It all started with a search for a convertible. I've had a couple of project cars over the past few years, starting with a 1960 Morris Minor. The Morris needed a lot of frame work and it was way beyond my fabrication skills. I ended up selling it after having it since 1999 in March of 2006. I also have a 1962 Buick Special Deluxe with the 215 V8, but it's a four door car and nobody seems to want it, or at least not yet. I was looking for a project car that Debbie (my wife) would be more interested in. She liked Karmann Ghia's and Fiat convertibles . . . but I couldn't find one of those. Then I saw this posting on craigslist.org in the Kansas City area:
"1974 MGB Convertable RESTO PROJECT - $600
Reply to: see below
Date: 2006-07-22, 8:08PM CDT
GOOD MOTOR , NEEDS RESTORATION, STarted Restoration but gave up, NEW FLOOR PANS INCLUDED,
Call Ruben Leave MEssage"
And he seemed more desperate here also:
"MGB Parts Car - $600
Reply to: see below
Date: 2006-07-25, 3:26PM CDT
1974 MGB, carbs rebuilt, engine trans in good shape, hydro systems no good, calipers can be rebuilt, many good body parts, chassis parts and fuel. Will need to tow away.
Contact Reuben at xxx-xxx-xxxx"
So I called, went out and looked at the car. I offered him a counter-offer, but he didn't budge. He said another guy was supposed to look at it that night also. My wife and I left and went to look at another toy, a waverunner to potentially buy. The more I thought about the car, the more I thought it was too good of a deal to pass up. The next day (Wednesday) I emailed him and awaited a response to see if it was still available. My wife suggested I call him and I did and it was available. I had to arrange a way to get it home, but the wheels were in place.
Tragedy almost struck when I got a message on my cellphone voice mail on Friday morning -- he was going to have someone else come look at the car. I called him back and he was quite frank and upfront with me. The person that was supposed to show up on the night I looked at it (Tuesday) was calling him up to look at it that day, and was offering him more money, sight unseen! I was almost bouncing off the walls . . . because I had already agreed to buy the car! I explained I already had a truck and trailer coming and would be there that night to pick up the car. Luckily, the guy was a very stand-up guy and stuck to his word about letting me have the car. It's nice to have a little honesty and integrity nowadays and this guy exemplified those qualities.
That was adventure #1 with My Old MGB . . . . watch for the homecoming episode next.
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