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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MG Y Type - Debutante

Yesterday, Eleanor attended her first North American car show and, of course, she brought home some gold. Plebeans and Connaisseurs alike drooled over her profusely. «Little Rolls-Royce» and «Isn't she cute!» were overheard again and again. As expected, nobody (save 1) had seen or even heard of a Y-Type before.

She contentedly purred all the way home at 50MPH.

I have a theory about her unusually great condition (I always say of her that she drives like a new car): On the last MOT before her restoration, in 1994, the indicated mileage is 13,000. Then, on her first MOT after restoration, the milleage has obviously been rolled back to 0. She is now back up to 4,500 miles. Upon inspecting her carefully in the last 6 months, I have identified all the areas where restoration has been carried out. However, when it comes to the engine and transmission (which shifts like new), there are no hints of them having ever been opened up. Paint with old patina is unbroken at the seams, nuts have no spanner marks... Could it be possible that I stumbled upon a less than 20,000 mile car?

Gilles Bachand

Its possible Gilles. You could always have the odometer reset to 17500. How far back do you have MOT certificates before 1994?

It is probably fair to say that the car may have been dormant for a long time before commencing restoration in '94 as Ys were deemed (incorrectly) to be worthless during the 60s, 70s and 80s as anything other than spares for TC/TDs. When Dennis Doubtfire & co began the MG Car Club Y Register there were some who thought the venture would be short lived and a flash in the pan: we are in debt to the foresight of men such as Dennis Doubtfire, John Lawson, et al of the early days who realised what a great car the 'Series Y' is and persisted against the odds to provide us with the rich platform we enjoy today. I record my thanks here to those pioneers.

Paul
Paul Barrow

After checking my papers, the correct numbers are as follow: In August 1995, Roy Paul Snape buy the car and keeps it until April 2000. The earliest MOT he kept was 1996 when the car is declared having 10,500 miles. He starts restoring it and, in 1997, the MOT indicates 01,139 miles. It's safe to assume he rolled back the odometer at the end of the restoration. There are no bills or even any hint that the restoration included opening up the engine or gear box.

After 45 year, a car can't have only been driven 235 miles a year. If 10,500 miles is true, it was likely stored for many years... in very comfortable conditions.

The condition of the original «old patina» mechanical components uniformely reveals only a light degree of wear from one end of the car to the other. So this is inconsistent with car having 110,500 miles.

The only other explanation is that a perfect mechanical restoration was carried out a good 25-30 years ago, giving the parts time to acquire a new patina. But who would have done such a beautiful job on such a «worthless» car at that time?

The mystery remains whole. Unless I succeed in finding Mr Snape... A thrilling puzzler.
Gilles Bachand

Hopefully one of the 3 R Snapes I have advised you of will be able to cast light on this for you.

Paul
Paul Barrow

This thread was discussed between 18/06/2007 and 20/06/2007

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