Robert Charles SCEATS's Journal

Back in the mid '60's, a pal of mine had a white TR4 (Reg. 4601WK) and I loved it and that fired my enthusiasm for sports cars, an interest that has burned away continuously since. Me, all I could afford at that time was an 1955 Austin A30 (Reg. UCV224), but boy was it solid. A Hillman Imp once impaled itself on the back. The Imp was a wreck at the front but the Austin didn't even sustain a scratch ! The old Austin would go the length and breadth of the country without a hitch, but on short local trips it regularly went phut !
It wasn't until the mid '70's that I got my hands on a dark blue '66 Triumph Spitfire (Reg. LYL675D). Soft top, hard top, tonneau wide wire wheels shod with low profile Yokohamas and, overdrive. It had the lot. Trouble was, it only lasted 6 months before it blew it's head gasket and that was it. No money for repairs so the car went.
From then on I just dreamed of owning a TR but by the time I had the funds for my "dream", a decent TR6 was well beyond my reach. Mum passed away in January 2014, having made 100 years of age. She well knew of my passion and often said that when she goes, she would make my dream come true . And so, having dispensed with the TR idea, I searched for a decent MGB, but again, a good roadster was too much so it had to be a Midget. I located what on the face of it looked like a pretty good purchase..The car was in Penzance, Cornwall so I flew from Spain and completed the purchase (March 2014). However, having collected it and driven it back to Mum's house in Colchester, a pal's son - nothing short of an engineering wizard - took a look at it and it soon became abundantly clear that I had been extremely fortunate to make the journey without problems. I shan't even begin to list the faults.
So, in July 2014 the car was driven up to my pal's sons house in Suffolk where it currently resides and is now in the final throes of a wholesale total sort out. Graham (the wizard !) is going through the lot from top to bottom. On a visit in Nov. 2014 I had a drive, and wow did it go !!!

That's it for now, more to follow.

Off to the UK in 2 weeks to see all the magic that has been performed by my engineering wizard Graham since my last visit. Chatting the other night he commented that now he had virtually completed the surgery and respray of the left inner wing, that once I saw this, I would want him to "upgrade" the right inner as the area below the hydraulic pots was less than pretty.
Now seeing as Graham has done everything for his Dad's pal (me) out of his sheer generosity and pure enthusiasm, I said I would leave that decision to him. Knowing his exacting and perfectionist nature, I am willing to bet the" surgeons knife" will be in action again pretty soon.

Still to do on the cosmetic front :Fabricate stainless steel badge bar, install below front bumper and mount 4 badges. Modify ex MGB aluminium boot rack( supplied loose by the clown that sold me the car) and fit. Add enamel Union Flag badges to the bottom of both wings forward of the doors. Add wire mesh headlamp stone guards.

Next report after visit.

Report following a visit to my engineer on 7 Nov. 2015 -
After discovering the results of a serious attack on the inner front left-hand wing by the Greater Spotted Tinpecker (lat. Drillbillus Major), my wiz bang " fix-all "unpaid engineer showed me the results of his surgery. The problem had arisen through years of previous owners failing to sufficiently tighten the washer bottle filler cap and over 36 years, the water had been seeping between the wing welds, albeit at a cursory glance, the damage would not have been easily spotted.
This problem is now resolved - see photos - and together with the front valance, has all been re-sprayed. The good news is that the other inside wing is fine, and the area beneath the hydraulic pots - as referred to in my previous report - only needs a re-spray.
My engineer (Graham) and I had a good 2 hour chat during which time we reviewed progress and agreed another couple of enhancements, namely 1.change the original equipment air intake box for 2 pancake air filters as he felt that the existing arrangement did not allow for an even intake of air into both SU's. 2. Change the old screen wash bottle whilst although it does not leak, it's ancient and a bit brittle. 3. Retain the Hard Top which he will re-trim with new edge beading. This reflected a change of heart as earlier it was deemed to have little use in a warm climate. However, seeing as the car will be travelling through the UK in potentially inclement weather, coupled with the benefit of increased security whilst shipboard overnight, it was thought better to retain it. What he doesn't know yet is that I am going to ask him to repaint it as in it's current colour black, it does nothing to enhance the car. So, hopefully he can be persuaded to spray it either Russet Brown to match the bodywork, or white to give a sharp contrast. White may in fact be the better option in order to reflect the sun when visiting Spain.
Still to go is a) installation of the boot rack - subject to modification of the MGB unit supplied at the time of purchase. Also to have new hardwood slats.(b) Fabrication and mounting of the badge bar. (c) affixing the Union Flag enamel badges at the base of both wings forward of the doors. (d) Fitting the wire mesh headlamp stoneguards. (e) Uprating the headlamp efficiency - light output.
After all this, it will be time for the MoT (official technical inspection) and additionally, obtain an "Agreed Value" valuation certificate. When all this is done we will hit the road.
Originally it was planned to collect her late February 2016, but due to other advents on the horizon, this will be deferred until early April. At least the weather should be better for "her" first visit to Spain.
I may make another engineer visit in the meantime in which case I will post an update. I will however keep this journal updated.

Just caught up with "the Wizard" and had a lengthy chat on a number of issues including my proposed date to" repossess " my little gem. I will finally be - God willing - able to get behind the wheel again on Saturday 26 March 2016. Roll on the day !!!
Now, bearing in mind my somewhat limited technical knowledge, I shall be asking Graham to give me a comprehensive briefing on a whole raft of aspects such as where and when to make "under bonnet" adjustments, e.g the winter/summer heating switch, Kenlowe fan adjustment et al.
Seeing as - at my age - the "little grey cells are jumping ship at an alarming rate", I couldn't remember if the cigarette lighter was present or whether the ashtray (not that it will be used) needed tidying. A new lighter is there plus the ashtray has already been treated. Also, I was concerned as to whether the existing alternator was man enough for the job with the addition of twin fog & spots plus of course, the Kenlowe. It is !.
Asked if the Hard Top could be resprayed to improve appearance, Graham advised that this was not possible as it is of a fibre glass construction with a vinyl coating. However, it can be cleaned and treated with silicone shine which should considerably enhance its appearance.
Still to get are a pair of pancake air filters for the twin SU's, plus a new screen wash bottle and rubber anchoring strap which I gather are hard to obtain. But no doubt the wizard will produce an answer, being conscious of the need to retain as much originality as is possible. Finally, I have issues with the screen wipers as they just don't perform well enough so we agreed that it would probably be beneficial to change the wiper arm tension springs and, perhaps add blades with aerofoil attachments to load up pressure on the screen.
That's it for now. Will update as we progress.

Before I took her to Graham's (Arlette's saviour), following collection from Penzance, once I had her based at my mother's house in Colchester, it wasn't long before I noticed fuel dripping from the tank. So, referring to the MG Owners Club recommended MG engineers I checked her in with Roger Chapman at Maldon Road Garage, Colchester.
At my request, he obtained a new corrosion resistant tank from MGOC, fitted this and at the same time I treated her to a new set of number plates to replace the existing scruffy examples in order to spruce her up a bit. . This little exercise proved to be just the start of a major re-vamp, details of which are recorded in earlier postings. When Graham got hold of her, the action started for real !

Inside 2 weeks before I go to collect "Arlette" after a 20 month total sort out. I go on 25th March and on the 26th, take to the road for the first time since November 2014. You can imagine I'm more than a little pumped up at the prospect right now.
She just needs her MoT (technical inspection), after which the pancake air filters will be added, and to have the boot rack and badge bar fitted.. Then finally it's take her off SORN (Statutory Off Road Notice), pay the UK road tax, fire her up, select gear, release the handbrake, and hit the throttle !