Thinking the unthinkable - 2006 Beck for sale (maybe)

Lane--your challenge is gonna be to find something that you can travel in like you do in your Speedster.  I never see MGs or Lotus on the interstates---never.  You could trailer anything but I know you enjoy the journey as much as the event. 

 

One of the criteria I had when re-making my Speedster was that it had to be able to do full days on interstates, (be fast and uber reliable). This is also what your Speedster is able to do.  Looking at all the cars at Carlisle there seemed to be very few cars that would fill the bill for the way my car is used.

 

I did used to lust for a classic Morgan or a TC or TD but wouldn't dare drive any distance, especially with my wife in one.  Just seemes to be a breakdown waiting to happen.          The Speedster gives me a cool factor more than anything I know ofplus easily goes coast to coast.

 

Hummm---a Suby engine in a Morgan???

 

I hope you will end up reconsidering.  Heck---we haven't even met Pam yet!

 

 

.

Robert, you beat me to retirement!

I was all set to retire this year, but I've decided to teach for one more year and retire with my wife.

Vintage 66 MGB...very nice.  Do you plan on going racing?  

A number of years ago I got the track bug and I've really enjoyed flogging my cars around a race track.  Now that I've sold my track Miata I'd love to get into something like vintage racing. An MGB would be a very good choice.  My favorite vintage racer would be a BMW 2002.

 

Hey Jack-what about a Honda s2000 engine in a Morgan.  That car would fly!

Well, I am able to leave a little earlier than I planned (but I'm 65 now  - going on 18 -, so could really leave whenever).

 

Too many projects I need to either finish or start, for me to keep working.

 

As for the 'B', I'll probably just use it as a 'boy racer', so to speak.  I may enter in a few small rally events, but we will see.  I never planned for it to be a show car; just a solid car I can throw around and have fun in.

Jack - You'll get to meet Pam in Asheville in less than two weeks.

 

An MGB GT with overdrive is probably the top of the list.  I should be able to get a really nicely restored one within my budget.  I might even have enough left over to add a Moss supercharger, some Minilite-style wheels, and maybe a few other baubles.  And despite what folks may think, a properly sorted MG can be quite reliable.  Ask me how I know.

TD Replica, Lane. Rear engine, Subie swap. Budget's about $8k, $10k if you have it done. You get trunk space lacking in the original, good accel, easy & cheap (and familiar) source parts, and a fold-down windscreen which, when you stop to really think about it, is what makes TDs cooler than anything that's come along since.

Lane, I agree with you about the reliability of an MG. I had a 1973 MGB GT as my daily driver and ONLY car, year round, snow, ice, New England weather and all, for 8 years.  Never let me down and never left me on the side of the road. I even ran out of gas once,(obviously my fault) and used some chain saw gas to get to a station. The Lucas thing kind of sucked but once you know about it you get through it. But as far as wheels go....wire.

I just remember seeing the phrase "Lucas, prince of darkness".

 

 

Must be an old wives tale.

Lane, you're not kidding about that supercharger.  1977 MGB 0-60 in 14 seconds and a 19 second quarter mile.  At that pace you will be late for Carlisle for sure.  Better leave a another day early.  I am just playing with you,  but really, do you think that kind of car will get your heart pounding?  Keep the Speedster and let Pam drive the BMW once in a while.  I'm just saying.   

 

I think Vinny is rubbing off on me.

I'm thinking flat towing the ole Speedster behind the BMW to Carlisle (or at least to Alan's house) would make more sense than a hot drive in an MowoG GT (doesn't that stand for Garbage Truck?).  I had a '69 MGC convertible - (6 cyl AH 3000 engine) but dumped it after a year for a new (then) 1972 1.7L Porsche 914.  The MG was a money pit - water pump, fuel pump, twin 6V batteries, clutch, king pins, Koni shocks, and finally trans synchronizers with well under 40k miles. It was "arrest me" red - but that's another story.

Hey Lane - I can fully appreciate your conundrum! I have been in a similar situation.

 

FWIW - you have a known factor, the undeniable THRILL & SATISFACTION of driving your pride & joy Speedster and garnering envious looks from passing motorists. I believe that if you REALLY wanted an MG or some facsimile, you would be driving one instead of your beautiful red tub.

 

If you think a hard-top would encourage your wife to join you, that Envemo coupe in Alaska would be very tempting. Its under your budget, and with a bit of elbow grease & cash investment, it could be a thing of beauty (as your Speedster). If at some point your wife tires of riding a 'vintage era' vehicle and leaves you to your devices, you'll still have an iconic 356 to cruise in.

 

...I'm just saying!

Jim, I made that same comment to Lane about the Envemo this morning via PM, he didn't bite.

Haven't had the chance yet to nibble, Rick.  Can't really do anything until if/when the Speedster sells anyway.  You got a link to the ad for the Envemo?

Either you found it or it's not your lucky day, the thing just sold for $18,000. Guess it was eBay re-listed and sold on the 8th for that price. Shipping was a killer... eBay Item number:230849290830

Found it.  Dang!  Missed another nice car.

Lane--see about a JPS with a Subaru engine.  All the creature comforts anyone would want

plus it's a gorgeous 356.  I bet Pam would enjoy that!

I doubt that I could get one of those within my proposed budget, Jack.

Lane, good luck!
My advice? Sell if you want and take some time before you scratch that itch.

You never know what will come next but you'll always own the rights to your memories.

Lane, I've always really liked the MGB GT. 

If I were to ever sell my IM I'd take a serious look at a restored TR6.  My wife and I have always wanted to own one, but for one reason or another never have. 

TR6s look incredible and sound even better.  Sadly, driving one is rather agricultural.  The steering is heavy, and the structure is a flexi-flyer.  The cowl shake is pretty amazing.  Oh, but the sound...

 

Flaws and all, I still like 'em.

IM TELLING U LANE AND GORDON ALSO MENTIONED ** MIATA**

You'll spend more time underneath a TR6 than in it.  Trust me, I've been there, and I would never go back.

 

Even I would take a Miagay over a TR6.  Actually, I had a 1991 Miata, before they became even gayer, and it was a sweet handling car.  There are so many suspension upgrades and engine upgrades that you can do to one of those.  I sold it, because I got sick of seeing so many of them being driven by librarians.

WOW, THATS TOO FUNNY I AM A LIBRARIAN ALSO

Gerdddd, you meant Lesbian, right?

MY BAD I MEANT LIBERTERIAN

A major, major item Lane did not. Mention, and shame on him for leaving it out:

THE most photographed Speedie on this website !!!!!!!!!!!

I liked driving my Miata (especially on the track), but I didn't like looking at it.  Even my wife said it looked like a girl's car.

 

There is a very nice Italian looking body kit for Miatas.

"THE most photographed Speedie on this website !!!!!!!!!!!"

 

Usually by himself 

Miata with a Simpson body kit. Lane--that might work.

Yeah, Simpson is the one I was thinking of. They have exhibited at Carlisle in the past.

Why would u put that body on any miata unless it was a wreck

Not a fan of the side vents, but the rest looks ok.  They also have a body kit for the Gen-1 Miata.  That one looks better, IMHO.

 

I haven't gotten the least bit of a nibble on the car (on this site) yet.  The price is somewhat negotiable.

Lane,

 Let me just say this about that! You are a fine human being,and liked by all! BUT,nobody on this site is going to pay $30,000 for a 6 year old car! They may say how beautiful your car is(and it is nice),but it's time for a reality check! Keep the car,buy Pam a diamond,and happy motoring! Please don't be offended by my honesty.

Lane, keep the car. It's a beauty and I'll bet it's paid for. You won't fit in a Miata anyway.  Heidi has a 2009 , a nice car, fully loaded, smooth and fast, handles as well as any car I've ever driven, and stops on a dime, but I'm 5'9" and I barely fit. Keep the car if at all possible. my 2 cents

The price came about because there are two local people who've said they're interested at $28k.  I figured I'd ask high and leave some wiggle room.  Of course, neither of those local folks have been around in the last couple of weeks.  Hmmm...

 

We'll see how I feel after next week's Smoky Mountain trip.

How you will feel ?????

After Aaaron's guidance, my bad jokes, and too much Oban,

You'll run like hell ! 

Is your car still on the market?

As much as it ever was.  Haven't heard from one of the potential local buyers in months, and the other one, who salivated all over himself after driving it, has to save his pennies.  The car is only kind of "on the market", but I will certainly entertain offers.

Damn I stay off for a while Aaron never calls about Merlot and now pamless lane Shows up with some random woman and Is selling his. What's up with this? 28k take it and use it for a down payment on an IM. I had an MG C GT once upon a time what an electrical nightmare.