Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Meet Nigel Brimstone, the LS1 MGB GT « 1 2 »
  • Keith

    June 21, 2011 6:07 p.m. Keith SuperDork

    Shameless bragging. But the MG came out of the garage for the first time with the new paint last night, so I'm gonna show it off. It's not quite done, as I have to buff the paint before I install the rear badges, the mirrors and the side trim. Still, now that it looks mostly like the picture that's been in my head for three years, I feel it's time to essentially introduce Nigel to the world.

    See slowcarfast.com for the real gory details and the background. Basically, it's a 1972 MGB GT with a modified LS1 and a T56 six-speed trans from a Camaro. The front suspension and steering is Miata, rear suspension is an S10 Blazer rear with a three-link setup, Miata brakes all around. The flares are from a Mk1 Rabbit. Basically, there are no moving parts with an MG part number left. Power is probably between 350-400, and weight is just under 2400 lbs. All built and painted at home on jackstands.

    The name was chosen by Janel, this is her little grocery getter car. I kinda like MGB GTHO myself.

    Pre-paint

    The starting point. See if you can spot the differences.

    The powertrain donor.

    The proud owner, doing a little fine bodywork during the swap.

    Video to come.

  • ransom

    June 21, 2011 6:10 p.m. ransom HalfDork

    That's awesome.

    A lot.

    "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is." - Jan L.A. van de Snepscheut

  • BoxheadTim

    June 21, 2011 6:14 p.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

    The license plate seems appropriate

    Sanity is vastly overrated.

  • RexSeven

    June 21, 2011 6:31 p.m. RexSeven SuperDork

    Little British sports car + big American V-8 = WIN.

    I think we can put our differences behind us... for science... you monster.

  • friedgreencorrado

    June 21, 2011 6:51 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

    Wow, Keith! That turned out really well! Does Janel plan to do anything other than street duty in it? And I agree w/Boxhead Tim..if that's not a customized plate, y'all lucked out!

    How can it be a midlife crisis, when I've driven sportscars my entire life?

  • Duke

    June 21, 2011 7:03 p.m. Duke SuperDork

    That thing is certified COOL. Very very nice work. It must be a hoot to drive!

    Junior Brown is my hero.

  • JoeyM

    June 21, 2011 7:04 p.m. JoeyM SuperDork

    best car name EVER!

    "Meh. Jalopnik is like the National Enquirer of automotive journalism." - Racer1ab

  • mad_machine

    June 21, 2011 7:14 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

    that is one sharp BGT

    Be careful of your words, for someone will agree with them. Be careful of your conduct, for someone will imitate it. -Leih Tsu

  • wlkelley3

    June 21, 2011 7:46 p.m. wlkelley3 Dork

    In another thread there was requests to add emoticons and it was said there won't be any added. Well this one deserves a drooling emoticon. Since there is no drooling emoticon I'll just have to state it.

    DROOL!!

  • JeffHarbert

    June 21, 2011 7:59 p.m. JeffHarbert Reader

    I hate everything about this car. And by hate I mean can't stop drooling over.

    I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.

  • Javelin

    June 21, 2011 9:29 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

    Keith,

    That car turned out amazing! It's classy and looks mean at the same time.

    That said, the Daisy's have to go. They have to be the ugliest wheels ever made.

    Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin 360 / GoKart / 86 944 Sport / 01 Grand Prix GT / 06 Mazda5 M5

  • Keith

    June 21, 2011 9:40 p.m. Keith SuperDork

    Thanks guys. I have to admit, I can't stop looking at it either, and I've been working on it for more than two years. The transformation with the new paint and a bunch of small details is astounding. I still need to sort out the handling, it's got some oddball traits that I think are related to a lack of roll stiffness, but it's a very fun car to drive to work. Like I did today.

    The plate is a coincidence. But isn't it great?

    As for the wheels, they are not the ugliest ever. Check out the wheels it arrived on, for example. Heck, the daisies are a variation on the classic Minilites. I'm still looking at rolling stock. I think it needs a wheel/tire combo that's 1" larger in diameter. Poking around with wheels that fit my offset and tire sizes that work, that may mean a 16" wheel with a 205/50-16. I'm not sure how it will look with wheels that big though. It may have a bit of the overdone Camaro "restomod" look to it then, not something I want. The wheels will still be Minilites style, black with a polished center. That's just what pushes my buttons.

    Square left in 50 caution ocean!

  • June 21, 2011 9:42 p.m. fasted58 HalfDork

    Congrats on an awesome build, can't wait to see the video

  • Toyman01

    June 21, 2011 10:10 p.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

    That is unbelievably awesome. Thanks for building it and sharing with the rest of us. Can't wait for the video.

    "That dog is about as subtle as a hand grenade in a barrel of oatmeal..." -Foghorn Leghorn

  • Nitroracer

    June 21, 2011 10:24 p.m. Nitroracer SuperDork

    I wish my grocery getter looked like that, unfortunately it looks almost exactly like the donor car.

    1968 Fairlane 500 / 1998 Camaro Z/28

  • asterisk

    June 21, 2011 10:25 p.m. asterisk New Reader

    Those fender flares are works of art!

  • alex

    June 21, 2011 10:49 p.m. alex SuperDork

    This is high on my list of ideal cars and dream projects. Maybe at the top.

    Thanks for building and documenting. Hopefully I'll be following your recipe before too long.

    The only two things in life that make it worth livin' are guitars that tune good and firm feelin' women.

  • MitchellC

    June 21, 2011 10:50 p.m. MitchellC Dork

    That is Steve McQueen cool. James Dean cool. Can you even drive this car without wearing a leather jacket?

  • Javelin

    June 22, 2011 7:53 a.m. Javelin SuperDork

    They are 1-spoke short of a full Minilite set

    Why not 15" Rota RB's?

    Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin 360 / GoKart / 86 944 Sport / 01 Grand Prix GT / 06 Mazda5 M5

  • Teh E36 M3

    June 22, 2011 8:08 a.m. Teh E36 M3 HalfDork

    Very cool. It needs a set of chaparrals. like these

  • Keith

    June 22, 2011 8:28 a.m. Keith SuperDork

    I need a wheel as close to the stock +45 offset as possible, and the 15" RB only comes in a +35. The Chaparral is closer at +38. A 195/55-15 would be an okay tire size, a 205/50-16 is a leetle bit taller. Both are available in a Star Spec, and the 16" Rota is a +40.

    Dunno, I'm still hashing it out. There's no hurry on wheels and tires yet, so I have time to figure out the perfect setup. I might stick a set of random 16" wheels on it just to see how it looks. As for the missing spoke on the daisies, that was to cut weight from the wheel. No kidding.

    I also need to swap the old Azenises back on so I can perform the obligatory Big Smoky Burnout for the camera

    Square left in 50 caution ocean!

  • Teh E36 M3

    June 22, 2011 8:37 a.m. Teh E36 M3 HalfDork

    Did I read that you put A/C in as well? I've just spent the last hour reading the site.... damn you!!

  • Rusted_Busted_Spit

    June 22, 2011 8:47 a.m. Rusted_Busted_Spit Dork

    It looks really nice, well worth the wait.

  • Grtechguy

    June 22, 2011 8:51 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

    Absolutely Stunning.

    Would rather be riding my Bi-Valve lnterior Combustion Twice-Exhausted Bi-Axle Nitro-Cycle

  • Tom Heath

    June 22, 2011 8:54 a.m. Tom Heath Web Manager

    Fantastic work, Keith. It's come a long, long way since I'd seen it last in person!

    ...and FWIW, I think the wheels look fine.

    I tried drag racing, but kept blowing the apex for turn 2...

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