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Christopher H
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How many of the 500,000 plus B's are still around? Has anyone done research to get a rouch count?
Christopher
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MGB How many MGB's still out there?
- Thread starter Christopher H
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that's those bugs crawling around in some kitchens. the only thing harder than a roch count is herding cats
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I quite understand, my keyboard can't spell either at times. It's hard to say how many are left, because not everyone joins a club or mingles with fellow owners. The car clubs are not as strong here as they are in the UK, where most, if not all, MGB owners are now members of one of the several MG clubs. I would venture to suggest that most in the United States are not.
Some people attach excess value to a car just because it is old, and/or of low mileage, and just keep the car in the (often damp and cold) garage rather than driving it. I know of one rubber-bumper MGB less than a block from my home that is a low-mileage one-owner car but I have only ever seen it driven once, and then it had holes at the dog-leg panel at the rear of the sill, and flat paint. The same person had an early pull-handle MGB that she covered with a tarp in her front yard and allowed to just rot. I had offered tobuy the car for restoration, but she stated that she had promised it to someone. Eventually, the only person who got the car was the guy from the scrapyard.
Anyway, I digress. I see many MGBs around that do not attend car shows or club events, and several MGB owning club members are rather put off by the cliques and, dare I say it of MG owners, snobishness, exhibited by some owners of pre-MGB cars, and do not renew their memberships.
That being the case, we may never have an exact figure, but I would suggest that it is fairly high, with some more 'barn' cars yet to be uncovered.
Some people attach excess value to a car just because it is old, and/or of low mileage, and just keep the car in the (often damp and cold) garage rather than driving it. I know of one rubber-bumper MGB less than a block from my home that is a low-mileage one-owner car but I have only ever seen it driven once, and then it had holes at the dog-leg panel at the rear of the sill, and flat paint. The same person had an early pull-handle MGB that she covered with a tarp in her front yard and allowed to just rot. I had offered tobuy the car for restoration, but she stated that she had promised it to someone. Eventually, the only person who got the car was the guy from the scrapyard.
Anyway, I digress. I see many MGBs around that do not attend car shows or club events, and several MGB owning club members are rather put off by the cliques and, dare I say it of MG owners, snobishness, exhibited by some owners of pre-MGB cars, and do not renew their memberships.
That being the case, we may never have an exact figure, but I would suggest that it is fairly high, with some more 'barn' cars yet to be uncovered.
Bret
Yoda
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Regarding some of the other snobbish MG owners. Don't know about the others but I have even seen this coming from some chrome bumper B owners directed towards us folks with rubber bumper "B"s. Mind you it’s not the case with most folks I've met in our club or other groups. But I must admit that I was a bit miffed by one chrome bumper owner at a car show here in San Diego.
This gentlemen pulls in to a spot one car over from me and comments to the owner of the Chrome bumper car next to mine, that he was a little upset at running a little late as his car couldn’t be placed with his fellow chrome brethren. I didn’t think much of this until he made a point to the other owner that at least he didn’t have to park next to a Rubber Bumper!
While I wanted to say something I bit my lip and ignored him. Truth be told his Chrome Bumper had more bondo & rust that all the Rubber bumpers combined at the show. And was a serious contender for the spit & bailing wire award.
This gentlemen pulls in to a spot one car over from me and comments to the owner of the Chrome bumper car next to mine, that he was a little upset at running a little late as his car couldn’t be placed with his fellow chrome brethren. I didn’t think much of this until he made a point to the other owner that at least he didn’t have to park next to a Rubber Bumper!
While I wanted to say something I bit my lip and ignored him. Truth be told his Chrome Bumper had more bondo & rust that all the Rubber bumpers combined at the show. And was a serious contender for the spit & bailing wire award.
Sherlock
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This sounds like a guy I talked to recently. He has an MG TD with a Volvo B18 engine. That just happened to be the engine in it when he purchased it. The car isn't perfect but has good patina, showing that is well used. He is a member of a local club, but told me that he doesn't dare join the MG T-series club up here because they want all-original cars.
Sounds silly?
Sounds silly?
Bret
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Yes in the case of the owner of the Chrome Bumper B that I mentioned above. I feel that he had little justification for his unkind remarks regarding Rubber Bumper “B”s given the condition of his own car.
Mind you - I am not a purist but rather a student of keeping ones viewpoint of another person’s pride & joy to ones self. In other words if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all. Especially if one doesn’t take care of their own motor vehicle.
Mind you - I am not a purist but rather a student of keeping ones viewpoint of another person’s pride & joy to ones self. In other words if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all. Especially if one doesn’t take care of their own motor vehicle.
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there are shows I have been to that I will not go back to because of that attitude
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but one a***ole can ruin a whole show experience
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not yours Phil, you just have it at the wrong time of year
Car snobs: They've always been with us, and they will always be with us. Back in the early sixties, when I first began my lifelong fascination with LBC's, it was customary for drivers of FLFC's (Funny Little Furrin Cars) to wave when encountering each other on the highway. However, there was a pecking order as to which driver was expected to wave first...and as the pilot of a '64 Sprite, I was at the bottom. The E-Types were the alpha males, so to speak, followed by Big Healeys, TR's, MGA's and MGB's, then us Spridgets. Lotus, AC, and the others were too rarely seen to have a defined position but I knew they were ahead of me so I ALWAYS waved first. I still do, no matter which of my three LBC's I'm driving.
And just last summer, as I was winding up a year-long restoration project on my '67 B, my BMW-driver next door neighbor remarked that it was too bad that I had devoted so much time and effort to the project because "when you're done it will still just be an MGB". But I still would rather drive it than his Beemer...there's got to be a reason that the B (regardless of its bumpers) is the most popular sports car of all time, and FUN is it.
And just last summer, as I was winding up a year-long restoration project on my '67 B, my BMW-driver next door neighbor remarked that it was too bad that I had devoted so much time and effort to the project because "when you're done it will still just be an MGB". But I still would rather drive it than his Beemer...there's got to be a reason that the B (regardless of its bumpers) is the most popular sports car of all time, and FUN is it.
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and then there are the purist vs. the I want it my way clicques
Bret
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Great Point!
Yes there will always be boorish folks out there with their noses firmly stuck in the air. Along with those cliques and purists who rebuke anything that doesn’t fit into their own limited view of what the world should be.
But over the years I must admit that I have met far more agreeable British car owners representing all most all of the various marquees. This tells me that the snobs are clearly in the minority.
As for Lee’s neighbor’s remarks regarding his “B” – Kindly remind him next time he rebuffs you choice in vehicles, that the MGB (or any LBC for that matter) isn’t for every body. If it was – I’d probably wouldn’t own one.
Admittedly ours isn’t a car for the modern masses in this day & age of computer control modules, complicated emissions as well as on board navigation systems and the like. While most others reach for their cell phones, to call the auto club for roadside assistance - just to change a flat tire. We LBC owners are not afraid to roll-up our sleeves & reach for our toolboxes.
In other words – spindly armed girly men need not apply. It’s part of the fun in my view.
Yes there will always be boorish folks out there with their noses firmly stuck in the air. Along with those cliques and purists who rebuke anything that doesn’t fit into their own limited view of what the world should be.
But over the years I must admit that I have met far more agreeable British car owners representing all most all of the various marquees. This tells me that the snobs are clearly in the minority.
As for Lee’s neighbor’s remarks regarding his “B” – Kindly remind him next time he rebuffs you choice in vehicles, that the MGB (or any LBC for that matter) isn’t for every body. If it was – I’d probably wouldn’t own one.
Admittedly ours isn’t a car for the modern masses in this day & age of computer control modules, complicated emissions as well as on board navigation systems and the like. While most others reach for their cell phones, to call the auto club for roadside assistance - just to change a flat tire. We LBC owners are not afraid to roll-up our sleeves & reach for our toolboxes.
In other words – spindly armed girly men need not apply. It’s part of the fun in my view.
TypeRboy
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<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>
And just last summer, as I was winding up a year-long restoration project on my '67 B, my BMW-driver next door neighbor remarked that it was too bad that I had devoted so much time and effort to the project because "when you're done it will still just be an MGB". But I still would rather drive it than his Beemer...there's got to be a reason that the B (regardless of its bumpers) is the most popular sports car of all time, and FUN is it.[/QB]<hr></blockquote>
I've run into this myself, but in reverse.. Having spent way too much money and time on a car or four to recoupe the expense.. for the differance in cost of restoring a Jag over a TR3 the Jag will return so much more to you, both dollars and prestige..
Now that I sound like one of those nasty snobs, I'd just like to say that I'm very gratefull for the people who are willing to invest time and money all out of proportion to restore whatever LBC turns their heads, because otherwise those cars would be lost. And I always admire a nice car or nice work when I see it..Especially at a car show or club meet.
Besides if I ever made a dollar on a restoration, it would be the first time..
And just last summer, as I was winding up a year-long restoration project on my '67 B, my BMW-driver next door neighbor remarked that it was too bad that I had devoted so much time and effort to the project because "when you're done it will still just be an MGB". But I still would rather drive it than his Beemer...there's got to be a reason that the B (regardless of its bumpers) is the most popular sports car of all time, and FUN is it.[/QB]<hr></blockquote>
I've run into this myself, but in reverse.. Having spent way too much money and time on a car or four to recoupe the expense.. for the differance in cost of restoring a Jag over a TR3 the Jag will return so much more to you, both dollars and prestige..
Now that I sound like one of those nasty snobs, I'd just like to say that I'm very gratefull for the people who are willing to invest time and money all out of proportion to restore whatever LBC turns their heads, because otherwise those cars would be lost. And I always admire a nice car or nice work when I see it..Especially at a car show or club meet.
Besides if I ever made a dollar on a restoration, it would be the first time..
The people who get me are the ones that hate rubber bumpers. To me, the rubber B's are just as significant as the chrome ones. The idea of someone picking a car and saying "this one is worth restoring, but that one isn't" is absurd.
Perhaps it is because I don't have a LBC yet... When you have something, its easy to not be thankful for it. I'd take whatever I could get just to be involved.
Perhaps it is because I don't have a LBC yet... When you have something, its easy to not be thankful for it. I'd take whatever I could get just to be involved.
OP
Christopher H
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I'm into all different types of collector and special interest cars. Also kind of new to the Brit thing, although I've always found Brit cars sexy as heck.
The car snob thing has always kind of worked against me also. At one point I owned a 71 Chevelle SS (Clone) a 66 Ford Mustang Fastback (289 4 Speed) and a nice Miata. The Miata guys thought I was nuts for owning two old hot rods. The Ford guys couldn't stand my Chevy or my "darn Import" and the Chevy guys thought I was nuts for even messing with anything other than a GM product.
I just smiled and continued having fun.
FWIW I love Rubber bumper MGBs. I don't really think that it hurts the car at all. What really ****ed me off was the junkyard that I go to for old car parts. Great Yard, cars back to the twenties and thirties. Someone pulled a 79 B (very restorable) into the yard and left the top down. I tried to buy it but when I came up with cash the price suddenly went way up. It's still sitting there but no longer very restorable.
Chris
[ 01-10-2003: Message edited by: Christopher H ]</p>
The car snob thing has always kind of worked against me also. At one point I owned a 71 Chevelle SS (Clone) a 66 Ford Mustang Fastback (289 4 Speed) and a nice Miata. The Miata guys thought I was nuts for owning two old hot rods. The Ford guys couldn't stand my Chevy or my "darn Import" and the Chevy guys thought I was nuts for even messing with anything other than a GM product.
I just smiled and continued having fun.
FWIW I love Rubber bumper MGBs. I don't really think that it hurts the car at all. What really ****ed me off was the junkyard that I go to for old car parts. Great Yard, cars back to the twenties and thirties. Someone pulled a 79 B (very restorable) into the yard and left the top down. I tried to buy it but when I came up with cash the price suddenly went way up. It's still sitting there but no longer very restorable.
Chris
[ 01-10-2003: Message edited by: Christopher H ]</p>
Sherlock
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Speaking of purists... I've had some good discussions with a friend of mine regarding the issue of re-engining. He is more of a British saloon guy than a sports car guy, with a huge collection of them (most rotting away on his farm - that's a different issue).
Anyway, in the past he has discovered that an old Datsun 510 engine fits into a Morris Minor almost perfectly and makes it much more driveable, with some other upgrades. And currently (among many other cars) he has a Morris Oxford MO with the original engine. He tells me that the best way to "preserve" it is to restore the bodywork to original and just drop in a modern V6 or perhaps a Chevette engine. You can now drive it to a British car show at highway speeds (as opposed to original early-1950's low speed gearing), and if you don't open the hood at the show you won't upset the purists (or maybe you do anyway?)
Anyway, in the past he has discovered that an old Datsun 510 engine fits into a Morris Minor almost perfectly and makes it much more driveable, with some other upgrades. And currently (among many other cars) he has a Morris Oxford MO with the original engine. He tells me that the best way to "preserve" it is to restore the bodywork to original and just drop in a modern V6 or perhaps a Chevette engine. You can now drive it to a British car show at highway speeds (as opposed to original early-1950's low speed gearing), and if you don't open the hood at the show you won't upset the purists (or maybe you do anyway?)
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a purist would be upset anyway. he would hear the incorrect engine as you pulled in. I am in favor of modernizing a car in any way you want to, after all it is your car. I love to see a clean well engineered conversion. The best of those don't hack up a car so badly that it couldn't be put back to original at a later date, if so desired. There are, imho, some cars too rare to hack on. Among these are pull handle roadsters, rubber bumper GTs, Magnettes, big Healeys, and XKE Jags. There just aren't enough of these cars left.