Although the manual transmission cars are the most fun.

 

Dave, that was a gorgeous car. It really had to hurt to lose her, but I'm sure you must have a good feeling about how she protected you, not to mention the memories.

Here's a thought... I wonder what it would take to equip a British roadster like your MGA with an S2000 drivetrain and underpinnings? You had mentioned you were going to update a number of items on it to bring it up to more current standards of roadworthiness; this'd sure make for a real sleeper.

 

Tom, That would be something to drive, hey! One of my best MGA buddies dropped a V8 into one while he was in high school/college. He got his grins by keeping up with Vet's of the day and driving their owners nuts. However, the word soon spread and he was left with entertaining his buddies at the drive-in's by jumping the front end from a standing start over the root beer mugs. He said eventually he managed to trash the entire drivetrain from his antics. From there he and his buddies put together a blower powered Chevy 6-cylinder MGA that has raced at Bonneville numerous times. He is very much aware of the S2000 record car out there and who knows, it's a marriage that could happen. And, I'd love to be part of it but I'm not donating my engine. Anyone?

 

I grew up with a '47 MG TC, a '59 MGA and a '79 MGB. As a kid I lusted over Triumph TR6s and Austin Healeys, let alone the XK-Es. Yes, I have an affinity to all things roadster/convertible. And I might add, I was always taught a true roadster does not have crank up glass windows in the doors, those are convertibles. Something like the MGA is a true roadster because it has plastic/vinyl side curtains that clip/snap into place.

2nd and 1st place show winners in the Other Category at a BMW concour

 

Congratulations Dave, I knew you could not stay without for too long...

 

Congrats, Doug - I never took you for the "spit & shine" kind!

 

My old boss had a Austin Healey 100 that he dropped a 283 Chevy V8 into...

 

That's true! The "original" definition of a "roadster" is as you say. There are no roll up windows and the top is rudimentary at best. The last thing a true roadster was, is "dry" in any kind of wet weather.

The S2000, and everything else on the road that it even remotely competes with, are all convertibles. Put the top up, roll up the windows, and stay nice and dry. At least most of the time and so far, in my case at least, all of the time!

Of course, it's not uncommon for word definitions to change as times go on and that is certainly true of the term, "roadster!"

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

i'm cool with anyone that has a roadsters. i've nodded at a few and even an occasional wave.
the only roadsters i don't respect are the Boxter and the 350Z. i have found the drivers to be arrogant little pikers.

 

in my opinion
what makes convertible stand out from other kinds of cars is because it is for 100% pleasure of driver..... the purpose of the conv is not to get to point b from point a it is to have exciting driving experience.... we dont have to have convertible but sure we do need a car to drive around....