MGB Owners and Lovers- I need your experiences/opinions!
Discussion
Good afternoon all 
The time has come for me to use this vast resource that is PH for something other than recreational use. The classics section of this website has always been a fountain of knowledge on all matters 'old', and the range of cars owned by members is vast and impressive. For this though, I need the help of anyone who owns, has owned or intends to own an MGB/GT.
I'm currently researching a project for my work about the possibility of producing a short documentary on the 50 years of the MGB. At this point, it is unlikely that it will ever actually be made, so is largely hypothetical, but I need to do the full research behind it anyway! When given a brief of 'find something with an anniversary soon and a large target market', my interest in classics meant I knew that the 50th anniversary for the MGB was approaching and that the enthusiasts of the marque were a large and varied group, so thought it fitting to choose this.
Basically, if you would not mind just giving me some of your best anecdotes, memories, highs and lows and experiences in general of the archetypal British sports car, then that would be a great help!
Thank you in advance!
P.S. Mods I know you might want this to go in the MG section, but as I am not just looking for current owners of the car but anyone that might have anything interesting to say about it, I thought this section would be best!
The time has come for me to use this vast resource that is PH for something other than recreational use. The classics section of this website has always been a fountain of knowledge on all matters 'old', and the range of cars owned by members is vast and impressive. For this though, I need the help of anyone who owns, has owned or intends to own an MGB/GT.
I'm currently researching a project for my work about the possibility of producing a short documentary on the 50 years of the MGB. At this point, it is unlikely that it will ever actually be made, so is largely hypothetical, but I need to do the full research behind it anyway! When given a brief of 'find something with an anniversary soon and a large target market', my interest in classics meant I knew that the 50th anniversary for the MGB was approaching and that the enthusiasts of the marque were a large and varied group, so thought it fitting to choose this.
Basically, if you would not mind just giving me some of your best anecdotes, memories, highs and lows and experiences in general of the archetypal British sports car, then that would be a great help!
Thank you in advance!
P.S. Mods I know you might want this to go in the MG section, but as I am not just looking for current owners of the car but anyone that might have anything interesting to say about it, I thought this section would be best!
rather than the old farts like me that have owned (or currently own) a B or the only comes out for MoTs, shows or rarely for dry sunny couple of hours crowd why not go for the youngsters (or otherwise) that actually use their cars all year round or as dailies, I'm sure their stories would be more relevant and interesting than 'all our yesterdays' - and anyone that recognises that is far from being a younster
na said:
rather than the old farts like me that have owned (or currently own) a B or the only comes out for MoTs, shows or rarely for dry sunny couple of hours crowd
Haha, I've just bought a B off my neighbour. I MOTd it for him in 2005 and I've just noticed it's done 4 miles since then, 3 of them would be me driving it back from our MOT shop. 
I have a 72 B roadster auto that I have sort of inherited from my FIL now he has been told to stop driving. The car has been in the family since 1975, and was reshelled on a Heritage shell back in 96 by me (I am an ex MG main dealer mechanic from the days when you could buy a new MGB)
Use the thing most days, gets used for shopping and general errands and lives outside - definitely no show queen, but still tidy and rust free.
If I can help with your project let me know what sort of thing you want.
I still much prefer my 2 Triumphs, the Stag especially, so have no great love for the B and tend to be objective
Use the thing most days, gets used for shopping and general errands and lives outside - definitely no show queen, but still tidy and rust free.
If I can help with your project let me know what sort of thing you want.
I still much prefer my 2 Triumphs, the Stag especially, so have no great love for the B and tend to be objective
triumphkryten said:
I have a 72 B roadster auto that I have sort of inherited from my FIL now he has been told to stop driving. The car has been in the family since 1975, and was reshelled on a Heritage shell back in 96 by me (I am an ex MG main dealer mechanic from the days when you could buy a new MGB)
Use the thing most days, gets used for shopping and general errands and lives outside - definitely no show queen, but still tidy and rust free.
If I can help with your project let me know what sort of thing you want.
I still much prefer my 2 Triumphs, the Stag especially, so have no great love for the B and tend to be objective
That sort of small tale about it being passed down etc is great Use the thing most days, gets used for shopping and general errands and lives outside - definitely no show queen, but still tidy and rust free.
If I can help with your project let me know what sort of thing you want.
I still much prefer my 2 Triumphs, the Stag especially, so have no great love for the B and tend to be objective
And speaking of Triumphs, I'm from a Triumph 'family' I suppose, my dad has a Herald, has had 2000's etc, grandfather and OH both had Spitfires, but no major anniversaries approaching unfortunately 
Keep em coming folks; any contribution be it small or large is incredibly useful! I've got to write a full proposal at the moment and any quotes are great (proving to my project leader that there is a following is important, she has no knowledge or interest in cars and I have to prove there is a following!).
It is good to have continual interest surfacing with regard to our great British sports car the MGB both roadster > ,considering that the majority of production was exported all over the world and a very large number of those have survived they are certainly a milestone in automotive history. Contrary to current criticism given out by modern journalists many of whom were not even born when the cars first appeared on the market, they stood the test of time far better than their contemporaries and now currently rank as the most frequently restored European sports car in the USA (MG’s biggest market)
Many writers make the mistake of comparing the MGB to later products conveniently forgetting the 1962 release date. When they first appeared it was a giant step forward in comfort &convenience at a reasonable price (just try erecting the hood (soft-top) and side windows on an MGA in the pouring rain to realize the progress MG had achieved)
The MGB has also carved a niche in the hot-rod modified market as a result of the success of the factory issued V8 models and the Ken Costello V8 special In the UK, Germany and the US there is a very strong following of owners with a wide range of V8 engines fitted :- Rover , small block Chevy & Ford. I have also personally seen several with Jaguar V12 engines successfully fitted. The following photos are of some restored US cars.
Many writers make the mistake of comparing the MGB to later products conveniently forgetting the 1962 release date. When they first appeared it was a giant step forward in comfort &convenience at a reasonable price (just try erecting the hood (soft-top) and side windows on an MGA in the pouring rain to realize the progress MG had achieved)
The MGB has also carved a niche in the hot-rod modified market as a result of the success of the factory issued V8 models and the Ken Costello V8 special In the UK, Germany and the US there is a very strong following of owners with a wide range of V8 engines fitted :- Rover , small block Chevy & Ford. I have also personally seen several with Jaguar V12 engines successfully fitted. The following photos are of some restored US cars.
Dad always owned MG's through University and his early working life. Started with a ratty TC that he restored to pristine condition. When the B came out in 62, he was freshly degree'd and working for ICI. He bought one a couple of years later, had a steady progression of Roadsters and GT's (4 total) before leaving for a series of international stints that would keep us living overseas for 15 years. The advent of the family meant that 2 seater sports cars were off the table for a while.
On taking early retirement at 55, and having packed the last of us off to University that same year, he decided to rejoin the fray, and bought his last MG, a '72 B Roadster. It had been recently restored to a good working level, and he proceeded to daily drive it for almost 10 years. It went everywhere, from his mountaineering leadership training in the Highlands, to his sailing adventures off the South coast. Unless it was a torrential downpour, he'd have the roof down too.
When he was struck with a brain tumour in 2007, we were all heartbroken, of course. We battled through multiple surgeries and treatments. I moved my family back from the US so that the kids could spend some time with him. I would take him out in the MG still, but it wasn't the same. When he finally decided to leave us in 2008, my brother and I led the funeral procession in the car. When I collected his ashes from the funeral home, we went for a 3 hour drive over to the Lakes and back, the long way round. Top down, flat out, just the way he would have.
Now the old girl lives in my garage, under the joint ownership of my brother and I. She's about to be shipped off for a full bodywork rehab, to take care of the dreaded rust that has become more and more persistent (particularly in those pesky MOT-failing sills). While there, I'm having the engine overhauled, and the seats refreshed. Might even spring for some Minilite wheels while I'm at it. She'll never be sold, so we might as well make her as good as we can, and enjoy the hell out of her, every single day. My kids are already in love, and campaign earnestly to get rides. I suppose this story could happen with any old car, but I think being an MGB makes it that little bit more special.
On taking early retirement at 55, and having packed the last of us off to University that same year, he decided to rejoin the fray, and bought his last MG, a '72 B Roadster. It had been recently restored to a good working level, and he proceeded to daily drive it for almost 10 years. It went everywhere, from his mountaineering leadership training in the Highlands, to his sailing adventures off the South coast. Unless it was a torrential downpour, he'd have the roof down too.
When he was struck with a brain tumour in 2007, we were all heartbroken, of course. We battled through multiple surgeries and treatments. I moved my family back from the US so that the kids could spend some time with him. I would take him out in the MG still, but it wasn't the same. When he finally decided to leave us in 2008, my brother and I led the funeral procession in the car. When I collected his ashes from the funeral home, we went for a 3 hour drive over to the Lakes and back, the long way round. Top down, flat out, just the way he would have.
Now the old girl lives in my garage, under the joint ownership of my brother and I. She's about to be shipped off for a full bodywork rehab, to take care of the dreaded rust that has become more and more persistent (particularly in those pesky MOT-failing sills). While there, I'm having the engine overhauled, and the seats refreshed. Might even spring for some Minilite wheels while I'm at it. She'll never be sold, so we might as well make her as good as we can, and enjoy the hell out of her, every single day. My kids are already in love, and campaign earnestly to get rides. I suppose this story could happen with any old car, but I think being an MGB makes it that little bit more special.
My 1973 MGB GT used to belong to my Grandfather. He was into MGs in a big way and at one point had an A, B, B GT, Midget, Magnette varitone, and 1100. I don't suppose that when I was younger I was into old cars but they were always there in the garage and we'd go and see my grandparents and sometimes go out in one or other of the cars. My dad also has an MGA which was for a while mouldering in a falling down shed. That was eventually brought out and sent away to be restored so I have memories of driving back from Goodwood in the pouring rain because he hadn't got the hood with us!
Anyway, fast forward a bit... my grandfather had been suffering from Parkinson's disease and gave up driving. The tax on the B GT ran out in 2005 and the cars stood in their garages for a number of years. I think the Midget and the 1100 went first. Another couple of years and the A went. I remember getting a phonecall from my mum asking if I was interested in one of the cars. I can't remember if I said yes at the time or if I talked about it with my wife (most unlike me) but I said that yes I would have the B GT. I don't think it had turned a wheel in six years at this point so it was arranged that I would be trailered to a garage to be put back on the road.
Some new bits later it was mine!
My grandfather had had a fall and moved into a nursing home by this point and one of the times I visited him I took the MG and he was wheeled into the garden to hear and see it. That was the last time as not long after he passed away. It took me to his funeral as well which I think was the one time when my wife didn't moan about me cleaning the car... a sad day but it felt good to be in one of his pride and joys.
That's enough sentimentality but the car as they say is a keeper.
Anyway, fast forward a bit... my grandfather had been suffering from Parkinson's disease and gave up driving. The tax on the B GT ran out in 2005 and the cars stood in their garages for a number of years. I think the Midget and the 1100 went first. Another couple of years and the A went. I remember getting a phonecall from my mum asking if I was interested in one of the cars. I can't remember if I said yes at the time or if I talked about it with my wife (most unlike me) but I said that yes I would have the B GT. I don't think it had turned a wheel in six years at this point so it was arranged that I would be trailered to a garage to be put back on the road.
Some new bits later it was mine!
My grandfather had had a fall and moved into a nursing home by this point and one of the times I visited him I took the MG and he was wheeled into the garden to hear and see it. That was the last time as not long after he passed away. It took me to his funeral as well which I think was the one time when my wife didn't moan about me cleaning the car... a sad day but it felt good to be in one of his pride and joys.
That's enough sentimentality but the car as they say is a keeper.
Before I started racing, a friend was hell-bent on racing a B or a C in the BCV8 Challenge. I couldn't imagine the cars would be up to much and went a different route when chance led me into racing in '97. 10 years later, another friend offered me a go in his BV8 roadster at a test day. I had low expectations but was curious...
I got out laughing - and so was the owner because on treads I had apparently matched the slicks lap record around Snetterton. And so it came to pass that I was offered a race in it at MG Live (Silverstone) in 2008. I went out to qualify the car and thought it was probably a reasonable lap. I was pipped to pole position by a tenth, by an Invited Morgan V8. I found this non-MG intrusion most disagreeable. Come the race, I had a perfect start, took P1 from the beginning, beat the lap record, and got into a humdinger of a battle with the incumbent record holder who managed to go faster still! I held P1 until just before the driver change, by which time my tyres were going off and the other B (the green one) - running wider rears - got the better of me in the Complex.
Nevertheless, this photo of me leading the pack is one of my favourites:
(Credit to the PH'er who took this image!)
The following year I returned to Silverstone for a rematch. I did the second qualifying stint and, unfortunately for me, there was a yellow flag incident. I saw the stricken car but as I only had one flying lap I used a bit of discretion and passed the incident before overtaking a car ahead ...but I didn't wait until the green flag. At the end of the session as I completed my last lap and passed the chequered flag, there was an almighty bang and the hardtop flew off the car and, I am told, shot up in the air then fluttered like a leaf to a rest by the access gate. When I came into the pit lane I was set upon by marshals that i figured wanted to tell me where my roof was. No... the Head Prefect wanted a word. Aside from my roof, what he wanted to discuss was my 'discretion' ...which he didn't agree with.
And so it came to pass that the Clerk determined my times should be disallowed and I should take a Pole-capability car to the back of a 36 car grid. I kept a straight face, worked out where the cameras would be fitted and reckoned on a bit of YouTube gold. It was the first time I'd done a run from the back and it was probably the most fun I have ever had in a race: Video
'Starting from the back' - for all manner of reasons - was to become a recurring theme after that. Compared with 'big bangers', the BV8 (with a cooking 220bhp 3.9) lacks oomph on the straights but the speed it will carry through a bend is tremendous. At the beginning of this race at Snetterton (0:54) the BV8 got out dragged up the back straight by a 60 year old XK150! it was, truly, the slowest car up the straights. And yet, somehow, we made it up to the sharp end... My favourite bit starts at 5:00: the duel with the V8 Aston...
I got out laughing - and so was the owner because on treads I had apparently matched the slicks lap record around Snetterton. And so it came to pass that I was offered a race in it at MG Live (Silverstone) in 2008. I went out to qualify the car and thought it was probably a reasonable lap. I was pipped to pole position by a tenth, by an Invited Morgan V8. I found this non-MG intrusion most disagreeable. Come the race, I had a perfect start, took P1 from the beginning, beat the lap record, and got into a humdinger of a battle with the incumbent record holder who managed to go faster still! I held P1 until just before the driver change, by which time my tyres were going off and the other B (the green one) - running wider rears - got the better of me in the Complex.
Nevertheless, this photo of me leading the pack is one of my favourites:
(Credit to the PH'er who took this image!)
The following year I returned to Silverstone for a rematch. I did the second qualifying stint and, unfortunately for me, there was a yellow flag incident. I saw the stricken car but as I only had one flying lap I used a bit of discretion and passed the incident before overtaking a car ahead ...but I didn't wait until the green flag. At the end of the session as I completed my last lap and passed the chequered flag, there was an almighty bang and the hardtop flew off the car and, I am told, shot up in the air then fluttered like a leaf to a rest by the access gate. When I came into the pit lane I was set upon by marshals that i figured wanted to tell me where my roof was. No... the Head Prefect wanted a word. Aside from my roof, what he wanted to discuss was my 'discretion' ...which he didn't agree with.
And so it came to pass that the Clerk determined my times should be disallowed and I should take a Pole-capability car to the back of a 36 car grid. I kept a straight face, worked out where the cameras would be fitted and reckoned on a bit of YouTube gold. It was the first time I'd done a run from the back and it was probably the most fun I have ever had in a race: Video
'Starting from the back' - for all manner of reasons - was to become a recurring theme after that. Compared with 'big bangers', the BV8 (with a cooking 220bhp 3.9) lacks oomph on the straights but the speed it will carry through a bend is tremendous. At the beginning of this race at Snetterton (0:54) the BV8 got out dragged up the back straight by a 60 year old XK150! it was, truly, the slowest car up the straights. And yet, somehow, we made it up to the sharp end... My favourite bit starts at 5:00: the duel with the V8 Aston...
good project. Dont forget the Tickford MG- currently for sale- which Aston Martin made as a study into looking at buying the marque. (there was also talk of aston, jaguar and MG forming a company called "British sports cars" but Leyland didnt like the idea).
I have one of the board room "brochures" produced by aston detailing what they wanted to do with the cars and the marque. I dont know which board member it was roduced for, but I understand everyone on the board of AML and BL got one at the time.
I have one of the board room "brochures" produced by aston detailing what they wanted to do with the cars and the marque. I dont know which board member it was roduced for, but I understand everyone on the board of AML and BL got one at the time.
Before we became parents we had two MGBs, both GTs with folding sunroofs.
The first was c. 1970, blue with knock-on/off hubbed wire wheels etc and saggy rear suspension but we loved it so much we traded up to a nearly new 1975 model in beautiful primrose yellow and black vinyl roof, traditional wheels and rubber bumpers. The sunroof and boot space meant you could actually transport things like 6' step ladders, planks and roofing panels in it! We kept it for a while after our son was born and, on one journey managed to pack him and a niece into the 'boot' and a nephew and another niece onto the back 'seats'.
Being a fairly heavy car with relatively narrow tyres, it was remarkably good in the snow.
Happy days. We were so sad to have to change to a sensible estate car.
That said, 30 years later, I wouldn't go back to owning one. We don't have ABS, power steering, air con. electric windows, adjustable wing mirrors etc for no reason.
The first was c. 1970, blue with knock-on/off hubbed wire wheels etc and saggy rear suspension but we loved it so much we traded up to a nearly new 1975 model in beautiful primrose yellow and black vinyl roof, traditional wheels and rubber bumpers. The sunroof and boot space meant you could actually transport things like 6' step ladders, planks and roofing panels in it! We kept it for a while after our son was born and, on one journey managed to pack him and a niece into the 'boot' and a nephew and another niece onto the back 'seats'.
Being a fairly heavy car with relatively narrow tyres, it was remarkably good in the snow.
Happy days. We were so sad to have to change to a sensible estate car.
That said, 30 years later, I wouldn't go back to owning one. We don't have ABS, power steering, air con. electric windows, adjustable wing mirrors etc for no reason.
driverrob said:
Happy days. We were so sad to have to change to a sensible estate car.
That said, 30 years later, I wouldn't go back to owning one. We don't have ABS, power steering, air con. electric windows, adjustable wing mirrors etc for no reason.
I had a 72 Teal Blue Roadster HBB116K, back in the 70's. So much better than the Midgets previously owned, but so much worse than the 2.5V6 Consul (Grenada) I followed it with.That said, 30 years later, I wouldn't go back to owning one. We don't have ABS, power steering, air con. electric windows, adjustable wing mirrors etc for no reason.
Spent a fortune on clutch, shocks, kingpins, fuel tank exhaust batteries hood, screen it went on and on
Despite this I keep thinking another would be nice....but sat in a pristine one in Darlington the other day and somehow it just didn't gell.
Strangely I run an old estate now too.....
I bought an MGB GT (1978 rubber bumper) for £1700 last April to run as a second car - it's my girlfriend's dream car, but as she hasn't passed her test yet and I was hankering after something different I offered to get it for the time being and look after it until she passes. Since then we have decided to go travelling and two cars was just too expensive; as a result I have now sold my BMW 328i and am using the MG as a daily driver, which my girlfriend is now insured to drive on a provisional licence (total cost of £495). As we're both 22, I'd guess we fall into the "younger driver" category. Last September it took us from Devon up to Wales and back without a problem and despite about 6 or 7 minor breakdowns (most of which I fixed myself), it's only cost about £20 in maintenance so far.
They're a great car and you can tell from the waves you get whenever you encounter another that they just have a nice feel to them. There are few modern cars which get such a response from fellow-owners.
They're a great car and you can tell from the waves you get whenever you encounter another that they just have a nice feel to them. There are few modern cars which get such a response from fellow-owners.
In the early 80's I had a '72 Glacier White GT with Chrome Rostyles and a Webasto roof GRO 5L , loved that car , when my daughter was born we used to go on holiday with her in a carry cot accross the back seat , a high chair and a Buggy plus all our stuff for 2 week holidays in Devon , when my son was born 4 years later we put a child seat in for my daughter and the carry cot in the boot area......but the writing was on the wall and the car was retired to the Garage for occasional use and eventually to be given to my daughter for her 18th Birthday.
Sadly the car was used less and less and then started to deteriate to such an extent that the work was beyond me and I now wanted a TVR . I put a note up on the MG site here asking if anyone wanted a 'project' and was contacted by someone who recognised the Reg No , as it was the car ( when new ) given to his Brother for his 21st birthday ,he wanted to get hold of it and do a restoration , I did not want anything for the car but did ask that I should see it, if and when it got back on the Road, sadly I heard nothing more.
Rower
Sadly the car was used less and less and then started to deteriate to such an extent that the work was beyond me and I now wanted a TVR . I put a note up on the MG site here asking if anyone wanted a 'project' and was contacted by someone who recognised the Reg No , as it was the car ( when new ) given to his Brother for his 21st birthday ,he wanted to get hold of it and do a restoration , I did not want anything for the car but did ask that I should see it, if and when it got back on the Road, sadly I heard nothing more.
Rower
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