Car & Classic Dealer

Simon Drabble Cars

Andover, Hampshire

1965 MGB FIA great period race history SOLD

1965 MGB FIA race car with period race history

MGB has a deserved reputation as one of the best and easiest ways into Historic motorsport. They are easy and cost effective to run as well as consistently competitive in their class.

Many famous drivers have raced an MGB on the way up the ladder such as Rob Huff or in their autumn years like the late Sir Stirling Moss. With many MGB’s racing and vying for a grid position in the premier events it’s important to have a car with period race history.

Our car, still road registered HGT 576C, is one of very few FIA MGBs racing today to have significant period race history.

This famous “Ilford 500” car was ordered new in 1965 by Privateer Andrew Longden who campaigned the car through to 1968, with podiums and success in a number of club events, Hill Climbs and Sprints.

John Baggott, the motoring historian, wrote about HGT 576C in his book, MGB: The racing story:

"A long-distance race had always appealed, so having asked Jeremy [Delmar-Morgan] and Mike [Walton] to drive for him, Andrew was successful in obtaining an entry for the 1966 Ilford Films 500 at Brands Hatch".

This was a significant International Sports Car race and the grid featured 7 litre Cobras and GT40s alongside Jaguar E-Types, Lotus Elans and even a Ferrari 250 LM to be driven by Mike Salmon! As the book recounts the little MGB had a stellar result amongst the heavyweights on the grid:

"Andrew ran the team with Ron Parkes as mechanic, and after six hours (153 laps), most of it in the pouring rain, his two drivers brought the car home ninth overall and fifth in class!"

Photos are in the history file. He continues that after the big race

"although Andrew did one or two other Brands races, the car reverted mainly to sprint and hill-climb use, before he sold it in 1968".

By the 1970s the car was innocently living life as a road car and on one amusing occasion spotted by Andrew Longden who felt compelled to let the owner know the car’s illustrious past!

Following the rise in historic racing the car was rebuilt into full FIA specification MGB has been a regular at some of the most prestigious events for which an MGB is eligible. Between 2006 and 2014 the car was campaigned by well-known historic racer Stephen Radcliffe and visited circuits such as Le Mans and Spa on numerous occasions.

The car was raced regularly and once again became a well-known race car. The car has been the subject of an extensive article by Mark Hale in Octane magazine, January 2010. The car was tested against a race prepared TVR and came out on top! Stephen Radcliffe invested heavily into developing the suspension and handling and this is reflected in the report. A copy is in the history files.

In 2014 the car was sold by DK to one of their clients and with DK’s Harvey Stanley undertook a successful race programme in 2015 and 2106. In 2016 the car contested the formidable Spa 6 Hours. At Spa the car went extremely well picking up no less than 44 places during the race finishing a remarkable 40th in 107 strong grid of GT40s Cobras and E-Types. The car was the 3rd MGB home from 13 MGB starters.

This historic and famous MGB is offered with 2016 issued FIA papers and an expansive spares package including 8 spare wheels and lights essential for another attempt at the Spa 6 Hours.

The present owner bought HGT 576C from DK Engineering in 2018. The car had an 1840cc race engine built by MG Motorsports, the foremost preparation company for racing MGBs and has been maintained by Kendle Adams Motorsport.

MG Motorsport engine rebuild includes a new head, block and camshaft. Rolling road results show an impressive 163. 6 BHP at 6178 rpm.

A new 80 litre FIA fuel tank was fitted.

Kendle Adams rebuilt both front and rear brake assemblies and at the end of 2019 rebuilt the gearbox with new MG Motorsport straight cut gear set. A new clutch was fitted at the same time.

The car has been raced sparingly since the new engine, participating in 5 races with no races since the gearbox rebuild. The car was not raced in 2020.

It is in beautiful condition and certainly in ready to race condition and is eligible for all of the major historic motor races, including: Le Mans Classic; Goodwood Revival and Members Meeting; Peter Autos 60s Endurance; Masters Gentleman drivers, Equipe GTS; Tour Auto and ModenaCentoOre.

10 x rims and Dunlop race tyres; spare diff; complete lighting set for the Spa 6 hours are included with the spares.

Road registered with its original famous registration, HGT 756C, 2 large history files and FIA papers until 31. 12. 26 are included.

Competitively priced at £75, 000

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