Is it worth it?
newmgguy
04-07-2005, 10:14 AM
I'm looking at a 1977 MGB that runs, has 78K miles on the engine and runs. (I'm told thye clutch needs some pumping to get it in gear), no rust, the top is in decent shape. The guy wants to sell it for 1500 or so. Is it worth it for a weekend toy?
CraigFL
04-08-2005, 07:06 AM
Be prepared... It's almost 30 years old and will require some work to keep it in "driver" condition. The most difficult and immediate problem would be rust. If the car has solid dog legs, floor pans and sills, you can do the other work on a as-needed basis. The clutch problem sounds like a common one -- either the m/c, slave cyl or rubber hose. Expect parts to cost about $180.00-- hopefully it's not more serious. The price is not outstandingly low unless the car is in very good shape otherwise.
Have fun!
Have fun!
KimMG
04-16-2005, 05:03 PM
mgbexperience.com has a detailed journal of a guy fixing his roadster. There are also lots of technical pages.
ClearHooter
04-21-2005, 08:26 AM
As far as I'm concerned they quit making MG's in '74. After that they were beating a dead horse. The biggest issues I had with the late models were:
1. The carb. The Stromberg auto choke carb is junk. It makes a good paper weight and that's about it.
2. Road clearance. To meet bumper standards they had to raise the car a couple of inches. This seriously dicked with the steering geometry.
3. Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers. A homeliness only a mother could love. Not as ugly if painted the same color as the car. Operative phrase "Not as ugly."
4. Exhaust. Now equiped with a catalytic converter it burns the motor mount under it. I can't recall why; but do recall the car seemed to be built around that mount. It is a royal pain in the patoot to R&R.
5. If it still has that Lucas EI and runs.....Its probably the only one left in the country. It doesn't even make a good paper weight. It does, however, function as a distributor for a replacement EI control box.
Other than that its as good a car as the pre '75's. Actually the wireing is a little more dependable as they did away with the old bullit style connectors and went with sealed quick disconnects. Hydralic problems were still about the same as they still used natural rubber for the seals. Would I buy a post '74 MG???? No. Not a "B" or a "Fidget." Especially not a "Fidget."
1. The carb. The Stromberg auto choke carb is junk. It makes a good paper weight and that's about it.
2. Road clearance. To meet bumper standards they had to raise the car a couple of inches. This seriously dicked with the steering geometry.
3. Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers. A homeliness only a mother could love. Not as ugly if painted the same color as the car. Operative phrase "Not as ugly."
4. Exhaust. Now equiped with a catalytic converter it burns the motor mount under it. I can't recall why; but do recall the car seemed to be built around that mount. It is a royal pain in the patoot to R&R.
5. If it still has that Lucas EI and runs.....Its probably the only one left in the country. It doesn't even make a good paper weight. It does, however, function as a distributor for a replacement EI control box.
Other than that its as good a car as the pre '75's. Actually the wireing is a little more dependable as they did away with the old bullit style connectors and went with sealed quick disconnects. Hydralic problems were still about the same as they still used natural rubber for the seals. Would I buy a post '74 MG???? No. Not a "B" or a "Fidget." Especially not a "Fidget."
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026