31/05/2008 18:53:11 JP12 I am currently converting my old class B MGB race car to a class A car and in the process I am hoping to create a replica of the Le Mans MGB race car. I thought it might be of interest to some MGoT members, so if you want you can keep an eye on my progress by checking out: [URL="http://www.talk-torque.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=16&sid=019be8be73465987ae000d2a3203c602"]http://www.talk-torque.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=16&sid=019be8be73465987ae000d2a3203c602[/URL] I haven't started the blog yet, but keep any eye out over the coming weeks and there will soon be a wealth of information and pics to look at. Obviously the car isn't going to be an exact replica, mainly because there are some bits that are difficult and costly to replicate, but also because my car is actually the wrong colour red. Hopefully when finished the car should look very similar to the one in this article: [URL="http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgoc&a=&p=emg/returnlemans06.html"]http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgoc&a=&p=emg/returnlemans06.html[/URL] The aim is to get the car finished and ready to compete in the Peter Best Insurance Challenge at Castle Combe in September or the Classic Sports Car Club Swinging Sixties also at Castle Combe. I hope it's of interest to some of you. Thanks Joe

03/06/2008 20:23:54 JP12 Blog started: [URL="http://talk-torque.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3281"]http://talk-torque.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3281[/URL] Joe

03/06/2008 21:35:41 Tim Guy Interesting project. Good luck with it :)

04/06/2008 07:50:08 gavinsmith Good luck with the project (and forthcoming racing) Joe. The Le Mans B looks fabulous - I had a good poke around it at Le Mans Classic two years ago (I can't make it this year, unfortunately, as it's a great event). I love the look of the black wires with silver spinners, but I guess you may not be able to race with those? MG Motorsport look after my car, though what Doug makes of my banana yellow '79 BGT, when his workshop is normally full of lovely FIA spec. B racers or fast-road MGCs, I don't know. He'd just completed a red/oew B racer when I was there a few weeks ago and I was very tempted to place my own order there and then. Unfortunately, my bank balance precludes that...for now. Gavin

04/06/2008 10:24:07 JP12 Thanks Balrog. Gavin, I know what you mean. Doug's place is fantastic for the performance MG B enthusiast. I could race with the black wire wheels and spinners but I have decided to race with black minilites. I will be posting lots of pics over the coming weeks and months so keep an eye out. Joe

04/06/2008 13:13:44 gavinsmith Joe, One of these days, I'll get Doug to build me a Sebring MGC GTS replica... I quite fancy some gloss black minilite-type wheels myself (5.5J x 14). Where did you get (or are you planning to get) yours from as I haven't managed to find any other than the odd set at shows, always in the wrong size... or are you getting an existing set painted? Gavin

04/06/2008 17:09:30 JP12 Gavin, There are some pics of my car on the talk torque thread now, so you can see the black wheels. They are 6J x 14 wheels and all I did was sand them down and paint them black. It took 5 coats of Hammerite to cover them but they look quite good. The only problem is they do chip easily. What have you or Doug done to your car? Is it quite standard or heavily modified? I notice that you are booked in on the Donington track day so if you want feel free to hop in for a ride in my car because I normally fit a passenger seat. Just don't kick the fire extinguisher nozzle:D Joe

05/06/2008 12:03:11 gavinsmith [COLOR=black]Thanks Joe - I'll have a look at the pix. My car currently has the anthracite minilite replicas on it, which look fine, but when they get past their best, I might have a go at painting them.[/COLOR] [COLOR=black]My B's not hugely modified but it goes quite well. I’m not mechanically-minded, so apart from routine maintenance, I leave everything to Doug. Engine-wise, it had a 1950 Stage 2 engine and tubular exhaust manifold when I bought it, and since then it's just been properly tuned and lots of bits (hoses, thermostat housings etc etc.) gradually replaced. I've recently changed the twin SU K&N 'pancake' filters from narrow to wide ones at Doug's suggestion, which made a much bigger difference than I'd expected, and switched to Lumenition optical ignition for reliability. Next on the list is a rolling road session at Wilshers Garage, just to get it running really well.[/COLOR] [COLOR=black]On the 'handling' front, the car had already been lowered from the normal r/b ride height when I bought it, but Doug's also made his 'usual' suspension mods: 600lb springs, negative camber arms and poly bushes all round + removal of the rear anti-roll bar (Doug told me that they set up their racers like that - stiff at the front, but more compliant at the rear). Front discs are standard, with Mintex 1144 pads and racing brake fluid.[/COLOR] [COLOR=black]I got the rubber bumpers removed and Sebring-style panels fitted in their place a year or so ago and it’s transformed the look of the car (as well as making it run a lot cooler, with the bigger grille aperture). It wasn’t cheap, but I think it was worth it. I might get the bonnet louvred at some stage too, as it still runs pretty hot. The interior has had black leather front seats and a vinyl rear fitted in place of the silver 'deckchairs', which were getting a bit saggy. Finally, I got Doug to fit a half roll cage and battery cut-off switch a while ago, just in case...[/COLOR] [COLOR=black]Thanks for the offer of a ride at Donington – I might take you up on that, though I have my father (and possibly my brother-in-law) with me as passengers, so I may need to be out myself in all sessions to ensure they both get a decent amount of track time. I’ll certainly look out for you – you can’t really miss me – just follow the yellow glow![/COLOR] [COLOR=black]Gavin[/COLOR]

05/06/2008 21:17:25 JP12 Gavin, That sounds like a good track day B to me! The next thing would probably be a 3/4 or 7/8 ARB if you don't already have one and then try and loose even more weight. Fibreglass tailgate with perspex rear screen, fibreglass wings and an ally or fibreglass bonnet make a big difference. Hopefully see you at Donington. Joe

06/06/2008 08:25:23 gavinsmith Thanks Joe, The A/R bar has been uprated to 7/8", I think. I could start to shed weight as you suggest and I'll certainly look at using lightweight panels as and when the tin worm works its way through them, but I use the car as everyday transport when required, so it needs to be reasonably comfortable (+ the wife would never get in it again if I ripped out the carpets, fitted bucket seats etc.) I want to spend the immediate future enjoying as many track days as I can (Silverstone this March was my first as a driver and I loved it) so that's where my cash is going for now. In an ideal world, I'd have one of MG Motorsports Sebring replica Cs in Aston racing green as my 'luxury' transport, and strip down the B as you suggest (and perhaps up the power a bit too:D). One day... I've just booked myself on the Silverstone evening in August, so I'll no doubt see you there. Gavin

13/11/2008 12:53:34 JP12 Just about to start updating my blog again because I have a lot of work planned for the winter. I thought it might be of interest, so I have put a link to a really good american go faster parts supplier that I have used recently. I have also decided to give up on making it a works replica so that I can focus on making it faster. Joe

02/01/2009 18:47:55 JP12 I decided to use the time I had off over Christmas to start a full rebuild of the racer. Here is a pic of how it now stands: [IMG]http://images42.fotki.com/v1379/photos/1/1349371/6319698/DSC00920-vi.jpg[/IMG] Any suggestions on a new colour?

05/01/2009 17:59:03 gavinsmith Hi Joe, It's a cliche, but I like a really dark BRG, maybe with a splash of a bright colour like the Sebring CGTs. Pale (iris?) blue also looks good, I think. I also rather liked the look of a black and red TR at Silverstone - looks good with the black wheels if you're keeping those - see attachments below... My B is sick at the moment - head gasket gone (again) I think. Hope to get it fixed, with help from my local garage, over the next few weeks. I thought about getting a competition (steel) gasket, but was quoted a somewhat staggering £152.85, so I decided against it! Gavin

07/01/2009 19:32:43 JP12 I do like the Iris blue so that could be an option. However, I have been ringing around for prices and it will be much cheaper for me to keep the car red. I don't have to make the decision yet but the cost could be the deciding factor.

08/01/2009 10:35:29 gavinsmith Isn't it always Joe...! With a new battery and alternator a couple of weeks ago, and now HGF, money seems to be evaporating faster than I can earn it at the moment. That's old cars for you, I suppose... Gavin

08/01/2009 14:38:26 Stephen W What sort of price are you getting quoted for a respray out of interest?

08/01/2009 19:12:09 JP12 To prep, spray the bare shell, spray skin panels, fit, and spray complete around the 2.5k mark. Joe

08/01/2009 20:33:38 Stephen W I feel all faint...... (hadn't expected that) ....think I need to save some more for the paint job!