Discussion
I've wanted a classic car for many years however was never in the position to actually get one. Well, now I am!
I looked at a few but they were all too expensive until I stumbled upon this one. It was a sponsored advert on my Facebook timeline and was just £4000 for a chrome bumper car. I arranged to go have a look at it on Saturday and it was structurally sound, a few blemishes and issues but obviously that was reflected in the lower than usual price. I put a deposit down, and today I went to pick it up.
It was in Nottingham, I live in a small town between Glasgow and Edinburgh. So of course the most sensible thing to do was drive it.
2 trains to get down, picked up by the seller and drive a 46 year old 285 miles home. Oh, did I mention I've never driven a car without power steering, power assisted brakes and have no mechanical knowledge?
Well I'm sat in the living room and the car is on the drive so I obviously made it alive!
Anyway, some pictures:
First train of the day:
Second train of the day:
The car, the only picture I have taken of it: My C1 sat in front of it as well.
Sellers pics:
I looked at a few but they were all too expensive until I stumbled upon this one. It was a sponsored advert on my Facebook timeline and was just £4000 for a chrome bumper car. I arranged to go have a look at it on Saturday and it was structurally sound, a few blemishes and issues but obviously that was reflected in the lower than usual price. I put a deposit down, and today I went to pick it up.
It was in Nottingham, I live in a small town between Glasgow and Edinburgh. So of course the most sensible thing to do was drive it.
2 trains to get down, picked up by the seller and drive a 46 year old 285 miles home. Oh, did I mention I've never driven a car without power steering, power assisted brakes and have no mechanical knowledge?
Well I'm sat in the living room and the car is on the drive so I obviously made it alive!
Anyway, some pictures:
First train of the day:
Second train of the day:
The car, the only picture I have taken of it: My C1 sat in front of it as well.
Sellers pics:
Very nice, characteristics cars.
If it hasn't already got them I can recommend progressive leaf springs and Gaz gold dampers on the rear, and an accuspark to replace the points.
The MGOC spares people are fantastic, service second to none over the phone. Not always cheapest but a good website and very reliable. The Haynes and original BL workshop manuals are also worth buying if you want to tinker with it yourself.
If it hasn't already got them I can recommend progressive leaf springs and Gaz gold dampers on the rear, and an accuspark to replace the points.
The MGOC spares people are fantastic, service second to none over the phone. Not always cheapest but a good website and very reliable. The Haynes and original BL workshop manuals are also worth buying if you want to tinker with it yourself.
I like that. Seats look to have a nice patina. I'd keep the steering wheel myself (isn't it original?) and the dash if in good condition.
I had one of these as an only car around 20 years ago- it proved to be one of the most reliable old cars that I have ever owned in spite of having no updates/mods except K & Ns and rejetted carbs. I think frequent use was the reason- leaving them unused is a recipe for problems.
I had one of these as an only car around 20 years ago- it proved to be one of the most reliable old cars that I have ever owned in spite of having no updates/mods except K & Ns and rejetted carbs. I think frequent use was the reason- leaving them unused is a recipe for problems.
I still haven't driven the car anywhere since bringing it home, I think I'm doing it wrong!
However, I did have a slight issue of the passenger door not locking, from the inside or out. So after asking on an MG Facebook site I'm on I had the door card off and started having a good old look round.
At the same time I was talking to someone else who lives the next town over and has a blue rubber bumper GT, and has done for over 10 years (he's still only 17 though). He popped over to both have a look at the window and to tune the car correctly (it was running immensely rich apparently). He managed to have the window sorted in less than 5 minutes and then tuned the car, it runs far far better now.
Today, I gave both the MG and my Citroen a wash, albeittin different ways. The MG wasn't dirty enough for a full snow foam etc so got a light "waterless wash" with the Citroen getting the full treatment. Now I've got 2 sparkling cars sat on the drive, and I'm very proud everytime I look at them!
I do hope to go somewhere tomorrow though!
However, I did have a slight issue of the passenger door not locking, from the inside or out. So after asking on an MG Facebook site I'm on I had the door card off and started having a good old look round.
At the same time I was talking to someone else who lives the next town over and has a blue rubber bumper GT, and has done for over 10 years (he's still only 17 though). He popped over to both have a look at the window and to tune the car correctly (it was running immensely rich apparently). He managed to have the window sorted in less than 5 minutes and then tuned the car, it runs far far better now.
Today, I gave both the MG and my Citroen a wash, albeittin different ways. The MG wasn't dirty enough for a full snow foam etc so got a light "waterless wash" with the Citroen getting the full treatment. Now I've got 2 sparkling cars sat on the drive, and I'm very proud everytime I look at them!
I do hope to go somewhere tomorrow though!
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Very smart, love an mgb 
if it was mine i'd change the steering wheel, ditch the bumper over-riders and stick some nicer wheels on, minilites etc work well
I will be changing the steering wheel, I think this one is quite ugly. The over-riders make the car I buy opinion, MGs look incomplete without them! Different wheels is a consideration, not at the moment though, need to build up my savings again if it was mine i'd change the steering wheel, ditch the bumper over-riders and stick some nicer wheels on, minilites etc work well
Krikkit said:
Very nice, characteristics cars.
If it hasn't already got them I can recommend progressive leaf springs and Gaz gold dampers on the rear, and an accuspark to replace the points.
The MGOC spares people are fantastic, service second to none over the phone. Not always cheapest but a good website and very reliable. The Haynes and original BL workshop manuals are also worth buying if you want to tinker with it yourself.
Yeah I know about them, will be put on at some pointIf it hasn't already got them I can recommend progressive leaf springs and Gaz gold dampers on the rear, and an accuspark to replace the points.
The MGOC spares people are fantastic, service second to none over the phone. Not always cheapest but a good website and very reliable. The Haynes and original BL workshop manuals are also worth buying if you want to tinker with it yourself.
I'll get looking for the books!
Haddock82 said:
lovely car!
I've been hankering after another MG soon....
I am in a position to help you for any parts you need, feel free to message me if you need anything :-)
Hopefully this thread persuades you to hanker no more!I've been hankering after another MG soon....
I am in a position to help you for any parts you need, feel free to message me if you need anything :-)
Brilliant! I'll do just that when I can't find something, thank you!
mac96 said:
I like that. Seats look to have a nice patina. I'd keep the steering wheel myself (isn't it original?) and the dash if in good condition.
I had one of these as an only car around 20 years ago- it proved to be one of the most reliable old cars that I have ever owned in spite of having no updates/mods except K & Ns and rejetted carbs. I think frequent use was the reason- leaving them unused is a recipe for problems.
I think the steering wheel is original, I don't like the look of it though. The dash isn't in good condition, it needs replaced. Its peeling and just above the instrument pinnacle the entire veneer has come off the dash and is flapping away. I'll need to replace it sometime.I had one of these as an only car around 20 years ago- it proved to be one of the most reliable old cars that I have ever owned in spite of having no updates/mods except K & Ns and rejetted carbs. I think frequent use was the reason- leaving them unused is a recipe for problems.
Yep, the blue MG owner said the same, drive it and it will be fine. Although I admire you, I couldn't drive it daily!
The Surveyor said:
Lovely. I've a 73 GT which I'm doing a full rebuild on at the moment, it's utterly rotten lol.
Personally, i'd keep the Rostyle wheels but ditch the chrome trim rings, something beautifully 1970's about painted Rostyle wheels
Are they really simple to take off? I am tempted to takes the chrome rings off and give them a hand painted restoration. Personally, i'd keep the Rostyle wheels but ditch the chrome trim rings, something beautifully 1970's about painted Rostyle wheels
Nottingham you say? That registration rings a bell. I can't be certain unless I can find some old pictures but I've got a feeling I used to own that!
If so, it was on minilites when I sold it....to a bloke from Nottingham. The original restoration was done by a bloke in one of the tank regiments, based in Germany. The panel fit was not brilliant but it was all solid and totally rustproofed with something he got for free on the base. I threw the dodgy electronic ignition away and put points back for more reliability. Had to change the fuel pump as well.
I'll look for some pictures when I get back to a laptop.
If so, it was on minilites when I sold it....to a bloke from Nottingham. The original restoration was done by a bloke in one of the tank regiments, based in Germany. The panel fit was not brilliant but it was all solid and totally rustproofed with something he got for free on the base. I threw the dodgy electronic ignition away and put points back for more reliability. Had to change the fuel pump as well.
I'll look for some pictures when I get back to a laptop.
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