(introductory music)
- My name's Danny Hopkins
and I'm editor of Practical Classics magazine.
This is the MGB
and this particular one is an MGB GT
with the fantastic roof line, designed by Pininfarina.
The MGB itself can be divided
into four different subsections.
They either came as GT's or Roadsters
and they either came with chrome bumpers or rubber bumpers.
Now, within those four subsections,
there are more subsections but,
those are the four main ones you have to choose from.
They're fantastic cars and they are
very, very desirable, particularly the chrome bumper cars.
But, the later rubber bumper cars, themselves,
are beginning to creep up in value
and that's why we've got one here
because that's where the bargains can be found.
This particular one is a Jubilee version,
produced in 1975 to mark 50 years of MG.
I think it's particularly good looking.
I like the way that the gold stripe breaks up
the side flanks of the car.
Also, reduces the impact of those impact-absorbing
bumpers at the end.
The MG BVA wheels are great in black and gold.
It really is an imposing car.
It looks great on the road,
even with its slightly raised ride height.
All rubber bumper cars had that.
But, I think they're a great package
and if you're looking to get into classic car ownership,
you could do a lot worse than to start right here.
Anyway, this particular car,
is applicable across the range.
It doesn't matter whether it's a rubber bumper
or an early car,
the same rules apply, particularly
when you're checking on the body
and that's what I'm gonna do right now.
The first thing you should do,
if possible, take the wheel off.
If you can't, stick your hand up underneath here
and have a feel on the inner
where there's a sort of ledge halfway up.
Feel around on the top of that.
It's an absolutely brilliant rust spot
and if that's gone, then it's likely that
the box section inside it is gone too
and that is a big bill.
You wanna come down here and then check the seals next.
MGB's rely on their seals for their integral strength.
It's an absolutely essential part,
particularly on the Roadster.
They also rust and that means you have to check
really carefully all along.
If you've got a magnet, put it in your sock,
run it along the seal and make sure
that it's sticking to metal all the way along.
If it doesn't, that means there's plastic in there.
Again, big bill. Walk away.
If you need any more reassurance,
check the door gaps, particularly on Roadsters.
If the door gaps uneven,
that means the whole car could have sagged
and that is a massive bill.
You'll be into a restoration
and I'd say walk away.
Finally, the dog leg section at the back here.
Again, if there's any rust on the outside of that,
it means there's probably something going on inside as well.
You could be into another big bill.
If you can, get your MGB up in the air.
Have a look underneath.
Have a look at the shatty rails.
If those shatty rails are corroded
anywhere near the springs, that's an MOT failure.
But also, if it is corroded,
that means that there's probably
more rust lurking elsewhere as well.
You could be into a big restoration project there yourself.
Unfortunately, you've gotta do it like that because,
like most British sports cars, the MGB rusts for fun.
So, once you've done your cold engine checks,
you've checked inside the oil filler cap for mayonnaise.
You've checked inside the radiator
to make sure that oil and water hasn't mixed.
You've checked that all the wires are where they should be
and everything's in a good condition.
Check for any evidence of leaks.
It's time to get inside the car
and as you can see, the MG BGT has got a fantastic cockpit.
Very atmospheric, very simple dashboard layouts.
This particular one has got a plaque here.
These special edition cars often came with plaques
giving the car number because,
this is obviously a jubilee.
They're produced in limited numbers,
as well as the limited edition,
which is the runout model in 1980.
But, above all and beyond,
the most important thing about the MG BGT
is that you should use it
and that's exactly what I'm gonna do now.
So, we'll start the engine first.
That's a very distinctive note that the MGB has got,
that lovely, kinda long, long stroke,
sort of throaty verbal.
Again, some MGB engines sound a bit tappity.
Don't worry about it being tappity.
It's not a problem. They're prone to that.
What you should listen for is deep rumbles.
Keep an eye out the back as well,
for blue smoke as well.
Worth checking in with the person selling the car too,
whether it's been converted for use
on unleaded petrol.
Again, it's not an alloy head.
So, that needs to be done at some point.
But, as long as there's nothing obvious
and this one sounds particularly sweet,
no reason why you shouldn't go for a drive.
So, shall we?
The MGB should feel like a car
that you should be able to do serious distances in.
It's comfortable. It's tight.
It's got a lovely classic feel.
And it's not slow either.
Tight in the corners, rack and pinion steering.
It's not going to feel vague
and if it does, you need to ask why.
Most MGB's that you'll find will come with,
particularly the rubber bumper cars,
with overdrive.
If it doesn't work, it's probably a solenoid.
If it isn't the solenoid, you might find yourself
with a little bit more expenditure on the cards.
It's worth, if I was gonna sell it,
to have a little tweak if the overdrive doesn't work.
On this car, the overdrive is on the stock.
You pull it back towards yourself to activate it.
On some of the later cars, the overdrive switch
is on top of the gear and then you've gotta
click it backwards and forwards.
All in all though, it's fun, it's simple,
easy to live with and in the rubber bumper car,
you will be in a classic vehicle
for next to no money
and that's good value in anybody's book.
I drive an MGB.
It gets me to work most days.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
(engine revving)