Thinking about buying a '73 MGB

[melm00se]

any advice?
things to look for?
Deal killers?

[Kleveland]

1. Beautiful collector's item

They are known for having really crappy electrical systems.

Depending on where it was living, rust could be a serious problem, get it up on a lift and check the underside.

If you can, get a compression test on the motor.

Always good to know if the paint is original. A respray could be indicative of hidden body problems.

We see very few cars like this where I live in Cleveland, we use salt on the roads in the winter.

Maybe you know all of this.

I love old British sports cars.

One of my faves is in fact the MGB GT, and how can you not love MGB TD's

Also love Triumph TR3's and Stags. The Spitfires were cute too.

In the 70's, I once had a ride in an old rusty Austin Healy MK3000. Boy are those worth some money these days!

[bluedigger]

2. Here's What It's Really Like To Buy An Old British Sports Car

It was one of those scorching-hot May afternoons when the air conditioning might as well just give up, where a slight breeze is the only break from molasses-thick humidity. It seemed far-fetched at the time, but tucked away in an unsuspecting backwoods Missouri lake house resided a four-wheeled curiosity: a Triumph Spitfire. It’s about as close to the archetypal British roadster as you can get, and after three hours of traveling, we weren’t going to turn around because of a little discomfort.

The directions we’d been given were cobbled at best, and our recent turn down a winding gravel road marked clearly as “NO OUTLET” gave us pause. But, you know, there’s just something about the thrill of a hunt that makes one take a detour around self-preservation.

The hunt that my dad and I had embarked on was one that neither he nor I had even thought of undertaking only days before. It’s odd how a seemingly astonishing price for an unusual vehicle can light an interest out of nowhere. We found ourselves hot on the scent of a 1981 Triumph Spitfire.

As the gravel road came to its final crest nearly fifteen minutes later, I caught my first glimpse of the car. Hidden under the dense shade of the untamed tree cover sat the Triumph in bright Mediterranean blue. The pictures didn’t lead us astray – this one looked good.

http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/heres-what-its-actually-like-to-buy-and-own-a-triumph-s-1794326920

Good luck!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. I love those.

There's one in excellent condition not far from me. I saw it on the road a few days ago. I doubt the owner has any inclination to sell it.

[flotsam]

3. Did you hear about the new Lucas three position switch?

On,Intermittent, and Fail.....

[Hangingon]

4. Lucas, Prince of Darkness

[jambo101]

5. You gonna need a garage

And lots of tools as the car is always going to need tinkering with. they are also prone to rust,i'd avoid one that has any rust issues.

[Mopar151]

7. The fix is in!

The good thing is, a lot of the "charming quirks" of old British cars have been conquered by hot rod ingenuity. MSD and similar multispark ignition make the BMC 1275 far less fussy about sparkplugs. ND,GM alternators chase the dark away. Chassis upgrades abound, and most of the car has been reproduced. There are plenty around, so don't buy a basketcase or rust bucket because it's "rare".

[Auggie]

8. Hey melm00se ...

so? Did you get it? Share your story (please).

[melm00se]

9. By the time

I got my thumb out, I missed my opportunity.

[Auggie]

10. Shoot

There are a lot out there -- perhaps you'll get your chance again.

I used to subscribe to Hemmings Sports and Import (they just folded this year) and they recently described the MGB as being among the most perfect project / special interest cars around. Parts are readily available and a lot of shops know how to keep them running (unless you know how to do-it-yourself).