1979 mgb

MMiller · 10-22-2016, 06:48 PM

How crazy am I to be considering this purchase? I get that they are old, slow and British. Prince of Darkness.. What else?

Ready for a new toy. I'm sure a 1st gen Boxster would be a much better choice but not Vintage, not unique.

Classic 1979 MGB

LWJ · 10-22-2016, 07:08 PM

Please no. The MGB is a lovely car. I had a 65. With emissions clamp down, bumper height restrictions, and BMC refusing to put any dollars towards r&d, the 1979 B is way way slower and less fun than my lovely 65. The later B's were dogs. Early ones were slow but fun. Please reconsider.

MMiller · 10-22-2016, 07:13 PM

So I need to find a 74 or earlier version or one with a V8 conversion?

Alan A · 10-22-2016, 07:24 PM

Or a TR.
Equally old. Marginally less slow.

The V8s can be fun. Not quick, but fun to tool around in.

Bill Douglas · 10-22-2016, 07:45 PM

Sunbeam Tiger.

LWJ · 10-22-2016, 09:56 PM

So I need to find a 74 or earlier version or one with a V8 conversion?

I think all old car = (mostly) slow cars. Slow isn't always bad. What is bad is a 1970's sports car that is slower than a 91 Ford Explorer. And handles about the same.

MG, Triumph. Alfa, etc all made fun and lovely cars. What is your attractions. Classic coolness? Weekend cruiser? Like to tinker? All considerations.

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

I had a BRG MGB. Cannot remember the year. I bought it and within days realized I was getting 200 miles to a quart of oil. Only after purchase did I put my finger in the exhaust pipe and finger was sticky with oil. Where were you guys back in the 70's? PPI? No. Duh....

I did not find it an exciting driver. Pretty bland. Certainly no Porsche. And not as much fun as a Triumph TR3. If you can find a rust free one it might be okay. Whenever I see one running I go up to the driver and congratulate him on his commitment to the marque.

The neatest setup I have seen recently in an old British car was a Triumph Spitfire with a V8 shoehorned in it. I tried to flag it down but was too fast. If it was the original 4 cylinder I could have caught up with it.

tevake · 10-23-2016, 05:19 AM

MGs lost their uniqueness with the high production Bs.
If stuck on that era, I'd look for a clean MGB GT, possibly the V8 version.

But for really interesting and unusual, how about the MGA

Cheers Richard

pavulon · 10-23-2016, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panerai

How crazy am I to be considering this purchase?

very.

LWJ · 10-23-2016, 06:15 AM

^^^not so crazy. Just get informed, like you are.

1975porsche · 1975porsche's Garage

Here's my 1980. From the 80s. With my now wife.

MMiller · 10-23-2016, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1975porsche

Here's my 1980. From the 80s. With my now wife.

Very cool pic!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWJ

What is your attractions. Classic coolness? Weekend cruiser? Like to tinker? All considerations.

Yes that sums up my attraction. Some affordable tinkering, Sunday top down driving.

The MGB-GT with a V8 conversion interests me the most but will be much harder to find.

Thanks for all the feedback.

LakeCleElum · 07:46 AM

A hell of a lot of us with a Porsche (or two) worked our way thru the ranks by owning Brit iron in the distant past. (cars and motorcycles).

I'd only go back for a early XKE roadster like my '62. I've had MG, 59 AH 100-6, and the XKE. A BSA 441 two Norton Commandos, and two Triumph Bonny's. Even my Fiat 124 was an upgrade.

1990C4S · 10-23-2016, 07:50 AM

I knew someone who was a true MGB expert. Swore they were the greatest car, the most fun, etc, etc.

I let him drive my 'well sorted' 911. He no longer owns any MGB's. He's a P-car convert.

There is no comparison. If you can afford a 911 go that route.

tevake · 07:57 AM

No need to find a conversion.
MG built GTs with the Buick based rover aluminum V 8.
Same weight as the 4 cyl engine.

My brother had a MGB V8 roadster right hand drive.
Very nice engine, a bit more power than the 4cyl engine. And a very nice classic V8 sound.

One up side I noticed with MGs TRs is the smiles there bring out in folks looking at them, some how more loved by passers by.

Cheers Richard

Baz · Baz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1975porsche

Here's my 1980. From the 80s. With my now wife.

Awesome pic - thanks for sharing!

BTW, does that LR wheel look a little tilted?

I was told once (as a qualifier) that the best MG's were the ones with metal - not rubber - bumpers.

The one in the CL ad has the wrong bumpers - but I'm also not digging the colour scheme, including the door panels.

Just my 2 centavos...

manbridge 74 · 09:11 AM

79 was not a good year for Bs. But once you get rid of the cat and put some good carbs on it, a cam plus more compression, some weight loss and it becomes a fun car. Plus the aftermarket has everything one would need for these so it passes the "no longer available" test. Also the price of entry is low compared to chrome bumper versions.

tcar · 02:48 PM

On the B, rubber bumpers started with '74.5. They also RAISED the suspension to meet headlight height requirements (DOT). And decreased power for emissions, eventually going from 2 carbs to one.

So, if you get one, get a chrome bumper car. Early 74 and earlier.

They are OK to tour around in at moderate speeds with the top down.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

I would think you could have a lot more of the same kind of fun with this:

1994 Mazda Miata - Classic Red - with A/C

...and save some money too.

SCadaddle · 10-23-2016, 09:40 AM

I got a call from an old friend of mine just last week. He is in to the Military collectible stuff and at a trade show traded a U Boat sailors cap (that he's had for a long time, says you can't give that stuff away at a show) to his fellow trade show partner, a Lawyer, for a 77 MGB. Says he had $200 in the cap, so if he can get it running and driving for about $2000 he thinks he did ok. Otherwise, he thinks he can part it out for more than the $200 investment. I told him good luck with that.