Don Allen's 1974 MGB with Buick 215 V8

Don Allen's 1974 MGB with Buick 215 V8, by Fast Cars Inc.

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

Owner: Don Allen
City: Carrollton, TX
Model: 1974 MGB
Engine: Buick 215 V8
Conversion by: Fast Cars Inc.
Bodywork by: Don Marcott

Engine: Buick 215 cubic inch V-8, prepared by D&D Fabrications in Almont MI. Offenhauser intake manifold and Edelbrock carburetor. Delco-Remy distributor with Pertronix coversion and coil. Delco-Remy alternator. Billet pulleys. Stock Buick 215 motor mounts of Fast Cars brackets (these don't require any sort or torque rod / stabilizer.)
Cooling: aluminum radiator and electric cooling fan (pulling).
Exhaust: Fast Cars fabricated block hugger headers, with silver Jet Hot ceramic coating. Fast Cars fabricated stainless steel exhaust pipes. As shown in the photos, the exhaust pipes set closely together in an assymetrical fashion with both pipes running down the driver's side and exiting through one common opening in the rear rolled-pan.
Transmission: Borg-Warner T5 5-speed.
Rear Axle: Ford 8" with 3.25:1 final drive ratio, Auburn limited slip differential and lightweight aluminum carrier.
Front Susp.: Fast Cars front suspension.
Rear Susp.: stock leaf springs. Telescoping shock absorbers.
Brakes: Wilwood disk brakes, front and rear. Residual pressure valves added to both front and rear circuits.
Wheels/Tires: Chevrolet rally wheels: 15x7 (Camaro) with 4.25" backspacing and 205/55 tires in front, and 15x8 (Corvette) with 4.00" backspacing and 225/50 tires in the rear.
Body: both front and rear bumbers were removed and replaced by small nerf bars fabricated by Fast Cars, and Don Marcott blended-in the roll pans. Louvered hood. Door handles removed and replaced by electric solenoids. The trunk lid was modified to accomodate a LeMans-style (Ascot) fuel cap. Recessed license plate. In keeping with the Buick theme, Don Marcott installed NOS '56 Buick fender "port holes", an important feature! Dodge Omni fender flares.
Interior: tilt steering column with banjo style steering wheel. Stock gauges (with modified tachometer.) Pontiac Fiero seats with custome black leather upholstery.
Comments: I wanted to do two things: improve the performance and achieve a unique look. All of the body work is done in metal - there's no plastic anywhere in the body.

 Please support the sponsoring companies who make BritishV8 possible, including:
Ted Lathrop of Fast Cars Inc. specializes in suspension and chassis modifications for British sports cars.

aluminum V-8

Don Allen's Buick 215 engine

Fast Cars front suspension

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stainless steel exhaust system

banjo steering wheel

Lemans style fuel cap / filler

louvered hood


56 Buick fender port holes

recessed license plate


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