Sorry to hear of your troubles. If it makes you feel any better, I'll tell you
a story of similiar MGA woes.
This happened 28 years ago when I was 16. Had an MGA, my first car. The
driver door latch was finicky. NOT ONCE, but TWICE the door popped open as I
was backing up and got ripped off the car. Once I was backing out of the
garage, and once it got caught on a clothes pole in the yard.
Of course it popped open many times going forward and backward. After the
second hinge replacement I finally fix the latch properly.
I also had the rear wheel fall off once. Fortunately it got stuck up inside
the wheel well and no serious damage to the car or me. I always suspected
someone loosened the lug nuts. They had all fallen off and none of the threads
were damaged.
I probably had more patience then. As both you and Billy Joel said "and so it
goes"
*************************
>From: IN%"william.eastman@medtronic.com" "Bill Eastman" 19-JUN-1998
>14:05:53.70
>To: IN%"mgs@autox.team.net"
>CC:
>Subj: It sucks to be me today
>No, I didn't blow up the motor. On the way to Sears to buy a wrench that
>works better to remove the air cleaners (recommendations appreciated. A
>regular combination wrench is too long) the MGA's bonnet/hood blew open. I
>quickly pulled over and did enough roadside bodywork to get it closed again
>but it's toast. The aluminum and frame are both mangled and I wouldn't
>doubt that the hinges are toast too. To add insult to injury, I can't get
>it open now. The latch releases but the mushroom shaped thing seems to be
>catching on the crossmember. There is enough room so that I can get at it
>so tonight I will try again with the appropriate tools. I then hope to
>straighten it enough to work because this is my only transportation for 3
>weeks. The was I feel right now the correct tool may be a BFH and a pair
>of tin snips.
>I had just finished a couple carb tweaks before taking off. The bonnet
>looked closed. I don't remember hearing the latch slam home but who knows.
> Anyway the safety catch was no help as far as I can tell. When I got to
>about 60 mph all I could see was red.
>Oh well, so it goes.
>Regards,
>Bill Eastman
>61 MGA with a pranged tongue
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