1968 MG B

“I’ve had the MGB for 23 years now and have really enjoyed owning and using it,” says vendor Ajmal Mahmood. “I actually drove it down to The Market two years ago, but changed my mind and turned around. Every time I’ve thought about selling it, I’d go out for a final drive and realise how much I love it. I’m gutted to see it go, but it’s the right thing to do.

“It’s never let me down from the first moment it fired up all those years ago and is collectively known as ‘the Red Rooster’ in my family. It’s been a massive decision to sell, but it’s purely driven by the fact it’s in storage and unused at the moment.”

It needs a couple of small things done, but these can be easily done by someone at home in their garage over the winter. Mechanically it’s very strong, although the body is a little bit scruffy. I had it freshly restored early in my ownership and it’s never been out in the rain since, so it’s still rust free and all red underneath. I always associate the car with sunshine.”

MG specialist Beech Hill Garage (near Spencers Wood, Berkshire) has looked after and serviced the car for over 20 years, and knows it very well. “I’ve spent thousands maintaining it,” says Ajmal. “They will have a record of everything that has been done or bought and the receipts are in the car’s history folder, of course.”

The DVLA made Ajmal change the registration plate after he discovered its heritage certificate, but Beech Hill have the full history with its old one too. “It’s always been used a little every summer, apart from the last couple of years (for obvious reasons) when it’s been in storage – I collected it from there to bring it to Abingdon, and it fired up on the button and ran beautifully.”

Imported from the US in 1998, the ‘B was then converted to right hand drive and restored with all new panels – front wings, rear lower wings, floors, boot floors, sills, castle sections, an aluminium bonnet, slam panel, and door skins. As such, the body is still absolutely solid. 

Panel gaps are reasonably good and as Ajmal indicated the paintwork is a touch scruffy in places, but that’s because it’s been used very regularly and as he says it “isn’t a garage queen”. You’ll find the odd chip and scuff – all of which is easily discernible in our Photo Gallery, below. 

It wears cellulose paint so does require polishing quite frequently in order to keep it in good nick, but it remains quite presentable and looks pretty sharp.

The bright work had some restorative treatment at the same time as the panel work and is mostly still in tiptop condition, with the bumpers and front grill in particular presenting in a very shiny fashion – although the rear nearside overrider could do with re-chroming, as it’s peeling.

Wire wheels are fitted, lending it a nice period look, but Ajmal says it would probably benefit from some fresh rubber boots. “The current tyres are a bit old and probably too big, if I’m honest – it’d benefit from some smaller ones”. 

The soft top looks good with nice clear Perspex windowpanes and relatively crease-free material. “The front rubber roof seal is in the boot; it needs bedding in but I never fitted it as I’ve never ever had the roof up while I’ve been out in the car”.

Ah, the old pipe and slippers – returning to an MGB interior is like coming home. They’re just so quintessentially Sixties British sports car. 

This example’s is not too bad at all. The black leather is piped red and a touch baggy, with one or two little scars here and there. It’d no doubt benefit from a good feed and a bit of TLC here and there – for example, the rear of the passenger seat has a two-inch tare on its inside edge.

Carpets and door cards are good. Instrument glass is nice and clear, and the dashboard and dash-top both present well. It’s definitely a cabin that’s seen use, but there’s plenty of life left in it yet. 

The original steering wheel has been replaced with a fresh item and its MG octagon is vibrant and resplendent in Red.

Mechanically it’s had a few tweaks. “It has the upgraded Lucas gold coil and electronic ignition fitted, so it’s super reliable and revs beautifully through the range. I’ve piloted a few MGBs that have been upgraded with hardened valve seats, but none of them drove quite as well as mine. So I chose to keep it as is, and simply use fuel additive.

It also has a stainless steel exhaust for longevity and extra raspiness, and the electrics have been converted to a single 12v battery (recently purchased and on a trickle charger) instead of the old 2x 6v batteries. 

Ajmal has also had the carburettors rebuilt several times and a new clutch recently fitted (less than a 200 miles ago). “The overdrive works just as it should. 40mph in an MGB feels like warp-speed; the noise, the smell and pageantry overloads your senses. You need to hurry up and sell it, or I’ll talk myself out of it. ” 

Unlike many classics the underside isn’t covered in lashings of thick black under seal, so you can actually see the metal, and it looks like a nice and solid picture. There’s a touch of overspray here and there, but the suspension components (including rubber gaiters, boots etc) and mechanical bits and bobs look to be in good nick. 

Ajmal says the ride is fine as is, but that a fresh pair of rear shocks would no doubt improve it further. The engine bay isn’t the prettiest, so it could be tidied up, but then the radiator and cooling components all look to be in rude health.

You’ll find lots and lots of bills in the MG’s history file; each shows the work that Ajmal has had carried out. Recent big items include fitment of the new clutch and other various works (20/07/17, cost £1217.13) and the new steering wheel (04/09/19, cost £174.95).

It really is worth flicking through the rest as it tells the story of a very well maintained ‘B. You’ll also find some expired MOT test certificates, a British Motor Heritage Trust statement of origin certificate and some pictures of the car’s pre-Ajmal restoration. 

The MGB comes with its V5c document and two sets of keys. 

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored and then maintained to a very good standard.

We love to see cars that get used, and for buyers a regularly exercised and well-maintained classic should mean fewer, to no, gremlins. The vendor of this vehicle has had it a long old time and during that time it’s been restored, upgraded, maintained and bloomin’ well enjoyed. 

We think this lovely old ‘B will sell for somewhere between £6000 and £9000. That’s not a lot really, is it? Rhetorical question alert – awoooga! Anywhere within that range, or even at lower or upper limit, still leaves plenty of fiscal room for a bit of fettling. 

The time is nigh for a new owner to take up this MGB’s mantle and they have two choices: buy, drive and enjoy for many a year; or they could invest in some fresh paint to liven up its exterior aesthetics, and then drive and enjoy for many a year. 

Be in no doubt that there’ s a lot of driving pleasure to be had here, and for not a lot of wonga at all.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at our headquarters near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, so to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.