This best-selling book, with nearly 1,400 illustrations, outlines the
history of Britain's favourite sports car, tells the prospective buyer
how to find a good example of an MGB, MGC or MGB V8, then gets down to
the restoration, detailing how to renovate bodywork and chassis;
renovate interiors, including the recovering of seats and renewal of
carpets and hood; and give new life to mechanical and electrical
components. There is also information on building an MGB for today, with
modern comfort, handling, performance and sound systems; and how to
build a Heritage MGB.
1) History In the Beginning -- MGB Parentage -- First Born -- Put to the
Test -- Adolescence -- The Final Facelift -- Ten Years On
2) Buying Take Your Pick -- Where to Look -- 'B-ing Sure -- Safety --
Using the Checklist -- Stage A - First Impressions -- Stage B - Clean
Hands -- Bodywork - Checklist -- Interior -- Mechanical -- Road Test --
Boot/Trunk Inspection -- Stage C - Dirty Hands -- Notes for American
Purchasers by John Twist -- Buying an MGC by Pearl McGlen -- University
Motors Specials: How to Spot One -- Buying an MGB GT V8 by Peter Laidler
-- The Bodywork -- The Interior -- The Engine -- The Running Gear -- The
Exhaust Manifolds -- The Wheels -- Summing Up -- Buying - In Conclusion
3) Bodywork 1—Restoration Body shell - Restore or Replace? -- Tools and
Equipment -- Chrome Bumper Removal -- Rubber Bumper Removal -- Roadster
Screen Removal -- GT Screen Removal and Replacement -- Door Strip down
-- Door Repairs -- GT Tailgate and Mechanism -- GT Rear Quarter light --
Boot and Tailgate Locks -- Front Wing Removal -- Front Inner Wing Repair
-- Front Valance Replacement -- Radiator Duct Panel -- Rear Wing Repair
and Replacement -- Sill Replacement -- Floor Repair -- Boot Floor Repair
-- Chassis Member Repairs
4) Bodywork 2—The Heritage Shell Building-up the Body shell -- Donor Car
Strip down -- Putting on the Paint -- Rust Prevention -- Roadster
Screen: Rebuilding and Refitting -- Quarter lights: Repair and Refit --
Door Locks, Latches and Alignment -- Door Glass Channels and Window
Winder -- Fitting Electric Windows -- Front and Rear Bumpers -- Bonnet
and Boot: Fixtures and Fittings -- Radiator and Ventilator Grilles --
Chrome Trims and Badges -- Door Mirrors -- Number Plates
5) Interior and Trim Introduction -- Dash Top Trim and Vents --
Dashboard - Standard -- Glove Box Fitting -- Dashboard - Wooden Trim --
Heater Components -- Footwell Vents -- Steering Wheel - Removal and
Replacement -- Sound-Proofing -- Carpets -- Center Console -- Door Trims
and Seals -- Seat Removal and Replacement -- Seat Re-covering -- Seat
Webbing Replacement -- Soft-Top Replacement and Tonneaux -- Boot Carpet
-- Seat Belts
6) Mechanical Introduction -- Fitting the Cross member -- Kingpin and
Front Suspension -- Steering Rack and Column -- Front Suspension
Conversion -- Anti-Roll Bar -- Front Hub, Disc and Back plate -- Half
shafts and Rear Hubs -- Differential Mini-Overhaul -- Prop shaft and
Gearbox Drive Flange -- Wire Wheel Conversion -- Rear Springs, Shock
Absorbers and Bump Stops -- Telescopic Front Shock Absorber Conversion
-- Telescopic Rear Shock Absorber Conversion -- Front Brakes -- Rear
Brakes and Back plate -- Handbrake Mechanism -- Brake Lines and Hoses --
Master Cylinders, Pedals and Servo -- Engine Removal -- Engine Strip --
Cylinder Head Removal -- Engine Block Strip down -- Engine Faults --
Reconditioning and Big Bore Work -- Engine Reassembly -- Cylinder Head
Rebuild and Improvement -- SU Carburetor Overhaul -- Distributor
Overhaul -- Engine Bay Detailing -- Gearbox and Clutch - Preparing for
Installation -- Wheels and Tires -- Exhaust System -- Fitting SU
Carburetors and Associated Components -- Fuel Pump Replacement -- Fuel
Tank Replacement -- Oil Cooler and Pipework -- Cooling System --
Electric Cooling Fan Conversion
7) Electrical Electrical Components and Loom -- Dashboard and Switch
Layouts -- Instruments and Gauges -- Indicator Switch -- Windscreen
Wiper Mechanism -- Windscreen Washers -- Light Units -- Alarm Unit --
Sound System
8) Modifications Introduction -- Unleaded Conversion -- Unleaded Fuel --
Engine Tuning -- Standard Performance Figures -- Stage 1 -- Stage 2 --
Stage 3 -- Appetizers -- Building a 2-litre 'B -- V8 Engine Conversion -
Overview -- 'De-Toxin' US Cars -- Converting to Negative Ground --
Procedure -- Conclusion -- Fitting Contact less Electronic Ignition
Appendices Workshop Procedures and Safety First -- Tools and Working
Facilities -- MGB's Specification -- Production Modifications and Totals
-- The MG RV8 -- Performance Figures -- Color Schemes -- British and
American Thread Systems -- British and American Technical Terms --
Specialists and Clubs
