Hello, Phil.
I can understand your feelings about not modifying MGs with modern drivetrains and all. My MG was a joy to drive as originally built. Well, almost as originally built. The previous owner put a Weber carburetor on it and I didn't like that. But I drove it from Kentucky to Oklahoma, a distance of about 900 miles, and received admiring looks and comments from many people. It was a comfortable ride and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. If MGBs weren't so hard to come by here in Tulsa, I would be driving one now. But the Miata will have to do for now.
As for Vietnam, I wasn't a combat troop. Oh, we took our fair share of rockets and attacks on our perimeter, but I was a wrench turner on Hueys. I did have the opportunity to see AC-47s working outside our perimeter, which was awesome. And occasionally I would see F-100s and A-1D Skyraiders working out. But that's about it. Right now, I work at a small airport outside of Tulsa and we often have WWII aircraft fly through. Just last week, a B-17G came to town for a week and I had the pleasure of listening to its radial engines running as it taxied around outside our hangar, and made low-level passes over the field. And then there is the local P-51D that buzzes the field on occassion.
But this is an MG forum and I digress. I love British cars. Especially MGs and Jaguars. Triumphs have not been good to me, sorry to say.
zach