Beschreibung
I’m genuinely gutted to be writing this, but my 1972 MGB GT which I have owned since 2017 is now up for sale. Mechanically in excellent condition, but requiring some time and attention spending on the bodywork, in my ownership I’ve travelled thousands of miles in this little car and it’s barely ever put a foot wrong. It took my wife and I around Scotland for our honeymoon and has toured all over the UK for both pleasure and work, including several adventures which have been featured in the pages of Practical Classics magazine. It benefits from a Webasto sunroof, making it the perfect compromise between GT and roadster and the slightly scruffy aesthetic for me is what made the car so special. It’s a classic you can use every day and park at the front of the supermarket carpark. After all, ‘Happiness is a scruffy sportscar’.
In the last few years it’s received:
A full engine rebuild including rebore to +40, a crank regrind and balance and of course new pistons, bearings, oil pump, gaskets etc.
New oil cooler and pipework
New clutch alongside the engine rebuild, plus new clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder and flexible hose.
LCB exhaust manifold (from MGOC), K&N filters and upgraded carburettor needles (these three making an enormous difference to drivability). Also a stainless steel exhaust system.
New radiator, hoses, thermostat and water pump.
A full suspension overhaul with comfort grade Polybush bushes throughout and new rear springs.
New propshaft UJs and front propshaft yoke.
New front brake calipers and pads, new rear brake cylinders, adjusters and shoes.
5x Pirelli Cinturato tyres on 4x rare early GT steel wheels and a ROstyle spare.
Tow bar (which has been used to tow a trailer tent all over the UK, which it dispatched with ease).
Replacement top tint laminated windscreen with new rubber.
Replacement electronic fuel pump and Accuspark electronic ignition (original SU pimp included as a spare, which will require a new set of points fitting).
New steering rack (MGOC reconditioned).
New nearside outer sill (and repairs to the inner sill).
Blow over respray in Snowberry White in 2018, which is now showing signs of age, however the car still presents reasonably well.
THE GOOD:
Generally solid underneath
Lots of new parts, as detailed above
Mechanically reliable having been totally gone through over the past few years.
THE BAD:
There are a number of areas where the bodywork requires attention, including odd bubbles here and there, on top of the wings, at the bottom of the offside outer sill and wing bottom, under the o/ s rear light and the front of the bonnet. The door skins are coming away from the frames at the bottom too, however this doesn’t affect the car in use and hasn’t got any worse through my ownership. I have a spare nearside door which I can include in the sale if required.
There have also been a couple of nasty patches above the footwells, which could do with being removed and done properly at some point.
The interior is complete but a little scruffy though this never bothered me. You could replace the seats, recondition them with replacement covers and foam, or simply use and enjoy the car exactly as it is, just as I have for the past six years.
The speedo works just fine and is surprisingly accurate, but the mileo has stopped working. I suspect that this is a worn pawl inside which I will repair if I have time before the sale. Also, the horn has stopped working, which requires investigation.
All of this is reflected in the asking price.
THE CONCLUSION:
Overall, this is a mechanically excellent, and fairly presentable chrome bumper MGB GT which would make a great user or rolling project to bring the bodywork up to scratch. It would benefit from a tickle with the welder and a respray, and potentially a pair of doors and a bonnet. I can provide a replacement nearside door if required. I would love to keep the car and carry out the work it requires to bring it up to top condition, however limited time due to a new family member and too many other projects mean I need to face reality and offer the car for sale for the next person to enjoy. It is a perfect rolling project, which could be tidied up while racking up both miles and smiles.
£4995ONO Cash or transfer on collection from Colsterworth, NG33.
