Well, the search is over. Based on a recommendation by Larry Colen,
I followed a chain of recommendations to Bonnet Classics in San
Jose. This business is tucked away in a beat up warehouse in a
slummier section of town.
Walking through the front garage door, you are met by a line of T
series MGs. Several are in concours restoration trim, some are not.
Walking back through the shop, you find more T's and several more
sedan-ish cars obviously sporting B series engines. Bonnet Classics
is in the business of restoring MGs, and based on the examples in
their shop, they do a magnificent job.
Mike, the proprietor, led me to the lot behind the warehouse, where
he allowed me to pick out a black B bumper. The price: $50. I
brought my collection of '70 chrome, but it became obvious shortly
after walking in the door that it isn't something he'd be likely to
use. He offered me $15 for the set. I decided that having a set of
spare chrome around was worth more than that to me. We loaded the
'70 bumpers and my new acquisiton into the passenger seat of my
street B.
I talked to Mike some about some of the T's he had on display. He
told me a '37 RHD TA in running but hardly immaculate condition had
just been sold for $8000. I commented that I had the choice of
owning one of those or going racing. I said, at least for right
now, I refered racing. He told me that was understandable, and that
he couldn't understand "bozos" (his word) that would pay him
thousands of dollars for a car that gets kept in the garage. He
pointed out his car, a sky blue TD, that he drove on a daily basis.
Very interesting guy. Very nice business. He commented that he
wasn't in the junkyard business, but if I needed something that I
couldn't find other places, I should give him a call. I will.
And just to let you know, I have one person interested in the chrome
bumpers. Since I got my bumper, and this person doesn't live
locally, I'll probably just sell him the bumpers to avoid having to
ship a black bumper halfway across the country.
Thanks to everyone of their comments and help.
andy
banta@sco.com
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