MGB GT or Alternative?

[readysalted]

Just got rid of my Land Rover, and now I'm after replacement transport relatively quickly.
My budget is about 2 grand could go a bit higher, but ideally would spend a bit less.

I want another classic car, as I've owned classic minis, and classic land rovers, and although worlds apart, they both share something that modern cars I've driven don't seem to have at all. Fun. I genuinely enjoy driving classics, whereas driving a modern car, where you're detached from the road, is boring, and is a means to an end, rather than a journey.

I've been after an MGB GT, as I want something cheap, that looks good, and has a hard top.

However there aren't an abundance of chrome bumpered models out there at the moment for under 2 grand, and I would rather keep some money in the kitty, for early repairs etc.

I thought I would try to draw on the experience and knowledge of you chaps to suggest any alternatives within budget.

Only criteria are:
Around 2 grand
Be a hardtop or coupe
Have smooth curvy styling that looks like it's from the 60s. (I don't think I'd like anything designed from the 70s onwards, as it reminds me of roger moore's eyebrows, twangy music, flared trousers, and more often that not, has a depressing brown suede and plastic interior)

I don't like triumph stags, or spitfires, because of their more angular styling although I think GT6 coupe's are beautiful. (Just a shame they are so rare and expensive)

Any help or ideas would be awesome.

Edited by readysalted on Saturday 22 September 15:40

[niagra]

Capri? 60s designed, although I doubt you'd get an early one for 2gees.

[readysalted]

It's just occurred to me, that a potential option would be to get an MG midget or Austin Healey Sprite, and Buy a hardtop to put on it.

What's the difference between the Midget, and the Sprite, if anything? Would a hardtop bought for one, fit the other, and vice versa?

Also, are there any company's that sell hard tops for these cars, or do I just need to try and get an old one off ebay?
Cheers, Dan.

[Perd Hapley]

Midget and Sprite are identical although the 'mark numbers' don't line up because the Sprite came first (Sprite MK2 = Midget MK1, and so on). I don't know much about hard tops but the cars evolved wind up windows and a different windscreen frame so a really early hard top presumably wouldn't fit a later car.

You can buy hardtops new but eBay's always got some and they're usually quite cheap. If you're patient you'd soon find one local.

[john2443]

Sprites and Midgets are exactly the same apart from badges and bits of trim, fastback hardtops exist if you want a MGBGT/GT6 look alike!

[vixen1700]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C333675

Just stumbled across this pretty honest BGT which has been looked after and Waxoyled with new sills for a very reasonable £1950.

I did think about a Scimitar, but early nicer examples seem to be a fair bit more than £2k these days.

That BGT looks great for the money.

[readysalted]

Funny you should point that one out, I've been looking at that one quite alot. Trouble is that it's not tax excempt and I think if I hold off, then one which is excempt will come up.

On the plus side, it's fairly good milage at 50,000, only 3 owners, nice bodywork and sounds to be solid, overdrive, and minilites are a nice alternative to the horrid rostyles, looks to be well maintained and have a few handy modifications.

The things putting me off: The webasto roof, because I would be fearful of it being slashed during the night, and would prevent me from leaving things like expensive sunglasses and sat-nav in the car. It's not tax free which would add another 190 quid a year.

There are alot of good reasons that make me want to make an offer, but the two reasons not to, put me right off. Frustrating, and I might have to realise It's a good buy for the budget I'm on.

[AtticusFinch]

readysalted said:

The things putting me off: The webasto roof, because I would be fearful of it being slashed during the night, and would prevent me from leaving things like expensive sunglasses and sat-nav in the car

If a tealeaf is after your stuff they will smash your window. Roof slashing is simple vandalism

Don't leave stuff in cars.

[Yertis]

I was going to say "GT6, obviously" but just looking at prices they seem to have gone up a fair bit since last I looked (obviously reflecting the car's superiority over the MGB ).

[JoeBolt]

readysalted said:

It's not tax free which would add another 190 quid a year.

£220 a year actually. However, a tax free example would probably cost more in the first place, so I wouldn't let the issue of road tax be a limiting factor.

[v8250]

JoeBolt said:

£220 a year actually. However, a tax free example would probably cost more in the first place, so I wouldn't let the issue of road tax be a limiting factor.

This. It's rare that FOC road tax can be saved by buying an earlier B'. Buy the best you can find for your budget irrespective of age. If you want best dash for the cash buy a rubber bumpered GT. Superb value for money, cheap as chips, parts availability bar none and 'ride' very well. Then if you get the urge to modify at a later date the world's your oyster.

[readysalted]

Okay... I accidentally bought a BGT this evening.

It was over budget meaning that if something goes bad with it, then I'm shafted as there's bugger all left in the kitty for repairs. That said, it comes with a long MOT, it's got the complete hard top I was after, it is tax free, and insurance quotes on it, are around 450 quid, as opposed to the 1300 I was paying for the Land Rover Discovery I just sold. So hopefully, so long as nothing goes bang on it in the immediate future, I should be okay.

I made the offer, not expecting the seller to accept, but they did, so the deals done. I broke the golden bloody rule of viewing before you buy, so I'm now trying to convince myself that it wasn't a mistake. Hopefully it will prove more economical, to run, than my old disco, that I threw money after hand over fist, but also I hope it will be great fun to drive and tinker with.

To be fair, it ticks all the boxes I wanted it, apart from it not having wire wheels, but that's nit picking. It sounds like a good'un but just not sure if my tactic of buy the best I can afford and hope it's worth it, was the right one.

I'll keep you posted on how this turns out. It could be a nail, or could be a fantastic runner. I'll have to wait and see.

In the meanwhile, if anybody has any success stories of using one of these as a daily driver, I would really appreciate it to quell my nerves! lol

[na]

I've used classics as dailies for over 20 years including two Spridgets, a B roadster and a BGT

to keep them at their best they need regular use and regular servicing and maintenance - now you've blown your servicing budget you're down to regular driving, a B will run for a very long time with little or no maintenance which is good for you at the moment but in the medium and long run bad for the car if it continues too long or has been done by too many other previous owners

never mind Haynes get yourself a relevant copy of the Driver's Handbook - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...

resist the urge to continuously tinker with the carbs, proper setting of the carbs is part of a full service, a full service doesn't just mean thev engine it means the whole car

make sure your batteries are fully charged and battery connections, all leads and earths are in good condition and are clean, secure and protected or starting and running the car will be unnecessarily difficult

really important items and systems are brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, windows (note carbs and engine are not included)

old or very little use tyres regardless of tread depth may be best changed ASAP - http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html

the engine will appreciate oil and filter changes and clean air filters as well as clean cooling (and heating) systems (water and oil)

get that Driver's Handbook and regular driving, and good luck

just a note on the hardtop – personally I see no need for them at all unless you fear vandalism, as has already been said lock all items out of sight in the boot, clean off signs of SatNav sucker off windscreen –or you could used a paper road atlas instead and learn about where you drive, whoops sorry, I’m an old person

having the hardtop on means you’ll miss loads of great top down driving opportunities especially in late autumn, winter and early spring more so than most summers – the soft top should be watertight and you can drop it anytime and raise it anytime, with the hardtop you’re stuck with it and miss the pleasure of driving the open car you’ve bought

if you do use the hardtop make sure the soft top is fully dry before you stow it and/or fit the hardtop or it might start to go mouldy and stink and rot the stitching

I’ve got loads of notes that might help you, if you want any just let me know, you’ll probably ignore them but if you still have them after a few years of classic car ownership you’ll see how they made sense

Edited by na on Monday 24th September 15:07

[Rotaree]

readysalted said:

I bought a BGT

na said:

just a note on the hardtop.......

having the hardtop ................open car you’ve bought

if you do use the hardtop......

[na]

Rotaree said:

readysalted said:

I bought a BGT

na said:

just a note on the hardtop.......

having the hardtop ................open car you’ve bought

if you do use the hardtop......

I really, really must visit specsavers

hardtop info for softop owners/potential purchasers only

[na]

BGT then, as a previous owner of a BGT I'd say don't leave anything in the 'boot' that is in sight throught the glass and that will be affected by the sun getting through

if you're worried about security it's common knowledge that 60s cars locks are hopeless so additional deterrent(s) will be required to easy your worries, depending on the year the car's anti-theft device was an easily surpassed steering lock

let us know if you get a damp or wet left leg when driving (and passenger wet or damp right leg) or research the possible reason, happens in BGt and roadsters, it has several names

[readysalted]

Thanks for the advice guys. Starting to feel a bit better now about it. Actually I'm really exited.
I am expecting a bit of water ingress. I remember driving my mini back from N Wales, in torrential rain, and every few miles it would slowly sputter to a standstill. Each time I had to jump out, dry off the dizzy and wait for the water to evaporate for 10 minutes, before cracking on. It turned a 2 hour journey into more like an 8 hour journey but hey ho. It was still great fun. I remember the water bubbling into the dash, through the windscreen seal and scuttle, and my girlfriend packing the dash with tea towels to absorb the water. The carpets were also waterlogged by the inner wheel arch, and would squelch. Even through all the drama, I still enjoyed classic ownership, and obviously it hasn't put me off getting another classic now, a few years later.

I think owning a new car is always an exciting time, but that initial enjoyment, thrill, and novelty, soon wears off with a modern car, and you are left driving around another boring car divorced from the road, and without half as much driver input. With a classic, that magic of new ownership doesn't seem to wear off, because every time you jump in her, and you drive past all the normal cars, you're reminded how different your driving experience is to most.

I'll take you advice about getting a handbook, if the MG doesn't have one come with it. If nothing else it will be handy to work out how the relic of a radio in it works. Is it fairly easy to replace the original with a modern CD player?

[na]

readysalted said:

I am expecting a bit of water ingress.

don't accept it!

classic cars such as the B need not be slow with poor handling, leaky and unreliable - they're mainly made that way by previous and current owners, don't be one of that lot

readysalted said:

in torrential rain, and every few miles it would slowly sputter to a standstill. Each time I had to jump out, dry off the dizzy and wait for the water to evaporate for 10 minutes, before cracking on

yeap that happened with Minis, a splash shield would prevent most of that

readysalted said:

I'll take you advice about getting a handbook, if the MG doesn't have one come with it.

if you actually read the Handbook you'll know more about the car than a lot of long term owners

readysalted said:

If nothing else it will be handy to work out how the relic of a radio in it works.

I doubt it, radio didn't come with the cars as standard IIRC, if it's a 60s or 70s radio it'll be very easy to use you just need to remember to raise the aerial (and lower it if you have vandalism issues), put up a photo of the radio and us oldies will tell you how to operate it

readysalted said:

Is it fairly easy to replace the original with a modern CD player?

why would you want to isn’t listening to the raspy exhaust, carbs induction and the tappets enough?

If the radio works well (they never went loud unless you added an amp with second speaker) then tune into Classic Gold on AM (wave band) and hear classic pop/rock music in full mono as you would when the cars were new, with even music from the year when the car was new

If you really must have a CD player, or PF3 or whatever they are, then there’ll be loads of threads on PH to advise you

[readysalted]

Thanks for all your input so far gents.
I picked the MG up last night, and driving it home was a bit of a mission. Mainly due to the motorway being shut, meaning I didn't get home until 1.30am, instead of about 11pm, but hey ho.

I've got a few questions for you after my first drive last night if you don't mind:
1. There was an awful smell for about the first 30 miles, which got more pungent as the speed increased. It went away after a while and the car ran smoothly the whole time. I couldn't put my finger on the smell, but I thought it initially smelt like burning clutch and it started to worry me, but then it could have been new brake pads??? The fact it went away and didn't return during the following 2 hours made me think it probably was the latter???
2. The windscreen wipers don't work, causing for some very dangerous motorway driving luckily it was very quiet, and it didn't actually rain, it was just the spray which made it difficult. I'm going to set about fixing that this afternoon, but not sure where to start really. Fuses are all okay.
3. Alternator has a very bad squeal, when headlights are on. When they're off it tends not to make a noise, but with the headlights, lighter socket, rear heated screen, all in use on the way home, the alternator squealed almost constantly. Not sure how to tackle that one really, other than getting a local auto electric company to have a look at it, and checking the belt tension.

Well the car over all is okay. To me, it's fantastic, but it's had a very mediocre paint jobs, and has a few blemishes, but I expected this for my price range. The engine pulls very well, and it drives and stops straight. It feels fast which I wasn't really expecting, so that's good, but then again, I've never owned a car that would be regarded as quick.

I'm beginning to fall in love with it all ready, and the girlfriend has already said she loves it which is always a good start, when I know I'll be spending a fair amount of tinkering before too long.

I was concerned that it wouldn't have the charm that the classic's I've had in the past had, and that it would feel a bit boring, or mediocre. Not the case at all.
The driving position and controls are more akin to the Ferrari 458 I drove at a track day, than anything else I've driven. It has that sports car feel about it, which makes journeys seem thrilling, although getting in and out, is a pretty undignified affair for all 6'1 of me.
Handling, it handles a little bit sloppier than my austin mini handled, but with the added poke of the engine, and the rear wheel drive, it is twice as exiting, and still tight considering it's 40 years old.
Overall, the drive of it, is absolutely brilliant, I am so happy I took the plunge and went back to classic ownership, not least because of the free tax, and the huge drop in insurance.

I'm not holding my breath though, and havn't had it in my possession for 24hrs yet, so who knows what might happens tomorrow or the day after, but that's half the joy of owning an old car no?
If the way it held it's own on the 4 hour drive home yesterday is anything to go by, it's going to bring me alot of fun.

Now, I need to sort a handbook, and a haynes manual. Anything else that's worth getting right away?

[na]

readysalted said:

1. There was an awful smell for about the first 30 miles

possibly just lack of use (possibly not)

readysalted said:

2. The windscreen wipers don't work, . . . Fuses are all okay.

seperate in-line fuse? (Handbook will tell you) switch faullty? wires and connections all clean, secure and protected? - Rain-X

readysalted said:

3. Alternator has a very bad squeal, when headlights are on. When they're off it tends not to make a noise, but with the headlights, lighter socket, rear heated screen, all in use on the way home, the alternator squealed almost constantly. Not sure how to tackle that one really, other than getting a local auto electric company to have a look at it, and checking the belt tension.

yes check fan belt tension, you can get a special spray to stop fan belt squeal - or a very small light spray of a lubricant, same for alternator drive spindle, only a bit on either, why did you have the heated rear window on, it's not a modern car use that as little as possible to save the battery, again Rain-X on the outside and clear All your windows inside and out if they need it before driving

readysalted said:

and the girlfriend has already said she loves it

that'll soon dissapear if you keep or make the car unreliable

readysalted said:

I know I'll be spending a fair amount of tinkering before too long.

no you wont, you should be servicing, maintaining and repairing - don't tinker, especially with carbs

readysalted said:

Overall, the drive of it, is absolutely brilliant, I am so happy I took the plunge and went back to classic ownership

great stuff

readysalted said:

Now, I need to sort a handbook, and a haynes manual. Anything else that's worth getting right away?

Driver's Handbook is best bought before you even go to view cars so get it ASAP, I'm not a fan of Haynes lacks info for non-mechanics like myself and has errors and ommisions

personally I like paper copies of things like the factory Parts Catalogues as they're much more convenient but you can get a DVD with the factory Parts Catalogue, Workshop Manual and Handbooks

you need to research the 'donkey's dick'

this is a very good site for you http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/hometext.htm

and I can overload you with my notes

ETA: photo of radio? or have you worked out how to use it and reset stations

Edited by na on Wednesday 26th September 18:53