2012 British Field Meet in Hayward, California took place on June 2nd.
Slide Show Link: http://www.flickr.com//photos/96125796@N00/sets/72157630018522076/show/
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96125796@N00/sets/72157630018522076/
Mickey Richaud’s V6 Transplant
April 13, 2012
Mickey Richaud purchased this MGB GT from his friend Tony Barnhill’s estate shortly after Tony’s untimely death. His journal documents the restoration and V6 conversion of the GT which is a wonderful tribute to Tony’s memory. Tony was probably the world’s biggest MG nut and I am sure he is looking down with a smile. The video below shows the moment we all dream about when restoring a car – the first startup.
1994 Chevy Camaro 3.4L Engine
April 9, 2012
I picked up a 1994 3.4L engine from GM Sports in San Jose yesterday. It came complete with everything, including fuel injection, the wiring harness, the ECU, power steering pump, air conditioner pump, starter, and alternator. In addition, 
I purchased a five-speed T5 gearbox, which came with the clutch, flywheel, shifter, bell housing, and slave cylinder. Also included was the driveshaft and cross member, which I won’t need.
The first challenge of the day was to get the thing out of the back of my Element without killing myself. The cherrypicker came in handy for that. I just lifted enough to take the weight off then drove the car 
forward until it was clear.
My first impression was that the lump was too large to fit in the MGB. It looked HUGE with all of the auxiliary parts attached. My second impression is that the fuel injection looks WAY too complicated. I’ve done a lot of research on engine management and fuel injection but I am leaning towards a carburetor 
at this point. While there is no doubt that fuel injection is a better fuel delivery system, I nevertheless prefer the simplicity of a carburetor. Plus I want the engine to look like it belongs in the car and fuel injection is a dead giveaway. I like modified cars that look like they came from the factory that way. If an average person can point out the mods, they were not well planned in my opinion; you might as well get huge spinning chrome wheels and go on Pimp my Ride.
After stripping all of the auxiliary components from the power unit, it 
actually began to look like a V6 engine again. Converting to a carburetor will require obtaining an Edelbrock manifold base, a modified (shortened) manifold adapter, a Chevy S10 distributor unit, and a suitable carb. In addition, a cam swap may be required. GM parts are, however, much more reasonably priced than their MG counterpart and available at my local auto parts store.
V6 Conversion in Progress
April 7, 2012
I knew what I had to do the first time I ventured over to the British V8 website. I immediately made up my mind to do a V8 conversion. But after a fruitless search for a suitable 215 Buick V8 engine, I decided to put the engine swap idea on the shelf. That was until I saw Harvey Lechti’s V6 conversion and did a little research. It turns out that the Chevy/GM 60 Degree V6 engine is a near bolt-in conversion using a kit available from vendors such as BMC British Automobile, LLC and also Classic Car Conversions as seen below. Although there is a lot of information on the internet, doing this conversion nevertheless requires a lot of research from several sources. My goal is to make this information available in one place by documenting my research and conversion process on this website.
Hope I Die Before I get old…
February 26, 2012
But if I don’t, I want a mobility scooter like this one!
Help Support Vintage Racing
February 11, 2012
With an aging group of participants combined with a general lack of knowledge and interest within the younger generation, vintage racing is seriously at risk of extinction in the near future. Ben Cissell has put together many hours of racing footage in a documentary which many of us believe will help revive the sport by educating and recruiting new blood. Here is a short movie trailer:
Please join me in making a small pledge to help make this movie a reality. Visit the following website for more information: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1657954692/help-save-vintage-racing-today?ref=live
John Weber’s Vespa 400
February 6, 2012
OK, it is not a Little British Car but it’s a little Italian car. Well, it was actually made in France but who cares – it is still one of the coolest cars ever made!
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I remember seeing this Vespa 400 and it’s twin sitting in a trailer at Freddy Eddy’s shop – Scooters Underground – several years ago. I really wanted it but I had a ’68 Mini Cooper and a ’59 Lambretta project at the time and I just couldn’t squeeze another into my one-car garage! John Weber bought the pair of Vespas, which were both in a pretty sorry state at the time. He has painstakingly restored the one which you see here. It is really hard to believe that it is the same car and I can’t wait to see the finished project!
Some People Have All the Luck!
December 10, 2011
My friend Tony Pellegrino bought a $20 raffle ticket for a homeless charity and ended up winning this ’69 Chevelle Malibu!
Check it out: http://www.winningevent.com/#!video
Encouragement
October 29, 2011
Sometimes we run out of steam while doing a project. Following a few setbacks, it has been nearly a week since I’ve been in the workshop. Andy Morley from the UK posted these before and after photos of his MGB rubber bumperectomy / Sebring conversion on the MG Experience today and they got me enthused about my project once again. Thanks for the encouragement Andy, great job!
BEFORE
AFTER
MG Midget Ad From Don
October 26, 2011
Photos speak louder than words and she is very naughty the way she is messing with that Midget’s handbrake lever. Very naughty indeed.
Autumn Classic – Morgan Hill
October 17, 2011
I went to the 2011 Autumn Classic car show in beautiful downtown Morgan Hill today. Is there a cooler name for a town to host a British car show than Morgan Hill? OK, MG Hill would be nice but it doesn’t flow as well. Anyway, here you go with the photos
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