1968 MGB and 1973 Alfa GTV- are they still affordable in 2016?
I’m not sure… Anyway, enjoy this article from 1987 August issue:
Here’s an update from R&T’s 1987 November issue:
Vintage Review: Long-Term Affordable Classics *Updated
– Posted on February 18, 2016
As the then owner of a 1970 Rover 3500S, I turned down an offer of a free MGB GT, and I have never regretted the decision!
Fratzog, Indeed.
Yowzers, I’d take either of these two. I might be more inclined to look for an MGB GT because I’m not much of a drop top fan. I can hear that Alfa’s engine humming in my head.
Gotta get the last 3 kids out of college first, then I can look for a toy.
It seems like all Alfa Romeos except the chopped-off tail Spiders are getting expensive. There are more MGBs relative to the number of people that want them now than ever though, so I bet you can get a driver condition one for a four figure sum.
I would totally go for the Alfa… But my financial situation right now wouldn’t allow me to buy not even a Hot Wheels version of it.
I continually come across MGBs, Midgets, Spitfires and TR-6s in the midwest priced in the $2-3K range. I suspect that many of them have rust issues that have been given the bondo and spray treatment in the past, but then so do most other cars of their age. They seem to have less of a following around here, not being seen as good material for rat rod or donk treatment. So many other cars of their eras seem very overpriced to me, while these do not.
MGBs are still quite affordable and in decent supply. Unfortunately, NICE MGBs are relatively rare and, like JPC said, here in the Midwest nice ones are rare as hens teeth. Too bad, because a late model GT is one of the few cars I have previously owned that I would “do over”.
Classic Alfas are getting to be stupid expensive. Too bad, because I would love to have a GTV in my garage.
Ditto that. A 68 “B” was my first ever convertible and I loved that car. As I look back though, it was a miserable car compared to a Miata or its ilk. The heat that radiated through the firewall just added to the oven-like Arizona summer heat. Would I get another if it was in good condition? Oh hell yes!
Good MGBs are worth buying but only if the bodywork is good and rust free the mechanicals are simple and relatively common here but a rusty car can just turn into a financial black hole.
From a 2016 standpoint, the critical word is “aftermarket”. As in support.
While I’ve never owned a British car on my own, my years with British motorcycles would have me considering the MG more than the Alfa – even though the Alfa turns me on a bit more. British vehicles popular in America have a history of excellent parts support that’s been around for decades. (Hint: Given a choice between restoring a basket case Honda CB750K or a Trumph Bonneville, take the Triumph. Anyday.)
And while I’ll assume that Austin America you found will make a wonderful planter, any Triumph or MG sports car will have lots of spares available, both new and choices in the breaker’s yard.
Ironic you say that, for the MG was originally marketed as an “upgrade” for sporting young men with motorcycles.
With old Brit cars you become a regular at your local BAP-Geon parts store.
The cars are no longer in roughly the same bracket, price wise – the Bertones have gone ballistic, for a good car here in Europe you’re looking at € 30,000. MGBs have remained static more or less, perhaps because they’re like cockroaches – everywhere and indestructible.
How much room is there inside an MBG GT? I owned a 1970 Midget when I was a teenager, and it was a worn out little POS with a TIGHT cabin. I’m not even sure that my 50ish, chubby, creaky-back and neck self could reach around to open the door while seated in a Midget today, with the interior handle located at the trailing edge of the door.
Is an MGB a roomier proposition?
The MGB has plenty of room compared to the Midget; it was one of the few cars in which I had to pull the seat forward to reach the clutch properly. However, the “hood” (retractable top) framework has an extremity dangerously close to one’s head.
That view of the engine compartment brings back memories; the 1st time I changed the oil filter cartridge on my ’67, it took an entire day since it’s hard to get good purchase by a wrench on the bolt because of proximity to the sides, plus several gaskets must line up between the canister, oil-cooler takeoff, & mounting point. Somehow I got better at it next time around.
BTW my ’67 supposedly had the high-compression 98hp unit.
The shop manual was an education in British English: boot, hood, spanner, damper, windscreen, etc., & was nicely illustrated the old-school way.
The Alfa that was purchased in 1987.
3 hours of labor @ $35/hr.= $105 to fix minor details.
$35/hr mechanics labor? WOW!
There’s a black GTV6 that sits on a side street near me, visible from the freeway, and seldom moves – though I know that it does run at least sometimes, because it was gone over Christmas last year and then came right back to the same spot. I’ve loved the GTV since I first saw one, and keep wanting to leave a note on this one to ask if the owner won’t sell it to me and let it come home to a nice warm garage…though I’d have to kick out my wife’s Z3. “But honey, have you *heard* an Alfa V6?”
Back in 2008, I had the chance to buy a 1980 MG for a mere $800. Had perfect body, and ran decently enough. I passed. Why? Car spent most of it’s life in Henderson, Nevada, and interior (or what was left of it) was toast.
I’ve owned MGB’s , I prefer the GT Coupe and I’m tall and fat , plenty of room although it takes time to get used to working the tiny pedals with size 12 shoes on….
Fun and super cheap , dead easy to repair and as mentioned , super parts availability .
Not terribly fast and the handling leaves some to be desired .
LBC’s ~ either you like them or you don’t , I do =8-) .
-Nate
I don’t care about going fast…nor super-duper handling, for that matter. It’s more about the character of the car, and having some notion that it’s well-enough-maintained that I have a reasonable chance of getting to the destination without incident…then getting home. If I have to tinker with it when I get home, that’s fine, but my bride has limited patience for breakdowns en-route.
I had a ’65 Mustang convertible in my care for about 6 months…Wimbledon White, black top, nothing fancy, just a base model car, but that thing just made me smile every time I drove it. 289/auto combo, wasn’t real quick but sounded like it should be, got more thumbs-up, waves, lights flashed, etc than any car I’ve ever driven. The positive vibes that car gave out could make my worst day seem pretty good. That’s the thing I’m chasing.
Lotta good choices for you then David ;
The Mustang Coupe would be a good one IMO , not the best high speed handler but plenty peppy and comfy , easy to drive , dead simple and cheap to fix , not much to break down on them if you take minimal care .
MG’s are an entirely different kettle of fish ~ you put on an MG like putting on driving gloves and it feels much faster that you’re actually going , hence why they’re called ‘ Sports Cars ‘ and not ‘ Race Cars ‘ .
I’m lucky in that SWMBO will ride with me to Death Valley in whatever noisy slow old hunk of junk I’m driving that day but it’s a simple thing to add AC and sound deadening to any Mustang etc. to keep SWMBO happy .
Me , the first thing to go would be the stock highly restrictive exhaust , slap in some twice pipes with proper crossover , maybe mufflers , maybe not , it depends on how loud the V-ate engine is .
-Nate
As has been mentioned, a serviceable MGB can still be found for a reasonable sum of money. That Alfa? Probably more expensive than many brand-new cars these days.
It’s also interesting to see cars of 14 and 19 years old being referred to as classics. While still desirable cars that would make compelling used purchases, I can’t see anyone today referring to a ’97 Miata or an ’02 TT (closest analogue I could think of off the top of my head) as “classics”. Not for a while yet, anyway.
The argument that could be made for the Miata is that since the series began in 1989 and the oldest of them are now over 25 years old (which is hard for me to fathom) I sort of figure that the 97 is grandfathered in as the last of that generation. Also, the Miata is a sort of Classic look/package that will legitimately be called classic some day, if not yet. But maybe I’m just trying to rationalize it because I have one. 🙂