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MGB-GT Considering a B/GT; Input Please?

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bill_powell

bill_powell

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Hello all:

I'm a longtime (35 years or so) LBC owner; mostly Minis, currently have a Midget.

They have always been daily driven.

I'm considering a B/GT, also as a daily driver. I've never owned an MGB, never even driven one, so I'm completely ignorant as to what particulars might be worth looking for.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. And yes, I'll be keeping the Midget. Kind of thinking: Midget for fun, B/GT for more practical use.

Thanks!

:laugh:


EDIT:

Oh, and I should add that I'm no purist, and welcome mods that improve a daily driven car.

For instance, my Midget currently has: complete frontline suspension transplant front and rear, datsun 5-speed, 1275 w/ single HIF6, modern alternator and starter, etc. :yesnod:
 
You need to come over and see mine. V6 and 5 speed are in, and I'm in the process of wiring, plumbing, etc.

Mickey
 
bill_powell said:
Hello all:

I'm a longtime (35 years or so) LBC owner; mostly Minis, currently have a Midget.

... I've never owned an MGB, never even driven one, so I'm completely ignorant as to what particulars might be worth looking for.

...
Click to expand...
I am so confused
 
DNK said:
bill_powell said:
Hello all:

I'm a longtime (35 years or so) LBC owner; mostly Minis, currently have a Midget.

... I've never owned an MGB, never even driven one, so I'm completely ignorant as to what particulars might be worth looking for.

...
Click to expand...
I am so confused
Click to expand...

About...?
 
Didja read his post?


MG <span style="font-size: 26pt"> B </span>
 
An MGB/GT is everything a Midget is just roomier? :smile:
 
Pretty much the standard MGB stuff

Usual rust spots sills, dog legs, floors rust above the rear wheel arches. If you can pull the splash panels behind the front wheels to check the conditions of the sills.

I would want one that has all the window trim as it's unobtanium

rest would be the normal mgb/lbc stuff.
 
Mickey Richaud said:
You need to come over and see mine. V6 and 5 speed are in, and I'm in the process of wiring, plumbing, etc.

Mickey
Click to expand...

Now <span style="font-style: italic">that's</span> an idea. I'll send you a message.

*

Perhaps my opening question was not specific enough. I'll add some context.

I've owned seven Minis. All daily drivers, year round. All modified, a few <span style="font-style: italic">radically</span> modified.

Here's the Midget:

PICT0001-7.jpg


Playing in the snow:

PICT0002-7.jpg


One of my Minis:

MiniBeige3.jpg


And, just for laughs, my crazy old modified Moto Guzzi rig:

PICT0008.jpg


Now, as for clarifying my question as regards an MGB/GT. Are there any particular years/options/mods/etc that might make one GT a better choice over another GT, insofar as my intent to use it as a daily driver, and my propensity to modify things?

Of course, if <span style="font-style: italic">one</span> GT is as good as <span style="font-style: italic">another</span>, well then that's all I needed to know.

Thanks! :laugh:
 
Here's the Midget: [img said:
https://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/bill_powell/Mini/PICT0001-7.jpg[/img]
Click to expand...
:driving:<span style="font-family: 'System'"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">I think he likes to be able to see at night?</span></span></span>
 
With that snorkel, looks like it's for Fjording rivers
 
Lights! Yes, over the years I've gotten in the habit of packing a lot of lights.

I live out in the boonies, and drive on poorly lit, broken and gravel roads. Lots of critters out here, too, and in a Mini or a Midget (or my old Hilman Minx or Imp, back a few years...) you don't want to hit a deer if you can avoid it.

I use 55W bulbs, so as to avoid clashes with the law, so I need four of 'em.

The hood scoop, stupid as it looks, actually serves a useful purpose. I yanked the twin carbs and installed a single HIF6. Standard mod on a 1275 Mini. The fuel bowl sits right above the header, however, and you can get vapor-lock issues.

I've located the scoop to aid in fresh air delivery while at speed, and to serve as a heat 'exhaust' port while sitting in traffic on a hot day. In conjunction with a good heat shield and a small electric fan, the setup works well:

So:

PICT0007-5.jpg




Anyway, I always appreciate input from LBC guys.

Going to see Mickey's B/GT tomorrow!
 
My sense is that there is no particular MGB GT except perhaps the MGB GT V8. Everything I have ever read says that people love them more than they expected and it is the real bargain buy of coupes
 
Bill,

Why do you run 4 of those lights?Haven't you heard of
Cibie,Hella,etc.?I believe that those are PerLux lights,for-
use in the fog.Less lights would clean up the front end.
As far as the GT,I have one,& it's a very practicle vehicle
for light duty.Buy the BEST one that you can afford.

- Doug
 
John, while I do like to modify, I hesitate when it comes to a model that might be considered 'special' or rare in some way. The V8 or the MGC/GT strike me as something I would rather not modify, and should leave to someone who would leave them be.

Doug, agree that purchasing the best car one can afford is the best course. I was just curious if there were any years that had any particular advantage, or disadvantage.

As for the lights: yes, they are PerLux. I use them because they're pretty tough, and easy to get around here. I also use standard 55W bulbs; cheap, find 'em everywhere, and they're street legal, no covers required. That keeps me free from potential hassle by a passing Trooper. I use four specifically because the outer two are angled slightly left and right, lighting up the woods on either side of the road as I go. The center two are aimed as is usual. The two pairs are wired independently, so I can use either or both as might be needed.


Oh...I should add that I'm using a plug-in wiring harness, and the whole mount/lamps can be removed as a complete unit in about 5 minutes. Just FYI. :square:
 
I like the 67 GTs, pure sports car, and not much else, steel dash, early seats, early door panels, they are my favorite because they don't have all the plastic on them, the later models do.
 
I'm partial to the 67 and earlier if you're going with the US models -- I like the steel dash. If you're going with UK models (like my B) then up to the end of 1970 production is much the same.

If you're planning on modifying the car anyways, then the production year really doesn't matter too much, just find one with as little rust as possible. Like with the Spridgets the mechanicals are all robust, it's the bodywork that'll kill ya.
 
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