• Great example of iconic British sports car

• Clean and tidy engine bay

• Immaculate hood and tonneau cover

• Looks great on wire wheels

• Beautiful interior 

The MGB is an iconic British sports car that was manufactured by the British Motor Corporation (later British Leyland) from 1962 to 1980. The roadster was the first model of the MGB to come off the Abingdon production line and was distinguished by its unitary body and chassis structure. 

The car’s popularity meant that although production was originally intended to continue for seven years, it was extended again and again until the last car was made in 1980. The basic body shape remained the same throughout the eighteen years of its production. 

In total more than half a million of the MGB and its variants were produced and the cars remain popular with classic-car enthusiasts to this day.  

 

LAO 953 E forums part of a small, private collection of British classics and is being offered for sale to help fund a significant new purchase.

First registered on 9th May, 1967, LAO 953 E was built as an MGB GT and subsequently converted, to a high standard, to a roadster - which the vendor believes, but cannot warrant, was carried out using a British Motor Heritage shell.

The vendor is only the fourth registered owner of the vehicle from new. 

 

The history file for the car dates back to 2011, when the previous - and third - owner purchased the vehicle from Norfolk-based specialist MG Mecca for the sum of £10,648. 

The history file demonstrates that LAO 953 E has been serviced annually thereafter, regardless of mileage and with much money spent on the car to keep it in the condition it is presented in today. Most of this servicing was carried out by Kent-based Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist, Sargeants of Goudhurst/Goudhurst Service Station.

Notable recent expenditure includes a new exhaust system, and the car comes to the market having been serviced in July 2021 by renowned engineer and historic race-car preparer Walter Heale. This major service included replacement of the water pump, a steering rack overhaul and new clutch slave cylinder - meaning that LAO 953 E is ready to go for its new owner to enjoy. At the same time, a new set of period-correct, raised-digit number plates, supplied by Framptons, was fitted. (The previous pressed-steel numberplates are also supplied with the car.)

MoT History - A search on the DVLA website shows that LAO 953 E has an incredibly clean MoT record, and that it has been regularly tested in recent years despite being exempt as a historic vehicle. A definite plus, which further exemplifies the care lavished on the car over the past decade.

 

The car’s colour is Damask Red and while the paintwork is generally very good, both rear wings show slight evidence of blistering just above the metal trim strip. There is also evidence of a small repair on the offside rear wheel arch, presumably to deal with rust. Some dents on the rear edge of the drivers’ door have been touched in. There are places along the edge of the chrome strip where the red paint does not quite meet the strip.  

The chrome on the front bumper and the radiator grille show minor evidence of tarnishing, and similarly the MG badge on the front is slightly tarnished. 

The car is fitted with a very good, high-quality mohair hood which is in excellent condition. There is no noticeable damage to the plastic rear screens. The car is also supplied with a tonneau cover which has only been very lightly used since being supplied with car when sold by MG Mecca in 2011, and consequently presents in nearly-new condition. 

The windscreen is in excellent condition, with no visible chips.  

The car is fitted with a set of wire wheels which remain in very good shape, and all the tyres have plenty of life left in them. In the boot is a spare wheel with a sound tyre, and the bars for the tonneau cover, still in their case. 

 

The interior of LAO 953 E is in excellent shape - as demonstrated in the photos - and it’s clear that the seat covers have been replaced at some point in the recent past. The driver’s seat has had a repair to the rear. Both interior door panels are in good condition but, curiously, both show evidence of repair next to the door handle – see the photographs. 

The dashboard is in superb condition and this contributes to the very smart look of the car’s interior. Similarly, the carpets are clean and show no signs of wear. The car still has its original ‘banjo’ steering wheel, which is a lovely period touch.

The car comes with a Radiomobile CD player and radio with detachable fascia (to deter theft) and the fascia is in its original case with the instruction manual also supplied. The owner says that the radio and CD player work perfectly.  

 

The car starts readily and has a pleasing exhaust tone. It drives as well as one would expect of a car that has been so well looked after through its life. The rev counter has an intermittent problem, with the needle sticking at the 2k revs mark with the engine switched off. The owner says this is usually cleared by restarting the car. The car is fitted with an aftermarket fan which the vendor says functions well. The engine bay is clean and tidy and has clearly been the subject of much care and attention.    

Notably, LAO 953 E is fitted with overdrive, which the vendor says is in fully working order. 

 

This is an excellent example of a classic British sports car that has been well cared for, for many years and has clearly had a lot of money spent on it. It looks great and drives well. As a historic vehicle, the car is tax- and MoT-exempt. The MGB has a huge following and there is excellent support from owners’ clubs and specialists. The popularity of the model means that parts and accessories are readily available.