MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
I just finished watching one of those hot rod shows on Speed channel, in the end they arrived at a show with oceans of moded cars. No one seems to mind adding a big engine, different interior and non-stock colors to 55 Chevy's, etc.
Yet, we all seem to want to stick closely to rebuilding our MGB's close to stock. There's the occasional one that has been altered, but not that many.
Why is this the case? Just curios what you all thought....
David
with all the problems we have with mg's there's one thing that has never been lacking.
style.
I'm sure there are more custom 'Bs then you think...just check out the V6/V8 forum and remember that most MG owners aren't active on The MGE. And sports cars as a whole are not customized as much as other models, so yes, the number's are relitively low for the 'B if you're comparing to the hot rod crowd.
OH?!
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/JimBlackwood.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/DonAllen.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/SteveWard.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/BillJacobson.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/GaryWalker.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/MikelMoor.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/LarryShimp.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/DanMasters.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/TerrySchulte.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/Photos-MG-Conversions.htm
Mercedes Benz sunburst yellow paint
215 V8
Pontiac Sunfire seats
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I'd say that's pretty "custom" - wouldn't you?
And then there is Ray's car
http://www.1977mgbsupercharger.com/pictures/default.html
After-market wheels
Pontiac Sunfire seats
Union Jack painted on the roof.
What is that you mean when you say "altered"? Body work? Colors? Just curious.
My first car was a '55 Chevy, and a few years later I sold it and bought my MGB which I still own.
A stock '55 Chevy is a big sedan that handles like a truck.
A stock '63 MGB is a fun sports car. :D
They are out there. I cant leave mine stock it just isnt in me. My Green Rubber bumper sports and Isuzu Green, painted bumpers, custom interior with green piping to match the paint, modern fwd ICW brand wheels (yes fwd can be made to work) The moulding on the side was removed, holes welded up, car was lowered and I put my own custom graphic kit on the bottom and pulled a pinstripe on the body line. Theme on this car was to make a modern looking MG.
My chrome bumper is all custom but looks closer to stock, it is wearing Wimbledon White, custom made interior with red piping, I made a twin hoop roll bar, VTO wheels, and future plans are to lower it by about 1". Over all theme for this car was just to keep it clean and simple.
Because most MGB owners have better sense than to butcher a nice classic car just to become a "custom"?
There's nothing wrong with an MGB that can't be cured.
The factory got it close, but no cigar.
A few improvements here and there, and pretty soon you've got yourself a nice car.
x 2 what dan said. most of us have cars that have enough needs with resto and maintenance, we don't feel too much need to rip, tear, and mangle. besides, very few of our cars are REALLY stock (ask lloyd), they just arent' "rodded."
doing anything "custom" to an mgb seems to be met with much derision by many crusty old fellas (in the uk at least),
If i had a £ for every complaint about my wheels / exhaust / custom splitter / ride height / enormous sound system i could buy myself another MGB (a good one @ that!)
I think its a shame as the mini and beetle (veedubbers) love their custom scene! maby the mg just apeals to an "older"????? generation who dont neccecarily appreciate "modding" i reakon its a generations thing! (there are always exceptions of course)
My skill level isn't high enough (or checkbook deep enough) 8-)
Anyone that rods an MG should be horsewhipped! X( PS - I think Dan said it quite well. Minor mods make a huge difference.
I think there are two reasons:
1. Most of us have MGs because we we love them for what they are.
2. You get yelled at if you make too many mods. :D
Funny you mention it. The other day I realized that my B wasn't in poor cosmetic condition - it was a rat rod, and that's how it should look. Had to look up the definition to make sure I got it right, but it fits: driveability first, cosmetics dead last. My 'restoration' philosophy in things broken has been this: 1) Is it essential? 2) Is it cheap and simple to fix? If the answer is no to both of those, especially if it's heavy, it gets left off, thus no windshield wipers, windshield, heater, glove box (or right half of the dash), windows, top, interior. So, to answer your question, I think it depends on how you define 'custom'. I have a very customized beater.
It is as much a mentality about what one is supposed to do with these cars as it is personal preference. Mostly it depends on the degree to which the owner buys into one mentality or the other. There is no one singular destiny for any MGB, or any car, for that matter, except that someone is satisfied with one option or another. As Emil said above, this forum and even all the guys you met at your last British Car Show, are only representing themselves, not the totality of the MGB segment of the car hobby. There are purists amongst every Marque, its just that some are more vocal than others on some forums or venues.
