Twin Cam - not much time left

[GeeBee1]

I just found this one, with very little time left.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180299740544&viewitem=

 

[Silverghost]

That's also on Bring A Trailer, which links to the eBay page.

 

[glemon]

Its just about over, just checked it out, nice looking car--but jeez you take it to the show etc. OOOhhh you have a twin cam! can I see the motor? And inside is an MGB lump.

Sure neat that it is an original twin cam but there are a lot of MGAs running around with MGB motors--I have not seen many twin cams at all for sale in recent years, what does a good one with original motor bring--I thought the price on the e-bay car seemed reasonable, maybe even a little low, until the no motor thing.

 

[Jagboy69]

DId I miss something? Did some idiot just bid that mess up to 25K for a lumped MGA? Then the owner said it would take 29,500 to buy today? WTF is going here???

 

[glemon]

Jason, my thoughts to, you just daid them in a little more straightforward way.

I know there are differences between a twin cam and a garden variety MGA, but the big deal is the motor, that is why they call it a TWIN CAM. To my knowledge it is not like you could go to your local boneyard and buy an original MGA Twin Cam motor.

 

[jlaird]

Heh, twin cam body with a B......... motor in it. Should be cheep.

 

[Steve_S]

Four wheel disc brakes are another valuable item, along with other differences. Considering a restored twin cam is worth $40K and a twin cam engine is worth $10K, that makes a driver-condition twin cam without its engine worth about $20-25K. Twin cam engines are very difficult to find, but not impossible.

 

[Jagboy69]

The classic car market is about to get a serious spanking just like the over inflated real estate market is getting right now. Imagine the poor sucker that took a second on his house to buy that 70K muscle dream car that's about to be worth 18K on a good day. Now's the time to sell while people are still living in the clouds. None of these cars are worth this kind of stupid money and we all know it!

that makes a driver-condition twin cam without its engine worth about $20-25K.

Not my 20-25K. Allow me to enlighten you as what I think 25K should look like. Note: YELLOW HORSE
CLICK HERE

 

[Steve_S]

I'll take the MGA long before that money pit!

You'd spend $25K just in upkeep and insurance for a few years.

Whether you want a twin cam or not doesn't change the value. So long as there is a strong demand for them, their value will stay high.

The muscle car market is the only one I foresee crashing, and it's only because the prices are incredibly overinflated right now thanks to BJ and all the rich 55-65 year olds. British

 

[rick_ingram]

Bruce Willis is dumping his collection:

https://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/22/bonha...7019x1200735339

 

[aeronca65t]

The way I see this car, it is more like one of those MGA 1600 Deluxe models (the TC cars they built with pushrod engines after they ran out of TC engines).
Many people consider the Deluxe to be the best street MGA since it has the less troublesome engine but the good brakes and the c/r gearbox.

$20,000 could be a fair price for a nice MGA Deluxe so this car isn't too far off that point if it really has a TC VIN plate....probably worth about the same true value as that 308 in my view. Both great cars but for very different reasons.

As always, value is partly in the eye of the beholder. To be truthful, a new Miata is surely faster and better than either of those cars (and yes, I know that's not the point!).

If I were to buy an MGA (and I am "sort of looking"), I'd look for standard 1500 or 1600 roadster. A decent one can be gotten for $10,000 right now....actually, a good value. By the way, I sold a tatty but running '56 MGA roadster in '69 for $60.

When Otis Chandler and Reggie Jackson started collecting American muscle cars in the 80s, that's when their value took off. I never understood it.

By the way, we had four gorgeous Twin Cams show up at the Pittsbugh VIntage GP this year, plus a Deluxe Coupe'. Despite the reputation of being a headache, that Twin Cam engine looks stunning!

 

[Randi]

Well gentlemen, I've owned mine for 43 years and as a meer dolt of a child had another (B) engine installed & have been chasing one (reasonable priced T/C engine) for about 10 years-LOL but she just has been completely restored & I took the windshield off for racing screens(THANK YOU TONY) and she missed becoming a submarine in IKE by not much & would post pictures as soon as Zack comes to show me how- it's insured for $ 95.000.00 with Hagarty and NO AMOUNT OF MONEY WOULD COMPENSATE FOR HER LOSS.............. I understand marketplace & other considerations- go by a toyota & see what you pay. Yes it will go much faster than 50 year old technology & probably trouble free- darn LUCAS ANYWAY.....but I'm 17 when I drive her- she has always had a name(MAGGIE) and in good or bad times she could make me smile getting behind the wheel. And so do the midgets and the others that are "old" and American. The market place is eye of the beholder----look at Scottsdale. True value is in the soul.

 

[glemon]

You know as I think about it, I have never driven an MGA twin cam, I have driven a nice sorted MGA, I have also driven and owned a Healey Hundred with an M spec motor, I have also driven a couple of TR3s, including a 3 with a big bore kit (essentially the same motor as a TR3B).

I have to say the MG has by far the sweetest, best balanced chassis, nice steering etc. of the three, but the least motor by a good margin. So as both a correct period piece and a nice car to drive, a properly sorted MGA Twin Cam is I am assuming based on the above, a sweet ride and worth every penny.

 

[billspohn]

The way I see this car, it is more like one of those MGA 1600 Deluxe models (the TC cars they built with pushrod engines after they ran out of TC engines).
Many people consider the Deluxe to be the best street MGA since it has the less troublesome engine but the good brakes and the c/r gearbox.

Just to let you know that while more of the Deluxe and Twin Cam cars were ordered with the CR gearbox, it was not a standard fitment.

You know as I think about it, I have never driven an MGA twin cam, I have driven a nice sorted MGA, I have also driven and owned a Healey Hundred with an M spec motor, I have also driven a couple of TR3s, including a 3 with a big bore kit (essentially the same motor as a TR3B).

I have to say the MG has by far the sweetest, best balanced chassis, nice steering etc. of the three, but the least motor by a good margin. So as both a correct period piece and a nice car to drive, a properly sorted MGA Twin Cam is I am assuming based on the above, a sweet ride and worth every penny.

I agree on the chassis and can advise that the Twin Cam is on a whole different level than a normal MGA, MGB or any of the period competitiors.

While its pushrod brethren start to get a bit reluctant as you head north of 5000 RPM, the Twin Cam sings to 7000 easily, still pulling strongly - too strongly, actually, as many were broken when new because of their willingness to rev so easily, and it only takes one little kiss of a valve on a piston on an overhead cam engine to ruin your whole day. With the engine properly sorted (something they didn't learn to do until well after production ended), it is just a sweet, sweet car.

I think that the reserve price was fine for what amounts to a good deluxe, and somone can possibly stick a proper engine in later (I have a spare engine, but lack the spare energy to want to do yet another project).

Bill

 

[rick_ingram]

Those engines are beautiful, Bill!

There's just something about a Twinkie....

 

[Plumberpilot]

Hi there from the idiot that bought the Twin Cam with the "MGB lump". Do you happen to know where any more of these bad deals might be found? I'm also interested in the 20K Deluxe's you referred to. Also FYI a Twin Cam without a Twin Cam engine is just that...not a Deluxe, Deluxes are far more rare than Twin Cams and can't be created just by using a Twin Cam chassis.
Bill thanks for the voice of reason and I'd like to buy your Twin Cam engine if it's for sale although I don't need it for this car, I'm always in search of Twin Cam/Deluxe bits. Would you mind giving me some details about the Twin Cam engine with the webbers? Does the engine need modifications to make that set up worthwhile for a street machine, or is that impractical.

Thanks
Ricky

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Ricky -

In spite of the earlier comment about the wisdom of your purchase, welcome to the Forum! There are a few here who aren't the most diplomatic, I fear...

Hope you'll stick around and keep us apprised of your progress on the A.

Mickey

 

[tony barnhill]

Ricky - welcome....years ago I had a twin cam that needed a water pump...at the time they were almost unobtainable...& I thought about doing an MGB conversion...instead, a friend in New Jersey convinced me to sell it to him....glad I did.

Keep us appraised of what you're doing with the car...should be an interesting project while you drive & enjoy it.

&, guys, I've also owned an MGA with an MGB drivetrain - don't knock it until you've tried it...Jerri called it my 'Rolling Casket'!

 

[Randi]

well as a owner of one of those- how did you put it MGB LUMPS for 43 years & the fact that I did it to my self at 18 years old when I couldn't keep it running & since Hagerty has insured it for $ 95,000.00 (admittedly agreed value) but if I had to collect it I'd hang myself & as value is always going to be ultimately eye of the beholder........we have 43 cars -18 on insurance & I have seen people put $40,000 in a $10,000 car because it is what they want- one last thing- buy a Nissan cool sport job and pay the sticker & you obviously have a BETTER car & now I'm going to shoot a picture for the calender which I really wasn't because of fireworks season -but Maggie deserves it!!!!!Oh ho this was a rant but Mickey is so nice and responded with alittle more tenderness - glemon I still couldn't help myself!!!!!!!!! by the way the avatar is what my X-husband did to my child & I lovbed her as much then as I do now

 

[Plumberpilot]

Thanks for the welcome.
What will I do with it? I've already got a beautiful Twin Cam roadster so
I'll at least offer the The car for sale with the correct Twin Cam engine along with the 1800 and if no luck there I might install the Twin Cam engine and sell the 1800 with the webbers and crossflow head seprately, I want to see this car reunited with a Twin Cam engine. I've had several offers to buy the 1800 set up. Twin Cams are worth what ever someone will pay. I've been searching for them for about a year and I can tell you they are HARD to find at any price. I've seen them sell for 25K to 85K with the 25 being just a great deal from a very kind man. If you find one in any condition they warrant a look. Most people I know that work with MGAs have never seen one in person let alone driven one, that says alot. Should you run across one you don't want let me know, I'd love to pay a finders fee
Thanks
Ricky