MGB: Noob could use some links/advice

Hi all,

owned a chrome-fender '71 Midget in high school back in the day. Starting to research that car again, maybe purchase next year. Not looking for a complete restoration project, but willing to do some work. Any links to 'buying guides' or research/good books on early or mid-70's chrome Midgets would be most appreciated. Not really ready for repair manuals yet...

Regards,

Doug (Troy, NY)

just ask what you need to look for and use ebay prices as a guide. ebay is inflated because ebay takes a huge percentage on the sellers money when the car is sold, so they pad the price to compensate.

No books to recommend but keep checking the posts on this forum as well as others and you'll soon get an idea of what to look for as far as rust goes which is the biggest investment for a restoration. If you're willing to travel a bit and could tow a car home you may well get a better deal in the mid west than on the east coast. Check sources like craigslist frequently and you'll soon get an idea of what is available and reasonable prices. For a fairly nice RWA chrome bumper car expect to pay around $4000 to $5000 in today's market. Here's a example of what appears to be a pretty nice car for less than that in the KC area. http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/1245803739.html

76mgmidget Wrote:

Just don't be in a rush. Deals always come along. Figure out what you want and just keep looking in all the sources you can think of. The web is a very good place to keep looking. If you have such sources as wheel&deals or other pay for ad's, they are usually posted on the web.
Keep in mind, you are looking at older cars and things wear out over time. Expect to work on anything that has not been taken care of or totally restored.

Remember if some one says NO RUST don't believe it. I thank all LBS have some rust some where. Just check the common places.
You just never know what has to be repaired or replaced. Better if the PO has a list of sales receipts to show what has been done. I have a ton of sales receipts I keep just in case I sell some day.

My advice would be to be realistic about your abilities and expectations of your finished product. It's not a question on how much money, but how will you spend it. Take your time and wait for the right one to come along.

Take pictures of some of the completed engine bays often posted here and make sure your are not missing anything terribly hard to find or expensive.

I found mine for $300 sitting in a guys yard. In retrospect, I would have done better spending more on the initial purchas and saved some time, money, and sanity. Good luck and keep us up to date.