The
MG Car Shop is dedicated to Maintaining and
Restoring MGs and all British Sports Cars
My
1954 MGTF "Winston" by Dr. Jim Brown
In
1971 I graduated high school and was not really impressed with many
of the new cars that were for sale. I saw my first classic MG that
a friend had purchased and I immediately fell in love with the car.
It was a 1951 MGTD and I just
couldn't get the car out of my mind. They were so ... unique.
There was something different about that car.
I
scoured the New York Times and finally found a green 1954 MGTF with
a white top. The body was in good shape but the engine had 175,000
miles on it and needed a complete rebuild. My dad, Thomas H. Brown,
Sr. was an engineer and superb mechanic; he helped me buy the car.
He grew up in Scotland and remembered the MG well. We spent many
a fine
day
under
that MG
slowly bringing the MG back to its former glory. Both dad and I loved
the car and we loved to drive the car. We lived by the Jersey shore
and there is no substitute for a drive down the coast on a balmy
summer night by the boardwalk with
the
top
down on
the MGTF with just the Brookland racing screens up. I had so many
memories in that car: the new cream paint job, my college girlfriends
with their hair blowing in the breeze, driving my bride to the reception
in
the MGTF,
taking
my kids for a drive in Grandpa's old car. I had actually commuted
to Rutgers College in that car. It was a little cold in the winter
and not very dry in driving rains. My dad died in 2003 of Alzheimer's
disease and I have lost my best friend.
I
always
think
of him riding in the seat next to me. That MG was a love we both
shared.
Needless
to say, the car is very special to me. It was left outside for about
9 months when my Dad sold his house and we had a neighbor who said
that he would put it in their garage for us. There was a lot of damage
done. Unfortunately, I am not the mechanic my dad was and my 52 year
old knees are giving me trouble. I took the car to Rob Medynski
of MG"T"s in West Milford, NJ. He had a legendary reputation for
excellence from the various MG car clubs. He rebuilt the engine and
brought the car back to the "safety fast" condition. He knew I was
one who drove the MG and he told me that I could wait a few years
for a new paint job. I always enjoyed the nearly hundred mile drive
from the Jersey shore to West Milford to get the MG its checkup.
I was devastated when I heard that he had sold the business and moved
to
New Hampshire.
I
had considered
him
one
of the greatest MG T series mechanics to walk the earth.
However,
I was relieved that Phil Bove had picked up the mantle, created The MG Car Shop, and was delivering
the same quality, excellence and attention to detail that Rob Medynski
had shown. Phil Bove has been around MGs and other British cars for
nearly two decades. I really like the work that he does and he is
one of the hardest working individuals I have ever known. Another
customer describes Phil as the most honest business man he has ever
met. He has really taken care of my very special MG and he understands
that
the
car has very special memories for me.
My
son Danny (14 years old), shares this same love and has hounded me
to paint the car "MG
red."
In a moment of weakness, I gave in and we are in the process of seeing
the car change to red as we pass it to the next generation. I told
all of my children that they are never to sell this car or else I
will come back from the grave and haunt them for the rest of their
lives. I
am embarrassed to say that one little car can engender all of these
feelings inside of me. There is a little piece of my Dad in that
car and I trust Phil Bove to give it that loving care. I
highly recommend Phil at The MG Car Shop to the rest of you who share this love of your
little
British
cars and the special memories that they bring.
October
15, 2005 update: The MG is finished. I took
a trip up to look at it and the car looks better than new! It was
so shiny I could see
my reflection deep into the beautiful red paint job. I only wish
my father was here to see it. I will post pictures soon. I
brought my elderly mother along to show it to her. She was so overwhelmed
by the beautiful paint job that she had tears in her eyes. She said,
your dad would have loved it. Thank you Phil for doing such a special
job. I can't thank you enough!!!
October
23, 2005 update: Today
we picked up the MG from Phil Bove and The MG Car Shop. It was one
of the most wonderful days of my life. After
about 14 days of rain we had a break and it was seasonally warm and
the leaves were just changing color. 
The
"MG red" color comes alive in Autumn. I met Phil and his family at
about 10 AM. I could
not believe the paint job. I could see everything reflect deep into
the
red paint. Phil added so many extra touches that I never expected.
The doors closed perfectly and had a solid click when you closed
them. You didn't have to lift the door and slam it to get them to
stay shut. He put in the door sills that said "The MG Car Company
Limited." He replaced many of the small chrome items and knobs to
make the car look brand spanking new. He is truly a master craftsman.
I gave Phil a hug and a hearty handshake and I was off on one of
the
most
awesome
MG
drives
through
the rolling hills of the New Jersey skyland region to the pinelands
near the Jersey shore. I deliberately took to the back roads when
I could to enjoy winding roads
connecting the small towns where white picket fences separate the
federalist from the
victorian
homesteads.
I
ended up driving approximately 150 miles today bringing the MGTF
back to the Jersey
shore where I live. It seemed that nearly every car that passed us
gave us a head turn followed by a friendly wave. On one of the major
roads a bright red Dodge Viper pulled up along side and gave us the
"thumbs up." What exhilaration! My children Billy, Danny and Emily
invited all of their friends over to see the MG as we brought it
home. I sent the rest of the afternoon driving about 20 different
kids around our neighborhood. My son Danny got his wish for a RED
MG. I even dreamed about the MG in my dreams that night. I just wish
Dad was there for the ride home.
To
Phil Bove and The MG Car Shop ... Thank you so much!!! We need more
businessmen like Phil Bove who love what they do and take a special
pride in achieving excellence in their workmanship. If you own a British
sports car and are in a 300 mile radius of The MG Car Shop, you need
to connect with Phil Bove!!!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jim Brown
(Dr.
Brown is a college dean and a member of the NEMGT Register)
