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MG TB Supercharged Rolling Road Session

Posted on February 29, 2016 at 11:05 AM

I thought you might be interested to see this one, we've fitted one of our supercharger kits to an MG TB and are very pleased with the results. We've made a number of changes to our kits over the last few years, always trying to find little improvements and it's been very worthwhile doing so. As you'll see (hear) she's running well and looking great too (although I can't take too much credit for that).

- before you keel over from shock I should point out that the rev counter was reading about 1000 RPM out at top end, as I've alluded to in the past I don't really trust chronometric gauges for important readings.

Our client decided to drive the car home from us to Gloucester (100 miles or so) and despite a broken windscreen he had a blast and made good time too. It was a bit too cold for our liking whilst testing the car but don't feel I can complain too much about making a living driving around in such a fantastic machine. Great fun, even if I did need to wear a helmet to stop my ears from freezing:

Seasons Greetings from Steve Baker MG

Posted on December 18, 2015 at 9:30 AM

Seasons greetings to everyone. We've had a busy year and there's no sign of things slowing down as it draws to a close. In fact, Christmas might yet have to be cancelled here, whilst Luke & I lock ourselves in the garage. Here's some of what we're up to:

Firstly, we've unearthed a lovely MG TF project which hasn't been touched since at least 1969. In a previous life she was towed behind her owner's E-Type Jaguar to club race meetings around the country. Life has been less glamorous since, she has sat in situ for over 45 years.

Here's a lovely period photograph we've been sent by a friend of the previous owner (i.e. the gentleman in the TD) as they lined up on the grid together (you can see the TF in the background). Note the safety equipment! How times have changed:

You'll find the car on our "Cars for Sale" page but not for long I suspect.

We've also repatriated a lovely cream MG TC from the States. She has come from long term ownership and has been well looked after. We'll be servicing the car over Christmas and making sure all of the paperwork is in order. Should be up for sale early next month:

We have another TC on it's way here from America too, although she's not quite as shiny she certainly has her charm. A few weeks away from us still, it is a rough-runner which Luke and I will use as our run-about until she's found a new owner.

This car has a fabulous history, having originally been sent to India and at one point even being run on kart tyres (which sounds like an even worse idea than racing without a helmet). Thankfully she's since been subjected to a mechanical restoration and should be a great option for somebody:

Moving on to pre-war cars, we're currently fitting a five-speed gearbox and XPAG engine to an MG TA we have here, it's black with red trim and looks lovely. It's a popular combination, pre-war status but with post war reliability and a decent cruising speed. Full details in due course.

Finally I have an MG TA Tickford project here which is like none I've had before. I believe we'll soon know the full history of the vehicle, which much like the TF, has been stood for over 50 years. There's some fantastic paperwork with the car, including the original gaurantee letter from Salmon & Sons dated November 1938. A real time-warp car, which I would be building myself if I'd made a bit more progress with my TB!

MG TD for Sale, MG TC & TD Blowers

Posted on October 21, 2015 at 8:35 AM

As you'll know only a fraction of what I get up to makes it's way to the blog, I prefer to spend my time in the garage than infront of the computer but I'm really pleased a car we've just had in the workshop and thought I ought to share it. Another car that was spoken for before we could even put it near the website, this fine MG TC arrived to us from long term ownership by a true enthusiast.

She was in lovely condition and wanted for nothing... although the new owner had other ideas; he wanted more power and a higher cruising speed. There are no prizes for guessing how we decided to do that! Cue the arrival of a supercharger and five speed gearbox conversion and voila! the car is now ready for continental touring. She now has the performance to match her looks:

Speaking of performance, I have finally uploaded the video of our session at the rolling road with the white MG TD featured in my last blog post. Mr Burgess stepped up to the plate once again and, as always, knocked it out of the park (so to speak!). Delighted with this car, despite only having a stock engine per se, she absolutely flies with one of our new blower camshafts:

And with that I'll move on to another TD, which is now offered on our "Cars for Sale" page. As clean underneath as she is on top, much like the red TC above she wants for nothing (unless you fancy a few upgrades?) and is ready to be driven home. In the mean time Luke and I will be relishing the chance to drive her on dry days and spend the time in the garage finally building that much promised TB of mine!

8" L140 Stoneguards, Camshafts & A Blown TD

Posted on October 2, 2015 at 9:25 AM

Earlier in the year I wrote about an MG TD I intended to supercharge. White with green trim, a lovely car that although originally supplied RHD to the UK had spent a number of years in Canada. She needed some TLC at the time, she has certainly since received her fair share. I'll be writing more about the car in the next week or so, including the promised video at Mr. Burgess' workshop, in the mean time here's the remodelled engine bay for you to survey. I'm very pleased with how our supercharger kits have developed.

You may recall that I made a small batch of stoneguards for 8" headlamps a couple of years ago, I've now got some more in stock. A slightly different style this time around as they have a wider gauge mesh, I think they look a bit more pre-war in design. I have limited availability at £170 per pair including VAT.

I've also had some camshafts made for the XPAG engine with a profile optimised for supercharging. I've found the standard and fast road grinds that are readily available to be ok but these give another little boost (no pun intended) to performance and are certainly a good option if you're planning a full rebuild. As you'll see have had a few made, £325 each including VAT.

Project Cars, Lister Jaguar, K-Type..& a Wedding!

Posted on July 20, 2015 at 6:40 AM

I've had a busy few weeks, thankfully most of it spent enjoying the sunshine rather than working too hard. As I mentioned before my son Luke's wedding took place in early July, I'd thought about pushing myself to put my TB back on the road in time for it but I'm glad I didn't.

We had a lovely day by the coast in south Devon, with a fantastic breakfast and reception including a boat trip up the river Dart. There really wasny any time or space for an MG (and you won't hear me say that often) and I loved every minute of it. Here's the bride and groom aboard the "Dart Explorer", shortly before setting off on a trip up the river.

And below with me, my wife Sandie, my other son Christian and even our pet dog Daisy.

Back in the world of MGs and motorsport, I was recently invited to a track day by my good friends Graham and Lynn who are the owners of, amongst others, my old MG TC racer and "Big Red". They've also recently acquired a new big red automobile, one of the new Lister Jaguars.

When they offered me a drive I simply couldn't resist and so I found myself back on the track, in a TC, a K-Type and a Lister. It was a great day and Peter Edney and Chris Owen came along too - almost felt like we'd gone back in time. Here's some photographs we took:

Peter receiving some last minute instructions from Graham, whilst Lynn has absolutely nothing to learn from me:

Me in Grahams K-Type, with the obligatory action shot:

I must say I was very impressed with the six cylinder, it's quite an experience to drive.. the noise is incredible, the smell of methanol absolutely unmistakable and it was every bit as quick as it looks. Speaking of which the Lister was absolutely great fun to drive, I'm very glad I took the opportunity to do so but can honestly say I preferred the MGs - they're much more suited to my style and pace!

I do of course have some news about cars for sale, I've managed to acquire a number of project cars which will be offered for sale shortly, a TA, a TC, a TD, A TF 1500 and even an MG PB. Keep your eyes on the cars for sale page or give me a call / drop me an email for more information.

The Year to Date & Summer Arrivals

Posted on May 22, 2015 at 10:05 AM

It's been a busy start to the year for us and it's looking like a good summer in prospect. I mentioned that my son Luke is getting married in July - I'd hoped to finish my TB in time for the wedding but instead have found myself working on a TA, a TC a TD and a TF! I need to practise my alphabet. Suffice to say it's been pushed to the end of the year but I know it'll be worth the wait.

Our red MG TA created quite a stir and a number of admirers. I'll be sad to see it go actually, I'd been enjoying using the car - especially at the local classic car meeting in Greetham which was a great evening out. The chap who bought the car told me he's always dreamt of driving an old MG and flying in a Spitfire - what more could you want from life?

The white TC I worked on earlier in the year found a home in sunny (well, it was raining back in February) Devon. In the last photograph I posted the car was in a state of disrepair but I did eventually put it all back together. Here it is pictured with the new owner:

We have also had an MG TD in the workshop for a few months now, the gentleman who purchased the car soon turned to the darkside and has decided to have us fit a supercharger. I'll make sure I take the camera to Mr. Burgess' rolling road again - people seem to like seeing the needle fly around the gauge. It's a lovely car and Luke may yet be cap in hand begging to use it for wedding transport!

And yes, a TF too, we've just finished converting the car from left to right hand drive, at a very reasonable £19,750 - I have mentioned the car on the blog before but will finally have all the details & photographs in the next week or two. Unsurprisingly there is already interest.

So what's next?

Well we have this lovely, "oily rag", MG TA arriving next week:

Notably the car has been fitted with a genuine and very rare MG TB (not just any old XPAG), pre-war, engine.

The eagle eyed amongst you may notice that it's been here before. We originally sold the car as a restoration project, she has been sympathetically restored with the brakes being fully overhauled and the engine rebuilt. Priced around £21,000.

We also have two restoration projects on the horizon, both should be here within a couple of months:

A left-hand drive MG TF 1500 with the correct XPEG engine fitted.

An MG TA for restoration with a rebuilt MPJG engine.

And finally, a client of ours sent us this lovely photograph which he unearthed of the car we sold him last March. Here she was in 1964 - what's really striking is how little has changed.

MG TA TB TC Alfin Style Brake Drums - Cast Iron

Posted on May 5, 2015 at 7:30 AM

Happy to have a new product for your perusal, I've always found cast iron brake drums to offer the best performance for our T-Type MGs, I have used them on several of my race cars over the years (and have a set on my own car currently). The problem has always been that, let's face it, they're not much to look at, especially when compared to the Alfin brake drums (which use a liner) that are readily available.

I was lucky enough to come across a period i.e. 1930s Alfin brake drum last year as part of a job lot of parts from a notable MG collector. What struck me about it was that it wasn't a linered Aluminium casting as I'd suspect but that it was infact a steel drum with a finned aluminium casting sweated onto it. It became obvious that by mimmicking this approach it would be possible to make a good looking drum but based upon a modern factory made component with a decent lining and without the inherant problems of using a liner.

Certainly not a task I'd be willing to undertake on my own and I had, as it turns out already been beaten to it. A friend of mine had been working on a project to make a drum exactly as described. I think they look absolutely spot on, I'll be fitting a set to my own car shortly and will be able to give you a full assessment.

MG TF RHD Conversion - Coming Soon at �19,750

Posted on March 31, 2015 at 10:25 AM

Currently going through the workshop, this North American MG TF which we are converting to right-hand drive.

Few blemishes in the paint but very solid overall. She's no trailer queen but a sorted and very usable car which drives extremely well. I decided against taking the trailer and drove it home and I'd recommend whoever buys her does the same.

This would be an ideal car for someone who wants a car to drive this summer that also has scope to improve over time.

XPAG Crankshafts, Pre-Selectors, MG TC Paint

Posted on January 6, 2015 at 9:20 AM

Happy new year to you all. 2014 was a busy year for me, 2015 looks to be too. My son Luke will be getting married and I've promised to lend him my TB to drive to the venue in. Better build it then! More of that anon.

The blue TC mentioned on my previous post has found a new owner, as an airline pilot I'm sure he won't find it intimidating to drive - by chance it will be living only a few miles from where I grew up in Kent. A nice coincidence. The white TC has also found a new home, although there were one or two things I wanted to look at before it went (see below).

The paint finish on the bulkhead was very poor and so I decided to strip it and have it professionally sprayed. We also identified an oil leak from the bottom end and decided it would be easier to take the engine out than mess around attempting a repair in situe. I always check cars over whilst they're here and weigh up what they need, that's why I MOT all roadworthy cars - it's just not worth skimping.

You may recall that I sold a Q-Type bodied special in pieces to a chap in America recently, I previously posted a photograph of his front-mounted Wade supercharger which caused a bit of a stir. He has now finished building the car and is very happy with the result. So he should be, it looks absolutely fantastic and I was delighted to be involved with the project. If you fancy a go at building one I can supply all necessary parts.

Speaking of parts, I have a new product to announce. I am now able to sell UK made steel billet crankshafts made to the original factory specification. They are balanced and nitrided, sold ready to fit at £1,550 including VAT.

Updates, MG TCs for Sale - and an MGA!

Posted on November 26, 2014 at 8:20 AM

You may have noticed that I've been busy on eBay of late. I purchased a job lot of items from down under and it's been a bit of an undertaking to sort through them all. I had only intended to purchase 2 cars..

The photograph below shows the carnage as we spilled out from the garage and into the yard along with one disappointed hound wondering why no one wanted to throw the ball. I will be offering the first of the cars I purchased for sale in the new year, a partially restored MG TA special which will be fitted with one of my pointed tale bodies. Watch this space.

You may have seen that I have an MG TC for sale currently. I couldn't pass up the chance to buy this car which has been owned by a true enthusiast, driven and maintained regardless of cost. The invoice folder is scary! The upgrades make it a great driver's car, I went down the road the other day and quickly found myself overtaking a terrified old dear in a little Peugeot - I'd love to know what she thought to that.

Another car I will have for sale shortly is this white MG TC with red trim, it has been fully restored from the ground up and will be offered for sale with a fresh coat of paint, new trim and weather gear and a freshly rebuilt George Edney engine. Should be with me in early December. An ideal Christmas present for someone? More fun than watching the tele - that's for sure.

I will also be offering this MGA, which has been fitted with a 1900 cc MGB engine and Five speed gearbox. These upgrades paired with disc brakes make the car an extremely capable tourer. Ideal if you're looking for a bit more comfort. The car has been fitted with a heater - a fact that seems extremely relevant as I glance outside my window.

MG TA MG TB MG TC MG TD MG TF for Sale | Steve Baker MGs 1936-1955