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MG MGA - On MGA's and going topless



On MGA’s & Going Topless



What drives an MGA enthusiast to shun a soft top
And go for an extremely extended top down hop

Maybe it’s partly history, and the long British tradition
Or partly, raising the top takes the skill of a magician

Perhaps it is just the fresh, warm summer air
That envelops the driver, and messes your hair

Or the joy of a fair summer afternoon’s jaunt
With promise of checking one’s favourite haunt

Perhaps it’s female companionship you want
So cruising for chicks, the car topless, you do flaunt

Perhaps it’s thirst for a cold bubbly drink
A delicious lemon lime soda pop, wink

Touring the countryside there and here
Sometimes you might stop for cold ale or beer

After a scorching day, to enjoy a cool evening wind gust
Driving the motorcar top down, is simply a must

But top down often goes beyond sane and sensible
Putting up top is considered by some, reprehensible

If it isn't raining or snowing too hard to see,
The top stays down, and get wet, do we

Purists always drive their MGA’s with the top folded
And sometimes for doing so they get scolded

By Non MG owners who don’t have a clue
That going topless is what MGA owners do

With rain drops running down into your eyes
And strangers thinking you drank one too many ryes

An enthusiast’s sanity is sometimes questioned by the myriad
But we are huge distances away from being insane, period

Maschochistic is the word people might say we tend to be
But driving in cold wet weather is simply invigorating for me

.But driving in snow is where I now draw the line
Although some tough enthusiasts think it is fine

I used to drive top down in snow and bitter cold
But I don’t anymore since arthritis took hold

I now leave those antics for the younger crowd
Who continue tradition, and make us proud.

Written by Glenn Hedrich
Glenn

Don't quit your day job Glenn!
Art

Gee, thanks Art! lol, Glenn
Glenn

Glenn- I see the poems are back, must we assume that it's getting colder and your spending more time inside? If it gets colder do we get more poems per week? If so your possibly more accurate than the "Weather Readers" that are on TV.We'll just have to watch this BBS. Could also lead to a whole new career. Shiver'n with Glenn or Old Speckled Hen Almanac are just a couple of names that come to mind, I'm sure that others could come up with more, lol, Gary
gary starr

Hi Gary, you are correct that it is getting colder, however, I am still able to drive my MG occasionally, when the weather permits. Regrettably it will need to be stored for it's long winter nap very soon. As for the "whole new career", and the name for such an endeavour, I think that Glenn's putrid poetry purgatory has a nice ring to it! lol. Cheers! GLenn
Glenn

I hear you Glenn, I'm thinking about putting mine away soon,sometimes in November they are throwing salt out already. My trouble is that this is perfect coupe weather after a long hot summer. And by the way don't sell yourself short on the putrid poetry bit, not everyone has the knack or should I say "gift". Gary
gary starr

Hi Gary. Thank you for defending my "putrid poems." In all honesty, I am actually pleasantly aware of my poetic talent, and do realize that it is (sort of) a gift, but despite that, I do enjoy poking fun at my poems when I get the chance. I really enjoy writng MG related poems, and find it challenging, therapeutic, and stress relieving fun. I hope MG folks enjoy reading my poems as much as I do writing them. Much of my "writer's enjoyment" comes from reading the feedback and interesting (and sometimes snarky) comments that my poems generate! Right Art? lol. While it is perhaps generally believed that I write my poems only in cold weather because of Winter boredom due to MG storage in the great white north, alas, this is not actually so. Truth is that I write my poems when my MGA somehow inspires me to do so. Many of my true life, day to day MG related activities, (past and present) are reflected in my poems. I have owned my MGA for 25 years now, and she is like a member of the family! I strive to convey my feelings, fierce loyalty, and the intimate relationship I have with my MGA in my poems. If readers can relate to, or connect with anything I write in my poems, then I am happy. Cheers! Glenn
Glenn

Glenn,
I appreciate your prose, but differ with you in that I have a top, and am not afraid to use it! MGAs came with a top as standard equipment, therefore, I assume that it was intended to be used. With the top up, we are able to drive our MGA more than I would if it did not have a top. I have a friend who absolutly refuses to put his new top up. He doesn't drive his car as much as we do. I think he wasted his money installing a new top, when he could have used the space to carry more towels. That said, I love to see a topless sports car going down the road, with a big grin on the drivers face. It says we are a breed apart!
Ed Bell

I agree, you have to put it up occasionally. If for no other reason than to appreciate how good it feels to have it down again! Conversely, those of us in the north don't have to bundle up quite as much when cruising. And the tonneau might crack when opening it after an ice storm! I have brushed inches of snow off my sagging cover to take a drive, however. I believe it was October or early November. Brrrisk, baby!

You have to put the "hood" up..on your parka.
Tom

As you are aware I dislike putting up the top. My reasons are as follows:

1. It's a roadster sportscar. I would have bought a coupe if I wanted a roof over my head.

2. Keeps the circulation going and so do not feel the cold so much - saves on central heating bills.

3. Keeps my face weathered - looks like I have been on an exotic holiday - good for keeping up with the Jones'

4. Seems to keep the bugs at bay - rarely get a cold etc.

5. Wind noise hides the noise from tappets etc. (Whenever I put the hood up I end up convincing myself that the engine is about to fall apart).

And I am sure there are more.

Steve

PS. Weather still fine here Glen (22/23 degrees over here in UK is an all time record for the end of October). It will be a few weeks before I can offer you the odd prose in return!
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 27/10/2005 and 30/10/2005

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