LeeM Posted 21September, 2015 Report Share Posted 21September, 2015 MGB GT in particular (the one with a roof)Anyone owned one for any length of time? Liked it, regretted buying it? Would you buy one again?I know the common faults re rust, wiring etc, but want owners opinions on them, not what one reads on a forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh Posted 21September, 2015 Report Share Posted 21September, 2015 We have a 1968 MK 11 MGB (wifes) and have had it for around 10 years. We searched hard and found a good car (ex pres MG club owner etc. etc.) and it's been a great little car and realatively easy to maintain. Unfortunately it gets little use nowadays but it's been a pleasure to own. I quite like the GT but I've always had a soft spot for the TC personally. I'll ask Vic if she wants to do a deal for your 912 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 21September, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 21September, 2015 Oooh that'll cost her mate! Just thinking out loud at the momentI've wanted one for about the same amount of time I've wanted a Porsche, yet it'd be more for the missus (thats what I'm telling her anyway). I recently thought of buying one to clean up a bit and flog it off, but I'm keen to look into it more as having another cheap classic car in the near future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzieman Posted 21September, 2015 Report Share Posted 21September, 2015 A local guy was seriously looking at 911s ; ended up buying a $$ restored V8 coupe for $ , and immediately regretted it. It just didn't tick the expected boxes somehow. The MG might be a good fit but I'd contact the MG car club and see if you can get a drive. They have heaps of events and always a spare seat.You will of course need a beard and a cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 22September, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 22September, 2015 And fingerless leather gloves! Just got home, and my missus mate rang her dad who has 3 MG's he's restored. Hoping to grab one this weekend and see what its like. The Bay To Birdwood classic car run is on Sunday, so ill go and have a squiz and chat with some owners too I looked around on Youtube at the V8 converted cars. They'd be a laugh to drive, but there is NO WAY I'm undertaking another resto project again I offered a guy not much for his GT, as it needs some work, but I think I insulted him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airhead Posted 22September, 2015 Report Share Posted 22September, 2015 You will of course need a beard and a cap.He could borrow yours!http://www.mgcc.com.au/wanted/sell.shtmlCouple on here for sale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 22September, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 22September, 2015 Cheers, just a LOT out of my price range Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew F Posted 22September, 2015 Report Share Posted 22September, 2015 We had a red 68 MGB GT. It was a really nice example of an English sports car IMO. Had the overdrive option and no "sunroof" as well. The brakes are rubbish (no power assist until some time in the 70's), wind noise from around the door leading edges, electrics were prone to issues, but very basic and easy to fix. 68 had alternator. Pre 68 had generators. Easy job to install a power booster, like a PBR VH44, or a Lockheed unit like I fitted. They are a great looking car. The rear hatch is very heavy. The interior is a timeless classic. Rust, rust & more rust. On the up side, parts are readily available and actually reasonably priced. Check the wire wheels for broken spokes and rust around the spoke nipples. The wheels are probably the most expensive fix on the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstone Posted 22September, 2015 Report Share Posted 22September, 2015 The TD is a very cool car IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzieman Posted 22September, 2015 Report Share Posted 22September, 2015 And fingerless leather gloves! I looked around on Youtube at the V8 converted cars.If you're after a coupe , fingerless gloves would be a bit , er , faux pas.The V8 I mentioned is the factory one.The complaint was that the power band is not exciting and handling certainly not Porsche like. He paid ~30k for a concours resto that cost 60k odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 22September, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 22September, 2015 About the factory V8's Taz, what you say is practically identical to what I've read int he past couple of days. Was told about a conversion by a bloke that has restored a few MG's. $10k including a tweaked Rover V8 at a shop. I'd love a V8, but being told to day that a full rebuild of an 1800 is about $3k, with an option to do a single carb conversion for an extra $500ish which would be more appealing to me. Thanks Stew. I've been talking to a guy tonight about them, and he's basically echoing your comments. Great cars when theyre sorted, and he also advised the cost of rust repair panels and all the other things i would probably need to do. I wish Porsche parts were that cheap! Earlier, I received some photo's of the car i made a very lowball offer on, and i will be steering well clear of it! Good ol riveted patches in the floor and more bog in the sills than you could imagine! Its a dogs breakfast Theres a red GT on ebay in Queensland that was $6250 buy it now last week, then up to $8000 buy it now coupla days later, yet he's pulled the ad because he crashed it due to brake fail. Oops! http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1972-MGB-gt-hardtop-/262055416426?hash=item3d03b8526a I'd like something like this, but it's over my budget, and the missus hates white cars (well, it will be kind of hers, sorta) and I'd prefer a 60's carhttp://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/west-perth/cars-vans-utes/1973-m-g-mgb-coupe/1088902616This one is knackeredhttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MG-mgb-gt-1966-1-8-ltr-twin-su-carbs-4-speed-running-suit-restoration-/301745805051?hash=item46417396fb I'm in no hurry at all, as the 912 is the priority unless i find a car too cheap to pass up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
symsy Posted 15October, 2015 Report Share Posted 15October, 2015 I had a 75 BGT , in the end I went for Koni conversion , lowered it a little and bored it out to 1800 and put a good cam and Rover Su's on it , it flew and was very very drivable as a classic. I drove t to work every day , rain , hail, shine.At the same time had a an original full anorak appeal original car and it was royal pain in the arse .. some would say charecter but the ownership by comparision a nightmare.I also had a friend with an MGC , I dont think you need to go to a V8, too hot and too much gas for nothing Some of the tech in these cars are clearly 1950's and needs update.. plenty of insulation , suspension , front end roll bar , good radials , wiring update , fuel pumps and your in the joy zone in my viewSome of the best years of my life and entry into sportscars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 15October, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 15October, 2015 Thanks mate. I drove an MG rag top last week for the first time and loved it. Love the sound of the things, and now know why people like themI'm still keen for a GT next year when things get a bit better (and I finish the 912!) yet I would definately upgrade the suspension for more 'enthusiastic' driving through the hills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clutch-monkey Posted 15October, 2015 Report Share Posted 15October, 2015 Do these use an A series engine? Cross flow heads are available and really wake them up.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 16October, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 16October, 2015 Have been told that by an MG shop. Theyre using a big single carb too. Have seen it on some race cars on Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
symsy Posted 16October, 2015 Report Share Posted 16October, 2015 When you buy and look to do this workPretty sure they are all B series engines.Consider the big picture when your doing this stuff n your motor , you can google it , there is a restriction with the head layout and im not a super mechanic , but increasing the size of the valves and the adjustments are quite particular and there is what is called a robbing effect and carbies can have some impact on that.I was a backyard builder at the time and got some lucky/good results , the engines 1800b , got bored out to something like 1900-1960 , slightly bigger valves , new seats etc , unleaded stainless vales etc, street cam .. but you might also read up on other carbies than SU's for me they came from the scrap yard of a rover 3.5 for $50 So was my easiest solution , along with a K+ NThere are some good reads albeit technical around like this one http://mgbmga.com/tech/mgb20.htmYou can also look at diffs for quicker action , but I really recommend a car with the overdrive if you gonna go any distanceHappy researching Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clutch-monkey Posted 16October, 2015 Report Share Posted 16October, 2015 Ah sweet, B series is just an A series in a north South configuration iirc. The Pearce heads are the most cost effective but could use some cleaning up of the ports. Goes well and don't have to deal with reverse flow peculiarities Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 16October, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 16October, 2015 Cheers guys. Will hang onto that info for future referance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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