Author Topic: 1967 MGB-GT - Full restoration (Read 5118 times)

rgbeard · « **on:** December 02, 2013, 08:57:41 PM »

In as much as I play with motorcycles, I'm also a British car guy.

One of my projects right now is a 1967 MGB GT. For those of you that remember the MGBs, they were one of the most popular British roadsters, and in the 60s and 70s it was nearly impossible to take a drive anywhere without seeing one on the road.

Now time has taken it's toll, and they're more rare than ever before.

In 2008, my friend, Howard, needed this one out of his garage. It was an Arizona car, and the body was in great shape. Worthy of a complete restoration. The end-goal is a fun-to-drive reliable head-turning automobile.

Here's my starting point back in 2008.

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At first I believed it was going to just be an interior and engine job.

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I removed the 1967 engine, and prepared a freshly-rebuilt engine from a 1980. I'd owned the 1980 prior, and had intended to rebuild it, but the body was not worthy.

So begins the process of out-with-the-old, and in-with-the-new.

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I decided next was the Moss Motors' supercharger kit - to get the power up to a suitable level to make Southern California roads more do-able with the little 1.8L engine.

And it's at this point ---- that I hated the colour of the car.

The engine was never started, promptly removed, and the chassis was prepared for the next step.......

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Time to change that god-awful white for a very pretty Flag-blue metallic. The colours of the Ecurie Ecosse racing team.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecurie_Ecosse

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I just visited it last week - got some new pixx.

The lower crossmember/engine support just came back from the powdercoating, and looks really spiffy!!

Enjoy these pixx.

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sodapop6620 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2013, 09:13:32 PM »

So far so good, but having to visit your car

. But keep up the good work and get it back on the road!!!!

xsrider · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2013, 10:45:24 PM »

Nice work. I always liked the MBG GT's. It's good to see you're bringing one back from the dead.

I had 2 Austin-Healey Spites back in the early 70's. Fun cars to drive, but they required a lot of care to keep them running well.

Jim · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2013, 10:57:25 PM »

Sweet. My brother has an ?80? MG-B sitting in storage since 1999. The supercharger would catch his eye!

M.Brane · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2013, 11:00:04 PM »

Quote from: rgbeard on December 02, 2013, 08:57:41 PM

For those of you that remember the MGBs, they were one of the most popular British roadsters, and in the 60s and 70s it was nearly impossible to take a drive anywhere without seeing one on the road.

Yeah I remember those things used to be everywhere like Triumph Spitfires. We had one of those (Spitfire) for a while when I was a wee lad. I remember cramming myself in the space between the seats, and the trunk when we went grocery shopping in it when our huge American station wagon was getting an engine swap.

I agree about the color. That white is for something like my '64 Falcon not an MGB. The look on the pug's face says it all.

Viva la Resistance · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2013, 12:41:55 AM »

I like those seats, what are they, new or recovers?

KeS

rgbeard · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2013, 08:43:22 AM »

Quote from: Jim on December 02, 2013, 10:57:25 PM

Sweet. My brother has an ?80? MG-B sitting in storage since 1999. The supercharger would catch his eye!

1980 was the last year of the MGB. Also, due to smog regulations, and their way of adapting to it, 77-80 had the lowest power-output of any MGB. The single Zenith-Stromberg did a so-so job, and then was saddled with all kinds of tom-foolery to "help". Best for that car to pitch all the stuff, and put the moss Supercharger kit on it. It includes a proper SU carb to feed the beast.

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=111420

rgbeard · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2013, 08:45:14 AM »

Quote from: Viva la Resistance on December 03, 2013, 12:41:55 AM

I like those seats, what are they, new or recovers?

KeS

Scott had some unused seats from another endeavour. I had the interior shop take them, and match the car's colour as much as possible with some inserted material and piping.

Scratch · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2013, 08:49:25 AM »

Beautiful - I love seeing stuff like this.

Flyer · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2013, 09:27:17 AM »

My friend had a series of MGs, the most notable, an "A" with an electric overdrive from a later model "Beastie".
Another did a DZ302 Chev conversion on a "B"; a dog in the corners, but a definate worry for most of the muscle cars on the road at the time.
There are a couple of GTs locally, but none as nicely finished as yours is about to be.

rgbeard · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2017, 11:24:55 PM »

Since we moved away from CA, the MGB has stayed in CA, and is continuing, although slowly, on its restoration. Not being there has an effect.

I can't wait to get it back!!

That said, here's some recent photos:

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Jim · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2017, 12:09:12 AM »

It looks great! How does the motor handle? "satisfactory power"?

On second comment - no windshield yet - so no having it in driving state on the road?

You changed the wheels - gone are the wire spokes with spinner hubs. Did you still keep the spinner hubs with the current wheels (at least that's what I'm calling them `don't know the proper name). My brother wishes to convert to chrome bumper (from black plastic) with wire wheels / spinners and was, so far, talked out of the wheel conversion as too much work.

ixxion · « **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2017, 08:08:38 AM »

The center caps don't look like what I'd expect. Are those original minilites?

BMW-K · « **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2017, 09:49:00 AM »

Rusty, that is a thing of beauty!

rgbeard · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2017, 10:39:42 AM »

Quote from: Jim on February 04, 2017, 12:09:12 AM

It looks great! How does the motor handle? "satisfactory power"?

On second comment - no windshield yet - so no having it in driving state on the road?

You changed the wheels - gone are the wire spokes with spinner hubs. Did you still keep the spinner hubs with the current wheels (at least that's what I'm calling them `don't know the proper name). My brother wishes to convert to chrome bumper (from black plastic) with wire wheels / spinners and was, so far, talked out of the wheel conversion as too much work.

I haven't touched the car myself for a few years now. These photos were sent to me.

The wheels are called Minilites, and I prefer them for this car. I already have my Jaguar 420, and it demands a new spoke wheel from me every 10k miles or so. I don't need another car demanding wheels out of me when the British Wire Wheel is becoming more costly and less available.

The spinner hubs are known as "knock-offs". The Minilites continue to use the knock-offs.

Fun fact: In 1968, the US suddenly passed a law outlawing the "eared" knock-offs. It caught the industry off-guard. There were many cars in New York sitting in a Customs yard that had their knock-offs replaced with a new Octagon-style. The inspiration for this ridiculous law? James Bond, of course. Goldfinger, particularly. Lawmakers worried that the everyday driver of an MG or Triumph would convert their ear-type knock-offs to evil projecting cutting devices. Thank goodness our lawmakers protected us from that very-likely outcome.

rgbeard · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2017, 10:42:33 AM »

Quote from: ixxion on February 04, 2017, 08:08:38 AM

The center caps don't look like what I'd expect. Are those original minilites?

It's a minilite clone from Moss Motors:

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=114343

Mr. Whippy · « **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2017, 11:34:31 AM »

Fantastic job! I've always had a soft spot for the MGB GT.

Flyer · « **Reply #17 on:** February 04, 2017, 04:49:44 PM »

Love the MG-Beastly.
The supercharger is going to surprise a few men-folk.
Local '57 "A", purely for drool worthiness...
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Virginian · « **Reply #18 on:** February 04, 2017, 07:40:19 PM »

How did I miss this thread! Wow! What a great restoration and thanks for sharing. We are all looking forward towards your impressions when you get to drive this beauty.

Eric

rgbeard · « **Reply #19 on:** February 04, 2017, 08:27:10 PM »

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on February 04, 2017, 11:34:31 AM

Fantastic job! I've always had a soft spot for the MGB GT.

Having driven both the MGB and the GT plenty, the GT is quite simply the better car. I felt the same about our XK8. We owned the coupe version for many years instead of the more-common convertible.

I will be sure to document what happens as I pick it up. (this year?)

CLAY · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2017, 08:31:43 PM »

She's gorgeous.

oilhed · « **Reply #21 on:** February 06, 2017, 07:30:26 AM »

Those old Roadster based two door hatchbacks were the bomb!

BMW tried a comeback but it didn't gain a following. Nice car!
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redbandit14 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 08, 2017, 07:48:02 AM »

That is SWEET. My older sister's first car was 59 MG A , this would have been 65/66 when I was 3 or 4 . I still have memories of going to the A&W drive up in that car. I got locked in it once for about two hours , i wasn't strong enough to open the wire door handle or the catches for the sliding windows. I was freaking out but my family thought i was just having a great time pretending to drive

My other sister's husband had a 1966 Austin Healey 3000 he received as a graduation gift from his dad. He had it until about 1985 when he finally gave up trying to restore it. I rebuilt the bottom end and cleaned up the head in auto shop in high school.

We all wish that was still around now.