MGB-GT MGB GT rubber bumper

[Sherlock]

Spotted this a couple of days ago, a LHD rubber bumper MGB GT, a 1974-1/2 model

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2468549306&category=31857

Believe this topic was discussed before at some time, and I believe someone mentioned that a small batch of LHD rubber bumper GT coupes were sold in the States in 1974, but as we know no series production of LHD versions ever happened (at least for North America).

The listing doesn't give any known history on this car... was it sold new here as LHD? or possibly brought in privately from Europe as LHD?

Certainly interesting anyway...

 

[Guest]

about 1200 LHD RB GTs were imported, all the so called 741/2 models, making it one of the rarest GTs, and possibly the best looking RB car

 

[tony barnhill]

I've got 2 of them!

 

[vagt6]

Hey Tony, could you give us a photo of one of these rare birds?

 

[tony barnhill]

Sure, here's a photo of my Blaze '74-1/2 in its original 'as found' condition before I had it repainted...overdrive car with air conditioning:

 

[rovernut]

James..........

Dad,s GT is also 74 1/2 LHD.......Imported to NY in 74

 

[JM1NA]

I remember seeing a rugger BGT V8 at our show a few years ago, interesting beast...

 

[KLUTZ]

I went and had a look at the MGBGT I mentioned a couple posts ago. This car is in amazing condition for sitting in a yard for three years. The owner of the garage where it is thought it was an early 70's model, but now I don't know.
Reading this post, the car here has rubber bumpers, but these are not like the bumpers on my TR7, as in solid, but they are like a moulded rubber / plastic looking things, about 1\4 inch thick. Are these the way they were made or has somone changed them? The owner of the garage has not been able to reach the owner since June 2003. He dropped it off in 2001 for pistons and rings. That is the only time he has spoken to him. The owner of the garage told me he would even buy me a bottle if I get it out of his yard. Three numbers he has for the owner are no longer in service...SO.
Sherlock, you may know. How does it work in Ontario with cars that are just left for a long length of time? I may be able to get this for just the cost of a tow.
The 55 lb Racoon who took up residence in it may have other thoughts though.
Sorry, so many questions, but this may be a great oppertunity.

 

[Sherlock]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr> KLUTZ said: How does it work in Ontario with cars that are just left for a long length of time? <hr></blockquote>

Seems to me (I don't know Ontario rules specific to this) that if any property of any sort is left at a business and no one picks it up after a certain amount of time - and as in this case business cannot contact the owner - business essentially takes over ownership of the item. Only thing is that business may have to prove that he searched for old owner as well, ie. make sufficient effort to track down current owner even if contact has been lost.

If I was in your shoes, I'd call the Ontario gov't registry department and ask them what the procedure would be in this case, and then just proceed from there. If you have any real interest, this would show the business owner that you are serious about it and made some effort, where he may be busy running a business and might take ages to make the same phone call. Just my two cents.

Also for helping to identify the car, some pictures found in BCF Forum here.

#1 1974/81 MGB, no metal, full encompassing rubber as below:

#2 1970/74 MGB, metal bumper with rubber-tipped over rider on bumper, as below:

[ 03-27-2004: Message edited by: Sherlock ]</p>

 

[KLUTZ]

[ 03-27-2004: Message edited by: KLUTZ ]</p>

 

[Matthew E. Herd]

May I say, I think that is a fine looking automobile! I like the painted bumpers and the color isn't bad either.

 

[KLUTZ]

https://ca.geocities.com/klutzpc/dsc01198.jpg

If at first I don't succeed!!!!!!
Lets see if this one shows up.
This is the car I have been mentioning. It does have the rubber bumpers such as the other's shown. If lady luck smiles on me, it could be mine for FREE next week.

 

[Sherlock]

Saw the pictures Paul e-mailed me - apparently couldn't post here - of the car he found in Ontario, it's definitely a rubber-bumper MGB GT with LHD and looks very decent. I suppose step #2 would be to verify age of the car by finding the VIN# - where is that on an MGB? One more interesting thing... this one has the bumpers painted to match the body colour and the paint job on the bumper looks nice from what I can see, both bumpers and body are red - anyone recall seeing this car before anywhere? With how rare these cars are maybe someone might remember it.

 

[aerog]

Here's one located in the Tampa area. Brackets on the front are for towing behind an RV. The colors match the RV (you can just see it in a picture in the windshield):

[ 03-27-2004: Message edited by: aerog ]</p>

 

[KLUTZ]

Thanks James. Those are the best I could take in respect to the location of the car.
Yes, where would I find the serial No. on this car? I am going over again Monday morning.

 

[Sherlock]

Paul,

There was nothing wrong with the pictures... Beggar can't be choosers with cars like that, you take a picture wherever the car happens to be parked, even if crammed into a back corner like that.

 

[Caretaker]

If the numbers are in the same place on the US spec motors, you'll find it on the bonnet slam panel, and again on the right hand side of the boot floor opening.

 

[KLUTZ]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Caretaker:
If the numbers are in the same place on the US spec motors, you'll find it on the bonnet slam panel, and again on the right hand side of the boot floor opening.<hr></blockquote>

Found the VIN # on the plate on the threshold of the drivers door.
11/74.
I have been in contact with the owner... That's all I will share now

Unless I can't afford it....

Then I will reveal more.

 

[78Z]

Klutz - looks pretty good! The wheels painted yellow isn't best but looks solid otherwise.

btw if anyone wants to see the photo first go to

https://ca.geocities.com/klutzpc/

and then copy and paste this https://ca.geocities.com/klutzpc/dsc01198.jpg into the address bar and the photo shows up

 

[tony barnhill]

Yep, that's a '74-1/2 MGB GT...painted bumpers look nice, yellow wheels are, er, shocking!