There’s a reason MG owners across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana trust their cars to Smyth Imports: we’ve been working on British machinery for over 90 years, and MGs are one of the marques we know best. From roadside-find MGBs that need a ground-up rebuild to concours-ready MGAs getting a final detail before the Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance at Ault Park, our shop handles every level of MG restoration.
Our facility in Cincinnati serves MG owners throughout Hamilton County, the Northern Kentucky corridor from Florence to Fort Thomas, and across the greater Tri-State region. We regularly work with members of the British Car Club of Greater Cincinnati (BCCGC), and our restorations have appeared at their annual British Car Day in Fairfield as well as regional shows across the Midwest.
Whether you’ve inherited a barn-find MGA, daily-drive a chrome-bumper MGB, or want to get your MG Midget back on the road, we can help.
The MGB is the most popular MG we see in the shop, and for good reason: over half a million were built, and a huge number ended up in the Midwest. We work on everything from early pull-handle chrome-bumper cars to the later rubber-bumper models.
including overbore, balancing, and five-main-bearing conversions. The 1,798cc four-cylinder is a tough engine, but after 40-plus years, worn piston rings (blue smoke on acceleration), tired valve guides (smoke on deceleration), and rear crankshaft seal leaks are the norm rather than the exception.
with hardened valve seats for modern unleaded fuel, bronze valve guides, and proper port matching. We check every head for warping and crack-test before any machine work begins.
particularly second-gear synchromesh failure (the “crunching into second” problem every MGB owner knows). We also rebuild and service Laycock de Normanville overdrive units, which often fail electrically before they fail mechanically.
The MGB’s main rot spots are the sills, floor pans, rear spring hangers, and front crossmember. Ohio road salt accelerates all of these. We do structural metalwork, not just cosmetic patch panels.
The original Lucas electrical system is simple but age-deteriorated connections cause dim lights, erratic gauges, and no-start conditions. We rewire to modern standards while keeping the car looking correct.
including kingpin replacement (they need greasing every 3,000 miles and most haven’t seen grease in decades), new bushings, and shock absorber rebuilds or upgrades.
The MGA is a gorgeous car and a serious restoration project. Over 100,000 were built, with more than 90% exported, but the ones that survived Midwest winters need careful attention.
which is the make-or-break issue on any MGA. The front and rear crossmembers, battery boxes, and main rails beneath the bulkhead are critical inspection points. The MGA uses wooden floorboards over the chassis, and rot in either the wood or the steel underneath can compromise the entire structure.
The MGA was designed for British weather, not Cincinnati summers with 90-degree heat and stop-and-go I-71 traffic. We commonly upgrade to aluminum radiators and electric cooling fans while keeping the external appearance period-correct.
We can rebuild to original specifications or perform the popular 1698cc overbore conversion on the 1500 block (3.070″ bore with MGB large-valve head), which gives you meaningfully more torque without changing the external appearance.
between the aluminum body panels (doors, bonnet, boot lid) and the steel frame. This is an MGA-specific problem caused by dissimilar metals in contact, and it requires proper isolation during reassembly to prevent recurrence.
The MGA Twin Cam is rare and notoriously fragile: detonation from incorrect fuel mixtures can melt pistons, and the original piston ring design causes high oil consumption. If you have one, we understand the specific requirements.
The Midget shares much of its DNA with the Austin-Healey Sprite, and we work on both. These are small, light, and fun, but Ohio weather hasn’t been kind to the ones that stayed outdoors.
The T-Series MGs are among the most charming British cars ever built, and they’re increasingly valuable. We handle frame-off restorations on TD and TF models, including XPAG engine rebuilds, wood-frame body tub reconstruction, and correct replating of the extensive chrome and brightwork.
Every MG restoration at Smyth Imports starts with an honest assessment. We strip the car down, document what we find (with photos), and give you a detailed scope before any real spending begins. No surprises halfway through.
We also do partial restorations, mechanical-only rebuilds, and targeted repairs. Not every MG needs a frame-off; some just need the engine sorted and the rust stopped.
90+ years of British car experience. Sam Smyth’s family has been working on European and British automobiles since 1932. That’s not a marketing number; it’s three generations of knowledge about these cars, passed down on the shop floor.
Proper tooling and expertise. MG restoration requires specific knowledge: the correct torque sequences for B-Series cylinder heads, the precise shimming for SU carburetors, the right interference fit for cam bearings. We don’t learn on your car.
Local reputation. We’re part of the Cincinnati classic car community. Our work shows up at the British Car Day at Village Green Park in Fairfield, the Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance at Ault Park, and in the garages of BCCGC members across the Tri-State. When your MG is done, it’s built to be driven, not just displayed.
We handle everything in-house. Engine machine work, body and paint, chrome, upholstery, wiring: we coordinate all of it under one roof, so your restoration doesn’t sit in limbo waiting on a third-party sub-contractor.
How long does an MG restoration take? A full frame-off restoration typically takes 8–14 months depending on parts availability and scope. Mechanical rebuilds and targeted repairs are significantly faster. We’ll give you a realistic timeline upfront.
Can you source MG parts? Yes. We have established relationships with major British parts suppliers and can source OEM-specification, NOS, and quality reproduction parts for all MG models. Parts availability for MGBs is excellent; MGAs and T-Series can require more lead time for specific items.
Do you work on MGs that have been modified? Absolutely. We see everything from period-correct restorations to engine-swapped MGBs with Ford 302s. We’ll work with you on whatever direction you want to take the car.
My MG has been sitting for years. Can it be saved? Almost always, yes. We’ve brought back MGs that hadn’t run in decades. The key is the structural integrity of the body and chassis; everything mechanical can be rebuilt. Bring it by or send us photos and we’ll give you an honest opinion.
Our shop is centrally located in the Cincinnati metro area and serves MG owners across:
We also provide enclosed transportation services for MG owners outside of driving distance.
Whether you’re planning a full restoration, need engine work, or just want an expert opinion on what your MG needs, we’d love to hear from you.
Call us at (513) 793-0434 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
Smyth Imports has been Cincinnati’s trusted European and British car specialist since 1932. In addition to MG restoration, we service and restore Triumph, Jaguar, Austin Healey, and other classic British marques
8773 Remington Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45242
By Appointment Only
Monday – Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
9 am – 5 pm
11 am – 4 pm
12 pm – 1 pm
Closed
