Beschreibung
Chassis number PA1698
Engine number 1960AP original block available
Over the last few years, US8752 has seen significant mechanical works. Meaning her unrestored beauty is only skin deep! (keep reading trust me)
Our clients acquired US8752, April 2013, taking possession at VSCC Silverstone Spring Start. This new chapter of US8752 came about by a university friend, Triple M man Mark Dalton. Mark has fond childhood memories, his dad racing against US8752 back in the 1970s . Then owned by Nigel Reilly, Nigel looked after US8752 from 1964-2003 (39 years). Installing the Centric 160 supercharger and fitting the J2 wings and changing the colour to the present.
Our vendor's endure-ment of vintage car ownership began at the end of 2013 following a major engine failure when on holiday in Devon. 2014 KV Engineering of Norfolk (Andrew Kirby) was commissioned to asses the damage, Andrew found many issues and recommended full mechanical restoration.
So the body was securely removed from the chassis and stored, (the body frame deemed to be sound). The chassis stripped and inspected, all safety aspects were crack tested. Most items were found cracked, these items were replaced including, stub axles and steering components, along with the chassis knuckles which were cracked in two places.
brand new engine block and head
Phoenix crank and rods
New forged Cosworth pistons
Bayton Jones Cam
Recorded radiator
New exhaust system
Chassis straightened and aligned
New brake components
New road springs
Steering fully refreshed
New wiring loom including indicators
Dynamo by Dynamo Doctor to match the boost
More recently car has been prepared for the race season.
All the above work has assured mechanical reliability and safety of US8752 for many years to come whitest preserving the outward original appearance for fellow enthusiasts to enjoy for many more years.
Custodianship timeline of US8752 start in the fashionable part of Glasgow in November 1934 by William Meadow of St Andrew Drive Finished in red with red leather and silver wheels. Next was George Wishart also of Glasgow. At the outbreak of war, George volunteered for the Navy, officer training. George had a very active war, being aboard several vassals which were hit at one time or another. Sadly, after one too many close encounters, his time was up, hit by U344 in August 1944 with the loss of all 217 souls.
US8752 then passed to George’s sister Nancy who had married George’s lifelong friend Graham Dixon in 1943. Graham’s war was spent on land in Europe, fighting on the front line where he was badly shot in October 1944 and on death's door for numerous weeks, whilst fighting in The Netherlands. He eventually recovered less one leg, US8752 re-configured then enjoyed with hand controls.
The next known custodian being John knight, then Dr. Foister who worked at Birmingham hospital before being sold to Nigel Reilly, from 1964-2003 (39 years) while at university he enjoyed racing and hill-climbing US8752 along with lands end trail in 1972. Nigel fitted the Centric 160 supercharger (which was a genuine factory option) along with J2 cycle wings and paint still present. 2003 Mike Pancheri, between overseas work trips US8752 continued life of motorsport until the spring start of 2013.
Footnote
As a historic car community, we should take pleasure that US8752 cosmetics have been nurtured over the last nearly 9 decades. It is evident that she has a unique story to tell, tell it she will if you would stop and listen. Such stories would include this solo adventure. After evicting the driver (Nigel) at Pardon hairpin (Prescott) and continuing solo to the esses!
Call me sentimental but wouldn’t it be fun to get a group of friends around and have a drink with US8752 surveying, her unrestored beauty.
For anyone who cares to join me for that drink (coffee) whilst viewing this PA MG and says that she needs resorting, they might just find there being asked to leave.
After all, there are only a handful of preservation class cars available and should be protected. A bit like that much-loved child’s toy complete with patches and miss-matched button eyes! I remember viewing the original bodywork of an important racing car, still with original 1930's paintwork. A time later this bodywork had been reunited with its original chassis. This original paintwork was soon removed destroying the uniqueness and desirability. I was virtually in tears for the lost opportunity. The opportunity to preserve rather than restore is only there for a fleeting moment, fortunately, our vendor is on the same page as your writer.
