1978 MGB Roadster Respray.... Descisions Descisions..

[mgb_boy]

In the near future i will be sending my MGB Roadster in to be resprayed, the question is what colour do i go for. Currently i believe it is the original Maroon colour(sorry don't know the correct name!). I don't know whether i will be adding Chrome bumpers and making it more retro, or keeping it original. I am also not to sure if i will look at selling it, once i have had next summer to enjoy it and look for another project or keep it and next winter go the next stage in a restoration.. HELP!!

[sheepy]

Can I suggest that what ever colour you go for, get it sprayed in two-pack, preferably with "clear-coat over base" (Colour sprayed first followed by lacquer). Will hold the colour better than cellulose, but the paint is more expensive.

Sheepy

[hugoagogo]

mate of mine sprayed his '69 B in porsche india red, just stood out a little bit

[sheepy]

los Angeles said:

That's good advice from Sheepy

Thanks, mine is fading badly, and that was the recommendation I got from a friend who runs a bodyshop.

los Angeles said:

There any number of MG reds but the only one that looks good is a "tartan" red. It is a deep red with a strongh lustre.

Like the one in my profile?

Sheepy
Tartan Red '66 MGB (although it is more like off-pink now!)

[hugoagogo]

los Angeles said:

hugoagogo said: mate of mine sprayed his '69 B in porsche india red, just stood out a little bit Sounds interesting, Hugo. What brand paint is that? Got a pic?

dunno about brands, he just mixed it up according to the paint code for porsche. cue loads of MGOC old guys either scratching their heads or complaining that it should never be on an MG

I'll see if i can find a pic, but it was, crikey, over 15 years ago

[M3 Mitch]

I'd go for the original color as otherwise you have to mess with the door jambs, inside the trunk lid, etc. etc. It can be done right but usually isn't. This both enhances the value of the car, and gives a better-looknig job overall, usually. I'll add another vote for a color coat/clear coat modern paint. The job involves so much labor that trying to save $ on the paint itself makes little sense.

A tip. If you are considering resale of the car, don't do a bunch of modifications. They won't add to the price you will receive, maybe will even depress the price, even if well done.

Been there, done that...not with an MGB but anyway....

If you want a chrome-bumper car, best way to get there is fix this one up a bit, sell on and go buy a good chrome bumper car. The conversion of a rubber-bumper to chrome is do-able but again it's a lot of work to get right, the rear wings are different, don't say I didn't warn you...and again a rubber-bumper car converted to chrome bumpers may bring less on resale than if left original.

Now on the other hand if the car has an oil cooler I'd vote for putting in the thermostat - bearing braided stainless oil lines, and if you can get away with it replace the single carb with a 32/36 Weber or a dual SU setup, maybe an exhaust header. I have seen a fuel injection setup for the B, in pictures, but never seen it in real life.

Do skip the huge radio with the totally non-period appearance that so many "youts" will be inclined to install...

[Church of Noise]

sheepy said:

los Angeles said: There any number of MG reds but the only one that looks good is a "tartan" red. It is a deep red with a strongh lustre. Like the one in my profile?

Nice colour Sheepy (not that I'm prejudiced of course)
I've been thinking about having mine resprayed in a very very dark blue one day...

[Motormad]

I'd go with the Pearlescent Tahiti Blue...
My wife's GT was originally plain Tahiti Blue when it went to heaven.. to be replaced by a harvest gold GT, to which I then did a full body restoration. After completing all the bodywork, I sent it away for a full-body respray - in The pearlescent Tahiti Blue (as per MGF & Rover 216 cabriolet - and matching my Cobra as well...) In sunlight it looks stunning.
:wavey

Graham