first classic-Herald 1200 ..weak valve springs??

That is not a bad "wishlist" and good luck with your search.

from memory
Triumph Herald front suspension / wishbones can be a real pain to replace if it is your first go

Moggy Minors kingpins can be fun to replace, so check them for wear

I like the idea of an A40 probably because you don't see too many about


if I can think of anything else I'll add it

Some good info on Herald’s in here , from when i was looking .

forum.retro-rides.org/thread/221051/buying-triumph-herald

I'd pick the fiat given the choice.

Though it's probably the most awkward of engine swaps.

There are engine swaps a plenty for the rear engined fiats, everything from bike engines to turbo subarus.

They're just really awkward and expensive.

That said, if it's a solid car the rest is just nuts and bolts

I have been lucky enough over the years to have owned all of these except the Fiat, and for my money the Beetle would do it for me once more but would fit these monster tyres and twin rear windows etc.I guess the good thing with your list is many parts are available to fix them up.

Plenty of V8 Vivas here in New Zealand, or at least there were once upon a time. A fellow I knew in the early '90s used a four door HC with a 215 Buick engine to tow his race car transporter. Was quite deceptive in appearance looking just like a grandpa spec Viva with aftermarket wheels until you saw it doing 80mph towing the race car. Fairly sure the alloy block Buick/Rover V8 weighed near enough to the same as the 1256 Vauxhall four banger so he may not even have had to change the front springs.

so no nice heralds for sale ,

the same with austin A40’s ,

nothing else is jumping out at me …so i started chasing mgb gt’s all week looks like i have been 1 step behind the dealers as they are snapping up all the decent cars i have literally missed out on 6 this week by about 30 mins to an hour.

one i saw last week sold and is already on a dealers website for £3k more without doing anything to it

so spring is round the corner and i thought i may miss the chance to grab one at a decent price but then ……

last night i saw an advert on gumtree about 11pm it had been listed for approx 35 hours at that time.

“Voted the best mg b in the the country and winning numerous concourse awards this is one of the cleanest mgb’s in existence. Historic restoration from spraytech in 1989 costing £7000 back then. Runs and drives really well starts on the button and is absolutely rust free. The paintwork has started to micro blister and to make perfect would need to be re done. Perfect project for show season or just use as is. Massive history file with all of its mots dating back from 1982 and dozens of first place certificates.”





there were just 2 photos of the car and a photo of loads of documents

the story is the guy that is selling it went to get an aston martin db2 for his company from a widow and he spotted this mg and a bmw 1602.

the bmw has been rebuilt in the last 6 months and this mg was going to be driven to see if he liked it enough to keep.

i called this morning to find out he had a load of interest and had already turned down offers more than the asking price from dealers as he promised it would go to a good home

i have left a small deposit on it , which he said if i don't like when viewed he will pass back to me !

the car is getting new discs ,calipers and front flexies i’d and new brake and clutch m/c’s including a clutch slave and line then MOT.

had a great chat with him and feel i was in the right place at the right time


the guy was a very honest guy has a collection of cars and needs space to add some more cars


so once the car is ready looks like a trip from Kent to Durham for a nice drive home.

as Grizz would say ..life is good

just been told MOT is monday

we’ll see if the seller has to spend more money on it

MGB is such a good choice, easy to work on, parts are easy to get, you can tinker with it, and they are quick and keep up with modern traffic.

Car looks good.