The joys of a Rubber Bumper B...

[Nunyas]

I never thought I'd hear myself say I'm glad I have a RB 'B, but two incidents in the past couple of weeks made me realize that, despite the somewhat less stimulating appearance of the RBs, their functionality more than makes up for it. The first time my room mate thought it would be fun to 'nudge' me at a stop light, which didn't bother me so much because he was able to skillfully put the front of his Sunbird on my 'Bs rear bumper without jolting me. However, I was a little worried my bumper my fall off... heh. In the end he's agreed not to do it anymore because he finally noticed that the plastic of his front bumper contacts my tail pipe... not good for either car.

More recently, while waiting at a "No Right On Red" intersection, a full size van contacted my 'B from behind hard enough to move the car a couple of inches. Thankfully, it was bumper to bumper and no damages were sustained.

These incidents make be glad to have an ugly RB 'B. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Joe Reed]

My brother-in-law has a '79. A couple of years ago I got a call from him...his car died a mile or so from home. Unable to get his car running, I just pushed it home with mine. I wouldn't try THAT with a CB car!!

 

[Midgey]

Boys, when I had only my 74 Midget I turned my nose up to all of the RB MGs. Then, I got my 78 MGB, which I could not resist buying, and now I have gradually become an unapologetic fan of the RB. It's a different line, and it looks goo. I noticed that Albuquerque's Taos Garage, an exclusive MG shop, even used a red RB MBG on its business card!.. See, the RB MGs are not really stepchildren.

Over and out from Albuquerque

 

[MattP]

I agree, I grew up lusting after the RBs. Now I am happy to have one. Not to mention some of the little things that are upgraded as well. I like the Brake Servo (so far), the easier to get at and use heater controls, alternator, ect. But I am cheating I also have the twin SU's and no emissions equip. Best of both worlds.

 

[Bret]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif Couldn’t agree more. I’ve always liked the look of the RB Bs. Not to say that I wouldn’t want to own a chrome bumper B someday. But I think the both have their own charm and would welcome either of them in my barn.

Another up side /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif of the RB cars is the interior ergonomics & layout. IMO they are much better (mostly the later ones 77 to 80) and seem much more comfortable than the CB cars I’ve been in.

Sure the Rubber Bumper was added along with raising the ride height for the US market in order to met our stricter safety issues. But as many of us have learned – the rubber bumpers that came with the redesign still work just fine. As for the ride height – its nothing that can’t be lowered. And if you lave a late model RB (77 on) you get the added bonus of the front & rear sway bars. Lower the suspension & bolt on some modern rubber on one of these babies & you’ve got a real curb hugger on your hands. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Only “real” down side (worthy of the scorn /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif) of the RB cars IMHO is the engine’s lackluster performance. Especially if you live in a state that requires that the car retains the all of the original emissions equipment. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Cheers,

 

[martyc]

[ QUOTE ]
...easier to get at and use heater controls...

[/ QUOTE ]

A heater would be an upgrade on my car! Radiant heat from the engine at operating temp doesn't count. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Steve]

I enjoy my RB MGB. Same as Bret, I wouldn't object to a CB car, but the RB carries certain advantages.

 

[jaybird]

You know, I'm glad someone finally came out of the closet and said this.

I LOVE my RB. Of course, it wasn't a deciding factor when I purchased a LBC. I really had no opinion at all. But now that I've had her 6 months, I LIKE the black rubber bumpers. With the tires and black interior, I think it looks great. They shine up nice and just give the car a very nice look. I would never consider converting her to a cb. If I ever wanted a cb, I'd just buy one.

As far as performance, if my B went any faster, I'd be in trouble. I can live with my 0-60 in 5 minutes! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I didn't want a race car, I wanted a cruiser, and cruising along at 60-70mph in a car that makes a VW Beetle look big and is only 12'x5'x4' & weighs only a couple ton is FAST ENOUGH!

 

[Stewart]

Mine came in handy when the chp used the pushbar to get me off the 101/134 in la during rush hour while stuck in the left lane with a dead fuel pump. I was popular that day /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bret]

[ QUOTE ]
Mine came in handy when the chp used the pushbar to get me off the 101/134 in la during rush hour while stuck in the left lane with a dead fuel pump. I was popular that day /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif I can just see it now - all those fellow commuters & fans driving past you giving ya the ol' "your #1" hand sign.

 

[77MidgetMkIV]

I have a RB midget, and I love them. couple years ago I was filling at a gas station. I had left it in neutral, and didn't set the brake which I always do on level ground (I usually chock it in the garage, so it is a habit). Well, the person in front of me decided to back out, even though I had parked offset to her car so that my midget was visible in her mirror (another story altogether, and also a habit). Well, she popped it into reverse and rolled right into my midget. It bounced off and I grabbed the windscreen and stopped it by hand. She never even looked in her mirrors, and admitted it to me!. Not a scratch at all on the midget. CBs would have been in a little trouble, I suspect.

 

[R6MGS]

I love all MG's and the RB's are no exception...the interior is alot better for sure, I think I may even prefer the look of an RB to some CB's....I have the pollution equip off of mine, and the LE spoiler on the front to blend in the bumpers a little better and I'd NEVER even consider a CB conversion, if it came with Rubber Bumpers then it should stay with rubber bumpers.
I know I might sound a little bias becasue all our B's are RB's...but were looking at purchasing a `72, so that might even it out a little.

Zack

 

[JFC]

I personally think the RB's look great and generally believe the criticism comes from people old enough to remember the transition from CB to RB. Ask a young person today which one they prefer and you might be surprised at their answer. The argument goes along the same path with Corvette owners. The original shark 'Vettes were chrome bumpered when introduced in '68 and transitioned over to urethane bumpers in '74. There are some people who only like the Chrome and some folks who prefer the urethane.

 

[703MGB]

I see one good point on rubber bumbers and only for the late 78-80 models is the ability to shoe in a rover 3.5 without any modification to the body.
Then a nice conversion back to chrome! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

 

[Radford]

For many of us the RB cars aren't so bad now because we can strip off the anti pollution crud that BL stuck on these cars and lower them back to were they belong. The crime was never the bumper (ok, it was is, inpart, the two hundred pounds they added to the car) but rather the detuning and raising of the car. For that BL execs should have hanged.

Slap the strip it down slap the SU's back on, install pre 75 springs and its still a goer. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Nunyas]

I've seen pictures of the '77 and up interiors; the heater controls certianly look much more ergonomic than the ones in my '76. The heater control knob is a bit difficult for me to turn with my left hand at times. So, I have to get in there and periodically spin it to full hot and off a few times and soak the valve in penetrating oil so my right handed body can manipulate the left handed knob.

As far as the exterior of the RBs goes, my parents had a CB 'B when I was really young. So, I've always been a bit partial to the CB appearance versus the RBs. However, the longer i live with my RB the more it grows on me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bret]

[ QUOTE ]
For many of us the RB cars aren't so bad now because we can strip off the anti pollution crud that BL stuck on these cars.


[/ QUOTE ]

Just be careful. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I wouldn’t throwaway or sell any of the emissions stuff you pull off your car. I recommend tucking it away someplace safe in your garage, for fear of the loony tree huggers make inroads into your states politics like they have in California. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Cheers,

 

[Guinn]

Weighs a couple of tons, Jaybird? What do you have packed into the trunk - lead ingots? The Good Book says GVW is 2836 for my 78B. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Guinn

 

[Joe Reed]

I remember seeing an article (probably in Road & Track?) back in '74 about the new RB MGs. Interestingly, the writer stated that the visuals of the MGB were improved! He was less kind to the Midget...

I"ve thought about lowering my car, but I doubt that I will. At least with the later Bs with front & rear sway bars, the handling is just fine - probably on par with a stock CB car. The extra inch or so of clearance probably also might help a bit with tire clearance - and speed bumps...

 

[jaybird]

[ QUOTE ]
Weighs a couple of tons, Jaybird? What do you have packed into the trunk - lead ingots? The Good Book says GVW is 2836 for my 78B. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Guinn

[/ QUOTE ]

See my thread, "The Compleat Boot." ROFL!

((okay, actually, I just guessed at diminsion and weight)) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif