MG set out to replace its MGA model in the late 1950s. The design work for the project was led by Syd Enever with the final car being designed by Don Hayter. The project reached completion in early 1961 with the birth of the first production MGB following in May 1962. 

Two cars rolled off the production line, one a left hand drive roadster for the American market and a right hand drive model joining it just a few days later. The MGB was a big success for the BMC group and over half a million cars rolled off the production line at Abingdon over its 19 year production run. Unlike many of its previous models the MGB was also a great success overseas in the US and Europe, its beautiful design, simple mechanics and low price made it a highly appealing prospect to new non-UK buyers. 

The new MGB Roadster sported wonderful styling care of Don Hayter with some small assistance from the famous Pininfarina. The new sporty body shell wasn’t just show either, it offered buyers a monocoque that was both beautiful and strong, a welcome addition for MG buyers!

Following the MGB Roadsters launch at the 1962 London Motor Show the little car began to be showered in praise, it was described by Motor magazine as a “delightful modern sports car” and “a pleasure to drive”. It certainly offered a perfect formula for a British sports car, great styling, simple mechanics, great driving appeal and of course a low price point! 

The MGB would change very little over its production, a testament to the quality of the car that BMC had produced. And when the final MGB came off the line at Abingdon in 1980 it brought the era of MG sports cars to a sad end. However, the little MGB had certainly lived up to the advertising as “The great British Sports Car.” 

The MGB was only recently purchased by the current owner around October of 2021, from the car's previous owner, and has had very little work completed during the ownership. Whilst with the current owner a new vinyl roof has been fitted as well as new door trim panels and footwell panels. 

Over the course of the cars previous owners more significant work has been carried out including a conversion to run the car on unleaded fuel and the addition of electronic ignition to improve reliability. Alongside this work the car has also had a new stainless steel exhaust system, refurbished carbs and a clutch system and master cylinder around 2013. More recently the MGB has received a full set of new tyres in 2016. 

Sadly the current owner is now looking to move this MGB on to a new owner due to a lack of storage. It is clear that this car has been well maintained under both its current ownership and previous ownership with work completed to a high standard as and when needed.

The car comes with a decent selection of paperwork. Included in this is a large amount of previous MOT certificates including the most recent which was carried out in 2019. This also includes a print off with a breakdown of much of the MOT history of the vehicle. 

There are the relevant invoices for the work carried out on the car during the current ownership, that being the new vinyl roof, door trims and footwell panels. The current owner has also supplied a HPi check to give the new owner peace of mind when purchasing. Alongside the paperwork from the current ownership there is a fair amount of invoices and receipts for parts and work carried out on the car under its previous owners. 

Most notably this includes the receipt for the four new tyres, the email to confirm refurbishment of the carb, an invoice for the clutch kit and new radiator. The paperwork will also include a hardback book on the history of the MG marque for a bit of down time reading. 

The overall condition of the interior of the MGB is excellent. The dashboard vinyl is still a lovely rich, shiny black with no fading, cracks or damage. The dash itself is clean and well presented with all buttons and switches accounted for and working as intended. The optional leather seats are also in excellent condition with very little signs of wear save for a small scuff on the drivers side. 

The carpeting throughout the car is excellent with very little signs of wear. The replacement door trims and footwell panels are in excellent shape as expected with no vinyl cracks or damage. Overall this is a very clean and well presented interior that although basic is still looking in excellent condition despite its age. It has clearly been well looked after and cared for by its many owners. 

The exterior of the MGB is in good overall condition. The paintwork is in good condition with few minor stone chips as you would expect for a car of this age. There are a few filled stone chip points on the front of the vehicle around the front fenders and bonnet but these have been colour matched well. 

Overall though the paintwork does still look very presentable and the burgundy finish is a lovely subtle shade that really suits the feel of the car. The brightwork on the car is in very good condition with no pitting and only very minor signs of wear. 

The panels are all nice and straight with only some minor parking dings visible. All the multi-spoke wheels are in good condition looking clean and damage free. Overall this is a very solid example for an MGB Roadster, it has been well maintained. Included in the sale of Roadster is an excellent condition tonneau cover for cover up moments.

This MGB Roadster also benefits from having Halogen H4 headlights.

The Roadster starts up without hesitation even on a chilly morning and ticks over nicely with no stutters or untoward noises. The drive is smooth with no knocks or bangs coming from the suspension, overall you simply get the pleasure of listening to that 1798 cc engine purring along inside the cabin. During the drive the oil pressure sits nicely and the MGB runs well, its gear changes are solid and free of trouble. 

The Roadster still sounds lovely and throaty as it goes up through the revs and combined with the crisp handling really gives that thrill of a good British sports car. Lifting the bonnet of the MGB Roadster reveals a very clean and tidy engine bay with any work that has been completed looking to have been done to a high level.

The overdrive is operated in third and fourth gears and makes for a pleasurable experience particularly on longer drives.

This is a great opportunity to get your hands on a really solid and well maintained example of these fantastic little sports cars. The MGB Roadster really embraces the things that made true British sports cars a great driving experience. They’re lightweight, they handle well and you can keep them running sweet with your own tool kit! 

Drop the new vinyl roof to take advantage of the miles of open blue sky above you with the sun on your face and appreciate the perfect machine for pure British driving pleasure. This MGB Roadster offers a great opportunity for a buyer to get hold of a nice usable example that’s just waiting for its next loving owner!