Hi David,
I'm really having trouble following this.
I will have a completely authentic "looking" '68 Canadian spec or
European spec MKII MGB. Just as they sat in the Canadian and European
show rooms.
If I could have boughten a '68 Canadian or European spec BMH body shell
I would have. I could not.
There is not a lot of extensive sheet metal changes. At least not
visible ones.
The steering column hub will be changed. There will be some work
involved but it will hardly be noticeable, and it will still be a
completely authentic Canadian or European spec MKII steering column hub.
You should see the hug glob of seam sealer that BMH left on the current
hub. Just getting rid of that will be an improvement.
There are two 1"x1" dash mounting tabs on the cross bar that supports
the speaker console. These are only visible if you crawl under the dash.
On left and right ends of the existing dash support cowl (near the A
post -- where the front fender and door meet) I must cut a 1"x1" slot to
provide clearance for the dash mounting bolts that are on the '67 metal
dash support cowl. I will then pop rivet the '67 metal dash support cowl
on top of the existing dash cowl. The '67 metal dash support cowl
overlay will extend up to windshield frame. The defroster slots may need
some work.
Ok, it will take some time. It would take some time to reverse it too.
Again, it will be a completely authentic "looking" Canadian or European
spec MKII car. OK -- if you crawl under the dash or remove the dash, you
will be able to see it is a conversion. Otherwise not.
Consider this.... This is a 68-74 BMH body shell. I just discovered the
other day that the heater box holes and cable slot are not 68-74 vintage
at all. They are factory improvements made in 1977. Go to the bottom of
this page.
http://chicagolandmgclub.com/photos/b_heater/
If you remove the heater box, the fact that this body shell is not an
authentic 68-74 and is really a bastardization is glaring obvious.
Assuming of course that you know or care about what is underneath the
heater box. What would you have me do? Return the body shell? Tell them
it's just a bastardization. It's not authentic? I have two parts cars. I
can cut out and install the much harder to deal with old style heater
box mounting sheet metal.... This conversation is nuts.
I'm sorry I took the time to reply. I shouldn't have. My apologies.
Don Malling
David Breneman wrote:
> Don Malling SEZ -
>
>>The '68 Canadian MKII cars came with a metal dash. The European MKII
>>came with a metal dash until about 74 maybe? Not sure -- the early 70's
>>anyway.
>>
>>So it's not so clear to me how it is a bastardization.
>
>
> To convert a post-68 car to a "reproduction metal dash car" you need
> make a lot of sheet metal changes. This isn't just a bolt-on modification
> like adding a supercharger or custom steering wheel. This is changing
> the structure of the car. That's what I consider kludgey. Like I said,
> you can do anything with your car you want. Make it a lowrider or a
> 4 wheel drive (I once saw a Spitfire body on a Japanese pickup frame
> with huge offroad tires). But I don't consider such changes improvements.
> Just changes, and rather dubious ones in my personal opinion.
>
>
>>What is your opinion of putting a Moss supercharger in an MGB? How about
>>a Rover V8 in a roadster? (I think they only came in GT's?).
>
>
> I don't care for the "home made" V8s either, for the same reason.
> And with those you run the risk that some day some guy is going to
> buy one of those thinking it's a real MGB V8, only to later discover
> he's got somebody's hobby project.
>
>
>> How about
>>rear tube shocks?
>
>
> To me it makes about as much sense as a Weber conversion. There
> may be some advantage if you're racing the car, but race cars can
> be heavily modified in any event. Doesn't seem to make much sense
> for a street car. I'd never buy one that had been so modified.
>
>
>> How about rubber bumper to chrome bumper conversion.
>
>
> Why not just buy a chrome bumper car if that's what you want?
>
>
>>Maybe a wooden steering wheel? None of those things ever existed as
>>production items. Where does it end? Who draws the line and where?
>
>
> I draw the line for me, and you draw the line for you. I'm just
> trying to understand the attraction of a modification that I'd never
> make, nor buy.
>
>
>>I have a 68-74 BMH body shell. I have to build something on it. I
>>believe I will have an authentic '68 Canadian spec MKII when I'm done --
>>Oooppps except for the Moss Supercharger -- now I will agree with you
>>there, that is a bastardization -- don't you agree? :-)
>
>
> No, not really. You can put it on and take it off. You don't have
> to cut up the engine compartment to install it. Now, if it came with
> a shaker hood scoop and side pipes, you can probably guess where
> I'd come down. :-)
>
>
>>I think it's really a question of whether you like the pillow dash or
>>not. Lots of people like the metal dash. For some reason the MKII's in
>>England and Europe had the metal dash into the early 70's. Wonder why....
>
>
> I'm sure a lot of it had to do with resentment of the US government
> meddling in the design of cars. Also a hopeful, if untimately
> misguided belief that the meddling would at some point end, or at
> least not be so parasitic as to dictate the very core of the
> design of the vehicle. If they could keep the regulators a bay
> with a few bolt-on additions, that's fine. Little did they know...
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