I finally got rid of the rusty body shell from the “parts MGB” today. I had to surrender the title to do so, which I guess is proper–but also flushes my idea of finding a decent shell to put the saved mechanicals in. (Not that I’m ever going to get around to that, realistically.) So, with that, I’m going to remove 1964 MGB #2 from my current list–a victory for common sense, alas.

Shown in the photo is the trailer I part-own with my neighbor. It’s a neat design, all aluminum, so it’s pretty easy to haul. Need to do something with the sleazy wheels that are on it, though.

Not much is left. All of the big pieces are tucked away and all that’s left is a moment’s silence for a terminally rusty shell. I suppose in the old country this would be saved (is that Lindsay Porter I see peeking from the blackberries?) but with the rust AND the crushed rear quarter, it would be easier to start from another shell.

This must have been a sharp car in 1963 when it was new–Tartan Red with a black interior piped in red. How it came to be parked in someone’s driveway without a top for 20 years is interesting to contemplate. How long was it cherished? Was it just another used car by 1965–or was it inherited by a youngster in the early 80′s after careful ownership only to be trashed and abandoned within a few years? Or did it just slowly decline, owned by increasingly hard-up owners until the 20th guy on the pink slip just couldn’t afford to fix it?

So what does $250 buy you in a pull-handle MGB these days?

This one is not really salvageable, alas. That’s pretty tough, as early pull-handle MGBs aren’t easy to find…but look at the rust. Not to mention where a tree fell across the boot.

However, this car does still have its 3-main motor, aluminum bonnet in surprisingly decent shape (no bondo and no structural problems), and some Jaeger gauges, not to mention a set of early seat frames and a straight rear bumper, all items I need. And a guy can’t have too many crappy wire wheels stacked up.

The MG also has a title. It’s car # 39056, my other cars are around # 10500 and # 19000.

It’s tempting to re-shell this car–in my mind that’s not really a restoration, though obviously a good bit of work, and another MGB would be back on the road. On the other hand, thats a bunch of money and another chunk of time, neither of which I have to spare at the moment. I’ll think about it…this car still needs to be disassembled no matter what I do. This shell simply doesn’t have enough sheet metal left to start anywhere, so to the scrappy it goes.

I’m sure it gave much pleasure (and probably a little heartache) over the years. This car was last licensed in 1989, incidentally.