Club Arnage

Hi all,

        Well, the conversion of my MGA to take an early MGB overdrive gearbox is complete.   Lots of minor-ish complexities in achieving the installation, but nothing that ingenuity, a hacksaw, an angle grinder, a drill, some mild swearing and some foul profanity, and the use of a MIG welder for steel and a TIG welder for aluminiun couldn't sort.   Hardly a weekend DIY job with the ubiquitous set of spanners and a socket set, but the combination of the overdrive and a close ratio gear set is simply awesome.   First is now a useful driving gear and second goes on for ever by comparison with the standard ratios.   With the overdrive on thord and fourth, genuine cruising is at 90 without needing ear defenders.  

Now for the question - a couple of months ago I saw a chrome script car trim badge on ebay - the sort of flowing script from 50s and 60s cars - and the script was the word "overdrive".   Stupidly I forgot to bid before the auction end and haven't seen one since.   Searching on the net has failed to find a source so far, but I wondered if anyone knew/could remember what such a badge might have been fitted to so that I can try any relevant owners club spares sources?

All the best,

Mark

Bugger - sorry about the size of the photo.........

Mark,
Try Europa Spares.  They have a web site www.europaspares.com (http://www.europaspares.com).  They stock a wide range of kit-car / old-car type spare parts and shiny stuff.  However, the site does not show the wide range of badges they stock.

I have last years catalogue that shows at least 3 different 'Overdrive' badges - Triumph, Ford etc.

I suggest you give them a ring.  If you need any further help, PM me and I'll try and scan the catalogue pages.

I converted my MGA 1600 MK1 to tuned MGB engine and 3 synchro box with MGB auto diff in 1974, cruises at 100, max 125, built it to drive to Greece, did it twice in 75 and 77, still have the car!     ;)Pat

Mark, you may be able to keep up with us on the motorway now  ;)

Steve,

          Thanks I had checked their website, but hadn't clocked that all of their stock might not be on it - I'll give them a ring - ta

Mark

Pat,

        Nicely done - Good for you for doing it ages ago and for keeping the car!  I chose to keep the original engine simply because it is already balanced and tuned to a reasonable degree and I didn't have an MGB engine available.   Out of interest why did you go for the auto diff - is it different from the standard 3.9 MGB ratio?

Mark

In your dreams my friend.... ;).....you'll just see the tailpipe disappearing in the distance.   Sorry or did I mean in my dreams .......

Mark

Mark,

Try a Triumph Spitfire

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/spitfire/images/156a.gif

Tail pipes are so last year  ;D

(http://www.specialtyauto.com/_borders/Sidepipe.jpg)

Yes the auto MGB had a higher ratio, not sure what it was, that was fitted 32 years ago, I bought the car for £100.00, I think it does 100mph at 4000 rpm, or so,  Pat