MGB A B Fell into my Lap....

AngliaGT

Great Pumpkin

Offline

• Jul 16, 2015

• #1

I recently bought an early '74 CB Midget,& then an old Friend
stopped by our garage one night,& told me of his Dad's '69 MGB,
that he wanted to sell.
I went & looked at it - it had a fire in the interior,from a defective
battery charger,that burnt the interior,+ some paint behind it,& the top of
the trunk lid.
It was originally a light Yellow (Pale Primrose?),but repainted in BRG-
(20 foot job).This is a rust free/garage kept car.
I can pick it up for a few hundred dollars,so I don't think that I can pass
it by.
I've already told him that I'd take it,but can't help but feel a little guilty for
not keeping/appreciating the Midget,which was owned,since 1980,by a Family that
my Wife has known for years.
What would you do?

- Doug

 

Mickey Richaud

Moderator

Staff member

Gold

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• Jul 16, 2015

• #2

 

drooartz

Moderator

Staff member

Gold

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• Jul 16, 2015

• #3

Were it me, I'd keep the "few hundred dollars" and put them into the Midget. I love MGBs, but the one you describe seems to need a bunch more money to get it solid. Figure all new interior, repaint, plus any metal work needed from the fire. '69 is a decent year for a MGB but not anything particularly special since it has the padded dash.

Comes down to what you want to have. Spridgets and MGBs are both fun cars. You've already got the Midget and are getting it ready to use, so I'd focus on that one.

 

OP

AngliaGT

Great Pumpkin

Offline

• Jul 17, 2015

• #4

Drew,

If the Midget still had the original paint - a combo of Orange/Red,
I'd keep it,but it was painted an ugly Silver color (now badly oxidized),
which I can't afford a repaint.
I want to at least drive the Midget,before I decide to part with it.

- Doug

 

OP

AngliaGT

Great Pumpkin

Offline

• Jul 18, 2015

• #5

Drew,

This might also get me to finish/sell the '78 Datsun B210 that's
been tying up 1/2 of the garage since 2006.

- Doug

 

drooartz

Moderator

Staff member

Gold

Offline

• Jul 18, 2015

• #6

Definitely drive the Midget before you think about moving it on. That light/nimbleness is very rewarding.

 

Marvin Gruber

Yoda

Offline

• Jul 18, 2015

• #7

Sorry, can the Midget and get the B

marv

 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin

Platinum

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• Jul 19, 2015

• #8

I'm with Marv on this. Sell the Midget, use the money to do the B up.

 

RickB

Yoda

Offline

• Jul 23, 2015

• #9

Research what it will take and truly estimate how long it will take to get the B on the road and driving.
Compare with how long it will take to get the Midget going.
Consider getting the B, doing some work on it and flipping it to provide paint money for the Midget.
You know I've owned several of each plus a couple Sprites and a C so...
It's really about what you want to do, drive or restore? A little of each?

 

JPSmit

Moderator

Staff member

Silver

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• Jul 23, 2015

• #10

RickB said:

Research what it will take and truly estimate how long it will take to get the B on the road and driving.
Compare with how long it will take to get the Midget going.
Consider getting the B, doing some work on it and flipping it to provide paint money for the Midget.
You know I've owned several of each plus a couple Sprites and a C so...
It's really about what you want to do, drive or restore? A little of each?

Click to expand...

+1 - figure out which is quickest and easiest to restore - and pick that one.

 

dklawson

Yoda

Offline

• Jul 24, 2015

• #11

Or... get the B, do the minimum amount to get it running, and flip it. Use the money on the Midget.

Alternatively, get the B and put it in storage for a while until the Midget is on the road.

 

Sopwith_Camel

Jedi Warrior

Offline

• Sep 1, 2015

• #12

Do both!
the midget is more of a gocart type drive the B is a lazyer GT

 

OP

AngliaGT

Great Pumpkin

Offline

• Dec 19, 2015

• #13

After much thought,I've decided to pull the engine,bumpers,
hood,grille,& front valance,& try to sell it out-of-state,that way,the'll
be no back fees.
Anyone interested?I can deliver (within 500 miles) cheap.

- Doug

 

CZ_Dave

Jedi Warrior

Offline

• Jan 31, 2016

• #14

One can never have too many "B"s
Just bought a 75 Anniversary edition for $300, just needs a clutch,
and a 69 basket case for $400 + all the parts off a 1971 split bumper.
all total, I have 10, from 1967 to 1980- and even a couple GT's.

 

princetn1

Member

Offline

• Feb 3, 2016

• #15

If the B is that bad, buy it and then remove, one by one, all of the usable parts and sell them. You are sure to make a profit that you can then use to fund the Midget restoration.

 

G

GMC Guy

Freshman Member

Offline

• Mar 6, 2016

• #16

I am with princtn on this. Either way, get it then decide what to do.