The Chicagoland MG Club Library - Books

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1100, 1300 Owner's Workshop Manual
Autopress Ltd, 1974. Hardbound, 177 pages

Advertising MG Vol II 1956-1992
by Daniel Young
Softback, 96 pages of print adds covering a multitude of cars.

Against Death and Time
by Brock Yates
2004, softbound, 235 pages. The book is not gory, but it certainly points out the lack of safety for the drivers and spectators in the post-war era of racing and is a good history of the sport from years gone by.

Aspects of Abingdon
by Marcham Rhoade (Ken Smith)
1996, small black & white paperback, 90 pages. The building of the MGB and Midget. How it was done and the men who did it. Every member should have their own copy of this.

Auto-Crossing
By Sallie Stephenson
1991, small, hardbound, color photos, only 48 pages. Printed in large type for the near sighted or very young.

Automobile Quarterly Vol XX
by John Dugdale
No. 4 (Fourth Quarter, 1982) This issue contains 46 beautiful color pages titled Half A Century of M.G.'s, A Personal Reminiscence

Benetton, Formula 1 Racing Team
by Alan Henry
Published 1998, softbound, 159 pages, color photos
In 1985 the Benetton family (Italian knitwear clothing) acquired the Toleman F1 team and in ten years brought home the world championship.

Carriages Without Horses, J. Frank Duryea and the Birth of the American Automobile Industry
by Richard P. Scharchburg
1993, hardbound, 26 pages, b&w photos
The Duryea brothers and their automobiles and the beginning of the Duryea Motor Wagon company. The first automobile race in the US (in Chicago, 1895). Victory in the London to Brighton Run in England of 1896. The men who created the greatest American industry.

Colour MGB GT Restoration
Practical Classics
Published 1968, 112 pp, soft bound. Much of it applies to non GT also. Stripping, Sill & floorpan removal, Body, Chassis repairs/replacement, Engine Strip down and rebuild, Gearbox overhaul, Reassembly, Electrics, Brake restoration, Getting on the road.

The Complete Official MGB, 1962-1974
Robert Bentley, Inc. Automotive Publishers
Comprising the official drivers handbook, workshop manual, special tuning manual. 4th edition, 465 pages. Like the Haynes manual but in great condition. No smudges!

Essential MG T Series and Pre-War Midget
by Anders Clausenger
1995, softbound, 80 pages, color, some B&W.

The Fabulous Trashwagon
by B.S.Levy
Published in 2002. Hardbound, 533 pp. The Toronto Star says, "Outrageuos and funny. Levy knows how to put his readers in the shotgun seat."

Ghost Tracks
A Historic Look at America’s Lost Road Racing Tracks
by Pete Hylton
2007, softbound, 127 pages, b& w and color photos.
Pete Hylton, archivist and historian for the SCCA, has compiled a series of articles from SportsCar Magazine, about old, but not forgotten, road racing tracks from across the county.

The Grand Prix Saboteurs
by Joe Saward
2006, softbound, 351 pages, b&w photos.
The true story of the 1920s and 30s grand prix drivers who were enlisted by the British to set up resistance organizations behind the German lines during WW2

How To Build and Power Tune SU Carbs
by Des Hammill
Published 2001, 128 pp, softbound. Detailed practical advice on improving Performance, Handling, Braking, Comfort, Appearance, & Reliability. Checked and approved by the MG Owners Club!

How to Give Your MGB V8 Power
by Roger Williams
1999 edition, 128 pp, softbound. New updated edition with a British perspective. Have fun finding some of those parts in an American junk yard.

How to Improve MGB, MGC, and MGB V8
by Roger Williams
Published 2001, 128 pp, softbound. Detailed practical advice on improving Performance, Handling, Braking, Comfort, Appearance, & Reliability. Checked and approved by the MG Owners Club!

How To Power Tune Midget & Sprite
by Daniel Stapleton
This book is on loan from the library of David Lieb. Published 2000, 160 pp, softbound. Details modifications to the whole car for better performance, handling, and braking. Checked and approved by the MG Owners Club!

Illinois Vehicle Code, 2004 Edition
Published 2004, 493 pp, softbound. The current edition of the laws of Illinois governing the operation of vehicles.

The Last Open Road
by B. S. Levy
I think it was printed in 1994 in Oak Park and is about 400 or so pages, sorry, no pictures, it's a novel. If you haven't read this, do, and if you have, do it again! Burt is not paying me to say this. I loved it so much I read it twice. It describes the glory days of American sportscar racing, the early 50's, with a unique first-person approach. Very entertaining.

Heritage Motor Centre Catalogue
Heritage Motor Centre
This lovely volume was donated by Roger and Shirley Goebbert when they returned from a Little British Car Company tour in England. It contains many pictures of cars in the museum as well as articles on the history of the British car industry.

Leanings
by Peter Egan
This book is on loan from the library of David Lieb. For those unfamiliar with the works of Peter Egan, allow me to say that he is a native of Wisconsin, heavily infected by the vintage racing bug, the British motorcycle bug, and the British car restoration bug. This book contains many of his writings published in the magazine Cycle World. Not technically British cars, let alone MGs, but worth reading.

Maintaining the Breed
by John Thornley
The Saga of MG Racing Cars. First published in 1950, hardbound, 187 pages, all b&w, this 1990 edition was donated by member John Gordon in 1996. Thanks, John.

MG by McComb
by F. Wilson McComb
F. Wilson McComb's definitive(?) history of the M.G. from its debatable roots to its current state.

MG The Book of the Car
by Anders Clausager
large hardbound, 96 pages. Filled with great color photos!

MG Collection
by Richard Monk
Post War Models, mostly color

MG - Austin Collision Guide
(Perish the thought!) This is a shop reference that covers 1970-1980, 308 pages, paperback, printed in '83 for Jaguar dealers. Contains numerous diagrams and parts lists for MGB, Midget and Marina.

MG Gold Portfolio 1929-1939
by R. M. Clarke
Brookland Books, softbound, all b&w, 180 pages, also donated by John Gordon. Interesting reprints of early road tests and significant magazine articles.

The MG Log
by Peter Haining
Sounds boring, doesn't it? On the contrary, this is a fascinating volume with contributions from the big names in MG manufacturing. A celebration of the World's Favorite Sports Car, 1993, hardbound, 176 pages, some unique photos, historical text aided by Cecil Kimber's daughter. Another Gordon donation.

MG Midget and Austin-Healey Sprite Restoration Manual
by Lindsay Porter
An excellent book from the Haynes collection detailing the necessary operations to take a Spridget from truly horrible condition to the joy it was intended to be. No MGBs were injured in the making of this book. Ex Libris David Lieb.

MG Past and Present
by Rivers Fletcher
1985 (first published 1981), hardbound, 250 pages, many photos, historical. Chapter 22 closes with the Metro, Maestro, and Montego proudly carrying on the MG name!

MG - A Pictorial History
by John Tipler
all photos (16 in color), new 1996. Even depicts the RV8 and the MGF.

MG: The Sports Car America Loved First
by Richard L. Knudson
Also titled An Illustrated History of MG's in the U.S.A. 1975, large, hardbound, b&w, 243 pages. Lots of racing stuff, but plenty of everything else too. Cute title, but the love is still here.

MG Sports Cars
by John Helig
1966 Enthusiast Color Series. 96 pages, all in color, softbound, nice little book.

MG Sportscars
by Malcom Green
large hardbound, 160 pages, with lots of great pics!

The MG Story
by Joseph Wherry
"The story of every MG from Old No. 1 to the most modern"

MG, MGB GT 1965 - 1980
Brooksland Books, softbound, 100 pages. Roadtests, driving impressions, new model intros.

MGA 1500, 1600, Twin Cam
by F. Wilson McComb
1983, small, hardbound. 135 pages, 8 in color. A valuable reference.

MGA - The Complete Story
by David G. Styles
Lavishly illustrated history of the MGA in all of its variations.

MGA, MGB, and MGC, A Collector's Guide
by Graham Robson
Motor Racing Publications, hardbound, 136 pages, 1980...check it out!

MGA Restoration
by Malcolm Green
Detailed information on restoring bodywork, chassis, engine and trim etc., plus production changes, colour schemes and history from the man with the initials of M.G.

MGB and MGB GT Owner's Workshop Manual
by J. H. Haynes
Covers 1962-1974, big, softbound, 259 pages. Don't we all have one of these?

MGB - The Illustrated History
by Jonathan Wood & Lionel Burrell
"This book will appeal to classic car enthusiasts, motoring historians and, of course, MGB owners past, present and future." How can I argue with that? Another loan from David Lieb.

MGB Including MGC and MGB GT V8
by David Knowles
Published 2000, 192 pp, hardbound. Yet another quaint and curious volume of long-forgotten lore regarding the MGB and its siblings. A very interesting book with many fascinating details on the development of these cars.

MGB Owner's Survival Manual
by Jim Tyler
1995, small, hardbound, 144 pages. Just added to the club library. Don't leave home without this book! It says that.

MGB Purchase and Restoration Guide
by Lindsay Porter
2nd edition, 352 pp, hard cover. History, Buying, Specification, Bodywork, Mechanics, Interior, Electrics, Modifications. One of the "Bible" books!

MGB, Tourer, GT and V8 - Up to Sept. 1976 Parts Catalogue
by British Leyland
Softbound, 242 pages. Donated by Just Brits. No smudges yet!

MGB, Tourer and GT Handbook
by British Leyland
Glovebox handbook which contains 74 pages. Softbound 5 _ X 8, For the GHN4&5- Tourer and GHD5&4-GT.

MG T Series Restoration Guide
by Malcom Green
2nd edition, published 2000. Soft cover, 164 pp. New enlarged edition covering all TA, TB, TC, TD, TF, and TF 1500 models. Detailed information on restoring bodywork, chassis, engine, brakes, upholstery and trim, ect. Plus production changes and history.

Midget and Sprite Owner's Workshop Manual
by J. H. Haynes
Covers 1958-1980, big, softbound, 242 pages.

Montezuma's Ferrari
by B.S.Levy
This fictional tale picks up where The Last Open Road left off. Hardbound, 395 pages.

Murray Walker, The Very Last Word
by Christopher Hilton
Published 2002, softbound, 203 pages, some photos.
Murray Walker was the voice of Formula One racing on BBC and ITV for years, retiring at the US Grand Prix at Indy in 2001.

Original MGA
by Anders Ditlev Clausager
Published 2003, 112 pp, softbound. I am sure that you are familiar with the Clausager "Original" series. I found this one at the Midlife Classic Cars booth at British Car Days and knew that Barney would never forgive me if I allowed our library to go another day without this tome.

Original MGB With MGC and MGB GT V8
by Anders Clausager
"The restorer's guide to all roadster & GT models 1962-80"

A Potside Companion
by B.S.Levy
Published 2001, large softbound, 286 pages. By the author of 'The Last Open Road' and 'Montezumas Ferrari'. Collection of gearhead oriented short stories, memoirs, mood enhancers, and motoring disasters from his high octane pen!

Project Phoenix: The Birth of the MGF
by Jan Adcock
1998, large hardbound story about the rebirth of the MG. Contains a lot of info about the early MG years and its developements of many of the models leading up to the MGF. Very interesting!

Quick Reference Guide
(shop manual)
A parts number listing for Jaguar, MG, Triumph, Rover & Austin. Aug. 1983, paperback, 156 pages.

The Rally Book
by David Hebb
Sofbound, 176 pages. Dated but generic explanations of Rallys.

Restoring Sprites and Midgets
by Grahame Bristow
Published 2002, 210 pp, softbound. Have you ever wondered how to specify a replacement wheel bearing in Africa? Intrigued by the history of Spridget steering? Then this book is for you! All that and much more right here!

Restoring Yesterday's Cars
by Richard L. Knudson
1983, small, hardbound, color and b&w, only 47 pages. You can read this in the loo in just one sitting!

Side Glances, Volume 1
by Peter Egan
The first of three volumes containing Peter Egan's Side Glances articles from Road & Track magazine. This one contains 1983 through 1992. Read it. Loaned by David Lieb.

Side Glances, Volume 2

by Peter Egan
The second of three volumes containing Peter Egan's Side Glances articles from Road & Track magazine. This one contains 1992 through 1997. Read it. Loaned by David Lieb.

Side Glances, Volume 3
by Peter Egan
The first of three volumes containing Peter Egan's Side Glances articles from Road & Track magazine. This one contains 1998 through 2002. Read it. Loaned by David Lieb.

Speed Secrets, Professional Race Driving
by Ross Bentley
MBI Publishing. 1998, softbound, 160 pages. Wanna be a Sterling Moss?

The Story Behind the Octagon
by Brian J. Moylan
1995, small, paperback, 96 pages. Good account of life as a MG factory employee.

SU Carburetors
by Haynes Manuals
Published 1989, 126pages. The Haynes manual covering the H, HD, HS, and HIF Types through 1988. Overhaul, specifications, needle charts, etc. Loaned by David Lieb.

The Technical Sections
by University Motors
Feb 98 edition. Softback, containing multiple sections used during UMC Technical seminars. Has a lot of neat 'fix-it-up' stuff. Many by John Twist!

Tuning the A-Series Engine
by David Vizard
This book is considered the bible on the A-Series engine as found in the Midget. It is somewhat slanted towards the Mini implementation of the engine, but not to the exclusion of the in-line applications. Valuable information on the engine, carbs, exhaust, etc. From the library of David Lieb.

Tuning SU Carburetors and Fuel Pumps
by G. R. Wade
1981, paperback, 190 pages, all lies. No, really, better than the video, because we can't find the video.

Murray Walker, The Very Last Word
by Christopher Hilton
2002, softbound, 203 pages, some photos
Murray Walker was the voice of Formula One racing on BBC and ITV for years, retiring at the US Grand Prix at Indy in 2001. This book is about his broadcasting career, which was quite colorful.

The Works MGs
by Mike Allison and Peter Browning
"This is the authoritative story of all the MGs prepared and entered by the MG Car Company and its successors in international competition from the 1920s to the late 1960s."

Any member interested in examining and/or checking out any of these is welcome. They will be at most of the Monday night meetings. Please e-mail the CMGC Librarian or leave a message at 630.393.1514 if you would like to reserve a book or are interested in more information.