This one is 1958 vintage with a 1600 engine.
The car has Leather seats and the original metal dash.
Always wanted the classic MGA.
This one is 1958 vintage with a 1600 engine.
The car has Leather seats and the original metal dash.
I fitted the tourneau.
And replaced the dash with a wood one.
The engine got major work done, painted red and looks nice in the black car.
Fitted new the top.
2007 Arch Festival Car Show.
Manufactured by:
The M.G. Car Company Ltd.
ABINGTON-ON-THAMES, ENGLAND.
Serial No: HDA43/42752
Assembled in November 1957.
Before Me.
| Ownership History | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | Owner | Location |
| 11/27/88 | 9/11/06 | Gary Bonam | North Augusta, SC |
| 4/9/88 | 11/27/88 | Rodger Loechel | Pensacola, Fl |
| 1987 | 4/9/88 | John Dorsey (?) | Ocean Springs, MS |
| 1982 | 1987 | Fred Bassett | Biloxi, MS |
| ? | 1982 | Mike Obrien | Biloxi MS |
Gary Bonam bought this MGA while living in Pensacola, Florida in 1988 from Rodger Loechel for $500. The car had been completely disassembled except the engine and transmission were still on the chassis. He towed the chassis home and brought the rest of the parts in cardboard boxes. The car had been in a minor collision and the front bumper had been removed and replaced with a hideous I-beam. The wooden floorboards were gone (probably rotted) but 95% of the parts were present. Virtually all major body panels were dented and/or rusted. The car was originally black but had been painted yellow, and then red. All 3 coats of paint were on still on the body panels. Along with the car parts, he was given several MG books and manuals, and old maintenance and repair receipts related to this car.
In 1988 and 1989, He concentrated on repairing rust on the frame, painting the frame, replacing the floor boards, and reassembling the loose parts. He did start the engine one time in 1988. In 1989 moved to North Augusta, SC.
Between 1989 and 1998, very little progress was made on the MG.
In 1999, he purchased a hood off Ebay, and front fenders from a guy in Arizona. The hood was perfect and the fenders were straight with very minor rust.
In November 2000, he located a man (Charles Grimes) that worked for a local body shop, but also did work on the side at his home. He agreed to finish the body work and paint the MG for $4000. He had the MG in his garage for more than 12 months.
When the MG got back from Charles looked like a different car. He did a great job!
In 2001 an 2002 he purchased additional parts from Moss Motors, and Ebay including a wiring harness and many of the chrome parts.
In July 2002, he gave the MG to his favorite mechanic to “check out” the mechanical systems and get it running since the engine had not been started since 1988. He kept the MG for over 20 months. He replaced the starter, clutch, and radiator, and rebuilt the carbs. When he got it back, Gary rebuilt the master cylinder (again).
In July 2004, he ordered new seats from England. They are not the original color or style, but look really good. Also that month, he got a South Carolina title for the car, which was no small feat since it had not been titled in many years.
I bought the car on Ebay 09/11/06.
Denese and I drove to Augusta to see the car and have a short test drive, we liked the car very much. After a nail biting auction, it was delivered on a flat bed truck (top picture).
I set about adjusting the tracking, fitting a new muffler and ran around town.
Refurbished the turn signal switch. A real classic piece of British engineering.
Tried to fix the crack in the cyclinder head and took it to the local "Arch Festival" Car Show in October 2006.
Replaced the carburetors with HS type from an early MGB, but the engine was very tired and needed new pistons, cam, etc, with the help from Ray Poppell.
Replaced the head with a refurbished cyclinder head and new valves.
Completed at the end of December 2006 (Mileage=64,323).
Replace the dash with a wood one, and found the turn signals were messed up. At last discovered it was the flasher unit.
On the road again. She purrs along at 50-60 MPH. Updated 01/02/06
Replaced the Drive shaft "U" joint. Updated 02/25/06
Replaced the clutch and brake master cyclinder seals. Updated 03/20/06
Car Show at Fort Stewart, "Supporting Our Troops". Updated 03/25/06
Replaced the leaf springs. Updated 04/06/06
Replaced the clutch slave cyclinder. Updated 04/09/06
Switched out the front wheel spines and bearings. Updated 04/15/06
Got a frame for the top from Ebay. Cleaned it up. Bought some mounting hardware from Moss.
Fitted the new top and windows. Updated 03/30/07
Brakes needed looking at (adjusting) as they seem to be "sticking". Honed out the cyclinders and replaced the seals.
(Note to anybody - There are two diffenent types of brake cyclinders/seals). Updated 04/15/07
Fuel Pump kept on ticking, So cleaned the filter and check valves, that fixed it.
Also bolted it back with an additional rubber strip across the back (See MGAGURU .COM).
This makes it quieter, simple and effective. Updated 09/06/07
Home Comming Parade: I was asked if I could participate in the Ludowici High School Parade.
Of course. The speeds proved a bit slow for the car and it overheated, but we made it. Updated 10/19/07
Car Show at the Arch Festival 2007, Won Best in Show. Updated 10/28/07
Replaced oil pump, filter and new oil. (Milage=65,517). Updated 11/09/07
| TAKE ME BACK |
