The Rat – MG C Type Midget
A few years ago I was at Angouléme for the historic race meeting absorbing the atmosphere of that wonderful street circuit and watching some fabulous pre-war race cars screaming around the course, there were countless Bugattis of every type but for me the real star of the track was a little British Racing Green MG C-type Midget. To hear the crisp rasp of the exhaust from that tiny supercharged engine echoing between the tall buildings was truly stirring and the speed with which the C-type whizzed around the road circuit was awe-inspiring.
Barry on the circuit at the Le Mans Classic
Characteristic cornering style at Le Mans
The C-type was driven by Barry Foster who has been successfully campaigning it for many years and the lithe little racer is a very familiar sight at historic events such as Angouléme, Le Mans and Spa. When Barry invited me to visit his workshops and experience ‘The Rat’ at first hand I was delighted to have the opportunity to take a close look at such a famous racing MG.
Over the years Barry has built up considerable expertise on these thoroughbred MGs and there were several exceptional examples of the marque in his workshops receiving his attention.
It was The Rat that I’d come to see and we quickly rolled it out of the garage ready to fire up. The little OHC engine starts upon an instant and runs eagerly straight away with a sharp and urgent bark from the side mounted exhaust. There are no doors on the lightweight alloy racing body so it’s a question of climbing in over the sides. We have to take turns to get into the cockpit each of us threading our legs over the cut away sides and then sliding into the tight grip of the bucket seat. Entering from the passenger side one needs to take care to avoid being burnt on the open exhaust.
Once we are both secure inside the tiny cockpit, Barry checks the oil-pressure, a gauge he keeps under constant scrutiny, engages gear and we are on the move. Gently at first to allow everything to warm up but then as we reach the open road we’re off and away. The C-type springs forward into the narrow lane, the pick-up is instant and the trees, hedgerows and immediate scenery rushes by in a blur. Without a windscreen the aeroscreens provide only minimal protection from the airstream and so the effect of the acceleration is felt directly in the face and we continue to gather pace, which intensifies the sensation of speed. At high speed normal speech is inaudible and we communicate by shouts and gestures. This C-type Midget is an out and out race car it was built for the track and its performance is astonishing.
Barry has been racing his C-type for nearly 30 years and he knows exactly how to place it on the road. The lithe chassis provides astonishingly precise road holding that works in perfect combination with the incredible pick up from the supercharged engine as we negotiate the narrow lanes of Somerset, moving through the succession of bends without drama. Out on a straight section we come upon a queue of cruising modern cars and even in the passenger seat I could feel the little MG’s impatience. As soon as the way is clear we snap out and sweep past first one, then another and we’re off again on the open road. Leaving the modern cars behind with the fabulous crackle of the exhaust in our slipstream as we continue to make rapid progress around Barry’s favourite local test route.
Despite all the sound and fury the little MG rides remarkably smoothly due to the infinite care that Barry takes to place it on the road, he knows the surfaces well and the C-type handles impeccably. This is no surprise Barry has spent a lot of time getting the optimum suspension and chassis set-up, he explained the procedure for dismantling the leaf springs and rebuilding them exactly, then taping them back up to get the very best ride and response. As a result the C-type rides comfortably but firmly with only the dreaded local authority speed bumps causing any need to slow right down. This stark and simple little MG has remarkable competence and ability on the road, its surefootedness inspires confidence, my only similar experience to being in the C-type was a recent drive I had in a new high specification Caterham Seven.
How to find a C-type
Barry Foster was racing a Twin Cam MGA when he noticed just how fast some of the pre-war MGs were, a certain J4 in particular kept getting in his way. In 1978 he began to hunt for a similar MG but they were either unobtainable or too expensive, however after a long search he was tipped off about an accident damaged MG C-type Midget that was laying abandoned in a scrap yard. Barry went to look at the car and although the body was badly damaged with a very bent front axle, the chassis was complete and sound. Many parts were missing but mercifully there were also a lot of the rare original C-type components left, including the distinctive radiator.
Chassis frame in its component parts
Chassis straightened, bolted together and painted
Some of the key components prepared on Barry’s bench
After three years a new body had been fabricated around the remains of the original while the chassis had to be completely dismantled and straightened and finally re-assembled. Fortunately another suitable front axle had been located to replace the bent item. The C-type had been modified with hydraulic brakes from a Morris 8 and these were removed and the correct cable brakes re-installed.
Once back on the road Barry used the little MG in competition continuously in MGCC events. It earned the nickname the ‘The Rat’ from an early race report which read, ‘Barry Foster’s C-type went like a rat up a drain’. Barry found the white rat design that he had painted on to the bonnet on a Stranglers LP cover, the design is continued even on the leather strap, and apparently this was also done with race numbers. The Rat has raced at most UK and European circuits and as far afield as South Africa.
Mercifully the original special radiator survived
Dash mounted oil top up tank
Engine
Fuse box
The wire wheels on The Rat were originally painted black but on one occasion Barry bought a spare set of wheels, which happened to be finished red, he fitted them and discovered that they really set off the Racing Green bodywork of the car.
On the original C-type the headlights had been wired separately one for main beam and the other for dipped, but for safety’s sake they are now converted to a pair of conventional dipping headlights.
Similarly, although the original car relied entirely on driver’s hand signals, Barry installed a set of flashing indicators after a scare when a Italian 40 tonne truck didn’t recognize his signals.
Barry’s racing career has not been without various thrills and spills which has meant that he’s subsequently had to rebuild the C-type on a couple of occasions. A very bad accident occurred when the throttle jammed at a club sprint and Barry sustained serious chest injuries. Undaunted he was soon back on track but had another moment in a historic race event when the C-type overturned after being punted off into the gravel by another competitor.
‘The Rat’ symbol inspired by Stranglers LP cover
Race car cockpit with comprehensive instrumentation
Boot holds spare wheel, tool kit and a few spares
Unique one-piece lift off bonnet
Barry has considerable engineering skills and rebuilds pre-war MGs for favoured clients, when I called to see him he had just completed the restoration of an L-type Magna which had suffered a major engine failure. Barry’s supercharging expertise is also particularly sought after and he is frequently consulted about appropriate carburettor settings and for spare parts.
Pendine Sands Record Attempt
As a keen follower of MG history in 1992 Barry decided to re-enact Major Goldie Garner’s 750cc record attempts set by at Pendine Sands in 1932.
Side mounted exhaust
Flip top fuel filler
Barry at the wheel, non PC Glasgow registration VD 30
On the 27th September 1992 Barry established a British National Class H (500- 750 cc) Record over a distance of 500 metres with a flying start on the track at Pendine Sands. His time was 11.985 seconds with an average speed 93.32 mph or 150.18 kph. This kind of performance from a 1931 MG with a 750cc engine is a remarkable achievement.
To spend time with such an accomplished MG enthusiast was a great pleasure and an unforgettable experience. Barry is the archetypal MG racer who combines both a passion for historic motor sport and meticulous attention to detail in his rebuild and restoration work along with an incredible knowledge of the cars.