General MG I may be returning to the MG fold...

[drooartz]

Um... somebody better check his math... :smirk:

Approximations are the soul of humor. :grin:

Drew,
the Tunebug was 'one of those cars' along with Whitefrog and Miss Agatha that helped push me over the Bugeye hump and I ended up buying Scarlet as my first restoration project. I read with interest when you bought your B and became acutely aware of the size of my Bugeye after hip surgery. I looked for a TR4a and drove a few TR6s, but they were as confining as my Bugeye due to them shrinking over the years or me getting bigger and I no longer fit like I did in the 60s and 70s. I found an MGB locally for a good price and pulled the trigger knowing the engine needed a rebuild. I fit really well in the car and look forward to driving it in the near future as I continue to work on the Bugeye. I'm still up in the air about the RHD conversion, but it have all the parts reconditioned and ready to go.
Rut

A Bugeye and a MGB are really a nice pair of cars -- quite the different experience. Bugeye is raw, light, nimble. B isn't exactly a heavyweight, but the extra room and comfort make a big difference. I couldn't be happier with where my last MGB wound up (or the Tunebug for that matter) but I am looking forward to settling in with the (as yet unnamed) BGT and Penny for the long haul. My "Bill of No Sale" is part joke, but mostly serious -- a contract with myself as much as with my wife and indicative of some changed priorities.

I had a TR4 briefly years ago, and they're really nice cars, but narrow and a bit cramped for me. MGB is *much* more spacious.

And as for the RHD, well it's the only way for me but I'm odd. Given how narrow these cars are it's a pretty subtle difference really, but for me makes them that much more exotic and fun. It's the reason I bought this specific BGT.

 

[JPSmit]

Speechless-ish I think. :grin:

The GT is my motorcycle replacement, gives me something to drive for the next couple years while I'm restoring Penny. I don't want to rush the Bugeye work, but I also don't want to be without something to drive for those years. I know myself well enough to know I need to be able to take a break from the restoration work and go for a drive. The bike was to be that outlet, but a little post-crash soul searching means I'm done with that activity.

Oh, I do get the "accident" piece - I still keep my bike license but have no real desire to own/drive one - have never dropped a bike or been in an accident, but just the reality of children made me enjoy it less - Besides, I figure the Midget is not a bad substitute - especially as no helmet is required. That said, you make me laugh out loud - from the "I only built a shed for one car ... to variations of "I only need on car..." all of which tells me two things.

1. Never say "never" because God has a sense of humour and never is a long long time (family maxim - proved over and over again) an,

2. We are probably related somehow because I constantly detect a kindred spirit.

enjoy! and keep us posted.

cheers!

 

[drooartz]

1. Never say "never" because God has a sense of humour and never is a long long time (family maxim - proved over and over again) an,

2. We are probably related somehow because I constantly detect a kindred spirit. !

Both are too true!

Hopefully the weather will break enough that I can get the car tonight. It's currently 29* with snow on the ground at my office. Summer is supposed to start this weekend, right?

 

[DrEntropy]

Great news, Drew! We had a '67 GT back-when, consider '67 the last year for good MG's. And a GT is an any time, any place great ride. :thumbsup:

And you may have seen it before but I'll post it again. One of Newton's coroliarys is: Doc don't ride two wheels no more. A compact with 'mits over three decades old now.

I've laid 'em down in gravel, woods, dirt and asphalt. Walked away one time more than I should have, I guess. Herself was less-than pleased. I will admit, I am likely here today due to her insistence back then.

 

[drooartz]

Thanks, Doc. I'm really excited, having trouble focusing at work today as I'm just a few hours from bringing it home.

I will miss riding, no question, but it is time to move on. This GT just arrived at the right time and place (seller only lives about about 25 miles from my house).

 

[Silverghost]

Drew, congrats on the new ride! There must be something "in the air"....there is a new ride arriving at my house in a couple of weeks too. 1959 Morris Minor Traveller. Fun to be a "new papa" isn't it??

 

[drooartz]

Home safe and sound. Water temp/oil pressure both good and solid. Pics to follow...

 

[WillR]

:hammer: come come now sir... pictures!!!! I would be in no rush to walk away from that car

 

[JPSmit]

Water temp/oil pressure both good and solid. Pics to follow...

you, the car or both?

 

[drooartz]

And here she is, home safe and sound. Overall I'm pleased with the car. Pulled the seats and carpets to give everything a good cleaning. Floors are solid, and the carpet is all pretty serviceable. Seats are pretty shot (covers are good) but the seller included new foam and diaphragms so I can rebuild them with materials on hand. One frame is cracked and needs a bit of welding, but I should be able to find someone in my local club that can do that for me for a reasonable cost.

There's a bit of rust perforation in the boot floor. I'll wind up doing some sort of cheap fix for it for now, as welding in new metal (the correct answer) is not an option right now.

Needs 5 new tires and desperately needs an alignment. Still, I've got a GT! Oil pressure is excellent, temp stayed solid. Overdrive works though the engagement is a bit erratic -- thinking it's the switch itself, we'll see when I get a moment.

See, you can fit a MGBGT and a Bugeye in a small space... well, most of a Bugeye at least, as long as the Bugeye is in boxes on the shelves. :grin:

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Yaaaay!!!

 

[HealeyRick]

Looks very nice, Drew. May you have many miles of happy motoring. My wife and I took a two-week trip around England in 1978 and I was determined to rent a sports car. The TR7 was recently introduced and we were slated to get one of those, but when we arrived at the hire agency in London we were advised all the TR7s were out of service. (Truly, the shape of things to come). Instead they gave us a new RBB B-GT in Harvest Gold (rhd, natch) that we put 1,300 miles on it exploring the country. It was a great trip and I don't recall any difficulties in adapting to shifting with my left hand.

 

[drooartz]

My obsession with RHD is well documented and understandably a bit odd, but I really do enjoy it. I just go with it...

 

[drooartz]

Drew, congrats on the new ride! There must be something "in the air"....there is a new ride arriving at my house in a couple of weeks too. 1959 Morris Minor Traveller. Fun to be a "new papa" isn't it??

Thanks! It is fun to bring something new and interesting home.

We need pics of the Morris.