Beschreibung
1979 MGB LE (USA Limited Edition) LHD 31, 800 miles
One of a limited production made exclusively for the North American market the MGB LE was introduced at the New York International Motor Show in 1979 and featured black exterior which until then had not been a factory colour option and either black or tan interior. Priced at £600 over the existing models the LE had stag style metallic grey and polished alloy wheels, silver side stripes that incorporated a union jack, a leather three spoke steering wheel, front air dam and luggage rack. Aside from these additions and the obvious LHD the MGB LE shared mechanicals with its UK variants; namely a four-cylinder 1800 engine with 4 speed manual gearbox with overdrive as an option. This extremely low mileage example (supported by MOT history) was imported from California to the UK in 1991 and loving restored in 1992 and retained as part of a small collection. The enthusiast owner improved the driving experience sympathetically over his years of stewardship the most significant of these replacing the restrictive catalytic converter and single SU carb with the preferred and better performing UK market twin SU set up. In addition, this example benefits from overdrive gearbox, poly bushes on roll bar, telescopic suspension, electronic ignition, MG stainless steel exhaust, green pads, and padded rollbar. GPV 218T has an interesting history and backstory which led to feature in “Enjoying MG” magazine in 2011 copies of this and the surrounding correspondence are included in the sale. The car has a substantial history file from its original Californian certificate of title, license plate, British heritage certificate, photos of before and after the restoration and every invoice from 1991. Also included in the sale are numerous MG manuals and publications collected by the owner. The car has been in storage for the last 4 years but has just been recommissioned and serviced by a local specialist so will be ready to enjoy for the summer. On the road the car drives superbly with surprisingly eager performance (for an MG!) and displays good oil pressure and the stainless exhaust is a definite aural improvement without being too noisy. The gearbox offers positive changes up and down and the uprated suspension and poly bush set up have improved the handling and feedback on a quintessential English B-road. Numerous spares will be included if full asking price is met (e. g., set of replacement bumpers and the single Stromberg removed in 1992 and various consumables- plugs, leads, belts gaskets etc). For UK buyers the car now has historic vehicle status and is tax and MOT exempt, however despite being stored the last MOT certificate was dated 05/ 10/ 2021. Limited overall production of this model and the condition and low miles of this example make this car a great potential investment or addition to a collection. This last MGB LE in the UK was bought by the Cartier family in Paris and as such relatively small number in the UK and Europe represent something different to the usual MGB offering. Genuine reluctant reason for sale as owner is now deceased and the family would like to see the car used and a new appreciative owner to take over custodianship of this fantastic “everyman” British sportscar. Ready to use and enjoy in the UK or be exported. For a fee arrangement can be made to have car professionally transported to Felixstowe container port (20 miles distance).
