I just saw this Jesse. Obviously, I don’t know you from Adam, but your short message about grieving loss touched me. I retired from two challenging careers….the Navy, and a law enforcement career as a federal game warden. When I retired, I lost my network of friends….because I walked away and didn’t look back. Since then, death seems to abound. I lost friends, my parents, close colleagues. In essence….I truly feel your loss. I can’t give advice…except to say hang in there….do something that connects you with that friend. If you hiked together….go on that hike. If you drank together….have a drink and remember. Feel free to cry. Jesse, I wish you only the very best.
Holy Cow, been watching for 2 years now, I had this car when I was 18, 59 now haha, good memories, spent most of my time on the carbs, zenith, I love your channel best on RUclips , you make this old man laugh !
In the '50's through the '60's, MG was popular in America. MG owners complained about the unreliability of their cars as a conversation piece. The Datsun 240Z was the beginning of the end for MG.
Never have a British car as your daily driver. But if you have one as a weekend driver, you'll either have loads of fun or loads of stories and either way you'll be happy
I had the last of the Mk 1 MGB's for about 10 years and no issues to worry about, my only complaint was the lousy leaf spring rear end, all 3 of my BMC cars had the same axle hop over corrugations, they needed anti tramp rods.
I have had both. MGs are pretty reliable. Biggest problems were fuel pump electric contact points corroding from moisture and front end parts needing greasing all the time. Actually, I had a lot more fun in the MGs than the 240z. The MG handled way better. I have done so many power slides with my MG. Not so much with the Z.
I had a '78. Loved it. Reliability was OK. A/C units were rare in MGBs. I was waiting to hear his reaction after he turned on the A/C during his test drive, but he didn't turn it on. Whenever I turned mine on, I could feel it drag down the engine. That's what 70 BHP does.
Only the British could find a way for a carburetor to leak oil 🤣 As a Brit I saw loads of these in the 70s & 80s and took them for granted now I appreciate them a lot more. This one looks beautiful.
Actually, this one is equipped with a zenith stromberg single carb which could unfortunately leak gas on the hot! Catalytic converter. Fire was the resul. Not a good design from British Leyland.
I have wonderful memories of my sister and I riding on that "package shelf" as my normally economy-minded father took the family for a ride in his impulsively purchased red MGB.
A buddy of mine has a very unique 1965 MGB, with a very rare factory option, a fastback sloping roof. While it looks similar to the MGB GT, it is a non-GT model with a bolt on fastback roof from MG in 1965. If that isn't enough, it also has a 1969/1970 Ford Racing 290 hp Boss 302 squeezed in, a multi-link rear suspension with coil springs, a 9" rear end, and 4 wheel disk brakes. The engine and all of the customization was done by a Ford engineer in the early 1970's. He road raced it In various hobby classes over the years and the car performed very well. In addition to the fastback roof, the car also has both the common convertible top and the hard top. When the factory fastback roof is installed, you are intended to remove the trunk lid. You can open the back of the fastback to access to the trunk. For long trips my friend has packed soft luggage all around the exterior of the original trunk (but still inside the fastback). In order to fit the Boss 302, the engine has a dry sump fitted and a special low profile intake manifold. It also uses rectangular exhaust pipes. The car also has significant structural reinforcements in order to handle the torque. It is a very cool car...
@@jeffhildreth9244 That is possible. My buddy's father bought the car new when living in England and just about to immigrate to Canada for an engineering position with Ford. He always said he bought the fastback roof from MG but he could have bought it from an MG dealer. Unfortunately he passed away more than 20 years ago so we'll never know for certain.
Just when a miserable day at work concludes…. Here’s Bill with some car that I couldn’t care less about ….. but hearing his misery cheers me up immensely! Happy New Year Bill and the rest🥂 🍾 🎉
@@thomasduane6863 'Fairly quick?' In objective stats, this MG would likely be dusted by a Daewoo Lasagne. But the feel... the rawness of this gem; going 45 mph must feel like a buck twenty. Great way to get a rush and still retain your driver's license!
@@egold2071 The MG weighed 1900 pounds and had 92 horsepower. A buddy had a Ford with a 260 v8. Looks like almost 3100 lbs and 160 horsepower. The MG is close to 20.6 pounds per horsepower. The Ford is19.3 pounds per horsepower. The MG was a quick to shift 4 speed. The Ford was a 3 spd on the column, not quick to shift. In a couple of years the V8's grew to 429 cu in. The MG grew to a 260z. The MG was fun. The original Dunlop radials lasted almost 13000 miles.
@@egold2071 Back in the late 60's early 70's a lot of cars and motorcycles couldn't reach 100 mph. Now my bike will go 145 and I can't go above 125. My speed seems to be wrist restricted.
owned a '68 (G reg in the U.K.) from '70~'73, so this was a memory-lane-moment. thank you as always Bill, and best wishes from Japan, to you and yours, for the coming year.....
Hi Bill, the MG twin cam engine was designed and fitted into the new MGA, the MGB 1800cc engine was known as the B series, with the smaller A series being fitted into the Mini. The MGC had the larger straight 6 cylinder fitted and had the power bulge in the bonnet, the V8 version was just called the MGB V8
Did collision repair and paint on these cars back when they were new because shipping would cause damage we would do the repairs and send them back to the dealer for sale,,, by today's standards these old MGS are solid as a rock.
It might be a less desirable rubber bumper model, but I reckon it would look much better stock with the rostyles, striped seats and black vinyl dash and steering wheel
Thanks for all your wonderfully enthralling and entertaining videos throughout 2022. All the very best for 2023 Bill, full of shitty weather and ferocious bloody thirsty animals. Cheers from Australia!
Great review! I found the horn on the end of the indicator stalk so much easier than on the wheel. I still feel that by the time I move my hand to press the wheel centre the moment has passed. No such problems using the fingertips!
Nice review. Some interesting facts on the MGB....the 3 wipers were a US requirement to wipe a certain percentage of the windscreen, UK/EU had 2 wipers. Standard wheels were Rostyle with wire wheels optional through the end of production. A/C was a factory option, yes the wood dash/steering wheel was owner installed. Radios were a dealer installed option with various brands used. I had a '80 MGB in Vermillion (orange) w/wire wheels, overdrive, and factory A/C when I was a senior in high school. Sure wish I still had it.
Nice! Now this is a proper, cool curious car to wrap up the year! Way better than 2021's final piece, that farting Tesla. Have a happy and 'safe' New Year's Eve to Bill and his 'hundreths' of thousands of fans! 🤟🥃🥴
I have a 80 MGB almost the same color as this one. Great fun to drive and very simple to work on and parts are readily available and decent prices. Only thing I want to change is to change it to chrome bumpers they look so much better than the gody looking black ones
That black rubber is awful. The car is also higher. I believe .5 inch. That was all done to have 5mph crash bumpers. If you are going to keep it, your car will be so much nicer to look at.
I have a 79 Limited Edition. I cut off those rubber bumpers, threw an older chrome one on the back, and left the front with no bumper. Dropped it an inch or two back to the pre DOT requirements of the late 70s. Thats the beauty of these cars - you can modify without worrying about the value going down. Lol
An old HS friend has a white '78 MGB ragtop which his folks bought him at college graduation. He's retired now, and still has it. Talk about loyalty...
This review might not make any Canadians chipper, but it certainly made my underpowered car loving self chipper. Love the review Bill, and I learned a lot about MG. Very interesting stuff.
I'm a Canadian and Bill's reviews always make me chipper! Partly because I don't have to sit in the back seat, but mostly because Bill is so good at it.
A buddy of mine had a 77 mg. He let me drive it a bit before he restored it. A little beast really, absolutely the funniest car to drive I've driven. Was like a slot car. Where you pointed it, it went. 35 mph rated corners at 80 and no sqawk at all. A bitch to keep running but hey, that's British engineering.
Yeah...they were too anemic as far as power goes...but they were very "tossible" in corners. But at freeway speeds, you really would want the overdrive...otherwise, that little engine was straining to hit 60-70mph...One point in their favor--the MGBs seemd to be more reliable, compared to other contemporary British and Italian sports cars...but that is faint praise!...it took the Japanese to make more reliable sports cars.
@@curbozerboomer1773 I don't really remember the engine or gearing. It was a 4 speed. But had no problem running 80-90, which felt insanely fast in that roller skate. And his dad, an old school motorhead, "tweeked" a few things.
Happy New Year Bill to you & your loved ones!!! I'm glad that you are so chipper with the fantastic winter weather!!! This little convertible is a real cutie!! Have a pleasant & safe New Years Eve & the best way to stay safe is consume plenty of coronavirus whiskey!!! 🎉🎈🥳🎇
Brilliantly put presentation.From the history to the model shown in this video. Is a proud owner of 1980 Ltd Edition MGB myself. They are truly great little sports cars with heritage and personality. " Safety fast" as they say.Many thanks for sharing.
Bill, thanks for the review. Interesting by 1979 that MG deleted any markings of Smith or Lucas electronics on the dash. I remember how bad the rubber would chalk in the midwest winters. I also always thought the gas cap looked like it was added on as an after thought.
Ha! This video went live when i was in my garage tending to my 78 mgb. Not too many 50+ days in PA this time of year. Sadly the primo examples remaining don’t get the $ they should. And mine is wonderful but not this nice! Good luck in Kissimmee.
@@RustyZipper Thats true…mine was PO’d at me after sitting for six weeks. Mine is a driver for sure, and tons of fun. Better than decent looking but not perfect. A quick drive is a sure cure for a bad day at work.
I wonder how it would look with body colored bumpers. That said, the bumpers look better than most bumpers of the time. I like the three windshield wipers.. Let us know how much it goes for.
I’ve alway preferred the look of the rubber bumpers, esp on the darker coloured cars, they were well styled by famous British car designer Harris Mann no less!
You are right. Supposely the Miata was based on the Elan. My first car was a 78 MGB & after I sold it, I missed it for decades. Later in life, I wanted to relive those early days. I considered buying another one, but I wanted something that I could jump in and not be concerned with reliability. I considered many cars, but it came down to a Honda S2000 or an NB Miata. However, the moment I drove the Miata, it felt so much like my MGB that it brought back a flood of memories. Soon as I was done with the test drive, I had my wallet out.
A great story. Love the cars. I've got a 69 Triumph TR6 that I also love and enjoy. Honestly if I didn't have it your MG looks to be top shelf and very nicely done. Their prices are still very fairly priced BUT it seems like prices are on the rise for both MG and Triumph. Good Job and love the history lesson. Thanks
I owned a 1956 Morris Oxford, my first car, and did not understand any part of it at first, like my first love. First and last British Car but I can say the idea of working on any British car is like foreplay - you pop the hood and the car, like women, need lots of constant close up attention and caressing even if you didn't understand most parts. Anyway, my Morris introduced me to my love of cars and women, though I can honestly say, I understand cars much better. Great show, Bill, keep going.
sorry you no longer have it 😞. My 72 GT has carried me faithfully for 22 yrs now, I rebuilt motor in 2015 to 140 HP, it's been strongest most reliable car I've ever had 😊
Yep- cute little car it is. Worked on a few, enough to know those spare parts under the bonnet will be needed soon. Also the wiring is a nightmare to behold. Thank you Bill for a great review, & happy new year!
In many ways this is the ultimate sportscar (barring performance cars). Today, you have luxury sports cars with bigger engines, more comfort, more complex suspensions and safety gear TRYING in vain to replicate what this simple but honest sports car did. I wouldn't want to drive cross country in it. But I would love to have fun driving around town in this every day (until some of the British stuff breaks lol)
Absolutely LOVED everything about this video including the lovely little MGB ! The color is gorgeous, stands out yet is elegant at the same time. Like Curious Cars I too would remove the rubber front and rear bumper components, Store them and then add the old style bumper packages instead. Also maybe some old fashioned wire style wheels. This just seems so much cooler and nicer than the old bright red 1973 MGB that I used to race. Though our teams British Racing Green 1967 MGB GT was pretty awesome as well as this one. Thank you sooo much for this fantastic Video ! Liked and subscribed. 😍🤩😇
I have loved MGB’s since the first time I saw them lined up at the British Leyland Dealership in Blacksburg Virginia, never even got to ride in one, but have alway loved them!❤️
Bill, thank you very much. As always you did a wonderful job with this car. And Happy New Year to you!!! Any parts for this car can easily be had at Moss Motors. This is a beautiful car. I had a '77 in the version you have here. I can clarify that by the mid to late '70s MGBs came in two versions. The "Tourer" (this car in the video) with the 4-speed trans and trunk rack, and the other version was the GT that came with a 5-speed and without a trunk rack. My understanding has been that purists prefer the 4-speed Tourer for the optimal experience of a true sports car on twisting and winding roadways. Around '76-'77 MG realized that they were losing sales due to not having a/c, and they began offering it in '79 as I recall, so this car is correct. In 1980 they had a special trim level for its last year that included a/c standard.
Finally, someone who knows something about the MGB. The open top version is NOT a "roadster" ( roadsters had side curtains not roll up windows) it is a TOURER not only by definition but the MGB was called the TOURER. The GT model came out in the 1965 model year right after the with the advent of the 5 main engine in Oct of 64.
Good review of the MG company. You even had some information that I had never heard. I’ve had my 1973 MGB since January 1991. Mine came out of Texas with no rust. I really enjoy my car and love working on it. These cars are all over the world and there is a forum where we help each owner of this model solve any for their problems. I drive mine all over South Korea and many times the taxi drivers ask what is that? As I said this is a world car as so many were built and most went to the US. I imported mine to Korea back in 2003!
BILL- You made my WEEK coming home to see those cars of my youth!!!! There were always a couple of dudes out there driving these things while smoking pipes!!!🤪
My buddy in high school had one. It was his dad's we took it to. the world's fair in Knoxville and saw van Halen on their Diver Down tour. I was 16. Awesome times! 🤘😎
I have owned several FIAT 124 AND 2000 SPIDER's and I never noticed the similarity n design until this vid started. The hood and headlights, slab sides, Windshield,.. And at around 16:00 you mention Pinin Farina helped design it. BAM The shim looks a lot like the base of the windshield support.
That was a great explanation of the MGB Roadster's founding history and hertitage. I have never seen a car with so few inches of length be so interesting.
My first car was a Green 1972 MGB. That car was a love and hate relationship. I loved it when it was running and I hate it when it broke down. I remember one episode of counting cars when Danny spotted a 70's MGB and he said "You know what MGB stands for? My God it's Broke again". I laughed because for me that rang true. The dual carburetors would go out of sink, the points in the distributor would close, the fuel pump died, the battery died, the alternator died, the starter died, the calipers cylinder ring evaporated. But when it was running and I had the top down, I felt like the coolest teenager in town!
How could you complain about our beautiful Florida weather? It’s the end of December and we’re in shorts & a t-shirt. I’m a native New Englandah, moved down here in 1988 and haven’t looked back since. 34 years and I’m still floored …I love it down here
16:21 Charles was never Duke of Edinburgh. That was his late father, Phillip. 20:00 The first one-hour Bill review video will probably be about the history of British Leyland and its ancestor. What a total continental fustercluck that was! 23:00 BRG- British Racing Green- is the choice for colour. And this model loses a bit of its beauty due to 'Murican bumper bars, which you mention. 34:50 Holy crap; less than 11,000 miles! Happy New Year, Bill, from us here in Australia.
Concerning the antenna at 26:17: I don't think that is the original antenna. I had a 1979 MG Midget I bought new and its antenna was much shorter. I realize that the Midget is a different model than the MGB, but given British Leyland's proclivity for using identical parts across makes let alone models, I doubt that beautiful 1979 MGB came from the factory with an antenna that could dial in Mars. Wonderful video Bill and I've enjoyed it thoroughly. Viewing it is part of my self-therapy as the past owner of three different MGs (many years ago). I am doing all that I can to resist the urge to buy another one and part of my therapy plan is to vicariously enjoy various MG sports cars via the Internet. (It's not working).
Great video mate, gotta have a soft spot for MGs. Always liked them especially the MGB GT. I still love the styling with chrome bumpers but that black rubberised plastic front end was it for me .
Another interesting video about another car that’s uncommon today. I think I’d be more likely to buy a Miata than an MG. They’re just so much more reliable with the same kind of fun factor. Best of luck with the sale. You’ve hit your stride, Bill! Happy new year!
Good morning from California Bill, I love these cars, not drive as my only vehicle, when I feel like taking a drive on Pacific Coast Hwy from Santa Monica through Malibu to Santa Barbara. It would be a pleasure to have as my personal vehicle to enjoy with nobody riding shotgun. Bill, you do an awesome job researching the vehicle and laying it all out in a very interesting & informative way for your viewer's . I love the whole gig that you do in every video my friend, please never change a thing. Take care Bill, enjoy the good weather as it may not last for very long.
My second car was a 1976 “B” in Tahiti Blue, with dark tan interior. Mine was a 4 speed with a factory-installed electronic “overdrive”. I loved that car. I had traded in my Datsun 240z that was rusting away….a Quartermaster on my ship (in the Navy), bought it, to modify it for SCCA racing at Pocono.
I was having a bad day with my good friend passing away and Bill made it brighter with a new review. Thank you, Bill.
So sorry to hear about your friends passing, but I think those kind of friends we spend eternity with, I think y’all will see each other again.
Sorry about your loss
Sorry about your loss brotha
I just saw this Jesse. Obviously, I don’t know you from Adam, but your short message about grieving loss touched me. I retired from two challenging careers….the Navy, and a law enforcement career as a federal game warden. When I retired, I lost my network of friends….because I walked away and didn’t look back. Since then, death seems to abound. I lost friends, my parents, close colleagues. In essence….I truly feel your loss. I can’t give advice…except to say hang in there….do something that connects you with that friend. If you hiked together….go on that hike. If you drank together….have a drink and remember. Feel free to cry. Jesse, I wish you only the very best.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Bill can brighten almost any day. I will have a shot of corona virus whiskey in memory of your friend
Holy Cow, been watching for 2 years now, I had this car when I was 18, 59 now haha, good memories, spent most of my time on the carbs, zenith, I love your channel best on RUclips , you make this old man laugh !
Su in England, z-s in North America
In the '50's through the '60's, MG was popular in America. MG owners complained about the unreliability of their cars as a conversation piece. The Datsun 240Z was the beginning of the end for MG.
Never have a British car as your daily driver. But if you have one as a weekend driver, you'll either have loads of fun or loads of stories and either way you'll be happy
Yeah bud , I loved the zzzzs 240 and 260 the 280 z and zx not really .300 It list it's mystique.
I had the last of the Mk 1 MGB's for about 10 years and no issues to worry about, my only complaint was the lousy leaf spring rear end, all 3 of my BMC cars had the same axle hop over corrugations, they needed anti tramp rods.
There are probably more MGB’s on the road than 240Z’s.
I have had both. MGs are pretty reliable. Biggest problems were fuel pump electric contact points corroding from moisture and front end parts needing greasing all the time. Actually, I had a lot more fun in the MGs than the 240z. The MG handled way better. I have done so many power slides with my MG. Not so much with the Z.
I had a '78. Loved it. Reliability was OK. A/C units were rare in MGBs. I was waiting to hear his reaction after he turned on the A/C during his test drive, but he didn't turn it on. Whenever I turned mine on, I could feel it drag down the engine. That's what 70 BHP does.
Only the British could find a way for a carburetor to leak oil 🤣 As a Brit I saw loads of these in the 70s & 80s and took them for granted now I appreciate them a lot more. This one looks beautiful.
Actually, this one is equipped with a zenith stromberg single carb which could unfortunately leak gas on the hot! Catalytic converter. Fire was the resul. Not a good design from British Leyland.
I have wonderful memories of my sister and I riding on that "package shelf" as my normally economy-minded father took the family for a ride in his impulsively purchased red MGB.
A buddy of mine has a very unique 1965 MGB, with a very rare factory option, a fastback sloping roof. While it looks similar to the MGB GT, it is a non-GT model with a bolt on fastback roof from MG in 1965.
If that isn't enough, it also has a 1969/1970 Ford Racing 290 hp Boss 302 squeezed in, a multi-link rear suspension with coil springs, a 9" rear end, and 4 wheel disk brakes. The engine and all of the customization was done by a Ford engineer in the early 1970's. He road raced it In various hobby classes over the years and the car performed very well. In addition to the fastback roof, the car also has both the common convertible top and the hard top.
When the factory fastback roof is installed, you are intended to remove the trunk lid. You can open the back of the fastback to access to the trunk. For long trips my friend has packed soft luggage all around the exterior of the original trunk (but still inside the fastback).
In order to fit the Boss 302, the engine has a dry sump fitted and a special low profile intake manifold. It also uses rectangular exhaust pipes. The car also has significant structural reinforcements in order to handle the torque.
It is a very cool car...
The top/roof you are talking about was not supplied by or an option from MG, Likely it was from Ashley.
@@jeffhildreth9244 That is possible. My buddy's father bought the car new when living in England and just about to immigrate to Canada for an engineering position with Ford.
He always said he bought the fastback roof from MG but he could have bought it from an MG dealer.
Unfortunately he passed away more than 20 years ago so we'll never know for certain.
Just when a miserable day at work concludes…. Here’s Bill with some car that I couldn’t care less about ….. but hearing his misery cheers me up immensely! Happy New Year Bill and the rest🥂 🍾 🎉
You might not care about it, but I had a ball with my 71. It was actually fairly quick for a little 4 banger.
@@thomasduane6863 'Fairly quick?' In objective stats, this MG would likely be dusted by a Daewoo Lasagne. But the feel... the rawness of this gem; going 45 mph must feel like a buck twenty. Great way to get a rush and still retain your driver's license!
@@egold2071 The MG weighed 1900 pounds and had 92 horsepower. A buddy had a Ford with a 260 v8. Looks like almost 3100 lbs and 160 horsepower. The MG is close to 20.6 pounds per horsepower. The Ford is19.3 pounds per horsepower. The MG was a quick to shift 4 speed. The Ford was a 3 spd on the column, not quick to shift. In a couple of years the V8's grew to 429 cu in. The MG grew to a 260z. The MG was fun. The original Dunlop radials lasted almost 13000 miles.
@@egold2071 Back in the late 60's early 70's a lot of cars and motorcycles couldn't reach 100 mph. Now my bike will go 145 and I can't go above 125. My speed seems to be wrist restricted.
I owned a 1977 MG Midget it was a fun care and took little space in my garage.👍
And garnered some respect among all car enthusiasts. My mother’s Miata is not well received, but She adores it!
owned a '68 (G reg in the U.K.) from '70~'73, so this was a memory-lane-moment. thank you as always Bill, and best wishes from Japan, to you and yours, for the coming year.....
Come back Bill, we all miss you. I hope you are well.
There's no better way to end off the year than to enjoy it with a review of Bill. I am chipper!
Hi Bill, the MG twin cam engine was designed and fitted into the new MGA, the MGB 1800cc engine was known as the B series, with the smaller A series being fitted into the Mini. The MGC had the larger straight 6 cylinder fitted and had the power bulge in the bonnet, the V8 version was just called the MGB V8
Hope alls well Bill, missing your Floridian weather updates over in freezing Scotland 🏴
Always so busy enjoying these videos and laughing I never stopped to appreciate how much I learn from them as well. Fantastic stuff, thanks Bill.
I love bills 3 handed driving. It’s what keeps me coming back. The Curious Cars Montage should include all videos of manual cars.
Good evening Bill from Ron in a cold and wet Manchester..Happy 2023
I hope we'll have a new video from Bill soon! Thank you!
Anybody heard from Bill? We're sorta getting worried. We miss his videoes so much. ~the Canadians
Does that mean you are no longer chipper?
@@vibingwithvinyl LOL We're always chipper.
Canadians only watch his videos for the backseat review.
That car has beautiful lines! It lets you know why the Miata was styled the way it was.
Did collision repair and paint on these cars back when they were new because shipping would cause damage we would do the repairs and send them back to the dealer for sale,,, by today's standards these old MGS are solid as a rock.
Train or ship cause the damage?
It might be a less desirable rubber bumper model, but I reckon it would look much better stock with the rostyles, striped seats and black vinyl dash and steering wheel
Thanks for all your wonderfully enthralling and entertaining videos throughout 2022. All the very best for 2023 Bill, full of shitty weather and ferocious bloody thirsty animals. Cheers from Australia!
Wow, I'm favorably impressed that Lucas, the Prince of Darkness , was behaving himself at the beginning of the video 😅
Great review! I found the horn on the end of the indicator stalk so much easier than on the wheel. I still feel that by the time I move my hand to press the wheel centre the moment has passed. No such problems using the fingertips!
Those few cool Fla days are priceless. Nice MGB. I prefer the Aston Martin Drophead but it’s still nice.
When is the next video Bill the suspense is killing all of us
I had an '80 model. I learned how to drive a manual trans on the test drive. Noice!
Nice review. Some interesting facts on the MGB....the 3 wipers were a US requirement to wipe a certain percentage of the windscreen, UK/EU had 2 wipers. Standard wheels were Rostyle with wire wheels optional through the end of production. A/C was a factory option, yes the wood dash/steering wheel was owner installed. Radios were a dealer installed option with various brands used. I had a '80 MGB in Vermillion (orange) w/wire wheels, overdrive, and factory A/C when I was a senior in high school. Sure wish I still had it.
I'm loving the weather here in St. Lucia too Bill! Wonderfully cool temperatures. Perfect for watching a movie called "The T&A Midget."
I had to pause at 15:00 to stop laughing and regain my composure!
Nice! Now this is a proper, cool curious car to wrap up the year! Way better than 2021's final piece, that farting Tesla. Have a happy and 'safe' New Year's Eve to Bill and his 'hundreths' of thousands of fans! 🤟🥃🥴
That NASCAR, Richard Petty reference was f&@king hysterical! Great review Bill…as usual!
I have a 80 MGB almost the same color as this one. Great fun to drive and very simple to work on and parts are readily available and decent prices. Only thing I want to change is to change it to chrome bumpers they look so much better than the gody looking black ones
That black rubber is awful. The car is also higher. I believe .5 inch. That was all done to have 5mph crash bumpers. If you are going to keep it, your car will be so much nicer to look at.
Leave it alone and buy a 74.
I have a 79 Limited Edition. I cut off those rubber bumpers, threw an older chrome one on the back, and left the front with no bumper. Dropped it an inch or two back to the pre DOT requirements of the late 70s. Thats the beauty of these cars - you can modify without worrying about the value going down. Lol
An old HS friend has a white '78 MGB ragtop which his folks bought him at college graduation. He's retired now, and still has it. Talk about loyalty...
Where you at Bill? Miss seeing your videos.
This review might not make any Canadians chipper, but it certainly made my underpowered car loving self chipper. Love the review Bill, and I learned a lot about MG. Very interesting stuff.
I'm a Canadian and Bill's reviews always make me chipper! Partly because I don't have to sit in the back seat, but mostly because Bill is so good at it.
Great looking fun car! I remember young neighbor couple had an earlier model. Was always working on it. Thanks for the tour and have a Great New Year!
Another GREAT video, this is a perfect southern car!
Thanks Bill, nice little car. Happy New Year to you and everyone here reading the comments. 🍻🍸🍹 Happy 2023!
Enjoy the cooler weather Bill. Great car.
A buddy of mine had a 77 mg. He let me drive it a bit before he restored it. A little beast really, absolutely the funniest car to drive I've driven. Was like a slot car. Where you pointed it, it went. 35 mph rated corners at 80 and no sqawk at all. A bitch to keep running but hey, that's British engineering.
Yeah...they were too anemic as far as power goes...but they were very "tossible" in corners. But at freeway speeds, you really would want the overdrive...otherwise, that little engine was straining to hit 60-70mph...One point in their favor--the MGBs seemd to be more reliable, compared to other contemporary British and Italian sports cars...but that is faint praise!...it took the Japanese to make more reliable sports cars.
@@curbozerboomer1773 I don't really remember the engine or gearing. It was a 4 speed. But had no problem running 80-90, which felt insanely fast in that roller skate. And his dad, an old school motorhead, "tweeked" a few things.
@@curbozerboomer1773 I drive my 1963 B at 70 with no O'drive. It is not strained.
Thank you again, Mr Bill, you did teach me a lot about MG I did not know. Please keep up the good work for your 100000+ subscribers!
Someone spent a mint on that paint.
Looks great. Awesome car. Thanks Bill.
Happy New Year Bill to you & your loved ones!!! I'm glad that you are so chipper with the fantastic winter weather!!! This little convertible is a real cutie!! Have a pleasant & safe New Years Eve & the best way to stay safe is consume plenty of coronavirus whiskey!!! 🎉🎈🥳🎇
Happy New Year, Bill! 🍻 Sweet ride you got for this video!
BILL is a great man!
US regulations also raised the body 1-2" to meet bumper and headlight height requirements.
Brilliantly put presentation.From the history to the model shown in this video. Is a proud owner of 1980 Ltd Edition MGB myself. They are truly great little sports cars with heritage and personality. " Safety fast" as they say.Many thanks for sharing.
My uncle had an MG midget roadster when I was a kid. He managed to get 5 kids in the car at once. Today he'd probably be arrested for child abuse
“Local man arrested after transporting 5 children in a Midget”
My dad had a mid 70s mgb. Drove nicely on top of the snow in Michigan. Thanks for the memories.
Bill, thanks for the review. Interesting by 1979 that MG deleted any markings of Smith or Lucas electronics on the dash. I remember how bad the rubber would chalk in the midwest winters. I also always thought the gas cap looked like it was added on as an after thought.
Ha! This video went live when i was in my garage tending to my 78 mgb. Not too many 50+ days in PA this time of year.
Sadly the primo examples remaining don’t get the $ they should. And mine is wonderful but not this nice! Good luck in Kissimmee.
The problem is if they are too nice then you will not want to drive it. These cars don’t like to sit I reckon.
@@RustyZipper Thats true…mine was PO’d at me after sitting for six weeks. Mine is a driver for sure, and tons of fun. Better than decent looking but not perfect.
A quick drive is a sure cure for a bad day at work.
I wonder how it would look with body colored bumpers. That said, the bumpers look better than most bumpers of the time. I like the three windshield wipers.. Let us know how much it goes for.
I’ve seen a few with painted bumpers. It’s an improvement.
I’ve alway preferred the look of the rubber bumpers, esp on the darker coloured cars, they were well styled by famous British car designer Harris Mann no less!
You are right. Supposely the Miata was based on the Elan. My first car was a 78 MGB & after I sold it, I missed it for decades. Later in life, I wanted to relive those early days. I considered buying another one, but I wanted something that I could jump in and not be concerned with reliability. I considered many cars, but it came down to a Honda S2000 or an NB Miata. However, the moment I drove the Miata, it felt so much like my MGB that it brought back a flood of memories. Soon as I was done with the test drive, I had my wallet out.
The MIATA was based on the MGB and the Lotus Elan S2.
Full disclosure, factory rep (District mgr) Mazda Motors of Am.
A great story. Love the cars. I've got a 69 Triumph TR6 that I also love and enjoy. Honestly if I didn't have it your MG looks to be top shelf and very nicely done. Their prices are still very fairly priced BUT it seems like prices are on the rise for both MG and Triumph. Good Job and love the history lesson.
Thanks
Hi Bill hope you had a great and restful Christmas holiday
sweet car , i drove a triumph around Atlanta in the late 80s always a thrill
Was it a Bonneville?
I hope you do the Fiat 124 Spider someday. I just bought a ‘72 and it’s my first restoration!
I owned a 1956 Morris Oxford, my first car, and did not understand any part of it at first, like my first love. First and last British Car but I can say the idea of working on any British car is like foreplay - you pop the hood and the car, like women, need lots of constant close up attention and caressing even if you didn't understand most parts. Anyway, my Morris introduced me to my love of cars and women, though I can honestly say, I understand cars much better. Great show, Bill, keep going.
I commuted a '78 for 8 years. Never a problem. Great car. I had a custom paint job, no photos. What was I thinking?
sorry you no longer have it 😞. My 72 GT has carried me faithfully for 22 yrs now, I rebuilt motor in 2015 to 140 HP, it's been strongest most reliable car I've ever had 😊
Yep- cute little car it is. Worked on a few, enough to know those spare parts under the bonnet will be needed soon. Also the wiring is a nightmare to behold. Thank you Bill for a great review, & happy new year!
Love every review, even cars i don’t care about… Great informative storytelling for car guys…
The U Boat is sinking
Ok...I lost it. I needed that after a week like this. Thanks Bill
Very cool car! Nice video, Bill! I got a good laugh out of the parts in the trunk.
You are totally on your game, lucky Us. Happy New Year 💪🏿
Happy New year Bill, be safe !!
Great narrative on MG's history! great voice and humor, thanks.
In many ways this is the ultimate sportscar (barring performance cars). Today, you have luxury sports cars with bigger engines, more comfort, more complex suspensions and safety gear TRYING in vain to replicate what this simple but honest sports car did. I wouldn't want to drive cross country in it. But I would love to have fun driving around town in this every day (until some of the British stuff breaks lol)
And for not a huge investment
That extra shim is for the glove box latch.
I removed that center console. The transmission tunnel makes a nice arm rest of you have long arms.
Between these and Triumph Tr4 Gt4 and then Triumph Tr6and Triumph Gt6 we had a blast in high school!
Absolutely LOVED everything about this video including the lovely little MGB ! The color is gorgeous, stands out yet is elegant at the same time. Like Curious Cars I too would remove the rubber front and rear bumper components, Store them and then add the old style bumper packages instead. Also maybe some old fashioned wire style wheels.
This just seems so much cooler and nicer than the old bright red 1973 MGB that I used to race. Though our teams British Racing Green 1967 MGB GT was pretty awesome as well as this one. Thank you sooo much for this fantastic Video ! Liked and subscribed. 😍🤩😇
I have loved MGB’s since the first time I saw them lined up at the British Leyland Dealership in Blacksburg Virginia, never even got to ride in one, but have alway loved them!❤️
Bill, thank you very much. As always you did a wonderful job with this car. And Happy New Year to you!!!
Any parts for this car can easily be had at Moss Motors. This is a beautiful car. I had a '77 in the version you have here. I can clarify that by the mid to late '70s MGBs came in two versions. The "Tourer" (this car in the video) with the 4-speed trans and trunk rack, and the other version was the GT that came with a 5-speed and without a trunk rack. My understanding has been that purists prefer the 4-speed Tourer for the optimal experience of a true sports car on twisting and winding roadways. Around '76-'77 MG realized that they were losing sales due to not having a/c, and they began offering it in '79 as I recall, so this car is correct. In 1980 they had a special trim level for its last year that included a/c standard.
Finally, someone who knows something about the MGB.
The open top version is NOT a "roadster" ( roadsters had side curtains not roll up windows)
it is a TOURER not only by definition but the MGB was called the TOURER. The GT model came out in the 1965 model year right after the with the advent of the 5 main engine in Oct of 64.
The Last MGB was the LE. "Limited Edition". or Last Effort. or Lame Engine.
Good review of the MG company. You even had some information that I had never heard. I’ve had my 1973 MGB since January 1991. Mine came out of Texas with no rust. I really enjoy my car and love working on it. These cars are all over the world and there is a forum where we help each owner of this model solve any for their problems. I drive mine all over South Korea and many times the taxi drivers ask what is that? As I said this is a world car as so many were built and most went to the US. I imported mine to Korea back in 2003!
Just an absolute looker. Love this little MG ... almost as much a Mustang with at least 20 years of 'patina'.
My fourth MG was a 79. It was my daily driver from 83-88. Loved it.
BILL- You made my WEEK coming home to see those cars of my youth!!!! There were always a couple of dudes out there driving these things while smoking pipes!!!🤪
My buddy in high school had one. It was his dad's we took it to. the world's fair in Knoxville and saw van Halen on their Diver Down tour. I was 16. Awesome times! 🤘😎
I have owned several FIAT 124 AND 2000 SPIDER's and I never noticed the similarity n design until this vid started. The hood and headlights, slab sides, Windshield,.. And at around 16:00 you mention Pinin Farina helped design it. BAM The shim looks a lot like the base of the windshield support.
Probably because the B body was designed in Italy.
That was a great explanation of the MGB Roadster's founding history and hertitage. I have never seen a car with so few inches of length be so interesting.
what a brilliant summary of MG, thank you!
My first car was a Green 1972 MGB. That car was a love and hate relationship. I loved it when it was running and I hate it when it broke down. I remember one episode of counting cars when Danny spotted a 70's MGB and he said "You know what MGB stands for? My God it's Broke again". I laughed because for me that rang true. The dual carburetors would go out of sink, the points in the distributor would close, the fuel pump died, the battery died, the alternator died, the starter died, the calipers cylinder ring evaporated. But when it was running and I had the top down, I felt like the coolest teenager in town!
How could you complain about our beautiful Florida weather? It’s the end of December and we’re in shorts & a t-shirt.
I’m a native New Englandah, moved down here in 1988 and haven’t looked back since.
34 years and I’m still floored
…I love it down here
16:21 Charles was never Duke of Edinburgh. That was his late father, Phillip.
20:00 The first one-hour Bill review video will probably be about the history of British Leyland and its ancestor. What a total continental fustercluck that was!
23:00 BRG- British Racing Green- is the choice for colour. And this model loses a bit of its beauty due to 'Murican bumper bars, which you mention.
34:50 Holy crap; less than 11,000 miles!
Happy New Year, Bill, from us here in Australia.
I think the carmine red color on Bill's car is more attractive than the much too common green color.
Charlie is now the king of England, I have a photo of the late Queen sat next to her own MGB.
And Scotland, wales, Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia etc lol
Wow, an MG that does not have black seats and headrests that resemble deflated footballs. Nice. Happy New Year, Bill!
Fascinating Bill! Another great review! Love it! Lots of giggles! God Bless! New Year best wishes!
You still with us buddy?
Concerning the antenna at 26:17: I don't think that is the original antenna. I had a 1979 MG Midget I bought new and its antenna was much shorter. I realize that the Midget is a different model than the MGB, but given British Leyland's proclivity for using identical parts across makes let alone models, I doubt that beautiful 1979 MGB came from the factory with an antenna that could dial in Mars. Wonderful video Bill and I've enjoyed it thoroughly. Viewing it is part of my self-therapy as the past owner of three different MGs (many years ago). I am doing all that I can to resist the urge to buy another one and part of my therapy plan is to vicariously enjoy various MG sports cars via the Internet. (It's not working).
Have a great 2023 everyone!
Wow. First time I've ever heard Bill speak positively about the weather.
Where is Bill?
Great video mate, gotta have a soft spot for MGs. Always liked them especially the MGB GT. I still love the styling with chrome bumpers but that black rubberised plastic front end was it for me .
Damn, trust me to end up with one of those OG's from the early days.
Another interesting video about another car that’s uncommon today. I think I’d be more likely to buy a Miata than an MG. They’re just so much more reliable with the same kind of fun factor. Best of luck with the sale. You’ve hit your stride, Bill! Happy new year!
Hey Bill I spent many hours in the Canadian section of a 1969 MG in Vancouver BC back in 1974, back then even at 17 it was veery uncomfortable.
Cool car.
Happy New Year Bill.
Good morning from California Bill, I love these cars, not drive as my only vehicle, when I feel like taking a drive on Pacific Coast Hwy from Santa Monica through Malibu to Santa Barbara. It would be a pleasure to have as my personal vehicle to enjoy with nobody riding shotgun. Bill, you do an awesome job researching the vehicle and laying it all out in a very interesting & informative way for your viewer's . I love the whole gig that you do in every video my friend, please never change a thing. Take care Bill, enjoy the good weather as it may not last for very long.
Bill!! Where you at, bro??? Its been a month!! Hope you are doing well
My second car was a 1976 “B” in Tahiti Blue, with dark tan interior. Mine was a 4 speed with a factory-installed electronic “overdrive”. I loved that car. I had traded in my Datsun 240z that was rusting away….a Quartermaster on my ship (in the Navy), bought it, to modify it for SCCA racing at Pocono.
that's cool, but Bill is missing!
Hey Bill. I'll trade your Florida weather for the crap we get up here in Taxada.