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MGB-GT 67 BGT insanity

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SpitFyre

Freshman Member
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Hi All
I need some advice. I've found a 67 MGB GT in a garage of a customer of mine. He might be willing to sell/barter this heap to me for a yet to be determined amount. It has rust in the doglegs and probably in the sills as well. Every rubber part on the car is toast, the brakes are gone, and the engine is a question mark. But The interior is nearly perfect, It's completely origional as far as I can tell, it has an overdrive tranny, and otherwise it's a great looking car.
The owner has had it since 1969 and would like it to go to someone who would put it back on the road. I could honor his wishes and do that but should I? I need another car like I need another wife.
What should I expect to pay for the panels to fix the sills? What would you offer him for the car?
Sorry first post is a long one but I'm on the fence.
Thanks
Mike
 
Mike, This is one of those "it sorta depends" answers.
The sheet metal for inner, center, and outer rockers is/was roughly $1000-1200. I don't have a Moss B catalog handy. The depends part comes in if it also needs work in the floors and A post too. Add another $500??
The job is a pretty big one and would cost $2-3,000 to have a body shop do the work or half that if you do it.
It is easier on a GT since you don't have the possibility of as much movement across the door opening as you would with a roadster when cutting/chopping out the rusty parts. Having the roof helps.
A nice metal dash GT with OD?-Priceless!
If you want to do it yourself and will be pulling the motor and trans then getting it on a rotisserie makes the job way easier.
I have done a few in my 40+ years messing with LBC's and it always seems so much work while into it but very satisfying when completed!
I don't know where you are in PA but if you decide to do it hook up with the local MG club as they will be a tremendous resource. I had helped several younger members do this work during almost 15 years in the Pittsburgh club.
 
Good to see Tom back...he's pretty much right on target.....as it sits, its a $500 parts car that you can make some money on.....however, if you're willing to do some welding & bodywork, you can make it into a desirable car....but, if you have to pay somebody to do the work described, forget about it!
 
I agree with Tony. If the owner would like it to go to someone who would put it back on the road, then given the description he should pretty much give it to you.
 
Does not sound too far gone. I'd do like Tony says. Show up with cash and slap it on the hood - not much though. Keep a few spare bills to bargain with. I did it with mine and absolutely love the car. Yours has OD which in the early cars is a major plus.
Cheers
Vince
 
Thanks for the replies. I think $500 is going to be my goal. What does everyone think of the swap meet at Carslile nowadays? I used to help a friend of mine sell there about 10 years ago and it was great but I've heard that Ebay and the state requiring temporary tax numbers has really hurt attendance. I should know if the car will be mine the week before so I could take my wish list.
One other thing. The Lindsay Porter book was recomended to illustrate the sill replacement process. Is it worth a look? I replaced the floors and a sill on my Spitfire with no problem. The panel gaps on a perfect Spit are huge compared to the B though.
Mike
 
Mike, the Porter book is where I started when I did my first sill job. It is well worth it. The guy doing the job in the book is not using anything to hold the door gap as parts are removed, This is very necessary. I typically spot weld angle iron braces in the door opening.
Just make sure you are checking alignments and gaps throughout the process and use the doors in place to double check. Tack weld, check, recheck and only then finish weld. Lots easier to cut a few welds to adjust than start over!
I will look to see if I still have a file which shows how to make a sort of alignment fixture which goes across the door opening and has turnbuckle type adjusters to open or close the width. I'll send it if I can find it.
Another useful tool is a long piece of a tapered leaf spring. This can be used to split seams and slice open spot welds like a chisel, Just sharpen the tapered end and make it about 15-18 inches long. You can slce spot like the castle rail and then just grind off the old bits of sheet metal before fitting new. You will need a spot weld drill also.
$500 sounds about right for the car. The tranny is worth twice that alone.
My last time at Carlisle was 6=7 years ago and it has declined a good deal since the good old days. If you need used parts see Scott at Team Triumph in Warren, OH. I think he is still around? He has warehouses full.
Or talk to our moderator, Tony. He has what you will need as well.
By the way thanks Tony, Good to be back and now that I will be retired soon I should have some time to post as needed. Life sure got in the way there for a while!
 
Hey, I found the info on the door fixture. Anyone wanting it can email me.
thomasrynne(at)att.net
It has both drawings and photos and if I ever do another sill replacement this is the way to go!
 
What would make this car a special. I'd like to be an educated consumer when I look at it on Saturday. It has wire wheels and overdrive but beyond that it seems like any other.
Thanks
Mike
 
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