Octagon March, 2016

YD2 #2147 (Roadster) Ash Green. Rod Hiley
(Abingdon Motors), Phil Redding (Gold Coast) Dan
Casey (Clontarf).
There is some doubt as to whether this was actually
delivered in Australia or straight to New Guinea
where it spent a few years. Max Henderson recalls
seeing it there. Following its return to Newcastle in
Australia Rod Hiley (Abingdon Motors) purchased
it in 1971. Rod did not use it much as he had many
other toys in his sand pit (familiar car story). Phil and
Julie Redding (Gold Coast) purchased it in 1986
and competed in a number of motoring events, Hill
Climbs and Sprints and a number of MG National
Meetings. After Phil and Julie “split the sheets” I
purchased it from Phil in 1998 for $23,000 with
the freshly reconditioned original engine. I had
previously walked away from it in 1985 when Rod
Hiley wanted $20,000 for it. (Good move, engine
cost $4,500 to recondition)
I installed deluxe seats, heater demister, power
brakes, a Nissan 5 speed gear box and another
factory hard top as well as soft Carburettor mounts
and electronic Ignition.
Following my banishment to the Modified Class
at the Maitland National Meeting because of the
Nissan 5 Speed Gear Box and not being allowed
to park with the other “Pucka Puckas” Twin Cam
Group, didn’t I cop an ear full over the PA system
from the “Mouth from the South” when I won the
motorkhana event – by default, I must add as the
other car broke an axle. A few years later, the
“Mouth from the South” purchased an MGA and the
first thing he did was install a 5 Speed Gear Box and
was allowed in the standard MGA Class. Now you
know why I no longer participate in Concours either
as an entrant or as a Judge.
I think this also may be a mutual agreement
because the last time I was coerced into judging, I
was banned when I brought out my crank handle to
ascertain which 3 of the 12 MGAs on display were
worthy of being judged. This raised the hair on the
back of the necks of 8 owners whose cars did not
line up for the crank handle to enter and/or engage
the engine’s starting dog. In the old days we had to
rely on the crank handle to get us going when those
pathetic old 6 volt batteries fizzled out and left you
high and dry. still enjoy this banishment and selfimposed
exile. (To hell with the Pucka Puckas, spit
and polish brigade who never exceed 2500 rpm.
YD2 #2232 (Roadster) Iris Blue. Peter Pollard
(Toowong) (Information is provided in Item 1)
YD2 #2259 (Roadster) Orient Red. Steve Truscott
(Moorooka), W. Kleinschmidt (Brisbane) Peter
Graham (Biloela).
Wayne Henman (House of MG) had this Twin Cam
for sale on consignment in February, 1985. It had a
faulty clutch which turned out to be a faulty pressure
plate. I had a new one, so I sold it to Wayne to effect
repairs. (There is a reason for this madness on my
part). It was for sale for $12,000 and I wanted to buy
it. However, I had just restored a black 1600 with
a black hard top and all leather red seats and the
proposed new owner, Julie Godfrey, could not pay
me until she sold her MGB. So, we went off to the
Newcastle MG National Meeting. On our return, and
now with $12,000 from the sale of the MGA, I hot
footed it up to Wayne’s with a brown paper bag full
of cash (learnt that from “Joh”, our Premier). Then,
once again, my world fell apart, or so it seemed at
the time when Wayne told me that the owner had
taken the car up to Rod Hiley (Abingdon Motors)
who immediately sold it to the Kleinschmidts to add
to their impressive collection of MGs and others.
Moral of this story is once again “strike while the iron
is hot, do not hesitate, and sell the wife and kids if
necessary.”
The car then went to Bert Batemen at Byron Bay
during a period while I was in England and Ireland
and was not aware that it was coming on the
market; otherwise I would have stayed home and
acted accordingly. (Drats, Batman! Comic curse
word from childhood, Foiled again!)
A school friend of Rod Hiley, Peter Graham,
introduced himself to me at Toowoomba MG
National Meeting in 2013 and asked my opinion of
this Twin Cam which was parked outside on a trailer
for sale and of which I was not previously aware.
Without hesitation I told him if he did not buy it then
I would. Peter is now the new custodian and bought
it down from Biloela for our local Club Concours
this year at St. Lucia. Peter likes driving his DB9
bulldozers, so at this stage he does not have a lead
foot. I am trying to rectify this. Just give me/him time.
If gentle persuasion fails, I will resort to threats of
physical violence. (Just kidding, Peter)
YD2 #2250 (Roadster) Old English White. Russ
Howard (Clayfield) - Information supplied in Item 1.
YD2 #2260 (Roadster) Orient Red. Frank Hiscock
The Octagon - March 2016 15