Hmmm. Someone ought to tell the chap in California advertising his in the
latest copy of MG World for UKP1800 including shipping to the UK, it is
described as a rolling restored shell with no rust, filler or accident
damage - it begs the question as to what the restoration covered. Whilst
some 'dry state' cars are restored in the UK to their original North
American spec as a curiosity the majority of such early shells are used to
restore rotten UK cars and hence are 'converted' to RHD. There are
companies offering Californian shells from a few hundred pounds up, and for
a pull-handle bare shell in perfect condition I have been quoted UKP2500. A
far cry from '$15,000 and up'. Bring us your cars by all means, but don't
expect to go home rich.
PaulH.
----- Original Message -----
From: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@home.com>
To: Max Heim <mvheim@studiolimage.com>
Cc: MG List <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2001 9:46 PM
Subject: Re: LHD to RHD
> 80% of the 500,000 MGBs built were sent to the US and were, of course,
> LHD. That's how they're supposed to be! Unfortunately, they are worth
> more in the UK today than here and many of our better examples have
> found their way there for restoration and sale. And, they don't convert
> them to RHD!
>
> Pick up a copy of Practical Classics sometime and check out the
> dealer/restorer ads. Many state "rust free cars just in from
> California . . ." and go for $15,000 and up.
>
> All you folks trying to make a living off these cars here should
> consider moving to the UK, and take a few cars with you, you might
> strike it rich.
>
>
> Max Heim wrote:
> >
> > Don't know about Calvin's logic... more LHD ones were built than RHD...
> > could be hard to throw those wads of dollar bills in the prevailing
breeze
> > on the Bay Bridge, too. <LOL>
> >
> > on 1/25/01 6:56 AM, KGROWLER@aol.com at KGROWLER@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > > Calvin Barnes in the Chicagoland MG Club converted his '67 some years
back
> > > and has run into no legal problems. I know the dash came out of
England with
> > > Ken Smith's assistance. He explained to me that he did it simply
because
> > > "That's the way they're supposed to be". He did say that it, by
necessity,
> > > sharpened up his throwing accuracy when going through the numerous
tollbooths
> > > of the Illinois Tollway system.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Max Heim
> > '66 MGB GHN3L76149
> > If you're near Mountain View, CA,
> > it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
>
> --
> Stuart MacMillan
> Seattle
>
> '84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
> '65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
> '74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)
>
> Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
> '72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
> '64 MGB (Son's)
>
> Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
> '68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
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