Steve Ward's 5.8L LT1/flame painted MG on Speed channel's My Ride Rules

rficalora · April 17, 2012, 10:27:07 PM

it's on in the next 10 or 15 mins. Sure it'll be rerun often enough if you miss it.

TR6-6SPD · April 18, 2012, 03:38:14 PM

Steve,
Katie and I just saw it this morning. You were great! A genuine TV celebrity now. I've driven your car and I don't know where they got that trash about the poor steering and handling characteristics. I think they were just searching for something to say. You definetely would have recieved my vote.

I think the show was probably a fun thing to do. Great stuff!

mgbrv8 · April 19, 2012, 01:20:29 PM

I found it

http://www.streetfire.net/video/my-ride-rules-mgb-beast_2382216.htm

Dave H

mgbrv8 · April 19, 2012, 01:38:29 PM

Wow those guys were a touch harsh

Dave

Moderator · April 23, 2012, 10:36:04 AM

Those guys are morons AND they're dishonest. Obviously, they're completely unfamiliar with sports cars... they'd prefer power steering! (Steve's car has a a Fast Cars front suspension. If anything, the steering is a little on the "light" side for my tastes.) But, to call Steve's car a "twenty-footer"!?! That paint job might not be exactly my cup of tea but it's absolutely as precise, flowing, and well-executed as Steve thinks it is. He tracked down a really top flight painter to execute it, and I challenge anyone to stand back even four feet from the car and point out a screw-up in the paint job (for example, with a laser pointer.) There are NO defects in that car's paint. None.

rficalora · April 23, 2012, 10:49:26 AM

Yeah, I thought they were kind of harsh too. But, you have to remember that the game is they each rate each other's cars and top score wins. So, all but the most ethical will find some things to complain about to improve their own odds of winning.

BlownMGB-V8 · April 23, 2012, 11:06:27 AM

I think it's a mistake to participate in that sort of a comparison. But, what's done is done and some say any publicity is good publicity, though I doubt the discerning public will see the finer distinctions.

Steve may seem a little obsessive-compulsive to many of us, one of those people best tolerated in small doses you might say, but it cannot be said that his car is inferior. Those of us familiar with the cars know quality when we see it and even if we disagree with some of Steve's choices (as he doubtless would disagree with ours) it is just so obvious that the quality of workmanship is extremely good. On the whole it is probably a good thing that he did this. Most people will remember the attractive features of the car, will remember the flame licks inside the doors and will not recall seeing any blemishes. Nobody believes a narrator's comments as much as they believe their own eyes. Most people will not want such a radical flame job, but will remember the cute little car with the big engine and the nice wheels. And a very few may even remember the name. If it makes MG stick in the public consciousness that has to be a good thing.

Jim

TR6-6SPD · April 23, 2012, 11:54:01 AM

Speaking of flames,if you use the great "search function" on this website, you can find things like this:
http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Phoenix-Flames.htm

Dan B · April 23, 2012, 04:24:46 PM

Nice article!

Merv · April 24, 2012, 01:38:28 PM

Ken, really glad that you found the article about Steve"s MGB
Actually brought a whole new respect for his car.

DiDueColpi · April 25, 2012, 02:51:41 AM

Man....stuff like that really makes my blood boil!
We all build our cars to our own taste, skill level and fiscal strength.
We are all in his sport together and owe it to each other to act like gentlemen and women.
If you must "rate" another car, then judge it on the owners passion.
I know that Steve put himself into this style of competition.
But these guys should show some class, shut the f... up and respect the effort.
Fred

MGBV8 · April 25, 2012, 07:11:17 PM

I agree with Fred. I know Steve ruffled a few feathers at the V8 Meets, but he built an awesome car & I happen to like the paint job!

pspeaks · April 25, 2012, 10:55:01 PM

Even though we're from the same town, I don't know Steve, but I wish my car had half as much class as his.

Paul

mgbv81970 · May 17, 2012, 03:29:27 PM

Yeah, it's obvious the test drivers have little or no experience with sports cars of any kind. You also have to keep in mind that people tend to look for flaws / problems when asked to give their unbiased opinion about such things. Maybe they feel more "qualified" as a reviewer if they point out such things as a hard steering effort, who knows. I guarantee you any one of those guys test driving it would personally love to own that car if asked off the record.

I would probably never put my car in such a position to be criticized publicly, so kudos to the owner for having the balls to do it.
As for the paint job, I might not have chose the flame job myself, but if I went home right now and somebody had painted it JUST LIKE IT, I would leave it alone and love it!

theonlyiceman53 · May 21, 2012, 06:47:44 PM

Cool looking car. Not what I would want mine to look like but that's what it's all about: what YOU like! I'm surprised they were so mild on the power and so critical of the steering. I agree about the amount of effort to turn the steering wheel with wide tires but heck, it's no worse than the old Macks I used to drive! The next MGB has power steering and an auto as a big block needs all the help it can get! They could come and criticize the heck out of mine any time they like, but then I get to take them for a ride!

Cheers,
Bill

Moderator · May 22, 2012, 08:34:58 AM

We're here in Texas at BritishV8 2012, and I'm able to see that paint job again in person. It's perfect at four inches, not four feet. AMAZING paint job.

pspeaks · May 23, 2012, 05:13:37 PM

Being from the hot rod world I've seen a fare amount of flame jobs and Steve's looks as good as any I've seen. I agree with Curtis, after seeing it up close I was very impressed. I'm not sure how Steve got on that show because he obviously has a great amount of automotive knowledge. I've only seen the show a couple of times but they don't pick builders, they pick buyers who have no idea what they're talking about, plus, they feel they have to pick the other car apart to make themselves look better. They may fool the average moron who watches it, but they can't fool a constructor.

Paul