Rear brake backplate comparison

On the left In pictures 1 and 2 below - early Sprite and Midget (948 engine and front drum brakes) with sliding single piston single wheel cylinder (7/8 inch diameter piston bore); middle is the later 1098cc and 1275cc engined Sprite and Midget (had front disc brakes) with a single wheel cylinder with twin pistons (3/4 inch diameter) which is fixed, not sliding, and on the right is the Wolseley 8 inch.

Note do not have a picture of the 1500 engined MG Midget rear brake backplates for comparison and whether these differ from 1098/1275 backplates (may be difference on location of wheel cylinder mounting pin hole?).

First picture below shows the rear of the rear backplates and the second picture below shows the front of the rear backplates.

                                                                       Picture 1

Picture 2

 

Picture 3

Picture 3 above - comparison between early and later backplates and wheel cylinders - upper pair of backplates are early Sprite/Midget: note the sliding wheel cylinder is a Morris 1000 of 3/4 inch bore, rather than the 7/8 inch bore rear wheel cylinders for MkI & II Sprites that have front drum brakes (my 1961 AH Sprite MkII has front disc brake conversion). Lower pair of backplates are later Midget and Sprite with single twin piston wheel cylinder.

Historic Monte Carlo Rally start in Paisley, Scotland

I went to one of the start points for the 2018 Historic Monte Carlo Rally in Paisley, Scotland last night (31 Jan) 

Great fun - the attached picture sums it up 

Picture is of a 1934 Lagonda M45 Tourer crewed by James Mann and Tracey Miklaucich, car in same family since new and first rallied on the RAC in 1934 and first Monte Carlo rally in 1936 and rallied off and on ever since!. 

There were also other cars from the 1930s to 1970s, such as Triumph Herald, Ford Popular, Mini Cooper, MGB, SAAB V4, MG TC. No Midgets or Sprites this year from this start point. 

Austin Seven specials #2

Austin Seven specials - Bo'Ness Hillclimb Revival, September 2015

MG Midget race preparation - 30 years ago

The wonderful MG Midget Challenge is still going strong as a race series in the UK, with various classes depending on modifications. Recently it has joined with the Austin Healey Sprite Series (see: www.mgmidgetchallenge.co.uk).

Anyway, here is some info on race preparation from 30 years ago for the least modified class of this race series. Extracts from the much missed CCC (Cars & Car Conversions) Magazine, with the staff writer and racer Art Markus who built and raced a car in the MG Challenge and wrote about it at the time. Some of the parts prices and permitted modifiations and commonly used parts make for interesting reading (e.g. 4.5 inch wide Rostyle wheels commonly used and 5 inch rims not allowed).

Part 1 - The shell (Dec 1985, 3 pages)

Part 2 - brakes & suspension (Jan 1986, 3 pages)

Part 3 - Engine (Feb 1986, 4 pages)

Midas Bronze hillclimb car

Here's my picture of a Midas Bronze hillclimb car, owned and raced I think by Stuart Skeldon (update 2019, surname I think is Skeldon not 'Wooler' as previously posted). Taken at Doune hillclimb, Stirlingshire, Scotland in the mid 1990s at a September British Hillclimb meeting (the car competed in the Scottish championship).

Note the removable front panel - a development, as earlier it had competed with a standard complete body. The car is a GRP monocoque, using an A Series engine and gearbox, front wheel drive and transverse engined.

The car was towed by a matching coloured Maestro van.

Anyone know where the car is now?

Austin 7 special pictures

Some pictures of racing Austin 7 specials. Taken by me at Mallory Park race circuit, Leicestershire, late 1980s (or maybe 1991 or 1992) at a 750 Motor Club race meeting. This was the days of Austin Sevens having their own race series, before becoming a 750 Trophy (not full championship) and amalgamation with similar cars (e.g. Ford 1172 specials). Happy days!

Picture captions updated Feb 2022 with driver’s names. Many thanks to Alan Fairless and Steve Jones for the info, via AustinSevenFriends Forum. Apparently car 31, No5 and 38 are still around, the latter still with the same owner (Alan Fairless). Simplicity is also still around.

No31 - an Ulster replica (Reg Nice's car).

An Austin 7 special, raced by Charlie Marriott

Another Austin 7 special, raced by Andrew Spence

Austin 7 specials ready to go home. The first two look like close to Ulster replicas, 

but with taller radiator shells? No23 looks a lower slung Ulster replica

No5 raced by John Skeavington, No38 by Alan Fairless and red car behind No38 by Jean Rees. Alan Fairless still owns this red car (No38).

Race action - poor pictures! I think the car with the low red cowl is maybe that of Nigel Cowley (built by his father?)

'Simplicity' Austin Seven special (built by Jack French 1949 onwards), seen at 750 Motor Club's 60th Anniversary, Silverstone, July 1999. 

Wiring - slow progress

Been rewiring the car. Slow progress as little time available. Should complete rewire by end Sept, and then start the car again! Getting closer to back on the road.

Meanwhile been looking out old car pictures.