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Steve_S

Steve_S

Yoda
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So I've been thinking about you and your cars lately. I know we had a brief chat in a past thread about the difference between your two Bs. You preferred the later car in some ways to the earlier one, although you were still having some teething pains with the freshly restored '65. Have you spent more time in Binabox yet? I'm especially interested in your impressions of the Mark I car as someone whose style seems to fit the later car more. Most people who own the early models prefer them over later ones, and in most cases don't even own a rubber bumper, so you don't get to hear the other side of the equation very often. Do tell! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

'someone whose style seems to fit the later car more'

sorry.... that cracked me up.

So her style is more platform shoes and polyester rather than Emma Peel and martinis

<duck>

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

but seriously... I'd love to hear the verdict too Janel.
 
I'd lvoe to hear that as well...myself, I prefer the rubber bumper cars....Mostly due to the fact that they are a little more comfortable for longer trips and such. My first B's where chrome bumpers and I loved them....I put 200,000 miles on my 73....But then I bought my first 78 and fell in love all over again....Nothin sweeter on a cool late fall day than a rb MGB with a nice hardtop, windows rolled up tight, heater pumpin out the warmth, and a nice winding road......
 
Well, I guess that may have been worded poorly. When she spoke of the RB car, the things she said led me to believe that the characteristics of the RB car are simply more to her liking. But the Mark I car was having some issues and she noted that the handling felt sloppy. That's something you rarely hear about an early B! So I wonder if it was a problem with the car or just that it was so different or possibly that the behavior of the car just doesn't suit her dirving style. Everyone has their own preferences in how a car should feel! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Interesting thought....I love driving my chromes & rubbers for completely different reasons but for their reason they are perfectly suited.....my '67 GT is a great, fun car! My '74-1/2 rubber bumper GT is suited for touring more than fun...so, if its a short get out on the road and enjoy, its chrome...if its fun, relaxing driving for longer distances, rubber! & remember, I took my '79 with me on my 6-month jaunt across the US< Canada, & Alaska.
 
Okay, let me try to explain things here.

Emma 1975
Binabox 1966

I've had Emma 3 weeks short of 2 years. When I bought her, I started right out driving the wheels off her. I was never intimidated by the price we paid for her or the condition she was in. I was instantly comfortable with her.

We've had Binabox since mid-November last year, on the road 3 months now. A LOT of time, sweat, 'discussions,' and money went into building her. I when I first drove her any distance (to Gatlinburg) I wasn't nervous or apprehensive about driving her, just cautious. Because of the newly built engine etc., and because of the value of the car versus Emma. The steering and shifting and handling of Binabox was so different than Emma, I didn't really relax behind the wheel much at all the trip to Gatlinburg. Now I drive both equally for the most part, but when I grab a set of keys to go, it's always Emma's, until I hang them back up and say, 'nah, I'll take the greay car today.'

So here's how I can best break things down, not factoring a car valued at $20,000 and one at $5000. And not factoring in physical comfort because I'm not that old, decrepid and arthritic that it matters to me. Keep in mind neither have a properly working speedometer.

I like the '75's shifting, gear synchronization, whatever much better than the '66. It seems effortless to me, almost like the car knows what to do before I put the clutch in. The steering seems tighter to me in the '75. Less "play" in the wheel or whatever it is. I can gauge my speed accurately with the '75 and I'm not afraid to take her to the redline. The car *fits* me better, seat pulls up to the exact right position for me, feet hit the pedals just perfectly.

The '66's shifting is tighter (yea I know, I don't know the proper terminology here) I have a 'harder' time changing gears, I actually have to think about it with Binabox. The steering is totally different on the '66. I can't gauge my speed as well by tach in this car (yet), the seat doesn't adjust to that perfect position and I am tippy-toeing every time I put the clutch in. The steering seems looser, a very slight move of the wheel affects the car.

As far as overdrive, I have no opinion. I know that it is much easier on the engine when I run Binabox in OD. But frankly, I could care less whether or not I have that, so it's not an issue in the cars. And I have an OD transmission in the garage to install in the '75 over the winter.

Aesthetically when I'm driving the greay car ('66) I get a lot more looks going down the highway. Although when I punch the '75 and zip by a 'vette or BMW or Mustang, I get the sort of looks I love. The chrome bumper car is basically a new two-seater sportscar. She's perfect, and draws a lot of attention for that reason and the color combination. The RB '75 gets her share of looks too, and both cars are equal when it comes to comments from people in parking lots or gas stations etc. Emma is old and hard-driven. Her interior is ratty, her paint is faded and chipped, her bumpers in dismal condition.

Which car do I prefer? Emma.

Why? Because SHE is my first. I wanted an MG since I was 16 years old and used to pass the MG dealer with my parents every week or two. It took me 35 years to get my first MG, so she is dear to my heart. She's basically not a car, but an extension of me. When I drive her, I'm forever 16.

I love Binabox because it took a LOT of talking, cajoling, bribing and begging to convince Chuck we should buy her. A skeleton of a car with countless boxes of parts. I love her because (other than the whitewalls) she's exactly the way I want her. And she's a classy, classic-looking vehicle. I'm quite comfortable behind the wheel with her. I drove her probably 700 miles last weekend while Chuck was in Indianapolis and another 300 this weekend. She doesn't intimidate me. But she just doesn't have that place in my heart that Emma does. Yet.

But yea, I'll drive them both hard and fast and grin the entire time!
 
Thanks for sharing Janel.

You know what they say about your first true love...

It always stays with you /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Patrick
 
[ QUOTE ]
A LOT of time, sweat, 'discussions,' and money went into building her.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that what we're supposed to call them? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I know exactly how you feel about Emma. It's how I feel about my B also. Interesting comparison and I can see a lot of truth in it. Later transmissions DO shift smoother and with less effort. You have to love these cars as old mechanical machines to appreciate the early gearbox. They don't always go into gear when you want, they feel notchy and require more physical effort. That's actually why I like them better!

I wonder if the steering issue is simply because you're used to an older steering assembly and Binabox's unit is basically new and free of friction. Or maybe it's a suspension, tire or steering wheel thing, or a combination of both. MGBs were always known for very light, responsive steering and the later cars did have a different steering ratio than the early ones.

Sounds like you have the best of both worlds, really. Kudos! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
A LOT of time, sweat, 'discussions,' and money went into building her.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Discussions" hehehehehe

There were times during Binabox's build that I wanted to just go to St. Lo & take her back! But, 'they' were worth it - I can't wait to see her in person!
 
Well get your southern rumble seat up here some time and visit your goddaughter.

Discussions. No throwing of objects or fists, no screaming (well, not a lot anyway)... a fair amount of banging my head against the wall though.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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