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MGB That was quick: MGB heading to my garage

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drooartz

drooartz

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Thanks to a tip from our very own JP and some very able assistance from Dave (14dna) for an on-the-ground inspection and Steve_S for a shipping tip, I just put a deposit down on a 1970 MGB.

70mgb.jpg


And yes, it scratches my right hand drive itch nicely. The car is a UK spec car with overdrive, originally imported to Canada in the 1990s. Good solid driver, a few small things to clean up but not needing major work right now. A nice companion for the Tunebug. Now to figure out parking...
 
That may be a record - even for this crowd. Congrats! looks like a very pretty car. (now about my finders fee :devilgrin: )
 
AngliaGT said:
Congradulations!Are you going to drive it to MG 2011?
Click to expand...
I may, at that. Wasn't originally planning on going, as I didn't have an MG. Now that I will, it's become an option. Have to look at vacation time and such, but I'd like to try and make it there.

Hap Waldrop said:
Drew, nice looking MGB, you're going to enjoy it :smile:
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I think I will, Hap. I really like my Bugeye, but it does beat me up a bit. The relative luxury of an MGB will be a nice match. Who knows, you may get to see its engine in your shop some day.

JPSmit said:
That may be a record - even for this crowd. Congrats! looks like a very pretty car. (now about my finders fee :devilgrin: )
Click to expand...
I've learned that patience is important, but so is the ability to move quickly when needed. As for your finder's fee, isn't personal gratification enough?
grin.gif


I do thank you for the tip, though. Would have missed the car otherwise.
 
Very nice Drew and even has overdrive; :cheers: that makes big difference when cruising.
You also have the added benefit of NOT sitting over the hot exhaust!
:cheers:
 
When you get out on the 2-lanes there in the Wasatch, make absolutely certain you have a qualified co-driver in the passenger seat.
When you try to pass a slow-moving truck, you will fully understand why.
At least until you get used to it, and learn how to drift right and watch around the right side of said truck.
THAT from almost 3 years of RHD driving.
Dave
 
I will definitely take it easy for the first season or so, Dave. Will be an interesting experience, that's for sure.
 
Another fun thing to do with a RHD car-back up to the drive through window at the bank or a fast food place......
 
Every time my wife has me do the banking, it's the Jag, and back through.
I have backed through parking garage ticket dispensers, and payment booths, too.
I have parallel-parked on the wrong side of the road.....easier than you'd think.
I gotta remember to put that spare steering wheel in the car for my wife.....
 
drooartz said:
AngliaGT said:
Congradulations!Are you going to drive it to MG 2011?
Click to expand...
I may, at that. Wasn't originally planning on going, as I didn't have an MG. Now that I will, it's become an option. Have to look at vacation time and such, but I'd like to try and make it there.
Click to expand...

I hope you do! I just returned from a site visit to Reno this weekend with the other members of the MG Council and representatives of GoF West. The event is shaping up nicely.

Rooms are booking fast; rooms in our block at the Silver Legacy and the ElDorado are about sold out.

https://www.mg2011.com
 
Passing isn't that big of a deal. With a low-powered car you need a running start anyway, so just back off a bit where you can see around the truck easier. Plus, it's such a small car that if you move right over to the line and lean your body to the left, you can see around just fine. It's a little harder in left turn lanes when there's a large vehicle turning the other way.
 
Not to worry, the last time I passed a car in the Roadster, it was setting still. A 455 rear end makes for easy town driving but no real speed. Loves 52 MPH all day.

Wayne
 
It isn't a problem once you figure out the logistics.
Like when you started to drive, bets are you avoided left turns in traffic for a while.
Now you can do it all day.

BEST BET is to be wary until you figure out A) what you can see, and B) how fast you can get around things.

I have no problem now, but it was a learning curve, to say the least.
 
We're making some progress on this transaction. I've learned more about international finance than I ever wanted to know, but was able to successfully transfer all the necessary funds. More complicated than it needed to be, but it's done and everyone's happy.

The seller and I are now in the process of gathering all the necessary documentation to get to the shipper for customs and such. Seller's been great to work with, so not worried there just need to get everything lined up. I admit that I'll feel much more relaxed once the car is in the US. :smile:
 
Drew, yep I'm sure you learned a bunch through all this. For me is was with exchanging money, is the fact you will never get it at the currecnt posted rate because someone has to actaully exchange the monies, and there lies a charge, it doesn't matter if it's your local bank, Visa, or whoever, all of them are going to charge a percentage to exchange your money, thus rasing the exachange rate.
 
Very true, Hap, everyone wants their cut. I was originally looking at doing a wire transfer, but in this case that would have required 5 separate banks to complete it, each taking their cut (with the 3 in the middle taking a cut on both receive and send). Wound up using PayPal as at least there I was dealing with a single middleman with a single known set of fees.

I'll be able to pay the shipper directly when the car arrives, so at least there I just need to know the day's exchange rate and off I go.

Speaking of the shipper, I should have all the docs to them today so that we can set up the pickup and delivery dates. Getting closer for sure.
 
When I bought a car in Canada, I had my bank directly wire his bank from one account to another. There was a small fee but it was reasonable.
 
I wish it had been that easy for me, Steve. May be because both the seller and I use fairly small regional credit unions. Done now, though, so all is good.
 
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