I want to buy a B!

[pAntscat]

My OH's uncle does up MGs in his spare time and has offered us his latest aquisition: a 1974 MG B GT...

1. Can anyone reccomend any particular insurance companies for young-ish drivers (I'm 25, 'er indoors is 24)?

2. Does anyone know what the dimensions of the B is? (pref including door mirrors) - I have a very small garage and want to make sure it will fit!

Ta,

Ant

[craggers]

It is great car - used to drive 'B' when I was 25/26. I was with Adrian Flux for insurance and they do decent price IIRC £166 FC for 8000 miles allowance.

'B' is narrower than most modern car anyway so it should fit in your garage.

[pAntscat]

Cheers Craggers! - I'll give them a call...

[shadowfax]

About the same length as a Focus and a bit narrower, I'd say. You could always ask the bloke to measure it for you and let you know over the phone. Looking at your previous cars, are you intending to run the B as your main car? You'd best be prepared for a change in ambience. Get the bushes changed if they aint been done a while, cos it makes a real difference. Great car to own and use daily as I have done before and there's nout quite like it.

[Fiskkeeper]

my midget is insured with flux too. i do remember when i was sub 25 i was with the MGOC insurance scheme, cant remember why though.

[pAntscat]

It won't be my main driver (I have a Ford lease car for that) but will be my "fun car"!

Must get my finger out and get some quotes...

[968csreading]

I got a smashing deal on my 968 from Classic Line insurance.

[esselte]

pAntscat said:

It won't be my main driver (I have a Ford lease car for that) but will be my "fun car"!

Must get my finger out and get some quotes...

Join the MGCC and you get a discount from Peter Best insurance.

[pAntscat]

Ta Esselte - I'll check that out.

Was planing to join the OC too!

[wadgebeast]

4'11 1/2" wide, but you'd need to add on the wing mirrors and the fact that you need to get out of the car. Normal size garage is fine, but you need to let your passenger out and then park up close to the n/s wall. I nailed a piece of carpet on the wall to catch the door as I squeezed out...

[pAntscat]

wadgebeast said:

I nailed a piece of carpet on the wall to catch the door as I squeezed out...

Cunning plan! That could be a very good idea... especially if SWMBO ever puts it to bed...

:runsforcover:

[heelantoe]

pAntscat said:

1. Can anyone reccomend any particular insurance companies for young-ish drivers (I'm 25, 'er indoors is 24)?
Ant

Good choice of car, I've got an 1979 MGB GT and it's great to drive and the easiest car to work on yourself.
I've got it insured through Lancaster Car Insurance. They were the best i could find and will do an agreed valuation too, so you actually get what it's worth should the worst happen.

[grizzly_law]

I also have a 1979 MG BGT and I insure with AON. It was £110 fully comp with unlimitied mileage and an agreed value.

[coco h]

I had a mint 1974 BGT for my 21st. I drove it everyday and enjoyed it for years - I can't remember who it was insured with now though. Top banana car

[sb-1]

Join MGOC and MGCC they have some good insurance schemes.

[pantscat]

Well a fair amount of time has passed and the B is finally here!

Picked it up yesterday... was quite shocked by exactly how heavy the steering is (I have memories of driving several mk2 fiesta's without PAS, but I guess there's a slight difference!) - but that could be due to the fact that it's got a brand-new steering rack and it's still a bit 'tight'. Makes my mk3 Golf feel decidedly light in comparison!

Very impressed with the noise! lots of snap, crackle and pop! and it goes very well too for a 33 year old car!

I'll give it a bit of a clean and polish up later in the week and post some piccies if anyone is interested...

A

[wildoliver]

Grease the front suspension, may be the kingpins are a bit dry.

Oliver

[thewave]

Get some photos up!

[wadgebeast]

They do feel heavier at the front if you're used to power steering. Keep an eye on your tyre pressures too (as well as the kingpins, 3 nipples on each side). I used to run 185/70 tyres on mine and drove enthusiastically at 30 lb/in2 all round.

[pantscat]

I'll have a look at the kingpins as soon as I've found out what they look like.... I'm a complete numpty when it comes to cars - but I'm hoping that the 'B' will give me a good excuse to get to know how things work and what goes where.

Anyway... some pics... she's a bit dusty mind!





I'll post some more once I've got the bucket and sponge out.

Cheers,

Ant