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Looking for Mr. Good-Car

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Richard - that is a *great* story. Thanks for all the details, and glad things worked out for you.

When you saw the TR on ebay, what were the surprises (good and bad) when it arrived?

On that Camper in North Carolina, did you actually drive it home to Iowa?

First "foreign" car our family ever had, was a ten year old 1950s M-B black 190 sedan, with red interior. Many good memories there. That's where I learned a bit about troubleshooting car problems with my Dad.

Similar to this:

View attachment 47033

Thanks.
Tom M.
 
Tom
My dad had no time for those foreign cars and didn't like many of mine. Nice one in the photo.

I was very nervous with the TR, put the standard $500 down and went with cash. At the worst I would have been out $500 and fuel money to haul a stock car trailer to Saint Louis. The TR does show a tiny bit of rust on the B pillar where the fender meets but hardly noticeable and hasn't changed in 10 years. The paint looks better than expected, I knew it needed a new top and leather seats but the rest of the interior remains unchanged. The wire wheels are original and should be replaced, surprise $600 for rear wheel bearings and peace of mind, otherwise no other surprises just the normal stuff and first name basis with UPS guy. Oh, I ordered an A Type OD from New Zealand and that worked out.

With the VW I was much more comfortable and wired the money. He was understandably a little nervous since we had never even spoken, I was sure it would bid up past my number. I phoned immediately and by the next day the guy I beat, who had been talking to the owner for two weeks, had phoned 5 times hoping I was a flake. They picked me up at the airport in Asheville, went straight to the DMV, bought me dinner and set me up in the guest house. The next day I took off through the Smokies on the way home, camped a couple more nights and was generally quite please with life. No surprises just the usual VW stuff which a forum on Yahoo has already figured out. I've probably put more dings in it than he did in 10 years.
I took it to a shop for the first time this week after finally finding "a guy" so now I'm feeling good because I don't have to do the work myself if I don't want to. Also feeling good because we're leaving the 23rd for a month or two.
 
Hi Doug - that's the 1960 veg oil car I've seen before. Been on the market for about a year. Really worth while for someone looking for a well done veg oil conversion.

Also, as it's a 1960, it's a 190Db, not the pre-1960 190D (or 180D) I'm looking for.

Thanks.
Tom M.
 
Knowing my string of bad luck with finding a old M-B diesel, you'll appreciate this -

A member of one of the Mercedes-Benz clubs found a 1958 180D advertised in
Texas, and sent me the ad link. Pictures and description looked positive. Nothing great, but
roadworthy, decent interior and exterior, etc.

Here's the link:

https://victory-motorcars.ebizautos.com/detail-1958-mercedes~benz-180-d-used-9913532.html

Not bad.

I verified that "Victory Motorcars" really does exist in Houston.

So about 30 minutes later I called the dealer in Houston, as listed in
the ad. Dealer said "That car sold 4 years ago. the guy got a great deal at $6K."

Turns out "ebizauto.com" is a kind of aggregator, with ads from 100s of dealers. There are
thousands of cars advertised online by aggregators.

They get the "page hits", and send any inquiries right to the seller. Unfortunately,
ebizauto doesn't know when a car sells, so the ads are apparently eternal.

My luck is holding steady as always. Fog seems to be increasing. This is the sixth
"sorry - that car sold over a year ago" I've hit.

As this has gone on for almost a year, I'm seriously thinking of changing
target.

To an MGA coupe.

Please shoot me.
Tom M.
 
You really are shifting gears!
why an MGA? ( Just curious)

now you've declared your intent; You will probably find your MB next week.
 
Guy - the MGA is the car I first wanted back when I retired ten years ago. (Well, heck, to be honest, it was an XK120 or 140 ... but reality set in.)

I spent several years looking for an MGA daily driver over on the "other" British car website. Man, the jokes and tricks, and outright insults were way too much. Members would cut down every one I could find, then brag about what they "found in a barn" and spent over $30K to fix up. Funny, but many seemed to have lots of money for lots of toys, but didn't know much about the details of their cars - other than how much they paid for restorations. One guy even posted pictures of his 14 MGAs, with the caption "nyah nyah nyah". Talk about childish. Hopefully they've grown up by now.

The 1950s streamlining, very basic engine and mechanicals, (and should I add ... the similarity to the XK 120/140?) still have a pull for me. A daily driver non-dual cam with no major rust problems would suit me well - and the daily drive 15 miles to my volunteer work at Sturbridge Village up in Mass. would sure be fun.

OK, didn't mean to spill my guts - but that's it!
Thanks.
Tom M.
 
Tom, have you checked on your local Craigs list? Sometimes I find some interesting cars on there. You never know what will pop up. PJ
 
Thanks Paul. I use SearchTempest, as well as individual Craigslist searches. Also Hemmings, BaT, Ebay, various online forums and area car clubs. Often the problem isn't *finding* the car, it's finding the car that's really for sale. I've set up automated searches for many online sites, but still check them manually at least once a week.

Earlier in this thread I learned that many folks never actually "searched" for a car; the car found them. Shop owner had it in the back, buddy down the street wanted to sell, uncle gave it away, inherited from parents, etc. So it seems many BCF cars actually weren't located first online; it was a kind of personal connection between two people. There are some folks who do find a car online, but ebay (etc.) is recently being described as a market for businesses to use - not just individuals like it started out in 1995. And contacts for Craigslist ads often never get a reply.

A funny (?) story: Over the last couple months I've watched individual listings on ebay, Hemmings, and BaT. Amazing to me how many comments the ads get from guys who never make a bid. Then the actual bids come racing in all within a day - and are often really low-ball attempts to get something for a quick flip. Jeez - whatever happened to old guys like me who don't have a garage-mahal, but like old cars and want to fix 'em up and drive 'em!

Onward through the fog!
Tom M.
 
whatever happened to old guys like me who don't have a garage-mahal, but like old cars and want to fix 'em up and drive 'em!
Click to expand...
. Like you said, "shop owner had it in the back, buddie down the street, "
etc.

the search is more personal & tougher, But more rewarding when you do find it.

i've always admired the MGA. Classic, ageless lines, just a beautiful auto.

say maybe you should contact Barney Gaylord, (https://mgaguru.com/mg01.htm)
if anyone knows where a MGA might be hiding, he would.

He was a guest speaker at our club a while back. Very helpful.
 
Back in 1968 the XK120 or 140 was my first choice but as you said reality set in.They were about 100.00 pounds over my budget. Ended up with a TR2. I am now working on a TR3.

Good luck with your quest.

David
 
Here's a Charleston, SC craigslist post.

[h=2]1957 MGA , For Restoration or Parts - $8500 (North Charleston)[/h]
but it looks like a frame off candidate.
 
Tom, two possible sources that you may not be aware of are Motorland in southern Maine and BritBits in Rye New Hampshire. Both usually have some interesting cars for sale with lots of turnover. Motorland's web site is especially good. Both are close enough to me that I could take a trip if you're particularly interested in one of their cars. Motorland has an interesting TD at what seems a good price - also what about their Volvo PV-444?
 
John - thanks for those links. I'd heard of both, but for some reason never checked them for sales. They're now on my list.

Onward.
Tom M.
 
Don't know if you saw the one for sale here in Eureka -
it's posted in the MG forum,with pictures.
 
Thanks Doug. Actually looks pretty good. But for me, too much "assembly required". If it were a coupe and closer to me, I'd go take a look and maybe bring it home on neighbor's trailer. But it's a roadster, way too far away to check, and transport would add $1500 or so.

TM
 
Sometimes www.octagonauto.com has something worthwhile. Brother-in-law bought an Aurora Cobra from them and sent me pictures of a Doretta and Lancia.
 
Thanks Larry. That's a new one for me. Now in my list.
TM
 
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