A good friend of mine in Bethesda has just acquired a '77 MGB that she bought on ebay from Charleston. I knew the seller from Cars and Coffee and checked it out. Other than a couple of minor cosmetic details it seems unusually clean and solid. As with most '77 Bs it doesn't have a lot of power, but otherwise it drives nicely. She want's to have it checked out but needs recommendations for a local shop. Anybody got any ideas?
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The MGB was a great car with 1800 cc that they ruined in 1975 when they added rubber buggy bumpers, raised car height and replaced the 2 SUs with a single Zenith carb --- in name of emissions/US safety standards. So a 95 hp car 0-6 in 11 seconds) went to a 63 hp car - that can't get out of its own way. I know there is a Weber side draft and down draft kit available for it. Even putting the old SUs will give a much needed 25 hp back. Folks have removed rubber bumpers and replaced with chrome and I'm sure it can be lowered to pre-75 ride height. Headers and exhaust would also bump up performance.
I'm guessing New Hope, PA is too far for service (~6 hrs). I have friend there that did tons of MG/AH work. He just sold his '65 AH 3000 and bought a '99 Miata - says it brings back old MGB days (he had a '65) without needing to walk home.
Fun - second or third car for weekend jaunts.
"He just sold his '65 AH 3000 and bought a '99 Miata - says it brings back old MGB days (he had a '65) without needing to walk home."
That's how I feel about a subie engine most times. 
Thanks guys. Ed, I'll forward your info to her. I think she's already joined the MG Club of DC.
We talked about the lack of power and she's considering some upgrades if it bothers her. I tried to steer her to a Miata but she is an artist and the classic aesthetic is what she was after. This will be her local cruising car, particularly when her oldest gets his license and starts using her Prius (yeah, I know). I don't absolutely hate the rubber bumpers, but I'm not fond of the raised ride height or the "easy way out" changes they did to meet EPA requirements. This particular car is exceptionally clean and only shows 35k miles - which I can believe due to it's condition. Its only cosmetic flaws are the beginning of the "crack of doom" on each door and a bent trunk where some one attempted to close it without releasing the stay properly. Both of these are common and can be remedied. Otherwise it looks and drives like a well-maintained 2 or 3 year old car.
good thing about MG is that U never have to change the oil, just keep adding
