MGC/B V8 PROJECT BUYER
Very few GT V8 projects come up for sale; you’re much more likely to find a C. All of the C’s exterior panels except the bonnet are shared with the MGB, as are the sill and floor structures.
However, the floorpans forward of the car’s centre had to be redesigned, because the B’s beefy crossmember had to be swapped for a smaller, less sturdy item, to provide clearance for the taller engine. As a result, the C’s front suspension also had to be changed, so the loads could be fed into the car’s structure in a different area; longitudinal torsion bars, running back to a central crossmember.
As the floorpans were being redesigned, the opportunity was taken to widen them so an automatic transmission could be accommodated.
At the same time, the radiator was moved forward eight inches, as well as being increased in size. Because of the extra weight over the front wheels, a less direct steering rack was fitted, offering 3.5 turns between locks instead of the B’s 2.9.
If building a V8 roadster, budget £2530,000 to create something really good, including a new bodyshell. Because of the high costs involved, don’t expect to buy a superb drophead V8 for less than £20-25,000. WHAT TO PAY? Project: £5000-£10,000 Runner: £12,000£20,000 Good: £16,000-£28,000 THINK AGAIN IF…
Corrosion can be fixed, but not economically if a reshell has to be done .
The V8’s original wheels and gearbox are very hard to track down.