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Should I buy it ?

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BOBBYR

BOBBYR

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Hi Gang,
A friend of mine called me today and told me he found a 1978 MGB for sale for $2500. It is british racing green with black interior and has 32,000 miles on it. The body is in good condition except for some damage to the left frt fender. For the price, I can't see how I could go wrong buying this. Do you think this price is good or average? I know nothing about the mg market and how they are priced. I appreciate any feedback on this matter.
Bobby R
 
Any rust issues (noting that you've already stated the body is in "good" condition?
 
Hi Guys,
Thanks for your input. It doesn't have any rust and it seems to run pretty good.The rubber nose is out of shape and does not follow the lines of the rest of the car. Would it be better if it was a MGB without a rubber nose? Are they worth more? I appreciate your help with this.
Bobby R
 
BOBBYR said:
Hi Guys,
Thanks for your input. It doesn't have any rust and it seems to run pretty good.The rubber nose is out of shape and does not follow the lines of the rest of the car. Would it be better if it was a MGB without a rubber nose? Are they worth more? I appreciate your help with this.
Bobby R
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Chrome bumper cars are worth more than rubber bumper. That being said it is not a difficult conversion so, you might want to convert it rather than fix the rubber bumper.
 
The rubber bumper models can look real nice with a little TLC and some imagination. Here's a shot of one mans idea of how to improve on it's looks. Looks nice and gives the car a more stream line appearance. If BL did this initially, they probably would have sold more of them. JMHO. PJ

IMG_0336.jpg
 
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your reply. That is one awesome MGB. I'm not sure if I'm going to buy one yet but that picture sure helps with my decision.Right now I have a 65 AH 3000 and a 08 corvette, so where I'm going to put this car ,I don't know. Anyway, I appreciate your help.
Bobby R
 
Given that you obviously know the difference between good and indifferent performance and handling, I have to say that the RBB is fine for old folks that just want to run about with the top down, but for a real driver to run one is a downright painful experience, especially if you know what a good (early) MGB is like to drive.

No offence to RBB owners, but to some of us, performance and handling really matters and driving a sports car that has been given the RBB treatment is like riding a 3 legged horse.
 
I like my painted bumpers. Some don't. Some car colors look nice with black, others look nice with matched bumpers. Take your pick.

235186427_HhuuR-L.jpg


590939316_8K5a5-L.jpg
 
That is one nice looking B! I agree that if the care is taken, the rubber bumpered B's can look great, too. Plus, a few mods to the suspension and you have a great handling car. It's all about the taste of the owner, like the discussion we had about me mixing red and black in my interior. If you like the car, get it.
 
come on guys..

rubber bumpers.. its an instant notification that the car is a pig..

its not the bumpers, its the choked down, down sized engine trying wheeze on one carb, while gaining two inches in height by placing blocks on the front cross member and rear springs...


I had a 73 which I really enjoyed, It was actually our "family Car" ...the rear shelve was great for the little tot... and I bought an 80 to flip and sale..

couldn't get rid of it fast enough.. it was day and night the difference..

no more b's at all now, and drive the spit and an A...
 
bobmga62 said:
come on guys..

rubber bumpers.. its an instant notification that the car is a pig..

its not the bumpers, its the choked down, down sized engine trying wheeze on one carb, while gaining two inches in height by placing blocks on the front cross member and rear springs...


I had a 73 which I really enjoyed, It was actually our "family Car" ...the rear shelve was great for the little tot... and I bought an 80 to flip and sale..

couldn't get rid of it fast enough.. it was day and night the difference..

no more b's at all now, and drive the spit and an A...
Click to expand...

You have to remember that most RB models have converted to twin SUs or Webers, BUT, not everyone wants to do jack rabbit starts and run down the highway doing 80/90 MPH! As the late Tony Barnhill once said, "there's nothing wrong with a late model MGB if it's kept in proper tune"! He had one and as I understand, drove it fairly often. I'd take Tony's word on anything! We all have our favorite cars and there are some I wouldn't have, but I wouldn't tell someone that his car is a pig, if he has one! JMHO. PJ
 
While RB MG's are not my favorite, they are a good buy for the money right now. An inexpensive way to start with a LBC. I've redone several over the years and have converted a RB to chrome bumper. If I do another I will paint the bumpers body color. It might even get a V8. I bought a new MGB in 1978, just out of college. One my first job interview I had to drive about 60 miles to another town for the interview. By the time I got back I said the MG has to go. I traded it for a 78 Camero. Lost a few bucks but not bad.

Marv
 
Rubber bumper MGs, Spitfire 1500's, TR-7's etc. are the entry point into British cars many people my age or younger (mid 30's). Basically, all the older cars have been either already restored and out of our price ranges, or are just old enough that too many don't remember them. My wife, who is a few years my junior, didn't remember any of these cars from her childhood.

I don't think they're particularly pretty when compared to their chrome bumpered ancestors, but for a lot of us they are fun cars.

I suddenly had a flashback to my late 20's when I took my Jensen Healey to British car show and had all the Austin Healey folks at that particular car event look down their noses at it. It was a disheartening experience.
 
JodyFKerr said:
I suddenly had a flashback to my late 20's when I took my Jensen Healey to British car show and had all the Austin Healey folks at that particular car event look down their noses at it. It was a disheartening experience.
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I've always looked at it this way, snobs are snobs and will always be snobs. Be perfectly honest, I have no use for any of them! I could care less if a man is rich or poor or what kind of car he drives, if he treats his fellow man with respect, he's ok in my book. JMHO. PJ
 
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