I had a 1962 1600 mark 2 mga convertible. The car is not practical from the standpoint it is not a daily driver. The side curtains are a major drawback, I don't recommend winter operation in cold climates at all. Have you ever driven a convertible in 20 degree wather with side curtains that bow out in crosswinds like on the Kansas plains? Also when it was raining if you drove through a rain dip at an instersection water would come up through the wooden floorboards and splash against the back side of your knee. Positive ground electrics, which you need to get rid of. Non snychro transmission. If I were to take one of those cars on today, you would put a five main bearing "b" engine in the car, weber carb, one wire alternator, syncro b transmission, and be very mindful that the doors and trunk lid were aluminium. My car wasn't all bad memories. It got 32 mpg when gas .22 cents a gallon, and it would easily top 100 mph which wasn't bad for a four cylinder engine. It also was the best handling car I ever drove. It would easily put my 1974 corvette to shame in that department. I sometimes wish I would have bought a "restored" MGA [with the upgrades mentioned above] in stead of my corvette. I know it would not be the fastest car on the block, but it might be the most fun car to drive. {in the summer}

 

you forgot to mention the fun of putting the Hood up

i loved the tonneau cover, simply one of the best driving experiences around is driving with one of them. i didn' t even bother with a hood for the Healey 3000.

 

The hood? Pip, pip, old chap..... Repeat after me: BONNET.

No trunk either, it's the BOOT. Chuck

 

try again old chap.....the hood is the roadster top or convertible top.

its actually a roadster since the hood (top) is not visible from the car and is stowed behing the back seats....cheerio

 

here you go Chuck


[IMG][/IMG]

 

Stunning car! Back in the 60's, I had the normal and not so normal assortment of cars. I graduated from high school in 64. Beginning in high school, I (and a few friends) had a 36 Plymouth coupe "project car".

Then I got a 56 Chevy, then a 57. THEN, I bought a 63 Nova Convertible, then a 65 GTO.

Wanted a 2 seater. LOVED the old Healey's back then. I remember the old 100-4's with the drop down windshields.

BUT, growing up in a steel mill town outside of Pittsburgh, PA, "the foreign" cars weren't looked upon too kindly, SO, I bought the 63 Corvette in 67.

How my life would have been different if I had bought that Austin Healey. Thanks for the picture. Chuck

BTW, I'd never heard the top referred to as the hood. I know some foreign cars call convertibles "drop head coupes".

 

those are the epitome of coolness......

 

One tip, late model MGB's (rubber bumpers, full emissions) are pretty worthless, you see them in wrecking yards all the time but are treasure chests of parts for upgrading older MG's.

 

anyone ever hear of a tryumph herald?? i had one of those in 1976 had a transverse leaf spring/half shafts like a c-3 vette,, i revved it up,,poped the clutch and trashed the rear end!! it also had positive grd.. i believe it was the same kind of car used in the series ''get smart'' w/ don adams

 

I can see how a little MG would be an awful lot of fun but, if *I* were going to get a British car, it would be a Jag E-Type. I cannot imagine a more beautiful car.

 

the level of maintenance and the sophistication of the project just went up 2 million percent!!!! the early MGs are great for thier simplicity...

 

I've owned 4 british automblies. two while stationed in germany the mid 60's in the air force. the first was a english ford consol a 58 with rust problems. the second was a triumph spitfire almost new except had been in an accindent. owner had orders to ship back to states. bought it for a song. shipped back to the states loved driving it. in other words if you like the car get it. the cars are simple to repair if needed. by the way the other 2 we own are a "93 xjr-s coupe and a 99 xk-8 jaguar. also own a 69 corvette conv.

 

Actually Don Adams (Get Smart) drove a Sunbeam Tiger with a 260cid Ford V8 (later it was a 289). One of the earliest attempts at automobile globalization between Rootes Motors and Ford. One of my favourite cars.

 

20 Years ago I owned a TR 4 it was great

 

the guys that own these cars are a really devoted bunch...they really like them....

 

Don't get me going on TV trivai. Agent 86 drove 3 different cars. First, a Sunbeam Tiger, secondly, a Karmann Ghia convertible, and lastly, an Opel GT.

When I was a little kid I used to watch Lloyd Bridges on Sea Hunt, he drove an MGA on the show. I rememberd that car even when I was a teenager,but I bought a Triumpph Herald convertible ( I couldn't afford even a Spitfire) A few years later I had a chance to by an MGA. I didn't care for it and got instead a TR-4. Now, besides my Chevy's I drive an MGB powered Nash Metropolitan. Corners kinda like an old school bus, but gets more attention than a Viper.

 

I've always loved british cars. When I was a kid my dad would haul our family of 5 around in his MGC-GT. It was a MGB with a 6 cylinder, only one I've ever seen--a tight fit for 4 people. Over the years he has owned many cool cars including 3 corvettes (thats where I found my love for corvettes) but his true car love is british cars. He has been the president of both the local jaguar and triumph clubs, and has owned some nice vehicles of both makes. Since you already have a corvette I think an MG would be another great car to have, it's a totaly different feel than an american musclecar and in many ways more fun. Currently he owns a '68 XKE and this car...:



cant tell from the pic but it even has a rumle seat in back.

Anyone know what it is?

 

Hi Greg454;

The car in the picture is a Triumph 1800, made from the mid thirties through the mid forties. Thye had suicide doors and a rumble seat in the rear. They helped introduce the TR2-TR3 line. BAck then, they were called Standard Triumph actually.

Is that your car?

 

Wow, you know your truimphs. The car pictured is my dads car. He still puts a few hundred miles on it every summer. I wish I had a side picture of it that shows the rumble seat with its windshield up, but I dont seem to have one in this computer.
Greg.

 

I have a TR4 along with the 'vette and 'stang..........the TR gets more attention than the other two when I take it out.

Its not a highway car, its designed for English A and B roads.......so great for twistys up by Bear mountain.

Nick