Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[MG Nut]

Hi Everyone

I have just registered as I have been reading the threads in this forum for a while now. It looks great!

I am thinking about buying an MG, probably next year as we are coming to the end of the Summer months now (and I don't have enough cash yet either!). I would like an MGB Roadster ideally but would also be quite happy with a Midget (I used to own one back in 1988 - 1991).

The thing is, I am not a mechanic and am not experienced at all when it comes to stripping cars and rebuilding them.

I was hoping that I might be able to get some useful tips from other members on the pitfalls of buying an MG and the more obvious things to look out for?

I am quite happy to buy something that needs work, but this would have to be done for me as opposed to by me (until such time as I have enough courage to give it a try).

Also, does anyone know what the typical price would be for a chrome bumpered MGB Roadster, a rubber bumpered Roadster and a rubber bumpered Midget? I don't like the chrome bumpered Midget so will exclude that.

Any help would be appreciated as I begin my "MG Fund" and start saving in earnest.

Thanks in advance!

All the best

Neil.

[Stuchamp]

Welcome to the Forum!

[Rick]

Hi Neil

Welcome to the forum. Although I've never owned an MG, here are some things to consider..

If you're not into 'spannering' a great deal, and plan to farm out work on the car to restoration companies, I'd be inclined to look out for the best example you can find for your budget. It'll save you money, time and aggro later on. Even if it means hanging on another 6 months while you put some more £ into your fund, it'd be worth it I think.

Also try to find something that is complete, and not been dismantled by others beforehand. There are lots of MGs about, so no point making more work for yourself than necessary.

Mechanically I think Midgets and MGBs are pretty bombproof, and all the parts are available.

Trim can cost a lot to fix up, despite it all being available, so if 'your' car is good in this department, its a bonus. Secondhand trim will be around, but may not be much better than what you already have.

Main thing on any old car is body rust. MGs can rust like anything else, so check all the lower edges, and (on the MGB) try to have a prod at the 'castle sections' that run inside the tops of the front wings. If you look out for past issues of the classic car mags, you're bound to find a buyers guide that will go into this kind of thing in great detail.

Other common rotspots include floorpans (lift out those carpets), tops of the rear wings (and on the MGBGT the rear roof pillars), boot floor and valances, sills, lower edges of the wings and behind the headlamps etc.

Have a look in the Your Restorations category for pigtin's postings about his Midget rebuild, there are some very interesting photos detailing the rust he found in his car. Should give you some good ideas where to look on any prospective purchase.

Hope this helps!?
Rick
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[MG Nut]

Hi Rick

That is a great start - many thanks for your reply!

I am going to take my time and build up as much of a fund as I can. I have decided to wait until I have a decent amount instead of rushing in to something that looks ok on the surface but might have horrors lurking beneath.

I will let you know when I take the plunge but in the meantime I will be reading up on this as much as I can. I also ordered a copy of "An MG is born" on DVD - the series that showed a complete rebuild on the Discovery Channel, so am looking forward to learning quite a lot when this arrives. I will also look up Pigtins Midget rebuild - I am equally interested in both the Midget and the MGB Roadster but think I will be saving up for a lot longer if I go for the MGB.

Do you think it is too late for me to learn the mechanical side of things? I am pretty practical but never really got the opportunity to study mechanics (went into programming at College) and at the tender age of 40 am wondering if it is too late to start?

Thanks again for the reply!

All the best

Neil.

[Rick]

Never too late to start!!!

good luck with the search, let us know how it goes

R
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[Brian M]

Neil

This is probably an irrelevent comment in view of the lousy summer we are all experiencing, but in normal years all soft top cars go up in price every spring and then go down during the winter.

So if your savings allow, the winter months are a good time to go shopping for one.

A second piece of advice is to get hold of a priced catalogue from one of the MG Specialists (Rimmer Bros for one) and take it with you when looking at cars.

This way if, for instance, the seats need retrimming you can quote a price to the vendor and use it as a bargaining tool.

Good luck with your search

[pigtin]

Hi Neil,
If you have read my restoration string you will have some idea of some of the work involved in restoring a rough Midget/Sprite. The work I did could in no way be justified if time and expense are taken into account.
Sadly that particular model has many, what appear to be, 'designed in'
rust traps and I don't believe any of them were addressed on the later 'plastic bumper' version.
I considered the option of fitting a new 'Heritage' body but then looked at the amount of work and expense involved in the dismantling and rebuilding (taking into account that one would renew far more parts under these circumstances) and opted for the welding marathon.
It is worth considering that it could be possible to obtain a car that already has a new 'Heritage' body fitted, at a far less than the cost of doing it yourself, but you would still be looking at 5-8k.

Your best other option would be to buy one with a recorded restoration, where you have proof of what has been done; it is worth noting that the 'Plastic Bumper' model is likely to be a cheaper and more plentiful than the 1275 but you will probably have to pay road tax.

I believe that most of the above circumstances also apply to the 'B', anyway: I recommend the 'Moss' catalogue for some idea of cost and availability of parts but must confess that I used their part numbers and descriptions to order many parts from the 'Welsh MG Company'.

Best of luck Neil and (as you know) there are few cars that are more fun to drive than an Spridget.

Don.

p's' The above is all from a purely personal viewpoint and others experiences may be different.

[MG Nut]

@ BrianM and Pigtin

Thanks guys for your comments. It is going to be at least next year when I am ready to buy even a lower priced Midget, or even the year after that. The reason I started the thread was because I had the possibility of buying a 1977 Midget from someone if they did not sell on ebay of all places. Int he end it went for £1200 though so the opportunity was lost.

I shall look into those catalogues though and make sure I am up to speed (no pun intended) with prices on parts as best I can.

I will keep you posted on any developments as and when they happen.

Thanks again - I feel encouraged!

All the best

Neil.