- Story by Maggie Jackson Photography by Don Denton

Darrell Hallgren of Bear Mountain fell in love with classic cars when he was twelve years old. A few decades later, his dream of owning his dream car came true. That car was a cream coloured 1958 MGA.

B次元官网网址淚 saw it online and purchased it without driving it, Hallgren said. B次元官网网址淵ou might say it was love at first sight. It was shipped to Victoria in an enclosed carrier.B次元官网网址�

The MGA was restored before he purchased it. B次元官网网址淭he car is mostly original. ItB次元官网网址檚 a complete off-frame restoration. The tires are aftermarket and the back taillights are from a 1960 MGA.

I also personalized a few things,B次元官网网址� Hallgren said. B次元官网网址淚 love classic cars, they have so much character. They remind me of the simple things in life that make us happy.B次元官网网址�

This isnB次元官网网址檛 HallgrenB次元官网网址檚 first classic car. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e had a Porsche 911, a BMW M3 and a Jag XKR, but I only had them for a year or two. I experienced them, and that was cool, but then I was looking for something new again. This one is different. I remember going to car shows when I was young and I could look at this body style for half an hour. The 1958 MGA was really the car of my dreams.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 love the colour combination of this MGA. I love the body style and the noise it makes, hence no radio. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 have owned many fast European sports cars, but they werenB次元官网网址檛 right for me. But this, this B次元官网网址�58 MGA B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 hard to put into words. This car is so cool. IB次元官网网址檝e never felt this way about a vehicle before. I guess you could say it brings out the boy inside of me.B次元官网网址�

The interior of the car is indicative of the 1958 era. B次元官网网址淭he handles are not on the outside, they are hidden inside the door where you pull on a cable. ItB次元官网网址檚 so straight-forward B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 a map light on the right-hand side. People ask why I donB次元官网网址檛 put a radio in and itB次元官网网址檚 because I donB次元官网网址檛 want to kill the sound of driving the car.B次元官网网址�

The dash of the car is, of course, all analogue. B次元官网网址淭he dash is all old school,B次元官网网址� said Hallgren. The dash is so simple and elegant, yet highly functional. The back-light is a greenish colour. The speedometer, tach and oil are all analogue and instead of the signal light on the column thereB次元官网网址檚 a switch on the dash that you push. There are little lights on the dash too.B次元官网网址�

Owning the MGA has changed the way Hallgren drives. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really cool to drive this car. I used to travel in the fast lane all the time, now IB次元官网网址檓 in the slow lane and it doesnB次元官网网址檛 bother me one bit. ItB次元官网网址檚 funny how you have these fast vehicles and you get caught up in the speed of it. In this car I want to enjoy the ride, enjoy the scenery. I love driving around the south island, especially near the ocean.B次元官网网址�

The car has also garnered Hallgren a few new friends along the way. B次元官网网址淲hen people see me in the car they always come and talk to me, some become friends. Little kids will walk by and stop and wave and give me the thumbs up. When IB次元官网网址檓 stopped in traffic, people roll down their window to ask about the car.B次元官网网址�

And, his car has a name. B次元官网网址淚 named it Isa, after my daughter Isabella, whoB次元官网网址檚 the love of my life. I plan on keeping this car forever, and when the time is right, IB次元官网网址檒l give it to my daughter.B次元官网网址�

Hallgren has owned the MGA for over three years now and the thrill of owning it is still there. B次元官网网址淭his car is a keeper. Everyone from 8 to 80 years old smiles and waves when I drive it. They want to come over and talk to me about it. You canB次元官网网址檛 put a price on happiness.B次元官网网址�

CAR DETAILS

Year: 1958

Make: MG, two door roadster

Model: MGA

Exterior: cream

Interior: red

Mileage: 57,936 km (36,000 miles)

Motor/Engine: 1800 cc

Transmission: Manual, 4 speed gear box with rear wheel drive

Outside length: 3962 mm / 156 in

Width: 1454 mm / 57.25 in

Wheelbase: 2388 mm / 94 in

Curb weight: 930 kg / 2050 lbs

Top speed: 150 km/h (93 mph)

(declared by factory)

Accelerations: 0-60 mph 14.6 s; 0- 100 km/h 15.7 s; 1/4 mile drag time (402 m) 19.8 s

Gas mileage: 11.3 l/100km, 25.1 mpg (imp.), 8.9 km/l

Manufactured from 1955 to 1962 in Abington, England