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MG MGA - MGA BARGAIN

Failed to sell at Goodwood but!!

Is this a bargain?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EX-WORKS-DEVELOPMENT-MGA-COUPE_W0QQitemZ320409919656QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item4a99eb60a8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
dino642

This was advertised in January on classiccarsforsale.com for around £80,000 and has been advertised continually since at ever decreasing amounts! As I read just now it's at almost £20,000 and I think that's already a lot! Let's see where the bidding goes. Those Beetle rear lights do not do it any favours!
Neil McGurk

Isn't that painted wing beading as well? That's got to knock it down a bit whoever owned it!
Lindsay & Lynda Sampford

Well hear what you say........ but what you might not appreciate is that this is all part of the cars charm; it has been kept in this "original" state since the 1970's, was restored by Brown & Gammons like this for Rivers Fletcher and that he had the car painted this way in his original racing colours.

When he sold the car he insisted on an undertaking being given by the purchaser that it would remain in "Past and Present" condition! Includes the Beetle lights and painted trim. It also has a motolita steering wheel ...why? Because that is what RF did to the car that is its character. See the photos of it in his books...

If you did some research and read a massive article about the car in MG Enthusiast you would see a lot more as to why it is very special to some of us.

It's more difficult and cost more to keep it in this condition than to restore it to the same "ordinary" state as ALL the others eg it had to have a custom made wiring loom when it was rewired, why, because it had a custom works one that had to be replaced but it was done exactly as it came off etc.

Who's to say what this car is worth, but it's totally unique, ex works, ex R.F. and probably the most well known MGA in the world, in my humble opinion.

How do I know this ....I own it and have decided to sell it.
dino642

Agree with all you say in your humble opinion ,dino642 , and to me this car is truly original and unique as per the original owners spec.. There are just too many souls around who want to fit everything through a narrow channel as per the standard original and limited ex works spec sheets.The 'concourse mindset'..cars are designed to be used and improved.. in my not so humble opinion!!
It looks very good value to me and I would love to own ( but too far to ship )...good luck with the auction.
n ferguson

Thank you for your supportive comments.
dino642

Of course you are entitled to your opinion, but the car is certainly not that well known, if the comments from the various MGA forums is anything to go by!

You should really restrict your advertising to the classifieds!
Neil McGurk

With respect, if you are an MGA person and I guess you are, firstly it should be very well known to you as it was to me before I bought it and secondly don't believe everthing you read on forums as there are a lot of wind up merchants out there running their VIs!

How do you know that I might be one of them!!!

dino642

Neil
..read your 'prim and proper' comment and was going to make a comment but just could not find the right tone....
Another Neil
n ferguson

I have no bone to pick and no argument with the comments made.

This is a forum where everyone should feel free to express their opinions, without hiding their identity.

However, it is not intended for individuals or companies (like Ashridge Automobiles Ltd.) to promote their commercial business. Especially without revealing their true interest!

I am not really very prim or proper, but I do take exception to forum abuse.
Neil McGurk

I am sorry Neil but I am getting very frustrated by comments being made when people are not in possession of the facts.

So far as I am aware you have not seen PRX14 but feel able to express strong opinions about the car, its price and method of disposal.

I own the car and Ashridge Automobiles are managing its sale for me. They are not party to any of this exchange and it is incorrect and offensive to suggest they are using this forum to promote their business. They are not and I am in no way connected with them nor am I in the motor trade, if you must know.

It is I as owner who has raised this issue purely and simply. I thought there may be sensible interest in the car's sale as I consider it to be an important car. But I have to say I am sick of a few individuals pedalling opinions that are not based on fact but mere prejudice.

Like many things in life it is very much 'Horses for Courses' and I for my part would not give a fig for any restored, tarted up classics.

I am heartened to see that on this, and other forums, there is still strong interest and support for retaining historic cars in their evolving original condition.
dino642

As I said; I believe this is a forum where everyone should feel free to express their opinions without hiding their identity.

If you had used your name and had said that it was your car in your opening post, as I think you should have, there would be no need for this exchange!

I do not think that either the title of your post, or its contents, really supports your comments above.
Neil McGurk

I think in defence of Dino?? the car is as well known as any historical MGA, that is a true comment.
However Dino or whatever your name is, your first post suggested that you were simply passing on information to members of this BBS when in actual fact you were "drummin up" interest in your car for sale. Whether selling cars on this BBS is acceptable or not is one discussion, but certainly trying to sell or drum up the price of a car anonymously is certainly less than desirable.

You could have said, I am at present trying to sell the ex Rivers Fletcher car on E bay here !!!!!!!!!!!!!! if anyone is interested. Then perhaps a link to some history of the car would have been a far better performance on your behalf.
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

I think it is far more important to base opinion on fact (whether it is adverse or not) rather than supposition or intransigently held views/opinion.

Like it or not Neil, this car is a well known historical MGA and believe it or not, too, Rivers had the Beetle lights fitted because he considered them better than the originals. That is why I am sure they will remain on the car. They do not detract from it, they add to its value because his ownership and his quirky way of altering cars is far more important to some of us than works background. Do you seriously think I would have not changed these lights if it was critical to its originality! I guess if you had your way the sunroof would be removed and the rear parcel shelf re-instated etc. Sacrilege!!

I say this as someone who was a very close friend of Rivers for many years before he passed away.

Bob, I respect your views although I cannot accept them in full but do acknowledge your useful contribution to the thread.

I shall make no further contribution to this debate.
dino642

Fair enough Dino, I hope the car ends up with someone who can appreciate it for what it actually is.
Hopefully everyone on the thread is now more informed including both you and me Dino. :-)
The marque of friendship remember!!
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

This thread was discussed between 15/08/2009 and 17/08/2009

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