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MG MGA - MGA, A life changing event

Hi folks. You are probably going to think that I am off my rocker, but here goes: I have owned my MGA for 28 years. As of late, I have been pondering that thought, and have come to realize that purchasing, owning, restoring, and driving my MGA has in many respects been a life altering event for me. I am just curious if other MGA owners feel this way also, and if so, how MGA ownership has changed your life/lives? Cheers, Glenn
Glenn Hedrich

I agree!

35 years (almost as long as I have been married) before kids, having kids, college graduations, kids' marriages, loss of close friends, multiple moves across the country, the MGA has been constant in my life with my wife (it was her idea to get the car in 1973) - I think of all the wonderful friends we have made over the years because of simple conversations started because of the MGA - not to mention the confidence boost of not being afraid to tackle anything mechanical (on the car or around the house) as long as there is an instruction manual available. Life may not have turned out all that different without the MGA, but it sure has been enriched because of it.

Happy motoring!
Don
Don Carlberg

Glenn,
You're NOT off your rocker. MGAs have been part of my life since I was 16 years old (44 years). I met, and dated, my wife in an MGA. My kids were raised riding in an MGA. I'm having the time of my life in an MGA (well, several actually). I could write a book (and may do so) about my adventures in an MGA. Treasure those moments, and please, please, continue to share them with your friends here on this BBS. MGA's have had an incredible impact on my life. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Regards,
Gerry
G T Foster

The MGA has more defined my life than changed it. Some of my earliest memories involve riding in it with my dad.
Del Rawlins

I must presume this is a rhetorical question among this forum. MGA is a way of life here. Since my first car was an MGA I have been 19 for 40 years now. Once you get infected with one of these things you never grow old. Besides, I think I have spent more life hours on my MGA and things related to it than I have on my career. With over 100,000 of these things foisted upon the world, it may be one of the world's greatest time wasters (second to the internet of course).
Barney Gaylord

Hi Glenn , I had a positive bank balance before I bought mine


gordon
g c pugh

As a result of owning my MGA I ended up on this site, meeting all you people.

The wife now refers to it as my chat room. "you spend all your time in that chat room and none with me!"

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi so , Steve your wife does see a positive benefit of you having an MGA lol


Gordon
g c pugh

To the delight of my wife I spend most of my time in my garage with my cars and less time at the pub! However, what money I save in beer I end up spending on my "A" :(
WMR Bill

I grew up with an MG. My first car was a 66 MGB that had been in the family since my Mom's 16th birthday.

I remember working on it with my Dad as a kid.

I also recall seeing an MGA for the first time in a local shop when we were picking up some parts for the "B" and I new then that one day I'd absolutely have to own one.

It took 13 after I first saw an MGA years, but I finally got her in 1994.

Since then, to a degree, I've planned many things around that car and would never dream of parting with her. Warts and all there is too much sentimental value in my "A" and though I've seen better, this one is mine.

Cheers,
Christopher

Christopher Wilson

Glen,

Like you, I have been involved with my MGA for a long time. (32 years) For much of that time the car was in disrepair waitng funds for a restoration. For many years it only moved twice, once to bring out the basketball standard and once to put it away. Now at least I can drive it out of the garage and not push it! But I would not say the the MGA has had an impact on my life but instead that it has been a part of mine and the life of my family. It is woven into what I am and will be part of me forever. It helps define who I am. I believe that with you as well it is woven into the fabric of your life.

Mark
M Gannon

My first car was almost a 63 Ford Falcon Sprint convertible. A V8 car with 4 speed, mags, a flamed red paint job and a new top. I was on my way home from spending the summer on my uncle's ranch in Montana. My ride home to Denver went through SLC Utah. I had enough money in my pockets from bucking hay all summer long to buy it but no money for gas to get it home. I was too proud to ask my dad for gas money so I passed on the car. Later that year a friend of mine ended up with a 62 1600 MK11. I drove it out to the lake one day. I fell in love.
The next spring I bought a 58 coupe. Because of my experience with the MG I felt comfortable working on Datsuns later. The early Datsuns were almost direct copies of BMC technology in the 60s and early 70s.
If I had bought the ford instead of the MG I don't think I would have ended up starting my business Japanese Specialists Auto Svs Center 27 years ago.
I believe that choices made between these 2 cars made all the difference. Small seemingly insignificant decisions can, when looked upon 30 plus years later, be the turning points in a life. Now 7 MGAs later I still love them.
R J Brown

Have just heard that another 3rd. generation member of my family (Grandchild number 5 expected April '09) is to share the joy of my MGA.
Some of you may remember the pic, below, taken the day I got my car home 36 years ago. Their children are now posing in the same car - a daily driver.

A life changing event! An understatement!
Barry



BM Gannon

The MGA is a constant in our life , always good to look at when you cant drive it due to other stuff , always a relief when it starts with that MG sound that makes you smile ,also on going through a tunnel,always admired by all ages , always fun on the right road with out breaking your licence , always good with the top down in all weathers ,as i say it is a constant & as it is said , no PAIN no PLEASURE
Colin & Theresa
colin daly

The MGA has been my constant companion since 1992 and has certainly influenced much of my life.
It has proved tough and less problematic than any other car I have had and is loved by all that see it.
I drive it every day to work as it gets more respect than my Audi and it has never let me down (seriously!!).
It gets away with things that would have other cars towed and can mix with cars having 10 to 100 times the price without feeling the poor relative.
I already was on the old car road at university where I had a 1965 spitfire but it is probably because of the MGA that I am now more of an enthusiast. I am now in the process of restoring an e-type which I certainly would not have attempted without have worked on a simpler car.
The MGA was also instramental in dating and finding my solemate (must love cars). It is the favorite of my daughter who is now 4 and was first strapped into a baby seat in the A at 3 months!! She can already tell good stories involving the car to her school mates which I have recieved 3rd or 4th hand back from parents (you are the guy with the MG sports car...).
So the MGA has touched on most aspects of my life. My Wife, my daughter, our house (must have big garage), my work (big oil stain in garage!!).

Conclusion - I am under the influence.

Neil
Neil Purves

I have been restoring my MGA Coupe consistantly for 5 - 6 years. I began knowing close to nothing about rebuilding engines and gearboxes, running brake lines, installing electrical systems, etc., etc. But with encouragement from friends, family and the many MG owners I've met, my car is running and very close to its maiden voyage!!

Now, I am confident that I can solve any problem I encounter on my MGA. More importantly I believe I have become part of a larger community -- MGA Owners!!!
gerard hutchinson

Of course in high school I got ribbed lots of time because the MGA is so small. The guys would tease me about there not being a back seat and brag about their gas guzzling muscle cars. But... I assured them with the quip... You'd be surprised at how far you can go in an MG.

David Holmes

Ever Double date in a MGA ? It can be done and in a coupe no less. While I was in college in 1975.
R J Brown

I had joined NAMGAR a few years before finishing the restoration of my '57 roadster. Reading all the great articles in MGA raised my anticipation of the day when (and if) I would be driving it. I have attended the last 4 GTs and have met so many great people from NAMGAR and enjoyed some fantastic road trips. Despite the luxuries and dependability of modern cars I had to go back in time to learn the joy of driving a such a timeless classic...

Ralph
Ralph

I had joined NAMGAR a few years before finishing the restoration of my '57 roadster. Reading all the great articles in MGA raised my anticipation of the day when (and if) I would be driving it. I have attended the last 4 GTs and have met so many great people from NAMGAR and enjoyed some fantastic road trips. Despite the luxuries and dependability of modern cars I had to go back in time to learn the joy of driving a such a timeless classic...

Ralph
Ralph

This thread was discussed between 01/10/2008 and 04/10/2008

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