Description
Rare and sought after MG TB with just 379 ever built.
Due to the outbreak of WWII production ceased early explaining the reason for such low production.
BVG 142 was built in 1939, first registered on the 19th July 1940 and the earliest buff logbook dates back to 1956 when the car was black, as finished today.
This MG TB has an interesting history and specification but is also a proven, ultra-reliable ‘user’ capable of serious mileage and touring and has recently gone through a £20, 000 refurbishment program.
Before detailing the cars history, it’s important to highlight how mechanically strong this car is. The car is far from standard and has been a very capable trials car in recent years.
The TB spent late 1950's and early 1960's in and around the London area and in 1968 the car was purchased by the well known Paddy Wilmer who not only was an MG racer, but during the 1990's the editor of the MG Car Club Magazine ‘Safety Fast' and author of the book ‘MG T Series in Detail’ which features the car on pages 63, 64 and 65.
Paddy Wilmer bought the car in 1968 in need of restoration and by 1972 had it back on the road, using the car regularly and owning the car for 32 years. The book details the history of the car throughout Paddy Wilmer's ownership.
It was purchased in 2007 for use as a Classic Trials car and the first two years were spent preparing the car. In 2009 the TB did its first trial, but it took more time to take the car up to a standard where it could be competitive. In 2010 the TB came 9th in the Association of Classic Trials Clubs Crackington Championship, in 2011 4th, in 2012 3rd and again in 2013 it finished an impressive 3rd place. In total 48 trials were completed between 2009 and 2016, it was first in class 7 times and was in the top 10 overall 8 times.
Since 2016 the MG has been sympathetically restored to a standard that allowed it to be used as a fast classic road car.
In recent years the TB has had a new timber frame to the body, a new hood and tonneau and many of the trials modifications have been left on the car to improve usability. The spec is impressive and starts with the engine that is particularly quick. The engine has a XPAG block bored out to 1370cc, stage 2 cylinder head with polished ports and the last time on the rolling road it recorded 72. 3 BHP at 5200 revs and 76. 7 lb. ft of torque at 5200 revs. The car features HF4 SU carburettors, an extractor exhaust manifold with external stainless-steel silencer, Trial sump with internal hinged baffles to give constant oil supply when going up or down very steep trial sections. The MG has a Filter King for adjustable fuel pressure, reduction gear starter motor that is required due to the higher compression ratio and a Riley gearbox with lower 1st and 2nd gears. This gearbox is essentially the same as the MG gearbox with different ratios.
The rear axle is original, but the differential is from a MKI Escort, and surprisingly it fits perfectly just by moving the studs. The MG also has high strength MG to Escort half shafts, special hub oil seals, dual circuit brakers with twin master cylinders, adjustable pedal box and hydraulic clutch. The steering has been improved with a VW steering box and column, rose jointed track rod ends and the suspension features original springs and telescopic shocks. Other modifications include front and rear cycle wings, three piece racing bonnet, the rear body has been strengthened to carry two spare wheels and road wheels are 19 inch 60 spoke to the front with 4. 00/ 4. 50x19 Blockley tyres and the rear 18 inch 60 spokes with 5. 50x18 Blockley tyres ( The tyres were renewed in early 2025 ).
The previous owner of thirteen years took real pride in ensuring that the TB was capable of any challenge. It is quick, lots of fun and the engine and gearbox are incredibly fit and strong. It handles well, brakes are much improved from standard and feels hugely advanced in comparison to regular T Series cars. Importantly the chassis is excellent, the wood frame superb but presentation was never the priority and when looking at the photos of the car trialling through mud and up and down huge steep banks, is clear what interested its owner at the time.
In 2020 the car was sold to a gentleman based in Dubai based who kept the MG in secure indoor storage before commencing on a £20, 000 program of work to enhance the external appearance of the car. The MG was totally stripped down, subject to various metal work and then a complete full re-spray to a very high standard was carried out. The MG was then treated to a complete re-wire and brake service ( All receipts are with the car ). Whilst the car has has extensive works carried out in the past couple of years, it is a purposeful fast road or competition car and not a concours car.
Original standard front and rear wings and side sills are also included with the car plus miscellaneous spares. History file / receipts with car.
