JustBritish

I just got this message and thought it appropriate to post it.

Dear BCF Member,

Most of you who frequent the British Car Forum know our MG forum moderator, Tony Barnhill. Some of you already know this, but for those who don’t it is with great sadness that I much inform the members of BCF that Tony was killed in a head-on collision near his home in Gurley, Alabama on Monday, 25 Jan 2010. His wife was seriously injured as well and remains in ICU. The accident occurred Monday morning, 25 Jan 2010. Tony had been a dear friend and one of my Moderators for over nine years. In that time he helped countless enthusiasts from around the world solve their MG and other British car problems. Many of you knew him personally; some only knew him from the internet. Either way, those who had the good fortune to cross paths with Lt Colonel (USA, retired) Tony Barnhill were all the richer for the experience. I have a thread in the “Pub” forum where members can post their condolences to the family and/or post remembrances of Tony. From the posts we have so far, it is obvious that Tony touched a lot of lives and his death leaves a huge void. At the appropriate time, I will print and send the thread to Tony’s family with all your condolences.

Sincerely,
Basil

Road and Track Magazine has published a first look at the new MINI Countryman. Yes, this is the first 4-door vehicle to leave the Mini manufacturing plant in Oxford, England. Not sure what to make of it, so would love to hear what you think. You can read R&T’s full article on their site, here
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A detailed electronic service and repair manual known as the MG TF RAVE disc is now available to MG TF owners from all XPart AutoService centres and wholesalers.

MG TF owners can now access valuable service and maintenance information for their cars with an electronic workshop manual, available from all XPart AutoServices centres and wholesalers. The first disc of its kind to go on sale to motorists, it offers extensive technical advice for owners of MG TFs manufactured by MG Rover between 2002 and 2005. It contains a greater depth of technical detail than can be found in paper manuals, together with comprehensive search and cross-referencing functions, and the option to enlarge diagrams and print pages of interest.

“Modern cars have a great deal more complex mechanical and electronic features than cars built even ten years ago,” explains Barry Smith, UK sales manager, XPart. “While this enhances the capabilities of the car, it also means a more complex service and maintenance regime is required to keep the car performing at its best. The MG TF electronic workshop manual offers owners a convenient and flexible way to access the detailed information they need, which would otherwise extend to over 1,200 A4 pages.”

The MG TF took over from the MGF as the UK’s top selling convertible sports car from its launch in 2002 until the collapse of the manufacturer in 2005. With four different models, the 115, 120, 135 and 160, the car remains popular today both in the UK and throughout the world. Powered by a Rover K-Series engine, the TF model exhibits several key differences to its predecessor, including a redesigned front-end with projector headlamps for both main and dip beam, sidelamps and indicators contained within the headlight assemblies, extended side sills, revised side air intakes and a revised boot lid design with an in-built raised rear edge. Additionally, conventional steel springs and dampers replace the MGF’s Hydragas suspension system.

The MG TF electronic workshop manual is available from January 2010 at a cost of £28 + VAT. For further information or to locate your nearest XPart wholesaler or AutoService centre, visit xpart.com.

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC), China’s number-one automaker, has just launched its MG6 in China. The new model faces off against the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Sagitar in the highly competitive mid-class auto segment in China.

The MG6 hatchback, equipped with a 1.8-liter turbo engine, will be produced by SAIC Co at its Lingang plant.

SAIC will also start production of the MG6 in a plant in the United Kingdom next year as it tries to revive the 85-year history of the British icon globally. The company said the MG6, which was unveiled at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show last April, is specifically designed for Asian and European markets.

In China, “There will be market potential for the MG6 if SAIC prices the car competitively,” said Ye Sheng, an auto analyst at automotive consulting firm B. Thinking Management in Shanghai.

SAIC has operated the sporty MG brand as its own since the carmaker acquired smaller domestic rival Nanjing Auto at the end of 2007. SAIC now produces the MG7, MG3SW and MG TF sports car in China, as well as the Roewe series that came from the Rover Group of the U.K.

Tang Yuejin, communications director of SAIC Motor, said the MG6′s unique design targeting young consumers should be its competitive edge.

SAIC will also launch a new smaller-engined MG3 sedan in 2010.

There was a lot of eye rolling and worried looks when Ford sold Jaguar to India’s Tata. But based on the latest December figures, maybe there wasn’t reason to worry.

Jaguar sold 1,246 cars in December in the U.S., a 24% increase from last year. Land Rover sold 3,595 of its rugged SUVs, a 37% boost from a year ago. For the full year, combined sales of both brands dipped 14%, not bad considering how the overall auto industry saw sales plunge even more. Needless to say, execs are happy:

“Three consecutive months of Jaguar and Land Rover growth is a great way to end 2009, and a sign of better times to come,” said Jaguar-Land Rover North America President Gary Temple. “We start 2010 with sales momentum, strong product lineups for both brands, and the launch of the 2011 Jaguar XJ on its way. It is going to be a very exciting year.”

Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by a company now best known as the maker of the world’s cheapest car, the $2,500 Nano that plies the rough roads of India. Many were unsure what would happen to the storied British brands in the hands of a third-world automaker. But Tata looks like it’s succeeding — so far.

The Heritage Motor Centre, home to the world’s largest collection of British cars and the annual Mini Festival, is to host a special Historic Rally Car Register Open Day on Saturday 16 January from 9:30am – 4:30pm. The HRCR Club was designed for those interested in historic rallying, the branch of motorsport dedicated to cars that were rallied from the 1950s through to the 1980s.

2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally. A number of original cars that took part will be on display plus visitors can find out all they need to know about historic rallying. Visitors will be able to see the launch of the 2010 Stage & Road HRCR Championship season plus special scenic tours and the chance to see 100 series start up rallies. One highlight of the event will be the chance to listen to special guest rallying legend ‘Brian Culcheth’ interviewed by Graham Robson, a well known motoring writer and historian.

John Bishop, Car Clubs & Groups Co-ordinator at the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We’re delighted to be hosting the Historic Rally Car Register Open Day. The show is an absolute must for historic rally enthusiasts. Historic rallying is booming and becoming ever more popular among rally fans. This nostalgic event is not to be missed”.

Entry to the event is free of charge with the first 200 visitors also receiving complimentary entry to the museum. Thereafter rally attendees will qualify for discounted entry into the museum for just £6 per person. It should be a great event for all Mini and classic rallying fans.

To find out more information visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk