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This project began as a 1960 MGA English sports car. Add to that date another forty years. During this time two stock engine rebuilds, two Buick V6 engine conversions, and many other extensive modifications took place. There is currently very little left of the original running gear which did include a 1600CC engine that cranked out a reliable 80HP.

It was the summer of 1969 as I watched my friend Brian extract the 198 cubic inch odd-fire V6 from his 1963 Buick Skylark. This engine ran fine, but like may of us car nuts, he wanted more power. The four banger in my MG needed rebuilding for the third time and I thought, hey, why not drop his V6 into my car? After all, it shouldn't be too much work, since the Buick mill didn't need rebuilding. Just drop it in. A piece of cake, so I thought. Wrong!! Modifications included replacing the stock rear-end with a cut down 8" Ford with a 3.00:1 gear ratio and chromemoly steel axles. A 1961 M-21 Munsey transmission from a Corvette was bolted to the Olds bell-housing and clutch assembly that mated to the V6 block. The entire engine compartment was gutted and the original wooden floorboards with supporting frame work were removed completely. Some of the frame cross-members were also cut away along with the original transmission mounts. The new drive train was lowered into the engine compartment and the entire car was re-built around the new power plant. Rubber cushioned engine and transmission mounts were added as well as a removable frame cross-member under the transmission. The steering shaft was re-routed around the engine block with the use of an additional u-joint and a frame-mounted steering center shaft support bearing. New flooring supports were welded to the frame and fresh plywood floorboards were cut and installed. A new tunnel cover was hammer-formed from several pieces of soft aluminum sheet that were pop-riveted together. After 2 years and gazillions of man hours, I finally drove the car for the first time with the engine conversion completed. Since the major mechanical work was finished and fine tuned, I decided to re-style the body to look like a Cobra sports car. The original MGA body style had lines similar to the Shelby Cobra and with the help of a local body shop, the mission was soon accomplished. At that time the car was painted Corvette yellow with white pearl mixed in. The cops could see it coming from a mile away.

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This site is maintained by Mike Barnes
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Please note that I cannot give technical advice on V8 conversions but I can help you with any aspect of this site.

This site forms part of MG - The Classic Marque
Email: webmaster@mg-cars.org.uk