Wilsons Sandbox

Well as it's quiet I have some news of my own. Some 4 years ago I bought my 1937 TA 'DOX 4' After completing! (do we ever complete??) the rebuild on it, started by its former owner, the car was on the road for its first run out on New Years Day 2000, Millenium Day!. We went on 'The Chilly Willy Run', well its cold over here in the UK at new year. Shortly after that after giving my son a lift to a friends house and bereaking a half shaft on the way back, another rebuild of rear axle started. I hadn't rebuilt first time. Roger Furneaux another lister helping me with the diff. As I hadn't done the engine myself either I looked at that as well. It all came out, in the end the engine a proper MPJG, new pistons, crank built up with weld and reground to original journal dimensions, crack tested and balanced with the clutch, new white metal bearings, THE LOT!. Consequently not a lot got done last year run wise.. This year my wife, Lynda, and I were keen to do the MGCC Midland Centre Welshe Rally. Her Father had done the Welshe Rallye in 1951 when the same centre first started running them after WW2. Success, the car was ready and on May 12th we started from MG Rovers car plant at Longbridge just outside Birmingham UK. I don't know how but we ended up with Number 1 on our rally plaque, plaques sponsored by MG Rover Cars. Also on the run were two other TA's. The three cars were the oldest on the rally, mine just pipped the other two for oldest car. One of the other TA's on the rally is owned by Lech Zakrewski, another lister, who this year is now the Chairman of the MGCC Midland Centre. His TA is immaculate and very original in specification. He's also got in his MPJG engine,something I am jealous of, in the shape of an original counterbalanced laystall crankshaft. Now when I win the lottery I might get one made!!. The rally started and continued throughout the weeekend in absolutely glorious weather. My inlaws were there to see us off. Incidentally they went on their Honeymoon in 1950 in their TA , they toured France , Switzerland and Italy. Spent all their money and the rest of their family thought they were mad!! 160 miles later by way of (sorry to those of you who don't know the areas) Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Ombersley, Great Witley, Martley (close to Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb 100 years old this year) close to Bromyard, Bosbury,Ledbury, Much Marcle (Great Cider here),Ross on Wye,Speech House Hotel in the Forest of Dean for Lunch and then out via Monmouth, the back road to Abergavenny,past the Sugarloaf Mountain to Crickhowell,long climb to Talgarth,then the final run in along loop round to the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells. Couple of pints went down really quickly on arrival!! (Lager that is not oil!!) The TA had run a dream, by lunchtime we had gone further in one run than we had ever done before. Little or no oil used only problem is a minor drip of water from the water pump. Party in the evening, met someone I hadn't seen in 28 years. The following morning my wife and I were up early, had breakfast as soon as we could and decided to go up into the Elan Valley to see the reservoirs where Birmingham's (UK) water comes from. Weather again absolutely perfect, very few people around,photos should be great!. Roads to Rhayader from Llandrindod Wells perfect! well surfaced, EMPTY!! I have have to say some of the best driving we have ever had in the TA. Back to Builth Wells for a Treasure Hunt, bit late really as we get couldn't get our 'eye' in. Back to the hotel for lunch and 'Prize's' As we headed home just outside Bromyard the sky darkened. "Shall we put the hood up" my wife said. "Not yet I replied" Within a few minutes a quick blast of rain. We shot into the nearest layby, rapidly followed by an MGF. Just got the hood up and the heavens opened. The rain did nothing to detract from a terrific weekend. The Rally was extemely well organised and nothing appeared to go wrong. I am sure there was the odd problem but the sign of any well organised event is when you don't see the problems!! For those of you who know him, Rick Howson and everyone who helped him (from the quarry!) deserve a great deal of thanks and praise, especially from Lynda and I on our first (of many we hope) Welshe Rallyes'. Happy MG'ing Roger Muir Bromsgrove UK