MGA 1959 MGA Coupe

[racetearoffs]

but I know the original Alfa owner lived in Tempe, Arizona - The MGB has been in Tuscaloosa, Alabama since new.)
https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/topics/160892/2 I googled tempe ar british cars and this popped up don't know if it helps but maybe try the classicmotorsports.com board to see if anyones out there . grassrootsmotorsports.com

 

[tony barnhill]

Hey guys - maybe it is just me but that doesn't really look like Arizona. Are those pictures from when it was in NorCal?

Yes, they are NorCal photos...I've a bunch from AZ also but the scenery was much nicer in those & they showed the body 'lumps' best.

 

[DrEntropy]

I "slept" on this'n Tony. Thinking about what you would have as a "base" to work with I came to the decision that ~IF~ it all looks like the pix it would be worth the price. But I think a first-hand inspection would be the final arbiter here.

 

[tony barnhill]

I "slept" on this'n Tony. Thinking about what you would have as a "base" to work with I came to the decision that ~IF~ it all looks like the pix it would be worth the price. But I think a first-hand inspection would be the final arbiter here.

Yep, I'm taking the photos to my body man tomorrow...gonna find out when the guy is heading this way (he has a car to deliver in Trussville, AL & was going to put this one in the trailer also)...then gonna call Delta to see if I can get on a flight before that using my Skymiles.

 

[DrEntropy]

:thumbsup:

Good on ya!

 

[DrEntropy]

"Same thing" is my bet.

 

[Rob_P]

"Same thing" is my bet.

Sorry Doc,
I deleted my post before i saw your response.

(the gist of the post was asking Tony if he would be sending the money sight unseen if it weren't a '59)

but i posted that after only reading the first page of posts (D'oh)

now that he is trying to fly out, the question is moot. (and a totally different question, as it would sound like i was asking if he would fly out if it weren't a '59)



Rob

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:](the gist of the post was asking Tony if he would be sending the money sight unseen if it weren't a '59)[/QUOTE]
Rob, that IS the question in my mind! & the next one is: if I can't get a flight, do I trust the photos?

 

[mccalebr]

Not the photos that have been published here, would be my response. Again, the photos shown here provide SOME insight as to the condition of the body...but that is not where my major concern would be.

I think it would be prudent in considering an investment of this size (initial purchase plus restoration costs) to get up close and personal...even photos of the underside don't always tell the tale like a close personal inspection.

Ray

 

[tdskip]

Rob, that IS the question in my mind! & the next one is: if I can't get a flight, do I trust the photos?

Is there a local MG club that can check it out for you?

 

[Rob_P]

Rob, that IS the question in my mind! & the next one is: if I can't get a flight, do I trust the photos?

Tony,
you have great instincts when it comes to buying cars, and you don't seem like the type to take unnecessary chances. I would be very hesitant to send the check without a firsthand account.

You of all people know how many things can be hiding under there.

If you need testimonials from people who have bought cars from pictures to remind you, mine was supposedly 95% finished when i picked it up. Let's just say that amazingly wasn't the case...

Rob

 

[tony barnhill]

So, my body man looked at the photos real close...

...he said all the dents on the passenger front fender are easy repairs, the passenger door crease is where the door hit the fender when opened - its also easy to fix....he also said all the body lines on the driver side look great...

....he's concerned about the rear (as am I)...he thinks it's been hit & pushed into the trunk lid & repaired - though not very good...he figures a new trunk lid at worst...luckily, I have one...same with hood..he thinks he can repair it but being aluminumk, he thinks I need to have one on hand in case - I do....front valence is in good shape, he said, compared to some he're redone...

...passenger door either doesn't close properly or was left ajar in the photo...but body man again said all the body lines on that side look good so he wasn't concerned about door closure.

...overall, he said with a complete disassembly, stripping body to frame, it'll not be too hard a restoration...he didn't see any evidence of rust in the normal places but, then again, all he can see is what I see.

I leave Huntsville tomorrow morning at 9:05am via Delta & arrive in Phoenix at 3:35pm!! 25,000 air miles & $75 because I didn't give Delta 21 days notice I wanted to use my Skymiles.

 

[drooartz]

Good luck with your visit, Tony. I hope it checks out well for you. I think you made a good call to go see it in person. A few sky miles and $75 well worth the piece of mind.

One more to be saved if all goes well.

 

[mccalebr]

Good luck, Tony...in the grand scheme of things the money/miles/time invested will be the best you could make.

Ray

 

[BOXoROCKS]

the question of rust is over stated...while its bad,I'll take a rusty but straight car over a "lumpy" beat up metal car any day. Trying to put 2 qts back into a 1 qt can is a real bitch....and thats what stretched/distorted metal is. I hope Tony got a good one.

 

[mccalebr]

the question of rust is over stated...

Disagree...I don't think the question of rust can ever be overstated. I do believe however that the question of where and how much is paramount.

Ray

 

[tony barnhill]

Well, I'm sitting in the Huntsville airport - waiting or flight...next time we speak on this thread, it'll be a "Yes" or a "No".

Getting too old for road trips like this!

 

[jlaird]

Old, shoot you don't know what old is. Some days I wake up tired.

 

[BOXoROCKS]

.....well OK, I guess a totally gone frame or fenders rusted away right up to the fender bolts....but if I had a choice between a rust free but dented and stretched all to h*ll or a rusted but correct compound curve dogleg,...give me the rusty one.

 

[BOXoROCKS]

....MGA fender... here is a brand new MGA fender, that was never sold. It was on the MG dealers race car that he rolled. Thats the original OEW paint on it. It was flat on the top and bowed out on the side. I put umpteen hours into it to get it to where it is now. Its not perfect,but its good. I would have much rather repaired a rusty one.