I have a new visitor in the garage for a quick recommissioning. I thought I would take time to share the ultimate buyers guide with everyone while getting the car back on the road! linktr.ee/lowtechgarage
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.
