Finally Finished , MGA 1500 roadster 1959

[Rick007]

So I got the license plates in and after 14 Years of restoration its finally ready to hit the roads over here.
Bought this English Beauty over the Internet in California in 2002 . It was a so-called "Black plate car " which to my knowledge mend it spend its whole life there , and shipped it over to the Netherlands . Very solid but everything was dried out and broke .  Did a full body-off restoration and just got it through inspection with a big OK to hit the road just before spring and summer.  Next project is already in progress though , always think well this is the last one I tackle but just enjoy it to much ...... Hope there are some MGA fans on our SL site as well that's why I shared ..     

[Jonny B]

Rick, it looks just lovely! Nicely done. You aren't going to be tempter to take this one to Italy are you?? Hard to tell from the photos is it black or dark blue?

[Rick007]

Hi John , No its black as it was original . I preserved the Southern Californian Car Club sticker , and the High way patrol vehicle inspection label what was on the car .  And no I will not be tempted .... I can tell you as for comfort this is a "short trip car " and my pagoda is still my favorite!   

[Bonnyboy]

very nice - is that a later MGB engine in there?

[Rick007]

Nope still its original engine ...But fitted a with a new cylinder head , because old one was cracked . 

[Garry]

Nice looking resto Rick,  just hope my VW Kombi comes up as good

[georgem]

Nice job - I did the same to a 1600 in the early eighties - they have a separate chassis so that the body can be lifted off - which makes them a bit of a throw back to the early days, plus wooden floors, yet they had aluminium doors and boot lid if I remember - guess you would call them a cross over. One great feature they have over our Pagodas - no windows so no days spent trying to align the windows

Your car looks great - I agree with you however that they are now café cruisers, not interstate runners.

Whats your next project - a VW Kombi single cab ute - to round out your fleet

[Rick007]

yes you are right no windows to fiddle around with .  They have these impossible setup window frames with sliders , which nobody uses .
But all and all its a nippy driver and very basic driving which I enjoy very much. Did the 5 speed conversion , way easier then the SL conversion.

Next project ...Bought a BMW Z1 recently with a little work , don't know if it is a keeper .
But as for restoration work .... something from Italy this time  ...1975  Ferrari 208GT4 . 

 
 

[Pinder]

Very nicely done. The black paint job looks perfect.

[Rick007]

Thank you ... It will return to the paintshop next week for final polishing .. But I know solid black is a terrible color to get straight , it took 4 months. 

[stickandrudderman]

I remember being offered a GT4 in the 1980s for 4K. I didn't have 4K!