The Heritage certificate showed it had been built between the 21st and 22nd of August 1980, 1st registration in June 1981.
I bought this car on as a runner and collected it from a farm in Gloucester. On the drive back to Manchester the alternator had failed, indicators did not work, and 50mph max speed 25 on hills.
Not a good start but I thought it should be an easy fix. New alternator, The air filters had been changed but the carbs had not been adjusted, and new needles fitted. A new hazard warning switch was fitted as this controlled the indicators. Time-consuming searching for the faults but relatively easy to fix. The car ran well but still leaked oil like a sieve.
The engine and gearbox were stripped, seals and gaskets replaced, the head was decoked ports polished new valves fitted.
I had found the body to be generally in good shape, with no signs of accident damage. The main corrosion was found in the usual places the upper joint between the wing and the shroud under the windscreen and the bottom of the doors. Only 2 other small holes were found, behind the rear rubber bumper on the skirt and behind the horn bracket under the bonnet. All corrosion was cut out and new metal was welded in.
I had sourced new Heritage chrome bumper type wings, shroud, and a conversion kit to chrome bumper. On the underbody, the old underseal was removed and checked for corrosion. I found new original "BL" and Rover doors still with their labels on. After fitting the new parts, I resprayed in the original color cellulose paint "Snapdragon Yellow". 3 coats of primer rubbed down in between, and 5 coats of topcoat. The chassis and underflooring were scraped to remove the old underseal checked for rust and repainted with Red Oxide and then sprayed with modern Schutz sealer. All inner body panels were sprayed with waxoil along with the chassis box sections and inner wing cavities.
Some alterations to the wiring and new relays for the headlights, fans, etc. Alarm/ central locking and electric windows. The seats were rebuilt with new webbing, foams, and seat covers. New carpet and door cards were also fitted. The dash was recovered and the dials were fitted with chrome rings.
MGOC hydraulic power steering was fitted along with 5 new minilite wheels and tyres in 2013. Later that year new Everlast hood fitted.
At the end of 2013. I had completed all the upgrades on my MGB and was looking for a new project.
I started looking for a suitable donor engine and this came from a Land Rover Defender v8 3. 5Lt. Although in reasonable condition, I sent it off to my local engine shop for refurbishment. I had chosen high compression pistons, a new Piper camshaft and valves, and a crank regrind. This was returned at the end of February ready for painting and fitting.
While the engine was away I had removed the old engine and gearbox and started to make necessary modifications to the bodywork to take the new engine and gearbox. This included cutting holes in the inner wings for RV8 exhaust manifolds and fitting strengtheners. Cutting the top off the tunnel, fitting a new fabricated tunnel height extension, and welding it in. The Rover Lt77S 5sp gearbox was the last and strongest of the series but is taller than the standard MGB box and hence the tunnel extension. The rear gearbox mounting has to be modified and new mounting fabricated and welded in.
This box was later sent away for a rebuild due to second gear issues. TNT collected the box and was never seen again. As a replacement, I ordered a new MX5 kit from Vitesse. It comes with everything you need, a modified clutch, a gearbox to fit the v8, a new propshaft, and a new cross-member. They also supplied an electronic speedo.
A new fuel system was fitted including a new uprated fuel pump and filters. New pipe work. A new JWR manifold and Eldelbrock
500 carburetor and low-rider air filter. New electronic ign system fitted. Full stainless steel exhaust system including RV8-type manifolds. A hi-torque starter motor was fitted to provide better starting and less battery drain.
A new alloy V8 radiator with twin electric fans filled with Evans Waterless coolant.
It now is on its second engine after an incident with a 1/ 4" washer which magically flicked up and bonnet then ended up down the barrel of the carb causing utter destruction in its wake. The engine was sent to RPI engineering for a custom rebuild and came back a 3. 9Lt
It is currently on its 6 rear axle all fitted with new bearings and Crown wheel and Pinions have been noisy. The last one is from Frontline Development, with new SKF bearings and a Quaffe LSD, and finished off with a new honed and polished CW/ P, although noisy at the moment it gets better with each outing. They have promised by the time it runs in between 2000-3000 miles it will be quiet, currently 750, so a ways to go. I also fitted their 5 Link rear suspension and rear disc brakes.
I had always wanted an MG, this was a car from my era, as an apprentice, I worked on Rover 3500, Mk11 Jags, Oxfords and Cambridges. I was going to buy a Midget as my cousin had one when we were in our teens, in reality, it was too tight a fit, so the MGB was bought.
I was a mechanism for 27 years. All the modifications were researched and selected to make a positive change for each upgrade.
To sum up, all the changes were made to improve the car. The 3, 9Lt engine gives you all the power you could ever need. At 30mph in 5th gear, it purrs along at 1000rpm with a satisfying burble from the exhaust. Put your foot to the floor and it's a snarling race car.
The seats are comfortable even on a long run. The MX5 gearbox is the one the MGB should have had from the new, it's smooth and slick and a pleasure to use.
Unfortunately, I am in a situation where age and Health issues have caused me to reluctantly decide it's time for someone else to take on ownership of the MG. In the 12 years I have had the car I have enjoyed all the work I have done as much as the driving of it. At shows, it always gets lots of attention and has the trophy to prove it
In those years I have spent in the region of £35000, I knew I would never get my money back, but from the pleasure it has given it has been worth every penny.
