My black 1979 V-Reg MGB GT was unfortunately neglected by the previous owner (a supposed enthusiast), who left the car to stand in his garden uncovered for 4 months,once the car had passed its MOT. Luckily, everything was in working order. It cost me £650 and I would describe it as a 'usable' classic rather than show car. It is always garaged and covered since I bought it, and has been fully waxoyled all over and given a full service.Having closely inspected the car in the cold light of day, there is a considerable amount of bubbling under the bootlid and the bottom of the passenger door is particularly crusty and crumbly. Parts of the wheelarches are also crumbly and to be honest, fall off at the slightest touch, but the hammerite and waxoyl will protect them until I can afford to sort them properly. I am only 21, and this is my first classic car. It is never used in the wet if I can get away with it, and I intend to get it up to immaculate condition over the next few years, when finances allow. At the minute, I use it three days a week, on short journeys, and enjoy its decent performance, excellent-sounding engine and head-turning looks, because it is, overall, fast off the mark, solid and tidy-looking. The car has never let me down, and is a pleasure to own and drive.
It doesn't surprise me to see people using filler on old MG's, because the prices for new front and rear wings are approaching £200 (each! + P & P), and that's before they've been resprayed. The left-rear wing of my MG is particularly rippled, a dead giveaway that there is filler, and probably rot, lurking underneath.
If you are buying an MG, I would recommend buying a mint example, because, to be honest, the greatest pleasure is to drive these cars and enjoy them, rather than spend a helluva lot of time and money doing them up. Restorations are enojoyable and satisfying , but you may find that your finances, time, patience, and will to continue can be pushed to the limits fairly often, when you could have picked up a good example for less than it cost to do your own up.
MG's are still very common and offer excellent performance and enjoyment if they are properly-maintained, and not left to rot away. Insurance is cheap if you're in the club, and fuel consumption isn't bad. Basically, a good starter classic, second car or 'usable classic' (though not much use in the winter, you'll be skidding all over the place).
Owned for 3 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2004.
Performance
Reliability
-
-
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
-
-
Why did British Leyland ruin what started out as a brilliant car, ended up as a bit of a lemon.
-
Never owned
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed November 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
actually i figured i'd flame the GB, but actually it is quite nice, had a blaze red roadster then a teal blue gt, then a green c, all ok, roadster teh nicest, teh gt was a rust bucjet and sold for a reshell, the c was the most expensive, scary beast, but looked good and went quite well, just watch those corners.
Owned for 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed September 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
Now on my third MGB, a 1967 series II GT, which is slowly being restored. Literally built like a tank so no wonder people give the performance poor reviews but this kind of misses the point. Handles well, unburstable engine, reliable, cheap to maintain, looks wonderful and the exhaust note sounds wonderful.
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
usable classic, all parts avalable off the shelf, ok, the 1800cc engine is a little underpowered, but theres always the MGC or a GTV8. Very simple to maintain and repair, many extras now, like power steering, electric windows, central locking, you can really make it individual. GT makes an ideal everday classic
Owned for more than 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2002.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
The two-seat Morris Oxford. Over rated. Under powered. Need fore arms like popeye to drive it.
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2002.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
Bought mine new after ownig two Triumphs. Performance was awful being outperformed by Fords and Vauxhalls costing a lot less. Paint literally fell off the door sills onto my garage floor. Do yourself a favour buy a TR6 or GT6 instead. Sold mine at 11 months old it was so poor. People who like MG Bs have probably never driven any other rag-top/sports car
Never owned
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed August 2001.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
The greatest british sports car of all time!!(V8s even better)
All ratings and reviews are submitted by visitors to this web site, and represent their own personal opinion. They do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Preloved.
You use this information at your own risk. Preloved can not be held responsible for any damages or loss resulting from the use of this site. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details.
