My MGA started and ran for the first time Sunday!

[Steve]

http://vimeo.com/111020775#t=0s

[SeanA]

COOL CAR...

[elagache]

Howdy Steve, Sean, and WeatherCat classic car fans,

My MGA started and ran for the first time Sunday!

Congratulations!  That engine is purring just like it is supposed to!

That sounds a whole lot more like what my wagon should have sounded like than the hot-rod engine I ended up with! 

Glad your MGA is up and running and that will give you many years of enjoyment on that rebuilt engine! 

Cheers, Edouard 

[Steve]

You know the old saying about counting chickens and eggs? Deb and I went back to the guy's shop today to finish up the last assembly and bring the car home, as today is the last nice weather we'll have for a few months. We made it about three miles from his house before a freeze plug failed and dumped most of the coolant. AAA flatbedded it back to his shop.

It looks like we're going to have to pull the engine that we spent the last months rebuilding and installing...   

[Bull Winkus]

Yikes! ? You got proof in a movie that it worked, though.

Love the car! I used to have a Triump TR6 that was cherry red like that. It was my main transportation for a couple of years. Great car!

Not the one I had, but looks just like it.

[Blicj11]

Nice car Steve! Sorry about the freeze plug.

[JosBaz]

Very nice indeed Steve.

Ah... cars. Must say I have got a soft spot for special cars too, although less the classical ones. Was able to visit Maranello in Italy last summer and took the opportunity to drive a Ferrari F430. Very different but I can assure you it was quite an experience! 

[Steve]

Thanks guys

Very different but I can assure you it was quite an experience!

I would imagine so! 

[elagache]

Dear Steve and WeatherCat frustrated classic car owners,

We made it about three miles from his house before a freeze plug failed and dumped most of the coolant.

So sorry to hear that Steve.   

AAA flatbedded it back to his shop.

My wagon never needed a tow truck until the accident of November 2010.  Since then I've gotten "very good" at dealing with tow truck companies.  It just ain't fair I tell ya' !!   

It looks like we're going to have to pull the engine that we spent the last months rebuilding and installing...   

I hope it ends up not being too protracted an exercise.  As long as the engine wasn't damaged by the coolant loss, it shouldn't take too long to put it back together and have your car home.  Alas, indeed you may not have much of a chance to drive it until Spring.

Best of luck Steve!

Cheers, Edouard 

[Steve]

It is home! 34˚ drive from the shop today, but it is finally done and working properly. Now to park it for four months...

[Blicj11]

Looks great Steve. And that cold weather drive will just make a manly man out of you.

[Steve]

I've driven it in colder weather than that. One Christmas eve it was 15˚ when I went for a drive sans top. When I was working, I'd regularly commute on the scooters down as low as 17˚.

As long as they hadn't put salt on the roads yet, I'll drive the MG or ride the scooters. Once salt and de-icer goes down though, I'm done until a couple good rains wash it all away.

Steve

[elagache]

Howdy Steve, Blick, and WeatherCat automobile enthusiasts,

It is home! 34˚ drive from the shop today, but it is finally done and working properly.

Congratulations!  I hoped it wouldn't be such a difficult fix.  You are light years ahead of my bedeviled wagon.  I called the week before Thankgiving and they never called back.     Given that the Christmas madness has to be well underway, I cannot imagine that they will even open the box before sometime in January at the earliest. 

Now to park it for four months...

  . . . . . I dunno' Steve, but rebuilding that engine just so that you can park da' car for 4 months!?!?!?  I think that's goin' about it da' hard way!! . . .

Cheers, Edouard