The MGB is one of the best-loved classic cars in the UK and for a very good reason. There are few other classics that enjoy such a brilliant amount of support through clubs and parts back-up, while they’re also sprightly and great fun to drive.
It was a formula so successful that the B enjoyed a 19-year production run, with this example harking from the peak of its popularity – the late Sixties and early Seventies being very much the MGB’s glory years.
It’s a 1970 MGB, the first chrome bumper facelift, with a black grille insert and Rubery Owen ‘Rostyle’ sports wheels. The vendor is a young enthusiast who works in the classic car industry himself, and is a member of the MG Car Club Young Members section. He adores the car (his first classic) and has loved owning it for the past three years, but has now acquired an MGB Roadster to enjoy as his next classic and doesn’t have room to keep both.
The B comes with a large history file detailing a restoration completed in the early 1990s, where it was painted in the British Leyland Teal Blue it is today.
Since then, it has benefitted from a brand-new Ivor Searle engine fitted only 8,000 miles ago and a recent cosmetic refresh with new bumpers, chrome trims and some light paint correction.
Due to its age it is TAX and MOT exempt with the last MOT carried out in March of 2021, the only advisory being a defective wiper blade, which has now been changed.
Included in the history file is a British Motor Heritage Certificate detailing the build specification and dates. It has the rarer recessed grille (commonly known as the ‘fish-mouth’) which was only available between 1970-72. Given that it was built in October 1969 and sold in January 1970 this makes it one of the very first ‘fish-mouth’ cars
In the history file, there are lots of invoices throughout the 2000s for a large amount of maintenance work.
The B is in great condition inside, with excellent black vinyl seats and equally smart matching carpets.
This particular example benefits from a hidden Bluetooth entertainment system with USB charging points, along with a Moto-Lita steering wheel complementing the wooden veneer dashboard.
Most of the restoration work was carried out in the 1990s and the car remains wonderfully sound to this day, with straight and seemingly rust-free panels and no signs of deterioration underneath. Indeed, the vendor (who works in a garage environment) describes the underside as ‘incredibly good’. He knows his cars.
It was painted some time ago and the finish isn’t perfect – there are areas of dullness and the finish isn’t as glossy or as smooth as it could be, but it looks good from every angle and the Teal Blue colour really suits the car. The chrome is all good and has been recently renewed.
The vendor has also fitted a new bonnet and it needs some fettling to fit perfectly. Overall, though, it’s a very smart and well-presented – and, critically, very solid – example of the MGB GT.
Not long after the exterior restoration was completed, there’s an invoice from a recovery company who retrieved the MGB from the roadside with ‘loss of power and rattling from the engine’. Just a couple of weeks later, there’s a separate invoice for a new Ivor Searle remanufactured engine, so you cand raw your conclusions about what happened! It’s good news for the next owner, though, as the new engine has only covered 8,000 miles since it was installed.
It runs well and holds excellent oil pressure, while further bonuses include a Revotec cooling fan ( a desirable MGB upgrade) and electronic ignition.
The vendor describes the MGB as “great fun to drive” with no declared faults or problems.
This is a supremely solid, accessible and extremely sound example of the classic MGB GT and a terrific car to use and enjoy, which has been thoroughly loved, cherished and properly maintained by the owner, who says he’ll be devastated to see it go. A good home for the car is important, as it really deserves one!
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Please see our FAQs
here
and our Terms & Conditions
here
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1970 MGB GT
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
