"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
10/03/2013 at 13:52 • Filed to: Daily Turismo
5
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"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
10/03/2013 at 13:52 • Filed to: Daily Turismo | 5
| 45 |
Carroll Shelby worked with AC Cars Limited when he created his legendary Cobra world beater, but imagine for a minute that he had worked instead with MG Cars; this is probably what the result would have looked like.
The MGB is a classic roadster from Morris Garage, built by cheerful British folks in a time when the United Kingdom was a significant worldwide exporter of automobiles. Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for sale in Tarzana, CA currently bidding on ebay for $9,100 with 22 hours to go.
This MGB was recently restored and repainted in its original baby blue color, but the transformation from putt-putt four banger to tire melting V8 started way back in 1969. The seller claims to have lots of documentation from the shop that did the conversion (Hollywood Sportscars) and somehow the idea of a vintage swap seems all the more appealing versus a recent transplant.
The Ford 289 cubic inch (4.7 liter) V8 made anywhere from 195 to 270 horsepower back in the day, but with a decent cam, headers, intake and exhaust 300 horsepower is easily achievable. Just budget for some other parts as the transmission, rear end and tires may not be equipped to handle that much power/torque. Luckily all that stuff has been upgraded to beefier parts in this car already, and running that way for decades. Inexplicably, this thing is equipped with an automatic transmission, but lets give the builder the benefit of doubt and assume he was a one-legged war veteran because there could be no other valid reason to have a slushbox in an MGB.
Originally posted as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
See a better AC Cobra/Sunbeam Tiger competitor painted in baby blue? email us here:
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
mgbgt
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 13:58 |
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wire wheels. sweet.
Chris Zimmer
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:02 |
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7300 for a pristine MGB with a V8? NP all day long and twice on Saturday.
Ed H-B
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:06 |
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Mr Shelby might have been on to something, hypothetically, if MG hadn't have done a V8 themselves with the venerable Rover, née Buick, V8
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DailyTurismo
> Chris Zimmer
10/03/2013 at 14:06 |
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Oh yeah, that was from 2 days ago. Now it is $9,100 with 22 hours to go. Still, NP!
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Ed H-B
> Ed H-B
10/03/2013 at 14:07 |
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fintail
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:08 |
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Up to 9K now, but still NP. Period engine, period colors, early car, looks like a winner. Early 60s sky blue cars are always charming:
TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:09 |
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If it was 12k it would still be NP.
Maxxuman
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:10 |
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Think I'd prefer Maxwell Smart's Sunbeam Tiger
You had fordboy357 at "meat tornado"
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:13 |
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Ebay ad says it's auto.
An american V8-powered British roadster with an automatic.
More like automatic crack pipe.
DavidHH
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:13 |
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If you want an MGB with a V8 the best bet is an MGB V8. This was the standard Rover V8 (Buick Aluminum) with a manual trans, etc. They are light, and can actually get better fuel economy than stock. So the trick is to buy one dead from the UK, import it as auto parts and use it for your MGB engine swap. The best American engine swap for MGB is the Buick V6, for this little car can't use all the power a small block produces.
Having actually done an engine transplant with a manual, I know why the automatic's are more common. The Automatic is the easy fix for getting the gearing right, which is a pain. And instead of installing shift and clutch linkages, you have to install a single cable, or simple linkage.
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mgbgt
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:16 |
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left unspoken: rust? repaired? bodge?
55_mercury
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:20 |
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The nice part here is that you get a cool looking car with a reliable engine with easy to replace parts. So the best of both worlds.
Mr. Sinister
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:21 |
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Having driven a Sunbeam Tiger in the past, I can tell you these little British cars with a big V8 are not a pleasure to drive for very far. Infinitely fun, due to the power to weight ratio, but brutal to drive, especially around a bend or over broken (read: post-recession America) pavement.
The A/C Cobra was different, as the changes were more extensive than just a big motor. But even those are not nice to drive around in for any extended period of time.
But for the asking price on this?
ptak appreciates old racecars
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:23 |
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Euro body/chassis + 'Murican engine = failsafe formula
Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 14:42 |
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"Hang on just a damn minute... Somebody else swapped a small-block Ford into a British sports car? I got my lawyer on speed-dial.."
Gooberpeaz
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 15:10 |
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That torque might be a bit tough on those splined wire wheel hubs.
dogisbadob
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 15:25 |
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wow I didn't know they made an MGB coupe, that, or this one of the coolest roadster hardtops ever
I still like the MGB GT hatchback better though
ex.saint
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 15:27 |
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My father would love this. He's about to begin restoring his 73 MGB and I've been trying to talk him into converting it to a Chev small block.
Incidentally, that's the car I learned how to drive manual on, so I've got a soft spot for it. Very forgiving.
Mean-Jim-Green
> dogisbadob
10/03/2013 at 15:42 |
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Most of the B's around the southern states are hardtops like this one. The ragtops never really fit too well to begin with and fell apart quickly. I am 99% sure there was never a coupe other than the BGT which sure looked awesome - something about the porsche-like sweep of the rear...
charski
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 15:47 |
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Nice price all the day long.
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dogisbadob
> Mean-Jim-Green
10/03/2013 at 15:47 |
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Wow I really didn't know that.
I don't think I've ever seen one with the hardtop on!
Ce he sin
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 15:49 |
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Built at a time when the UK was a significant worldwide exporter of automobiles...That could be now. Yes, really.
Stökeometric
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 16:05 |
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This guy did what I want to do to an MGB GT. Nice!
Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
> Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
10/03/2013 at 16:18 |
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Lemme guess, your lawyer is matlock. You know, cause you have more access to Andy Griffith than we do.
But seriously RIP Carrol Shelby, his death was a huge loss to us all.
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Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
> Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
10/03/2013 at 16:20 |
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Lemme guess, your lawyer is Matlock. You know, cause you have more access to Andy Griffith than we do.
But seriously, RIP Carrol Shelby, his death was a huge loss to us all.
MannyBones
> Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
10/03/2013 at 16:39 |
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'Fraid to tell you Carrol, yes, somebody else did.
Axial
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 16:56 |
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Ohi. Just sittin' here...chillin' on campus...
This car didn't even have antique tags; it was somebody's driver. Classy!
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DavidHH
> charski
10/03/2013 at 17:39 |
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As long as you don't have to service it.
MrEvil
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 18:10 |
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I wanted this right up until you said Automatic.
Terrible shame that.
Hopefully someone else with a place to work could convert this MGB to a proper manual gearbox.
DarthDuster
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 20:04 |
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As a Brit, I fucking hate MG's, especially the B.
Best way to piss off an MGB driver - when he pulls up along side in his flat cap and pipe, say "nice Austin Cambridge mate" (they are essentially the same car underneath). :P
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thirteenthfloorelevator
> DailyTurismo
10/03/2013 at 20:24 |
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In love till slusher, now sad. There's an absolutely cherry MGC near me, wire wheels & pillarbox red. I am in love with it.
AthomSfere
> 55_mercury
10/03/2013 at 20:41 |
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Reliable Engine... He said "Ford V8". Not saying I wouldn't buy this anyway, but in my experience with Ford's the only thing reliable is the constant shop time.
Cain_Robertson
> dogisbadob
10/03/2013 at 22:17 |
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Better than a hardtop - they made a shooting brake. This one? Also a V8.
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Cain_Robertson
> Cain_Robertson
10/03/2013 at 22:18 |
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Ah. "Hatchback".
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dogisbadob
> Cain_Robertson
10/03/2013 at 22:27 |
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Reminds me of the Audi 5000 wagon/hatchback debate :p
evil2win
> dogisbadob
10/04/2013 at 00:01 |
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looks like a removable hardtop (surrey top). These were optional for most British roadsters. I have one for my Spitfire.
SwedeMachine
> Mean-Jim-Green
10/04/2013 at 00:08 |
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Um, what? All MGBs are either roadsters or GT hatchbacks. This particular B is fitted with the factory hardtop. In the right condition, the hardtop can be worth as much or more than the MGB it is fitted too.
PyramidHat
> Gooberpeaz
10/04/2013 at 00:55 |
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See, that's what I was wondering: How's he able to keep wires on that thing?
David Brown
> DailyTurismo
10/04/2013 at 02:25 |
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Can't do the sky blue thing. It might be period. Fine. But it isn't my idea of attractive. I saw an excellent condition pale green XK120 a while ago. It was pristine and beautiful and totally ruined by the colour. The Austin Healey 3000 is a car that pulled off the paler colours better than any other period car, but even there colour schemes benefitted from a pale metallic over a white.
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Mean-Jim-Green
> SwedeMachine
10/04/2013 at 09:27 |
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Correct, he was asking if this was a solid roof coupe - a la e-type jag style. I was explaining they were either rag top conv, hard top conv or the BGT where they didn't just add a fixed roof, but changed the whole rear of the car to make it work as sort of a hatchback. You've got a good point about the hard tops being valuable too - my poor dad had to drive one through 2 Pocono Mt winters with no top because he couldn't afford the ones folks were selling. He did have a half tonneau, though - his stuff stayed dry, but he didn't!
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Mean-Jim-Green
> SwedeMachine
10/04/2013 at 09:37 |
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I had to have an Air Force parachute packer completely fabricate a new rag top for my MG in my profile pic because it had been shredded and faded over 30+ years of use. I tries to find a hard top instead but it was close to a grand for the speedwell fiberglass ones and none of the originals were available.
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55_mercury
> AthomSfere
10/04/2013 at 09:52 |
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the 289 and 302 Ford V8's are pretty reliable and simple to work on. I have a 302 in my 55' Mercury and its never had an issue in 13 years so far. What is certain is that this engine would be a hell of a lot more reliable than whatever engine the car came with. I'd say the reason people are probably all over this car is because they would have a nice looking MG without the pain in the ass MG engine inside.
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David Brown
> Mr. Sinister
10/04/2013 at 16:10 |
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Did it have standard suspension. Any car can be made to handle whilst having a comfortable ride if the shocks and springs are uprated. This would be very expensive if one was to buy the best multilink adjustable suspension available. Also, if you can find the contact and get friendly with a rep from a good suspension manufacturer you can order a special spring. The getting to know the rep part is not the influencing element on whether the spring will be made. More that a friendly relationship with said individual may result in your limited production run at a preferential rate.
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David Brown
> David Brown
10/04/2013 at 16:15 |
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As I have commented on my favourite colours I would also say my pick of shell would be the Sebring. I love the clean look of no bumpers and the blistered arches, and when painted in more modern cool metallics it looks a peach. I also have an idea for a V8 conversion but won't discuss it on here as I intend to build it one day.
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Mr. Sinister
> David Brown
10/05/2013 at 10:14 |
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It was stock as far as I knew. But that's kinda the point. This article doesn't say if this car has upgraded suspension, so one can only assume it does not. I'm sure it's still a blast to drive for a little while, but as is the case with all these conversions, they're just not very nice to drive for extended periods. You can only do so much with a tiny car that has a huge front weight bias.