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1981 MGB GT LE
Highlights
- Completely original MG in every respect
- Driven just 61 miles in 43 years
- Original and untouched interior with no wear or damage
- Factory fresh engine bay and underside
- Extraordinary condition throughout
The Appeal
Initially the MGB was only available as a Roadster, but at the 1965 Earls Court Motor Show it was joined by the attractive and more practical 2 +2 GT. From its launch the GT was updated as the years passed but in 1974, along with its Roadster sibling, it received a major facelift with the introduction of rubber bumpers front and rear.
This was to comply with impact regulations in the USA which was a vital export market for British Leyland at that time. Production continued, with sales as healthy as ever, right up to 22nd October 1980 when the last of 125,282 MGB GTs manufactured left the production line.
This was to comply with impact regulations in the USA which was a vital export market for British Leyland at that time. Production continued, with sales as healthy as ever, right up to 22nd October 1980 when the last of 125,282 MGB GTs manufactured left the production line.
This untouched MG was built just twenty days earlier, on 2nd October 1980, and according to the chassis number just 577 more were built before production ceased, so it’s one of the last.
BUT unlike the vast majority this one was never registered and stored away in dry conditions and barely driven.
Purchased new by a collector who perhaps realising the MG would be amongst the last produced, added it to his 70 car collection of unusual and exotic vehicles in a large air conditioned garage. Years passed and the owner now becoming elderly, decided the collection should be sold.
The MG was bought by a lady who registered it in June 2020, but wisely didn’t drive it, keeping the miles ultra low. Purchased by the Seller in 2021 it has again been stored and not driven. It retains all of its original paperwork, guarantees and Owner’s books including the Service book that only has the pre-delivery service stamp.
There is an MoT from when it was first road registered in 2020 at 40 miles, plus a Heritage Certificate issued in 2015. Essentially a showroom fresh, unmolested and entirely original MGB GT LE, just as it left the production line forty three years ago on 2nd October 1980!
The MG was bought by a lady who registered it in June 2020, but wisely didn’t drive it, keeping the miles ultra low. Purchased by the Seller in 2021 it has again been stored and not driven. It retains all of its original paperwork, guarantees and Owner’s books including the Service book that only has the pre-delivery service stamp.
There is an MoT from when it was first road registered in 2020 at 40 miles, plus a Heritage Certificate issued in 2015. Essentially a showroom fresh, unmolested and entirely original MGB GT LE, just as it left the production line forty three years ago on 2nd October 1980!
History and Paperwork
- Built on 2nd October 1980
- Sold by Oliver Rix Garages, Lancaster
- Built to Limited Edition specification with optional alloy wheels and Overdrive
- Became part of a large collection
- First owner lived in Carnforth, north of Lancaster
- The MG remained stored until purchased by a lady from Bungay, Essex
- First UK registration in June 2020, as FNP 675W
- MoT from May 2020 at 40 miles
- Purchased by the Seller in 2021, again carefully stored and never driven
- Original delivery documents, guarantees and period paperwork
- Original Owner’s Manual
- Original Service book with first Owner’s details and supplying dealer’s pre-delivery inspection stamp
- Original plastic Wallet, MG club stickers
- Heritage Certificate issued in 2015, details match the MG
The Interior
- Silver grey interior, virtually untouched and showroom condition
- Grey striped fabric seat with no wear or damage, original protective plastic remaining on passenger seat and partially on driver’s seat.
- Black carpets in untouched condition, no visible wear
- Mint condition dash, all barely touched
- Clean instruments and gauges, all functioning correctly
- Light grey roof lining, no stains or marks
- Minor marks on black areas of front sun visors, would clean off
- Black carpets in untouched condition, no visible wear
- Mint condition dash, all barely touched
- Clean and unmarked boot area, black carpets
- Original five spoke LE alloy spare wheel matching Uniroyal tire and tools, all original
The interior of the MG is quite astonishing to behold. Untouched and essentially brand new it still has plastic covering some of the seats, and the carpet in the passenger footwell. The seat favric is slightly “baggy”, probably due to the foam beneath srinking with age, but there are no marks or damage.
The plastic dash including switches and instruments show no wear, and have never been exposed to UV so there is no fading or stickiness. Open the glove box, it’s empty, not even dust! The same applies to the ashtray. There are a few marks on the upper black areas of the sun visors, perhaps surface mildew from storage, but this will easily clean off.
The plastic dash including switches and instruments show no wear, and have never been exposed to UV so there is no fading or stickiness. Open the glove box, it’s empty, not even dust! The same applies to the ashtray. There are a few marks on the upper black areas of the sun visors, perhaps surface mildew from storage, but this will easily clean off.
The carpets are untouched, with no visible wear anywhere and the boot carpet is mint. The spare wheel and tools are all as they left the factory; the spare tyre probably has the factory air in it!
The boot floor is entirely unmarked and factory fresh. Overall the interior is essentially new and unused.
The Exterior
- Pewter Metallic paintwork in virtually as new condition
- No stone chips, dents or marks
- Original MGB Union Jack side graphics
- Excellent chrome and trim with no damage
- All glass areas are immaculate
- All panel gaps and shut lines as they were when new
- All MG badging and trim present and correct
- MG LE 14 inch five spoke alloy wheels, no damage, like new
- Unworn (well 61 miles) Uniroyal tyres, may be the originals
- Rubber bumpers unmarked front and rear, no fading or cracking
- Minor rust spots to chrome tail pipe
A quick glance at the exterior photographs will illustrate just how immaculate the MG is. No stone chips, no car park knocks, no bird dropping stains, just factory fresh Pewter Metallic paintwork in exceptional and original condition. Apart from a little dust from decades in storage, we can say without doubt the exterior is factory original in every respect.
The Mechanics
- 1,799cc MG engine with 63bhp
- Four speed manual gearbox with overdrive
- Barely driven, and not started for some time
- Clean, tidy and original engine bay
- All original stickers, washer bag, leads and belts
- No visible leaks or stains
- Factory fresh underside
- Exhaust has slight paint peeling but is like new
- Original under bonnet sound material
- Correct chassis and engine plates, numbers all match Heritage Certificate
We didn’t start the MG when we visited, so we cannot say whether it runs and drives, but we can assume there is little that would need attention to get it running like new. Under the bonnet everything appears to be as it came from the factory.
We can’t tell if any consumables have been changed, but there is nothing that is obviously new or incorrect. Looking underneath reveals amazing factory fresh paint and underseal with virtually no surface corrosion. Every detail looks untouched and unused, which we suppose it is! No road grime, no flaky bits, no drips or marks. It would be a shame to get it wet!
We can’t tell if any consumables have been changed, but there is nothing that is obviously new or incorrect. Looking underneath reveals amazing factory fresh paint and underseal with virtually no surface corrosion. Every detail looks untouched and unused, which we suppose it is! No road grime, no flaky bits, no drips or marks. It would be a shame to get it wet!
Summary
The phrase “it’s only original once” is often used when describing cars such as this MG, but rarely is it so true. Forty three years carefully stored, with no exposure to weather, sunlight or basically anything! This MG is museum quality, and we hope it spends its future being admired rather than stored away.
If you were restoring a similar car and want to see how to get the details correct then this is the perfect reference. We think a gentle dust is all it needs to win at Concours level, and you could have the smug satisfaction that you haven’t had to replace a single part! Just remember that you’d probably want to trailer in there!
BEFORE YOU BUY
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ This vehicle is subject to third-party financing. The seller will clear all financing debts and associated costs on sale.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Auction Details
- Year 1981
- Make MG
- Model MGB GT
- Colour Grey
- Odometer 61 Miles
- Engine size 1798
- Seller Type Private
- Town Liss
- County Hampshire
- Country United Kingdom
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Auction ends
19 Bids
- tim-rad•••• £35,000 26/10/23
- richard•••• £34,000 26/10/23
- tim-rad•••• £33,000 26/10/23
- richard•••• £32,000 26/10/23
- Shallow•••• £31,000 25/10/23
- tim-rad•••• £30,000 23/10/23
- richard•••• £26,000 23/10/23
- tim-rad•••• £25,000 22/10/23
- colin-q•••• £21,000 22/10/23
- tim-rad•••• £20,000 22/10/23
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