BritishV8 Forum

I'm on the "autox.team.net" group distribution list.  Paul Hunt sends mails fairly regularly & I got this one today.  Some interesting pics of the cutaway MGB...

Rob



From: mgb-v8-bounces@autox.team.net [mailto:mgb-v8-bounces@autox.team.net (mgb-v8-bounces@autox.team.net)] On Behalf Of Paul Hunt
Sent: Friday, January 06, 2012 10:08 AM
To: V8 list; mgs@autox.team.net; MG-MGB@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mgb-v8] Sectioned MGB

Last  November Bob Muenchausen in America wondered if it would be possible to get a series of close-ups of the sectioned MGB at Gaydon, to show some of the many hidden assembly secrets as well as for interest.  As I live just half-an-hour from the museum I contacted the curator, Stephen Lang, and obtained his blessing.  The results can be found at http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/cutaway.htm and http://www.cibolas7.net/resources/cutaway.htm

PaulH.

Rob

I wish I had that handy before I created my own.

Jim, Talk about a "split personality', I can somewhat relate(Gemini). How goes the project ? Ready for Coronado Island this year ?  Long chance my Hemi Healey, may be there.  Cheers, Art.

Art

I may have it running this year but it won't be ready for prime time. I want to drive it around for a while and do some setup and aero testing. I've just started on the windshield and I'll be posting some pictures on the journal next week.

Jim, I'll be really interested in how you handle the windshield. That's been a hang up for a lot of widened cars in the past.

Me too.  Modifying the MG header and base rails seems like it'd be time consuming, but doable. But what do you do for glass?  Where do you get a custom curved laminated windshield? Or have you found an OEM one that can be cut down to fit right?

There is now a silicon armored Lexan that is said to be nearly as scratch resistant as glass (and much lighter). Haven't seen it myself...

JB

On the sunbeam forum there's a guy that widened an alpine. I think he used an Audi windshield and had it cut down.

Timely questions. I spent yesterday evening and today working on the windshield - actually the pattern for the windshield. I decided against using the MG frame and modifying it because the '67 Impala glass that I'm going to use has slightly less curvature at the outside ends and the angle of the groove in the upright wouldn't match up. So plan B is to make my frame from scratch using 3/4" x 1/8" aluminum channel and machining the uprights. This has the added advantage of allowing a more raked windshield angle (50 degrees) and a Porsche Speedster-esque looking windshield - I have always like the look of those windshields. I took pictures and will be posting on the journal tomorrow but here is a sneak peek. Please feel free to critique the shape before I start cutting the glass, all input is welcome

I think you've captured the essence of the original low profile shape of the MGB windshield.
Are you planning on any vent/side windows - that might dictate the shape and location of the of the A pillars and how they integrate with the door glass.

I'm drooling - looks great!

Not sure what you're thinking about frame or 1/4 windows.  Consider that a lot of people getting in or out will tend to use the windshield to pull on.  You're probably not planning for a lot of passengers, but some thought to that might avoid some future frustration.

Looks great!  How tall are you, Jim?  

I'm guessing you will still be using the 3 windshield wipers? You might want to look at blade width and placement as well.

JB

Well, the side uprights will be machined pieces with enough strength that someone could pull on the to extricate themselves. There will be no wind wings, door glass or top, this is a bare bones roadster - think Cobra. There will also be no body mounted wipers just a clip-on that will attach to the top of the windshield frame and plug in in case I get get caught out in the rain - I live in San Diego. I drove this car for 10 years as my daily driver in the 70's and 80's with no top or side windows and lived to tell about it.

I'm 6'4" tall and the windshield is approximately the same height as the stock windshield, it just looks lower because of the width. I plan to sit very low in the car. The floorboards are 1" lower than stock and I'm going to make race type seats that will get my butt very close to the floor as well as have a an 18 degree recline. I should be lower than the top of the windshield.

Have to go now and post the pictures to my journal.

Jim B and clan, you might want to check your states "code" on winshields regarding using polycarbonate. CA is a no-no and the safety glass description must be visable.  I know, party pooper, roverman.

Art

As you know, California has a law that requires safety glass but there are thousands of cars running around here that have plastic windshields, just go the L.A. Roadsters shoe on Father's day. Although I will be compliant by using safety glass, you can see that the nice little etching in the lower corner will be going out with the trash. Maybe I cut out the section with the DOT stamp and carry it in the car for the Chippies.