52 year old MGB
A long time ago I bought a limited edition MGB GT Jubilee with the idea of restoring it. Unfortunately I never got round to it and it ended up in the scrap yard. Years have gone by since then, but the thought of owning an old MG and doing it up has never gone away so last night I bought this MGB Roadster.
First registered on April fools day in 1971 with T.Rex’s Hot love in the number one slot, my little MG is a classic. The plan is to use it as a project and general runaround.
It’s an original chrome bumper model with the toggle switch steel dashboard, a 4 speed overdrive gearbox, wire knock off wheels - My perfect MGB. It came with a massive history file and all the previous MOT’s.
In 2009 it was stripped back to the shell and had new floor pans, cills, bulkhead, doors, boot floor and rear wings welded in. The suspension had new shocks and poly bushes. The overdrive unit was overhauled. A 1.8lt gold seal engine was fitted along with a full stainless sports exhaust and stainless fuel tank. All this was done by the previous owner who wanted to restore an old MGB and use it for his wedding.
Since the wedding day the car spent most of its time in a garage and covered just 1,000 miles in 14 years. All those years in a garage had taken it toll on the body work where things had been dropped or hit against it and small dents and imperfections were everywhere.
After buying it I’ve done a few things like removing the rear luggage rack (and re-welded the holes it left), changed the audio, altered some of the wiring, adjusted the timing, carbs and tappets and….. given it a full respray - twice (Once in its original Brooklands Green and then in Tartan Red) and fitted whitewall tyres. its now drives perfectly, everything works and there’s no rust anywhere. Not bad for a 52 year old car.
The car was originally supplied in Mustard Yellow, then over the last 52 years its been changed to British Racing Green, Brooklands Green (twice) and now its in stunning Tartan Red. Elvis had a Tartan Red MG with whitewall tyres so its in good company.
Mr Whitewalls converting my tyres
Painting it - for the first time.
