Highlights
• Prepared and maintained by reputable classic rally car specialists
• Extensive work carried out in 2020
• Ready to compete
The Appeal
As a proven method to help shift cars in the showroom, manufacturers often placed works prepared cars at marketing-rich rally events to not only test the car's durability but also enhance the reputation of the brand. MG was particularly well-versed in rally sports, and the MGB was no exception. The accolade of a Grand Touring category victory in the 1965 Monte Carlo rally, followed by both successful circuit and rally finishes in the proceeding years firmly placed it as a notable competition car.
This proven record continues to enhance the MGB's ability to compete in modern classic car rally events and thanks to its exceptional parts availability and engineering familiarity, is the perfect car to open up a world to those who fancy the thrill, skill and competitiveness of classic rally sport.
This 1971 MGB GT has a proven history of European classic car rally competition and has been prepared by a reputable rally specialist since 2017. With around £3,000 worth of recent maintenance and renovation including braking, steering and gearbox overhauls, it has also spent much of its recent past in storage at the specialist when not roaming the roads of Europe and the UK. Tax and MOT exempt, it comes with a current V5c.
The History and Paperwork
• First registered in Warwickshire in May 1971
• Historic vehicle status (tax and MOT exempt)
• Sourced for the current owner by Rally Preparation Services, an Oxfordshire-based specialist rally car preparation, maintenance and support company
• Spent much of that time being stored at RPS
• Detailed PDF document breakdown of the maintenance and renovation carried out by RPS in 2020
• Enthusiastically campaigned throughout Europe since 2009, with the current owner last competing in 2021
• Fully prepared and ready to compete again for historic rallying
• V5 registration document present
• Being sold due to lack of recent use
The Interior
• Its floor pan and chassis rails are intact with some signs of age noted
• The boot floor and engine bay appear to be solid
• Wheel wells in decent shape
• A sump guard plate fitted
• The panel work is generally flush with decent shut lines, the passenger door may need an adjustment
• Doors open and close with ease, hinges and stays all fit for purpose
• Boot rubber show wear
• All other seals are intact
• The paint finish is evenly applied with a decent lustre, with minor blemishes, micro blisters, bubbles and hairline cracks in places
• All of the external trim appears to be present and correct
• Lights and lenses in good order
• Fitted with Cibie driving lights
• The brightwork is generally good with no significant damage or wear
• The side window trim chrome shows signs of age
• The driver's side door mirror is present with the car and simply needs re-attaching
• The windscreen intact with some age-related wear on the windscreen rubber
• 14” Minilite style alloys in excellent shape
• Matching Uniroyal tyres from 2015/2016 - both the rear tyres show minor side wall wear but all have decent tread
The Exterior
• Fitted with FIA 4-point TRS harnesses on a pair of modern fabric seats
• Both front seats are in very good condition with no wear or damage
• The original rear seat is retained and appears to be intact
• Black carpeting neatly presented with no water ingress in the cabin
• The dashboard shows typical age-related wear but is overall in good condition with no significant damage
• Fitted with an operational battery-isolation switch, various toggle switches, a digital stopwatch and a Brantz tripmeter
• The instrumentation is all legible
• Fitted with a passenger foot well alloy plate and fire extinguisher
• Rollcentre Racing roll bar professionally fitted by RPS
• The steering wheel is in very good condition
• Headlining and door cards are intact
• Water ingress in the boot well is likely to be due to pressure wash
The Mechanics
• Standard tune 1,798cc B-series four-cylinder engine
• Twin SU carburettors with K&N performance filters
• MGB 4 Syncho gearbox and overdrive recon with modified clutch plate
• Last used in 2021 but was subject to a comprehensive mechanical overhaul and service by RPS in 2020
• Its brakes were overhauled at the same time
• The engine was properly prepared for storage and was checked over by RPS prior to its hibernation
• Very neatly presented engine with its ancillaries and hoses in very good condition
• Said to start up and idle without issues
• It’s reported that the car drives and stops well but would recommend advice from RPS
• Exhaust in good visual condition
Summary
With the benefit and reassurance of maintenance and renovation carried out by a reputable rally car specialist, this solid and neatly presented example is a great opportunity for those looking to enjoy the MGB GT’s durability. Its lively character makes the most of the suitability of its proven rally pedigree, and this purposeful-looking example is literally pining for its next adventure.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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