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A Bold New Chapter -

11/13/2015

2 Comments

 
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Ladies and Gentleman, I'm happy to announce that it looks like I'm buying myself a sports car!  It will be a few weeks before I can get it here (because the car is in Michigan) but I've signed the contract and the rest is currently in the works!

Anyone who's known me long enough has probably at least heard of my old 1965 MGB that I bought when I was 14. Back then I paid $500 for a badly rotted but complete car. I worked on it for years on and off. Took it all apart, carefully documented everything, I was working my way through all the parts carefully cleaning and refurbishing them and packing them on shelves. The trouble was the overwhelming and costly body work that was needed, I even got another body shell that was in better shape because mine was so far gone. After 6 years of costly waiting and virtually no progress because I couldn't really afford it, I gave up and sold the car as a package deal in pieces. Metal work only 1/2 finished. I used that money to move out to BC.
That car was later purchased by our good family friend Martyn Ridley, who then had my father Rich Chrysler, take care of finishing the Restoration.
As Dad was sending me pics out in BC of his progress on the car, I was lucky enough to have been given the honor of restoring the seats, and making up the new interior panels for it at my then "new job" at Heritage Trim.
The car was done just as I had always wanted, In chelsea grey, with red interior and white piping on the seats. - Stunning!
To this day I think it's the prettiest MGB out there!

This brings me to the present, as you know I arrived here on the island almost 2 yrs ago. I've been growing with my business and with life in general. I'm living with and engaged to my wonderful partner Regan. We've been planning out our future and what our big goals are. One thing that has always been a big dream and goal  for me is to finally enjoy driving my own sports car. 
Growing up I have such fond memories of it all, the long drives across country with Dad in his beautiful Austin Healey, through all sorts of weather, the car events, the friends in the hobby, driving at night down long country roads with the breeze in your hair and the warmth, sound and smells of the car, and of course the random adventures where occasionally they break down and you have to know the car well enough to fix it! It's a lifestyle I've always admired and would want for my kids someday. What am I waiting for? I have the savings, I have a place to store it, I'm working with lots of other sports car guys all the time to help.
So for several months now I've been scouring the internet for what I might be able to afford as a decent entry level sports car. I was considering an Austin Healey Sprite for a while, but I just didn't like the lines as much as an early MGB...     Then I saw her!

An all original 1964 MGB in original Old English White paint with her original red interior with white piping.  The car used to be owned by "Big Daddy" Don Garlits (the father of drag racing) Apparently it was a part of his museum for years before being sold to a local dealership in Michigan. It sat in a showroom window for quite sometime and was traded a few times between dealerships. The car has been well maintained for most of it's life. It does have some minor rust issues that I plan to attend to immediately when I receive the car, but mechanically and structurally shes very strong and runs smoothly.
Over the past week I've been speaking with the seller and getting lots of good pics and even some video of her running. After some careful thinking and discussions I came to a decision. I was able to work out a deal with the seller and signed the contract for her just yesterday. If all goes well we'll be arranging shipping in the next week or 2.


The car is totally stock and does not come with some of the more desirable factory options like an overdrive or a hard top, but those are things that I can add later on if I decide.
The thing I love about this car is it's beautiful original condition - lots of patina, but well cared for. I plan to preserve this cars originality as much as I can. Just lot's of care and upkeep.
Even the interior is far too good to replace yet. Just lots of careful cleaning and conditioning of the leather.

All in all, I think I've found a very good car to start with and I'm really looking forward to getting out and enjoying her!.
2 Comments
Mom
11/13/2015 08:33:23 pm

She's a beauty! Glad you found her. Dad would be so happy :)

Reply
Andy
11/16/2015 12:49:11 am

Congratulations Geoff. The car looks great and I know with your standards, it is about to become even better..

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