I've owned a '71BGT for a few months and am enjoying the
pleasures of owning what is here in Zimbabwe a very rare car.
However I am now beginning to wonder about the effectiveness of
some of the original parts fitted to the car. All MGs are based on
mechanicals from very ordinary family saloons which were
designed to provide reliable service at a low price. Performance
considerations were not taken into account. Thus we have iron
cylinder heads, lever arm dampers, leaf springs, drum brakes etc
etc. It is interesting to speculate what these cars would be like if
the enthusiasts in the design department had been able to utilize
"ideal" components rather than "available" components.
There is therefore a strong argument for replacing certain
components with items intrinsically more suitable for the task than
the original part. The problem with this is the originality question.
Should MGs be kept as near as possible to the manufacturers
specification or is deviation from standard permitted in the interest
of improved performance and/or reliability?
My own vehicle appears to be very close to the makers
specification (European version), and I am consequently reluctant
to meddle with it. But I am becoming increasingly impatient with
the poor suspension control provided by the dampers, the very
heavy pedal pressure required to stop the vehicle(no servo) and the
pathetic push button windscreen washer. I would like to change all
these things.
How far is it permissible to go in terms of modifications before
accusations of destroying the character of the car begin flying
around? Is the criteria that any modification should be acceptable
as long as it is reversible valid or can you argue that if the change
makes the car perform better then it is permissible, regardless of
reversability, bearing in mind that performance is what the car is
supposed to be about?
I look forward to reading the responses.
Alan Morrison
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