I bought my first MG in 1962 immediately on graduation from high school as my previous car was pretty much destroyed. I was fortunate to find what was a well salaried job for a high school grad at that time. The MGA was brand spanking new and I had no idea what I was doing. Prior to the glacier blue MGA MK II I had owned a 1953 Ford Sunliner which I abused mightily, followed by a ’55 Chevy sedan which was also abused mightily. Both were a lot of fun, but the MGA was a lot more fun to drive.

The abuse didn’t stop there. The MGA wasn’t treated any better but held up to the beating. Never once did it leave me stranded or so much as refuse to start. Apparently the MG Car Company was building reliable cars that could take it at the time. I truly loved that car.

Finally, after maybe six years and 135,000 miles or so of rough treatment it needed some expensive repairs. This was about three months prior to college graduation and my savings were depleted. I sold the MGA for just enough cash to buy little more than a few cases of Campbell’s Soup and minimal expense money that had to last until graduation. I owed that car a lot and missed having it all these years. My wife and I dated and double-dated in the MGA, it won a drag trophy (yes it did, D Sport, Dayton Drag Strip) in 1962, and it got me almost through college. Wow, so many memories. I wanted it back but efforts to locate it were fruitless.

Time passed until 2014. I wanted an MGA and found what looked like a good that was to be auctioned in another state. It looked like it had been taken care of and after having it inspected I decided to bid online. Success! It was mine and it did indeed require a few thousands in refurbishing. I didn’t care.

Soon after it was drivable, we, the car, my wife, and I joined the Houston MG Car Club, where I related a much abbreviated version of the above, pointing out in my public club intro that I liked the red more than the blue. Somehow that was construed as not liking blue MG’s, a bit of a rough start among blue MG owners in the club. It worked out.

This MGA is Orient red and tricked out with a few of accessories for an MGA that can be considered as original. It was entered in the Keels and Wheels Concours d’ Elegance in 2017 and 2018 and has won best in class both years. Second place was an amazing ’52 TD that the owner, Kevin, had restored 100% himself, right down to a rattle can black paint job. I fully expected that nearly perfect car to win. Keels and Wheels is billed as the one of the nation’s top concours events. My “new” car is driven often and it’s owner takes great pleasure in both driving it and keeping it in top condition.