What's a reasonable budget for GT body work : MGB & GT Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #61
miatadon Don Scott Calistoga CA, USA 1967 MG MGB MkI 1980 Triumph TR8 1989 Honda Prelude 1991 Honda Civic 1991 Mazda B-Series → more	Posted: May 12, 2012 01:57AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 687

'91 Miata being 21 years old now gains a soul from passage of time.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #62
NOHOME Peter Plouf London, Canada 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye "Lil" 1967 MG MGB GT "Maggie (GT From Hell)"	Posted: May 12, 2012 05:52AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 12,133

In reply to # 2065308 by ohlord Miata? An MG without a soul. Surely you are jesting. winking smiley

Rob:

Don't ya just hate it when people tell you your religion ain't the only "one". And since we are on the subject of anthropomorphism, lets all admit that MG soul would be in the party dorm called Hell,while the Miata with it s much kinder soul would be "Up Above" winking smiley

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #63
ohlord Rob C North of Seattle, N.W., USA 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2"	Posted: May 12, 2012 07:39AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 2,064

A 21 year old Miata is a 21 year old Miata Nothing more than a chick car. winking smiley

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #64
pinkyponk Adrian Page Nova Scotia Canada, Canada 1971 MG MGB GT 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Posted: May 12, 2012 08:25AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,886

Somehow, an old Miata isn't quite the same as an MGB GT for me.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #65
rlich8 Royal Lichter Chicago, USA 1971 Jaguar E-Type Convertible 1976 Triumph TR6	Posted: May 12, 2012 08:26AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 1,755

I am with Don. Not a bad alternative.

I subscribe to the polytheistic notion that there are other enjoyable cars out there in the same form factor as the MG.

My partner (my father and I) have decided to list our Austin-Healey for sale...that one we owned together...

...I found a gorgeous 1976 TR6 with 18000 original miles on it. Without a doubt the B is still closer to my heart, but that TR was undervalued and I decided to strike while the iron was hot.

The Miata is a very pure car with lots of soul. It is a proper roadster sports car in every sense of the word and the early cars are a nice progression on a late B. After all, imitation is the highest form of flattery and the designers were shooting for an MG/TR like "spiritual" predecessor. I get waves from Miata guys from time to time, and I also give them. It is not a "real" MG but maybe the next guy feels that emotion towards his Mazda?

It's a feel thing, really, at the end of the day.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #66
pinkyponk Adrian Page Nova Scotia Canada, Canada 1971 MG MGB GT 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Posted: May 12, 2012 08:43AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,886

In reply to # 2062651 by Lacrosse33 Good question. I would disconnect everything from the body. Mask all of the items, then spray the paint being sure to cover all the old paint. I've also seen it done in white when the engine was removed and all it's parts cleaned and repainted. Of course, I'm hoping to find a source to paint the entire body at a price I can afford.

You know... if you removed the carbs and exhaust manifold and the rad and support and whatever else you could within reason, you could probably do a pretty decent job of changing the engine bay colour. The prep would be tedious but do-able. Re-wrap the wiring harness after you're done, a few new hoses... Get the car ready for paint and have it Maaco-ed... shouldn't be too bad.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #67
favedave David Church Saint Joseph, MO, USA 1967 MG MGB GT "Marilyn" 1995 Ford Probe 1995 Ford Probe "The Probe"	Posted: May 12, 2012 08:48AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,876

Well David,

There you have it, a whole range of options. Were it me, I'd go with your original notion of rehabing a car I'd had since it was new. You absolutely know everything about it. You won't about any car you replace it with.

Your 6-8K budget is quite reasonable. You burgundy paint selection for the exterior will not be hard to come by and does not take as much skill as pearlescent, metal flake candy-orange. You can buy quality urethane primer, base coat and clear paint on-line for less than $500. I am also sure you can find a competent paint and body guy who will do it for $5,000. Go to a car show and ask your local hot rodders for references. This is a bad economy. It works in your favor so don't tell folks 6-8K, ask them to set a price.

About painting the engine bay another color- A number of us have. In my case I went with a dark metal grey. I personally don't like the body color-maroon engine look. Nor was I able to make up my mind as to the final color of the body until well after I'd finished the mechanicals. This is (and always has been) your car. Do what pleases you.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #68
pinkyponk Adrian Page Nova Scotia Canada, Canada 1971 MG MGB GT 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Posted: May 12, 2012 09:03AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,886

If you paint the engine bay and inside the doors etc yourself and get a pro to paint the rest of the car you'll save a lot of money. If you mess up the paint a little on the inside of a door or under the carbs who'll know?

I did all the interior paint on my car with acrylic enamel. Cheap and easy. The outside will be base clear (exact same colour of course).

Where I live it's pretty easy to get a car painted for $1000. Especially if you've stripped off the bumpers glass etc. Ask around some of the smaller shops in your area. Around here the little shops get hungry in the winter. You may get an off season deal. If you're crafty and add some sweat equity I bet you can pull this off for about $2000.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #69
ohlord Rob C North of Seattle, N.W., USA 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2"	Posted: May 12, 2012 09:02PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 2,064

In reply to # 2065412 by pinkyponk Somehow, an old Miata isn't quite the same as an MGB GT for me.

An old Miata isn't quite the same as an MGB GT,MGB, Midget,MGC,etc.etc.etc. for anyone smileys with beer

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #70
miatadon Don Scott Calistoga CA, USA 1967 MG MGB MkI 1980 Triumph TR8 1989 Honda Prelude 1991 Honda Civic 1991 Mazda B-Series → more	Posted: May 12, 2012 09:20PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 687

I know a Miata is not an MG. But it is interesting how many guys that own Miatas used to have MGs, TRs, and other British sports cars.

Of course most Miata owners are are chicks, hairdressers and homos, as everyone knows real men don't drive Miatas. Ha ha.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #71
ohlord Rob C North of Seattle, N.W., USA 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2"	Posted: May 12, 2012 09:45PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 2,064

The only previous owners of MGB's that drive Miatas have either been castrated,pussy whipped,or if not a young lady in the 1960's to 1970's, have since had their manhood gender reassigned. winking smiley

I see some guy driving a Miata and I see a guy who borrowed his wife's car.
Comments welcome. They don't have a leg to stand on,but are welcome anyway. smileys with beer

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #72
NOHOME Peter Plouf London, Canada 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye "Lil" 1967 MG MGB GT "Maggie (GT From Hell)"	Posted: May 13, 2012 09:50AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 12,133

In reply to # 2065914 by ohlord

In reply to # 2065412 by pinkyponk Somehow, an old Miata isn't quite the same as an MGB GT for me.

An old Miata isn't quite the same as an MGB GT,MGB, Midget,MGC,etc.etc.etc. for anyone smileys with beer

That would be mostly because an old Miata feels like a new Miata and you have noting to tinker with!

You guys are going to kick me out of here since I just went and bought a Scion FRS seeing it as the modern re-incarnation of the GT From Hell! I will once more be able to travel more than 50 miles from home!

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #73
miatadon Don Scott Calistoga CA, USA 1967 MG MGB MkI 1980 Triumph TR8 1989 Honda Prelude 1991 Honda Civic 1991 Mazda B-Series → more	Posted: May 13, 2012 11:35AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 687

Peter,
Perhaps you should find a beauty shop that is closer to home so that you won't have to drive more than 50 miles to work. Just a suggestion.
My beauty shop is close by. The short jaunt to work in my little Miata is so much fun! Sometimes I even put the convertible top down for added excitement.
Don

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #74
NOHOME Peter Plouf London, Canada 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye "Lil" 1967 MG MGB GT "Maggie (GT From Hell)"	Posted: May 13, 2012 12:22PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 12,133

In reply to # 2065929 by miatadon I know a Miata is not an MG. But it is interesting how many guys that own Miatas used to have MGs, TRs, and other British sports cars.

Of course most Miata owners are are chicks, hairdressers and homos, as everyone knows real men don't drive Miatas. Ha ha.

Well, I drove the Miata for 13 years, year round including a 160 mile/day commute for the last 5 years. Wish I coulda found a hairshop a bit closer to home. Wonder how well the MGB GT would have held up to that life?

That said, it just occurred to me that in warm weather (only weather MGs drive in) the heat factor makes the GT it a bit of a hairshirt; hence by extension, he who drives a GT is "wearing a hairshirt". That would make them a "Hair-"Dresser" by definition!

I really crack myself up! grinning smiley

I will now migrate to the garage to practice my expletives!

Pete

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #75
ohlord Rob C North of Seattle, N.W., USA 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2"	Posted: May 13, 2012 01:33PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 2,064

All you need to do is know how to properly work on and maintain an MGB. Forty plus years of driving them daily at least 10,000 miles a year and a lot more in some years,have proven that maintained they are reliable as any other vehicle and a lot more fun than any Miata could ever hope to pretend.
The OP needs to perform the work required to bring his classic MGB GT into the condition he desires. Not spend $10,000 plus on some 21 year old low mile chick car. Mazda made two of those.The first was the Miata,the second was the Mazda GLC marketed towards fat chicks that couldn't fit the Miata.
Just another observation acquired over the years grinning smiley

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #76
miatadon Don Scott Calistoga CA, USA 1967 MG MGB MkI 1980 Triumph TR8 1989 Honda Prelude 1991 Honda Civic 1991 Mazda B-Series → more	Posted: May 13, 2012 01:54PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 687

I have owned MGs since 1967 and have done almost all my own repairs over the years. MGs are now antiques which make them a challenge to keep running. Rust, wear, deterioration, crappy replacement parts all make it more difficult than it was to run an MG thirty years ago. Also, the guys that like these cars are getting older, so a lot have quit the hobby because they are physically unable to fit into the cars or to crawl under them to fix them. Or they are too tired and just worn out and want something less demanding.

I have a friend who is 80 years old and bought a TD brand new in England when he got out of the US Army. Then he bought a Sprite in 1958. He got discouraged at the needs of Sprite which he had to take back to the dealer over and over again. So he bought a VW. That was a long time ago. Another guy I bought a B GT from replaced that MG with a new Honda Accord. That was in the 1980s.

I think we should all remember that we who have these cars are diehards; that most of the guys who had MGs have long ago abandoned the hobby.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2012 02:27PM by miatadon.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #77
NOHOME Peter Plouf London, Canada 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye "Lil" 1967 MG MGB GT "Maggie (GT From Hell)"	Posted: May 13, 2012 03:55PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 12,133

Other than the styling,which I love, I maintain that the mechanicals are crap to start with, and pretty worn out by now, with poor quality replacement bits. I also maintain that I am a stubborn SOB who never gives up or gets rid of stuff he likes. So the bitch stays...

I tend to be honest with myself. I thought of driving to Dillard. I really want to meet a bunch of you guys. However, the fact is that the GT is very noisy both in the wind and exhaust drone departments, uncomfortable to sit in for long hours on end, and hot as hell in the summer. If it rains, the gerbil under the dash that blows through a straw does not quite cut it, making the car dangerous to drive. In my long history with this car I have done 1000 mile days going back and forth between SD and London every summer. I dated a sex maniac who lived in the Black Hills when I was a Student at Brookings; trust me I have done the long hard drive gig!...it is exhausting! I have also done the same drives in the Miata; London to Billings Montana in two days top down all the way, arrived ready to party with the crazy people who live there! The GT requires a day for my hearing to come back.

I can appreciate the time capsule charm that takes me back to the 40's when these cars were mostly conceived, but not for a second would I lie to myself or you and tell you that an MGB is in ANY way 'BETTER" than a modern car.ANY modern car. By any yardstick that you can think of, the MG is going to be a distant second in any performance comparison. The only way I can see claiming the MGB as a BETTER car is in the same sense that climbing 40 flights of stairs to get to work is BETTER than taking the elevator. It is BETTER because most other people can't do it and it puts you in a small defined group of individuals.

If you use an emotional yardstick, then you might have a case, but last I checked they were still under development.

Sorry for derailing a good thread on painting cost. I think I will go start a new thread just to stir up some sh*t!

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #78
ohlord Rob C North of Seattle, N.W., USA 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2"	Posted: May 13, 2012 04:00PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 2,064

MGCCNWC has hundreds of members many many several years my senior at 61 and still working on their own MG's and traveling to events like the ABFM in Canada,the nationals,etc.
Rust can be defeated,quality parts are out there for those that wish to locate them,the aftermarket industry is alive and well creating improvements from suspensions to electrics.If anything it is far easier to maintain a nice running MGB current day than in past decades,if one has the desire.
Modern alternators,state of the art fuse boxes,pressurized hood and trunk rods,Better engine building procedures and machining.
True some members are getting older winking smiley

,however with the enthusiastic response we had at a local Auto tech school field day and comments from some of the teens that they either had MG's or Tr7's and 8's or want ones,the hobby will continue if we continue to drive and show them in the condition they deserve.
Most of the cars shown are worked on and maintained by their owners of which only a few are the shy side of 50. Most a bit winking smiley

older. Many of these cars also see daily service and long long road trips and rallyes. Maybe it is the Pacific Northwest that keeps us and the MG's forever young smiling smiley

And just a day later several different members and their cars attending a sunny early Saturday morning tech session. Any of the cars look like they can't hold their own and more against the current day cookie cutter crop of cars?

Build them,maintain them,drive them. Simple as that.
A V6 and a/c conversion might solve your other issues. thumbs up

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2012 04:05PM by ohlord.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #79
oily-hands Owen Frankland Stockton on Tees, Cleveland, United Kingdom 1937 MG TA "Numbum" 1971 MG MGB GT "The Bruise" 2002 MG ZR	Posted: May 13, 2012 04:05PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 5,280

Modern alternators,state of the art fuse boxes,pressurized hood and trunk rods

They can be reliable without all the later 'upgrades'.

As you say, it's all down to maintenance

Member of The International Society of Luddites (Unrepentant Chapter).

Take the time to understand what a part does and how it does it, then you'll have a better understanding of how to fix it when it goes wrong. Beats the scattergun approach every time.

Ignition testing made easy.

Making your MGB handbrake work

My You Tube Channel

Life with an MG TA and an MGB GT in the UK.

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Re: What's a reasonable budget for GT body work #80
ohlord Rob C North of Seattle, N.W., USA 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2"	Posted: May 13, 2012 04:36PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 2,064

You are preaching to the choir on that one thumbs up

Don't really understand the debbie downers that can't figure out how to keep an MG in top shape,with proper parts,running strong and reliable,as quiet or as loud as they desire.Yet they own them and complain about their lack reliability instead of their lack of ability

Really doesn't seem to me that you need to wait a day for your hearing to return in you well maintained MGB GT. smiling smiley

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