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MGC MGC GT......Your opinions.

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Simon TR4a

Simon TR4a

Jedi Knight
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I have always thought the MGC got a bad rap. Undeservedly it was compared with "real sports cars", when if you accept its not a Lotus but a sort of long distance GT, I think its probably a very nice car, and the GT likely a better choice than the roadster.
How does it compare with the BGT?
Anyone who owns one or has driven one, or both, care to offer an opinion?
Thanks, Simon.
 
The extra power did not overcome the extra front weight. That said, I would never turn one down now although I doubt I would have bought one new at the time.

I'll take most any old car now. I am not a power freak, just a cruiser.

Bruce
 
I am a roadster fan, but drove a CGT that a co-worker had for sale in 1976...I didn't buy it then because I couldn't afford the insurance on it...or so I thought. Of all the stupid decisions in my life that I have made, that was one of the top ten! The handling was a little different from my B roadster, but in a day of running around in it, I learned to like it. I have driven numerous BGTs and none of them really have impressed me as much as that CGT /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

If I could find one now in half as good condition, at twice what he wanted for it then, I couldn't write the check fast enough /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Bruce
 
The MGC is.....and was.....a fine car. The problem was, it was considered a sports car, when its true calling was as a grand tourer. Not suited for being thrown around corners, it was a relaxed and effortless mile-eating cruiser. That engine was powerful, and smooth as only an inline six can be. The GT is practical, and well suited to that set-up. I had an MGB GT, loved it, but the 'C' would have been the icing on the cake.
 
The MGC will not outhandle an MGB in roadster or GT form. However it still does handle quite well if set up properly. MG Motorsport in the UK have steering and suspension upgrade parts that will make the car handle like it should, and with their upgrades these things really tear up the road!

The engine is fantastic to drive. It has lots of power compared to a B although it's a bit heavy so the overall gain is not huge. On the highway it's glass smooth and you gotta love the exhaust note from a 3-liter straight six!

If I could have only one of the two cars I would personally choose the BGT but the CGT would be a close second. Parts are harder to come by for a C and the engines run hot. Other than that it's a toss up in my opinion.

Now a sebring CGT would be more welcome than any MGB in my garage!
 
It looks like you guys agree with me...if you are buying it for the right reasons and with realistic expectations, then you won't be dissappointed.
I felt that while it might not show its best when you compare 0-60 times, but if you look at real life driving, say accelerating in top gear from 40-70mph on a ramp or overtaking, or cruising at relaxed revs on a long trip, that it would be very good.
The next logical question is how much of a premium would a CGT be worth over a BGT, maybe 20%?
Thanks for the responses!
Simon.
 
Simon,
I am home this weekend if you want to drop over and see the new addition /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
And the "In Progress" project. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif

OH.. Bring TOOLS /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

Paul
 
I'm not sure an MGC is really more valuable than a B. It's kind of a specialty car so it just depends on current demand. I suppose the prices are typically a little higher than MGBs because the supply is so low, but again it depends on the demand at that particular moment.
 
I have a "C" roadster for sale on the forum"s classified section.
Cheers, David. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/computer.gif
 
Simon, having driven both, I agree with both Steve, and Steve S. For a set of twisties, I would rather be in the 'B'.
But, for a comfortable cross country cruise, the 'C' fills the bill nicely.
The major down-side to a 'C' is that parts can tend to be a bit pricey compared to the 'B', as it was produced in much smaller numbers.
My standard response to the 'C' question over the years has always been, "Goes like a bat out of heck, in a straight line."
I've never driven a CGT with any demon tweaks to the suspension, but have driven a roadster that was being vintage raced. It was awesome. I think it could have given my GT6 a run for it's money. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jeff
 
Simon

Got one of both, love the MGB Roadster for commuting/twisty bits and wind in the hair driving. But the CGT is quite a unique beast, disadvantages rare, heavyish steering (when fitted with the standard 17" steering wheel) but not as heavy as people would have you believe, and rediculously bad fuel economy in city driving (significantly better in the country/open road)

Advantages, more space than the B, much more power, quiet and refined, great open road cruiser, rarity and major pose value.

Contrary to poular beleif they will corner well at speed but generall a bit more forward planning is required than in the B

If I had to sell one I would finid it hard but if really pressed and it became my sole driver the C would probably have to go as it much less practical than the B for everyday use. Fortunately that isn't a situation that is likely to occur.

A good MGC will command a good price relative to a good MGB and unlike the Bs it doesn't amtter wether it is a GT or Roadster but you will probably have to wait longer to get that price (ie for the right buyer).

Much more important with the Cs to buy the right car, sills rusting is OK but floors or any front end damage isn't. With bitsas make sure all the important bits are there.

Parts that are getting hard to get: Difs (depending on ratio), good brake servos (can be reconned but needs a level of expertise that not many brake shops have), some engine bits (others are surprisingly easy to get) and brake and clutch master cylinders

Impossible to get: any inner front end panels,Speedos and Tachos and Steering column flex joint.

Auto boxes are pretty easy to get (unusually for the C it is common with several more common types)but manual and partucularly overdrive manual boxes aren't.

Wire wheels are easy to get (same as TR6) but the disc wheels and partucularly their hubcaps aren't, unlike the Bs and despite what the parts lists would have you believe there is no such thing as a 5 stud 15" Rostyle road wheel for the MGC

There has been a new run of heater taps so they seem relatively easy to get but they were next to impossible to get for a while.

Take your time and find a good (or at least complete) one

regards
 
being the glutton for punishment that I am, I'd jump all over a MGC of any type (GT or Roadster... pre-1974) if a driveable one were to come into my price range... but then again, that's just me... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Nunyas that's good to hear but pre 1974 is all you get with C's, Production (8999 cars total, roughly 50/50 Roadsters to GTs and roughly 25% automatics) was from mid 1967 to mid 1969, 1968 being the only full year of production.

Something I neglected to mention in my previous post is that if you wait long enough even the rarest parts turn up on Ebay.

Just recently there have been 3 separate C bodyshells up for sale, one of them completly rebuilt and painted.

regards
 
Nunyas,
I have a nice project C for sale, and you are close enough to come and view. Now is the time to start those winter projects. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
heh... sorry, I should have specified... currenlty the right price range for me and "additional" cars is uhm... unrealistic, as I don't have room for additional cars and i'm a po' boy... hmmm... then again, my mother has been trying to convince me to send my 'B to her in Florida .... hmmmm... *grey fleshy matter cogs start spinning*
 
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