MGB GT - Mission finally complete! Phew.

[BorniteIdentity]

I don't really MG at all. I think I said earlier in the thread that, for me they're just a bit mainstream. Obvious. The car that old men would just turn to by default when wanting to relive their youth.

 

Then I saw this today at our village fete, and I got it.

 

V8. Horrendous colour. Period to a tee.

 

 

Would.

[stripped fred]

over on rr

 

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/198904/bgt-mot-oct-1750-westcliff

This looks worth further investigation. Do you like it?

[vulgalour]

If you're buying to experience only, get whatever one you can find that's got enough MoT for some enjoyment and time enough for you to punt it on.  DO NOT GET ATTACHED TO THIS CAR.  Because if you do your wallet will try to murder you in your sleep.

 

Once you've owned one for a bit and assuming you get on with it, you'll have a better idea of what you can and can't put up with.  They rust EVERYWHERE, even where they shouldn't and often where you can't see.  If the bottom of the front wings is rusting on the outside, chances are the inner wing, a pillar, sill and bulkhead are all rusty.  Crumbling rear arches?  I bet that's spread into the inner arches, chassis leg and rear spring mount.  The tailgate rubber has a habit of not sealing properly and you won't know about the boot full of water until the rare occasion you go to take the spare wheel out and fine there is a pond, or worse still, no pond because the boot is no longer water tight.  They rust at the trailing edge of the pop-out windows and that spreads up the C pillar to the roof and hinges and down into the wings, this is all HORRIBLE to fix and no panels are available for it.  Sills rot out, they're practically a service item.  Floors are likewise rust magnets, beware of seat mounting point bodge.

 

So anyway, like any 70s British car, they rot for fun.  As long as you're okay with that aspect of ownership, you'll be fine.  The only way to stop it happening is shitloads of waxoyl, really dilligent cleaning of the dirt traps and trying not to use it in crappy weather. If it has to live outside, then clean clean clean and clean some more, especially from the chrome waist trim down and especially in the winter.

 

Now for the good stuff:  almost every item is still available and quite a lot is still available brand new.  One plus side to their popularity is that parts support, club support and insurance are all really very good.  The venerable B series is one of the most dependable lumps out there and perfectly adequate in stock trim.  Gearboxes, providing they don't have overdrive, tend to be fairly robust things.  You can drive them in a spirited manner and they won't try to kill you anywhere near as frequently as a similarly aged Triumph.  They can and will keep up with motorway traffic.

 

Just... don't poke it if it looks like paint is the only thing holding it together, it probably is.

[Mally]

I thought Gold Seal was the factory rebuilt replacement engines (and maybe gearboxes).

 

It was.

 

Ivor Searle are the engines in demand now I think.

That's what they told me anyway and it ran ok.

[SiC]

This looks worth further investigation. Do you like it?

Actually yes I do. Price is very right too. MOT is short, so would be good to know what state the underside is in and likely hood of passing.

 

Just speaking to my mate and it appears that he's off on Thursday, so hopefully I can go shopping for one. Doesn't have to be too local either. Just will have to pick one and go for it.

[SiC]

That Isle of Wight one looks very tempting too. Not a million miles away for me to get there either.

 

http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C887726

[cort16]

Normally the cars on RR are honestly described and fairly decent. 

[danthecapriman]

That Isle of Wight one looks very tempting too. Not a million miles away for me to get there either.

http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C887726

I like that one too, lovely colour!

[SiC]

If you're buying to experience only, get whatever one you can find that's got enough MoT for some enjoyment and time enough for you to punt it on. DO NOT GET ATTACHED TO THIS CAR. Because if you do your wallet will try to murder you in your sleep.

 

Once you've owned one for a bit and assuming you get on with it, you'll have a better idea of what you can and can't put up with. They rust EVERYWHERE, even where they shouldn't and often where you can't see. If the bottom of the front wings is rusting on the outside, chances are the inner wing, a pillar, sill and bulkhead are all rusty. Crumbling rear arches? I bet that's spread into the inner arches, chassis leg and rear spring mount. The tailgate rubber has a habit of not sealing properly and you won't know about the boot full of water until the rare occasion you go to take the spare wheel out and fine there is a pond, or worse still, no pond because the boot is no longer water tight. They rust at the trailing edge of the pop-out windows and that spreads up the C pillar to the roof and hinges and down into the wings, this is all HORRIBLE to fix and no panels are available for it. Sills rot out, they're practically a service item. Floors are likewise rust magnets, beware of seat mounting point bodge.

 

So anyway, like any 70s British car, they rot for fun. As long as you're okay with that aspect of ownership, you'll be fine. The only way to stop it happening is shitloads of waxoyl, really dilligent cleaning of the dirt traps and trying not to use it in crappy weather. If it has to live outside, then clean clean clean and clean some more, especially from the chrome waist trim down and especially in the winter.

 

Now for the good stuff: almost every item is still available and quite a lot is still available brand new. One plus side to their popularity is that parts support, club support and insurance are all really very good. The venerable B series is one of the most dependable lumps out there and perfectly adequate in stock trim. Gearboxes, providing they don't have overdrive, tend to be fairly robust things. You can drive them in a spirited manner and they won't try to kill you anywhere near as frequently as a similarly aged Triumph. They can and will keep up with motorway traffic.

 

Just... don't poke it if it looks like paint is the only thing holding it together, it probably is.

Excellent guide there vulgalour thanks for that. Rust is my biggest fear. Also reiterates the point to me that I need to only spend what I can afford to throw away if it's fucked with it needing loads of welding next year. Especially as it will be stored outside and I'd like to use it in the winter.

 

That amount really is £3k tops. Ideally nearer the 2k to 2.5k mark. Of course I should be able to expect to get at least £500-600 back on eBay without an MOT next year too. Should be plenty of stuff out there for that which has half a chance of lasting at least a year?

[SiC]

So two big possible contenders for me now. Isle of Wight and RR ones.

 

Both I have asked for a few more on pictures.

 

Isle of Wight is favorite because colour, chrome, it's been used regularly and sunroof. However RR probably the better car and more known quantity.

 

In regards to rust. Every car is different but I managed 2 years of year round driving in a uk MX5 MK1 where the rear sills were rusting. They were crusty when I shifted it on but still weren't rotten through. Surely the MGB GT is only going to be similar?

[danthecapriman]

So two big possible contenders for me now. Isle of Wight and RR ones.

Both I have asked for a few more on pictures.

Isle of Wight is favorite because colour, chrome, it's been used regularly and sunroof. However RR probably the better car and more known quantity.

In regards to rust. Every car is different but I managed 2 years of year round driving in a uk MX5 MK1 where the rear sills were rusting. They were crusty when I shifted it on but still weren't rotten through. Surely the MGB GT is only going to be similar?

Most old cars will/do rust. It's just the way they are and the shit climate here combined with excessive amounts of road salt in winter doesn't help either.

That said, I wouldn't worry too much. It's not going to dissolve before your eyes! Pick something that's at least half decent to begin with, spend a bit of money and time splashing some underseal and cavity wax around it and keep it clean when in use and it'll be fine.

I've used only old cars as daily drivers all year round before I got a company van, all of them have been 70's and 80's cars and provided you keep them regularly washed (properly!) and attend to any issues they'll be fine. I even used to use my Capri this way and for the whole first winter I did so it had hardly any underseal left on its floorpans. It was covered in surface rust but it coped until I had time to do something about it.

Besides, plenty of people do use cars like these all year round...

[SiC]

Most old cars will/do rust. It's just the way they are and the shit climate here combined with excessive amounts of road salt in winter doesn't help either.

That said, I wouldn't worry too much. It's not going to dissolve before your eyes! Pick something that's at least half decent to begin with, spend a bit of money and time splashing some underseal and cavity wax around it and keep it clean when in use and it'll be fine.

I've used only old cars as daily drivers all year round before I got a company van, all of them have been 70's and 80's cars and provided you keep them regularly washed (properly!) and attend to any issues they'll be fine. I even used to use my Capri this way and for the whole first winter I did so it had hardly any underseal left on its floorpans. It was covered in surface rust but it coped until I had time to do something about it.

Besides, plenty of people do use cars like these all year round...

Maybe one for the stupid question thread, but can you take a classic (like a GT) through an automatic car wash? I tend to use the conveyor belt ARC Car Washes as I've found they do less damage to the paint. We regularly used to put our MK3 MX5 through it too with no problems. Admittedly that was a pretty watertight car.

 

I wasn't sure if they would be clever enough to figure out a old car without its curvy, smooth and straight body surfaces!

[Guest Hooli]

I can't see why not, but I don't think I'd trust an auto wash if the GT has a webasto sunroof.

[stripped fred]

Maybe one for the stupid question thread, but can you take a classic (like a GT) through an automatic car wash? I tend to use the conveyor belt ARC Car Washes as I've found they do less damage to the paint. We regularly used to put our MK3 MX5 through it too with no problems. Admittedly that was a pretty watertight car.

 

I wasn't sure if they would be clever enough to figure out a old car without its curvy, smooth and straight body surfaces!

New cars are all sorts of shapes too. I'm sure it would work but as you say much better to wash by hand if you can.

[Mally]

Excellent guide there vulgalour thanks for that. Rust is my biggest fear. Also reiterates the point to me that I need to only spend what I can afford to throw away if it's fucked with it needing loads of welding next year. Especially as it will be stored outside and I'd like to use it in the winter.

 

That amount really is £3k tops. Ideally nearer the 2k to 2.5k mark. Of course I should be able to expect to get at least £500-600 back on eBay without an MOT next year too. Should be plenty of stuff out there for that which has half a chance of lasting at least a year?

 

This is why I suggested the first one at £2000.

Looked the part, know what the problems are, plenty of time to fix it or move it on at small loss.

 

Don't run it through a car wash, holes may appear, water will get everywhere.

I actually enjoyed washing mine and I normally wash cars every 6 months

[panhard65]

I had a few planned today that I wanted to go see, but when I was about to make calls this morning, I got told we had plans already. Humpfh.

 

Tempting to throw a bid on that horrid one that I saw on Thursday, just so I own one! Still sat on £1150 no bids.

 

The engine and gearbox in it seemed pretty good though if anyone needs a donor lump.

 

That orange one in Wales looks promising, but I really would like one either tax exempt, or one that will be next year. I.e. pre 1978. Or if it's not, it's really cheap. I dunno, I just find it hard to justify to myself to pay >3k for a rubber bumper car too.

 

Yes, you're probably pulling your hair out in despair reading that. Don't worry, I'm just as frustrated with myself too.

 

In the meantime as a distraction, checkout this place near me that I found today and never even knew existed. Peaking in the window I saw a trade insurance certificate, so I'm guessing it's still trading.

 

This was found during a walk to a local classic car show. Of course I saw the obligatory MGB in a lovely beige. Naturally it had an old bloke with a flat cap sat in the drivers seat. His sills were in very good shape though.

 

20170715_145153.jpg

20170715_145205.jpg

20170715_145230.jpg

20170715_145248.jpg

Unfortunatly I think this place is closing I bought a suspension pump from the owners son and he said his dad was retiring. It is a lovely garage and such a shame that it will probably get pulled down and converted. I would of loved to of had a garage like this instead of the industrial estate I am on

[SiC]

Unfortunatly I think this place is closing I bought a suspension pump from the owners son and he said his dad was retiring. It is a lovely garage and such a shame that it will probably get pulled down and converted. I would of loved to of had a garage like this instead of the industrial estate I am on

Will be a shame. Frenchay is an expensive area though, so may get converted into something else. Might possibly not be allowed to be converted.

[andy18s]

Maybe one for the stupid question thread, but can you take a classic (like a GT) through an automatic car wash? I tend to use the conveyor belt ARC Car Washes as I've found they do less damage to the paint. We regularly used to put our MK3 MX5 through it too with no problems. Admittedly that was a pretty watertight car.

 

I wasn't sure if they would be clever enough to figure out a old car without its curvy, smooth and straight body surfaces!

No no no

If you're buying something like this to have some fun with,then move on once the itch has been scratched then find yourself a decent shampoo that won't damage the paint and do it yourself....

[SiC]

No no no

If you're buying something like this to have some fun with,then move on once the itch has been scratched then find yourself a decent shampoo that won't damage the paint and do it yourself....

The thought process was more that if I used it in the winter, I could run it through the car wash more often to prevent crap building up on the underside. I might ask at work, nearer the time, if I can get a permit to park in the under building parking garage. It's pretty much at a regular 25-28C year round, so should be able to dry and moisture out from winter use.

[tooSavvy]

No one mentioned 'federation of engine remanufacturers' yet?

 

Gold seal, Silver seal.... & back page of E&M.

 

There was a feature in PMech or some such...

 

Strip a FoMoCo 1.6OHV >> 50% into scrap bin >> check/tolerance big bits >> Whang together :/

 

Better than breakers [no guesswork] but not for the Ring lol

 

 

TS

[cort16]

I saw this at the transport museum yesterday. Will I just ask them to get it down for you?

 

[They_all_do_that_sir]

The RR one looks like a decent honest wee car and it's very keenly priced.

 

If it's as good as it appears in the ad it won't sit long (assuming it's advertised elsewhere). It's cheap enough to just buy and punt on if it's not quite as good as you thought. That awful red one you viewed made near as much coin on eBay ffs.....

 

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[tooSavvy]

Water regs can be tight.... Drive thru washes (brush/conveyor) may be required to filter/reuse wash water.

 

Saltier than a Salty thing at the turn of the year

 

 

TS

[SiC]

The RR one looks like a decent honest wee car and it's very keenly priced.

 

If it's as good as it appears in the ad it won't sit long (assuming it's advertised elsewhere). It's cheap enough to just buy and punt on if it's not quite as good as you thought. That awful red one you viewed made near as much coin on eBay ffs.....

 

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I've PM the RR one and still waiting for a reply. Would be good to get a few more pictures of it. Most of his posts seem to involve buying and selling cars. Nothing wrong with that if course, but means no thread chatting about it.

 

Orange one in IoW replied earlier:

sills are ok - the rear spring hanger was welded prior to the MOT no other major rust.

 

Being a chrome, sunroof and longer MOT, that would be my preference initially I guess. But in all honesty I'd rock around in either.

 

My hands are tied till Thursday. Pretty much convinced my best mate to take me to IoW on his day off for a road trip on Thursday!

 

The Essex one is do-able by train for me too.

[SiC]

I saw this at the transport museum yesterday. Will I just ask them to get it down for you?

 

IMG_1926.jpg

Nah. It's got wired wheels. Not interested.

 

I like the colour though.

[richardthestag]

re karwash I would be more inclined to take my Rangie down the hand car wash run by EU citizens for cash in hand, they tend to do stuff more sympathetically. £5 gets the outside works + pressure wash wand to go around the inner arches etc when I simply cannot be bothered to do so myself. which is what I normally do.

 

Stag - autocar wash - no fucking way

[Vince70]

Or just buy a cheap pressure washer and do it yourself.

I bought a bosch one for £40 with delivery through Amazon then just buy the cheapo own brand spray cans of waxoyl for Under £3 a can at tool-station to spray underneath when you've let it dry.

[SiC]

My hands are tied till Thursday. Pretty much convinced my best mate to take me to IoW on his day off for a road trip on Thursday!

 

The Essex one is do-able by train for me too.

I probably should add the proviso (which my wife has just reminded me) that this all depends on my wife not needing to stop overnight in hospital on Wednesday. It's supposed to be a day patient thing, but if things don't go to plan she may have to stop overnight.

[SiC]

Or just buy a cheap pressure washer and do it yourself.

I bought a bosch one for £40 with delivery through Amazon then just buy the cheapo own brand spray cans of waxoyl for Under £3 a can at tool-station to spray underneath when you've let it dry.

I do have a cheap Karcher. Might be the perfect excuse to buy this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kärcher-26427390-Chassis-Cleaner/dp/B006ZLET9Q

[Tickman]

I've PM the RR one and still waiting for a reply...

Phone him and have a chat, much better than emails and messages.