Works Minis in international rallies and races

When Cecil Kimber began tuning and modifying Morris cars in the early ‘twenties, he little realised that these embryonic M.G. Cars would establish a name which, in the course of time, was to be¬come that of Britain’s best known sports-car. Mike Allison, a keen M.G. Enthu¬siast, very involved in the M.G. Car Club and at one time working at Abingdon, traces the history of M.G. Cars, with the use of around 400 photographs, from the early days of the Bullnose MG, 14/40, 18/80, 18/100, through the triple M cars (Midgets, Magna and Magnette models of the 1930’s), the pre war comfort models VA, SA and WA, and the immortal T series cars. Then he moves onto postwar production of the Y Types, ZA and ZB range, 1100, 1300 and finally the A, B, C model ranges. The achievements in competition do not go unrecorded, with a selection of illustrations showing cars in events, such as the pre war Mile Miglia, and record breaking cars such as EX181. Photographs of all the models and most of the specialist coach¬work show the interesting de¬velopment of a marque that has won the hearts of many a man.

Dudley Pike grew up with MGs: he, his father and two brothers all worked in the MG factory. This is the story of Dudley’s 45 years in the motor industry, from his apprenticeship at the MG works in Abingdon, progressing to the preparation of rally cars, moving on to the retail trade, and finally returning to the manufacturers.

Dudley enjoyed his life in the industry, and here he shares some of his experiences during his apprenticeship and within the Competitions Department of BMC/BL, giving the reader inside experience of what it was like preparing the cars for a very successful rally team.

Adapting to work in the retail trade, after the closure of the Competitions Department, Dudley maintains he was always in the right place at the right time, with one notable exception when he spent the night in jail.