Description
1973 MGB GT 1. 8 with Overdrive
First registered in November 1973, this chrome-bumper MGB GT is finished in its original Blaze orange and is believed to have had just four owners from new.
We purchased the car privately from a previous owner in London in 2021 and have enjoyed it as a usable classic ever since. The car is fitted with the desirable factory overdrive gearbox and retains its original registration number, OKN 499M.
A particular highlight is the history file, which contains documentation dating back to the original purchase in 1973, including the supplying dealer invoice from White Brothers Ltd of Otford, Kent. The invoice records the car being supplied new in Blaze orange with options including overdrive, servo-assisted brakes, inertia-reel seat belts and hazard warning lights.
The odometer currently shows approximately 50, 000 miles.
The interior is tidy and very presentable, with black trim, good headlining and a practical luggage area. The engine bay remains largely original in appearance, housing the classic MG B-Series engine with twin SU carburettors.
The car presents as an honest, usable classic rather than a concours example. The paintwork remains attractive overall and the car still makes a strong impression in its original Blaze orange. However, a previous owner appears to have started cosmetic paint rectification work which was not fully completed. As shown in the photographs, there are areas where preparation work has been carried out and the finish remains incomplete, particularly around the rear quarter panel. The car would therefore benefit from cosmetic attention if a purchaser wished to improve its presentation. We have preferred to leave this work untouched and allow the next owner to decide how they would like to proceed. The vehicle is priced accordingly and represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a largely original chrome-bumper GT with extensive history and provenance.
The chrome, brightwork and trim are complete and presentable, and the car retains much of its original character. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to inspect the vehicle and satisfy themselves as to its condition.
The sale includes:
Original 1973 dealer invoice
History file dating back to the first owner
Historic documentation and receipts
Current V5C registration document
This is a genuine, unspoilt chrome-bumper GT with excellent provenance, desirable overdrive and a history file dating back to its original purchase in 1973. It can be enjoyed as an honest driver's classic exactly as it stands, or offers the opportunity for a new owner to complete the cosmetic improvements and take it to the next level.
We bought this MGB GT because it felt exactly what a classic MG should be: an honest, characterful driver's car with wonderful period styling and a history you can actually trace all the way back to the day it left the dealer.
What makes this car stand out is its originality and provenance. It still wears its factory Blaze orange colour, retains its original registration number and comes with paperwork stretching back to the original purchase in 1973. It's rare to find a car where you can follow so much of its story over more than five decades.
The overdrive gearbox makes a huge difference to the driving experience and turns the GT into a genuinely enjoyable classic for longer journeys. Combined with the practicality of the hatchback design, it is easy to understand why the MGB GT became one of Britain's most popular sporting classics.
Our favourite thing about the car is that it hasn't been over-restored. It feels authentic and has the sort of patina and character that only comes from decades of careful ownership and use. Wherever it goes, the Blaze orange paintwork attracts attention and starts conversations.
For someone looking for a charismatic chrome-bumper MGB GT with excellent history, low ownership and plenty of scope either to preserve or improve, this is a wonderful example.
