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MG MGA - MGA Purchasing Advice - Part 3

Hi Guys and Girls,

Hope you are well. I continue my search for my pefect MGA, and have come up with the next prospect;

This car is being sold in colorado, and apparently is rust free. As you see it has had a light restoration so it has a new top, wire wheels, fresh paint. Overall it looks nice as a driver in my opinion.
It does have a dent on one of the fenders where the paint has come off. I am hoping that could be touched up with a bit of luck... ; )
See the pictures in the following link.

http://rocky-mountain-eurosport.ebizautos.com/detail-1958-mg-mga-mgb-4413213.html

I spoke to the dealer and he would be prepared to go down on the price.
Unfortunately the guy is not able to give me any info on the history of the car since it belonged to an old man who passed away...so it is her daughter who sold them the car.
The fact that there are several handbooks, and manuals seem a good sign to me. Gives me the impression that the previous owner was meticulous.

Regarding the condition of the car, the guy at the dealer just told me that it drives well and that is is an driver and not a show car (obvious).
One thing that strikes me is that this is supposed to ve a 1500 (1959) but it has front disk brakes intalled. I guess this his a modification that the previous owner did.
The interior looks nice to me, probably not standard but suits me fine.
I guess the worse part is the engine compartment which is messy.
From my limited knowledge I have have the impresison the engine is modified, at least the cylinder head is non-original...right? Or is it an MBB engine?
I guess the SU carbs are orininal.
As I said the engine compartment is messy but I guess I could clean that up myself, redo the piping and wiring to it looks neat.
I have asked the guy to send me some pictures of the underside in order to apreciate the state of the frame and rocker panels. Aparently he has no lift but he will try to take some shots from the ground.
I saw the MG badge is missing... I guess this is easy to fix.
The trunk looks fairly clean, what do you think?
Apparently he has a bunch of spare parts too and the spare wheel lying around somewhere.

I believe the pricing would be ok for me as long as there are no hidden MAYOR issues that will cause me some finantial heartburn and frustration....
I just want a car to own as a 'first collector' on which I can learn and enjoy about owning a classic car. I think I am not mad about originality...

Well? what do you think? first thoughts, sencond thought? Solid driver or Mouton dressed as lamb?

By the way the guy selling it doesn't know much about MGs.
I will post the pics of the underside as soon as I have them.

Take care, and thanks!
Gonzalo


G Ramos

Gonzolo,
A couple of comments...
Notice that the spare tire cover is missing, as are the front and rear bumper overiders. This car appears to be a 1500 from the rear but has 1600 marker lights (turn signals) at the front. The side curtain attaching knobs also appear to be later 1600 style. This and the disk brakes (and engine) would make me curious about the actual vintage of the car. Check the VIN number and the firewall mounted body number. This will tell you more. The turn signal switch handle is non-standard. Also, the hood (top) has not been properly raised. There is a flat bar inside the rear edge of the hood that should be inserted into the two silver clips (visible in the photo) that holds the hood to the rear cowl. Either they don't know that or this piece is missing. The piping all round appears to have been fabricated from vinyl (not unusual but non-standard). Could be a B engine, but notice there is no breather tube from the rocker cover to the front air cleaner. Also no air tube to the heater. Side curtains are not shown so be sure to check these. Interesting color, will be difficult to match. Not being critcal, but use these to negotiate the price.

Good luck on your mission!
GTF
G T Foster

Gonzalo, I've been looking at cars on US Ebay for years now and I have the impression that, unlike the UK, there is no shortage of very fine cars from which to choose over there. What is more you are living in and are next to good warm states where the cars are preserved for longer. You have also got a reasonable amount of cash. Why not try looking closer to home and maybe advertising locally for one rather than waiting for one to be advertised? Are there no branches of NAMGAR close by with meetings you could attend? I think you would get some terrific advice from the members. But take your time. It may be that you're in too much of a rush and are in danger of picking the wrong one.
If I were you I wouldn't touch your present offering with a barge pole! Even if I could keep the bonnet closed for ever I would still have to be surrounded when driving by those seats and door trim which would drive me up the wall. There are so many things 'wrong' with it. Good luck Mike
m.j. moore

There's enough odd and missing stuff on this one that I would walk, especially considering the price. Seats look MGB to me. Rust free cars are few. Keep looking and one that fits your budget and originality desires will show up. The more you look at the better a judge you will become. There should cars closer to you than CO. Check some the ads in the various MG clubs along the east coast. Good luck.
Bill Haglan

Gonzalo,
Go to www.namgar.com, click on Chapter Contacts on the LHS, and there you will find a web site and email address for the MG Car Club Rocky Mountain Center.
I'm sure someone from that Club can help you, and may even know the car.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Ok, thanks guys. I will follow your advice and walk on this one.
I will post the pictures of the underside anyway when I get them for educational purposes.

I have tried to find some cars locally without too much success or the price is astronomical. I have joined the British Car club in Miami but we have not had any gatherings yet.

I will keep looking and see when one comes up...

Once again thank you for your advice...and keeping me away from MGA's harm.

Regards,
Gonzalo
G Ramos

Gonzalo,

There are two NAMGAR chapters in Florida; <www.volusiabritishcars.com> in Orange City and <www.britishcarclub.net> in Brooksville are either close to you? This ad. is from the Brooksville club’s web-site: May not be still available, but worth a try!
FOR SALE,
1961 MGA 1600 OLDER RESTORATION, BUT RUNS FINE AND LOOKS GOOD. I AM ASKING 12,000.00. PLEASE CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS AT
352-400-6477.
THE CAR LOCATION ---- HOMOSASSA, FL.

David Werblow

Ok, thank I will give the guy a car.
It is about 4h away by car. I guess that if it is very good I could drive up there.

I'll keep you posted.
G Ramos

I don't think this car looks that bad. The engine cosmetics are not good, but otherwise it looks a reasonable car even if all is not original. The non-original parts (apart from the seats) could be relatively easily and cheaply changed, and a bit of work in the engine bay could clean it up quite well. If the underneath photos look god, I'd try and get someone local to go look, and take a magnet with him, and see how far down in price he will go.
dominic clancy

Indeed the car is still for sale...I has been for more than one year but he never got any interest.
He said it is an older restoration. Condition 8, interior 7. Runs good and does not burn oil. No restoration history though. Red Car with Wire wheels and tan interior. He is going to send me some pictures.
He owned it for 2years and now needs to see it for money.

The big minus is that it is 6h away.... :(
If I go to see it I need to be prepared to buy it.

The big plus is that apparently it has no rust. Or so he says.

G Ramos

I agree totally with Dominic..on the basis of the photos I believe the car ex Colorado does not look too bad and most of the deficiencies shown can be corrected fairly easily ( even the seats don't offend me.. ).I understand from previous comments that you are after a road and not a show car so the important thing is the body rot and some goods underside and detail photos to make sure it has been well restored and kept in good nic. If all ok I would go and inspect and drive with someone who knows what he is looking at and he can play the bad guy ponting out all the deficiencies to get the price down.
Neil Ferguson

If you are interested in the Colorado car I'm pretty sure they would bring it to my shop for a pre buy inspection. They are 10.4 miles from my auto repair business.
From the pictures
Is it missing the valance?
Not an original color.
No bumper overriders front or rear.
Seat upholstery is not the original pattern, looks like vinyl not leather as OE.
Door panels are padded may interfere with door closing.
Rubber buffers missing on shutface panels.
Extra holes in dash. One on each side of radio and a big one below temp/oil gauge.
Dash not same color as body.
Has 1500 style rear lights but 1600 style front lights.
Wrong color fender beading.
When the engine compartment looks that scruffy it almost always means a body on freshen up. Usually with unaddressed rust concerns.
Not the original steering wheel, wood looks bad on this one.
Front brakes look like MGB, the rotor diameter is smaller than MGA 1600.
Body damage shown on rear fender will be hard to color match. An unknown metallic paint.
Side curtains and tonneau cover not shown or listed.
No grill emblem.
Dented front bumper, under right side of grill.
No place for a plate on rear.
No spare tire or cover.
Looks like a lot of money for what it is.
R J Brown

HEre are the pictures I have just received from the underside.

http://picasaweb.google.com/gramosgarzon/GreyMGA12January10735PM?pli=1&gsessionid=JUHJz_bKfkU_weD3dCPxYw#

Seem like some sort of restoration was done. Unfortunately we cannot see too much detail.

Judging from what has been side I agree that thinking about it, it seems expensive for what it is, even if he sold it fro $15K including transport...

BTW, your guys are great! Keep at it. I hope one day I can give back something to the forum.

I also received today my MGA restoration guide which I will read in the coming weeks to increase my knowledge.
G Ramos

The air filters are missing (cans are there but no elements) which is not good if it was driven this way.
AJ Mail

Looks like the floor has been raised up with some extra steel work for the MGB seats. Note the lack of space between seat and steering wheel. Most of us would probably lower the floor if we could! Must have been done for someone very petite!
Neil McGurk

Those last photos look strange. It appears that the suspension is almost compressed. Look at the angle of the steering rack boots. What is all that wiring etc hanging from.
On the paint chip. I see that it has just peeled away and not dented. This means to me that there was poor surface preporation or cleanliness as it appears slick (not scuffed up for paint)
Nice silk dress but still dirty underwear.
Not the car for me.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

Lower control arms bushings are bad, rack boots cracked - probably due to repro crap, but still need to be redone.
At this price, they can't jack it up and take decent pics? Or WON'T.
It's a good used car, with a fair amount of work done a while ago.
Send it to Randy, or,
Tell them to quit jackin' off and offer them 10 tops.

FRM
FR Millmore

Gonzalo,

I would go with the advice of Mike and David. Join NAMGAR. Go to local club meetings. Get to know the local MG communty. Be patient. Be ready. The right car will show up.

Go look at the Florida car. If you are still interested in the Colorado car, get RJ to inspect it. Whatever car you are seriously considering, get a knowledgable person to inspect it. Pay someone if necessary. It's all about getting a sound body and frame. Everything else is comparatively easy to deal with.

Ken
k v morton

FR
I am not used to US prices. Her that car would sell at 20k US! mine is valued for the insurance at $35k
dominic clancy

Gonzalo,

I trust you are more decisive in other aspects of your life. I think given all the information and helpful comments given to date, you have all the tools necessary to make an informed decision. Unless your're prepared to shell out ht ebig bucks for a fully restored car, each and all will be issued that will need sorting out. That's part of the "fun" to this madness we induldge ourselves in. Stay away from rust and body filler. That's about the best advise you can get. Everything else can be corrected more easily. The bucks reside in the body work! Good luck!
Robert Maupin

Dominic -
I'm not used to them either. I'm still crying over the one we sold for $2000 in 1977 that was better than this one, with all new NOS chrome, that I welded/hammer finished everything into and painted in show quality black lacquer - all with no power tools! That one started as a $250 parts car, that we hesitated paying so much for, then used it as a DD for a couple of years before redoing it.

FRM
FR Millmore

Robert....I agree with your comment..these threads have been going round and round ..and I have read essentially the same advice many times( but sometimes on different cars )and some of it is naturally contradictory when the interests of the commentators are different. Gonzalo,I do believe you need to form a much firmer view of what you want from an MGA. You have all the basic advice you need and the common thread is make sure the body/chassis are in good nic as this is where the horrible costs lie..and to judge all the other componentry on condition,originality ( if you are an 'original 'enthusiast) and cost of repair /replacement..and add the cost of missing parts you consider you need.
I would suggest you go and see a number of cars yourself and/or with company ....this whole current process of review seems to be based on photographs, written descriptions and comments...go and see some cars in the flesh!!
From what I see you should be able to get hold of a good nic car in the US for around $14000-16000 after negotiation..and spend another few grand to tailor it !!
Neil Ferguson

Ok, fully understand you comments. I will definitely go and some of these. I need to see them and drive them... ; )

G Ramos

Go and drive at least one of the cars, even if its one you are not thinking of buying. Driving an MGA is not like driving a modern car and some people don't like or can't get used to the experience. The people on here are enthusiasts and are happy driving their cars but there are lots of people who just can't get the hang of it. Remember you will be dealing with no power steering, no servo brakes and a fairly solid suspension, it can be a shock if you only drive a modern car especially when you first try to stop.
Malcolm Asquith

This thread was discussed between 12/01/2010 and 14/01/2010

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