Anyone know HVA 169K
Discussion
Does anyone know this car HVA 169K, currently for sale.
1972 K Reg, MGBGT, 1798cc, Black Hide with Red Piping,Burr Walnut Dash, Racing Wooden Steering Wheel, Full Heritage bodyshell, Kenlow Electric Fan, SS Exhaust System, Electronic Ignition Upgrade, Waxoyled Chassis, Since Full Restoration only 16400 Miles, Last Owner Since 2005, 12 Months MOT (£8,995.00)
Any sensible comments or advice welcome on this one.
From the limited information available, does the price seem fair for the car?
The car will need to be in tip-top condition for this price as you're venturing into GT V8 territory. Be wary if it's an early BMH shell as they were not as rust proof as one would have hoped; irrespective of who completed the rebuild. What's the engine, gearbox, diff' history? One would expect these to be super taught for this money, same with suspension. There are a lot of red GT's for sale so don't feel 'urgency' to buy, but, if this is the car for you go buy it and have bucket loads of fun!
PS contact MGCC and/or MGOC for car history. It'll be within their records somewhere.
PS contact MGCC and/or MGOC for car history. It'll be within their records somewhere.
sounds a bit expensive but it does depend on what condition it's in
walnut dash and racing wooden steering wheel suggest a stereotypical old fart MGB owner, which probably means it's stood much more than it's ever been used
bright red of course, but to be fair that's the colour that attracts and sells
black hide with red piping isn't original but that doesn't matter
Heritage bodyshell can be very good but they also go back many years now, how old is the shell?
Kenlowe fan - unless the engine driven fan has been removed it doesn't need this, if it does need this then it means there's something wrong with the cooling/heating system and by fitting the Kenlowe the owner might not understand how the B should operate - or he's just following a fashion
s/s exhaust are very common on these types of car but if it's a good system it's a bonus
electronic ignition is good depending on the make and model but it's not a big deal on the car, it's probably still fitted inside a very worn dissy
Waxoyled chassis is better than not
16,400 miles since restoration but when was that, very low annual mileage isn't a good thing on these cars
the guy's had the car 9 years so he should be able to tell you all about it
cars like these tend to be done for show rather than go and the people that buy them continue this lack of use to keep the car looking pretty - if you just want it for very occasional use then condition is everything, if you actually want to use it and for it to go well and be reliable then the mechanicals also have to be considered more
it might be that the car is a very fine mechanical example (would you know, have you driven many different good mechanical examples of a B?) in which case if it's body condition and interior is top notch then the price might be more reasonable
there's far too little information to say whether it's a good buy
a very good piece of advice is for you to buy and read the relevant Driver's Handbook before you even go looking at examples as by reading the relevant Driver's Handbook you soon know more about the model than most long term owners - (Ref:0052) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...
on cars that are used very little it's very important to check the age of the tyres as they can go hard with lack of use/age so need changing regardless of how much tread is left
asking things like when was the brake fluid and g/box oil last changed (every two years for both) will tell just how well the car has been cared for and what a service history should include (see relevant Driver's Handbook)
if the owner knows about this it's a good sign and you need to know about it -"Tom's dick"
walnut dash and racing wooden steering wheel suggest a stereotypical old fart MGB owner, which probably means it's stood much more than it's ever been used
bright red of course, but to be fair that's the colour that attracts and sells
black hide with red piping isn't original but that doesn't matter
Heritage bodyshell can be very good but they also go back many years now, how old is the shell?
Kenlowe fan - unless the engine driven fan has been removed it doesn't need this, if it does need this then it means there's something wrong with the cooling/heating system and by fitting the Kenlowe the owner might not understand how the B should operate - or he's just following a fashion
s/s exhaust are very common on these types of car but if it's a good system it's a bonus
electronic ignition is good depending on the make and model but it's not a big deal on the car, it's probably still fitted inside a very worn dissy
Waxoyled chassis is better than not
16,400 miles since restoration but when was that, very low annual mileage isn't a good thing on these cars
the guy's had the car 9 years so he should be able to tell you all about it
cars like these tend to be done for show rather than go and the people that buy them continue this lack of use to keep the car looking pretty - if you just want it for very occasional use then condition is everything, if you actually want to use it and for it to go well and be reliable then the mechanicals also have to be considered more
it might be that the car is a very fine mechanical example (would you know, have you driven many different good mechanical examples of a B?) in which case if it's body condition and interior is top notch then the price might be more reasonable
there's far too little information to say whether it's a good buy
a very good piece of advice is for you to buy and read the relevant Driver's Handbook before you even go looking at examples as by reading the relevant Driver's Handbook you soon know more about the model than most long term owners - (Ref:0052) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...
on cars that are used very little it's very important to check the age of the tyres as they can go hard with lack of use/age so need changing regardless of how much tread is left
asking things like when was the brake fluid and g/box oil last changed (every two years for both) will tell just how well the car has been cared for and what a service history should include (see relevant Driver's Handbook)
if the owner knows about this it's a good sign and you need to know about it -"Tom's dick"
Many thanks. It has sort of confirmed my thoughts that it is perhaps overpriced for what it is. It would need to be very good for that money.
I currently have a TVR S3 and fancy a change at some point, and have just started looking at alternatives. One of my reasons for being drawn to the MGB GT is the 4 seats as I have two kids, and I have missed out on using the car because we cannot get everyone in. I know it is going to be slower than my TVR.
I have not done a massive amount of research yet about MGBGT's in general. I have started reading stuff on the internet over the last week or so and as ever there is loads of advice and opinion. Not driven an MG yet, or found time to go along to the local club.
From the advert the car looks nice, and ticks all my boxes visually. I have asked the seller for some additional information.
I currently have a TVR S3 and fancy a change at some point, and have just started looking at alternatives. One of my reasons for being drawn to the MGB GT is the 4 seats as I have two kids, and I have missed out on using the car because we cannot get everyone in. I know it is going to be slower than my TVR.
I have not done a massive amount of research yet about MGBGT's in general. I have started reading stuff on the internet over the last week or so and as ever there is loads of advice and opinion. Not driven an MG yet, or found time to go along to the local club.
From the advert the car looks nice, and ticks all my boxes visually. I have asked the seller for some additional information.
Smokey, I'm going to throw a curved ball to you now you've mentioned an S3. Unless you're really hooked on an MG BGT, I think you'll be very disappointed after the S3. S3's are seriously good/fun cars and even more dash for the cash. If I was in your shoes needing a w/e sports car that can take the children too...I'd be buying a Porsche 944 S2. The 3.0 litre unit is superb, plenty of grunt, more room than a BGT and just as good parts supply. If it's the BGT period shape that's attracting you, hold out for a good V8...the 1.8 litre unit is woefully slow four up.
Smokey Boyer said:
One of my reasons for being drawn to the MGB GT is the 4 seats as I have two kids, and I have missed out on using the car because we cannot get everyone in.
The MGB has two seat not 4 and you cannot legally carry more than 2 people in it.If you did add rear seatbelts no insurance company would touch you and of course not disclosing is not an option.
If you want to cart rugrats then an MGB GT is not the vehicle to do it in get a Triumph Stag !
Smokey Boyer said:
It is my understanding that the MGB Roadster has 2 seats and the MGB GT has 4 seats. Does the GT not have 4 seats then?
No, they don't...not four proper seats. The 944 looks very good, once you cut through the sales guff. Be careful with buying red as they do/will fade. Don't understand why there are no engine bay pics. If the car really is that good the engine bay should be in mint condition. Same for the underside...check for cracks in the Ziebart.Here's another curved ball for you. There is a well proven car that has a remarkably large following, all kept quite low key for those in the 'know' and who understand 'why'. Has five seats, 227bhp [easily modified to 350bhp if req'd], is uber comfortable, has a panoramic moonroof, leather interior, brilliant boot space, believes it's a circuit racer -cum- country lane tracker, has 4x4 symmetrical all wheel drive [really!] and is unstoppable in the snow, is quite simply a superb long distance mileage eater for the continental family holidays, eats mountains [and many Porsches] for breakfast and can be bought for between £5k-£8k. If you've yet to work this out...it's a Subaru Forester 2.5 XT or 2.5 XTen. They're not a classic sports car shape...but really, when you're behind the wheel it doesn't matter. Have a Google search and take one for a test drive; you will be amazed.
No.
Sure you could perch a couple of small sprogs on the rear squab but sitting on something doesn't make it a seat.
Some claim that you don't have to fit rear belts if the car didn't need them when new but in the case of the MGB GT it's specification is as a two seater so the question is moot.
Seat belt wise you might get away with a 1965 GT because prior to that there was no requirement to have seat belts at all but you'd still be risking serious trouble if you had an accident while carrying more passengers than the car was designed for.
Why don't you phone one or two of the popular classic insurers and see what they have to say ?
Sure you could perch a couple of small sprogs on the rear squab but sitting on something doesn't make it a seat.
Some claim that you don't have to fit rear belts if the car didn't need them when new but in the case of the MGB GT it's specification is as a two seater so the question is moot.
Seat belt wise you might get away with a 1965 GT because prior to that there was no requirement to have seat belts at all but you'd still be risking serious trouble if you had an accident while carrying more passengers than the car was designed for.
Why don't you phone one or two of the popular classic insurers and see what they have to say ?
It does have a back seat so you could carry children there. However there's no leg room so it isn't going to be comfortable. Also there aren't any seat belt points back there as standard so I don't know how comfortable you'd be about putting children back there unsecured.
The only time I've ever used the back seat was with my wife there across the whole bench (oooerr...) and the small child in a regular booster seat in the front. My youngest loves my GT though
The only time I've ever used the back seat was with my wife there across the whole bench (oooerr...) and the small child in a regular booster seat in the front. My youngest loves my GT though
Without sounding all top gear ish, you'll only fit if you detach your head and legs! There is no room for either! Im only 5'7" and I can't fit at all" Possibly may be suitable for very small children but it certainly wouldn't be the safest! Apart from that though I'd highly recommend one 
attitudes to safety were different back in the 60s
also it's people like yourself that want two extra seats from a two-seater car, there are some two-plus-two that can carry children in the rear seats sensibly but not many that will cater for them when they get to adult size regardless of their age
let's be honest many young children now are soon as tall and some as wide as adults of a generation one or two back
I was only 5' 5" (1.65m to you youngsters) when I was fully grown yet I've always struggled to be comfortable in the back seats of two-plus-twos and coupes, often my head would be on the roof lining
with exception of cars like the 944 how about looking at sports saloons instead of two-plus-twos and coupés
I'd thoroughly recommend a Rover P6 3500S (manual) which will very comfortably seat seat four (not so five though) and can have rear interior seat belts, the car could out perform many of the sports cars of the period and never looks out of place anywhere
whether you consider the S manual or an automatic do get one with power steering as the manual steering is very wooly
plus you'd get a very god example for less than the BGT you were considering
here's the 3500S I had -
also it's people like yourself that want two extra seats from a two-seater car, there are some two-plus-two that can carry children in the rear seats sensibly but not many that will cater for them when they get to adult size regardless of their age
let's be honest many young children now are soon as tall and some as wide as adults of a generation one or two back
I was only 5' 5" (1.65m to you youngsters) when I was fully grown yet I've always struggled to be comfortable in the back seats of two-plus-twos and coupes, often my head would be on the roof lining
with exception of cars like the 944 how about looking at sports saloons instead of two-plus-twos and coupés
I'd thoroughly recommend a Rover P6 3500S (manual) which will very comfortably seat seat four (not so five though) and can have rear interior seat belts, the car could out perform many of the sports cars of the period and never looks out of place anywhere
whether you consider the S manual or an automatic do get one with power steering as the manual steering is very wooly
plus you'd get a very god example for less than the BGT you were considering
here's the 3500S I had -
|http://thumbsnap.com/1KmOtOWM[/url]nta16 said:
attitudes to safety were different back in the 60s
I'd thoroughly recommend a Rover P6 3500S (manual) which will very comfortably seat seat four (not so five though) and can have rear interior seat belts, the car could out perform many of the sports cars of the period and never looks out of place anywhere
whether you consider the S manual or an automatic do get one with power steering as the manual steering is very wooly
plus you'd get a very god example for less than the BGT you were considering
here's the 3500S I had -
Hmm, currently considering one of those.I'd thoroughly recommend a Rover P6 3500S (manual) which will very comfortably seat seat four (not so five though) and can have rear interior seat belts, the car could out perform many of the sports cars of the period and never looks out of place anywhere
whether you consider the S manual or an automatic do get one with power steering as the manual steering is very wooly
plus you'd get a very god example for less than the BGT you were considering
here's the 3500S I had -
all the panels are bolt on including doors (you push the doors shut under their own weight, there should never be a need to slam, same with boot lid, you push it shut not slam
obviously a rusty chassis is of serious concern but also look for rust holes under the boot floor matting and under rear seats at wheel arches (rear seats easily lift out and should be the most comfortable place to sit in the car but not much width, four seater only and not for bloaters at rear)
obviously a rusty chassis is of serious concern but also look for rust holes under the boot floor matting and under rear seats at wheel arches (rear seats easily lift out and should be the most comfortable place to sit in the car but not much width, four seater only and not for bloaters at rear)
Gassing Station | MG | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff