I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA: how a classic car changed how I look at motoring

When her beloved grandfather passed away this year, Charlotte Vowden was bestowed his 1960 MGA sports car. Now driving means a lot more to the 29-year-old. Read Charlotte's story: www.driving.co.uk/news/video-...

[@ozzmanzz]

What a great story, thanks for sharing. Your grandfather would be proud!

[@velocita8842]

Cars with souls like this beautiful MGA should always be driven and never left to rot. Thank you!

[@briangraham1024]

Very nice. A lovely sports car owned and driven by a beautiful lady. Definitely a sincere statement of class. Enjoy! PS: My brother had a '59 MGA (Tartan Red) and I had a '62 TR3 (British Racing Green) back in the 70's. We have many great memories of travelling around the Canadian maritime provinces in those two classics.

[@drjohn5801]

Being a Grandfather myself your journalistic piece has inspired me to pass on my classic car to one of my Grandchildren... thank you for a beautiful insight, your Dodo would be very proud!

[@weedeeohguy]

Checking genealogy. May be your grandson. Had ‘62 MGA, coupe MK 11. Sold for $300 in ‘69. One of life’s regrets. Take good car of gramps beauty.

[@davidgerrard8661]

Fantastic. You've completely elucidated the joys and experiences of classic ownership and the family connection makes it even better. I'm sure he's very proud. Lovely mg, enjoy every minutes escape from the sterile modern world 😊

[@stumaclean111]

What a gorgeous car. Enjoy it, Charlotte. I'm sure your Grandfather would be pleased!!

[@beegee22]

Beautiful car, beautiful story. Shared with a lot of love by the young lady. Grandfather did well by the car leaving it in caring hands!

[@shankarbalan3813]

I wish more people would care for the old traditions and the old pieces of art such as this lovely car…

[@geraldbly4903]

Lovely car and a great story! Good for you for keeping your grandfather’s legacy alive by caring for his beloved MGA. Wishing you many happy miles together withFrisky!

[@MrSimonRosbottom]

Great story. Identical to my 1960 MGA except for the 'old grille.' They really are fun to drive and always raise smiles. "MG - turning drivers into mechanics, since 1937"

[@michaeljoesmith3977]

IMHO best looking MG ever made. Restored a 59 painted it dove gray. Sold it in 1981. Great video.

[@BadBlonde-CarHistory]

Nice!

[@bobloblaw8099]

Congratulations Charlotte. I truly appreciate the story and envy what a fine car you have received, especially when it has such a link to your grandfather. Thank you so much.....

[@michaelnugara1]

So glad you inherited this car as it deserves a passionate owner like you. Its all about the journey getting to your destination, and in a classic, the journey is always memorable. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

[@RobertEHunt-dv9sq]

Wow, what an excellent video. Thanks for posting. A great story and legacy. I owned two MGA’s one a street car and the other a SCCA racer. Very fun car to drive. Enjoy your time maintaining the car and your families legacy. Cheers from Texas.

[@jamesmcdonald7656]

This is how cars should be treated. I like that the MGA has a meaning to this lady's life. You don't get this feeling about a Toyota Prius!!!!

[@BadBlonde-CarHistory]

Agreed!

[@biggusdickus6548]

Custodian, that's the key word. We are all custodians of our cars. It's a pleasure to see a fellow enthusiast who gets it!

[@RtB68]

...yeah, but it's relative. My custodianship of the last Toyota Camry I had was - to put it mildly - abusive. My feelings for the 65 'A' Code Fastback in my garage is - to put it mildly - a love that will outlast humanity. lol.

[@reggiechin230]

That's a great story, enjoy your Grandpa's car, she's a beauty.

[@BadBlonde-CarHistory]

Agreed!

[@user-pb8vc8vp8w]

I know this vid is now quite old but I have to say I hope you still have this marvelous MGA.Your attitude toward her is bluddi terrific & in itself honours your grandfather.He obviously loved his MG & drove it sometimes like he stole it........which you must do with all MGs',particularly any model before the accursed Chinese abominations. I had a '54 TF for a long time & drove it because I wanted to smile a great deal.She NEVER let me down,save for breaking its crank one time,but I blamed my mum for that. We were barrelling down a piece of entertaining bitumen & mum patted the dash saying "Bessie's going well"........ Bang ! Graunch,grind ....... I still miss both my MG & my mum.I still smile with the memories of both the women in my life ........

[@robleary3353]

Lovely! He would be beaming from ear to ear! Good on you!, nice to see a classic like this out on the road where it should be!, not in a 'collection or museum'. Grandad did the right thing entrusting it to you - he knew you'd look after her..... 🙂

[@johnwren3976]

Two most beautiful MGs. The MGA and its immediate predecessor the 1954/55 MG TF1500 (my first car). I've had several As including a race car originally prepped in 1958. Take good care of her, she's a beaut!

[@traviogovols]

Fantastic homage to your grandfather. I'm heading to the UK next week on honeymoon and cant wait to stop by Abingdon and hopefully speak with some locals about the "way it was." I'm a proud mgb owner.

[@dozergyp]

Beautiful car and beautiful lady, Glad its gone to someone who appreciate a classy motorcar Have lots of fun

[@melodymakermark]

My older brother, God rest his soul, had a passion for English cars and motorcycles. A friend of his, who was a mechanical genius of sorts, owned an XKE and a '69 MGB in British racing green. This "friend" encouraged my brother to find a car of his own and promised to help with any issues the car may have, but this never happened due to a bit of jealousy with what my brother found. I don't remember the circumstances, but sometime around 1972, my brother found and bought a red 1960 MGA identical to this car in its original form. It wasn't show quality, but was a never wrecked, totally original, rust free survivor. Seems a bit funny to say "survivor, as the car was only 12 years old at.the time, but it was indeed a super clean example. Still, it needed some work to make it road ready and my brother simply didn't have the knowledge or ability to tackle the issues on his own, or the money to pay a mechanic, so for years it sat under a cover. I used to pull the cover back and reach inside and pull the cord to open the door and sit inside it and dream of being legal driving age. In the mid '80s, frustrated and disinterested, he finally sold it to a capable MG enthusiast. I believe he sold it for $1500 USD, which was a bit more than he"d paid originally. Sorry, Ive rambled a bit, but we can all look back at things we let get away, and that 1960 red MGA is one I'd sure love to have today. Congrats to you. You certainly have the proper level of appreciation for the jewel that was your grand father's.

[@frankbrasenell3789]

I left school aged 15years old and started work at Morris Bodies Coventry the MGA was the first car I worked on,wonderful memories!!!

[@williamcarrollphotography5012]

Well done - really good overview

[@daveunderhill9636]

A beautiful car and a beautiful lady. I have a 1963 MG Midget, a1974 MGB and a 1974 Triumph TR6.

[@martinhazard7812]

What an uplifting video 👍

[@clivewinters7479]

Your grandad had a lovely car and I can see he cherished it. And I’m sure you do too, drive safely.

[@911shamrage]

Fabulous to see the next generation is appreciating the core of motoring; the pleasure of mental & physical freedom. As a petrol head I am delighted to see it happening/creating through 'lineage' with the old & classic roadsters; keep them running. Hope to see 'frisky' at MG live 2018!

[@ernestocabrera876]

What a great story. Wishing you many years enjoying your grandfather's MG. Godspeed.

[@Faustoverdenova]

Mine is also red & loved as much. I was 10 in 1963 and saw one pull up next to us as I sat in the back seat of our bulbous Buick and I knew I wanted one. The first came when I was 18, after a minor detour with a TR3, (imagine bought for $150) it was refurbished and sold. #2 came quickly after that and is where I learned the deep work, there is not a part except for the rear axle that I have not taken off that car, at least once. Then a couple of B's, whatever I was young ..And now my last, the one with which I will spend the rest of my life. When it was in the restoration they asked me many times, "What do you want to do here? " ...And I would say this, "She's fifty years old now, in 50 years I want someone else to love her." I can only hope Ms. Vowden. that mine will end up as well loved as your grandfather's A ..

[@douglasdowney3433]

I love that you love this beautiful MGA! I had the pleasure of owning a 1969 MGBGT in the 80's. I loved it. Same brilliant red as your MGA. Your so right to describe the drive as not passive. So much fun. Interesting that there is a lot of difference between the two models yet you can see here and probably feel the heritage. Thank you and your wonderful Grandfather for saving her. God bless you both. Your Yankee admirer. Doug from Texas.

[@moonphaser3304]

Clearly gone to a good home! Have fun

[@lanerailvideo5928]

Thanks for posting this video, also well done on the editing. Also glad to this you've taken great care in maintaining this old car, & it's really cool this see the joy you get out of driving it around. As for the MG it was one of the first cars I have a clear memory of. I can remember as a young child in my single digits riding with my Dad from Oroville to Sacramento, & our family ranch near Dillard California, & back many times. This would of been the late 70's maybe way early 80's. His MG was the baby blue you mentioned. One memory that stands out that was from the seat of the MG with Dad in the driver seat was seeing my first Drive-In Movie, which happened to be the very first Star Wars. I didn't think of it much as a child, as my first thought was hey I'm hanging with Dad going for a drive. As the years went by it sadly got neglected, tarped over for a while, gained a few flats, spiders made their homes in it, & was moved 3 times. I think my Dad had plans to restore it, but to him he had other priorities & never got around to it. When I learned he let it go with the house near Durham, CA. I was disappointed & sad to hear, as I was desiring to have it. I even asked about having it, but he apparently forgot that day when he moved out. So all as I have are my memories. Glad to see you enjoy yours as much as you do.

[@Australia-ky7kx]

Wonderful to see the younger generation embracing classic cars.

[@andrewclarke3744]

Lovely that you have inherited such a gorgeous car. Shame you lost your grandad to own it though. Wonderful memories.

[@pmacca2967]

Your words are so true, I can relate to everything your saying. I get comments at petrol stations and when I’m out in mine 😊

[@riversider681]

Wonderful video, Charlotte. I would suggest as an extra step to knowing your grandfathers thrill, sigh up for a few competitive driving lessons and really learn how to get the very best out of that beautiful sports car. It will thrill you as it did your gran.

[@garypick007]

Pure class

[@tweeny55]

What a lovely old bus..I hope this lady enjoys it all her days.lucky girl.

[@diacono5221]

Great story, and a beautiful car.

[@steepskier5301]

Excellent video and story about your car. I own a 1962 MGA MKII and really enjoy driving it down the California coast.

[@prasadcbcholakundil2054]

Sandor Kovacs

[@rossmitchell7125]

My 1600 Mk II does her road trips around New Zealand

[@jonathancunningham8739]

And many people say Vintage 1950's and early 60's cars are dying ha I am happy every time when a fellow young person get involve with these pieces of history.

[@harrylime5147]

. At this moment, it’s March 2018. I have owned my 1958 MGA since I was 16 in 1968. I had mine painted the same color as the car your grandfather left you. I think it’s called Tartan red.You do have to tinker. I drove mine to and from high school, and I use to start it with the handcrank.

[@Dentropolis]

Harry Lime; Hello Harry, you and I have had a similar experience. At 16 in 1968 you bought your 1958 MGA. In 1966, at 18, I bought my 1961 MGA (for $425 Canadian). I only drove it through the spring and summer of 1967. Unfortunately auto insurance was very expensive @ $1,000 a year (in today’s dollars would be approximately $8,000 per year). Also Canadian winters mean putting it away for the winter. When I was doing so, a buddy offered me $650 for it and I sold it. Only 8 months later I was finished school and working and making money and I could have used the car then. Young people do goofy things. Amazing you were able to hang on to your MGA throughout your life all this time! Sometimes I think of buying another ( a good one would cost $30,000 Canadian... Hahahaha) but I live in a 110 year old house and I don’t have a garage to put it in and tinker with it... all the best to you and your MGA. Leave it to someone worthy...

[@arminass1681]

She knows how to take care of this MG A roadster !

[@peterstevens4223]

Good afternoon from Auckland, New Zealand. Nice MG A.

[@IndependentBear]

Wow, I probably saw that car in her Grandfather's hands back in 1960-61. I also had an MGA living just a few miles from Orange CA and hooked up with a lot of Morris Garage fans in the area. Selling my "A" was one of the great regrets of my life.

[@alexanderkutschera149]

I drove a bright red 1959 MGA, with a 1962 1800cc MGB motor in it, from Toronto to Vancouver during the early spring of 1988 or so .... a long time ago. I took the southern route through the US. I tried to tell the customs agent where the latch for the trunk/boot was, he told me to stop talking and go into the customs building. Ten minutes later he came in and asked if I could open the trunk for him. After I opened it for him he hardly even looked into it. It was quite an adventure. I can't think of another car that has no latches or handles on it's exterior. I'm sure they exist.....

[@dphotos007]

I live in Los Angeles and my dad bought a 1958 MGA in 1960 that was glacier blue and he would drive me around the city but he sold the car in 1974. It inspired me to buy a British sports car. I own a red Triumph TR4A. I wish my dad never sold his MG.

[@gavinivers8941]

Very cool car, gone to a good home.

[@axiomist4488]

That's quite a beautiful inheritance ! She's a family heirloom and not to ever be sold, but passed on to the next lucky heir. Keep it you whole life, then pass it on to your son or daughter . For now, just enjoy it. I think you said you'd like to tour Europe in it. I suggest you change the transmission to a 5-speed. You'll take a lot of strain from the engine when you're driving on highways .

[@michaelf.h8507]

Great piece to camera C V . You really must take the car back to CA for an MG meet . They would be intrigued about the cars history .

[@richarrrdj]

You and that MGA belong in a James Bond Movie.

[@zeebaitco9928]

Amazing! Wonder if my MG A ever encountered this one! Mine too was in California in 1960! They are a joy to drive, I also inherited mine 60’

[@ricardovale8364]

High five to this custodian! mine is a 1959 roadster, also exported to CA and imported back to UK for conversion and rebuild, originally white and now also red as this example. 131 AAB was the original number plate

[@Mike-uc1eu]

Your Grandfather chose well when he chose you as the next custodian for Frisky.

[@mghamsail]

Keep her going Charlotte.

[@100nortonfan7]

Lovely car and lovely lady. Will there be an English language version of this story in the foreseeable future? I'd love to learn more about this particular car.

[@saftevand]

Wonderful car, had a 1958 Mk I in that very same colour, but with biscuit interior, gave it up for a Mercedes Pagoda - far more comfy and luxurious, but not as involving to drive. Wish I could have both... :-D

[@ralphbillick1210]

Don’t ever get rid of it because you can never replace it. Ten - fifteen years down the road you will know I’m right. How can you ever replace your grandfathers car. You will love it more as years go by .

[@michelfortin7055]

Beautiful machine.

[@lib556]

I had to sell my white 61 MGA 1600 in 99. The Jag XKR I just bought doesn't quite fill the hole left in my heart...

[@northlightartisans4465]

Dodo would be proud of his granddaughter-

[@markstevens2868]

Hope you get to keep it forever. I bought a 66 jaguar fixed head coupe in 71 for 1900 dollars. Red in color. I got discusted when after I lent it to my younger brother it came back dented under front and clutch probems. Sold it for 1600. The clutch would have been 300 to fix

[@donaldgarver6594]

An MGA, very nice hand me down I'd have to say

[@JAYJAYJAY53]

Damn . That is what we called my grandfather. DoDo which evolved to Doe . This happened because my older cousin called him Uncle Joe which at my age came out as DoeDoe . It stuck because he never wanted to be called gramps .

[@koekoek575]

I love how she calls herself the custodian

[@johnprice8655]

Congratulations. Look after it for us

[@pauljenkins2501]

Frisky is a lovely car. Take good care of her, enjoy her, but drive her. She was built to be driven.......

[@bobwoodhams7242]

have fun.........i have one now all over the shop..... apart.......... going to bring her back to life

[@joshinawoods-mubmub2600]

Lovely I know it's late stay safe xxx

[@johndouglas4528]

Love that car -- you have a real stewardship on your hands.

[@48sydney]

In this condition the car will last you Charlotte for the rest of your life if it is looked after. This is the most environmentally friendly motoring rather than producing new cars all the time.

[@protonium3275]

Marriage material...definitely marriage material. And the woman is beautiful too

[@johnholzhey8149]

LOL.

[@crumblefest]

Charlotte Vowdin? I think you mean WOWdin!

[@terrykrall]

My grampa left me a pocketknife … that is a very nice A.

[@billkea7224]

A lovely accent.

[@steveturpin4242]

Change your own oil and filter at least! Trust no-one with this one...good luck and have fun!

[@rovercoupe7104]

Austin Healey Sprite 1960.

[@jeffyjohn5673]

Parents had one in Texas when they married.

[@rogerwilco4736]

lovely car i've had nine mgs over the past 50 years, currently drive a1970 mgb at 73y.o

[@Dentropolis]

This illustrates that we are just custodians.

[@seanrussell6614]

If people knew that you could buy cars like this for far far far less than a new car I guarantee people you would see more of these about

[@leytonthomas2043]

Original colour would of been Iris blue.......much prettier and far less common than chariot red. But that just my opinion....

[@melindamanthey2757]

Agreed. I have a 1964 MGB Iris Blue. I,too, owned an MGA; a 1956 in the first month of production. Installed a 3 main MGB engine rather than overhaul the original at approx 100k miles.

[@terryn8125]

Welcome to our world. I have a 54, 55 and a 60. MG is the last of the real sports cars.

[@ahsansiddiqui4263]

I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA:I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA:I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA:I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA: . . . I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA: I inherited an MGA: we get it you inherited an MGA.

[@D3Sshooter]

Such a responsibility ?????

[@amirabbasgt]

Hello, I really enjoy of this video, and I should say that I know a person who has this car but it need to color again and I don't have enogh money to buy that, so I looking for a person who interest to buy this car and work on it together. I'm in Cyprus now. If someone like help me to do this project please send me message. Thank you🙏🏼🌹🌺

[@johnalmason]

I don't know what she means by 'taking the car back to where she came from' when she mentions California, USA. The car IS back where it came from. It was built in England. The fact that it was built for export to the US is irrelevant. It came from here, and is now back here.

[@jonjones1553]

Pedant.

[@johnalmason]

@@jonjones1553 Ah Diddums. Would you like a tissue?