1978 MG B GT V8 (re-engined)

Built and first registered in 1978, this MGB GT started life as a standard blue example. It was then enjoyed for a number of years before having its four cylinder 1.8-litre engine replaced with a mighty 3.5-litre V8.

It was also resprayed silver, with the owner going for the full-on café racer look. He then went on to use it exclusively for occasional track outings (but not much judging by the mileage) which is why the car’s MOT history ran out in June 2010.

The current seller has now owned it for a couple of years and has just recommissioned it prior to submitting it to auction, treating it to a new MOT and a full service. As a result, it’s now a multi-purpose, dual-role MGB GT that would be ideal for the enthusiastic driver with a penchant for spending his/her weekends hillclimbing, racing or even just enjoying the odd track day.

Resprayed a smoke-silver, this MGB GT looks delightfully purposeful. It’s partly the colour, partly the stance, partly the lack of bumpers, and partly the twin black stripes (painted) but it’s mainly the care that has gone into turning a standard MG into something that wouldn’t look out of place on the starting grid, Alpine pass or just sitting outside a metropolitan café, ticking quietly as its owner sips an expresso in the sun; few cars are as easy to modify as the MGB but not everyone pulls it off as convincingly as this. The level of workmanship, and financial commitment, that went into the modifications was clearly substantial.

It sits on beautiful black Minilite wheels that shod with four brand-new quality tyres. Interestingly, it has been fitted with what can only be described as a front bull-bar. This is, the owner tells us, extraordinarily strong and could be used as a super-solid recovery point. (It would also help the little MGB GT cope with almost any obstruction this side of a main battle tank in the event of a Zombie Apocalypse…)

The only letdown externally is a split in the front valance, beneath the number plate.

The interior sports two racing bucket seats and normal three-point retractable seat belts. Racing harnesses could be fitted, but the current set-up is much more user friendly, helping turn the car into a usable everyday driver.

The racing theme continues with a three-spoke Mountney steering wheel along with an upgraded, modern gear knob and handbrake handle, plus lightweight, drilled door pulls and window winders.

There is also a centre armrest, which makes the car much more comfortable on long journeys. The result might be a million miles away from the factory finish but it works very well in a machine whose primary goal is fun.

The boot, trimmed in red carpet, features two high-quality speakers that complement the powerful, modern Sony head-unit.

The carburettored V8 engine breathes through a twin-pipe, Rimmer Bros free-flowing stainless steel exhaust. The owner tells us that it sounds superb and the engine starts, runs and goes very well indeed. This video demonstrates the car's aural splendour! https://www.facebook.com/ludenautomotive/videos/1022947651178098/

The suspension is by way of Spax dampers and it handles superbly, being firm and well-controlled yet still supple enough to be used for the Tesco run, daily commuting, or an inter-continental grand tour.

The underside - which looks to be largely free of the sort of oil leaks that plague old British cars - is described as solid and rot-free by the seller; if it were ours, we’d invest a day or so wire-brushing away any flaking underseal and surface rust before going over it with chassis paint to keep it looking just this good for the next couple of decades.

The MOT has just been passed, and we are told that all of the advisories have been fixed, an invoice for these works will appear shortly.

Sadly, like so many track cars, the MGB GT doesn’t come with anything in the way of historical paperwork. However, it will, of course, come with a current V5 registration document, new MOT certificate and some invoices for the work the current owner has carried out.

See the Gallery section for 80+ photos of the car: inside, outside and underside. And please feel free to arrange a viewing - 'modified' cars sometimes justify a closer inspection to check if it's to your taste, or maybe if it's just worth a punt on a bit of fun that'll stand out from the rest in the pub carpark!

If you’re looking for a standard, MGB GT then this isn’t your car. But, if you’re looking for something that can convincingly fulfill a number of roles – and be much, much cheaper than a standard, concours MGB GT, particularly the V8 – then we’d strongly encourage you to take a close look at this example.

It’s solid, well-engineered, looks wonderful and shouldn't fail to raise a smile. Yes, the engine bay could do with tidying up but we can see it being used for a summer’s worth of fun before going on to provide the lucky new owner with an interesting winter project; more modifications, more personalization, more 'standard'? It’s up to you.

Pricing a car like this is something of a lottery; it’s not concours but it is complete, usable and in need of nothing. With the price of the very best cars reaching £15,000 and even the very worst fetching £5,000, shall we split the difference and suggest that this’ll go for between £8,000 and £10,000?

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen in Essex; 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.