MG B GT

[carlisletiger]

been offered an MG B GT on a k plate (1971) for a very reasonable price ( £0.00) and just wondered if anyone had any experience with them . It's been off the road , stored in a garage for the last 12 months and needs a bit of work to get it back to been roadworthy ( note i didnt say pristine) .
Money pit ? or a worthwhile hobby project ?

[th4neuk]

Can be a money pit as they do rot rather well. Guess if you can weld though spares are pretty easy to come by and at such a huge outlay lol it might be worth a punt

[carlisletiger]

well its only going to cost £150 to get it transported from Barnsley to Carlisle ,unless i can FOG Express it , so im not in too deep . Could always drop the shell onto the frontys frame - a 4WD ,jacked up MG ,now thers an idea

[Big Dav]

A relative has had quite a few and keeps a V8 in a garage as a project.
There is money in a pristine one rebuilt from
what I would deem scrappers.
A rusting hulk may earn a four figure sum as demonstrated in a recent tv programme set in the London area.
Best have a visit to the MG Owners club for up-to-the-minute advice.

[gregster]

They are underpowered, cr1p handling rot boxes...but have a bit of charm and shiny chrome bumpered ones like your should be can make reasonable bucks when done.
Think you can even by a new shell for them, is it Heritage or someone that makes em?
I am guessing its a hard top by the GT, shame as roadsters are more sought after.

Like all these things you need to decide on your motives...

If you want to make some money on it, DO NOTHING TO IT, other than wash it, valet it, pump up the tyres, start her up, pre mot test, and really good ebay listing...classified of course.

If you dont want to make any money, but want an interesting project that will probably cost less per evening than going to the pub, and have a fun thing to show for it at the end then go for it. You should get a proportion of your money back on resale, unlike going to the pub, but I wouldnt go into this thinking that you are going to double your investment by restoring it, because I dont think it would happen. You would be lucky to get your investment back, and bugger all for your time, cuts and sweat.

[RatCav]

Personally I love them. There are plenty of places that sell various panels for them that can be welded in. Common place for major rot is inner wings ... especially where they meet the top of the doors.

I had one once as a project but finances went I look silly swearing up and I had to get rid of. Do some research and have a really good look. The engines are quite resiliant and the one I had was stood for about 3 years in a garage doing nothing. The pump had gone but we charged the carbs and turned it over and it fired first time. Basically if your handy with a welder and the rot isn't too far gone it could be an interesting project.

[snapper]

Bits are easier to come by than fronty bits, including body panels. very simple to work on and weld (you do need to be able weld) and fun to chuck about. In it's factory set up then they handle a bit like a sack of cats going into the canal when proper pushed, but there are enough places that do upgrade bits and then you can proper throw them around.

Check out the MG Owners club. And there's a place in witney that will make you a new body shell for a fair price.

MOSS

British Motor Heritage Ltd

K Series engine in a MG Midget

[adyclemo]

My dad has a soft top one that has sat in the garden for years and years. Just about every panel on it is rotten and when we moved it a few months ago my foot went through the drivers floor . It needs to go for scrap but he wont. The engine hasnt been running for years either but no doubt it will run with a little tlc before hand. For some reason he just cant part with it. Dont know much about them but i do know as others have said the panels are easy to come by but if you aint good with the welder it will cost you alot of ££££££££.

[carlisletiger]

well went to see the MG today and the good news is it looks like its going to need 2 tyres and an exhaust for the MOT . The bad news is it looks like its been painted with a brush . In 1996 it had a near full restoration ,new floor pan , sills ,wings etc and then it was re-sprayed from white to red , and this paint is now peeling off in chunks . They have taken the time to spray all the engine bay but looks like they have just sprayed over the old white on the roof as this is where it is peeling off .
But as its a freebie and a seemingly sound car it must be worth doing ,and the better news is its getting put through the MOT so i can drive it home and the even better news is someone is paying for the MOT
think i better buy a lottery ticket cos my luck is in at the moment

[Drift]

If I had a garage I would love it, you can get good money for a tidy one, an orbital sander and spray and your away

[RatCav]

Found and old electric fuel pump from my old one while moving. Also found the front grill and grill badge. You can have the grill if you want it, I kind of want to keep the grill badge as a momento, and to be honest I can get good money for the fuel pump if I refurb it.

[carlisletiger]

well the money pit has finally arrived ,needs kingpins and an oil cooler and a shed load of work on the body ,but its summer and long evenings.......

[snapper]

Seen worse mate, much worse.

Try here for the bits....

MOSS

Body Panels

More bits...