Book Reviews
Book Reviews
MG The Untold Story
by David Knowles
Twelve years in the making, this book is surely destined to become a classic and one that any serious MG enthusiast must add to their bookcase. Delving with unsurpassed thoroughness into the 75 year history of MG, author David Knowles has recounted the story since the days of Cecil Kimber but adds a few unique touches. In particular he looks at the prototypes behind the models, following their original inception through to production unearthing along the way some previously untold stories. He claims in his introduction “Of course, many books have been written about MG, but in this volume I have tried to capture a sense of not only the cars (including many that were still-born), but also an inkling of the spirit of the people who made MG what it was”. This he has certainly managed to do. David has also succeeded in delving deep into Rover’s files and has brought to light some interesting photographs of the cars, some of which reached production eventually and others that did not make company approva, literally relegated to scrap. Apart from the 237 pages of hard-packed, fascinating, relevant , informative and highly readable text, littered in abandon with inset boxed profiles of cars, people, engines and anything of particular merit, the Appendices is worth spending £39.99 alone. Subdivided in to MG Prototypes, EX-Register, ADO Code Numbers and particularly ‘Chronology, the author claims is “by no means a comprehensive list of the events that have affected MG, but it includes details of the major events of significance to the marques’ development.
| Some of the entries have no obvious MG connection, until the wider implications are considered”. It is a masterful document nonetheless. The book’s acknowledgement forward reads like an MG “Who’s Who”. David leaving very few stones unturned in his search for ‘The Untold Story’. Big colour glossy pictures of concours MGs it has not – this book is not for the coffee table. Rather it has wider appeal for anyone who wishes to look further behind the scenes of the evergreen octagon and a book that will constantly be a source of reference. David Knowles hopes that “reading it gives you at least half as much pleasure as it has given me during the 12 years that I have spent researching and writing it”. Almost guaranteed, I would imagine.
Price: £39.95 Code: 3694 |
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| Auto-Electrics by Rodney Jaques and Lindsay Porter Another excellent step-by-step DIY service manual from Porter Manuals, this time devoted to that rather mysterious subject of car electrics. Not specific to MG but cars in general, it is a down-to-earth (no pun intended) guide that covers all topics electrical from circuits, batteries, charging, starter and ignition systems, lights, instruments and in-car entertainment. Fault finding is another useful chapter. Much consideration has been given to explanations of this complex subject and the clear diagrams accompanied by sequential photographs of each stage go a very long way to unravelling the mystery. The book initially tells you how it works, then logically shows you how to fit it . Sounds simple and as electrical faults apparently cause 90% of all breakdowns, this book must definitely help. Price: £9.99 Code: 5687 |
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| MG Sportscars by Malcolm Green The latest offering from the Green stable is truly magnificent. ‘MG Sportscars’ boasts ‘an illustrated history of the world-famous sporting marque’ and this it does superbly. The design and clarity of the pictures cannot be faulted, with the captions and the text so clear and easy to follow that the history lesson cannot be failed to be absorbed like osmosis. The author himself is a true MG enthusiast, owning his first MG at the age of 18 (a new Midget) and since then he has always owned at least one model at a time, not to mention the number of rebuilds he has also completed. This care for the marque shines through the pages of ‘MG Sportscars’. Authentic period shots enhance the superb colour plates, particularly in the chapters entitled ‘The Start of It All’ and ‘Years of Glory’. Another charming feature is the double page spreads frequently tripped over, devoting their space to specific MGs revealing all angles, detail shots and specification. When you pick up the book, one tends to turn the large glossy pages with a sense of reverence, so beautifully do the cars appear. You know that this is another that is just too great to leave in the shop. Definitely one for the coffee table, where it will linger and be loved for a very long time. Price: £12.99 Code: 3688 |
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All these books are available through the MGOC post & packing FREE for UK residents.