Retiring the MG's

[Coyote]

If it weren't for bad luck, we wouldn't have no luck at all. Had 3 at one time. A 1970 (not pictured) red MGB- GT. This was the only model that had the split front bumper. Paid $2700 and sold when the rocker panels fell off for $500. Loss of $2200
My nicest one was an early 74 rag top (no rust). My son was driving the car at the time. He was at a stop light behind a truck. This girl hit him from behind doing about 40 mph and sandwiched the car. Paid $3400, value zero. Went to the salvage yard. Loss of $3400.







Then and currently, a 69 MGB-GT. This actually got wrecked before the 74. Some idiot pulled out of a parking lot right in front of my son in a 40 mph zone. Waxed again. In some ways this one was the cream of the crop. Wire wheels and all. Paid $4000. Current value is $0. Headlights are about to fall out due to massive rust and the wheel wells are lace. Could yank them out with one good pull. And another blown wheel cylinder. This car is now toast and ready for the salvage yard.





It doesn't take a lot of mental math to realize I have lost $9600 on these cars. That is not to mention how many $$ went in to them. So if you ever get a whim for a sports car, do yourself a favor and buy one that is professionally restored.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

I feel your pain, trust me on this, I had one British car in my life back in the late 70s/early 80s and it was an MG too, I still rejoice the day I sold it.
The years of BMC, BLMC and finally BL brought nothing but horror stories to their owners, they made absolute crap, thats why they are not in business anymore.
I'd say if you are buying British, buy the early stuff made before the 60s and professionally restored as you mentioned.

[krwalsh]

Well, I guess I'd say...

I had a '67 Midget that he PO used to store salt for his driveway for Chicago winters. I cut that one up and kept the drivetrain bits. Then I bought a '69 Sprite. I had the body professionally restored by an old-school body man. He used real lead fill on the panels, no bondo. I bought that car when I was 18. That was 20 years ago. I still have it, having driving it from Boston to San Francisco literally the day after I finished putting it back together. I still have it in my garage, and I'll die with that car in my name.

[Craig380]

I had two very happy years with a BGT V8 (an aftermarket conversion, not a factory job). This involved removing the ancient B-series 1,800cc motor and dropping in the Roverized version of the Buick 215ci ally V8.

Instant 50+% power boost and 75% extra torque, and the motor is LIGHTER than the original 4-banger. A great combination

Unfortunately, I used it as my daily driver, which magnified its faults to the point where I got tired of it.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Yes Craig I hear you on that last part, the problems/design faults are built in issues, which means you need to re-engineer the areas completely since repairing them only brings temporary relief.
I always said those vehicles knew when your wallet had money.
Some of the expensive memories I had and they were many, was when the oil pump suddenly decided to quit, and the day I blew up the differential.
Research You Tube for any British car industry related material, you will cringe, laugh and frown all at once.

[H2RICK]

Chris, what a shame that 3 classics got scrapped, but stuff like that happens whether you're driving a classic MG or a 85 Chevy pickup. As you know, idiot drivers are all around you/me.
For myself, I wouldn't consider driving a classic MG in daily traffic. Rather something like my nice (but getting long in the tooth) 1996 Astro van. I got slow-speed-crunched in the rear the other day by a goof but never shed a tear....or got excited. It would have been a different story if I'd been driving my GT550....or a classic MG.
In that case I would have pursued the goof's insurance company (for a suitable settlement) to the ends of the earth......but maybe things work differently in your area.

[tz375]

CHris,

Sorry to hear that you lost 3 of those nice old cars. They had their faults, but they were fun cars to drive on a nice day.

I'm not sure they were designed to be daily drivers in modern American road conditions, but it's not as if all British cars were junk, regardless of what the interweb says. Consider the time they came out of and the lack of resources. Britain only recently finished paying the US for its war loans and much of the infrastructure was destroyed during WW2.

All in all, they did an amazing job under trying conditions. It's a real shame that yours ended that way.

And my daily driver is a 91 GMC Safari and people with nice new expensive cars do get out of my way because they know they have more to lose.

[sfront]

If you're gonna scrap these out, you want to sell any parts off before hand??????
My wife no longer rides on my bikes so I restored a 1967 MGB for her.
I don't need anything to complete it but spare parts on the shelf are always welcome!