If you're entering the car in competition where the actual originality of
the car is taken into consideration, then you have some obvious restrictions.
That aside, which I don't think is the case here, it's your car to change.
Personally, I like the sculpted look of the car (I have a 78B), and the
fact that mine is a convertible, and I personally wouldn't do anything to
it that would cause it not to be recognized as an MG from the looks, but as
far as the innards go, I don't have any particular love for points, or for
bad heaters, or other such things. I have electronic ignition, and frankly
I'd be happy to put in fuel injection if it was easy. I have the original
vinyl seats, but I plan to replace them with leather as soon as I get the
time. I also plan to probably replace the steering wheel and maybe line
the dash. I have a CD player in mine.
I like the charm of the triple wipers, and the headlights, and so forth,
but if someone wanted to put fog lamps on them, I could certainly
understand, and would do so myself if I lived in a foggy area.
In short, on MY car, I would go as far as anything to improve comfort or
performance without detracting from the look of the car. On YOUR car,
since you own it, and if you're not entering it into originality judging,
you can do whatever you want. You could paint it hot flourescent pink if
you want. You might have trouble re-selling it if you did, but that'd be
your problem.
There's also enough of them out there that you could experiment if so
inclined. What if you made a GT convertible? Generally there aren't any
rules if you're not in competition. I think most people prefer to keep the
general lines and look of the car, but feel that most anything else is up
for grabs...
Just my 2 cents worth...
- Tab
At 10:18 AM 6/23/00 +0200, Alan wrote:
>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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