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TR6 Comparing the MGC to the TR6

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So having driven the MGC all of 25 miles I can offer up some impressions on driving the MGC compared to the TR6. I'm not ragging on either car here, just passing along some initial driving impressions that I though y'all might find interesting.

The two are very-very different cars. I've basically completely rebuild and sorted out the TR6 over the past two years, and built her up to be a fast road car with lower than stock center of gravity and performance springs, so a bit unfair to expect the MGC to handle like the TR6 of course. I wasn't expecting the rear axle hop on the MGC that I found however, and this is with new poly bushings from Robert and rebuild rear shocks from Peter at World Wide. It gets thrown around more than the TR6 by mid-corner bumps. MGC generally rides better however, but then again I built up my TR6 to be handling oriented.

The MGC feels much more solid, like a single piece of metal. My MGC / Mercedes SL comparison wasn't too far astray actually (heresy!). She feels more solid than the MGBs I had for some reason, maybe it's just that she drives very differently.

The TR6, or at least my TR6 anyway, will run away and hide from the MGC, or at least my MGC anyway, on a twisty road.

The MGC steering wheel is freaking huge, didn't really realize it until I was driving her around. The MGC steering is significantly slower than the TR6 as well. It makes the MGC feel more relaxed and vintage in operation.

My carb/ignition tuning is still off on the MGC, so performance comparisons are iffy at this point but the MGC engine seems much more refined and smoother than the TR6. The TR6 is much more eager at this point however. That may just be the tuning on the MGC not being dialed in.

Other than the swoopy looks, the Jag I rented in the UK doesn't make a better tourer than the MGC and the MGC is a lot more practical (trunk).
 
And the MGC was guaranteed to go at least 120 mph from the factory.

Jim Danielson from Lincoln, NE drove his MGC to the British Car Festival in Des Plaines last month. Spent some time with Jim and his wife, and his car. Nice people and nice car.
 
Didn't the MGC have the AH3000 engine in it? With triple carbs, or am I wrong on that one?

A buddy of mine had one back in the late 60's/early 70's and the main problem was the front steering bushings or king pin bushings gaulding on it, no matter how much he kept it greased.
 
2.9 liter, 2 carbs

the being thrown around by the mid-corner bumps is probably due to the live rear axle.
and mg steering wheels always seemed big to me too.

still, a lucky man to own both a 6 and a C...
 
Brosky said:
Didn't the MGC have the AH3000 engine in it? With triple carbs, or am I wrong on that one?
Click to expand...

Simple answer is no, not the same engine. Similar, but not the same.
 
You are lucky that one has power steering. My buddies was manual and it was a bear to park, even when new. I think he got his the first year they came out. That was his last British car. He went back to Corvettes.
 
Brosky said:
So do modern tires!! :yesnod:
Click to expand...

I bet, although they make the rear end less likely to dance around as well. Not sure if that is good or bad. :devilgrin:

Anyway, it think the most telling thing is that I'm leaving this AM for a two day vintage rally in/around the mountains outside of LA and up towards Santa Barbara. I'm taking the TR6 (and my buddy is borrowing the TR8). If I had to drive to San Francisco and stick to the highway I'd take the MGC... Pretty much sums it up right there.

And yes, I'm a stupid lucky guy to have the choice. (car was given to me on a promise that I'd get her running again in memory of a friends now past Dad. The son wanted to see her back and out and about so others could see her).
 
Having driven both cars, I personally like the handling and balance of the TR6 better. From a resale standpoint the TR6 wins. However from a rarity standpoint it's definately the MGC and who knows what the value will do when the rest of the 6 cyl cars go much higher. Too bad they didn't change the body to make it look less like a B though.
 
tdskip said:
The MGC feels much more solid, like a single piece of metal.
Click to expand...

that also applies to the mgb, and would be expected since both are unibody cars!

The mgc is not/was not competitive in racing. They are very hard to stop, I think they have two brake servos!
 
Prince Charles has an MGC.

A few restored ones show up at the BMCNO annual meet every year. They are really, really sweet. Didn't some of them come with trips? Or am I thinking of the double brake servos.
 
I looked after a friend's TR6 for a year for him and it was a lovely car (fuel injected over here) with a beautifully smooth and responsive engine. The handling was good and I loved the way that the back end would squat down and the car would take off when you flicked out of overdrive and floored it.
Another friend has an MGC and in comparison, to me, it feels like a bath tub with a truck engine dropped in the front!
It is a more rigid car, but the back seems to be too stiff and will slide too easily in the wet.
The whole TR6 would flex more, but gave the impression that this helped it to stick to the road.
For me it would be a TR6 every time!
 
"The whole TR6 would flex more, but gave the impression that this helped it to stick to the road."

I get the same impression, Nick.
 
Performance should probably be compared to the Euro 150HP TR5 and early TR6 PI cars rather than the federalized watered down versions.
 
angelfj said:
They are very hard to stop, I think they have two brake servos!
Click to expand...

Yes they do - similar set up to some of the older Aston V8s actually. Am still trying to get them sorted out - having an issue with pedal not being linear.

Just got done with a 300+/- mile rally through the LA and coastal mountains near Santa Barbara in the TR6. HUGE FUN. Being able to flick in/out of the OD in 3rd gear while keeping you hands on the wheel is just brilliant.

The TR6, as I built up the suspension, is better suited for this than the MGC, but I'd rather drive the MGC to Tahoe... Both good, but at different things.

(TR8 ignition died on my buddy driving her today on the rally - having weird issues. Intermittent power - quite strange)
 
I just saw a copy of Classics Magazine today at the Barnes & Noble and they have a comparison article on the TR6 and MGC
 
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