Safety Fast September 2016

Recently I have come across two or three different occasions where the relative, and increasing, value of particularly the early MGBs has been the focus of the Register Facebook page and other places. Heritage, who insure my car, have been giving owners tracking devices which are associated with a contract from Skytag. They keep a passive check on the device which is fitted to your vehicle, an easy DiY job, and you report its theft, if it happens, and everything goes active so that the long arm of the law can find your vehicle. Thank you very much, said I, and promptly fitted the tracker to my Landrover Defender, as I consider it to be more at risk of being stolen than my MK1 GT.

However, the values of MGBs are increasing, high quality cars are fetching some eye watering prices and it is worth considering what yours is worth. In other words, what would one in as good condition as yours cost you to buy now? I am told that the agreed value needs reviewing, if not annually, certainly every two years.

These quick thoughts also act as an introduction to Graham’s technical tip, which explores how to check the provenance of your car.

Technical Tips
As a past Technical Rep for the Register I have had numerous requests for information on how to find out information contained in original factory records. The MGB Registrar, Andrew Vigor, holds records relating to MGBs submitted by members. In last month’s Safety Fast Andrew gave a detailed article on the Register. These records do not include details of the car when released new from the factory. That information is contained in the build records that are held in the Archives of the British Motor Museum (BMM) at Gaydon.

Should you ever wish to inspect these records you will need to make an appointment, as they are unable to accommodate a visit without one. Far easier is to contact the Archives online service – http:// www.heritage-motor-centre. co.uk/store/heritage-certificatesand- archive-services.html

Many members are aware of the existence of Heritage Certificates available from the BMM, and they offer a range of certificates with varying amounts of information. Prices range from £42.00 to £86.00 with the option to pay extra for a document wallet. They offer a Dating Letter which is cheaper, but beware, as DVLA require a Heritage Certificate in respect of Historic Tax status applications. Many of you may not be aware that they also offer a service whereby they will provide a single piece of information by email return at a cost of only £6.00.

DAVID BROADHURST
newsletter-editor@mgb-register.org