Books
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Goldie
Dessau, Germany, 1939. A 49-year-old veteran of the Great War hobbles over to his sleek, green racing car, hands his walking stick to his mechanic and awkwardly pulls his damaged leg into the bowels of the machine. His hosts, the glamorous young drivers of the Nazi state-sponsored Silver Arrows team, share bemused grins as he rolls up his sleeves, dons an old-fashioned leather racing cap and pulls down his goggles. A few minutes later, to the astonishment of the Germans, the mostly self- funded car flashes past at over 200mph, setting a host of new international records.
Goldie moves from the brutality of an Edwardian public school, through the jungles of Ceylon and into the blood-soaked trenches of the Somme. The book follows Goldie Gardner as he emerges into the post-war world, trying to make sense of what has happened, finding friendship and love, and searching for a way to prove himself. Motor racing and record breaking seem to offer a solution, but what follows is a story of obsession that establishes him as one of the most extraordinary record breakers of all time but leads to heartbreak, betrayal and eventually taking one risk too many.
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MGA The Revolutionary MG
The MGA truly marked a revolution in MG sports car design, with its appearance quite unlike any previous production car from the celebrated British marque. Entering production in the summer of 1955, it broke with the time-honoured tradition of narrow-gutted, flat-sides, upright styling, with the distinctive large grille, exposed headlamps, separate wings and sharply cut-off tail that had serviced the majority of MG sports cars for well over thirty years. Many die-hard MG enthusiasts of the time were understandably outraged, but the decision to break with tradition proved to be a good one: over 100,000 cars were produced over the model’s seven-year lifetime.
This book from celebrated author David Knowles covers:
- The circumstances that led to the momentous decision to make such a fundamental design change
- The production, publicity and evolution of each and every MGA variant from launch in 1955 to the end of production in 1962, with specification tables for each model
- The largely untold story of overseas assembly in Australia, Ireland, Mexico and South Africa
- Profiles of the people who had crucial roles in the development of the MGA, with input from many of the individuals and their families
- Comprehensive coverage of racing and rallying in Europe, including the MGA entries at Sebring Twelve Hour race and where many of the cars ended up
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Everyday modifications for your MGF and TF
The books in the Everyday Modifications series from Crowood are designed to guide classic car owners through the workshop skills needed to make their cars easier to use and enjoy. MG expert Roger Parker offers his advice on a range of modifications and changes can be applied to the MGF and MG TF, which will not impinge on the practical daily use of the cars. With important and specific safety information and advice throughout, the book also covers: body and interior changes; brake, suspension and steering upgrades; wheel and tyre options; powertrain upgrades; electrical system upgrade options and finally, setting up and specific maintenance aspects. Illustrated with over 450 images, this is a valuable technical resource for the MGF and TF owner.
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The MG Story 1923-1980
The first MGs were a small number of cars sold with special bodywork by Morris Garages, but by the 1930s the MG had come to be recognised as the archetypical sporting car. The rapid development of the marque, and the cars’ domination in their class of competition entry lists, is down to the energy, enthusiasm and skills of a small number of key personalities. Here, as well as in-depth studies of all models produced, there are biographies of those most involved with MG development, record breaking and motor sport. This book sets out to recount, in the form of a series of articles, the story of the marque from 1923 until the Abingdon factory closed in 1980. At that time this small market town housed what was probably the world’s largest producer of sports cars. Many of the competition efforts by both factory-supported entries and private owners are covered in detail and help show why MGs became so well known. To illustrate the text there are both black-and-white archive photographs from the author’s collection and a great many modern colour pictures of restored cars. Period advertising material has also been included. The wide range of topics covered gives the reader a real insight into the evolution of the company and its cars, and into the unique character of MGs that is the reason why they remain so popular.
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MGB The Complete Story
The MGB was the most successful British sports car of all time, selling more than half a million examples over a production life of eighteen years. It has always represented fun driving at realistic prices, and remains well within reach of the average motorist today. The complete story of the B is set firmly in the context of the MG company’s eventful history, and there are new insights into the personalities and politics behind the development of Britain’s most popular sports car. Contains numerous specially-commissioned photographs, technical analyses, driving impressions and practical information on buying and owning a MGB.
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Works Rally Mechanic – Brian Moylan’s tales
Works Rally Mechanic is the inside story of the BMC/BL Competition Department from 1955 to 1979. Brian Moylan prepared cars for international rallies for 22 years, providing service support for ‘Big’ Healeys, Minis & TR7s. This book tells of the adventures, hilarious events, hardship, winning, losing, and real danger.
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MG by Jonathan Wood
Britain’s most popular sporting marque, MG has emerged as one of a handful of British motoring names to survive into the 21st century. From the quintessential open two-seater MG Midget, through the booming post-war years and the emergence of MG as a provider of sports cars for the world, Jonathan Wood provides an in-depth analysis of the rise and fall of a motoring legend. Examining the various models in detail, the author covers the financial and corporate traumas which afflicted the company, its brief resurgence in 1995 with the release of the MGF and the final sad chapter which saw a British icon sold off to foreign investors. As production begins again at the Longbridge factory after a three-year hiatus, this is an informative and at times touching glimpse into the history of one of the world’s most recognisable sports cars.
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MG Century by David Knowles
Celebrate and explore 100 years of MG cars with this impressive volume featuring expert commentary, historical images, period ads, and contemporary photography.
For many car enthusiasts, MG is synonymous with “sports car.” It is often credited with igniting a passion for European cars in postwar America at a time when roads were otherwise filled with the lumbering output of Detroit. In MG’s native England, the company’s cars filled roles from family transport to competition driving.
MG, as we think of it today, began in the 1920s, but its roots go back even further with a young William Morris. Initially working in the booming bicycle trade, he eventually branched into motorcycle and car repair with the fledgling Morris Garage (hence, MG) in 1907. By the mid 1920s, the successful Morris Garages was in a position to begin manufacture of its own cars under the MG name.
MG grew significantly in the years before World War II, building and racing its classic Midgets and Magnettes. World War II provided challenging times for the company as it did for the UK and much of the world. In the postwar period, a focus on sales outside England, and particularly in the United States, both defined MG’s product line and ensured its success. Legendary cars followed, including MG TC, TD, and TF followed by thoroughly modern MGA, MGB, MGB GT, and Midget. Magnettes and the 1100 offered options for those wanting sedans and more practical cars.
MG ownership moved through a number of UK companies in the postwar period as well as ownership by BMW and today’s SAIC, a Chinese-based company through which it operates as MG Motor. Highlights along the way included the MGB GT V8, MG Metro Group B rally car, and MGF. Based on its latest state-of-the-art EV platform, MG will soon launch an all-new roadster coming full circle over its century in business.
Authored by marque expert David Knowles, The MG Century: 100 Years of Safety Fast! is a fitting celebration of one of the automotive world’s oldest and most beloved brands-and a must-have for every car enthusiast.
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MGs on Patrol
In the past a large number of M.G. sports and touring cars were used by United Kingdom police forces as patrol cars. This book sets out to both give full details of the cars used, compiled from surviving police, company and club records, and in their own words tell the story of the men and women who drove them
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KIM A BIOGRAPHY OF MG FOUNDER CECIL KIMBER
MG, the world’s most-loved make of sports car, was created in the 1920s by Cecil Kimber – invariably known as Kim. Rising above disability, with his energy, enthusiasm and vision, Kimber became a leading figure in the British motor industry. Initially placing sporty bodies on Morris chassis, within a few years he had built M.G. into the leading European manufacturer of sports cars with an impressive record of competition successes. He survived industrial upheaval only to fall victim to the venomous internal politics of M.G.’s parent company. Sacked from his high-profile job, he was preparing to bounce back when he lost his life in a needless accident. Respected businessman, wayward husband, fallible parent – Cecil Kimber was a man of surprising contrasts. Here for the first time is the colourful story of the man behind those famous initials, published to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the first M.G.
Kim: A Biography of M.G. Founder Cecil Kimber
by Jon Pressnellhttps://online.flipbuilder.com/uhzw/fqnw/
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MG Y TYPE SPORTS SALOON
MG Y Type by Neil Cairns
Neil Cairns is known to many in the Club for his excellent engineering knowledge particularly in relation to the MG Type. Neil has decided to put all that knowledge down in print for benefit of owners of this amazing car.
The book starts of with the development history and covers the various models, YA, YB and YT in detail. Neil has based this on his 25 years of experience of owning and driving a Y Type.
He also covers hints and tips for buying a car together with many technical tips that are invaluable for an owner. He also covers the development of the XPAG engine, covering the gearbox, chassis and rear axle. For those with a restoration project on the go, he even includes a chapter on this with detailed information on how to go about restoring and dealing with the dreaded rust.
This is a gem of a book, not only for an owner of a Y Type but also for anyone with a general interest in MG’s.
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Triple M Yearbook ’21
he Register’s 84 page 2021 Yearbook, just published in May 2022, 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.
At the heart of the publication are wide-ranging articles chronicling historic and technical aspects of ‘the cars that made M.G.’ It also focuses on their survival and continuing successes in modern times. Articles include:
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An account by Graeme Jackson featuring Bill Thompson and the renowned Melbourne-based Lane’s Motors Racing Team and the many fine cars from that stable;
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A technical review and guide to the intricacies and maintenance of the clutches found in ENV 75 preselector gearboxes installed in M.G.s;
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In ‘Built to Race’ we have Ross Kelly’s account of the impressive and varied career of the legendary K3 Magnette K3004, starting with its ownership by ‘Jock’ Manby-Colegrave and progressing through a bewildering evolution of owners and styles culminating in the writer’s acquisition of this important car in 2017;
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A fascinating and detailed account by Mike Dalby of the 1932 Royal Automobile Club Rally to Torquay of March 1932 in which challenges and successes are faithfully recorded;
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Chris Harrill, the present owner of the ex-Leonard 1934 NA Magnette ‘The Leonard Special’ recounts its past and present including its competition successes from 1935-1955;
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MG enthusiast and researcher Cathelijne Spoelstra concludes the Yearbook’s specialist articles with a detailed account of 90 years of the legendary C type Montlhery Midgets from 1931-2021. The C type was the first ever car with a 750cc engine to achieve 100 miles an hour; this success was pivotal to establishing M.G. – and these little cars continue to perform effectively in present day vintage racing.
Competition Secretary Mike Linward rounds off the 2021 Yearbook with a finely illustrated and detailed account of the many racing, trialling, speed and other events in which Triple-M cars were active during 2021 – the first season back for many following the privations of 2020’s Covid lock down .
The Triple-M Register 2021 Yearbook offers much of interest for enthusiasts of cars of the pre-war era – M.G.s and other marques alike – in a professionally presented publication, with a limited print edition. Now is the ideal time to add it to your bookshelf.
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Rover K-Series engine
Getting a Rover K-Series engine properly up and running can be a difficult task, but the result is always worthwhile. Rover K-Series Engine – Maintenance, Repair and Modification is a practical guide to keeping these unique engines in fine working order. The most well-known issue with the K-Series is the head gasket, and this book identifies common faults, before giving practical advice on how best to solve them. Step-by-step guidance on long-term engine maintenance is provided, in addition to the improvements required to prevent further problems. A K-Series engine is stripped down to examine its clever and interesting structure, and is rebuilt with improvements. Authors of over twenty automotive books, Iain Ayre and Rob Hawkins have combined their knowledge to bring you this book on the Rover K-Series engine. Topics covered include the history of the K-Series; common faults and solutions; full strip down and rebuild; the Rover KV6; modifications for power and reliability; electronics and programming and comparisons with similar engine options.
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THE MGA
This book is the definitive study, for the author has gone back to factory records and to the people who worked on the car in the ‘fifties, to find out how it was conceived, manufactured and marketed. Here is the real story of the MGA’s engineering, body styling and every aspect of the car’s development and production – including MG’s strategy to beat its competitors.In seven years of production, there were major successes and sad disappointments. The MGA was the car that was “right first time” and though the Twin Cam variant was a nightmare for the factory, it is now the most sought after model.This book tells how the sleepy Thames-side village of Abingdon became a mass-production centre for the MGA, how the MGA became one of America’s best-loved sports cars and how the MGA has become one of today’s classic cars, cherished by enthusiastic owners all over the world.
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MG V8 by David Knowles
Tells the story of each MG V8 model from concept to development and production. Illustrated with 400 pictures including concept cars, design sketches and specially commissioned photography. Interviews with the original V8 design and engineering teams.
Detailed information tables of notable cars and their chassis numbers for each model, plus special editions and colour charts. Background on development and testing work on each model. Rare input and insight from many of the suppliers and specialists who helped develop the cars. Information on sales and servicing literature, production changes, product placement, celebrity stories and much more.
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MG TD / TF Buyers Guide
The essential Buyer’s Guide for the TD,TF and TF1500
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The Cars of BMC
The complete history of BMC – British Motor Corporation – and a comprehensive directory of the marques and models that made up the whole. Following the historic amalgamation of Morris Motors Ltd and the Austin Motor Co Ltd in 1952, through to the merger with British Leyland in 1968, this book details the company’s origins, its achievements and its legacy, and provides a close look at the many car models that were produced during its heyday.
304 pages – Reprint 2022 first published 1987
By Graham Robson
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Original MGB with MGC and MGB GT V8 Restorers guide
- Hardcover: 152 pages
- Publisher: Herridge & Sons Ltd
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1906133182
- ISBN-13: 978-1906133184
- Product Dimensions: 23.5 x 1.9 x 30.5 cm
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MG Midget Austin-Healey Sprite Buyers Guide
Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side.
Benefit from the author’s years of MG Midget & A-H Sprite ownership, learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price! This book is the perfect companion for the first-time or even more experienced buyer. All the information is here to help make a clear and balanced decision, to counter the vendor’s claims, and even negotiate a better price. The author has bought and sold many MG Midgets & A-H Sprites over the years, and his knowledge and enthusiasm will prove a vital resource for potential buyers. Period covered: 1958-1979 Models covered: Austin-Healey Sprite MkI,II,III,IV and Austin Sprite 1958 to 1971 MG Midget MkI,II,III and Midget 1500 1961 to 1979 Features: * Like having a real marque expert at your side benefit from years of real ownership experience. * Full coverage of all MG Midget & A-H Sprite models * Where and how to buy a MG Midget & A-H Sprite * Advice on choosing the right model and condition * Key checks spot a bad car quickly * Comprehensive inspection guide * In-depth analysis of strengths and weaknesses
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Harry Lester his cars & The Monkey Stable
Garage owner and expert tuner of MG cars, Harry Lester was one of the more successful sports car competitors in the late 1940s and early 1950s. In 1949 he designed and built his own car, with a rigid tubular chassis, lightweight aluminium body and utilising the favoured engine of many club racers of the time, the XPAG unit from the MGTC. So successful was the car in his hands that a trio of wealthy young amateur racers decided to form a team and commissioned him to build them a car each, plus a spare. They called themselves “The Monkey Stable” and enjoyed much success in their first year, 1952, a highlight being winning the team prize at the first 9 hours race at Goodwood. In subsequent years their fortunes changed, as did their cars, going to Kieft MGs in 1953,then back to Lesters in 1955. In the interim, the Monkey Stable drivers twice drove for the Bristol team at Le Mans, and one of their number, Pat Griffith, briefly became a works driver for Aston Martin, partnering Peter Collins in a number of long-distance events. It all ended in tragedy, however, when team founder Jim Mayers was killed at Dundrod in the 1955 TT race, only weeks after another team member, Mike Keen, had crashed fatally at Goodwood. Never before published in its entirety, this is the story of Harry Lester and his cars, together with the exploits of The Monkey Stable during their brief but significant racing career.
The story is told by Stewart Penfound, MG enthusiast and owner of one of the last of the Lester MGs made. Containing much previously unseen material from both Harry Lester’s and The Monkey Stable’s archives it is a story as much about the characters as the cars and is a significant addition to the record of motor racing immediately after the end of the Second World War.
