MGB GT roadster conversion
Discussion
I'm quite surprised not to see more attempts at this done, even at the large MG shows. Always thought a T-top would look cool.
There are a few 2+2's roadsters about, so presume these are converted from a GT to give it the rear seats, which I suppose is the only viable reason to do it.
There are a few 2+2's roadsters about, so presume these are converted from a GT to give it the rear seats, which I suppose is the only viable reason to do it.
It's easily done but won't give you a 2+2 roadster as the floorpans are the same.
Ultimately it is a waste of time due to you spending a fair chunk of money and time to produce a car that is effectively worth next to nothing.
If your that desperate for a roadster for GT money buy a straight solid RB car and enjoy it.
Ultimately it is a waste of time due to you spending a fair chunk of money and time to produce a car that is effectively worth next to nothing.
If your that desperate for a roadster for GT money buy a straight solid RB car and enjoy it.
Texpis said:
Hi Tony
Do you not thingk the price of GT compaired to same spec roadsters is a viable reason?
mick
Probably not once you include the conversion costs. If you owned a GT and wanted roadster and could do all the work yourself, it could be an interesting project.Do you not thingk the price of GT compaired to same spec roadsters is a viable reason?
mick
Oliver, I've seen a roadster with GT seats in the rear, so presumed it was from a GT conversion.
(Mick, Have grinder, will travel!)

There was an article in Enjoying MG about 10/15 years ago on the subject. I think the general concensus then was that it would have been much cheaper to put the GT in p.ex for a roadster and have a fair bit to spare.
I seem to remember the windscreen being left in situ and a special hood being fabricated.
But as the OP says, the chap did it because he wanted to give it a go.
I seem to remember the windscreen being left in situ and a special hood being fabricated.
But as the OP says, the chap did it because he wanted to give it a go.
mgtony said:
Texpis said:
Hi Tony
Do you not thingk the price of GT compaired to same spec roadsters is a viable reason?
mick
Probably not once you include the conversion costs. If you owned a GT and wanted roadster and could do all the work yourself, it could be an interesting project.Do you not thingk the price of GT compaired to same spec roadsters is a viable reason?
mick
Oliver, I've seen a roadster with GT seats in the rear, so presumed it was from a GT conversion.
(Mick, Have grinder, will travel!)

I also recall one who based it on the GT keeping the GT screen and they had to have a longer hood fitted, I can't recall what was done with the back panel but the cockpit was certainly longer. It wasn't a looker though!!!
To convert a GT to roadster it is the following parts:
2 front wings.
2 full rear wings (to do job properly, you can just use a centre panel from a scrap shell, the boot lid slam panel is the same from memory.)
Rear scuttle panel/bulkhead.
Windscreen scuttle panel.
Basically apart from the wings the parts are pretty cheap and the job isn't too hard, but the roadster parts (hood frame/hood/header rail, quarter lights and drop glasses and screen) aren't cheap and ultimately even based on a free GT it will cost not far off the same as a resto roadster, take about the same amount of work if not more than a basic resto and will ultimately have little or no value.
To convert a GT to roadster it is the following parts:
2 front wings.
2 full rear wings (to do job properly, you can just use a centre panel from a scrap shell, the boot lid slam panel is the same from memory.)
Rear scuttle panel/bulkhead.
Windscreen scuttle panel.
Basically apart from the wings the parts are pretty cheap and the job isn't too hard, but the roadster parts (hood frame/hood/header rail, quarter lights and drop glasses and screen) aren't cheap and ultimately even based on a free GT it will cost not far off the same as a resto roadster, take about the same amount of work if not more than a basic resto and will ultimately have little or no value.
Just came accross this and reminded me of this thread, doesn't look too bad in my opinion.
(The fact that it's a V8 helps)
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C153457/
(The fact that it's a V8 helps)

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C153457/
I almost bought one a few years back. Unfortunately for the seller (garage) they didn't advertise it as an MGB GT Roadster and I paid full restoration cost for a roadster, not a chopped GT. So I rejected the car. Was done really nicely, just didn't feel right at the price I was paying. It still had the seat belt mounts in the boot and you could see the fillets welded into the boot to make the bulkhead fit between the boot and the seat area.
For the cost of a GT, plus all the bits for conversion, plus the time taken you could get a nice Roadster.
Dr Rick
For the cost of a GT, plus all the bits for conversion, plus the time taken you could get a nice Roadster.
Dr Rick
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