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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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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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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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 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 -
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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MG Midget – Not in that Car
Not in that Car is the story of an Englishman who drove a 32-year old MG Midget car around the world, alone.
Roy Locock travels across Europe and down to Southern India before circumnavigating Australia and following the Pan-American Highway from Argentina to Canada. Dismissing a Taliban attack as “not being personal”, he explains the intricacies of fording through Australia’s worst floods for 30 years and is badly shaken by an earthquake in Panama City.
A highly recommended, readable account of an epic journey that will appeal to travellers and petrol heads alike.
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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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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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MGF
2nd Hand book, condition excellent, first published 2000
This volume is the first in the Haynes series on modern sports cars and should appeal to lifestyle customers as well as traditional MG enthusiasts. It covers the MG heritage through to the RV8, the evolution of the MGF, its launch in 1995, mainstream developments, competition performances, record breaking with the EX253 and EX255, the EX254 Super SPorts concept car, and the future of the MGF. Customizing and tuning is also covered, plus information on performance and road tests.
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MGF and TF by Tim Morris
Launched in 1995, the MGF marked the rebirth of the classic British MG two-seater sports car. In this book, MGF enthusiast Tim Morris tells the full inside story of the development of the MGF and TF against the background of the seismic changes that were taking place in the British car industry. After the demise of the bestselling MGB and the closure of the Abingdon factory in 1980, it seemed as if the classic MG sports car had come to an end. An upgraded version of the MGB, the RV8, was introduced in the 1990s, but meanwhile designers and engineers were busy with an all-new car, which was unveiled in 1995. Developed under British Aerospace and launched under BMW ownership of the Rover Group, the MGF came under MG-Rover ownership after BMW divided the company in 2000. At this time the TF was developed and produced until the company went into administration in 2005. Here design features such as the mid-engine format and Hydragas suspension system are described, as well as the various model changes and re-designs and how the car fared against strong competition from cars such as the Mazda MX5.
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Farina MG and Riley Saloons
Based on the BMC Morris Oxford body, the Farina and Riley MG saloons were successors to the successful MG Magnette ZA and ZB. Introduced in November 1958, the MKIII was a combination of different parts, including engine, gearbox and rear axle borrowed from the ZB model and based on an A55 floor pan. The standard cars were produced as four separate models: the Austin A55 MkII, Morris Oxford Series 5, Wolseley 15/60 and Riley 4. The cars were updated in January 1961. The MG Magnette Mk3 and Mk4, and the Riley 4/68 and 4/72 were the up-market versions.
In this fascinating book, MG expert Neil Cairns tells the full story of these rare cars that caused controversy when they were launched due to accusations of badge engineering. However, they proved in many ways to be ahead of their time, as badge-engineered cars became the norm. Although the Riley and Farina MG saloons were criticised for not having the performance and taut handling of the previous MG Magnette model, they form an important part of the history of MG as well as that of Morris, Austin and Riley.
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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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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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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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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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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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AutoArchitect
This second edition of Gerald Palmer’s autobiography is published five years after his death in 1999 and Christopher Balfour, who collaborated with Gerald on the first edition, has taken the opportunity to review the impact this talented car designer had on the motor industry and to include some photographs that were not used in the first book
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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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Mr. MG
A biography for Mr. MG himself – John Thornley.
