1974 MG B GT V8

A V8 badge is a welcome sight to many a classic car enthusiast, and although many an MG has benefited/suffered an aftermarket conversion, it’s nice to know that this chrome-bumpered example is a factory original. The last owner had the car for 19 years or more and had the benefit of buying it only a few years after it underwent an extensive restoration, both cosmetic and mechanical, by the previous keeper in the mid-Nineties.

In hatchback coupe form, The B remains an eminently practical touring classic – even more so in long-legged V8 spec. And the addition of that full-length folding sunroof gives you more open-air options when on the road. So this comparatively rare machine is well worth a look-around.

This mid-Seventies MBG coupe looks very presentable in its dark shade of red. All the body panels line up nicely – by no means the case even from new on some Bs – and the black vinyl roof sits neatly in place. Overall, the paint retains a good gloss, but if you come close, you will start to notice imperfections. There is a light speckling to the paintwork around the tops of the wings and the bonnet (more of a texture than a colour inconsistency) and there is some crazing in the finish above the corner of the windscreen on the driver’s side. Some of the seams between panels are showing a little wear (though not corrosion), and there are what might be small rust bubbles coming through – near to the edges of the sunroof and on the top side of the rear offside wing. There are small uneven areas around the door locks and some chips at the edge of the driver’s door.

The chrome is looking pretty good, with the bumpers and the signature grill displaying a healthy shine with no discolouration or pitting. The bumpers show no dents and their overriders are straight – with firm-looking rubber seals behind. The windscreen surround and side window frames are likewise good – the quarterlight handles and catches look like they will actually open and close the window and there is no accumulated grime in the angles and joins around the corners. Noticeably, screw heads in lights and fittings are rust-free in their centres. Window seals look a healthy shade of black and are firmly in place apart from one or two small inconsistencies. Again, paint along these along these edges can be a little untidy, but these are small details.

The black vinyl sunroof looks fine (again, one or two untidy edges in the paint) but the material retains a good colour and shows no rips or patches of wear.

The MG’s cabin is really quite smart with the black seats showing only a gentle patina. The cushions and bolsters maintain their original shape, and there are no real scuffs to the edges. All the seat coverings retain a deep shade of black. The carpets too are very acceptable (okay the one in the boot shows a little wear), and retain a good pile and colour.

The centre armrest and the cushioned door caps are remarkably elbow dent-free, and the door cards fit snugly to the metal with tidy-looking bright strips. Other brightwork and chrome in the cabin – strips, screws and catches also retains a good finish, suggesting no moisture has been allowed to attack the metal. And those chromed sill covers remain very bright.

Handles and window winders show no undue wear and the interior plastics and switches remain quite tidy. The centre console sits a lot straighter than in so many Bs and the carpets join evenly along its length. While showing a slight weathering, the gear stick (and chrome surround) and the steering wheel remain in good shape. Looking under the footwell carpets, you’ll see that the floors appear solid, while up above, the mechanism for the sunroof is very much intact and sits snugly in its frame.

The underside of the car inspires confidence, with the underside of the body, chassis cross-members and brackets retaining, for the most part, a good coat of (older) undersealing and showing no signs of undue wear or corrosion. The sills – replaced during the restoration – appear solid.

Suspension parts – leaf springs, coil springs etc – appear strong and firmly mounted, while CV joints and gaiters look well greased and unimpeded by rust or grime. Cables and hoses running fore to aft also appear to be in good condition, with both they and their channels surprisingly free of dirt. At least of late, the MG looks as if it has only been used in fair weather. The lower edges/panels of the bodywork look to be in solid condition. The deep front spoiler is understandably rather weathered, but shows no cracks or significant scrapes. The steel wheels look presentable, though if you get close, you will see some cosmetic deterioration to the chrome rims in places. The tyres appear quite healthy.

This MG boasts quite a tidy engine bay – if a little cramped. The paint around the inner wings and bulkhead looks good and panel seams clean. The small black V8 looks a little weathered, but free from leaks of ingrained dirt. There are small patches of oxidation here and there and one or two bolt heads show a light dusting of surface rust.

The radiator and alternator look to be in very good condition, while belts, leads and hoses also appear very robust – a little weathered here and there in their finish, but showing no wear. Joins and retainers are tidy and the (more extensive) wiring tidily routed. The clean-looking carburettor assemblies sport K&N filters and the distributor cap – also pretty clean – shows no cracks.

The MG comes with a thick file of papers, most notably from the time of the rebuild showing nearly all the parts purchased – and there were quite a few – both in terms of the body work (especially the sills) and in fully stripping down the engine. There is a sheaf of MOT certificates and there is also a photographic record of the car undergoing restoration.

Although there are plenty of B GTs out there, not all that many of them are V8s, and, as already implied, collectors and enthusiasts often favour factory-fitted examples – as well as chrome bumper models in general.

Certainly in the paintwork department, this MG could do with a little TLC, although, in general, that Nineties restoration leads us to think that the B is pretty solid, not appearing to have seen a huge amount of wear since.

The next owner might decide to enjoy the car as it is – on fine days – without any real undue worry, or they might decide that now is the time (and the season) for the next refresh.

Either way, we think this car is a strong example and easily worth between £17,000 - £22,000.

This car is being sold from the trade and viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.