MGB GT - Mission finally complete! Phew.

[captain_70s]

I really like that, on the basis of it being fucked, from the early 70s and in a naff shade of yellow. But nowhere near enough to consider spending a 4 figure sum on it...

[Shep Shepherd]

I'd buy the mustard one, get it roadworthy, treat it to a rolling restoration and take it to a show or two, just to upset the MG people whose cars are in better than new condition; in my book, a scruffy-but-sound MGB is the best MGB, and for me, the only MGB worth having.

[Vince70]

An MGB with original paint must be rare that looks more solid than most of them circa 1985 as mine was completely rebuilt in 86 with absolutely everything renewed apart from some of the floor tailgate and bonnet plus window frame with me getting the odd rot spot repaired while in my ownership.

 

It looks a good project but I guess there's always that gamble not hearing it start up that the engine could be cream crackered but on the other hand if you get it cheap enough and don't mind getting your hands dirty you could for 3 grand have a very decent car with a nice service history and you will know that things have been done on it properly and if you get bored with it in a few years down the line a good chrome bumper is a lot more desirable than a rubber bumper.

 

But with any MGB it's not about making money as with any 70s classic they will throw bills your way and breakdown when you least expect it and it is constant maintenance but that's what Sundays were invented for back in the day.

But if you go into classic ownership with that frame of mind it's not that bad and you know with a B absolutely everything is available off the shelf.

 

And it does sort of have rubber bumpers as being a later chrome bumper you have got the rubber inserts on the overriders.

[Tamworthbay]

It's got potential if the price is right. It would be easy enough to jerry rig a fuel supply and see if it's up for running or not.

[Vince70]

But if the world of isopon and oil leaks and wonky fuel pumps and condensers is daunting then there's always the cheaper option.

And it's a lot easier to just add Kseal not that this one needs it.

http://autoshite.com/topic/25698-mgf-%C2%A3450/

[Mally]

I'd pass on the mustard

It looks £500 to me.

[SiC]

Massive thanks to Phil for having a look at the beige one. I'll try uploading more photos of it on here soon.

 

I'm shying away from that one at the moment as it looks like a bit too much of a project for me right now. I would rather have something with MOT on so can actually use it. Also I'd really want it for around half what they're asking to make it worth while.

 

The Red one I saw yesterday still has a lot of promise to me. I'm hanging out a little to see when/if he drops the price as he suggested. If I could get it for around the sub £2k mark, then that gives plenty of budget to get things sorted - which I think it needs a fair bit of.

 

However at the same time, the engine start easily without choke and no smoke. Plus the sills felt and looked solid, and also filled with corrosion inhibitor.

 

Things it needs doing asap: Brake pipes (corroded), front end suspension (might as well make it handle well from start) and tyres (over 10yrs old). As that age is a single circuit, I'd probably want the master and calipers changed while I was at it.

Longer term things: Respray - probably all over.

 

If I was respraying, I'd be tempted to change the colour to orange too.

 

Being a chrome bumper car, it'll always be worth more than the rubber.

[SiC]

I still actually like the original orange one at the very start of this thread! I just know it'll be disposable by the end of next year. But then even an immaculate one could be hanging a bit by then too if left out?!

 

Tempted to get a borescope camera so I start looking through these drain holes.

[Mally]

You have had a look round now, they are all the same under £6000.

Makes sense to go for something usable at a good price, and decide later which way to go.

[Tickman]

...The Red one I saw yesterday still has a lot of promise to me. I'm hanging out a little to see when/if he drops the price as he suggested. If I could get it for around the sub £2k mark, then that gives plenty of budget to get things sorted - which I think it needs a fair bit of.

 

Being a chrome bumper car, it'll always be worth more than the rubber.

Are you waiting for one of yours to sell before committing?

If you liked it and the price may drop then having a chat with the owner might get the price you want to pay without waiting.

[phil_lihp]

If I were in the market for a restoration job I reckon the mustard B would be great, it's a good solid foundation and probably a weekend or two would see it in with a chance of an MOT, assuming the engine is ok.

 

I've no idea on values to be honest but I reckon he'd take an offer. He suggested he could help with delivery too.

[Mally]

There are two close to you.

The first one, and the maroon one with damaged skirt.

Rubber and chrome, similar price.

I'd drive them both, pay for MOT on the Maroon one, play one guy against the other, and buy.............. or not buy.

You want one that's usable from the off. Don't want to spend months and cash sorting one then find you didn't really want it.

I'll try to STFU now.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

I'd have bought the mustard one there and then. Looks honest, it is what it is and I'm guessing he will do a deal on the price that will leave you a few quid to start working on it.

 

I would then DIY the oily bits to get it driving and stopping and lob in for an MOT.

 

If it passed I've no shame in saying I'd underseal the fuck out of it, mop the paint, tidy the inside and stick it up for sale at "chancing my arm" money.

 

Smoke around in it for a while, if someone is daft enough to offer you close to the asking price then get shot

 

Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

[phil_lihp]

To be honest, if SiC didn't want it and I had the spare cash I would probably have it, these do nothing for me at all to be honest but as a relatively quick turnaround for a little profit it has potential.

[SiC]

Are you waiting for one of yours to sell before committing?

If you liked it and the price may drop then having a chat with the owner might get the price you want to pay without waiting.

Yes pretty much. Mostly because I'm not allowed 4 cars because it upsets the neighbours (and thus the wife) having 2 on the road. I did measure spare room on the drive with the Civic and Smart on it - half a meter too short to fit a MGB GT on there too! I hoped to pass it as a classic and thus I can have 4 cars, but apparently 3 is my absolute of motorised transportation devices.

 

I've taken the pictures and now just need to (begrudgingly) write the advert for the Laguna. Doesn't seem too much interest on here for it unfortunately and possibly/probably struggle on the open market. However if a MGB GT came up at the right price and condition, I'd buy immediately and face the consequences later...

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

crumbs some of you lot

 

40 year old british car has filla in it, I mean like wtaf

 

A cheap runner with an Mot is exactly that, if it wasnt it would be an expensive runner with an MoT.

 

To say that a cheap MG with wob where it shouldnt be but a legit MoT or saggy tatty seats should be avoided, when all the lad wants to do is have a laugh with it and leave it outside, seems against the core principle of autoshite. If it was the shonkiest old jag we would be applauding the size of his sack

 

Me I would have probably waved 1500 sheets in the sellers face for that original orange motor. it is what it is etc. Then used it for the whole summer armed with nowt but a smile and a recovery card. then before the summer was out steam clean all the shit off the underside and assess the situation, fix it over the winter and then sell it on if needed

 

 

I wouldn't even drive these things - I don't mind rusty arches, but structurally they are very iffy and won't withstand a good shunt. Basically, a rusty patched up MGB is a deathtrap.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

The red one (looks like Damask) looks like a solid basis for gradual improvement. The rusty bits can be touched in to keep it 'ten foot' tidy this year. But it's the one to buy and it looks as though it warrants a grand or two spent tarting it up next year before selling it on. Metal bumper cars are so much more desirable.

 

The beige one (Harvest Gold) is a great basis for a full restoration but the underside is horrible.

[SiC]

The red one (looks like Damask) looks like a solid basis for gradual improvement. The rusty bits can be touched in to keep it 'ten foot' tidy this year. But it's the one to buy and it looks as though it warrants a grand or two spent tarting it up next year before selling it on. Metal bumper cars are so much more desirable.

 

The beige one (Harvest Gold) is a great basis for a full restoration but the underside is horrible.

The red one I probably could get most of my money back on a respray when coming to sell I reckon.

[SiC]

Beige one now on the bay.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263079997806

[SiC]

Sold already! £1300

 

http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidsLogin&item=263079997806&item_hash4=9cced26a&LH_Complete=1&LH_BIN=1&_pgn=1&rc=nt&_trksid=p3750801.m370.h1613&clk_rvr_id=1253685796376&rmvSB=true&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-53481-19255-0%252F1%253Fff3%253D4%2526campid%253D5335849815%2526toolid%253D10034%2526customid%253DeBay-UK_go-url_-6d4815550224--www.google.co.uk-ilu.ihist.263079997806.-_wcc%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Foffer.ebay.co.uk%25252Fws%25252FeBayISAPI.dll%25253FViewBidsLogin%252526item%25253D263079997806%252526item_hash4%25253D9cced26a%252526LH_Complete%25253D1%252526LH_BIN%25253D1%252526_pgn%25253D1%252526rc%25253Dnt%252526_trksid%25253Dp3750801.m370.h1613%2526srcrot%253D710-53481-19255-0%2526rvr_id%253D1253685796376

[Kiltox]

 

Tempted to get a borescope camera so I start looking through these drain holes.

I have one of the handheld display ones in my storage unit if you'd like to borrow it...

[richardthestag]

I wouldn't even drive these things - I don't mind rusty arches, but structurally they are very iffy and won't withstand a good shunt. Basically, any car made before 2009 rusty patched up MGB is a deathtrap.

 

If it has a legit MoT then I would drive it

[Mally]

I'd drive anything that was road legal.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

I ride motorbikes, any MGB is bound to offer better crash protection therefore I'd happily drive even a shonky one

 

Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

[Mally]

A  2 CV with 3 wheels that you built yourself feels worse than a bike.

[Tamworthbay]

Many years ago I attended an enthralling course on risk assessment. The guy running it wasn't too bad (by RA standards) and was a bit of a car fan. He had the previous years stats on car crashes, he pointed out one set of stats in particular. It showed that the car you were most likely to die in in the event of a crash was a 2cv but that the car you were least likely to die in overall was a........ 2cv. The reason being that they were not involved in that many accidents. He used it as an example of managing risk, a high risk activity can be made low risk depending how you go about it.

 

If you continually worried about how safe you were in a car you would end up never leaving your house and being fed cornflakes through the letterbox. No point being alive if you just spend the time worrying about how you might die.

[SiC]

The Laguna now appears to be sold, pending collection on Friday. Also I'm delaying the Audi and so free drive space for a couple of months. So this means I'm freely able to go browse and potentially buy shit, rusted and knackered MGBs

 

Even though that red one from autotrader isn't my favourite colour, I think I'll go have another look. That is if it hasn't sold already! Especially as he's reduced the price yesterday.

 

Just need a clear head and not rush. Especially as even though the sills are good, it needs a crap load of work still.

[Guest Hooli]

They stick in your mind once you've owned one. Sold my Midget 10 years ago & I still know -

 

11 3/4 turns out for the mixture to run best (rear carb goes lean on its own over time, front goes rich)

15thou points

25thou plugs

8 BTDC

 

Utterly no use to anyone as I think it got scrapped judging by the DVLA site. Shame, it was brilliant fun.

[danthecapriman]

The Laguna now appears to be sold, pending collection on Friday. Also I'm delaying the Audi and so free drive space for a couple of months. So this means I'm freely able to go browse and potentially buy shit, rusted and knackered MGBs

Even though that red one from autotrader isn't my favourite colour, I think I'll go have another look. That is if it hasn't sold already! Especially as he's reduced the price yesterday.

Just need a clear head and not rush. Especially as even though the sills are good, it needs a crap load of work still.

Sounds like a good plan. Take your time and pick the best one for you without rushing.

 

Incidentally, my uncle owns a white chrome bumper BGT but has got to sell it for health reasons. It's absolutely mint though so might be a tad out of budget. Nice looking car though.

[SiC]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232399633502

 

I won't deny, I do really like these in Harvest Gold Beige.