MGB Custom Trailer

Having completed my 1972 MGB restoration, which I thought was probably too much on the technical side, I decided to do a novelty project. I had a 1975 MGB which was scheduled for a full restoration until I found that the body was too far gone, especially the structural components. So scrapping that idea, I parted the car, saved the engine and tranny for replacement of my 72 motor, and saved the trunk and hood portions for this project.

1975 MGB Donor Car for MGB Custom Trailer Project

Does any of this make any sense? Do I have the time to spend on such a useless undertaking? Not according to the wife. But, what the hell.

I do not claim to be a mechanic, body man or painter. My background has been construction for 30 years, so I've had hands-on experience with most of the tools and equipment necessary to do a restoration. In so doing I managed to complete a full restoration of the 72 B without out sourcing ANY of the work. The car did managed to take 3rd place at the only two shows I was able to take it to in 2005. Sorry, but I missed Euro by hours of completing the car in time. Damned windshields anyways.

With any serious project such as this, there first must be some planning.

Research material is in order. (Books, Internet Info, Club Members or professional help). In this case my wife suggested the Professional Help of course.

I found a photo of a double-boot trailer off the net as a begining guide to my project. Since I didn't have two rear ends, I combined a trunk and bonnet. This made it much harder to merge the lines between the two.

The inspiration for my double ended MGB Custom Trailer (made from two MGB trunks)

Building my MGB Custom Trailer

Okay enough talk, time to work. After taking the plasma cutter to the body (by the way this is a Neat Toy. Just don't pull the trigger in the direction of a finger as it will give a nasty burn instantly... First hand experience). In any case I ended up with the rear portion in my garage along with the very front portion of the front clip, saving the bonnet and boot lid.

Cut donor MGB in half with plasma cutter

The next step was to get the thing in the air so I could work on it. Bending over these little cars just isn't in the cards for me anymore. So a wheeled frame work was made up from light duty angle stock, making it easier to work on the body, and making the underside much more accessible.

The trunk floor and gas tank were removed to provide for a much deeper space. In case I need to move out I'll have the room for my stuff (That's if she lets me take the MGs). You're probably wondering by now what I'm planning to haul around with this useless piece of Novelty MG Junk.

Grafting Hood to Trunk

Well let's just say... I'm not sure yet. The rough plan calls for 2 to 3 batteries to be installed over the axle in the location of the original with some slight modifications to provide "room".

You now ask... What the *@^% for? As I said this is to be a Novelty Item so the plan is for a very serious custom built sound system and possibly some kind of a light show involved as well.

Okay I know I'm over the edge. It just may be a bit much. But it's either that or insulate the box for the ice and ten cases of Speckled Hen beer that will fit in the new deeper trunk... good time to think about installing a drain plug?

It is intended to keep the small portion of the bonnet/hood operating which will give a space for the sound equipment etc. A pull latch will be accessible from the trunk.

The rear suspension has been removed and will be replaced with new springs and a tube shock conversion kit. A trailer type axle is to be installed as well as trailer style spindles and hubs.

This is causing some fits as I have yet to find a trailer hub that matches the wheel stud pattern of Rostyle Wheels (4 x 4.5). If anyone has any ideas please send me an email. Now the hardest challenge to this novelty endeavor is the marrying of the front portion to the rear portion. I must admit this will take some serious thought and time. Only can say, "God hates a coward"!

MGB Custom Trailer Build, custom frame, welding boot to bonnet

The hitch itself is still under design, though a removable portion from the trailer is paramount to the usability of the trailer when completed.

For Safety Reasons it needs to stand alone, so some sort of hidden jack stands will be necessary to incorporate into the design.

Oh, I forgot to mention I converted the trailer back to chrome bumpers as well.

My finished MGB Custom Trailer, converted to chrome bumpers