News and views

Firstly Bill and I wish you a Delightful Christmas and New year, let’s hope we get some more good motoring weather in 2026 like we’ve had this year. But talking of Christmas a few of you may know that I have a personal Christmas card each year featuring one of the MGs, in 2007 this was D0311 and pictured here:
We actually wrapped the whole car and for a picture of that see the cover of the Triple M Register Bulletin number 94 for December 2016!

Just missing our last issue is this superb Stefanie Broch picture of Onno Koneman in D0353 competing in the VSCC meeting at Mallory Park on 30th August.

I’ve had a spate of visitors here at D Group HQ in the past couple of months or so, not least 4 from the North American Triple M Register including the chairman Jack Kahler and D0252 owner Ken Klemmer who is also editor of their Magazine. The group were on a tour of motoring venues having started with the Beaulieu Autojumble in September.

Recent sad news is that Speedograph Richfield, famed for their instrument restorations and new cable manufacture and repair, has recently closed, the owner has retired. However Speedy Cables near Swansea, Wales is still going strong doing similar work. See their website at www.speedycables.com

The annual MG (and Triumph) Spares Day at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire has been announced for 8th February 2026 and on line tickets are already available; go to www.mgandtriumphsparesday.co.uk for details. On the assumption that the Triple M Register will have their normal stand there is usually an unofficial gathering at 12 midday for Triple M enthusiasts including D Types – hope to see you there?

Bill has, I think, finished his experiments with brakes and has written the following:

Twin leading Shoe Brakes

In theory, this alteration could increase braking efficiency by between 30 and 50%. As the front brakes account for about 70% of stopping power, modifying the front brakes alone could make a worthwhile improvement while leaving the two trailing shoes at the rear to be effective in reverse.

Converting to twin leading shoes is straightforward. One shoe is reversed and a second cam is fitted where the pivot pin was before with an extra brake lever on its medial end. Both cams have one lobe removed so they act on just one shoe when rotated. The arrangement on the outside of the backplate can be seen in the photograph.

It was decided to alter only one brake in order to allow easy comparison. However, results have been very disappointing with only minimal improvement. Adjusting both linings to apply exactly equal pressure is difficult, though I believe that efficiency would improve when the linings have had time to wear. The obvious solution might have been to make the brake cable operate between the two shoes, like centre pull brakes on a bicycle. Unfortunately, this doubles the cable travel which would be unacceptable in a cable system that applies equal movement on all four brakes.

Despite the lack of success so far, the experiment has been an interesting exercise and I still believe that it has the potential to give a significant improvement in braking power. Installing it on both front brakes will be the next step, though I suspect that the constraints of our ancient cable system might continue to be a problem.

I would be pleased to provide further details if anyone is interested.

Colour Schemes

I meant to include this last year but never found the space; I had a new hood fitted to D0311 and included the edging in red which I had had done on my first hood some thirty years ago!

Totally unoriginal of course but it does set off the car well I think. It matches the T Type red colour of the upholstery and wheels which traditionalists will note should be , on Triple M cars, a deeper red, virtually maroon. This is indeed the colour I have on D0464 which has a normal black edging to the hood.

And talking of colour schemes the following picture is of F0672 but demonstrates the rare scheme of Old ivory/Brown or is it Old Ivory/Light Fawn?

From the factory records 4 D’s had the ivory and brown paintwork and 3 had the ivory and light fawn. Does anyone have the details of modern equivalents?

Parts for Sale

I still have another instrument panel for sale. Superb finish and with correct engraving, just needs painting black. Suitable of course for the J1 and F1 too. £45 plus postage.

Also for sale this issue are instrument panel light bulbs, 2 required per car. These are 12 volt and 0.2 amps (2.4 Watts).

£2 each plus postage.

Cars for sale

Full details on our website under this heading but Peter Bligh who is selling D0490, as in the last issue of Dispatch, is open to offers on the project. A few picture reminders herewith.

But more on the website. Peter’s contact is 07779 290444
petersbligh@gmail.com