----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Beavis <sbeavis@btinternet.com>
To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2000 7:06 PM
Subject: Newbie question!
> Hello MG owners!
>
> This is my first posting to this list. I have been on the "Mini" list for
> years and have a very suped up race type Mini. My girlfriend has a rather
> old and tired Ford Fiesta and we have decided to sell it and get an MGBGT!
> She wants a sporty car to drive around in and she loves MGs. I have a good
> mechanical knowledge of engines etc and have rebuilt my mini many times
and
> built a few engines too. A Mazda MX5 is a little out of her price range so
I
> suggested getting an MG that is in good condition for around 4000ukp. I
> don't want some old heap that I will be constantly working on, but am
> prepared to do some tinkering here and there.
>
> We have seen a 1978(S) MGBGT in the paper for 4000 pounds. If the car is
not
> already sold we'll go and take a look tonight.
>
> Some questions for you experts...
>
> - Kim, my girlfriend, especially wants the chrome bumper type. Are these
> interchangable with the later black plastic bumper?
Yes, but with quite a bit of work. Buy the one you want - and the best you
can afford rather thanspending time and money converting it. It may not be
an issue for you, but a converted car is usually worth less than an
original.
> - Were the wire wheels standard or are these after-market mods added on by
> owners?
Factory option as well as after-market by owners.
> - MGs seem to have that three spoked thing in the centre of the wheels. Is
> it one big retaining nut for the wheel, or is this a purely cosmetic
> covering for 4 normal wheel nuts?
It is the centre-lock for wire wheels, i.e. it is not cosmetic it holds the
wheel on. The factory only ever used a two-eared spinner or octagonal nut,
never a three-eared spinner.
> - As I understand the engine is a B series 1.8L. (1793cc?) Is this engine
> much different from the A series which I know like the back of my hand? Is
> this the same engine which was used in the Austin Maxi?
They are from the same family, the principles of the A and B are very
similar although many detail differencies, of course. Was the A series ever
5-bearing? The later B series was. I think the Maxi was more different
than between A and B.
> - What is the difference between the MGA and MGB? A series and B series? I
> know the Midget used the A series.
Both MGA and MGB use B series - 1500 and 1600 in the A, 1800 in the B.
> - What carbs are fitted to the 1.8 engine? Twin HS6? Twin HIF44? (I have
> twin HIF44 on my mini)
HS4s first, then HIF4s, then single Zenith Stromberg for North America only.
> - I have been warned that rust is a big problem. Any particular hidden
areas
> which I should be aware off?
Sills panels are the most serious. Floors, wings/fenders less so, all
repairable. Lyndsay Porters "Guide to Purchase and DIY Restoration of the
MGB", subsequently republished as "MGB Restoration Manual" has details on
what to look out for and guides to how much each costs.
> - Is the MGB rear wheel drive?
Yes.
> - Is the over-drive simply a kind of clutch device which puts in a higher
> gear? Can it be engaged in any gear? I seem to remember it is a switch on
> top of the gear stick.
It's a bit like an auto-transmission, engaged in 3rd and 4th on all but the
latest North American cars where it was 4th only. Earliest cars had a
switch on the dash, then a column switch, finally a gear-lever switch.
> - What sort of insurance price are we looking at? Two adults, both over
25,
> 3yrs NCB, nice area, garaged, etc fully comp. I am hoping it won't be too
> much, but am prepared to pay up to about 500 quid. The fiesta is currently
> ~200 quid and is group 4. We don't really want to buy the MG and then find
> insurance is extortionate. I will try to get a rough quote beforehand. I
> have my mini insured with a specialist broker (Graham Sykes) as it is
> heavily modified.
You pay me 500 quid and I will insure it myself. You should pay less than
200, I would have thought, depending on area. I pay just over 100 but
everything is on my side.
> I know I sound like a havn't got a clue and maybe I really should be
buying
> a Clio or Polo instead but I want to get into the MG scene and get along
to
> some shows. I attend mini shows all the time. The advantage with an MG
over
> other modern cars must be that parts are cheap and plentiful, especially
at
> shows. I bought a copy of "MG World" and it seemed to be full of MG-Fs and
> not much else. Is there a better mag?
Well, you have to want to have an MG (non-MGF) and be prepared to work on it
or pay someone else a lot of money to work on it for you. They are cheap to
run and repair, but someone else's time is the most expensive thing you can
buy. From your background I would say you would have no trouble looking
after am MGB, as long as you have the time. You have to be prepared to
replace things as they break and wear out, and, dare I say, for the
occasional breakdown. Parts are freely available new and second-hand,
although new parts can be of variable quality - generally you get what you
pay for. Properly looked after they are almost as reliable as more modern
machinery with many thousands of miles under their belts, and easier to work
on. MG Enthusist is on newsagents shelves and is more 'older MG'
orientated. There is also the MG Owners Club magazine for members.
> I live in Hampshire, fairly near Guildford. Are there any shows in the
South
> coming up?
Those mags have lots of 'forthcoming events', as does the MG BBS at
http://www.mgcars.org.uk
> Does 4000 quid sound about right for this car? It says excellent
condition,
> reluctant sale, so I am hoping the car has been lovingly restored and is
> worth it. Hopefully I'll post again later and let you know whether we
looked
> at it. Also, would you recommend some sort of HPI check before buying?
It's a middling sort of price, but condition is everything. In your
situation I would favour an expert examination at least as much as, if not
more than, HPI.
Good luck,
PaulH.
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