Almost two years ago, Tom made the decision to have his1974 MGB, which he purchased first-hand right out of college, fully restored. For those of you that know Tom, this was a major financial endeavor, and it took a bit of my help to push him towards the decision. Although our archives do not contain a picture of the MG as he first bought it, we do have records of her purchase and maintenance history. Could it be true that Tom only paid $4,274.50 for her on July 18, 1974? The B (as Tom called her) was Tom's main car as a young teacher-bachelor, and also during our early married years. In 1986, at the ripe old age of 12 years old, Tom drove her back to the car dealership in Mansfield, Oh where he had purchased her for a major tune-up. He also had her repainted in the traditional MG red. She served off and on during the next 15 years as a car that was brought out just for fun -- not real practical for a family with two young children! For the past 12 years she has been relaxing in the garage. With retirement almost upon him, Tom knew it was time to reconnect with his MGB and prepare her for a more active future! Thus, in the early spring of 2011 we loaded the MGB on a truck and followed it to Indianapolis where it would rest in the repair garage of Bob Connell and Floyd Miller for a total make-over and restoration. Bob and his crew do nothing but work on MGs and they are fastidious about the ones they choose to work on. Tom’s MG sparked Bob’s interest because it is rare to find a man that buys a car right out of college, and then stays true to his promise to keep it forever – the next 37 years! Here are some pictures loading B onto a flat-bed truck for the ride to Indianapolis. The two year process didn’t totally exclude Tom – the restoration process called for many phone conversations with Bob to discuss options, along with a trickle of money to keep the restoration funded, and even a few on-site visits to check for progress. A short few months after she was dropped off, I was in Indianapolis and traveled to the garage to take some surprise pictures for Tom for Father's day! Indeed, all stripped down to the bare metal and completely exposed, the pictures were a surprise! I don’t know if it was the good kind of surprise, or the "OMG what have I done" type of surprise. As painful as those pictures were to look at, it also established that the only way B could go -- was UP! The next visit showed remarked improvement under the hands of body work expert Floyd. He doesn't rush, and he doesn't skimp; he treats every car as if it were going to be his own. Here she is all painted and looking much better with some fancy new chrome on the front! Throughout the whole process contact with Bob and Floyd was constant, as decisions had to be made and money had to be sent along the way. Credits to Tom for making decisions to go first-class as much as possible.
Then it was time to go . . . ON THE ROAD AGAIN. I'm sure Tom was singing that song to himself as he pulled out on the road! I don't think words are able to describe Tom's feelings.
But this picture does a good job! It was indeed, a Mighty Good Day!
4 Comments
R&T's Pod
2/23/2013 06:46:29 am
Congrats to Tom on once again new MG! I know he is going to have a blast tooling around town in it. Ella, maybe if your nice he might offer you a ride or two in it! HAHA Rob
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Ella
2/23/2013 08:17:27 am
He already tooke me to Fort Wayne for dinner -- 18 degrees in a convertible . . . . .
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Sharon
2/24/2013 05:26:03 am
How exciting for Tom! I know EXACTLY how he feels. Put the top down, turn the heat up, and go for a spin for me! Woohoo!!
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |