1972 MGB - will it DRIVE after 48 years lost in the woods?

Watch as we attempt to get a 1972 MGB running and driving again after sitting lost and abandoned in the woods for over 48 years!
#classiccar #automobile #mechanic #classic #mgb #mgbgt #lbc #britishcars

[@davecooper5951]

I think that it's great that you're teaching the kids as well......gets them off the computer and out into the fresh air ! Regards from the UK.

[@DownSouthRustyClassics]

Thanks! Yes, I am really glad they are interested in cars! So much better for them than just sitting on a phone or a computer all day!

[@sargfowler9603]

What a lovely garden to run the car around! Glad to see you got it moving and can get on with the next stage.

[@DownSouthRustyClassics]

@@sargfowler9603 thanks!! we are excited to get this one on the road soon!

[@paulr9572]

Great project for you and your boys! My first car was a 1969 MGB, so I know them well. Rust was the biggest problem. Outer and inner sills, and floor pan were rotten on mine and needed replacing. You might find the castle sections under the front wings also rot, and the fuel tank was also a problem. Mine also needed new kingpins in the front suspension, which I'm guessing are hard to find nowadays, and the steering rack mountings cracked. Mechanically, the old British Leyland B Series engine is pretty bomb-proof though. I've also got a friend who's owned a 1972 MGB for 35 years now, and spares no expense on it. However, his fuel pump cracked in the South of France, which is a story in itself. Lovely little car though. Good luck with the project! 🙂

[@DownSouthRustyClassics]

Thanks! This one surprisingly has very little rust for sitting in the woods for 48 years compared to some of the other ones I’ve had. Going to need some spots of the floor pans patched, but the sills and quarter panels are surprisingly rust free! We will be working on those floor pans next as I’ll need to fix them before bolting the seats in. Definitely a great little car and fun to drive, can’t wait to get it on the road!

[@AchimDeterding]

Like to watch your work on old mgb´s,Dream of driving one bymyself,like to buy one of yours

[@DownSouthRustyClassics]

Thanks!! We’ve got another one recently and hope to get a video out soon!

[@nickflaherty9532]

Looks like a great car! Well done to you and the boys for getting it running. I have a 1979 MGB GT in Inca yellow! Can you give it nice clean sometime soon?

[@DownSouthRustyClassics]

Thanks! I miss our MGB GT. We scrubbed this one down last week and unfortunately, the paint is pretty severely damaged. I think if we do a good compounding to get the grit out of the paint and then do a nice wipe on clearcoat and leave the patina. It will look pretty good.

[@paulwootton5378]

A nice little car...funny that they look better in that condition then when they are shiny and polished up.

[@DownSouthRustyClassics]

Thanks! Yeah, I’m really loving the patina on this one! I’m probably going to try to use a wipe on clearcoat, probably in satin to preserve it just the way it is.

[@austinswallow]

I have one of those vacuum bleeders, made in China, says it all really! I have found to fully evacuate all the air, the best way is to unbolt the clutch slave cylinder and then position the bleed nipple uppermost, all the remaining air can be more readily expelled, taking care not to push the piston out! A cable tie can hold it all in, or let the piston move and then push it back in with your fingers - gives it an extra boost. Greetings from the UK!

[@DownSouthRustyClassics]

Thanks! We will definitely try that as the clutch is still not perfect, I’m sure there are still a few air bubbles trapped in the line somewhere. Thanks again!

[@markjosephbudgieridgard]

As an MGB fanatic based here in the UK I love watching these vids …. But how come this guy keeps stumbling across abandoned MGBs in the woods ? I find it really odd I walk for an hobby and walk through many woods but have never come across an abandoned B …. But it’s a regular occurrence for this guy 🤔

[@DownSouthRustyClassics]

Well it helps that I’ve found a honeyhole that keeps selling them to me that no one else really knows about. Lol!

[@DavidBright-gd6hz]

You have a bleeder and a nut take the nut out and let fluid come out put nut back and bleed the brakes

[@DownSouthRustyClassics]

Yeah, I took both out and unfortunately can’t get any fluid out. We are just going to go ahead and remove the calipers and tear them down and rebuild them.