About Mike Allison, MG enthusiast
I bought my first MG, a PA Midget, DG9126 in 1957, the year I was 21 and able to get insurance! After what amounted to a complete mechanical rebuild, it became a wonderful little car. It was replaced first by an 18/80 Mark II (MG1350), and then by an F-type salonette (KJ5411)... and both of these cars were rebuilt to make them reliable. In 1961 I was able to buy the supercharged NA Magnette, JB3852, which is still in the family, but yes, you guessed it it needed a full mechanical rebuild to make it the way I wanted it! However, this car was raced, rallied, hill climbed and sprinted, as well as going on Continental tours, and in my hands covered over 100000 miles by 2001, when I passed it over to my son, David. He has now passed it to his sister, Jane Metcalfe, to look after, and I am pleased to say that she still lets me drive it from time to time!
In 1991 I built up the "NO Special", a car which looks like a supercharged NE, but isn't a real one, hence the name. This was built up in the twelve months prior to the first Triple-M Register Raid to New England in October 1991. On its return to England, it underwent engine development with 25 psi supercharger boost, and tuned to run on an alcohol mixture it eventually developing around 200 bhp, and this from 1100cc! It has also passed to my daughter, who still races it, although in 2008 the boost pressure was reduced to a modest 10 psi, and it is now road legal, and runs in sports car events.
My last race meeting was in 2001, when I ran JB3852 in the MG Car Club Triple-M Register race at Silverstone, completing forty years of active competition in the same car: probably a unique occurence!
For twenty five years, until 2000, I was an RAC (later MSA) Scrutineer, regularly serving with the BARC, BRDC, BRSCC, MAC, MGCC and VSCC scrutineer panels at various times. For seven years I served on the RAC Historic Committee. On retirement from MSA duties was appointed Officiel d'Honneur at a ceremony conducted by HRH Prince Michael.
Curriculum vitae
Born in 1936, educated at Friern Barnet Grammar School and Queen Elizabeth's Barnet, then University College London, B.Sc in Chemistry. First worked with UKAEA at Amersham 1958-64. PG Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at Slough Technical College. From 1964 to 1972 worked for the MG Car Co, initially as the Air Pollution Control Superintendent, then as Chief Quality Engineer, before being moved to Cowley in British Leyland days as Quality Facilities Manager, where I was made reponsible for Quality measurements throughout the Corporation. I resigned in 1976 to open a garage, Coventry Road Garage in Leamington Spa, where we eventaually specialised in rebuilding MGB's and Midgets, and acting as Leyland Special Tuning agents for the area. In 1987, we sold the garage, and moved to Berkshire, and carried on business as CRG Engineering, making parts for and restoring pre-war MG models. I retired in 2003, and now act as a consultant in MG matters, for those who need good reliable advice.
I conduct one-to-one instruction courses for those without the technical knowledge, and who are seeking help.
MG Car Club
I joined the MGCC in 1959, and took an active part in its running for many years.
I served on the committees of South East, South West and Midland Centres, and have taken part in meetings organised by every home-based Centre.
In 1961/2 I was involved with the starting of the Triple-M Register, and was its Secretary from 1961/71. Having resigned as secretary for business reasons, I remained on the committee serving as Historian. I was elected Chairman in 1980, and served in that position until the Register's 40th anniversary in 2001.
The Committee were then kind enough to confer on me the title of Honorary Life President.
When the Car Club was forced to become independent of the Car Co, I was able to assist Gordon Gobban and others to frame the Articles of Association of the reformed Club, and served on Council (Main Club Committee, as it then was, or Board of Directors as it is now called) from 1968 to 1982. I was then a Register representative until 2001. After this the Club kindly conferred on me Life Membership.
Other activities
I have cooperated with several publicity themes based on MG history, inclusing the launch of the MGB GT and the MGC, as well as being involved in some of the development testing of the MGC. I also assisted Morlands Brewery during the initial launch of the ever-delightful "Old Speckled Hen", which although no longer brewed in Abingdon, is still available. I was also present at the re-opening of the "Boundary House", one of Cecil Kimber's abodes in the 1930's before it became a public house after the war, and with the initial launch of the "Magic Midget" pub in Abingdon, which has since been renamed the "Midget".