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MG MGA - New MGA Car Jack Variant

Ok, This will probably go over the heads of most enthusiasts, but for the Clausager purists and Concours addicts it seems that thanks to Brian Paddon contacting me we have uncovered a variation of the King Dick B1077 that was supplied to the bulk of our cars.

Until a few days ago all the KD jacks that have been brought to my attention have the prefix SF cast above the B1077 model number. Brian's original jack from his 1960 1600 (chassis 92255) does not have this prefix. Incidentally, the Moss reproduction also carries the SF prefix

I would be interested to hear from other owners with cars from this period who still have their original toolkit.

Have a look at this entry and the one below: http://www.classic-british-car-jacks.uk/King_Dick_Jacks.htm#King_Dick_Bow_Tie_B1077

Steve
Steve Gyles

You really must get out more Steve :)


Gordon
G C Pugh

That brought you out of the woodwork Gordon! How are things going?

Someone has to do this attention to detail Gordon if we are to retain the history of our heritage. It takes about 10 to 15 hours a week to run the 20 databases.

Too hot for an anorak at the moment.

Steve

Steve Gyles

Gollygosh, Steve. I have one of these very rare and probably hugely valuable jacks, too. Mine came with a late 1500 FHC, chassis number 68722. That and the handle(without tommy bar) were all that existed of a tool kit when I took over as custodian 15 years ago. Rotten photo taken in the garage a few minutes ago. Theories to Steve, I think.
Shane

Shanerj

Thanks Shane. May I record your chassis no. in the database?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Of course, Steve. What we won't know is whether it came with the car. I have had 15 years as owner; the previous custodian had 18 years...
Shane
Shanerj

Thanks Shane. As it is the correct type of jack there is more than a fair chance it it is the original. Difficult to say for certainty of course after all these years, but the more responses I get with identical markings increases the likelihood.

By the way, I am in touch with King Dick to see if they can shed any light. It's a long shot that they still have records from the 60s. Tangye, for instance, destroyed all Shelley records when they bought the company in the late 60s.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve, My Twin Cam which was assembled in March 1959 has the King Dick B1077 without the SF cast above the B1077. All other numbers exactly as you list on your website. The history of this car is known back to original owner, so it is virtually 100% certain jack is the original one supplied.
Garry
Garry Kemm

Thanks Gary.

Anyone else?

Steve
Steve Gyles

I have thought of 2 possibilities of the relevance of the SF marking:

1. MG contracted for a batch of the B1077 King Dick jacks. These could have been identified with the 'Safety Fast' initials used by MG. Against this theory, it would have been more appropriate to use MG.

2. King Dick subcontracted the body casting to a local foundry in Birmingham; S***** Foundry. I have seen something similar with the Suffolk Iron Foundry in a jack produced during WW2.

Steve
Steve Gyles

It might simply be that the foundry that produced the casting had more than one mould. One with the SF and one without. The SF may not be that important, it is not the brand name nor the part number.
Garry
Garry Kemm

Garry

I see a lot of minor changes like that with all jack makes. Frequently it is just the date change; very common with Shelley jacks.

In the course of maintaining these databases you would be surprised at the number of concours fanatics (usually Healey owners) who contact me looking for a specific date or marking on a jack. It's the length they go to for perfection. I just try to provide the references for them. Barney/ Clausager provided the original details on the MGA jacks and changeover points where known. I merely add tit bits of additional information as and when they crop up.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,
I enjoy your website/database, keep up the good work. This sort of exchange of information all adds to the enjoyment of owning an MGA.
Garry
Garry Kemm

Steve,
I see that you have added my jack to your website. Your site indicates that you do not have exact dimensions for the Tommy Bar. The only part of the jack that was with my car when I bought it was the Tommy Bar. I am just assuming this this the King Dick Jack Tommy Bar because it fits perfectly in the hole in the Jack handle. The two long handle sections were purchased separately from my jack so I'm not 100% sure it was a KD handle set.

With all of this uncertainty about my jack and handle, you can use this information or just ignore it. As you can see in the attached picture, the Tommy Bar is 12" long and is not tapered like the spanner Tommy Bar that came in the tool kits.

I'll attach another picture that shows that one of the longer handle sections is just over 22" and the other one is just under 22" long.

Jim

JL Cheatham

Here's the other picture that shows more clearly the length of the two longer handle sections.

Jim

JL Cheatham

Brilliant. Thanks Jim. I will add it today. Almost certainly an original handle. Not a lot of jacks have the metal cross piece.

Steve
Steve Gyles

By the way, for the later MGAs the Shelley LJ225, is going up in value quite markedly. The cone shaped body is shared by a number of cars including the Austin/Morris Mini Minor and the Jaguar E-Type Series 1. The main difference between the jacks is the winding mechanism and in the case of the E-Type a 3 tier screw is inserted into the body. Anyone buying one of these jacks for their MGA must avoid both of the other versions - cost of the E-Type jack is about $2000 and both versions will not fit under under an MGA with a deflated tyre.

I have recently discovered a UK engineering company is buying up all the MGA and Mini jacks it can get its hands on (hence the price hike) and converting them to the E-Type spec. Expect to pay upwards of $300 to $500 if you want to outbid this company.

Picture of correct Shelley LJ225 for the MGA attached.

Steve

Steve Gyles

Hi Steve,
Just thought I would put a couple of pics of the Jack which came with my car I would guess it's original, you will be able to tel me different I guess.

Cheers Jack


Jack New Forest

And another, sorry but all my images I put on the site are always upside down.

Jack New Forest

Jack

The LJ23 was original on early 1500s. What's your chassis number and can you tell me the date number below the LJ23?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve - speaking of later LJ225 jacks & variants, I was shown an LJ225 earlier this year at a show. There was an additional cast ring at the handle insert point. I was told this was added because the casting hole was weak and they cracked out. Also this jack was supplied to AH 3000's also? Jack (no pun intended)
JR Jack

Jack

You are correct. A reinforcing ring was added to the handle winder but that jack was never issued to The MGA.

http://www.classic-british-car-jacks.uk/shelley_jacks_3.htm#Shelley LJ225 AH

Steve
Steve Gyles

Very interesting, It was being shown as the jack supplied with an MGA Deluxe and it took a first place. Did I understand AH 3000's only with the reinforcement then ? Jack
JR Jack

Jack

Correct. Never issued with the MGA for one simple reason: it was only developed and produced after MGA production ceased.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,
As you say, the version of the Shelley LJ225 with the reinforcing collar was never supplied with the MGA while in production. The MGA1600 SPL lists the Jack part number as AHH 5986 supplied from chassis no. 93548 on. Therefore if you ordered a jack a few years after MGA production had ceased then it is quite likely the later version with reinforcing collar would be supplied under part number AHH5986.
Garry
Garry Kemm

This thread was discussed between 21/07/2016 and 01/08/2016

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