We Bought A £600 BARN FIND Sportscar From AutoAlex!

AutoAlex is renowned for buying complete and utter sheds, and when an MG product made it onto his channel, Mike knew he had to take it off Alex's hands and bring it back to life. £600 pounds later, we've bought the barn find rear-engined sportscar; the question is, how bad is it?
We will be donating money from this project to the RNLI through the 'Our Beautiful Emma' fundraiser - justgiving.com/page/claire-wa...
Original video from Alex: • I BOUGHT 5 CARS FOR £1...

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

If you'd like to help the fundraising efforts for the RNLI too, here is a link to the JustGiving page: justgiving.com/page/claire-wales-1700764967178?fbclid=PAAaYSZjqpAVZ35JKNjzMB3ftbI51zSjvvbT8f4AUNLXNFbwBcfKRd_UsvThw

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

What is DRIVETRIBE exactly? Is it owned by THE GRAND TOUR? Is Clarkson involved?

[@mikebailey2619]

Sorry but I can’t support a charity that brings illegal immigrants in to our country

[@andrewmacdonald1103]

Alex and Mike are great presenters. Well done on both sides, especially the charity work.

[@r4mbo67]

Mike the MGF is hydrogas ! I own one , a 1.8mpi mems 2 , V reg 1999 October mk2. The hydrogas units on that will be fubar'd , don't be tempted to pump it up beyond its maximum psi even if its not level. Get those hydrogas units replaced with reconditioned ones ASAP. They originally had a life expectancy of 15 years only. Once replaced, they will transform the ride , I've just had mine replaced 😊. Put a decent exhaust on it , iridium spark plugs , a 52mm throttle body on , stainless under body coolant pipes (ensure you bleed the system at all 3 bleed points, very important) and you're good to go . If you've got the budget, buy an upgraded brake kit from William Naylor in Southport (he'll also have every single used spare part you need too)..... Good luck with the F and if ya need any info or pointers just ask 😉

[@LeHazy]

MGF fans are another breed. Great info!

[@sebastianohalloran9093]

Well said. Hydragas is underrated and sublime on these.

[@sianwarwick633]

Wooh. Amazing. Don't spoil the reveal on the repairs though eh ?

[@Recessio]

This should be on the main channel!

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

The second channel just allows us to post more content 😊

[@iceninja46]

OOhh, was that an SL500? Yes, yes it was... The most car guy thing ever. Awesome... Stick an actual R1 engine in it, or 2...

[@TeaVR]

Drivetribe and AutoAlex. Great combination!

[@dasnutnock6408]

I had a 98 1.8vvc, was a brilliant little car. Took it to Cornwall early summer one year with my then girlfriend, and returned with her as my fiance. Great memories

[@mobilespeed]

7:23 - A genuine motorhead will easily get distracted by that... LOL!

[@Forty_two_69]

The reaction to the SL500 was priceless 😅

[@reganmahoney8264]

As a Yank who is really not a gear head I have become a huge fan of both Mike and Alex.

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Have an R1 V8 built, and stick that in it. CPV8.

[@bannerzone_UK]

... and then stick a Leyland Badge on. LOL!!

[@connorh4104]

Love seeing MG Rover cars getting TLC

[@savagegtalks5912]

7:23 is the exact moment both boys get that fuzzy feelin James May talks about. You even notice the 1.5 seconds delay in their brains before their mouth starts working again. 🤣

[@elliotwalker4429]

That RNLI bit nearly brought a tear to my eye, when i was 9 my dad passed away from a heart attack at the minack theatre down in Cornwall and the RNLI were the only people who had a chance to try and save him... unfortunately they werent successful, but they tried and ive loved them ever since so thank you for raising money for them!!!

[@bigduphusaj162]

they are a disgrace now. Taxi for you know whoos

[@sianwarwick633]

Feel for you, friend. ❤. I was that age too, when My Dad passed from heart failure.

[@fabokavrs]

Great to see an MG on the channel. Real underrated cars I think. I have great fun in my TF 135 doing Autosolo’s in stock form.

[@NeilM1]

It's Hydragas on an MGF Mike, hydrolastic was last used in the mid 70s

[@philipbradey7273]

Yes it's not an Alegro

[@lotusgroup123]

And he was calling it Hydroelastic...😊

[@DownEastSaw]

It’s really cool to see you guys collaborating with CarThrottle.

[@dj_efk]

Well done both on the charity donations - big thumbs up from me.

[@SAMM0608]

@7:23 That's how real car guys show respect!

[@laurensnieuwland4657]

Love the MG Rover love Mike! If only Rover had survived...

[@rovercoupe7104]

My 75 is on 220,500 miles.

[@TypedAnimal]

Hey Mike! Just wondering if we'll be seeing you at pride of Longbridge with this little MG

[@DaDa-David]

Top NOTCH fella! love the charity bit!!! - well done Tom, Alex and Mike :-)

[@althejazzman]

Mike and Alex each have such different presenting styles. Mike is informative and quite nerdy. Alex is just the dodgy salesman he's always aspired to be!

[@andrewa4892]

Love my TF. The coolant pipes is a common issue. There are stainless ones available. They’re also VERY sensitive to tyre brands

[@JackSwanns]

I had a few bits from the Mike satur site, including the front aero kit, I had the bonnet modified to look like the 200hpd. I had the side vents made up to look like the 200 hpd also. So the air flowed through the front lower grille and up through the bonnet vent, low air pressure area bringing the front end down at high speeds. Sadly sold the car, should have just kept it. Plate was x40wer.

[@LeeSlatt]

With those R1 badges on it, I think sticking the engine from the bike in it would make for a great project!

[@WinchesterBros666]

Should most definitely make the best of the Badges and Number Plate by sticking an R1 Engine in it 🤠

[@peterhall8572]

First precautionary measure I always take when recomissioning an older motor which was known for cooling issues is to remove the thermostat and run it with the cooling system as free as possible,

[@johan3561]

Please do more collaborations in the future ✌ Love both channels

[@ErikB750]

Great little project cars …. And once up to temperature (and well maintained), the K-series is well durable. 100’s of possible mods improving performance, handling, styling and comfort.

[@milodemoray]

That's a nice find Mike. Congrats.

[@BenGillam]

My wife had one similar to that and had the gas pumped up, made huge difference to ride. The bigger problem was the leaking roof and window. I got so sick of it one winter I ended up breaking out the sealant gun and duct tape around the window and door on passenger side. When this went she got an mgzr which also had a leaky sunroof which I actually managed to repair, I was so chuffed biggest car maintenance repair job I had ever done.

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

Ahh what a bugger, we seem to be super lucky the roof is perfect and not a drop of water despite all this rain we’ve been having! Good job on the more successful fix!

[@JLR_Steve]

My wife and I saw one of those in Oslo in June 2019. Obviously had never seen one on this side of the Atlantic. Love watching the back and forth between you two. 😂

[@iandrewlawson]

Great job on this presentation! So authentic and fun, Top Gear is no longer a single BBC show it lives on KZbin with you guys 👏

[@michaelsummerell8618]

We could do with seeing a video of Tom driving Linda the Jag on the Autoalex channel. I know he's talked about it on the podcast, but a proper video is called for.

[@vintageautomobilia]

Had an R reg Tahiti blue MGF with oxblood interior many years ago, back when insurance wasn't toooo crazy to get for a young driver, mates all laughed but a great fun little car, loved it. Will be following progress

[@ryanwilliams6526]

What cars did your mates have? I can think of few cars more fun than a mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car with a revvy K series engine.

[@vintageautomobilia]

@@ryanwilliams6526 Back then they were mid to late 90s escorts/fiestas and not 'hot' ones either. I'd had two cars at 17 when they all had one by driving modded classics

[@MarieWest-tbic]

I totally love the format of this channel, too. The longer videos are refreshing in this age of short attention spans. I can't really stand the shorts. Having to sit and completely focus on swiping up constantly. I want to put something interesting on, set the phone on its kickstand, and do something productive while watching. Thank you for all the work and time to produce such good channels!

[@baconbuttties]

I'm a Rover MG fan.... I had 3 MG Maestro's an MG ZT 180, MG ZS 180 V6, MG Metro( pile of junk) A Rover 820 Turbo, Rover 216 GTi, Rover 75 V6, Rover 620 2 litre. Rover Coupe Turbo, Rover 416 SLi, Rover 820 before facelift, Rover 820 Facelift. There a few more I cant remember, And looking back I really was addicted to the Rover MG Badges.

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

Mike is that you?

[@baconbuttties]

@@MoreDRIVETRIBE hahaha...funny enough my name is Mike as well.

[@linspuk]

I loved my TF, always wanted one. I wish I'd hung onto it. I got mine brand new, on delivery one of the rear light clusters fell out and the interior carpet was not properly stuck to the body shell, but nevertheless it was an MG and a roadster!

[@paulloudbbk]

Should be on the main channel! I love an old mgf

[@FFVoyager]

The last production car made with Alex Moulton designed suspension.

[@gwengo4167]

Looking forward to this series. I have a secret love for old Rovers and MGs

[@ceesdewidt887]

Owned one. When it rained the side window on the drivers side came down. Dealer said: Live with it 😊 I did and loved it

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

😅

[@roberttaylor465]

Mgf is mid engined not rear.

[@DangerousDac]

Honestly, more excited about this than the never ending V12 MX-5 or any of the long termers you got on Drivetribe.

[@BartMGRX]

Great little car, much better and with more character than Alex's bmw's.

[@AnonymousCaveman]

I agree. Heavily underrated cars. I'm getting tired of BMWs seems it's all what people show on KZbin these days.

[@chronicmachines6717]

When he says K-Series he is not talking about Honda. 😂😂😂

[@Virusman26]

Great crossover guys, loving this!!

[@skyll4141]

lovely cars those. I had a vvt 1.8, handled well. it was everything that should have saved rover group, mid engined mx5 beater.

[@atishghosh]

This really deserves to be on the main channel.

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

Both are our main channels in our eyes, just the types of video vary and it gives us more capacity to release more content for those wanting it 😊

[@connormatthews522]

nice to see a collab where mike doesn't seem like he hates alex 😆

[@brandonpochin8570]

Mate fair play , pucka job. Skills and craftsmanship like this is rare these days. Sent by Taylor 😂

[@stefanmaddock5516]

What an absolute win all around.

[@harkinsclark1417]

I have a British racing green MGF that's technically a barn find because it's where I stuck it four years ago after just giving up on it😅

[@stevesscrap9091]

I agree with Mike, I do love a k-series. Rovers cheapness on headgasket material and cooling system let them down and gave them such a bad rep. I'd love to see the underside dry ice blasted to take away all the dirt and then have it properly protected. I also think to sell it and get the. Most for the rnli is do an numbered ticket give away so people buy a ticket for like 29p but there is 20000 tickets so youll get plenty of money for rnli 😊

[@PhilHoganPhotography]

That reminds me "Light Tap" My dad used to have a small hammer in the car just to hit the starter motor to get it running, It may of only been for a few weeks but felt like he was doing it for years back in the 80s.

[@mclarenjohnf1]

Nice purchase Mike

[@alfietyson1510]

I remember my mg zr facelift with a rover tomcat 220 turbo lump pissed oil all the time but what a car it was lol

[@simonthomas5367]

The SL500 moment that we all understand!! Brilliant.

[@anthonyohara2132]

Isn’t that Mid-Engined and not Rear-Engined. Looks like the Engine is ahead of the axle.

[@rubenlay610]

As an owner of one it's definitely mid engined.

[@scruff520]

I think that's a smashing little car, very pretty to look at.

[@rollingtroll]

Had a good feeling about that one right away. The surface rust is a little too rusty for my liking, that needs a quick fix and sealing, but other than that, should be good!

[@ronin_gthayc3020]

Fun fact. A very long time ago for 1 of my very early jobs I used to work for a company that used to make the petrol tanks for the mk1 mgf.

[@connormatthews522]

proper soft spot for these, my brother melted a head gasket on his back in the day haha

[@hoodwinker7932]

I used to have an old metro that I started in a similar fashion 😂

[@philmcglen6194]

That might be pretty good done up! Please upgrade that suspension though?

[@BloodshedMorrison]

7:23 is all of us when we hear something that sounds fruity

[@robp8218]

Seriously hoping this will get the R1 engine this MGF truly deserves now 😉

[@UrbanFoxCustoms]

Awesome, would be good to recreate the SP MGF Cheetah

[@sarahrobinson410]

I loved MGF se 2000 plate car.. One years mot it needed a Suspension pipe there is one on each side One was fitted for 1st mot but 2nd mot I scrapped the car so I have the part in packaging.. Its free if you require the part..

[@phuketexplorer]

Can you just imagine if MG were still in business and produced an electric version. They could give it a fancy name, such as Cyberster, and sell them like hot cakes.

[@ryanwilliams6526]

MG aren't still in business. It's just a new Chinese company with the name. The Cyberster would be far better if they gave it a sensible name and put a turbo 4 cylinder or a V6 in it.

[@AK.2425]

3:21 definitely the plates are worth more, especially if you illegally space them you can spell R1M GF 🤣

[@harrylong2796]

Love both these guys, just need a 3rd for a new holy Trinity

[@cedriccottage2070]

8:15 yup, you just became MG owner. From now on this is how your motoring will be.

[@sandman6774]

Great moment at 7:23. Everyone has done this.

[@smithp573]

Are these not Hydragas rather than the much much older Hydrolastic?

[@Tell78]

I didn’t know the mg had yellow indicators Mike. 😂

[@karldavies3149]

Is it worth suggesting hooking up with a local company who do underbody treatments with something like Lanoguard to show how transformative a process this can be?

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

We recently used Lanoguard for the first time on our Brera project, be sure to check it out on the main channel if you haven’t already 👍🏻

[@MudSluggerBP]

Properly nippy little car 👍🏻

[@ExXxC4L1BUR]

Love it!

[@thejudge-kv2jk]

Nice little car. Prefer the FT but still like these.

[@forresttm]

The coolant pipes are shot. Generally on them of the outside is bad the inside is too.

[@Barbarian75]

Was expecting a starter to fall out at the first knock 🤣

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

🤣

[@vipat_jr]

Linglong tyre's... Drive tribe does have tight budgets.

[@eric-wb7gj]

TY🙏🙏

[@Daz_Stap]

Great video, when is this car being auctioned? I'd love to give it a home!

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

Keep an eye on the channel, we’ll let everyone know when it goes live 🙂

[@rwes61]

Never ever have even seen one🤔😳‼️

[@Eliteerin]

My grandad still has his mgf I think

[@grantta7450]

Have we worked out what the R1 means?

[@Fazedspeed]

Project r1 needs a r1 engine eventually lol

[@SwayinZombie]

Ahhh, the petrolheads. 7:25 both stop, look, and ask: was that an sl 500?

[@will24655]

I drove one of those once... The brakes didn't do anything. Apparently that is normal for them.

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

😂

[@jamesonslow]

THAT now looks like a great car for £5k. 👍

[@repairupdaterepeat5815]

That mileage says one thing to me ..... If its not been done, its going to need the omghgf doing

[@GranTurismoStig]

I owned a barn find MGF about 10 years ago, was only £350

[@urbanexoticuk]

Put it on bc racing coilovers,led head light,and custom or straight throw exhaust and a stage four clutch and upgraded ecu and remap for proformance and k swap it and turbo and induction kit

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

Sounds like a lot 😂

[@urbanexoticuk]

@@MoreDRIVETRIBE yep but be amazing tho with lightness of the car my friend just engine swapped his toyota mr2 spyder with a 2zz with forged pistons and garret turbo remapped its a beast oh and he done a stage 3 clutch

[@ianmarsters8196]

Redo the number plate soit reads RIM GF

[@edwardmace3072]

is it worth dry ice on the underside to get it all cleaned off. I have no idea how well it works for surface rust though?

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

Dry ice isn’t really effective on surface rust unfortunately

[@edwardmace3072]

@@MoreDRIVETRIBE you’ll have to use some old fashion elbow grease then 😂😂

[@driveonthewildside]

One of those MGFs went flying past me, went over a bump in the road - and its exhaust fell off!

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

Self weight saving, it’s a feature 👍🏻

[@vikasgnan4022]

Hey Mike!! Love your videos 🫶🏻 I say Why not turn the thing that both of you were excited about into a reality. Why not actually swap an R1 engine in it! It’s already got the cosmetic part of the idea sorted out. Just begging for the mechanical aspect to be done. What say!

[@MoreDRIVETRIBE]

While we would love to, not sure it’s a can of worms we are ready for right now!

[@vikasgnan4022]

@@MoreDRIVETRIBE I believe you are. I know for a fact that if there’s anyone who can make it happen it’s you 🫡

[@ringtoolDRIVER]

I guess a swap to a powerfull engine is not included in the 1,5K budget? ^^