MGA To The Arctic: The Technical Challenge
Charlotte Vowden, writer, presenter, automotive adventurer, and award-winning journalist and her father, mechanic, Steve successfully drove her 1960s MGA from the UK to the Arctic Circle and back whilst using Morris Lubricants products throughout the journey.
With approximately 2000 miles travelled in her 64-year-old MGA before reaching the Arctic Circle, and a further 800 miles to reach Nordkapp in Norway, the northernmost point in Europe that can be accessed by car, this approximate 6,000-mile round-trip from the UK was not to be a relaxing endeavour. By clocking up to 500 miles per day, similar to that of a HGV driver, she completed this epic journey in 20 days. The MGA had to operate to its maximum potential and there was no time to dwell.
The overall preparation, (which you can read about here), plus a total mental focus and of course, confidence in the car were essential on an expedition of this nature. It was the furthest Charlotte’s late grandfather’s sixties roadster had ever ventured from home. Travelling at a maximum speed of 60mph, the route took in mountains and moorland, forests, hill climbs and tunnels beneath the sea. What a journey and a limit-pushing trip of woman, man and machine.
To keep the MGA running as safely and efficiently as possible, Morris Lubricants’ Technology Manager, Adrian Hill, advised on which oils, greases and lubricants should be used and why. The trip required a careful eye on the car and to administer any required first aid, and top up levels during maintenance checks that were performed at least twice every day, Charlotte carried a variety of functional fluids on board. It was a tight squeeze to allocate a significant amount of the soft-tops limited storage space to Morris Lubricants’ products but you can say that this was a testament to their vital role in the expedition to the Arctic.
“Providing this technical support gave Charlotte and Steve one less thing to worry about,” says Adrian. “This is a serious off-the-beaten track journey and when you add the sentimental value of the car into the mix, there’s a lot of responsibility on our shoulders at Morris Lubricants but we’ve earned their trust and loyalty because of the consistent quality of our products. We’re proud to be helping them prove how far you can push our oils and lubricants that are formulated and produced to the highest standards.”
Here’s what Morris Lubricants’ products were used:
Golden Film SAE 20W-50
The challenge: The MGA’s 79bph 1600cc engine ran for a minimum of eight hours per day and the conditions will be far from genteel. Original in its mechanics, the four-stroke 1960 machine had to accomplish long, arduous inclines, as well as cope in variable weather conditions. In lower mainland Europe, temperatures reached over 37°C, but the further north Charlotte travelled, the climate cooled down.
Adrian says: “To cater for classic, vintage and veteran vehicles, the Golden Film products honour the oil formulations that would have been on the shelf in the past but the benefit of using Morris Lubricants products is the refinement of the raw materials, such as the base oils that we use. These product formulations are tailored to a level which is suitable for the classic, vintage and veteran market and offer enhanced stability, robustness, quality and performance than those that would have been available back in the day. Modern materials are tailored to suit older requirements. Classic vehicles such as the MGA were designed to be used every day, and although they may not have been pushed in the way that Charlotte pushed hers, outstanding engine cleanliness, wear, rust and corrosion protection form the bedrock that capable oil formulations are built on.”
Golden Film SAE 30
The challenge: The MGA has a four-speed gearbox. Second, third and fourth gear have synchro, first and reverse do not. Timing, (getting the right revs,) and speed, (not rushing the transition,) are key to a smooth switch. It’s a nuanced process that requires practice and effort, especially between first and second. Throughout this journey Charlotte encountered heavy, stop-start traffic around cities, as well as periods of prolonged undulating territory. Therefore, a mixture of duty use for the vehicle will put the gearbox under higher temperatures and levels of wear.
Adrian says: “A lot of early gearboxes ran on monograde engine oil formulations such as Golden Films SAE 30. A 1960s gearbox is much less complex in design than a modern transmission and generally has nowhere near the same level of power being pushed through it. These early boxes rely on good anti-wear performance to look after synchro components and gear sets, as well as good high-temperature performance for the bearings during prolonged operation.”
The challenge: In Sweden, there were big hazards ahead as moose roam on the roads. In Norway, the moving hazards continued again, but this time it was reindeer. For their sake, and ours, we needed the MGA’s brakes to be as effective as possible. Towards North Cape, Charlotte and her father drove through one of the longest and northernmost subsea tunnels. Reaching a depth of 212 metres at a gradient of 9%, it’s over four miles from start to finish. Scenarios such as this can cause the brakes to become hot, so it was a must to make sure the car performed safely.
Adrian says: “Using fresh Dot 4 brake fluid from an unopened container is vital to good stopping performance. Brake fluid is hydroscopic, which means it absorbs water from the atmosphere, and that process reduces its boiling point. Under hard braking, perhaps in an emergency, the temperature of the fluid rapidly increases, causing water to boil away as steam and create a vapour lock. Steam is compressible so braking effectiveness and precision will be severely impaired. Using fresh brake fluid prevents this from happening and also ensures good braking performance even when everything is cold." Morris Lubricants’ quality Dot 4 brake fluid exceeds vehicle manufacturers' standards and has been formulated with special additives that prevent fluid oxidation, rust and the swelling of the piston seals. This meant trouble free braking for Charlotte and Steve throughout the challenge.
Workshop Pro MD4 Multipurpose Maintenance Spray
The challenge: A can of MD4 is a go-to solution for many problems, as well as preventing them. Charlotte and Steve have used it extensively during expedition prep. It was useful to carry a can of MD4 for when we had to carry out any roadside repairs or remove any corroded or stubborn components.
Adrian says: “MD4 is a true Swiss Army knife when it comes to maintenance aerosols. As well as providing an effective oil film for lubrication, it penetrates where there may be difficult to budge nuts, bolts and fittings, it displaces water, is ideal for damp distributor caps and protects from rust.”
Workshop Pro Quality Screen Wash
The challenge: It was important to have a clean windscreen throughout the journey. A dirty windscreen is dangerous, it creates blind spots, and on a trip like this, everything must be done to reduce risk to ourselves, the car and other road users. Dust, mud, dead insects and much more are coated the MGA’s narrow window whilst on the road so we needed to make sure we could see through it. The effectiveness of the screen wash was vital if it smeared this could create a hazy, glaring effect when sunlight or headlights hit.
Adrian says: “Workshop Pro Screen wash not only has good wetting properties to help clean dirt and debris from the windscreen, but mixed 50:50 with water will give outstanding freezing protection. In other words, even when the outside temperature gets below zero degrees, you can still keep safe.” Morris Lubricants Workshop Pro Quality Screen Wash helps to clear the dirt and provide a smear-free view of the road ahead.
The challenge: Because Charlotte was covering a journey with varying ambient temperatures it was important to make sure the engine temperature was managed correctly. There was a need to protect the MGA’s engine and maintain its optimum running temperature in extreme climatic conditions. It will be hot, and it will get cold.
Adrian says: “A well formulated antifreeze coolant is essential to optimising engine performance and protects it from damage, whether hot or cold. A mixture of 50:50 antifreeze coolant and distilled water will prevent the engine from overheating, especially when doing some decent road miles and ensure that damaging ice crystals do not form when the temperature drops below 0oC. This mixture will also combat any rust or corrosion issues. If the integrity of the cooling system is good, minimal top up should be required. Antifreeze coolant choice is important and should be based on the specifications set by the car manufacturer. You should not pick and use an antifreeze coolant based on colour. Morris Lubricants has a wide range of antifreeze coolants covering over 169 different specifications.
Other products Adrian recommended for the journey:
K323 Premium Blue Grease
A good all-rounder, this grease will cope with prolonged operation, even under high loads and high temperatures. It has good water washout resistance and demonstrates good adhesive properties. Ideal for use on wheel bearings
Golden Film 80W-90
A robust old school extreme pressure gear oil, that will protect meshing gear sets and bearings from wear whether the vehicle is accelerating under load or cruising for extended periods. This was used in the MGAs rear differential and provided trouble free operation throughout the epic journey.
Workshop Pro Premium Hand Cleanser
An effective hand cleaner that is gentle on the skin. This product uses natural abrasives that will remove ingrained dirt, grease and oil leaving hands clean and moisturised. When you find it difficult to get your hands really clean after working hard, then Workshop Pro Premium Hand Cleanser is ideal
Workshop Pro White Spray Grease
An easy-to-apply grease in aerosol form, White Spray Grease is ideal for small jobs such as lubricating hinges, catches and springs particularly where drips are not desirable. Offers long lasting protection against corrosion.
With Charlotte and Steve taking on this epic challenge, whilst using Morris Lubricants’ products demonstrates the strength and the technical capabilities of the product range, to help ensure cars and other vehicles don’t let you down when you need them most.
To WATCH the videos of the initial preparation and maintenance planning of the car for this epic journey, click here.
Don’t forget, Morris Lubricants offer oils, greases and lubricants for a wide variety of vehicles from vintage and heritage vehicles to the latest hybrids. To view more about these products, click here.