Good morning! Today we’re looking at a couple of rear-wheel-drive sports coupes, both manual transmissions, and both varying shades of green, though only one started out that way. Which one will you spend your imaginary greenbacks on? We’ll find out.
Friday was a four-way shootout between all the cars I picked over the week, and as I suspected it might, the Jeep Cherokee won. I still maintain that if I were to bother with owning a Cherokee, it would have to be a manual, so I’ll pass on the purple brick.
For me, I think the choice among those four is the Oldsmobile. It’s the only one I could drive as-is and not feel like I needed to do anything to. I have a dwindling list of cars I’d be willing to take on as projects, and none of these are on it. So I’ll stick with the ready-made Radwood contender.
All right. Let’s check out some sporty green numbers. One of these I own, and know well; the other I always thought was cool but have never had the opportunity to own.
1969 MGB GT – $5,000
Engine/drivetrain: 1.8-liter overhead valve inline 4, four-speed manual, RWD
Location: Oakland, CA
Odometer reading: 125,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
“Your Mother Wouldn’t Like It,” said the old ads for the MGB GT. It’s hard to believe from an American perspective, especially thinking about the cars that roamed our streets in the late ’60s, but the MGB’s 1798 cubic centimeter four-cylinder engine was pretty big and powerful in Britain, for an inexpensive car like an MG. There were larger engines and faster cars, to be sure, but most ordinary cars coming out of Great Britain had engines of around 1 liter of displacement, and probably half the horsepower.
The closed-roof GT version of the MGB sold a lot better in Britain than it did here; Americans preferred the roadster. Personally, I am very much in agreement with the British on this one. The MGB roadster is handsome, but the GT is just gorgeous. This one, in classic British racing green with wire wheels, looks the part, and the seller says it runs and drives well enough for some errands around town. Sounds familiar to me.
Inside, it’s just a little scruffy, but the “Abingdon Pillow” padded dash is intact, and the vinyl upholstery looks all right. The seller says it has an “original” wood-rimmed steering wheel, but in 1969 the MGB still had a wire-spoke steering wheel with a plastic rim and a red MG crest in the center. This is a very nice aftermarket wheel, either a Moto-Lita, or, more likely, one of the Tourist Trophy wheels sold by Moss Motors.
Unfortunately, it has had a little bump in the left rear, and another in the nose. Neither one is bad, but they’re both definitely noticeable. At the very least, you’d want to straighten it out enough to install a taillight lens on the left rear, and make sure the bonnet latch isn’t damaged in front. I’d track down and re-install that missing overrider on the rear bumper, too, because it would bug me that it’s missing.
1991 Pontiac Firebird – $4,900
Engine/drivetrain: 5.0 liter overhead valve V8, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: San Leandro, CA
Odometer reading: 159,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
The third generation of GM’s F-body coupes, the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, was better in every measurable way than its predecessor. It was faster, more efficient, better handling, and way better looking (yeah, I said it). But the third-gen cars have always been a little bit looked down on; maybe it’s because they had David Hasselhoff as their “face” instead of Burt Reynolds.
That cheapness and lack of proper “classic” status has kept the third-generation cars cheap, and that has allowed enterprising owners to do all sorts of weird things to them. Like, for instance, tear them all apart and paint them fluorescent lime green. This base-model Firebird appears to have originally been red, but it has recently been painted to resemble a giant highlighter. The repaint appears pretty well done, but the reassembly isn’t quite finished, and there is some interior trim that still needs to be put back on.
It’s powered by a Chevy 305 small-block V8 and a five-speed manual; both were removed to paint the engine bay and overhauled while they were out. It runs strong, the seller says, and if it’s not enough power for you, all the upgrades you could ever want are only a Summit Racing catalog away. It has nice aftermarket seats in it, and the rest of the interior is as nice as you could expect a third-generation Firebird to be these days. Personally I’d ditch the T-handle shift knob in favor of a nice round knob, but that’s just me.
The hi-viz safety color may not be to everyone’s taste, but I kinda like it. I’m not sure why they didn’t paint the rear spoiler to match, though. And you’d be wise to take a peek underneath, and maybe bring a refrigerator magnet with you to check for filler. There’s a reason why it was repainted; if it’s just because it was faded, then that’s cool; if it’s to hide accident or rust damage, that’s not so cool.
You’re going to stick out like a sore thumb driving either one of these. I can’t take my MGB GT to the corner store without someone asking me about it. And a lime-green Firebird isn’t exactly stealthy either. But either one should be fun to drive, and more or less reliable for toy duty. So which one will it be?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Hmmm I just, I mean, that MG is somehow give off Clint Eastwood movie title vibes.
In A perfect World, you’d buy it For A Fist Full Of Dollars and daily drive it across The Bridges Of Madison County down to Mystic River. However because of that Sudden Impact to the nose, you’re gonna have to spend some money on it. That Heartbreak Ridge in the nose has gotta be fixed and you’re gonna -have to- Paint Your Wagon. I mean, it’s not a Million Dollar Baby, but leaving it like that would be a True Crime; you could never take it to any car shows like without some serious Blood Work on it; Juror Number 2 on the judging committee would say that the car Sully’s the mystic of the car and despite your Breezy excuses you’d be Unforgiven and he’d invoke The Eiger Sanction on your car…and suddenly here come The Jersey Boys – The Rookie in his Gran Torino will be giving you The Bird from the awards podium, while the even The Space Cowboy in the Pink Cadillac would Cry Macho shit at you. You’d always be In The Line Of Fire Hereafter. Hell, The Good, The Bad AND The Ugly would all beat you like The Mule.
Yeah but For A Few Dollars More, you could buy a Miata or a Clown Shoe, both of which would run better and last longer. Plus, they have radios that Play Misty for Me.
Isn’t the cheapest Clown Shoe like $20K nowadays?
Holy hell I just checked on Autotrader and yes, yes they are. WTF, convertibles are half the price.
Maybe they’re ugli-chic, like Doc Martens or distressed furniture.
I like them, but they’ve been out of my price range for at least 5 years (to likely never come back)
I like both of these a lot, and if the MGB didn’t have crash damage I’d have given it the nod. But it does, so pass me my Trapper Keeper and let’s go cruising in the ‘Bird.
I’ll take the mg. Have to change the seats and steering wheel to drive the thing… maybe diet a bit too. The electrics and bodywork can be a winter project for tomorrow me. The bird is a rattletrap and likely beat to death. The color is ghastly.
Looks like a k20 would fit in the GT. Add a 5 or 6spd decent diff and a twin scroll turbo. Fun little car.
Who the fuck would buy an F-Body with no T-tops? LOL
I voted for the MGB because I like the GT more than I should
Answer: someone who wants to go around a corner without feeling like the car is going to bend itself into a pretzel.
And also someone who doesn’t want to deal with roof leaks
they fixed it around that time, with improved seals 🙂
LOL even the hardtops handle poorly 😛
Yes, but a huge improvement over the Gen 2s, which handled like a lap full of ice cubes.
While I’d bet that the Pontiac is a better car as far as NVH, keeping the weather out, and general comfort, it’s still the MGB-GT for me.
I exorcised the demons from a 1959 Morris Minor over the course of a year back in the day, so Lucas doesn’t scare me much
I’ll take the MG and leave the Pontiac to the Gen Z who have Starry eyes.
As it happens, I looked at that MGB-GT last week. The smack in the back is worse than it looks in the picture–it’s been hit there before–old Bondo is falling off and there’s a sizeable tear in the sheet metal. It’s going to take quite a bit to fix. Likewise, the bump in the front pushed the underhood structure in a bit.
The owner also insisted that the gear shifting was reversed, with first and second on the right side, and third and fourth on the left side. Hence, when we went for a drive, he was starting in third and also short-shifting. Not good.
Rust wasn’t too bad, with light bubbling in the usual places.
As they say, ignorance is bliss, so I’m going with the Firebird.
Is it too late to change my vote?
I still think I’d take it over the Firebird though. Admittedly I’ve never actually wanted to own a Firebird, and that one is not a good example anyway. The MG will take some work but as long as it’s not hiding a lot of rust it’s my pick.
Rallye beater!
My heart says the Firebird for reasons but my brains tells me that thing is way to ratted out and go with unreliable British.
If this had been a choice between, say, a ‘69 MGB GT and ‘68 Firebird (in an equivalent dark green or blue), that would’ve been a tough call. As it stands, the MG is the winner of this contest.
I voted for the MGB GT, but I have some reservations on my choice. It will need a new hood of course, Moss has them. Same with the tail light. However looking at the pictures, there’s water in the back after they washed it (sprayed water to make it look glossy) That part worries me the most. How long has this street parked MG been leaking in the back? They rust really bad from this.
I’m on the B Team today. Love me some BGT, and wouldn’t mind spending the coin to fix the nose and rear lamp. BRG grabs me, too.
The green hue on the Firebird is something else. I don’t think I’d want to be seen in it. It is, however, probably better than the factory paint job. These weren’t all that well built in that period, IIRC. A bit squeaky and rattly.
And if the MG isn’t fast enough, you could always slot in a Buick/Rover V8. You wouldn’t be the first….
Yep, though I’ve heard that a 3.1/3.4 V6 from a Camaro is an easier conversion and a better fit.
Could be. I’ve never seen one, but have seen a Rover transplant or two, plus an OG MGB-GT V8.
Gimme credit here! I didn’t say “SBC,” did I? Saw one in a B roadster once, but sheesh….
No T-Tops = No Dice
I have two Firebirds, including a third-gen, and I’ll take the Brit over this thing all day long. That color is too garish, the interior is a hodge podge, and being a base model it doesn’t even have the WS6 chassis goodies. Pay a little more and get one that doesn’t look like a F&F wannabe.
The MG looks classy even with the damage, this is easy.
I had a ’66 BGT when I was a kid and I loved it. Wonderfully British and quirky. Positive ground, two 6 volt batteries under the rear “seat”, wire wheels with knock off hubs just like this one. If I had a garage…
I love an MG, but for me it’s roadster or bust. Small, underpowered cars need to be convertibles. I don’t love the tennis ball Firebird, but it’s a good platform, and doesn’t have body damage and missing parts to contend with.
Much as a normally prefer the newer car, somebody has put a LOT of work into that Pontiac to then decide not to finish it. I can only assume it’s because they found something they couldn’t stomach.
I’ve had several British sports cars but never an MG. Behind the MGA, the GT is my second favorite.
I don’t hate that Firebird as much as I thought I would (props for the thorough paint job?) but I have to go with the GT, dents and all
I had versions of both of these cars back in the day. The adult in my wants the MGB again. The kid in me wants the Firebird again.
The adult wins today.
I’m a huge Pontiac guy but that MG is calling my name. Mod it with a Miata engine and boom…
@Bomber, I also looked at an MGB-GT with this very swap, with the full factory Miata fuel injection. Nice car, except that the seller had painted it with a Wagner Power Painter with Behr Premium from Home Depot. (Why do people do stuff like that?)
Regardless, I might have bought it, but it had just sold when I arrived.
LOL Bummer for you man! I mean latex paint is basically a wrap right?
The MG + Miata engine is the best way to make these things better than original. PLUS you get better fuel economy, way more power, and and and…
MGB GT. The Firebird wouldn’t be a bad deal if it was a better color, but that TBI 305 is going to be an absolute dog that is all bark and no bite. The MG may be style over performance to a certain extent, but that is some mighty fine style…
That 305 is definitely the biggest strike against the bird.
But I suspect you could get an LS et al and swap it in for less than the cost of finding a MGB Gt hood and painting it.
Agreed. Which is why I went firebird. I would probably just go for a 350 instead of an LS, but that’s because I’m cheap
It isn’t a bad shell if someone wants to take the time to replace the engine with something better, especially since it is already a stick, but throwing mods at that small-bore 305 is a waste of time and money.
Oh yeah no this is definitely a swap candidate. Building a 305 is not ever going to yield results that make it worth it.
Well said.
MG, if only b/c, to appropriate a line from the underrated Clint Eastwood movie The Rookie, the real crime is painting a Firebird that color.
I’m in the minority here, but I voted Firebird. Parts are cheap and plentiful, it’s going to be better running on the highway, and dangit, I love bright colors!
What’s the worst that could happen?
I’m with you. It would need an engine swap at some point, but SBCs are easy. Also, the MG with a fixed roof is just wrong.
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
You could drive it off a pier into the ocean. Fortunately its a color that shows up well under water so the rescue divers will be able to find you.
That’s a pretty decent BGT for 5 grand, assuming it looks ok underneath. Throw another grand or two to a body shop to pound out those dents and you’ve got a real looker.
(Seriously, if you’re selling an old British car, upskirt photos are a must. Otherwise it’s assumed you’re hiding something. Based on the remarkable lack of typical rust around the window frames I’m going to give this one a pass, though, and assume its undercarriage is uninfected.)
It’s going to take more than a couple grand to do it right. See my comment above.
Meh. There’s “right” and there’s “good enough”. Personally, I’d take a hammer to it best I could and drive it as is. The Concours is for people with a lot more money than me.
I hear you, but there’s a wide gap between concours and just bang it out. I’m by no means a fan of garage queens, but I have a hard time with dodgy bodywork. Just my pet peeve. YMMV
It’s spelled CONCOURSE! lol. /s
Don’t worry, I pronounced the “s” when I typed it.
It looks luxurious. It works beautifully.
I’m going Bri’ish here. That MG is going to be oodles of fun and no one outside of us sickos will even notice it in traffic. A lime green Firebird from arguably the least desirable generation is going to get noticed for all the wrong reasons…and I just have a gut feeling that this one has already been hooned to oblivion.
Slash the seller is too lazy to put the interior back together before he lists it? That’s a red flag to me. This very much seems like someone else’s project car that they’ve decided to cut their losses on rather than finish. No thank you. I might be interested at half the price but even then I’d still go MG.
No contest. A running MGB GT, in classic British racing green? Yes, please!