A Classic Born From Innovation

The Story Behind the Car

I purchased this car in January 2020 as a present for my wife. Technically, it’s her car—I’m just the guy who works on it, takes care of it, and occasionally dusts it off when she decides she wants to take it for a drive.

The car came with a small plaque from the North American MGA Register. Using the register number, my wife was able to track down the previous owner, who apparently had owned the car for decades. She managed to speak with him over the phone, and that conversation gave us a fascinating glimpse into the car’s history.

He was a firefighter in the Northeast, although I unfortunately don’t remember the exact city. He told us that the car had been painted black using fire-truck paint and that he had the interior redone. After he retired, he moved to Florida and took the MGA with him.

At some point, however, getting in and out of the car became a challenge. He jokingly told my wife, “My big belly got in the way.” And, honestly, I can understand what he meant. With the original steering wheel in place, there really isn’t much room!

Eventually, the car was parked and sat for several years before he finally decided to sell it at auction. By the time I got it, the MGA had clearly spent a considerable amount of time sitting rather than driving—but it still had a great story waiting to be uncovered.

This Is How the Journey Began

And that’s how our journey with the MGA began.

What followed were countless hours of work, research, cleaning, fixing, modifying, and, occasionally, wondering what I had gotten myself into. But honestly, I enjoyed every minute of it. One of the things I love about this car is how straightforward it is to work on. There are no computers, no complicated electronics, and no need for specialized diagnostic equipment. If something needs attention, you can usually see it, understand it, and fix it with a reasonable set of tools—and a little patience.

Over the years, the MGA became much more than just a car. It became a project we enjoyed together and, for me, a great excuse to spend countless hours in the garage.

So, Why Are We Selling It?

Now for the big question: Why are we selling the car?

The simple answer is that we’ve run out of space. We have a five-car garage, but apparently, that’s not enough!

Our son is starting his sophomore year of college, and he has developed a serious appreciation for boxy-looking cars. His favorite is the BMW E30. We decided that our next adventure will be to find an E30 project car and give me the next three years to restore it.

There is only one condition: we have to sell the MGA first.

So, after several years of ownership and countless hours of work, we’ve reluctantly decided that it’s time for this MGA to find its next caretaker.

I’ve been working on this website very slowly, documenting the car and everything I’ve done to it. And, if I’m being completely honest, part of the reason I’ve been taking so long is that I’m hoping my wife changes her mind!

So far, it hasn’t worked—but I’m not giving up yet.