Just bought an MGB GT, impulsive ebay buy!

[MGgeordie]

Last week I saw a nice MGB GT on ebay, spoke to the seller & after being happy with what He said decided to put a bid on it. The starting bid wasn't a lot of money so I though sod it & take a gamble. Now it was only 70 miles away so really I should have gone & seen it first but I didn't. I was sure that I would be outbid and the auction ended late last night so didn't check it before I went to bed. Imagine my suprise when I opened my email this morning to find that I have won it!! Now this isnt the first car I have bought blind, Ive done it a few times & not had any nasty suprises. Some suprises but nothing dreadful. The seller had a 100% feedback score and came across as pretty honest on the phone, was actually looking to PX for another classic so hopefully He wasnt shifting this because its a dog! Anyway, here it is, I collect it on Friday. Its a 1972 model, full length webasto...lovely, can't wait!




I have owned plenty classics in the past, mainly Triumphs so I know what Im letting myself in for. It won't be my everyday car but will be used as often as possible, certainly will do the 44 mile round trip to work once a week and probably more in the summer!

Wish Me luck!

[spoodler]

You won't need luck...

Rostyles, chrome bumpers and a Webasto - does life get any better?

[MGgeordie]

Exactly my thoughts!

[ToneyCaroney]

Really lovely OP. looking forward to more pics when you pick it up.

[Mk3Spitfire]

Congrats! You've had more luck than me.
Stupidly bought mine blind via ebay....had my legs done. Spent almost as much as the car cost on getting it somewhere near right. Needless to say, lesson learned!! Never again.

All the best with yours though...looks stunning. :-)

[varsas]

Would be interested to hear your thoughts on the MG vs Triumphs. Triumph man myself but have always fancied one of these, especially as I can't fit in a GT6.

[nta16]

I was a passenger in a very nice GT6 on Saturday, first time I've been in a GT6 for over 6 years since I got shot of mine (the wrong car bought from a wrong person then taken to a wrong Triumph specialist all a very bad and expensive experience unfortunately as it was wanting a GT6 that got me into classics 20+ years ago) and when I shut the door I was actually surprised at how small the car is and I owned one for a year and for the last 6 years a MG Midget

those 20+ years ago I couldn't afford the restored GT6 and bought a BGT instead, then a Spridget, then a B roadster ... and a few more classics since

Edited by nta16 on Tuesday 24th September 17:24

[Poison Tom 96]

Blind buying? I salute you, my dad bought a Minor blind and look how well it went here...

[Faust66]

Excellent work OP!

Looks like a nice car.

[MGgeordie]

Cheers. By the way, lovely Rover P6 pictured above next to that Minor. Thats another classic I will be buying one day, always admired them. A nice 2000TC to replace my ZS as an everyday car is the plan!

As for the Triumph vs MG thing, well I had a Mark 3 Spitfire for 11 years and whilst I had it I had had 3 Dolomites, 5 Heralds, 2 Vitesses and a 1500FWD. Reason for getting a BGT is that I always fancied one years ago but went down the Triumph route instead. Think I have scratched the Triumph itch now & time to enjoy another marque although I do have an MGF & a ZS180 (although I guess these dont count!!)

[Poison Tom 96]

MGgeordie said:

Cheers. By the way, lovely Rover P6 pictured above next to that Minor.

That's my friend and fellow PHer Rovering Member's car

Edited by Poison Tom 96 on Wednesday 25th September 19:35

[sparkey]

Crikey, this thread got be browsing and bidding on ebay - I may also be the owner of an unexpected MGB in a few days - I'll keep you posted !!!

[Hooli]

Looks great OP

[sparkey]

Well, MGgeordie you've got a lot to answer for.. Your random MG buying inspired me to do the same and I'm picking up this today!





Like yourself I haven't seen it and it will have a 200 mile journey home this evening - should be interesting..
Hope yours was OK.

Are MGB GTs any good? I've got a soft spot for early 70's coupes as I've got a Lotus Elan +2 and an Alfa 2000 GT Veloce. I wonder how the MG will compare. I've a feeling it will be "pleasant" which is not a bad thing.

S..

[davepoth]

Looks good, but the running gear has somewhat humble roots. It feels fairly vintage to drive, but the balance is really rather nice, and plenty of sideways action is available at almost comically low speeds on the original sized tyres.

[nta16]

sparkey said:

Like yourself I haven't seen it and it will have a 200 mile journey home this evening - should be interesting..

Are MGB GTs any good?

how are you going to know if the one you've bought is any good if you've never driven one that is in good mechanical condition?

it could be one of the best or one of the worse - most classics biggest faults are previous and present owners

now you've got it you should be doing plenty of research so that you can make yours one of the good ones (or keep it that way if it already is)

if it doesn't come with one then buy the Driver's Handbook, read it thoroughly and reference it often and you'll know more about the car than many, even long term, owners - (Ref: 0052) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...

then drive and service the car regularly all year round, long periods of inactivity will not help the car or do you any favours with it

good luck

(especially with the wire wheels)

[nta16]

davepoth said:

and plenty of sideways action is available at almost comically low speeds on the original sized tyres.

the original size tyres are fine, they right for the size and weight of the car (although I think the wire wheels were one size narrower on a roadster (sorry I've nothing good to say about wire wheels on a road car)

one usual cause of excessive movement is because the tyres may have loads of tread on them but are old and/or lack of use

to improve grip you simply get gripier tyres of the same size or replace the old/lack of use tyres

the suspension needs to be in reasonable or good condition too of course

something to think about - http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html





the fashion for over-sizing wheels and tyres has accelerated in the last couple of decades with the obsession of "filling the arches" back in the day the cars rode higher and had softer and more compliant suspension now people want to copy what's good on a smooth track and try and use it on our real world roads and wonder why the ride is so unpleasant

note on this JAAAAG the ride height when new (yes it is Franny Lee)

[davepoth]

I agree completely, but it's a torquey engine in a relatively lightweight shell running comparatively narrow and high profile tyres compared to a modern car. As a result breakaway is early (it's really not hard to get one moving around) but very controllable, even on decent new tyres.

[johnfm]

Nice one guys.

I collected my Lotus last Sunday from Chesterfield. Bought one way ticket, car unseen.

50 or so miles. Engine conked out about 10miles down the M1 (I probably should have taken the A roads home!)

Was about to ring for a flatbed - when it fired up! Got another 10 miles then did the same thing.

Got home after 5 stops on the hard shoulder.

Can't wait to get carbs and distributor off, install electronic ignition, put an alternator in and get it all running sweet.

[nta16]

davepoth said:

I agree completely, but it's a torquey engine in a relatively lightweight shell running comparatively narrow and high profile tyres compared to a modern car. As a result breakaway is early (it's really not hard to get one moving around) but very controllable, even on decent new tyres.

but that's my point, comparing to a modern car because it wasn't even modern brand new

if everything is in good condition then break away isn't that early and the comparatively narrow narrow and high profile compared to a modern are up to the job for road use based on the car's age and design

I'm not a good driver but I can't ever remember having handling problems with my BGT or roadster (in the early 90s) - except when I first had my BGT and I was going to take it to Wales in late November so when we got snow here I thought I'd test it on the quiet single track narrow country roads that are all over the county if you know where to look and I made the mistake of dropping to second from third (big gap) and giving too much gas on an incline with a bend, I slid elegantly diagonally across the snow covered (luckily wide) grass verge stopping just short of the thick hedge - now was that too narrow tyres or driver's error do you think(?)