Practical gift-giving for the new MG owner

Alternate title: If you think I went commercial when I let the Google Ads onto the blog, you ain't seen nothing yet!

As Monique and I began to move into holiday mode and look at gift-giving options, it occurred to me that it might not be a bad idea to point a few of you towards some useful gifts for the new MGB owner.  And while this post is entirely and completely self-serving, stops anybody from looking at at their Christmas shopping list and thinking, "I dunno ... maybe I'll get John a Scottish Shaving Kilt" it may be well worthwhile.

For starters, the FUN MG's birth certificate from the British Heritage Motor Trust would be pretty cool.  (To get that, you'll need the VIN from its registry on the MG Experience site.)

On the MG book side, I've already picked up most of the basics, but a copy of MGB Electricals Systems (The Essential Manual) by Rick Astley would be handy, 'cause, you know, it's a 35-year-old British car.  There are a few electrical issues I still need to sort out.  Go figure.

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for the new MGB owner?  We only have one ignition key and one door/trunk key, and a deep fear of misplacing them.  If we had a few blanks, we could take them down to our local locksmith, cut some copies, and sleep better at night.  Here are the ones listed at Little British Car Co. in Farmington Hills that should fit our car:

Ignition keys:

• BL STYLE MG IGNITION KEY FITS 1975-1977 (SAME AS 163-375) (BLP1120AA75)
• MG CREST KEY, STYLE AA2 FITS MGB/MIDGET IGNITIONS 70-77 (SAME AS 163-370) (CP1028AA)

Door/trunk keys:

• MG CHROME CREST KEY, STYLE FS FITS MGB, C, MIDGET IGNITIONS/62-69, TRUNK DOORS 62-80 (NOT PICTURED) (SAME AS 163-330) (CP1028FSC)
• MG CREST KEY, STYLE FS FITS MGB, C, MIDGET IGNITIONS/62-69, TRUNK DOORS 62-80 (SAME AS 163-330) (CP1028FS)

Speaking of Little British Car Co., they're a mail-order parts supplier located in Farmington Hills that offers very good prices on all things MG.  As an added bonus they don't charge shipping if you pick up from them directly, though you have to arrange that in advance.  It's difficult to link directly to things within their site, but if you click on the "Specials" tab at the top of their page, you'll find that they offer up a near infinity of fun stuff for MGs and other Little British Cars, especially fun trinkets like coasters, patches, hats, mugs, shirts, etc.

What do I mean by "an infinity of fun stuff"?  Well, Katie the Beagle would like me to point out that she will not be needing the canine MG shirt (MG DOGGIE SHIRT RED MEDIUM 21-30 lbs; CNPDOGMGMED) because she has absolutely no intention of riding in the MG.  (Or any other car, if she has her way!)  And I should mention that nobody should feel obliged to blow $155 on a Biggles-style World War II British Flight Helmet (FLIGHT HELMET X-LARGE, 219-995) and another $115 on the goggles to match (VINTAGE RAF GOGGLES, 219-945). Fortunately, the cockpit of the MGB is well protected from the wind.

Hopefully if you look around there you can find something better than an Automatic Twirling Spaghetti Fork.  Well, unless you find an MG-branded Automatic Twirling Spaghetti Fork.  That'd be pretty ... well, that'd still be pretty useless.

And finally, a 2012 MGB Calendar from mgbcalendar.com would've been a good idea, but I already have one coming.  One of next year's goals will be to get a picture of the FUN MG in the 2013 calendar, even if it means that Monique and I have to drive it to more fun places for photo ops.  That's just the cross we'll have to bear.  Work, work, work...