• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

MGC Where are all the MGCs?

Share this page

ronzet said:
Rick,

On a serious note....

The engine appears to be painted AH green... Is that the factory color. It does look a whole lot better than the MG red.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
Click to expand...

Yes...the MGC power plant was painted an AH green at the factory.
 
ronzet said:
Rick,

On a serious note....

The engine appears to be painted AH green... Is that the factory color. It does look a whole lot better than the MG red.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
Click to expand...

Here's another shot from the '69
 

Attachments

  • 5842-MGC1969Red7.jpg
    5842-MGC1969Red7.jpg
    48.7 KB · Views: 185
Rick,

As you can tell, I am up to my eyeballs in a 100-6 (BN4) frame off....

I really appreciate the picture. That engine bay looks terrific... Good job. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

I was considering a TD as my next project but the C is really appealing... I guess my '66 B driver would go on the block rather than get restored if I chose to do a C and IF I could find one... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
 
What were the twin servo-looking devices for? I don't see them in the photos posted here.

I have to admit that that big, honking engine was impressive.

Doesn't Prince Charles own one??
 
TR6BILL said:
What were the twin servo-looking devices for? I don't see them in the photos posted here.

I have to admit that that big, honking engine was impressive.

Doesn't Prince Charles own one??
Click to expand...

brake boosters. US models have 2 for some reason. Rick's car has them removed ATM. I believe he said their currently being rebuilt buy a power brake booster rebuild shop someplace.
 
Here is a photo showing the UK single MGC booster. The carbs are not standard road-going versions. They were intended for competition only. The black wrinkle valve cover was also only found on Works competition cars, as was the aluminum head.

IMG_4285.jpg
 
Steve... pictures don't do that engine justice... well, maybe if the picture was about 8ft x 10ft. Maybe then a person would get a sense for how big that thing is. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
Mine has OD in 3rd & 4th gears, didn't see that mentioned.
Here's another picture with the triple SU setup.
(this is not my car - wish it was!)

DSCF1392.jpg
 
BTW there is an MGC forum (one of my favorites) over here:

MGC forum on MG BBS

Link edited - hooboy I didn't know sites still operated like that.
 
Done, thanks Steve!
 
The MGC transmission had a larger bellhousing to contain the bigger flywheel and clutch, but the rest of the trans case is identical to the MGB. The ratios are different, as anyone that tries to replace a bunned MGC gear with the MGB equivalent quickly finds out.

Steve is correct, the chassis is totally different from the seat area forward. The diff case is the same, brakes are different and the diff ratios are also different.

The MGC is a totally different experience from an MGB. I like both (CBB only).

And don't get me started on the RBB. I'm not talking about the appearance, I'm talking about mechanical spec which is horrid. Yes, you CAN try and reverse various idiocies committed by the factory, but it never quite gets you back to the point where an early CBB starts. Sort of like sticking whiskers and a tail on a goldfish and trying to teach it to bark.... The RBB were so bad that the factory racing team didn't even try to make a silk purse out of that sow's ear - they whacked a late nose on their early CBB chassis and faked it. Said it was better than losing.

One MGC owner did convert to an RBB nose just because he liked the look of it. Now passing THAT at a car show would sure get you scratching your head!
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The black wrinkle valve cover was also only found on Works competition cars[/QUOTE]

Steve, didn't all the early MGC engines have that black wrinkle finish?
 
Technically, a handful of the very first cars did have black wrinkle valve covers. I don't know if it was the same wrinkle finish the Works department used. After perhaps 100 cars or so, all remaining MGCs came with the standard green valve cover.
 
ok... you folks need to stop with the MGC engine posts... my salivary glands are working over time!
 
Bill,

What type of C are you looking for, GT or Roadster, 68 or 69, auto or OD? I know of a few.

I can echo pretty much what Rick, Bill and everyone said about the C. And yes, Prince Charles did and still does own a CGT. It now resides at the Royal Motor Museum at Sandringham.

There are approximately 3000 MGCs left worldwide. A lot of MGCs have left the USA in recent years to go back to the UK, and others have gone to France, Australia, Mexico and other locales. Part of the reason why they are hard to find.

You really have to want a C to buy one, and it seems like you do. They may have been the most underengineered, underdeveloped and undermarketed car ever made by BMC and BL. With a few changes - lightening the flywheel, bigger tires, a quick rack - they can be made to both handle and go. Lots of potential in that motor.

While some parts are NLA or very tough to find, you can get most of the stuff out of the UK.

I invite you to join the American MGC Register, of which I am the Editor, and feel free to contact me offline at mgcsaylor@comcast.net.

Mark A. Saylor
 
almost but not quite! That's still one huge honkin' engine under there! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
Back
Top