REVIEW - MGB Roadster: Budget Friendly Fun Unleashed!

[@williamhenry3337]

I just purchased (Sept 2024) a brown 1978 MGB that looks just like that. Got mine from the original family with 16,500 original miles. The engine compartment looks like it has zero miles on it. So fun to drive.

[@aboyandhisdog]

Terrific review. My buddy had an MGB GT in BRG back in the early '70's and I thought that was about the coolest car ever. Have always loved the MG's!

[@ManinaGarage]

They are definitely fun and much better drivers than I gave them credit for. Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@brandonwegner4409]

I saw a new video from Finn and immediately had to watch! Having followed all of your 996 videos which were beyond amazingly helpful and fun and totally instrumental for me to drop the engine in my own 996 to do a little open heart surgery (especially since I'd never removed an engine or done anything beyond oil changes, brakes, and spark plugs before) seeing you with other cars makes me so incredibly happy Finn! A little old British roadster is certainly on my wish list, and seeing you driving one is making that wish list seem more like a must list! Thanks again sir and I hope you keep doing awesome videos!

[@ManinaGarage]

Merry Greetings Brandon! 🙌 Well done on rebuilding your 996 Engine, you ROCK! That MGB was a pleasant surprise, just in case you missed it, here is a car that was initially less pleasant 😅 PORSCHE 356: The Good, The Bad and the Smelly! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXaVhKOHYpx2jqM Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@rovercoupe7104]

Morris Garages was a dealership which sold Morris cars. One of its employees, Cecil Kimber, suggested selling Morris cars with sporting modifications. The cars were known as MGs. M

[@upscalebohemian5372]

Since the "rubber" bumper version was the first I knew, I have always liked it, and I like the graphic, clean, and updated look of it. I also like the late-70s luggage rack like on this car the best of all of them. My MGB was a 1969 and I wear 12W shoes and am 6' 1/2" tall and had no issues at all with feeling crowded with the pedals -- not in the 1969 I owned or late-70s models like this that I drove. The "bathtub" driving position was also excellent and comfortable. I followed it up with a Triumph TR8 and an Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce, and all three of these cars were roomy enough for me (unlike a Mercedes 450/380/560 SL or an MG Midget or Jaguar E-Type where the windshield was in my face or across my eyeline). The MGB was my first love and I still have brochures from 19877 forward. To each his own on the bumpers, original or "rubber." The side markers never looked ugly to me either. The parts I really find ugly (to me) are the original taillights rather than the flattened off style on this later car.

[@Yesnt38008]

We just recently had a great loss in the Triumph and MG community. There was a car restoration parts supplier near my hometown in Pennsylvania, called The Roadster Factory, that offered high quality parts for Triumph and MGB cars that you really couldn’t find anywhere else. The building was just recently completely gutted by a fire, destroying thousands of parts, catalogues, and at least two roadsters, just a few days ago on Christmas. Firefighters were at least able to save a few cars from the fire.

[@ManinaGarage]

Thats very sad to hear, hopefully nobody was hurt. Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@Glenn-bi1od]

A great little car especially when you're 19...it was my first car -- a 73. I learned to be a pretty good mechanic....since I had no money there was no other option. If you could adjust the valves, sync the SUs, and a few other basics (easy to just pull the distributor out of the car to set the points) you had70% of it licked.

[@mgguyvintagevehicles]

Great video! I own a 1974.5 MGB roadster - sold as a 1975, but built before December 31, 1974. As you mention, things changed over time and the 1974.5 MGB came with the dual SU carbs, in January 1975 they switched to the single carb (I think a Weber?) Because of this, it's the only MGB that has a classification of "half year" - 1974.5. Having said that, the 1974.5 does have the rubber bumper that started with this "1975" model.

[@ManinaGarage]

Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@777Brad]

I had a 78, also in Russet Brown. Mine had the gold rocker stripes. I loved that car. This one has a nice, original looking interior.

[@ManinaGarage]

The brown color really makes me want to buy some flares and grow an anchorman mustache! 🥸 it definitely handles much better than expected, im sure there is power in that engine somewhere!? 😂🤣 Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@stewartnunn8179]

Hi Finn. Great video. Brings back memories. My Dad had one of these (and an MGA) back in the day. I used to borrow it when I was 18. Remember losing the back trying to impress a girlfriend. Needless to say she wasn't very impressed. Fun car though.

[@ManinaGarage]

Howdy Stewart! 🤠 THAT sounds like a fun time as a teeneager 🙌 Having never driven any MG before it was a pleasant surprise how well it handled. Thank you for Watching! 🤘😎

[@MGB-learning]

They are beautiful cars with or without rubber bumpers.

[@ericcriteser4001]

I love my Bs. I have. '77 and a '64. I enjoy them both for different reasons, but I always smile, even in Detroit traffic.

[@ManinaGarage]

You Rock! Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@forestghost7]

​@@ManinaGarageand I ❤❤ my 72 BGT hatch, owned 22 yrs now. I rebuilt engine to approx 140 HP and it has the 6 speed overdrive ... you have no idea how different it is from that turtle you drove, wish you could try mine mate! 😊

[@ManinaGarage]

@@forestghost7 Yours does sound tempting! Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@MultiPetercool]

I have a 79 MGB fortunately I live in the state where I could legally remove the air pump and replace the Stromberg carburetor with a Weber. Now I have 90hp like the old ones.

[@briand4000]

I'm restoring an 80! Completely redo'ing the engine with higher compression pistons, older version head with larger intake valves and electronic ignition. It won't be a world-beater but should have a little more oomph for the high and hot elevation where I live. The smog crap was ripped out and trashed a few weeks ago. Very satisfying.

[@DavidsProcessWest]

Very nice MG reviews. Actually, in California, 1976 and newer vehicles require a smog check, so technically stuck with OEM carbs, air pump and cat converter. That is a sweet B for the money and so much a better deal than restoring one.

[@ManinaGarage]

When I’m talking to viewers I’m not talking to just people in California, people watch from all over the world 👍 Definitely a lot of car for the money! 🙌

[@williamhenry3337]

In California you must smog cars that are newer than 1975. So that 1979 MGB would have to have smog.

[@rogerphillips1679]

Very enjoyable review. Now, I’m pining for spring to arrive here in New York State. We’re under a winter storm warning as I type this so top down driving in my BRG 1970 MGB will have wait since they love to both salt and brine the roads here! Not great for British steel.

[@ManinaGarage]

Howdy Roger! Upstate New York does winter properly! ⛄️ BRG is the perfect color for an MGB 🙌 Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@air_cooled_andy]

Great to see you back Finn, looked liked you had fun making that video…A few extra horsepower would have increased the fun factor even more I don’t doubt!😁

[@ManinaGarage]

It makes the 356 feel like a Corvette! 🤣😂 Definitely fun though, Thank you for watching Andy! 🤘😎

[@air_cooled_andy]

@ManinaGarage Haha nice. Take care mate 👊😎

[@rickyf243]

Worth mentioning: between the TD and MGA, the 1954 TF and the 1955 TF-1500

[@briandawkins984]

The rubber bumper also had a collapsible steering column, and reinforced door guards. I have a 1980 russet brown one. It’s like a bad girlfriend.

[@ManinaGarage]

@@briandawkins984 🤣😂

[@ClareAnsel-i1z]

Javonte Extension

[@stevez7854]

Ya first thing i did on mine was bend all the pedals . You could wear flippers and drive mine now

[@ManinaGarage]

Good call, I was thinking Ballet shoes and Duct tape! Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@tonysoprano7425]

Beautiful surroundings. Cant be good for you folding yourself into an English car. Theyre even more cramped than most Italian cars. Anyway, good that you're back. Take care and keep the videos coming Vinnie!

[@ManinaGarage]

That Potato was much more fun that expected. You are right about the size though, if i put the roof up while in that car I may never get out😅 Thank you for watching Tony! 🤘😎

[@cjbarber1094]

fun car i had one when i was 20 !

[@ManinaGarage]

Definitely a fun car! 🙌 Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@RowdyCM]

Pop a modern engine and transmission into one and you’ve really got a “funmobile”.

[@ManinaGarage]

Agreed 👍 They left a bunch of space in that engine bay! Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@robbell4339]

Lots of folks fit the Miata engine and gearbox - so potentially 6-speeds!

[@briandawkins984]

Sacrilege, fit sway bars of not equipped, dual SU carbs, v8 bushings, and rear telescopic shocks. Also heavy weight oil for the Armstrong dampers. Perfect.

[@SamuelRowell-c8k]

Uhh. Never run my MG with the oil pressure that low. You're over a quart low.

[@samhalgren6305]

Didn't know that there was an MG with a factory V8. Very cool.

[@ManinaGarage]

Thank you for watching Sam! 🤘😎

[@samhalgren6305]

Really enjoy your videos. How’s that carburetor rebuild coming along?😅

[@ManinaGarage]

@@samhalgren6305 Finished 🤫

[@briandawkins984]

The MG GT V8, and later the MG RV8

[@patyjr1]

Something wrong on oil pressure, too low 😮

[@keithsavidge4140]

The car that the Yanks ruined ?

[@ManinaGarage]

They certainly helped! 🤣😂 Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@edenbreckhouse]

The standard 1800cc engine is a gutless lump and in my view was a poor choice. They should have gone, from the start, for the 3.5 litre V8.

[@ManinaGarage]

No disagreement from me 👍 Thank you for watching! 🤘😎

[@forestghost7]

MG wanted to but the 3.5L V8 was built by Rover, and they couldn't begin to supply MG with enough.

[@kingfisherphil]

Build quality was what a chimp would produce, basically the MX5 was the best outcome. BL cars were rubbish.