My Old MGB GT.

[boompa]

I don't have this MGBGT anymore, but I'd like to add it here. (It was killed in a hit and run, years back)

You can read about it here http://www.boompa.com/ethan/hit-and-run-mgb-gt/69/

Here it is when I trailored it from Mass to Chicago.

I'd like to add my current car, but its new and not an antique. Maybe I can do that below this post.

[R W Burgess]

Welcome aboard!

Post your new car too. A car is a car in this forum!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[boompa]

Ok cool,

Here is what I am currently driving: http://www.boompa.com/ethan/silver-slicer/64/pictures/653/

Overlooking the Golden Gate bridge:

[Barry Wolk]

I destroyed a car just like that in 1972 in London. I was driving a rented Ford Grenada Consul and had gotten comfortable driving on the left. I got so comfortable that while pulling down a side street I forgot that I had half a car on the left of me and drove into a parked MG just like yours. Almost all of the glass popped out of the MG but the Ford was still drivable.

Took the Ford back to the rental agency and was told that 7 of 10 Americans do worse damage than I had done. The MG owner was Spanish so we had a very strange, and heated, discussion. That $25 was the best insurance premium I ever paid.

[Terry Bond]

You need another one! They are tons of fun, and once you understand Joe Lucas, they are very reliable. I think the MGs are quite undervalued as fun, usable collector vehicles right now, so it's probably a good time to do the second-childhood thing. Your pic of the accident damaged car looks very familiar. Our current restoration project looked just the same. Its an early 74, one of the last of the chrome bumper B's. We bought it as a driver and my son had a "disagreement" with a 69 Dodge. We ended up splicing in the front of another car, using new fenders, hood, valence, etc. I'll need to post some pics soon as its almost finished. Tried hard to get it done for the meet in Va Beach but without bumpers, interior and windshield it was just too much of an unfinished project.

Terry

"Gentlemen shouldn't motor about after dark" Joseph Lucas.

[mrpushbutton]

boompa--OMG, that's identical to the one I had. Worse POS car I ever owned, or have been around.It spun a con rod bearing at 44,712 miles (that figure burned in my brain forever). then there was the Lucas system. When everything was right, it was a blast.

[boompa]

Ha, It wasn't that bad of a car! But I was a kid and it was first real fixxer upper so I never really got it going well. It always smelled like exauhst, and I could not drive it 20 miles without having to get under the hood to tune the carbs.

I come from a long line of car enthusiasts though. My dad has a Lotus Elan 1968 and my uncle has a racing Lotus Elan (I will look for pics).

My Grandfather, who we grandchildren called "Boompa" (thus the name) started it all. I think he had about 30 really cool cars over the years.

I am trying to get my family to send in all the photos of his cars... but so far these are the pics I have....

http://boompa.com/boompa/

MG TC:

Lotus Elite:

[boompa]

Cool Terry:

If you can, could you post the pics of your MG restoration to my new web site? www.boompa.com

You can upload as many pictures as you like.

[Guest BillP]

I restored my 69 roadster about five years ago. It has been my summer ride ever since. It has been reliable, always runs good and has not stranded me. I did the usual hotrod things to the engine including big valves, flowed head, inch and 3/4 SU carb instead of inch & 1/2, bored 040, cam, balanced, comp header and exhaust, hd clutch, etc. Found a factory hardtop at a swap meet. I drive the car all the time, don't show it (waste of time when could be driving). I have other junk for shows.

I had a used MGA in the navy during VN, so this sort of makes me back into the boy racer I useta be.

[Terry Bond]

I find that one must understand that owning a British sports car involves much more than just driving, and even occasional tuning or repairs. You must become involved with the car and the entire way of life. The wicker basket must fit alongside your tool kit and "spares." A roadside breakdown is nothing more than an opportunity to commune with the vehicle and enjoy a "cuppa" (tea). Upon arriving at the pub (or work in the morning) the first few moments are spent talking about all the things that had to be done to accomplish that. You must understand that Lucas is much more than a mere brand name-it is a legend to be reveared and respected. Failure to do so will incur dreaded consequences! Keeping your connectors clean is a lesson that carries over from motoring to life itself! You must understand that these cars are not made to just "putter about" but to be driven fast around tight corners, with a sure hand and full intent to straighten out the road. Feed them well, drive them hard, give then the attention they demand and you'll be happy with British motoring!

Safety fast!

Terry

[26pack]

Good points, Mr. Bond, but there's always a plan B. For example, buy a Miata, a/k/a an MG that works. Which brings up a funny story. Back when my Miata was new (1990), I drove a friend home one rainy, foul November night. Said friend was an old British sports car fanatic. Come to think of it, she was British. Anyway, she was amazed that what was going on outside stayed outside. And that I had the headlights (both) on. And the windshield wipers (also working). And the heater/defroster. Car was nice and warm. And dry. When I went to turn on the radio, I noticed her eyes get very wide. Seems she was concerned the car would explode in flames or something!

So I guess you're right. British sports cars are a way of life. But there's one thing I never understood. Of all the people on the face of the earth, how come the British couldn't figure out how to build a car that works in the rain

Just kidding, of course.

[boompa]

Here's another MG I once had. This is an MG Metro and I owned it when I lived in England in 1997. I drove this car through england, wales, scotland, france, switzerland, lichetnstien, czech (prague), germany, amsterdam and belgium.

It was alot more 'modern' and actually kept us dry in the rain (hehe) than the MGB GT I once had. But it was terrorfyingly slooooow on the highway -- particularly in Germany.

http://www.boompa.com/ethan/british-betty/91/pictures/797/

I worked lots of odd jobs, for 2 months I delivered for Pizza Hut in Eastliegh (in southhampton) UK. Pretty fun.

[R W Burgess]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">But it was terrorfyingly slooooow on the highway </span> </div></div>

Boompa, Sloooow is a relative term when in Europe, especially considering that those Porches and Mercedes are blowing by you at 150+. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Stability control becomes a very real factor of life under those conditions. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[boompa]

Hehe, totally true. I found that in France the were the MOST rude to me and acted like they were gonna run me off the road, and I was in the slow lane. Prolly the UK plates on the car made them mad.

[Terry Bond]

When I was living in Scotland, had an MG 1100. The only thing about it that was MG was the name tag! Had that crazy hydroelastic suspension that used air bags at each wheel with equalizing tubes connecting them. Each side of the car was independent and when one line ruptured, the car had about a 20 degree list to one side. Only way to fix it was to drop the sub-frames so we had to junk it.

Tonight I drove the MGBGT for the first time. My wife had driven it only a little before now but I gave it a pretty good run tonight. It's SWEET! Im pretty sure the finish on the exhaust manifold is nicely baked on now anyway. Its a pleasure to drive and feels like it might need one more brake adjustment, bleed the clutch slave cylinder and then after a few hundred miles retorque everything, set the valves, adjust timing/carbs and then enjoy it. We are hopeful to finish and get it to the big MG gathering in Gatlinburg Tn at the end of June. We intend to drive it from Norfolk Va - no trailers for this one! I'll have plenty of cleaning to do when we get there but it'll be fun! It gets the final touch-up and paint buff next week and we're still putting the interior in. Will try to post some pics later.

Terry

[boompa]

Cool Terry, can you post a pic of it here in this thread? I never got my MGB GT going well enought that I would want to take for a distance.

Currently I live in Oakland CA, and I dont have a garage, but my wife and I are expecting, and plan on moving pretty soon... somewhere with a garage and some space. I think I will be getting into another british car as soon as I make the move.

I was at the Sonoma County Vintage car show yesterday... full of old brit cars... man it drove me nuts to not have an mg or a lotus! And the exhaust fumes smelled soooo good!

[Guest trevor ward]

Crikey Ethan....,

It is a chuffin' small world. and that's a fact!!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I nearly fell off of my chair when i read of your adventures!!

If you delivered for Pizza Hut in Eastleigh, then i guess that

you and your little moped often came over the bridge to where i live....

.... in Bishopstoke !!????

It Is horrifying to see the little metro..just one of the

most nasty, horrid little cars ever devised by man, and they

should become landfill or perhaps ships anchors!!

I'd love to hear more about your stay here....and where are

you now...?? are you in the US???

regards... Trevor... '64 Le sabre..... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Hello, Wardy... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thought you would enventually chime in here. Hope all is well.

Peter J... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest trevor ward]

Hi Peter...,

Thanks for having a quick type... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I am fine..usual aches and pains.. 25 years of high level

running does that to you!!!!

I will always have my daily look around this forum, as

there is always so much of interest and so much to learn

and you guys have always come up with a solution to

any problems of mine..... BUT.... i have sold my

'64 le sabre to a deserving and enthusiastic new owner in

Surrey... which is about an hour and a halfs drive from me

so, i may see her at shows in the future, but i just did not

have the time to enjoy her and get out and about in her as much

as i would have liked!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I got a good price, and i know that

the guy is genuine and will not let her go to seed !!

I also never had a garage and she had to live under a full tailored

car cover...and with our climate and weather, this was never an ideal

solution..

Thanks again for all everybodys help in the past and i am certainly not going anywhere!!

Trevor.... '64 Le sabre(less)...... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />