MGB & GT Forum

'ello,

I have an MGB GT. There are currently no known problems with it. It was owned by the same man from the factory and then temporarily owned by his son-in-law for 2 years. And now, very luckily, it's in my possession.

I was daydreaming about driving from Amsterdam to Monaco in May and making the most of owning such a beautiful vehicle. More specifically, Amsterdam - Luxembourg - Geneva - Monaco. I will be averaging around 5 hours of driving per leg, with several stops along the way.

My question is, will the car handle it? What spare parts should I bring with me on the journey? Has anyone done something similar?

I thank you all beforehand, and hopefully, this daydream becomes reality.

Many will comment on this with suggestions, here's what I keep on hand in my B's:

-Wrench & socket set
-Spark plugs & wire set
-Spare (duplicate) fuel pump
-Set of quality points, rotor, condensor (if still running a stock ignition setup)
-Penetrant oil/spray
-Empty petrol can

Suffice to say, make sure your spare tyre is in good order as well, along with the lift, hub hammer, et al.

All the best on this journey if you proceed, some lovely country you'll be passing through in a beautiful vehicle!

Assuming that your car is up to date on servicing* and maintenance, you should be good to go!

Not too much I can add to Bryan's list, though a spare fan-belt may be prudent. A spare light set (one-headlight, a couple of sidelight bulbs, if space allows). An identical fuel filter, in case you pick up some less than ideal gasoline along the way.

If you'll be encountering several mountain passes, a spare set of front brake pads won't take up much space, and these can be changed out roadside in under 30-minutes, if necessary.

While completely unaware of the road conditions you'll encounter, does your car have an overdrive XMSN fitted? While certainly NOT a deal-breaker, it's nice to have.

With any luck, and insuring against Murphy's Law, you won't NEED any of these spares, and you'll just be cruising along with a Big Smile

* Be certain that each of the wheels can be easily removed__freshly lubricated splines (my preference is to use Kopr-Shield, available at any electrical supply house) and IF your rocker panels are in good-solid shape, the factory jack is up to the task of changing a flat tire by the roadside (I have done this with every MGB & MGB GT that I've ever owned). All the fluids should be (reasonably) fresh, suspension & driveshaft greased, etc.. I think, if it was me going, I'd also take a good look at my shock absorbers (looking for leaks and/or low levels) and the inner/lower & upper/outer A-arm bushes. All routine and common sense stuff.

Hej,

Maybe hidden spare keys and or learn how to start without a key. Maybe check your spare tire air pressure and carry a spare inner tube and tire irons. Maybe a spare wiper blade or two. If you have 2 batteries, convert to 1 and get a battery bin for extra storage. Maybe a spare radiator hose.

Years ago, I drove across the US and to Florida in my GT (no overdrive) without any issues.

Congratulations on your new to you gt Liam. Very nice. If it drives as well as it looks you should have a blast. The suggested items Bryan listed is a good start. Don’t forget the credit card.
Welcome to the forum. Your gonna be asked for more pics.

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Des
Stay safe.

There are several long time members that are experiencing with traveling in Europe.
Ernie Yates and Don Van Viets (sp). Come to mind.
If I were to take a 3 thousand mile trip in mine I would expect to have to do maintenance of the ignition due to the point gap closing.
A possible valve adjustment.
And maybe some fiddling with the carbs for running at high elevation.
So I would carry parts for this maintenance.
And I would expect some parts to rattle loose. So I would carry tools and a jack to fix annoying muffler rattle or whatever.

In the USA, the North American MGB Register publishes a "Mutual Aid Directory" of members and their contact info sorted by states. Also included is recommended service shops. In the case of a breakdown, other members might be near to give a hand or can point you to a reputable, local repair shop. I am not sure if there is such a thing in Europe. Hopefully someone here might know of a similar list available to club members across Europe.

Good luck with your trip. It sounds like fun.

Liam

Yep...assuming that it's is running ok and serviced and checked before you go....your car will be fine. It was built to do the trip you are planning. After all, "GT" is in it's name!

Others have given you a list of tools and spares so I will not add to this.

I also have a BGT and have driven from Bristol to Dover and then after a Channel ferry, It took us across France, Holland, Belgium and Germany and onto Italy.

In Italy we drove down to Pisa and Lucca before cruising along the Italian Riviera. Magic!

After stopping at Nice, we I had a drive up through France and back to Bristol, I had covered nearly 2k miles without a hitch. So they do European trips without a problem!

Enjoy!!

Tony

Sorry, but a well maintained MGB will cover 3000 miles without any attention. You certainly shouldn't have to adjust the valves or adjust the carbs for altitude. The points, if it still has them, will last that long too. When these cars were new owners didn't have to fiddle with them between services.

SU carbs automatically compensate for higher altitudes unlike a fixed jet carb like a Weber. My ex-Triumph Dolomite 1850, a 1977 car, has recently travelled from Glasgow to Monaco and back without issue. Oh, wait a minute the owner said he had to top up the windscreen washer bottle. That was all. The engine, running on twin SU carbs coped perfectly well with climbing the Col du Turini (1607 metres high). I have driven my BGT V8 from Scotland to the south of France and back, and didn't touch a thing throughout the trip.

Take a small tool kit, but I bet you won't need it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-04-11 11:39 AM by Bumpa.

All the above suggestions and comments seem to assume your car is regularly driven, including the occasional longer drives.

If that is not the case, I’d suggest you start doing so for a few months before leaving on your trip. You’ll discover a lot about the mechanical condition of the car… and your abilities, too.

Good luck.

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Pogo is right.
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The power of reasons is an illusion. The belief will not change when the reasons are defeated. The causality is reversed. People believe the reasons because they believe in the conclusion.

How old are the tires? A blow out anywhere ain't fun, but the mountains could be a problem. I agree with the comments about being serviced and running well.

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The important thing is not to get ahead, but to get along.

A list of addresses for MG parts. Moss europe is situation in France, somewhere.

Amsterdam - Monaco is 1500 km or so. That's no challenge for a well-serviced GT.

Have fun! I am off to Scotland in May, so I'll wave you when I pass :-)

Give the car some miles before you go tk get a feel for what it needs. I wouldn't bother with a fuel can but you mag need oil if your car uses it. Getting sutable oil, or any oil, at roadside garages can be difficult these days.
Enjoy your trip.

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John
1978 MGB GT UK spec

The contact info for your roadside assistance provider. If you take everything suggested in this thread you will need a trailer. Drive the car for 1000km before you go, this will give you some confidence and help identify issues that need addressing.

Bon voyage.

I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned but then you might already know about something discussed here on MGE within the past year and that is the permit system where emissions are an issue so make sure you're OK to take the route you are. Don in the Netherlands is full bottle on this.

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Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.