MGs Invade Arundel Castle
Sunday 9th April 2006 was a very good day for MG enthusiasts in the south, because it was the fourth annual Arundel Castle gathering. Once again we were very lucky with the weather which turned out to be dry and quite sunny until the final cars were leaving at 5 pm. Attendance was again excellent this year with some 210 MGs of various types gracing the Lower Lawns of the Castle grounds.
MGs gathered at Arundel
The Squires’ family collection of MGs that had travelled over from the Isle of Wight, their cars comprised of an MGB GT, MGF, MG RV8 and a Midget
Early MGB
Ian Marshall’s beautiful 1968 MGC
The majority were MG As, Bs, Midgets, and even the latest models of today, such as MGTF and the Z Series, but as I walked around I noted some slightly rarer models, the first of these being Ian Marshall’s beautiful 1968 MGC Roadster. I have always felt rather sorry for the C as it should have been as successful as the B derivative but unfortunately it failed due to bad press and the favouritism of the British Leyland management for the Triumph marque. Another MG that was the victim of British Leyland’s cost cutting policy was the MG 1100/1300. We were lucky enough to be graced by the presence of Paul Robinson’s MG 1300 Mark II of 1017 Reading MG Owners Club. It was really nice to see such a lovely example as so many of these innovative sports saloons have succumbed to rust and are no longer with us. Soon after seeing the 1300 I was immediately taken by Alan Slacks’ 1956 MG Magnette in superb Island Green, I would say it was probably one of the best examples I’ve ever seen. Not just MGs were at Arundel this time, because I also found tucked away John Hendrusson’s Austin Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite. This 1960 car had been totally restored to its original factory condition and has won numerous Concours awards, and it’s easy to see why.
John Hendrusson’s little Austin Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite
Modern MGs were out in strength
It was also particularly nice to see the Squires’ family collection of MGs that had travelled over from the Isle of Wight to be with us, their cars comprised of an MGB GT, MGF, MG RV8 and a Midget.
Our thanks must go to His Grace the Duke of Norfolk and his staff for kindly providing such a wonderful venue once again. I must also say a big thank you to Andy Harris and his helpers from the 1006 Chichester MGOC who made this event such a superb success following on very neatly from their excellent Goodwood track day earlier this year. 1006’s chosen charity, St Joseph’s Night Shelter, benefited from the £225 raised on the day.
The countdown for next year has already begun.
Alan Slacks’ 1956 MG Magnette in superb Island Green
Paul Robinson’s MG 1300 Mark II of 1017 Reading MG Owners Club
Jamie Brown