Andy Mathers's Journal

Somewhere, deep inside us all is a desire for what we consider unaffordable, unattainable, too exotic or just plain out of our reach. This desire does not diminish with time. I have owned several different cars and a few motorcycles over the years but the most yearned for were always thought to be out of reach. A Harley-Davidson was high on my wish list for motorcycles and a sports or muscle car was the four wheeled version.

My interest in MG’s began early in my motoring life, although I admit it was more of an historical interest. I actually had a ride in an MGA owned by a school mates’ older brother which was quite a buzz for a 13 year old at the time. I liked the look of them and what they represented. MGTC’s and MGB’s in particular.

As we were “growing up” and learning more about cars and bikes, mingled with more than a passing interest in girls, we were on a group picnic one Sunday at Bribie Island north of Brisbane, when this bloke came and asked if we could help. He’d bogged his car. Being the nice bunch people we were we followed him down towards the shoreline and there was a new “B” stuck up to the axles in the sand, with the tide coming in.

Nothing we did would free this poor car from the sand and we had to call in a tow truck to winch him out. By the time it was dragged free the tide had come in far enough to put the water level over the tunnel in the cockpit. That was nearly 40 years ago but I have never forgotten what the driver said next. “Oh never mind, I’m losing my license tomorrow anyway. I’ll sell it and Dad will buy me a new one when I get my license back. That is probably the closest I have ever come to punching a total stranger! The poor girl that was with him at the time wasn’t too impressed either. I can’t help feeling sorry for whoever was unfortunate enough to buy that car, more than likely, not knowing it had been immersed in salt water!

One of my mates had owned a Mark I B when we were younger, and I always enjoyed driving it or just being a passenger whenever the chance arouse.

I have always been a “big kid” and loved my toys whenever finances allowed which wasn’t all that often. Time has a way of changing our outlook on life as well as our perspectives. Approaching retirement I have had a good look at myself, my situation and more importantly my joint situation with darling my wife of almost 37 years.

A couple of years ago we visited a family friend who had already retired, and is also one to like his toys. Sitting in his garage, along with a boat, 4WD and off road caravan, was a bright red 1972 MGB roadster. I began drooling on the spot. Naturally he took me for a spin and I was hooked again.

Here was the answer … a “B”. No, not a bike, but just as much fun, more affordable to own and run than a Harley, the wife could join me in reasonable comfort and safety and something even I could work on with my limited mechanical skills.

I have already bought and read three of the recommended books. A friend has given me an MGB Workshop Manual from his previous ownership and I am constantly reading articles, finding websites and checking prices online. Yes, I am planning to buy an MGB within the next few months, an early Mark II, and preferably a red one, because they go faster don’t they?

Getting closer now. We cleaned out the garage last weekend and now there is room for the family car and an MGB. I am on the hunt.

Had a look at my first prospective purchase last weekend. '68 model roadster, nice and in good nick, but something just didn't quite feel right for me. I went with my gut feeling and passed it up.

Will be looking at two MGB's next weekend. A '69 and a '72L. Hopefully one of them might be "the one" for me?!

Had a look at two more MGB's yesterday. A 1969 model which was in reasonable condition but required more work and attention than I have the skills for.

Then checked out a 1972 L model which is a pretty good unit overall. Nice and neat, no rust that we could detect but with a few little things that I will change if I am able to get it. I'm pleased, just need to discuss a few things with the current owner and then I'll do my utmost to bring her home.

Picked up my 1972 MG MGB L today. She's bright (cobalt) blue and a sweet little thing to drive (hair in the breeze), 120 kms home from her previous residence. I'm sure we'll have many happy years together.

It is now just over three months since I found B2 and brought her home. She has fitted well in to the family and looks gorgeous sitting beside the Mazda 3 "family car" in our double garage. It is almost a shame to put a cover over her to protect her from the dust and gecko droppings that are unavoidable.

We have bonded well, I absolutely love driving her and she draws looks wherever we go (as she should too). As a beginner in this field, I spent the better part of last week putting spacers under the right engine mount to help alleviate the proximity of the steering universal to the distributor. In RHD Mk II's, this is a known issue as the rotating universal joint can actually wear or pull on the plug leads. So much to the extent that it has actually pulled #1 right out of the dizzy socket. Hopefully that is fixed now, although they are still quite close.

I am hoping to take her to the Australia Day Rally at Ormiston School this Thursday. The club I belong to (Bayside Vehicle Restorers Club) hosts the event and we are expecting more than 500 vehicles from all over the country. Unfortunately, the weather for the last few days has been bloody awful and we have had lots of rain causing local flooding. There is no let up in sight. Time will tell. I will still attend and help out, but if we still have torrential rain, the Bstays in the garage.