MGC - Taking the plunge!
Discussion
Its not a car I've considered seriously in the past, but I had a look at this one at weekend and its very nice, just needs a good valet. Has anyone had experience of a C, negative or positive? Looking at prices of Bs for sale at the NEC yesterday, it seems to be well priced considering its condition.
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=fgra...
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=fgra...
That looks very nice.
No doubt my old man will be along shortly, he's had his for 30 years.
Good cars IMO, not as well balanced as the MGB, but still way ahead of most things, 51/49 (slightly nose heavy, but nothing like modern stuff)
The straight six is a lovely engine, plenty of torque, if the engine is in good nick (and it looks like it is) it will keep up with most stuff.
Of course you could start fannying around with carbs, cams etc and power will rise substantially
Depends what you want it for really I suppose, but that looks like a very nice example, and is very reasonably priced for what is a pretty rare car by all accounts.
No doubt my old man will be along shortly, he's had his for 30 years.
Good cars IMO, not as well balanced as the MGB, but still way ahead of most things, 51/49 (slightly nose heavy, but nothing like modern stuff)
The straight six is a lovely engine, plenty of torque, if the engine is in good nick (and it looks like it is) it will keep up with most stuff.
Of course you could start fannying around with carbs, cams etc and power will rise substantially
Depends what you want it for really I suppose, but that looks like a very nice example, and is very reasonably priced for what is a pretty rare car by all accounts.
I'm really fussy about my cars and for me to be interested it would have to be perfect, and it almost is. Bodywise, its from a Californian car and totally original. Apparently it was restored by Bob West. Paintwork is flawless, underside and under bonnet too. The engine has been rebuilt and alot of the mechanical parts are new. To me, having seen whats on the market, it doesn't seem over expensive atall.
Aero8 said:
I'm really fussy about my cars and for me to be interested it would have to be perfect, and it almost is. Bodywise, its from a Californian car and totally original. Apparently it was restored by Bob West. Paintwork is flawless, underside and under bonnet too. The engine has been rebuilt and alot of the mechanical parts are new. To me, having seen whats on the market, it doesn't seem over expensive atall.
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/ShaunHolmes.htmThis is for sale....?
I can vouch for how nice it is!
My boy is right the old mans here!
Go for it, the main thing is the body if its rot free then your off to an easy start.
The engine should be sound not many thrash them and a seven bearing crank , the oil pressure should be above 20psi on hot tickover, as for max don't worry if its got 50 or 40 so long as its steady.
Check for blue smoke I mean a fair bit, some is normal for a older car, may mean just a bit of head work ie guides.
If you can get a compression check see if there even , take some 3 in1 in one is low put some oil in turn over if it rises its the bore.
The rear diff can clonk
Steering is old fashioned big wheel lots of turns, a bit of time adding polybushes and renew the shocks will pay dividends on handling . Believe me the car will go round corners!!,Brake are just ok you can update with newer pads and disc's.
If you want a sunday driver for going out and about its a fine car, if u expect to chase the boy racers then buy mine.
If you need any advise on what else to look for email me?
Go for it, the main thing is the body if its rot free then your off to an easy start.
The engine should be sound not many thrash them and a seven bearing crank , the oil pressure should be above 20psi on hot tickover, as for max don't worry if its got 50 or 40 so long as its steady.
Check for blue smoke I mean a fair bit, some is normal for a older car, may mean just a bit of head work ie guides.
If you can get a compression check see if there even , take some 3 in1 in one is low put some oil in turn over if it rises its the bore.
The rear diff can clonk
Steering is old fashioned big wheel lots of turns, a bit of time adding polybushes and renew the shocks will pay dividends on handling . Believe me the car will go round corners!!,Brake are just ok you can update with newer pads and disc's.
If you want a sunday driver for going out and about its a fine car, if u expect to chase the boy racers then buy mine.
If you need any advise on what else to look for email me?
The car ur looking at is very nicely done, just check what they did to the suspension if they did put polybushes/pad in both front and rear, also i would have adjustable shocks on front and have the 25% upgrade on the rear lever arms, the handling feed back will be a vast improvement. Maybe a 2.9 turn lock to lock rack is nice if you have reasonable strength.
At 13-14k u have a nice car. Get a carbubble or similar as they rust very quickly if not cared for.
At 13-14k u have a nice car. Get a carbubble or similar as they rust very quickly if not cared for.
Well....its mine! :-)
I couldn't resist any longer and I really don't think it was going to hang around for long. There is a list on its way to me of whats been done to it, but polybushes it definitely has. The owner had spent a fortune on it, but decided to concentate on his MGA and needs to funds to continue. Its being valeted throughout, including the underside, and I hope to pick it up in a week or so, weather dependant. It'll definitely be kept in its current condition, in a bubble within a garage.
Shaun, you obviously know alot more about the cars than me, thanks for the advice and I am interested in what you reckon I need to look out for. Ok, I've bought the car anyway, I'm satisfied that bodywise and mechanically is fine, but I would like to know about sensible upgrades. It will only be used for Sunday runs..
Cheers and yes, I'm happy!
Glenn
I couldn't resist any longer and I really don't think it was going to hang around for long. There is a list on its way to me of whats been done to it, but polybushes it definitely has. The owner had spent a fortune on it, but decided to concentate on his MGA and needs to funds to continue. Its being valeted throughout, including the underside, and I hope to pick it up in a week or so, weather dependant. It'll definitely be kept in its current condition, in a bubble within a garage.
Shaun, you obviously know alot more about the cars than me, thanks for the advice and I am interested in what you reckon I need to look out for. Ok, I've bought the car anyway, I'm satisfied that bodywise and mechanically is fine, but I would like to know about sensible upgrades. It will only be used for Sunday runs..
Cheers and yes, I'm happy!
Glenn
Edited by Aero8 on Wednesday 18th November 23:26
Glenn
before you start to play, drive it and then see how it feels, you may have the orginal steering wheel which will seem huge but with no power steering at slow speed or parking you'll need it.
The engine will rev, I assume it has the new dizzy advanced for modern fuels, don't be frightened to rev it., A electric fan is a another way of releasing a few hp.
Drive it see what bugs you then go about fixing it. I just wanted a track car and occasional road use so mines a different beast. I could go on and spend another 10k on it in which case i'm nearly half way to the new Mclaren Mp4??
before you start to play, drive it and then see how it feels, you may have the orginal steering wheel which will seem huge but with no power steering at slow speed or parking you'll need it.
The engine will rev, I assume it has the new dizzy advanced for modern fuels, don't be frightened to rev it., A electric fan is a another way of releasing a few hp.
Drive it see what bugs you then go about fixing it. I just wanted a track car and occasional road use so mines a different beast. I could go on and spend another 10k on it in which case i'm nearly half way to the new Mclaren Mp4??
Well done.... Nice choice. One of my favourites ~ an MGC in Pale Primrose .... is that the colour of your car ?
Hard to tell on my LapTop screen.
I clearly remember press reports when the MGC first appeared back in the late 60s. Many comparing it to the relatively more agile MGB completely failed to see the point of the six cylindered MGC. An understressed leisurely mile consumer who could raise her skirts and perform when required....
Ahah ~ just read the details below the pictures ... car is Primrose ... my favourite. All it needs now is thin white walled tyres some of the cars were fitted with back then. If still available, sets those large chrome wires off a treat...
Lucky you.... Enjoy.
..
Hard to tell on my LapTop screen.
I clearly remember press reports when the MGC first appeared back in the late 60s. Many comparing it to the relatively more agile MGB completely failed to see the point of the six cylindered MGC. An understressed leisurely mile consumer who could raise her skirts and perform when required....
Ahah ~ just read the details below the pictures ... car is Primrose ... my favourite. All it needs now is thin white walled tyres some of the cars were fitted with back then. If still available, sets those large chrome wires off a treat...
Lucky you.... Enjoy.
..
Thanks for all your positive responses! You know how sometimes a certain car just jump out at you? I had previously been looking at 60s Alfas, but this one just ticked the right boxes at the right time. It'll go well with the rest of my babies and be very very well cared for. Its supposed to be gettina full detailing before I collect, I hope so...
Just an update..
I spent the last 2 weekends bringing the engine bay back and underside to mint condition. Slowly I'm getting there. From contacting a previous very helpful owner, apparently it was part restored and belonged to Trevor Taylor who did V8 conversions. Unfortunately he died before it was finished and the car got passed on to the helpful chap who spent a fortune finishing the car off. All the numbers tie up and it has a heritage certificate, though originally it was grey (also a nice colour I think) and an auto. I will put some pictures up when I'm really happy with it...
I spent the last 2 weekends bringing the engine bay back and underside to mint condition. Slowly I'm getting there. From contacting a previous very helpful owner, apparently it was part restored and belonged to Trevor Taylor who did V8 conversions. Unfortunately he died before it was finished and the car got passed on to the helpful chap who spent a fortune finishing the car off. All the numbers tie up and it has a heritage certificate, though originally it was grey (also a nice colour I think) and an auto. I will put some pictures up when I'm really happy with it...
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