Old British roadsters: Oppo's opinion or experiences?

"wantafuncar" (wantafuncar) 10/09/2014 at 16:42 • Filed to: oppositelock, british, roadster, miata

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Short version: I am considering buying an old British roadster such as a Triumph or MG for a fun third car. What does oppo think?

Here is a picture of proper British motoring for oppo's help.

Long version: In June I will be purchasing a family car: 05 TL 6mt, absolute mint condition, approx 50,000mi., special order rare factory rims. I haven't driven a stick in years. Wife has never driven a stick. Family member would not want my wife to learn stick on this car, so Wife has approved the purchase of a cheap manual transmission car for me to have some time to get reacquainted with the third pedal and for her to learn. Also, I see this as an opportunity to get something fun. Because I like classic cars and I like roadsters, and British roadsters can be cheap I thought "why not?" My primary interest/concern is "fun to drive." ... so what does oppo think?

I know I will see run away from dodgy lucas electronics and British quality is suspect... but has anybody actually lived with it? Does it break down on literally every trip or is it more like 5 times/year?

I know I will see "the answer is always Miata" - I intend consider a Miata and look for Miata also, & would love to own one, but I am specifically asking about oppo's opinion and/or experience with MG & Triumph. Thanks!

McMike > wantafuncar 10/09/2014 at 16:46

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If you want this third car to actually be "fun," buy the best one you can find.

I like to tinker, so I don't mind having a British car. They aren't exactly complicated. Most engines are pushrod with a SU (or SZ) or two. If you stick to Triumph and MG, nothing is that expensive.

Except for bodywork.

Buy the best one you can find.

twochevrons > wantafuncar 10/09/2014 at 17:14

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I don't buy the whole unreliability argument. In fact, quite the opposite – they're so simple that there's actually very little to go wrong. That doesn't mean, of course, that you can expect modern-car reliability out of one, but a well-maintained example should still be very little trouble. I own an MGA roadster that had sat for 30 years before I dragged it out of a shed – the only things that have gone wrong with it have either been a result of it having sat for so long (gunk in the fuel system, rotten rubber parts, dead brake hydraulics), or because of long-deferred maintenance (bad water pump, collapsed engine mount, leaking rear axle seals, body rust).

I think that a lot of the reputation comes from differences in design practices as compared to American cars – for example, the SU variable-jet carburetors that British cars invariably come with are often considered 'black magic' by those used to Holleys and Carters and the like, but they're actually extremely simple, and, contrary to popular belief, do not require constant adjustment if they're set up properly. Similarly, the positive-earth electrical system is what gave Lucas a bad name in the States, but really just because it was different. Most cars have by now been converted to negative-earth to accommodate accessories, and the typical dynamo-and-regulator charging system is nothing exotic.

That's not to say that nothing will go wrong, but if you're even slightly competent at working on cars, or willing to learn, there's a huge amount of fun to be had in owning a British sports car.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > twochevrons 10/09/2014 at 17:26

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Bravo. I've never heard it articulated so succinctly :)

BadgeOfReality > wantafuncar 10/09/2014 at 17:37

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Do you like building Meccano? ...Because that's what it's like working on an old English car. Nuts and bolts and nuts and bolts and nuts and bolts.... Plus grease. Drives me bonkers. My Old School Japanese cars have 100% captive nuts, so it's only bolts and bolts and bolts... Way nicer to work on. I also have an old MG with cycle fenders and Brooklands screens... It's fun, but I curse the drunk English bastards every time I have to wrench on it.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > wantafuncar 10/09/2014 at 19:18

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..A friend's father (actually trying to see her tonight ha) has been trying to sell his red MGA roadster(not pictured) I'll check back. Shake a tree around the Glen region and a few fall out. Never driven them but I've been up to my eyeballs in both MG's and triumphs at vintage events, there seems to be a consensus they are damned easy to care for amongst british cars. I know for sure they look fun as hell to throw around a track and autocross and sound fantastic doing it...MGT/d's were basically "the answer" back in their day sooo got my blessing.

TR4's are my fav...just lookatit

twochevrons > banjo cat ghost of oppo past 10/09/2014 at 20:19

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As an owner of an MGA, I can attest that they are definitely as fun as they look. With near-perfect weight distribution, a kerb weight of well under a ton, and a wonderful feeling of connection between the driver and the mechanicals, it is incredibly difficult to not have a stupid grin on your face when driving it.

Old-Busted-Hotness > wantafuncar 10/10/2014 at 07:31

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As long as you're prepared to a) fix it and b) deal with the stuff that doesn't work particularly well even when it's fixed, go for it.

Don't expect modern standards of performance or convenience. We're talking about lever shocks, drum brakes, pup-tent tops with side curtains, carburettors (proper British spelling there, wot), non-synchro first gear, and everything being 50+ years old. The engines are downright primitive, and mid 2-digit horsepower is about all you'll ever see. Crash safety, forget it. You will die.

If any of this turns you off, run away. You'll hate it. If it intrigues you, then do it. You'll come to love every minute of it. And you'll get to know other British-car owners, who are frankly the best people.

Leon711 > wantafuncar 10/15/2014 at 07:34

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sprite or gtfo.

LeaksOil > wantafuncar 12/10/2015 at 13:08

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I learned how to drive a manual on a Triumph TR7. Driving a friend’s Triumph TR6 was easily one of my favorite driving experiences I’ve ever had.

Heck, my only son’s name is Lucas.