It's A Shooting Brake, It's A Wagon, Its..?

"Chris Clarke" (shiftsandgiggles)
10/05/2017 at 13:25 • Filed to: MGB GT, Pininfarina, MG, MGB, Leyland

Errr... maybe it’s just a hatchback. But no matter how you look at it, when MG commissioned famed Italian auto designer Pininfarina to sculpt a solid roof for their venerable MGB roadster, the result was quite stunning and timeless.

Now, my wife is a fantastic driver but she isn’t exactly what you’ll call a car person. So when she gave me a decade warning that for her 40th birthday she desired not fancy jewelry or an expensive vacation but I neat vintage sports car, my jaw hit the floor. While simultaneously fitting my mouth back together I ran to the computer and started brainstorming ideas. I floated several pictures her way to determine her fancy and quickly learned she did not want a convertible. “Even better” I said to myself. Personally, I shy away from the styling of many soft tops, not to mention the other issues that come along with owning a convertible. I needn’t worry about leaks, mechanical malfunctions or just plain cold weather to hinder the driving experience.

We quickly decided that the MGB GT would really check all the boxes. It even has a quirky backseat to stuff the little ones for a family ride. Turns out an MGB GT, that isn’t a rusted turd, is somewhat tricky to come by. But I was patient. She’s only 29ish which gave me years to find the perfect car. As luck would have it, a few months of casual searches on the local craigslist returned a pristine semi-restored example. A superb vintage from the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventy-three.

The 1973 MGB GT came equipped with the same 1.8 liter straight and sturdy four-cylinder from the rag-top roadster. The motor sends power all 95 bhp to the rear wheels through a four-speed synchro-mesh transmission. This tranny is from the more powerful 3.5 liter V8 built for the MGC. All MGB’s were available with an option overdrive but only 20% were ever fitted with the electrically engaged gearbox. Fortunately I happened to buy one that was just so equipped and this thing will happy buzz down the highway at 70 mph without a fuss.

1973 also happens to be the last year that MG decided ship the hard-top GT to sell to the wagon-hating citizens of North America. Its also the last year before the Great Nanny State, also known as the U.S of A., installed sweeping safety regulations protecting the precious populous from the dangers of chrome bumpers. To be sold in the U.S. for the year 1974 the MG was required to be fitted with the most god-awful ugly black rubber bumpers and the ride height would need to rise two whopping inches. Essentially destroying everything great about this car.

Since I love my wife so much, I quickly decided I couldn’t pass up this deal. Plus my personal daily driver has recently clicked over 235,000 miles and another four wheels in the stable would give the old S4 a much needed rest. Now my wife only has a to wait a few more years till she gets your 40th birthday present. It’s just too bad I couldn’t find an MBG GT in British racing green.

DISCUSSION (17)

LongbowMkII > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 13:39

a modified S4 with 235k miles? Impressive!

nice overall garage

Nothing > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 13:41

Congrats! I love the MGB GT! I had a rubber bumper convertible that I had planned a chrome bumper swap on until the engine blew for the second time.

My wife every once in a while will hint that she wants a first gen Audi TT. It’s a strange want, but hey, they’re a cheap ride to get a hold of.

McMike > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 13:41

Plus my personal daily driver has recently clicked over 235,000 miles and another four wheels in the stable would give the old S4 a much needed rest.

Lucas > Bosch

That settles it.

jasmits > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 13:44

Okay, a few things.

1. Awesome wife for wanting a vintage sports car for her birthday.

2. Awesome you for finding the perfect one for her.

3. Awesome car that you found for her.

4. A B5 S4 with 235k?!? I have lots of questions but mostly how is that possible, how expensive has it been and how annoying is it? I have an E36 318ti I’ve been considering replacing with something quicker and probably a bit more modern. I like B5s, they have a great size, a good look and decent performance(an S4 Avant would theoretically be a perfect fit for my life right now, more fun to drive than my E36, big enough and snow-capable enough I could lose my 4Runner without feeling like I’m making too much of a compromise because downsizing to one vehicle could be a necessity for me in the nearish future) but reliability/DIY maintenance scares me back towards BMWs. Both will have the headaches that come with a 20-year-old luxury car but even an E46 M3 has a much more straightforward powertrain with a lot less to go wrong.

Chris Clarke > LongbowMkII
10/05/2017 at 13:45

Everday that car surprises me. That’s a whole ‘nother story.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 13:50

Very cool, and what a wife! I hope I find a partner like that someday.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > LongbowMkII
10/05/2017 at 13:51

My dad used to have a light yellow MGC GT, complete with wire wheels, when I was a child. I don’t remember why he got rid of it, but I can guess. The replacement? A Mustang II Mach 1, a hideous thing that almost became my first car. I got lucky and escaped that fate, winding up with mom’s Dasher wagon instead - whew.

GTO to MG to Mustang II. He redeemed himself and has owned a series of BMWs and a Benz after that tragedy. The dealer didn’t want the ‘Stang, but thankfulllly they took it and saved me the embarrassment of driving that turd.

Chris Clarke > jasmits
10/05/2017 at 13:53

My S4 is a whole nother writeup. I love it. I also have an A4 Avant. I wish I could mash them together. I spent basically zero dollars in the last seven years.

Chris Clarke > CaptDale - is secretly British
10/05/2017 at 13:54

She’s a keeper!

CaptDale - is secretly British > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 13:55

The car and the wife!

Svend > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 14:07

Very nice. You got the right colour with the right bumpers.

I’d go wire wheels over steel but steel area easier to live with.

This car should be available for U.S. ‘safety’ laws very soon.

It is a convertible though but it’s a BRG MG RV8 re-imported back from Japan so it’s been well looked after.

Kinja'd!!!

Unfortunately they still command a high price of £17,495.

Chris Clarke > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 14:13

Things just got real.

Kinja'd!!!

Chris Clarke > Svend
10/05/2017 at 14:15

I’d rather have green and I do love the wire wheels, but the steelies are nice too.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 14:16

is it a shooting brake, is it a wagon?... nooo its broken down

:p... shitty jokes aside... nice find mate hope it brings you both much joy for many years

Chris Clarke > farscythe - makin da cawfee!
10/05/2017 at 14:23

That’s part of the excitement. Every drive is a trip into the unknown.

deekster_caddy > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 15:39

People are so caught up about the rubber bumper MGBs. My first car was a ‘72 MGB GT, it was one of those rusted out turds you mentioned early on. MG didn’t know jack about rustproofing...

anyway, enjoy it! I loved my BGT. It was a very fun first car and took us on many adventures! Be careful though, someday you might find yourself with something like this...

Kinja'd!!!

jasmits > Chris Clarke
10/05/2017 at 16:45

I would be very tempted by an S4 Avant at the right price. I recently saw one with the 4.2 for sale but that was priced at like 16 grand which is a hell of a lot of money. Ugh but AWD, manual, V8 wagon *drools*