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MG MG Y Type - Let There be Ys

Sirs,

Just thought I'd ask if anyone has a printed copy in good shape of "Let There be Ys". I know they are hard to get, but I'd like to obtain a copy. I am aware of the CD version.

Steve
Stephen Van Ess

You missed one a couple of weeks ago that was for sale in the UK Steve :(!! It was at a good price too - only £70!

Will keep my eyes open for you.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Paul,

I would very much appreciate you watching for a copy for me. I am also interested in the supplement, as I understand it has quite a bit of YT information.

If you want to notify me directly, you can write me at my email. steveve5@yahoo.com.


Steve
Stephen Van Ess

Good Luck.

My copy will be For Sale when I die - I really can't ever see myself selling it.

I have the CD version that includes the never printed 2nd supplement that I use as an Index as it's searchable - then refer to the hard copy for study.

Safety Fast

Tony
The Classic Workshop
A L SLATTERY

It's too bad that as much as this is in demand, that no one has done a small second printing of it.
Stephen Van Ess

Dave Lawrenece looked at the cost but it was in the thousands as the original printer in South Africa had broken down the blocks made especially for it.

Stephen, you say the demand is there ... but it is not really - one or two times a year if that we get asked this question and have since the original inventory was sold. It is completely uneconomic and that is why Dave L, David Pelham and I got together and I went to work digitizing the book and proof reading, positioning etc. then electronically cross linking both Supplement 1 and 2 to the main text and also back the other way, indexing etc. to produce the final CD version. This process was a full 6 months of intense labor. I then only made an initial CD run of 250 copies expecting those to sell reasonably quickly before reburning a second run. This was 13 years ago and I still have over 45 left despite the price of $35 being held. My personal cost of holding that inventory for such a low demand, coupled with tight margins (the profit on all of YZ Publication Inc sales goes directly to help funding the cost we incur running the site and all the other resources you as members enjoy completely free of charge and at a personal cost to the IMGYTR Board) mean that commercially it would be a complete non-starter to do a physical reprint.

In closing I would like to add this to everyone:
Yes, you may face a bill for shipping from a supplier of MG Y parts etc. that is more than the cost of the part in today's economy. And it may be cheaper to make up a "farm yard fix" (or botch something together) but it is not cheap to supply such a niche market as the MG Y nor is it cheap to maintain our classic cars. If you DO NOT support our specialty vendors we cannot be too upset when they are no longer there to support you and your needs - it comes down to pure economics at the end of the day.
Paul Barrow

Bravo, Paul and Tony!

Steve, I have not had the pleasure of meeting you. You may have come to Y Type ownership a bit late in the game... If not, forgive my following comments.

I have owned/restored YB0952 over the last 37 years. I corresponded with John Lawson long before the Internet, purchased Lawrence's monograph as soon as it was printed and followed Paul's comprehensive website to obtain parts and information unique to these models.

Steve, first off, thank you for recognizing the Y types for being the collectible classics they are. As intended 1940 models they were far ahead in design of anything Britain was producing at the time for the price. They set the mechanical basis for every Abingdon MG model for the next 40 years.

Unfortunately, they have never been valued as highly as their roadster contemporaries, despite being much rarer. NTG has been the sole supplier of unique parts to keep then on the road for over 50 years. As Paul so correctly explains, this is not a profitable endeavor.

May I suggest you purchase a digital copy of Lawrence's Y standard and if you must, have it printed/binded by FedEx et al. Hopefully you will not be in violation of any copyrights???

In closing, I must agree wholeheartedly with Paul: many times I read of complaints as to the cost of shipping parts to OZ and other parts of the world. Our cars deserve being maintained as original. Bailing wire and duct tape fixes are beneath the standards our classics deserve!

Rocky
YB0952
Williamsburg, VA USA
Rodney C "Rocky" von Dullen

Gentlemen,

I now understand the situation of the "Let There be Ys". I thank you for your information.

Rocky, I agree that Ys are not valued on the market as much as some of their roadmates. I constantly have people at car shows ask how much my "Dixie" is worth, and they are amazed that she is not worth more. I purchased my MG YT about a year and a half ago, so Yes I am an MG newbie. I thoroughly love my car, driving it, and so very much enjoy people's reactions to her. Her nickname Dixie came from my wife's mother, who was nicknamed Dixie.

Paul, We all appreciate the efforts you have put in to digitize the book. Thank You. I still want to obtain a printed copy for my records, but would like to purchase a CD version at this time. How do I purchase one from you? Do you have a website? Do I order it here from YZ Publications?

Steve Van Ess
Stephen Van Ess

Use the link on this website Steve. It is a secure link and server, as it the entire site.

Paul
Paul Barrow

This thread was discussed between 15/01/2023 and 28/01/2023

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