Motorcar Garage » Latest Shop Talk

Spring Scheduling

pete — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:48:19 +0000

The height of our busy season is upon us and we are working hard to get to all the folks who have been waiting patiently for their turn in the shop. I appreciate everyone’s patience and look forward to getting your cars in for service and out on the road for you to enjoy the driving season.

Speaking of driving, while I juggle customers cars, I try to sneak in some service work on my own fleet of British cars, particularly my 1964 MG 1100 4 door sedan. In early June I will be participating in another long road trip, this time down in North Carolina taking part of the NC Border Tour (http://ncbordertour.blogspot.com/). A 1600 mile scenic tour circumnavigating North Carolina with a stop in Dillard, GA for 4 days to participate in the NAMGBR annual meet. (www.MG2012.com)

Sebring MGA #53 takes 2nd place at Amelia Island

pete — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:19:03 +0000

Amelia Island MGA Sebring update.

The Sebring MGA, #53 that we, along with many others, had a hand in restoring has received the honor of a 2nd Place award in it’s class at this years 2012 Amelia Island Concours. Congratulations to the owner and to all those who worked so hard to put this project together. We are honored to have been a part of it.

Shop Open House and Tech Session/Simeone Museum Tour

pete — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:08:47 +0000

This year we will again be hosting our annual shop Open House and Tech Session.

Saturday February18th Guest clubs are the Delaware Valley Triumphs, BMC of Southern New Jersey and the Positive Earth Drivers Club. Beginning at 10:00 and likely to continue on until at least noon. Coffee and donuts will be served and the Tech Topic this year is SU carburetors.

At the conclusion of this event, a group of attendees will be continuing on to the Simeone Foundation Museum to view their annual Best of Britain car display. www.simeonemuseum.org

UPDATE; The event was a successs, we had over 60 people attend, many with their British cars thanks to some wonderful weather. Thanks to everyone that attended, I hope you enjoyed your visit.

The Sebring MGA is back from the painter.

pete — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:53:09 +0000

The paint shop has put the finishing touches on the Sebring MGA. Beautiful shade of BRG. Thanks to some period photographs the white sections and car # are reproduced exactly as they were back in 1962. The car is now back in the hands of the owner who has 2 months to complete the project in time for the Sebring 50th Anniversary factory MGA racecars. Additionally the car has been invited to display at the Amelia Island Concours where it will be joined by the other surviving factory MGA Sebring racers.

Website changes/Latest news December 2011

pete — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:14:15 +0000

I plan to be updating the website over the next few weeks with more shop pictures, so stop back frequently.

Also, our newest acquisition is a very original, very early 1962 MGB. The car is a one family owned car and has been sitting in inside storage since 1975, so it will take some work to make it a runner. It will make a terrific base for a full restoration or just getting it mechanically restored and drive it as is in all it’s patina glory. If your interested in this project please give us a call.

Staff update

pete — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:42:22 +0000

Since Ed’s departure in October things are transitioning nicely. In addition to our long time part timer Mark Ramos, we have added another British car enthusiast to the staff. Nick Ferrante is recently retired and will be spending a couple days a week here at the shop helping to keep the work flow moving. Nick owns a Bugeye Sprite along with several MGB’s and is currently restoring a Big Healey to add to his stable.

FALL Schedule update.

pete — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:09:32 +0000

We have been lucky and are fully booked up for the month of October and likely well into November.

As a result, we are unable to schedule any new jobs in at this time.

If you would like to discuss some work for later in the year, (December- ) please send us an email (info @motorcar-garage.com) and we will get back in touch with you as soon as we can.

Sebring MGA off to the painter!

pete — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:12:30 +0000

Ed did a great job on the body, and while it is at the painter for it’s new coat of BRG paint, we will begin preparing the chassis with some fresh paint.

6,600 miles in an MGB

esweeney — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:45:37 +0000

Pete recently completed a 6,600 mile tour of the United States in his MGB. The trip took him across the heartland, through the Rocky Mountains, down the Pacific coast, and home through the South. He performed only one repair on the trip, an elective oil seal replacement to stop a minor leak. Other than that, the Lucas electrics, SU fuel pump, and antiquated engine performed flawlessly – proving that the stigma of unreliability associated with British cars only holds true when they are not maintained properly!

We encourage all of our customers to drive there cars regularly – nothing keeps them running consistently well better than frequent exercise. Here are some photos to motivate everyone to get out and enjoy their British car!

Rallye to Reno Update

esweeney — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 12:24:10 +0000

Two Motorcar Garage maintained MGB’s are participating in the cross country Rallye To Reno (www.rallyetoreno.com). On Friday June 10th, they were in Colorado and successfully made the 11,300 foot climb over Monarch Pass at the Continental Divide. Other than a starter replacement in Kansas City, the cars have run flawlessly and the trip has been great, thanks in part to both cars having the Rivergate 5 speed gearbox installed.