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MGB Vs Alfa Spider any year

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linearosso Avatar
linearosso Barry Russo
Bklyn, NY, USA   USA
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1979 MG MGB "Humble B"
As a owner and dealer of All Models of Alfa Romeo since 1966 through 1995 I can state that the Alfa Spider has the most flexible and down right dangerous chassis I have ever experienced and I sold them NEW. You will never recover from a side slip with an Alfa Spider.
I just bought a 1979 B Tourer and I am thrilled with the Chassis. Not only is the MGB stiffer but the quality of the entire car makes me realize the error of my former devotion to the Alfa "mysique".

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tvrgeek Silver Member Scott S
Hillsborough, North Carolinia, USA   USA
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Besides, the driving position is better and the clutch is much softer. Still, the Alfa is a beautiful car. So was the GTA and if it were not for "issues", the Montreal is one of my all time favorite. I just know I could not drive one. The old twin cam was flat beautiful. So, I have two MGBs.

They also make Lucas look like a quality leader grinning smiley



Cogito ergo sum periculoso

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GBGary Avatar
GBGary Gary R
Burbank, CA, USA   USA
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1963 Morgan Plus 4 (+4)
1969 Alfa Romeo Spider
1972 MG MGB "Frankenstein"
1972 Rover 3500 "Bertie"    & more
As one who is afflicted with the roadster sickness, I agree with Barry most of the way. My B is more rattle free than my Alfa and in some ways more comfortable, once inside. The steering, brakes and gearbox on the Alfa are superior to the MG, however, it was about 25% more expensive new so it should be better in some areas. The Alfa is considerably more capable at speed and a lot more stable at speed on the highway, however, I think the MG is a lot more fun to drive overall. Back in the day I seemed to always end up with a Triumph of one type or another, but, I always felt my girlfriend's (later wife) '68 MGB was a more solid ride.



Gary

1972 MGB Roadster

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linearosso Avatar
linearosso Barry Russo
Bklyn, NY, USA   USA
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1979 MG MGB "Humble B"
I see taht upon inspection of my new aquisition that the undercarriage is remarkably free of corrosion. Any Alfa of this vintage would be unsafe to drive due to sill and other rust-out of the rear suspension anchorage points

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linearosso Barry Russo
Bklyn, NY, USA   USA
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1979 MG MGB "Humble B"
Forget the Alfa transmissions and the syncro failures on 2nd gear and the reverse pop out. Alfa is all Pininfarina appearance and begs the question "Where's the Beef"

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Jimflorida Jim D
Orlando, FL, USA   USA
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I had an Alfa 2000 spider and a GTV at one time and they were wonderful cars. Rust would of course be a worry on these. But the driving experience is well worth the cost.

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linearosso Avatar
linearosso Barry Russo
Bklyn, NY, USA   USA
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1979 MG MGB "Humble B"
Montreal is a nose heavy slug and any 1600 Sprint GT could humble it.

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tomkatb Larry Baygents
Dayton, Ohio, USA   USA
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1963 MG MGB
Top,gear guys always loved them. Beautiful cars. Most often admired while broken down on a shoulder.



L.W.(Larry)Baygents
63B
77 Spit

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GBGary Avatar
GBGary Gary R
Burbank, CA, USA   USA
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1963 Morgan Plus 4 (+4)
1969 Alfa Romeo Spider
1972 MG MGB "Frankenstein"
1972 Rover 3500 "Bertie"    & more
Fortunately I live in SoCal and was able to find a California Alfa with a lot of miles but zero rust. I rebuilt the engine at around 140K miles (now at about 170K) and the trans is still in original nic, syncros still good and stays in reverse until shifted out. Generalizations about any of our older cars are fun and like any generalization there must be a hint of truth, but many factors affect the aging, wear and usability of these old cars.



Gary

1972 MGB Roadster

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mgbgt111 c erskine c
pelham, shelby county, USA   USA
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Barry,
I too sold the Alfa when new, side by side with MGs, Triumphs, Fiats, Rover and Jaguar from 1978 to 1981.
During this period, the Alfa outclassed the MG by leaps and bounds, and it was more than just a little bit more expensive. We referred to it as a REAL car when customers were debating what sports car to buy.
During this period, the MGB was anemic and didn't handle as well as the earlier cars, while the Alfa had a great engine, but a weak 5 speed gearbox. The Spyder did have some shuttle shake, but otherwise had a much better ride, especially for long distances.
The Alfa Sprint Veloce and the Alfetta Sedan were rock solid, stiff cars, that suffered the same 2nd gear synchro issues.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a MG nut through and through, but I don't consider them to be what they are not.

PS,
During this same time period, the Datsun 280Z was the best buy out there. It outclassed the the British and Italian cars by a mile, but didn't have the history and allure as the European cars.



Deo Volente



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-10-27 08:01 PM by mgbgt111.

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joron Avatar
joron Silver Member Michel Joron
Roxboro, QC, Canada   CAN
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1977 MG MGB "Victoria"
2018 Jaguar XE "Meghan"
In reply to a post by Most often admired while broken down on a shoulder.

So true.



1977 MGB Red 'Victoria' and 2018 Jaguar XE 'Meghan'
All Classics:
Married, 2 children, MG MGB May to December, Jaguar the rest of the year.

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Gary G Avatar
Toronto, ON, Canada   CAN
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Didn't they have a great hood? You can raise or lower the hood in case of rain with one hand from inside the car.

Or am I thinking of some other car?

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mgbgt111 c erskine c
pelham, shelby county, USA   USA
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Fiat and Alfa had the same one hand top operation.

In reply to # 3382833 by Gary G Didn't they have a great hood? You can raise or lower the hood in case of rain with one hand from inside the car.

Or am I thinking of some other car?



Deo Volente



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-10-27 09:23 PM by mgbgt111.

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Gary G Avatar
Toronto, ON, Canada   CAN
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Thanks, I guess my memory isn't totally shot. I wonder if anyone's fitted a top to a B and if it worked? A great solution to the standing-in-the-rain-while-putting-up-the=hood problem.

Too late for me, I just bought a new hood last year.


In reply to # 3382836 by mgbgt111 Fist and Alfa had the same one hand top operation.

In reply to # 3382833 by Gary G Didn't they have a great hood? You can raise or lower the hood in case of rain with one hand from inside the car.

Or am I thinking of some other car?

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bmurphy Silver Member Brian M
Millville, CA, USA   USA
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I love both marques... however if you go to vintage races, Alfas do tear up the competition... Huffaker Racing can tune a hot B but it is far from stock at that point IMHO.

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