1972 MG B

This appealing MG is thought to have been restored in the mid-2000s, having settled nicely since, with minimal patina evident. The documentation shows frequent care over the past thirty years, with servicing and maintenance costs accounted for right up to June of this year. It’s finished in an all-time great combination of British Racing Green over chrome, complimented by wire wheels and black vinyl trim. Things all look very neat and tidy with minimal marks, but just enough to reassure that this is an MGB you can and should use frequently. Mirroring this upkeep and use is the car’s current MoT (even though it’s exempt) that runs to June 2025 and carries no advisories.

Having been registered in April 1973 – yet built in October 1972 – there’s overdrive fitted to the transmission with the V5C showing an increased engine size of 1950cc; although the vendor couldn’t confirm the latter. He did mention however, that the car “knows its way to most pubs in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Always brings a smile to your face and respect and admiration – be that in pub, school or supermarket car parks – people naturally and spontaneously fall in love with her. I have had the car three years. She has always been garaged and covered. She will be missed.”
 

Visually, this MGB makes an excellent account of itself. The mirror-like chrome reflects even more effectively than the gleaming bodywork. The wire wheels still look really neat and are shod in a set of Chinese ‘Hifly’ tyres that appear to have plenty of tread and ‘life’ left in them.

Further reassurance comes courtesy of Goodwood Revival and MG Car Club stickers in the windscreen. This seems to be an MG that’s been loved and maintained by enthusiasts for decades, a service history full of receipts, providing evidence to back that assertion up.

There are a few minor imperfections found on the exterior, but we needed to look fairly closely to discover them. Bonnet and scuttle panel show touched-up scratches (on the former) and a few paints chips (on the latter). There is a light dent to the driver’s door, and the nearside rear ¾ panel shows some orange peel to its paint finish. There are also light scratches – plus a chip – to the paint on the rear deck but, otherwise, both paint and trim still look excellent throughout.

The hood seems to be largely in great shape, although but we did spot a small bit of damage to the offside rear ¾ plastic window and its fit to the windscreen top could be improved on the driver’s side.
 

The cabin of this ’B looks arguably even more impressive than the exterior, as near unmarked vinyl covers both seats and door cards, the former even sporting headrests. The dials all look clean and clear and seem to be displaying what they should. The audio has been upgraded – not too long ago according to the history file (2017) – with a modern JVC CD player in the centre console and speakers partially hidden in the front footwells. A few custom touches like the wood-rimmed wheel and gear stick – plus the red piping around the footwell panels – might not please a purist, but seem to be quality additions, nonetheless.

Hard surfaces throughout, including the console, dashboard top, face and glovebox all seem to have remained in very good shape. We couldn’t see any unsightly cracks or damage of note. There’s a helpful handwritten sticker above the gear stick warning users to take the car out of overdrive before engaging reverse, a testament perhaps to the fastidious nature of this car’s four former keepers. Carpet and interior trim were replaced, according to the invoices, back in 2003, yet the cabin remains a lovely place to be, with all the right hallmarks of care.
 

The sense of maintenance continues under the bonnet of this ’B, with most components exhibiting the same sense of older restoration with on-going care. The odd bit of paint might be peeling from a housing or heatshield, but the fuel pipework, air filters and HT leads look like recent upgrades. The only mild critique we could level at this engine bay was some wiring that would benefit from tidying on the offside inner wing. In addition to those aforementioned free-flow air filters, an upgraded Kenlowe electric fan and remote oil cooler have also been fitted. Bonnet sound proofing looks like it’s been replaced too.

Underneath this MG, there seems to be a good coating of underseal remaining and apparently doing its job. The floors, sills and bodywork under here – that we could make out – all seemed to be straight and solid. The odd steering or suspension component shows surface corrosion, but that’s to be expected, even on a restored 52-year-old sports car.
 

Aside from its evidently fine condition, one of this MG’s biggest strong points is its generous history file. There are stacks of old MoTs, showing annual use, dating back to 1989. A BMIHT certificate is included, showing the car’s construction and registration dates, engine and chassis numbers, original colour (Limeflower) and its supplying dealer, Parkside Limited, Leamington Spa. The file also contains a ‘Tourer and GT’ handbook.

Of more import than the early history stuff is the vast number of receipts for work carried out on the car from the early 2000s to the present. Clearly, there’s far too much here to list the lot, but we’ll give you the amended highlights...

•    June 2024 last service at Stoke Row Garage, Henley-on-Thames.
•    Bill of sale from 2020 from B. J. Minchin, Goodwood suggesting the car was restored at 69k miles. 
•    Lenham Classic and Sports Cars, Kent also carried out a full service in 2020. The radio was repaired at the same time, the paint work ‘reconditioned and polished’, wiper motor and fuel pipes replaced, along with adding seat belt mounts and removing the roll bar (£1330.42).
•    Bodywork and engine bay painted in 2003 by East London Classic Cars (£2439).
•    Carpets and trim also replaced in 2003 at East London Classic Cars (£2289.03).
•    CD player, speakers and aerial added in 2017, once again by Lenham, and welding repairs also carried out to driver’s A-post (£734.40).
•    More paint and welding by Lenham in 2016, also left and right floors replaced and front pans repaired (£3967.66).
•    Front shocks replaced and various other running gear checks and tweaks carried out by Lenham in 2016 (£2255).
•    Lumenition electronic ignition added, and another service carried out at Lenham, in 2008 (£766.67). 
 

MGBs certainly aren’t rare, though examples that appear to have received this level of upkeep and attention are less frequently encountered. The colour combination and condition of this ’B allow it to stand out from the crowd. The vendor has enjoyed every minute of owning this ubiquitous British sports car and now it’s your turn to do the same.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £13,000 - £18,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.