Put back on the road 18 months ago after a 40-year nut and bolt rebuild
Immaculate Flame Red bodywork fresh from bare metal respray
Complete mechanical strip down and rebuild and limited use since
Rare ‘fish mouth’ model only available for two years
Desirable optional overdrive fitted
Refurbished interior with many new parts
Rare opportunity to buy a fastidiously restored chrome bumper BGT
The Appeal
MG’s ‘mini E Type’ coupe cleverly developed the original roadster’s style into a stylish GT car. There were few changes throughout the model’s life but one of the most distinctive – and fleeting – was the ‘fish mouth’ grille, a design allegedly copied from America’s Mustang and designed to endow the diminutive British sports car with trans-Altlantic style.
This beautiful Flame Red 1971 BGT is one of those cars and it has a remarkable story. In 1980 the then-owner, an engineer, stripped it down and began a nut and bolt rebuild, the vast list of parts extending over several pages and included in the history file. The Seller bought the car as a project, requiring a respray, and completed the work between 2014 and 2021. The car has covered few miles since. It is an opportunity to buy a completely restored example of the very useable BGT where someone else has done all the hard work.
The History And Paperwork
First registered 31st March 1971
No online MOT history as the car was off the road until 2021 but some old MOTs in history file
Huge file of history including photographic record of work and comprehensive list of parts purchased
Speedometer believed replaced so mileage may not be correct
All mechanical and structural repair work done by former engineer owner, bare metal respray and refit professionally done
The Interior
Crackle finish dashboard original but fully refurbished
New, factory and period-correct vinyl seats and door trims and new carpets fitted
New headlining and side trims
Original factory radio blanking panel
Original MG steering wheel appears to also have been refurbished
The arc of crackle finish dashboard across the front of this car tells much of the story of this extensively restored car. It is immaculate having been refurbished by the Seller and refitted as part of the no-expense-spared refurbishment. Elsewhere there are new, vinyl seats – identical to the ones this car would have left the factory with – and new carpets and door trims. All are in excellent, unmarked condition. The factory-correct leather rimmed steering wheel is also excellent.
The originality extends to the factory-supplied radio blanking plate. The headlining and other side trims were also replaced during the restoration and appear in virtually new condition.
Overall this interior is testament to the attention to detail displayed by the Seller. He has not just replaced what may have needed replaced, he has brought the rest of the car up to the same ‘as new’ standard irrespective of condition.
The Exterior
Full bare metal respray in original Flame Red including engine bay
Full restoration by previous owner including wings, inner and outer sills, castle sections, valance, jacking points, floors and doors
Quality Hankook tyres fitted to refurbished RoStyle wheels
Original, difficult to source ‘fish mouth’ grille in very good condition
Underside carefully undersealed with black stone chip
New badging and front and rear chrome bumpers
Some original trim retained, such as for the roof gutters
Excellent panel fit throughout
The previous owner stripped and refitted the mechanicals between 1980 and 2014. When the Seller bought this car in that year he began work to complete the restoration which was mainly limited to refurbishing the paintwork, refitting the trim and retrimming the interior.
The work during the 80s, 90s and 00s is carefully documented in the history file where there are pages upon pages listing the parts sourced and replaced. A quick summary of these shows the wings, inner and out sills, castle rails, jacking points, valance, doors and floor were all restored. A more detailed list is in the photographs.
This owner also primed the engine bay and painted it as well as the underside. The underside of the car was sandblasted and undersealed with stone chip guard.
From 2014 the body was stripped and taken back to bare metal before being professionally resprayed in its original Flame Red, arguably one of the nicest colours for this era of BGT. The work has clearly been done to a very high standard as the immaculate condition attests. The very limited use since – the car went back on the road in 2021 – has helped the paintwork stand up. Close inspection of the photographs does not reveal any deterioration or even stone chips across the panels. It is also clear that the various panels, particularly the doors, fit very well.
Following the repaint a combination of new and original chrome and bodywork fittings were used, including new bumpers and new badges. All of the trim is in excellent condition, as you might expect, with only very minor issues detracting, such as a shallow dent in the nearside roof guttering trim.
The car sits on its original factory supplied 14inch RoStyle wheels, which have also been refurbished and are unmarked. There are quality Hankook tyres all round that appear virtually new.
The Mechanics
Original 1800cc MG 4cyl engine developing 95bhp
Manual four speed gearbox with desirable optional overdrive fitted
Rear axle, brake hoses, engine and gearbox mounts, exhaust system, wiper motor, clutch system and brake system all replaced or overhauled by previous owner
Front axle rebuilt
New batteries fitted within last 18 months
The mechanical running gear of this car matches the bodywork condition and has received similar attention. Most of this work was done by the previous owner and there is an annotated list of parts covering the clutch system, axles and braking system indicating extensive refurbishment and replacement at considerable cost. Even the engine and gearbox mounts were replaced.
The car has covered few miles since this work was done so while it does date back to 1980 the car has been used without incident since so it seems reasonable to assume any new owner can have confidence in it.
This car is fitted with the desirable optional overdrive, which makes high speed cruising considerably more relaxing.
There is no MOT history with this car and it has been off the road for most of the last 43 years. However it has been virtually rebuilt from the ground up during that time. The Seller has used it lightly over the last 18 months and found it to be reliable and without any reported issues.
Summary
The BGT has remained a staple of the classic car scene for all the reasons it was popular when new: it looks great, it’s reliable and easy to own and it can be used in any weather. With values of even good ones making these cars very accessible, expensive full nut and bolt restorations like this car has enjoyed are rare.
This lovely Flame Red GT is a rare ‘fish mouth’ model with a fascinating story. It is fresh from a huge and detailed restoration and seems tailor made to use and really enjoy as part of the extensive MG owners network.
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.
