Restore, Repair, or RRRimpove

The MG Experience ~ MGA Forum ~ Archives

Discussions board for the classic MG MGA.

If you would like to post a reply, please click below to visit the The MG Experience Forums:
MGA Forum: Restore, Repair, or RRRimpove
http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?2,759942,page=1
Join the discussion, post your photos, or ask your own questions. Membership is FREE!




Mar 28, 2008 00:12:07
DavidMGA1600
Click here to Reply

mga60t Wrote:

Quote: "
IMO when you change to anything that wasn't available then you are changing the car to something it wasn't. If the technology wasn't available say OD, 5 speed, then a car built in that year should not have it. Just my 2 cents
"


I have moved this out of the "Stupid A question" to not de-rail the topic.
Should people Restore, Repair, or RRRimpove

Here is the solution. Anybody with more than one A must have an original, but not necessarily a concourse car, and the other A can be a “free range” car. Any drivetrain option you prefer, any colour, any modifications. This way half the remaining cars will be preserved for future generations to admire and the other half will be preserved for future generations to enjoy and drive hard. I’m kinda lucky because my dad has another MGA (1500) tucked away in the corner of the shed. This one has at some point been a race car with an inline 6 motor (aussie Holden). The chassis at the top of the fire wall has been cut to fit the motor in. Anyway this car has a dead MGA motor/gearbox, no interior, all components pulled apart. Would I put a V8 into it? Not sure, but an RV8 does feel good to drive especially uphill. We will probably be looking at installing a mid 90s Japanese twin cam motor and 5 speed box. (Twin Cam, now thats cool) Why? Well because we have an original A already. (Refer to the points above). And it would also be good to have an A which could overtake another car (more modern) on a twisting mountain road without having to wait for a mile long straight.
Please feel free to disagree as it does make good entertainment.
I’m not sure what the rules should be if you have more than 2 A’s. Any ideas.

Mar 28, 2008 01:30:10
Neil MG
Click here to Reply

David,

Everyone should be free to do what they like with their cars. Different people have different ideas and there are always "trends" that come and go. I like originality, but am happy to see and ride in modified cars. There are no rules (outside concours and the law). We all make our own black and white in the grey zone! One of my cars was previously competed heavily in concours, but under the paint had a 1770 block and big valve head together with numerous hidden alterations.

IMHO if you are fortunate to obtain a car with all it's original bits, in good order, then that's an opportunity to preserve a car that will hold top value in the future and to drive a car close to how it was driven back in the day. But that might not be any fun on the daily commute or the local motorway (highway).

As you have an ex-racer, why not make a track day car - now that is fun!

As the ad says, Enjoy MG,





Mar 28, 2008 03:34:13
Safari
Click here to Reply

I guess I found this link here.

http://www.britishv8.org/Sponsors/The-MG-Doc.htm

He has the V8 install figured out. Not my cup of tea but if one fell in my lap I would grab it.

Jim

Mar 28, 2008 05:43:43
JackMG
Click here to Reply

I'm with Neil on this...

Mar 28, 2008 07:20:19
skippymga
Click here to Reply

Yep. Seeing another perfect MGA on the the road is great, but to personalize a MGA is special.

Mar 28, 2008 08:53:27
Derek up North
Click here to Reply

Depending how you count them, I could say I've got 5 MGA's. 1 is a drive. It's far from a show car. None will ever be "correct". I might be crazy, but I'm not stupid enough to consider trying to restore any of them to "original" or Concours.They're all too far from that condition to think about doing. Would it be impossible to do? No. Practical or economical? NO. If they were rare and unique, it would be another story, but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of show quality 'As.

Mar 28, 2008 15:36:41
DavidMGA1600
Click here to Reply

Derek up North Wrote:

Quote: "
If they were rare and unique, it would be another story, but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of show quality 'As.
"

Derek, I agree you can only look at so many of the same MGAs. I do tend to enjoy looking at the cars which have either been improved or modified, then deciding in my head whether i would have done it or done it a different way. Some money would also help.
David.

Mar 28, 2008 16:06:06
Ronz
Click here to Reply

David MGA1600

Gold Coast!!... I spent three weeks in your lovely country last year. Sydney, Cairns (three days diving the GBR), Brisbane, Colum... AND the Gold Coast, Surfer's paradise....

I LOVED IT... Can't wait to go back.... ANYWAY...

When I first started the restoration of my '57 MGA 1500, my intent was to do a Concours job of it....

Then I came to my senses....

As I mentioned to Tom in the other thread.... My car is a very restored and basically original... 1498cc engine, drum brakes, no seatbelts (YIKES).. example of the British car art....

I am not adverse to some minor improvements here and there.... I saw an A at the San Diego British Car Days last year with a Blown 427 under (and out of) the hood... Not my cup of tea but interesting to see anyway...

These are not RARE classic cars. However, it is a joy to own and drive an original 50 year old car.... Too much 'improvement' makes it yet another Miata... IMHO



Mar 28, 2008 16:44:57
DavidMGA1600
Click here to Reply

Ronz Wrote:

Quote: "
David MGA1600
Gold Coast!!... I spent three weeks in your lovely country last year. Sydney, Cairns (three days diving the GBR), Brisbane, Colum... AND the Gold Coast, Surfer's paradise....
I LOVED IT... ...... I saw an A at the San Diego British Car Days last year with a Blown 427 under (and out of) the hood... Not my cup of tea but interesting to see anyway...

"


Ron,

The Gold Coast is the greatest place on earth. (The only down side is we simply dont have seasons here, or at least sesons you have to change your life to suit) Is Carlsbad, USA, in California, if it is it must be very similar to the Gold Coast........................a blown 427 in an MGA if my brothers had their way they would do it flash. They have only driven the MGA maybe once or twice so they simply dont understand.
David.
If i could afford a Cobra i sure would have one though.

Mar 28, 2008 17:46:02
mga60t
Click here to Reply

Okay now you have me wanting a second A. I am in trouble:))

Mar 29, 2008 16:21:35
cirillo500
Click here to Reply

mga60t Wrote: [quote]
Okay now you have me wanting a second A. I am in trouble)


Tom,

Lets see if we can find you another Deluxe!!

Mar 29, 2008 19:29:09
mga60t
Click here to Reply

If the price was right I would have a very hard time saying NO! One day I am going to own another one.

Mar 29, 2008 20:16:58
DavidMGA1600
Click here to Reply

mga60t Wrote:

Quote: "
If the price was right I would have a very hard time saying NO! One day I am going to own another one.
"


Tom,
There does seem to be a lot more project cars in the states and also a lot cheaper than we can buy them here for. It would be really good to find a project car for 3-5000. Over here they tend to start at 8-11000, then you move into finished cars, eg daily drivers. Once we get the car it is aslo far cheaper to buy parts from american dealers such as Moss. About 1/2 price for the actual aussie dollars spent.
David

Mar 31, 2008 10:12:23
Ronz
Click here to Reply

David,

Yes, Carlsbad is 30 miles north of San Diego on the SoCal coast and has weather patterns much like the Gold Coast... We aways say ' Just another day in Paradise'.. a tough place but someone has to live here.. ;-)

The biggest advantage to living on San Diego and Gold Coast is, with a very few days exception, year round top down driving our LBCs......

This picture is of a guest for 'breakfee' one morning in Hunter Valley...

Mar 31, 2008 15:10:45
DavidMGA1600
Click here to Reply

Ron,
That does look like a beautiful day beginning there. I hope you had a convertible rental when you were here to enjoy the weather. Just watch out a bird like that will take all your bacon from your breakfast.
David.

Mar 31, 2008 16:44:47
Ronz
Click here to Reply

David,

So true. This Kookaburra, along with a friend, sat on our table throughout breakfee awaiting any scraps that we offered.... actually they were very well mannered and waited for the offers rather than helping themselves...

The Kookaburra is your national bird ?? If so, it fits... gregarious and with lots of character, just like every other Aussie I met. ;-)

Mar 31, 2008 19:52:21
DavidMGA1600
Click here to Reply

Ronz Wrote:

Quote: "
David,
So true. This Kookaburra, along with a friend, sat on our table throughout breakfee awaiting any scraps that we offered.... actually they were very well mannered and waited for the offers rather than helping themselves...
The Kookaburra is your national bird ?? If so, it fits... gregarious and with lots of character, just like every other Aussie I met. ;-)
"


Did it laugh for you. That is their bird call. Now here is an interesting fact the TV show Gilligan's Island had a Kookaburra in the forest sounds even though they dont live there.
They also enjoy killing all the scaps you give them by bashing it against something prior to eating it.

David (sorry this is getting way of topic)

Apr 01, 2008 16:47:26
Ronz
Click here to Reply

David,

As you said... sorry this got off topic....

To close it out... yes, the Kookaburras did beat the offerings against the table before eating them and laughed the entire time.. ;-)

See you soon...

This is an archived discussion from the The MG Experience Forums

If you would like to post a reply, please click below to visit the The MG Experience Forums:
MGA Forum: Restore, Repair, or RRRimpove


Archive Index | The MG Experience Forums | Return to The MG Experience