Bye Bye Pricilla

I wanted to memorialize my '71 GT that I took today to the scrap yard. I am feeling a bit sentimental about it, despite the fact that she was beyond restoration and I feel that I made the right decision. What better place to honor her than among friends.

She was my first MG and I drove her everyday for more than eight years. It was the summer of '92 and I had just graduated high school and I purchased her from a couple who never drove her. My best friend pointed the car out for sale. I had to sell my perfectly reliable and sporty Mazda 323 SE so that I could buy this car and did so without a second thought.

I was working part-time that summer at a small consulting agency (my dad got me the job and worked there too). Dad has a '71 GT too and we would parade to work and back together. Some days I would go my own way through the curvy roads that still existed at the time and you could not wipe the grin off of my face. It was mischievious looking.

During my college years, she did countless 1,500+ mile trips to Auburn, AL and back (my parents living in Northern Virginia) and never left me stranded. We slept many nights together at the rest stops among the rows of semi trucks. Through the years, there were many upgrades and modifications all to enhance her performance. I autocrossed her, swooned women with her, made all kinds of sketchy adventures in her, reported to my first real job in her and even courted my wife - she like the outside air and gas mixed cologne smell that I carried with me.

In about 2000, Dad was undergoing a restoration of his GT and I had recently purchased a new car and could not afford to insure two cars. So I gave the GT to him to drive while his was in the garage getting its extreme makeover. Unfortuantely it was winter when my parents picked her up and the drive back was 500 miles filled with salt and snow slowly churning. That was the beginning of the end.

For the last year it has sat in my garage slowly being stripped of its useful parts and otherwise just taking up space. During that year, I have also been building my '67 B race car which is fulfilling a life long dream. Something had to go. The car was taking up too much space, beyond restoration and even if I wanted to try, it would not happen anytime soon. I can only focus on one thing at a time. Besides I could buy a great GT for half the price that would go into restoring the car.

So I loaded her up on the trailer and took her to the scrap yard. So, here is her tribute. Pricilla, you were a great car. A prized possession. You always deserved every second look that I gave you, every compliment you ever received. You never failed me, you were always there for me and I enjoyed every moment we spent on the road. I don't regret a single knuckle busted, shirt ruined because of grease, or the upsets girlfriends who complained about how hot it was. I enjoyed every race we camped at, every turn we hugged and pylon we ran over We experienced true freedom together and many care-free days. During our hey day, life was less complicated. I will always remember the thousands of miles spent up and down the highway, windows down, exhaust note blaring. Every time I think of you, I will bear the mischievious grin that you introduced me to those many years ago. You were a good car and much more. You helped define me. Rest in peace.

Now, everyone, a toast. "To Pricilla and the other fallen Bs just like her."

Things are cranking along. Though the updates continue to be slow, progress continues to move forward.

The transmission is in. It was quite the weekend sometime back in June (I think). My wife traveled to see family in New Mexico and my folks came down to help me with the kids. Actually what that means is that mom took care of the kids and dad and I played in the garage.

Let’s start first with this year’s Gold Cup at VIR. Dad and I met up there for research. There were about 18 racing MGBs which meant plenty of research fodder. I took some 200 photos – most of them were things like tow hooks, exhaust pipes, roll bars etc – not many of them glamour shots. I had a number of questions that I needed to answer and this was my one trip to get as many answered as possible. Plus I met a number of these drivers and made several contacts.

The following weekend, we put the gearbox in the car. This was a great exercise and learning opportunity. Not only did we pull things out, clean and paint them, as well as refresh bushings and gaskets, etc., I learned a ton. It was a great experience.

My first driver’s school is this October. The list of things needed to be done in preparation for that school and tech is quickly dwindling. Custom made tow hook – check, firewall plates – check, catch tanks, check …

I scheduled two important trips leading up to this event. One occurred this past weekend at ACME Speedshop. I took the car to Greenville for Hap Waldrop to go over it and tune it. In addition he had his local car club show up and we turned it into a tech and tune session. In addition to pulling my carbs apart, setting the timing and installing my new distributor and electronic ignition, he helped me – through a leak test - determine an issue I was having with my motor. Turns out I am losing a lot of horsepower through my valves – time for a valve job. That entire day was priceless, in that I could ask countless questions, as well as just hang out with the guys and talk about racing. It was a good time. I can’t tell you enough what a good guy Hap is and the work he does is top notch. His Web site is http://www.acmespeedshop.com/.

The other trip is at the end of August where I will take the car and have it teched by a DC region scrutineer. This trip will be important because I will have the car looked over well in advance of the driver’s school, as well as have the car issued a log book and the rollbar stamped.

In other progress, my medical exam is complete and my novice permit is being processed.

All in all, good progress is being made. More to come soon.