∙Immaculate Old English White body and very clean brightwork
∙Fine interior with new upholstery.
∙Sympathetically restored to very high standards.
The Background
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.
This car was first registered on 10th April 1972. The vendor purchased it three years ago, as a fundamentally sound car but in need of some work, to the interior in particular. Since then, he has restored the car to a very high standard, having done much of the work himself. However, the bodywork and paint were done by a specialist body shop.
The odometer shows a mileage of 43,478 and the accompanying paperwork would seem to substantiate the owner’s belief that this is accurate.
The vendor has done only 200-300 miles in the car in the last year, and owns other 2-seater cars. The recent lack of car shows and club events has largely prompted the decision to sell.
The car comes with a very large history folder, including many receipts that reflect the considerable expenditure incurred in restoring the car to this standard. There is also an original owners’ manual, and the vendor has downloaded and printed facsimiles of the original MGB Workshop Manual, which comes with the car.
The car is being sold complete with its current registration number, and has an MoT test valid until 16th June 2022.
The car is finished in Old English White, which the owner believes was the car’s original colour. The bodywork and paint have clearly been done to an extremely high standard, with no marks or blemishes visible anywhere.
The wheels have been refurbished – they were sand-blasted and powder-coated in chrome finish, by a specialist, then coated in a high-performance lacquer, which should ensure that they continue to look smart for many years. The chrome wheel spinners were all replaced when the car was restored. All four tyres (Dunlop SP68s) have plenty of tread left and are in excellent condition.
All of the car’s brightwork is immaculate, and the owner says that this is how it was when he purchased the car. The luggage rack on the boot is typical of this and looks as-new.
The soft-top is in immaculate condition, with no marks or blemishes, and the car is also supplied with both half- and full-tonneau covers. These are both in excellent condition but the half-tonneau is a tight fit.
The car also comes complete with a separate detachable hard top (see pictures). This has been stored separately, in a garage, and is in excellent condition. The rear window on this offers much better visibility than that on the soft-top, and the vinyl roof covering is in very good condition.
Underneath, the car appears to be very sound, with only superficial rust. The exhaust is in very good condition.
The black seats were completely re-upholstered by the vendor, and the work has clearly been done to a very high standard. The seat runners and associated woodwork have also been refurbished. The carpets and seat belts were replaced and are in fantastic condition.
The vendor also removed a non-standard walnut dash and replaced it with an original, which has been repainted in crackle-black. The instruments are in excellent condition, and the owner replaced the original rev counter to suit the electronic ignition. The owner also refurbished the vinyl pad along the top of the dash, something which is frequently in poor condition on cars of this age.
The sponge arm-rests on the doors have been replaced with more practical chrome handles (see pictures).
In the boot, there is a spare wheel and tyre in excellent condition, plus a jack and warning triangle. The blue boot carpet lining is a bit grubby but is otherwise sound.
The car starts on first turn of the key, sounds good and runs smoothly. The car has electronic ignition, and an aftermarket oil cooler to reduce the chances of overheating. The vendor has recently replaced all the hoses. The engine bay is as clean and tidy as one would expect for a car in this condition, and the work that the vendor has done to restore various components has been done to a very high standard.
There is an ignition ‘kill switch’ behind the driver’s seat.
The vendor has replaced all bulbs on the headlights, rear and reversing lights with modern LEDs, which offer much better illumination and visibility. The front of the car is fitted with two original driving lamps, both of which work.
Described by Classic & Sports Car magazine as the ‘gateway drug’ into the classic-car world, the MGB is true motoring icon that retains a huge following in the UK and around the world. A good-looking, well-engineered car with plenty of interior space, and with fantastic parts, specialist and owners-club support, there are few classics that are such fun to drive and yet so practical.
There can surely be few examples of the MGB in as remarkable condition as UNA 99K on the market anywhere. The car is outstanding, both inside and out, and yet the restoration work has been done so sympathetically that it looks almost completely original.
It offers the prospect of trouble-free, fun motoring in a stylish and comfortable environment, and the few concessions made to modern driving conditions – such as the oil cooler and LED lights – can only enhance the driving experience. As an historic vehicle, the car is MoT- and tax-exempt.
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.
Please see our FAQ's here and our Terms & Conditions here
Please see our FAQs
here
and our Terms & Conditions
here
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1972 MGB Roadster
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
