Books
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MG Wartime Activities
This is the first major reprint of the MG War Time Activities book and is now produced in glossy artwork paper complete with additional pictures and information. The book was originally produced after the War and given to some members of the work force as a memento of the great work they had done during the dark years of the Second World War. Originally the author was unknown, but due to a chance phone call from Peter Watson to the Club offering to donate some MG memorabilia, it was discovered that his Grandfather, George Propert, General Manager of MG during some of the war years, was in fact the author of the original book. This has now been credited to him and the reprint is now produced with the full permission of Peter.
For those who have not already read a copy of the photocopied reproduction, the book covers each year at the factory during the war. They had to deal with some insurmountable problems which the diligence of the workers and the initiative of management saw them through. An example of this was the building of the Albemarle fuselage (the main fuselage of a relatively unknown medium bomber). The time taken in testing all the circuitry took days, but due to the initiative of two radio technicians working at the factory, a test rig was built which not only cut the time to test the system, but did it far more accurately. This is just one example of how difficulties were overcome.
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MG Made in Abingdon
Here, from the memories of many men and women, is an intimate account of what it was like to work in MG’s Abingdon factory.
From tea trolley to production line and from apprentice to manager, this book includes memorable events, romance, tragedy, humour, motorsport, and the lead up to factory closure.
MG was a home-grown concept that became an international success, bringing the small market town of Abingdon onto the global map. MG – Made in Abingdon recounts the inside story of the famous factory, recognising that the most important aspect of MG’s success was its team – the tea-boys and girls, the shop floor workers, the engineers and racers, the apprentices and management. From memories of the production line to recollections of racing incidents, the untold story of MG from the men and women who worked in the Abingdon factory is revealed for the first time in a book that is both nostalgic and historically important.
Period Covered:
1929-1980 -
T Register – Mike Sherrell’s TCs Forever-More
Mike Sherrell’s sequel to TCs Forever has proved to be very popular, so that we have ordered more copies from a second print run.
As Mike himself describes, it’s ‘a companion to TCs Forever! and an aid to survival in the 21st century’.
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A life by the Poole
Alec Poole: A book with short stories, mainly about what you might call my varied, colourful and (hard to believe, I know) sometimes mischievous life in motor racing.
Unsuprisingly, in this age of political correctness, I had difficulty in finding a publisher either willing or brave enough to take on the task! However, thanks to help from my mates along the way, “A life by the Poole” has made it into print – hopefully for your enjoyment.
(Parts of the proceeds are going to Katharine House Hospice, Banbury, Oxon)
321 pages, all signed copies
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MG’s Abingdon factory
Those were the days…MG’s Abingdon factory. The 160, many never seen before, pictures in this book chronicle every aspect of the factory from its opening amidst great euphoria in 1930 to its closing amidst great recriminations in 1980
Brian Moylan started working for MG in 1950 as a mechanic in the service/repair shop. In 1955 he was drafted in to the Racing Department. which was the centre for all BMC competition work. During his time there he was fortunate enough to work on several rally winning Minis including the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally winner. Just before the factory closed in 1980 Bryan was offered the position of manager of a small satellite Morris Garages outlet. Bryan has always been involved in the MG Car Club, serving on the committee of the local Centre in various capacities
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Call it MGA
A comprehensive following of 50 years of the history and character of the model from pre-production concepts and prototypes through modern day activities. This includes many stories of special cars and special people and the way the cars have been used (and abused) over the decades. At times the cars were near orphans with low value, so it is a wonder how so many MGAs have survived, and are still with us today. The book pays tribute to the unique character of this particular model and the reasons why people find them so endearing. It covers variants and modified cars, the motorsport efforts of works cars and privateers, a myriad of speed records and competition titles, and distribution of the cars around the world.
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MG Sports Cars 1929 – 1936
Your definitive guide to MGs from 1929 through to 1936.
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The MG T-Series
The book covers the technical developments such as the introduction of synchromesh gearing and hydraulic brakes as well as new engines. Due to the post-war popularity of the cars in the US after American Gls shipped examples back from Britain, modifications were made for US editions. Soon celebrities such as Clark Gable were driving them. In this readable and informative book, the author follows the development of the various MG T-Series models, incl. the prewar Midgets and the MG TC, TD and TF
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V8 Buyers Guide
One of the most successful features in the MG Car Club’s monthly magazine Safety Fast! over the last few years has been the “So you want to buy an MG?” series of buyers’ guides. Those guides have been both comprehensive and authoritative as they have been well researched and prepared by Club members who clearly know their individual models very well. This book contains the guides to the MGBGTV8 and the MG RV8 models together with a five part guide to buying a classic MG and useful checklists and other materials.
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Triple M Yearbook ’19
The Register’s eagerly awaited 2019 Yearbook, published in May 2020, continues the tradition of providing readers with historic, technical and other information which will appeal not only to the owners of these splendid cars, but also to the wider vintage motoring fraternity and M.G. enthusiasts generally.
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The MGB Story by Don Hayter
This is the inside story of the MG Design office, from 1956 until its closure in 1980. Explaining how the various models were drawn, planned, and developed by the small team of engineers, it also shows how the input and control changed from Morris, Wolseley, Riley Group, Austin-Morris, and Austin Rover. The effects of the Triumph-Austin merger are detailed in model changes, alongside the effects of safety legislation, mainly imposed by the United States. Trying to remain as individual as possible during this period, MG developed record breakers and a unique Competition Department. Special cars were built and tested, and prototypes for the MGB replacement were drawn up all in parallel with the development of MG production cars using engines from any part of the company.
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RV8 The Manufacturing Story
The authors have produced a detailed, factual description of the RV8 manufacturing process together with an outline of the staff involved. The content is based on material in the Club’s archives, interviews with the management and production staff involved with the RV8 production and ensures that this fascinating detail of RV8 history is not lost to posterity.
The book begins with an interesting outline of the formation of the 16 strong production team involved in RV8 manufacture and their duties. It then covers the manufacturing process from body shell build, painting, to vehicle assembly. Further chapters also describe the assembly facility layout, build documentation produced and vehicle production dates. A later chapter on anecdotes told to the authors by the various production team members adds further human interest to the story. Also included is a timeline of RV8 production, five detailed appendices (eg monthly production stats and colour totals by market) and a glossary of terms. The book contains many quality photos of the production process and staff which have never been published before.
The book is not intended to be the equivalent of a Haynes maintenance manual. It provides the reader with a detailed description of the RV8 manufacturing process and its human side and consequently will become a valuable future record.
For an MG focused book it is probably unique in its approach to the subject and is an interesting read in terms of content and style. It is an A4 sized book with a quality feel to it, although it is not a hardback. There is a contents page but no separate index although it is debatable whether one is necessary considering the nature of the book. -
MG Z Cars
The MG Z cars were produced at a pivotal time when the MG Rover Group separated from their previous owners BMW and stood alone in the highly competitive mass car market. In this readable book, motoring journalist and Austin Rover expert Craig Cheetham reveals the inside story of the development of the range of MG Z cars that were designed to save the company.
The book explores the formation of the Phoenix Corporation, the holding company for the MG Rover Group. It also looks at the design and engineering initiatives that would make the MG Z cars more than just a clever rebranding exercise, producing cars with lasting appeal.
The book describes the MG Z versions of the Rover 25, the Rover 45 and the Rover 75, providing insights into how each of the models was re-engineered to meet the demanding standards of MG’s heritage. It also describes the fortunes of the Z cars in motorsport, in particular the British Touring Car Championship.
The book reveals how, despite all these efforts, MG Rover eventually ran out of money, bringing an end the British-owned mass car industry.
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Triple M Yearbook ’18
The Triple-M Register of the M.G. Car Club is home to the ohc-engined M.G. cars – Midgets, Magnas and Magnettes – built in the marque’s halcyon years of 1929 to 1936.
The Register’s eagerly awaited 2018 Yearbook, published in May 2018, continues the tradition of providing readers with historic, technical and other information which will appeal not only to the owners of these splendid cars, but also to the wider vintage motoring fraternity and M.G. enthusiasts generally.
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MG T-Series The Complete Story
This book tells the full story of the MG T-Series, from early production to recent Naylor and Hutson replicas.
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Triple-M Yearbook ’23
20th Anniversary – D group by Ted Hack
100th Celebration at Angouleme by D Potter & J Gillet
Kimber Tour by S Broch
L2068 90th and Alpine Trial success in 1933 by D Harrison
Mike Allison a tribute
K3021 The Monaco Monoposto Magnette by O Richardson
A letter from tom Hollinrake by G Jackson
Competition report.Cover art by Ian Ross
The eagerly awaited yearbook from the Register – many will say overdue, Digby Gibbs had undertaken the editorship late 2023 and had sourced the above articles ready for publication early this year, sadly Digby passed away before he could complete his first Yearbook. It says a lot about him that it is a wonderful professional, interesting read from cover to cover just like the Bulletins he edited for many years.
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Everyday Modifications For Your MGB, GT and GTV8
MG expert Roger Parker gives his advice on maintaining and modifying MGB, GT and GTV8 cars, with some additional reference to the MGC and MG RV8 models.
With safety information throughout, the book covers: regulations, insurance and market value for all models; routine maintenance; body and interior changes; brakes, suspension and steering; engine improvements for the original 1798cc B-series engine and other engine alternatives and finally, installing and updating electrical equipment and lighting.
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MGCC Looking Back
In mid-1954 Peter applied to Morris Motor for an apprenticeship at the Cowley works. He was told he would have to wait until the new intake in September. He would then be given an interview to judge if he was suitable. Meanwhile he received a telegram to say that the MG Plant at Abingdon were looking for suitable candidates to apply for role as the Design Office Apprentice. He applied and was accepted.
Building on his Knowledge, much based on first hand experiences and talking to those involved in racing and production, he was able to do a series of thirteen articles for Safety Fast on the history of MG at Oxford and Abingdon, now pieced together into this bookazine.
A must read for any MG enthusiast.
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Mouse, the man and the MGB
A mouse, a man, and an old car…what could possibly happen?
A heart-tugging story about a curious little mouse who falls in love with an old car and the challenges he faces when he tries to help. Written as a reminder that when little ones watch from a distance, they may just be waiting to be invited to share in the very thing we enjoy.
Readers young and old, especially MGB enthusiasts will enjoy just turning the pages to look at the illustrations.
Also available with the French translation – please email ineke@mgcc.co.uk
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Mr. MG
A biography for Mr. MG himself – John Thornley.
