MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

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robert1839
Tristan Cook
5579 Timber Ridge Dr, Mt Vernon, Skagit, Washingto
(118 posts)

Registered:
05/06/2013 11:11PM

Main British Car:
MGB GT 1972 Buick 215

why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: robert1839
Date: November 03, 2013 12:37AM

i have noticed that the 1975 and up MGBs sell for more and are more common in the clubs and just on the road why is this i see the 1975 and up MGBs as a less of an MG than all the others and i would never buy one so why do i see them more


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: Moderator
Date: November 03, 2013 09:57AM

You may need a larger sample size. There will be variance in prices due to "condition", color, optional equipment such as overdrive transmissions, etc.

Some people prefer later (rubber bumper) model MGBs for various reasons. For example, MG moved the radiator further forward, which is handy if you're installing a V8 engine. There's also a bit more room where the steering comes through the firewall. The late dashboard is nice and the seats are comfortable.

Other people prefer chrome-bumper models (due to styling/aesthetic preferences, lower ride height, lighter weight, less emission control equipment, etc.)

I think you're mistaken about the rubber bumper MGBs selling for more, on average. The earliest MGBs (with "pull handle" doors, steel dashboards, no headrests, and banjo rear axles) command premium prices, but you don't see them come available very often.


bestdog
Romney Palma

(11 posts)

Registered:
11/08/2011 01:48PM

Main British Car:


Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: bestdog
Date: November 04, 2013 01:41PM

I would buy one or two, or ........


bestdog
Romney Palma

(11 posts)

Registered:
11/08/2011 01:48PM

Main British Car:


Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: bestdog
Date: November 04, 2013 01:44PM

Hey, i allready have one, with the Rover V8, and a chrome bumper too. they both are MG. aren't they?


pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: November 04, 2013 02:26PM

I have a 72 but would much rather had a 75-80 when I put the 302 in it. I don't prefer rubber bumpers but they can be replaced with chrome.


Paul


denvermgb
Brad Carson
Aurora, Colorado
(104 posts)

Registered:
03/10/2008 12:45AM

Main British Car:
1975 MGB 350 SBC bored 0.040 over

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: denvermgb
Date: November 05, 2013 11:22PM

I have a '75 MGB that I converted to a SBC and chrome bumpers. There were lots of reasons I did the conversion, one of which was that I noticed the later rubber bumper MGB's do not command as high a price and are less collectable/desirable than the early chrome bumper cars.

Brad


wspohn
bill spohn

(31 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 09:14AM

Main British Car:


authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: wspohn
Date: December 10, 2013 01:44PM

You only buy them if you prefer the styling and/or intend to stick in another engine that mandates as much space as possible.



MG wanna B
edward davidson
mount olive,n.c.
(96 posts)

Registered:
11/20/2013 07:47PM

Main British Car:
1977 mgb 2.8 l gm v6

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: MG wanna B
Date: December 10, 2013 06:45PM

I own a 76, but trying to get a 77 - 80, due to the bolt on application of the v8 conversion, then sell my 76. I would have to move the radiator mounts forward to do a conversion on it, and don't want to modify it, unless, I am unable to find a suitable candidate.

keeping my fingers crossed


classic conversions
bill guzman

(294 posts)

Registered:
01/09/2008 01:58AM

Main British Car:


Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: classic conversions
Date: December 10, 2013 08:24PM

In Ca 76 and newer are cheap, due to smog laws. 76 and newer are hard to pass smog test and can not be converted to anything unless all of the smog is installed as per new engine.

California a good place to look for 76 and newer.


MG wanna B
edward davidson
mount olive,n.c.
(96 posts)

Registered:
11/20/2013 07:47PM

Main British Car:
1977 mgb 2.8 l gm v6

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: MG wanna B
Date: December 10, 2013 09:40PM

it would cost me a car to ship one from there, but you're right. here in n.c., 35 years and older do not get inspected. when I got my 76, I had to take it for a state inspection at the highway patrol station, in order to get the title returned, but they had no clue what was supposed to be on it, and the fact that it had been off the road for 2 years.

it's all over, now, home free


classic conversions
bill guzman

(294 posts)

Registered:
01/09/2008 01:58AM

Main British Car:


Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: classic conversions
Date: December 10, 2013 11:16PM

You are a lucky man :-)


MG wanna B
edward davidson
mount olive,n.c.
(96 posts)

Registered:
11/20/2013 07:47PM

Main British Car:
1977 mgb 2.8 l gm v6

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: MG wanna B
Date: December 11, 2013 06:49AM

that's one of the very few things I like about n.c.


pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: December 11, 2013 11:12AM

In Texas after 25 years you can put antique tags on a car: $50 for 5 years and no inspection. It comes with certain restrictions but I've never had a problem.


Paul


MG wanna B
edward davidson
mount olive,n.c.
(96 posts)

Registered:
11/20/2013 07:47PM

Main British Car:
1977 mgb 2.8 l gm v6

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: MG wanna B
Date: December 11, 2013 07:43PM

been workin on getting this for over 5 months, now. possible conversion candidate
photo 1.JPG


pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: December 12, 2013 09:27AM

Gonna have to change your name now Edward cause you're not a wanna B anymore. Very nice looking car.



Paul



MG wanna B
edward davidson
mount olive,n.c.
(96 posts)

Registered:
11/20/2013 07:47PM

Main British Car:
1977 mgb 2.8 l gm v6

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: MG wanna B
Date: December 12, 2013 11:41AM

I won't be able to change that.

I guess i'll always want a B, because, if I get this one, it will be the 4th one in 6 months, even though I sold the 1st one, have a 2nd one, now, and have bought and parted out a 3rd one, because it didn't have a title, and was eat up pretty good, for my standards. drove it in took it apart, and there are just a few parts left, after 30 days.


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2461 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: mgb260
Date: December 12, 2013 01:17PM

Edward, I know you are going Rover V8 through D&D. Are you going 4.6?


MG wanna B
edward davidson
mount olive,n.c.
(96 posts)

Registered:
11/20/2013 07:47PM

Main British Car:
1977 mgb 2.8 l gm v6

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: MG wanna B
Date: December 12, 2013 07:02PM

I think that mark mentioned the performance level 2 215 skylark engine, with the t-5 5 sp., but we haven't set anything in stone. we don't have the service centers, here, that can handle the rover, and I'm kinda partial to the GM, even though all I own are ford trucks, used to build chevy's, so I'm more familiar with the GM's, especially, the old ones.

my big thing is that I want to do the conversion, with no modifications, because the car I'm after is in good shape, and shouldn't need to be dressed, before I start on it, plus, I'm not concerned with tons of horsepower, I just want the look that the v8 brings to the car, and the unmistakable sound of the v8.

no one here has one, i'll be the first.


robert1839
Tristan Cook
5579 Timber Ridge Dr, Mt Vernon, Skagit, Washingto
(118 posts)

Registered:
05/06/2013 11:11PM

Main British Car:
MGB GT 1972 Buick 215

Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: robert1839
Date: January 07, 2014 11:37PM

here in WA where i live there is no test to pass at all but i know if you are closer to Seattle then u have to pass a smog test but you have to score what it was back then when the car was made so i have never hurd of anyone not passing here. we can get classic tabs after 35 years i think and you only pay 50$ then u never pay any thing for tabs for as long as the car lives


kayakjack
John Renaud
Michigan
(35 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 01:46PM

Main British Car:
1980 MGB V8 Buick/Rover 3.5L

authors avatar
Re: why would you buy a 1975-1980
Posted by: kayakjack
Date: January 08, 2014 08:07PM

I like the 1980 bumper system. I live in the Detroit area and these bumpers afford a little more protection than the chrome bumpers of the earlier B's. But I did not like the black mass of the front bumper, so I added a little touch to the opening. It is a 3/8 inch polished stainless round bar. It is subtle and I like the look. I modified my engine compartment for better heat dispersion for my Buick/Rover 215 engine, but the installation could have been done without it. I am happy with the results.
20140108 MGB Front Bumper 1980.jpg
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