Am I insane? Classic car content

[Fatbrad]

Having only been driving for 3 years. My father has bought finally been able to buy me a car. He would have bought me one 20odd years ago had I learnt at 17 rather than 40ish . Anyway I've had a thing for MG's since I was a small child. My first recollection of being in cars was in both my mother's and my Grandfather's MGB Gt's. So last week after my father got money through from the sale of my Gran's house he suggested I look for my own car. I had a look around but he sent me a link to a 1977 MGB Roadster which wasn't far away. Went and had a look today and fell in love with it. It's noisy, rattly, smells a little like the garage my grandfather spent far too much time in in Ashby but goes like the proverbial off a shovel. Seems solid enough too. Sills looked OK. Wheel arches on the rear have some dreaded rot as does the front of the bonnet and driver's door. But that's about it.

I have zero welding skills. Last car I worked on was a classic Mini which I stripped and then before I got to put it back together half of it got nicked.

What have I gotten myself into? Next stop is going to be a member of the MG Owners club isn't it?

 

[novocaine]

Along with a beard and a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches.

Jolly nice car, especially when then decide where you have you picnic.

Good luck learning how to balance those fecking su cards, and watch for the fuel pump, stupid things like to die without warning.

 

[Russell]

I’ve owned an MG (Midget) for 27 years.

The rust you can see is just the tip of the iceberg, if the wheel arches are rusting, expect to replace adjoining panels as well. Check for filler!

Parts are cheap, better to replace with new than fuss with rebuilds.

Small jobs can become big ones very quickly

 

[grahame]

Yes, you are insane. Welcome aboard. Follow the advice given above, plus: Join (at least) one of the marque specialist clubs, carry a spare fuel pump, a distributer and a set of points. Those and one of the new-fangled jump start kits will probably get you out of most roadside issues.

 

[Fatbrad]

Well she's arrived. I think I'm in love. Goes like stink. Smells like it too. Kids love it. Wife not so much as she can't get in it

 

[hamster]

More like it feels like it goes like stink. 60 comes up in 11 seconds or so, so you have to be careful when taking on 1.0 Fiestas at the lights.

But that's the usual retrobike tradeoff between fun and absolute performance. Enjoy.

 

[Fatbrad]

We had one of the new 1l ecoboost hybrid fiesta's as a courtesy car when our family car was in for some repair work. That turned me into a middle aged boy racer

 

[hamster]

Quite! But the MGB will feel faster and way more fun…

 

[Takingabreak]

A nice sensible hard top fitted. I had a 71 Roadster and a 66 GT way back in my younger days. I still remember snowflakes coming in between the door window and the roof flap and hitting me in the side of the face. Those were the days...

 

[Fatbrad]

The hard top leaks when the car is moving
It's also the one of the fugliest things I've ever seen