New HIWD: Rob Ficalora's Truly Exceptional MGB V8!

Moderator · December 06, 2012, 07:37:52 PM

With hot rods, the devil is in the details. Very few hot rods have as many tricky little details as this one! Even after selecting 110 photos to supplement the How-It-Was-Done write-up, I'm sure I missed some very cool tricks. Rob and I have been e-mailing back and forth - adding more detail here and there - and I'm sure that will continue, but I think it's high time to paste a link to Rob's MGB in the Photo Gallery and to announce it here.

Please join me in congratulating Rob on completing one of the most ambitious and exciting MGB V8 conversions ever, anywhere.

See details here: <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/MG/RobFicalora.htm">Rob Ficalora's 1976 MGB with Ford 5.0L V8 Engine</a>
(Why not e-mail this link to a friend or two?)

kerbau53 · December 06, 2012, 08:24:26 PM

Rob's and Dan Masters photo's have been a how to bible for me. Tons of pics have helped me immeasurably!

HealeyRick · December 06, 2012, 08:38:50 PM

Well done, Rob. A really outstanding build!

lawnvett · December 06, 2012, 10:18:36 PM

Congratulations you deserve a standing ovation!!

rficalora · December 06, 2012, 11:59:18 PM

Well now... I think that has to be the very best HIWD article you've written to date Curtis! OK, I may be a little biased, I admit it. But I do really appreciate the time and effort it takes to put these together and want to thank you for it. It feels like I got an early Christmas present.

mgb260 · December 07, 2012, 12:07:24 AM

No way Rob! We ALL got a early Christmas present!

pspeaks · December 07, 2012, 03:10:19 AM

When I started my project and began posting you were the first to respond to my stupid questions and I've followed your progress and your advice from the beginning. As a fabricator who has been involved in numerous custom and specialty car projects your craftsmanship has continued to amaze and inspire me. Congratulations on a beautiful well done project!

Paul

BlownMGB-V8 · December 07, 2012, 08:17:33 AM

Very nicely done.

Jim

Bill Young · December 07, 2012, 08:31:14 AM

Great article Curtis and a marvelous car Rob.

kstevusa · December 07, 2012, 08:57:42 AM

Great job Rob! The journey was long but the arrival was unbelieveable!! I'm sure a few of us remember the past gatherings where you would survey various builds for your modification and final version. NOW, just lack the final touches you will discover as you drive the car. SAFETY FASTER!

ex-tyke · December 07, 2012, 10:04:23 AM

Wow, that's a lot of work there! ...the results are stunning, Rob, and you should revel in the well deserved accolades.

RMO 699F · December 07, 2012, 11:47:11 AM

What attention to detail, and what extraordinary results! Great effort Rob!!

BWA · December 07, 2012, 11:50:24 AM

Awesome Rob!! I have been patiently waiting for this article. Thanks Curtis for the writeup.

Cheers
Byron

Preform Resources · December 07, 2012, 02:19:03 PM

Rob, it was a long time in coming and it is outstanding!I admire your tenacity and workmanship.
Dave

flitner · December 07, 2012, 04:16:04 PM

Beautiful job on all accounts, The car, craftsmanship, attention to detail and the article!

mgbv81970 · December 07, 2012, 04:26:47 PM

WOW

WernerVC · December 08, 2012, 02:58:22 PM

Rob,
Beautiful job !
Love the rear view mirrors. Miata or Dodge ?
Let me know please.
Werner

ex-tyke · December 08, 2012, 04:33:24 PM

According to the HIWD article, they are Chrysler Crossfire mirrors

Doc Hopalongfoot · December 10, 2012, 07:52:49 PM

A fabulous job, an inspiration to all of us.
Enjoy.
Marc

MGB-FV8 · December 24, 2012, 02:05:11 AM

Great design and well executed Rob, it fits your personality. I love the seat upholstery's two tone.

nobogez07 · January 02, 2013, 11:29:26 PM

Rob

I've just started my build and the number of crib notes I've taken from your build could fill a book!!!

I think you've got the classiest B hot rod going!!! I only hope I can do half as good of job as you've done on yours!!!

Continued success,
Doug

pspeaks · January 02, 2013, 11:36:55 PM

Doug, I think I've been communication back and forth with Rob more than anyone else in the past four years and every time I look at his car I say to myself "WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT".

Paul

rficalora · January 02, 2013, 11:40:53 PM

Thanks David. There are a bunch of awesome cars out on this board. One thing I will say is if I were to do it again, I'd do less at a time. It took me a little over 6yrs from the time I pulled the motor till my 1st test drive and then about another year to sort it out (with several months of that saving to buy replacement axles after I broke one the 3rd time out). I'd do the engine swap and enjoy driving it while I did the body mods.

pspeaks · January 03, 2013, 10:15:15 AM

When you built cars for others you have to live with a dead line and when I built my T-Bucket it was in the company shop so I couldn't take my time there either. With my MG, which is setting in my driveway right now, I can take my time and enjoy a hobby I've always loved. I sometimes feel the urge to speed up a little so I can drive it to group events, but at 70 years old this is probably my last project and I feel comfortable doing a little work then drinking a beer, smoking a cigar, and admiring my handy work. My running gear is all installed and all I have is a few support systems to do but I plan to hold the tin work to the last as well. Part of the problem is all the great ideas you guys have and deciding whose ideas I'm going steal :-)

Paul

MGBV8 · January 05, 2013, 09:41:37 AM

Fantastic job, Rob! Your vision has come to life. Wish I had that level of dedication & perseverance.

My only itty bitty nit is.....why is that car not EFI? I can't believe I just said that, I love carbs. Everything else on the car just seems as it should be. A very high quality, awesome converson!

Also, you mentioned, drive more, do more in stages. That is great advice. Life is short, have fun. Some people get bogged down in 5-10 year or more projects that wind up never seeing the light of day. I should know. I have '68 Camaro that got parked when I put the V8 in the MG & a '55 MG TF that who know when it will ever get put back together.

I read in a Hot Rod mag many years ago the advice to do 2-3 day weekend projects on your car. That way the project doesn't escalate to a long term project & you still get to enjoy the use of the vehicle.