http://www.merlinsportscars.co.uk/

I was thinking of these once when I was feeling like a kit car. That was a good few years ago, and I ended up with another Skoda because I had to replace the then car pretty sharpish.

I’m not allowed a kit car by “management” due to them looking like tents on wheels with a big engine.

Wheels too small, and it looks like that 1970s/80s American thing that tried and failed to be a modern classic...

If you are going to get a classic, get a classic. But that isn't classic.

I've been tempted by an Austin A35 or Morris Minor 1000 for some time now. Perhaps even an Austin-Healey Sprite, or moving up the scale to a proper MG.

Perhaps one day. I spotted an MGB a couple of months ago, going for £2k. I'd hate to think what was wrong with it.

I had space (both in finances and on the drive), there would be a Morris Minor Traveller there. My first car was a Minor, and I really wish I had the means at the time I got rid of it to spend out on the chassis rebuild in desperately needed. Both of us here would like a Morris, but as a hobby car, not one to rely on for everyday use.

The problem with such cars is that you have to either pay a lot for one in good nick, or pay a lot to get it into good nick.

As an aside on this, my neighbour and his son are restoring an Austin 7. It’s not road worthy at the moment, but he brought it round on a trailer a few months back. Next to a modern car, it seems so fragile. They are doing a good job on it too.

It's an MGB. That's what's wrong with it.

Seriously, they're not worth huge amounts unless they're in Concours condition. £2k is probably reasonable for a slightly tatty one.

John, what sort of thing are you looking for? Sports car? Open top tourer (like the Beauford)? I'm assuming it'll just be for fun, weekend type use? And what's you're max budget?

Ah, but this was a proper British racing green one, with wire wheels and knock-off hubs, and proper chrome bumpers. I only saw it as we sailed past on our way somewhere else. I managed to suppress the urge to find it again and take it for a spin.

If I had the cash to spend on an old car, it would be a Triumph Stag...terribly unreliable, but they look good and have the best exhaust note I've ever heard!

We're currently restoring "Rosie" a Triumph TR7 sports car, she's gorgeous and although she may not be "worth" what we're putting into her, in both money and effort, she's worth so much more than that to us. We are also sprucing up my classic Saab 900 Aero. If I had my druthers, our next "project" would be a Triumph TR4, they're gorgeous, but I think my Mister wants a Hilman Imp

Rosie:


Horace:

Fair enough, that's probably a fairly good deal then. As long as you can get in it without falling through the rust holes in the floor. Personally though, I can think of loads of other cars I like better than MGBs. Although as a Triumph owner, I'm legally obliged to hate MGs.



A lot of people swap the engines for Rover V8s, which keeps the character (and the exhaust note) of the car, and solves all the reliability issues at a stroke. Not exactly original, but meh. It's what BL should have put in there in the first place.

Absolutely, but wasn't the main problem the fact that the radiator was unable to cool an engine that size? (of course, the warping heads were an issue too!)

If you can find one, snap up an Austin Healey. The prices are going up, however, so sooner rather than later would be good.
There's a place near us called Modern Motoring, I love it.
His prices are ridiculous, but he focuses on MGs, E Types and Austin Healeys. He appears to manage commanding about 5 figures for most of his cars, including the MG Bs.

As said that is a kit car not a classic and never will be, but if you like it.

http://www.hawkcars.co.uk/hf3000/index.html

Now I'd be tempted by one of these.
Given the originals were racers, getting a better fit and finish shouldn't be too challenging.

Not sure about that, but I think the underlying problem is the engine is just a bit of a bodge. Two dolomite engines welded together, with a last-minute size increase to sort out US emissions. Cooling capability is marginal to say the least, which probably means the rad is having to do all the cooling work. Add a few years of gunge buildup and poor maintenance and you've got a recipe for disaster.

Now you are talking! I loved the old Lancia as a kid.