Steve's suggestions are all very good. I have one more book to recommend:
Road & Track's Used Car Classics. Probably no longer in print but it might
be found at a library, or on the web through one of the used book finders. I
mention this book because of its even-handed, knowledgeable, and sometimes
humorous coverage of many inexpensive sports cars, not just MGs. I find the
author's statements correspond very closely to my own experiences.
I might also suggest trying to hook up with a local MG club. It may be too
late in the season to catch any shows or driving events, but you might be
able to attend a tech session, business meeting, or pub outing. This would
give you a chance to speak with owners, get the benefit of informed
opinions, and compare the various models in person.
Good luck. I have a friend in lower Manhattan that has a 67 Midget. I
believe it's now parked at a relative's on Long Island, however. I might add
that it doesn't seem to have been a very practical vehicle to keep parked on
the street in the city, at least for a non-mechanic that drove it only on
weekends.
on 10/30/01 3:01 AM, MGTD1952@cs.com at MGTD1952@cs.com wrote:
> In a message dated 10/29/01 11:27:32 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> miket_nyc@juno.com writes:
>
>
>> Can
>> anyone suggest books, workshop manuals, etc., that I ought to get?
>
> There are numerous great books on MG's and the various models, but if this is
> going to be your primary set of wheels, IMHO you're pretty much going to be
> limited to the MGB, MGB GT, or the MG Midget. The difference is that the B
> (or Tourer) is the two seat convertible roadster and the GT is a hatchback
> coupe (and the better looking of the two!) while the Midget is a smaller 2
> seat convertible.
>
> My reasoning here is that an MGA (the B's predecessor) and any of the older,
> square rigged T series cars will not survive well in NYC driving. I've seen
> plenty of B's around Manhattan, however.
>
> For general info, check out www.mgcars.org. For books, there are a couple of
> great ones: Anders Ditlev Clausager's "ORIGINAL MGB"; David Knowles' "MGB";
> Lindsay Porter's "MGB PURCHASE AND RESTORATION GUIDE" to name a few. There
> is also a book called "THE MG BUYER"S GUIDE" which gives a nice description
> of the entire marque line, even though some of the model specific facts and
> figures are a bit off.
>
> The biggest thing in buying a B (assuming that't where you focus) is to get a
> rust free example. Many people will tell you that Northeast cars should be
> avoided, but that is NOT true. I purchased my 68 BGT from a gentleman right
> in Manhattan, who lived over on the lower east side. He purchased it a
> couple of years earlier from California, and it is a completely original (as
> far as sheetmetal goes) speciman. He garaged the car, and took it out about
> every other weekend to run to the shore, mountains, wherever. Much will
> depend on how the car was treated vis-a-vis winter and roadsalt, and general
> maintanence regarding cleaning out the muck that can accumulate in various
> nooks and crannies.
>
> As far as what is the most desirable B, you will get a multitude of opinions
> here. I favor the Chrome Bumper (CB) models, while others lean to the Rubber
> Bumper RB; from 74 1/2 to 1980). For the CB, some favor the 67 and earlier
> metal dash, others the 68-70 "Abingdon Pillow" dash, and others the 71 - 74
> "convential" dash with glovebox.
>
> For RB cars, many prefer the 76 and earlier, as pollution control had not yet
> strangled the beast, while 1980's Limited Edition model (mostly a "styling"
> package, not performance package) is also attractive.
>
> I'll let others speak to the virtues of the Midget, as I really don't know
> the car as well. Good look as you search out your MG, and keep the questions
> coming.
>
>
>
> Steve in NJ
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires
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