Looking to buy an MGB GT V8

[MonkeyMG]

Hi-

Just looking to get some advice on what I can expect for my money and what potentially could be a good purchase. I have about £5-6k to spend and am ideally looking for something that is drivable but needs some work. I'm a previous MGB GT owner so know the importance of a sold body but do you guys think I can get a decent V8 for that money. Also does anyone have any thoughts on this one on e-bay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1973-MG-BGT-V8-Metalic-G...

There appears to be quite a bit of rust flowering in some areas and also there was a bit of rust forming under the mats. It drives pretty well though it seems a bit tired when you reach the 70s mph. Don't really feel it's worth what they're asking for it but want to be sure. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

Monkey

[v8250]

£5-6K for a decent V8? No. You need to be looking at £8-£10K for a properly decent V8. However, there are some okay cars to be found for less. This one's currently @ £7400 and looks pretty good

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIte...

If there's rust forming under the mats of any MGB lift up all the carparts and have a thoroughly good poke around; if it's 'light' surface rust all okay and can be easily treated. But seriously, we all know MGB's rust like the preverbial 'rusting-thing', so inspect thoroughly and buy carefully...afterall, it's your hard-earned cash; happy hunting.

PS this looks fun http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGB-ROADSTER-V8-CONVERSI... currently @ £4600 reserve not met

Edited by v8250 on Saturday 24th March 19:42

[MonkeyMG]

Thanks for the reply. I was afraid you'd say I didn't have enought money Yes that black one on eBay is really nice. Very solid body and drives very well. Just a bit out of my price range at the moment and also I don't think there's that much to do to it in terms of work. Wanted a project to get stuck into this year.

Need to keep looking I think.

Thanks again for the advice!

Monkey

[v8250]

try these two sites. fleabay can be overpriced sometimes due to popularity...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/32/mgb+v8/

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/search-classic...

this may be of interest asking £6500...why not view and make a sensible offer?

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...

[mgtony]

If you're after a project, there's a 73 on the owners club classifieds;

http://www.mgownersclub.co.uk/cars-for-sale.html

Doesn't mention price, but shold easily be under your budget.

[MonkeyMG]

Fantastic. Thanks for the links guys. Very much appreciated. Question though (and I imagine the answer has something to do with personal preference) but what do you think about the V8 conversions vs the factory ones?

Monkey

[v8250]

MonkeyMG said:

Fantastic. Thanks for the links guys. Very much appreciated. Question though (and I imagine the answer has something to do with personal preference) but what do you think about the V8 conversions vs the factory ones? Monkey

Just go for it! Don't get hung up on factory V8's. A 3.5 or 3.9 + LT177 or R380 box all fly like the wind and sound blooming marvelous Though many are more expensive than original factory cars as have had some well thought through/well executed mods.

Also have to ask; why a V8? For the money you're wanting to spend could buy a very good 4cyl car with a good 1860 type engine and all the right bits paid for buy the vendor; mmm

Aha, just found the sale price of the Vermillion roadster...call vendor now and get down to Kent t'row for 8am!! http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C289900

[MonkeyMG]

That Vermillion roadster is definitely a beauty! But it's a bit too 'complete' for what what I'm looking for. Want more of a 'fixer-uper'. My goal is to take a car and make it into something as nice as that roadster.

I'm thinking a V8 because I'l already owed a 4 cylinder GT and want to try out a different (more powerful) variation. And now that i've driven a few V8's i've fallen in love with them. That engine note! Which is your favorite MG model? i.e. if you were going to buy one right now which would it be?

Just looked into the one on the MG Owner's site and that could be a potential.


Monkey.

[v8250]

"Which is your favorite MG model? i.e. if you were going to buy one right now which would it be?"

For me? A V8 roadster ticks all the right boxes. Bought a bog-standard 1977 B' last year with intention of a proper conversion. However, have had so much fun with this car in std 1800 form that I'm having serious doubts about converting. Just got car back from paintshop on Friday, this weekend flat-out refitting interior, windows, external chrome + bumbers + lights + hood. Though...the 4-pot will never have that V8 torque & rumble...maybe one of each is what's really needed

[MonkeyMG]

Agreed, 'one of every animal!' is the best option eventually. The roadster is a great model but I've always been partial to a hard roof and also the hatch back design of the B.

Thanks again for all the help. Will keep you updated with my progress.

Monkey

[Church of Noise]

Monkey,

I have a 'project' factory MGB GT V8 that I'll be putting up for sale soon. (completely original yet it's been standing for a while so will need work both mechanically & on the body)
It is in Belgium though... (as I am)

Let me know if you want more info. (won't turn this into an ad)

Alex

[MonkeyMG]

Hi Alex

Yes I am very interested in more info. I can't use the email function on the forum as its saying I need to be a member for more than 24 hrs, which should be in a couple of hours. Will email you then and we can talk more. Just out of interest can your V8 be driven at least?

Monkey

[Church of Noise]

Well, I drove it over from Shropshire to Belgium before I parked it, so it definitely ran, but it's been standing for about 5 years so I presume the brakes will be jammed, the tires will be 'hard' etc so I guess it won't be a good idea to drive it back, if that was your question.

[Church of Noise]

By the way, did anyone on here get the black GT V8 on Ebay?

[MonkeyMG]

I went to see and test drive it (it drove very well) but was a bit too 'finished' for me.

[mgtony]

Another one on Ebay, how much work do you want to do?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-B-GT-V8-BLUE-FACTORY-...

[MonkeyMG]

Not that much! It needs to at least drive as I want to use it while I'm restoring it. That one would make a nice project though...

[Chilliman]

Hi Monkey, don't want to teach you how to suck eggs, but be very very wary of cars with stainless over-sills. My car was virtually mint when I bought it, then 6 months later after a sub zero night water got behind one of the over-sills and froze, pushing the over-sill and paintwork away from the body slightly. Took the over-sill off for a close inspection, only to find the rot well set in to the sill itself. Other side was the same. Result: new inner and outer sills both sides and additional work at each end Still she's completely solid now Below is a pic of what can happen if you're not completely thorough with your inspection before buying....

Good luck with the search

[MonkeyMG]

Wow Chilliman, that looked like an epic job. Thanks for the tip. No one can learn too much how to suck eggs (love that expression). What would be the best way to spot that type of structural rust? If its all covered up I imagine it would be quite hard to spot?

Thanks

Monkey

[Chilliman]

MonkeyMG said:

Wow Chilliman, that looked like an epic job. Thanks for the tip. No one can learn too much how to suck eggs (love that expression). What would be the best way to spot that type of structural rust? If its all covered up I imagine it would be quite hard to spot?

Thanks

Monkey

Hi Monkey, Unfortunately, the condition of the rest of the car is no indication of what might lie beneath oversills (as I found out to my cost), so the only way to be 100% sure its not rotton underneath is to remove them. I know that some owners fit these oversills for cosmetic purposes but remove them once a year in order to check the sills underneath and repair any paintwork or surface rust before refitting them. I guess you could ask the owner to remove them for the purposes of a thorough examination but not sure how well that would be received. My car was in superb order everywhere, comprehensively waxoyled, massive history file, looked beautiful, and ticked all the boxes, but in my eagerness to own it I overlooked the possibility of hidden rot beneath the shiny sill covers