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MG MGB Technical - Positive ground radio/CD

Although it will be a long time before my '64 restoration will be ready for a radio, does anyone know where I can get a radio/CD player for a positive ground car?

Thanks,
Dave
Dave Shively

I don't, but I'll be willing to bet that if you find are able to find anything, your choices will be extremely limited and expensive. Why not convert to negative ground?
Rob Edwards

Dave - Rob is correct, anything modern enough to have a CD is going to be for a negative ground vehicle. Save yourself a lot of grief and convert to negative ground and you will be able to put any modern convenience you want in the car. Do NOT (emphasis on NOT) try to isolate a negative ground unit, such as radio, CB, CD player, etc. from ground and install it in a positive ground vehicle, that is just a disaster waiting to happen, not to mention lousy radio reception. I would also recommend that if you do convert to negative ground, you get the sticker from Moss that says "Important, this vehicle wired negative ground" and install it ont he slam panel so anyone servicing the car knows it has been converted (if you want he car to appear original for concours judging, mount the sticker on a magnetic backing so it can be on the car at all times except for judging). Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

Dave S.,

Listen to one who has made this mistake. Go negative earth. In my insane quest for originality, I went back to positive earth and am now stuck with new SU, positive ground electronic fuel pump--not reversable to negative earth. (and a new spare!) And for what? So I could say it was original! Big deal. When the time comes, I'll replace with negative ground and make the switch. I'm told that positive earth rusts the car faster since salt is negativley charged--my car attracts salt! In addition, I have no option for charging cell phones or any modern appliance. A big inconvience while traveling long distances.

About concours--although I have a "Positive ground" sticker, I'm not sure it was ever on the car originaly. I just stuck it where I had seen so many "Negative ground" stickers because I think it looks cool. While neither you nor I can control what a particular judge may do in a particular situation--if in fact you were interested in Concours competition--I think by and large, something like that would go unnoticed or simply disregarded as polarity conversion is a sensible modification in order to more thouroughly enjoy the driving aspects of your car. Concours focuses on the big stuff--proper color combos, panel fit, wheels, paint quality, condition of glass, convertable top, carpeting, steering wheel, engine color, cleanliness, etc. The big stuff. And btw, never, ever will anyone ask you to open your battery panel to check for original polarity--Another reason I mistakenly went positive earth--I didn't know all the concours guidelines and methods back then and didn't want to risk it---duh! At most, a one point deduction out of 1000. Good luck with your restoration.

Paul Hanley
Concours Coordinator
North American MGB Register

Paul Hanley

Paul - Send the pumps that I did for you back one at a time when you want to switch back to negative ground and I'll convert them for you. Dave
David DuBois

My understanding was that it is usual for Concours d'etat rules to require the owner to be present during judging and that the judges may ask them to provide access to any area of the car that might be opened in normal day to day use and maintenance . This would certainly include opening the bonnet glove box and boot. Inspection of the MGBs battery boxes would seem to be an irresisatable magnet for a concours "hanging judge"
Stan Best

I would think that anyone installing a CD player is not interested in Concours-level originality.... ;-)
Rob Edwards

Stan...your assumption is correct....but Paul stated it well...make the conversion and "forget about it".

rick ingram
(Paul's Predecessor)

rick ingram

Not necessarily so Rob. NAMGBR's Concours events are all based on points. Everyone starts with 1000 points and deductions are made from there. I don't think it would ever be prudent to start the "how many points is this or that worth" game but I can tell you that an otherwise original car would do quite well even with a modern CD player. As a matter of fact, the 2005 Top Point MGB, an '80 LE belonging to Bill Harris of New Orleans (yes, the car survived intact and Bill's doing well) did not have its original radio--and I deducted maybe 5 points or so, I forget...another judge might deduct more or less at their descretion. Otherwise, the LE was as near a factory car as could be and thus walked away with top honors.

My point is not to get into a nit pick discussion but rather to encourage those who have small modifications on their cars to consider a Concours event none the less.
I have a zip out window and wider than original tires and a ton of repro parts for example.

Dave D, thanks for the offer. Will be in touch.


Cheers to all,

Paul
Paul Hanley

This thread was discussed between 22/11/2005 and 23/11/2005

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