Mascots at British Car Festival

The pride of ownership of classic cars is often shown in the accessories intended to personalize those cars- to set them off from similar vehicles. At car shows, stuffed animals and other plush toys are common. We've all seen the pouting toddler doll that is mostly popular with the cruiser set. Thankfully they are rare in our corner of the hobby.

I took a few moments to take a few photos of some of the examples of mascots at British Car Festival 2014. Is yours here?

A Jaguar Napping in a Jaguar Engine Bay

A Very Happy Bulldog in a MINI Engine Engine Bay

A Tiger With a Tail

A Litter of Tiger Cubs in a Tiger

A Brit Bear - OK, It's Mine...

 

Does Your Car "Talk" to You?

Oil Those Hinges

If you've never seen an MGB or MGC door hinge you might be surprised at the robust nature of it. While replacements are readily available (through Moss Motors, for example) it's not something that you would enjoy replacing especially if it failed due to a lack of lubrication. Lubricating the MGB/MGC door hinges is a simple task, made so by the clever engineers at MG. 

Open your car's door and look at the top of the hinge strap that bolts into the door itself. You'll see the word "OIL" cast into the hinge and a trough that leads into the part of the hinge you can't see deep in the body support. This trough is where you add a few drops of light oil. The oil follows this trough to the pivoting mechanism, keeping it squeak (and seizure) free. 

Door hinge lubrication can be scheduled at the same time you do an oil change and chassis lube.

A Movement to Ban Jaguar E-Types

A mothers movement has been established to remove the classic Jaguar E-Type from the nation's highways because it resembles a phallus. Wendy Bouffant, 41 of Dallas, Texas is a mother of three teenage daughters who was horrified to see what she calls, "a shocking resemblance between that car and the male sexual organ." 

Wendy Bouffant

Ms. Bouffant's crusade began last year on April 1 when she and her daughters happened upon a group of Jaguars parked outside a high-end restaurant in downtown Dallas. "We stopped on the way in to admire these old cars - they were all parked right at the front door - when my oldest daughter, Kaylee- she's 17, saw a long sports car and mentioned how much she liked its looks. I looked over at the car she was talking about and saw her running her finger down the fender of it and I was just dumbstruck," she said. "I was almost screaming at her to get away from it and don't touch things like that."

Ms. Bouffant's cries were overheard by the maitre d' who rushed outside to offer his assistance. Upon hearing of the cause for her distress, he explained that these cars were owned by some of his most loyal customers and, having known them for many years, could vouch for their impeccable taste and community standing. Thoroughly nonplussed, Ms. Bouffant gathered up her daughters and left the parking lot, shielding her 13 year-old's eyes from the sight of the sports car that upset her sense of propriety.

"When I got home, I started searching the Internet to see exactly what that horrible car was. I found out that it was called an XKE." 

A Jaguar E-Type, Being Touched

The more Ms. Bouffant researched the Jaguar, the more convinced she became that it was menace to the young women of America. "I knew instantly," she said snapping her fingers," that its first initial being an 'X' it had to be something smutty. I saw pictures of that car with young women just draped all over it. Let me tell you, it does not belong out in public. It's pornographic."

With the counsel and encouragement of her pastor, the Reverend Will B. Dunn of the Congregation on the Edge in Dallas, Ms. Bouffant is organizing Texans United to Remove Disgusting Sportscars. Its mission is to ban the iconic E-Type from the highways of the state of Texas, "and hopefully, the rest of America, too," Ms. Bouffant adds. 

A core group of TURDS is bringing the issue to the attention of Texas state politicians via phone calls and face to face visits with state representatives and the governor. Ms. Bouffant stated that aides to Governor Rick Perry "listened closely and offered support for her fledgling organization. They told me that they have been investigating the possible connection of these disgusting cars to Obama's liberal agenda".

A rally on the statehouse steps drew tens of people to hear about this threat to the minds of Texas' young women. Ms. Bouffant stated that afterwards she was approached by several "like-minded, right-thinking people," for assistance in starting a chapter of TURDS in their hometowns.   

When contacted by this writer for a reaction to this story, a Jaguar Land Rover North America spokesman said, "Go away."

British Motor Corporation's US Offerings - 1964

Whenever you look at automobile pricing from years past, it is striking to see how low prices were "back in the day".  Granted, income was also comparatively low but how do the prices of yesterday look when adjusted to today's dollar?

Let's take a look at the suggested retail price list for British Motor Corporation's products sold in the USA for the 1964 model year. We've got the MGB Roadster (the MGB/GT was still a year away), the MG Midget and its close cousin the Austin-Healey Sprite. The Austin-Healey 3000 topped the range out. 

The image can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Let's take a look at the prices from 1964 adjusted to 2013 dollars:

• MGB -on disc wheels $19,937.00
• MGB -on wire wheels $20,687.00

• MG Midget Mk II- $15,714.00

• Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III $27,266.00

• Austin-Healey Sprite Mk III $14,439.00

 The modern sports car priced closest to the ones listed above would be Mazda's MX5 Miata. The 2013 MX5 base price is around $23,000.00 and can be optioned up to over $30,000.00. If you're looking for something comparable the Midget/Sprite twins of 1964 in today's market, you'll be looking at a Smart ForTwo ($18K+) or a Fiat 500 C ($20K+). Neither the Smart or the Fiat catch spirit of basic, fun driving the same way that the Spridget twins did.

What 1964's new car buyer couldn't begin to imagine, however is the array of technology packed into modern cars, either by government mandate or competitive pressure. 

Taking a look at optional equipment, we can see that a heater was a fairly expensive option, but still cheaper than a factory hardtop for the MGB, anyway. Again, in 2013 dollars.

MGB:

• Heater - $487.00
• Folding (vs. packaway) hood - $225.00
• Whitewall tires - $262.00
• Dunlop Roadspeed tires - $262.00
• Tonneau cover - $300.00
• Hardtop - $1,687.00
• Overdrive - $1,350.00
• Anti roll (sway) bar - $60.00

MG Midget:

• Heater - $450.00
• Tonneau cover - $262.00
• Dunlop Roadspeed tires - $262.00
• Whitewall tires - $262.00

Austin-Healey 3000:

• Tonneau cover - $337.00
• Whitewall tires - $262.00

Austin-Healey Sprite:

• Heater - $450.00
• Tonneau cover - $262.00
• Dunlop Roadspeed tires - $262.00
• Whitewall tires - $262.00

As can be seen from the option list, it would have been fairly easy to option an MGB up to near Big Healey price territory but it would have been a loaded MGB, indeed.

It is also interesting to note that a tonneau cover for a 1964 MGB can be purchased new from Moss Motors for around the same money as the adjusted-for-inflation 1964 price.

So, how have values held up over the years for these special cars? Very nice MGBs and even less than perfect Austin-Healey 3000s could easily bring their inflation adjusted prices. Check out Hemmings Motor News, Hagerty's price guide or one of the dozens of automobile auctions that are televised each year for proof.

Midgets and Sprites from 1964? Well, they have their following, too and while it would not be impossible to find a nice Spridget advertised in the mid-teens, it would be a very nice one.    

This Kit Will Be a Hit

In a press release dated April 1, Chrome 2 Black, Ltd announced that they are releasing a new and eagerly-anticipated kit to convert unsightly chrome bumper MGBs to the more recent and distinctive "rubber" bumper specification.

This Could Be on Your MGB

Chrome 2 Black spokesman Mickey Taken said "We have heard the demand from chrome bumper MGB owners and we've developed the new C2B-MGB kit of parts to easily convert their cars over to the look of the newer black bumper models. The kit will allow a competent home mechanic to perform the conversion over a week-end".

According to the press release, the kit will include taller springs, additional bumper mounting brackets, turn signal conversion wiring, black mesh grille along with the stylish black bumpers.
 
The press release went on to say that chrome bumper MGB owners could expect many benefits by converting, some of which include:

• Increased ride height, better to see and be seen
• Less chrome to polish - a bit of Armorall and you're ready for the concours class
• Cornering will be more fun with greater body roll
• The rear bumper is a convenient seat at car shows and cruise-ins

Spokesman Taken said that the firm expects to be in full production for deliveries commencing in approximately 12 months. He also mentioned that Chrome 2 Black, Ltd is considering a rubber bumper conversion kit for early MG Midgets. "We expect strong demand from Mark II Austin Healey Sprite owners, too. After all, they were completely left out of the black bumper era".
 

A New Year - A New Venture

I hope your holiday season was one of the best ever. Here at Positive Earth, we've taken a bit of a breather to enjoy the season along with family and friends. Hopefully, you'll be seeing more on this humble blog in the near future.

After a couple of  years of discussion, planning and market research Richard Cunningham and I threw it all out a window and decided to hang out a shingle for a new classic car service business. Classic Motorcar Services is our effort to support the classic British car hobby along our section of the Gulf Coast. We are offering maintenance and repair along with light renovation services for classic British cars.

The business is based in Richard's spacious garage in Daphne, Alabama. Over the years Richard has developed a fine garage with professional quality tools and equipment. It has been the site for several South Alabama British Car Club events, including tech sessions, ice cream socials and movie nights, so it will be familiar to club members 

Classic Motorcar Services has already booked several projects, some of which are a front suspension rebuild on a Jaguar XJS, an engine rebuild on a 1500 MG Midget and some light maintenance on a very original MGB. We are also in the disassembly  process of a 1974 Triumph TR6 (with overdrive!) that we are restoring to sell on eventually.

CMS was conceived to support the several highly-regarded classic car service providers in our area. Their busy schedules may not always allow them to respond as quickly as they would like to, or our location may be more convenient. In any case, we know the needs of classic British car owners and we are here to make their car ownership more pleasant and rewarding.

We do not yet have a web site up for the business but we do have a presence on Facebook. Simply search for Classic Motorcar Services. You can also reach us by phone at 251-281-8088.  

Merry Christmas from Positive Earth!

Courtesy Dennis Racine

Thank you for visiting this humble blog over the years and I wish you most joyous of holiday seasons.

Happy Thanksgiving from Positive Earth

This week, Americans come together to enjoy the company of family and friends over a special meal prepared for the day. It is a time to reflect on the many things for which we have to be thankful and most of us do indeed have much.

Thank you for your visit to this humble blog and my I wish you a happy thanksgiving wherever in the world you may be.

Going Topless

A large number of classic British cars on the road today are open cars. Call them roadsters, drophead coupes, tourers or convertibles, open cars offer joys behind the wheel that closed cars simply cannot.

Courtesy Hellahulla 

While there isn’t a thing wrong with closed British classics (I do own a tintop Mini, after all), the open cars are the ones that Americans remember most from the so-called golden age of the British motor industry. Heck, America took more British car exports than any nation on earth and a large number of them were ragtops.

Here on the central Gulf Coast of the USA, we can drive our classics year-round without too much inconvenience from the weather, but the prime driving times of year are March through early May and mid-September through mid-November. We get a lot of sunny days in the summer, but temperatures in the ninety-degree Fahrenheit range and humidity percentages to match make a top down drive a sweaty experience.

Next time you drive your open top car, spare a thought for those around you in their sealed cocoons. They’ve probably never noticed that roadside flowers add a distinctive fragrance to the air or that crossing a bridge over a creek or river brings a noticeable drop in temperature. The distinctive sound of a tuned British four or six cylinder engine is enjoyed all the more when the exhaust note is played for your pleasure with no windows or roof to stifle it.

I need to drive the MGB now.

Quick and Easy

While chasing down a dim headlight issue in the MGB, I was reminded by ace British car restorer and top wrench Mike Darby that auto electricity likes clean connections. Be they grounding points, bullet connectors or light bulb holders, a clean connection is a bright one.

The dim light problem was greatly improved with a thorough cleaning of all the connections from the fuse block to the headlights themselves. The 'B's headlights are still not blazing - especially by modern standards - I can see and be seen much better now. 

One tip I've read about over the years is to make sure the fuse clips in the fuse block are clean, too. Rolling a piece of emery cloth helped but a walk down a random aisle in the local big box discounter brought me to the gun cleaning tools. On the peg were several brass bristle brushes used to clean the bore of various firearms. I picked up one that looked like a good fit for the fuse clip and paid my $4.00. 

It works perfectly. I even put the brush in a cordless drill and found enough maneuvering room to automate the clip cleaning process. And with only four fuses, the process didn't take long at all.    

Of Holes and Hinges

The photo at left is of the indexing holes found in MGB bonnet hinges. These holes were drilled as the bonnets were removed from bodyshells delivered to the Abingdon MG factory by Pressed Steel Fisher. Since aligning the bonnet on re-installation can be a time consuming process (ask me, I know) indexing holes served to make the job much faster at the end of the assembly line.

The bonnets were taken off to make the installation of engine bay components easier and reduce the risk of damage to the painted surfaces. Once the point on the line was reached that no further engine bay access was required, the bonnets were fitted back on the hinges and punches were slipped into the holes to insure a perfect alignment. 

If your MGB has these holes it is likely that your car still has the original hinges and bonnet. Or a previous owner put them there for the same reasons noted above. If your MGB does not have these indexing holes it might be a good thing to do before you have to remove the bonnet at some point (*cough* new clutch *cough*).

A New Look

Its been a while since the furniture was rearranged here at Positive Earth so a little updating might be in order. This is a more dynamic view with side bars jumping out at you and clicking on a post to read it entirely. This allows more posts to be seen on a single page so you, the reader, will hopefully be able to find what you're looking for quickly. 

Let me know what you think and thanks for looking in.

Well, that didn't take long. The feedback via email indicated that the "dynamic" page was slow to load and took more effort to read. We're all about making it easy here so, goodbye dynamic - hello static.  RMcD

The Bunny and the Tiger

Jo Collins with Her Sunbeam Tiger

Way back in 1965 Playboy was the leading men's lifestyle magazine with advice on everything from fashion to cars to, yes, sex. Major cities around the world boasted Playboy Clubs where members with a club "key" were welcomed by satin-clad young things sporting cotton tails and rabbit ears. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner was instantly recognizable by his robe and pajamas and ever present pipe.

But the best known aspect of the Playboy empire was the monthly Playmate. These young ladies,  wearing not much more than a smile,  were the focus of a photo spread that included the legendary foldout that exposed the subject's charms over three pages. Every year one of the 12 Playmates was chosen to be the Playmate of the Year which meant that the lucky young lass won a package of high end gifts, likely provided by the magazine's advertisers in exchange for an editorial mention and a photo of their product with the winner (fully clothed, of course).

But back to 1965. That year's Playmate of the Year was one Jo Collins and she was awarded a Sunbeam Tiger. A pink Sunbeam Tiger. The Playmate of the Year cars remained pink until 1977 when the tradition was broken with a white Dodge Charger.

Fast forward to 1980 and the winner, August's Dorothy Stratten, was presented a red Jaguar XJS. Dorothy Stratten wouldn't be the only XJS driver as 1984's Playmate of the Year, Barbara Edwards, received one as well.

Jaguars were again presented in 1986 (an XJ6 to Kathy Shower) and in 1993 (still another XJS) to none other than Anna Nicole Smith.

Try as I might, I couldn't find where an MGB - pink or otherwise - was awarded to a Playmate.

Bummer.

If Cost Equals Quality - These Folks Have it

The fleet at the McDonald garage get a bathing on a pretty regular basis. Insects, road dirt and the occasional bird poo get cleaned off by the backyard hose and whatever auto "shampoo" that I have laying the around the house at the time. Most of the British car shows that I attend are pretty generous with car wash supplies as door prizes or goody bag stuffers. I am indeed grateful for them.

Courtesy, Swissvax

For those of significant means, there are vendors quite happy to assist them in getting the very best car care supplies for their eleventy-bazillion dollar rides. One of them is Swissvax. 

Swissvax advertises in a number of publications that I regularly browse and I've never really read their ads in depth for the reasons outlined above. Lately, I have and they are not shy about quoting prices for their products. The one that caught my eye is their Swissvax Crystal Rock product. It's available in the US of A from their American importer for $1,499.00. 

Yep, you read it right. In their defense, Swissvax says that the product contains "over 76% Vol. of pure ivory coloured Grade one Carnauba wax from Northern Brazil". That must be a good thing - I can't even remember which British car show awarded me the gallon of wash shampoo that I've been using for the last few years. 

Swissvax also carries several other wax products at comparatively reasonable costs - still too dear for my drivers, though. 

One intriguing offer on the US web site is an extensive car care guide. I'm not sure that I'll be requesting one but if you do, let me know. 

 Happy waxing! 

A Little Bit of Dixie in Italy

This photo appeared in the 'PS' section of Road & Track magazine in the early '70s. The car is the iconic Porsche 917 sporting an Alabama license plate. It seems that the owner, reputed to be Count Rossi of Martini & Rossi fame, bought a 917 and set it up for road use. The story goes that no European country would permit the car to be road registered so he had the car licensed in Alabama. I suppose that it passed muster with the Italian authorities since it was photographed on an Italian highway.

The '70s porn star mustaches and aviator sunglasses make the cramped accommodations of the Porsche look even more amusing.    

Appropriately enough, the county code on the plate is from Talladega county, Alabama.  

The Cure for Wimpy Shifting

MGBs are known for their delightful "snick-snick" gear shifting characteristics. The short gear lever placed perfectly for wrist-rocking gear changes is one most endearing - and satisfying- aspects of driving it. The action has been likened to a rifle bolt and I can't say that I disagree with that description.

Photo courtesy, Ed Sweeney

Some high mileage 'Bs exhibit a less than perfect shift action with the gear lever feeling loose and rattling or buzzing while driving the car. Fear not, 'B driver, the fix is not internal to the gearbox and can be performed in a matter of minutes while comfortably seated in the car. 

The usual suspect in cases like this is small nylon bushing that cradles the ball on bottom of the shift lever and prevents the lever from rattling in the remote shaft socket. The bushing (sometimes called an anti-rattle bushing) can be found in the Moss Motors online catalog as part number 461-110 BUSH, SHIFT LEVER and as illustration item 114 on this page. 

To access the bushing, simply remove the trim ring that holds the shift boot or gaiter in place. You'll see a flange (officially the lever seat cover) with three bolt heads. Remove the bolts and pull up the gear lever. Shining a light in the newly-open hole, you'll find the remains of a nylon bushing (mine was off-white in color). It can fished out with a small screwdriver, hooked probe or bent wire. Place the new bushing in the same receptacle and reassemble in the reverse procedure to disassembly. In all a cheap and easy fix.

The result is a much tighter shift action and any vibration induced buzzing of the lever will be eliminated. Just the way the boys on the line in Abingdon intended.      

British Car Week 2012

Since 1997 British Car Week has been the way to for enthusiasts to bring the public's attention to our hobby and to let them know that the cars they loved many years ago are alive and well and in good hands. The genesis of British Car Week came from an article written in Road and Track by Peter Egan in which he laments the fact that he saw few classic British cars on the road. 

The first BCW was organized by word of mouth and something called an "internet bulletin board" and an "email list". Today, the organization has a top notch web site and literally dozens of clubs that participate to varying degrees. The folks that run BCW encourage all British car owners to drive their UK-built machines at least one day during the week. Even better is an organized drive where a group of cars can be seen together that will bring attention to the hobby. 

This year's British Car Week is May 26th through June 3rd. I hope you will be able to show off your British pride and joy. I know I'm looking forward to it. 

Scaring Away the Next Generation

Are we, as owners of classic cars, alienating the next generation of automotive enthusiasts? It may just be possible that we are.

Classic car shows and informal cruise-ins are perfect family outings. They are usually free of charge, conducted in a pleasant setting and give young people an opportunity to see the cars that their parents and grandparents owned or perhaps lusted for. Teens may find that an older car suits their image of being unique among their peers and younger children enjoy a "making memories" outing.

Like the wide variety of cars to see in a show, classic car owners also come in a similar range of tastes and ideas as to what they want from the old car hobby. Many owners have lavished impressive sums in restoration and maintenance and show stunningly perfect cars. Other owners invest just as much pride, but maybe fewer greenbacks on their driver quality rides. And in between lies the vast majority of automotive enthusiasts.

My cars are in the driver quality end of the spectrum. While I haven't invested tons of money in them, they have some real value (they are insured against loss) and I do the best I can to maintain them in a safe and presentable condition. They are special to me but they aren't precious.

That's why I find it easy to engage young people  - especially pre-teens - and let them know it's OK to look closer and invite them to take the driver's seat (with the parent's permission) so they can get an idea of what lies within. The classic Mini is an absolute magnet for kids that are five or six years old. I can't begin to count how many young people have had their photo made behind the wheel of the little car. Their smiles are more than fair compensation for a couple of fingerprints or wrinkled floor mat. Of course, I understand that this isn't for every classic owner and I will let kids know that they won't be able to do the same with all the cars at the event.

All children need to be taught respect for the property of others and I've found that families who attend these shows normally keep their kids in control. Parents usually caution little ones to not touch and keep some distance from the cars. It is a rare circumstance when I have to intervene. But some kids are exposed to some not-so-patient owners who, in the name of protecting their car, could make the show event a bitter memory for a child.

One incident at a British car show I attended some years ago had an owner of an MGB GT literally screaming at a four year old that had the audacity to rest his elbows on the windowsill while he admired the inside of the car. The boy's father was a half step away from the lad, reaching out to remove him when the harpy screech was loosed upon the crowd. Not surprisingly, the family left immediately and a few other visitors followed looking over their shoulders at the woman who was furiously rubbing away two elbow prints from her maroon paint. That was probably the last car show that family ever attended.

"Good riddance," some may say and maybe they are correct. But when they are through carrying their perfect car in a velvet-lined trailer, they or their heirs may wish to sell it on. Will those targets of car show venom want to take up the hobby? Probably not. 

What can we do to engage these future classic car owners? If you are concerned about fingerprints on your paint you can always bring stands and rope to secure your area. If that is a bit much, then stay near your car and try to scope out the ones that may not quite understand the whole distance thing. Be open and engaging and chat with those who took the time to come to the event and bring a family. The positive impact of calm conversation and a gentle "Look but don't touch,"  reminder just might win your special car some new - and younger - fans.             

Gimme, Gimme Good Lovin'

In every hobby there are objects of interest that may be deemed more desirable than other similar ones. In the British car hobby, we've got a few instances of certain series of car models not held in as high esteem as other (usually earlier) series of the same line. Thankfully, the South Alabama British Car Club is a pretty inclusive bunch so we don't hear disparaging remarks about the cars that follow below.

Jaguar E-Type 2+2

Jaguar E-Type 2+2. Prices confirm that the 2+2 is not collectors first choice in E-Types. While the 2+2 filled a niche that Jaguar wished to exploit in the '60s, it was the final incarnation of the fixed roof body style at the end of production. Some enthusiasts claim that the roofline and windshield are too high for the rest of the body giving it a less graceful look than the original coupe fixed roof model. I believe that had the 2+2 had been rolled out in 1961 instead of the coupe, it would have been just as big a sensation in the automotive world. But it wasn't. And, sadly, it isn't.

Your Blogger's Faithful MGB

"Rubber" Bumper MGB. Being a member of the black bumper MGB owner's guild, I've heard all sorts of comments about the raised ride height and heavy bumpers of the '74.5 through '80 MGB and MGB-GT. True, the 'B lost some of its nimbleness in the transition and they do look a bit like they are on stilts, but they are a big part of MG history. With new US safety regulations in the works and a starvation budget on which to meet them, the people at MG did the best they could to keep this sports car on sale here.

Mini Clubman - The Original

Mini Clubman. No, not the current station wagon thingy that MINI is offering but the square nosed two door produced in the '70s and not generally seen on these shores. BMC snagged some Ford of Britain stylists and gave them a brief to "update" the look of the standard Mini. They responded with the Clubman. Looking somewhat like a Ford Cortina from the front, the Clubman offered wind-up windows and an instrument binnacle placed in front of the driver instead the center of the fascia. The Clubman was available in hot 1275 GT form, but only dyed-in-the-wool Mini enthusiasts are in the know about that one in the States. The Clubman boasts more under bonnet space meaning that the grill does not have to be removed to change the oil filter.

MG Midget 1500

MG Midget 1500. The poor "rubber" bumper Midget doesn't get a lot of love and that's a shame. The run-out Midgets are probably the least expensive entry into the British car hobby and they repay every kindness shown them. Again, the MG designers were hard pressed to keep the littlest MG on sale in America and they followed the same recipe that they did for the MGB: black bumpers and raised ride height. But, unlike the MGB soldering on with its 1800cc engine, the Midget went from a 1275cc A-series to the 1500cc lump found in the Spitfire. The extra power helped keep performance respectable for the time. While serious restoration of a late Midget is probably uneconomical, the fun factor in running a less than perfect example can be huge.

Do you know of a model loved less than its brethren? Drop me note in the comments section.