We received word today that a Founding Member of the Houston MG Car Club, Frank Glass, has passed away at age 89.  Frank recovered from serious illness some years ago and subsequently acquired his final MG, a wonderful 1937 Tickford VA.  This very attractive old MG was shown and dazzled us at our All British Expo a few years ago. 

Frank was an active member in the 70’s and 80’s and served as Club President in 1987.  We so appreciate his contributions to the MG World and will miss him.  Further details may be posted as they become available.   

Frank Ray Glass, 89, of Grimes County, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 11th 2020 at Colonial Oaks Assisted Living in Katy, Texas. Frank was born in San Angelo, TX, but has been a long time resident of Houston and neighboring counties for most of his life. He is a 1953 graduate of The University of Houston School of Architecture and was a member of Sigma Nu and the Frontiersmen. He has been employed with several firms, most notably, Better Homes and Gardens Magazine in 1960 and was the Chief Architect of Public Works for The City of Houston from 1989 – 1996. He was honored by the city in 1996 when he retired. Frank moved to Grimes County in 1997 and served as their Commissioner from 1998-2002. He was an active member of the Grimes County Republican Committee.

Frank was a founding member of the MG Car Club of Houston and served as President for a term. He has 4 antique MG cars in his personal collection.

Frank was also a long time member of Planters Lodge, number 147, located in Plantersville, TX. He was a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and served on the parade committee. Frank served as a Field Artillery Sargent in the Army National Guard from 1949 – 1952

Frank is survived by his three children; Forrest Glass of Abilene, TX, Melissa Hanst (Glass) of Houston, TX, and Michael Glass of Katy, TX. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren; Brian Glass, Laura Parker (Glass), Cody Glass, Elizabeth Glass, William Hanst, and Amanda Hanst. Frank is also survived by 2 step-grandchildren; DL Gibson and Celia Orcutt. Frank is also survived by 6 great grandchildren.

There is a nice project car on Bring A Trailer today.  Wouldn’t it be great to have this car refurbished to it’s former glory and belonging to the club.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1948-mg-ya-saloon/

For raffle, to support the Houston Food Bank, is a 1977 MGB with purple finish and a standard four speed transmission.

Must be a member of the Houston MG Car Club to participate. 

CLICK Here To Purchase a Ticket

The car has a clean title and is currently registered with Texas Antique plates. A bill of sale along with the title and registration will be provided with the car. The car has recently had the following replaced:

1. Seat coverings, as original, and carpet.

2. Vinyl soft top.

3. Weber downdraft carburetor.

4. Battery.

5. Pertronix distributor.

6. Fuel pump.

The car is visibly rust-free and the engine turns over freely but currently will not start. The car is being offered in "as is” condition and no warranty of any kind is given or implied.  The car is covered and stored and must be picked up at the 5RRestorations shop in Brookshire.  

For more information click HERE.

Dear Members and Friends,

The recording of the Monthly meeting and Gordon's Powerpoint presentation are shown below. The password for the meeting is : 

 ?nQ5wH7.

Safety fast!

Mike.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/yux4MvLhxjNLYIHT2UvBR-kbQqn0X6a80SFI_PcNzhnEbMB7Pig2fKGdsMSbplA_

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AODX4F9Kx8RfplcMpUoTPNponD7Vfpn7uURL8Hl-9Bk/edit#slide=id.p

Below is the letter from the Houston Food Bank.

Safety fast!

Mike.

The attached Youtube video graphically presents the rise and fall of automotive production around the world.  It was most likely developed to show the changes among the U.S., Germany, Japan and China, but it also demonstrates how the British auto industry has collapsed since the 1950's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZCeuTzc850&list=WL&index=18&t=26s

The cancellations keep rolling in...

Dear All,

Below is the link to the recording of the electrical tech'session held on 7/18/20.

The password is : 3J*2u@@

Safety fast!

Mike.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/--NoLqCqzmBLTavp7VPdVvIzMoLqX6a81Ccbr_BcxR5NGIP-TxqfnbWCdoVmq54P

We received the following notification from a member of the New England MG T Register:

The National Corvette Museum (www.CorvetteMuseum.org) in Bowling Green, KY wants a MG TA, TB and a TC to display in its museum.  The museum displays the continuing the history of the Corvette (past, present and future) and it looks at the Corvette’s influences, competition and significance in automotive history as America’s sports car. 

The MG has been called “The Sports Car America Loved First.”  America did not have anything like a MG in the ‘40s.  GIs saw MGs during and after WWII in England and started bringing the little sports cars back to America.  The first SCCA sanctioned race was held about noon on October 2, 1948 in Watkins Glen, NY on public roads.  A local named Cameron Argetsinger, who had a new MG TC, organized it.  Eight of the ten cars to finish that first race were MGs.

MGs were an important part of starting sports car races in America.  They were quick and fun to drive during the week, and race on the weekend.  And they were affordable.  Sports car races started drawing crowds of many thousands to Watkins Glen, Elkhart Lake and other public road courses.  Harley Earl, a vice president at GM, saw those sports car races, the crowds and MGs.  He realized that GM needed a sports car, so he formed a team to secretly design and build one – the Corvette.

Because MG played an important part of sports cars in America and in the creation of the Corvette, the museum has a display with a TC on loan, but the museum wants to have a permanent MG on display.  They are looking for a donation of a MG TA, TB and a TC.

What is going to happen with our beloved MG Ts when we are gone?  In recent years I have sadly helped heirs fix and sell their dad’s old MG because they do not want them.  Is this what you want to happen to your MG?  How about donating it to the National Corvette Museum which is a 501 (c) (3) organization knowing that your MG will have a resting place in history and be looked after?

Please think about where you want your MG to go.  Do you want to leave a legacy for many generations to see, admire and learn about?

Contact the Director of Collections and Curator of the National Corvette Museum: Derek@CorvetteMuseum.org or Leah@CorvetteMuseum.org.

Story by Russ Sifers of the KC MG Car Club.  Photograph by NCM.  MG TC on loan from Bill Richey of Bowling Green, KY.