The Story of the Little Red Orange MGB

I guess you can say we are nuts or maybe slightly insane! But we thought at the time it would be a great father son project and a cool investment to restore an MG for our sons first car. What were we thinking??? The search began, and soon was over thanks to eBay! We found a pretty decent, we thought 1979 MGB in Stockton California. We placed our bid and won. So the next weekend we drove to Central Valley so Dad, and Justin could drive it home. This set of wheels in need of lots a TLC. We made it home without incident, which is saying a lot considering the reputation MG's have. :0)

The body of the car was damage free and the paint was decent. The engine however had leaks, a bunch from everywhere possible, and impossible. The interior had seen, or felt quite a bit of rain. No rust but plenty of mold. We knew it was going to be a big project but Father, and son could not wait to get started. The journey begins...

First they gutted the interior, mold and allergies do not mix so it had to go. They reupholstered the seats, installed a new set of carpet, reupholstered doors, replaced all the window seals, stripped out the dash recovered it, and cleaned with a fine tooth comb, so to speak every nook and cranny on the inside, and including the boot. Now with the interior complete it was just like new. Time to tackle the engine, others might have been wise enough to have started here first!


Father & Son go into the restoration "nightmare" of the little 79 MGB

We decided to do the usual, replace a bunch of seals, and fix leaks, new plugs, cables, a rebuild on the carb, oil, and filter change, new fuel filter, refill fluids, and a brake job. The hope was that this would get us a few months, and miles before we would have to pull the engine and do a complete rebuild. The problem was that it was not passing SMOG, even with every trick of the trade, to no success. One fine morning Dad is off to take it to O'Connor Classics in San Jose to let AJ give it one last try. This little road trip over HWY 17 was to be the beginning to a long frustrating complete rebuild. With no luck blowing our direction, Michael gets just into Scott's Valley and hears a thud and sees smoke, as the engine dies. Fortunately he was in a good area to be able to pull off to the side of the road. The fire went out the smoke faded, as AAA pulled up in a flat bed to tow it home. It blew a rod and now was toast! Looks of bitter disappointed emblazoned on Father and Son's faces.


1979 MGB Blows a Rod!

Now there was no choice but to start from the beginning. Father and son disappointed, as they were to get down and dirty. It was a mess oil had exploded everywhere. They dismantled everything in the engine bay, rented a hoist and pulled the dead engine. The search for a new used block began. It took awhile to get all the parts, and have them bored, and machined. Then the arduous task of trying to derust paint and reassemble. After months of hard work it pays off the men are pleased, and Justin gets his new set of wheels. The young man is quite happy.



Proud moment after hours and days there is a finish line in sight



New engine goes in, and look just how beautiful it is!

In September 2002 we made it to the 10 year AMGBA Day on the Green in Palo Alto. Much to Father & Son's delight the little 79 MGB took 2nd place in its class! The two men just as proud as a parent is about a child, were equally thrilled about this feat. It had been 10 years prior we brought the little Midget to this show, and Justin had fell in love as a 3 year old with all these beautiful little British cars.



AMGBA Palo Alto 2002 2nd Place in its class Rubber Bumper B category



1979 MGB fully restored enjoying a day with other MG enthusiasts

After all of this one would think, end of story life is good, everyone is happy. One small problem, with all the hard work the car is still an MG. Requires more kid gloves and TLC then the College student has time for. As much fun as it is to drive, wind in your hair, and as my son says a "chick magnet" It just isn't a reliable daily driver. So for now it is resting and hopes to find it's place on the road again someday off in the future.

Lesson to be learned (MG's were probably meant to be Hobby cars for later in life, when ones priorities change) I hope we can keep it for Justin's later years.