Picking a classic from scratch, with no ties to a particular marque, sounds like a potential minefield, particularly if you are not mechanically-minded and have no contacts to guide you. Keith Preston did his homework, diligently, for which he got a ‘C’. Maybe not a great mark if you’re at school but, in this case, we’re referring to a top-of-the-class MGC GT.
Before looking at specific cars he had to choose which badge it would wear, as he explains: “In early 2002 my wife Dizzy and I were in a position to achieve a long-held ambition to own a classic car. I started researching, buying classic car magazines, club magazines and buyers’ guides.” He also visited a few classic car dealers and auctions but decided against the latter. “I thought my best bet was to buy from an enthusiast, who wanted their car to go to another enthusiast, and MG was the best marque to go for, with its good selection of cars available, price and good spares and maintenance back-up network.”
He decided an MGC was the one to go for. “...as they are relatively rare and, I felt, a more interesting model. I looked for months and travelled all round the country looking at different ones that we could afford but they all looked too much of a project and I knew my limitations.”
So why choose a GT model over the roadster? “There are two reasons really. The soft-tops are always more expensive and there was a budget, and the other was the practicality and security of the roof. I saw the GT as the better one to go for and there is loads of room in the back so it’s really quite practical, and having the Webasto sunroof it’s a happy medium. It was always going to be a GT and our previous dog used to come with me in the back. She was a small labrador and could easily get in, so buying the GT was a good thing to do, for us.” Unless your furry friend has muddy paws, obviously.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2020-Ausgabe von MG Enthusiast.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2020-Ausgabe von MG Enthusiast.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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Love and devotion
Bob Nason waited eight years to get the car of his dreams and, 19 years later, he’s still smitten with it...
Tidy-up time
Craig continues his quest to save the modified ZS 120 he told us about in December’s issue of MGE and takes advantage of a break in the weather to focus on its bodywork.
XPress power
MGs on Track regular, Dave Pearce, has a range of MGs at his disposal including this rather special XPower SV-R.
Sparking memories
MGE reader Peter Morrey recalls his very first MG, his family’s experiences of the then-new MGA and advice from a chap with a bit of MG insider knowledge.
Gerry McGovern
When the MGF appeared, in 1995, it marked a return to the market for MG sports cars. MG Enthusiast caught up with the man responsible for the car’s styling.
MG's Twin-Cam engine
The Twin-Cam engine arrived in 1958 but was it a success?
Eyes peeled
This month Roger looks at other drivers’ habits and ponders whether autonomous vehicle lighting helps or hinders road users?
Dear Sir...
Paul Moran’s beautifully restored 1933 Midget J2 comes with some interesting documentation which illustrates just how the privileged new car owners of the 1930s dealt with the absence of a warranty.
CHEQUERED FLAG
THE ROADS LESS TRAVELLED... AND WHY THEY ARE WORTH SEEKING OUT
2019 HSRCA SPRING FESTIVAL
The 2019 Historic Sports and Racing Car Association Spring Festival was run during a brilliant spring weekend, between 28-29 September, in Goulburn (regional New South Wales).
