MGB GT - Mission finally complete! Phew.

[SiC]

I keep coming back to this one: http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/mg/mgb/225821

 

Not tax free yet, so less desirable. Rubber bumper, so less desirable. Also quite a late model one too. Not a bargain basement price for all this.

 

However clean MOT history, 3 owners from new and under bonnet shot looks remarkably rust free. Especially under areas like the interior fan which seem to be traps.

 

Not sure if it's orange, or red. DVLA say red, but pictures look orange. However camera maybe lying.

[Vince70]

Slight bubbling on the rear wing means it's going to need a new rear half wing and possibly a bit of work on the inner metal liner then plenty of waxoyl to keep everything looking good.

 

It's not the end of the world I think I paid about £250/300 to get mine sorted but that was mainly due to letting a friend who said he could weld near it first and he also cut the old wing off higher than he should so the panel beater sprayer had an awful job repairing it to get it looking right.

 

But this was back in about 1989/91 so I guess there's inflation involved so I would look and see how much it is first to get the repair done.

[Eddie Honda]

  On 03/07/2017 at 21:25, SiC said:

Not sure if it's orange, or red. DVLA say red, but pictures look orange. However camera maybe lying.

Its Vermilion Red, which is orange to anyone.

[SiC]

  On 03/07/2017 at 21:53, Eddie Honda said:

Its Vermilion Red, which is orange to anyone.

Ahhh! I have seen Vermilion mentioned on other adverts. I assumed it was a special trim edition, not a colour.

 

Reminds me of Zanzibar Red on Porsche.

[Eddie Honda]

The earlier colour which you see 1300GTs and that in is slightly lighter, less red and is Blaze.

[Uncle Jimmy]

In fairness, the cockpit of the MGB looks like how I imagine a WW2 MTB might look. It's the very humped over scuttle curve and purposeful cramped interior.

[stripped fred]

You have tried a fair few cars there. I think you're doing the right thing. Kids do change it a bit although not altogether.

 

My step-mum had a green mgb gt when my dad met her when I was 9. Me and my sister used to travel in the back but it was a squeeze. My dad kept it going for a about 3 years until it was sold as going rusty underneath. This was in 1983! It did feel quite special so I know where you're coming from.

[Vince70]

This one just came up on a Facebook page and it's a chrome bumper and cheap.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/390896610925969/permalink/1786894634659486/?sale_post_id=1786894634659486

And it's supposed to be solid underneath

[SiC]

Oo nice! How do I reply to the post/comment on there? I can't see any option to. I've tried joining that FB group, so just waiting for that to happen - I guess that needs to before I can reply?

[Vince70]

I'm not really sure as Facebook isn't really my thing but I can ask anything till you manage to be accepted to the group or drop them your details if you prefer

I just thought it must be an omen that it popped up on my Facebook.

It says the guys name who's advertised it is James Harding it might be best to contact him directly.

[phil_lihp]

That's very, very close to me if you want me to poke it for you.

[andy18s]

I've asked him for a phone number,see if he sends one over

[Vince70]

Here's the guys number

[SiC]

  On 04/07/2017 at 17:38, phil_lihp said:

That's very, very close to me if you want me to poke it for you.

That would be amazing! I'll PM.

[SiC]

I've tried phoning that James guy but went straight to Voicemail.

 

Left a text asking for a bit more info, like when last MOT'd and reg plate. No delivery report come yet either.

[Guest Hooli]

It's nearly beige too, you've got to have it.

[Mally]

Check the MOT history.

Looks like VGS 226 L to me.

Off road since 2006 ?. Lots of corrosion.

I'd be avoiding that one.

[Vince70]

The reg is VGS 226L

The car hasn't been on the road since 2006 but it passed its last mot without any advisories but it looks like it was off the road for a month When it had its welding done but hopefully it might of had the sills done and it hasn't done any miles since on salty roads.

 

But then what MGB hasn't been welded its ust getting one that's been welded to a high standard rather than patch welded over rust I guess as the only original parts on my car was the alloy bonnet and the tailgate and that was back in the 80s.

 

Let's hope it's a goodun and you manage to get it at a bargain price if it is.

So it looks like whoever looks at it needs to poke about underneath and around the seatbelt anchoring points.

If you do get it though you've got to keep the book work up to date lol

[SiC]

I've messaged Phil so fingers crossed he'll be able to have a look. It'd be a 5hr round trip for me to go there, so unfortunately not practical to go after work. Plus Phil is much more mechanically aptituded and experienced than me, especially with older cars, he's far more likely to have a much more accurate judge of it. Especially I get clouded mentally with "must buy"!

[SiC]

It's not coming up on total car check, so I guess its too old to have all the details entered by the DVLA. Would be interested to know number of previous owners. I guess either very low or possibly going by that book, no others.

 

Would also need to figure out transportation. My uncle lives in Bude and I might be able to persuade him to store it at his temporarily until I get a proper transport back to mine. Basically all do-able if it's a reasonable buy.

[Vince70]

Also a good excuse for a holiday to Bude. My great aunt lived their for years and we would stay during our summer holidays it's a lovely place..

I looked at some pictures close up and it's had a patch on the sill and what I can see it needs a half wing as it's got some crud around one of the rear arches..

There's also a blue rubber bumper on the same site for £500 spares and repairs but it's even bubbling on the top of the wings so it must be a complete rot case.

 

[SiC]

Yeah I saw that blue one. Looks like it's fit only for spares or a massive welding job.

 

Being under 37, I'm too young to be able to tow a car. So I'd have to arrange transportation.

[Guest Hooli]

Sounds like the perfect* excuse to do your trailer test.

[SiC]

I don't have or even ever had a car with a towbar!

[phil_lihp]

Message received, I'll try calling him tomorrow and see about having a look.

 

Mechanically apt?  You are joking!  I do try but I'm no Bo11ox.

[phil_lihp]

Plus my van and car both have towbars so I'm sure something could be arranged...

[SiC]

This is local and suitably grotty. MOT history looks good though. Also has a sunroof which is big plus points with the other half in the summer.

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201706136414812?atmobcid=soc3

 

[SiC]

I have to say, the dash of the chrome bumper ones look the best. Those toggle switches look absolutely superb and immensely satisfy to flick.

 

The only lack I see in the MGB is a voltmeter and ammeter. I won't deny looking on eBay for vintage Smith's parts of them to retrofit.

 

 

I read a post on an MG forum that made a lot of sense. Chrome bumper MGBs are 60s sports cars and rubber bumper MGBs are 70s sports cars. I guess people associate the MGB with the 60s and thus look down on the rubber bumper cars. However I think they're getting far more love nowadays than they did. Also if they came out of the factory with a chin spoiler standard, I think the look would have been more acceptable.

[cort16]

The chrome bumper ones look so much better. Shortish mot is a bit worrying but it looks nice.

[stripped fred]

Nice colour. They're both nice actually. There are a few about then.