DVCMG

I read with interest the recent article entitled “Reflections on Period Original and Modified”.

To be honest I was not sure what the author was trying to convey. Surely these terms are self explanatory. I.e. Period relates to any given time segment such as Georgian Period in respect to houses and furniture or Victorian or Colonial etc. Modified would relate to any Georgian house or Colonial house that has been modified with replacement windows, air conditioning, modern bathrooms, garage additions and all the other things that people do to such historic treasures. By the same token painting a Victorian Brass Bedstead to match the wall paper or cutting the legs off a Georgian carved table to make it fit in a small modern kitchen could be considered “Modified”!

When it comes to such treasures as a Classic Car I would suggest that its equally as simple. For my 1951 MGTD to be considered original it should fit a required criteria.  The first should be that all the parts are original, original, this means they were fitted to the car on an assembly line in Abingdon England, and have not been modified in any way.

The same would apply to the paint which should be one of the original colors, interior, dash equipment, lighting etc., should also be the same as the day it left the factory. As for after market items, as long as they were offered within the same time period such as a Period Radio, Luggage rack, Factory installed heater that in reality is an insult to the word when it comes to comfort,  Original spot and fog lights such as Halford MG equipment as sold by the MG dealers in the UK. Between 1949 and 1953. As for other after market items that may have been fitted over the years, this obviously removes the term original from the description of the car.

For the true purist may I pose yet another question in regard to my 1953 MGTD.

When I replace the original fuel pump that has given sterling service for twenty years with a replacement unit  which in no sense of the word can be described as original, even if its rebuilt, have I now reduced the car to a modified vehicle? The answer has to be yes, so in reality there are very, make that very very, few original cars in existence. Back in October 2003  I wrote an article entitled “Classic or Vintage” in which I tried to draw a line between these two classifications. In the end I had to accept the idea that such a line was almost impossible to create. However, I would suggest that this is not the case when it comes to Original or Modified based on my stated criteria.

Nit picking? Well maybe but  originality is a delicate subject as illustrated by the fact that to look at me you could say that  I am original, that is I have all the original parts that I was born with, however to be honest this is not true, my appendix was removed many years ago and more recently a new valve fitted to the old ticker so to all purposes I am a modified version of the original just like my MG.

Geoff Wheatley

The MG Vintage Racers will celebrate their 30^th anniversary with two designated “Focus Events” for 2011!  One on the west coast, and one on the east coast.  A MGVR “Focus Event” is a selected vintage race event where MGVR gets a vintage race sanctioning body to include some “all MG races” in their weekend’s schedule.  Plus MGVR compliments the weekend with some of their own awards and social functions.  All MG racers are encouraged to attend these events for an enjoyable weekend of MG racing and camaraderie.  This tradition has grown over the years and now includes both east and west coast events.  Plus MGVR’s 30^th anniversary will include a special celebration at the Lime Rock event, where MG and British car clubs are strongly encourage to have their members come watch and meet the MG racers.

MGVR Focus Event West for 2011 – April

This Focus Event will be at Infineon Raceway in California with CSRG (Classic Sports Racing Group – on the web at: www.csrgracing.org), the weekend of April 8-10^th.  This 2.53 mile racecourse is located in the heart of the California Wine Country in Sonoma, some 35 miles south of San Francisco.  Friday will be a test day, with racing on Saturday and Sunday.

MGVR Focus Event East for 2011 – September

MGVR will celebrate their 30^th anniversary in Connecticut at Lime Rock Park’s 29^th “Historic Festival” on Labor Day weekend (September 3-5).  This beautiful historic race track is a great place for racers and spectators alike, where Lime Rock will also celebrate its 55^th year of racing.  A large turnout of MG racers is expected.  MG and British Car enthusiasts are highly encouraged to attend to meet these MG racers, see their MG race cars, and watch them in action on the track.  Friday, Saturday, and Monday will be race days for about 300 vintage race cars of all types.  No racing on Sunday as they will have a fabulous car show presented on the track.  Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to make room reservations early, as area lodging gets sold out quickly for this weekend (or you can camp at the track).  Track and lodging information can be found at Lime Rock’s web site:  www.limerock.com This event is supported by the Vintage Sports Car Club of America.  More details on this event will be released as it nears.

To find out more about MGVR – including their history since 1981 – visit their web site at:  MGVR.org.