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Background: Chris Hurst purchased the MGA in 1979. She joined the US Coast Guard & went to Boston. In 1982 she was transferred to Seattle, WA. In 1982 the MGA was placed in storage at her parents’ home. The car remained in storage between 1982 & 1987, when her parents were transferred out of state. The car carried 1982 plates when I purchased it on April 4, 1987 for $700. It had two flats, brakes frozen, rocker panels gone, top rotted, seats bad, broken door hinge, repainted red, valance damaged, engine turned over, earlier frame patching, steering wheel cracked in half, carpet missing, mirror missing, choke cable missing, window pouch ripped. My plans at the time were to convert the car for vintage racing but my arthritis had other plans. In 2003 I sold the car to a buyer from Wallingford, CT. He had previously restored a Mercedes Benz 230SL to a condition so good that the factory had it shipped to Germany for a showing. Naturally, I couldn’t wait to see what he did with my MGA. He had it shipped to a shop in either North or South Carolina. I tried a couple times to contact the buyer but never got a reply. That was the last I ever heard of it until today when I received an email asking me if the listing was my old car. Sure enough it was. Both the vin number and engine number are a match. Someone spent a whole lot of time and money on it. 30th from the end of MGA's production; they don’t get much rarer than that. Twenty-one years have passed. It was great to see the wonderful restoration. What made it so rare is it is 30th from the end of MGA production!!
1987 picking it up and Donna inspecting it a home.
When I tried contacting the buyer I sold it to, I research it a number of times, the last was he was listed as a President of the company which made millions . . . so if he did the "resto" I doubt it broke him. Since he dropped out of the national org in 2016, I have no clue if he restored it or is selling it. I was just thrilled it didn't end up as one that never got done.
I got a box delivered yesterday- from AB Motorsports. Here's the backstory....
2014, the week of Summer Nationals at Englishtown, I have the honor of being invited to the MAW "Castle" (search Make a WIsh NJ to see it), I get to meet Don Schumacher, Terry Chandler (RIP), the DSR team and drivers, including Tommy Johnson Jr, who drove the MAW Funny Car, and Antron Brown. AB is from NJ, about 30 minutes from me, and went to HS with a player from our dart league. Since we've moved the Darts for Dreams event this year to a new location in Bordentown NJ (right next to Burlington), I figured I'd send a letter, you know, and see what happens...
This did, plus bonus pics of me and the car .... Will be an auction item at our event if anyone is interested in doing some bidding, let me know.
When I tried contacting the buyer I sold it to, I research it a number of times, the last was he was listed as a President of the company which made millions . . . so if he did the "resto" I doubt it broke him. Since he dropped out of the national org in 2016, I have no clue if he restored it or is selling it. I was just thrilled it didn't end up as one that never got done.
So the color on the car changed from original red to black? It looks beautiful! $62k must be the going price for one of these. Restoration did justice for this beautiful car! Whoever buys it will enjoy it for years to come.
So the color on the car changed from original red to black? It looks beautiful! $62k must be the going price for one of these. Restoration did justice for this beautiful car! Whoever buys it will enjoy it for years to come.
They have other MGA's listed for $30k so the $62k seems high, but I really don't know. It sure is a pretty car though.
They have other MGA's listed for $30k so the $62k seems high, but I really don't know. It sure is a pretty car though.
I have mine insured for $45k and it's not nearly as nice as that one. Plus, the last time I checked there were only four later built MGAs known in the world.
Vito bought a GOOLOO jump starter and used it on his car this morning. It is pretty cool. Can be used to charge devices, also. And it has a flashlight.
A very long time ago, I beat the bejesus out of a 66 AH sprite MKIII.
The engine finally gave up the ghost and simply wouldn't play anymore.
I tore it down and with the block upside down standing on the head bolts I released the conrods one at a time.
I heard the pistons hit the bench followed shortly after by the rings.
The last cylinder sound was different for only the piston hit the bench.
My mind quickly leapt to the conclusion that must have been the cylinder the engine was running on at the end.
Nothing could have been further from the truth. Not only were there no rings at all, but I could put my pinkie down through the hole in the piston sidewall.
I dearly regret not saving that piston conrod set. After the appropriate clean-up, It would have made great desk art.
I know of many a garage where sole piston tops make for great ash trays.
02-18-2024, 01:24 PM
