Buying Bs

I could write pages and pages on how to buy an MGB, but there are only a few things to really remember when buying a widespread classic like the B.

1. Rust is your enemy. Always look at the state of the bodywork, as it will be by far the most time consuming, or worse, money consuming thing to restore. An engine overhaul is much cheaper and you can restore trim and bits over time while enjoying your car. (this applies less to GT V8s as there are double the amount of cylinders if you need an engine rebuild, although Rover V8 specialists abound. Things get even worse for the MGC as there are very few engines of this type and front suspension elements are different.) An engine rebuild costs around 700£ while a full body restoration costs around 6000£

2. Always buy the best you can afford or a restoration project. There are many worthwhile mid-priced cars around, but there are at least as many tarted-up crap cars at the same price.

3. Be very picky, as MGBs abound. If something smells fishy, forget it !

Here are a few more tips on buying:

Bodyshell

The first area to look at is the sills. They provide the structural strength of the chassis and are very rust prone. Fixing both sills would cost at least 800£. Look out for chrome sill covers which hide the damage underneath or where another panel has just been added to cover up the rust. Look at door gaps on roadsters, if the gap is smaller at the top……AVOID ! as this means that the car is sagging in the middle. Another trick is to jack up the car with the original jack. If the sills start bending, which happens quite often…. AVOID ! Cabin floorpans and the boot are also rather important. And as always, rust can appear on the wings, the inner wings and the bottom of the doors. Doors often start rusting near the back of the front quarter-light, the end result is that the metal splits and you need to replace the door skins.

Engine

B-series engines are rather enduring, although the earlier 3 bearing units wear more rapidly. Five bearing units can last more than 100000 miles before needing an overhaul. Parts are inexpensive too. When buying, you should look at water and oil levels, listen for unusual noises and look for oil leaks and smoke. Oil pressure should be 15-25 lb. psi at tickover and 50-65 lb. psi at 3000 rpm when warm.

Mechanical parts

Transmissions come in two forms. Pre and post 1967 cars. Pre-’67 cars have an unsynchronized first gear while later cars have a fully synchronized box. The earlier models are less reliable and have sometimes been replaced by later boxes. Gearbox overhauls costs around 300 £. A very desirable option is overdrive which allows relaxed motorway cruising. It was fitted as standard on late rubber bumper models. Other mechanical parts give very little problems and all are available at low cost.