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Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
Last week, mcguigo posted that he knew of a Midget hardtop for sale in Opelika, AL 205 miles to the south of me. I talked with the owner, then mcguigo was kind enough to drive from Montgomery to Opelika to take photos and then I talked with the owner again to set up a time to go get it.
Thanks for all your help, mcguigo!
Well, this morning I got up, had breakfast, placed a $2000 parts order with Moss (MGB, Midget, AH, & Miata parts) and headed south. It rained on me all the way down until I got within a few miles of Opelika. I met the owner of the top, Joel Barnes, at his business, Southern Upholstery. We looked the top over & put it in my pickup as the price was reasonable for what it was - a factory top for the 1964-1966 Sprite MkIII & Midget MkII, not in excellent shape but easily repaired - and I asked if I could see âmy friendâsâ seats that he had for upholstering.
We went into his shop. The waiting area has a counter out about halfway across the room and then thereâs a gate. As he went behind the counter, he closed the gate so I couldnât follow him.
âCould I see my friendâs seats while Iâm here?â
âTheyâre just a couple of cushions that are somewhere back in the shop under some stuff. I donât really like people back there.â
So, I pulled out my âtheAutoistâ checkbook, âOkay, Iâll just pay for the top and go get some lunch.â seeing that this was a man who wasnât real friendly.
âI donât usually take out of town checks because of all the students at the university over in Auburn.â
Now, you guys know I sell parts & cars to pay for my hobby. The âtheAutoistâ check I was going to write wouldâve been an âowner distributionâ to me (i.e., kinda like salary).âStudents?â
âYeah, they give me bad checks.â
âWell, Iâm almost 60 and not a student. But, okay, I use American Express for my business expenses, Iâll just pay with that.â
âDonât take American Express. Mastercard or VISA or cashâ
Right about now Iâm beginning to get pi$$ed and feel as though Iâve been insulted. âI prefer to keep those cards separate from my cars; so, I think I have enough cash on me; but, you know, I take checks from people from all over the world for thousands of dollars everyday and never worry about them. And Alabama law says that if you donât take checks, you have to post that prominently in your place of business. I donât see that sign. Do you have one?â
âNo, but if the top doesnât work for you, you can always bring it back.â
âBring it back? heck, Iâll sell it and make a profit. Better yet, Iâll throw it in the trash before I come back here.â You got change for a hundred? Oh, I need a receipt. You do write them, donât you?â
Methinks somebody needs to go get their âcushionsâ. I saw some of his work laid out on a table over his shoulder. I wouldnât take my seats to him (Sorry, mcguigo - hope you have better luck with him).
Now, Iâve a â63 Midget, a â74 Midget, and a â76 Midget. The top wonât fit any of them. If somebody needs one, contact me - I take checks!
Thanks for all your help, mcguigo!
Well, this morning I got up, had breakfast, placed a $2000 parts order with Moss (MGB, Midget, AH, & Miata parts) and headed south. It rained on me all the way down until I got within a few miles of Opelika. I met the owner of the top, Joel Barnes, at his business, Southern Upholstery. We looked the top over & put it in my pickup as the price was reasonable for what it was - a factory top for the 1964-1966 Sprite MkIII & Midget MkII, not in excellent shape but easily repaired - and I asked if I could see âmy friendâsâ seats that he had for upholstering.
We went into his shop. The waiting area has a counter out about halfway across the room and then thereâs a gate. As he went behind the counter, he closed the gate so I couldnât follow him.
âCould I see my friendâs seats while Iâm here?â
âTheyâre just a couple of cushions that are somewhere back in the shop under some stuff. I donât really like people back there.â
So, I pulled out my âtheAutoistâ checkbook, âOkay, Iâll just pay for the top and go get some lunch.â seeing that this was a man who wasnât real friendly.
âI donât usually take out of town checks because of all the students at the university over in Auburn.â
Now, you guys know I sell parts & cars to pay for my hobby. The âtheAutoistâ check I was going to write wouldâve been an âowner distributionâ to me (i.e., kinda like salary).âStudents?â
âYeah, they give me bad checks.â
âWell, Iâm almost 60 and not a student. But, okay, I use American Express for my business expenses, Iâll just pay with that.â
âDonât take American Express. Mastercard or VISA or cashâ
Right about now Iâm beginning to get pi$$ed and feel as though Iâve been insulted. âI prefer to keep those cards separate from my cars; so, I think I have enough cash on me; but, you know, I take checks from people from all over the world for thousands of dollars everyday and never worry about them. And Alabama law says that if you donât take checks, you have to post that prominently in your place of business. I donât see that sign. Do you have one?â
âNo, but if the top doesnât work for you, you can always bring it back.â
âBring it back? heck, Iâll sell it and make a profit. Better yet, Iâll throw it in the trash before I come back here.â You got change for a hundred? Oh, I need a receipt. You do write them, donât you?â
Methinks somebody needs to go get their âcushionsâ. I saw some of his work laid out on a table over his shoulder. I wouldnât take my seats to him (Sorry, mcguigo - hope you have better luck with him).
Now, Iâve a â63 Midget, a â74 Midget, and a â76 Midget. The top wonât fit any of them. If somebody needs one, contact me - I take checks!
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