So a little while ago we were thinking about cars that didn't get modified that much, ones that also had bags of potential.  Sitting pretty at the top of the list was the MGB, cheap, plentiful and a great shape to work with.

Recently I set out to find some modified examples.  There are a lot of V8 conversion floating around, what is good to see is the number that have received some kind of aesthetic modification, not all perfect to our eyes but at least people are trying things out.

The home of a lot of these cars is the American site British V8.  If you look through their page of MG conversions you'll find some really interesting work done on the MGB platform.

Here are a couple of our favourites :

Don Coleman's car not only packs a 4.9ltr V8, but also has a really nice look going on, the dished Intro Custom Wheels are a nice addition with a cleaned engine bay and some serious detailing completing the look.

Read all about it here

Terry Schulte's car has smoothed out the body nicely with the removal of the front bumper, clear indicators and some subtle flares.  Whilst I'm not a great fan of the wheels, they actually match the details in the engineering.

Read all about it here

How about a car from the UK now, Darren Jones' Sebring kitted V8 is a mean purposeful looking car, but it didn't start out like that.  With pretty much everything upgraded the finished article is as eye catching as it is fast.

Check out the full build up from tatty rubber bumper car to roaring V8 Sebring here

Finally a break from the V8, Kyle Bingham's SR20 DET powered car is scare on detail and has been floating around the net for a couple of years.  Is the smaller 4pot turbo power the future for MG modification, or just the stuff that great sleepers are made of?

There isn't much info on the site, but some more pictures can be found here, if anyone knows any more we'd love to hear it.


To our eyes there is still some way to go before the perfect marriage of aesthetics and power is made in the MG scene, but we're keeping an eye on things and will jump up and down excitedly the moment we see it.

Posted on: August 20, 2008 03:10

There are cars that get modified a lot.  However there are a lot of cars that are eminently suitable for modifying that barely get touched.  Here are our top 5 to keep an eye out for next time you think of starting a project and want to lead the way!

5. Triumph 2000/2500

There is something great about big lazy saloons that is perfect for cruising.  Weather you go full on low rider route, or a nice drop and big engine, they make for great cars.  There seems to be plenty of people investing time and effort into Granadas, Mercedes, BMWs and the like, but not many people have picked up on the potential of this great slice of 70's cruising, or its 60's predecessor the Mk1.  Even without any kind of modification these are a great looking car.  Add to that an engine bay that can swallow a range of engines with a body shape that would react well to some subtle modding and you've got a great package to work from.  Whats more the PCD is the very friendly 4x114.3, so take a look at our New Old School wheels series and start deciding what you'll fit to your 2000.

http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_2000

 

 

4. Daihatsu Charade

In the same way that the Hunter is an equivalent to the Cortina, you can consider a Charade an equivalent to a VW Polo, but with a more Golf shape.  These cars are cool from the factory, compact and fun.  The late 70's versions, the G10, have a look to them and react well to a bit of modification love.  The later 80's and 90's cars are more angular at the front and respond well to the same modifications that people have been applying to the aforementioned VWs for years.  You immediately have a cool ride, for half the price of the equivalent VW.  There are also the GTTi models for those that want to push performance as well, small light and high powered, what’s not to love?  The same is true for the Nissan Cherry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu_Charade

 

 

3. Hillman Hunter

Fords are hugely popular, here in the UK they support at least two magazines and a number of shows.  When looking for an alternative classic to modify the Ford scene is a great place to start, by which I mean you look at a Cortina and think, 'what other cars are the equivalent of this?'  By this method you find yourself less popular, but much cheaper and a little bit more obscure cars.  The Hillman Hunter is one such car it has the style, size, practicality of the Mk2 Cortina, without the price tag for a clean example.  All the styling that has been tried and tested on Cortinas over the decades works just as well on a Hunter.  What’s more as it is that little bit less of a financial risk you may be encouraged to give a few more unusual ideas a go, perhaps inspiring the Ford boys to give something else a go.

http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/hill-hunter.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillman_Hunter

 

2. VW Type 4

The ugly duckling of the VW family has long lived the shadow of its more pleasingly styled brethren.  A few souls have tackled the VW type 4 with varying degrees of success, however not many people have followed them into the challenge, choosing to go the safer and easier route of a Type3 or Beetle.  The thing is, these cars a much better set up to take performance mods, their engineering is, frankly, better than the rest of the aircooled VW range.  With the great selection of after market power gains available for all VW engines, these are a great base for an unusual drag or track car.  Probably the cheapest way to get into aircooled VWs with a whole lot of untapped potential, you could become a scene hero with a little bit of thought and effort.  There is definitely a swan waiting to grow out of this particular duckling, who is going to be man enough for the challenge next.

http://www.type4.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Type_4

 

 

1. MGB GT

The MGB GT has got to be one of the most popular classic cars, in the UK at least.  It has the image of being the archetypical flat cap wearing classic car buffs car of choice, a group of people who are traditionally very much in favour of originality in their cars.  This image has historically put people off the cars as a basis for modification.  When you break it down though it is a compact rear wheel drive two seater with sixties GT styling, what’s not to love.  Perhaps the fact that it doesn't live up to its sports GT styling seals its legacy as the sports car for people that like to drive slowly.  However in our world its a challenge, make it perform like it looks like it should.  With the addition of a set of Sebring arches and the application of a set of nice wide wheels, did we mention that its PCD is the same as most 70's Japanese cars, you can have a fantastically purposeful looking car.  Prices right now are reasonable, parts supply is about as good as it gets for an old car.  So it amazes me that we don't see more of them modified.  Where are they?

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_MGB



So what else is out there?

 

Posted on: May 27, 2008 03:57