Category: News & Updates

🚐 🗺️ Somerset, Devon, Cornwall trip – September 2025 – days 1-4 of 12…

A travel day on Monday to head down to our first digs of the trip in Thornbury, weather really grotty, Jon was hanging on to steering wheel at times!

Digs were great and so quiet, making for a good start on Tuesday morning with only a short commute over to Brentry, near Bristol, where it was great to meet Rino and to carry out a full cambelt service on his 2003 TF 135 that he’d bought 18 months ago, with little service history.

From there we went on to Nailsea, for head gasket replacement on a 1999 MGF VVC. Really lovely to meet Terry, who’s owned the car since it was three years old, he’d had experiences with many dodgy coolant caps recently, which had subsequently caused this issue. We’re pleased to have to the car back up and running for him so he can feel confident using it again. Really interesting too to view his other vehicles that he’s owned for many decades and has great pride in. Thanks to Terry for all the cuppas.

Our next digs were in Brent Knoll, near Burnham-on Sea, not too far from our destination on Wednesday morning in Berrow.

It’s been a good few years since we were last there working on some of Nigel’s fleet, which has grown somewhat since, along with a larger garage to house them all, a very interesting collection.

Our work for the day included; short cambelt services on three of his fleet. First up a 2009 N-series TF 85th, this one had recently had a slight coolant loss on their recent trip to Skye, this was fortunately just down to a dodgy expansion tank cap. Next up his 2005 k-series TF 135 in Anthracite, and then finally his 2009 N-series TF 85th in Enigmatic Silver, which was originally a press car. What a stunning colour.

Lovely to see Nigel and Jo again, thanks to him for the steady stream of cuppas! We look forward to seeing them again next year.

From there we drove over to our next digs, for a very wet and windy night, not too far out of Watchet, which was our destination this morning.

With a bit of an improvement on the weather we had a scenic run down the hill to the harbour top, where it was great to meet Crispin and his 2004 TF 135 80th Anniversary, in anthracite, that he’s owned for two years and has brought it back to life, with new subframe, upgraded brakes, brand new hood etc.

Originally booked in for head gasket replacement and cambelt service, he’d recently resolved the issue of the overheating with a new expansion tank cap. So as he had limited service history we carried out a full cambelt service for him. Having a shorter day than originally planned, I bought the requisite fridge magnet, while Jon repaired the reverse light on the van, kindly pointed out by a chap walking by.

Our digs tonight are just outside Ilfracombe, so we detoured in to the town for a walk and a cuppa, what an interesting spot.

Next stop Braunton tomorrow for a clutch… – https://ift.tt/EyiHbBu

Markfield, near Leicester, Broomfleet, Holton Le Clay, South Elkington near Louth, Bracebridge Heath (briefly) & a couple of workshop days were our locations of occupation this week…

Our first call, with an early start, on Monday morning found us in Markfield, for some work on Lee’s Trophy. Full cambelt service carried out, along with replacement of the underfloor coolant-pipes. We did have ‘trace coolant leak’ on the list, but Lee had managed to source that, which was due to an old and tired radiator.

First call, of three, on Tuesday morning was a local one over in Broomfleet, to check over Leona and Laura’s 2001 MGF 1.8 mpi ‘Princess’, she’d not done many miles since her resto with us back in November, but mum and daughter are going on the NC 500 together in her, next month, and just wanted to make sure all was ok, plus needed the hard-top removing and fitting new clips to the soft-top, so they’re all good to go, hope they have a fantastic time, we look forward to seeing their progress.

Then we went on to Holton Le Clay, where it was lovely to have a catch-up with David and carry out the minor service on his 2005 TF 135. He’d also noticed a bit of trouble with the gears, so this was resolved by fitting new gear-cable ends and new gaitors, plus a bit of adjustment to the handbrake. It was lovely to see his beautiful TD and have a sit in it, unfortunately there wasn’t enough time to go for a spin round the block, maybe next time. Thanks to David for the welcome cuppas, cake and biscuits.

From there we went over to South Elkington to check out what was occurring with the drivers window on Francine’s 1998 MGF Mk I. The upper stop had worn, so we turned it 90 degrees so it had a fresh area to push on. They’d moved house since our last visit to the car, and no one was home this time, but pleased to have ‘Scarlet’ sorted. Fab weather all day we’re pleased to note.

Not the case on Wednesday morning! When we went over, again, to Bracebridge Heath, to do the jobs required on John’s TF 135, unfortunately, it was absolutely dreadful weather and really not conducive for the work required. So we will get back over next week, when we’re supposed to be having a break, and it’s a dry day hopefully! John can still use the car, so he’s not inconvenienced in any way, it’s just frustrating.

So, we made a detour back over to the workshop and got more work done on Keith’s TF, and also made an early start on Michael’s 2011 LE 500 (number 243).

Michael had driven up from Market Drayton to leave it with us that morning. Over the next few days; underfloor treatment carried out and fitting of a nice shiny new Mike Satur stainless Daytona back-box, complete with round tail-finishers. After a wash and brush up today, all ready for Michael to come and collect this afternoon. It was nice to see him and fortunately had better weather for his drive back home. We will see him next year for the service, which has been booked in.

Further work continued on Keith’s TF on Thursday and today, and work is complete on it for now; it’s had a new rear subframe along with the accompanying ancillaries, OS wishbone, full cambelt service, welding of both rear sills and full underfloor treatment.

We’re just waiting for the delivery of an exhaust back-box for it. Once that’s fitted we will take it for the MOT, then she’s good to go!

I forgot to mention in last weeks blog that lovely Terry ventured down from Darlington in ‘The Chairman’ his 80th Anniversary MGF, to have a run out and discuss the welding work that’s required, plus he wanted to touch base with Aaron at the paint shop next door. I didn’t see him unfortunately, but Jon had a nice chat. We look forward to seeing him again later in the year.

Really sad news about the funicular railway devastating accident in Lisbon, we were very fortunate to work there, on three occasions, over the years on a TF, and stayed in the city. The people are some of the friendliest we’ve met on our travels, and our thoughts are with all those people affected by this terrible tragedy.

We’re off next week, but it’s going to be far from relaxing, lots planned, which includes moving a couple of cars off the driveway, finally, and up to the workshop. Plus all the prep and packing for our big 10 day trip to Devon and Cornwall the week after.

Well, here we are, it’s Friday evening again, and it’s not raining! Hope everyone, near and far, is well and looking forward to the weekend, whether you be out and about in your MGs or not, have a great one where possible. – https://ift.tt/aE2KIbg

Hope everyone had a great bank holiday weekend, where possible, those that weren’t working at least.

Monday wasn’t exactly the day off we’d planned, Jon ended up at the workshop trying to sort the lift, with the kind help of one of our old neighbours there, Juris, he knew the part that was required, so the part was bought first thing on Tuesday morning and then fitted, yes, result! A working lift, what a relief. Needless to say, we’re still waiting for the phone call back from Everards,as promised, and it’s now Friday evening.

So, on Wednesday we carried out the service on Andrew’s 2004 TF 135, in Trophy Blue, that he’d left with us, we then took it round for the MOT, so all ready for him to come over from Beverley to collect when they’re back from their hols.

We then made a start on Keith’s 2005 TF 160, that he’d had delivered to us from West Ashby. It had failed on the last MOT on few issues so he wanted us to get everything sorted. It’s actually turned into a bit of a restoration. So after our assessment and subsequent consultation with Keith he gave the go-ahead to complete all the work necessary.

Rear subframe replaced with galvanized, we completed that this afternoon, along with all the ancillaries, it was heavily corroded so many rusted and awkward bolts to contend with.

Then we’re part way through the underfloor treatment, the front subframe is still good. One of the wishbones has a hole, so that will be replaced.

The exhaust back-box has certainly done its time, so Keith has ordered a Toyo and it’s on its way to us.

Both rear sills require welding. Once the wheel arch liners and mud flaps were removed, the front sills were still in good condition. The build up of mud and muck removed.

A full cambelt service carried out, along with new alternator belt, as this was last done by us 7 years ago.

We’re looking forward to getting this all completed for Keith for him to enjoy many more years and adventures in.

We seem to have packed a lot of other things into this week too, it’s been a little crazy, and now we’re absolutely exhausted. So here we are again, it’s late on a Friday evening, hope everyone has a great weekend! Not entirely sure what shows and things are occurring, if any, but hoping the weather is favourable for you all, near and far. – https://ift.tt/u8B9jdM

Following our return from our latest Scotland trip on Sunday evening, we had a busy turnaround day on Monday to start another busy week…

A trip over to Rimmer Bros to collect more stock and parts that were needed for the week ahead. Jon shot back to the workshop to meet Gary who had come down from the north east to collect his TF. Then a trip into Hull to collect other parts. We then headed back over to the workshop to unload all the stuff from the last couple of weeks and restock.

Tuesday morning found us back at John’s house in Bracebridge, the weather was absolutely dismal, and after a chat with John he was requiring some further work to be done on his TF, which maybe wasn’t conducive to be done in a puddle. So a tentative date arranged to get it done ideally at the workshop. We look forward to getting everything completed for him one way or another.

From John’s, we headed up to Foston for work on Richard’s very low mileage 2006 TF 115 Spark in Firefrost – CEV. Nearside door lock replaced, heater control-valve repaired, engine oil and filter change.

Wednesday morning found us in East Leake, where it was so lovely to see Alan, as always, this time at their new home. His 2004 TF 135 in Trophy Blue – JFV was due again for the cambelt service.

Weather grotty, it was that fine rain that gets you wet, so gazebo duly deployed! Full service carried out and all good to go for another four years, though we’ll see him again next year for the minor service. Thanks for the cuppa Alan.

Then we were on our way to the next call in Newark, where it was great to meet Damion. He’d bought the car during lockdown, a 2005 TF 135 Spark, and hadn’t done many miles since.

Full cambelt service carried out, along with new coolant cap, as his failed the pressure test, new alternator belt and all good to go. Thanks to Damion for the cuppas, good to have a quick chat before heading back home. Sure we’ve seen the car before, but still pondering it, different reg plate.

Thursday morning found us over near Leeds, for work on a car we’ve definitely seen before, and I remembered the previous owner. Mark had bought it from a motorcycle dealer 18 months ago, so didn’t know the previous owner, but had a few of our old invoices and it did have our sticker on the back, which is why he got in touch. He’s done quite a bit of work to the car himself since taking it on, such as fitting a soft-ride kit etc.

Short cambelt service carried out, along with alternator belt and code read. All good there, we’re pleased to see the car will continue to be enjoyed. Always nice catching up with them, and meeting their new custodians.

So that brings us to Friday again, we’ve a couple of cars being delivered to the workshop, one dropped off yesterday and another today, ahead of work next week.

The van is now sorted again, with its starting issue, thanks to a very kindly sole who spotted Jon’s post on Facebook and pointed us in the right direction. What a star, thanks to Barry over in Bradford, who also runs a garage and owns several MGs for charity events. Part duly ordered, delivered and fitted by Jon on Wednesday evening and touch wood has been spot on since.

However, further challenges await at the workshop, the lift has decided to pack up, not what you need when one of the deliveries to us is requiring a rear subframe swap. Let’s hope we can get the engineer in early next week, we’re still waiting. It’s never a dull moment!!

We’re both absolutely shattered after the last big trip, not sure how long we can keep that up for, not wanting to whinge and moan, but we’re no spring chickens. Going forward the trips will definitely have to be of shorter duration. Anyway, in the meantime, we do have the bank holiday weekend off, I’m off to that there Londinium to visit Buckingham Palace with my lovely mum and Jon is going to enjoy doing nothing. Oh,
except he’s probably going to change the discs and pads on the beemer on the driveway just to break up the repeat runs of Star Trek and Wheeler Dealers!

Have a lovely, long weekend everyone, where possible, near and far, may fair weather be with you for fun in your MGs. ☀️ 😎 – https://ift.tt/TUgHrKb

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trip – August 2025 – days 6-10 of 10…

Continuing on with our trip, we left our digs in Abington and headed over to Biggar, where it was good to see Mike, as always, for the minor service on his 2004 TF 135, in British Racing Green. From there, we headed along the road to Carluke, for a gearbox-oil and engine-oil change on Bob’s Trophy. Initially booked in for an air intake system, found when we removed the cover he already head a ITG cold air induction in situ. So need to replace that as it’s one of the better ones.

We then went on to Airdrie, where we spent the night and then set off, on Thursday morning, over to Falkirk. The first call of the day was on a 2004 TF 135, in xpower grey. Great to meet Stewart who had booked it in on behalf of his son Josh. The car had developed a few issues in his short ownership with coolant loss etc and they just wanted to it get it sorted and give him peace of mind driving.

Head gasket replaced and cambelt service carried out. The expansion tank was showing signs of stress, so this was swapped out, new alternator belt and coolant cap and the cars good to go we’re pleased to say.

From there, we went a few miles along the road, where it was great to see Craig again and ‘Tiffany’ his 2002 TF 115, that was originally green, but is now silver. He’d found that the window regulators were being a bit slow so had bought two new ones along with new side windows, so these were all replaced for him, along with new windscreen surround rubbers. After doggy fusses with the lovely Marlow we were on our way to head further north, to Aberdeen for the next couple of nights.

Our call, on Friday morning, took us over to Bieldside, where it was lovely to meet Sandy and Trish. Their very well travelled 2002 TF 135, in Platinum silver, was in need of the cambelt service. Plus we also replaced the under-floor coolant-pipes with a stainless set. They’ve owned the car now for 17 years and enjoyed many adventures in it, we wish them many more.

On Saturday morning we went a little further north to Inverurie where it was good to see Paul again and his 1998 Mk I MGF in Tahiti blue. Head gasket replacement carried out, along with replacing the over the gearbox support arm, we’d taken one with us as this had been a fail on his last MOT. All done there, we headed back south and on to our next and final stopover in Hawick.

After a short commute over to Denholm this Sunday morning it was lovely to meet Giles. He had been having some issues with an irregular tick-over on his 2004 TF 135, in Anthracite. His local garage had tried to sort it for him, but were scratching their heads. He got talking to another chap we know, Alastair, who recommended he got in touch with us.

Following our investigation and carrying out a diagnostics check it was found to be due to a number of issues; the forward Lambda sensor, which was very sooted up, heat damaged coil packs, the spark plugs were a bit aged and black, the garage had capped off the idle air control valve, so we fitted another along with a replacement maps sensor, plus the throttle position sensor had been tinkered with. All-in-all the car is now running a lot smoother. Giles can now take it for its MOT, let’s hope it gets through on emissions and he can start to enjoy the car again.

From Denholm, we had a decent run through the borders and back into England for our very last call of the trip, in Bedlington, on Paul’s LE 500 (number 488), for the minor service and a gearbox oil change. Good to see Paul again and meet his lovely wife and beautiful puss Bob.

So we’re now on our way home and back to see our own lovely puss Binx. It’s been another full on and busy trip again, north of the border, but nonetheless a successful one with such amazing hospitality and friendly welcomes from everyone that we really do appreciate. Weathers been pretty good on the whole too. 🌞

We’ve had some really good digs, with only one very noisy night, last night, our fault for staying on a busy high street on a sunny Saturday! Too old and tired to join in! 🫠

1200+ miles, 15 cars, 7 hotels/B&Bs/guest houses and lots of tea and Tunnock’s! 🫖 Thanks Scotland, we will see you again! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 – https://ift.tt/e6lvbqn

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland – August trip 2025 – days 1- 5 of 10…

Following our drive up on Friday and stopovers in Ardrossan, we headed over to Glengarnock for work on some of Alan’s fleet on Saturday and Sunday.

Head gasket replacement and cambelt service carried out on his 2001 MGF 120 mpi ‘Bugsey’ who was being a little bit of a beggar. Only ever heating when stood at traffic lights, it passed all pressure tests. We’d already replaced the thermostat and the ECU temperature sensor on our last visit. Turns out that the head gasket had gone into cylinders 3 and 4, but once replaced it was better, but still not right. The only thing left was the possibility that the impeller on the water pump was slipping. Once water pump removed the impeller was fine, but the outlet hole to the block was full of old sealant! All now running as it should with fans coming on and off.

Alternator fitted, front bumper swapped, reverse-light switch fitted and one of the hood clamps drilled out and retapped on his 2003 TF 135 Sprite.

HT leads and coil packs replaced on his newest acquisition, a 2002 Mk I MGF 120, that we had last seen in May in Acharacle.

Front brake pads replaced on his 2006 TF 135 in Twilight.

Really great to see Alan and Andy as always and have good catch-ups. Plus cuddles with Mable aka Molly, but very sad not to see the lovely Brucie dog.

Monday was another busy day, we started on Paul’s 2004 TF 135 over in Twynholm, in the morning.

Underfloor coolant pipes replaced, minor service carried out, Kmaps remap put on and a check over. He’d bought it from Trophy cars last year and it’s a really good example. Great to hear stories that he’s been enjoying some runs out with the ‘MG Fun’ group up here.

Really great to meet Paul and Karen, big thanks to them for their warm welcome and fab hospitality.

From there we went over to Tongland where it was great to meet Paul, (sorry for the early wake up!) for a cambelt service on his fairly new acquisition of a 2004 TF 135. Fab to have doggy fusses with beautiful Holly dog. We look forward to seeing Paul next year, at the workshop, for some further work.

That brings us to today and our call in Coylton, this morning, following a departure from some very nice digs in Ayr.

Really lovely to see Colin and Hilda again for work on their year 2000 MGF VVC in Wedgewood. We’d gone supplied with a set of spheres as he was unsure if they required replacing, but the car still had plenty of bounce. Just needed a hyaragas top up. Plus he’d been experiencing some problems with the radiator fan, a local garage had put an override switch in, but it was still randomly overheating, especially when stuck in traffic. Following all our usual checks it could only be one thing, and it had gone to cylinder 1.

Head gasket replaced, when they’d fitted the override switch they’d made it that it was the only way to switch the fan on or off. Jon rewired it, so that it would use the correct engine sensor and also enabled to be overridden should it be needed.

What a lovely day, with lots of chat and lots of food and some sunshine thrown in too. Thanks both.

A very picturesque run over to our next digs, where we’re in Abington for the night, before heading on to the next calls of the trip tomorrow… – https://ift.tt/ljSk16F

Matlock, Eckington, Husthwaite, workshop and now en route to Scotland…

Another busy week full of all sorts. Gary had left his TF 135 with us from Billingham, for some further work. He and his son Liam had planned on replacing the wishbones, but didn’t have the time to do it with one thing and another. They were saved from what was an absolute beast of a job! One of the subframe bolts was already snapped off and another snapped off on removal, despite a load of heat on it. So these were drilled and tapped out. Many hours later new arms fitted, along with new drop links.

We went over to Eckington for the first call on Tuesday morning, where it was good to meet Dave and fairly new acquisition of a GTM Spyder that he was giving a new lease of life to. He wanted better throttle response and the engine to be a bit sharper, so asked us to remap it. Unfortunately, the wiring on the GTM wouldn’t allow us to read the map off the car, so the only option was to go back to the workshop and remap another 160 ECU and send it out by post to him, on an exchange basis.

Before heading back we went over to Matlock to program a spare key-fob for Stephen’s TF 135, he’d thought he’d lost his keys recently so thought it would be a good idea to have a spare just in case. Nice to meet him briefly and get this done for him.

We went over to Husthwaite on Wednesday where it was lovely to see Mark again, and his low mileage 1998 MGF (in British Racing Green – HAM) this time for the minor service and replacement of the underfloor coolant pipes. We look forward to seeing them next year.

Thursday morning and back at the workshop where it was lovely to see Sarah and Mik again, and their 1997 MGF 1.8 mpi (also in British Racing Green) for the minor service and to have the MOT carried out. The sun visor was broken on the the drivers side so this was replaced with one on stock. Thanks to Sarah for bringing us back some cake!

Van all stocked and packed to the gunwales with the kit needed for our next trip over the border.

So this morning we set off for 9 days in Scotland, with a couple of calls scheduled on the way back south at the end. Quite a few hold ups so far, so a steady plod to our digs in Ardrossan for the night. This is another chocker-block trip, with many bookings being made some months ago. I did very unfortunately forget about one chap, he’d been in touch back in November and I’d completely forgotten to add him on to the current list. I held my hands up and apologised for my mistake, only to have our customer service brought into question. Let’s hope that’s my only clanger on this trip!

We did have further troubles with our trusty steed this week too, which is also a worry ahead of a big trip. Our very kindly neighbour saw Jon with his head stuck in the engine bay one evening and came over to lend a hand for a few hours and even had the right part in his workshop to fix one of the issues, what a star. Fingers crossed we will have trouble-free motoring throughout Scotland over the coming week or so. Looking forward to seeing everyone and some new people too.

Have a great weekend everyone, near and far, and may the weather be clement. 😎 – https://ift.tt/9imRUhS

Tunstall, Harrogate, Bolton & workshop…

We got cracking bright and early on Monday morning to replace the heater matrix in Steve and Marie’s LE 500. It’s a long process especially with having aircon, but we got it all done and back together, car ran up to temperature. Then we took Ellie round to have four-wheel alignment carried out at the garage on site, following the recent rear subframe replacement. (Details on previous blog). New battery fitted and she’s all ready for Steve and Marie to collect on Saturday evening.

We went over to Tunstall on Wednesday, where it was lovely, as always, to see Mick and Sammy. Their 1999 MGF 75th anniversary (in Mulberry – CDM) was due for the cambelt service. Full service carried out, plus replacement of the clutch-master cylinder along with a flush through of the old black fluid. Car all set for its next adventure to Portugal later in the year.

Thanks to Mick and Sammy for their hospitality and the delicious jars of homemade chutney. Good to catch-up with them again.

From there we headed over to Harrogate as Karen had reported having trouble selecting gears on their year 2000 MGF 120 mpi (in Wedgewood – JBH). This we found to be due to the clutch-slave cylinder seals having blown. So we replaced this and bled through the old fluid.
Lovely to see Karen again, pleased to have them up and running again.

Today, Thursday, we headed over to Bolton, where it was lovely to meet Huw. His 2003 TF 135 (in Trophy Blue – JFV) had a suspected head gasket failure. The head gasket had been replaced twice in the past, and he was told it had gone again. Fortunately, for Huw, that wasn’t the case, the problem was due to a faulty expansion tank cap. The cambelt service was a year overdue so we carried this out for him, car ran up to temperature with the fans coming on and going off as they should. This was once Huw’s daily drive, having owned it from new. Now it’s just to be enjoyed on sunny days, so he’s looking forward to getting out and about in her again. Thanks to Huw for the cuppas, we look forward to seeing him again next year for some further work that we discussed.

Well we now have a couple of days off, well Jon has some further maintenance to do on the trusty steed tomorrow morning. Hope everyone has a good weekend near and far, where possible, not sure if the weather is looking too clever, but hopefully that may change. 🌞 – https://ift.tt/x439pvD