Bit of a Chop Shop moment....
Discussion
Having had a mate with a MGC roadster many years ago but unlikely to ever having MGC type funds, would a MGB GT be choppable into a C lookalike with suitable bonnet and mig welder/angle grinder JUST for the hell of it?
would the roadsters have the same chassis/floor as a GT? would removing the roof result in a floppy car?...
the engine could wait till a cheap RV8 popped up somewhere
would the roadsters have the same chassis/floor as a GT? would removing the roof result in a floppy car?...
the engine could wait till a cheap RV8 popped up somewhere
Edited by Upatdawn on Friday 18th July 22:31
There was an MGB Roadster you know? Why not start with that at least! I can't really think what was different externally on the C other than the bonnet and the wheels, so I can't see it being too hard to build a replica. Underneath the suspension is totally different so you would never replicate it for a reasonable cost.
I think the thread title pretty much covers it:
It's going to look a Bit too much "Chop Shop"!
As others have pointed out, it's going to be far too much work that could be done so much easier with an MGB Roadster!
(And I suspect that the reality is, it'll end up with the project being abandoned halfway through and the MGB GT being scrapped off!)
It's going to look a Bit too much "Chop Shop"!
As others have pointed out, it's going to be far too much work that could be done so much easier with an MGB Roadster!
(And I suspect that the reality is, it'll end up with the project being abandoned halfway through and the MGB GT being scrapped off!)
I don't get this thread. The standard B is available as a roadster as in the first pic, so what has a GT got to do with anything? Get a B roadster, fit an MGC bonnet if you can find one and if you want to put in 15inch wheels. Why would you need to start chopping??
ETA Are you confusing an MGB roadster with an MGC roadster?
ETA Are you confusing an MGB roadster with an MGC roadster?
mgtony said:
I don't get this thread. The standard B is available as a roadster as in the first pic, so what has a GT got to do with anything? Get a B roadster, fit an MGC bonnet if you can find one and if you want to put in 15inch wheels. Why would you need to start chopping??
he wants to chop the green car in to a roadster.Not a huge fan of MGs, but there is nowt wrong with that GT. If you really want to do this find a scrotty one as the project car.
A few GT'c converted by Lenham, the winscreen just doesn't look right.
http://www.v8register.net/subpages/news210810lenha...
(The 'C' and 'B' bits is what confused me!)
http://www.v8register.net/subpages/news210810lenha...
(The 'C' and 'B' bits is what confused me!)
Frankly, OP, you'd be barking mad to convert a GT to a Roadster and the cost of doing so 'correctly' would far outway the low cost of buying a structurally good MGB Roadster. Buy a late 1976 onwards 'B which will enable a V8 engine to drop straight in. Upgrade gearbox, suspension and brakes to your hearts content. Add an MGC bonnet...job done.
Don't waste your time or empty your wallet chopping a perfectly good GT.
Don't waste your time or empty your wallet chopping a perfectly good GT.
Upatdawn said:
What i have found is a GT is half the price of a roadster, maybe less?
To get something that looks vaguely finished will cost more than the price of a roadster. Everything behind the bonnet is different on the GT so you would need to get a lot of roadster parts welded in. Essentially you would need a decent roadster to destroy to make a terrible roadster out of a decent GT.^^^^^^^^^^^
This good sir - really is not good economical practise to try to convert a GT to a roadster
As said, I would recommend a latitude rubber rimmed roadster and opt of the V8 conversion - lighter, more tuneable and possibly far more fun on the road than the heavier nosed C
Your choice of course though........
This good sir - really is not good economical practise to try to convert a GT to a roadster
As said, I would recommend a latitude rubber rimmed roadster and opt of the V8 conversion - lighter, more tuneable and possibly far more fun on the road than the heavier nosed C
Your choice of course though........
Upatdawn said:
I have found some B roadsters ate a reasonable - if not concours - price, those rubber bumpers are ghastly though, do they come off easy?....lol
Yes, they are easily removed. You then need to decide what you're going to replace them with, chrome bumper or bumper less. Many folk like the Sebring look, others the chrome look...it's your choice. However, before diving in to this type of project it sounds as though you need to do your homework. Buy the How to Give Your MGB V8 Power book by Roger Williams...http://www.veloce.co.uk/shop/products/productDetai...
...and think carefully what it is you want from the car.
It is always lower cost to buy a car that's already been converted and/or there are plenty of other classics out there with equal performance at lower buy price than an MGB conversion e.g. a good TVR. PM me if you want to know the true cost of converting an MGB Roadster. I have a very accurate project sheet.xls for a 250bhp 'B conversion.
NB most 'B conversions are completed with a back of fag packet approach, are poorly executed and disappointing to drive. It's takes time and money if going to convert properly.
Years back I purchased a Nightfire Red MGB roadster from a dealer here in Scotland. When I got the V5c back I saw it mentioned an MGB GT convertible ... which was odd. That allied to get some spares from a different dealer who had a poke around concluded that we were looking at a GT that had had the roof chopped off. Inside the boot were the original seat belt mounting points that were helpfully separated from the cabin by a new bulkhead.
To get to the roadster from the GT, you'd obviously have to chop the roof, replace the windscreen, chop the B-pillars, chop the C-pillars, replace the rear wings, install the boot surround, the boot, the aforementioned bulkhead, the panel that runs behind the seats to the boot (can't think of a suitable name), fit a hood mechanism, fit any strengthening required, change the doors, change the rear panel below the boot, then skim and paint, then trim.
I'm sure I've missed something, but you get the picture. Or you could spend a little more over the GT and get a car that was built without the roof. It'll cost less than the conversion.
In my situation, I rejected the car as it wasn't as advertised. The dealer was very good and agreed to put together a proper roadster for my to my basic specification (Tahiti Blue with cream leather, based on a rubber bumper but converted to chrome bumper). A converted GT would (should) never cost the same as a roadster.
To get to the roadster from the GT, you'd obviously have to chop the roof, replace the windscreen, chop the B-pillars, chop the C-pillars, replace the rear wings, install the boot surround, the boot, the aforementioned bulkhead, the panel that runs behind the seats to the boot (can't think of a suitable name), fit a hood mechanism, fit any strengthening required, change the doors, change the rear panel below the boot, then skim and paint, then trim.
I'm sure I've missed something, but you get the picture. Or you could spend a little more over the GT and get a car that was built without the roof. It'll cost less than the conversion.
In my situation, I rejected the car as it wasn't as advertised. The dealer was very good and agreed to put together a proper roadster for my to my basic specification (Tahiti Blue with cream leather, based on a rubber bumper but converted to chrome bumper). A converted GT would (should) never cost the same as a roadster.
Upatdawn said:
I have found some B roadsters ate a reasonable - if not concours - price, those rubber bumpers are ghastly though, do they come off easy?....lol
I have to say, judging from your posts, that you'd be best advised to leave well alone as you seem to be totally out of your depth when it comes to the hands-on practical side of car ownership . . .restoman said:
I have to say, judging from your posts, that you'd be best advised to leave well alone as you seem to be totally out of your depth when it comes to the hands-on practical side of car ownership . . .
well ive dropped a V6 Ford engine into a Bedford CF, but that was when everyone did it....and i was asking
thanks for your input
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