The MGB is Britain’s most popular and best-loved classic car, and for a very good reason. With around 25,000 survivors, it’s easy to own and very straightforward to look after, with an industry built up around its survival and a thriving owners’ scene.

Introduced in 1962, it instantly became the most popular British sports car, enjoying an incredible production run of 19 years thanks to its Italianate good looks and its simple engineering. 

The fixed-roof MGB GT came three years after the hatch and sported a ground-breaking “greenhouse” rear end, designed by Pininfarina – offering sports car looks and hatchback practicality. 

This one is a stunner. Rebuilt in 2006 to be displayed in a car showroom, and having covered a mere 1,750 miles since, the standard of the work completed is top class. 

It’s also a rare 1970 model, with chrome bumpers and the unusual ‘fish-mouth’ front grille.

In terms of early history, not much is known about the B other than that it was acquired as a slightly tatty example in the early 2000s and completely rebuilt from the ground-up, with a photographic record of its reconstruction.

The work was completed over a five-year period using parts from respected suppliers and the car then spent 15 years stored in a showroom, used only for the occasional show or road run. 

There are stacks and stacks of bills with tis MGB, documenting parts as substantial as a new fuel tank, full stainless exhaust system, wheels, tyres and brakes, right down to minor objects such as trim clips and battery clamps. 

Most of the receipts are from very well-respected names in the MG world, too, with the MG Owners Club workshop and the MGB Hive in Cambridgeshire both featuring heavily in the chunky invoice pile. The owner hasn’t totted it all up, but the expenditure runs into the thousands. 

Also with the car are a full UK V5C in the owner’s name. It is both tax and MOT exempt.

The bodywork of this car is absolutely breath-taking, finished in Snowberry White, which is one of the most charming colours for an MGB.

The condition is superb, from the smoothness of the panels to the paint quality, through to the exacting panel gaps and near-flawless badges and trim. It’s a lovely, lovely car. 

Is it concours? No, not quite. There are a handful of the tiniest imperfections that you might want to put right to take the car to the next level, but they’re few and far between and are easily rectified. 

Purists might bemoan the fact that it’s not 100% original – indeed, most of the car has been renewed or replaced and the chrome sill finishers will be an acquired taste, but the harsh reality is that the quality of this car is probably far, far better than it was when it left the factory!

The cabin of the MGB is in fine condition, with aftermarket black leather seats to replace the rather uncomfortable originals. 

Otherwise, it’s all beautifully detailed, with a flock-finished black dash and all the original controls aside from a new odometer, which was fitted with zero miles when the car’s restoration was finished. 

The presentation is impeccable, from the spotless dash to the wonderfully clean luggage area, while it also features a clever Bluetooth stereo system that is disguised to look like a retro-fit graphic equaliser. 

There’s also a subtly hidden pull switch that operates an electronic fuel cut-off as a useful anti-theft measure. Just don’t ask us how we found out, as much head-scratching ensued when the car cut out! It’s that subtle, no car thief will ever notice…

The engine and gearbox of the car have been fully rebuilt, and it as only covered 1,750 miles since all the work was done – an engine recondition, gearbox rebuild, new brakes, suspension, dampers, steering components – the lot. It’s all documented in the paperwork as well. 

It received new bushes, a new steering rack, new leaf springs, a reconditioned rear axle and diff, mild steel exhaust system, new fuel tank, new modern-spec fuel lines and all under-bonnet ancillaries – the entire lot was renewed as part of the car’s comprehensive strip down and rebuild so it should come as no surprise that it drives absolutely brilliantly.

There are loads of MGBs on the market at any given time. But there are few that are even a patch on this example. 

It’s a wonderful rebuild, done with craftsmanship and attention to detail, and while it’s not original, it’s a superb car and in absolutely fabulous order throughout. You’ll struggle to find one in better order, or, indeed, a better colour scheme.