Discussion
For the last few years we have been running a 1275 rwa midget as a regularity rally car, it is well sorted and in very good nick. We have just been offered a 1964 mob, rebuilt as a concours car some years ago but still in good nick and bog standard, we now have to make the decision as to which car to go for - both is not an option as missy runs a frog and I've got a fiat Dino.
frogspawn said:
We have just been offered a 1964 mgb, rebuilt as a concours car some years ago but still in good nick and bog standard
don't you or the seller over value this car because it was rebuilt as a concours car and that was some years ago, did it ever win any significant concours event, was it ever entered for one?bear in mind these cars are normally rebuilt for show not go, 'all that glitters is not gold', unless the car has been used regularly it's mechanical condition is unknown
a B is an entirely different drive to a Spridget (I've had two Spridgets and two Bs so do know)
you'd have to research or get the B experts to tell you the pro and cons of an earlier B compared with a later B, same as with the Spridgets although the different model years can look the same there can be many changes
I think it's simple - keep the Midget
The midget is far from standard, just about everything has been updated, handles like a roller skate and is putting out 98 bhp ish.
The b is a 3 bearing crank and as stated bog standard, has been used sparingly over the last few years and would no longer be described as concours but might do well in pride of ownership, but we would be buying to use not polish. Have previous with a 63 b that we kept for 10 years so do know our way around old bs. Seller is a very good friend who has unfortunately not long to live, also a paint sprayer so I know the body is good and I'm fairly sure the mechanics are good to go.
The b is a 3 bearing crank and as stated bog standard, has been used sparingly over the last few years and would no longer be described as concours but might do well in pride of ownership, but we would be buying to use not polish. Have previous with a 63 b that we kept for 10 years so do know our way around old bs. Seller is a very good friend who has unfortunately not long to live, also a paint sprayer so I know the body is good and I'm fairly sure the mechanics are good to go.
I'm not sure of the logic here either.
The Midget would be more than a match for a B on the vast majority of tests, only perhaps some really rough ones where the extra clearance and wheel base of the B might help.
As a regularity Car the B would probably be slightly better, but it's not a GT so you are still looking at a open cockpits and potential leaks.
Suppose it will come down to the type of events you are doing, the Photo is showing the Hughes, which is a HRCR Clubmans round, I guess if you wanted to do longer (softer) events like say Three Castles or Scottish Malts then the B would be easier to live with..... but so would a Fiat Dino.
The Midget would be more than a match for a B on the vast majority of tests, only perhaps some really rough ones where the extra clearance and wheel base of the B might help.
As a regularity Car the B would probably be slightly better, but it's not a GT so you are still looking at a open cockpits and potential leaks.
Suppose it will come down to the type of events you are doing, the Photo is showing the Hughes, which is a HRCR Clubmans round, I guess if you wanted to do longer (softer) events like say Three Castles or Scottish Malts then the B would be easier to live with..... but so would a Fiat Dino.
frogspawn said:
.... we would be buying to use not polish.
that's the point concours cars are often not that good in use because they don't get used enough but I expect you'll be changing a lot of the partsif you've driven the B you'll know how different it is to the Midget
however, you may feel you're at the age and physical need for a B
whatever you chose good luck
Edited by nta16 on Monday 20th October 13:45
nta16 said:
that's the point concours cars are often not that good in use because they don't get used enough but I expect you'll be changing a lot of the parts
if you've driven the B you'll know how different it is to the Midget
however, you may feel you're at the age and physical need for a B
whatever you chose good luck
Nigel, what has age got to do with it? Will beat you over head with drivers handbook when I see you ( or maybe Haynes instead)if you've driven the B you'll know how different it is to the Midget
however, you may feel you're at the age and physical need for a B
whatever you chose good luck
Edited by nta16 on Monday 20th October 13:45
frogspawn said:
Nigel, what has age got to do with it? Will beat you over head with drivers handbook when I see you (or maybe Haynes instead)
don't get upset it's just nature, if we're lucky we reach the age when getting in and out of a Spridget gets difficult and the comfy slipper appeal of a B draws us 
I think mentally you're still a Midget driver and should stick with it
chuck the Haynes and get the factory Workshop Manual
A.
Yes I think we will stay with the midget and help friend move his b on. On the subject of Haynes manuals , wouldn't be seen dead with one ( although did buy marina one for last boss, long story) and own both frog and midget factory manuals.
nta16 said:
don't get upset it's just nature, if we're lucky we reach the age when getting in and out of a Spridget gets difficult and the comfy slipper appeal of a B draws us
I think mentally you're still a Midget driver and should stick with it
chuck the Haynes and get the factory Workshop Manual
Nigel, not upset just pulling your leg, I can still get behind the wheel of missus frog without tyre levers and can most of the time remove myself from the midget with the hood up with some grace I think mentally you're still a Midget driver and should stick with it
chuck the Haynes and get the factory Workshop Manual
.Yes I think we will stay with the midget and help friend move his b on. On the subject of Haynes manuals , wouldn't be seen dead with one ( although did buy marina one for last boss, long story) and own both frog and midget factory manuals.
I've got two Haynes for my Midget and both contain errors and omissions some carried forward from the earlier print (1974) to the later print (1980) and the 1974 issue doesn't carry the details of my 1973 car
condition (prettiness/aesthetics) puts the selling price up how it drives unfortunately will be well down the list of a buyer looking for a pretty car so get it well polished, in engine bay, clean under wheel arches, clean windows inside and out, any large areas of black (tyres/hood?) and small areas want yo be shiny black as they will make the rest of the car seem even shinier, obviously all external paintwork and chrome needs to shine as does the interior but don't forget inside the boot and doors and boot and bonnet shut panels
good luck with selling it, if it's really good car advertise it so that those from overseas can see the advert as they often pay more or the asking price without argument and are grateful to get a nice car rather than the locals that often 'need' to negotiate price and go away and think about it until after you've sold it
condition (prettiness/aesthetics) puts the selling price up how it drives unfortunately will be well down the list of a buyer looking for a pretty car so get it well polished, in engine bay, clean under wheel arches, clean windows inside and out, any large areas of black (tyres/hood?) and small areas want yo be shiny black as they will make the rest of the car seem even shinier, obviously all external paintwork and chrome needs to shine as does the interior but don't forget inside the boot and doors and boot and bonnet shut panels
good luck with selling it, if it's really good car advertise it so that those from overseas can see the advert as they often pay more or the asking price without argument and are grateful to get a nice car rather than the locals that often 'need' to negotiate price and go away and think about it until after you've sold it
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