Let's talk MGB GT

I had a friend who had one of these things - must have been 25+ years ago - and it was ALWAYS broken. I mean he used to call almost every week. Jeff, a U-joint just snapped. Jeff, the water pump is leaking. Jeff, the differential is howling. Jeff, the overdrive stopped working. Jeff, there's smoke coming from under the dash. Jeff, the wipers quit. Jeff, there's smoke pouring out the exhaust. Jeff, the clutch is shot. Jeez, I still remember all that bull. I see this as a money pit. Even a good MGB/GT is a risky prospect.

 

25 years ago, I also had a friend who owned an Import Auto parts store in my town. I don't think I ever had to buy a single part for the MG from the dealer, and I doubt if I had to wait more than a day for any part I needed to fix it. ALL of the mechanical parts were easily available back then, and inexpensive as well.

Edit: Pininfarina body????

 

If you gotta do it, look around for a Triumph GT6 instead.

Really, If you are ging to spend the money and time get a cooler car x1000 for the same money.


Really pretty and a GREAT sounding inline 6.
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There's nothing wrong with a well-sorted MGB. It's pretty low-tech and if put together right is relatively durable. If you plan any high-speed driving, an overdrive is required as the gear ratios don't give you much top-end and the engine is not high-revving.

Virtually every part is available, possibly better supply than when new. There are many clubs around the country and numerous shops that still specialize in these cars. There is a fair amount of aftermarket stuff out there however not every "upgrade" is better than stock (personally, I prefer the stock SU carbs over the Weber setup).

I've had this car ('74 MGBGT) for 5 years, it's great fun but I rarely drive it. Maybe this year I'll pass it on to the next enthusiast.
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It doesn't make much sense to restore one since you can buy two excellent cars for the cost of that project. Why not convert it to a MGB/GT V8 instead using the same motor as the factory version; the Rover V8. It's a sweet, lightweight, hi-torq engine with a huge after-market.

http://www.britishv8.org/MG/ClassicWheelsBerlin.htm
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put a Rover V8 in this;
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If you want a small, lightweitht canyon carver, I suggest a Lotus Europa TwinCam 5-speed. They weigh around 1500 lbs, the stock motor makes around 125 hp, it handles as well as every Lotus legend you ever heard, mechanically it is very simple, a well sorted one is as reliable/unreliable as any well-sorted British classic, the chassis has some neat adaptations of race car practices, and you really, undeniably feel like you are driving a street legal race car. Once you drive a proper Europa, you will realize how absurd people sound when they say "it's like a street legal go-kart" to describe the handling of any Ferrari, Porsche, etc.

 

And sell me the Type 907 engine from it!

 

Now THAT would be nice! I haven't seen a clean Jensen Healey in a long time.

 

Sigh... just get a TR8 and call it a day.

Or better yet go get a Datsun 240Z and put a set of triple webers on it. It's a better all around car and will run as long as you want it to. Hard to beat a 50/50 weight balanced car that weighs 2,500lbs with about 200hp.

While we're talking about projects, I'm assuming you're done with your 2002 GT car?

 

YES!! The GT6! GREAT CARS! The racing Spitfires used LOTS of GT6 parts! I always liked the GT6, probably because it was basically a hard top Spitfire...my first car! I had an '80 Spit. The last year of the model! LOVED IT!

James
Austin, TX

 

The stock B GT is also 50/50 on weight distribution.

 

Tim.

I know you and I talked about this a little bit.

MG is a great fun car. EASY TO FIX, not difficult to find parts for, and compared to anything we're driving that is 30 years old, relatively cheap to fix.

top speed of a non OD car is right around 100 mph. How much more than that do you need on an older car?

I would recommend staying away from any engine swap nonsense, you can stick a supercharger from Moss Motors on that thing (I think) and be done with it.

MGB GT may be a little warm in the cockpit, and even more so if you stick a V8 in there. (That would make it an MGC GT if memory serves me.)

If it's a Cali car, rust may not be a big problem, but if you go to replace panels, stay away from the glass and get metal, you'll be happier with fit and finish when you do.

If it's cheap enough, buy it. Fun car to fix, easy to do, buy your stuff from Victoria British or Moss Motors and away you go.

Dave

 

Agree with your comments, Dave. Parts availability is limitless and fibreglass isn't the way to go unless Testshoot wants those flares as he mentioned. BTW, the C had the heavy A-H lump iirc.
glass is always

 

What year is the MG? It's a pretty early one looking at the dash. There is v6 swap kits for them as well.

 

[size=+2] BUY THAT SUCKER!!! [/size]

buy it now!!!

C'mon, everyone needs a good project car to tell stories about when they get old.

Ask me about the TR4A, or the TR6, or the DINO!!

C'mon man, you gotta do it!!

I'll lend assistance in any way possible. Turn a..... catalog over to you, lend a ...... cell phone to call for parts.... even maybe point you to a good body and fender guy.

Dave M.

 

Dave, your enthusiasm is curious.

What was in the PM?

 

Not really.

I have a soft spot in my heart (head maybe) for LBC's.

You haven't lived until you've owned one, or two or four.

I've had a '71 mgb, 64 TR4A, 74 TR6 and wanted, but not yet had an XKE.

DM

 

Yes, and that cast iron 6 banger weighed more than some American small block cast iron V-8s. The aluminum Buick/Rover weighed less than the BMC 4 banger. http://www.chra.org.au/tips/engine_weights.htm

 

here is a nice cheap Ferrari.?
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