1972 (K) MG B GT Worth Buying & Repairing?

[jmxtjmxt]

Hello,

I love MG's and I have seen an 1972 MG GT for auction with Copart. I may well put a bid in as the damage to the vehicle looks to be external only.

Does anyone have one? How are they running wise? This may well be my first project so i'm a bit nervous on this one. I can repair the bodywork rather cheaply but I wonder what the value of the vehicle would be once restored.. Copart say £3000 prior to the accident.

http://www.copart.co.uk/c2/homeSearch.html?_eventI...

Thanks in advance.

[griffter]

I'm far from an mg fan, but personally I've always thought the 70-72 ish cars are the nicest. Imho they have the nicest interior, grill and bumpers plus they're tax free. I'm not sure what effect being cat d would have. Many restored classics will have started from far worse pre restoration condition. I doubt you'll make money on it but you might consider it easier to repair damage than rust assuming it was in good pre-accident condition.

[williredale]

It looks in good condition (apart from the obvious). However there's quite a lot of damaged panels there which would need to be repaired or replaced. I couldn't tell from the pictures if there's any damage to the inner front wing, sills or front suspension/frame.

So, how much could you get it for, how much would the replacement parts be and how much work and spraying can you do yourself?

It's tax exempt which is good, GT rather than roadster which is bad and Cat D which is bad. They list the value as £3000 which is probably about right give or take.

Do you want to buy it and restore it for yourself or to turn a profit? If the first and you can do the work yourself you might get a bargain depending on other damage. If you want to sell it on I suspect you would be better looking elsewhere.

As to how they are to drive, I have one and love it. It's very different from modern cars though so I don't know if you've experience of classics but feel free to ask away.

[mgtony]

The major repair will be the body section between the door and wing which the door hinges onto. A tidy looking car otherwise.

(ETA, that's probably what ^^^^ meant by inner wing)

Edited by mgtony on Wednesday 13th March 11:42

[williredale]

mgtony said:

The major repair will be the body section between the door and wing which the door hinges onto. A tidy looking car otherwise.

(ETA, that's probably what ^^^^ meant by inner wing)

Edited by mgtony on Wednesday 13th March 11:42

That and the wheelarch panel inside. Actually, looking again at the engine bay picture the wheelarch panel looks ok so you're right. Is it called the splash plate?
All of the panels are available but I'd want to have a proper look at the car to work out what could be repaired and what would have to be replaced.

[Skyedriver]

Anyone with any first hand experience of Copart
I'd heard third hand "rumours" but would rather first hand info.
Might take a look at them myself (not the MG) if people give decent reports

[adamliptrot]

After new panels and respray I wouldn't have thought you'd be making much money on it. If you're handy with a welder and want it to drive yourself then it looks to be a good bet.

[jmxtjmxt]

Thanks Guys, Luckily I have an uncle who does body work for a living so hence the interest. I'm going to look at it tomorrow to be sure on it before I bid. I'm looking at more as a bit of fun so if i made money then great, If not so long as I don't make a loss then I don't mind.

FYI - I have purchased a vehicle from Copart before. Just make sure you are aware of the charges and view the vehicles prior to bidding and i'm sure you will have no problem.

Thanks again everyone. Will keep you posted.

[LordBretSinclair]

I'd really carefully check all the wheel alignments, it may only look like body damage but if the front "rail" has been moved by even the slightest amount you're into major problems. Good luck though as they are fun to drive and as its tax exempt it'll be amazingly cheap to run

[Thebaggers]

Restored one of these previously and am building another at the moment. The car looks in resonable shape, the knock asides. I would check the restoration history, if may have had a lot spent, if so, the value would be nearer to 6k, more if it is genuinely sub 30k miles, the value is very subjective to condition and history, you cant simply use a book price.

Use the wing damage to have a good look at the state of the door pilar, is there any rot in there, if so, walk away. Look very very carefully underneath, again, if messy, walk away.

In terms of the visible repair required, new wing plus door. The pilar will need some metal, chance that the sill may need replacing also, wings are expensive. You could perhaps have it on the road for under 2k parts and labour, at a good standard of work. Dont worry too much about front suspension damage, crossmembers and kingpins are pennies on ebay and all arm components are dirty cheap, £13 for a pair of arms or so.

Good luck, let us know the condition in a little more detail.

Excuse typos, on the ipad thingy.

[v8250]

LordBretSinclair said:

I'd really carefully check all the wheel alignments, it may only look like body damage but if the front "rail" has been moved by even the slightest amount you're into major problems. Good luck though as they are fun to drive and as its tax exempt it'll be amazingly cheap to run

OP, as above. Although this damage looks superficial you'll need to take a VERY close look at the nearside chassis rail and take accurate measurements along both chassis rails full lengths. If they're 'out' walk away from this as there are plenty of GT's out there. Also, you'll need to check both sill VERY carefully. If driver door and/or boot is out of alignment/do not open cleanly; again walk away. If N/S floorpan has any twist or stress marks think carefully before parting with cash; similarly check roof pillar alignment.

If the above is all okay, and, the price stacks up...go for it and have some fun.

[sim16v]

Looks like an easy enough repair, especially if you have access to your relative's body shop.

Depending on the winning price, you could have it sorted and on the road for £1500-2000.

With it being a Cat D, it will reduce the price, maybe by 20%, but if someone really likes it, that shouldn't put them off, especially if you have repair photos.

I paid less than that for my non damaged one

[wmo418]

griffter said:

I'm far from an mg fan, but personally I've always thought the 70-72 ish cars are the nicest. Imho they have the nicest interior, grill and bumpers plus they're tax free. I'm not sure what effect being cat d would have. Many restored classics will have started from far worse pre restoration condition. I doubt you'll make money on it but you might consider it easier to repair damage than rust assuming it was in good pre-accident condition.

Most people would view the post 70 cars as the beginning of the end as far as the interior goes. details such as vinyl seats and Marina door handles really cheapened them compared to the earlier cars.

[Thebaggers]

However, pick up a restored vehicle and you'll have a great little car. Handles well, low grip so good fun and these are getting rarer, not as many about these days. Always puts a smile on my face. Tax free too, certainly a consideration.

My gut says that if this is in very good shape asides from the accident damage and i could get it for under £1k, I'd take their hand off.

[sim16v]

I'd give it a go as well to be honest.

Mainly just because I like the wheels!

[jimbob82]

needs to go on a jig by my reckoning, a post has gone in a fair way by the looks of it...closer inspection is definately a must. To be honest, if it does need to be put on a jig to be straightened it's not worth what it's been bid upto so far IMO.

[jmxtjmxt]

I didn't win the vehicle in the auction! Oh well will keep an eye out for the next.

Or there's always a Robin Reliant!.... http://www.copart.co.uk/c2/homeSearch.html?_eventI...

[williredale]

Do you know how much it went for in the end?

There are plenty more BGT's around though so if you're interested have a look at the usual websites or in the owners club magazine.