Highlights
- Displayed and maintained at the Pembrokeshire Motor Museum from 2003-2021
- New heritage shell and new body panels in 1991
- This car has covered only 1,000 miles since its restoration
The Appeal
An icon of British motoring the MGB entered production in 1962 and ran until the 1980s in its original form, the name was revived in 1992 for three years but it wouldn’t live up to the original MGB. Along with the hardtop option, known as the GT, there was the roadster, and this is what we have before us today. Presented in practically perfect condition this could be one of the best MGB Roadsters around.
This car has a well-documented history and has gone through an extensive rebuild that lasted 4 years. With a heritage chassis and new body panels, it is about as close as you can get to a new MGB Roadster. A nice part of the history of this car is the fact that it was displayed at the Pembrokeshire Motor Museum between 2003-2021. Upon the museum's closure, the current owner acquired it and has used it sparingly.
With a perfect hood, this car will be usable in all weathers making it a great classic for everyday use.
The History and Paperwork
- Starting life on the UK's roads in the September of 1969 this MGB Roadster has gone on to live a great life, with one of the previous owners putting her through an extensive 4-year restoration
- From 1969-1991 the history of this car is not that well documented, but by the time it turned 32 years old it was time for a bit of a spruce up
- One of the first, and biggest, invoices available is from MG specialists Brown & Gammons. For the princely sum of £2,614.38 a heritage chassis and new body panels are acquired
- In 1993 the car has a new hood made for the car, today it still looks like new
- If you were to look at the seats you wouldn’t believe that they were fitted in 1993, almost 30 years ago, they are still in excellent condition
- If you were to go through and add up all of the invoices, they total £12,700, but that was the 90’s, if you were to do the same restoration today it would cost you in the region of £30,000. So you can tell that the restoration was done properly
- Along with a lot of invoices, there are also quite a few old-style tax discs, with the earliest dating from 1986 and then an almost unbroken collection from 1994-2014
- It would appear that a few of the previous owners have been fastidious with their record-keeping as there are a lot of MOT certificates present too, these date from 1995-2013 and document the car's minimal mileage during this time
- Not only is the current V5c present, but there are also a few V5s from this car's past owners
- The next owner will be able to sift through the history folder at their own pleasure so that they can build up a better picture of this car's life
The Interior
- Presented in great condition
- Soft-top is in ‘like-new’ condition
- Perfect place to sit and take in the journey
Filled with great 60’s features the interior of this MGB Roadster is presented in excellent condition. Since the restoration wrapped in around 1995, it has barely been sat in meaning the next owner will still be able to enjoy the fruits of the previous owner’s love and attention.
The seats that have been fitted to this car during its restoration are in such great condition, with no rips, tears, or staining to the material. It has been on display in a museum for almost 20 years so that’ll probably be why these seats haven’t been used. Along with the seats, the carpets are also in great condition, these were obviously changed during the restoration and are lovely and plush.
Unlike a modern soft-top, the mechanism on this classic is a little bit more involved. Once you pop off the fabric hood and fold it neatly into the boot you are left with the metal frame, this simply pops out of its two mountings just behind the two front seats. A marvel of simple British engineering it then pulls apart in the middle and stores neatly in the boot.
There are a few smaller details within this interior that are not to be overlooked, such as the beautiful MG stamped Moto-Lita steering wheel, the period cassette radio, and the lovely knobs to dial in the heating to the perfect temperature.
Overall, the interior of this MGB Roadster is in such great condition that it could be mistaken for a new car. Whoever gets the pleasure of owning this car for the next part of its life will have the place to sit and watch the miles roll by.
The Exterior
- Finished in the beautiful Tartan Red
- Fitted with the more sort after chrome bumpers
- All five wire wheels are in great condition
The MGB is almost an institution in itself, with the car being so good in its day it has gone on to live in the hearts and minds of many classic car enthusiasts. Finished in Tartan Red and dripping in chrome it looks stunning whenever any light hits the exterior.
When this car was restored a new heritage chassis was acquired, to make sure the bodywork matched the nice clean chassis new body panels were also bought. These new panels look like they were fitted only yesterday, so they show no obvious signs of damage or paint bubbling.
Classic cars are always finished with lovely chrome details, and because this car has been looked after in a warm and dry museum building, the chrome details that adorn this MGB are presented today in great condition. The intricate centre lock wire wheels are incredibly shiny and add to the curb appeal of this pretty little classic.
As this is a Roadster example it comes with a removal soft-top hood, the exterior condition of this hood is excellent and ever the rear screen section is new.
With this car being in such great exterior condition it should be the next addition to your garage, with looks to die for these cars always draw a crowd of enthusiasts.
The Mechanics
- The engine bay is extremely clean
- Has only covered 1,000 miles since restoration
- The perfect car for summer drives
If you pop your head under the sweeping bonnet, you will be greeted with the well-known BMC B-series engine which was in so many British cars of the period. Its 1.8l 4-cylinder engine would produce around 100 hp which is ample for a car of its size.
It is more than likely that during the restoration the engine and other running gear had some love and attention too. The engine bay itself is extremely clean, as many would say ‘clean enough to eat your dinner off of’. The cleanliness does not stop in the engine bay, if you crouch down and gaze under the car you can see that the frame has been painted another example of the attention that has been poured into the restoration of this beauty.
One of the most important pieces of information to remember about this example is that since the restoration wrapped in 1995 the MOT data would suggest that it has covered just 1,097 miles. So effectively it is still like new.
With this car sitting in such great visual mechanical condition, we should imagine that it’ll be a hoot to drive and live with. The next owner will have a glorious time exploring the great driving roads around the country.
Summary
With the MGB Roadster being such an endearing and loveable classic, it makes the perfect addition to anyone’s garage. Thanks to the extensive restoration, the time spent as a museum display piece, and the big history file this could be one of the best MGBs out there on the market today.
As summer approaches and focus switches towards getting away and having fun, this MGB Roadster will offer you a reason to get out and about this summer. Once the roof is folded away it turns into a great summer cruiser. Don’t miss out on this car, you may never find one with such a great individual story.
As summer approaches and focus switches towards getting away and having fun, this MGB Roadster will offer you a reason to get out and about this summer. Once the roof is folded away it turns into a great summer cruiser. Don’t miss out on this car, you may never find one with such a great individual story.
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