Friendships need nuturing. They cannot be sustained without an effort from each party. Our friendship with an MGB began in April of 1969. It was a pleasant spring day in Poughkeepsie, New York. I must say it was not my intention to start this relationship, with a Brit no less.
Love at First Sight
I had come to Poughkeepsie because of an ad in the Poughkeepsie Journal. The original meeting was to be with a German, a 1962 Porsche 356. Sports Car City in Poughkeepsie had the car of my young dreams. This 356 was a dark blue, 2 door coupe. It was a nimble, rear engined car with low miles. My wife, however, had other ideas. There on the lot, was a brand-new MGB roadster that had just arrived at the dealership. You could barely tell that the car’s true color was a yellow primrose due to a protective coating of cosmoline.The 52 year friendship had begun.
Admittedly the MGB had more flair and panache than the Porsche. The 356 was more like a street fighter while the MGB, with its wire wheels and convertible top, was more alluring. The MGB is a very reliable, practical and fun car to drive. It is simple to work on, and was relatively affordable. Our new MGB cost slightly less than $2,500. That amount today is equivalent in purchasing power to about $18,500. Coincidently, that original cost was nearly the same price of the previously owned Porsche 356. That Porsche 356 today is probably worth 10 times as much as the MGB. Oh well!
MGB History of Heartbreak
MG cars had their roots in a 1920s sales promotion sideline of Morris Garages, hence MG. The MG brand is best known for its open two-seater sports cars. MG also produced sedans and 2 door coupes.
MG underwent many changes in ownership over the years due to poor financial controls and bad management. Morris Garage merged with Austin to create the British Motor Corporation Limited (BMC) in 1952. BMC merged with Jaguar Cars in 1966. Later in 1966 the new company changed its name to British Motor Holdings (BMH). They were not done mixing and changing yet. BMH merged with the Leyland Motor Corporation in 1968 to form British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC). Got that? Eventually the company went out of business only to be re-invented by a Chinese company in the early 2000’s. What a horrible fate of a once proud British car company.
Survival in New York
Our MGB survived 44 of its 52 winters in New York State. During that time it never spent a night outdoors. Regardless of the available garage space at each of our homes there was always room for my good friend.
We used the MGB in the 1970’s as an everyday commuter car. Driving comfort was never a requirement, at least not when we were young. We even used the MGB on several hoity-toity occasions, such as going to company Christmas Parties. One such trip was to the Rye Town Hilton in Westchester County NY. That was easily a 100 mile roundtrip event in a snowy, cold New York December. Brrrr!
By the late 1980’s our MGB was needing some work brought on by the harsh New York winters. The salt and sand used on the roads did much to accelerate the MGB’s plight. The MGB spent much of the next 25 years in our garages, rarely driven.
Love for an MGB Blooms in The South
In 2013 we moved to sunny Florida. Then we moved again to the LowCountry of South Carolina. The MGB had a new lease on life. It now has a permanent, dedicated garage space. Nearby is the Concours dElegance on Hilton Head Island each year where we can connect with other MGB enthusiasts. Life is good!
We now drive the MGB regularly each month. Our friendship has endured, despite occasional mechanical issues and frustrations. The MGBs good “bones” and our patient support has been rewarded by a 55 year friendship.
