Books

Calendars

Cards and Games

Manuals and Tools

Models

Other items

Books

The Castrol Achievements 1953 celebrates the achievements of the Castrol Oil Company for that year.  One of the entries shows Len Shaw and HMO 909 with the following caption: R.A.C. Rally of Great Britain.

This popular event, one of the first in the U.K. calendar, saw MG 1¹/₄ saloons take the first three places in the 1,300 c.c. class.  The winner, J. L. Shaw is seen here cutting it fine at Hastings in the final test.  2nd was R. E. Holt and 3rd was P. R. Bolton.  All relied on Castrol. (23-27/3/53)

"Wheelspin" Abroad by Charles A. N. May.  This  book is in a similar vein to Rallying a Works MG (see Book Review pages for full review). It is now out of print but copies are still available second hand from time to time.

Dutch children's story book featuring an MG Y Type on the cover.  The book is called "Met de kameleon vooruit" which roughly translated is "With the chameleon ahead".  It is written by H. de Roos and is published by  Kluitman Alkmaar Door.  One day Willem van der Veer may tell us the significance of the car on the front cover!  Apparently this book is in plentiful supply in the Netherlands and certainly copies are available from www.marktplaats.nl.

About the book:

It is part of a huge series of books about the Kameleon. The Kameleon is a small steel boat with an old car engine on it in which the two brothers Hielke and Sietse Klinkhamer have all kinds of adventures in the Frisian province of the Netherlands.

According to the "official" Kameleon Village site, the Y ("an old car") is bought by the boy Gerben Zonderland and he has big plans with it. (must find a copy soon! can't wait to read it) The site can be found at http://www.kameleondorp.nl/kameleondorp/index.php?item=kids&select=boerderijk and the book at http://www.kameleondorp.nl/kameleondorp/index.php?item=company&select=boeken&nummer=49

A fictional novel by Sara Hylton about a daughter's reuniting with her mother after her mother's return from Kenya. Originally published by Platkus (ISBN 0-7499-0576-X), this book is now out of print but is available from second hand sellers and is currently on Amazon.

The cover illustration features a maroon YB with a UK licence plate of YMG 18? is by Colin Backhouse, a former professional rugby player who has been working in illustration for about 30 years. The MG Y is not specifically mentioned in the book so unless you are into romantic fiction, it is only worth buying for the cover.

Calendars 

An interesting calendar, from 2001, which the webmaster acquired recently on eBay not only featured a YT on one of the months (September), but on the cover of the calendar as well!  More interesting still is the fact that this calendar was printed and published in the USA!

A calendar, from 2006, acquired recently on eBay not only featured a YT on one of the months (October), but on the cover of the calendar as well!  Sadly the printers goofed and put the words for the MG YT against the entry for the MG TF 1500 and vice versa.  Those with good eyesight will spot that I have already doctored the picture shown here to show the correct caption.  For those who are interested the words were:

Vintage Marques

MG YT Tourer - 1948

(Powered by a four-cylinder inline engine of 1250cc, developing 54.4bhp at 5200rpm.  Maximum speed of  approximately 70mph, with acceleration from 0-60 in 18 seconds.)

The YT Tourer was shown at Earl's Court in October 1948, Britain's first post-war Motor Show. A total of 877 were built during a two year period, all of them intended for export. However, 46 were listed as Personal Export Deliveries, and it is thought that some of these remained in the UK from new. The example shown here was originally exported to Nigeria, but now carries a later Norfolk registration mark.

The 2007 Calendar from the MG T Register (North West) features two MG Ys - an MG YA, and an MG YT.  This calendar besides offering excellent value with actually 3 pictures (albeit one in a group of Ts) offers exceptional value as you get an extra month free with a full spread January 2008 thrown in.  The webmaster has some spare copies if you would like one!

Cards and Games

This card was originally distributed by Jacques Chocolat of Belgium.

A photograph taken by a tram-spotter in Glasgow, UK and dated 8 August 1954.

Courtesy of Karel Vermeer.

Sterling Moss' Rally - The Game of the Monte Carlo Rally.  This game was originally made by Pepys and dates from about 1950s.  The player cards (six in all) are all different cars, one of which is an MG Y Type!

A postcard of Margate, UK spotted by Karel Vermeer. The licence plate is MG 73??

A postcard of Southport, UK spotted by Karel Vermeer.  Note the nice period roof rack fitted to the car!

A postcard of Porthcawl, Wales, UK spotted by David Mullen.  The Y Type is a maroon one in front of the shop with red awning nearest the foreground.

In 2003, BEN produced a set of 6 Christmas cards, one of which (ref. 33P2) included an MG Y Type Saloon entitled Christmas eve at the station. This is a 1,000 piece jigsaw of the same picture.  The original Christmas card can also be seen on this page - click here.  The completed jigsaw is here.

You can purchase your own jigsaw here.

Another post card from Taunton of Fore Street from the other end. The post card was sent in 1954, so it is an early 1950s view. The Y Type can be seen in the front right corner.

A postcard from Juan Les Pins, France with a Y heading down the road.  The car has a French licence plate and Willem wonders if it could be the same Y as seen in the film "Le Petit Soldat" as French Y Types must have been very rare even then!

Courtesy of Willem van der Veer

A postcard of Fore Street, Taunton with a Y in the bottom right corner - licence plate LBY 814.  Is this car still around we wonder?  The card was posted in the 1960s.

Courtesy of Karel Vermeer.

Another postcard from Taunton, this time of North Street with a Y (in the bottom right corner again).

A lovely postcard, a real collectors piece for MG fans and the Aero enthusiast.  The MG and the BOAC De Havilland Comet together in an unusual setting.  A must have for the collector.  This was a trade card of its time.  The colours and quality are quite superb.

On the back it says "Family car comfort with sporting performance".

The other planes are an Airspeed Ambassador (in flight) and a Douglas DC6 (on the ground).

An MG YT outside the Great Southern Hotel, in Killarney, Ireland.  Is that a Y saloon next to it?  Spotted and advised courtesy of the eagle eyed of Karel Vermeer.

Courtesy of Karel Vermeer.

Another postcard from the late 1940's of Exford Village Green.  Spotted and advised courtesy of the eagle eyed of Ken Jones and featured as the Picture of the Month in August 2003.

Peter Sharp spotted this board game "Touring England" featuring an MG YT on the box lid.  The counters are similar to MG Y saloons too!  A contemporary sister game was also available called "Touring Scotland".  Both of these games come up from time to time on eBay too.

A great celebration card for a Dad!

Courtesy of Karel Vermeer.

A picture postcard of Bridge Street, Abingdon on Thames, UK with an MG Y outside the Crown and Thistle Hotel.  Also just behind the cyclist a Morris 8 (sister car) can be seen, and an MG ZA Magnette is just in view in the distance.

Postcard courtesy of Karel and Caroline Vermeer

These cards were part of a set produced to mark the 80th anniversary of the MG Car Company.  It is not known at this stage if there was a card produced for the YT.

This birthday card was sent in by Patrick Kiely of Ireland.  It has a great picture on the front of an MG Y saloon.  It was printed by ABC in Switzerland.  Broadly translated it say "Best wishes for your birthday.  With age, it is like the old timers, the older the lovelier".

A modern stereogram card from a collection purchased recently on eBay featuring UMG 805.  The photograph is by Paul Sanderson who has kindly volunteered this advice.

For the (possible) benefit of your club members, open this version linked here (as opposed to the enlargement of the thumbnail), it's possible to view them in 3D simply by going cross-eyed. This makes a third image appear between the two real ones.  It is this one which appears in 3D when you concentrate on it. Moving your head slowly towards the screen, or away from it, sometimes helps the process. If you don't succeed, print the picture off (you may need to change your paper orientation for it to fit) and try again.  Not everyone can make themselves go cross-eyed, though sometimes that's merely because their mothers told them they'll "stay like that".

Collectors card from Kellogs Corn Flakes - this card was later used on a box of celebration chocolates - see below and has also been offered on eBay as a screen print on a Tee-shirt.  This is the black and white version.

Collectors card from Kellogs Corn Flakes - this card was later used on a box of celebration chocolates - see below and has also been offered on eBay as a screen print on a Tee-shirt.  This is the colour version.

Collectors card from Morning Foods Limited - a breakfast cereal manufacturer from the 1950s.

Two images - showing front and back of card. - Kindly supplied by Kenneth Jones.

Collectors card from Maxilin Marketing Company Limited - product unknown from the 1950s.

Two images - showing front and back of card.

Collectors card - part of a set of 28 issued by Grandee.

Poster sized print version of the card shown above - original artwork by James Dugdale

Manuals and Tools 

The original size of this lubrication chart is 16.3inches x 12.5inches and a PDF can be downloaded here and printed to oversize A2 paper if desired.

 Original courtesy of Norbert Lange.

The new Y owner was to be given their handbook inside this envelope - unopened!  This was recently acquired by the webmaster with a mint condition handbook ... for a price!  Dimensions of the original envelope were 9 inches by 12 inches.

YA Owners Handbook - essential reading for basic operation and maintenance of your new motor car.  There are several different editions of this with minor changes - all look the same from the cover but if you check at the back underneath the Radiator Sub-Service Stations list there is a code. This particular edition is 1/47/5000 i.e. a 1947 print edition.

For those wanting to go a bit further, Nuffield Group produced a "Maintenance Manual and Instruction Book" for the YA. Again, early ones did not have the YT supplement sheets at the back but finished after the section on Special Tools.

These are available as reprints from the MG Octagon Car Club - see the link on the Links Page.

An "Illustrated List of Service Parts" was also published by the Nuffield Group for the YA with fold out pictures of some of the various sub assemblies of the Y

These are available as reprints from the MG Octagon Car Club - see the link on the Links Page.

Original YB Parts list.

The YB Operations Manual, the red one was provided by Jack Murray, and the white one by Manfred Schulz.  The different colours of cover denote different editions of the manual.

Manfred Schulz has also very kindly supplied two editions of the Service Parts list for the YB.

A YB Workshop manual, also supplied by Manfred Schulz.

Left and right are two manuals of parts, on the left is the early (Issue 1 1949) edition for the MG YT and on the right a the later one (Issue 1 1951) for the Saloon - Left hand drive only.

These are separate books and not just loose leaf additions to the standard parts lists shown above.  They are not illustrated, but are merely tabular lists.

Later 1951 copy kindly supplied by David Pelham.

Service Manual for the Jackall system published to the motor trade by Smiths.

Kindly supplied by Jack Murray.

Given to the first owner of the Series Y "The first 500 miles on your MG 1 1/4 Litre (Series Y)" book is extremely rare as these should have been presented after 500 miles for the free service.  They were then retained by the garage in return for the service. 

From the collection of Karl Verstraelen, an original factory guarantee certificate for Y 5205.

From the collection of Karl Verstraelen, the original envelope probably containing the 500 mile free service voucher for Y 5205.

SU published a 4 page maintenance manual for their carburettors. This one is for the Series "Y" single carburettor. It was published by Nuffield Export Limited (Ref. No. NEL 191/14).

SU published a 4 page maintenance manual for their carburettors. This one is for the Y/T twin carburettors. It was published by Nuffield Export Limited (Ref. No. NEL 191/15).

YA / YB double sided Shell garage wall chart in metal frame.

Wall lubrication chart for the MG 1¼ Litre Series Y printed in 1947, issued by C C Wakefield & Company Limited, checked and approved by the MG Car Company Limited. (C C Wakefield were the original company behind Castrol Oil formed by Charles Cheers Wakefield 19 March 1899.)

BP Lubrication chart for the MG 1¼ Litre Series Y introduced in 1947.  The fact that this shows as "1st revision" probably means there was an earlier one - somewhere, but since this shows the Panhard rod and early differential indicates that it is pre 1952 and the introduction of the YB as it is not dated.

Shell trade lubrication chart dating from the 1960s for the YB.

Kindly supplied by David Pelham.

This sheet is one of 45 sheets in the Newnes Motor Repair & Overhauling folder set produced in 1948.

Lubrication and Maintenance Schedule log book for the MG Series "Y" printed by Alexander Duckham & Co Ltd, manufacturers of NOL oil.  This one is unmarked and unused.

An original NOL can of oil.

Kindly supplied by Jack Murray.

Lucas parts list for the MG1¼ Litre Saloon, 1949. The listings include: dynamo, starter, distributor, wiper motor, lamps and their components, also contains wiring diagrams. This book contains 7 Pages.

Lucas parts list for the MG1¼ Litre Tourer, 1949. The listings include: dynamo, starter, distributor, wiper motor, lamps and their components, also contains wiring diagrams. This book contains 7 Pages.

Scientific Auto Data Series produced this book on the basic specification, maintenance, and repair data for the MG 1¼ litre Series Y 1947 - 52.

Kindly supplied by Willem van der Veer.

A rare find - Smiths Red Jackall fluid cans, even rarer it actually had some of the original fluid in it too!  Two sizes shown.  The smaller can is for "domestic" use, the larger for "trade" use.  The smaller can even still had the original foil seal intact and had not been used.

Smaller can kindly supplied by Jack Murray.

A list of UK dealers, originally located in rear pocket of the UK edition of the YA Operations Manual.

A short leaflet on how to balance your tyres, originally located in rear pocket of the UK edition of the YA Operations Manual.

Original guarantee card,  located in rear pocket of the UK edition of the YA Operations Manual.

Test yourself against the professionals with this Schedule of Repair, Upkeep and Adjustment Time Allowances book for the YB!

Models 

D G Model - replica original Dinky toy (Green model believed not to be in original colours, however the Grey and Black is).  Interior is devoid of content or "glass".

Scale about 1:48

See www.autocraftmodels.com for more information on D G Models.

D G Model YT - replica original Dinky toy.  Interior is devoid of content or "glass".

Scale about 1:48

See www.autocraftmodels.com for more information on D G Models.

Golden Jubilee casting in Pewter made for the MG Car Club Y Type Register in 1997 - limited production run now no longer available.

Scale 1:43

Lansdowne Gold MG YA. No longer made in this colour.  Early production run was ceased after it was considered not a "popular" colour.  Genuine early ones like this had red interior and the wrong "base" plate was put on which reads "Brooklin Models" - don't be fooled by repainted later "Black" Lansdowne base plated ones dressed up to look like early rarer Gold ones!

Scale 1:43

Lansdowne's current offering - the MG YA in Black.  Same exquisite attention to detail as in the earlier (and rarer) Gold model except that this one should have a Lansdowne baseplate!  See www.brooklinmodels.co.uk for more details - click on Lansdowne Models and select LDM 28.  Lansdowne do not sell to the public so please see their distributors list.

Scale 1:43

RAE Y Saloon.  For a long time this was the only commercially available white metal kit form model you could get. You have to really know what you are doing to get a good finish - but they are neat and cheap, and you can easily customise them to your car colours!  Alternately, RAE will supply models made up to either custom coloured options, or standard colours.  Details are available from http://www.raemodels.homestead.com/.

Scale 1:43

Another pewter casting made for the MG Car Club Y Type Register.  There are now only very limited stocks left of this specially commissioned run to celebrate the new Millennium.  Great fun and a "must have".

Scale 1:43

I had this model specially made for me (webmaster), from 2 Lansdowne models, to have an opening bonnet (hood), front and rear doors.  It was not cheap, but it was worth every penny in my opinion!

Scale 1:43

RAE YT.  Featuring in the RAE line up is the only known model of the MG YT.  As with the Saloon version, obtaining a good finish on the kit is up to the model maker, - but they are neat and cheap, and you can easily customise them to your car colours!  Alternately, RAE will supply models made up to either custom coloured options, or standard colours.  Details are available from http://www.raemodels.homestead.com/.

Scale 1:43

A very rare one indeed this - only 110 were made especially for the Wessex Model and Toy Collectors Club by Lansdowne.  All models should be in a box with a special sticker on, the base plate is a Brooklin (not Lansdowne) and the number plate bears the number WMTC.00.  The models were only available in MG Maroon with red upholstery.  They will very rarely find there way out onto the open market and will command a large price tag if (and when) they do.  Your webmaster has been fortunate enough to acquire one for his collection!

Scale 1:43

The endearing miniature Ys are courtesy of Rosco's Models of Australia.  They are sold in pairs in bare pewter metal with the radiator, headlight and front bumper assembly in a separate piece of brass.  With a steady hand (and a big magnifying glass) they can be painted to your choice.  The picture shows the webmasters Y in pre-restoration and post restoration colours!  Priced at just under $10.00AU per pair, they are excellent.  Rosco's Models full address is PO Box 164, Bungendore, NSW 2621 Australia, however they can be purchased mail order from MRC online.  They do not have a secure website  (for credit cards) so I sent a fax with credit card details and delivery address and request air mail.  Models arrived within 2 weeks.  MRC's fax number is +61 (0)2 9831 4132 or phone +61 (0)2 9831 8217  email roscosmodels@netspeed.com.au - watch the time difference though if you want an answer!

Scale N gauge (1 inch / 2.54cm in length).

Another custom made model from the hands of John Roberts, which I was fortunate enough to acquire. It is another fine example of his craft and attention to detail. Note the detail highlighting the strips on the running boards, boot hinges, and door handles.  Even the seats have been ribbed correctly!

Scale 1:43

Other items 

Anniversary items 

An excellent programme, poster and mini-brochure was produced for the 2007 MG Car Club Gold Coast Easter gathering.

Some of the 'Collectibles' produced by the Australian MG Car Club Y enthusiasts for their 60th Anniversary gathering held at Maitland, New South Wales, Australia in April 2007, Rally plate, mug (front and back) and pen knife.

Poster celebrating the Golden Jubilee year of MG Car production - 1979, released to showrooms just days before the infamous 'Black Monday' announcement of BL Chairman Sir Michael Edwardes decreeing the closure of the Abingdon plant.

In and amongst the cars that had been made at the plant, just above the middle right hand side, is an MG YA!

The original size of the poster is 30 X 41⁵/₈ inches (76.2 X 105.7 cm)

MG Car Club Y Type Register lapel / pin badge commemorating the Golden Jubilee of the birth of the MG Y 1947 - 1997.  A limited run of 251 of these were made. Very highly sought after item now.

MG Car Club Y Type Register car badge commemorating the Golden Jubilee of the birth of the MG Y 1947 - 1997.  A limited run of 102 of these were made. Very highly sought after item now.

Poster from 1997 celebrating the "Birth of the Y" Golden Jubilee Silverstone meeting.  The picture features the Silverstone poster for the year surrounded by the signatures of the then owners of the Ys that turned up to celebrate at Silverstone that year.

"Rally" plate from the 1997 "Birth of the Y Run" held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first MG Y Type in 1947.

"Rally" plate from the 1998 "Gold Cup Run Celebration Run" to acknowledge the MG Car Club Y Type Register having been awarded the Nuffield Gold Cup in 1997.

Items from the Australian Golden Jubilee of the 'Birth of the Y' from 1997.  Commissioned by Steve and Lynne Brompton, from top left to bottom right, Special rally plaque, key ring, the front and back of a rather fetching coffee mug (Webmaster seriously covets one!)

From the collection of Robert Simpson.

A "road sign" made especially to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the "Birth of the Y" only three of these are thought to have been made!  The sign reads "Y TYPE REGISTER 47 - 97 STAMM ZÜRICH 50 JAHRE".

Kindly supplied by David Pelham.

A set of the spanners made by Masaaki Sakaguichi to commorate the 80th Anniversary of MG, for the Y Type Register. The tools were offered for sale at Silverstone 2004. The picture shows the tool roll unopened in the rear and opened in the front.

The specification of the spanners are:
Quality of the material, iron. SK4G (This is a Japanese standard) Hardness of the heat treatment is HRC50.  Surface treatment is black zinc plating.

1996 Regency Run poster featuring the MG Y.  - Kindly supplied by Jack Murray. Reproduced by kind permission of the MG Owner's Club and the MG Car Club who organise the annual Regency Run.

During the Brittany Tour (September 2002), Victor and Evelyn (Zurich) gave the participants a rare treat: they had arranged for us to receive a triple pack of lager (4.8%) in special cans.  The picture shows the three views of the cans, recording the Zurich Club logo, dates of the Brittany Run and the Y Register logo.  We all know of Old Speckled Hen, but how many other Registers can boast their own brew? (Picture supplied by Andrew Coulson.)

Booklets and other media material 

North Yorkshire Moors Railway held a Vintage Vehicle weekend in 1996 and produced a complete sheet of 8x25p Railway Letter Stamps of the 20/07/96 "Vintage Vehicle Weekend" depicting Two Steam Locomotives, a Bedford Lorry, a Bristol Bus, and an MG Y.

The stamps were valid for use with the Post Office in the UK - but alongside the conventional letter rate. It is actually an excess charge paid by the sender to get the letter delivered quicker using the train services. It certainly made a difference in the pre-War days when all the railways operated the service and the travelling post offices and mail trains were in full flow. In the last 20 years, the railway letter service is used primarily by the heritage railways to send postcards and first day covers by visitors and tourists to raise a bit of extra money. However, there are now so many rules and regulations the railways have to adhere to in order to comply with the Royal Mail conditions that some railways have now packed it in - including the NYMR, who  commissioned special artwork and even uswed the Royal Mail's official stamp printers. 

Click on the picture above to enlarge

BP International Racing Success booklet from 1957 featuring an MG Y being filled from a tanker.

Courtesy of Willem van der Veer

The MG Story ... from first to last - BL Heritage Limited.  Booklet published by BL Heritage Limited, no ISBN.  Despite the title the book disappoints as it does not feature any of the MG Saloons.  BL were clearly focusing on the sporting side of the history. However, there is a two-page spread on the YT that make it worth having on the bookshelf.  This booklet is now very rare - even Gaydon do not have a copy in their archives, hence why it features here as well as on our Book Review page.

BEN produce a set of 6 Christmas cards for 2003, one of which, ref. 33P2 includes an MG Y Type Saloon entitled Christmas eve at the station.  These can be ordered through their website www.ben.org.uk (click on Christmas cards and gifts).  Founded in 1905, BEN is the UK occupational benevolent fund for employees past and present (and their dependants) from the motor trade. For more information, please contact: BEN, Lynwood, Sunninghill, Ascot. Berkshire, SL5 0AJ UK or Tel: +44 (0)1344 620191 Fax: +44 (0)1344 622042 or email

Catalogue from the First International Automobile Show, New York Motor Show 5 to 10 February 1949 featuring the MG YT.

MG - A video by Castle Home Video  of 55 minutes in length and featuring an MG YT for approximately 5 minutes.  Castle Home Video's reference is CHV2331 website is www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.co.uk and the bar code on the back of the video is 5 038456 523311.

A Yugoslavian postage stamp depicting a Y and celebrating the 1953 Yugoslavian Alpine Rally.

Courtesy of Willem van der Veer.  For more MG related stamps click here to visit Willem's site

A similar stamp depicting a Y and celebrating the 1953 Yugoslavian Alpine Rally, however this one is overprinted with STT VUJNA and is from the then newly independent Free Territory of Trieste, which had been formed by treaty at the end of World War II.  Later (1954) the territory would be divided up between Yugoslavia and Italy both guaranteeing the rights of the various national minorities and to maintain Trieste as a free port.  Stamps of both Italy and Yugoslavia were used "in country" and were over printed with STT VUJNA.

Courtesy of Willem van der Veer.  For more MG related stamps click here to visit Willem's site

Miscellany 

Original photograph courtesy of Wychwood Breweries

My son alex brought home a box of four ales which are produced by Wychwood Brewery, and I happened to look at the picture on the back and noticed that there seems to be a picture of an MG Y Type. I have also included a picture of the front of the box in case any enthusiasts wanted to buy a box themselves. The ales were bought at our local ASDA store, hope you enjoy the pictures.

Tea towel by Memory Designs - currently out of production featuring a green YB.  Currently out of  production.

As you can see, they are a pair of 'University Motors' key rings.

On the left is a contemporary University Motors Organisation.

On the right, front design depicts the heraldic shields of Oxford and Cambridge Universities with the words University Motors LTD. On the back  the inscription 'Miss L. Wood - 21/11/52' is engraved.

Kindly supplied by Richard Knight (left) and Jack Murray (right).

As part of a set of 7 "miniature bars of mint-flavoured chocolates presented in wrappers featuring images of classic motor cars from the 1950s", one of the covers featured the MG 1 1/4 litre tourer.  The chocolates were sold in the UK by Past Times of Oxford.

Badge measuring 4 inches (10.2cm) across with beautiful embroidered edging around the octagon and the Y. from the MG Y Register, date unknown.

Original items 

An original publicity photograph.  On the rear it has "Photo No. 1027 supplied by A Goodchild, 42 Fleet Street, EC4."

Kindly supplied by Malcolm Eades.

University Motors dash plaque.

A letter from H G Cox, Sales Manager at Abingdon to Mr. R Desert who had written to the MG Car Company requesting details of the new MG 1 1/4 Litre.

This is the original sales receipt issued by T Shipside Ltd for £914 6shillings and 11 pence (decimal equivalent £914.40) as issued to the original owner of Manfred Schulz's YB 1493.

From the collection of Karl Verstraelen, an original first tax disc for Y 5205.

From the collection of Karl Verstraelen, original UK vehicle registration logbooks for Y 5205.

From the collection of Karl Verstraelen, original envelopes for correspondence from Abingdon relating to Y  5205.

From the collection of Karl Verstraelen, an original letter from W E Blower.

These wonderful photographs are from Keith Herkes' personal collection.  Keith describes these as follows:

The photo is taken from the Album compiled at the Factory for when all the various MG Distributors were invited to attend a number of "Launch Days" for the MG "Y" Type. These "days" were in May of 1947 not long after the Original Launch Day of the Car itself.  Each page of the album was annotated on the reverse with the Distributors name and signature (some of these are recognisable as still being in business today or the garage trading now under another name).  The pic I have attached relates to a Scottish Distributors Day and I am assuming that the photo may have been taken at a Scottish location. It would be great if someone could identify the "castle" in the background.  I have three other pages from the Album relating the "English and Welsh Distributors Days", but sadly I assume that many other pages were "lost" when the "sacking of Abingdon" took place.

A copy of a letter sent from BMC regarding the preventing oil entering the speedometer head (for CURE see Technical Advice page).

From the collection of John Jebb.

Posters and Photographs

Fastest lap - 75mph Class winner.  Location and year not identified unfortunately.

Silverstone.  Year not identified unfortunately.

Also from the Dick Jacobs collection, this is an early photograph from inside the factory showing offset battery box Ys being "pushed up the line" (as the Abingdon phrase goes) alongside the line for MG TCs.

Gay Griffiths in a YB 1058 (VVX 660) under-steers to pass the MG TD on the inside.  Careful examination of the roof lines behind the fence shows 4 other Ys in the car park!!  The picture was taken at Silverstone, 1953.  YB 1058 sold on eBay in September 2006, but unfortunately we do not know its current fate.

Rear profile of XN 01 - probably all that most racers ever saw of the car!

K Gibson standing next to XN 01.

Location unknown showing XN 01 in a Sprint "drag" race, clearly much faster off the mark than the Ford!  Look carefully in the background and you can see at least 3 Ys!

Another shot of Dick Jacobs' YB 1551 under construction.

Another shot of Dick Jacobs' YB 1551 under construction.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551, Brighton, circa 1952.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 at Goodwood, circa, 1952.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 in the six hour relay meeting, Silverstone, 1954.

Another shot of Dick Jacobs' YB 1551 in the six hour relay meeting, Silverstone, 1954.

Another Y, UMG 451, during the 1954 MG Car Club Autocross where he was first in the 1500cc Closed Saloon class.  Note the other Y Type in the background too. Current status of UMG 451, or its chassis number is unknown at this time (July 2009).

Another shot of Y UMG 451 during the 1954 MG Car Club Autocross .  Note again the other Y Type in the background too.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 at National Race Meeting, Goodwood, June 7, 1954.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551.

Dick Jacobs' YB 1551 under construction.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 at Goodwood, March 26, 1955.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 at the National Race meeting at Goodwood, August 21, 1954.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 at the National Race meeting at Goodwood, August 21, 1954 - finished 2nd.

Dick Jacobs with his original YB 0414 (car number 14 on front wing) at the start of the 1953 International Production Touring Car BRDC Daily Express Silverstone race meeting.  Also seen in picture is the YB 0480 (car number 15 on front wing, currently owned by Katherine Moreland and here being driven by Gregor Grant) which finished third in class that day!  Both were running in the 1500cc class.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 at Goodwood, Whitsuntide, 1954.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 at the National Race meeting at Goodwood, June 7, 1954.

Another shot of Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 at the National Race meeting at Goodwood, June 7, 1954.

Another shot of Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 at the National Race meeting at Goodwood, June 7, 1954.

Dick Jacobs with YB 1551 at the Bristish Automobile Racing Club (BARC) meeting for the 17th Members' Sports Car Meet at Goodwood, August 21, 1954.

This photograph is of Dick Jacobs racing his YB 0414 at the B.R.D.C. Saloons in the 1500cc class meeting, at Silverstone in May 1954 for his third consecutive win in this class.  Note the turned in headlamps so that Dick could drive the car home again after the race!

Another photograph of Dick Jacobs and the Special he built on the last YB chassis, YB 1551.  This time it was taken at Goodwood circa 1954.

Another photograph of Dick Jacobs and the Special he built on the last YB chassis, YB 1551.  This time it is in the British Grand Prix, Production Sports Car Race, July 1954.

The MG Car Company gave Dick Jacobs the last ever YB Chassis, YB 1551, and a special bodied race car was built on the chassis.  Here is a picture of Dick's car being driven round Brands Hatch Raceway on 8 December 1974, the license plate is 982 VWL.  Where is this car now??  Any leads would be greatly appreciated by the webmaster as we try to seek it out to bring you it on Interesting Ys and Ys on Parade so that you can enjoy not only the Alpha YB 0251, but also the Omega, (not only YB - YB 1551), MG Y!

This poster was designed by the Publications Department of The Roadster Factory using various sources for ideas.  It is available exclusively through them - a great addition to any workshop wall.  They will ship internationally (prices are in US $).

Magnificent photograph of Geoff Holt and Stan Astbury in their YB 'Sergeant' on the 1953 Rally of Great Britain.  Photo is available direct from Stilltime.

Eight interesting views of Ys and Y/Ts depicted in a "modern art" format on postcards.  A very different view.

A modern postcard featuring a Y Type, based on an old advertisement available from Dave & Liz Richmond at Octagon Originals (See Links Page).

Recently coming to light, are two original factory publicity photos.

Showroom poster from the 1970s (one of three) showing a Y (top left) and a YT (top right).

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