Simply Irresistible: The Magnetic Little MGB
Never underestimate the power of just driving around.
On a brisk fall weekend in 1978, cruising my SoCal neighborhood revealed a 1970 MGB parked curbside, leaves under the tires and grit covering the teal blue paint, top, and windows. The car looked too good for such neglect. Inquiring at the nearest house, I learned that the clutch had “gone out,” an expensive repair.
Intrigued, I sought permission to examine the car. The odometer read under 50,000 miles, and the tires appeared original. Facing the unwanted clutch expense, the nice lady quickly offered it for $800, and I agreed. After returning with funds, I checked the car’s vitals, including the radiator water, the oil, the brake fluid, and the hydraulic clutch fluid. Shockingly, that small reservoir was dry. No wonder the pedal went to the floor.
![1970 MGB front 3/4 street parked Triumph TR Mercedes SL](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2024/06/MGB-2-Copyright-John-L-Stein-Large.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=456&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
Refilling the reservoir restored clutch operation immediately. A jumpstart then got the MG running, and with the convertible top lowered, I was away, cavorting about the neighborhood and, with some guilt, passing by the previous owner’s house.
The virginal MGB was the nicest car I’d yet owned. With 95 horsepower, it wasn’t fast, but it was extremely cute and everything worked, including the clutch, which elevated the roadster to “daily driver” level. This didn’t last. One day on the freeway, a Ford pickup made a desperate multilane sweep toward an offramp, spearing the little MG hard in the driver’s door. The truck’s bumper shoved the metal in just inches from my shoulder, while outside the window, the Ford’s headlight bezel stopped two feet from my head.
![1970 MGB front 3/4 top up carport Cadillac](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2024/06/MGB-3-Copyright-John-L-Stein-Large.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=486&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
On scene, the truck owner accepted responsibility and we exchanged information. But when I presented the repair bill a week later, he recanted, instead claiming I was at fault. And so began my flirtation with litigation. I sued in small claims court, he didn’t appear, and the judge awarded me full damages and court costs. Soon, law enforcement ordered a tow truck to the man’s house to seize the pickup, and the officer later told me with delight how quickly he’d scurried out waving a checkbook.
The wounded MG got a new door, some bodywork, and a paintjob, and the settlement even afforded new tires. It drove faithfully thereafter and gave no reason for disillusionment, save the lack of air conditioning. Hence, when a 1977 Volkswagen Scirocco Champagne Edition with A/C appeared for sale locally, the MGB was also served with papers. As Jim Croce sang, “But isn’t that the way they say it goes?”
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Summer of 1975, I fell in love with a blaze orange (red) 1972 B Roadster and a girl from Cleveland, OH. That unforgettable summer was spent driving to Cape Cod and on the Ohio Turnpike in that little British car. Everything that could break, broke…including my heart…but, from the pieces I was able to cobble together a life long love for mechanics, road trips, and old British automobiles. The girl? Sadly, not so much. Cindy, if you’re out there, thanks for being you and for all the adventures you launched.
I had a 1969 MGB while in college. Drove it from New Jersey (FDU) to Long Island every weekend. Restored and painted Mercedes Benz black lacquer, new tan interior. Rear end locked up on the Cross Bronx Expressway. Had it towed home. Went to the junk yard the next day. Bought a used rear end, rebuilt it and had it installed in a few hours. Back on the road in 24 hours. Loved that car! Wish I still had it! Always looking to buy another one!
It’s day 14 without and MGB for the past 52 years. hmmph! The last MGB I had for just over 45 years with 207,000 miles on it. Wonderful car but needed some more creature comforts and safety so am getting a 2024 BRZ. I know, not the same, but it might be the last new manual transmission car I’ll ever own.
My first MGB was a 1963 modified into a truck with original bat wing door handles. The man who did the conversion in PA did an excellent job but it was pretty rusty by the time I bought it in 1981. While looking for parts, I found a 1972 B in the junk yard that was delivered to me for $250. After building a new engine, and cleaning up the interior, that car and I did over 250,000 miles together. I got into a fight with a deer, brought the car home and parked it with a promise I will one day rebuild it. Since then I ended up with a 1977 with an O series engine and a 1980 limited with 9100 original miles. It is an addiction but it sure is fun!
MGB. There is nothing else to say…