| Car(s) History |
1953 MG TD
Rescued from a field in West Virginia in the late 60s this car was acquired in running condition in 1972, more than 30 years ago. Some maintenance work was performed over those years but the car was not used much. Full restoration and upgrading started late in 1999 with the goal - in the spirit of the fifties - of building a period-correct touring vehicle that could be driven to the track and, with headlights taped and tires pumped up, give a decent account of itself on the race course. Aside from the routine chassis straightening, panel and parts replacement and all new woodwork and upholstery, the engine was reworked with an emphasis on longevity as well as more power. Tuning is per a 1956 manual, just short of 'Stage 2' out of five stages, with compression raised to 8.6 : 1, larger inlet and exhaust valves, sronger valve springs, a center branch exhaust header and 2 inch exhaust pipe. Horsepower is estimated in the low sixties at 5500 rpm compared to the standard 54. Torque is also significantly higher: from 60 lb. ft. at 4500 rpm to 70 lb. ft. A heavy front anti-sway bar lessens body lean. Since the restoration in 2000 the car has competed in a number of club races as well as in the Wine Country Classics at Sears Point and twice in the Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca.
1962 MGA Mk II
This car works for a living - since 1993 it has been racing regularly at Sears Point, Laguna Seca, Thunderhill and at various airport races. With racing tires lap times at Sears Point in good years have been in the low 2:20s, which is quite respectable for a production racer in touring trim with a fairly standard1622cc motor. Top speed at the bottom of the Sears Point esses is over 90 mph. Like all MGs the car corners well and at speed the handling is quite predictable. This MGA is street licensed and always races in full touring trim, complete with full windscreen, bumpers and badge bar, in the spirit of the 50s and 60s when sports cars were driven to the track and raced ' as is'.
Modifications are relatively minor and were common in the early 60s: Engine: deeper oil sump with baffles; cross-drilled crankshaft; BMC 739 touring camshaft; lighter valve lifters; center branch exhaust headers with 2" exhaust pipe and no-baffle muffler. Horsepower is estimated at about 100, 10 more than the Mark II stock factory motor. Suspension: front 7/8 inch anti-sway bars; heavier front springs and shocks. Gearing: close-ration gearbox; 4.33 differential.
The car is unrestored. In the 1980s, when it was already 20 years old, a prior owner drove it from the Bay area to the East Coast and back in the Winter with a (very tame) cat aboard. It was then raced until the early 90s but was a mess when found in street tune in the fall of 1993. The process of ' improving the breed' is still going on!
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