Like watching your first born leave the nest.
 

After four months of work and three thousand "testing" miles I heard the words today the "parent" never wants to hear..."Honey, I want to drive MY car".

So I handed my wife her key to the 560, pointed out a few of the controls (ACC, stereo [and taught the key jiggle ;) ]). Then sat in my garage chair and watched her drive off :(. I mean hell I've kinda got accustomed to that ride.

OH well, I did buy it for her to drive and I'm sure if I ask nice she'll let me go get a gallon of milk in it some late night.

Howdy Mike
And the chain she puts on the bumper will only reach to the corner 7-11:eek:

Remember to use the excuse of testing everytime you service it.Perhaps the service intervals need to be closer together on these "older"models;)
I see you did the wise thing and let her go on her own.There's nothing like an over protective"parent"as a passenger,even worse than your average back seat driver.Bear

Well, did she like it?

How long ago was that?
If this is her first drive,
she might not come back
till sundown :)

O.K., Mike, now what's next?

It's just like losing a beloved dog. You go out and get another one.

How about a 123 diesel?

Or a 116 300SD or 450 SEL?

Mike,word to the wise if you're going to check for imperfections(dings,scratches ect)don't do it when she can see you!:D :D

"Well, did she like it?"

Oh yea!! She likes it. I asked how well the AC cooled for her, she stated "I don't know I had it off and opened the windows and sun roof". She did tell me that she "tried" to keep the economy gauge at the middle when taking off from a stop and drove easy, but when I took it to get my morning cup of coffee a bit ago the gas gauge tells me different ;).

I averaged 14.5 MPG during the test, I don't think she'll break 12 :eek: .

As for what's next, I don't know. I'm leaning towards a diesel but I have too many projects to catch up on right now. My eyes are always open for the next car project. When the time comes all of you will know.

Well, you already have the Toyota truck, a 108 sedan and a 126 sedan, both with V8's. So, you've got one utility vehicle and two family cars.

Don't you think it might be high time for something fun?

There has to be numerous examples of slightly tired / non-running SL convertibles 450SL / 380 SL / 560 SL avalable.

Wouldn't you love to drive over the mountain into San Clemente with the top down, and cruise up the coast?

Whattya think?

Paul, you only got a few of the fleet. You missed the Suburban - to fit the WHOLE family, and the '64 MGB.

Maybe I should not look for another project car just yet as the MGB need a new pair of SU sidedrafts, valve stem seals, 1st/reverse gear cluster and a complete brake job. The only job that kicks my butt are those darned SU's (and the electrical - positive earth and all ;) ), a real bugger to sync when the dashpots are hanging. We break out the MG once and a while, but with the carb problems it isn't fun to drive.

That's right. I forgot you had the Suburban.

I had no idea, though, that you have a '64 MGB.

I've always wanted to own and restore an MGB. I know about the electrical problems, yada yada yada, but I've read so much about how they are pure sports cars, well-balanced, etc.

I'm also a big Peter Egan fan, author of the Side Glances section in Road and Track, and he has written extensively about the joys of restoring and owning several MGB's.

Do you have any pictures of it, or links on the internet to MGB's like yours?

Sounds like fun. Can I drive it now? ;)

OK, here's a pic...
 

Of the MG.

http://www.pe.net/~mktangas/mgb.jpg

I was gonna roll it out into the sunlight for a nice shot, but the batteries are flat once again. I think the MG might have an generator problem because I noticed both batteries have swollen cases at the center cell. Never seen any thing like that.

BTW: The MG is all original, my wife's Dad bought it brand new in 1964 and she bought it from her Mom after he passed on. Been in her family for nearly 40 years.

Yeah, I was wondering who that tall, dark figure was behind the MG... lol

Do you have any websites that you frequent, like this one, that focuses on MG's?

It'd be interesting to read technical discussions, look at pictures, etc.

No Paul, the only website I have regarding MG's, is one that JCE graciously provided concerning MG electricals. Look here if MG electricals interest you ;). There might be a site similar to this now, but I haven't bothered looking.

I will say that the MG is a blast to drive and doesn't feel near as small as it looks, that is until you are next to a semi at 65-70 MPH, then it feels really, really small :eek:.

The tall dark feller behind the MG was a match winner at the 1999 Rocky Mountain Nationals. He helps keep door-to-door salespeople from bothering me when working in the garage :D.