Hi:I'm Bob Coles and I have been a member of the BMCSJ since its inception "way back when" in 1992.
I first got interested in cars well before I was old enough to drive. At 13 years old I took all the chrome off of my mother's car but my dad DID NOT like that idea and I put it all back on the next day after school. At 17 years old I bought a four year old Ford and spent much money on it and the following two American cars as I was into drag racing and having my cars look good also.
While in the Army a friend had three British cars: a TR3, an XKE and a Healy equiped with a Ford 289 V8. I soon bought a 61 Sunbeam Alpine for the grand total of $450. Over the eight years I had it it was my daily driver. I had to do two engine transplants and three body repairs in that period but it was a fun car. My wife and I belonged to the South Jersey Sports Car Club and we went on all kinds of club events including their annual Holloween fun rally. When the family grew to four I sold the car for $400.
When my son reached 16 1/2 years he purchased a 78 MGB that needed some work. He drove it all through high school and college. During that time we added a performance exhaust, roll bar, Weber carb etc.. He still has that car, 18 ears now, and drives it around Tulsa Oklahoma where he now lives.
I currently have two MGAs:
I purchased a 1959 coupe at an automotive flea market in 1986. It was on a trailer and the owner was going to sell it for scrap if not sold that day. I bought it and he delivered it to my home in Haddonfield immediately. I can't fully explain the shock my wife experienced when I showed up with the derelict following me home. It took me two years to restore the car and I had it done for the 4th of July parade in town. The engine was totally rebuilt including being fully blueprinted and balanced. All chrome, interior, wireing, etc. were replaced. The car has been in many car shows to promote my "don't let them die" concept. This car has won over 80 trophies including: 1st place at New Hope, 1st place in the coupe division at the National MGA Register Convention and the Courier Post car of The Year award. The car has been driven on a regular basis therefore it is no longer competitive at that level of compitition. However it still looks good and draws attention whenever I have it out.
My second MGA:
It is a 61 roadster that I purchased from a friend He and the prior owner had it for a parts car and had stripped it bare. I have restored it "in the spirit of" EX182, a factory team race car. This restoration was done with little concern for origionality although it is all MG. The body has been reduced to the bare essentials while the drive train and brakes have been maximized with performance in mind. The car has been raced in Solo II events but is too illegal to be allowed in any vintage events. This car has been in some car shows and won awards but mostly it is noted "do not judge". IT IS A BLAST TO DRIVE!
I also am active in the South Jersey Vintage Racers club. Although I can't race my cars in their events I have been able to take the roadster to some of the races and put it onto the track for "demonstration" laps. I had it at the 50th anniversary of racing at Watkins Glen and took it around both the origional road course and the current track. What a blast. While at the races I serve as pit crew for the other club members who are racing.
