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Re: Will classics ever become affordable again?
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:43 pm
by vulgalour
Re: Will classics ever become affordable again?
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 9:50 pm
by JPB
Oof! Nice, and here's an Austin one:
I'd be avoiding the US ones as they apparently came with the 1200cc predecessor to the B series that you'd find in an Austin, but on the other hand, 3 bearing Bs such as the 1622 and (3 bearing) 1800 versions should be an easy swap as any 3 bearing B engine can accept the Devon & Somerset's flywheel and bearer plate.
I did say "would be", but in fact, even that original 1200 in Devon or Somerset tune is a typically happy, willing thing that should provide great economy in a car that - best bit coming up - only weighs around 1800Lb which is the same sort of figure as a BMC 1100/1300 and they go well enough.
I even saw web images of a Countryman version but have no idea whether this was a coachbuilt specialist job in the manner of a Crayford Mercedes estate, or some gifted amateur's home built concept car, it did look right though.
Re: Will classics ever become affordable again?
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 10:30 pm
by 3xpendable
Well there has to be an upside of missing out on all the other British Classics
Thank you, like I say i wont be looking until the summer but it's nice to find a classic I am excited about again. I thought of a soft top, but neither myself or the wife are soft top fans.
JPB wrote: ↑Sun Feb 26, 2017 9:50 pm
Oof! Nice, and here's an Austin one:
I'd be avoiding the US ones as they apparently came with the 1200cc predecessor to the B series that you'd find in an Austin, but on the other hand, 3 bearing Bs such as the 1622 and (3 bearing) 1800 versions should be an easy swap as any 3 bearing B engine can accept the Devon & Somerset's flywheel and bearer plate.
I did say "would be", but in fact, even that original 1200 in Devon or Somerset tune is a typically happy, willing thing that should provide great economy in a car that - best bit coming up - only weighs around 1800Lb which is the same sort of figure as a BMC 1100/1300 and they go well enough.
I even saw web images of a Countryman version but have no idea whether this was a coachbuilt specialist job in the manner of a Crayford Mercedes estate, or some gifted amateur's home built concept car, it did look right though.
They came with the 1200 up until November 1955, after then they had the 1500 B series so if I wanted, a 3 bearing 1800 B engine is a direct swap. In fact, I've been told with some minor re-jetting, MGB SU carbs are a bolt on upgrade for the 1500