MGAguru is on the Prowl

MGA Guru is still cruising right along, having passed 10,000 miles in 11 weeks. Since June 25th we have been in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Since last report, had the front and of the MGA smashed on June 25th, stopping the cruise for a few days while I straightened and repainted it and installed a new grille.

Got to visit Historic Motor Sports in Candia, NH, where I picked up front wheel bearings which I replaced on July 1. Also visited Leyland British Auto in Arundel, Maine, and John Campbell of "Sports Cars" in Harrison, Maine, and Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head, ME (lots of pre-war MGs there), and The Roadster Factory in Armagh, Pennsylvania.

Just spent two days at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, which is a lot like vintage races at Road America, except that it runs in the city streets. Lots of great old cars and open paddock, and lots of friendly people with common interest in old cars. Will be attending The Roadster Factory Summer Party later this week.

Still cruising around fixing cars when needed. On Saturday July 12, I spent the day working on a 1903 Curved Dash Oldsmobile, helping to get it running and ready for a car show the next day. It is an interesting little car, even simpler than an MG, but substantially different technology.

Also visiting other clubs when schedules permit. Met with British Cars of New Hampshire for club meeting and a cruise night. Also MG Car Club, Western New York Center for a car show in Webster, NY, where my MGA bagged two trophies for Longest Distance and Best Patina. It was popular vote, so I suppose folks were mistaking bugs and dirt for patina. We also crashed the organizers party after the show.

Tuesday July 22, we were visiting a group of MG enthusiasts in York, PA. These guys are not a formal club, but get together every Tuesday night to work on their cars. There were at least a dozen cars in a warehouse, a few under restoration in a couple of garages, and nearly a dozen daily drivers in attendance. For not being a formal club, these guys sure know how to cook.

We were attending The Roadster Factory Summer Party July 23-26, camping there for four nights. The 88 cars officially registered was an abnormally small turnout, possibly due to lots of rain before the event. Great time regardless, with tech sessions, "bed sheet" drive in movie, bonfires nighty, yard games, one road rally, one cruise night, a car show, formal dinner, and a screening of the movie "Rush" (about Formula 1 racing). Early in the event I installed new front shock absorbers on the MGA, and new electric horns. Hoping for not too much more maintenance required in the near future.

Regularly visiting other MG enthusiasts to drool over their collections of toys and trinkets. Find loads of photos and notes for all of this on MGAguru.com.

Barney Gaylord
1958 MGA with an attitude
http://MGAguru.com

~~ Barney Gaylord