit salad, compote – R40
Fresh baked scone with preserves and matured cheddar cheese, vanilla cream - R40
Waffle with vanilla ice cream and syrup - R40
3
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING : MG CAR CLUB—CAPE TOWN CENTRE
Notice is hereby given of the Annual General meeting to be held on Saturday, 14 March 2015 at 14:30 in the
Crankhandle Clubhouse, 9 Riebeek Street, Wynberg.
Should you not be able to attend please complete a proxy form and hand it to a member who will attend.
Please note that completed proxies are to be with the Secretary prior to the commencement of the meeting.
AGM AGENDA
AGENDA FOR THE ANNUAL GENRAL MEETING OF THE MG CAR CLUB, CAPE TOWN CENTRE
TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, 14 MARCH 2015
AT THE CRANKHANDLE CLUB CLUBHOUSE
9, RIEBEEK STREET, WYNBERG.
AT 14:30.
1.
Welcome and apologies
2.
Verification of quorum
3.
Reflective quietus
4.
Minutes of the previous AGM
4.1 Proposal and seconder for correctness
4.2 Matters arising from the previous AGM
5.
President’s Report
6
Chairman’s Report
7
Secretary’s Report
8
Treasurer’s report and adoption of accounts
9
Trustee’s Report
10
Ratification of nomination for President
11
Ratification of appointment of Trustees
12
Presentation of awards
13
General
14
Election of Committee and appointment of ex officio members
PROXY FORM
PROXY FORM
To the Chairman, MG Car Club Cape Town Centre.
I, ___________________ being a member of the MG Car Club Cape Town Centre, hereby
appoint ___________________________________________ or failing him/her, the Chairman as my/our
proxy to attend, speak and vote for me/us on my/our behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the MG Car
Club Cape Town Centre to be held on Saturday, 14th March 2015, and any adjournment thereof.
A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend, speak and vote
in his/her stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Association.
Duly completed proxy forms must be registered with the secretary prior to the commencement of the
meeting.
Member's Signature __________________
Date _______
4
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
The following committee members will vacate their posts on the committee at this AGM:
Robin Rich – Committee chairman
Garth Green – Publications secretary and editor
Andrew Blake – Honorary secretary
Peter Jack - Register secretary
Nominations are called for in writing (e-mail is acceptable) of members for election to the
committee (preferably with an indication of their willingness to stand) on or before 7th March
2015.
Election of committee members will take place by a show of hands in accordance with the agenda
as distributed.
(A.P. BLAKE)
HONORARY SECRETARY
Please send your nominations to [email protected]
19 February 2015
5
2015 MG MMM GATHERING
AT FRANSCHHOEK MOTOR MUSEUM, 22 MARCH
Although this event is not organised by the MG Car Club as such but by members enthusiastically interested
in the preservation of these older cars, we would like to support it by showing our interest and presence.
When we were negotiating demarcated parking for our cars a Google message was sent to our members.
There has been a good response.
We are planning to meet at the Engen One Stop on the N1 and depart at 10:30.
Should you want to go to the Franschhoek Motor Museum directly, you are welcome to do so.
The FMM has a restaurant which serves light meals like toasted sandwiches, etc.
It is seldom that you will see so many MMM MGs gathered together so do not miss this opportunity.
To summarise:
Meet at the Engen One Stop N1
Sunday, 22 March
Depart for the FMM at 10:30
VETERANS BREAKFAST RUN TO SIMONS TOWN—26 MARCH 2015—
Gavin & Esilene Kemp
Enjoy an English breakfast at the Quarterdeck Restaurant on Jubilee Square followed by a guided tour
through the Naval Museum and then experience what Simon’s Town has to offer.
Meet at Constantia Village parking area adjacent to the Post Office at 09:00.
Depart for Simon’s Town at 09:30.
Exit Constantia Village turning right into Spaanschemat River Road (M42)
Proceed along the M42 until the Ou Kaapse Weg (M64) junction.
Turn right onto Ou Kaapse Weg (M64)
At the end of the pass carry on straight to the Kommetjie Rd (M65) intersection and turn right into Kommetjie
Rd (M65)
Continue through Kommetjie and travel along the coast passing through Misty Cliffs and Scarborough to the
Redhill (M66) intersection.
Turn left to Redhill and proceed up the pass.
Just after the summit there is a large parking area with a view point overlooking Simon’s Town.
We will use this as a grouping point and photographic opportunity before proceeding to Simon’s Town.
At the bottom of Redhill turn right and head to Simon’s Town.
In Simon’s Town we have two options for parking near our venue
Adjacent to Jubilee Square and the False Bay Yacht Club there is a free public parking area accessed via
King George Way (first road left after Jubilee Square) The area is supervised by a properly licenced and
security cleared parking attendant called Duncan. He wears an official blue and white vest with his licence
and photograph in full view. He has been briefed to be extra vigilant while we are parked there.
Jubilee Square offers dappled shade but costs R8.00 per hour or part thereof and is quite secure.
The restaurant (The Quarterdeck Restaurant) where we will be served breakfast is on Jubilee Square.
Francis will be our hostess. ETA 10:30 to 11:00
6
The breakfast will be a full English breakfast and will include juice, coffee/tea and toast. The cost will be
R75,00 per person. This cost will include a service fee/gratuity as well as the fee for the guided tour of
the Naval Museum and a donation to Duncan, the parking attendant. To simplify matters it would be
appreciated if you could have the exact amount available in cash. (After paying all the costs any surplus will
be paid to the club.)
After breakfast we will walk to the Museum (approx 500 meters). The Museum staff have indicated that if
necessary, wheelchair access can be arranged. After the tour of the Naval Museum you are free to enjoy
what Simon’s Town has to offer.
Some suggestions are:
A leisurely stroll through the CBD (Known as the Historic Mile). There are plenty of eating places for a
lunchtime snack as well as numerous shops selling collectables and antiques. There are also some classic
pubs in the area.
Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it on the terraces at Seaforth beach (No charge) then stroll along the
boardwalk and view the penguins (No charge). If you want to get up close to the penguins, access to the
Boulders beach will cost R60 per person.
A short distance from Jubilee Square is the Toy Museum with an amazing assortment of toys from Dinky
toys to dolls (Well worth the entry fee of R10,00 per person.)
For the more adventurous there is a tour of the SAS Assegai submarine (one of the first three Daphne
class submarines purchased by the South African Navy). The tour costs R40,00 per person and is
organized by HGTS tours (021 786 5243) It is advisable to book in advance.
Should you need further information please contact Gavin or Esilene on 012 786 4577 or 083 662 0076
We now also supply parts for Land Rover, Discovery,
Range Rover and Freelander
Contact: Peter Flowers 021 975 4475 or 078 639 0151
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.classically-british.com
7
PAST EVENTS
PASSION FOR SPEED CLASSIC CAR RACING— Killarney Raceway
7th February 2015—by Susan Jones
An invitation from Roger Robeck of the Cape Jaguar Car Club to their facilities at Killarney Raceway to
attend the second round of the National Passion for Speed Classic Car Racing was enthusiastically
attended by nine MGs and their respective sixteen occupants.
The day started out comfortably warm with an excess of over 100 members from the various classic car
clubs along with their respective cars. Parking was well organised such that we were able to erect two of the
MG banners in the parking area. Also the MG car club gazebo was erected on the lawn area of Jaguar’s Car
Club premises. In so doing it attracted a potential new member to our club. The braai fires were prepared &
we looked forward to an exciting day’s racing with our very compatible hosts.
Classic car and motorcycle racing was the feature of the day with such names as Sarel van der Merwe in his
pre 1966 7 litre Ford Galaxie; Peter Lindenberg Racing sponsoring family member Paige Lindenberg, Ford
Escort; father and son team, Ian & Jackie Scheckter were in attendance where Jackie raced his relatively
modern Ferrari F430 to an impressive win in the Extreme Supercar race.
The Franschhoek Motor Museum supplied historic Formula One cars which did a couple of demonstration
runs. One of these cars was driven by Ian Scheckter, who demonstrated the performance of his brother,
Jody’s ex Formula One Tyrrel Cosworth in which Jody finished 3rd in the 1974 Formula One world
championship.
Mention should be made of the three competitors from the MG Car Club - Chris Champion in his MGA Twin
Cam, Dave Alexander in his MGA and Roger Lewis in the historic single seater XPAG engine-powered
‘Hedgehog’.
Housed in the new pits of Killarney was a small museum of classic cars. Amongst them being the
immaculate MG TB of Feliciano Martins and Viv James’ vintage Sunbeam.
Classic racing motorcycles, also from Franschhoek Motor Museum, were on display and also did some
extremely fast demonstration runs around the circuit. A 1960 TT Manx Norton 500cc and an ex Bob
McIntyre AJS 7R 350cc were included in the display & demonstration. Bob McIntyre was the first rider to
average 100 mph on a Manx Norton around the famous Isle of Man TT Course in 1961.
Our thanks are extended to Roger Robeck and the Cape Jaguar Car Club for their kind invitation to their
facilities and making it such a successful day of racing and entertainment.
8
MGA REGISTER MEETING - 14th FEBRUARY 2015— By Brian Hogg
The Register Meeting was hosted by Steve London who procured bits ’n pieces of an MGA from Llandudno
where attempts had been made to install a V8 engine. This had involved cutting off the MGA engine and
gearbox mountings, modifying the bonnet and doing several other nasty things.
Steve has made tremendous progress since moving all the loose parts to his house in San Michelle,
Noordhoek where half of the double garage and the entire ‘play room’ had been invaded by MGA parts and
lots of sundry other bits ’n pieces pushing out all kinds of horsey things. No V8 engine but two BMC B Series
engines, a 1500 and a 1622, had come with the package.
There were also two gearboxes. The 1500 engine had a mechanical rev counter drive but not the 1622
engine, the gearboxes both had the unique MGA mounting but had different clutch housings. Attempts were
made by those present to give Steve advice about which route to take which was very dependent on his
ultimate objective with/for the MGA. It did appear that Steve’s objective was to create a nice running MGA
but not attempt a Concours restoration so the advice was to use the 1622 engine.
Steve had carried out a lot of preparation on the body panels but the potential fits did not look too promising
so again lots of advice was forthcoming from those present as they had “been there and got the T shirt” !!!!!!
The chassis featured steel wheels at the front but wire wheels at the rear. Steve had sufficient wire wheels
and the necessary bits ’n pieces to fit wire wheels all round.
The playroom’s pool table had been converted into an MGA parts display table on which there were lots of
assorted parts and a long list of parts that Steve had identified as missing. I hope that Steve sends the list to
The Breed to give the Club members the opportunity to provide the necessary parts from their boxes of
surplus parts (that we all have!).
Club members at the meeting included, the Club Chairman and Membership Sec – Robin & Hildegarde
Rich, the Register Sec – Peter Jack, the MGA Register Captain – Pat Coyne, Neil and Jane Beck, Chris
Champion & Brian Hogg (all the preceding being MGA owners) and Roger Lewis (why did Roger attend an
MGA Register meeting ????????)
Apart from all the MGA bits there was a never ending procession of dogs of various sizes – I lost count!!!
They seemed to appear from everwhere. According to Steve’s long suffering wife, Tracy, they owned the
two larger dogs but I didn’t really understand where all the others came from. Tracy supplied refreshments
and num nums which were greatly enjoyed by all.
Steve’s project is not a short term rebuild but he has great enthusiasm so I am sure that he will eventually be
successful in getting another MGA back on the road again but would welcome any assistance from other
MGA owners.
9
MEMBERS OLD AND NEW
BIRTHDAYS
BIRTHDAYS in March:
3- Joan Parker
7- Gerald Wright, Dave Hendry
12- Ralph Clarke
14- Donald Campbell
16- Peter Haley
21- Riki Carriem
26- Jackie Tipping
29- Lucille Ten Oever.
6- Sue Terrapon
10- Rosa Ballantyne, Buddy Mockford
13- Shirley Hill
15- Bill Cox
17- Len Victor
22- Gavin McNaughton
27- Ronnie Grace
Hope you all have very Happy Birthdays!!
NEW MEMBERS
NEW MEMBERS who have recently joined our Centre – make them welcome!
# 1313 Steven & Tracy London, Noordhoek. MGA
Tel: 021 789 0493 / [email protected]
# 1314 Paul & Wendy Willcox, Rondebosch. MGA; MG TF 160 2003
Tel: 01 671 4744 / [email protected]
# 1315 Greg & Sharon Durrheim, Durbanville. MG TF 160, MG ZA 120
Tel: 021 975 2468 / [email protected]
# 1316 Andy & Tracy Henning. MG TD (Membership not Ratified yet)
Email: [email protected]
# 1317 Theo & Christa Andrag, Stellenbosch. 2 x MG TCs
Tel: (W) 021 950 4253 Cell: 082 566 7199 / [email protected]
NEWS OF OTHER MEMBERS
We extend our condolences to Jane and Neil Beck. Jane’s father passed away at the beginning of February.
—————————————————Philip Hitchcock has not been well for some months. He is now awaiting some surgery and we wish him well
for a speedy recovery.
—————————————————
Ralph Clarke is presently undergoing a course of chemotherapy. We wish him well and a complete recovery.
10
VETERANS GROUP NEWS— Jo Hitchcock
The January Run to Hortus Wrought Iron Works, was organised by John and Anne Morrison. They also
organised a scorching hot sun for the day! We were all very glad when we eventually arrived at the Hillcrest
Restaurant for lunch on the cool veranda. Forty seven people attended of which five were non-members.
We arrived in twenty one MGs and three plastics.
Welcomes, Apologies and Well Wishes:
We welcomed Chris and Susan Vernon from the UK, who were on holiday in our country. They have
attended Veterans Runs previously when on holiday here. Another welcome went to Tony and Jenny
Randall, friends of John and Eileen Perkins, who were also on holiday in Cape Town. Paul and Wendy
Willcox, new members to our Club, were very excited to join us in their MG TF – not only on their first
Veterans Run but also their first run since joining the MG Car Club. I must apologies for not introducing
them to the rest of the Veterans at the start of the run. I notice their names on the list for the February Run
and I will make sure that everybody gets to know them then. Brian and Eileen Dallimore’s daughter
accompanied them as their guest. It was great to notice Paul de Groot on the run. Paul is very involved with
fund raising for charity organisations like the Red Cross Childrens’ Hospital. Some of his fund raising efforts
include the Argus Cycle Tour as well as the Two Oceans. We are proud to have people like Paul in our
Veterans’ Group. Unfortunately he cannot attend Veterans’ Runs regularly because of his commitments.
Well wishes go to Philip who is awaiting a major operation which is planned for the first week in March.
Ralph Clarke, who is receiving chemo therapy, is also in our thoughts.
Reporter to The Breed:
Brian Dallimore has written a report on the January Run, published further on in this issue of The Breed.
Thank you, Brian!
Plaque of the Month:
Nico Montauban thanked John and Anne Morrison for all the effort put into the January Run and presented
them with the Veterans’ Plaque of the Month. Thank you, Nico!
The next Run – 26th March:
A well organised tour of Simon’s Town by Gavin and Esilene Kemp. They plan for us to visit the Naval
Museum in Simon’s Town which will be preceded by a full English Breakfast at the Quarter Deck
Restaurant. We’ll meet at Constantia Village. See all the details on Page 5 & 6. I realise that we have
visited the Naval Base in Simon’s Town previously but that was in July 2001 and May 2009, which makes it
6 and more years ago. So, for some people it will mean refreshing their memories and for newer members it
will be a first time experience – and for all of us a ‘yummy-yummy’ breakfast and a beautiful scenic drive.
Bring a print of the appropriate page of The Breed along on this run so that you have full instructions at hand
on what is planned for the run. No extra instruction sheets will be handed out at the start of the run.
Regalia:
No more cloth badges are available. Only bumper badges at R150 each which are only available at Club
Natters.
11
VETERANS’ GROUP RUN TO HORTUS WROUGHT IRON WORKS—
29 JANUARY—by Brian Dallimore
Conditions were good and with a weather forecast of ‘No Rain’ and a coolish day it turned out an ideal day
for ‘tops down’ for a lucky few.
We all met at 09:30 at D F Malan High School, Bellville. I was quite surprised at the turnout of 49 members
for our first run of the year. Lester and Dinky Braun were a late entry (I didn’t see whether they were in a
plastic or an MG). Once everyone had assembled, Jo Hitchcock introduced everyone including guests and
new members Paul and Wendy Willcox who came in their lovely white MGA Roadster. A total of 19 MGs and
the rest in ‘plastics’ including Yours Truly. I forgot to mention that the ‘swallows’ Chris and Susan Vernon
must have missed the flock back to the UK so they also joined us in a plastic.
Thanks, John (the event having been hosted by John and Anne Morrison) – the drive through Durbanville
via Racecourse Road to Vissershok Road went smoothly with no lost sheep on the way. At the bottom of
Vissershok hill we turned left into a farm where the Hortus Wrought Iron Works was situated.
Glen Roberts, the owner and our host, welcomed us into the workshop and gave us a brief rundown on the
equipment he uses and the different products he’s been making over the past 27 years using an air blown
forge. The hot wrought iron is stamped out using a 70 year old power hammer (made in 1945) imported from
Lancashire.
Left: the hammer in action
Below: the partly finished
tongs on the left
Right: Harvey, the
Blacksmith
Over the past 27 years he has made chandeliers for hotels, chairs, gates and anything that can be made
using a forge. His blacksmith, Harvey, then gave us a quick demonstration of how they forge out a pair of
tongs using the power hammer to stamp it into shape with a rhythmical thump that had us all stamping to the
beat!
Before we knew, it was 12:15 and time to thank them and say goodbye. A R10 donation was collected for an
interesting one and a half hours in the life of a blacksmith.
We took the Contermanskloof Road, past the stone quarries, through the Durbanville Hills to the Hillcrest
Farm Restaurant for much awaited lunch. We all sat around tables set for 10 on the inside stoep with a view
of the gardens, which catered extra tables with umbrellas for patrons. The restaurant also has a wine and
olive tasting shop to soothe the taste buds while waiting for lunch. After a few drinks and with lots of catch up
talk to do, lunch finally arrived. The food was good and you could have heard a pin drop!
The Vets Monthly Plaque was handed to John and Anne by Nico Montauban for an interesting, different
outing. I must also thank Shirley van der Hoek for taking the photos go with this article.
For the record, there were 1 TD, 2 MGA Roadsters, 7 MGBs, 4 MGB GTs, 1 MGF and 3 modern TFs
present.
12
BALANCING OF WIRE WHEELS—by Pat Coyne
Balancing of wire wheels in Cape Town has for many years been a problem. As the demand for this type of
balancing diminished, the skills and equipment vanished into the mists of time.
From articles and expensive equipment offered in UK motoring magazines the problem was wide spread.
For me I would have needed two sets to cover MG & Jaguar which my bank manager would not allow. At a
workshop meeting on the afternoon of Saturday 7th of Feb, interested parties were invited to a wheel
balancing demo & talk at Speedy Tyre in Buitengracht Street. Ian Kaplan, the director of Speedy, has the
solution to the problem of wire wheel balancing. He has imported the full set of adaptors for balancing
various sizes of wire wheels.
Not only do Speedy have state of the art wheel balancing equipment but Ian is the owner of a very nice MGB
with wire wheels so he really knows what he is talking about .
After the demo which included rebalancing the wheels from Ian’s MGB, the meeting finished off with snacks
& drinks.
A special thanks to Hazel of the CHC for the arranging such an interesting meeting.
GOOD SERVICE REPORT—by Pat Coyne
My tale of woe might be of interest to other modern F & TF owners.
It all started with a minor problem which RSC were to work on. After years of excellent service things turned
very sour. On getting the car back the passenger door could not be totally closed or opened & the central
locking would not work. RSC would not respond to calls or messages regarding this problem.
As the people selling the new MG6 & MG3 could not help I spent many days searching for someone who
could sort the problem. One of the recommendations was Tony at Italsud Motors in Shortmarket Street. I
was surprised to find that this Alfa specialist has a number of regular MG customers & knows the cars inside
out.
A quick examination of my car showed that there had been an attempted break in, with the system going
into ‘Permant Lock’. All very expensive electronic stuff, which had to be ordered from the UK. Fortunately my
insurance paid as the assessor confirmed that there had been an attempted theft.
Recently I checked another firm recommended for modern MGF & TF work; this is the Landy Centre in
Tokai. They have regular ‘F’ customers and the owner is a club member with 3 MGs - TD, MGB, TF 160.
I believe both Italsud & the Landy Centre are both experienced & have diagnostic systems compatible with
our cars.
Hope this info will be of interest to other ‘F’ owners.
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Our Constitution requires that our Standing Rules be published annually. Here they are
and Members are encouraged to study them and obey them particularly when out and in
the public eye such as when driving in convoy.
STANDING RULES
ROADWORTHINESS
Any Member knowingly participating in a Centre event in an MG which is not in a
roadworthy condition shall immediately be suspended from membership until he has
demonstrated to the Register Secretary that the vehicle has been restored to roadworthy
condition.
CONVOYS
When the organiser of an event deems it appropriate to run the event as a convoy, the
following rules shall apply:
Vehicles shall travel in order of age, the oldest leading
The distance between cars shall at all times be such as to allow for the easy intrusion of
other traffic
Overtaking among convoy cars shall be avoided unless absolutely necessary
It is incumbent on each driver to keep the car following him in view to ensure integrity
of the convoy
In the event of a convoy car breaking down, following members should use utmost
discretion on slowing down and/or stopping to ensure that they do not create a
hazard to other road users
NAME BADGES
Name badges shall be worn by all members at all Centre events
COURTESY
Courtesy and assistance to other road users should be the concern of all Club members
INDEMNITIES
Members and passengers taking part in Centre events shall hold SAMCA indemnities
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THE GERMAN TD STORY—PART 1— by Dieter Reck
This story of how German TDs came into being is adapted from one that appeared in The Breed in October
1988. It has recently been highlighted on what appears to be an American MG Internet chat group. It makes
interesting reading. One known only as ‘Kevin’ writes as follows:
Recently there was a thread circulating on this forum regarding a possible rare German manufactured 1951
MG TD (car no. TD 8873 CH Only). I am happy to announce after spending four weeks of haggling with
estate lawyers that I was finally able to acquire this car.
I stopped in Greenville on my way home from business in Virginia in an effort to locate the upholstery shop
where the previous owner of one of my cars had the seats reupholstered. I was hoping to locate this same
shop and have them restore the seats on my current project. I was having a difficult time finding the shops
location so I stopped at a nearby auto body repair shop to ask for directions. I told the owner what I was
restoring and was looking for this particular upholstery business that was supposed to be nearby.
Upon hearing that I was a British car enthusiast he grabbed me by the arm and took me to the business next
-door. It was there he introduced me to the gentleman who owned an auto part recycling business. This
gentleman proceeded to tell me that he was purchasing the property and building across the street to
expand his business. He went on to say that the building used to be an old foreign car restoration/repair
shop and had been abandoned for twenty six years. He also indicated that it was full of old MG and Triumph
parts in addition to some old cars. He then told me he needed to get the building cleaned out and asked me
if I would be interested in taking a look at the parts and cars that still remained inside. Otherwise, they would
be taken to the local scrap metal dealer. Needless to say, we all know the answer to that question. Hell,
yes!!!
There were several old parts in good shape like fenders, grills, convertible top frames and some parts only
worthy of acquiring as artifacts. As for the vehicles, there was a mid 80's Jag XJ6, a 1970 Mercury Cougar
Convertible and a late 60s Porsche 912. All three of these cars were very rusty and beyond repair, even
through my eyes. Trust me. The power to the building was turned off so there were no lights on inside. I was
just about to walk out of the building when I noticed an MG TD over in a dark corner.
The ‘soon to be’ new owner of the building said it was for sale but that it might be complicated given this was
an estate sale with two lawyers who represented two brothers who were not on speaking terms. Given my
passion for British cars, I did not want to see this TD going to a recycler. So prior to leaving, I took a couple
of photos, rubbed the tarnish off the vehicle ID plate and jotted down the car serial number. I informed this
gentleman that I would be interested in purchasing this car and some of the parts if he was going to acquire
it with the purchase of the building. He took my business card and assured me he would contact me once he
acquired the property and its contents.
Here is where the story starts to get interesting. I arrive home, register and log onto a popular North
American MG website. I post a photo of the car and the car serial number and ask if someone can help me
identify the model year of this TD. A forum member soon replies that he entered the serial number into the
MG Registry and that it came back as a 1951. He also states that it has some strange nomenclature ‘CH
Only’ at the end of the registry number. He asks and receives my permission to submit a photo of the car
and question regarding the ‘CH Only’ on a UK based MG website.
It is here that a couple of members in the forum comment back that there are some nuances with respect to
body parts that look strange in the photo. Another member chimes in and states that the ‘CH Only’ denotes
‘Chassis Only’. After a little more research and some phone conversations with a few MG experts, I quickly
discover this is a very rare MG TD.
Below is a draft that I found in a 2008 South African MG club newsletter (The Breed, October 1988)
explaining the history of these little known German TDs. It is entitled ‘Made in Germany’.
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Made in Germany
" s is widely known, England’s economy after World War II was in a rather poor state. The government, in an effort to
A
generate urgently needed foreign currency, was forced to introduce drastic steps in all sectors of life. Since steel was
generally in short supply it was rationed for the motor industry, and allocations were made dependent on the number of
vehicles produced for the export market.
There were however masses of American occupation troops who had spontaneously discovered a liking for T-Types
from Abingdon. A credit plan offered by the US Army made it possible for them to come up with the necessary $1485.00
without having to touch their own cash. And there they were, staring into empty MG dealer show rooms, waiting
longingly for the next consignment of cars to arrive from England.
In order to find a way out of this awkward situation, one of the importers of MGs into Germany, J.A.Woodhouse
developed an interesting plan: “Since the English cannot supply us, we are going to build them ourselves!” A contract
was signed with Abingdon for the purchase of TD chassis, axles, engines, gearboxes and instruments and soon crates
started arriving at the Cologne main railway station. After assembly of the ‘rolling chassis’ at the Woodhouse
workshops in Cologne, the frames were fitted with old car seats, batteries and discarded motorbike tanks and that’s
how they hit the Autobahn all the way down to Stuttgart in southern Germany. Just imagine the face of a German cop
coming across one of those half built high speed go-carts. But then again, life over there was still easy going in 1951!
After arrival in Stuttgart the route led straight to the Fritz Hennefarth Bodyworks, where previously a ‘Jaguar-MG’
had been built for Christian Odendal, who had been the MG agent for the Frankfurt area. Sheet metal suitable for deep
drawn body panels was in short supply in Germany just as much as in the UK, but Hennefarth’s craftsmen were
absolute artists in the use of mallets and wooden formers. They were able to form sheet metal into just about any shape.
However, since Abingdon had not provided dimensional drawings for the cars to be built, what shape was it to be?
There may have been some photographs, perhaps even a sample TD, nobody seems to recall the exact circumstances at
the time. So a team of panel beaters got busy to hammer out complete TD bodies with the aim of producing a shape as
close as possible to the original. The result of these efforts were bodies that actually had such a great similarity to the
original, that differences only became apparent after a closer inspection. And as was to be expected in an improvised
production run of such a nature, each vehicle was just that little bit different from the previous one.
For starters, different thicknesses and materials were used for body panels. One example, for instance was a TD owned
by Count Quad living in the southern German town of Isny. Its body had been formed from a thicker gauge of sheet
metal than normal, which resulted in rather disappointing performance in terms of acceleration and top speed. At one
stage he was in trouble with the Swiss border authorities when the car was weighed and turned out to be much heavier
than was recorded in the papers. Some of the cars had correct thickness panels, others were found to have aluminium
bonnet side panels fitted.
Of the multitude of deviations from the original TD design here are a few of the details which are also documented by
photographs.
Curvature at the front of the mudguards is less pronounced than on the
original shape. The bonnet centrally is fitted with a kind of a piano hinge,
which allows it to be folded flat completely. The air vents on the bonnet side
panels are equally spaced and of similar length right through and the bonnet
catches are located right in the corners of the panels. The scuttle is formed
without reinforcing flutes; it is either bent from one piece of sheet metal or in
some cases welded up from a number of pieces. A variety of types of catches
are used to close the lid of the tool box, sometimes mounted on the lid,
sometimes on the box. The wiring loom is of their own production; the fuse
box is supplied by Bosch and has 26 connections and according to German
standard.
Furthermore, there is provision for a Telefunken radio and a Bosch heater. Hood and side screens are of a black
material, a storage box for the side screens is nowhere to be found. Some of the bright parts such as windscreen frame
and screen mounting brackets are cast aluminium and highly polished. The interior is covered with a leather look-alike
vinyl material; the seat back rest is without contour and straight through. The interior door panels are provided with
large pleated pockets which actually allow the driver to store things away.
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Doors are locked with a simple sliding bolt and hinges are of the flat type. Behind the door the bodywork rises up
steeply which stylistically is not a very successful feature (this however could have been a one-off within the series).
Rear mudguards at times do not have a central ridge and have a certain similarity with the TA mudguard. The fuel tank
is shallower in height but deeper at the base and has a screw cap.
Tank side panels are not chromed and partially painted but simply have an aluminium profile attached to the edge
seams .The range of colour choices in response to the wishes of the American customer base was extended to light sky
blue as well as citrus yellow.
Once finished and completed, the TDs were sent out to the various MG dealerships in Germany and sold to
(unsuspecting?) GIs. Even though there were rumours that something wasn’t quite right with some of these MGs, there
was a ready market for the car. Insiders had quickly found a name for these cars: Replica!
Quite rightly the question is being asked now as to how to view this operation from today’s point of view. One should
really consider the circumstances at the time and agree that those involved mastered the situation with a great deal of
inventiveness and perseverance. The finished vehicle might not have been the totally genuine article but nonetheless it
represented a copy produced with masterly craftsmanship.
The overweight and therefore lesser successful cars must have been in the minority. Others of the series must have been
so ‘genuine’ that their owners at the time might not even have been aware of the true origin of their cars. In one
particular instance the American owner of such a vehicle was annoyed every time an original English spare part did
not fit onto his (unbeknown to him) German built TD.
At present two Hennefarth TDs are known in the USA and photographs are included in this article (Ed’s note: these
pictures are of Kevin’s Car as found). It is suspected that these cars might be in various states of modification as
previous owners might have attempted to bring them back to ‘original’ by replacing the electrical components with
Lucas parts or by installing genuine door locks.
One would hope however, that through the information published in this article the current owners become aware of
the uniqueness of their cars and return them to their ‘original’ state. The actual number of cars built under this scheme
cannot be determined with certainty. According to those involved, the figure was between 30 and 40. Two complete
cars and a few bits and pieces are all that have survived. Maybe, after reading this article, one or the other TD owner
may suddenly see the light and have the answer to a lot of his questions.
Read more of this fascinating story in next month’s issue of The Breed
CLUB TROPHIES AND PLAQUES
At the forthcoming AGM trophies and plaques will be awarded to deserving members.
Please take note of the following: The Club has no insurance on these items. This obviously has been a
serious matter of concern and this matter has been extensively investigated. Unfortunately because of
technicalities we could not secure insurance.
This unfortunately makes the recipient responsible for utmost safe keeping and possibly to specify the award
with their short term insurance.
Should any member be in the short term insurance and can be of assistance in solving this problem, it will
be much appreciated.
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XMAS IN JULY—Anono-mouse
What was on your Xmas gift list for 2014?
In retirement I tend to leave things to the last minute so the Xmas
shopping article missed the Yuletide editions of The Breed, therefore
Xmas in July.
While doing my Xmas shopping last year I came across these
gimmicky motor related household gifts, unfortunately not within my
budget.
I visited "Crossley & Webb" (classic and sports car sales) at 15 Solan Street, Gardens, Cape Town. If you
have not been there it is worth a visit, a gift in itself, or go to www.crossley-webb.com and read what is on
offer. I saw a coffee machine in the shape of a V8 formula one engine, machined from aly and other exotic
materials. These are made in Johannesburg by Arte Mecanica, run by 2 Italians. The solid engineering
ensures maximum extraction of flavour from the pods due to a far higher system pressure than the standard
"Nespresso" machines. The machine including 6 cups turned from solid aluminium billet retails for around
R115 000-00 (they will limit manufacture to 100 examples).
For a more detailed description of the coffee machine go to www.espressoveloce.com/about/
A personal invite from Bryan Webb to the MGCC reads as follows " Please keep in touch and we would like
to host the MG Club one Sunday morning at our premises for coffee and croissants before you all head off
on a run somewhere". So Ken (Social Secretary) there is a lead for you for a Sunday morning
outing. Contact person [email protected]
My next visit was to an electrical appliance showroom. Here displayed
was a bar fridge/winecooler in the shape of the nose section of a Fiat
500. This fridge, crafted in Italy by ‘SMEG’ Appliances, is cast in
plastic and has lights that work. The wheels and tyres are also plastic.
Lift the bonnet and see the fridge with chrome bottle racks. A new road
-going 1,2 litre Fiat 500 with 5 year maintenance plan costs about
R150 000-00; the fridge retails at R127 000-00. Make sense to you?
The Fiat/bar fridge concept would suit a club member with a MG 1100 with a nice chrome grill, headlamps
and bumper which he is not going to ever get around to restoring, and turn the nose section into a
fridge. Just a thought!
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FOR SALE
2003 MG TF 160. Soft and hard top. Engine partly overhauled. 117,000 km. R75,000.
Contact Debra on 021 797 1439 or 082 886 8008.
WANTED
Steering rack for a RHD MGB.
Contact Dominic Buss on 072 342 4375 or [email protected] or [email protected]
______________________________________________________________________________________
As I get towards finishing the rebuild of my TC, I am short of:
Radiator surround false nosing (which holds the badge below the radiator filler cap).
Rubber gearbox housing mould.
Rear D light (preferably chrome)
Speedometer
Metal trim below wooden dashboard.
Tonneau cover
Contact Jon Driver-Jowitt on [email protected] or 021 674 1820
______________________________________________________________________________________
I am looking for a template from which I can make floorboards for a 1946 TC. And seats!
I live in Constantia, Cape Town
Contact me on [email protected] or (work) 021 702 4200 or (home) 021 794 2966
Godfrey Castle
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