It is not unusual for our MGs to cover great distances, often on their original engines. My own MGB GT has now covered 158950 miles. Although the cracked cylinder head had to be replaced in 1983 the rest of the engine, gearbox, overdrive and back axle are all original and untouched. Bodywork has not lasted so well, I replaced the sills in 1989 and fitted new front wings in 1986. Other replaced major components have been, fuel tanks – two, fuel pumps – one, alternator – one, rear springs – two sets, distributor – one and various shockers and brake parts. So far, touch wood, my BGT has never let me down and I have always managed to reach my destination, even if I have had to limp home.

If like me you’ve owned a car for many years you can become deeply involved and attached to the vehicle. I bought my BGT in 1974 when I was just a boy and still had hair.

Here are a selection of the letters we have received so far, recounting the achievements of some high mileage MGs.

Richard Ladds

Long lasting MGB and MG TD My MGB GT 1967 has done 128,937 miles on the original engine. It has never even had the rocker box off since I bought the car with 41,000 miles on it 1971. It did have a new clutch at 85,000 miles and a reconditioned gearbox at 92,000 miles. The TD I bought in 1963 with 80,000+ miles on the clock. It had a new crankshaft and big end bearings two months after I bought it but it but no other work on the head. The TD has now done 234,210 miles (see MoT) with no further work. The clutch was not changed at the time the work was done and is the original as is the remainder of the car except for replacement items and seats. It is used all year. D Fletcher

‘Ted’

My B Roadster has covered 114,706 but its most recent MoT says 14,706 as the car has now gone round the clock. The B commonly known as ‘Ted’ is a 1981 W registered which I have owned for 11 years, during which time I have only done 66,000 miles. The engine is still the original and is going extremely well, without losing or burning much oil at all. My wife Lorna and I have spent many holidays touring France in ‘Ted’ including a couple of times down to the South of France. man happy hours of open top trouble free motoring ( touch wood). The B has always received much attention from the locals, which of course have been deprived of classic roadsters. Also, last summer the BBC borrowed the car which appeared in the last episode of ‘Preston Front’ a sitcom about the Territorial Army. It was quite strange seeing your car on the telly and being driven by someone else. However since August I have also been the proud owner of a brand new MGF which has lived up to all expectations, but unfortunately I am unable to keep both cars so reluctantly I am selling dear old ‘Ted.’ Therefore one caring owner is now wanted to give him a good home!

Alan Cox

One owner from new

John Rowe

I purchased YOY651S brand new in April 1978 and the car has now completed 230,00 miles with one change of engine. The first engine lasted 16 years having covered 173,000 miles – it was replaced in June 1994 and the new engine has now completed 57,000 miles, only just ‘run in’. Please find a copy of the bill for the engine change together with a photograph taken at the end of last year. I have a complete history of the car, including all tax discs and MoT certificates.

Around the clock My beloved BGT has been around the clock and now covered 105051 on its original engine, It has never let me down, starts first time even in the middle of winter. This car takes me to work every day and is my pride and joy.

Mrs K Birtles

Incidentally, I find the only way to preserve paintwork and chrome is a weekly wash in warm water with Turtle wax and 80,000 miles was also a convenient time to replace a very tired engine with a re-conditioned unit one but retaining the same Downton head. A 100 thousand miles later this combination (now lead free) is showing compression’s of a 185 psi, oil pressure of 45lbs at idle and 70lbs at 3000 rpm. Oil consumption between changes at 4 thousand is nil.

In 1980 with some 90,000 on the clock I headed out east for three years. The car was this brought to the UK for a thorough mechanical overhaul and then given a monthly run by a friendly garage mechanic.

Returning to the UK in ’83 we both settled into retirement on a limited mileage insurance, indulged ourselves in very regular maintenance and constant all weather use. Together we acquired Institute of Advanced Motorists membership (left hand drive being no problem) and now a Historic Vehicle tax disc. Probably the most pertinent question in this scenario is reliability. The short answer – only one road failure (at age three) when the foolishly located under floor mounted fuel pump died after an overdose of salt. Its electronic replacement was located in the wheel arch boot recess. A near miss came 20 years later when fuel tank sediment started blocking the filter. Solution a new tank and the filter replaced to a more readily observable under bonnet location. Obviously many components will have been replaced over the years, frequently on a preventative maintenance basis, which may ignore the ‘best sell by date’. The gearbox/overdrive, rear axle and kingpins however, remain original. With the exception of the sills and one accident damaged wing, the same is true of the bodywork – Dinitrol please note.

It may be of interest to list the lifespan of some replaceable components. Several items will reflect modifications done in the interest of reducing routine maintenance or on cost effectiveness – Lumenition – power module failed at 16 years. Rear Koni’s – to be determined, 20 years since installed. Front Koni’s – to be determined, 5 years since installed. Stainless steel exhaust – to be determined, 15 years since installed. Kenlowe fan – failed at 20 years. Road springs – life time of approximately 70,000 miles. Steering rack – lifetime of approximately 115,000 miles. Clutch – lifetime of approximately 70,000 miles. Brake pads – lifetime of approximately 20,000 miles. Brake shoes – lifetime of approximately 25,000 miles. Water hoses – changed every 40,000 miles regardless of apparent condition. Starter motor – lifetime of approximately 10 years. Alternator failed after 23 years. King pins – life to be determined.

It will be self evident that driving habits influence life span – car and driver. When conditions permit maximum legal speed limits are always used, with optimum use of overdrive. On winding country roads overdrive changes will be used in preference to actual gear changes. With the help of a vacuum gauge, fuel consumption is usually 28-30 miles per gallon. Acceleration is normally restrained and 4000 revs per minute seldom exceeded – there is little point in even trying to out accelerate more modern machinery. ‘Bs’ and Midgets get the customary wave, but not ‘Fs’ – they are scarcely recognisable at a distance and are certainly not DIY machines.

Original engine, gearbox and overdrive I have decided to put pen to paper for the first time in response to your request for high mileage MGs on original engines. My B has to date covered 103, 800 on its original engine/gearbox/overdrive and still runs beautifully. Last summer it covered 2,600 miles in France in fourteen days and it ran like clockwork. I have kept its full history from day one which was the 1/1/1973. Not concours but a real cracker.

L Dodson

Built like a tank

My MGB is going around the clock for the second time with a recorded mileage of 158,610 on its original engine, gearbox and rear axle. I have just fitted a second steering rack and a second set of rear springs. I have rebuilt the sills using hot dipped galvanised parts, front wings (galvanised), half wings, rear with outer wheel arch (galvanised). New doors which are American spec are about to be fitted.

I purchased the MG in 19889 with 72,000 miles on the clock. This vehicle is the only one I have on the road. Until I retired I drove it approximately 12,000 miles a year for work and pleasure. This included 20 miles a day through heavy London traffic.

I love my MG – its built like a tank.

D Houghy

Factory original

At last someone has asked about my amazing MGB roadster. It is a 1964 car with a three bearing engine which I bought in February 1970 with 61,580 miles on the clock – three previous owners, known history. Since then I have kept a full record of mileage fuel used as well as repairs and replacements. The engine is totally original in all respects and apart from tappet adjustment, has remained untouched from new. Even the head has never been taken off. The speedometer now reads 169,900 however the actual mileage covered is some 12,000 miles more as the speedo drive stripped whilst I was in Bavaria in 1972 and it was some time before I could get a replacement. Now it is just used as a second car but it has earned its keep on occasions, being my daily transport in 1990 and 1991, when it covered 33,000 miles. The engine uses minimal oil, runs at 60-65 psi and on a recent motorway run returned 36.6mpg. I’m sure there are many MGs with original engines which have covered greater mileages but with a few rebuilds along the way. This truly is a factory original and still going strong.

Richard Holl

Champion BGT

My MGB GT, OHO 166T, which is a 1979 pageant blue GT has the mileage reading of 294,500. At the current rate of use 300,000 miles should be seen by the late summer.

I have owned the car since new, I bought it from Henlys of Winchester on the 12th January 1979, it cost £4241.

After I bought the car Henleys closed down, so I could no longer have it serviced by them. However, their service manager, Derek Bull set himself up in business in Winchester and I have had the car serviced and maintained by him ever since. So not only is it a high mileage, single owner car but it has been serviced by one person throughout its life.

I have kept since new details of my bills, tax disc, MoTs etc. This is now a very large file. One day I will add up all the bills and calculate just how much it has cost.

The GT is in very good order, it has got to be, it is my only car so I use it every day. Of course over the years many items have been replaced, such as fuel pumps, hoses, starter motors, etc. The only major item that has been replaced is the rear axle. I’m on my third clutch (the current one has done 72,000 miles). The engine is original, but it was stripped, given a slight rebore and new rings at 232,000 miles as it was using quite a lot of oil by then.

Bodywork is very good. Last summer I had a part re-spray and two front wings so the car is looking good.

I happily take the car anywhere. So far it has been all around Britain, right out to the Scottish Islands of Lewis and Harris, right around Ireland and several trips to France. The two speedo photographs showing 99,999 where taken each time the BGT passed 100,000 miles.