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Author Topic: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage  (Read 5523 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

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Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« on: July 05, 2013, 06:29:19 am »


Paul Williams takes his iconic  MGA on the unlikeliest of road trips ' braving wind and rain with a roll of duct tape and his sense of humour.

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Offline tpl

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2013, 06:59:59 am »
I bet the MGA would have preferred  proper  5.0/15 bias ply tires that it would have had in 1954. Although it would be possible for a tire manufacturer to make radials that would approximate the same handling. IIRC one could get a rack that fit on the trunk lid, either for a suitcase or for the spare wheel.

I wonder if they did a compression test on the TF, not to mention checking if the inlet manifold gasket was not leaking.

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Offline Railton

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2013, 07:12:15 am »
Great write-up of your trip Paul. The Blue Bombshell looks aces!
Railton
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Offline jyarkony

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2013, 07:36:50 am »
Quote from: Railton on July 05, 2013, 07:12:15 am
Great write-up of your trip Paul. The Blue Bombshell looks aces!
Railton

see Railton, we still have an occasional story for ya'...
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Offline Railton

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #4 on: July 05, 2013, 08:20:30 am »
Quote from: jyarkony on July 05, 2013, 07:36:50 am
Quote from: Railton on July 05, 2013, 07:12:15 am
Great write-up of your trip Paul. The Blue Bombshell looks aces!
Railton

see Railton, we still have an occasional story for ya'...
No truer words were spoken (written) "we still have an occasional story" i.e. A good read.
Gives you something to aspire to eh?
Railton
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Offline ChaosphereIX

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2013, 11:24:59 am »
fantastic read - the writing is top notch and the descriptions poignant. Makes me want to take a drive, a long drive, once I get my Alfa...
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Offline dutch

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2013, 12:28:08 pm »
Wonderfull sounding trip! (minus the rain..). Wish you much luck and good weather for your next voyage in the blue bombshell
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Offline Fobroader

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2013, 12:37:18 pm »
Wonderful article, very well written and that car is oh so pretty!! Keep 'em coming!!
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Offline GS

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2013, 12:48:05 pm »
Reminds me of towing my best buddy's '59 MGA from London to Ancaster many, many years ago, with me in the driver's seat.  The car's still waiting to be restored.  Maybe with the show coming to Ottawa next year ...... ?  Oh well, great car and great story for this old once upon a time MG owner. :)
« Last Edit: July 05, 2013, 12:52:03 pm by GS »
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Offline Sir Osis of Liver

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2013, 03:57:36 pm »
Very nice write up and a very nice looking car. :thumbup:
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Offline 99 Silver

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #10 on: July 05, 2013, 04:42:35 pm »
Great trip! 

My wife and I have driven all of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline drive over the years in a Miata.  It is a wonderful experience.

The car looks fantastic, and you are a brave man doing a long road trip in the rain with it.
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Offline Carboy

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2013, 06:50:03 pm »
 Excellent article!

My 1957 MGA also used to leak above the windshield and I was able to fix it by adding a piece of adhesive backed foam household door weatherstripping to either the top, or the windshield header (I forget which but it did work) to seal the gap.

I've always thought the MGA was so beautiful that it would sell today if still manufactured. There is one in the Vancouver area with a Miata drivetrain (great bulletproof mod).

Thanks for the memories.
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Offline mgbeing

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #12 on: July 12, 2013, 02:00:03 pm »
Thanks very much for the positive comments. Most appreciated. I'll check into the leaking convertible top fix. New top is expensive. Car is still running well. People like the colour and the shape; most have never heard of MG, though.
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Online PJungnitsch

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Re: Road Trip: 1956 MGA Maiden Voyage
« Reply #13 on: July 12, 2013, 02:21:15 pm »
Great read, entertaining and informative. Funny how difficult trips are the most interesting to talk about after.

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