The automotive journalist and former race driver Denise McCluggage has written about taking her MG TC to Vermont in the winter to go skiing. Cor’ Blimey, what a feat in a car which pre-dated the in-dash heater ! By contrast, this writer simply keeps an MGB GT with four studded snow tires at the ready during the winter months.
First Blue GT at Abingdon Spares
What you can do with $50.00 and a set of used winter tires from a Saab 99. This photo was taken in front of Abingdon Spares the “T” series MG parts house in Walpole, N.H. just across the river from Westminster, Vt. A frequent winter destination.
Forget the old wive’s tales about parking them for the winter. This GT was a reliable starter right down to -20 F. It was featured in the “Drivable Dream” section of the June ’07 issue of Hemmings Sports & Exotics, although it was retired shortly thereafter when then associate editor Dave LaChance put both his feet thru the passenger floor.
Hemmings Journalist Dave LaChance plies his trade
These cars are massively strong and are safe even when extensively rusted. The point of “no return” is easily measured on the tourers by inserting a quarter in the bottom of the door gap at the back and seeing if you can run it straight thru to the top. If it stops around the side molding it means the car is starting to fold, not a problem with GT’s but when the floors go south, you can end up with frost bitten feet on a really cold day.
Last Roundup
By the time this picture was taken, the much lamented $50.00 GT had become an organ donor (engine) for the much spiffier , but unfortunately pre-molested, blue GT #2. It even has a Webasto sunroof, never opened except on the roughest of roads.
blue GT #2 after heart transplant
In this picture the Webasto sunroofed follow-on blue GT has just received the engine from the original blue GT.
These cars are true work-aholics. The old advertising slogan “You Can Do It In An MG” was never more true, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones did.
Tire Transporter
There is simply no end to the usefulness of the rear hatchback on these cars. It’s easy to move a complete set of Jaguar wheels & tires to the tire shop with a little ingenuity.
While maybe it’s not as toasty warm as your Volvo, and on some days it’s not warm at all (wear wool), an MGB GT with four studded tires is still a panic to drive even on snow covered roads.
The View From Here
For more information about the suitablilty of MG’s for winter driving, contact us.
