The nicest rusty mgb I've ever seen

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04223140004_W0QQitemZ160225789391QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160225789391

Honestly, this car is pretty local to me, and I entertained the thought of a bid if it went reasonable. Either for parts or to patch together for an all-seasons driver. What was I thinking? Reasonable and Ebay don't go together. Anyway, the car looks nice - look at that interior. But (and this is a big but) you can already tell that bidders are going to get charmed and overlook the obvious near terminal rust. Look at that frame rail! I've never seen one that bad! And, uh oh, rocker panel covers! I think the bid is already top TOP money for a car with that kind of rust.

So close, yet so far....

That rust isn't terminal by any means, it does need new sills and there is usually more than just that but at least the seller isn't trying to hide it.

That looks almost as bad as the rust I had on my GT "Special". That was the catalyst for me selling that car. It's interesting how nice the rest of the car looks. I can hear the bidders now.... "it's just a little rusty....nothing Bondo can't fix"......

Notice I said "near" terminal rust. When the frame rail that the transmission mount bolts to has disappeared, I'd say "near" terminal is a fair assessment. And when I see pictures that look that nice, with that kind of rust, my first thought is "bondo". I like fixing rusty cars, but that's not just a simple patch job to fix. It can be done, and I would do it, but it definitely falls in the category of "you'd be further ahead to find a better shell."

I guess I was really just making a comment on the... stupidity.... of so many buyers. That car has warning signs all over it, but the bid is going up faster than the national deficit.

Ryan, Is that an O/D switch at the left end of the dashboard? If so, might be worth a closer look!

Brian.

Ryan Reis Wrote:

So buy it and fix it Ryan. :)

People are probably looking at the O/D switch and the fact it says Special Edition, although that doesn't look much like a wooden Special Edition steering wheel to me, and I didn't know the SE came in green.

You're right though, you probably could patch it to make a beater daily driver with a view to doing it properly later.

The auction says it had OD but it has been removed. Brian, that's a nice looking pup in your avatar! Mike, I'm not buying it - I want your gt - I'm setting up an ambush on the highway right now. When the transporter goes by I'm going to swap your gt out with the rusty '70 that I have.

Making money by parting out mg's isn't for me. I think it's a pipe dream by the time you figure in your time. I barely have enought time to work on the cars I want to keep. I agree it's a mint for parts, but only if I needed them, not to sell.

Nothing like shiny paint and grille badges to make them drool.

Ryan Reis Wrote:

No Paul, all mine look like that too! :) I guess I didn't use the greatest terminology, I was referring to what VB refers to as a "front sidemember", #1 in their diagram below. It's what the engine and trasmission both bolt to, kind of important!

Ryan Reis Wrote:

Ryan Reis Wrote:

Buy Heritage new panels. Get a MIG and an angle grinder. For the price of the above and a real eye opening experiance a real nice GT could be had.
Of I forgot to add, a few good pairs of leather gloves and a box of bandages.

I agree Mike. I still regret the '67 roadster that I took to the metal recycler. It was bad, and at the time I just didn't have the tools, money or skills to fix it. If I had it now I would have save it. I hope someone fixes this gt.

Gee Ryan if you were closer I would make you a great deal on the rusty 74 GT that I picked up. Here I was thinking around 350 for the entire car :). Did they try to hide any rust with those silver rocker covers?

It's pretty crispy, but the seller is doing a solid and honest job of communicating the problem. Most sellers would try to cover it up.