Came across this as we have a 68 mgb gt (needing restoration). I’m from a town in Herefordshire, and I’ve driven to Hereford many times as it’s my local city. That hotel you stayed in Hereford- I never realised it was a hotel 😂 and I’ve been going past it for as long as I can remember as it is on my route to Hereford, and I always wondered what that building was!
Hi John, just found your site. Enjoyed your trip in your MGB GT. Well done and 'i saw' a number of things I'd not seen in my 22 years in UK. I've recently bought back a 1967 MGB GT I sold in 1988! Greetings from Oz.
Thank you John - superb! Ex-UK living in NZ since 1975. Have just bought a '72 BGT and am motivated by your great trip to do the same in NZ. Have already done it on a Blackbird motorcycle. Best wishes from a 73 year old!
Hi John, lovely paced video and informative too. Just bought my MGB and this has inspired me to do proper trip away once she’s on the road which be another month. Stayed in Wetherby few years ago at the Mercure ironically. All best Anthony.
Glad you liked it. Using the maps like we used to was, as you say, satisfying but also quite easy. Mind you I was using major roads, so not much to go wrong.
Fantastic video John!! Really enjoyed watching this. This is exactly what classic car ownership is about and great to see one man and his car enjoying what the UK has to offer. Beautiful GT too, mine is the same colour as yours. All the best to you, Keiran (Fellow MGB GT owner)
That was great, thanks for sharing your trip with us. I often think that I ought to do something similar. Well, a trip to France is being considered for 2022, me and a friend in my 1972 MGBGT and another couple in their Triumph Spitfire.
Thanks for the nice comments. If you are considering France one possibility is La Route des Grandes Alpes. We did it last summer, though not in the MG, and didn't film, but if you like alpine passes then it's worth a look. The route runs 700+km from Thonon le Bains (Lac Leman) to Menton (Mediterranean) and takes you over 16 alpine passes. Great drive if the weather is good.
@@jscal2007 John, thanks for your recommendation. No route is yet planned other than to visit friend of mine that live in north western France, so really in the opposite direction from your suggestion. But who knows, if the initial trip works out OK then maybe the south of France could be a possibility, as I also have friends that have a home there too. Have MGB will travel......
Thoroughly enjoyed! Have owned 3 MGBs in past life, and did similar trip Nov 2019, doing NC500ish only in 2 weeks. Wrong side of road driving so rented automatic, lol. Ferried to Orkney too. Your scenery brought memories. Other drives, Mt Blanc to Cortina dAmpezzo in Dolomites, Piemonte to the Med, and 12 USA cross countries. Looking forward to more.
Hi John, great video and lovely GT. Planning on doing a similar trip in my MGB LE when this rotten COVID lock down ends. If brave enough maybe to Italy over the alps. Reassuring to know you made it without incident - great job 😁
Hi Nick, glad you enjoyed it. Coincidently, last summer, when we were allowed out after lockdown, we drove to France to see family, (didn't fancy flying), and on the way back I made my wife endure the Routes des Grandes Alpes. though not in the MG. It's a 700km route that runs from Menton on the Mediterranean near the Italian border, to Thonon Les Bains on Lac Leman, crossing 16 alpine passes. Great if you like that sort of thing.
@@jscal2007 Cheers for the reply John. I’m hoping to get the B up to Mathewson’s in Thornton Le Dale sometime in the summer too just to nosy around as my folks live nearby - might run into you 😁
I really enjoyed watching this video on a wet Wednesday morning! Inspirational. T hank you for taking the trouble to share this. I have the same model and year GT and am thinking if John can do it, so can I!
A great watch. Well done to you for having the determination to get out and do that, especially doing the 2nd half during the COVID drama. I too have an MGB GT (1972). It was my Dads until 2016. For the last 5 years, I keep thinking of doing a similar trip, or at least from Derby to John o Groats and back to Derby at least, and I'm a photographer who uses film still, and I want to combine it with a photography session in Scotland. But I keep getting worried about something on the car failing, or someone stealing it overnight while I sleep. The longest drive I have done in it is 110 miles. And although it was fine, I do worry about breaking down 300 miles from home! But I really do want to do it, someday soon. TIt certainly didn't put you off by the looks of it. The other put off is the cost of accomodation. I started to plan it once, about 2 years ago, and worked out it could cost about £600 give or take just in bed and breakfast costs. But, I should do it soon...never know what tomorrow brings do we.
Ted, I personally wouldn't worry too much about breaking down, as if the car has a spark and fuel it will run. So I would make sure the car was serviced before I set off, and maybe take along a spare fan belt. Other than that I wouldn't bother with spares, as my experience is that if you do have a breakdown, you won't have the right spares to fix it anyway. Plus, in the UK we are never too far away from a garage and roadside assistance to get you going. I did think about taking alond a tent and camping, so that's an alternative to B&Bs or hotels. The other thing to consider is avoiding school holidays, when all accomodation is more expensive. So I hope you get to do the trip and have some fun in the MG. John
@@jscal2007 yes you’re right. I probably just making excuses. It didn’t help today though when I took it to the local garage to have some work done and noticed the rpm dial has stopped working! 😬😖
I had the same thing once. Turned out to be poor contacts in the small fuse box on the inner wing. Took the cover off, sanded all the pins and put it back together with some vaseline, and all worked again. The joys of old cars.
G'day John...what an adventure in your classic. Some wonderful scenery there, would be very nostalgic in the little "G". I'm writing to you from Canada and in the middle of working on replacing the passenger sill (1st side) on my 65. Have you done much work yourself on your classic? Cheers Aaron G
Hi Aaron, The car was extensively restored in 1997 and was still very sound when I bought it 3 years ago. Not had to do anything major, just the ususal things you get with old cars, like new hoses, wheel cylinder, service, etc.
Hugh, I don't think they paid any attention to things like drag coefficients, sound deadening, etc. back in the 60s and 70s. I'm preconditioned to that noise, learning to drive in the late 60's in cars like the original Mini, 1100s and worst of all, an orange Allegro.
I had a 1972 GT model and drove it for about 10 years. Looks lovely BUT an utter piece of sh!t from an engineering point of view. The car turned me into a mechanic. . . Consistent problems, window wiper breaking off while raining, air vents that were utterly terrible. The engine was the most incredible load of sh!t. The engine consistently leaked oil (no matter how we tried to fix it). The engine was horribly under powered and terribly engineered. . . BUT !!! driving it with the ergonomics of the steering position and the high gear handle position made me feel like I was driving an old Spitfire Aircraft. GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY I WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE IN A HEART BEAT !!!... perhaps convert it to electric.
Mark, that made me smile. Perfect description of owning an MGB. I owned one 40 years ago, so this one was a bit of a nostalgia trip for me. Still got oil under my finger nails.
Came across this as we have a 68 mgb gt (needing restoration). I’m from a town in Herefordshire, and I’ve driven to Hereford many times as it’s my local city. That hotel you stayed in Hereford- I never realised it was a hotel 😂 and I’ve been going past it for as long as I can remember as it is on my route to Hereford, and I always wondered what that building was!
Hi John, just found your site. Enjoyed your trip in your MGB GT. Well done and 'i saw' a number of things I'd not seen in my 22 years in UK. I've recently bought back a 1967 MGB GT I sold in 1988!
Greetings from Oz.
Glad you liked it.
You've inspired me to do the same trip! Brilliant video, very well put together
Glad you enjoyed it. It was good to use the old car for a road trip. You have got to do it.
Stumbled upon this and thoroughly enjoyed it. Is now on my to do list!
Glad you liked it.
Enjoyed the video.
I have a 1963 MGB . One of 7 MGs I have owned.
Glad you liked the video.
This is a great achievement.... not sure my B will ever be up for this...😊
Thank you John - superb! Ex-UK living in NZ since 1975. Have just bought a '72 BGT and am motivated by your great trip to do the same in NZ. Have already done it on a Blackbird motorcycle. Best wishes from a 73 year old!
From one 73 year old to another, glad you liked it.
Absolutely amazing video! My dad used to have a MGB GT and a Sprite so this brings me all the good memories! Thankyou
Thanks for the nice comments. Glad you liked it.
Hi John, lovely paced video and informative too. Just bought my MGB and this has inspired me to do proper trip away once she’s on the road which be another month. Stayed in Wetherby few years ago at the Mercure ironically. All best Anthony.
Hi Tony, Glad you liked it. John
Great trip and loved the video 😀
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
Great car, great journey, and nice scenery. Thnx for sharing your trip with the rest of us. Cheers from a fellow MG fan in Long Island, NY
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
Nice trip John, well done
Thanks Tony. Glad you liked it.
What a lovely video, thank you for sharing your journey. Thinking about buying an MG now.
Hi Dave, glad you liked it. Cheers. John
@@jscal2007 you never know I may see you in Wetherby one day, I take my two seater there for a run out in the good weather. All the best Dave
I really enjoyed that. I love your MGB as well. It's a beauty! Thank you for sharing your trip with us.
Hi Paul, glad you liked it.
Excellent video and a great car. Always enjoy driving/riding in Scotland. Fair play to you!
Glad you liked it.
Using a proper map. Brilliant!
Much more satisfying 🗺️
Glad you liked it. Using the maps like we used to was, as you say, satisfying but also quite easy. Mind you I was using major roads, so not much to go wrong.
Nice MGB GT, I have a 74.5 Roadster I saved from the scrap yard 😄
Thank you. Yours looked quite a project.
@@jscal2007 it continues to be haha
Fantastic video John!! Really enjoyed watching this. This is exactly what classic car ownership is about and great to see one man and his car enjoying what the UK has to offer. Beautiful GT too, mine is the same colour as yours. All the best to you, Keiran (Fellow MGB GT owner)
Kieran, thanks for the lovely comments. Afraid mine is not a patch on yours, which is a credit to you. Keep enjoying Molly the MG.
Love it! Gives me hope for doing the nc500 in one this summer haha
Glad you liked it. Hopefully, after May 17th the hotels will reopen and we can have our adventures again.
@@jscal2007 I have begun to book hotels and campsite for the end of august! Always loved the northern scenery
That was great, thanks for sharing your trip with us. I often think that I ought to do something similar. Well, a trip to France is being considered for 2022, me and a friend in my 1972 MGBGT and another couple in their Triumph Spitfire.
Thanks for the nice comments. If you are considering France one possibility is La Route des Grandes Alpes. We did it last summer, though not in the MG, and didn't film, but if you like alpine passes then it's worth a look. The route runs 700+km from Thonon le Bains (Lac Leman) to Menton (Mediterranean) and takes you over 16 alpine passes. Great drive if the weather is good.
@@jscal2007 John, thanks for your recommendation. No route is yet planned other than to visit friend of mine that live in north western France, so really in the opposite direction from your suggestion. But who knows, if the initial trip works out OK then maybe the south of France could be a possibility, as I also have friends that have a home there too. Have MGB will travel......
love your mgb . I bought a 1975 mgb roadster last year. Great little car.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
More enjoyable drives please John. Thoroughly enjoyed your trip
Colin, glad you enjoyed it. Alas the MG now has a new owner.
Thoroughly enjoyed! Have owned 3 MGBs in past life, and did similar trip Nov 2019, doing NC500ish only in 2 weeks. Wrong side of road driving so rented automatic, lol. Ferried to Orkney too. Your scenery brought memories. Other drives, Mt Blanc to Cortina dAmpezzo in Dolomites, Piemonte to the Med, and 12 USA cross countries. Looking forward to more.
Thanks for the comments. Glad you liked the video.
Hi John, great video and lovely GT. Planning on doing a similar trip in my MGB LE when this rotten COVID lock down ends. If brave enough maybe to Italy over the alps. Reassuring to know you made it without incident - great job 😁
Hi Nick, glad you enjoyed it. Coincidently, last summer, when we were allowed out after lockdown, we drove to France to see family, (didn't fancy flying), and on the way back I made my wife endure the Routes des Grandes Alpes. though not in the MG. It's a 700km route that runs from Menton on the Mediterranean near the Italian border, to Thonon Les Bains on Lac Leman, crossing 16 alpine passes. Great if you like that sort of thing.
@@jscal2007 Cheers for the reply John. I’m hoping to get the B up to Mathewson’s in Thornton Le Dale sometime in the summer too just to nosy around as my folks live nearby - might run into you 😁
@@lascm5237 Addicted to Bangers and Cash.
@@jscal2007 yessir, popped over there a couple of years ago - lovely place 👍
I really enjoyed watching this video on a wet Wednesday morning! Inspirational. T
hank you for taking the trouble to share this. I have the same model and year GT and am thinking if John can do it, so can I!
Glad you liked it. As you say, if I can do so can you.
Muy bonito el MGB GT y preciosos lugares de Gran Bretaña.un saludo desde las islas Canarias
Me alegro de que te haya gustado. Esperamos volver a visitar las Islas Canarias, tan pronto como se permita el viaje.
What a lovely trip to take. Would like to do something similar one day.
Glad you liked it. Hope you get the chance to do something like it.
Want to do the exact thing in our hillman imp. Great video pal enjoyed it.
Glad you enjoyed it. White Hillman Imp...First car I bought way back in 1970.
Great trip in your fantastic MG BGT
Glad you liked the video. Thank you.
A great watch. Well done to you for having the determination to get out and do that, especially doing the 2nd half during the COVID drama. I too have an MGB GT (1972). It was my Dads until 2016. For the last 5 years, I keep thinking of doing a similar trip, or at least from Derby to John o Groats and back to Derby at least, and I'm a photographer who uses film still, and I want to combine it with a photography session in Scotland. But I keep getting worried about something on the car failing, or someone stealing it overnight while I sleep. The longest drive I have done in it is 110 miles. And although it was fine, I do worry about breaking down 300 miles from home! But I really do want to do it, someday soon. TIt certainly didn't put you off by the looks of it. The other put off is the cost of accomodation. I started to plan it once, about 2 years ago, and worked out it could cost about £600 give or take just in bed and breakfast costs. But, I should do it soon...never know what tomorrow brings do we.
Ted, I personally wouldn't worry too much about breaking down, as if the car has a spark and fuel it will run. So I would make sure the car was serviced before I set off, and maybe take along a spare fan belt. Other than that I wouldn't bother with spares, as my experience is that if you do have a breakdown, you won't have the right spares to fix it anyway. Plus, in the UK we are never too far away from a garage and roadside assistance to get you going. I did think about taking alond a tent and camping, so that's an alternative to B&Bs or hotels. The other thing to consider is avoiding school holidays, when all accomodation is more expensive. So I hope you get to do the trip and have some fun in the MG. John
@@jscal2007 yes you’re right. I probably just making excuses. It didn’t help today though when I took it to the local garage to have some work done and noticed the rpm dial has stopped working! 😬😖
I had the same thing once. Turned out to be poor contacts in the small fuse box on the inner wing. Took the cover off, sanded all the pins and put it back together with some vaseline, and all worked again. The joys of old cars.
@@jscal2007 I’ll check that over then. Thanks. Vaseline on the pins themselves?
@@tedsmith_photography Yep
You seemed to have had a nice trip. Good weather, no break downs,. I'm not sure why you were glad the trip was over.
Hugh, I did have a good trip. Maybe 8 days in a noisy car was enough, and I was ready to be back in a car I could hear myself think in:-)
Fantastic. I'm looking forward to doing exactly the same in my 71MGB GT once LD ends.
It's a great trip. Hope you get to do it.
Absolutely! Mines a 74 last of the chrome bumpers, exited now!
Lovely video and car! Got a '77 tourer here in the US and would love to do a comparable tour. Thanks.
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
G'day John...what an adventure in your classic. Some wonderful scenery there, would be very nostalgic in the little "G". I'm writing to you from Canada and in the middle of working on replacing the passenger sill (1st side) on my 65. Have you done much work yourself on your classic?
Cheers
Aaron G
Hi Aaron, The car was extensively restored in 1997 and was still very sound when I bought it 3 years ago. Not had to do anything major, just the ususal things you get with old cars, like new hoses, wheel cylinder, service, etc.
I never could understand why there was so much wind noise at highway speeds in my '71 GT. Annoying to the point that I had to sell it.
Hugh, I don't think they paid any attention to things like drag coefficients, sound deadening, etc. back in the 60s and 70s. I'm preconditioned to that noise, learning to drive in the late 60's in cars like the original Mini, 1100s and worst of all, an orange Allegro.
Have you done many mechanical changes like electrical ignition to make it more reliable is like to do this in my mg midget
Hi, I don't have the car any more, but it just had standard distributor. No problems with reliability.
I had a 1972 GT model and drove it for about 10 years. Looks lovely BUT an utter piece of sh!t from an engineering point of view. The car turned me into a mechanic.
.
.
Consistent problems, window wiper breaking off while raining, air vents that were utterly terrible. The engine was the most incredible load of sh!t. The engine consistently leaked oil (no matter how we tried to fix it). The engine was horribly under powered and terribly engineered.
.
.
BUT !!! driving it with the ergonomics of the steering position and the high gear handle position made me feel like I was driving an old Spitfire Aircraft. GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY I WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE IN A HEART BEAT !!!... perhaps convert it to electric.
Mark, that made me smile. Perfect description of owning an MGB. I owned one 40 years ago, so this one was a bit of a nostalgia trip for me. Still got oil under my finger nails.