Description
PUX 450M is a 1973 chrome-bumper MGB Roadster, built in October 1973 and first registered in May 1974. It is a right-hand-drive home-market car with the desirable factory-fitted overdrive and Rostyle wheels. Originally Harvest Gold, it was restored and refinished in British Racing Green during the 1980s, followed by a documented bare-metal body restoration and respray in 2017.
The car presents extremely well, with deep green paintwork, good chrome, a tidy black interior and a well-fitting black hood. It has always been garaged in recent ownership and was carefully protected from wet and salted winter roads by its previous long-term owner.
More than £9, 400 has been spent with a classic-car specialist since September 2024. The work includes a front suspension upgrade, steering rack gaiters and track-rod ends, servicing and tuning, rear brake work, radiator hose replacement, an inner-sill weld repair, hood and door adjustment, refurbished front seats with new covers, foam, webbing and headrests, a replacement six-volt battery, a new fuel tank and fittings, a new SU fuel pump and a complete carburettor rebuild, ultrasonic cleaning and set-up.
The car also benefits from an unleaded cylinder head, electronic ignition, stainless-steel exhaust, electric cooling fan, halogen headlamps, oil cooler and Mota-Lita steering wheel. A reconditioned engine was fitted in 1989.
The history file is exceptionally comprehensive and includes the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, invoices, previous MOT certificates and a detailed written record of the car’s ownership and maintenance. The factory hardtop, folding hood, tonneau cover, cockpit cover, indoor cover, handbook, jack, wheel brace, assorted spares, original ignition components and two sets of keys are included.
The five-digit odometer currently reads approximately 10, 000 miles. The documented history records 206, 300 total miles in June 2023, making the present lifetime mileage approximately 210, 000. The replacement engine had covered approximately 72, 200 miles by June 2023.
The horn is operated by a dashboard switch rather than through the steering-wheel centre. The car is registered as a historic vehicle and is MOT-exempt, although any inspection is welcomed
I bought this MGB in July 2024 because it combined excellent presentation with a remarkably complete and personal history. The previous owner, Andrew Hicks, bought it in March 1990 and kept it for more than 34 years. He maintained a detailed record of the car’s life and even wrote an article about his experiences with it, so this is an MGB with a properly documented story rather than an anonymous restored classic.
What makes it stand out is the combination of traditional chrome-bumper appearance, British Racing Green paintwork, factory overdrive and extensive recent mechanical attention. It is an engaging car to drive, with light steering, a characteristic exhaust note and overdrive that makes longer journeys more relaxed. With the hood down, it is exactly the kind of classic that turns an ordinary drive through the countryside into an occasion.
It is also unusually practical to own for a classic of this age. MGB parts and specialist knowledge are readily available, while the electronic ignition, unleaded cylinder head, cooling fan and recently renewed fuel system make it easier to use and enjoy.
The extensive history, Heritage Certificate, factory hardtop, weather equipment, spares and recent invoices all accompany the car. It has clearly been cherished over many years and continues to attract attention wherever it goes.
I am selling it for the practical reason that we need to release the garage space. I would like it to go to someone who will appreciate its history and continue to use and care for it.
