I had a '74 gold B with chrome bumpers for a few years. If at all possible look for one equipped with the electric overdrive which makes cruising at 90km/hr so much nicer. The floor pans are another area to check for rust as are the rear wheel wells. Best investment you can make for your MGB of any age is a Pertronix Flamethrower electronic ignition kit. Don't cost alot but the starting and performance difference is amazing. Thes cars are the best of 1940s English engineering wrapped up in a 1970s car but they sure are a ton of fun to drive and you get many looks, horn honks and waves as well as conversations at the local ice cream stand on a warm summer nght.
The three main engine was built form 1962 until October of 1964 for the 1965 model year. Yes, the 1964 model year also had the 3 main motor. The early cars had the "pack-away" top which was far more practical for 2 reasons... Easier to put on and take off, and it is stowed in the trunk/boot giving you more room behind the seats. Rust, there are five main areas where they rust.. behind the front wheels there is a panel that can be removed, behind this panel is what is known as the "castle" and it rust from the top down to the area at the back and bottom of the fender. The next area is one you pointed out and that is behind the door opening and usually low,, this is the "dog leg". You also pointed out the area below the doors.. also common to rust in the sills. Another area is the floor of the car. The often rust from standing water which seeps from the top rear of the fenders at the obvious seams and drizzles down. And of course those seams both front and rear. Oh and the trunk or boot.. That makes 6 and also check out the battery boxes. The later cars did not have a "Magnum 500 style wheel", these are known as ROSTYLE. Other wheels such as the steel wheels with several round openings with Dog Dish hub caps, Chrome wire wheels, silver painted wire wheels. Then late late models had the LE (Limited Edition) wheels. The sixties dash you are showing is NOT original, it has been gloss painted. The originals had black "wrinkle" paint. The ride height was increased to meet USA specs for the height of the headlights. The elephant under the hood... Weber downdraft carb,,, inefficient, prone to vapor lock, fiddly and very difficult to properly set up without a sack of jets and a dyno. They cost close to what a pair of proper SUS (used) would be....only the lazy and the uninformed waste money on these in my opinion. Yes the Weber is better than stock smog carb but won't give you what a B motor can with the SUs.
I have a 77 MGB and love driving it. Im thinking about getting a x308 xjr or maybe an xj8. I've watched your xjr vids. Great info. Im 53 and still love fun cars and bikes. Onlybbeen to jail once for 108 mph when i was 19. I still have potential and tendencies.
In 1977 I sold MG, Triumph and Jaguar in the USA. I remember how much better riding etc the 1977 MGB was than the used ‘75 & ‘76 models we had. I’m thinking of getting a MGB again and I have two questions. 1) Did the ‘77-‘80 really ride better than the earlier cars? Im 67 now and want comfort. 2) If equipped with wire wheels, do they screw on or bolt on? Thanks, Russ B
I can tell you that the MG I had in rode lovely and was a 1978 model. It still used the hydraulic shocks, which are technically adjustable. Maybe this is the ride difference you noticed. Also the wire wheels are “screw on” having a large center nut. I hope this helps.
1. Yes they are mushier. 2. They sorta screw on. They have what are known as Knock offs. On the octagon style on the car shown, there is a tool and a copper hammer On the wing type knock off, a copper hammer. If you want comfort get an American sled, if you want handling, get an MGB.
I have a '64 and a '77. They're both awesome in their in own right, but the '77 is a much more comfortable overall. The performance difference is unappreciable unless you test the '75 and '76 which are terrible.
I had a '74 gold B with chrome bumpers for a few years. If at all possible look for one equipped with the electric overdrive which makes cruising at 90km/hr so much nicer. The floor pans are another area to check for rust as are the rear wheel wells. Best investment you can make for your MGB of any age is a Pertronix Flamethrower electronic ignition kit. Don't cost alot but the starting and performance difference is amazing. Thes cars are the best of 1940s English engineering wrapped up in a 1970s car but they sure are a ton of fun to drive and you get many looks, horn honks and waves as well as conversations at the local ice cream stand on a warm summer nght.
Thanks for the great advice on the overdrive!
Another Outstanding video and presentation.
Thanks again!
I love the 70's MGBs and the seats are so soft and they feel really good.
Super comfy to ride in!
@@LowTechGarage I completely agree.
Have a 1974 Jensen Healey ( great car ) and am thining about project with MGB. Your content was helpful - thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
The three main engine was built form 1962 until October of 1964 for the 1965 model year. Yes, the 1964 model year also had the 3 main motor.
The early cars had the "pack-away" top which was far more practical for 2 reasons... Easier to put on and take off, and it is stowed in the trunk/boot giving you more room behind the seats.
Rust, there are five main areas where they rust.. behind the front wheels there is a panel that can be removed, behind this panel is what is known as the "castle" and it rust from the top down to the area at the back and bottom of the fender. The next area is one you pointed out and that is behind the door opening and usually low,, this is the "dog leg".
You also pointed out the area below the doors.. also common to rust in the sills.
Another area is the floor of the car. The often rust from standing water which seeps from the top rear of the fenders at the obvious seams and drizzles down.
And of course those seams both front and rear. Oh and the trunk or boot.. That makes 6 and also check out the battery boxes.
The later cars did not have a "Magnum 500 style wheel", these are known as ROSTYLE.
Other wheels such as the steel wheels with several round openings with Dog Dish hub caps, Chrome wire wheels, silver painted wire wheels.
Then late late models had the LE (Limited Edition) wheels.
The sixties dash you are showing is NOT original, it has been gloss painted. The originals had black "wrinkle" paint.
The ride height was increased to meet USA specs for the height of the headlights.
The elephant under the hood... Weber downdraft carb,,, inefficient, prone to vapor lock, fiddly and very difficult to properly set up without a sack of jets
and a dyno. They cost close to what a pair of proper SUS (used) would be....only the lazy and the uninformed waste money on these in my opinion.
Yes the Weber is better than stock smog carb but won't give you what a B motor can with the SUs.
Thanks for the extra info!
I have a 77 MGB and love driving it. Im thinking about getting a x308 xjr or maybe an xj8. I've watched your xjr vids. Great info. Im 53 and still love fun cars and bikes. Onlybbeen to jail once for 108 mph when i was 19. I still have potential and tendencies.
You would really love an XJR!
In 1977 I sold MG, Triumph and Jaguar in the USA. I remember how much better riding etc the 1977 MGB was than the used ‘75 & ‘76 models we had. I’m thinking of getting a MGB again and I have two questions.
1) Did the ‘77-‘80 really ride better than the earlier cars? Im 67 now and want comfort.
2) If equipped with wire wheels, do they screw on or bolt on?
Thanks, Russ B
I can tell you that the MG I had in rode lovely and was a 1978 model. It still used the hydraulic shocks, which are technically adjustable. Maybe this is the ride difference you noticed.
Also the wire wheels are “screw on” having a large center nut.
I hope this helps.
1. Yes they are mushier.
2. They sorta screw on. They have what are known as Knock offs. On the octagon style on the car shown, there is a tool and a copper hammer
On the wing type knock off, a copper hammer.
If you want comfort get an American sled, if you want handling, get an MGB.
I've enjoyed it buddy 👍 how is your brother doing
Thank you, and doing well on all Fronts!
I have a '64 and a '77. They're both awesome in their in own right, but the '77 is a much more comfortable overall. The performance difference is unappreciable unless you test the '75 and '76 which are terrible.
They are lovely little cars!
Thanks for making this video!
My pleasure!
1798 cc. :D
touche!
Someone doesn't know the correct way to fold the roof.