Let's see. My first LBC was a 1957 Triumph TR-3, a real beater. I
bought it back when I was young and I didn't have the foggiest notion of
the real values of these cars. They were fun to drive, they ran like
hell and they cornered like nothing else I'd ever driven. Then there
was a TR4 followed by a TR4-A and another TR3 and a MGA that passed
through my life briefly. Then came a Bugeye. It was an ex-racer with a
tired 1098 in it. I drove it for a couple of days before a friend and I
(he was savvy with LBC's) put in a 1275. It ran like a bat out of hell
and I had people stop me several times trying to buy it. Finally, a
guy sat down at my table at a McDonalds and starting counting out
hundred dollar bills until I agreed to sell it to him. Well that was a
long time ago. I got married raised a bunch of kids and generally
have had a happy and productive life and now it's time again for the
perfect little British car.
I started looking at LBC's again this year and I plan to buy one before
the year is up. My tastes have matured and what I find very pleasing to
the eye and what seems like a good value to me is the 1966-1969 MG
midget. They've got a 1275, a ribcase trans. disks up front and
reasonable creature comforts and they go like hell and corner great!
What I need to know from the list is what is the spread on prices and
where is the best place to find them? I live in Southern California and
I know there are some around but they are not as plentiful as they once
were. I'm looking for one with a very straight and unmolested body. It
would have to be a care that is capable of being a daily driver. What
should I pay?
I'd been interested in feedback from the list.
Joe Burruso
La Crescenta, CA
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