Allen Bachelder's Journal

So That We Might Roll, Steer, And Brake…

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 15:36:58 -0600

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

/Users/allenb./Desktop/So That We Might Roll copy #2.pdf

Posted 2023-02-06 15:36:58 by Allen Bachelder

Geraldine's First Outing

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 21:19:45 -0500

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

Finally, after seven long years in three different residences, Geraldine is back on the road, having travelled to Dayton Ohio for NAMGAR GT37, July 9-13, 2012, and a class win!

<Geraldine safe at home after 700 miles on the interstates>

<Slightly heavier load on the way home. Geraldine took it in stride!>

Posted 2012-07-15 21:19:45 by Allen Bachelder

New "Spring Creek Home For Wayward MGs" Facility

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:08:10 -0600

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

And now, to serve me better, a brand new expanded facility to go with our new house.

<100 6533>

Posted 2010-12-17 16:08:10 by Allen Bachelder

Our "Cover Picture" Car: #31962

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:51:00 -0500

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

Our cover picture (or signature picture) here on MG Experience is Nettie, our first running Magnette. It was taken at Mount Hood Oregon, where we had driven her from New Castle Virginia for NAMGAR GT28 in 2003. Regrettably, we sold Nettie a year later to a buyer in Florida. Another year later, he sold it on Ebay and the car disappeared off the planet until it showed up at a Leake Auction in Houston on September 19th-20th, 2009. She sold at auction for a mere $1100 - less than 20% of her selling price for her three previous sales.

Nettie started her American life somewhere in Pennsylvania, having been one of perhaps four Manumatic Magnettes imported in 1958. It's probably a pretty good guess that her Manumatic was probably the source of her quick downfall. The original owner gave up on her and she ended up in a Northern Pennsylvania junkyard in 1960.

She was probably kept under some sort of cover as she was still sufficiently intact for the late Gerry Goguen to buy her in 1985. I understand she had but 7-8,000 miles on her at that time. He needed to represent the model in his museum, so she was given a quick cosmetic respray and a berth in the Westminster MG Museum for the next 14 years.

She was then sold to McLean's Brit Bits in Rye NH where she was given a bit more cosmetic work, and a new engine and transmission. On the road again, she was sold to Morry Cohen in Pittsburgh and Morry sold her to me circa 2001 or 2002. Since her original engine and manumatic were gone forever, I elected to equip her with a five-main 18GB 1800 engine, a Rivergate/Datsun 280Z five-speed transmission, and an MGB 3.9 rear end. So equipped, her cross-country trip was but a leisurely stroll. She was certainly in need of a full restoration, but about that time I did forsake her for Geraldine as the latter was even a better candidate.

Here are three pictures of her from the auction, and although she looks a bit forlorn, unless she's been abused, she should still have loads of potential. ' Wish I had been in a position to buy her back! Somebody got a real bargain...

<HOUSTON09776>	<HOUSTON09776B>	<HOUSTON09776C>
<Nettie in Oregon. Original grill badge lost enroute.>	<Nettie in Idaho - in better days!>	<Feb 4th, 2005: Note similarity to HOUSTON09776B>
<At a car show in Waynesboro Virginia>	<Feb 4, 2005: This is the five-main 1800 with Rivergate/Datsun five-speed transmission.>

Posted 2009-09-27 12:51:00 by Allen Bachelder

Progress On "Geraldine", The Magnette

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:22:52 -0500

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

I visited Geraldine in the hospital Friday (and every day, currently). The hospital is Russ's Body Shop here in Harbor Beach where Geraldine has been getting some dermatological long-term care. She's looking much better now and her hulk will be home soon for reunion with her engine, transmission, and a few other parts. Then she goes back for outpatient-care: fitting of wings, bonnet, boot-lid, and doors.

<100 5188>

<100 5193>

<100 5190>

Posted 2009-09-27 12:22:52 by Allen Bachelder

September 2009: A Great Month For TeDdy

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:04:57 -0500

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

Following "The Brake Job From Hell" TeDdy finally hit the road again this month, and just completed his longest trip under my ownership: 260 miles round-trip from here in Harbor Beach Michigan to Detroit and return - for the Detroit Triumph Club's annual "Battle of the Brits" - Michigan's largest British car show. At such a large show, you can imagine my surprise and delight in seeing TeDdy judged 2nd in class! TeDdy got so excited, he started tooting his own horn on the way back. I had to stop, disconnect his battery and disconnect his horn wires in order to contain his enthusiasm.

Regrettably, TeDdy is now gone. He was sold to Barrie Carter and shipped to the UK on 22 October, 2010.

<TeDdy and Allen arrive at Battle of the Brits>

<TeDdy is judged 2nd in class. Allen is happy!>

Posted 2009-09-15 11:04:57 by Allen Bachelder

Magnette Conversion Plates

Fri, 30 May 2008 11:16:52 -0500

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

The main problem in converting a Z Magnette (ZA or ZB) from its original 1500 engine to a five-main 1800 is attachment of the Magnette 1500 oil pick-up brackets. The five-main 1800 not only lacks the attachment holes, it lacks the casting surface in which they were originally drilled in the original engines.

I solved this problem with a conversion plate which sandwiches between the block and the sump. It provides mounting surfaces for the oil pick-up brackets, while adding 1/4" to the depth of the sump, solving clearance problems with the MGB five-main oil pump.

<Conversion plate as installed>

<Conversion plate - View 1>

<Conversion plate - View 2>

Posted 2008-05-30 11:16:52 by Allen Bachelder

Deleted

Fri, 30 May 2008 11:14:19 -0500

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

Deleted

Posted 2008-05-30 11:14:19 by Allen Bachelder

New Years Day, 2008

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 13:06:19 -0600

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

Gordon Lawson posted the inspiration for this entry on his BBS post today (1/1/2008) inviting us to send him photos of ourselves driving our TDs either last night or today. That wasn't possible for me, but I thought it would be fun to have a historical snapshot of some of my cars as of this milestone day. "Iris", the Farina Mk IV will not remain outside for long. I just moved "TeDdy" from the carport to the workshop, and with a little organization, I hope to get "Cecil" (our C/GT) out there too. That will leave lots of space for "Iris" on the carport.

By the way, I should explain that we named "Iris" for what we perceived to be her color when we got her. ' Turns out her color is actually smoke grey, not iris blue. ' Guess we should have renamed her "Smokey", but "Iris" has stuck - so "Iris" it is.

I had hoped to have "Geraldine" ready for campaigning this coming summer, but as you can see, I may not make it!

Happy New Year, everybody!

<Happy New Year from "TeDdy"!>

<And from "Geraldine">

<And "Iris">

Posted 2008-01-01 13:06:19 by Allen Bachelder

NAMGBR MG2007 And NAMGAR GT32

Fri, 25 May 2007 20:21:06 -0500

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

We're leaving for Sonoma California and MG2007 from Harbor Beach MI on July 10th. With some luck, our tentative itinerary will be attached. Check it out and do let us know if you would like to join us. The more folks, the more MG fun for all!

Please let us know!

Florrie and Allen Bachelder
bachldrs@airadv.net

January 1st, 2008

Months have gone by since that wonderful 7319-mile odyssey. We also drove to Virginia and Massachusetts in October for another 2451 miles. Add to that our daily use of the car and we logged in 11,351 miles on our 73 B/GT for the 2007 driving season.

For this and many more New Years, we wish you all the opportunity to use your MGs in the same way. What a thrill!

Posted 2007-05-25 20:21:06 by Allen Bachelder

A Little Bit About My New TD

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:22:04 -0500

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

I just negotiated to buy my first T-series car: a 1953 TD. Actually, with the substantial accumulation of snow we've had here in the Michigan Thumb, I'm still waiting to go pick it up in Florida, but that long-awaited day is soon approaching. The snow here has just about melted completely and it looks like I'll be on my way Thursday, March 29th. My friend Dave Honness from Roanoke Virginia will join me en route as he will be inspecting a potential TD purchase of his own in Georgia on our return.

My TD is coming from Ron Tarr in St Johns Florida. Ron restored this car rather substantially. I had Wayne Snook evaluate the car for me. Now all I have to do is see it myself! Here are a couple more pictures of my new "find".

<Too bad I won't get this view while driving it!>

<But I will get this view...>

Posted 2007-03-25 12:22:04 by Allen Bachelder

Update On My 1965MGB

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 11:56:40 -0500

Allen Bachelder's Journal --

I just came across a color version of the picture shown on my home page. It looks a lot better.

<Now you can SEE the BRG!>

Posted 2007-03-25 11:56:40 by Allen Bachelder