Digging out The Forgotten MGB

Over the past five or six years, this car has been driven perhaps three times... It has sat under a cover at a friends workshop where overalls were stored on it and once I got it home, had a similar fate. I kept looking at the piles of boxes and other items sitting on top of the car and kept worrying about the clutch sticking, the fuel going off and the hydraulics giving up. So, today was the Melbourne Cup and where we usually have our yearly parties, COVID put a stop to that for 2020 - so we whipped out the MGB and took a look at it. Hope you enjoy!

[@mikekovacs8981]

I'm glad you got it out. Your MGB is what first brought me to your channel because I have one too. Its not fast but ]its more fun to drive a slow car fast then to drive a fast car slow!

[@trimat2016]

Fantastic little cars. My mother bought one of the last CKD cars new in 1972 and daily drove it for over 30 years. I remember fondly driving it in my late teens when I could persuade her to part with the keys. Cost virtually nothing in that time maintenance wise. Just the normal consumables like tyres and batteries plus a new exhaust every 5-10 years. Motor, gearbox and overdrive were untouched. Incredibly reliable. So much fun on a warm summers evening with the top down.

[@chrisadams6595]

Mum bought her 1974 chrome bumper mgb in 1977 and I used to drive it when I was 19. Mum gave it me in 2017 40 years later I love it!!!!

[@handbrakebob]

That's a gorgeous little car. Always fancied a MGB GT.

[@conradkenneth5216]

Greetings from the international space station!

[@agatemaster1998]

The dash footage of the radio delete plate how beautiful the music is the purity of the car sounds 👍

[@craigpennington1251]

Very nice MGB. I love those cars. Every one that I've had I put well over 100,000 trouble free miles. Morris Garage built a winner.

[@PeterAndersons]

Yes they are a gem, cheers.

[@ericcriteser4001]

Brilliant little cars. I have two. A '64 and a '77 and I like them both for different reasons. Thanks for sharing!

[@munnsie100]

Woohoo, the MG B sees light! I've been looking forward to this for a while. I've got my bumper and L/H guard for the EB in hi-fill primer currently, going to get some base coat mixed to match the rest of the car tomorrow. Cheap and cheerful HVLP gun wasn't hard to get used to! It started beautifully, after sitting for that long! Damnit, now I want one!

[@metalman4141]

Really enjoyed that Pete thanks. B’s are just so forgiving lovely things I have one of the very last roadsters an LE I love it .. Matt from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@lascm5237]

Me too, I have an LE Roadster number 113 with just 13500 miles on the clock - absolutely love it - found it five years ago in pristine condition and unused since 1986, even had the original tyres fitted - new tyres, fuel pump and a service and runs sweet as a nut 😁

[@johnbrooksbank6555]

Nice car. The same year as my brother’s green MGB. Mine is an imported California 1977 model. I envy you having one in Australia!

[@PeterAndersons]

Thanks!

[@joeblogs8193]

Hi Peter, On the MGB, To turn off the electric fuel pump in the event of an accident, you can us an inertia switch from a 74-78 XJ6, XJ12 and Early XJS Jaguar. Part number # C41220. Btw, Nice to see the MG back on the road and running great.

[@raygale4198]

An easier way is to use an oil pressure switch with a N/o contact, closes on oil pressure.

[@normanjohnson4648]

I sold my last MGB over 15 years ago. I ventured into American classics and then German. I will admit that I have recently started to think it was time to revisit a MGB. They have a feel that like nothing else. Maybe a MGB/GT is in my future.

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

Great little update... that car clearly wants to be used so if you're in summer down there then make the most of it. Dare I suggest that this car suits a gentleman of your years and stature more than a busy, pretty little japanese motorbike ? Don't worry about revving the engine on the freeway or the hidden rust... B's are constantly corroding whatever you do and overdrive is unnecessary if the engine is healthy and happy.

[@mrchinchim9267]

The mgb videos is how I found this channel.

[@bernardcharlesworth9860]

They made a wonderful car out of parts used on Morris cars amazing

[@PeterAndersons]

Still many of them kicking around too.

[@dougcoxon5472]

Love the B mate, we have a 64 here up north here as well, love the early pull handles on ours to. dads is BRG in colour and has same paint issues as yours, looks great from 20 feet or in the shadows. They are so torquey and sound so good as you drive them, ours has no heater but now thinking of pulling the one out of the shagged 24/80 I have. Love your channel and discovered it from watching Cold War Motors which is a great channel, think Scott and Co are bloody great . Your level of restoration is great mate love your work. Stay well

[@tomwolfe9331]

I have a 1972 MGB with the original hard top and Tonnele cover, also a 1976 MGB both four-speed with an overdrive daily drivers and so much fun to drive! And both for sale LOL

[@PeterAndersons]

No mate, hang on to them!

[@assessor1276]

Very nice Pierre - what a pretty little B!

[@christopherwarner3]

Always good to see a new video from you pop up on my feed,be safe Pete!

[@warci]

my mgb is still in boxes!! Started off with a bubbly quarter, but then it became clear the thing had had several accidents and was held together with bog

[@ellesmerewildwood4858]

She's a beautiful good old girl and it would be a real joy to drive this lovely car on the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road on a sunny day. I love the Dandenongs. And yes, all modern electronics, no more nasty 60's germanium transistors and old leaky capacitors. Mind you, I had a moment of panic when you started and the tach didn't work. Breathed a sigh of relief when you said you hadn't connected it in the engine. But happy days.

[@geoffmower8729]

I have the same 1800 b series in my MGA great torquey little engine very whippy around town but I can only cruse at 95 klms tops on freeway any more and I think see will start spiting cogs.

[@robbending3848]

Likewise, Geoff. I'm hoping to finish off the engine refurbishment/install this spring. Been off the road for ~7years now. Channels like Pete's are an inspiration. I do hope he gets back to either this MGB, or finds an MGA to put that tarted up 1500 engine in!

[@michaelharrison500]

Great car We love our B series in our Wolseley 1500 Always starts easy after a good time not running

[@boldorboy08]

Looking good Peter. Love the pommie stuff too.

[@PeterAndersons]

Ditto, thanks Ian.

[@mikes6961]

Dont look forgotten. Beautiful car

[@greebo7857]

Damn you Peter!! I once owned a B, 1963, 3 bearing crank engine, white with red seats, no heater, no radio. I loved it. Of all the cars I've ever owned, it's the only one that I REALLY miss. It didn't give much trouble, it sounded glorious and looked fabulous. My biggest gripe was that early hood. The bows were a nightmare. But I mostly drove it top down, even at Thredbo in July. Mind you don't dent the aluminium bonnet.

[@PeterAndersons]

Yes, I get why you miss it... I sold my first one in 1985 and wanted another one almost straight away. 20 years later, I was in a bad mood, sitting in my car while waiting for my brother at The Healey Factory. I saw this at the front of their showroom and got out and had a look - A wonderful man Ron Spencer came up to me and suggested a drive and I said let's go. I said on the test drive 'I'll take it' which worried him as being too impulsive and he suggested I go and think more about it but my mind was made up. I also bought the Moto-Lita wheel at the same time, cheers.

[@greebo7857]

@@PeterAndersons The Healey Factory is a very dangerous place!

[@rolandmg1]

Yesterday I unburied my B after six and a half years of storage. I put a new battery on it and it started first time which really surprised me as I would have thought the fuel would have been stale. I took it out and it drove perfectly, the only thing I had to was free the clutch off which only took 10 minutes.

[@PeterAndersons]

That doesn't surprise me at all Paul... this old thing has sat for ages between drives and the only thing that slows the starting process is the battery which is dying... terrific little cars aren't they?

[@rolandmg1]

@@PeterAndersons They are great little cars and I’ve had 9 B’s all together including a factory V8.

[@TheBababa420]

I had a left hand drive 67 MG-B with OD, while stationed in Itally, 74-75. Not as nice as yours, but really enjoyed the car.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Always nice to hear that engine. Cheers

[@gerrylake]

Brilliant review. Loved it.

[@leokatigbak6102]

MGB has the character, but I just wish it has the reliability of the Miata, especially the electricals.

[@PeterAndersons]

True, mechanically they're brilliant but the electrics to falter from time to time. I guess you could always go EV... they're doing it to E-types as well... I don't mind EV's but doing it to these classics removes every bit of character they have, cheers.

[@eymanyouwell]

@@PeterAndersons your last point was spot on. Turning them into EVs removes the soul of the car.

[@TheMrShinagami]

Nice to see the old MG out and abut again. I'm sure you already know this but there is a bolt for the front guards hidden under the dash and it's a bit of a wotsit to get to. I'm glad to see your able to get out a little now, The UK has jjust been put into lockdown but hopefully just for 4 weeks.

[@overmarsdaria3222]

Where you point your finger is exactly where they rot these cars , the seal and the beginning of the rear wings.

[@andyk3950]

Great ride Peter. Thanks for the update ( I was wondering about your future plans for this one)!

[@wickedxe]

G'day Peter, beautiful car and a very smooth runner indeed. I will always have a massive soft spot for the MGB, hope all is well with you and your family :) .I would love to say G'day in person one day

[@markfinnigan4994]

Ando, she's beautiful! Auto auction rebuilds is sending himself mad with one he brought in the states, changing to electronic ignition, poor bugger. Just quietly, falcons not bad either! Did catch your little joke, here's one, What leaves skid marks in a paddock? A Ram doing ewies! Just for our dodge friends. Cheers mate

[@petefroud5308]

Great cars.

[@redbarchetta8782]

I put on average 10K miles on my 74 MGB a year still. :)

[@markbehr88]

Enjoyed that Peter. Really want to see the Fairmont GXL finished.

[@PeterAndersons]

Not long mate (famous last words) I'm about to get stuck into the front guards - there really isn't much left on it, cheers and thanks for the comments.

[@kentuckyyankee]

Nice ride!

[@PeterAndersons]

Thanks Ben... but I'd never drag race your new 900 for pink slips haha, cheers.

[@kentuckyyankee]

@@PeterAndersons If you change your mind let me know 😂😂

[@douglasgreen437]

Love the crackle finnish old dash.. 🤔

[@PeterAndersons]

Yes and fresh from a rattle can, cheers.

[@MohammadAlshahrani]

The sound my friend

[@AllSortsOfStuff58]

What a little gem. always fancied one, but haven't anywhere to keep it... ☹️

[@breezeone3514]

Love mgs had several in my youth

[@willhoward2724]

stunning car

[@sharkmentality9717]

I compare kids buying an MGB in the 70's to Mainer kids buying Saabs today. Seem like fun cars, but the restaurant salary will be severely depleted with repairs very soon!!

[@xacoupeguy]

Every time I see a Mitsubishi scorpion I think of you. And i don't know why haha

[@neilsmith1736]

Nice indeed , it may well have also have been assembled at Pressed Metal Corporation, Cosgrove Road, Enfield, Sydney. Which was a subsidiary of Leyland Australia. In conjunction with Larke Hoskins Automotive Company. Which at the time was the importer and distributor of Leyland Cars.

[@PeterAndersons]

Actually Enfield rings a bell... was that the case in 1964?

[@neilsmith1736]

Peter Anderson just googled Pressed Metal Corporation,Enfield,Sydney. Engines assembled and hot tested at Zealand transferred to Enfield and cars assembled there. Interesting information there

[@americanpatriot2422]

Nice MGB

[@elliot7179]

You really are spoilt for choice with the cars pete haha , looks like hoot to drive

[@JustTex]

MGB looks good but the xw looks and sounds great. I really don't know where you keep them all in a 2 car garage?!

[@PeterAndersons]

Yeah I know it looks like a 2 car garage, but there's 4 cars, 4 bikes, tools and storage in there which is why it looks like a hoarders cottage haha... Some day we will move and I'll build something with more space, cheers and thanks.

[@greebo7857]

11:20 Can't hear the clicking of the SU pump. Does it still have the twin 6V batteries?

[@PeterAndersons]

It has a small rotary fuel pump which can be heard at 11:20. The car had a newish pair of 6V batteries when I bought it in 2005, but have since been replaced with a physically smaller 12V, cheers.

[@fireblade9005]

Hi Pete ..do you still have the MGB ?

[@PeterAndersons]

Yes, I need to do some body work to it... it sits under a cover in the garage, cheers.

[@johndunstan7003]

Hey Pete, I think the MGB is one of the prettiest little British cars they ever made. However, that tiny four-pot morris minor engine needs to go. Would you consider chucking in a V6 and make that go as good as it looks?

[@PeterAndersons]

No mate, the noise and engine characteristics are what makes the car, cheers.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

The Morris Minor engine was an "A" series 948, 1098.. a few with 1275cc. The MGB has the 1800 B series engine.

[@matthewkenny9390]

Hey Pete can we have a fleet update video? Didn’t know you owned an MG, know the Sigma, XY, XD, Starlie and Bluebird and Plymouth (and bikes of course) what else do you have?

[@billwhite8479]

I want one..!!

[@RobinTheMini]

"Over the past five or six years, this car has been driven perhaps three times..." that's not good for any car.

[@PeterAndersons]

It's terrible - it was stored at my mothers and then at a friends workshop where overalls were stored on the top of it. It was started every year (I know that's very poor) and only driven a few times...

[@opelmonzagse]

Peter, love the B, but you said that you replaced the B series cylinder head with one from an O series. Now correct me if I am wrong but the O series was OHC whereas the B is OHV ?

[@PeterAndersons]

No, I made a mistake the way I verbalised it... it's an 'O' head, nicknamed as it has a large 'O' embossed on the rear of the casting - sorry about that.

[@jimclarke1108]

Wow, what else do you have hidden Pirate Pete?))

[@PeterAndersons]

Not much Jim - there's no more room to even hide a biscuit tin, cheers.

[@davidstyles5449]

How many cars have you got Peter? From Dave in Spain

[@claytonroot806]

What is it that makes British 4 cylinder cars like the MGB and Triumphs SOUND fabulous, whereas virtually ALL other 4 cylinders sound like crap and might as well just be muffled as much as possible? In fact, I find most of the aftermarket exhaust systems available for these newer 4 cylinders just plain offensive, ie LOUD but with no character. Well, I actually MAY have gotten an answer when I purchased a 2017 Honda CB1100 motorcycle with an 1,100 cc 4 cylinder engine. Honda wanted to give this new engine a unique character and as I understand it, they modified the "Cam Phasing" of the center 2 cylinders. When I bought the bike and fired it up, I thought, WOW, this thing reminds me of my old 1971 MGB, ie it has a pleasant burble to the exhaust note. Is that what it boils down to in these old British 4's; CAM TIMING????

[@greebo7857]

That PCV is completely wrong! Mine had a diaphragm over needle type.

[@PeterAndersons]

I think the diaphragm ones are later... I know the earlier Australian assembled ones didn't have them, cheers.

[@greebo7857]

@@PeterAndersons Mine was a 63, bought from Lanes. It was possibly fully assembled in the UK.

[@lyndaslocum7575]

Looks like my 1980 except the cool grill. Same color

[@PeterAndersons]

Still got it?

[@lyndaslocum7575]

@@PeterAndersons yes. I'll send a picture.

[@lyndaslocum7575]

How do I send a picture?

[@barnabapinco3386]

This is the. Mk I which had an aluminum engine Hood.

[@PeterAndersons]

Yes, it does indeed.

[@davidjames4267]

Shanice said her momma had one, King David loved Michal, Amen David James West, a Christian man

[@geoben1810]

👍😍 🇺🇸!

[@wazheamadman6086]

The Xw does look good with those stripes you put on 👌

[@lyndaslocum7575]

From Pennsylvania

[@drewparker4386]

Have owned two B’s and a C they get in your blood

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I, too, have owned two Bs.. a 64 and now a 63, and I bought an MGC GT in 1969. I miss that car and my 56 MGA and my 1953 TD Mk II.

[@mikes6961]

Dont look forgotten. Beautiful car