Re-shelled MGB

[cjb44]

Hi guys,
I know nothing about this subject hence the post.
A friend is thinking about buying a 1969 MG B that has been rebuilt with a Heritage shell, does this affect current/future values etc. and will it fall foul of any EU legislation if our Theresa mucks it up.

Thanks.

[Gallen]

cjb44 said:

Hi guys,
I know nothing about this subject hence the post.
A friend is thinking about buying a 1969 MG B that has been rebuilt with a Heritage shell, does this affect current/future values etc. and will it fall foul of any EU legislation if our Theresa mucks it up.

Thanks.

Should read;

A friend is thinking about buyng a Heritage shell which has been rebuilt as a 1969 MG B.

Yep, I would say it negatively affects value as most people want originality these days.

That said, from a practical standpoint at least it's less likely to be a patchwork quilt

G.

[spaximus]

Well looking at the ads, a proven heritage shelled car holds a higher value from what I can see. I would have one over a "triggers broom" original any day

[v8250]

spaximus said:

Well looking at the ads, a proven heritage shelled car holds a higher value from what I can see. I would have one over a "triggers broom" original any day

cjb44, this+1. I have looked in to this extensively. Heritage shelled cars demand higher prices unless you're buying a mint condition original car...and they're rarer than hen's teeth. Some points to look out for 1. if an early BMH shell be very careful as they rust from the inside out and it's frightening what a shiny paint job can hide :. find rebuild start and finish dates and receipt of shell [BMH in Witney will be able to confirm when the shell was built, who resold the shell if not direct and how long it was 'sat outside unprotected'], 2. was the B completely rebuilt using new/correctly refurbished components, including new wiring looms? 3. there should a good photographic rebuild of the car, not just a pile of receipts [receipts can be had from any car], 4. body panel and door fit, these should be better than new if the job was done properly...to note, early shells had poor panel/door fit unless a lot of time was spent and :. £££cost to fit well. Feel free to pm if you need any more info'.

[P1ato]

MGBs rot and aren't worth a fortune.
Since the early 90s you could get a Heritage body, and that's probably the way to go.

[cjb44]

v8250 said:

cjb44, this+1. I have looked in to this extensively. Heritage shelled cars demand higher prices unless you're buying a mint condition original car...and they're rarer than hen's teeth. Some points to look out for 1. if an early BMH shell be very careful as they rust from the inside out and it's frightening what a shiny paint job can hide :. find rebuild start and finish dates and receipt of shell [BMH in Witney will be able to confirm when the shell was built, who resold the shell if not direct and how long it was 'sat outside unprotected'], 2. was the B completely rebuilt using new/correctly refurbished components, including new wiring looms? 3. there should a good photographic rebuild of the car, not just a pile of receipts [receipts can be had from any car], 4. body panel and door fit, these should be better than new if the job was done properly...to note, early shells had poor panel/door fit unless a lot of time was spent and :. £££cost to fit well. Feel free to pm if you need any more info'.

Thanks for the replies guys, especially v8250 for such comprehensive information and the offer of a pm, I did not realise that this was such a complicated subject.The refurbishment of parts and particularly the wiring loom etc. is a given, but I did not realise that early shells could have these significant problems and that really is a disgrace when you believe that you are purchasing a new item; but then I am into older classics where this situation does not arise so perhaps I am a bit naive.
I will pass the info and advice on, I am not sure if he will carry on considering the purchase or run a mile.

[spaximus]

The early heritage shells were no better or worse than the originals to be fair and they rotted for as soon as they were out of the production line.

The later shells have much better fit and rust proofing than the early ones. Also these days there are many excellent products to extend these even longer

[TallPaul]

cjb44 said:

The refurbishment of parts and particularly the wiring loom etc. is a given, but...

I would say nothing is certain, its definitely possible that everything (mechanical, electrical and trim) was just swapped into a new shell. Yes Heritage has made restoring an MGB very easy, in fact I cant understand why anybody would bother welding a rusty car when you can get a new shell but as with everything, there are different degrees of "restoration".

[cjb44]

TallPaul said:

I would say nothing is certain, its definitely possible that everything (mechanical, electrical and trim) was just swapped into a new shell. Yes Heritage has made restoring an MGB very easy, in fact I cant understand why anybody would bother welding a rusty car when you can get a new shell but as with everything, there are different degrees of "restoration".

I am afraid that you have slightly misunderstood my phrase, by "given" I mean it would be normal practice to overhaul/renew these items; whether or not this particular has been done properly I do not know as I have not seen it in the flesh.

[Andrew Gray]

Buy a car because you love it pay what you can afford and enjoy it because its what you enjoy not because you want to check each month in the magazines has it gone up in price.
I am sure a heritage shell will be even better than the original and last better than many restorations.
If i had wanted investment i would have bought Porches but i dont like them i did buy one as my brother wanted one and i saw a good 1978 Targa SC 4 years ago i paid 12k and spent 6 respraying it for him and Fuch wheels unfortunately as even if he had not done i could double my money which in 4 years is not bad but thats life
A friend bought another later Porche two years ago for 35k he did not even have it for sale but got a call from his garage a bloke wanted it 64k crazy.
I guess i could have bought them and hidden them but whats the fun in that
A