Modern MGs
Mike's discussion will cover:
> The Rover ‘K’Series Power Unit used in most ‘Modern’ MG’s from Longbridge.
> The Myths and Realities of this often maligned engine.
Construction and Development of the Aluminium Sandwich Engine
> Design issues and Modifications, Maintenance, Reliability and Performance.
> HGF and rebuild care. Practicalities.
> Selection of the correct gaskets for longevity.
> The (SAIC) MG ‘N’ Series variant developments
Mike is a retired Fire Officer from the UK who emigrated to Canada in 2006. He has been an avid car enthusiast throughout his life and has owned and fettled a wide range of vehicles in the last 50 years, always servicing his families' as well as his own cars. His first sports car was an Austin Healey 100, BN1 on which he carried out a rolling restoration over several years. A number of ragtops followed until he met his wife in 1980.
Mike’s first Modern MG was a 1989 MG Maestro 2.0i which he used for a number of years, fitted out with sirens and flashing lights in his role as a Senior Fire Officer (lots of fun). A 2.0i MG Montego followed for a short while, until he became a fan of the Renault 25.
After his retirement, Mike bought an MG Midget as a project to work on with his son. That was never completed due to emigrating to Canada. After settling into a rural property a little way south of Edmonton Mike started acquiring a range of vehicles, the first of which was his 1950 MGTD. That in itself led to joining the Edmonton Classic Sports Car Club and becoming friends with several members of the Calgary MG Car Club. A couple of MGBs later, Mike bought his first MGF from a Doctor in St. Annes Lancashire and imported it from the UK with a mini and another MGF. Since that time Mike has acquired several more modern MGs from the UK and Japan and has become a source in Western Canada for parts, servicing and information as well as the cars.
Active on the MG Experience forums, Mike was just one of a small group who decided that Canada needed to collectively share information and enthusiasm for our ‘Modern” MGs. That led to the birth of the Canadian Modern MG Car Club, whose membership extends to the UK, USA, South Africa, Australia, and Europe.
Together with his son and a close friend in the ECSCC, they have taken a variety of MGFs to conventions and car events in the US and Canada from Corvallis to Niagara falls as well as home events in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Mike has had a low profile over the last couple of years due to cardiac issues and more recently the death of his son David, but with his non Lucas pacemaker fitted, is now active again once more. Mike still owns a number of MG cars in the UK as well as his Canadian Fleet.
