An old family MGBGT - How we do locate it?

budfox

Our family had an MGBGT in the late 70's and early 90's. We had to sell it for money reasons but we'd love to locate it again now, restore it and keep it in the family for sentimental reasons. I've checked with the Motor Tax office (wrote them a letter but they don't have it as being currently registered). VRO in Shannon weren't very helpful although we sent them a nice letter outlining the history of the car etc....and an old photo of it in the driveway!

Anybody any ideas? It would be great to have this old gem back!!!

many thanks....

carchaeologist

Try www.cartell.ie

What was its reg and colour,maybe someone on here might know of it?

budfox

Thanks very much. I checked but no joy. It is a black MG, rubber bumper model. I think it was registered around 1979. Reg is XZI 808

carchaeologist

budfox wrote: »

Thanks very much. I checked but no joy. It is a black MG, rubber bumper model. I think it was registered around 1979. Reg is XZI 808

Its actually April 1980,it would have been one of the last of them so,they finished production of them around october that year.If its not on cartell it hasnt been on the road since 1993 at least.So thats not really good news im sorry to say.:(

budfox

oh dear....

Do you think the previous owner details might be stored somewhere. Of course it would have had the old brown cardboard tax book with it...

Might be sitting in a garage (more than likely a ditch) somewhere?:o

carchaeologist

budfox wrote: »

oh dear....

Do you think the previous owner details might be stored somewhere. Of course it would have had the old brown cardboard tax book with it...

Might be sitting in a garage (more than likely a ditch) somewhere?:o

Shannon would probably have the details,but you would have to have the car for them to give it to you as you have found out.
It might be sitting in a garage or somewhere alright..but i wouldnt hold my breath,MGBS were good yokes for rusting!!
Was it in good shape when ye sold it?

budfox

it wasn't really in great shape. It was used as a daily car and had a fair bit of mileage on it...I'd expect to have to do a full restore on it to be honest..it's more the reg than the car!!!

eamon234

The later models used really bad quality steel it's highly likely a pile of rust by now I'm afraid but good luck in finding it and let us know if you do!

carchaeologist

It was just another old car back then and treated as such no doubt by who ever bought it after you.Maybe you could pick up another B,there is loads for sale about the place?
Though original irish ones are harder to come by.

Eric318

The MGOC has a special section in their magazine to reunite people with their former MGs.

See www.mgcars.org.uk

budfox

Many thanks for your replies and suggestions. I think you are right. In the 80's, it was not yet a collectable and thus was probably scrapped.....shame really..

I saw a good few on ebay last night and I was surprised that they haven't really gone up in value much in the past few years. You can still get an excellent MGBGT for around 6k and a roadster for 8-9k....

Thinking about it, with the cost of repair and restore, it might be just easier to buy one in the UK with maybe a new shell, ask a MGOC member to check it out for me and then enjoy the drive back to Ireland!!

As you point out though, the bummer is the YY D reg.....it would be nice to have an Irish plate....the government really should do something for cars over 30 years...

Anyway, it was a nice idea I guess and thanks again...

If anyone spots a nice clean one, perhaps you'd post it up...

regards....

manta356

If you get one over 30 year old,you can get it vrt'd for €50.
You can then get a zv***** reg,which doesn't show what age it is,and looks better than new type reg on old cars.
Motor tax on classics over 30 year old is €48,and it can be insured on a classic policy if it is not your main car

carchaeologist

ZV regs are rubbish,nearly all issued nowadays are 5 digit now,like this; ZV12345,this type of reg was never availible in this country and looks completly out of place on a classic. All old regs were 4 digits.
You can still get 4 digits in dublin though,theres around 1000 left.