A Wise Investment

Stuart Money surprised his family when he decided to buy a classic car, but buying Meg the MGB has turned out to be an inspired move. This trip to Normandy is just the latest adventure Stuart and daughter Milly have shared in it.

Three years ago, on turning 50, I decided that it would be a good idea to invest (and I use the word loosely!) in a classic car. Once that decision had been made, it was an easy choice for me to go for an MGB because, in the late 1970 before I was old enough to drive, both of my older brothers had MGB Roadsters and I was very envious of them. Many years later I owned an MG Maestro and a ZS120, not to mention just prior to the MG-Rover collapse a Rover 75.

My decision to purchase a classic car was met with some concern and a little amusement from my family – wife Liz and twin 15-year-old daughters Isobel and Milly – as my mechanical skills are extremely limited (for which read ‘non-existent’). Undeterred, after much searching I found a 1972 MGB Roadster that resided in Gloucester and appeared to be in good condition. It certainly came with a mountain of bills and invoices that confirmed much money had been spent over the years.

The drive back to Kent was 150 miles, and although the car took some getting used to, I could not stop smiling from behind the wheel. Once back at base, I soon had an ally – Milly was immediately taken by the look of the MG and loved the old car smell of oil, petrol and leather. She felt that the car needed a name, and came up with Meg which has now stuck. Milly has also become an MG convert, and has set her sights on buying a Midget once she has finished her university.

The past three years have seen some improvements to Meg with modifications including electronic ignition, new brakes, new wiring, a new hood and an original radio converted to play via an iPod. Milly also shares my passion for history, and over the past couple of years we have taken Meg to either France or Belgium and visited the WW1 sights at Ypres and the WW2 Atlantic Wall fortifications in the Pas-de-Calais.