Member Gallery – MGA 1500 Roadster

My MGA in it's normal place-on jacks

58 MGA

58 MGA

58 MGA

My lovely 1957 MGA

1957 1500 MGA Roadster

14 month restoration from a pile of boxes and a whole lot of research. Relied on MGA GURU website with a detailed description of repair as needed. Plan on touring the foothills of Northern Ca.

Sitting in front of our house in New Mexico waiting to be driven . Original New Mexico car, had same owner fro 42 years. Restoration was completed in 2012

Visiting our favorite place, the Hyatt’s Tamaya resort, cocktails on the patio. Have both of our British cars, the 59 MGA and 74 Triumph TR 6

This picture was taken on Route 66, while traveling to GT-42 in Solvang CA from PA. We've had our "A" for 48 years and would drive her anywhere!

We were touring some towns and could not resist this backdrop.

Short day trip on July 5, 2021 to McClellanville, South Carolina. Photo taken at the Santee Coastal Reserve.

The car I bought 51 years ago just to go back and forth to school.

1959 MGA speedster.1800cc engine,6 point roll bar,fiberglass wings front and rear,3.7 rear end.I have owned this car for 50 years,my very first car.Trimed off over 200 lbs in weight.Custom wind screen

amid the worst wildfire smoke of the summer of '20, we joined a small tour group to sample some lesser visited towns in Eastern Oregon.

Just waiting for lockdown to end

Taken late 2020 after conversion from steel wheels to wires, in one of our farm paddocks overlooking the Kaipara Harbour near, Helensville, New Zealand.

Night shot down by Lake Michigan in Kenosha Wisconsin.

Purchased in 1966. Driven through college, then stored for many years. Restoration completed in 2018 after many more years. Original engine, transmission and color.

For 15 years I owned Austin Healey’s. First a 100-6 then traded for a 3000. In 1965 I got married and after four years of honeymooning came two beautiful kids, a new house, three horses, two dogs a cat and I had to sell the beautiful A/H 3000. It only lasted about 6 months, and a few days of crying on my wife shoulder, we agreed, I found an ad for a 57 MGA. It was running but far from being road worthy. It mostly sat in my garage for 33 years, when I, again approached my wife, saying I must have it PROFESSIONALLY put in order so I can drive it before, I die. She once again gave in, and after the one time Up and Down stairs in Mansfield, Oh. did a few thousand dollars worth of work on it I am having a great time driving it. Kids are succesfully on their own, and we are back on our honeymoon.

This is the MGA that I bought new on Nov. 6, 1956( one day before my 24th Birthday). Used her in club competition until 1966 (Sports Car Club of Augusta,GA). Disassembled her in 1966-moved to Winston-Salem, NC in 1967 & reassembled her when I retired from USAIR in 1994.

Home is in Albuquerque, NM, but this car has been north and west to Whistler and east to Louisville.

My first car ever, bought from a friend in 1972 for $600. Learned a lot about fixing it since I was an impoverished university student at the time. I’ve never been able to part with this car since I feel like I know almost every nut and bolt after a body-off amateur restoration. Also my now 21 year old son is showing a keen interest as the only one of 4 kids able to drive standard shift!

This picture is unedited and totally candid. The dogs were ready to go and not waiting for me… Fortunately, I had the key!

The restoration is still a work in progress but it’s coming along nicely. My dad did all of the body work (which was extensive) and the paint. Next step is the electrical system and then it’s on to the interior.

During the EE2009 in Norway 2009

Hi I`m Thor Sørensen from Norway and this is my MGA 1500 from 1956, # 6197. This car it`s a CKD sent to Ireland in march 1956, and possibly been sent to South Africa later for assembly in Durban. The car lived her life in South Africa up to 1995 and came to Norway that year. The car was store in a barn until I came across it in 1998.

The MGA at spring meeting in Oslo Norway in May

This is me and my car at European Event 2009 at Geiranger, Norway, together with 250 other MGs from many parts of Europe.

The car (named “Belle”) has just completed a 19 month nut and bolt, frame-off restoration although she will be a driver! She has a factory Gold Seal 1622 replacement engine with an 1800 head that she received in 1963. She now sports a T-9 5-speed (w/synchro 1st gear) making driving at highway speeds a pleasure!

My ‘58 MGA 1500 roadster with the Fox River and a riverboat in the background. I trailered this car from Kentucky in October ‘99 to Chicago. The car had been in storage (hibernation) for 14 years. I’ve been working on it ever since and it’s running pretty well right now. I put about 400 miles on it this summer and another 800 miles on a MGB I have. Safety Fast, Steve Merical St. Charles, IL

Just completed restoration

MGA in the garden.

MGA in the snow.

We just purchased our first collector car, a 1958 MGA 1500 Roadster. We bought it at an estate sale in Georgia. The owner (a NAMGAR member) was the second owner in 55 years. He owned the car for 47 years and treated it like a baby. I have every receipt for every thing bought for or service it received in 47 years. I hope to keep it for the next 47 years and treat half as good as the previous owner!

She is almost done. Goal is 100% done by June 2019.

1956 MGA when Father purchased NEW in England in 1956. Car is currently in a Frame off restore project.

1956 MGA is on her way to being put back together. Here the rear was torn apart and cleaned. All new bearings, seals, brakes, wheel cyl, hyd lines. Everything new and cleaned. Leaf springs disassembled and blasted then put back together. All new Nickle Copper lines..

Getting closer. Back from paint.. starting to put back together

I have owned this car since age 14 and was restored over a period of 3-1/2 years. This is the car that started the whole MG experience for the Zeraldo family (bought in June 1970). The 3rd generation of MG enthusiasts are well entrenched in the hobby with each of them (our son’s Zack & Mack) owning MG’s of their own.

A downtown park in Vancouver, BC, enroute to Whistler.

This photo was taken last year at the Hill AFB car show, which is an annual event in Utah. I have this matching (color) motorcycle trailer for use when I take long road trips. It is a necessity for those long trips as far as I am concerned. My longest trip to date: 7,000 miles!

West coast drive on Vancouver Island; Victoria to Port Renfrew

More work in progress - getting some new interior

work in progress…old girl has a new dress

Here is my ‘59 MGA roadster at about the 99% stage! It started about 8 years ago as a project car that had been abandoned with lots of pieces missing. A full frame off restoration was undertaken. I wanted to get it on the road for our local British Car Club (SBCC) day here in Saskatoon, last weekend, so a few minor details are yet to be completed. Runs great and looks great. Now if I could just get those doors lined up and closing properly!

MGA

I bought this just to go back and forth to college. It is the original color both inside and out with all original factory numbers. Currently at home in its garage.

OK, OK, I know it’s a goofy picture but it’s an example of the lengths we sometimes go to in order to overcome the effects of the demon procrastination….. My tonneau needed replacing but because we live in Canada’s only Desert, where rain is ‘supposedly’ rare in the summer I reckoned that a beach umbrella would be an appropriate solution to a freak overnight dousing. I “rebuilt” the car between 1994 and 2002 and use it as a regular driver….. mainly up to the golf course or the market!

I have a ‘58 MGA that was retrofitted in the late 1960s with a 1967 corvette engine and drive trane. I bought it about 13 years ago in California from a man who had it sitting in his garage for 15 years.

On the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff Alberta during our 6100 mile trip to attend GT32 in Whistler BC.

This photo was taken in my backyard a few years ago. Featuring my ‘58 1500 MGA, 2006 Mercedes SLK and 1969 MG Midget. The MGA is a 2004 premier NAMGAR winner and an AACA Grand National senior award winner.

This photo was taken in my backyard the lighting was just right.

A face only a mother could love.

God’s cockpit!

I drove my car after purchase from Southern California, across the desert at night (summer heat) to Austin, Texas.

Peter & Anne's 1956 MGA 1500 Roadster currently resides in Surrey, BC, some 30 miles south of Vancouver. However, it came to Canada by a round about route. Built in Abingdon in July/August 1956, it was a left hand drive car destined for export to Libya in North Africa. Not a surprise then that it did not have a heater fitted to it. During its first 30 years of life, it moved gradually south through Africa, and was bought by the Tilburys in Nairobi, Kenya in 1983. After many years of use on less than suitable African roads, it was shipped to Vancouver in 1991, and a heater was promptly installed! Since coming to North America, this car has done many long distance road trips to Lake Tahoe twice for MG98 and GT-24, Indianapolis for MG1996, and Minneapolis for MG2001. Our plan is to have this car at MG2011 in Reno, along with our '58 Coupe which is currently being re-built.

Bought this car in ‘76 for $250. It ran but the body and interior were in tough shape. Took it off the road for restoration, but it sat for some 30 plus years before I finally got around to it. This photo was taken shortly after completion. I like this view because it shows the wooden dash.

This ‘57, recently restored with an MGB engine, has been a reliable friend, especially when it’s time to clear my head of the week’s nonsense. I wish I had more time to drive it!

1956 MGA at sunrise along the driving range.

Taken at the seaside at home

Here we are on a summertrip in Norway. Photo taken 3 June 2012

Love the Vintage Roadster and with the Vintage Architecture. A day of driving on a great summer day in Green Bay.

I love my car and I love my garage that I have restored gas station memorabilia so it looks like a station from the 1950s. This is an on going project.

I had just taken possession of my ‘58 MGA Roadster.

A project abandoned sadly due to the failing health of a former Boeing engineer, I found “Sleeping Beauty” resting in pieces outside of Seattle, WA in late September, 2010 and fell nstantly in love. I’m in way over my head, starting from scratch on all fronts including knowledge and experience, but love (or at least infatuation) is like that. Realized that I needed to join a support group for my new addiction (thank you, NAMGAR!). Hoping to make Reno 2011, stay tuned…

We smoothed out the body on the car to give it an even sleeker look than the beautiful car it already was.

My slightly Modified MGA. Just finished 2014. Getting a new B engine this winter!

A shot from the rear that shows the slight modifications. She is a fair weather car only.

I acquired my MGA this past May and really enjoy driving working on it.

1957 MGA 1500 with restored VandenPlas hardtop.

“Mahitabel” taking a break above Tomales Bay.

“Mahitabel” on the dock at the Inverness Yacht Club, Tomales Bay, Marin, CA

Girls with good taste prefer MGAs!

I restored our ‘57 MGA from two very rusty, junk parts cars. It is powered by a 1962 215 ci aluminum Buick V8. The transmission is a Borg Warner T-5 five speed. The front and rear suspension is MGB. The brake master cylinder is also MGB. I finished the car in July 2001 and have enjoyed driveing over 20,000 miles with no problems. For more details Google Lyle Jacobson MGA V8. My son has a ‘73 MGB with the same engine, ony super charged. For details of his car Google Bill Jacobson super charged MGB V8.

Car taken apart by previous owner. Purchased it 25 years ago and sat in my barn for the next 20 years. 5 year restoration finally completed in August of 2010.

Dianna - blond, beautiful, and British with the Bradford pear trees. Just completed restoration.

My 1500 MGA with my 1500 Midget.

Ken Nelson-‘57 MGA

The day she passed her MOT .

This picture was taken at the 2009 MG Day at Larz`Anderson Park in Brookline MA. This event was sponsored by the Bay State MGA Club, of which we are members. The MG is a ‘driver’, not a show car. Did you ever notice how many new friends you add from the cockpit of an MGA? It provides a constant source of hobby entertainment, whether it being cruising, repairing, or running errands to no place in particular. While my wife is the proud owner, she is very generous in sharing time on the MG…many ‘HoneyDo’ projects still on the list, and more to come.

Taking receipt of my barn find!

This is the end result of a 15 year body-off-frame restoration. None of the work except for the engine rebuild was contracted out. At the start of the project (1995), the car should have been designated a ‘parts car’. The sills and door pillars were made of and held together by chicken wire, bondo and wood. Stored in an old garage for 25 years, the interior, trunk and engine bay were rodent condominiums.

Numbers matching, triple black. Upholstery recently restored to original black leather with red piping.

1957 MGA Roadster Triple Black. Matching numbers.

This picture was taken during the Mid-Atlantic Chapter’s return from GT-41 in Louisville, KY. Our Lead Carl Josephson saw a sign for a covered bridge and we detoured to check it out.

Remembering a Great GT-39. Getting ready for GT-40 I came across this picture taken in Ottawa during the GT-39 car show. A couple Royal Canadian Mounties were good sports to check the fluids under the bonnet of my 1500. These two fine representatives of our northern neighbors were very popular since their uniform color was very close in shade to MGA Orient Red.

New FlowSpeed Head and lots of polishing… The engine (picture) that I sent is in my 1958 MGA Roadster. The 1800 is a five bearing out of a 1966 MGB. The engine short block was prepared by Abacus Racing, Virginia Beach in 2011. The engine has A&E forged pistons, 18V rods, short tappets, Smith Bros. chrome-moly custom pushrods, APT VP-12 cam, Harland Sharp 1.625:1 roller rockers, Maniflow headers/exhaust and a head ported and polished to “Fast Road” specs by FlowSpeed in Oregon. The engine is backed up with a Hi Gear five-speed and a 3.909:1 MGB rear differential.

April ‘07 retrieved from a warehouse in Richmond, VA. Wanting to re-acquaint myself with my first car (1964) and seduced by her good external appearance, I jumped in head first. I now have a replacement frame which I’ll spiff up - the one under the car has returned to dust - then add MGB kingpins, disc brakes and a rear axle. Once it’s a roller, I’ll tackle the “fiberglass over rust” sill/rocker panel mess on the original chassis. I’ve been collecting parts for the “A” while I complete my second Bugeye Sprite restoration. Bugeye Two should be done by the end of May, 2010 at which time I’ll become a welding fool. I can hardly wait!

Sunday cruisin’ through the North Carolina backroads and this felt like Tobacco Road.

Carefully parked and beautifully lit to conceal all the blemishes.

Original British Car Day, Adamstown, MD

Photo taken by Barry Harrison in the Arkansas Buffalo River Basin.

Picture taken by Rob Smyth at a club BBQ at Cathy & Mike Finch’s home in 2009. Our car is in great shape but needs constant care. For those of us who are new to the joys of keeping old British sport’s cars running, it’s great to belong to a club like the SW Ontario Hoser’s Eh!

Emily is my truest MG companion. She never turns down an opportunity to take a drive, and smiles bigger and bigger the twistier the roads. This photo taken in Woodland, WA near the Merwin Dam.

March 2013. On the Blossom Trail run with the Valley British Auto Club. The Central Valley is the agricultural heart of California. I bought this car in November 2009. It was a shell and boxes of parts. Most of the nuts and bolts were in tin cans. After a year I had it running…poorly. It is now running well and reliably that I trust it on longer adventures. It is still a work in progress.

Bought ‘The Ole Girl’ and brought her home on April 9, 2017. She has been in the shop since then getting a new cooling system, engine makeover, transmission rebuild, brake job, electrical conversion to an alternator, and new Coker whitewall tires.

Getting “The Ole Girl” ready for Summer!!! New wheels & tires, brakes bled and adjusted, new cooling system (every part!!!), electrical system conversion from generator to alternator along with a new battery, new front rack, transmission overhaul, several engine fixes, new control cables for the heater, accelerator and choke, along with new hoses for the heater and cooling system. Also I found the chassis number yesterday that is stamped on the frame!!! “The Ole Girl” is chassis number 65945!

Almost to Key West in 2009.

Here’s the wife and I on our way Christmas shopping. (Kimberly) is up for the task since Kimberly is an all weather vehicle. Note the absence of snowballs in the right-hand seat. Watch it, you lechers

It started for me (Jack) in 1963 when my dad bought the “2nd car” for the family, a black 1956 MGA 1500 roadster. At the time we were a family of 8, with 1 more soon to follow. That’s me on the left in the black & white photo at age 7 with my dad and #2 brother, from under the lifted front end. I attended British car events and functioned as navigator on a few rallies, even though I probably had to stretch a bit to see over the dash of the “A”. A few years later the “A” was replaced with a ‘64 MGB roadster. Unfortunately both were gone before I was able to get my driver’s license. Too late, the MG’s left an indelible mark. I just had to wait for my chance. In 1997 I entered MG mania with a ‘78 MGB rubber bumper roadster. 2000 was a good year as I finally was able trade up (back ?) to my roots with this ‘58 1500 roadster. My wife and I are looking forward to many years of driving enjoyment.

In October 2006, a month before my Father passed, I purchased this cherished ‘59 Roadster. He had it since 1997 and it was in need of a little TLC. I replaced the entire front end suspension, bushings etc., new drive shaft, new rear end and axle housing, Shocks and springs all the way around, a new header, and rocker arm shaft and a few more things that I can’t remember…whew! It also has a later model 1800cc MGB motor in it so power is never a problem. Now it is running as fine as a new one. I love this car and every time I run it I think fondly of my Father…He would be proud! We live in Calgary Alberta CANADA, so our driving season is a little shorter than most, so we try and run it as much as we can. If you like, you can reach us at blastenergy@shaw.ca if you would like to exchange stories or anything. Good driving to all!

Black Lady - in my driveway

Taken early mai - 17 in front of the Garage before weekend drive - Vestfold- Norway

This is “lady”, my wonderful fully restored 1959 MGA roadster. Matching engine and chasis numbers. LHD export model. Car is located at my home in Cebu City, Philippines.

On Old Storm King, just north of West Point, NY.

I bought this MGA in 2012 from a woman who bought it new while she attended Stanford. She became a long time teacher on the San Francisco Peninsula area and drove it until she could drive anymore. She gave it to her cousin to handle and he sold to me. It was so original it had the original spare, flip-up window screens, suspension bushings and the engine had never been opened up until I needed to get it rebuilt three years after I bought it. I have 6 cars and this is my favorite!

Cruising Connecticut’s Backroads.

It’s a street legal, vintage race prepared MGA, with an 1860CC engine, 4 speed fully sync tranny, fuel cell, and extinguisher system. MGB front suspension with disc brakes. Been raced by the previous owner at several tracks from CA to VA.

Getting ready to blast off…to the ice cream stand!

Original B-series MGA Engine (Distributor changed to electronic)

Originally registered in AZ. Left in a barn from 1974 to 2004, restoration finished in 2008. Originally Orient Red now Old English White.

This photo was taken at the Pensacola, Fl British Car Show

After resting in the garage for 28 years, this car finally got a place in the body shop for restoration. It is home from the shop with all of the missing or rusted pieces replaced and painted. Now it is just a matter of getting all of the parts back on it. Maybe it will be done in time for the GT, maybe it won’t. Good things take time, better things take longer.

Well, it is “new” to me-June 2011. Frame off just completed before I got it. It is just as expected…nearly perfect. All I added was a new top, side mirror and 10 gallons of gas. Lucky to find the appropriate 1958 Texas license. As seen here…black with black interior and white piping. The tan top was my choice to stay cool in our tropical Texas climate. My MG interest comes honestly. I drove a (really) new 1952 TD 50,000 miles. Always aspired to an “A”.

Dave Allen’s 1955 MGA, full frame-off restoration. Paint reminiscent of 1959-1961 Le Mans racer. Restoration included power coated frame, 1500 engine rebuild, balanced, blue-printed, ported & flowed 1800 head, performance cam, and dual SU’s. Picture taken in South Bay San Diego, Chula Vista Marina.

‘63 MGB engine with MGB disc brakes and Sienna 5 speed tranny. 7.5 in cut down windshield. Walnut dash. 5.88 rear end. More fun than I should be allowed to have. This photo was taken the day I brought her home from a 10 year project to spiff her up. When I found her in 1973, Nash Met engine, solex carb, no seats or dash, I promised one day to restore her to the beauty that she is.

Local Sywell Aerodrome is home to various old Warbirds, including Spitfires, Harvards and an old Hawker Hunter going through restoration.

Late summer 2017 drive to 9000 ft. Monte Cristo range in northern Utah. This is our 15 year owned driver/ never ending rolling resto/refurb. No show queen but a well loved member of the family that provides a ton of enjoyment.

Model 1500. HDR4/3163723. I purchased this car in September, 1998 from another NAMGAR member. Living in Arizona it can be driven all year round which really makes it enjoyable.

This car was purchased by the previous owner as a parts car out of a barn in Stockton NJ. The car had no paint on it at the time of purchase. When disassembly began, the original color was discovered under the taillight plinths and behind the dash. After a little research, the decision was made to restore this car because it’s original color, tyrolite green, is rare. I was looking for an MGA, and when I came across this car, I found the color captivating. I have never seen one this color at a show, although I have seen one or two in pictures.

My MGA has a 3 main “B” engine, bored out, domed pistons, 3/4 race cam, 13/4 SUs, special head modified to fit the engine. 5 speed toyota trans, konis all around, negative cambered front wheels. This is a fun car to drive, it is very fast.

I bought this 1957 MGA 1500 Roadster in rather forlorn condition - mostly in boxes and gave it a rather lengthy, 3 years, and total restoration and spent - who knows - probably Moss. Ended quite well and is so much fun.

This is the car I bought on Nov. 6, 1956—-one day before my 24 Birthday—-total milage to date is 69,615—

I put on a new hood last month and Southern California just got the rains to use it.

Jr. helping with the 1500

My first time entering at Glendale’s Annual Cruise Night. 2013, California.

The annual Queen’s English car show in Woodley Park, Van Nuys, CA. Thought I’d make use of the luggage rack this year.

My 1958 MGA at Bloomingdale’s annual British Invasion car show in Newport Beach, CA. (Catalina’s First Car Show)

The Queen’s English car show in Van Nuys, CA. End of the day and a tuckered out baby. Johanna & Catalina in front of my 1958 roadster with the family car in the background.

This month marks my 4 years of owning this 1958 MGA, NAMGAR car# 7512. It was my only car for 2 years and continues to be my daily driver M-F, if not on the weekend too. This picture was from before I purchased it. I would be very interested if any previous owner out there would like to share the history of this vehicle. I bought it from Chequered Flag in Corona Del Mar, California. It has turned out to be a great car for me & a daily hobby (“there is always something”). A true labor of love and I have every intention of being the last owner of this car.

The top of Forest Lawn in Glendale.

My 1958 Old English White MGA Roadster at The Queen’s English in Van Nuys, CA April 2015.

Dad’s little helper on the MGA’s 24,000 mile service. Even discovered some curiosities that Barney Gaylord has posted on his MGA Guru website.

After having installed a new top last month, it got its first use in the rain today… taking Catalina to day care, no less.

The Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA used my 1958 MGA Roadster for an advertising photo shoot.

The Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA used my 1958 MGA Roadster for an advertising photo shoot.

Came time to retire the 1958 Dunlops. FedEx brought my Dayton D450s with Firestone 560-15 bias-plys from Universal Vintage Tire yesterday. Today it rained…

Finally took the MGA up the coast. Though my daily/only driver, this is the furthest run I’ve yet taken it on.

Finally took the MGA up the coast. Though my daily/only driver, this is the furthest run I’ve yet taken it on.

My cousin Maxwell in my MGA at the annual Glendale Cruise Night in California, 2014.

Picking up a bumper for the Land Rover in the MGA at British Pacific. Sun Valley, CA.

My first attendance to The Queen’s English in Van Nuys, CA

"Penelope" was purchased in 2003. When I found her she already had her running gear and electrical system restored by a previous owner, including a rebuilt 1800cc early MGB three bearing engine. The body, however, was another story. It was sound and remarkably rust-free, but it had so many small dings and dents everywhere that it looked like someone had taken a carpet tack hammer to it. So, with six months of bodywork, new paint, new or refurbished chrome bits, new windscreen and new interior, she was ready to go in the spring of 2004. During that first year I made the decision to add some modifications to make her more “road-able” for long trips. So far those modifications include a Pertronix ignition, Lucas alternator, anti-sway bar, front disc brakes with MGB calipers, halogen headlights and taillights (with a third brake light), five-speed gearbox and 3.9 rear end from an early MGB. Oh, yes, and a trailer hitch for a motorcycle trailer. Penelope will cruise nicely at 70 mph at about 3200 RPM. She is now a joy to drive on long trips, especially when accompanied by my canine navigator, Cleo

Joyce bought this 1500 in California in 1986. When she moved back home to Michigan in 1992, she had to leave it with a friend until she could make arrangements to get it here. Jack Kurkowski (long-time NAMGAR member and friend) offered to go out to LA and get it and drive it back to the Midwest. Well…She knew it couldn’t be in better hands. Since then, it has been driven to NAMGAR GTs in North Carolina, Texas and Tennessee, as well as others closer to home. Thanks to many Michigan Rowdie members for helping Joyce learn how to keep it on the road! Joyce married Bruce Nichols (Michigan Chapter’s first chairman), Bruce now enjoys doing most of the maintenance. Joyce always said that if anyone out there lives in Michigan and isn’t a member of the Rowdies, she would hope you’ll contact one of the Rowdies and join. It’s a great group of MGA lovers! On January 15, 2001 the Michigan Rowdies and NAMGAR lost one of our beloved members and friends. The LBC community will miss our Joyce (Hart) Nichols. Joyce had been active in both organizations for over two decades and was the past chair of the North American MGA Register for a five year term. I have known Joyce for several years and she has always been there to answer questions or help members and non-members alike with a big smile on her face. She and her husband Bruce were always the first to offer their home for a club function or to lead a driving event in their MGA! Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Joyce will never forget her. As you can see by her text above Joyce was definitely an example of the unofficial NAMGAR motto that “you come for the cars, but come back for

I first owned this MGA in 1978. I sold it to my friend, Nick Tredennick, when I moved to the east coast, thirty years ago. Nick kept the car, in his garage, in California. He called me in 2007 and he asked me if I wanted it back. So we shipped the car to Automotive Restorations in Connecticut.

I have owned my 1958 MGA 1500 for approximately 17 years. It has undergone a complete frame up “rebuild”. I started the project after selling my last MGA, with the idea that I would create a show car. As the project progressed I decided that what I really missed was driving the “A” therefore the emphasis changed to putting together a “driver”. I was at a show recently in Victoria, B.C. and parked next to another member of NAMGAR, Todd O’Dell, and I was impressed by the time and effort he has put into his car. It was stunning. The engine was spotless, the polished valve cover with out a mark and the Super charger fantastic. I told him that I would rather leave my bonnet closed at this show because my car has been used as much as possible since Spring and I had just driven three hours to get to the show, this meant that my engine compartment was less than pristine, original, but not pretty. We both laughed, checked out my engine and closed the bonnet. I am including a picture taken recently on one of our club runs. This stop was for lunch at one of our club members homes and as you can see his grounds were beautiful at this time of year. Happy MGing and please, DRIVE them!!! Brian Smith, Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada

My MGA and her home were at Stowe 1999 . When I walked over to ask the Rover group if they would like a cup of coffee I looked back and saw this. I owned my first {A} back in 1966 drove it daily, raced it on ice and anything else I could find.. P, S we add about 3000 miles to her in 1999 to be driven !!!! Addendum 2006: We’re still driving the (A) about 2k per year, but if you see our trailer on the road and you would like a cup of Coffee or need a tool or just to take a break wave us down!

My Dad bought this car in 1973 and turned it over to me in 2001. My Mom insisted he always kept the bike flag on the back for visibility, so I carry on the tradition. It has never been restored; it’s always been a driver. The dents and dings are “character”.

Elings Park, Santa Barbara near sunset.

The Lacivious Carriage on a lovely day in paradise - favorite toy since purchase in 1966

Here;‘s my 1958 “MGA with an Attitude” at UML winter birthday party (we go anywhere).After more than 30 years with the current owner this car (with 380,000+ miles) has pretty much Been There Done That. Include many road trips in excess of 1000 miles (a couple more than 10,000 miles), a decade of regular autocross and road rally competition, and multiple restorations. Lots of breaks and repairs ultimately spawned a 2000 page web site loaded with technical information specific to MGA.

Typical Southern California day

Taken just after sunrise on Sept 14, 2013 at Pt. Loma,CA.

Just like the car I had in 1959 when Rose and I started dating! Getting ready for our trip to Watkin’s Glen in 2014

Here’s the old girl wearing her newly acquired red easter bonnet.

This photo was taken a couple of years ago just after outfitting the old girl with some new white-walls. I think it really gives her a classy, and classic look.

Car hasn’t run since 1998. Last registered in ‘73. Just got the new NH reg and insurance - got to get it on the road this year before the snow flies in NH. I’m running out of October, though!

Our MGA when purchased from the Atlanta area had dents to every square inch of its surface, though unlike vehicles from this area, it had relatively little corrosion. After 2 1/2 years of ground up body and frame restoration, new engine, transmission and many new parts, we ended up with our little gem…“Our ‘58 MGA whom we lovingly call ‘Willy.’”

This was the first show we were able to attend after getting the car. The CT MG club is an active group and helps to make the whole experience great.

Enjoying a warm February day.

Finally bought my first MG in 2005, and here it is. Then it was 12 more years before I had it presentable…but look at it now. Old English White with tan leather interior. We take her out every weekend when weather permits. Paul Burdette, NAMGAR Member #8233.

1960 MGA 1600