My 81 Civic, bless its tiny Japanese heart, is nearing its retirement. Time to get a new car! I love Vespa scooters, but they just aren't practical for long hauls. I don't remember when getting an MGB first crossed my mind. I do remember when I was a wee lad I worked for a kind older couple that owned an MG... it looked so stylish and sporty and wonderfully foreign next to the American Steel (well, mostly American Rust) that was popular in my home town. Anyway, I guess the idea has been in the back of my brain all these years, because the other day I was flipping through an import auto buy'n'sell and realized suddenly that I must own an MGB. So, I'm saving up for a purchase in April of Spring '98, learning as much as I can in the meantime. I want one of the early-year 1974 MGB roadsters with the chrome bumpers and dual-SU carbs (like the one pictured above). Why 1974? Well, I was born in '74 and I think it would be fun to have a car born in the same year. I really prefer the older styling, although I'm not overly fond of wire wheels. I might end up getting a '73, depending on what I find and what condition/price factors come to bear (namely, can I find a '74 with overdrive. I've lived with a 4-speed for 4 years, never again). Of course, some people think that buying an MG is a terrible mistake and I'm going to be spending all my money on parts and breaking down constantly, but I'm happily ignoring their opinions. My girlfriend, however, is all for it :-) I intend to do the majority of the maintenance myself, tools and space permitting. Living in an apartment building has really made me appreciate the best part of a house - the GARAGE.