Mike,
Last September, at the GOF in Rochester, I had some very strong feelings
along those lines. There were an awful lot of 'trailer queens' present. Let
them have their own classes.
I drove my 52 TD (with MGA 4.3 gearing) about 500 miles, thru the rain, to
get to the GOF. There's no way I'd even think of competing for aesthetics
against these other cars. I'd rather see classes for 'drivers' where period
accessories (e.g., turn signals) are totally acceptable. Modifications that
aren't visible, e.g., non-original differential gears, should have no effect on
judging. Would I discount a TD with a TF1500 engine? Probably. Would I
discount a TD with a Datsun transmission. Yes. Would I discount a TD with a
Volvo engine (as mine had when I acquired it)? Absolutely. Put it in a class
with replicars.
Our 'Safety Fast' inspection requires cars to have seat belts. How could
we possibly degrade a car for having them?
Bud Krueger, NEMGTR #9826
Leckstein wrote:
> I have just returned from the NEMGTR Natter (our annual business meeting)
>
> One of our regional clubs raised a serious issue that affects T types now,
> perhaps MGA's and sooner or later MGBs.
>
> Our club was originally founded in 1965 with the purpose of "Preserving" Mg
> T types and pre 1955 MGs.
>
> Over the years, the club has always encouraged both restorations and
> driving the cars. Since the beginning there was always the controversy
> over trailered cars, and although many members frowned on "trailer Queens"
> we have never separated or discriminated against them at our car shows
> where winners are chosen by popular vote. Thus if you prefer a driven TF to
> a trailered one, you vote the way you feel. I am sure this question has
> been raised and resolved one way or another by all MG clubs.
>
> The problem that has recently arisen is the degree of modification that is
> taking place . On the side of driving the cars, better lights (directionals
> for TCs) and safety features (seat belts) have always been encouraged. But
> as the high speed highways with 65mph+ speeds become the norm our little
> TDs doing 55mph at 4000+ rpm becomes a problem
>
> The first and most common mod was to put in an MGA rear axle ratio. This
> greatly improved and lowered the rpms so the car could cruise at 65.This
> unfortunately lowered performance around town in the lower gears.
>
> Lately ,the popular mod is to install a Datsun 5 speed transmission. It
> gives the TD driver the best of both worlds. Another common mod to TCs is
> to install a Datsun steering box to replace the prehistoric Bishops cam.
>
> Now the problem is what to sanction at meets if we are to take a stand at
> all. (We never sanctioned T types with Volvo engines which were a common
> mod in the 50s) On the one hand the cars are moving away from what was
> original and loosing their personalities. Yet these mods greatly improve
> the driveability and encourage the use of them. I have seen TDs with 5
> speeds and front disc brakes. Are we Preserving the breed when we ignore
> these modifications? Who decides what is ok and who enforces the rules.
>
> This is not any easy subject, but I would appreciate sensible discussion
> of the problem from anyone on the list.
>
> Mike
--
Bud Krueger
http://home.ici.net/~bkrueger/
52TD
77MGB
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