MGB GT - Mission finally complete! Phew.

[skoda_fan]

It really does remind me of when I bought mine as it's in a similar condition, ie superficially lovely but obviously tarted up for sale. I too ummmed and erred for a bit then found myself going to look at it one more time and saying I'd have it. Sometimes a car just has your name on it, for better or worse. I wonder what it was like underneath before they lobbed underseal everywhere. I'd say if at all possible get someone who knows these inside out to go over it without the rose-tinted specs. It COULD be basically ok, but you can't really tell by looking at it. Lots of silly things on mine weren't working, but I didn't even notice before buying, eg clock, radio, door locks. The driver's seat detached from the floor which had rotted away where it mounts. The temp sender refused to stay in the top of the radiator, etc etc. Accept the fact that it WILL be a money pit to a greater or lesser extent at that price.

[skoda_fan]

Yep, have to say that bronze yellow one looks a better bet. Known history, enthusiastic owner, loads of work done professionally. You get what you pay for, unfortunately. (It will still consume money, though!).

[Luxxo Waftybarger]

If you can afford it the car and classics orange one gets my vote. You'll easily sink the difference into that other one in no time and still have a bodged up old Sherpa in drag.

[junkyarddog]

I think you should give this one a miss.

Admittedly it looks good from the pics,but that will need constant tinkering on an ongoing basis.

 

A car that's been left standing for 20 years then put back into regular use will crop up all sorts of niggles,

not to mention the underlying rust issues,plus the fact these things were just thrown together in the factory.

 

That's been tarted up for sale,if you want something to tinker with as much as you will drive it,

then it could be a good car to learn on,if you want to get your hands dirty that is.

If you have to pay someone else to sort the niggles then it will get expensive.

 

Good colour though.

 

Best of luck with it whatever you decide.

[Mally]

Bronze Yellow one looks a better bet but.  " had new panels and sills.................due to being left outside some rust has appeared".

Hang on it's a car, it's supposed to live outside.

They all have problems.

 

You can run the red one for 6 months to see if you want to spend on it. If not sell it on.

Try knocking him down a couple of hundred maybe.

They probably got it for £500 or less.

[RobT]

How about this one for similar money?

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGB-GT-1978-with-overdrive-/263061676627?hash=item3d3fb2a253:g:cC4AAOSwnK9ZRlo5

 

From the pics and listing it sounds like an honest car that hasn't been ponced up for a sale. Personally I'd be thinking about re-sale potential, and if this is a good one I reckon it'll sell on easier than the orange one. Those photos of lashings of underseal and rust lurking behind would put me off, so is likely to do the same for others.

 

Mind you, those chrome sill covers could be hiding some horrors...!

 

Edit: location is a good sign. Pulborough = well heeled owner (probably).

[SiC]

I saw that green one when searching for others. Unfortantly green really does not do it for me. Also the wife hates green cars. And red cars. But orange cars are ok...

 

That is one thing I haven't touched and thats the wife approval rating. I dragged her to it today, after we delivered a cake she made to her friend. Really completely disinterested. Also said it was an "old mans car", which I agreed. Her response to my agreement was that I'm old before my age already as Laguna is an old mans car too.

 

Her biggest worry/gripe is that she wants kids. Two sports cars are not good for kids. However we are a way off kids at the moment (medical reasons).

 

The bubbling rust on that yellow one does make me wonder on it too. I know that they all probably do it, but it could be in a similar state underneath as the orange one - especially if the "specialist" repair on it wasn't the best. I'd almost want to save £1.5k and get one with similar problems. Incidentally I've come to the conclusion that the chin spoiler makes rubber bumper GTs totally acceptable to me, along with Sebring conversions too.

 

I am also concerned on the orange one that it hasn't been used in 20yrs. I don't mind doing work on a car and fixing it, just I want it usable and not break from day one. My experience of low mileage cars is that once you start putting miles on them, everything starts failing!

[twosmoke300]

I wouldn't touch that with a bargepole . So much pog and shultz in that . Next years MOT would be a nightmare . 

[Eddie Honda]

If it's Vermillion that floats your boat, just get a Maxi.

 

Maxi 009 by E Honda, on Flickr

[holbeck]

 

This was mine, I had it for 5 years as a semi regular daily driver. I liked it for the 70's colour and the rubber bumpers, which seemed to irritate owners of 'proper' MG's.

 

I sold it around 2010, and struggled to get £1500 for it with a new MOT and less than 60K on the clock.

[SiC]

bobo to print off 015.JPG

 

This was mine, I had it for 5 years as a semi regular daily driver. I liked it for the 70's colour and the rubber bumpers, which seemed to irritate owners of 'proper' MG's.

 

I sold it around 2010, and struggled to get £1500 for it with a new MOT and less than 60K on the clock.

Oh how things have changed in 7yrs! I'm not quite sure why/how they've gained so much value so shortly.

[richardthestag]

looking at those extra pics doesn't fill me with confidence.

 

selectively spraying stoneguard over mud and other shite is possibly hiding something  . Ask the snail, maybe he knows.

 

Buy, use and get ready with the welder this time next year or....

 

I revert you back to this one, or something like it

 

went for just shy of £1100

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1976-MGB-GT-In-running-order-needing-work-for-MOT-/162558235931?hash=item25d939d51b:g:B0gAAOSwHLNZRqpF

[richardthestag]

btw my pocket torch has a magnet on the back, I put some masking tape over that and it is very good and just weak enough to detect 5mm thick paint

[Eddie Honda]

Oh how things have changed in 7yrs! I'm not quite sure why/how they've gained so much value so shortly.

Nothing has, the value is the same.

 

The only thing that has changed are the numbers. I blame quantative easing.

[SiC]

I really should have done a swing-o-meter on this thread on the current want/likeliness of buying for this car. At the moment its back in the negative area of unlikely.

 

I have been thinking about this since last night and morning. I definitely want something with a reasonable MOT, so I can jump in and start using it. So that rules out any projects that will need loads of work for an MOT. I ideally (like everyone) want something with minimal rust - specifically in the sill areas. However it seems that they're almost all rotten or will be rotten in a not too distant future. Also if it has been repaired in the not too distant past, its probably got rust on those areas again. Those that are not rotten and/or repaired in the last year or so are well over twice and often nearly triple the price - more than it seems than having a specialist doing a full sill replacement. It seems that the days of buying one cheap will entail a lot of work and paying a few hundred, maybe a grand more, will get an immaculate/freshly restored one.

 

From what I can see in the current market for the MGB GTs, £500-1.5k is an MOT failure with severe rust - lower end being rubber, upper end being chrome. £2k-3k rubber bumper that needs work but recent MOT. £3k-4k chrome that needs work with an MOT. £5k+ for an immaculate rubber bumper, £8k+ immaculate chrome bumper. 3 piece sill replacement, expect £1k-2k per side for a garage to do the work.

 

Also its currently summer. However I don't know how much variation there is between now and winter? From looking at modern convertible prices (similar type of car that people really want in the summer), winter you do get some bargains, but mostly the prices are only minimally (often not) depressed. This, I guess, is because less people seem to want to sell in winter due to getting less and so less availability. However those who waiting and want one "cheap" for next season ensure the demand still there.

 

So I think I need to look at a few more. I am tempted to test drive the one local to experience it. That does came at the risk of me potentially wanting to then buy it again though...!

[Bianconeri]

Yes, yes it is that one. The current owners/directors took over in early 2000 if I recall correctly.

Ignore me then, I escaped from Bristol in 1981

[RobT]

Here's another, ends tomorrow.  Claims it's never been welded, and doesn't need any.

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mgb-gt/272737788119?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

Exterior colour may be boring, but check out the seats (complete with mould growth)

 

 

 

[sierraman]

On the red one the MOT advisory about inadequate repairs to Castle Section would worry me.

[skoda_fan]

Gosh, Mr SiC, you're worse than me when it comes to dithering over cars. Tbh I'd have thought "fuck it, I'll have it" by now, and be living with the consequences, good or bad. Maybe we should start a book, will he or won't he?! My money's on you caving in in the end....been there, done it (x many!)

[SiC]

I know right! It doesn't help this is the first I've properly looked at in a very long while and the first time I've looked at a classic car (aka most have years of bodging). I'll probably go through the loop of looking at a load of others. Decide they're all pretty shit for the price, go back to this first one and ... it'll be sold.

 

Part of the problem is this:

I get a big dread when buying cars. Literally uncomfortable, sick to the stomach level of worry and fear. Am I doing the right thing? Is it a absolute heap and I'll regret? Will it be a deathtrap? Will it be completely unreliable? Will the wife kill me because of all the previous?

Its why I quite like buying on an auction. I'm not committed until the very last minute. I get all panicky, throw a large bid in the last 10 seconds. Heart palpitations on if I'm going to win. Then I win (or loose). If I win, I then worry about all the above but by then its too late. I'm committed!

 

I did this on both the Laguna and the Smart. Admittedly I did see the Smart in person before the auction end. Both have been proven to be good buys.

 

Sorry to all those have got a bit bored by this by now...

[sierraman]

I've just had a look on the library of pictures on your link. It looks absolutely gopping, it's caked in some very recent underseal, the bubbles all over the base of the sills look ominous as well. I wouldn't give £250 on it if I'm honest. I realise that sounds a bit blunt but if you are the worrying type it'll keep you worried come the next MOT.

[SiC]

Here's another, ends tomorrow.  Claims it's never been welded, and doesn't need any.

 

s-l1600.jpg

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mgb-gt/272737788119?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

Exterior colour may be boring, but check out the seats (complete with mould growth)

 

s-l1600 (1).jpg

Interesting one. Unfortunately current reserve not met, but will be interesting to see if the reserve is something near the current price. However doesn't this potentially suffer the same thing as the orange/red one? I.e. according to the MOT history, it has been sat doing nothing for years, then MOT'd and now sold. I.e. tarted up for a summer sale. I know the seller is saying the sills are all good, but obviously could be bit of a white lie. Especially as looking at the sellers history, they appear to be a trader and not actually registering themselves on eBay as a trader.

[cort16]

If it's got a years ticket just buy it. Even without an mot it's worth something . These things where full of expanding foam, wob and bits of old road signs at 3 years old , why change the heritage ?

[captain_70s]

Looks about right for a classic on a garage forecourt, private sale is the way to go if you want something more barginous but potentially less shiny. Having said that my Dolly was bought from a dealer by the PO and I got a couple of years out of it before the "tarted up for sale" bits started to show in a major way on the bodywork, it also cost a grand less...

 

Sadly the days of finding a one caring giffer owner from new, only out for the show season and never in rain pre-1980 car for under £5k are long gone. Anything under that sort of price is going to need work on a frequent basis, and probably a 3 figure sum every MOT for weldage. £2.5k will hardly bag you a decent Morris Marina or Austin Allegro these days...

[dome]

Go and look at some others, both in and out of your budget to get a feel for what's on the market.

 

That will give you some idea of context for the one you're looking at and should help you decide.

 

You're obviously keen and under no illusion of what to expect with these rust and general shonkiness wise, it's a case of finding the right car for you.

 

I did this with the S4, looking at one twice the price of mine at a dealers to give myself a reality check. Mine was far better...

[richardmorris]

Where abouts is the hole on this picture (pic 51), I genuinely can't see it! The bit on the orange paint was a rust blister that the paint looks to have chipped off.2017-06-28 20.24.12.jpgMy biggest concern is in the front of the front wings, there is a hole behind there. I tried to take a picture.Nearside is the worst:2017-06-28 19.58.16.jpgOffside:2017-06-28 20.05.52.jpg2017-06-28 20.06.14.jpgPoking my finger in there found that it was a bit flaky on the edges, but pretty solid on the rest.If anything, I'm finding this a great learning exercise when looking at classic cars!

 

From experience, that rusty blob on the red panel is through to the other side. They will rust from inside out. When you see bubbles it's rarely surface deep.

[Tickman]

Interesting one. Unfortunately current reserve not met, but will be interesting to see if the reserve is something near the current price....

The listing states the reserve is £2000.

 

It looks better than the one local.

 

Being blunt, you seem to like your cars 'correct' so if there is a fault it will need looked at and then fixed. A '70's BL car might just keep you a little busier than you might like.

 

In you situation I think I would should look for something nice enough and if it ticks enough boxes personally it would stay and get the attention needed.

 

In reality I would have already bought the local one and be in denial of  the pain that lay ahead.

 

P.S. learn to weld...

[trigger]

Personally i would avoid it unless your happy to sink another £1000-1500+ into it getting it back to a condition which you'll be happy with.

[scruff]

Glad you are going for one, be good having some more proper old shit on here. I'm 33 and think they are kwalz but then again I drive an A35 and a steam engine so perhaps my view is somewhat distorted. I've never understood people who won't have one (or a mini, series Landy etc) because they hate the club scene? It's not the law to join them is it.

 

The orangey one does look a bit of a painted lady but to be frank I think any old Brit dog is going to have something to sort somewhere along the line unless you fork out for a properly restored one (and then barely use it). 

 

Have you considered a Scim...?? Not everyone's cup of tea but I love em and they go like fuck compared to a MGB. Lots of nice electrical bugs to keep you tinkering too. 

[SiC]

The listing states the reserve is £2000.

 

It looks better than the one local.

 

Being blunt, you seem to like your cars 'correct' so if there is a fault it will need looked at and then fixed. A '70's BL car might just keep you a little busier than you might like.

 

In you situation I think I would should look for something nice enough and if it ticks enough boxes personally it would stay and get the attention needed.

 

In reality I would have already bought the local one and be in denial of the pain that lay ahead.

 

P.S. learn to weld...

One thing I've learnt from looking at cars over my driving career (~13yrs) is that pictures never lie - apart from in dating profiles and car adverts! So I didn't entirely believe that just needs sills.

 

I do love the MGB GT, hence why I'm attracted to them. I also love a challenge - hence the Laguna II which has been disappointingly reliable (I'm not even joking when I say that) and a Smart which is almost all fixed. So a BL product maybe a match made in heaven?

 

Welding is a big unknown to me, but I'd very much like to learn.

 

Personally i would avoid it unless your happy to sink another £1000-1500+ into it getting it back to a condition which you'll be happy with.

This is the thing I'm debating and making me sway towards the orange. If I got a "good" example I'd be 4k - £1.5k more than this. Where as the orange one I can get £1.5k less, that I may have to spend that to get it through the next MOT. This is one of the things that troubles me the most about not just buying this.

 

There is also the question on the orange one on its true structural integrity.