Barn Find

This my first post... I bought my first MG about November of 2007. I've spent a lifetime in musclecars, and decided to get a hobby that has better gas mileage. The first MG is a 1966 B that is a ten year old restoration. It has been driven only about 1,000 miles in the last ten years. While it has been in great cosmetic condition, any car that is not driven regularly deteriorates, and I've spent the last 6 months making small repairs on brakes, fuel and vaccuum lines, etc. I've also upgraded the carbs to a single weber for better daily operation.

This post, however, is regarding my second MGB, which I found in a barn... no kidding. It is a complete 1966 model just like the one I already own. My intention was to pick up a second motor and transmission and rebuild them over the next few months just to have a spare set that is dated correct for my first B. The more I look at this car, however, I'm leaning toward fully restoring it.

Any suggestions? The car is complete and pretty much original. It does have some bondo on the left rear quarter, and rust in the passenger floorpan. Other than that, the body is pretty solid and even came with a new spare steel hood from Moss.

They practically gave the car to me ($300) So I'm not in too deep yet. Any ideas?

Rick

Nice find, that is NOT a parts car! If nothing else, you can ebay it and make a healthy profit. You could get it running and driving, throw a carpet set in it, buff the paint and it would make a great "beater" that you could park in places where you'd worry about your fully restored car. I'm jealous.

i need one like that to occupy my time

Fix that baby up!

Rick, RUN AWAY, FAST!!!!!! Before you do, though, let me come take that thing off your hands. It IS a sickness, and you're teetering on the brink of non-curability. In fact, just 'cuz I'm a nice guy, I'll come and get both cars, and hopefully you'll be saved.

But in case you're already past the point of no return, come join the madness at the Texas MG Register.

<http://www.tmgr.org>

Just for the record, here are some pics of my first MGB...

If thats an original radio in that car, and working, it alone is worth the money you paid.

You might want to replace that steering wheel.

:)

Nice find!

Regarding the radio... I was thinking the same thing. But unfortunately it is a very well replaced Motorola... Surely they didn't come with motorolas??? It does have the original jack in the trunk, and five wire wheels. I pulled it home with a tow dolly and had to take the wheels off my first car to make trip safe. The tires that were on it were bias ply. Haven't seen those in a while. It has not left the barn since 1981.

Also, just for the record, that is not my huge house and range rover in the background on my car pictures... I'm just a humble CPA. Most of my retirement money is in classic cars, motorcycles, and vintage guitars. I find that they don't go down in value like my stocks do...

Is the one in Celina? I had been trying to get a hold of that guy for 3 days and he would never return my emails...

Dang it, you got it.

This is it... I was the first person to contact him and he held it for me for two days until I could get up there. Very nice people. It was their grandfather's car and they are clearing up the estate.

He said he ran the same ad in August and did not get a single call, this time he got over 30 replies.

I believe that Motoroal's were put in the early year cars. As most were dealer options when installed in the U.S., they would be US made radio's. Could be original, very nice find anyways. Good luck with that one.

Motorola is most probably the original radio. I agree with the others. Make the car a runner and flip it or just flip it now. Good money to be made either way. Engines and tranny's are cheap and easy to find.

Oh by the way, search Guitars under this site and see how many others there are :)

What a steal. You should be ashamed of yourself. Ask for forgiveness. :)

I hate you.

restore it or make a driver of the barn find and the first a show car.

Rick,
Check your PM

I do feel a little guilt... the restored MG I bought for $9,900. At the time I wasn't sure if I got a good deal or not, but felt like any car in this condition would cost atleast $15,000. I wanted a chrome bumper car, and the prices for a good daily driver seemed to float between $7k and $10k. Getting one that was fully restored was a bonus. I'm used to high dollar musclecars, and the fact that you can get a great car for under $10K just seems to show value. I've had some awesome cars in the past, but I've got no experience with the MG's. I'm sure it is easy to get in over your head.

I recently restored a 1980 Honda CBX. I didn't have a clue, but I got such a good deal on the bike that I couldn't go wrong. Now that it is finished I'm scared to ride it.

At LEAST 15K! I can't tell you how jealous I am. Well done.

A CBX? The one and only in-line 6 motorcycle on the planet. Just Honda showing off that they could do it. Cool looking bike. Have fun synchronizing the carbs on that one. It has a bit of a cult following. It was the last (or nearly the last) of the big bore standards...It could do touring or canyon roads with a comfortable riding position. For years I rode a 1982 Honda V45 Sabre V4 shaft drive water cooled with high compression pistons 4-1 pipe, rejetted carbs, hot coils, CF clutch. Dead reliable, wicked fast, runs forever. Still have it, still runs, never ride it. Seems all the Hondas of that era had great engines, but needed a little help in the handling and weight management department...then came the Interceptors.

That rules....fix it up just enough to drive and be safe, then you can ponder what you want to do!

Humble CPA my arse.....

I also had a Honda V45 Sabre. I put 100,000mi on it in five years, very reliable, comfortable and fast. Sometimes I wish I still had it but my back can't take it anymore. :)

well if you dont want it i will take it off your hands .......some people have all the luck

What a deal...OD?

BrianC72bgt Wrote:

BrianC72bgt Wrote:

I actually saw the Benelli in an antique mall in Dallas. It was beautiful. It was a lot smaller than the CBX. This mall actually had a guy that restored old motorcycles ans sold them from the mall. Lots of BMW's in there.

PAMidget Wrote:

Where'd you find that? Wyatt's farm? Looks like a good place to start if you are in need of a hobby.