I have been privileged to be only the second owner of this great car; having bought it from a retired Air Force Colonel who had owned it from his earliest driving days until entering a retirement home.
The car was restored by the Colonel years ago, so the body is perfect with only some age cracking on the paint and the engine was also rebuilt and runs very strong. The Colonel told me that he had “shaved” the head in order to increase compression, so it does seem to have more pep than my other MG’s.
It is essentially all original (including the chrome headlamps which, I understand, was a factory option versus painted). The dashboard is made from Hawaiian Koa wood, which has a beautiful grain, but it needs refinishing to really bring it out.
In the 10 years or so I have owned it, I have had the following work done on it:
– New stainless steel exhaust piping and muffler
– Rebuild brakes, machine drums, and install new master cylinder
– Straighten all four rims (originals)
– Recently replaced head gasket,
– New radiator, waterpump, and associated piping/hoses
– New top and tonneau cover (White)
– Replace original “blackwall” tires with wide “whitewalls”
– New chrome luggage rack
– Permanently installed “trickle-charger”
This is a fun car to drive and, unlike many MGs, has never left me stranded on the road. It doesn’t need pampering and loves to be driven. It has always been garaged, so minimal exposure to the elements.