From its launch in 1962, the MGB was to become the epitome of the British sports car.

It remained in the MG line up for a remarkable eighteen years, until the last one rolled off the Abingdon line in 1980. The MGB GT arrived in 1965 and was an instant success: an affordable and practical coupé that could (just about) accommodate two rear-seat passengers.

With glowing reviews in the motoring press, it fulfilled MGB customers’ desires for greater comfort and sophistication: “…above all, its smoothness, silence, and general refinement will be appreciated by people who, for one reason or another, are a little tired of the buzz and vibration of the typical sports car,” wrote Autosport journalist Jon Bolster of the (then-new) MGB GT in a 1966 issue of the magazine.

Long resident in South Africa, this example has been subject to what the vendor describes as a full nut-and-bolt restoration. 

It looks fantastic inside and out, as its success in Cape Town concours events (second place in 2016 and third in 2017) will attest. 

The car comes complete with a British Motor Heritage certificate that verifies its factory records.

It was manufactured in November 1968 and despatched in December the same year. The Heritage certificate records that it was designated for export. The vendor believes he is only the car’s third owner, having purchased the car from a previous owner in South Africa, who had it for some twenty years and who, the vendor understands, had the car fully restored in 2016. 

As part of the restoration, the car’s colour was changed from its original British Racing Green to its current Tartan Red. It was also completely rewired and changed to a 12v system. The car retains its original engine and gearbox, and these were also part of the restoration project. 

There’s a thick folder of paperwork, including photographic records and invoices detailing the restoration work, and the car comes with its South African registration document. 

The car is registered in South Africa under an ‘S’ designation, which the vendor explains as follows: “Here in South Africa, the licence is a Special Classification or exemption in respect of motor licence fees, or part thereof. So a vehicle that will not be used for transporting goods or people on public roads may apply. Classic or vintage cars older than 40 years may apply if they are to be used solely for the purpose of exhibition. So the owner of such a vehicle must belong to a Motor Club and may only use the vehicle on club drives or shows. It may not be used as a daily commute. The car may also be restricted to daytime drives only and may not be permitted on the roads after 8pm. This explains the very low mileage of [this] car.” 

The vendor cites retirement and a lack of storage space as the reasons for sale, and has offered that he will undertake and pay for all necessary preparation work for the car to be shipped to the UK or Europe, and take it to a shipping agent, but shipping costs will fall to the new owner.

A note on the reg number: the RPB 461 A number listed above is the car’s South African (national) registration number. The plates on the car in the pictures show its Cape Town (local) registration. 

Clearly the car will need to be re-registered in whichever country it’s sold to.   

It’s clear from the photographs that the car’s restoration has been carried out to a very high standard. 

The dashboard and dials look much as they must have done when new, the leather seats are unmarked, and the carpets and rubber overmats are all in extremely good condition. 

Similarly, the carpet liner in the load space looks to be in excellent order. The rear seat folds down to create additional luggage space. 

The door panels are trimmed in the same black-and-red colour scheme as the seats, and look to be unmarked. The door sills feature smart, MG-branded chrome plates, and a map pocket has been added to the passenger side footwell, in front of the door. 

In the boot is an (unmarked) spare wheel and tools in a neat bag. 

All in all, the car’s interior looks like a smart, comfortable and refined driving environment.

Pininfarina’s sharp lines deserved all the contemporary praise that was heaped on the MGB GT, and have stood the test of time; the car still looks every inch the stylish grand tourer.  

As can be seen from the photographs, this car’s exterior looks to be as good as the interior. 

The Tartan Red paintwork looks excellent, although the vendor reports a minor blemish on the bonnet and another on the nearside rear pillar. 

The wire wheels look to be in first-class condition, and have all been fitted with new tyres in the last two months. Elsewhere the badges and chrome brightwork all look superb. 

The car’s engine bay looks to be in exceptionally good order, and the engine has clearly been subject to the same level of care and attention as the rest of the car. The car was rewired and converted to 12v as part of the restoration; the rear suspension was upgraded and all rubbers replaced. 

The vendor says that the car starts, runs and drives beautifully, and that the engine has a ‘healthy, raspy note’. It’s recently had a new stainless-steel exhaust fitted. 

Similarly, the photos show that the car is immaculate underneath - there’s no evidence of rust or leaks. 

A genuine British classic, the MGB GT has a huge enthusiast following, and really good examples are increasingly thin on the ground. 

With excellent parts, owners’ club and specialist support, it’s a practical proposition to own and to maintain, and can hold its head high at any classic motoring event. 

This one appears to be among the very best out there, and looks to have been restored to an exceptionally high standard. While the shipping costs will add to the final price, the car really does appear to justify the outlay. 

If your heart’s desire is a top-quality MGB GT, this one deserves your full attention.