[Mgs] Thought you might enjoy this cross-posted thread

[Max Heim]

The thing about Jaguars is that the DOHC 6 engine is one of the truly
significant motors of the 20th century, with multiple Le Mans wins. Even its
appearance is uniquely sculptural and iconic -- along with the always
exquisite William Lyons body design, it defines the marque. That is why
replacing it with a generic Chevy V8 is like a dagger to the heart of any
true aficionado. It just demonstrates a complete lack of appreciation for
what makes the marque special. Might as well put a Chevy in your Ferrari
Berlinetta Lusso.

In the MG department, on the other hand, it is difficult to make an argument
for "iconic" status for any postwar MG engine. They were basically corporate
generic motors. So there is a difference, in degree; not to mention the
relatively massive numbers of these cars produced (particularly Bs). One
good thing is that the later, less beloved, rubber bumper models are much
more amenable to engine swaps, a fact which tends to preserve the stock of
original older models.

--

Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Menlo Park, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires



on 12/1/11 7:43 AM, Dan DiBiase at d_dibiase at yahoo.com wrote:

> Hi, Rick, good to hear from you....
> 
> I would expect a much more raging debate
> regarding a car such as an E-Type, which is worth much more than our humble
> B's. Although
> personally I am somewhat of a purist, I also believe 'it's your
> car'.... With something like the Jag, which certainly wasn't built in the
> numbers
> of our B's and is more of an icon, I would have a much harder time
> having that attitude. It's almost like you're a caretaker of an important
> (and
> beautiful) piece of automotive history.
> 
> Dan D
> Couple o' B's
> Central NJ USA
> ________________________________
>  From: Rick Lindsay <rolindsay at yahoo.com>
> To:
> mgs at autox.team.net
> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 1:52 PM
> Subject: [Mgs]
> Thought you might enjoy this cross-posted thread
>  
> Hey Gang,
> 
> Long time, no
> type!  Since I sold my MGB I have gone into 'lurker' and digest mode, since I
> have little to contribute (as this post will easily confirm).  Still, I try to
> keep up with the List traffic as I still love these cars.
> 
> I thought you might
> get a chuckle from the knowledge that there is a raging discussion over on the
> E-Type List, concerning engine swaps, 'originality', 'preservation',
> 'restoration', judging rules and what the word 'correct' actually means.  :-P
> I immediately thought of this list (in the kindest and most entertaining
> ways).
> 
> As you might imagine, there are purists (like me) who think all of
> these cars are a part of history and should be preserved, or if already
> 'tweaked', they should be restored.  There are others who loudly proclaim, "I
> don't polish 'em, I drive 'em!", and they seem to believe that swapping out
> any parts imaginable is acceptable, if not preferred.  Some are championing
> the value of changing the lump to an American V8.  And while anyone can do
> anything they want to their own car, I do find the act distasteful, if not
> relegating a classic to 'kit car' status.  But that's just my opinion, and
> worth only what anyone has paid for it.
> 
> Despite having sold (traded really)
> my MGB, I still have three British cars - so I also still happily suffer
> failed fuel pumps, broken electrical grounds (earths) and leaking SU carbs,
> just as the Almighty Maker intended.  Here's my present scuderia;
> 
> '09 Toyota
> Highlander - wife's daily driver (boring parts hauler)
> 
> '08 Porsche Cayman -
> my daily driver (stunning performer)
> 
> '79 Ferrari 308GTB - my quick toy
> (running perfectly)
> 
> '73 Jaguar E-Type - wife's toy (running perfectly)
> 
> '69
> R-R Silver Shadow - my big, long, heavy toy (hell, I don't know why)
> 
> '62
> Triumph TR3b - my little toy (with a broken fuel pump :-)
> 
> Best of the season
> to you all, my similarly afflicted friends!
> 
> -rick