A totally blow your wig bit of an amble along England's quiet roads

[forddeliveryboy]

No tweeps, no fleecebooking, no crash-cam, this isn't even up to the day, let alone the minute. FDB towers uses digital technology carefully and sparingly. No circuit boards for his cooker (it's a wood fire in a metal box), no telly, just Radio 4 (LW only). I is all blacknwhite, you see. Apart from Ektacolor and laptopz and the glorious view out of the windows.

 

The film has been developed and I can now start the thread. It is yet another omfgnhgfepiccollexshun.

 

 

Somehow I had to find a way of descending from the remote and wild hills of Yorkshire and travel deep into Mercia - and back - in just one evening. The engine would have to be fast and strong. Fires of vegetable oil which has already fried people's dinner would be lit many times a second.

 

 

 

The car used feels strong enough to last a thousand years, cost more than many houses when new and still glides as fast and smoothly as beer at Oktoberfest. With the rudeness of newness nicely mellowed, it cost less than many a month's rent in your average family house. This is autoshiting extreme - go posh without dosh. We gathered speed as steadily as an A4 Pacific so we were almost into the People's Republic of South Yorks before other less modern machines were swaying in our bow-wave as we thundered past.

[forddeliveryboy]

The Great North Road played its game of tag with the Old North Road (Ermine Street) and speeds grew ever higher with no more roundabouts at Wetherby, Bawtry, Markham Moor or anywhere else. Traffic was World Cup England Final low so roadside archishite was a blur, I just caught the old Little Chef with its big roof.

 

 

As Newark Castle (or was it the silos?) appeared we knew the River Trent and Foss Way/A46 was near - our route deep into the Midlands. I scooped this amazing bit of film of the quiet A1 just before we bore off South West, before fly-carcasses turned the windscreen totally opaque and my driver was forced to hang his head out of the side window to see his way. His teeth have yet to resume their normal colour.

 

 

 

Our destination, Castle Pillock, was looming fast and with it my first British car since a £150 Triumph 1300 back in 1990. My first petrol-engined car since the catalyst appeared (about 2003, since my machines are usually ancientish), too. Having almost-free diesel substitute makes choosing a petrol soooo hard. Perhaps there'd be a Peugoet diesel lump which would mate with the BL box?

 

Should we have trailered an IBC down, to fill with water for the return journey? Would this prime piece of Longbridge assembly have the door cards falling off round roundabouts or perhaps the doors complete would drop off? Would the gears grow impossibly stiff as the temperature rose, did its gearbox live inside the engine, perhaps the wipers would start up over potholes? Would there be a picket of disgruntled car owners wherever I tried to stop for fuel, lest the car couldn't start or fell apart on the forecourt, so becoming an embarrassment for our new, high-quality* un-British and 21st century full of BMWs and VWs?

[forddeliveryboy]

My excitement was growing as quickly as trepidation - was my gut feeling right, were these total bargains avoided by the Bini brigade because they're too good for the modern car-buying public to understand? Cars reduced to nil value because of mechanics who couldn't be arsed, in the way hydraulic Citroëns were? Were they really as attractive as I felt, or was I just a deluded 70s kid? Is buying a car which needs the body lifting off before you can see the engine and box a bit silly?

 

We decided one of the rear dampers must have been losing its oil on the Swabian coupé - the near side rear wheel was getting quite excited at times and cornering to the right had grown rather too effortless. Still, Bilsteins are only £50 a corner. As we smelt the sweet smell of Leicester and for the first time were hampered by traffic, we chatted about the glory days for the Germans and whether anyone would ever dare make an expensively engineered but simple car ever again. Asian men in particular cast wistful looks at its elegant flanks as we wafted by, leaving them only the sweet smell of veg to remind them we were travelling in a very miserly style.

 

Suddenly, we were there. A blue, British two-seater sports car sat at the kerbside. My mate vegged off to join the M1 and see his Derbyshire parents. "Ring if you break down!". The light was fading fast at these southerly latitudes. Pillock of this community appeared with keys. I didn't intend to test drive it, I knew enough from reading this forum. But for tradition's sake, it was suggested I did. I went half a mile up the road and back. It crashed and tramlined a little - those 50 profile tyres on a poorish road I convinced myself. May I suggest you all buy a car from Mr P, though? He couldn't have been more helpful with some very daft questions.

 

Pictures of The Queen were exchanged for the Brummie machine and I eased off into the gloom, wondering where the fuel filler was. Under the bonnet at the front? Surely not - this is no lethal Beetle-bomb. The brakes worked well as odd roundabouts came one after the other. The filler was on the nearside, as they all used to be. The car felt quite ordinary. It even started first time after fuel. Slower than an old CRX, the suspension and steering felt rough after a 1st Gen MR2. Yes, that was Lotus' work, I know - and this was made up of Metro stuff and Allegro-like suspension units under the body. Was I going to be disappointed?

 

Then... WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[Bear]

The Great North Road played its game of tag with the Old North Road (Ermine Street) and speeds grew ever higher with no more roundabouts at Wetherby, Bawtry, Markham Moor or anywhere else. Traffic was World Cup England Final low so roadside archishite was a blur, I just caught the old Little Shef with its big roof.

 

c4.PNG

 

Happy Eater! I used to live in the village up the road from there, Tuxford. Last time I visited that place and it was open, was 2005 and IIRC it had a McDonalds franchise in it. My RX8 fell into a pothole in the carpark so deep I clouted the front bumper. The pothole is still there.

[forddeliveryboy]

The car had turned into something which felt it might be more at home on a winding autobahn than an moorland B-road. The curved screen - which reminded me of a sweet 99 Turbo - seemed exaggerated in the growing darkness and only the flapping of the folded roof kept a cap on things. Newark seemed to take about 10 minutes, I folded the roof over and completed the rest of the trip in snug style. And about 8 minutes. Or so it seemed. Fookin' fast, on real-world roads. Which the faster CRX wasn't. And in contrast, the sweet MR2 was very pedestrian.

 

Pics to follow. I'm a happy boy. As is the elder mini-FDB.

[Lacquer Peel]

I'm not entirely sure what's going on here. Verdict: mental but good.

[Bear]

MG Fs. Loaves & fishes. MG Rover doing what they did well, exceedingly well, if any other firm had made it then they'd be more common worldwide than MX5s.

 

eBay has many small tempting upgrades. I recommend, if it doesn't have them, the roof tensioners (bastard to fit, but one-fold roof folding) and the new plastic alternator shield.

 

Great steering, great refinement, generally good manners, fantastic space, good economy, decent bootspace, decent cabin space, ride quality that many bigger cars struggle to match.

[Pillock]

Glad it saw you home safely, and to approval all round. It may not be the most refined example, but with the roof down, at speed, the rattles are no problem at all. And the engine is a true gem.....

[dome]

It may just be the wine but I enjoyed that. Not just because of the vegetarian Merc content and fine prose, also because I have a dark secret. I like MGFs. Please don't think any less of me.

[2MB]

I really enjoyed reading this

[forddeliveryboy]

I only dare post such p-rose when it's Bank Holiday and everyone's on the beer and wine. Thanks for the positive comments, chaps. Now I'm sounding all MGOC, listen.

 

Anyway, the fuel station shot. This wasn't the first tankful, which happened somewhere near Leicester at a generic BP spot when I was still slightly flustered driving a car with the roof off where there were more people than white lines and not sure which lane to be in at any one time. This is taken closer to home.

 

 

[forddeliveryboy]

Mr dome, I'm pleased you've revealed your dark secret. I'd like to create a following beyond the one at present for these machines - they're British, bloody ace, economical, comfy, roomy (for what they are) and tough. They also look the dog's bollocks and go like stink. Miatas/MX5s are fine for what they are, but cramped and slow in the real world compared with these. But they do touch all the right spots with people who think they want a 'sports car'.

 

Another pic.

 

[forddeliveryboy]

[forddeliveryboy]

I passed an MG RV8 yesterday and got a very serious wave from a very English-dressed gent who was driving it. I'd forgotten I was also in an MG and was tanking on a little, so didn't get to wave. This reminds me of 2cvs in the late 80s and 90s. Along with the sort of enthusiasm which seems to have gone all serious among 2cvers. I like cars which have a lack of image and are worth hundreds when working, 150 when not. This is how all motoring should be.

 

I haven't yet passed another F on the road, I imagine if you met in a market square by accident there'd be some sort of Morris Dancing orgy.

 

[Pillock]

You'll see loads. You don't notice them until you have one, and suddenly you get all nerdy about indicator colours and tailpipe shapes and how rusty the wing corners are. I waved at an MGB driver once and he glared at me like I'd shagged his cat.

 

Where your mate parked, if you stand there you can see an F and two TFs. They've reached the bottom of the curve for sure, they're insanely good value.

[fred]

Great narrative, and video, when is the box set coming out? !

[forddeliveryboy]

I like the chin spoiler - not sure if all Fs had them. I could feel it working coming back on the A1, where the car at times felt like some form of hover-capsule. There was barely anyone on the road except a fast BMW 1 series who was travelling briskly* and the little MG would reel him in and out like a minnow on a line. It reminded me of the time I drove a fast CX back from Cornwall and ended up having a bit of a relationship with an M5 on the A30. It took him a while to regain lost ground after a series of bends.

 

That's when decent suspension starts to really show - my experience of Moulton's shagging spheres is with LandCrabs, Princesses and Ambassadors and Rover Metros. There were times it was utterly superb, keeping the car very level. At others I wondered how much nitrogen had gone, but thinking and driving over roads I know this evening, I think the additional single-acting oil dampers are a bit past it.

 

There's a big problem. As Mr Explosive-Cabbage will tell you, I don't have room for many more cars at the moment. But I'm after a low mileage MGF with omghgf or clutch failure.

 

[320touring]

It may just be the wine but I enjoyed that. Not just because of the vegetarian Merc content and fine prose, also because I have a dark secret. I like MGFs. Please don't think any less of me.

Hand in your scotoshite card now!

[dome]

Sorry!

 

Problem is the benchmark for a small sporty car for me is an early non pas 944. An MX5 didn't cut it for me and I suspect an mgf might be too soft too-hence my mid engined desires tend towards an x1/9 or a mk1 mr2

[Twiggy]

What a lovely thread........ thank you FDB.

[explosive-cabbage]

Good work! Im not a fan of the looks to be honest, im sure a spin out in one would change my mind

Joe is always on about dropping an XUD9 into one of these, turn it up a little, that would suit you perfectly Russ!

[purplebargeken]

MGFs are fuggin ace. No question. 

[Lacquer Peel]

Good work! Im not a fan of the looks to be honest, im sure a spin out in one would change my mind

Joe is always on about dropping an XUD9 into one of these, turn it up a little, that would suit you perfectly Russ!

 

You could fit a TUD in using Metro/R100 bits I'm sure*. 57bhp. You'd be as well fitting an A series.

[forddeliveryboy]

Sorry!

 

Problem is the benchmark for a small sporty car for me is an early non pas 944. An MX5 didn't cut it for me and I suspect an mgf might be too soft too-hence my mid engined desires tend towards an x1/9 or a mk1 mr2

 

I'm interested in which way you mean the word 'soft'. For me, the only soft bit is the looks, but I like what I see as a sort of classical elegance. As usual, looks grow on you if you buy a car which goes brilliantly well. I think perhaps their image has had an effect on how loads think an MGF will go -  I was slightly surprised, although the engine is very sweet on this particular car. It may feel slightly coarse if you hopped out of a little Toyota into this, but that's splitting hairs - and something only noticed if you're driving back to back.

 

 

Good work! Im not a fan of the looks to be honest, im sure a spin out in one would change my mind

Joe is always on about dropping an XUD9 into one of these, turn it up a little, that would suit you perfectly Russ!

 

I like good engines - XUDs, the EA827 TDi and OM602/3 diesels are all brilliant and better in many ways than their CI counterparts. But this K-series is a cracker and is giving great economy if you don't use full power much. And you don't need to, it slides forwards very eagerly on part throttle, the balance and suspension allow you to carry your speed. Having to buy fuel £20 at a time for the first time in years concentrates the mind, a bit like using a film camera instead of digital.

 

The only area I'd mark it down in is steering feel, but it's wearing odd Chinese cheapies on the front so this won't help at all. But I suspect the augmentary damping is past its best and I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't something a little worn in the front suspension somewhere, something I intend to have a look at.

 

In the meantime, the alternator belt is very slack and I've noticed the brake light switch is stuck on. Then I'll look to do a bit of corrosion protection - it's very rusty underneath, in places - then have a look at the damping and the front end. And buy a pair of Toyos when funds allow.

[forddeliveryboy]

I'm not entirely sure what's going on here. Verdict: mental but good.

 

I think i shall use those words on my headstone.

[DVee8]

In the short time i had mine it was fab great to drive a smile with every mile,it just didn't suit my glass back may have another.

[dome]

I'm interested in which way you mean the word 'soft'. For me, the only soft bit is the looks, but I like what I see as a sort of classical elegance. As usual, looks grow on you if you buy a car which goes brilliantly well. I think perhaps their image has had an effect on how loads think an MGF will go

I was disappointed going from the 944 to an mx5-even with uprated suspension I didn't find it involving the way the 944 was. And the old 944 felt pretty special inside too, even if it was mostly mk1 Golf switchgear. I suppose I fear an mgf will be more mx5 than 944

[cort16]

They are great value though you can pick them up for about 10p. I like the styling too even the later tf's. They don't look much fun to work in though .

[Bear]

Sorry!

 

Problem is the benchmark for a small sporty car for me is an early non pas 944. An MX5 didn't cut it for me and I suspect an mgf might be too soft too-hence my mid engined desires tend towards an x1/9 or a mk1 mr2

 

I feel qualified to step in here, as I've had a 924S, X1/9 in fantastic order, MX5, MR2 SW20, driven Mk 2 MX5 and Mk 1 MX5, and of course two MGFs (plus test drives in brand new MG F and TF).

 

In my experience the 924S was overtyred for the ability it has. It felt big after the X1/9, and occasionally a little unpredictable in the wet. The Mk 1 MR2 is just not powerful enough, though a supercharged model would be interesting. The MX5 is undergeared, but amazing fun to drive at 9/10th without being too licence-threatening, which is all the appeal. An MG F VVC is not just a quick car - it's a fast car. It has the maturity and legs that the MR2 SW20 has, without the dull, neutered feel of what is the contemporary car - MG Fs and SW20s were sold at the same time, near the end of the MR2s second generation after all.

 

The X1/9's suspension travel is good, but you're aware that it's not as robust. It's delicate, and responsive, but it also feels flyweight. I had mine when I lived in Kelso, a cobbled town, and although it was only four years old, full history, it often had bits fall off the body - and once the main jet rattled out of the carb! Also, the X1/9s brakes are nothing like as well balanced as the F, TF. If you go into a bend hard and brake late, the X1/9 begins to lose the edge; I found the flipside of that is that i rarely braked, I had complete faith in its ability to corner at any speed that little engine would propel it to. The MG F/TF VVC is much quicker.

 

So, you want a harder edge than an MG F, the car is right there - an early TF. At urban speeds it is harsh, but it comes together at track speeds incredibly well - a trait it shares with other MG Rovers of the era, apart from the oddly competent ZS180. It has the bonus of having a suspension system that is repairable. The TF 160 will be faster point to point on a bendy road than a 944 (and pretty much most things).

 

Only one car delivers perfection for this sector that I've driven - and I haven't tried a Toyota MR-S as the low seating position, high flanks made it feel like i was reclining in a bathtub, so I didn't want to bother. The winner is the Toyota-engined Lotus Elise. Incredible compliance, amazing grip and feedback, and actually really good ergonomics.

[Station]

Elise is nice, but MGF wins as this is Autoshite not Pistonheads.

I loved them, MR2 is a bit underpowered, forgive it for how it goes round bends.