New to the gallery: Steve Blackburn's spectacular MGB-Chevy

Moderator · October 04, 2011, 03:42:21 PM

Congratulations to Steve for completing his MGB V8!

Here's the full write-up: <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/MG/StephenBlackburn.htm">Stephen Blackburn's 1971 MGB with Chevy 283cid V8</a> with 35 photos.

Not many MGB's have something like this under them...

mgb260 · October 04, 2011, 08:18:24 PM

Wow! Stephen, How do you like the RX7 calipers and what rotors and master cylinder size did you use? Would also like to see a close up of your front suspension. MGB kingpin? Beautiful car!

BWA · October 04, 2011, 10:49:53 PM

Top notch workmanship Stephen. Today I was feeling rather unmotivated to work on my project but as soon as I checked out your car I felt a surge of motivation to do something! If it is poossible can you tell me the color code for your car as I want to paint my TR6 the same color. Thanks for your time and consideration.

Byron

djw090 · October 05, 2011, 12:53:42 PM

Interesting trick with the bumpers. They look great like that.

rficalora · October 05, 2011, 09:06:03 PM

WOW! Way cool.

sjblack13 · October 06, 2011, 12:09:32 PM

Hey thanks everyone!!!!

Jim, good catch on the RX7 calipers they work great, I'm using a wilwood Compact Remote Master cylinder 1" with a 2lb Residual Brake Pressure Valve and the stock MGB proportioning valve. The rotors in the front rotors are 1985 Nissan Maxima fronts and the rear are 1987 Mitsubishi Galant fronts. I had to open the centers a little to get them to fit the stock MGB hubs, I also ad to do a little filing on the calipers to clear the rotors. And yes the front suspension after the A arms is all MGB

BWA, Its a 1998 Jaguar British Racing green I think the code is 02220, but the can has a lot of paint on it. The numbers on my recipt are 999G2504B and 80D other than the number above.

Thanks again everyone!!!

mgb260 · October 06, 2011, 11:32:44 PM

Thanks for the info, Stephen. Again, Great job on your car!

Cobra Killer 72 · October 07, 2011, 08:13:27 PM

Very nice!!!!

MGB-FV8 · October 08, 2011, 11:48:46 PM

Steve, this is spectacular; you really ought to market this frame. I can see a few options such as, rear independent suspension, front ball joints, optional engine mounts, sway bars and etc.,.

I've been reading this forum since 2009 and I've seen some pretty interesting novelties but I must say that yours rates in the top 10. How much more rigid is the car?

Jacques

sjblack13 · October 09, 2011, 01:36:17 AM

Jacques, It's very rigid. I actually have no anti sway bars and in turns it sticks like it was glued to the road, there is practically no body roll yet over bumps it's very smooth. I thought about using a ball joint front but space is an issue. Some day I may change the rear to independent but its working good in its current configuration. As far as marketing them there is quite a bit of work to do as far as cutting out the old unibody stuff but if there was enough interest I may think about it.

MGB-FV8 · October 09, 2011, 01:04:13 PM

This chassis set up would be nice for anyone wanting to put their drivetrain together first and then drop the body on it. As far as the "enough interest" goes, it always has been a problem when customizing the MGB; it's a small market group, however, when someone wants to put a car together that stands apart from others, they understand the cost of it. Maybe you could do sort of a "special order" type of marketing.

Your car definitely shines in a class of its own; hopefully, if I can get my health back under control, I'll get going on my MGB and attend one of these great meeting everyone goes to and seems to enjoy. Do you have street rod background?

Jacques

sjblack13 · October 09, 2011, 04:04:14 PM

I would entertain special orders for sure, shouldn't be as hard now that I have it all figured out. As far as my back ground back in the late 80's I worked on European exotics, I have always liked the old sports cars like the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa's the D type Jaguars stuff like that. I like to turn instead of just a straight line. However my first car (at age 14) was a Vega that I put a V8 in (fired it up the first time on my 16th birthday) after that it was VW's then family until know. I'm thinking about an open wheeled car next that means an old model A but I would probably do it as an old special sports type racer like this.

50Fraud · November 04, 2011, 03:01:39 PM

Beautiful car. An exemplary build, inspiring to anyone wanting a B-V8.

kerbau53 · November 05, 2011, 10:24:07 AM

Great car. I love the look and the innovation!

RMO 699F · November 05, 2011, 10:48:59 AM

Stephen, I sure hope you will be bringing your car to the British V8 meet next May in Texas! I can not wait to see it!

sjblack13 · November 09, 2011, 08:45:55 PM

Thanks, I sure will try to make the May meet. I would like to see all of your cars in person as well.