David Hawkins's 1967 MGB with Buick 215 V8

David Hawkins' 1967 MGB with Buick 215 V8

as published in British V8 Magazine, Volume XVI Issue 1, May 2008

Owner: David and Emily Hawkins
City: Deer Isle, ME
Model: 1967 MGB (with a 1972 bodyshell)
Engine: Buick 215 V8
Conversion by: previous owner. (See below.)

Engine: 1963 Buick 215 aluminum V-8 engine, bored 0.040" over, with 9.6:1 compression ratio pistons. High volume oil pump with remote filter. Baffled oil pan. Crower 228 cam and valvetrain (hydraulic lifters). Rover exhaust valves. Match-ported heads. Buick intake manifold with Edelbrock 500cfm 4-barrel carb. Pertronix ignition in Delco distributor. Delco 80 amp alternator. Gear drive starter. Audiovox cruise control.
Cooling: 1965/66 Ford Mustang "Maximum Cooling" radiator.
Exhaust: ceramic coated block hugger headers.
Transmission: Borg-Warner T-5 transmission (0.73:1 overdrive). 9 3/4 inch diaphragm clutch (from a Chevy S10 4WD). Tilton hydraulic throw out bearing with MG master cylinder. Rover 3500 flywheel lightened to 24 pounds.
Rear Axle: 8 inch Ford rear axle (1970 Ford Mustang/Maverick), narrowed, with 3.00:1 final drive ratio.
Front Susp.: 3/4 front sway bar. V-8 front control arm bushings. Heavy duty lever shocks.
Rear Susp.: Spax adjustable tube shocks and anti-tramp bars.
Brakes: braided brake hoses and late MGB brake booster. Cross-drilled and slotted front rotors, with MGB V8 pads. Datsun 280Z finned-aluminum rear brake drums.
Wheels/Tires: Panasport wheels with 195/60-R14 tires.
Body: new sills, floors, and fenders. Aluminum bonnet. "Brooklands Green" PPG basecoat/clearcoat paint over PPG DP series epoxy primer.
Interior: biscuit interior with Pontiac Fiero seats and Mr. Mike seat covers. Nakamichi stereo head unit, Profile amp, Polk component front speakers (tweeters in door caps and main speakers in kick panels). Infinity speakers in headrests.
Weight: 2060 pounds.
Comments: This car was originally converted by "The MG Guys" in 1997, and was purchased from previous owner Jack Emery of Glenburn Maine in 2002.

1963 Buick 215 aluminum V-8 engine

Audiovox cruise control

1965/66 Ford Mustang radiator

Delco 80 amp alternator

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MGB biscuit interior

steel dash with custom center console

Pontiac Fiero seats


Panasport wheels with 195/60-R14 tires

auxiliary amplifier


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