Back story
After purchasing my first MG, a 1971 MGB L Roadster, interest in all things MG progressively consumed more and more of my thoughts, energy and time. In our teenage years, my brother and I would visit car dealers and drive sports cars that appealed to us. However, at age 19 I bought a Datsun 2000S Fairlady and had it for 10 years. Most of that time it was my only car but In a moment many times regretted, I sold it. Buying the MGB Roadster was like coming home for me, picking up where the Datsun 2000S left off.
A similar growing interest in MG’s escalated with my brother buying a nice MGB GT LE UK edition. My son around this time shared his desire to learn how to work on cars. On YouTube, he subscribed and followed a restoration project on, of all things, an MGB GT. I knew his favourite car of all time is a 70’s Mach 1 Mustang and I learned specifically the fastback styling is what appeals to him. Furthermore, the MGB GT has the fastback styling he likes. That makes sense to me. Our conversation came around to my long-held soft spot for MGB GT’s with their pretty lines and ‘fastback’ styling. I recounted admiring a Teal Blue example in a car park many years ago and dreaming of owning one.
Providence
As providence would have it a Teal Blue MGB GT popped up for sale local to me. My son and I talked about getting it as a joint project car. In 2003 it had been taken off the road for some restoration work, the driveline had been rebuilt, motor, overdrive gearbox and diff. The alternator, twin Su’s, radiator and brake system with vacuum booster was rebuilt and accompanied with invoices for the work done. The interior was completely gutted and some exterior parts and engine parts in crates and boxes. The inevitable rags were stuffed into vulnerable engine orifices. Arrangements were made to view it. A deal was eventually struck and home came the Teal Blue GT unceremoniously on the back of a flatbed truck. The work that is done so far started 17 years ago, now it’s time to restore that classic raspy MGB exhaust note.
Where to start
Initially, I was overwhelmed. Where do I start with the boxes of parts, nuts, bolts and bits and pieces? The car was generally in a sorry state. For the sake of doing something, it seemed logical to start by cleaning it inside and out. The last date on the pile of receipts accompanying the purchase is 2007 and I assume the only thing that’s changed since then is the accumulation of dirt and dust.
The last few months I’ve spent sifting through the bits and pieces, researching online, and getting an idea of which direction the project should go. Firstly, one option is to take it down the path of restoration. I baulk at the amount of money involved to do that, as well as the amount of time it would take. Frankly, I want to see it up and running and driving down the road under its own steam, as does my son.
Secondly is an option I’d never heard of before and entirely not considered. I stumbled across Rat Rods which gave me the idea to simply refurbish the car. Essentially retain as close to the original car and patina as practically and aesthetically possible. For instance, Rat rods are a good example of this idea and it appeals to me to approach a classic MGB GT build in this way, especially one in Teal Blue.
Goals
The goal is to build a reliable classic car to cope with the demands of an everyday driver that will take me to retirement and beyond. Moreover, I’d like to hook up to a homemade micro camper trailer to attend National club runs. Originally, the idea of a restoration project appealed to me. Now it’s clear I want to go with option two to refurbish the GT while preserving the original car and patina.
Talking it through with my son who calls the Teal Blue GT his inheritance totally agrees. For him, it was the only way he ever viewed it. Great news, the direction of the project is established, forward we go.
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