Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Modern Classic Cars Frontline Abingdon Edition

I did not mention the the dings on the front crossmember as I have not seen a "B" that did not have them as that is the standard location to lift the car using a trolley jack. The main reason is that jacking from the original jacking point on an old B is that the sill could colapse.

Beam up the pics of a pals B that we restored to give you an idea of what may lie behind a reasonably shiney sill...
https://www.tm-img.com/image/t9flv
https://www.tm-img.com/image/t91ZS

Blimey, that is scary!

Yes and the main reason I agreed to a fixed price deal. Luckily for both me and the workshop my car had hardly any rust but I wouldn't want to buy what looks like a nice shiny car and see that after stripping it back knowing i have to pay to rectify it.

Graham that particular B was much loved and weekly polished by it`s proud owner a pal of mine who was B mad, though the sills did look a tad err..nailed on, giving a hint as to what might lie below.

In the pic it is obvious that someone thought to patch weld a bit of galv to the inner sill, the other bit of galv hanging down is the remnants of the outer sill when we cut along the top of it`s length, and just bent it down to reveal all sorts of past attempts at repair. The old B was treated to a whole raft of parts, a load of Waxoyl, a fresh coat of paint it went on to be enjoyed greatly.

Chris, you are fortunate to live in a dry climate that may not see salt on the roads... In the UK cars of the sixties and seventies could be suffering from corrosion on delivery.

I ran a B for a while George. Did enjoy it and have no idea what it was like in the important structural areas, though I wouldn't be surprised if it was heading in the same direction as the one you showed!

I have to admit that I too was rather fond of B`s nothing complex and very reliable what`s more to want in a sports car of it`s time for those on a restricted budget..which I always was.. I guess as they were such a popular sports car that maintaining and restoring them was a relatively simple process given the myriad of parts suppliers competing with each other on price. When I look at the number of panels we replaced on that B had my pal to pay for the labour to restore it, I suspect it would have been scrapped... !

I'm still planning to get a BGT later this year (once I've paid the Mog off) to replace my aging Corsa daily driver. Mpg will be much reduced but insurance and tax will also be considerably lower (about £90 a year rather than £400).

You can still pick up a half decent one for £4 to 5K and it'll give me something else to tinker with. Parts are plentiful, and without the Morgan 'mark up' prices......

Hello TBM, I've already thought about a poor man's Aston as an everyday car. Exceedingly attractive. But in addition to my old motorbikes and my old half-timbered house, it would be unreasonable for me to open another construction site.

Yeah, I may be biting off more than I can chew, but I've been devouring all the buyers guides, and have a tame bodywork specialist who doesn't charge a Kings Ransom for his work.

Will be looking for a solid example with overdrive and steel wheels, and then go about sorting the handling, getting the engine running as well as possible and then a few bolt on tweaks like exhaust etc, all with the purpose of increasing economy. I'd like to get her as close to a proper 'GT' as possible - able to eat up the miles as comfortably as possible (both in the ride quality and for my wallet)

Fine, TBM! I would be very happy if you would report here about your experiences with your MGB GT restoration.