The Webmaster Zone

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.

I suppose there are some good things to not being able to buy something right away, the more I learn about the B the better informed I am when the time comes in March. I recently got turned on to the 1970 B with the recessed grille and the split rear bumper, pretty sweet - but it seems pretty hard to find that year around here, and it would be nice to have a glovebox. Luckily I noticed the recessed grille, which is the big point for me, was featured from 70-72 so now I'm on the hunt for a 1972! I guess I can't be too picky about O/D, I can always swap the tranny later (and believe me, I will). Repairs to the old Civic are coming along nicely, I have the skinned knuckles to prove it. I'll be passing it on to another needy student soon, and then I can apply my new knowlege to some British mechanicals.

March has come and almost gone and as usual, saving money goes slower than expected. I've changed my mind once again and decided to get a 5-main Mark I, 65-67... there are a few for sale around here very close to my price range so I'm still on track to have a proper set of wheels in time for the ABFM. After getting Clausager's book I decided to get the older MGB, there's just something about it... something that perhaps became slightly diluted after the British Leyland merger. Buts thats just my opinion. First a 74 then a 72 now a 65, if this continues I'll end up with an MGA!! ;-)

I am now the very proud owner of a 1966 MGB! As I sat in the driver's seat for the first time, letting my nose fill with the smell of old leather and oil, I could almost feel the car reacting to me too, getting used to me, asking when it will see the open road and the twisting highways and lush forests of British Columbia (it's been sitting mostly unused in a parking garage). This is not a tired car, a beaten spirit, one of identical millions sentanced to a life of gridlock. Nor is it an arrogant car, oblivious from its surroundings and trying to insulate its occupants from the world around it. This is a living thing, a car with a soul and with one desire, to experience the freedom and joy that is motoring. Now begins the labour of love, the rolling restoration. I gave it a really good hand wash this evening, its looking much better already. Next is several coats of wax and polishing all the chrome... I'm sure I can get the shine back with a little effort. Next weekend, its off to the ABFM, and the weekend after Seattle, where a friend of mine has a digital camera so you can expect some pictures soon! Excuse me while I get all sappy :-) It's the first car I've ever bought.

In the evenings I've been getting to know the car a little better, I have been polishing up the chrome, took out the grille (its much easier to clean out of the car) and tried to take off the bumperettes. They are held on but one bolt, and a nut inside that is held in place by a slot. I think I popped it out of the slot because its spinning freely now, I think I can get a box wrench inside to get it out though. Then I can give the bumper a really good Brasso treatment and re-assemble. Unfortunately the weather is still crappy, I hope the sun comes out for a while so I can do a polish and wax job, and tidy up the interior. Next week I will be checking over all the systems (brakes first), and probably changing all the fluids, belts, filters, coolant, and suspect hoses.

The ABFM was great, the weather was just spectacular and it was so nice to see all those classic British cars gleaming in the sun. Everyone was having a good time, I spent a good couple of hours in the MG section of course and had a good look at some fine examples of the marque and figured out a few things about my car and what needs to be done. The next day was the swap meet in Kerrisdale, I got some good deals on some odds and ends, a pair of complete front indicator lights for $20 and the Haynes "Owner's Workshop Manual" (C 1973) which I've never seen before but is really good! It assumes you know your way around a car, but doesn't assume you are a professional mechanic. Lots of step-by-step pictures with big arrows. Each section has a good overview as well unlike the regular Haynes manual which I find really terse. I'm sure I'll get lots of use out of it for only $5! Fitted the tonneau cover this morning, zipped out the driver's side, as I had to stop by work for a little while, its cloudy today and on the way home I got rained on.. which was really fun! I'm sure the other drivers thought I was nuts. I even got to slide around a few corners on the wet pavement ;-) No luck with the overrider (bumperette) bolts, I'm going to buy some nut splitters from JC Whitney (Canadian Tire doesn't have the right size, big suprise). I'm also putting together a little Motorhead order, just some trim bits, new fuse box, little things. Motorhead's prices are about the same as Moss or VB so I figure I will try them out, I'd rather support a small operation and their heart seems to be in the right place (their catalogue is unique)