MGB First drive in 3 years!

[drooartz]

Went over to my friend's place to work on the MGB today, and see if I could get it running. Bled the clutch, dealt with a few minor fuel leaks (car has been sitting for a year). Had to remove the fuel filter in the engine compartment, as it was leaking. Clutch will need a new hose (which I have, just wasn't prepared to do it today) -- it was the one hose I didn't change when I owned the car before.

Once that was all sorted, I had to try and see if she would run. Took a few tries, but she fired up and off she drove. Fiddled a bit more and took her out for a spin. Was reminded of why I liked the car so much. Spent maybe 15 or 20 minutes driving up and down the canyon road where my friend lives.

Will need to do a full service on it (including transmission fluid) but she's running well enough that I will be able to get her inspected and registered, hopefully this week. A good day indeed!

 

[WillR]

Oh man Im jelly. Get that thing inspected and go have fun!

 

[65_BRG_Sprite]

Sounds like a great day!

 

[JPSmit]

Oh man Im jelly. Get that thing inspected and go have fun!

and I'm jam - seriously - great news! and great fun!

 

[drooartz]

It really did feel good.

After a couple runs up and down the road I had to force myself to park it and get back to other tasks. Still, was a real reminder of what I loved about the car -- part of me still doesn't believe it's my car again.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Congrats, Drew!

Hard to believe it's been three years since you sold it.

 

[DrEntropy]

Well done!

As I've said many times: solid, stout and reliable cars if sorted and maintained.

Congrats, Drew.

 

[drooartz]

Taking the afternoon off tomorrow to get it inspected and registered, then it will go into the queue for a full servicing and thorough checking over. The fellow who had it the last few years didn't drive it that much, so it's pretty much as it left my care back in 2013.

Now I need to figure out where the heck to put it. The only garage slot left is for my wife's car, and I'm not THAT stupid. :grin:

 

[JPSmit]

Now I need to figure out where the heck to put it. The only garage slot left is for my wife's car, and I'm not THAT stupid. :grin:

I am

 

[DrEntropy]

What th' heck is a "garage slot"?!? My garage is filled to overflow with bits-n-pieces of MGB, Lotus and Alfa parts. No way in Hades an actual CAR could fit in there. :smirk:

 

[drooartz]

I am

Jenny's very tolerant of my 3 old cars and Jeep (all sticks which she can't drive) as long as I follow the one rule -- she can park inside.

What th' heck is a "garage slot"?!? My garage is filled to overflow with bits-n-pieces of MGB, Lotus and Alfa parts. No way in Hades an actual CAR could fit in there. :smirk:

I do laugh at myself sometimes, as my Jeep -- which is likely worth the same as I paid for the Sprite, Morris, and MGB combined -- parks outside in the snow and cold. Someday they'll all have a roof to live under. With the winters we have here in the mountains it's the only way to keep them alive.

 

[PAUL161]

Drew, It's great you got the car back and in nice condition. How about a bubble cover for it? Gotta keep it out of the weather! PJ

 

[drooartz]

Drew, It's great you got the car back and in nice condition. How about a bubble cover for it? Gotta keep it out of the weather! PJ

Problem here is wind and lots of snow in the winter. For now it's safe at my friend's place. Short term I'll get a storage unit. We're working on a longer term plan that involves moving to a new house with more space for a shop.

 

[Silverghost]

Drew, I know a brand new 3 car garage in Chicago that would welcome a convertible Minor should one become available......

 

[NutmegCT]

I was trying to imagine how wide your grin was, in that "first drive" video. Wow - congrats on the victories!

Tom M.

 

[drooartz]

Drew, I know a brand new 3 car garage in Chicago that would welcome a convertible Minor should one become available......

If I ever run across one, you'll be the first to know (mine is a 4-door saloon). I'v been enjoying the little Morris, definitely a smile-creating car even if it is a bit silly.

I was trying to imagine how wide your grin was, in that "first drive" video. Wow - congrats on the victories!

Was a big smile indeed. It's not often you get a second chance. It'll be a while until all the dust has settled and I can really enjoy the car, but that'll come in time.