Two classic car owners share their passion about their MGs

Dominique Ochoa’s cream 1971 MGB GT on the open road race in Tour De Cebu

Actor and racecar driver Dominique Ochoa and classic car restorer Mike Gomez share a passion for classic MG’s with both claiming they were heavily influenced by their fathers who were car enthusiasts themselves.

“My dad was into cars and bikes. He was a big influence in my passion for restoring classic cars.,” said Ochoa.

Ochoa bared that he used his MGB GT in the first and second Tour De Cebu, an open road race that spans 1,000 kilometers of scenic open roads in Cebu, Bacolod and Bohol.

“My navigator and partner in Tour De Cebu Ronald Mojica is the one who takes care of my classic car,” said Ochoa. Mojica is a known British car expert and has been racing British cars including classic Mini Coopers since the 1990s. Aside from the 1971 MGB GT, Ochoa is currently restoring another classic MG, a rare and collectible MGA convertible.

Just like Ochoa, Gomez owns a 1974 MGB GT but it had the later model polyurethane bumpers. And aside from the MGB GT, he also has a number of classic cars in his garage. His father also had a great influence in him and that was why he also became a classic car aficionado. His dad was one of the founding members of the Cam Wreckers Association, the country’s first official motor racing club.

Mike Gomez’s classic MGB GT is a later model that comes with a polyurethane bumper

“He was instrumental in introducing me to cars and motorcycles. He always had a nice sports car. He taught me the basics with regards to car maintenance and restoration. I purchased the MGB GT from an uncle who bought the car brand new in the states. I decided to purchase it because I wanted to keep it in the family and I like the lines of this British car. It resembled the Aston Martin DB5,” said Gomez.

Unlike Ochoa, he doesn’t use his classic MG for track days or open road rallies. “It’s more for fun runs or car shows. I’d rather keep them intact and well maintained. I always want them clean.” Gomez added.
Aside from having common aspirations, both owners choose MG for their distinctive British motoring heritage and enjoy a high level of practical performance, thanks to the reliability of these very well built classics. The availability of parts in Europe and USA allows owners like Ochoa and Gomez easy access to parts that are hard to come by compared to other classic cars out there.