Description
MGB Roadster 1972 L registered. Tartan red with a black hood, a white factory hard top, magnolia leather with red piping and Minilite style alloys.
First registered 01. 08. 1972. An original Chrome Bumper car with overdrive.
This has been an on going restoration project but loss of storage space and old age have made me realise that I am not going to finish the job so it is time to let someone else take over.
When I bought the car it had been the subject of an earlier restoration that on inspection was a pretty poor job as you can see from photos one and two, so I decided to strip it back and remove all the bad bits. With hindsight perhaps at my age I should not have taken on such a challenge but once I got going I was committed!
Most of the hard work has now been done, the castle sections, rear quarters, sills, front wings, etc. have all been done and stainless splash panels have been fitted under the wings. The wings were undersealed prior to being fitted on the car. There is just some fabrication and welding needed on the drivers side floor under the pedals and that’s about it as far as the body is concerned. It will then need a prep and a few coats of paint. (I have two litres of colour matched paint just waiting to be applied. The colour code is on the tin in case you require any more). It is traditional cellulose as was used originally. All the door shuts etc have been painted as has the engine bay so it is just the outside that needs finishing. The exterior paint looks very patchy at present since I have just ‘blown in’ the primed areas to protect the car from the elements,(Prima absorbs the damp in the air) and the flat areas like the bonnet and boot have just faded with age.
The interior is stripped out t present. The trim is magnolia leather with red piping with matching door cards etc. This has all been re connolised so is ready to go back in the car when it has been painted. It will need a new set of carpets to match. The hood is in very good condition and there is also a works factory hard top. ( The hard top needs a refurbish but since they are now becoming increasingly expensive and rare it will be worth doing).
I have 99 percent of the parts to finish the car; the original chrome bumpers, headlights, badges, door locks etc etc. There will be the odd item to replace, the rear light lenses as I recall ( the old ones were cracked so I binned them) and one door handle but as I said most of it is there. It just needs putting back together.
The car sits on Minilite style alloys which will benefit from a strip and repaint. The tyres have perished through age so will need replacing. There are four Mililites and the spare which is currently on the car is a standard rostyle.
The engine has been fully overhauled and the under bonnet area is now finished with the exception of a new master cylinder for the clutch needing fitting.( A new master and slave cylinder come with the car) The car starts and runs very well with good oil pressure. (watch the video).
It’s frustrating for me not to complete this car but I think it is just one project too many.
If I charged the hours spent so far the car would already owe an absolute fortune but it has kept me out of mischief for a few years so that offsets the expense I suppose.
On the plus side, nice MGB Roadsters are commanding ever higher prices . A nice car is £12k plus and a really mint show standard car can be upwards of £20k. Sure, you can buy a roadster for 8 or 9k but it will more than likely be an old car that has been flashed over quickly and will not stand the test of time. With ‘Classics’ you tend to get what you pay for!
I have a loose leaf folder of history with the car with numerous receipts, old MOT certificates etc etc and some early photos of the car after the first restoration.
To anyone who knows their way around an MGB the hard work has been done properly this time and the finishing and putting back together is the easy bit. Its a good worthwhile project.
Have a look at the pictures and if you are interested enough to want to come and see the car please give me a call.
PLEASE NOTE THE FIRST TWO PICTURES ARE HOW THE CAR WAS WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IT IS NOW STRIPPED BACK AS SHOWN IN THE SUBSEQUENT PHOTOS.
the details below.
All sensible offers will be considered. The car already owes me well in excess of the asking price but that is my problem so don’t let it concern you. Sometimes in life we get it wrong. A nice winter project for someone.
