MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MG Y Type - Warning to Classic Car Drivers

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11348271/AA-issues-warning-to-classic-car-owners-after-MG-folded-like-a-penknife.html

Sad story.. But reminder to drive safely.

R E Knight

I'll bet Dollars to Donuts that the castle rails were both shot on this car Richard. They are structural parts of the car but are often overlooked even on old MOT tests as they concentrate of the sills (inners and outers) but the castle rails were just as important.

Paul
Paul Barrow

According to 'Guy Martin's' programme about India everyone drives like that, and to worry him, driving must be dangerous. Those who take up residency in this Country should take our driving test. Its a clear that yet again our Government has failed to protect us.
B Mellem

I suspect this sad fatality had more to do with the fact the mini cab driver was over tired and short sighted rather than structural problems with the MG and / or the cabbies South Asian origins. Very sad. Hard to see the purpose of the "warning" in the article. What more could you do to protect yourself in the circumstances? The victim was stationary on a main road, in broad daylight with good visibility, and got run into from behind by an overtired short sighted idiot. The better warning is to overtired careless mini cab drivers - if you kill someone you will go to jail. Though 9 months is not long enough..
Marc Hanson

I drive below 40 mph at all times and never go out now at peak times in my YB and hardly ever on motorways ...if only I had a radar capable of detecting them would keep far away from certain immigrant drivers ...particularly taxi drivers and pizza delivery cars... I was rear ended by one (whose driver didn't notice the traffic light had changed to red) some years but was in a Volvo fortunately at the time. I have fitted rear seat belts but ones for the driver are a bit more difficult to construct...mind you the seat security is not great on an unmodified Y.
D MULLEN

With respect David below 40 mph is far too slow on the open roads, most traffic where possible are moving at 60 to 70 so they will come up on you only to be surprised on your slow speed. I am aware that they shouldn't be that fast but that's how it is and we must accommodate it. For us to be accepted on the roads it is important to keep the public on side. Your Y type can be driven at a much more respectable pace without any problems. I don't think one has to go to the extreme in fitting a 5 speed box and TF camshaft but I can cruise on the Motorway at 65 to 75 confident that I will not cause anyone coming up behind any difficulties. Sorry but that's how I see it Bryan
B Mellem

I should have clarified that my driving at or under 40 means the speed limit on most local roads near me and if I go on country lanes I am conscious of the fact that the allowed speed, be it what it may, is a maximum speed limit...there's nothing to say I cant drive at 40 but I do respect your point of view ...and your courage at doing 60 plus in a Y. I hardly ever go on Motorways in the YB except on occasional trips to N Wales via the M53 when I sit in the inside lane at 50-55 but its not something I do regularly !
D MULLEN

I should have clarified that at or under 40 means the speed limit on most local roads near me and if I go on country lanes I am conscious of the fact that the allowed speed, be it what it may, is a maximum speed limit...there's nothing to say I cant drive at 40 but I do respect your point of view ...and your courage at doing 60 plus in a Y. I hardly ever go on Motorways in the YB except on occasional trips to N Wales via the M53 when I sit in the inside lane at 50-55 but its not something I do regularly !
D MULLEN

Sorry David if I was outspoken but as you are a well respected member I felt that new owners may get a wrong impression about these fine cars, so I have started a new thread. Bryan
B Mellem

I agree with Marc. I don't really see what point the AA was trying to make, bless'em: perhaps that a car designed and tooled 55 years ago can't survive a high impact from a modern vehicle driven negligently? Who knew?

Modern vehicles are amazingly safe and secure things, and old ones aren't. We all know that. So I'll still be driving my Y on modern roads, having due regard for the risks of course. If we follow the AA's logic, we'll all end up driving Porsche Cayennes or Range Rovers with 'roo bars front and rear. No thanks.
Tim Griggs

I too agree with both you Tim and Marc. It's interesting to read both Dave and Brian's experiences of using their Y's.

One point that occurs to me is the need to both see and be seen. One can fit LED's into D Lamps and high level brake lights along with well located flashers. I would like to think that we now all do that. Though I certainly no one or two folk who still rely on their semaphores - as they wish to keep their cars original. I feel that this is a 'head in the sands' attitude. If folk want to use their classics they they must be aware of the potential life saving features of fitting LRD's to rear lights, flashers etc.

I am not saying that this would have saved the poor chaps life but ensuring that you are clearly visible must be a priority for all of us who use their classics,

Jerry
J P BIRKBECK

For those of you who don't read Enjoying MG -the monthly mag from the Owners Club in the March 15 issue the editorial includes a comment about the article. As Roche Bentley states " some media pundits said that the death of the driver was because the MG was a classic car and thus not as modern or safe in design as a later vehicle but this is nonsense. Few of today's robot built hatchbacks or people carriers would survive a rear end shunt of between 40 and 50 mph and indeed MGs are noted for their strength compared with other cars. Look up You Tube and search MG MGB Crash Zandvoort. Other clips of MGs and other marques whilst racing clearly demonstrate the strength of MG's"

He is quite right in my opinion I would have thought that a modern car driving into the back of a Y type might well come off worse hitting a very substantial chassis. Though I would not like to test this theory!

Just keep up the good work by using your Ys and ensure that you are properly visible!

I'm at Stoneleigh in the morning for the MG/Triumph Day and will be on the Octagon Club Stand in Hall 3.
I look forward to seeing a few of you there. Its on between 9 and 4.

All the best
Jerry
J P BIRKBECK

This thread was discussed between 23/02/2015 and 28/02/2015

MG MG Y Type index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MG Y Type BBS now