It’s BOGO time! Buy one 1974 “chrome bumper” MGB and get a rubber bumpered ’78 edition – wow, such a deal! The seller tells us that this pair are “both in great shape” but I’m initially having a tough time with that assessment. You could consider both of these cars to be actual barn finds though one looks more like a refugee lurking behind barbed wire – a sad fate indeed. Sitting in Claremont, North Carolina for years, this neglected and forlorn pair is available, here on craigslist for $1,800.
The yellow ’78 edition is represented by this one image and it’s not too telling. The ugly federal black rubber bumper is still attached but its headlights have gotten knocked out. Beyond that, I can tell you nothing as the listing is silent and relies more on images of the outdoor ’74.
OK, let’s focus on the ’74 which the seller states is the “last of the chrome bumper models“. That statement is existentially true except those chrome bumpers are missing which somewhat negates the claim. The seller tells us that this MGB has been in the barn since 1990 but judging from the heavy covering of tree mung and the proximity of a tree tump, it looks more like an outside dweller. It’s missing things like trim and marker lights, and though the body appears to be sound, MG’s are rust magnets and the underside should be cause for concern. A good pressure washing would be revealing but I’d be concerned that this car’s structure could handle the force. As for the 78 HP, 1.8-liter in-line four-cylinder engine? Who knows but it’s logical to assume that it’s beyond running capability.
The fabric roof still looks intact so maybe, just maybe, the interior is not as deteriorated looking as the exterior. Of course, the interior in a “B” is a limited environment so a complete redo is not a Herculean task, and parts and trim are mostly available.
I wish I could tell you more but this is all I have. I’m a bit familiar with the MG’s “B” as a good friend owned many (including a ’65 with an aluminum Buick “Fireball” engine) and I used to help out in the wrenching department but I’ll freely admit it, I’m hardly an expert. So, $1,800 is probably not a bad price for what could be a parts source, and who knows, maybe the ’74 is salvageable as an actual running and driving car. That’s my thought, how about yours?
I have to laugh when sellers describe cars like these as “great” or “excellent”. I wonder what part of the car they are speaking of.
Anyway, this pair reminds that long ago, when I pretty much wore my work overalls all weekend, I caught a glimpse of an MGA in the rare Alamo Beige color sunk into the back of an orchard. Well, long story short it took an afternoon or so to consummate the deal after a knock on the door, but another entire day to pull the car out of the sucking mud. After a nut-and-bolt, not much remained of the original car. The frame came from my mechanic who had one lying around, most of the body panels – ditto. The engine was home to I dunno how many squirrels. Anyway, it did turn out quite nicely in new Iris Blue paint but it was a long haul.
Got a picture of it Michelle?
Long ago and long gone, like, pre internet and pre cell phone age, ha ha.wish I did, it was very pretty.
Sounds like the ’60 Bugeye Sprite I bought for $500 in the late ’90s that had been in Florida all it’s life and spent the last 10 years of it sitting in a driveway without a cover. The rust had rust. Don’t know what possessed me to rebuild it but two years later I had one of the best race cars I’ve ever built. The amount of sheet metal it took was staggering and there was a good 250 hours of welding to put it all together. Said I wouldn’t do that again and I didn’t. Present build was an almost rust free roller and a lot more fun than the other one. Picture shows the right front of the rocker that had to be replaced because the factory didn’t weld in the closing plate on the end of it.
Great photo, ah the rust buckets we tackled when we had more time than sense. Your story reminds me of yet another MGA that I bought at an auction. Very ratty but ran like a charm. Came from Astoria, Oregon which is on our coast. Rusty frame! Rotten floors! Broken seats! Eventually I thought it deserved to look more like it ran and I started taking it apart. When I pried the front bumper apart, out fell a splitting awl! Ok I didn’t live on a farm yet but I kept that awl and I still use it today.
I think I miss that car.
Here’s what the rust bucket became. BTW, know your area well as I graduated from Beaverton High and my brother lives in Oregon City. Almost lost my mother’s car when the tide came in fast at Haystack Rock.
IF the bodys n frames are solid …grab a 2.3T n T5 from a rusted out T-Bird Turbo coupe…
Either the old timer who listed these has memories of these two, 40 years ago? Or he’s a retired comedian.
Kinda wish they were closer than the 2500+ miles away I would consider getting them. There is a black one sitting in a driveway just across the state line from me its been in the same spot 4 years that I know of my thoughts would be take the 3 and see if you can get at least one running and driving.
A couple of hours from me in NC. Sent a text asking if there were clear titles for each and whether the price listed was for one or both. I have a bunch of projects hanging fire at present but a chrome bumper MGB has always been one of those I’d like to have.
Addendum – owner responded that he does not have titles and the price is for both of them. His dad bought the 74 and had a title but lost it. His son (6’2″ and 328lbs) is not a candidate for these. I suggested that he could get a title for the 74 since his dad had one. NC is awful if you don’t have a title.
Broadway title in Birmingham AL …I used them for my 70 Coronet that I bought in Col and titled in Hellinois
I’m confused. Aren’t we talking about MGBs? I think there are 3ish posts about the frames. Unless I’m missing something, there are no frames on an MGB.
There’s a large X-member that requires you to remove the entire engine and transmission to do a simple clutch replacement. It is not a uni-body car. The same holds for the Triumph TR6 and the big Healeys.
MGBs are definitely unibody… TR6 is a body on frame… I believe the big Healeys are body on frame, but I’ve never owned one of those…
MGB’s absolutely are uni-body.
I’m sure you’re referring to the frame of the TR6, but to be clear, you don’t have to remove the engine of a TR6 to replace the clutch. Just remove the passenger seat and transmission tunnel and slide the trans back enough or out to access the clutch.
And yes, TRs are body on full frame.
Let me clarify what I said. I guess uni-body is subject to distinction. When I think of uni-body cars, I think of the frame as structurely in total integration with the rest of the body…the very nature of its strength is from the fact that every bend and curve is part of the structural integrity of the car. There’s no removing the body from the frame. The MGB has a clear box-beam X member underneath it, as does the TR6 and the big Healeys. In both the latter case, one can remove the transmission tunnel in order to access the transmission for whatever. I have done clutch jobs on both of them from above. The MGB does not have a removeable transmission tunnel. In all 3 there is no way to drop the transmission from below.
I have attached a picture of one man’s restoration efforts on his 65 BJ8 Healey. Clearly fenders and valences can be removed, but there remains body parts welded to the frame. Is this uni-body? I have no answer to that. Have at it folks.
Could be a translation issue here. When you say “X member” do you mean an actual “X” structure?… as under a Sunbeam Alpine/Tiger or big Healey?
There is no “X” assembly under an MGB… There are longitudinal members, and a mid body transverse cross member that are integral parts of the chassis… hence, “unibody”. The TR6 does have an X member of sorts (but not really) built into its frame… however the frame and body are separate assemblies… hence “body on frame”. Back to the MGB, it is much easier to pull the engine/trans as a unit, however, I have seen the engine pulled on its own… however, its much more difficult to do that way, and I don’t know why one would inflict that pain on themselves.
Eric – when you do your research you will learn that the 1962 and later MGB’s were among the first unit body construction British sports cars, and that construction technique was one of the selling points of the car.
I know NOTHING about these cars ….and it shows….I always liked them but think a solid one with a ford 2.3T n T5 would be a blast
sorry, I always think of a frame as a separate structure, which the MGB is not.
Basically two parts cars……I don’t understand why people take pictures that do more harm than good… that shows the level of importance of what these cars meant to them. Clean them up bit, put the tires on and present something!!!
Not very good marketing!!
Seller obviously has no attachment and just wants them gone… hoping to get someone else to do the heavy lifting in getting them hauled out of there… and maybe making a couple bucks in the process. Saw something similar earlier this year when a guy “inherited” a couple Alfas..
Both are a waste of time.
I bought a new 1974 MGB while I was in the Navy. It ran out of gas going back to base, the fuel gage still reading just under 1/2 tank and that was the start. It was the right color too… Citron yellow
My “baby” brother bought a new MGB in 1973, and he drove it for decades, and hundreds of thousands of happy miles, before he sold it due to his age, not the car’s. It was daunting and cramped for me to climb down into, and pull back up out of, with my arthritis. NOT FOR ME!!! That said, this seller simply made a typo: he didn’t mean, “great” shape — he meant CRATE shape! At least the price is right for SOMEbody. But as the 1948 hit song says, “It’s got to be somebody ELSE — not ME!”