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MG MG Y Type - Y-Type Modifications - too far ?

I'd be interested on the thoughts of Y-Typers regarding the latest Hint & Tip on the IMGYT website.

Should we leave the car the way it was designed and make driver's aware, or fiddle and make it more like a modern car and then we don't have to think about it.
A Slattery

There is someting to be said for restoring even this aspect (the reversing light) to original. However, if you go all the way then of course you would loose a rear light and as we all know, the rear lights on a Y arent the most brilliant of its features (unless you have one of TATerry's LED Conversions which are BRILLIANT). To have it only operate through the side lamps being on is very quirky for sure.

Perhaps someone can comment from the UK as to whether a Reversing Light is an MOT point and if it is fitted is it expected to operate as the manufacturer intended (even if it is an after market seperate unit) or should it operate at all times?

Paul
Paul Barrow

I've been running my YA on its original 1951 lighting rig since completing the restoration in the 1990s - with the addition of two rear reflectors at the bumper ends, as was made mandatory in the late 'fifties, I think.

The MoT station who examine the car every year - quick plug here for Charles Stuart Autos in Uxbridge, with whom I have no connections except as satisfied customer - understand older cars and have raised no objections to one brake light, a reversing light switched through the side lights, and of course they don't require a rear fog light, which I was once asked to provide by an inspector who wasn't born when I bought the car... so I can certainly say there are no MoT issues if you want to keep your car original.

I understand the interest in updating our cars, but speaking purely personally I've always preferred originality to modern functionality - if I want that I'll jump in my modern 60mpg turbodiesel - provided I'm legal. I realise there's a safety compromise at times, for example in the continued use of cross-ply tyres, but our cars were designed over 70 years ago now, and to my mind it's good to preserve them as they were intended to be - quirky wiring, lazy synchromesh, "slight oversteer" and all.
Tim Griggs

An imteresting topic that probably exercises many classic car owners minds.
Whilst I entirely accept the wish of many to retain those quirky features that make a particular model different from another I have a couple of observations.

No one sees semaphore signals and if you were spotted doing hand signals in the UK then the driver behind would not have a clue waht was happennning and go straight in the back of you. So fit external flashers (not on the bodywork) but above the rear bumper (fenders) blades. Also fix flashers within the sidelamps. See and be seen!

The other observation is to fit high level brake lights - these can placed on the rear window ledge or on a YT as amagnetic fittingabove the boot.

5 gear boxes are another subject but I'll open a separate thread on that!

Sincerely

Jerry
J P BIRKBECK

In only three replies we seem to have wandered off topic - nice one Jerry.

I certainly agree with the addition of indicators (in addition to operating trafficators) and high mounted "accessory" brake lights and LED inserts for safety, but the reversing light is not strictly a safety item, so I wanted to get a straw poll on original (sidelights) or modern "expectations" of ignition operation.

The fitting of 5 speed gearboxes in a Y-Type is not acceptable to me - where do you stop - you may as well fit the FORD engine as well. Just don't pretend you are still driving an MG - what would Cecil Kimber say to a FORD GEARBOX.

I think we know how Cecil would answer.
A L SLATTERY

I think anything that adds to safety is a good thing, but within reason...the gearbox conversion seems fine to me (I dont have it on my YB as I don't have the spare cash to do it)as it's practical and reversable and makes driving on modern roads(or so I am told) more enjoyable. I have a 'Practical Motorist' from about 1959 which gives details of fitting a Ford engine to a PB so these things were around when Y types were relatively new. Speaking of Cecil Kimber I wonder what he would make of MGs being made by the Chinese.....I think I know too.
D MULLEN

Tony,
I don't think Cecil would mind the Ford gearbox if he would be living now, certainly not in a Y in which he had only a very small hand in designing?
Cecil always made good use of all kinds of available partsbins. But I agree that a Ford engine would be taking things too far.
Willem vd Veer

This thread was discussed between 27/07/2011 and 02/08/2011

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