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Ride Quality-Ruber Bumper Cars

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Dick Sobielo

Freshman Member
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Lately I've been shopping around for a rubber bumper MGB. As I understand it, the early models(75 & 76)do not ride or handle as well as the later models because of the absense of the proper sway bars and the added ride height. My question is; is the poorer ride and handling characteristics of the early rubber bumpered cars bad enough that I should rule them out altogether?
 
No, however, I'd choose a Sep '76 or later car if I were planning on taking it to the limit with bolt-on performance items!
 
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While, I've never driven an “early” Rubber Bumper B. it is my understanding that the increased ride height was the result of MG being forced to meet the Federally mandated safety requirements for bumper to bumper contact. Anyway it is my understanding that you can add either the stock sway-bars used on the latter models or go with up-rated ones available through Moss or Victoria British. Either way as Tony says - I wouldn’t swear off of the earlier RB-Bs unless you just don’t want to deal with it.

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What do you want to do with the car once you get it? I don't do anything spectacular with my MGB(1977), I drive it on the backroads, highways, enjoy loafing around in it, do the occasional club fun-run, overnight trips, etc... and find it to be a very nice riding, fun, and enjoyable car to drive.

It may not be as good as the pre-RB cars on the tight twisties, but I've got no real complaints about it at all.
 
aerog...I use my pre-68 MG's for fun driving & my rubber bumper for RV trips (I tow it behind on a trailer)...the RB doesn't handls as sharply as the early chrome cars but that's because, in large part, of the added weight & rise in ride height
....my '79 V8 car will be the best of both periods!
 
Dick, If the earlier cars are equiped with the latter sway bars, you can produce a very nice handeling B. I installed polyurethane bushings up front, tube shocks rear, electric overdrive in my 1980 B and it is the most comfortable driver in my stable. Also desmoged and added duel SU's. Winding roads or 75+mph highway cruising is a breeze.
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Thanks eveyone for the good responses. I'm looking for a good recreational driver for overnight trips and that sort of thing. Not for competition events. From what you've told me I don't see any reason to shy away from the early RB cars. Thanks again!!
 
None whatsoever....&, if you could find a rubber bumper '74-1/2 GT it'd be even better!
 
I have a 75 and a 78 RB mgb. There is very little difference in the handling of the two cars.In fact the truth is I drive the 75 more often, it just seems to be more fun to drive.Hope this helps
Warren
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