Car wanted... New delivery on page 3!

[mattblack]

So now you've got two Morris Oxfords....

[seth]

More details of my Austin Cambridge Sports Coupe later

[michiel]

Can't wait! I know it's a bit of an archetypal (?) classic, but the styling's quite nice.

[Milford Cubicle]

I hope it's the one with a B-series Diesel conversion which was on carandclassic for a while.

[pogweasel]

Yes!39bhp, ultimate engine shite.

[seth]

I hope it's the one with a B-series Diesel conversion which was on carandclassic for a while.

Sorry to disappoint...

 

So we've been umming and ahhing about getting a car for Katie to use while I sort out the Herald. Last week I won a 3-2-1 exhaust manifold for the Oxford on Ebay, checked out the sellers other items and he had a tatty but MOT'd chrome bumper MGB on a classified listing for £850. We couldn't get down in time to look at it and it was snapped up on Saturday.

 

But it got us thinking that a B would actually be ideal. A bit old, really familiar, cheap parts, not had one before (except in Farina saloon form...) A trawl around the interweb threw up plenty of really ratty ones sub a grand but non local. This one was advertised for a bit more and wasn't MOT'd but seemed worth a look especially as it was only up in Dunstable.

 

Talking on the way to see it I reckoned we'd think "very nice but a bit more than we wanted to spend...." but as soon as we saw it we knew we couldn't refuse. It was subject to a complete restoration by the vendor for an old chap between 1990 (only 14 years old!) and 2001. Old chap then dies and leaves it to the restorer chappy. He finishes it, keeps it garaged and only takes it out on sunny summer days. Restorer has major heart surgery and can no longer drive so decides to finally sell it.

 

Its only done 1300 frickin' miles since the resto was finished! In fact its last MOT ran out in June '08 and it had only done 70 miles in the preceeding year. I've done about 140 in it today! Picked it up this morning and drove straight to MrRapids for a test, which it passed. (rear brakes need freeing off to work 100% and I replaced the Hazard light switch as it became a bit questionable). The overdrive wasn't working but with it up on the ramps a loose wire was found which I've since reattached to the gear lever switch and the OD works perfectly now.

 

It seems to be a properly sorted car. I didn't dare tell the guy that it wasn't even going to be garaged let along that we were planning on using it through the winter as a commuter car. Its not perfect as the paint is a bit dull and there's micro-blistering, particularly on the bonnet, but it looks smart enough.

 

Some photos of the anti-shite. Suggestions of name changes to suit the new image welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Station]

That looks nice, I've never minded the rubber bumper thing, in fact I prefer them (just to piss off the MG nobs).

[pogweasel]

OMGZ.

[garethj]

That looks like a belter, well done!As it's not Tartan Red with chrome wires, you're still welcome at Autoshite

[seth]

OMGZ.

Is that a good OMGZ or a "what the frick have you done ROFLOMG!?"

 

Decided with Keefy when I popped round yesterday that its early mid life crisis.

[michiel]

Well done, and ner ner to the flatcappers. Now get some JDM wheels on it!

[r.welfare]

1977 = least desirable re. ride height, therefore Autoshite gold? Looks tidy though! A mate of mine (that I haven't seen for years now, but I assume he still has it) has a '74 BGT in Harvest Gold (i.e. beige), and it was a nice old thing, O/D makes for relaxing progress and who cares that it doesn't handle like a GTI. I couldn't get used to sitting with my legs straight out in front of me, but then I don't normally drive/passenger in sports cars.Well done!

[Guest]

Rubber bumpers, not bright red, with Rostyles. Wouldn't be ashamed of that Seth, it's quality!At my old office there was some older bird who used one every day, even in the height of winter. It was like that but a darker shade of blue and a bit tatty. I thought that was admirable.

[pogweasel]

I anticipate his'n'hers monogrammed driving gloves to become de riguer...

[ashmicro]

Well done, and ner ner to the flatcappers. Now get some JDM wheels on it!

NER indeed, as the number plate says too!OOOF-tastic - that looks pretty good. Wang a CA18DET in it and stick in on the floor on banded steelies. And a roof chop.Then watch the smoke pouring out of the ears of the flatcap brigade!Seriously, nice machine.

[seth]

Amused at the Autoshite MGB love but then yes, I guess being the era it is it could only be shiter if it was a random BL shade of paint.

 

Its quite nice that this one hasn't received many of the usual MGB owners Club type accessories. Only additions appear to be the stainless tread plates and the Mountney wheel that is a little smaller than I'd prefer but we'll see how Mrs Seth does with it.

 

Already pulled the passenger seat out and halfway through changing the knackered cover for the good (new?) one that came with.

 

Pog, where can I get the monogrammed driving gloves?

[Mr Lobster]

Hey that looks pretty nice actually. All the better for being rubber bumpered, not in red or on wire wheels like every other MG evar. No, I think thats ok myself. Only ever driven one and that was years ago but I think they are an alright sort of thing and thats definately an Autoshite spec Mg if ever there was one (which is a good thing btw)

[Pete-M]

I accidentally bought a mimosa yellow '76 BGT many years ago.Mine was a lot scruffier. I think you've done ok there.Now all you need to do is fit MX-5 running gear..

[M'coli]

Or an Omega V6 and box, just to make it sound odd too...

[dollywobbler]

Yup. That's truly Autoshite-tastic - though really, the orange stripey seats I've seen in some Bs are total WIN.It's got 4x4 ground clearance, has a rubber-makeover and has a fixed roof, so it's hardly the enthusiasts choice. They're still ok though I reckon - they drive nicely and it should be a fine winter runaround! Wish I could have seen it in the flesh last night but the BX got shy and broke.

[Torsten2001]

I love MGB's and quite frankly I'm jealous!

[Rusty Pelican]

I anticipate his'n'hers monogrammed driving gloves to become de riguer...

Maybe a his n hers sunstrip too , looks in good nick ,

[seth]

Pete-M, love how you "accidently" bought one. Were you drunk? Can't imagine it being your cup of tea. Torsten, didn't think you'd like it either! I'll still try and help sort out that 240 with Paul. Seems silly for it to sit there unloved.Dolly, It looks like they only did this style of seat in the colour we've got and that orange. They're the only style of seat cover that is not being re-made! I guess that ups the shite credibility. Mrs_Seth had a drive today and found it much like I did. She yawned. Also compared the speedo to the GPS on here phone thingy and it reads about 10% slow at 60mph. She'd better watch those speed cameras!

[pandamonium]

I like that. Never thought I'd say it, but I do.

[dollywobbler]

What is it about BMC/BL speedos reading slow? Our Mini is bad. 52 is actually 60. The Minor was pretty awful too. At least the 2CV works the better way - an indicated 70 is only about 63...

[RedSparrow]

I like that. Never thought I'd say it, but I do.

+1As its not a shiny-chromey-tweedy-beardy-walnut-dashy one, I have to agree.

[Pete-M]

Pete-M, love how you "accidently" bought one. Were you drunk? Can't imagine it being your cup of tea.

I wasn't drunk. I was bored. I had a 2.8i Ghia Granada MK2 at the time. Nice car, Black, TRX's, B reg, 50k miles on it. Drove well and was very tidy. I'd bought it rather cheaply from a trader who wanted it gone quickly.A few days after buying the Granada I was stopped by an impressive number of armed cops and arrested. This was not good. The car had been used in some sort of insane sounding shoe shop heist of all things. As I wasn't carrying any id they decided they were going to ask me lots of questions in the local plod station.There were a few empty shoe boxes in the car. I'd not thought twice about 'em. They were in it when I bought it and I'd not got around to giving it a hoover or a wash yet.Eventually I persuaded the Plod that I knew nothing about it and they sent me on my merry way. Fingerprint dust is a bugger to get off cars, but at least I had the car and that was that. I got stopped by the plod everywhere I went in it. So I bought the Autotrader and looked through for anyone who'd probably want to swap something for the Granada and who didn't live locally. Found this nutter hippy bloke with an MGB GT who wanted a bigger car. So I rang him and he was interested. I really didn't want an MGB, but nobody other than him appeared to want the Granada. Don't forget this was the early 90's, it was £800 worth, in the wasteland years for older big cars when the classic boys sneered and the only people who'd buy one couldn't afford to run it so they were all over the place, knackered. A bit like the E34 525s are now. Can't give 'em away. I did the deal and had the MGB for a couple of weeks. I found another nutter who did me a straight swap for a nice A reg E28 528i and the MGB was gone. I didn't like it much. It was tired and frankly not a patch on the Granada or E28. Yours looks tidy, hopefully it drives as well as it looks.

[Torsten2001]

Torsten, didn't think you'd like it either! I'll still try and help sort out that 240 with Paul. Seems silly for it to sit there unloved.

I had a purple rubber bumper one back in the 1990's and loved it, beautiful shape, lively and reliable, miss it loads and am seriously jealous!It would be good to get the 244 done, I have no need for it but it does have a tow bar and we have the technology to rebuild it!