The BL Rally

[Alan the Vanner]

Hi all. Just got back from good old Peatboghorror, and what a fantastic turnout. I was getting all nostalgic looking at the Allegros.
Anyway, what I didn't like about it was the TWENTY FIVE sheets I had to fork out for the entrance! It was just as well that I had made a few sales in my part of the Autojumble before the official turned up, or I would have been well uphill and gearless!
"Take debit cards mate?" :giveup:

[SimonR]

Sorry we were off just as we saw you Alan!

It was, indeed a great day and I've taken a few pics:

1: The moment of truth. CHO did make it and Jon arrived nice and early.
2: Saturday night camping
3: Some of the motly crew lined up on the Maestro stand
4: Tony's Monty undergoing some repair before the journey home.

Thanks for such a great day folks!

[MGTurbo]

Sorry we were off just as we saw you Alan!

It was, indeed a great day and I've taken a few pics:

1: The moment of truth. CHO did make it and Jon arrived nice and early.
2: Saturday night camping
3: Some of the motly crew lined up on the Maestro stand
4: Tony's Monty undergoing some repair before the journey home.

Thanks for such a great day folks!


Where the pic of mine? ;)

[D87 SMW]

3: Some of the motly crew lined up on the Maestro stand


This may sound silly, but... what about the cars??

[SimonR]

This may sound silly, but... what about the cars??


The BL day is about a lot more than the cars and I'm sure other people will add some photos later on.

I guess the short answer to you question is come and see the cars for yourself next year! :)

In answer to Gareth's question:

[MGTurbo]

Sorted!

This was my first time i have camped at a car show event. As Simon said its more than just the car's. The Maestro/Montego/Metro community is growing and its nice to see such devoted owner's to these car's. I didnt finish counting all the car's we had their, but abouyt 25 wouldnt be far off, a huge showing and certainly raised a few eyebrows.

The spares situation was good. Most of the trader's now have maestro/monty part's and i picked up a few bargains.

I didnt get a chance to talk to everyone. It's funny how people come up to me and chat, and know my name, but i dont know them! :worried: Figured it out in the end though ;)

Overall, great day, great people, ****es all over the MG M event IMO and i look forward to next year's event.

Gareth

[D87 SMW]

I can see why people know who you are GK, that car is amazing. :cool:

[Ed]

I had the best time ever. Easily the best event I have been to yet. I agree with Gareth, it was 100 times better than MG M. I was like a kid in a candy store and bought far more than I should have but I came away with treats for the Countryman, Maestro and my Monty Turbo.

The Maestro performed very well considering it was her maiden voyage (except a couple of miles round home) in 17 years. I had a little trouble with the ignition switch just as I was arriving but nothing to harsh. She then performed faultlessly on the way home.

It was good to talk to people I had not really met/spoken to much before and I was amazed at the attention the car got, everybody seemed to know her by sight. Thanks for all your compliments guys! Hopefully next time, she will be all finished.

[D87 SMW]

The BL day is about a lot more than the cars and I'm sure other people will add some photos later on.

I guess the short answer to you question is come and see the cars for yourself next year! :)

In answer to Gareth's question:

I couldn't come this year as:

My MG is in bits, and now "off the road"
F170 GGT's MoT expired 25th, and is "off the road"
Petrol costs for a guzzling Rover 75 1.8 Classic SE would be too much over a 240 miles round trip. (not to mention the mileage slipping over 23k :horror: :laugh: )

I would have thought 25+ Maestro's Montegos, and lovely warm weather would generate interest in capturing at least a few images of the whole point of the event, the cars.

Ho hum. Suppose I'll have to take the ever photogenic 'GGT and my camera next year. :D

[MG MAL]

:) Decided to register when i got back! Hope Tony made it back with out too much trouble. was a great event, second year i'v e been (last time in the Monty(C180LJX) Had to use the BGT this time ,will be there again next year.

As for the year after it depends on wether any one else is willing to take it up as current organisers want a break after 12 years.

Gareth, your cars rep of being a great car preceeds you ! thats why people know you first !!.

Nice to see most of you wandering back to the stand "Panels in Hand".

Enuogh of the newbie.

Mal. Watson.

2.0 efi off road + Estate undergoing running repairs and body resto

[MGTurbo]

I couldn't come this year as:

My MG is in bits, and now "off the road"
F170 GGT's MoT expired 25th, and is "off the road"
Petrol costs for a guzzling Rover 75 1.8 Classic SE would be too much over a 240 miles round trip. (not to mention the mileage slipping over 23k :horror: :laugh: )

I would have thought 25+ Maestro's Montegos, and lovely warm weather would generate interest in capturing at least a few images of the whole point of the event, the cars.

Ho hum. Suppose I'll have to take the ever photogenic 'GGT and my camera next year. :D


Give the guy a chance! Not every takes squillions of pictures and manages to get them online the same night!

[D87 SMW]

Give the guy a chance! Not every takes squillions of pictures and manages to get them online the same night!

Agreed.

But it's an idea :idea: to at least upload some pics of the cars aswell as of club members. Yet more pics of a gazebo are a bit of an irrelevance I think.

I'm not sure to what extent, the interest of the cars individually are taken at these shows - to quote last years Monstro, referring to the car I now own, "...was one of the many superb examples on display."

I own this car, and cannot see where it is "superb."

However, I'm sure more pics will follow. I would like to get to the shows, but it's simple: I cannot drive due to the fact I am not at the legal driving age yet.

I look forward to being able to drive my own car to the shows in the future.

[MGTurbo]

Agreed.

But it's an idea :idea: to at least upload some pics of the cars aswell as of club members. Yet more pics of a gazebo are a bit of an irrelevance I think.

I'm not sure to what extent, the interest of the cars individually are taken at these shows - to quote last years Monstro, referring to the car I now own, "...was one of the many superb examples on display."

I own this car, and cannot see where it is "superb."

However, I'm sure more pics will follow. I would like to get to the shows, but it's simple: I cannot drive due to the fact I am not at the legal driving age yet.

I look forward to being able to drive my own car to the shows in the future.

I think the answer is, get your ass moving and get to some shows! It's all too easy to critisise but you were not there and don't know what went on :cool:

[D87 SMW]

I think the answer is, get your ass moving and get to some shows! It's all too easy to critisise but you were not there and don't know what went on :cool:

Let's rewind a bit here...

I have listed the reasons I can't get to the shows. If I could, I would!! :banghead:

No I certainly don't know what went on... Whoever described H54 YGW as superb mustn't have looked at it properly. (which is why it was there in the first place...)

Next year... GGT will be there. If possible, the "superb" MG will be there also.

[MGTurbo]

Let's rewind a bit here...

I have listed the reasons I can't get to the shows. If I could, I would!! :banghead:

No I certainly don't know what went on... Whoever described H54 YGW as superb mustn't have looked at it properly. (which is why it was there in the first place...)

Next year... GGT will be there. If possible, the "superb" MG will be there also.


I am aware of the non-driving situation. Even more reason not to critisise.

H54 may have been good for the money you paid for it.

[b466bmf]

I would have thought 25+ Maestro's Montegos, and lovely warm weather would generate interest in capturing at least a few images of the whole point of the event, the cars.

Ho hum. Suppose I'll have to take the ever photogenic 'GGT and my camera next year. :D
the whole point in the event steve was to meet other people there and enjoy there company, and yes the cars was nice too .the pre bbq is just as much fun as the show its self.
as to you not comming , had you wanted to go there was plenty of members from the north that would have took you .me inculded, .
cheers mal got home safe and sound , still with a sore bum , pics to follow.nice to meet you gk as well . :cool:

[Bev]

hi guys,

thanks for a wonderful weekend, we have tons of pictures of the cars and will be posting then sometime today i should think after the unpacking we have to do, got back home and just dumped stuff in the living room and watched tv then went to bed lol.

We never got to play with the bat and ball we brought, but hey never mind always next year lol. It was good to see that Shrek and the devil made an appearance, have to ask Dan about that lol

I was however disappointed that the organiser who was on the mic all day didn't mention the Maestro/Montego club, if he did i didnt hear him.

Once again, thanks guys for the weekend, hope to see you soon at another meet.

Bev

[E_T_V]

I have to agree. I got back at about 10pm, ate my dinner. had a quick unpack (My van is still full to bursting with stuff), a quick glance at my photos and then hit the duvet. I'll try posting the photos up tonight. I think I managed to get a photo of everyone with the notable exception of the 1.3 montego and the T reg ledbury, but I'm sure someone else snapped them!

[Andy]

In answer to Gareth's question:

wow I have jus seen your engine bay on rovertech its amazing how do you keep it that clean.

[MG Stew]

Hi guys was a very good weekend, was nice to feel welcome in a club that didnt even cater for our cars. Have trouble feeling welcome in a club that does these days.

Does anyone have a site that i can upload my pictures to by any chance?

[Austin-Rover]

What a fantastic weekend! I think I managed to catch a bit of sun as well after all that cloud burned off! A lot of cars on the club stand, and a lot of spares available with the traders too which was nice to see. Some people picked up a few bargains. It was nice to see so many different cars in one place too. It took a while to see all the displays as I had to retreat to the shade of the clubs gazebo on more than one occasion!

Some nice Maestro's and Montego's turned up to the stand. It was nice to see the Time Warp Maesty in all its glory, as well as the MG's, Vanden Plas', Ledbury's and the rest to make up a good sized display.

Here are some pictures I took:

1) Happy campers. Sunday morning before the show.
2) The Trimuph SD2 prototype from the collection at Gaydon was star of the Austin-rover.co.uk stand.
3) Plenty of Morris Marina's and Ital's on display.
4) Allegro Club was possibly one of the largest.
5) Maxi's and Landcrab's

:)

[MG Stew]

Ok i managed to get some where to upload the pictures too. So here are all the pictures me and mike took over the weekend.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/stewgti/

I havent had chance to name them all yet but wil when i get round to it.

[Austin-Rover]

6) Rover SD1 was one of the many superb examples on display.
7) German registered Austin Allegro Estate.
8) The Time Warp Maesty.
9) Rear of the M&MOC stand.
10) Club stand again.

:)

[MGTurbo]

wow I have jus seen your engine bay on rovertech its amazing how do you keep it that clean.


You mean this one?

Being a car valetor for 7 years helped..

[Jonathan]

Brilliant! I'm pleased to say my MG proved me wrong and didn't miss a beat all weekend. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to drive compared to my barge. As ever there were one or two things we could do better next time (any constructive suggestions welcome of course) but that's how it evolves. Very pleased you all enjoyed yourselves and to read so much positive feedback so soon, thanks to all involved for making it such a good weekend.

I've created a directory on our web space for images from every event including this one. If you want to add yours to it Stew, you'd be welcome. Eventually I'll put a page together for the event reviews part of the site. I'd have taken photos of more than just the cars but for bumping into people from other clubs I'd not seen since the last Peterborough rally. The day quickly goes.

Steve, stop yer whingeing and have a look through this little lot ;)

G101 KVV - MG Maestro Turbo (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_001.jpg)
B466 BMF - MG Montego EFi Cabriolet (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_002.jpg)
A82 WHR - Maestro Vanden Plas (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_003.jpg)
A487 XNY - The Time Warp Maesty! (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_004.jpg)
C453 GJO - Montego Vanden Plas Cabriolet (For Sale) (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_005.jpg)
R491 RVJ - Rich Gelder's Ledbury 1.3 Maestro (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_006.jpg)
Some Metros joined us (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_007.jpg)
Time Warp Maestro (Front View) (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_008.jpg)
F197 TRW - MG Maestro Turbo (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_009.jpg)
F286 EMB - Montego Si (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_010.jpg)
G948 AEF - Montego Estate (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_011.jpg)
F432 XFD - MG Montego Turbo (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_012.jpg)
B60 LKA - Opaline Green Maestro VP (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_013.jpg)
Maestro Noses (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_014.jpg)
R491 RVJ - Ledbury Maestro Rear View (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_015.jpg)
A view of the club stand (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_016.jpg)
Battle of Britaim Memorial Flight (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_017.jpg)
D428 CHO - MG Maestro 2.0 EFi (http://www.maestro.org.uk/events/BL010804/BL010804_018.jpg)

[MG Stew]

If you find any of the pictures i took useful john go ahead and use them, as i said i also have video of some of the cars that were driving round the field at the end and of the memorial flight. will try and get those converted asap.

[Beaker]

Did anyone find out what the MG 2.0i got auctioned for in the end? Last time I saw it, it was still on £20

[MaestroMatt]

Good pics, Stew, but you seem to have got some woman draped over every car you have photographed! You should be more careful in future... :laugh:

[MGTurbo]

Good pics, Stew, but you seem to have got some woman draped over every car you have photographed! You should be more careful in future... :laugh:


I had the same problem aswell!

[SimonR]

Did anyone find out what the MG 2.0i got auctioned for in the end? Last time I saw it, it was still on £20

Yeah, when I left it had received another bid for £250. That's probably nearly what it was worth I think as there was quite a lot of corrosion around the rear sills and arches. It also had no history and proof of that 51,000 miles.

[Beaker]

The Balloons in the Battle of Memorial flight picture are great. Really great pic.

It was a great event, and I am sure we had even more cars than last year. It was great that the weather was excellent again. The autojumble must have had a third more stalls this year, and catered more for Maestros/Montegos with quite a few panels to be had.

Now we have the North Run and Knebworth to look forward too. Lets hope a few more people from the south can join us for the north run this year.

Steve, as Simon says the BL day is alot more than just cars. The atmosphere of the whole event is about meeting similiar enthusiasts getting together, meeting new people and perhaps picking up the bargain at the autojumble. Simon's photo's show we have a growing community of Maestro/Montego enthusiasts (which can only be good for the club) and that not everything goes as expected on the day. Jon turned up in Cho ;) and Dan managed to break the cabriolet ;), meaning it required a temporary repair job. It is all these little things that make the day.

I also appreciate you aren't able to drive your car to an event Steve being as you are too young. There however will always be plenty of offers for a lift to the event if you did wish to go to one.

I also feel you miss the point of the BL Rally as a show, the objective of the day isn't to have just the concours cars on display, but maestros/montegos from all walks of life. (George can be testament to that having attended two shows now). For me it was really nice to see the 'timewalk maestro' on display considering it's history (I do hope the owner does try to take it for its free 6000 mile service to see the dealers face :D) Lets face it, not every car can be in as good as condition as yours, but each car is 'special' in its own way.

[John S]

One of the best shows I've been to regarding variety of cars. Lots of nice ones. It was great to see the gorgeous engine bay of the 'Mental Maestro' too, definitely quite a highlight of the day for me. I wasn't that pleased about the spares situation, it has to be said, as it seemed everyone had got there before me even though it wasn't quite closing time when I arrived (14:50). Took me 3 hours of driving without stopping each way but I can safely say it was near enough worth it. My car was in the car park and after the kind offer from Richard Smith to look for it we found it and realised it wasn't parked too far away after all :banghead: ! There were also pools of waxoyl dripping from the doors because the sun had melted it all out of the drain holes.

My buys in the end were:-

1x Unipart original stock oil filter (MG Turbo models)
1x Dash-mat, (kindly offered by Gareth
1x Electric drill
2x MG tailgate decals (Maestro Turbo)
1x Monstro CD

John

[John S]

I had the same problem aswell!

Very nice......the car that is. ;)

[Dean]

What a great day I had!!!!

Never seen so many Maestros all together, so glad the the Vp made it there and back with it's hot running problem!

Very nice to put forum names to faces, though i probably forget for the next meeting. Must say what I lovely bunch you are, you made me and the missus feel very welcome, want to try and get to next event in 3 weeks (Jonathan, could you send me contact details so I can grovel to come?).

Nice to see that the VP has got a piccie up on the site.

I'll definatley be there next year, hopefully with the DLX too.

Only downside was getting a bit sunburnt!

Cheers

Dean.

[Rich]

My appologies for not turning up. Had a little problem on the way, in which the rad bottom hose decided to split and empty the contents of the cooling system onto the M3. An AA call later and I ended up back where I started :banghead:

Still, managed to get another one at the scrapper today, fortunatly the Clubman D that I got the PAS parts off was still there.

Rich

[Beaker]

Dean,
It was a pleasure to meet you and the missus (I must apologise, as I didn't find out a name). It was also nice to see the VDP, it is not often you seen an opaline green one, oporto red is the most common it seems.

It would be good if you could make it to the North run, and the evening before if you like camping.

Rich,
Sorry to hear you had troubles :( We did wonder where you had got to,

[E_T_V]

Looks like you weren't the only one to split a hose. Ton'ys cabriolet sprung a leak after I gave it a thrash from Tescos to the camp site. Glad it is all sorted now..

P.S. Isn't power steering wonderful on the van!

[e692wtt]

Dean,

Re: The Great North Run, I have sent you a Private Message.


I've not got my thoughts together yet about the BMC/BL Rally, but suffice to say Stew caught the atmosphere of the event with his numerous photos, and Jon's photo of the Fly Past with the balloons in shot is breathtaking !

I didn't get home until 11pm (I was due in work at 8am today, managed 9.35am *ahem* :laugh: ain't flexi-time brilliant?) and had a cracking weekend.

It was especially good to see Jon's Maestro there, after his recent trials and tribulations... and it's always good putting names to faces. :)

[E_T_V]

Here are a fww of my photos..

Photos of peoples cars to come tomorrow hopefully

[MG1600S]

Hi, nice to have seen you, in all, a great day out!

Autojumble was good, picked up 2 air filter elements for the MG 1600, no longer supplied for about 5 years!

Interesting shot on the drive home.....

[E_T_V]

My photos can be found here (http://members.lycos.co.uk/etv/)

If any one wants a high resolution copy please let me know

[D87 SMW]

Great selection of photos Dan. :thumbup:

Seems like a number of people took their dogs along with them, I might do that next year. Mind, I'd not like to get 'GGTs interior full of fur... :nonono: :giveup:

Re the BBMF, (no, not Tony's cabrio ;) ) it's nice to see the Dak up there this year. Although my preference would have been PA474. ;) :D

[Rich]

Looks like you weren't the only one to split a hose. Ton'ys cabriolet sprung a leak after I gave it a thrash from Tescos to the camp site. Glad it is all sorted now..

P.S. Isn't power steering wonderful on the van!

Did I ever swear at it! I was more concerned about the "broken down maestro" thing going on from other motorists. Maybe I should have taken an Escort van shell to put over it while it was there!!

PAS is fantastic, but only really noticable when stopped, going very slowly, or parking, which is good, as under normal driving conditions its not really light, so you still keep the posative feel of it!

[Jeff Turbo]

Hi All
Good day had by me, nice to put faces to cars and handles. I believe my Monty Turbo was the only one there. Very proud of that, all these Maestro Turbo's about eh, common or what. Lovely Montego 1.6LX parked next to mine, also various very nice VP Maestro's.
Just made it home, oil spurting all over the engine, think the head gasket has gone, I knew that it was leaking, but it went all over the exhaust. Major mess on my drive
Jeff

[Jeff Turbo]

Second time i've seen that Monty Cabrio for sale. Want's £1,000 for it. Don't know if its worth that though, was thinking of offering £700 as it needs a little work, but not to much. Any comments?
Jeff

[Maria]

Just started to upload mine here (http://maisie.accelerator.org/BL2004/) - should be done in a short while so please refresh the page to get the latest listing if you're looking at the index in the next few mins.

[threelitre]

Hi!

After about 900 miles we got back home safely and without problems. The car behaved well, except the nearly expected failure of the brake servo which was only repaired temporally until we find the neccesary spare... Changing from the 1800 back into the Maestro did leave the poor Maestro in a bad light: In comparison it feels slow, tinny, toylike, cramped... Issigonis real masterpiece never fails to impress.

It was nice to see some of you again on this years show! And thanks again for the large breakfast! The Maestro camp-site was really impressive.

Regards,

Alexander

[Dean]

Dean,
It was a pleasure to meet you and the missus (I must apologise, as I didn't find out a name).

The missus is Tracy, tried to get her to buy a Maestro, but she's got a Rover 100 instead, very nice car too.

Working on her to join the club, would she be welcome with having a 100?

Dean.

[Alan the Vanner]

Working on her to join the club, would she be welcome with having a 100?

Dean.
It seems that the way it is going, we could be catering for three M's in the near future. Seeing as there were a couple of the little'uns on the MMOC stand.
"Your Maestie has shrunk in the wash, mate!" :laugh:

[Jonathan]

The club isn't selective about who can and can't become a member, you don't need to own a Maestro or Montego. Even if you drive one of those big Toyota vans we don't mind ;)

Where are all these Metros coming from :horror:

[MG1600S]

Where are all these Metros coming from :horror:

There is no club for Metros, I think there was a tried and failed one a few years ago, but watch this space, I know somebody who is trying with a few other folks to get one going! or should I say Metro gets you going!

[Andy]

There is no club for Metros, I think there was a tried and failed one a few years ago, but watch this space, I know somebody who is trying with a few other folks to get one going! or should I say Metro gets you going!


Thers the performance metro group but thats preaty pethetic It would be a good ider to cater for all 3. How come ther wernt when the site was first put online, its realated the same as the maestro and montego are.

[H48HPE]

maestroweb had a metro forum but no one used it.

theres always off topic where people can post about other cars.

[metro mike]

Thers the performance metro group but thats preaty pethetic It would be a good ider to cater for all 3. How come ther wernt when the site was first put online, its realated the same as the maestro and montego are.


the ones that went to mgm were "lucky" enough to see the quality of the "performance" metro club.

more boy racer orientated now, with silly spoilers an anything to make a noise.

glad the measty an monty lot have take in the metros, meets an atmosphere 1000 times better than pmc, who wants to drive 3 hours to go to someones local macdonalds for an hour? lol

[MG Stew]

He he... got to agree with mike the PMC is terrible, I've had more fun in the two meets that I have attended with you guys than all of the PMC meets put together. A lot better being associated a club that appreciates originality rather than arguing about weather that huge spoiler will fit on the roof or if those wheels will fit the arches...

I have got to thank all the people I have met so far for giving us such a warm welcome and I don’t mind tagging along or being the "support car :)".

Just hope we can afford to make it to the great north run now and have more fun filming everyone else’s cars and maybe even make a VCD of the whole event to make available to other club members? Don’t know what do you guys think?

[Simon]

Its nice to see some Metro/100 enthusiasts for a change, it gives us a chance to check out some different cars for a change at shows too. My wife used to have a Metro 1.4 (from new for 3 years on a K plate). I thought it was a really nice car, loads more character than the Rover 214 that I had at the time.
(And about a million times more character than the 206 she has currently)

[MG Stew]

Oh dear what have we done? looks like theres a revolution starting based on shunken rover cars lol

[MGTurbo]

Oh dear what have we done? looks like theres a revolution starting based on shunken rover cars lol


Not if we can help it, you'll all be converting to Maestro's soon... :laugh: