Rare opportunity to buy an ‘as new’ MGB with miniscule mileage
One of the last MGB Roadsters built at Abingdon
Converted to chrome bumper specification
Recently fully resprayed
42 years old and with just 248 miles
MOT and tax exempt
Just two owners from new, first until 2022
Immaculate condition inside and out
The Appeal
Barn finds are the Holy Grail of car collectors, but they often come with a twist: an expensive recommissioning process. Then there are barn finds like this beautiful MGB. It’s been in storage virtually since the day it left the MG dealership, covering just 248 miles in 42 years. But the best bit is that someone else has done all the hard work of putting it back on the road.
The venerable MGB is one of Britain’s most recognisable sports cars and also one of our longest lived, remaining in production for close on 20 years. The final ‘MKIV’ versions like this car left the factory in 1980 with raised ride height and plastic impact bumpers. Excellent parts supply and enthusiastic owners clubs make running one particularly rewarding.
Despite spending four decades in dry storage, the Seller says that this car was in remarkable condition when he bought it in 2022. Nevertheless, he decided to recommission it. The work covered mechanicals, bodywork and trim, including a bare metal respray in the original Snapdragon Yellow.
With the MG brand returning to the top of the sales charts and a new MG sports car reportedly in the pipeline, here is a very rare opportunity to buy a virtually ‘as new’ classic MG that hasn’t even been run in yet. Aside from the looks, that history is sure to be a talking point wherever this car goes.
The History And Paperwork
History file recording all recent work and DVLA paperwork
First registered 17th October 1980, 5 days before production ended
Built in April 1980, 7 months before end of production
MG heritage certificate with car
Snapdragon Yellow paintwork is as this car left the factory
MOT and tax exempt
The listing will be sold with the originally registered PLR420W
Converted to chrome bumper specification by current owner in 2022
The Interior
Black leather MG seats replace original silver and grey cloth seats
Aftermarket wood veneer dashboard fitted by Seller in 2022
‘Tourist Trophy’ wooden steering wheel
New carpets fitted in 2022
The MGB interior remained little changed throughout its long life, even the updated fascia from 1975 retaining a similar style to the ‘crackle finish’ original. It is a simple, fuss-free but very comfortable place to be, the big spongey seats playing to the car’s relaxed, touring characteristics.
The simplicity of that interior has led to the many MG specialists offering numerous upgrades. This car takes advantage of that wealth of personalisation possibilities. The attractive wood veneer dashboard fittings are a popular choice amongst enthusiasts and in this brightly coloured car nicely lift the interior aesthetics. The Tourist Trophy wood rimmed wheel is also a nice, complementary touch. Both were fitted by the Seller within the last year so are in ‘as new’ condition.
The switchgear and fixtures around the car are in virtually unused, unmarked condition. Even the factory fitted radio blanking plate, with its embossed ‘MG’ logo, is still present.
The final MGBs, like this one, were supplied with brightly coloured fabric seats. The Heritage Certificate for this car shows that it had silver and grey seats. The Seller has converted this car to chrome bumper and therefore opted to replace them with the type of black seats that would have been fitted to those earlier cars. They had vinyl black seats, this one’s are in unmarked black leather.
The door cards and fittings are in excellent condition, just a small area of discolouration on the driver’s door trim detracting. The black carpets in the cabin are also brand new. MGBs were never supplied with factory boot carpets, which explains why this car does not have one. Aftermarket sets are available should the buyer wish to fit them.
The Exterior
Factory correct Snapdragon Yellow paintwork in immaculate condition
Original chrome all in excellent condition
Original soft top in excellent condition as is the tonneau cover
Professionally converted to chrome bumper including lowering to period-correct height
Conversion and respray in 2022 costing over £4,500 and another £5000 was spent on other items which are listed in the cars history file
New Uniroyal 14inch tyres with brand new Minilite alloys
The Heritage Certificate for this late model MGB shows that it was built in Abingdon in early April 1980, five months before the end of production, and finished in distinctive Snapdragon Yellow paintwork. It was registered for the road just five days before production ended.
The Seller acquired the car in June 2022 from the original owner of 41 years. He had dry stored the car from new and apparently never used it, hence the remarkable mileage of just 248 miles.
According to the Seller the car was in timewarp condition, just a few small scratches on the bodywork and ‘spiderswebs’ showing from the rivets in the chrome strips. Nevertheless, he decided to fully respray the car, in the original colour, at the same time taking the opportunity to convert it to the desirable ‘chrome bumper’ look of the earlier MGBs up to 1975.
All work was professionally done using quality parts supplied by MG specialist Moss Bristol. Invoices for all the parts and the work are supplied with the car.
The chrome bumper conversion involves replacing the springs to lower the ride height of the car, welding metal caps under the rear light clusters, adding a strip of metal below the front indicators and modifying the front bumper mounts to enable the grill to fit correctly.
The car was then fully resprayed: the photographs indicate that this respray included the door shuts and sills, rather than simply being limited to the outer body panels. The original chrome and exterior fixtures were then refitted to the car.
The photographs are evidence of the quality of this work. The paint finish is excellent and the panel fit likewise. MGB doors have a habit of sagging: the shut lines and sight lines down each side of the car are clean and even. Close inspection of the photographs does not reveal any imperfections.
The vinyl soft top and tonneau are original and in very good condition. The clear Perspex panels are also excellent, appearing unmarked and undistorted.
The final MGBs were fitted with Rostyle wheels. These have been replaced on this car with 14inch Minilites, a popular choice for MGBs that seems to nicely modernise the look and works well with the chrome bumpers. They sit on brand new Uniroyal tyres.
The car was originally registered on a ‘W’ plate as shown in the photographs of the Heritage Certificate. The silver on black plates shown in the photographs are period correct for a chrome bumper car. However, a recent change in DVLA rules means that cars built after 1st January 1980, like this car, cannot display such plates on the road and the buyer may wish to note this.
The Mechanics
Engine internals stripped and valves, piston rings and bearing shells replaced as a precaution
Gearbox, differential and overdrive checked and fluids replaced, flushed and replaced
Radiator, water pump, thermostat, pressure cap and all hose clips replaced in 2022
Fuel system overhauled including new fuel tank, fuel pump, tank sender unit, filters and rubber fuel links
Carburettor rebuilt and reset
Electrics and ignition system overhauled including new battery and alternator, new relays, new spark plugs and leads, new ignition barrel and keys
Wiper blades and arms replaced
Braking system overhauled including new front discs, new rear wheel cylinders, new brake and clutch fluid, handbrake cable lubricated and rear drums cleaned and adjusted
When a car has sat unused for 41 years it would be tempting to simply tidy it up and ready it for sale. That hasn’t happened here as the catalogue of work outlined above clearly shows. All work was completed during the second half of 2022 by the Seller and MG specialists.
The recommissioning covered every mechanical area of the car including engine, gearbox, differential, cooling system, fuel system, electrics and braking system. Where necessary new parts were fitted or, where practical, existing parts refurbished. In particular the engine was stripped and inspected. As a precaution the valves, piston rings and bearing shells were replaced and the engine then rebuilt using new gaskets and seals. The flywheel was also cleaned together with the clutch and bearing.
Invoices support this work and are provided with the car. Reflecting the careful approach of the Seller, this car appears to have received a huge amount of work to ensure the mechanicals match the aesthetics.
Summary
Just to describe this car as a rare find feels like it is underselling it: it is perhaps unique to discover a delivery-mileage, 42 year old MGB from the final few months of production. The downside of such a discovery might be the months of work to make it reliable and presentable to drive. With this pretty Snapdragon Yellow B all of that work has already been done.
The MGB is popular because it is so useable and easy to own, thanks to cheap and plentiful parts supply. The work and the sensitive upgrades to the interior and chrome-bumper aesthetics of this car appears to have been done throughout to a very high standard. Its story is a remarkable one and only helps this distinctive car stand out. After 42 years it looks ready to hit the road.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
