What could you tell me about this '64??

Hey guys I just joined this site and was hoping you could help me out. I've been a british car fan since before I could drive. My first car was a 75 Midget, I've also owned and loved a 67 Triumph GT6. Those were both many years ago. I saw a 64 MGB locally and plan on checking it out tomorrow. It is a 3MB early 64. I'm looking for something to make into a fun presentable daily driver, no desire or aspirations of having a show car. I'm a very good hobby detailer and have a knack for "cleaning up" vehicles and can do most any driveway mechanic work myself. My real dream is a TVR 2500M, but I'd love to find something in the meantime to enjoy clean up and hopefully sell down the road at a small profit.

Please chime in on things to look for, price, opinions, etc.

Cheers!
Zack

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/car/348507255.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-MGB-MGB-1964-PULLHANDLE-STEEL-DASH-MGB_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ31857QQihZ010QQitemZ200112522228QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Seats are not the original style. Hard to tell but looks like the non-OD shifter. It needs alot, but the price is fairly low. The rust repair is the big question. If was done right, great. If not, you're in for trouble. I paid exactly double that for my '64, but it needed only carpet and front shocks.

All you can do is go and take a look.. Sounds good and the price seems fair... Look for rust and body filler.. An ice box magnet will come in handy..

Looks like it could be a good deal if the body is as solid as stated. I do not care for the seats but thats not a deal buster.

Ad says he drove it--without either MC working? Not very far I presume. Needs a air filter can for rear carb. Minor stuff as well as the seats. Price is reasonable only if rust hasnt taken over and was covered up as previously stated. Without rust--I'd buy it but I dont need another do I?

It wont cost you anything to take a look at it. I am concerned that he took closeup shots of the interior and the engine bay but all the shots of the body are from 30' away. You have a VERY knowledgable MGB restorer/mechanic right there in Weymouth. His name is Mike Oliva. He is a member of my club (NEMGCC). He 'may' be persuaded ($) to go with you and be brutally honest about the car with you and the owner in the best Boston tradition. Maybe someone from BAMG might be willing to go with you.

It isn't even worth what the current bid is. It is a $1500 car if its somewhat solid and you can get it to start. The seller claims that there are rebuilt carbs on there, but they are all corroded and there isn't even a rear air filter? Wrong seats, door caps, and tonneau boot. The engine bay is nasty. Black paint, wires everywhere, just an overall mess. You will need to go through all of the brakes, clutch hydraulics, front and rear suspension, etc. All the pictures are from far away, so you can't tell too much about filler, bubbles, rust, etc. The floors probably have holes or are sheetmetal. Look around for a car that isn't on eBay and I guarantee you will come out ahead.

I think up here in New England that IF SOLID, the $2700 is not bad. I cant tell for sure if it is OD. It does appear to be a straight shifter but you can see if it has the switch or the vac. switch on the firewall.

lbcnut Wrote:

I'd be willing to take a look at it for you (I am in the next town over), but I also have concerns over the body. More likely than not, being an original new england car, I bet there is blistering paint, filler and rust in many of the critical areas. Could be a money pit.

Shoot me a PM or an email.

Thanks guys I decided to pass without looking at it. I remember how easily these can become money pits and between the pics, your insite, and talking to the owner, I lost my enthusiasm for this particular one.

Thanks for the help!
Zack