Highlights 

• Quirky original registration number 
• Fully restored to a superb standard in 2014/15 
• Excellent maintenance has kept this example in top running and driving order 
• Beautiful paintwork applied to an original body 
• British racing green with a black interior is a classic and timeless look 

The Appeal 

The History and Paperwork 

• Vast folder of paperwork to back up the restoration by Prestige Car Bodies, many of the parts and accessories being provided by the famous MBG HIVE 
• Current V5 documentation showing 11 previous keepers 
• Fastidious documentation of costs over the vendors ownership and during the restoration with many notes and markings that will no doubt be of great reading interest to the new keeper 

The Interior 

• Clean, simple and classic, this B has seen a lovely restoration job which has brushed off the nearly 10 years of use since being done, presenting us with an exceptionally tidy and welcoming cabin 
• Plenty of original features remain, with the pencil thin, three spoke steering wheel being the focal point of attention, allowing superb visibility forwards and to the dials 
• The dashboard and dials are in great order with very little sign of ageing or wear, the dials reported to operate perfectly and with no ‘wobble’ as some can be prone to. Along with that, great oil pressure on the dash mounted gauge is reported too 
• In the rear everything is very nice indeed with an isolator switch fitted behind the driver and the rear bench looking factory fresh and it wouldn't surprise us if we were told it had never been used 
• The light grey headlining keeps the cabin that bit airer and bigger in feel, seeming unmarked anywhere and very well fitted with minimal sagging 
• Everything appears to work electronically and all the levers and handles are in great nick with nothing missing at the time of inspection 

The Exterior 

• Still wearing the original body, so we’re told, the car looks absolutely stunning in a very well applied coat of British racing green with fabulously straight panels and even panel gaps all round 
• All the way down to the sills the paint is very shiny and evenly applied with very few marks to note and virtually no evidence of bubbling or corrosion to note, even in the usual areas ( the car was inspected indoors before the unfortunate addition of British weather) 
• Dunlop made, wire spoked wheels are of course the natural choice for this car and these were renewed in 2014 meaning beautiful condition and lovely paint finish on all four corners and very good, quality tyres all round 
• We thought the registration plate was a nice little bonus due to its having 888 which may be meaningful to some even though its an original supplied plate 
• Pressed metal, silver on black plates are period correct and look well against the chrome work that is presented in exceptional condition, free of any obvious marks or blemishes 

The Mechanics 

• Starting on the button, the fabulous thrum of the long stroke 1.8 is unmistakable and runs cold well with just a whiff of fume on throttle 
• We were fortunate to inspect the car thoroughly on a garage ramp and we found the underside to be in remarkable nick, the usual coating of underseal to keep away the chips and weather but nothing excessive 
• Generally the transmission and engine showed light oil misting and tiny drops, nothing out of the ordinary for these vehicles and what was there was very isolated 
• Some red paintwork on some components brightened up the underside, and overall the suspension components look in decent order, some slight surface corrosion as is normal but mostly everything was well protected with paint or sealant 
• The engine compartment was just lovely with a classic balance of burgundy paint on the block and some satin finished aluminium components kept an original look and generally everything is tidy, clean and wiring tucked away in an arranged manner, evidently a good amount of time was spent restoring and tending to the car in recent times 

Summary