1975 MGB GT - How did I end up here?
Discussion
Due to the o/h's uncanny ability for bending metal every 18 months or so I was left without a means of transport, as rather than spend more money I thought it best to give her my £250 Punto - which is still going strong despite the bargain basement pricetag. Even scrubs up reasonably well...
Just before this I decided it was finally time to be rid of my Ford Puma that had been festering in the garage for 12 months, not having the time nor the inclination to get it back into decent condition. Here is the offending article
As a result I decided to swap it with my fathers MGB GT, this one, in fact
Aim was to spend the next 6 months or so getting it back on the road, however plans got a little accelerated once my other car had been poached. I knew there was a patch that needed welding, however it became apparent that it was a little more than that once i'd put my hand through the floor. Things looked even worse once he carpets came up and the drivers inner sill had split from the floor.
It became clear the shell was beyond help, so another B was sourced, this B infact.
So yeah, it was/is a 1975, so first of the rubber bumpers - without the rear anti-roll bar in baby poo brown, with no MOT, or tax. Interior is ok, if not quite finished and it did have a couple of electrical niggles, but it was solid.
A weeks worth of fettling got my an MOT, and here it is after a wash
And eyeing up the donor car for spares...
Admiral then finally sent me through a refund for my insurance from the Punto, to the tune of £550 so it would only have been rude not to spend it on the car, so far its had
- New oil/plugs/diff oil
- Thicker front anti-roll bar
- New front springs - chrome bumper height
- Lowered at the back and polybushed
- New chrome cabin air intake
- Rocker cover/diff/tappet cover gaskets
- A working radio
To go on are
- Electronic ignition from the donor MGB
- Spax telescopic rear dampers
- Fan Belt
- a 12" steering wheel of some description
- Pair of re-built carbs (when I get round to them!)
- Possibly a rear anti-roll bar, getting conflicting info about that one!
SO here it stands at the moment
Just come back from a 400 mile trip to Oxford and Gloucester, its going to take a lot of looking after, as it will by my daily but it does have a nice warm garage to live in. Not sure how i'll cope with the 20mpg at best if fuel prices go up any more!
As for the future, keeping it moving will be the priority, but already looking into a couple of engine swap options....
Just before this I decided it was finally time to be rid of my Ford Puma that had been festering in the garage for 12 months, not having the time nor the inclination to get it back into decent condition. Here is the offending article
As a result I decided to swap it with my fathers MGB GT, this one, in fact
Aim was to spend the next 6 months or so getting it back on the road, however plans got a little accelerated once my other car had been poached. I knew there was a patch that needed welding, however it became apparent that it was a little more than that once i'd put my hand through the floor. Things looked even worse once he carpets came up and the drivers inner sill had split from the floor.
It became clear the shell was beyond help, so another B was sourced, this B infact.
So yeah, it was/is a 1975, so first of the rubber bumpers - without the rear anti-roll bar in baby poo brown, with no MOT, or tax. Interior is ok, if not quite finished and it did have a couple of electrical niggles, but it was solid.
A weeks worth of fettling got my an MOT, and here it is after a wash
And eyeing up the donor car for spares...
Admiral then finally sent me through a refund for my insurance from the Punto, to the tune of £550 so it would only have been rude not to spend it on the car, so far its had
- New oil/plugs/diff oil
- Thicker front anti-roll bar
- New front springs - chrome bumper height
- Lowered at the back and polybushed
- New chrome cabin air intake
- Rocker cover/diff/tappet cover gaskets
- A working radio
To go on are
- Electronic ignition from the donor MGB
- Spax telescopic rear dampers
- Fan Belt
- a 12" steering wheel of some description
- Pair of re-built carbs (when I get round to them!)
- Possibly a rear anti-roll bar, getting conflicting info about that one!
SO here it stands at the moment
Just come back from a 400 mile trip to Oxford and Gloucester, its going to take a lot of looking after, as it will by my daily but it does have a nice warm garage to live in. Not sure how i'll cope with the 20mpg at best if fuel prices go up any more!
As for the future, keeping it moving will be the priority, but already looking into a couple of engine swap options....
PatrickOUFC said:
Nice motor pal. These look great when in tip top condition. Look forward to seeing the progress.
Only 20mpg?
Indeed, only have a short commute, all stop start which is why my MPG figures a so poor.Only 20mpg?
Forgot to mention but the plan is for Chrome Bumpers before the end of the year, possibly a change of colour before the next MOT, but dont hold me to that!
The to go on list should be actioned soon.
Electronic ignition should gain you several MPG,
Maybe a big bore exhaust and K&N air filters and BHP will be up as well.
This is from experience with my 1979 roadster.
Plus taking the ton weight of the rubber bumpers off will help BHP MPG and OMG ...
Electronic ignition should gain you several MPG,
Maybe a big bore exhaust and K&N air filters and BHP will be up as well.
This is from experience with my 1979 roadster.
Plus taking the ton weight of the rubber bumpers off will help BHP MPG and OMG ...
CapriV6S said:
Rover V8. Rover V8. Rover V8. Rover V8.
Rover V8. Rover V8. Rover V8. Rover V8.
Just a suggestion, your choice mate, all the best.
E36 M3. E36 M3. E36 M3. E36 M3.Rover V8. Rover V8. Rover V8. Rover V8.
Just a suggestion, your choice mate, all the best.
E36 M3. E36 M3. E36 M3. E36 M3.
Just another suggestion. It fits, sounds lovely (admittedly not a V8 though), and goes rather well. As soon as I have the space on the drive, and the funds in the bank, this is the route I want to go down.
S2Mike said:
The to go on list should be actioned soon.
Electronic ignition should gain you several MPG,
Maybe a big bore exhaust and K&N air filters and BHP will be up as well.
This is from experience with my 1979 roadster.
Plus taking the ton weight of the rubber bumpers off will help BHP MPG and OMG ...
K&Ns are already on, Stainless steel exhaust is coming from the donor, mainly for noise reasons. The one that is on it at the moment is beyond loud. Is there really that much weight to be lost going back to chrome? I know those huge mounts at the front can be cut down...Electronic ignition should gain you several MPG,
Maybe a big bore exhaust and K&N air filters and BHP will be up as well.
This is from experience with my 1979 roadster.
Plus taking the ton weight of the rubber bumpers off will help BHP MPG and OMG ...
I know its bad but I do like the 'Get out of my way I can withstand anything' look of a rubber bumpered B
Merry said:
S2Mike said:
The to go on list should be actioned soon.
Electronic ignition should gain you several MPG,
Maybe a big bore exhaust and K&N air filters and BHP will be up as well.
This is from experience with my 1979 roadster.
Plus taking the ton weight of the rubber bumpers off will help BHP MPG and OMG ...
K&Ns are already on, Stainless steel exhaust is coming from the donor, mainly for noise reasons. The one that is on it at the moment is beyond loud. Is there really that much weight to be lost going back to chrome? I know those huge mounts at the front can be cut down...Electronic ignition should gain you several MPG,
Maybe a big bore exhaust and K&N air filters and BHP will be up as well.
This is from experience with my 1979 roadster.
Plus taking the ton weight of the rubber bumpers off will help BHP MPG and OMG ...
I know its bad but I do like the 'Get out of my way I can withstand anything' look of a rubber bumpered B
You will find the ride height increases by almost 2 inches when you take the rubber off, then you can fit a lowering kit, to improve/stiffen the suspension.
S2Mike said:
.
You will find the ride height increases by almost 2 inches when you take the rubber off, then you can fit a lowering kit, to improve/stiffen the suspension.
Blimey they weigh that much? Lowering kit is already on, springs at front blocks at rear, although the front does need to settle a bit yet. Stiffer front anti roll bar too.You will find the ride height increases by almost 2 inches when you take the rubber off, then you can fit a lowering kit, to improve/stiffen the suspension.
You could even go the no bumper sebring look, and save the weight and expense of the chrome, cos they require body work to be welded on to make up the front indicator holes bottom edge of front wing, that BL chose to chop off, as well as the little plinths at the back where the bottom of the lights finish and the bumper begins, that BL also for no apparent reason chopped off.
I will fire up my compurter when I get home and post photos for ease of explaination, if it helps.
I will fire up my compurter when I get home and post photos for ease of explaination, if it helps.
Merry said:
To go on are
- Electronic ignition from the donor MGB
- Spax telescopic rear dampers
- Fan Belt
- a 12" steering wheel of some description
- Pair of re-built carbs (when I get round to them!)
- Possibly a rear anti-roll bar, getting conflicting info about that one!
Having run one of these some years ago, I would suggest you don't go too small with the steering wheel. B's its easier to tug at a bigger wheel when you have fairly hefty steering. Not sure how necessary a rear anti roll bar is. Simply upgrading the front one seemed to dial out understeer, yes I know this is contrary to what you read but I suspect it was just keeping the front wheels in check, which then free'ed up the rear axle to slide more!- Electronic ignition from the donor MGB
- Spax telescopic rear dampers
- Fan Belt
- a 12" steering wheel of some description
- Pair of re-built carbs (when I get round to them!)
- Possibly a rear anti-roll bar, getting conflicting info about that one!
The mpg thing is interesting, mine returned about 25 and that was a mix of short runs long runs and driving like a complete tit most of the time. I have read of people getting 35+ but suspect they drove rather more carefully/slowly. Amusingly when I swapped my BGT (85-90bhp on a good day) for an Alfa 164 v6 (190bhp) I didn't notice any difference in fuel economy! The twin carbed B series is a thirsty old lump.
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