Description
A wonderful car with a remarkable story. Owned and enjoyed for over 63 years by just 1 family (father and daughter) and the subject of comprehensive recommissioning in 2023, this fabulous and rather rare YB saloon affords more motoring charm and character than I`ve experienced in a very long time. Presented in stunning Gold with gorgeous Oxblood Red leather interior and sitting on correct 15” steel wheels, it drives as good as it looks and not surprisingly has been recently used as wedding-day bridal transport. A matching numbers example (and believed to be the 2nd to last YB ever built), this is perhaps almost a unique opportunity to acquire a well-engineered and sought-after British sporting saloon of both pedigree and provenance. Great value too.
With origins back to 1939, the Y-Type was effectively launched as an all-new model in 1947 as a compact 4-door sporting salon and open tourer with styling by Gerald Palmer (note the similarities to the Morris 8 Series E). Built on a separate chassis with fully independent front suspension, both considered advanced technology for the day, the car was fitted with a single carburettor version of the 1250cc XPAG engine as seen in the MG TB developing 46BHP. Again, this was considered a step ahead of the competition who were still very much reliant on pre-war sidevalve power. The YA featured a considerable use of leather and wood throughout the cabin and reviewed favourably in contemporary road tests, the only criticism was the external styling, considered by some to be a little dated. In 1948, am open 4-seater tourer, the YT, was launched at the London Motor Show with slightly more sporting character in the cabin with less wood and a bigger dash with tachometer and subsidiary dials. In 1951, the YA became the YB with improved Lockheed twin leading shoe braking system, smaller 15” wheels and better suspension set-up with anti-roll bar, stronger shock absorbers and more modern back axle. By mid-1953, production had virtually halted with styling now a real issue, ushering in the all-new ZA Magnette from later that year. It is believed that over the 2-year production run, just 1301 YB Saloons were built.
Our car was registered on 30th May 1953 and is believed to be the 2nd to last car off the line. It was sold new to a lady residing at Cardeston Manor near Shrewsbury, itself formerly in the ownership of Rolls Royce and used for client entertaining and welfare. She retained the MG for 5 years selling in October 1958 to ironically a Rolls Royce mechanic in Shrewsbury itself. It became his daily driver for work and pleasure and completed many annual trips to North Cornwall with all the family onboard. Retirement came in 1967 and to keep busy it was decided to completely rebuild the car from the chassis up to include all mechanical parts, finished off with a full repaint. This was completed in August 1968 and both car and owner were featured in a national newspaper. Indeed, we have a copy of this article together with a collection of both black and white and colour photographs of the car and the proud family back in the day. As our keeper grew older, the MG was used less and less and a conversation was had with his daughter about selling. But neither could let go of the memories and in August 1990, the car was gifted to the daughter who subsequently retained it for the next 31 years. The car was enjoyed sparingly but evidently maintained with a full re-chrome of bumpers and lights together with a clean and refresh of all the leather in 2014. She finally parted with it in March 2021 after 63 years of family ownership and it sold locally to a gentleman also in Shrewsbury. He kept the car just 14 months selling it to another local enthusiast who, in turn, put the MG up for sale again in January 2023. It was quickly acquired by a gentleman living in rural Dorset seeking something interesting to use as a bridal car for his daughter`s imminent wedding. After some minor detailing to include a full set of windscreen, door and boot seals, the car was sent off to local specialist Barrie Carter at Mosterton for a complete check-over. Whilst in his care, the MG underwent a complete brake overhaul with all new cylinders, shoes, hoses and seals, a bearing service, a chassis spring mount rebuild and complete engine service and tune-up. A month later, the car returned to Barrie Carter for a complete new exhaust system and replacement brake master cylinder whilst shortly afterwards, a replacement old-stock steering wheel was fitted to compliment the already fabulous and original cabin. Bills for this period run to just over £3500. Shortly afterwards, the MG did its duty as wedding-day transport and has been continuously enjoyed to this day. Only ill-health has persuaded our current keeper to reluctantly part with the car.
The MG presents just as can be seen in the photographs. It is evidently an older restoration and repaint but has mellowed beautifully with just a couple of stone chips and age-related blemishes. All chrome, replaced some 12 years ago, is still excellent with just light pitting whilst correct 15” steel wheels are shod with good quality branded tyres. Open the drivers` door, step inside and an overwhelming sense of nostalgia is immediately apparent with fabulous and original Oxblood Red leather seating, acres of wood and some wonderful Art Deco detailing from the octagonal Jaeger dials to even the door furniture. Turn the ignition key, push the starter and the little XPAG engine fires into life immediately sounding very sweet with purposeful exhaust note. Select 1st and the MG pulls away smartly with gear selections coming both swiftly and smoothly allowing for surprisingly spirited acceleration. On a warm May afternoon, I took the car for a spin across the West Dorset Downs and to be honest, wanted to carry on going! It is undeniably one of the nicest saloons of this era that I have ever driven. Ample performance, balanced handling, positive steering and superb brakes (thanks to much recent work) come together to form the perfect 1950`s driving experience. Perfect to take to a show or a Sunday afternoon trip to the beach.
The MG comes with a box file of history with the original Buff logbook and subsequent Registration Documents providing a detailed account of ownership, a copy of the newspaper article from August 1968, lots of period photographs, hand-written notes, old MoT Certificates and tax discs, an Operation Manual, Lubrication Chart, Workshop Manual, Technical Data and Tuning Information, bills and receipts for all recent work and a current V5C. The MG is classed as Historic and as such is naturally both MoT and road-tax exempt.
A truly wonderful example of an iconic British sporting saloon with great provenance.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today. We are happy to take a reservation fee to hold a vehicle but as a dealership, we don`t operate a structured distance selling scheme.
Reservation fee now paid. Sorry.
