[Fwd: Re: [mg-tabc] Austin by Nissan]

[wargs]

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Austin by Nissan Date: Fri, 08 Mar 2002 08:53:44 -0800 From: wargs wargs@mac.com To: Jeff & Merryl Redman redcigar@ozemail.com.au CC: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com References: 3C830D01.1000206@Mac.com And a a very good day to you too, Jeff and Merryl, Then I'm afraid I've got my Datsun models confused. I confess to not being an expert on such things, although after reading all the steering box/brake drum threads hereabouts that might change! Jeff & Merryl Redman wrote:

G'day David, That's funny... I thought the Datto 2000 was an OHC engine. Must be a couple of mean MGA's running around over there. JR. ----- Original Message ----- From: "wargs" wargs@Mac.com To: "HaraRyoichi" rhara@mub.biglobe.ne.jp Cc: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 4:58 PM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Austin by Nissan Rick, I have often heard tell that the Datsun 2000 engine was completely interchangeable with that of the MGA! In fact it is rumoured that several such powered MGA's were saved from the scrapheap here ( Vancouver) by this very expedient. David Lodge HaraRyoichi wrote: Back in the post-war, flattened Japan of the early 1950's, owning an automobile was a sheer luxury only the richest people can afford and, I

as a school boy would look up with envy a smooth and shiny Austin Somerset which stands out of the dirt road traffic that normally consisted of a few European and American cars plus truly miserable Japanese variety with hand bashed bodies. For several years since Japan's surrender in 1945, the Allied Occupation Forces (U.S.,U.K.,Canada, France and China) prohibited the Japanese to build passenger cars. They also forbade the production of samurai revenge movies, probably to insure there should be no stimulant for dark designs against the Allied soldiers. When the bans were lifted, Japanese auto-makers except Toyota scrambled to obtain knock-down-and-assemble deals with European auto-makers to learn latest technology quickly to fill the gaps. So, Nissan reached agreement in 1952 with Austin turned British Motor Company (Nuffield merged Austin this year and funny moves around the planning of MGA and Healey took place) to "assemble and market knocked down Austin sedans for seven years for 3% royalties". Now, I am quoting from an excellent feature article "LETTER FROM TOKYO, by Barney Sharratt, pp.96, CLASSIC CARS, Vol.21 No.11, August 1994". BTW, this issue also features an 8-page spread on MG-TC. All told, "Between 1953 and 1960, Nissan built 21,859 A40 Somerset and A50 Cambridge saloons". Now, this is a rather fat number considering the times. The total number of TDs built was 29664 from 1949 thru 53. I have no intention of stirring up again of the Bishop Cam vs Datsun steering debate and occasional clubbing, etc., but it seems to me that if some Nissan/Datsun parts fit MG/Morris/Austin as the "residual" or as a result of the legitimate technical inplantation between the two then there may be more chance of finding wider range of compatible parts, which can work in two ways. Who knows, some Austin box might fit in place and give peace of mind to a flag-waving purist. Seriously though I hope Datsun is not a dirty word after all. And what about my steering? Well, I think I can manage "as is" with the Bishop Cam because I have experience in sailing.. Driving a TC is much like sailing a-beam at 8 knots in a small dinghy. No firm responce to steer by. You keep "meeting" your wheel or tiller so often to keep you go straight. Nobody is perfect. Good Sailing, Rick Hara TC 6903 Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service .

[wargs]

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Austin by Nissan Date: Fri, 08 Mar 2002 08:53:44 -0800 From: wargs wargs@mac.com To: Jeff & Merryl Redman redcigar@ozemail.com.au CC: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com References: 3C830D01.1000206@Mac.com And a a very good day to you too, Jeff and Merryl, Then I'm afraid I've got my Datsun models confused. I confess to not being an expert on such things, although after reading all the steering box/brake drum threads hereabouts that might change! Jeff & Merryl Redman wrote:

G'day David, That's funny... I thought the Datto 2000 was an OHC engine. Must be a couple of mean MGA's running around over there. JR. ----- Original Message ----- From: "wargs" wargs@Mac.com To: "HaraRyoichi" rhara@mub.biglobe.ne.jp Cc: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 4:58 PM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Austin by Nissan Rick, I have often heard tell that the Datsun 2000 engine was completely interchangeable with that of the MGA! In fact it is rumoured that several such powered MGA's were saved from the scrapheap here ( Vancouver) by this very expedient. David Lodge HaraRyoichi wrote: Back in the post-war, flattened Japan of the early 1950's, owning an automobile was a sheer luxury only the richest people can afford and, I

as a school boy would look up with envy a smooth and shiny Austin Somerset which stands out of the dirt road traffic that normally consisted of a few European and American cars plus truly miserable Japanese variety with hand bashed bodies. For several years since Japan's surrender in 1945, the Allied Occupation Forces (U.S.,U.K.,Canada, France and China) prohibited the Japanese to build passenger cars. They also forbade the production of samurai revenge movies, probably to insure there should be no stimulant for dark designs against the Allied soldiers. When the bans were lifted, Japanese auto-makers except Toyota scrambled to obtain knock-down-and-assemble deals with European auto-makers to learn latest technology quickly to fill the gaps. So, Nissan reached agreement in 1952 with Austin turned British Motor Company (Nuffield merged Austin this year and funny moves around the planning of MGA and Healey took place) to "assemble and market knocked down Austin sedans for seven years for 3% royalties". Now, I am quoting from an excellent feature article "LETTER FROM TOKYO, by Barney Sharratt, pp.96, CLASSIC CARS, Vol.21 No.11, August 1994". BTW, this issue also features an 8-page spread on MG-TC. All told, "Between 1953 and 1960, Nissan built 21,859 A40 Somerset and A50 Cambridge saloons". Now, this is a rather fat number considering the times. The total number of TDs built was 29664 from 1949 thru 53. I have no intention of stirring up again of the Bishop Cam vs Datsun steering debate and occasional clubbing, etc., but it seems to me that if some Nissan/Datsun parts fit MG/Morris/Austin as the "residual" or as a result of the legitimate technical inplantation between the two then there may be more chance of finding wider range of compatible parts, which can work in two ways. Who knows, some Austin box might fit in place and give peace of mind to a flag-waving purist. Seriously though I hope Datsun is not a dirty word after all. And what about my steering? Well, I think I can manage "as is" with the Bishop Cam because I have experience in sailing.. Driving a TC is much like sailing a-beam at 8 knots in a small dinghy. No firm responce to steer by. You keep "meeting" your wheel or tiller so often to keep you go straight. Nobody is perfect. Good Sailing, Rick Hara TC 6903 Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service .