MG vs Vette

I noticed a lot of people here have both MGs and Vettes. To me they seem like totally differnt animals. Guess i was just wondering about the mutual attraction.

As most of you know I just sold my MGB and now considering buying a Vette. As far as I can see the only things they have in common are 2 seater and very fun to drive. Since I was a kid I've always wanted a Vette and now I have the opportunity to own one so WHY NOT?! I wish I could have the MG and the Vette but no room for both. I am missing my "B" though!

They are different. That's why they have both. There is a number of British car enthusiasts that have MGs & Miatas, as well. ;)

Yes, they are very different cars, but in some ways they have same appeal factor.

In my case, I have owned and restored several Corvette's. The '68 is my favorite and this one is fully restored. i originally bought it as a basket case, and in the restoring process found out that it was very unique and rare car. It was actually a GM test car and was not suppose to have ever been sold. So I keep this car pristine.

It is fun to drive and people love it. The problem is that it only gets - best case - 6 miles to the gallon and worse case less than one mile to the gallon. 427 CI 435 HP (Actually pushing closer to 500 HP) with three two-barrel carbs - called TriPower. All matching numbers It will do 0 to 60 in 5 seconds and 0 to 100 in 9 seconds.

The MG is different because in general it is cheaper to own and operate and is more practical. I really do not worry about it being stolen if I park it somewhere, where my Corvette, before I owned it had been stolen three times in it life time.

Now to be totally honest, I didn't go out looking for a MG. Mine was actually given to me by some friends who wanted to clean out their barn where the car had been parked with an electrical short for over ten years. In the beginning I was skeptical about this car but grew to love it.

I think the appeal for me is that the MG and the Corvette are two ends of the scale. There is just something satisfying about driving them both. It is sort of like asking someone that rides a motorcycle why they enjoy it. It is very difficult to explain but if you have ridden you totally understand it.

Not to side track this thread, but I would be interested to know how many people that have MG's, have or have had motorcycles in their lifetime.

Nice Vette, Robert. Gotta love that tri-power!! Yes I have had motorcycles..quit that shortly after moving from Oregon to California. Too dangerous here!!

Yep... 76 B and a 09 Honda VTX1300T.

One thing to keep in mind is the Corvette changed dramaticaly through the generations. For the most part, the MGB stayed the same. So there could be different reasons for the attraction depending on what generation you are talking about. Some may want an old classic Vette for many of the same reasons other old cars are desired.

I can only speak for myself. I guess there are several reasons I wanted one. I actually used to make fun of old guys with Corvettes and Vettes in general. Now I have one and will turn 60 later this year.8-) I started thinking about one back around 04 but bought my truck instead. This past year the urge returned even stronger.

So what is it that made me change? Age for one. I guess you could say I put it on my bucket list. I also have come to appreaciate the creature comforts of modern cars. This goes back to what I said about the generations. After doing some research and looking at them, I didn't care for anything prior to the 98 C5. I wasn't interested in another "antique car" When it gets too hot, I want to be able to flip up the top and turn the air on. BTW, the top goes up and down with the same effort as opening and closing the trunk lid.

We all know what an MGB is. The Vette I got is also a convertible and runs on gasoline but that is about all they have in common. Everything is really high tech in this car. It was and still is considered a "world class sportscar" Listing all the specs would take too long. What drew me in? The looks are #1, Air conditioning, comfortable ride, 30mpg, kick butt stereo, and still goes like stink. Think about a high performance sportscar that will run low 13s in the 1/4 mile, corner like it's on rails and still have all the power accesseries and comforts of a Cadillac. This is by far the coolest car I've ever owned and I've had a few.

That's funny! I would never call my B "practical".:D

I have more motorcycles than cars

73 Triumph Bonneville 750
80 KZ1000 street/strip
79 KZ1000 IHRA drag bike
76 CB125
76 CL450

Just sold some others to make room in the garage so I can work on the MGB.

86 Kawasaki Concorse
75 CB750
79 CB750

Trying to buy a nice KZ400 now.

Motorcycles here too

00 HD Heritage Softail
80 Yamaha XS 1100 Midnight Special

Not much interest in riding anymore. But they aren't worth much to sell either...especially the Harley.:(

I've owned 65 Vette, 73 Vette, and my MGBs. My signature reflects which I loved best and which I sold :) :)

1977 Supercharged MGB & 1990 Convertible Corvette

I had a 65 B for about 186k miles. I wanted a Boxster and my wife said OK but you have to get rid of the B. She never thought that I would but after 15 years it was time for something new and I already had a very willing buyer. I have the Boxster for 5 years now and just bought a 72 B. I have driven a few Vettes in my life and with most of them I would never try and use all that power in the twisties around my house where as the Boxster is magnificent, it just does not have the soul that the MG's do. Driving the Boxster is like being part of a machine, driving the B is like going out with your best friend who is a derelect. You know that you are going to get into trouble but are going to have a hell of a good time doing it. Ed

Lloyd, I get a chuckle out of the difference between here and the C5 Tech Forum. Here we discuss mig welding sills and floors. Over there it's a soldering iron and DIY circuit board repair. Here there are the SU conversions and engine builds trying to max out an old 4 cyl. Over there you get an exhaust, cold air intake and a "tune" A tuner is a guy with a laptop pluged into the OBD port and a progam to change all sorts of things such as fuel maps, timing, rev limits ect. Two different worlds for sure...both fun in their own way.

I came close to buying two Vettes back in the '60s. One was a '64 that was going for $1,000. It came with a soft top and a hard top. When I went to buy it, I found out that my annual insurance would be $1,500 because it had a V8 and I was under 21. The fact that I had a perfect driving record made no difference. The other was a highly modified '62. It was on the used car lot at a Chevy dealer and they wanted $1,500. When I inquired about it, I was told that a potential buyer had left his watch as a down payment. If he didn't show up by 9 AM the next day, the car was mine. HE showed up at 8:55 the next morning. I've had a several MCs over the years. My present bike is an '84 Honda Shadow 700C. Self adjusting valves, clutch and brakes that stop it on a dime. The shaft drive is an added bonus. RAY

I love them both...for different reasons. I have a 65 vette coupe and a 73 t-top as well. The newer corvettes are truly super performance machines, but I'm drawn to the older vettes.

Clearly the newer sports cars are superior to older vettes and MG's, and if raw, predictable/reliable performance is your top priority, then get a new one. I'm into the looks. Hard to beat a good looking midyear or straight axle vette. Same for MGB's. Nothing is practical or logical about these feelings, but I think most on this board know what I'm talking about. Don't just stop with MG and vettes.....get a brass car, prewar classic, 50's big American cruiser..............

hey, you're not snow bound and bored, are ya?:devil:

John, I officially hate you. I recently purchased a blue '65 coupe model, in 1/18 scale, that is identical to the car that you own. RAY

And while we're on the topic, it seems a good idea to put in a link back to the MGE thread from this fall that discussed the test-drive comparison I wrote up for my blog: 2011 Corvette Grand Sport Coupe v. 1976 MGB Roadster.

(And here's a link to the review itself on my blog: The Great Sports Car Debate: 2011 Corvette Grand Sport Coupe v. 1976 MGB Roadster.)

I would use the MGB for European style rds for getting round corners, whereas the Vette is great in a straight line but show it a corner and it'll wallow about like an old hippo in a mud pond.

Been riding in MGBs since I was 5 (my dad still has that '63 B), motorcycles since 14 (street, motocross, drag race). I'm 54, now, & putt around on my Harley (or trail ride on my son's XR200 Honda) & eat up the backroads in my V8 MGB. Sometimes life is still fun. :D

Dear John - I hate you.

:^>

For the longer top down trips this summer I recently bought a 2000 Jaguar XK8 in beautiful shape with low kms.

Sold the '64 MGB yesterday and we're probably going to persue this one we checked out a couple weeks ago:

http://usedcars.collectionfinecars.com/detail.aspx?Make=Chevrolet&aid=124988

Already have them knocked down $3,000.00 on the price, and we got our asking price for the "B" so we're keeping our fingers crossed.. :D

As others have mentioned, There aren't too many opertunities to own something like this that you've wanted most of your life... Ya have to take advantage of it....

Chain tensioners will be changed to the all metal body type (eliminating that concern) and there is a easy fix to reduce the DC voltage to the pump to avoid that momentary peak pressure that kills the hose.

Regular maint., like the B, and should be no worries

I think it's very simple. They are both extremely good at doing what they are supposed to do: they put a smile on your face!

Never had a Vette though I've driven a few, mostly older ones. Had a great time @ the last autocross last year when a friend showed up with his restored 64 (he normally competes in a WRX) & the avowed mission "To beat you & that damn MG". Didn't happen, my final time beat his by about half a second. I was chuffed!!! Mind you, if he'd had better tires I think I'd have been toast.

As seen at a Captree, NY, Sunday Morning Cars and Coffee.

John, I just might take you up on that offer. Northern California has had a cold Winter and my poor B hasn't seen the road in almost two months. Come to think of it, I haven't even looked in on my B in quite a while. It's resting with a battery maintainer and a heated fan assembly underneath. I did own a '64 GTO for a while and it was deadly quick in a straight line, but the brakes weren't worth a damn and the handling left much to be desired. I had a girlfriend, in college, who had a brand new forest green coupe, like yours, with a 435 HP 427 engine. Her father bought it for her and it had a two speed Power Glide automatic transmission. She couldn't drive stick. It was a gorgeous car. I guess that I'll have to rescind that "I officially hate you" comment. RAY

Owned two corvettes, a C4 and C5, now I own a Viper, no comparison to the vettes or my MGB V8

I love my c6 vette, buy still does not put a smile on my face like the mgb v8!

dave

may I suggest a Nash metropolitan, a late 1960's honda street bike, or a 74-83 vette (just as cheap, or cheaper than an MG).


You know, it's funny. I was just having a conversation with a co-worker about the mid 70's to early 80's Corvettes, and how they were (in comparison) affordable.

By the way, I hope you know my comment was in jest. A better way is to say: "I wish I had your driveway."

:)-D