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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - TF1500 vs MGB

I have been considering for some time to purchase an mgb roadster, as the TF - beautiful as it is - may be a bit impractical and fragile as a daily summertime driver.

Looking at the MGB, much of it similar to the TF - front suspension, steering, gearbox woes, Joseph Lucas etc.

many of you have driven both Ts and Bs and i would appreciate your opinion regarding the differences between the two creatures as to:

Comfort - safety - reliability - High speed cruising - roadholding.

Thank you for your intelligent, evidence based and/or empirical opinions!

(Pic: TF in rush hour /motorway construction work)

Jan
B-naive, TF enthusiast
Jan Kristoffersen

- and here is the pic,

Jan


Jan Kristoffersen

No contest. The B is vastly more comfortable than the TF. Much safer also but not close to modern automobiles. Better road handling..maybe. B has a superior drive train, Particularly the later 5 main bearing engines and the all syncro gear boxes. The B is a lot more practical but the TF is a lot more fun. Not sure about the European specs but I prefer the 68 through 74 models myself.


L E D LaVerne

The GT's are even a better choice for a daily driver.


L E D LaVerne

I've had em all! early b's, late b's, a's and now a TD.
The late b's are pretty good reliable cars. Overdrive is nice to have if you're driving open road. I would probably buy a nice 69 and just add on some of the late car improvements. Wire wheels are a PITA but they look soooo good. You can still find nice California B's for $6000.
Chuck
cj schmit

Agree with all the previous comments, but they are so diffrent but both great for their own chararchtistics. If you can afford the TF go for both the B's are so reasonably price. My approach is the TD/TF for those special warm lazy days and the MGB anytime you need a little boost in your life, that's my apporach and attcahed are my toys. I suspect that there a lot of others with this view


Jon Levine

My contribution ...has Weber, exractor exh, O/D.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué


Gordon A Clark

I underline all comments.

My '71 BGT (ex California) has a Webasto sunroof: best of both worlds!

Jasper




JL Nederhoed

When I bought my Y-type (you know the one that mated with a TC to sire the TD) I had a very nice MGB.

The period charm of the XPAG engine, the need for double clutching, the view over the bonnet (or hood?) spoiled me so much that I didn't use the 'B anymore and sold it.

By all means try an MGB 'on the side', they are great cars to own and drive, but they are no substitute for a T-type.
Willem vd Veer

For Safety: MGB
For Fun: TF

My TF 1500 is stage 3 tuned, 9,5 compression ratio, 4.1 rear end, and it will out run most MGB's since it is over 80 HP and 500 lbs lighter and no smog crap on it.

I also have a 1962 MGB ( SERIAL 379) and a 1972 B-GT, air conditioned,
On a hot summers day the AC MGB GT is the best, for the mountains and for overall fun driving, the TF, for shows the '62 B.

These are different worlds, either you love the T experiebce or get a Miata.
Don Harmer

Have a 67 BGT and an MGTD. TD is super for a nice drive in the country on most days ( you will get wet, even with the top up and sides on when driving the T in moderate rain). B GT is much more comfortable. TD handling is different, steering has a different feel (front end feels like it pulls the rest of the car into a turn), but shifting is not as crisp, and even with a well rebuilt transmission, still not as precise as the b (some may disagree)

I get complements when I drive either car, but probably get more when I take the TD out. (always not a bad thing to stroke one's ego on occasion).

So, for a car that you can drive pretty close the same as any modern car, the B. For a fun car , the T.
Bruce Cunha

I have the best of both worlds. I have owned my TF1500 since 1966. It is stage 3 tuned and I love it. She keeps up with the traffic and always puts a smile on my face. However, when the weather is rough I much prefer to use my MGB GT V8.
B T Jones

Thank you gentlemen! I have now booked a test drive in an early B this weekend, to check out likes and dislikes(?) towards the B. The proof of the pudding is in the eating..?

regards,

Jan
Jan Kristoffersen

Jan:

Here is a pix of my solution . . .

Jc


John Crawley

Damn John, nice cars. What is the front one?
Tom Maine (TD8105)

Hi Tom:

The monoposto is a replica of an Austin Factory racer of 1954 (to complement my TF). The trouble is that Austin never built a single-seat racer in that era . . . so it is a replica of a car that never existed.

I used materials, construction methods and parts that could have been available to Austin if they had in fact built the car. The front suspension is bug-eye Sprite, the brakes, engine, trany & diff. are MG midget. I hammered the body out of metal and the frame and rear suspension are of my own creation.

After I had the body roughed out I found the attached image of an Austin Racer in the Melbourne, Australia auto show of (I believe) 1949. So I am not too far out in my design.

Anyway, when finished, it will be just for fun in solo events as I am too old and fat to go wheel-to-wheel anymore.

Godspeed in Safety Fast
Jc



John Crawley

I have an MGA, a TF and '66 B-GT. Here's what my wife thinks(much more important than what I think). "The GT is ugliest car I've (her) ever seen; the TF is cold too low (cut-away doors)and uncomfortable. when you die-leave the two other cars to your sons, but I want the MGA."
David Werblow

Forget the B - get an MGA. I have a TD and an MGA. they are very different and both fun to drive.


W Chandler

I did a 30 mile test drive in a 1963 MGB roadster on Saturday, a completely stock car, very well maintained.

What can I say besides O-M-G!!!!? I have become an instant MGB fan. Yes, the TF is more fun, but apart from that; the B was such a nice drive, roadholding, sound, power/torque, everything. A chrome bumper B is now officially on my wishing list for this christmas,

regards,


Jan Emil
Jan Kristoffersen

Jan, as I'm sure you now know, there is no comparison between an MGB and a T series car.
I built this 72 for the wife. It's very comfortable to drive and goes like the wind, very fast. With Suffolk leather seats and Vredestein Quadtrac tires, you can ride in it all day long and never get tired. Can't say that for a TF. PJ


PSJ

Jan,

Before you buy an MGB take a ride in an MGA 1600; you can have the great driving experience of a "B" and the beauty of a "TF" in the same package.


David Werblow

In my mind, no offense to the MGA proponents, the A is not a whole lot different from the TF due to the weather equipment avaialable and the body on chassis construction. Although it has the Austin B series engine (albeit in slightly smaller form) it can be difficult to work on due to the small opening in the bonnet. The electrical system was lifted directly from the TF, and the cars have features which make it difficult for the larger driver to enter or exit. It is more aerodyamic which does cut some of the wind noise.

I do use my TD extensively in the summer, but I don't go a lot of places because I office out of my home.

The MGB Diane and I restored is infinitely more comfortable as you have discovered. Yesterday we put the TD in storage to make room for a TR-6 for a client. My client sat in both the TD and the B and as ususal was shocked at the amount of room in the B. The A is comparable to size of the B because Abingdon sent the side rails of the chassis outboard, which thickens the doors some but does provide superior interior space, just not as much as the B with its unibody construction.

The TR-6 is tiny inside by comparison, in fact as much as I would like to drive this tripple weber monster, I actually don't fit. The TR-6 frame was not widened to make more interior room and the seats sit too close to the pedals, especially when over upholstered like this car's.

I drove the TD about 25 miles to the storage with Diane following in the B. Since I was storing it I already had the side curtains and hood in place. It was somewhat breezy and the car reacted to each side wind much more aggressively than when the hood is down and the side curtains stowed. The return trip in the B, with the hood up and the windows ROLLED up was so much quieter, civilized and comfortable. We didn't need the heated seats, but the cruise control is ideal for roads which don't require spirited driving. The B has overdrive, is much more powerful, never needs help on a hill and will more than keep up with normal traffic. It also has a large engine bay and decent storage throughout.

Hope thie helps,
dave


Dave Braun

This thread was discussed between 11/10/2012 and 15/10/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

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