MGB & GT Forum

The smog requirements in the OP's town of Tucson Arizona are actually more strict than those of California.

Tucson requires 1967 and later cars to pass smog. In California it's 1976 and later.

@Goodonme, thanks for taking the time to school us. I admire your new found enthusiasm and excitement over finding a niche in the market that we have only known about for decades.
Larry's comments comparing B's to T's is valid. Because of the sheer numbers produced and the cars original place in the market (affordable-low priced-easy maintenance) we can't really expect B's to gush into the stratosphere price wise. Much like Dan D. stated, the creme of the cars will obviously bring big money, but don't look for the average B to skyrocket any time soon.
I'm not your average nay-sayer. I've been buying and selling cars as a hobby, and for a living since back in the mid 70's and have kept a careful eye on the B market. I've been through a half dozen in the last year, from 66GT to 74.5GT - 67Roadster to 80LE, and while trying to make each car bring its total worth, I've found what the average buyer tends to want. Just look at Bring a Trailer to see the very obvious difference in pricing in completed restoration quality B's compared to driver quality or good project cars in a National venue.
Welcome to the MGE. I hope you enjoy your time dealing with MGB's and good luck in doing your part in promoting the hobby.

Have fun

ps just for sport, here is an example of what we all have to wade through to get decent projects. http://barnfinds.com/two-to-make-one-a-pair-of-1975-mgbs/#more-40591

---

If ignorance is bliss, I must be the happiest man alive!
Signed

RUFUS
67 Roadster



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-08-11 10:31 AM by Rufus.

Sorry, Jay, I'm not seeing it.

Like the "T", the Ford A is on its way down for the same reasons (although the MAFCA folks won't hear of it), many survive in driver condition and the nostalgia is literally dying off. The buyers for historical curiosity might prop up the concours ones but a solid driver is a hard sell even at 2/3 what they brought 15 years ago, at least here. There are at least three for sale within 20 miles of me I can think of, and none are moving for what was realistic pricing then and optimistic pricing now.

I've watched my old '40 Chev pass that threshold by while I owned it. It is real and I have to wonder how long it will be until the quintessential '57 Bel-Air will cross that same threshold; I'd bet its coming.

Both of my MGs are survivors and I just don't see them going up much in value, especially with the direction motor vehicle technology is being pushed by governments worldwide, the perception in younger generations that a vehicle is an IT peripheral or at best another network node, and the dying off of those of us who are the last generation of the Industrial/mechanical era.

I don't see them going up in value as individual examples of the best of that era, either, even though I personally hold them in high esteem. Museums will have (rightfully) E-Jags on display as icons of the industrial mechanical era, not a B or a Spridget, just like they will a Mustang not a Falcon as icons of the US industrial/mechanical era.

I'm guessing I won't see B's and Midgets getting artificially propped price-data points from Barrett-Jackson either, because the investor community who need those price-points to protect investment don't own 'em.

I'm glad about that, because I do want to drive them without fear rather than hoard them and fear each passing bird or inevitable stone. I know it sounds perhaps heretical but, having been in "collector" cars for many years and now done with it, I don't want these cars to be caught up in that spiral to be honest. I own them to play with them and want nothing to do with that play-value being usurped by artificial valuations.

Even worse, I'm no longer worried about the "future of the hobby" (there's a selfish sounding statement!) It is inevitable there will be fewer people involved as nostalgia for each generation of a decade's cars dies off. I can't do anything about it other than enjoy what I have and drive now, and share that joy with anyone who might be interested.

For me, this isn't a religion any more than it is an investment opportunity.

Brian

---

With great power comes great responsibility. Therefore, with only a little power comes only a little responsibility.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-08-11 10:59 AM by Sarge101st.

The way I see this, there is ample supply of cars for those that want one. Inventory will be stable for many years since they are mostly decorative and/or fair weather wax repositories.

The people who want the cars are going to die-off en mass over the next 20 years. Replacements for this enthusiast group are not being built. If you attended MG 2015 you would have been hard pressed to find a person under 50 years old.

Most of us can work the business case from there.

The good news is that depreciation wont have much of an effect on these cars. A smart person can buy a very good one and not worry about what it cost because it can be sold in 5 years for essentially what they paid. Its like having money in the bank; no interest, but safe. At least you can drive the MGB

The fools in this game restore one and add it to inventory.

See #12.
Anybody who restores his own car and then claims to have made money is doing fuzzy math. Paul

@Brian, Nice job, well said. I think you covered it all nicely.

Have fun

---

If ignorance is bliss, I must be the happiest man alive!
Signed

RUFUS
67 Roadster

This discussion was aired over in the T series forums and one poster hit it on the head when he said, if you want to make a million dollars on an MG (or any other special interest car), start with 3 million.
Cheers,

---

Dave DuBois
1953 MGTD
1966 MGB
http://homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/

Owned ten years, BGT, 1973. In that time maybe spent the same as the purchase price on a combination of maintenance/servicing, and a light restoration of the body including paint, car gets daily use hence its a 'car' in addition to a hobby. Value currently just above ten year cost (from what I see others of similar condition/age selling online), which is good enough for me; stylish, cheap motoring.

Here's the problem - I won't be around to see what MGB prices look like in another 40 years........

I found a much better way of making money, and I will let you in on my secret.
I hook electrical wires together.
It is a great system. Other people buy the wire, and I put it in and connect the wires.
It beats the heck out of buying cars and waiting ten years.
In fact I am going to do that right now.

Most enthusiast clubs are full of 50 year olds. Thats when we have time,onet and kids are leaving.

I camt see future enthusiasts getting excited about hyundais and geo metros.

Fewer cars, fewer enthusiasts but really dont care. Enjoying mine now. Didnt buy it as an investment. May buy another one as they are gettting so cheap - or wait for them to be abandoned on the road as unsellable at any price - LOL

---

The goal - Reliable summer driver interspersed with mechanical tinkering...
Motto - "Driving fifty in the twisties..."
On Mods - It's your damn car - Do what you want. Haters gonna hate...
On SUVs - Drive your B like a soccer mom is texting her friends about how she wants to kill you...
Red Betty - http://www.mgexp.com/registry/GHN5UH418165
Bart - http://www.mgexp.com/registry/GHD4U146898G

I was helping a friend rebuild his MG/TC in 1967-8. Going price then in SoCal for a decent restoration was already about $20K. (they've really not risen much since then) He commented that the MG TF 1500 was the first "real car" MG ever built. By that he meant capable of dealing with modern road conditions and speeds. That's the one consideration that takes the Model T, A and B analogy a bit off target, Those cars are not capable of dealing with everyday traffic in their stock form. Which is why there seems to be no end to the market for hot rods with modern technology underneath and really no limit on the values they can achieve in the 'collector market.' Beginning with the Fifties cars were built to travel at the same speeds we generally see on roads and highways throughout the world today.

The B Model from the outset was, and is a hundred mile an hour car, with great brakes and very good road holding. It is stylish and within reason economical on gas. When I drive it around town (which is a major Motorhead Mecca) it's the young people that get really excited about the car as it is. I think this augers well for the future of these cars. Young people can actually image themselves driving them, all the time. They like the fact that it is not cookie cutter and even "Like New" not insanely priced. So while I have seen the prices on Bs and GTs go up in the last five years, I don't see them dropping anytime soon due to saturated market and people dying. I also don't see the prices on pony cars coming down either. In fact, Pony car prices are fairly close to the prices of foreign sports cars from the same era.

A little know fact insure the car as a classic with hagerty and no smog test that's in az

If the number made matters, explain the 1965 Ford Mustang.
It attracted a staggering 680,989 buyers after its early public introduction at the New York World's Fair in April, 1964. (Reference)

It does come down to supply and demand. The 1965 Mustang was the dream car for a lot of baby boomer.
I'm not sure how many dreamed of owning an MGB.

pics of this purchase?