Highlights
- Comprehensive restoration in 1990s
- Looks great inside and out
- Original items also supplied
The Appeal
The MGB is a true motoring icon that retains a huge following in the UK and around the world. The car was launched in 1962 and was an instant hit; the car’s popularity meant that although production was originally intended to continue for seven years, it was extended again and again until the last car was made in 1980, and the basic body shape remained the same throughout the eighteen years of its production. In total more than half a million MGBs and variants were produced, and the cars remain popular with classic-car enthusiasts to this day.
This example was subject to a complete restoration back in the 1990s and has clearly been well cared-for ever since; it’s in excellent condition inside and out, drives well and is ready to be enjoyed by the new owner.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in December 1967
- MoT- and tax-exempt
- MoT until June 2024
- Current V5
- Restoration pictures
- Paperwork from throughout the car’s history
- Thick pile of previous invoices
- Past MoTs
- Previous tax discs, including first one from 1967
- Mileage data from past MoTs
The car is accompanied by a big folder of paperwork, suggesting that previous owners, going back many years, have been extremely diligent in retaining invoices, MoT certificates, tax discs and more besides.
The vendor bought the car in 2017, since when he has covered around 7500 miles in it. However, he has now lost the use of a lock-up garage he previously used, and with garage space limited at home he has reluctantly decided to part with the car.
Although the car is MoT- and tax-exempt, as an historic vehicle, the vendor had the car tested on the day after our photo shoot, and so the car comes with the reassurance of a new MoT.
The Interior
- Superb seats in excellent condition
- Original seats supplied
- Excellent black carpets
- Smart dashboard and dials
- Sound switchgear
- Spare wheel and tyre
- Jack and wheel-mallet
When the vendor bought the car, it had been fitted with replacement seats but the originals were also supplied. Having had some basic repair work, the original seats will again be supplied with the car, and the owner may wish to refit them to retain originality. They have had a couple of panels replaced but will need further attention.
Meanwhile, the replacement seats are in excellent condition and are supportive and comfortable. The black carpets are also in fine condition, and beneath those in the front footwells the floorpans are sound.
The vendor fitted a set of inertia-reel seatbelts but later decided he preferred the originals and re-fitted them; he will also supply the inertia-reel set.
The dashboard has a couple of scratches, and there’s a small tear in the upholstered section on the driver’s side, but generally everything in the interior is extremely good. There’s a blanking plate where the radio would be, but the centre speaker is in place. The vendor reports that the little map-light on the passenger side is the one thing on the car that doesn’t currently work.
In the boot, the carpet liner is in very good condition, and there’s a solid floorpan beneath it, plus a spare wheel and cover. The vendor will also supply a scissor jack and a mallet for the wheel-spinners.
The Exterior
- Lovely green paintwork
- Wire wheels
- Upgraded soft-top in good condition
- Original soft-top and hood frame supplied, in their cases
- Full tonneau cover
- Very good badges, brightwork and exterior trim.
The British Racing Green paintwork has stood the test of time well since restoration, with the exception of a bubble on the bonnet which the vendor says was there when he bought the car but has not deteriorated. Aside from that there are the inevitable stonechips on the bonnet and front valance, but overall the car looks superb – it has been dry-stored throughout the vendor’s tenure and, he believes, by previous owners since the restoration.
The car is fitted with a later hood for ease of erection, but comes with the correct type for its year which can be swapped in a matter of minutes. The earlier version consists of a hood and separate frame, in two parts, and all components are in smart cases. There is also a full tonneau cover.
The wire wheels are sound but starting to show signs of age, with some corrosion evident.
The chrome trim strip, front grille, door mirrors and other brightwork all look good, while the MG badge on the front grille has faded somewhat.
The Mechanics
- 1798cc petrol engine, replaced in 2021
- Clean and tidy engine bay
- Stainless steel exhaust fitted in 2019
- Original distributor supplied
- Starts and runs well
After experiencing mechanical issues in 2021, the vendor opted to fit an Ivor Searle remanufactured engine, supplied by the MG Owners’ Club and fitted by local specialists Bill Rawles Classic Cars. Since then, the car has covered only around 1500 miles.
At the time of its ‘90s restoration, the car was fitted with a fully reconditioned all-synchromesh gear box with overdrive.
It was evident from the trip to our photo location that the car drives and handles beautifully, with a lovely engine note, and the vendor reports that there are no issues.
Under the bonnet, it’s clear that everything has been carefully maintained – it’s all clean and tidy with no visible leaks. Similarly, underneath the car there is only the inevitable superficial corrosion.
Summary
A good-looking, well-engineered car with plenty of interior space, and with fantastic parts, specialist and owners-club support, there are few classics that are such fun to drive and yet so practical to own as the MGB, leading Classic & Sports Car magazine to dub it the ‘gateway drug’ into the classic world. This one was sympathetically restored a while ago, but is still in excellent order and is ready to be enjoyed by its new owner. With the sun finally shining, there couldn’t be a better time to snap up a roadster.
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UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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