Pretty much everyone knows what an MGB is. Offered from ’62 to ’80, the MGB is the quintessential British sports car. You’ll find them with some unexpected modifications such as this Volvo-powered example. I have an old college friend that had a ’65 that was sportin’ a Buick fireball V8 engine… it never quite ran right, however. Well, today, we have a ’69 that is, well…, over the top! It looks great and gives little outward indication of what lurks within. Please join me as we delve into this unusual Baldwin Park, California resident. It’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $6,000 with the reserve not yet met. There is a BIN price of $7,000 too.
Finished in typical British racing green, this roadster is certainly no rust bucket, a common fate that befalls this vintage MG. The small hubcaps and white stripe tires give this car an innocent 1969 look. The finish is still sound and the body panels are nice and straight. While it’s nice to see a B’s front end that hasn’t misjudged a fixed object’s position. Unfortunately, the front edge of the hood looks like it encountered a rather large bee-hind that has left its very visible imprimatur.
Viewed from the rear, you know something’s up with this MG as the exhaust system clearly gives it away. It turns out that this British gem is no longer resting on its Leyland platform. Nope, this sucker is riding around on a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle (Type I) platform that has been shortened by three and a half inches to accommodate the attachment points on the B’s body. And my logical question is, “why”?
The MG’s 95 HP, 1800 CC, in-line four-cylinder engine has been yanked from under the bonnet and replaced by what is believed to be a 1300 CC, VW, flat-four, probably good for 50 HP in native form, that was shoved under the boot. The seller states, “This car is a fun driver and far from perfect“. Added is, “The pedal assembly was lengthened from its original spot. This MG feels like it’s channeled, so you’re sitting flat, takes a little getting used to“.
The above image is the only one included in the listing that gives a glimpse of the interior and the seller makes scant mention of it. He does provide two interesting tidbits however, one being that the driver’s seat is fixed in place and not adjustable, and the other, “The pedals can be cut and adjusted, I am 5’9 and can drive this car comfortably“. Hmmm, a cautionary item to consider.
So, this is a tough one. I really appreciate the imagination and multiple skills that were necessary to concoct this outrageous mash-up. But as stated earlier, I must once again ask, “Why”? It seems that this MG would have been better served to continue on as a traditional front engine, rear wheel drive B – with possibly an engine upgrade if it were necessary and/or desired. Anyway, that’s my thought, what’s yours?
Not knowing what this much intact 1967 B sheet metal would cost to replace, maybe it’s worth $6.5k to take it off the VW frame. Sell the frame, drop the body onto a clean B upgraded frame and pick a drivetrain combo.
Then again, maybe just walking away shaking your head in amazed bewilderment would be a bet more safely made..!
MGBs don’t have a separate chassis. Leave it as is; it’s quite interesting and neither vehicle is particularly rare.
I’ve been accused of windy posts,,,and this one will be no different. Reading the intro, it’s all over the place. I didn’t get the banner headline just by looking at the car, is it VW, Volvo, Buick V8? What, what what? Spells blasphamy at every turn. I’ve seen Volvo 4 cylinder swaps, which I could somewhat see, but this absolutely tears it. 1st, they take the best MGB, a ’69,, I feel, 2nd, modify it radically, I mean, who knows what it drives like, and last, it’s an engineering marvel, to them, but if you want a VW powered MG, you missed the boat on both ends. Re: hood damage, don’t let your fat axx GF sit on the hood,,probably full of bondo anyway, the car, that is.
To continue rambling to the bane of some, it all began back in 1967, when as a young lad realized I was a bit different than all the other kids, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,!!
And furthermore,,,,have a safe day, everyone!! ( did he just say something nice?)
And that’s another thing, do people “report comment” when it’s something nice? Ok, what’s next?
Each one of these conversions helps to increase the long term value of original survivors.
That’s positive, right?
I’ve always liked your windy comments Howard. I’ve learned a lot from them. I want to hate this car and I kind of do. But it’s unibody, and I’m guessing it was terminally rusty. So somebody had some fun with it.
Part of me is disgusted and part of me intrigued. I remember a neighbor of my father’s working on his MG B on the weekends (a lot), so I’m wondering if some of these modifications were made in the name of reliability.
Nice work except for the exhaust!
It’s an abomination.
MGB is a unit construction body/chassis. No frame except for the welded in sub frames to support the front suspension and engine mounts. If mounted on a complete VW pan all that would have to come out to clear the VW front suspension. That’s all VW floor and tunnel inside so the B was gutted completely. No going back on this one. Only thing this car needs is one of the 150 plus hp engines to move it faster down the road.
Another silly conversion.
Quite a creative piece. I like when someone dares to extend the boundaries to make something like this work!! Bravo!!
I have so many questions.
Can any aircooled-VW aficionados comment on the apparent lack of air intakes? Does this car look like it would have cooling problems?
I know these engines can be made very powerful so this is potentially a quick and fun car. What an odd project for someone to undertake though.
No pans sealing the engine in and two big fans in front of the engine fan. Should work.
Perfect example of just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
I once saw an MGB body perched 6 feet in the air atop some sort of 4×4 chassis with huge mud tires. Aside from that one, this is the strangest modded MGB I’ve ever seen, or ever hope to see.
Just say NO
Um well ah, wow, that’s ah sumthin.
And not sumthin particularly desirable.
Both the original VW and MG were Californicated on this thing.
I give this an A++ for creativity but also unless the mgb frame was rotten why would you do this? Its absolutely crazy with this combo but I for one, love it for daring to be different. Let the haters come at me! Come on I am waiting guys!
I’m with you. The more I look at it, I kind of like it.
That doesn’t mean I’d buy it, but the originality of the thought process is truly amazing.
This is the poster child of “thinking outside of the box”.
I’m just wondering why Ian Roussel didn’t think of it first?
I think they missed the boat on this one.
They should have put the VW engine in FRONT. Should have gotten a Dasher or Fox transaxle, so as to be easily adapted to use on the steering end. Left the rest of the body alone – brace it up, if there was rot.
An air-cooled, classic VW-powered MGB, I could get into.
A mashup between dissimilar body and chassis pan? Hard pass.
What a terrible idea. “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”
Hold my beer………………
This is terrible. Even just the exhaust mounted that way makes this an ugly hard pass.
What a waste of an otherwise nice MG!
SUPER impractical. Now it has no storage whatsoever! So much for touring.
Next thing, someone will ruin another classic by putting in electric motor.
All that exhaust plumbing hanging off the rear end is a dead giveaway that this isn’t “really” an MGB, and just ruins this car aesthetically. Two thumbs down.
If one wanted a VW-powered MG, why not buy one of those MG TD replicas which were VW powered? I remember them “back in the day” when those kits were being sold (and a Gazelle on Barnfinds now!). With the engine hanging out past the rear axle and the driver/passenger sitting almost on top of the rear axle, the front end would float so weight had to be added to the form of cement blocks or lead weights…completely contrary to the “rules” of a sport car being lightweight and nimble.
What a waste of an otherwise nice MG!
SUPER impractical. Now it has no storage whatsoever! So much for touring.
Next thing, someone will ruin another classic by putting in electric motor.
I have one of those MG T D clones but it is done correctly with a 4cyl. Chevette motor up front where it belongs. It’s called a Dutchess. Look it up. Very well done
It fools everybody and really scoots!
@ Steve Smith
Spot on regarding electric motors in classic cars. IMHO, ELECTRIC CARS HAVE NO SOUL! Sure they’re quick and have instant torque, but so is a golf cart.
Addendum to my note pertaining to the electrification of classic cars: “Electric vehicles are a passing phase.”
I have an MGTD Replica but it was done correctly with a 4cyl. Chevette motor up front where it belongs.
It’s called a Dutchess. Look it up. It fools everybody and it really scoots! Also much more reliable than the original with NO Lucas electrics!
It was built professionally at the factory
and they supplied all the build sheets.
Just looked up the Duchess. So well done; such a sleeper.
Where are the clowns?
One word, Garbage, ruined a good car.
Even after reading all the comments, Jim ODonnell’s initial question remains unanswered: “Why?”. The thing that bugs me the most about the VWeplica TDs is the sound! I’m fine with that sound coming out of an air-cooled VW, Porsche, or Karmann Ghia, but from an MG? No-no-no-no-no. And now somebody would have me listening to that sound from an MGB? No-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no!
If somebody wants to save an MGB this nice with a rotten floor and substructure, British Motor Heritage makes all the panels needed for that and you end up with a PROPER MGB. I’ve repaired worse, and the British repair rusty MGs FAR worse. These cars in the UK rust out far worse than we ever see on this side of the pond.
If you have an itch for an engine transplant, there are so many much better, and certainly easier solutions for the MGB: the most popular probably being the BOP-Rover aluminum V8 – lighter than the MGB’s cast-iron 4. The factory built about 2800 of these V8s between 1973 and 1975. The rubber-bumper MGBs were built to accept them. There are great kits from three or four highly-respected venders to convert MGBs to Chevy 3.4L V6s from Camaros and S-10 pickups – built to run North-South for rear-wheel drive. A little more work but loaded with potential are the Solstice/Skye engines, the MX 5 Miata engines, and the Honda S-2000. The Volvo B18s are an old standby. And there’s a whole coterie of MGB owners who have converted to the Ford 302 V8. It’s also light-weight and can be fit without suspension changes. With any of these approaches, you can find a lot of owner- and vender-support. With many of them, the tough problems have been solved and the components you need are readily available in the after-market.
The idea of switching from an MGB engine to a VW 1300 for sake of reliability is ludicrous on the face of it. Nothing against the VW, mind you, but show me a guy with MGB engine reliability problems and I’ll show you a guy who fiddles with the SU carbs all the time, searching for that mythical sweet-spot where the car will do 0-60 in 6 seconds and get 45 mpg while doing it. Even at the original 96 HP on pre-emissions models, these things are fun, responsive, and economical to drive. Even my ’73 model ran 175,000 miles before an overhaul, and now at 252,000 miles, it’s running very strong with 75# oil pressure.
Like orhers above, I am intrigued by this particular car (Is it a bastardized VW or a bastardized MGB???) but that doesn’t mean I like it or want it. I’m currently building a ’65 MGB with some “fast road” tweaks. At that, it’s not horribly expensive. Bigges expenses were lightened flywheel, lightened connecting rods, and a fast road cam that comes on at about 2300 rpm – right where you need it when you have to get to the grocery store in a hurry.
I sincerely hope that the seller did these mods just for his own satisfaction and that he did get some satisfaction out of it, and with equal sincerity I hope that he had no expectation of the market reimbursing him for his admittedly very creative efforts. I would suggest that he should have done something about that squashed bonnet before trying to sell it. I take no pleasure in trashing his offering, and I hope he finds a knowledgeable buyer who knows what he’s getting, can learn to drive it, and can continue to improve and expand on his ideas. I would issue some serious cautions for the naïve among us who would buy it “because it’s cute”.
Well, Howard A, looks like you have some competition in the windy comments department. It took me about $10 worth of effort to record my 2¢ worth.
Cheers,
Allen
I’m thinking this guy probably somehow found himself in possession of a rusted out MGB with a blown engine (maybe inherited it?) and had a running VW Beetle laying around, owns lots of tools and needed a winter project. Maybe he doesn’t think an old MGB is some wonderful thing worth restoring at any expense? Not everybody does. So he had some fun and saved a rotted out old car from the scrap yard. I’ve modified and customized a few old motorcycles to the horror of my purist bike collector friends. As the saying goes, you pay your money and you take your choice. It is weird, though.
And how did “Volvo” get into this offering at all? There’s nothing Volvo in this car. Certainly not the engine!
Allen, again…
“You’ll find them with some unexpected modifications such as this Volvo-powered example“.
Did you actually read the entire post? It’s a hyperlink reference to another MGB that underwent a Volvo transplant.
JO
Hi Jim
Yes I read it all – except the Volvo link. I presumed when you said « this » MG you meant the one for sale now. My bad. I often skip the extra links and today it caught up with me. But I learned something! However putting a Volvo engine in an MG is not wired like this car! Volvo B16s and B18s were at one time a popular swap with MG TDS.
Thanks for the explanation. I’ll check out the links next time!
Cheers,
Allen
Thank you Allen.
JO
There’s an old saying’round these parts that goes “Everything fits anything with enough welding!”
This, obviously, confirms the old expression.
Personally, I would have never considered it, but I’ve seen, and driven 200hp air cooled beetles. They go a lot faster than I care to.
I’d also suspect that they don’t last that long either, but getting 100hp out of the VW power train with a Freeway Flier transmission and, aside from relearning how it handles, I’d give kudos to the people that built it.
Remember EVERYTHING fits ANYTHING with enough welding.
A couple other things: apparently the thinking ended prior to the exhaust being installed. There’s so many others that could have been installed and possibly looked pretty good.
As for the butt dent on the engine hood, I once had a size 40, see, I can be polite, woman park her enormous behind on the drivers side front fender of my 356 SC Porsche when we were leaving a local watering hole.
In a rather unpleasant tone of voice I asked her; “Hay, Fatso! Does that look like a BarcaLounger to you?”
I meant « weird », not «wired»
Allen
Headline should have read. “British get revenge on Germany 25 years after WW2”.
I have a 1952 MG TD Kit car with a fibreglass body mounted to a VW Beetle chassis and drivetrain …and while I do enjoy driving it I also realize that its not everyones cup of tea !! My comment is on the exhaust …..if the standard VW exhaust would have been left on the engine and then mounted into this MG it would have looked much better in my opinion , what is on there no is somewhat of a plumbers nightmare , at least to me !!! got to wonder why ????
Why? Better in the mud and snow? You got me on this one.
My brother bought a brand new 1967 MGB when we lived on the south shore of Lake Ontario. He couldn’t keep an exhaust pipe on it. It wasn’t even necessary to hit one of the many, many potholes.
yuck!
Interesting build that would be fun to take to car shows. We have a stock ‘63 B that I nut and bolt restored, and this VW/B doesn’t offend my sensibilities at all. Even early Bs are pretty common here in the States, as are early bugs, so why not?
Should have installed it mid engine. Could have had a British 914.
For the price, could get you a driver vw beetle or a MGB. Then for the cost to make this right end up with a nice car of either one. This will never be nice or desirable.
Seems to me B’s had aluminum hoods, and required care when closing, never mind sitting on them.