Coming in February - Hobby Night - Show & Share with us a Hobby that you enjoy.
Place: Olympic Restaurant, 4611 Genesee St. Cheektowaga.
5:30 pm for dinner, followed by meeting at 7 pm and Hobby Night.
Quest for a replacement MGB John Leible
Back in July on our journey to the national MGB convention my and Dave Kray’s cars were totaled by a box truck in Indiana. We continued to the convention but in a rental car in their place. The comfort and air conditioning of the rental was nice but will never replace the enjoyment of the top-down touring of the MGB. After we returned home and had everything taken care of with the insurance company my quest began to find a replacement MGB. I searched the internet through Facebook, marketplace, Bring a trailer and Hemmings. After about 3 months of searching, I saw a 1972 MGB in Damask Red, the same color of the car I lost in the accident. The only problem was the car was in North Carolina. Now, how to proceed to see the car before I decide to purchase it. I called the owner and made a date and time to meet him and look at and test drive it. Two weeks before the 11-hour journey to North Carolina I called and rented a U-haul car hauler. I picked up the trailer on a Monday morning in September and towed it behind my Silverado. I arrived at the location at about 6 pm and talked with the owner about the car. On the surface the car looked nice, then I took it for a test drive. The car ran very strong and the over-drive went in and out very smoothly. At this point I was very encouraged about purchasing the car. Lucky the owner had a lift in his garage, and I after I returned from the test drive at ask him if we could put it on the lift to look at it. After looking at the undercarriage and the engine compartment there were some issues that I was not willing to take a chance on. Then on Tuesday I ventured home with a empty trailer in tow.
Then the search continued. More Bring a Trailer, Market place viewings and were ever I could see an ad for MGB’s. Then around the middle of October Jeremy Holdsworth sent me a video about the Bills and the season holders needing to purchase PSL’s to buy tickets in the new stadium. I told him about the cost of mine and mentioned that I was not going to be a season ticket member any longer after 38 years. I said I would rather spend the $16,000 PSL fee on a new MGB. He then told me about a gentleman from the Ottawa club was thinking about selling His MGB. I asked Jeremy to send me his information, and he sent me his email. The car was at MG fest 101 and 102 which I attended so I had seen the car before. I sent an email to the gentleman with my email and phone number and stated I was told he might be selling his car and I might be interested in it. Within 30 minutes I received a phone call from him, and we talked about 45 minutes about the car and my situation of losing my MGB in the accident. We then made arrangements for me to look at the car at his home In Canada about 10 minutes from the 1000 Island Bridge. The last week in October I went to Look at the car and test drove it. After looking over the car I decided I wanted it and negotiated with him and made a deal.
Now here comes the fun part begins. Never buying a vehicle in Canada, what is the procedure to bring the car thru customs and into the states? After much research on the internet and phone calls to US customs in Lewiston, I procured the necessary forms and paperwork to bring the MGB back Home. Now about 3 weeks later I rented another u-haul trailer and headed to Canada to bring my car home. Now approaching the bridge back to states I was wondering what issues I might have with customs. They sent me inside to give them the paperwork and pay the duty. When my turn came the custom agent ask why I was there and I proceeded to tell him I bought an MGB and was bringing it home. He then told me he had a 1965 MGB and he liked the British cars. He then filled out the rest of the paperwork and calculated the duty which was $191.27; he then put it in the box for the duty free and told me to take my wife out to dinner. After he walked to the car and verified the VIN number he sent us on our way. Five hours later I unloaded the car off the trailer, and it is now in my garage. All my worries and concern about bringing the car back over the border were not warranted. Now I cannot wait until next season of car cruisers and car shows to enjoy the car.
WHO WE ARE
In 1983, a few MG enthusiasts decided, it was time, Buffalo New York and the surrounding area was to be represented at the international level. The Buffalo Octagon Association has enjoyed over thirty years of success and looks forward to many more. We take pride in keeping the "The Sports Car America Loved First" on the road with enthusiasm and technical advice. We continue to promote the exchange of information and camaraderie to owners and enthusiasts of MG sports cars. Members enjoy gatherings and shared mutual information so that we as custodians can enjoy these vehicles and keep them on the road.
To ensure the future of our fine organization however, require member volunteers, (for actually everything) but especially, event planning and ‘contributions’ to the website. Volunteers are best encouraged when, members show their support through, participation in events and monthly meetings.
The long-term health of our Club will require continued enthusiasm for the MG Mark with a broader membership base. Our club has always welcomed all brands of collector cars to compete at the Autumn Sports Classic Show and participate in all events. Our plan is to seed the future with a special invitation and welcome to all sports car enthusiasts, to become members, with a continued focus on our beloved MG.
Here’s a picture of John’s newly acquired MGB.
