> Huh, interesting. Sounds like the fellow has a bit of an ax to grind. But
if
> it really has a light alloy body shell, what else could it be? You can't
buy
> that from Moss. Although I notice that in the actual car description it
> doesn't say anything about that, and the rear alloy flares appear to be
> riveted on. An aluminum bonnet and door skins wouldn't mean diddly. All
the
> competition equipment and running gear is of more recent origin, of
course,
> so even if the story is true, what you have is more of a replica or
> reconstruction than a bona fide works car. Still, it would make a heck of
a
> vintage racer if you could convince any sanctioning body to accept it.
I hesitate to comment on this car, but I think if you believe the
description you're being taken for a ride... and not one you will be
inclined to enjoy. That said, I will now remove all my hesitation and
continue...
Firstly, after much checking through my archives of all sorts of crap, it
seems to be in common agreeance that all FOUR complete aluminium MGC shells
from Pressed Steel went to John Chatham (who I might add is a well known
Healey enthusiast for decades now) in 1970.
Oddly it also claims that the car was sold in the USA, as were RoMeO (the
RMO car painted BRG w/ yellow valence) and MaBeL (the MBL car painted red
w/ red valence). Indeed Romeo has the same livery as the car on eBay. But
that means the group of six was equally split amongst the USA and UK. Romeo
and Mabel are highly documented, and now both reside in the UK in a private
collection (although often the features of various magazines from time to
time).
I suspect this is a car built using a C GT shell, and the remaining stock of
panels from Pressed Steel... after all being competition cars one would
expect that replacement competition panels be made, and PRIOR to their
requirement (certainly couldn't have them next day air mailed to Sebring in
the late 1960s).
Funnily enough it is the small details that don't fit the car like the
amber/red tail lenses (red/red on RMO)... something that could be changed
easily, but is left on the car incorrectly. Same with the front indicator
lamps, Romeo has white/white as does Mabel. Romeo also doesn't have a
bonnet strap, yet Mabel does. The exterior bonnet release cable is on the
right hand side of both Romeo and Mabel, but on the left hand side of this
car. The grille on the eBay car looks very production like... it's from a
73/74 MGB with the plastic honeycomb removed and a cobbled together MG
badge. From black and white, and current photos only Mabel carried a grille
badge... Romeo does not.
Romeo doesn't have such an exaggerated (or even visible) side exiting
exhaust! Which makes sense as both Romeo and Mabel also took place in a
limited number or rallies... this would be a ground clearance issue!
And now, after a few hours of searching threw my dusty magazine collection
the September 1992 issue of Classic and Sportscar accounts for ALL SIX
shells even noting that in May of 1991 all six cars were together at
Silverstone (see page 93). For those without the magazine... I'll type out
the registrations of each car, current location and owner and if any other
relevant info.
MBL 546E... UK... 1st car built by Abington Competition Dept., resides in
private collection (current)\
RMO 699F... UK... 2nd car built by Abington Competition Dept., resides in
private collection with MBL546E (current)
VHY 5H... UK... 1st of the Chatham shells. Last owner (as of 1992) Paul
Jarrold, forsale at 55,000 UKP
VHW 330H... UK... built to road car spec for Alan Zafer, at the time head of
BL Motorsports PR Office. Resides in Sid Beer MG Collection (as of 1992)
EHW 441K... UK... built to road car spec. Owned by Steve Bicknall (as of
1992).
Unregistered final shell... UK... still owned by John Chatham. Car has all
aluminium engine (as cast for Comps Dept. but apparently never used in RMO
and MBL)
So that is all six.
Now, the article goes on to compare a current replica (30 MGC) to VHY 5H.
Oddly enough the owner claims that the shell he found had an alloy roof to
begin with... "A brand new MGC shell was found at Bears of Houghton together
with a very rare alloy roof."
So, if you're still reading, it is my somewhat researched conclusion that
the eBay car (ADO52) is nothing more than a well built replica, probably
utilizing some original body panels and components.
Lastly, to remove all doubt, ADO 52 is already applied to another car. AND
why would a competition car use the prototype numbering scheme (as in ADO).
ADO 52 was a prototype MGC fitted with the Bluestreak inline-6 motor... a
quick glance into David Knowles MG: Untold Story easily confirms this (as it
should, as that is where I got the information from).
Now, I'd like to see their MOUNTAIN of evidence.
Kai
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