MGB on a budget
Discussion
Hi
Ok, so basically i've fallen in love with the MGB roadster, however i have a very limited budget, BUT time is not an issue. I was wondering if people thought it would be possible to buy a cheap MGB and do it up for under £2k, ideally under £1500. As i say, time on restoration isn't an issue, just funds. Also, ideally one with a Chrome bumper (or else is it possible to replace a rubber bumper one?) I know you can get cheap wrecks for just a few hundred, I just wanted to know the practicalities of a restoration cost wise. If this really isn't possible, i'm open to other suggestions, such as on midgets.
Any advice is much appreciated, including links to MG specific forums, (i've had problems locating one.)
Ok, so basically i've fallen in love with the MGB roadster, however i have a very limited budget, BUT time is not an issue. I was wondering if people thought it would be possible to buy a cheap MGB and do it up for under £2k, ideally under £1500. As i say, time on restoration isn't an issue, just funds. Also, ideally one with a Chrome bumper (or else is it possible to replace a rubber bumper one?) I know you can get cheap wrecks for just a few hundred, I just wanted to know the practicalities of a restoration cost wise. If this really isn't possible, i'm open to other suggestions, such as on midgets.
Any advice is much appreciated, including links to MG specific forums, (i've had problems locating one.)
Not a chance in hell realistically.
Take my advice and go and buy a decent usable rubber bumpered GT and enjoy it for a while then sell it for a roadster.
To buy a roadster that isn't BER will cost £500 minimum, factor in another few hundred for panels, assuming you can weld yourself, 2-400 on interior, 100 on hood, assuming it is mechanically perfect, 300 on chrome and you don't have anywhere near enough left to get it sprayed.
Take my advice and go and buy a decent usable rubber bumpered GT and enjoy it for a while then sell it for a roadster.
To buy a roadster that isn't BER will cost £500 minimum, factor in another few hundred for panels, assuming you can weld yourself, 2-400 on interior, 100 on hood, assuming it is mechanically perfect, 300 on chrome and you don't have anywhere near enough left to get it sprayed.
Thanks, no surprises there, thought i may be pushing it a bit lol.
Welding isn't a problem, on the spray front, i should be able to get away with alot less as i've got a friend who will cut me a deal. I don't mind having a rubber bumper for a while then upgrading to chrome, may be able to push the budget up a bit as well if neccessary, but perhaps i would be more looking at midgets then?(i really like the idea of a soft top)
Welding isn't a problem, on the spray front, i should be able to get away with alot less as i've got a friend who will cut me a deal. I don't mind having a rubber bumper for a while then upgrading to chrome, may be able to push the budget up a bit as well if neccessary, but perhaps i would be more looking at midgets then?(i really like the idea of a soft top)
Bs! Only coz, as you probably know, I find the B a far more usuable car than a midget due to more torque, overdrive and a bigger boot.
I have been surprised at the low cost of midgets recently though! If the OP likes the look of a B, it's highly likely he'll consider a midget at the budget he's considering.
I have been surprised at the low cost of midgets recently though! If the OP likes the look of a B, it's highly likely he'll consider a midget at the budget he's considering.
Yes I agree entirely, once you have had a B you just can't go back to a Midge for a daily or regular driver.
I had a midget with an overdrive box that came close to a nice usable car, but without OD and with a standard 3.9 or 4.2 diff motorways beome an endurance event!
If the OP is interested in a Midget get in touch with me as I'm sure a deal could be done on the car I have, and as a "starter" classic they are hard to beat (basically buy a rot free one and even if everything else falls off it it can all be replaced for peanuts.)
I had a midget with an overdrive box that came close to a nice usable car, but without OD and with a standard 3.9 or 4.2 diff motorways beome an endurance event!
If the OP is interested in a Midget get in touch with me as I'm sure a deal could be done on the car I have, and as a "starter" classic they are hard to beat (basically buy a rot free one and even if everything else falls off it it can all be replaced for peanuts.)
wildoliver said:
once you have had a B you just can't go back to a Midge for a daily or regular driver.
obsolutely reverse is true for meI had a BGT as a regular drive then bought a Spridget as a daily drive and even bought a V8 B roadster as a daily drive - but what did I go back to as a daily driver - a Midget of course !
B or Spridget dump the spare wheel for boot space (unless you have those unpractical wire wheels but why would you on a daily drive car)
I've not carried a spare wheel in my cars for 15 years at least only a foot pump and foam cans (which I've never used) I've had no problems in the many thousands of miles a year in each car, that includes touring in this country and abroad
EFA: I have used the foot pump a couple of times to get me to and back from my destinations but it was never caused me any problems - never have used the foam cans though
Edited by SB - Nigel on Monday 20th October 13:32
Really helpful guys, thanks very much. Think i'll be looking into getting a midget then (albeit it'll be a couple of months till i will have saved up the funds) Like the look of the chrome bumper ones. TBH i like a bit of a challenge and enjoy the mechanical side of cars so will probably buy one which needs a bit of work just to make it feel my own.
Thanks once again
Tom
Thanks once again
Tom
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