1979 mgb

[tevake]

Well Mike you have received a wide range of responses pointing out some of the realities of classic Brittish sports car ownership.

I have good memories of owning a few back 30+ years ago.
Including buying a MGA well used in Fla and then heading out driving it cross country to Washington a few days later. With no issues.

But in thinking about the differences in traffic from then to today. It makes the limitations of the low powered sports car more significant and would limit the enjoyable driving opportunities to back roads and quite hours.

This makes the conversions to modern running gear a bit more attractive.
I do like the quaint charm of an early original but there is a different reality out there today.

Jerry's buddies 5.0 powered GT is sounding better as this discussion unfolds

Cheers Richard

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by Baz

Ha ha ha.....you sir won the Internet today!

Thanks for that Baz
I have experienced 3 out of the 4 aforementioned items. The draggin azz blue jeans award has Tabs on the podium....

[Soren Lorenson]

Also depends on what you want to spend right? That mgb is maybe 8k. Sure the mga and 914 and Tiger are better but bring 25-45 for a good one.

I drove a chrome bumpered one the other day, kept up with local street traffic well, was easy to drive (easier than the 911) but just didn't blow me away at all. It lacked something I can't put my finger on but was very good in general.

[aigel]

I had a 67. Overall wasn't impressed. It was tossable and looked pretty. I would definitely NOT buy a 79. It is just too ugly. I thought the chrome bumper models were still fairly affordable and you still aren't throwing good money after bad ...

G

[BOOTLEG]

Strictly for purposes of Diversity, my garage houses my Boxster S, 2 Miatas and my MGB with Rover V8. It's all good!

[sammyg2]

I could never understand the attraction to spend money on crap, just because the crap is different.

I'd rather have a 200,000 mile prius than a POS british car i had to tinker with just to get the MFer to run..

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by targa911S

It's the damn SU fuel pumps that will eventually leave you stranded. The points, yes points, that stop working. You can bang the pump sometimes to get them started enough to get to a safe place. But the rule of thumb is the car will strand you some day.

True, when I sold the DB4 I threw in the SU carb and fuel pump manual. The SU fuel pumps where very easy to set up to run right, IF you had the manual. You'd never figure the correct points/diaphragm adjustment without the manual. I mean NEVER. Once set and lubed right, they ran pretty well. BTW the DB4 had a dual pumper fuel pump. If you didn't break loose the fuel line connection in the access panel below the parcel shelf, it would siphon the fuel tank empty.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I could never understand the attraction to spend money on crap, just because the crap is different.

I'd rather have a 200,000 mile prius than a POS british car i had to tinker with just to get the MFer to run..

One man's crap is another man's gold. Having said that if I had the chance to get an old car back I would take my '58 VW bug over an MGB.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by targa911S

A You need a Unisyn to get them right or have a good ear.

Must have to do it right, with engine noise, you can't hear the air flow sucking evenly or not.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I could never understand the attraction to spend money on crap, just because the crap is different.

I'd rather have a 200,000 mile prius than a POS british car i had to tinker with just to get the MFer to run..

Sort of true in this day and age, I start my Camry Hybrid and it just runs, 8 years old and 116xxx miles, not a single issue. OTOH I bought it for around $25K and its now worth about $4K. I bought my DB4 for $1,750 in 1971 and sold it eight years ago for $250K. Its now worth double that.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

One man's crap is another man's gold. Having said that if I had the chance to get an old car back I would take my '58 VW bug over an MGB.

Truer words could not be spoken. This is my latest "crap." God, I love it. Vintage ice racing, here I come.

[speeder]

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by tevake

Well Mike you have received a wide range of responses pointing out some of the realities of classic Brittish sports car ownership.

I have good memories of owning a few back 30+ years ago.
Including buying a MGA well used in Fla and then heading out driving it cross country to Washington a few days later. With no issues.

But in thinking about the differences in traffic from then to today. It makes the limitations of the low powered sports car more significant and would limit the enjoyable driving opportunities to back roads and quite hours.

This makes the conversions to modern running gear a bit more attractive.
I do like the quaint charm of an early original but there is a different reality out there today.

Jerry's buddies 5.0 powered GT is sounding better as this discussion unfolds

Cheers Richard

Well Richard, this is the reason I hang out here. I appreciate all the well informed, well intentioned advice and feedback.

I went and looked at the car on Sunday more out of curiosity. I had never really paid much attention to them much less sat in one. In a word - Small. The car was in ok condition but nothing special. I could tell pretty quickly (coupled with the insight I got here)an MGB of any year was not for me.

The quest for what's next continues..

[1990C4S]

I think Edd China tuned twin SU's on an old Volvo, no?

It seemed pretty straightforward,

[targa911S]

MGBs are still very affordable. I got mine, not running, bad top, no brakes, goofy weber carb, and bunch of other bad stuff but had a great body and bones for $3500. Put about $2000 in it. Sold it for $6000 to buy the 914. There are guys asking more but i think they are self pleasing themselves. I got good money for what it was. The new owners are happy but know it still needs more things done......it always will.

[targa911S]

Oh... and I bought this.....much more fun..