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MG MGA - OUT WITH THE A - GREAT DRIVE AND FIRST IN 2015

Although it's cold over here in Warwickshire UK it is that time of year. At 2C when I set off this morning, following a recharging of the battery overnight (I have a single 12 volt rather then two 6V's) the sun was very bright and the roads were dry. So really good fun to drive the car after a couple of months and over 10 miles she was excellent.

I really appreciate the A and it was very kind of a guy to stop and have a word saying how beautiful she looked. As you can imagine it's very different from the TA that I owned prior to purchasing the A and also the YT that I use fairly regularly (though that too awaits its first New Year outing).

Unfortunately, I had the hood up which is probably a bit of a cop out. However, a few weeks lay off from driving the cars does make one realise just how much fun they are. I'm sure many of you will echo that sentiment!

Mind you the weather we have hereis relatively mild - although the forecasters in the UK seem to completely forget that generally in January and February in the UK it does get cold and make a complete meal of it! Compared with you guys in really cold climes it does seem daft that we are discouraged by some of our peers to not go out when its about or below freezing, even though the sun is shining!

I'm sure most of you would be out there in the cold - and with the hood down - using your MGA's!
Long may it last!

Have fun
Jerry

MGA Mk1 1600 (1960)
MG YT (1950)
J P BIRKBECK

Aye, and it does stop the mice from getting too comfortable .... grrr

mog

Good to hear someone getting out. Since my rebuild 35 years ago I have a conservative rule to not to go out until I know all salt is off the road, but I do live somewhat further north than Jerry.

Paul
Paul Dean

I'm certainly all for getting out like Jerry. Being retired I can now choose my non salty winter days as mentioned by Paul. I prefer to keep the car running throughout the year and make the point of airing the car at least once a week throughout the winter. I find doing this gets around having sticky brakes, flat battery, weepy seals, square wheels, etc and garage dampness penetrating other vital organs (Just received my new dehumidifier - running as I type). Having no hood and the sports screen does make for some bracing driving. Get the hood down Jerry, it certainly clears the cobwebs. You can also hear the exhaust tone above the wind draft, which mercifully also hides the tappet noise and other rattles!

As an aside, the bilge pump in the heater duct certainly makes a difference with a good draft of warm air from both fans blowing round the feet. Mind you, with the radiator struggling to get much above 170 in this weather it does take a while to get a decent temperature running through the cockpit.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I'm with Paul on this one. Although we've had a dearth of snow this year in our State, cold temps and a fair amount of freezing rain have led to copious amounts of sand and both liquid and rock salt being spread on our roads. My car won't hit the streets until spring rains wash them off.
Nick Kopernik

Took the car out early this morning for a 20 mile going nowhere drive in -5c. I only did it because I wanted to do work on the garage doors and the car was in the way. By the time I had got it out I thought I might as well get it properly warmed(?) up. I ended up turning the bilge pump off because its high through put of air was not letting it warm up sufficiently through the heater. What was most noticeable was the thrust at the wheels; the engine certainly enjoyed the crisp cold air and also the exhaust rasp was wonderful down the winding lanes in the still conditions.

B****r the salt

Steve
Steve Gyles

What's interesting, is even though we are driving on snow and ice for 6+ months out of the year here, I have never seen the roads salted, and I think there would be riots in the streets if they ever did use salt.

All they do is put down sand. Then they hire a contractor each spring/summer to sweep up the sand. It was the same in the other parts of Alaska where I have lived. Honestly, I think ice with sand on top makes for a more predictable surface than partially thawed ice from the salt. A lot easier on the cars, too. As far as I am concerned, spreading a corrosive material on the road should be a criminal offense.

-Del

D Rawlins

The State of Connecticut regularly lays down liquid magnesium chloride as a deicing agent on dry pavement before storms hit. The theory is that by creating a deicing layer between the road surface and the falling snow, it prevents ice buildup. Unfortunately, it is also extremely corrosive, accelerating rust and discoloration on rims, suspension parts, wiring, etc., not to mention what it does to bridges and concrete. Most local municipalities use a mixture rock salt and sand, both of which also create rust issues. Both methods contaminate the ground water (wells), streams and reservoirs. I'm with Del, sand alone should be enough. By the way, we've just had our first major snow fall of the season, 6-7 inches. Looks like may A will just be driven on my driveway until the Spring.



Nick Kopernik

This thread was discussed between 20/01/2015 and 24/01/2015

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