Vehicle Description
A car I 'sold to myself' and have enjoyed for a year and a half.
Gorgeous black with all new black interior (with red piping), leather seats, wire wheels, new 185/75 radials, excellent body, rust free floors and sills, excellent mechanicals... very few miles on rebuilt engine, .145-150 psi compression in every cylinder, no smoke cold or hot, 85 psi oil pressure when warm..., new rotors, rebuilt calipers, new clutch hydraulics, new wood dash and steering wheel, modern Sony stereo/CD with USB output, really needs nothing.
Just fitted a new high output air conditioning system, rotary compressor, works well. This system also has a built in secondary heating system. Which also works well....on 10 degree days, have found the car to have similar heat output to a modern American or German car. WHICH really opened up the 'use factor' and allowed me to use this car as an alternative to a contemporary car.
Also has overdrive and new control switch. Clicks 'in' and 'out' perfectly. AND...if you are not familiar with this wonderful, although a bit archaic, gizmo, it is essentially a supplemental gearbox mated to the four speed unit and offering further gear reduction, essentially a fifth gear. Get up to highway speeds, flick the switch and watch the rpms go down. Converting a car that gets around 18 mph per 1,000 revs in top gear to over 22 mph in overdrive. Offering relaxed cruising, better economy, and costing maybe $3,000 in parts and labor to duplicate in a non overdrive GT.
Oil cooler, very good original chrome, replaced the dumb hexagonal fake knock offs with new two eared chrome knock offs, quiet exhaust, all working gauges, inertia reel belts, what appears to be excellent wiring, very clean engine bay, no rust at the bottom of the spare wheel well, even (both) the interior lights work.
For a high degree of reliability, installed a back up fuel pump, electronic ignition, external charging terminal, the result was 353 flawless miles on a classic car rally, in the rain, never missed a beat, comfy inside, and got 28 mpg. A really sensational classic car.
Had my staff prepare this car for my own use...all fluids changed, drilled and safety wired the oil drain plug, adjusted the valves, balanced the SU carbs (which work perfectly), replaced many of the hydraulic parts, new clutch slave, hose, and master cylinder, thicker front sway bar and bushings to improve roll stiffness, whatever wasn't replaced was checked, the result is a beautiful MGB GT...in their day, in England, referred to as 'the poor man's Aston Martin.' Quiet, refined, a blast to drive, very roomy, wonderful classic touring sports car.
PS Car is at home, not in the showroom and if a potential owner wishes to see/drive this car, need a day or two notice.
