Highlights

Classic British grand-tourer
3.5-litre V8 engine
In mostly original condition
Complete with BM Heritage certificate

The Appeal

Added to the MG range in 1965, the MGB GT was an instant success: an affordable and practical coupé that could (just about) accommodate two rear-seat passengers. Lauded by motoring journalists, it fulfilled MGB customers’ desires for greater comfort and sophistication: “its smoothness, silence, and general refinement will be appreciated by people who…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.

The V8-powered version of the car arrived in 1973, combining the popular coupé body style with a powerful three-and-a-half litre V8 alloy engine. The result transformed the MGB, creating a nimble car with the luxury of V8 power – a combination that appeals to enthusiasts to this day.

OAU 738 P was first registered in 1976 and the vendor believes it to be one of the last 30 of only 735 rubber-bumper GT V8s built. It’s in remarkably good condition for its age and has had a few minor tweaks made to improve performance, but otherwise looks original.

The History and Paperwork

British Motor Heritage certificate
Original brochure
Original owner’s manual
Current V5
MoT- and tax-exempt
MoT until January 2024
Past MoT certificates
Numerous invoices

The car comes complete with a British Motor Heritage certificate that verifies its factory records. It was manufactured in April 1976 and despatched in May the same year. Although both MoT- and tax-exempt, the car has a valid MoT until January 2024 and the paperwork includes a number of previous MoT certificates. There are also a number of invoices for recent work, including new tyres.

The vendor bought the car in 2019 and has only done around 1600 miles in it. He owns other cars and, with storage space becoming an issue, he has decided to reduce the size of his collection.

The Interior

Black cloth seats in excellent condition
Rear bench seat
Smart door cards
‘Craquelure’ dashboard in great condition
Spacious load bay
Spare wheel and jack

The car’s interior has clearly been subject to a degree of refurbishment, but all looks very original. The black cloth seats are in superb condition and offer a comfortable and supportive driving position, while the cloth on the rear ‘bench’ seat is unmarked, even if the rear legroom is as limited as one would expect in a compact coupé.

The dashboard, centre-console, gear lever and dials all look great and very original, and while the spokes of the MG-branded steering wheel have some slight patina its leather trim is in excellent condition. The vendor advises that while there is power to the radio it is not currently working.

The door cards and interior handles all look smart, and the doors shut with a reassuring firmness. The carpets appear to be recent, and underneath them the floorpan looks to be sound and rust-free. Similarly, the carpet liner in the load space looks to be in excellent order.

The rear seat folds down to create additional luggage space. In the boot is a spare wheel, in very good condition, and a plastic sleeve containing the jack. The roof lining is generally very good, although there are a couple of ‘nicks’ in this adjacent to the hatchback’s hinges. All in all, the car’s interior looks original and provides a smart, comfortable and refined driving environment.

The Exterior

Classic MGB GT profile
Flamenco red paintwork
Smart chrome brightwork
New Avon ZT7 tyres
Distinctive alloy wheels

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.

This car’s ‘Flamenco Red’ paintwork is mostly in very good order, and the car looks great from all angles, although on closer inspection there is a minor ‘ding’ in the front offside wing and a few rust bubbles becoming evident. The seams on the rear wings have some minor bubbling – a common issue on the MGB GT.

The badges and brightwork all have some patina, and there is a dent on the chrome trim strip on the nearside.

All four alloy wheels have some slight patina but are otherwise very good, and the car has recently been fitted with new Avon ZT7 tyres all round. All of the front and rear lights are in excellent condition, and have the added security benefit of being engraved with the car’s registration number, as are the windows.

The Mechanics

3520cc alloy V8 engine
Recent new clutch
MG-R four-pot calipers and discs fitted
Lowered to ‘chrome-bumper’ ride height

The car starts on first turn of the key, it idles with a lovely note, and the vendor assures us that it runs and drives beautifully. The addition of four-pot calipers and discs, as fitted to the MG-R, has improved the braking and the car can be hustled along with confidence.

Underneath the bonnet, everything 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. Underneath the car, the exhaust is in very good condition and there are no visible issues, with only superficial rust present.

Summary

A genuine British classic, the MGB GT has a huge enthusiast following, and really good examples are increasingly thin on the ground. The V8 is undoubtedly the car’s most exciting and refined incarnation, and consequently the most sought-after.

With excellent parts, owners’ club and specialist support, it’s a practical proposition to own and to maintain, it can hold its head high at any classic motoring event, as well as providing an exciting and rewarding driving experience.

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