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MG MGA - Owner's age?

OK, I know this is a sensitive issue with some folks. I respect anyone who prefers not to reveal it. However, with all the talk about the lack of young MG enthusiasts I thought it might be interesting to survey this group about their age. I'll even volunteer to do the statistics, if we get enough responses.
I'll go first....I will be 58 in July. (OK, that hurts....:)

Cheers,
GTF

PS:
Don't search the achives for the word "age" unless you have a lot of free time on your hands. Apologies if this question has been asked before.
G T Foster

31 years old and I've 'legally' had my coupe since I was 26, although I got it when I was 14.
Kemper

47
mike parker

Guys,
My apologies.....just re-did my search using "how old" and found a large thread from 2003 on this topic. However, if you did not respond to that one please add your age if you wish. I'll try not to counfound the data. I'll still report the results for those who may be interested.
Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

Mr Foster
61, and have been playing with MGA's since I was 15
James Wiebe

ugh 58 and 58 MGA
Bill Haglan

60, same MGA since 1973
D. R. Carlberg

50, one year with current MGA, several B's in my past...

what a bunch of old farts!

:)
Jim P

Thanks to Frank reminding me (see Chinese thread) I'm old enough to remember Flash Gordon. 58, older than my MGA and midget.
Bill Young

I'm 44 years YOUNG,....and I've been behind the wheel of some type MG since I was 15.
Danny T

47 years old, and been driving MG's off and on since 17.
Chet Harter

Hi Folks. Im 52 years of age, and have had my MGA since 1980, (thats 26 years!) I have been driving MG's and other British cars since I was 17 years old, and have owned seveal MGB's, a couple Healey 3000's and a TR3. Cheers, Glenn
Glenn

34. Owned MG's since I was 16. Owned A's for the past 8 years.
Tom Baker

Just turned 60 (now that really hurts)...currently own a 60 MGA and 73 MGB. Had my first MGA at 16 and have had three MGAs and two MGBs since then.
Michael Hosier

I am 53 and have had my A for just over 2 years.
Kris
Kris Sorensen

26. My first MG was a '72 roadster when I was 17. I was 20 when I got my Coupe. Now I'm 26 and I have a Magnette, too.

I was asked last year to be part of a discussion group so that NAMGAR could figure out how to get young enthusiasts more involved in NAMGAR, or just the MGA marque in general. There were some interesting observations and ideas.

Mark
Mark

I bet that "codger" Cam Cunningham comes on telling us he's 60, when everyone in the WLMGOC knows he's
pushing 70! Cheers Robert (47 MGB Forum)
R J Collier

I am three years older than I was in 2003. Still have the 1600 and no, the 1500 is not finished yet.
David Holmes

Cheek Robert Collier- that's another pint I am not going to buy you!! - I am 16 - oops I mean I feel 16 - just got he numbers the wrong way round . Bought my first MG when I was 23 (1961 Midget Mk.I) Cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

37
Got my first B-GT at 18, started racing MG's at 19.

http://freespace.virgin.net/marka.hester/

Too many cars, too little space!!!

Drive it like you stole it and don't let them gather dust.

Anyone want to buy my 73 911TE, not as much fun as the MGA TC...Just can't get those things sideways... and if you do make sure your life insurance is fully paid up !!!
Mark Hester

A young and spritely 59 - must be the 25 years on oxygen!

Steve
Steve Gyles

I was born the same year as our 1959 1500. So to all those that know me I am thirty seventeen (can't say that 40 word).


Garreth
Garreth

59 and a 59 A that is getting its stripes (racing) this spring
Jim Sutorus

For Steve Gyles from Glenn in Canada: Re: must be the 25 years on oxygen! Steve, you must have been AWFULLY sick to be in hospital and on oxygen for 25 years! LOL, Glenn
Glenn

I am 54 going on 18. I purchased my first Midget in 1972, quickly followed by a brand new MGB in 1974 (last of the chrome bumpers).

I've never been the same since.
Tom Balutis

59 and 59 Coupe, this time. 25 and 57 roadster, followed by 27 and 59 coupe 30+ years ago (and 17 and 37 TA in the 60s). Safely Aging Fast?

Shane
shane rj

41,no it doest hurt.cc
c.callaway

Gonna be 62 in August.
Been playing on driving on, and working on LBC's since 1964.

However, I did pass on the gene to my oldest son who is gonna be 31 in April.

SF
Dwight
DCM McCullough

I bought my First A on my 18th birthday in 1975, a 58 coupe. Next month I will be 49. Sold it to get married (2 mistakes) Bought a 57 roadster in 85. Have had an A ever since. Now own 58 roadster 58 Coupe 60 roadster and a 62 roadster. One roadster that I found in late 80s was behind a garage 1 block away from my business. It sat out for quite a while. I restored it and later sold it. It is GHNL 90954 and shows up on the Holland register. If the current owner reads this please contact me I have your original VIN plate. I also have restoration pics that might interest you.
R J Brown

Just turned 40 have owned MGA's on and off since I was 17.
JohnB

53 and still own the MGA I bought when I was 18. Anyone else beat 36 years owning the same car?

Had my Mk 2 coupe since 1975, my MGC since 1986 and my latest project, the 1957 Jamaican MGA only for less than a year - which just proves we never learn......
Bill Spohn

61 years old and have had my 1962 MGA 1600 MK-II for about 6 years, but it has been in the family since it was new.
Ed Bell

I bought a 58 coupe {my 2nd mga} in 1968,and still own it.
wc wolcott

My first car was an MGA as I was a college sophomore in late 1968. So I've been 19 for nearly 38 years.
Barney Gaylord

58 this year, and am restoring (I hope) a 1958 MGA 1500 coupe. Also own a roadworthy mgc roadster(1969. Had an MGBGT at age 30, but sold it when patter of little feet came along. First MG was a 1932 J2 which I bought at 19 and sold at age 21 for £55!! - been kicking myself eversince.
Dave
D Jacobs

42 this year, owned an MG since I was 19, mom owned a TD Mk-II, grandfather owned a very early MGA from new.
Mark Lambert

58 last September. First attracted to an MGA when I was about 14. I grew up in Frankfurt, West Germany during the early 60s, a "military brat". My Junior High geography teacher had an MGA (think it was '60)and it really caught my eye. I was 19 or 20 and looking for a work car so my wife could have the car when I was at work. Found a yellow '58 MGA in a yard with a for sale sign. Paid $200 for it, drove it to work, raced it in SCCA and fell in love with the handling, wind in your face and kept it about 5 years. Moved on to an MGB in 1971 that I drove until 1987. Along the way, I found good buys on MGs and fixed the items that many couldn't figure out and sold them for a profit. The list included a '57 MGA, 1967 BGT, 1969 MGC (miss that one a lot) and a 1972 BGT. I was "on the wagon" for about 15 years until I bought an '80 LE about year and a half ago.
Rick Penland

Hi Gerry! Like a couple of other guys here, 59 with a '59!

George


G Goeppner

43 and still kicking Born in 63 own a 61 MGA, It's holding up about as well as I am! A little rust here and there but still a desire to rumble under the hood, just not as fancy as the new models. But a blast to drive! ha
DMC Dan Carty

Glenn

Like it. Not hospital, in aircraft at 30,000ft! or on breathing apparatus test rig after a heavy night in the bar!

Steve
Steve Gyles

66 and got my first MG, a 49 YT in 1961. Still have it 45 years later, and I thought it was old when I bought it. Added a 58 A about 10 years ago that is on the road regularly. Picked up a C roadster about 5 years ago that is still in restoration and not drivable. Added a CGT to the "restoration line" a couple of years ago. Never have sold an MG yet but will have to face that reality in another 10 to 15 years.

Safety Fast

Larry
Larry Hallanger

58 this year. In December, I will have owned my 1959 MGA roadster for exactly 40 years, although little of the original car remains. To answer Glenn's question from another thread, my personal choice came down to money. $600 in 1966 for an MGA versus $2300 for a Mercedes 190SL. In retrospect, as far as investments, I should have opted for a second job, but truthfully, I'm not sure how much more I would have enjoyed the Mercedes over the college years that I drove the car and I had more free time.

Steve
Steve Brandt

Our 59 coupe and I are both 46 Bob
Bob

I'm 52 and my 62 MGA will be 44 in one month. Purchased in 1977, it has been in storage since 1980. Had 3 Midgets before the A.

Mark
M Gannon

Sadly, older than all my coupe's (individually, not all added together!) 48 years old, younger than Steve Gyles though

Terry
Terry Drinkwater

55, own a 60 coupe for 20 years as parts and 9 months fully restored show winner.
Ken Caya

This is fun,...becaused I owned my MGA, I convinced my girlfriend {now wife} to get somthing British too.She wanted a new 70 MGB, blue royale.I gave her my best sales pitch that this 1960 XK 150 roadster in town for sale was what she really needed. It fell on deaf ears,to her the B was cuter.Some people have no appreciation of power. The MGB it was,..after a good break in, I put the hurts to a TR3 in an in town race,the good sport gave me the thumbs up afterwards.We kept the car for 3 yrs then sold it for a new baby and a gremlin,in that order.Now at our age as we watch the ads for retirement condos in Fla,I sneak in the never bought XK150 price guides. I think it would be fun to hear others stories like this,I love talking about my Brit cudda beens verses the heaps I actually bought.
wc wolcott

Bought my 59 MG when I was 40, put it in my garage to get ready to restore the same year. I'm now 51 and the MG still sits in the garage.

Mark
Mark Hoffman

I'm 60, but my 60 MGA makes me feel at least 25 years younger.

Alex
Alex Mullin

OK, I'll let you all do the math. Bought our '62 MkII in 1968, when I was 23.

- Ken
Ken Doris

Just to flesh out the story, my wife, Mary Ellen (aka "Melon")and I were engaged in '68 and she needed a car to drive back and forth to her first job.

I had a '67 Corvette roadster at the time, and that's what she learned to drive on. She also wanted a sports car and intended to get a brand new Spitfire, in powder blue! Luckily (as it turns out) she didn't have the credit to buy a new $2400 car, so I started looking at used sports cars. Found a pretty decent OEW '62 MGA roadster, called her and told her she had just spent $800. She didn't even know what I bought for her, but young love is blind, and so was her trust.

I spent the next couple of weeks working on it in my father's garage, getting it as close to new looking as I could, then had her come over, close her eyes, and wait for the garage door to open. When she opened her eyes she nearly fainted, thinking it was the most beautiful car she ever saw.

Now that our restoration is almost done, she still thinks it is!

Some photos at home.mindspring.com/~mga1600mkii/mga

- Ken
Ken Doris

69yrs. Just now embarking on a full restoration of a 1960 MGA bought a year ago. This is a wonderful website with nice people. There must be someone older than me.
bob prentice

Wow, I'm surprised at the response.

Mr Prentice,
There were two gentlemen older than you who responsded to the question in 2003. Their current ages (corrected for the passing of time) are 70 and 72. However, that does put you among the more "senior" members of active MGA owners. Congratulations!

To Mr. Goeppner,
George, you just made me think, I will be 58 with a 58 coupe...odd...that never really hit me before. Of course, I've never been 58 before!

OK, for those who a dying (sorry...:) to know, the average age of MGA owners (using only the 72 data points from the old thread so far) is 52.5. The minimum was 32 and the maximum was 72. I will roll in this new information ASAP, trying to avoid any repeat responses. I'm also doing a little demographics to see what countries, states, etc that the owners come from.

Stay tuned.........

GTF
G T Foster

I'm 57 which seems to be somewhere around the median age so far. Own 3 MGs 1960 A Coupe, 67 B Roadster and 74 B GT.

Andy
Andy Preston

I am 51 and have a 60 coupe that I bought about 10 years ago as a basket case. It has been apart since 69 and this winter I am finally getting serious about putting it back togather. I have always owned small underpowered european cars, this is my first british one.
Gordon Masor

I am 51 and have owned my 1961 MGA since I was in high school. I bought my MGA in 1971 for $125 plus all the parts I needed to get it running. I still have a piece of my youth and damm it look good!!!! I am not to bad myself too.
JEFF BECKER

I'm 65. Bought my first TD (a '50) in high school in 1957 at age 17. My first MGA was a '58 that I bought in 1962 while in the U.S. Army. A few TD's, TC's, TF's since and have a '60 MGA now that I restored and have been driving for last ten years.

G.T., does that make me a senior too (aka old f...)? I sure don't feel it.

It's nice to see the younger crowd carrying on the tradition :=)

Joe
Joe Wiley

I'm 37, own a 58 Twin cam (still need a real TC engine)and a 1952 TD. My very first car was a 1960 A. One of my biggest mistakes was selling it to buy a more reliable 1972 Midget (also a great car), but no "A"!
The TD is for sale if anyone is interested.
D.M. Black

51 years old, feels great!! wouldn't be without the "A" at all now
Ray Allden

I'll be 55 this month.
We have a fellow in our local club who is in his 80s. He has an 1600 coupe ('60 I think) that he bought new and restored several years ago. He attends almost all of the club events and is still very active.
Bill
Bill Boorse

I am 38 -- want to have my A restored and drivable by the time I am 40! (two summers away -- ouch!)
AJ Mail

60 in May or, old enough to know better but too old to care. ;-)
Bob Muenchausen


56 going on 19!
Frank Nocera

Will be 59 in June, with '59 1600 A Roadster. My first car a '60 A Roadster I bought just after high school in '66. Had to sell it to fit family* in '68, no jump seat. Bought this car in '79 and have been enjoying, fixing up, "restoring" ever since. Fitted supercharger, comp windsreen (off and on with seasons) and other bits and pieces, all around it is a blast to drive, keeps me grinning and spitting bugs! Love it and would not trade it for any other type car (well, maybe, but no offers have ever come). I think I was drawn to the A for the same reasons as the rest of you. A bit of "boy racer" perhaps, a dream of Le Mans, the lines, the smell, the feel, able to figure out the mechanics, the thrill, afordablity (first was $750, second was $1,800, both Dove Grey). MPH in the car feels like so much more in a modern car. I get a kick out of kids who ask what it is and have never heard of MG.

*Wife of 39 years still loves it and remembers when........

Its just one of those things that sticks to one's soul, I guess.

Cheers all, Safety Fast

Ted
T Persons

Age 31. 1957 MGA! Funny thing, the prior owner was very suprised when I bought the car from him(he thought I was too young and needed to be a baby-boomer)...
DRE Devin

38 ... and bought my first MG (a BGT) when I was about 23.

My 1962 A is a good deal more senior than me.

Richard.
Richard Ross

36 and counting. I did however buy my MGA when I was 23 so I may yet get the award for the longest continuous A ownership award!! May be competing against Kemper though!!
Now branching out with a Fiat 500 and an E-type after heavy involvement in an mgb restoration. See also www.rustoration.be.
I had a Triumph Spitfire as a student (well bits of one anyway) and wanted to get a TR3A, saw an MGA and it was no competition.
Neil Purves

62. Makes me 4th oldest so far. Bought first MGA 1500 in 1968 for 210 quid when I was Art(Enfield). Turned down offer to buy Twin Cam for 150 quid!
Art

Does this count,..I have had an album by Booker T and the MG's since I don't know when.
wc wolcott

eeehhhh? waas that you say? FIFTY!
scott

Both the A and I are 47
Paul Hanley

19 My first MG was a 'B at 16 with chrome bumpers and a pre-69 look. Moved up to an at 18, sold it due to a move. Currently with a Healey Sprite, hoping to move into an MGC or TR250/TR5 just for the sake of having 6 cylinders.

Cheers
Stephan

I'm 56 with 60 roadster - looking forward to my 60th birthday. I have already willed mine to my son - I reckon he will be able to drive it by then without crunching the g'box.
Mike Ellsmore

52 in July my first MG was a B in 1971 and now have a 57 A coupe, 1972 B also 1966 Mini wagon looking at a TD you are never to young to own a MG I just returned from Kansas City picking up a 59 A coupe.
C.C. Jones

I'm 60 with a 59 MGA roadster. Somehow 60 doesn't look so old anymore!

Jerry Murphy

I'm 52, with a '58. My first MGs were Midgets.
John Leonard

50 and soon 70 with my 1960 Coupé, had MG's since 1985 2 B's 1 BGT alway wanted a Mongan, in my nex life maybe if i dont reincarnate into a moose.

Cheers,

Jean Marc
Jean Marc

I'm 47 with a 59 roadster. My first MGA was a 57 when I was 15. Totaled it at 16. I have been after my friends 59 MGA since I wrecked my 57. Three years ago he sold it to me. We had to drag it out of his old barn.I hope to have it back together by next summer. I think he waited till I learned how to drive before he sold it to me.
P.D. Stewart

55 in December. Frog eye sprite, the a 1963 MGB, then two children, then one of my boyhood dreams, an MGA.
Nigel Munford

I'm exactly one year younger than my MGA. We share the same birthday, one year apart. Cool, huh?
David Breneman

How about 69 this April. I Guess that puts me in with all you OLD GUYS! my best friend bought a new red A in 1958, We spent many a fun mile of our mispent youth in that car. He now drives that expenseve german stuff, but we still enjoys riding in my 1959 OEM 1500 MGA, that I restored about 12 years ago. My motto is simple " IT'S NEVER TO LATE FOR A HAPPY CHILDHOOD"

Jim
Jim VanSickle

Hi..
There is an old Viking her in Norway,a friend of my. Zdenek Sir ,his is 78 and drive his Mga 1960 the hole summer season ...
Regards Are ... I am 47 and have a 1959 Superscharger
Are Christensen

I turned 63, I think, on my last B'day. Inventory is; '55 TF-1500, '59 MGA-1500 Roadster, '65 MGB. '70 MGB and a '64.5 Mustang conv. Best part is that I'm only 25 while driving any of them.

Cheers - Dennis
Dennis & Pat Rainey

I'LL BE 58 IN JULY ALSO, BEEN DRIVING A'S ON AND OFF FOR YEARS, ALONG WITH HEALEY'S AND TR'S. I SUPPOSE WE ARE ALL FORTUNATE WE CAN STILL TALK ABOUT THESE GREAT CARS. IT TAKES ALONG TIME TO WIPE THE SMILE OFF MY FACE AFTER A GOOD RIDE. CHEERS RUSS
RF RUSS

I got my 1958 mga in Vegas in 1998 and just turned 39 myself in November.
Gabe Gallegos

55 today, birthday present designer sun glasses so I will look good in the A, all I need now is some sun.
Dave S

I'm 70 with a '60 MGA that I did a ground up in 1996
J. Hudrlik

1960 Roadster.........55
Thomas Koch

I'm 57 with a '57 roadster. My first car was a '60 1600.
Doug
D Sjostrom

1956 MGA Born 1954

First car 63 TR4
Sec. 49 Willys
third 68 TR250
Fourth 76 Tr6
67 VW
"""
"""
""" 99 Volvo S80T6
mark lanctot

My A roadster was built on July 6, 1960, when I was 19 1/2. I acquired her 10 years ago. I guess we're both old farts!!!
Al Wrisley

36. First "A". Several Triumph GT6's since I was 16 and one midget.
T DeBorde

I'll be 66 in June. Rode in an MGTD in 1957, and decide I had to have an MG some day.

In 1975, I found a '57 MGA I could afford (couldn't afford the TD or TF I really wanted), and I've had it ever since (31 years). I've always driven it except for a few months about 12 years ago when I took it apart and re-painted it. Then about 2 years ago, I took it really apart (but not body-off) and had the engine and trany rebuilt, renewed all the brake hydraulics (Dunlop disks and knock-off Twin Cam/Deluxe wheels), and now I'm repairing and repainting the sheet metal, and I'm redoing the interior and hood. I hope to have it on the road this summer.

In the meantime, with no MG to drive, withdrawl caused me to buy my brother's '79 mgb roadster last summer, which I just took out of the winter Carcoon today to go for a club ride this weekend. I can hardly wait!
Howard Battan

I'm 29, got my MGA when I was 16 when my grandfather passed away. It was his project car that he only had running once. He drove it around the block with no brakes then it was up on blocks for as long as i can remember. My cousins and i used to play in it when we were little but i was the lucky older cousin who got it in the end. I picked up where he left off and now it has a new engine and tranny that i personally rebuilt. I love this car!
Ryan Kew

A very young 58 and a nice 58 coupe...
Mike

I'm 61(Ugh). My MGA project was started 20 years ago. But thanks to kids and divorces, I only got it on the road two years ago. (Now that I'm single again).

Does anyone remember the Btill Cream commercial about 1960. "A little dab will do ya". They gave away an MGA for the best new verse to the jingle. My friend won one. My first recolection of an MGA. His dad made him sell it because he was only 15. What a pitty.

Mike Trainor

I'm 45 but what is really cool is that when I got the Heritage document it turned out the date of build was also my birthday same day same year... It's definately a keeper!

Roy.
R. Maher

23 - Just sold my '72 BGT after two years happy motoring. In the process of restoring my '57 MGA coupe to take its place!!
ian

Ian, right there with you.

I am 24 and will be selling my 69' BGT to enter the "upper echelon" of MG motoring with a 60 MGA. B powered of coarse.

Jon

P.S. You still beat me age wise.
Jackpine

HEY OLD TIMERS!

ITS A GOOD THING WE ARE RACING ON WHEELS, AND NOT ON FEET!


(All in good fun, besides I was raised to respect my elders. Ian, we best stick together on this one)


Jon
Jackpine

Why you whippersnapper!! If I could push my walker to Texas, I'd show you a race.
Joe Cook

56 and Ian's dad - I'll keep an eye on the progress, I may pick up some tuning tips! Can't wait to get started on my own ex Arizona 1960, 1600 roadster. We may have a rebuild race on here!
PS I think that the future is safe in their hands, enthusiasm will see them through.
Tony

Tony,

We appreciate the moral support, if only there were a few more young MG drivers, perhaps the future wouldn't seem so dubious.

Jon
Jackpine

This thread was discussed between 01/03/2006 and 28/03/2006

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