North America's oldest, largest and best club for all MGBs, MGB-GTs and Midgets!!  Established in 1975.

  

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WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN MGB ASSOCIATION
for all year MGBs, MGB-GTs and Midgets
Established in 1975


5433 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60640 USA
Phone/Text: 773-769-7084

email:
info@mgclub.org

 

  MG Midget               

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North America's oldest, largest and best club for all MGBs, MGB-GTs and Midgets!!  Established in 1975.

  

  Subscribe Message Board

 Subscribe Blog

  Subscribe Photo Gallery

WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN MGB ASSOCIATION
for all year MGBs, MGB-GTs and Midgets
Established in 1975


5433 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60640 USA
Phone/Text: 773-769-7084

email:
info@mgclub.org

 

  MG Midget               

Credit Card/PayPal Form  Secured Order Form  Membership Benefits  Members Only
 Home  Past Shows/Photos  Calendar of Events  Member Stories/Articles Tech Tips    Ads / Links  Join / Renew - APPLICATION  Membership Items  Email  Classifieds   Car Photos   News / Editor  Regalia / Club Store  Message Board  Club Blog  Ad Rates 


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 ARTICLES AND STORIES

'80 B V8 of Chris Hughes from Newark, Delaware

this is an excerpt from the articles appearing in the Octagon

 

'80 B V8 of Chris Hughes from Newark, Delaware  

An American MGB Association Queen B is the '80 MGB roadster of Chris Hughes from Newark, Delaware. Here is the story:

My ‘80 MGB was originally purchased in 1983. It was the black "Limited Edition" with the silver stripes, LE wheels, luggage rack etc. Back then, it was truly my dream car. It was my daily driver until 1994 and after failed attempts at performance modifications (and creeping rust issues), it was retired to my garage. I didn’t know what I would do with it.

I researched V8 conversions for MGs and learned that the later ones like mine had engine compartments that were better suited to accept one of the rover aluminum V8s. In 1997 I decided to take the plunge on the conversion. I found a fairly local shop that specialized in sourcing rover parts, Rover engine rebuilding and creating some of the custom parts required for the job. Ordered was a rebuilt 4.2L Rover engine, ECU and all the fuel (Including fuel tank) and electrical system bits. This was to be mated to a rover 5-speed transmission, custom drive shaft and a narrowed ford rear end. I paid for everything in advance and the waiting game began.

Many months passed by and limited progress was happening on the drive train. All that waiting had me searching the "almost new" internet for parts. I stumbled upon a British parts site called "The Proper MG". Sadly, they went out of business many years ago. They were out of Maine (If I remember correctly). They got all their parts directly from England and that appealed to me. I had seen some poor Chinese parts from other British car parts sites. While the drive train was being cobbled together, I decided to get some body work done to stop the rust. I ordered brand new front fenders, rocker panel kits, rear wheel well kits etc. Parts were flowing in, however, I didn’t know who I would trust to do the work.

I had "ex" in-laws that lived up in Connecticut and I happened to notice a Hot Rod shop nearby. I asked the owner if he would take on my project. Initially, he said NO because "it’s just an MG". When I mentioned the V8 conversion, he changed his mind. I stripped the car down to its shell and pulled it behind a neighbor’s pickup truck from Frederick Maryland up to CT. Years passed.

In very late Dec of 1999, I was up in CT again and I spoke to the body shop owner about the delay. He said if I paid him the balance due now, he’d make finishing it a priority (Obviously I didn’t learn my lesson from paying for the drive train in advance). On New Year’s Day 2000, the body shop owner passed away! I got a frantic call from the two guys that were assigned to my job. The IRS was coming to padlock the facility and claim all the assets. Before that happened, they heroically towed my car (and all of the parts) out of there and up to a friend’s house they knew that had a "sort of" car shop. This place was literally in the Connecticut woods. These (now 3) fine gentlemen finished the car on their own. They even created a paint booth out of a spare garage. They understood that I’d already paid for the finished job and they were going to see it through. Every time I think of it, I’m amazed and what great guys they were.

On top of that, I couldn’t believe the finished job! Meticulous attention to detail went into everything they did. In early summer of 2000, I picked up the now reassembled shell in CT. It was so "perfect" that I was afraid to touch it, let alone pull it unprotected back down to Frederick MD. I rented a truck and we secured it inside for a safe ride home.

The next couple months of the summer were a blur. I worked on it nonstop. The car itself was WAY too nice now to put ANY old parts back in it, so I basically bought EVERYTHING new (from the Proper MG). UPS, Fed-EX, and DHL pulled up to my house every day. And piece by piece I reassembled it. By this time, cost was not a factor. I found very rare TSW Hockenheim wheels that were made (In South Africa) specifically for the MGB and had the seats professionally rebuilt with leather covers. I also installed a brand new wiring harness before covering the floorboards with "Kool mat" insulation. A mohair top and top cover were next. I can tell you that I will never ever attempt to install a new windshield and/or a new dash face again. It’s no wonder I have so much grey hair. Seriously, have a pro do those jobs.

The car was home and rebuilt, but the drive train was still incomplete. I traveled (several times) to that shop and after some stressful conversations, the drive train was finally installed.

Since that time, I have rarely stopped working on it and have upgraded it as best I could. I lowered the suspension using an early cross member and installed fiberglass rear leaf springs. I had some overheating worries that were finally resolved with the addition of a hood scoop (to allow the engine compartment heat to escape) along with the addition of a Kawasaki motor cycle radiator and electric fan that I installed above the rear differential. I replaced all the black ’80 gauge bezels with chrome and added several aircraft gauges to keep an eye on things. I installed the radio in the glove box along with a lot of speakers and amps. To be honest, I listened to it once. I’d rather listen to the fantastic sounds the V8 makes. I don’t drive it near as often as I should. However, when I do, it’s a real joy.

'80 B V8 of Chris Hughes from Newark, Delaware '80 B V8 of Chris Hughes from Newark, Delaware '80 B V8 of Chris Hughes from Newark, Delaware '80 B V8 of Chris Hughes from Newark, Delaware

 

 

 

 

 

An American MGB Association Queen B is the '73 B roadster of Steve Perkins from Franklin, Tennessee. Here is the story:

Some of my Nashville British Car Club fellow members have a nice assortment of British Sports Cars in their garages which always include the MGBs. Not having the room or the funds I have only one BUT my 1973 MGB named Ruby goes from a 100% authentic vintage Roadster to a " historic rendition" of a Street Legal Race Car depending on her frame of mind and the weather. I do attend our local Cars and Coffee Vintage Car Event most Saturdays. When Ruby is in her "pretty Barbie Doll like" convertible costume the young girls line up to sit behind the wheel with their girl friend passenger. When she shows up as the Rally Race Car with window protection nets, etc. the teenage boys take a lot of interest.

It only takes about 20 minutes to do the switch including the custom racing knockoffs.

I do enjoy Ruby with the Split Personality.

'73 B of Steve Perkins from Franklin, Tennessee '73 B of Steve Perkins from Franklin, Tennessee '73 B of Steve Perkins from Franklin, Tennessee '73 B of Steve Perkins from Franklin, Tennessee

 

 

 

 

'77 B of John Mein from Cupertino, California I'm glad to be back! I dropped out because I had my car up for sale for six months on consignment, but I have her home again. This was the second time I almost sold her and fortunately I have not.

I bought my 1977 MGB in October of 1977 brand new from the Arnold Brothers Ford/MG dealership which was located in Boulder, CO. I had my first job in Boulder out of college and I saw an ad in Playboy that fall for MG's so I had to have one! It cost $5,770. The salesperson talked me out of getting overdrive as she said it would be problematic. She probably did not have one in stock! But, she was probably right about the reliability of overdrive. I kept it in Colorado until 1989 except for a couple of years in Kansas in a machine shed while I lived in Boston. I had it shipped to CA when I moved here in Aug of 1989. I had a minor accident in about 1979 which dented in the hood (my fault!). I had the overhead cam replaced in CO in about 1979,

I have about 92,000 miles on it. I had it repainted the original Tahiti Blue in 1999 for about the same price I paid for it!

Over the years, I've had the rear axle/differential and clutch replaced and a rollbar added. I have on my own replaced the exhaust system 4 times (finally got smart and did all stainless), the catalytic converter, the water pump, rebuilt the electric radiator fans, replaced the soft top, gone through about 10 batteries, the vacuum canister for the brakes, had 4 windshields replaced, on about my 4th set of tires (still whitewalls!), and about 4 different stereo systems--now with Bluetooth and a CD player. In the 70's I put in a CB for driving to and from CO to Kansas (my original home)--I have since removed it. I've also rebuilt the electric fuel pump a couple of times.

About 20 years ago I replaced the original electronic ignition with an external Allison one which worked well. About 5 years ago, I replaced the Allison with an OEM that has the electronic ignition system built into the distributor just like my original one. I also replaced the spark coil. I just replaced the handbrake cable myself as it has stretched out too far to adjust any tighter This gave me the excuse to buy metal car ramps as I am not as flexible as I once was. Now I am replacing the left front wheel bearing as the inner bearing started to make grinding noises.

I had the entire under body steam-cleaned recently. It took about an hour and really cleaned up my bottom--you should see it! It's not cheap, but I recommend everyone do it every 40 years as those oil leaks built up! My bottom looks great now--check it out!"

About 30 years ago I replaced the triple wipers with a brand called Triple Edge which were guaranteed for life--and they are still working fine! Great brand.


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© 1997-2019 All Rights Reserved - American MGB Association.
 

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Services:
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American MGB Association on Facebook

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Credit Card/PayPal Form  Secured Order Form  Membership Benefits  Members Only
 Home  Past Shows/Photos  Calendar of Events  Member Stories/Articles Tech Tips    Ads / Links  Join / Renew - APPLICATION  Membership Items  Email  Classifieds   Car Photos   News / Editor  Regalia / Club Store  Message Board  Club Blog  Ad Rates 


 

AMGBA Privacy Policy | AMGBA Website Terms of Use

© 1997-2019 All Rights Reserved - American MGB Association.