1971 MGB Roadster Automatic
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Highlights
• Fully restored – Back to a bare chassis
• Concours d’Elegance show winning car
• Rare automatic version – recently had a gearbox rebuild
• Huge online gallery of the restoration
• Low owner car
The Background
Think of reasons why people love these cars, use this as a way to get the reader fired up for the car. An iconic of British motoring the MGB entered production in 1962 and ran until the 1980s in its original form, the name was revived in 1992 for three years but it wouldn’t live up to the original MGB. The MGB was originally designed as a 2-seater, soft-top, four-cylinder sports car but the hard top option was introduced in 1965.
The MGB would end up selling roughly half a million units and it is believed that only around 400 of these were fitted with this automatic gearbox. The MGB is now one of the most recognisable classic cars on the roads of the UK today.
The History
This MGB Roadster has lived a quiet life only having 2 owners prior to the restoration work starting. If you have a look at the paperwork, we can work out that it started its life out in and around the Leatherhead area where it was subsequently sold to the second owner in 1978 who resided in Epsom area. The second owner keeps the car all the way up until a few years ago when the current owner bought the MGB and set about the task of a complete restoration.
Over the past 2 and a bit years the current owner has made it their job to bring this car back to its former glory. From the online gallery you are able to see just how much hard work and pride the current owner has put into the restoration of this special little MGB Roadster.
With the restoration period recently coming to its completion the current owner has taken the car out on a few occasions and recently won the Concours d’Elegance at a car show.
The Paperwork
This doesn’t need to be a list of paperwork. Instead describe what’s there, talk about important paperwork for key works such as engine rebuilds/paint/restoration etc.
There are a couple of pieces of paperwork from the second owner of this MGB a few reference the usual services and MOT’s that it has had over the past 50 years. There are also a few big invoices that point towards some major works being carried out in the previous ownership.
As we have previously mentioned this car has recently had a major and meticulous restoration. At the time of the photoshoot the current owner had not yet had the time to sort out the invoices so there aren’t any photos of the parts that have been replaced.
In place of the traditional paperwork, we can share a link with you that will take you to the online gallery that contains hundreds of photos that show how the car has been disassembled and rebuilt. These pictures are very detailed and will allow any prospective buyer visualise just how much care has gone into the rebuild of this rare automatic MGB.
Click here to see more pictures.
The Interior
The interior of this MGB started out life as a simple and quite dull combination of black seats, black carpet, and a black hood. But the current owner, during the restoration, has changed the interior colour to this glorious deep red colour that it always should have been.
The interior has been brought into the 21st century with a couple of standout features. The original radio has been swapped out for a unit that now has the capability of Bluetooth audio and calling which is lovely in a car of this age. There is also now the inclusion of a heated front screen, a must as we head into the colder winter months.
One clever feature that even MG themselves would probably wish they had thought of at the time is the inclusion of the MGB GT boot floor layout. This feature allows you to separate the spare wheel section from the rest of the boot, allowing you to keep your luggage clean.
The car has also been fitted with new door glasses, quarter lights, door seals, and new locks have also been installed. It's these little pieces that set this restored MGB roadster apart from the other offerings on the market.
The Exterior
The exterior has received a total overhaul. When it arrived, the bodywork was a bit tired and in need of a bit of TLC, so that is exactly what the current owner did. The body was stripped back to bare metal and soda blasted, after the blasting was complete it came to light that a few body parts would need to be replaced. These included the doors, boot-lid, front wings, and new floor panels due to some slight corrosion.
When the body parts had all been fitted the car was subject to a new Glacier White paint job which looks stunning set against the red leather interior.
The all-important exterior chrome has either been re-plated or replaced with new parts. Also, the car has been fitted with brand new chrome wire wheels (including the spare) which just add bucket loads of character to the exterior of this MGB.
One part that you may never see is the underside, but just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be looked after. So along with the new exterior paint job the current owner went about powder coating the newly refurbished axles, diff, and subframe. With the underside being resealed and finished in the same Glacier white as the body panels.
The Mechanics
Like the rest of the car the mechanical elements of this car were worked over with a fine-tooth comb. The list of parts that have either been replaced, overhauled, or improved is almost endless, but it is thanks to this attention to detail that we are now presented with one of the best MGB Roadsters out there.
The engine bay itself was subject to the same treatment as the interior and exterior and as such it is cleaner then when it left the factory. When you open the bonnet, you are greeted with a full overhauled 1.8l B series engine.
The first, and major task was to convert the car to run on unleaded fuel after this was accomplished the following parts were replaced for new parts, camshaft, rocker assembly, oil pump, piston rings, heater valve, oil cooler, radiator, fuel lines, fuel pump, carburetors, alternator, and starter motor. There has also been a stainless-steel exhaust system from the header back, which gives the car a nice throaty soundtrack. As you can see, there really has been no expense spared with the rebuild of this car.
This MGB is fitted with an ultra-rare automatic gearbox (research shows that only around 400 left the factory with the automatic box) this has also had a recent overhaul by Hardy’s Gearbox Specialist in Leatherhead with a new torque converter being fitted at the same time. The list of parts that have already been mention is vast, but there is still more to come.
The old suspension set up has now been replaced by totally adjustable Spax shocks accompanied by new springs. New brakes, calipers, brake pipes, hoses, master cylinder and servo have also been fitted to make sure this car now stops as well as it goes. One important aftermarket feature that has been fitted to this MGB is power steering.
During the restoration period the current owner decided to fit power steering to make it a more positive to drive classic car. With all of the workings hidden under the dashboard this modification is totally invisible, but it improves the car tenfold making it accessible for anyone to jump in a drive it.
The Appeal
The MGB is a British institution when it comes to classic motoring, with its timeless design and sporty performance it is a perfect classic car for almost anyone. This MGB with all of the work that has been completed is now better than when it left the factory in 1971. The addition of the power steering, heated windscreen and modern radio make this car a truly usable classic regardless of the journey you are undertaking.
With the love and attention poured into the restoration period of this MGB roadster it is easy to see that it is probably the best example on the market today. The new owner will be picking up a great a classic car which incorporates modern engineering that will see it through another 50 years.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1971
- Make MG
- Model MGB
- Colour White
- Odometer 84,557 Miles
- Engine size 1798
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town South Croydon
- Location London
- Country United Kingdom
12
bids
from 7
bidders
- En•••• £31,000 30/11/21
- da•••• £30,750 30/11/21
- En•••• £30,500 30/11/21
- da•••• £30,250 30/11/21
- En•••• £30,000 30/11/21
- pa•••• £20,500 30/11/21
- va•••• £20,000 25/11/21
- ja•••• £15,250 25/11/21
- va•••• £15,000 24/11/21
- va•••• £10,000 24/11/21
The Gallery
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