The Fastest MG Ever!

This exciting project was launched on 28th May ’98 and Enjoying MG was there to witness the unveiling. The MGF parentage is definitely present, although heavily disguised and MG Cars hope that a successful record attempt will give the car not only well-deserved status in its own right, but also to continue MG’s place in record breaking history. In line with all other famous EXs that have attempted great speeds, the colour of EX255 (please note the significance of the code and hoped-for mph) is green. When questioned as to the name of this pale, almost pearlescent, shade, the answer was Andes Green (just remember the pilot’s name). So there is a jovial side to the serious nature of producing the ‘fastest MG in the world’ as well!

Andy Green himself needed no persuading to get involved in the project. In fact it was he himself who approached MG Cars on learning of the scheme and offered his full support. Andy is actively involved not only in driving the car, but also in the development side of the project. His vast experience of taking cars and aircraft to their limits, coupled with his extensive engineering knowledge, has proved to be invaluable. Andy now drives an MGF as daily transport and claims he “loves it, the only draw back being the limited space for all the luggage I have to trek around the country with”. This means paraphernalia including full flying suit, evening dress, uniform – whatever is needed for whichever function he is attending, but the little F and Andy always seem to look sleek, composed and immaculate at all times. Many inches over 6′ tall, he admits the MGF cockpit to be ‘snug’ but certainly not a problem. Living in Scotland, Andy’s MGF is getting familiar with the road South but has proved reliable transport. “There is nothing to beat it in the summer when you can drive along with the top down” claimed the happy owner of the Platinum Silver 1.8i. Despite his pressured schedule, Andy appears to have the time to answer even the most inane question, responding always with charm and enthusiasm. He oozes ‘Britishness’, leaving one feeling that you could cut him in half and still find red, white and blue blood! A more apt man for the task of piloting EX255 could not be found.

EX 255 Poster from Duxford Handout

Andy Green with EX255

If Andy finds his daily transport has a close fitting interior, then he will find EX255 literally ‘made to measure’. This is concurrent with one of his predecessors Stirling Moss who also found the cockpit of EX181 “a close fit”. When interviewing Stirling several years ago, one of his vivid memories of his adventures in EX181 was “sitting in that tight space moments before ‘go’, watching the mechanics screw down the hatch around me. There was no quick way out if anything had gone wrong” he remembered. Thankfully all had gone according to plan and of course today matters are a little different for record-breaking drivers. Their safety is paramount, justifiably taking precedence over any risk to achieve aims and goals. This, however, does not diminish the risks they are taking and it takes the same amount of raw courage and commitment to be a record breaker now as it ever did.

Moss enters the cockpit of EX181

EX 181 driven by Stirling Moss reached 245.64 mph

Let us all wish Andy and MG EX255 the very best of luck for Bonneville in August. Go for it!

This exciting project will be closely followed by Enjoying MG to see if MG EX255, which many members may have seen at Duxford last month at the National Event, makes MG history later this year.

Zoe Heritage

MG EX255 – General Specification

Body
* Based on normal MGF bodyshell – painted in PPG ‘Andes’ Green
* Wheelbase lengthened by 250mm in front of rear axle centre line
* Body further extended by 400mm at rear with twin F18-style fins either side of bootlid extension
* Left hand drive – left hand side gear shift
* Underfloor modifications to improve aerodynamics – 3 stage step diffuser
* Windscreen deleted – full tonneau with forward hinged canopy
* Font body structure to rear bulkhead standard MGF steel construction
* Unique space frame in 2″ seamless mild steel tubing rear of bulkhead to house new power unit
* Standard MGF steel panels for wings, bonnet and doors
* Remaining demountable body panels in carbon fibre epoxy attached with Dzus fasteners

Dimensions

Chassis
Hubs & bearings – front standard MGF; rear Range Rover
Drive Shafts – Special GKN race specification Lobro inboard and CV outboard joints

Suspension

Pedal Box
* Unique design floor mounted (pendant in MGF), drivers feet must be within safety cell
* Cable operated throttle with toe strap on pedal to pull back if return spring fails

Wheels & Tyres
* Mooneyes, steel wheels with flush fitting disc covers
* Front wheels – 4.5J x 16
* Rear wheels – 7J x 18
* Micky Thompson tyres rated to 375+mph
* Front tyres – 24.5 x 7.5 x 16
* Rear tyres – 26.5 x 9 x 18

Power Train
Base engine: 4.8 litre V8 derived from MG/Rover V8 – 3.7″ (94mm) bore x 3.4″ (86.4mm) stroke
EX255 V8 Specification: Power – 900bhp @ 8000rpm @ 16psi boost;
Max torque – 590lbs ft
Block: Reinforced, cross bolted version of production block
Crankshaft: Machined from solid steel billet with 2.1″ dia big end journals and 2.25″ dia main bearings
Cylinder Heads: Special engineered heads with large valves and improved porting.
Valve sizes – inlet 1.9″ diameter, exhaust 1.6″ diameter
Pistons: Omega forged pistons
Conrods: Forged H-section steel connecting rods
Intake System: Camshaft driven mechanical centrifugal compressors feeding into two water cooled heat exchangers, to ensure charge air temperatures do not exceed 30 degrees C, and into plenum chamber to feed individual cylinders.
Exhaust System: Four into one large bore manifolds and open twin exhausts
Fuelling: Sequential fuel injection system with self learning fuelling strategy
Cooling System: No radiator. Recirculating large capacity tank (150L) with specially designed heat exchanger
Lubrication: Dry sump with twin scavenge pumps; Laminova type oil cooler plumbed into water system and/or air blast cooler under rear of car. Gearbox: Modified Hewland type NMT six speed sequential transaxle installed upside down with a step up gear between engine and gearbox to achieve overall gear ration and lower engine in car.
Clutch: 5.5″ triple plate sintered AP Racing clutch
Fuel & Lubricants: FINA – fuel capacity 30 litres

General Information
Car weight: 1400kg without driver
Instrumentation: Engine data-logging compatible with Engine

Management System
Vehicle performance and attitude logging (eg temp, speed etc)

Safety Equipment
* Chrome Moly safety/roll cage
* Two carbon fibre AFFF 4000R fire extinguisher systems, front bay and cockpit, and engine bay
* Six point seat belts with leg and arm restraints
* Twin braking parachute system stored in 8″ dia tubes, 12ft dia high speed, 15ft dia low speed
* Sheet aluminium alloy seat moulded to Andy Green Aerodynamics
* Cd O.180-0.195 dependent on additional aero aids used
* Frontal area 1.48M2
* Cda 0.266-O.289M2

MG has been associated with all types of motorsport since its inception. Record breaking in particular has been an area of notable achievement for the marque, with records being broken as long as ago as 1931, when Captain George Edward Thomas Eyston drove EX120 to 101.13mph in the little 743cc supercharger. Only eight years later Major Goldie Gardner was galloping along the salt flats in EX135 to top 200mph. Enthusiasm for the Record Breaking game continued all through the ’40s and ’50s, culminating in Phil Hill’s 254mph record at Bonneville in 1959. No less than 43 international class records were established by MG between 1930 and 1959, proving the Factory’s determination that MG was a world beater in every sphere.

Notes: 743cc – first 750cc car to exceed 100mph.
Supercharged using the potent RD1 ethylene-glycol-based racing fuel.

Experimental prototype

Notes: 1087cc – first car to exceed 200mph.
Supercharged 6 cylinder MG Magnette K3 engine

Experimental project

Notes: 1489cc producing c290bhp @ 7000rpm
Supercharged MGA Twin Cam engine, running on 86% methanol laced with nitrobenzene, acetone and sulphuric ether.

Experimental project

Notes: Increased to 1506cc producing over 300bhp @ 7300rpm.
Supercharged MGA Twin Cam engine, running on fuel as for 23.8.57

Experimental project

Notes: 1433cc 329bhp @ 7000rpm
Turbocharged K Series, running on super unleaded petrol.

Modified Production car.

And finally, we hope to be able to add…………….

Notes: 4.8 litre 900bhp @ 9000rpm
Supercharged MG V8