Not looking a gift horse in the mouth?

[cheekygeek]

Greetings all,
I had an unusual weekend, to say the least, and it appears that I'm about to be the owner of my first MG. I don't even know if it is a Midget or an MGB (or even what year it is for sure) but since it was GIVEN to me, I didn't think I should ask TOO many questions. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

The story so far: My brother-in-law is giving me a MG (or more properly giving it to his sister so she can give it to me). (He calls himself a "car magnet" - he's a roofer and people often trade him vehicles for partial payment, apparently. We live about 5 hours apart, so I haven't even seen it yet, but he seems to think you can "air up the tires and drive it home". His wife said she thought it was a '74 and needed some brake work, so I'm probably going to haul it. He had no idea whether it was an MGB or a Midget. His wife described it as blue with a black top. Since MGBs were so popular, I'm guessing it is probably one of those.

I'm wondering what questions I can ask him over the phone to get the identity of the car nailed down. I've seen references to a '74.5 MGB and I'm wondering what the differences between that and the normal '74 are.

Also, how would you proceed if you were in my shoes? I'm planning on getting a trailer to haul it home with, but is there anything I should do before trying to start it, etc.?

Any tips on identifying and getting this car home would be appreciated! I'm excited, but trying not to get my hopes up TOO much!

Cheekygeek

 

[ccougill]

the 74.5 was the first of the rubber bumper B's. They raised the ride height and added 150# of bunpers to each end to meet US crash standards. they also did not add the sway bars they added to later cars, iirc. the good news is they left the su carbs alone going to the zenith stromberg in 1975, along with the catalytic converter. to see what to do first to bring her back to life check Tony Barnhill's website. here's a link to the article https://www.theautoist.com/awakening_a_sleeping_b.htm

and always trailer any LBC you don't know intimately

 

[ChrisS]

The easiest external difference is the headlights, if they protrude beyond the fender it is a Midget, if they are recessed a few inches, with some body work below then it's a B. Take a look in the Member's Ride's section.
For year we can give a range based on bumpers. I don't know the specifics for a B, but a Midget was crome through '74 and rubber from '75 on.
By the way, welcome. No matter what it is you are at the right place. As far as tips for starting it look here https://www.theautoist.com/awakening_a_sleeping_b.htm It is a great article by Tony Barnhill on the subject.

I see I took too long to write this.

 

[jlaird]

Shucks, wish someone would give me one.

 

[vping]

Pics are welcome & would be helpful. Oh and welcome to the machine!

 

[cheekygeek]

Well, I did a little checking over the lunch hour and I can get a full trailer at UHaul for $65 for 24 hours. I need to find out if it is a Midget or an MGB, however, because I can't put a Midget on the trailer. (it is apparently too narrow for the tracks). So, if it is a Midget, I have to rent the TWO wheel trailer, which means disconnecting the driveshaft, etc. (if I leave the rear wheels on the ground). Only thing I have to then is make sure the rear-end is full of grease, right? How difficult is that to check?

 

[GB1]

Welcome Cheeky

Rear end is filled with oil. Also need to get air in dem tyres.

 

[cheekygeek]

Sorry for another newbie question (feel silly asking questions about a car that is not in front of me). I found this page on MGB car numbers: https://www.mgcars.org.uk/MGB/mgbchassis.html
But where are these numbers to be found? (I'd like to call my BIL tonight and be able to tell him where to look). If it is a Midget it should say so along the bottom piece behind the front wheel, right? Otherwise, it is an MGB and I can have him give me the number (which should confirm the year).

There is no similar page for Midget numbers, I take it? Thanks for the responses so far and TIA for future responses!

cheekygeek

 

[startech47]

Midgets and Sprites have a t-handle trunk handle, except for bug eyes that have no trunk, and b's have a button with a finger hook below.

 

[jlaird]

Look at the pics of the mgbs and the midgets in the members photo section. Look at the head lights. See the difference? An easy check.

 

[vping]

Midget numbers are found in a few places.
At the back of the drivers door near the latch mech.
Also between the dash & the front windscreen.
There is also a number by the right front shock.

 

[DrEntropy]

And conveniently Vince (vping) has an MGB in his signature file! Note the "recessed" headlamps".

And welcome to a forum you'll actually get responses to in minutes, not DAYS!

 

[tony barnhill]

Ask him if it says "MIDGET" along the bottom of the front fenders...

 

[R6MGS]

Looks like you've got plenty of help with the I.D....So welcome to the forum and good luck with your new MG

 

[vping]

If you are sitting in the either seat, and reach your hand out of the window to remove the0 centercap, you're in a midget.
{it was not moving at the time} /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

 

[Bruce74B]

The MGB has a chrome MGB over the MG emblem on the middle of the trunk lid.

Ask your BIL to measure the width of the car between tires to make sure it fits on the trailer.

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[cheekygeek]

BIL faxed me a copy of the title, which is pretty much unreadable. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
But I do now know that it is a 1979 MGB convertible, blue w/black top.

Thanks for all the info! I'll probably be making a pest of myself here in the coming months.

 

[DrEntropy]

Please do! We're all "pests" anyway!!

 

[jlaird]

Who you calling a pest??

 

[DrEntropy]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

...mmmm....