1964 MG B Roadster

In summary, this is a well-restored early example of the pull-handle MGB which is finished in all its original colour schemes (as per the Heritage Certificate) and has been restored with a serious eye on early-MGB originality. Sadly, details of the car are a little sparse as the owner fell ill shortly after consigning the car to us. We’ve drawn up as comprehensive a listing as we can but we strongly encourage potential bidders to come and see the car for themselves as we simply aren’t in a position to be able to write a listing based on the owner’s life and experiences with the vehicle. However, the car does come with a potted, handwritten history, including:

“As confirmed by its Heritage Certificate, 674 NPO … was built on the 13/14th January 1964. Very little history before 2005 when it was driven into dry storage and then discovered in 2016-16. It was restored … over a 12 month period and returned to the road in May 2017.”

As you can see from the handwritten note that accompanies the car, major structural bodywork was undertaken to bring it to the condition you see today, including an aluminium bonnet and a new ‘heritage’ boot lid.

Finished in its original colour of Chelsea Grey, the paintwork is solid and the car itself is free of rust, thanks to that recent work. However, while the paint looks good from 5 feet, closer inspection shows it to be a bit flat and showing some ‘orange peel’ in places. We’re probably being a bit nit-picky here, especially as we suspect that a decent bodyshop could flat the top-coat and then polish it to a much better finish as it’s a non-metallic.

Folk who are less OCD than us would be able to use this delightful little MGB ‘as is’ with no shame; in fact, a slightly-less-than-concours finish can even be an advantage in some cases if it encourages people to use their cars more without fear of the cosmetic consequences…

The exterior chromework is in very good condition as you can see and the underside of the car has been left painted rather than undersealed. This enables prospective bidders to see for themselves just how much care and attention to detail has been lavished on an area of the car that few will ever see.

The black folding roof appears to be almost new and fits well. The car also comes with a red tonneau cover, which is also in good condition, and sets off beautifully against the grey coachwork.

Oh, and the only real problem we can find is a cracked nearside rear light lens. Replacements are, of course, widely available for a few pounds.

The interior is largely original and unrestored but still in very good condition. The red leather seats – finished with contrasting white piping - are showing only mild patination and remain comfortable. The steering wheel, door cards and dashboard are in similarly good condition, being clean and free of flaws but not over-restored and showing some gentle signs of use.

The switches and chromework are in fine fettle and everything works as it should, including an aftermarket 12V power supply and a master cut-off switch, both of which have been discreetly fitted behind the driver’s seat.

Please note the condition of the inside of the boot, too. The red carpets are in good, used condition and lifting them reveals a clean, completely rust-free boot floor, which further underlines the quality of the restoration work that has been carried out.

However, again if we’re being finicky, the top section of the door trims might want some attention eventually as they’re scuffed and worn through in a couple of places.

The car is still fitted with its three-bearing engine and synchromesh-on-the-top-three gearbox. While we haven’t been able to speak to the owner, the mechanic who has looked after the car for a number of years tells us that the engine is one of the sweetest 3-bearing engines he’s ever come across. We can certainly confirm that it starts and runs very well indeed. In fact, we found no significant faults at all on our test drive.

It has also been retro-updated with a Facet solid-state petrol pump, Stealth dynamotor (an alternator that looks like a dynamo, a neat piece of engineering that helps maintain an original look to the engine bay), and an Accuspark electronic ignition system. As the owner writes in his notes, this adds a “reliable but discreet feel to the car”. The car also has a new exhaust and 10-gallon fuel tank.

As you will have noticed, the engine and engine bay have been finished to a very high standard; we especially like the fact that the owner has gone to the trouble and expense of fitting a period-correct braided wiring loom. In addition note the expense and effort of finding the correct replacement 10 gallon tank, and correct ‘banjo’ rear axle.

The steel wheels have chrome hubcaps and are all shod – including the spare - with matching Falken Sincera directional tyres, all of which have good tread. (And, at the risk of repeating ourselves, anyone who fits matching tyres can, in our experience, be trusted to have taken the time and trouble to look after their cars properly in other, less obvious, areas.)

The online MOT history shows absolutely nothing of concern, as might be expected of a car that has clearly had an incredible amount of time and money lavished on it.

The MGB also comes with a number of old invoices and bills, as well as a quantity of expired tax discs, all of which can be seen in the documents section of the gallery of this listing.

Finished in a rare and attractive colour, this MGB has barely been used since being completed. The attention to original detail is obvious wherever you look and it stands as a fine tribute to the man that completed it.

We expect the car to sell for between £11,00 and £15,000, a price that we feel represents good value and takes into account the small amount of work that remains. It also, of course, represents a fraction of the cost of preparing one to this standard yourself.

MGBs have always been a safe place to put your money too, which might be a consideration given how low bank and building society interest rates are these days.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen here at Patina HQ in Abingdon; 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’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.