JV 291/MG 1930

[garagiste]

I spoke to Brian Demaus this afternoon, he confirmed that the letter was his and that he was indeed the owner of JV 291 just post war.

He has a number of photographs taken during his ownership. The Brooklands connection he thinks was wishful thinking but would be delighted to be proved wrong.

I hope to see him in the next few days and will seek his permission to post any photos that he can find.

How much further can this thread creep?

David.

[Ian Grace]

Game, set and match!

I want those pictures for the Magazine!

[sv4670]

This all presents me with bit of a dilema! I would like to recover the original registration mark for the car JV291 but MG1930 is rather a nice one as well! Since the car did not originally wear that number I do not see a problem releasing it to another M type but this would no doubt create a whole load of discussion.

[Sam Christie]

You would need to check if the number is transferable but I can't help thinking (personal taste) the best home would be on a 1930 MG which has lost its correct registration number.
It is clear that your car has an obvious and genuine history and restoring the original registration number would complete its integrity.

[Ian Grace]

Nicely put, Sam.

Ian

[garagiste]

Yesterday afternoon I spent a pleasant hour and a half talking with Brian Demaus. He will be 90 in a few days time, as bright as a button and still smoking his pipe.

He was delighted with the photo of HMS Caroline and is keen for both Caroline and JV291/MG1930 to be restored and is looking forward to seeing both of them in due course.

[Ian Grace]

David,

Cracking photos and a cracking story!

Derek WILL be pleased!

Ian

[garagiste]

Hopefully this thread creep story will be on going.

The thread now has very little connection with the original subject title. .

Would it not be possible to change the subject title, to - say JV291/MG1930, to move it away from the somewhat mundane subject of insurance?

David.

[Ian Grace]

Re-named. Moving might be a bit more tricky. I had to re-title every post.

Perhaps Derek should start a new JV 291 thread in 'Our Cars' once he gets cracking with the rebuild!

[Ian Grace]

Moved successfully!

[sv4670]

Well, I am rather flattered by all the attention my car seems to be attracting. I was absolutely thrilled with the photos David was able to obtain copies of and the Motor Sport article Sam Christie posted. The pressure is on to get the car back on the road so that I can show it to Brian Demaus.

Work has started on the car with an overhaul of the back axle. I cleaned it up this weekend and found some numbers stamped on the top. Do all axles have these?

[Ian Grace]

Derek,

I seem to recall that this has come up before, but a cursory search of the forum and my magazine files drew a blank. There are similar serial numbers stamped on the front axle beams. I'm sure that Sam will be able to sort it all out for us.

[sv4670]

Ok thanks, at first I thought it might be a datestamp for 3 October 1930.
I see the steel castings at the end of the axle are stamped with a part number finishing with and F (for front) or R (for rear). It would be possible to build up the axle the wrong way round and have the left and right hand threads on the wrong sides of the car.

[Ian Grace]

You're probably right Derek. I think the way to easily check (if all the bolts have been removed) is that the drain plug should be to the rear (so you can get at it easily from behind the car), which sets the orientation.

[garagiste]

Yesterday at the local VSCC New Year meeting where everyone was in a modern car, (the weather was so foul with many local roads flooded) I sat next to Brian Demaus and talked to him about the cars he has owned.

JV291 was his first car, this was replaced by the GP Aston Martin "Green Pea", this was in turn replaced by a four seat Aston tourer when more space was needed. Later when better weather protection was needed he turned to a Humber. This is the point when he started the Humber register.