Let's Talk MGB-GT's...

I just ran across this picture online, and it's got the wheels turning for me. Someone, talk me out of a classic british shootingbrake project! (Especially seeing as I have a classic Volvo project in the garage now that still needs a fair amount of work to be road worthy.)

Those flares though....

To make matters worse, a 60 second search on my local Craigslist unearthed this!

I had a '67 and loved it. It was my band car. I could just fit a 4x12 in the back. It would run flawlessly for weeks then fry three sets of points in a day. We called her Christine. I miss her and like you, dream of another one still.

In reply to MoCounselor:

Do it!

Obviously I'm in no position to diss the GT. I think they're one of the few truly pretty British coupes, and they're very attainable either through a reasonable price or the application of a large amount of work. All they need is a modern engine - Carl Heidelman's work in putting Miata drivetrains in them is perfect.

Although I've never liked the Sebring flares all that much - the rest of the car has nice taut lines and the flares are blobby fiberglass. I prefer the adapted Mk1 Golf flares instead.

MoCounselor wrote:

Put a NSFW tag in the title if you are going to post something that dirty!!

Also, these have been on my lust list for over a decade. Please let me live vicariously.

jh36 wrote: I had a '67 and loved it. It was my band car. I could just fit a 4x12 in the back. It would run flawlessly for weeks then fry three sets of points in a day. We called her Christine. I miss her and like you, dream of another one still.

Good to know, as I'm a guitarist also! No 4x12 for me, but I am currently looking at 2x12 or widebody 1x12 combo amps! :)

Keith Tanner wrote: Obviously I'm in no position to diss the GT. I think they're one of the few truly pretty British coupes, and they're very attainable either through a reasonable price or the application of a large amount of work. All they need is a modern engine - Carl Heidelman's work in putting Miata drivetrains in them is perfect. Although I've never liked the Sebring flares all that much - the rest of the car has nice taut lines and the flares are blobby fiberglass. I prefer the adapted Mk1 Golf flares instead.

Keith, that car looks great! How about I build one with the Mk1 Golf flares and we trade for a FM v8-swapped ND?!

Any links to Carl's work on converting them to a Miata drivetrain? (I've bought a few odds and ends from you guys over the years and have owned 3 na chassis, so I'm definitely interested to learn more about this.)

-Ben

Grm is running a series on Miata swapping mgbs right now, and they are written by Carl.

http://www.eclecticmotorworks.com

MoCounselor wrote: To make matters worse, a 60 second search on my local Craigslist unearthed this!

For about what it will cost you to do the bodywork on that project, you could buy this:

In reply to MoCounselor:

That is Keith's car. I doubt he needs another. Want maybe, but not enough to trade out the Monster he just built

I don't need another one with the Golf flares, the black one's mine

GRM has run a few articles on Carl's work. A three-parter on an early swap (with some missteps) and a later generic engine swap article. Plus possibly another with a more extreme car, I forget. But here's where you start: http://www.eclecticmotorworks.com/

In reply to NOHOME:

Is it for sale??

MoCounselor wrote: To make matters worse, a 60 second search on my local Craigslist unearthed this!

I remember this car! I swear it has been for sale for 5 years. I think he had 4 GTs at one point. FYI I am up in Columbia.

singleslammer wrote: In reply to NOHOME: Is it for sale??

Sí señor.

I like the Sebring flares (my old gt - actually more ford than bmc)

In my humble estimation, this is the pinnacle of MGB GT

Build: (Going to guess near 100k went into this one)

http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/BV82016-TheCars.htm

singleslammer wrote: In reply to MoCounselor: That is Keith's car. I doubt he needs another. Want maybe, but not enough to trade out the Monster he just built

I realized that after the fact. Lol! Good looking out though. :D

Keith Tanner wrote: I don't need another one with the Golf flares, the black one's mine GRM has run a few articles on Carl's work. A three-parter on an early swap (with some missteps) and a later generic engine swap article. Plus possibly another with a more extreme car, I forget. But here's where you start: http://www.eclecticmotorworks.com/

Thanks Keith! Your's is a beauty!

singleslammer wrote:

MoCounselor wrote: To make matters worse, a 60 second search on my local Craigslist unearthed this!

I remember this car! I swear it has been for sale for 5 years. I think he had 4 GTs at one point. FYI I am up in Columbia.

The seller is trying to clear out all of the cars he has, evidently. In the pics I've spotted 3 gt's, and several convertibles.

I recently posted a "NMNA" ad in the classifieds for one that was $500.

Given that they have almost identical wheelbases, and the MGB is body-on-frame, has anyone tried transplanting the entire driveline/suspension off of a Miata into one of these? It'd require big honking flares, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

MGBs are unibody - not body-on-frame. But swapping some Miata stuff underneath might still be possible. Lots of V6 conversions have been done on Bs and BGTs and they seem pretty tempting to me. I had a '69 BGT (stock) with overdrive. Fun car but a little hot in the summer. The '69 didn't have any fresh air vents except the windows.

Sorry, MGB's are unitary, not body on frame. Maybe you are thinking about Spitfires.

Anyhow, I love my '68 GT, apparently I'm the only one here who like them stock. It won't win any drag races but it is a lovely place to be when you are in no hurry (when it's running).