1967 MG MGB GT

First registered on 1 June 1967, this MGB GT Mk1 ‘narrow tunnel’ manual with overdrive was believed supplied new to an oil industry worker from Cheshire who was also an MG enthusiast. So much so that when he moved to Kuwait with work, he took the B with him.

It is unknown how long the car was in Kuwait but anecdotally it then passed on to his brother for a while, and subsequently to a technical college Principal - again both enthusiasts who reportedly kept the car well maintained and largely original. Two years ago, while another of his cars was undergoing restoration, the current owner bought the GT as a stopgap and has put maybe 1500 miles on it since.

This car appealed to him because of its overall originality. He is pretty confident that all the body panels are solid and original, including the alloy bonnet, and that other than repainting hasn’t undergone any significant restoration work. He previously owned an almost identical ‘67 B, and has other classic MGs so he definitely knows what to look for.

He says of this car - “It’s as good a going B as I’ve ever owned... and I’ve had a few.”

The MGB’s British Racing Green painted bodywork isn’t in the best of conditions but is largely corrosion free and original, although repainted since new. There are one or two undulations in the panels and a small dent on the top of the front wing where a previous owner dropped a hammer. Elsewhere there are several scuffs, scrapes, scratches, dings and touch ups - the typical battle scars of a highly usable classic car.

It’s not entirely rust free, there are the very beginnings in some of the panel seams such as under the tail lights, on the lip of the rear hatch under the doors and on both valances. But there is nothing that appears to require anything more than a proper prep and respray. The chrome work too is not perfect but is still pretty good.

Eagle-eyed photo scrutineers may have spotted a flaking pimple on the roof, in the centre of the rear half of the panel. This is where a small grommet has been used to plug what is believed to have been the hole where a CB Radio antenna was fitted during its time in the Gulf.

The car sits on its original factory-supplied 14-inch painted wire wheels which are in a good condition. All are fitted with Dunlop SP radials which are believed to be only 2-3 years old. Regular browsers will know our predilection for quality matching rubber and that it typically indicates good stewardship by mechanically-sympathetic owners.

The black dash has a smooth finish (rather than the later crinkled surface) and a leather clad Moto-Lita steering wheel for a sportier look. The rest of the interior is in black vinyl with white piping, except for the front seats which, although they look black in the photos, are a very dark green.

These leather front seats are understood to be from a modern MGF/TF and, whilst the owner did consider reinstating a period-correct pair, he found these to be too comfortable to want to change. Inertia reel seatbelts have also been fitted for additional comfort and safety.

The carpets and rubber over mats are in good order but, up above, the headlining has seen better days and has small splits in a number of places. A replacement has been bought and comes with the car for the new owner to fit.

Please take some time to scrutinise the detailed photos of the car but, as ever, we encourage a personal inspection. As the car is in Northern Ireland this would be more challenging for most so why not use the ‘Contact Seller’ option to get in touch with the vendor and either arrange a visit or maybe a video call to get a closer look.

Under the bonnet the engine bay presents well - although it looks to have been brush painted rather than sprayed. All looks clean and fairly tidy; everything is where it should be and easy to get at. This car has an oil cooler as was an option at the time of supply and SU carbs with the original style Coopers air cleaners. In keeping with our understanding of its good maintenance, there are signs of recent replacements to flexible hoses and the like.

Under the car, all looks clean and intact with only small touches of surface rust here and there as well as good waxoyl seal on the underbody panels. The stainless Bell Systems exhaust looks in fantastic condition and, as can be heard on the video, gives a rather fruity parp when revved. Some of the suspension components appear recently replaced too.

Under the hatch in the boot, there are speakers fitted (although disconnected) to the sides of the carpeted and hinged floor board. Under that there’s a full size spare wire wheel with Pirelli rubber and a tool bag containing a jack and a spare starter motor. There is nothing wrong with the starter motor fitted to the engine but this old type which was fitted to Mk1 ‘Bs can be “a bit grumpy from cold” although they do improve after the first start.

The rubber boot seal is perished, split and missing in a few places although this doesn’t seem to cause problems with water ingress.

The MGB’s online MOT record shows annual testing since 2006 when test reports went online and in those 13 tests there were very few advisories and only one failure due to needing a couple of bulbs replaced. It also shows that since that time, the car covered around 6,000 miles.

Its last MOT expired in April 2019 and, although exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it tested at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner and any subsequent purchasers but is also invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

Although there are no invoices or other documentary evidence of maintenance with the car, we understand that it has been well maintained.

Reportedly the brakes were sorted and front suspension rebuilt before current ownership and it looks like the rear suspension may have had work too but is sound; still on lever arms which appear in good order.

A clutch release bearing failed over the summer so it has just had a full clutch pack and a ball race bearing fitted, plus new cylinder seals, crank rear oil seal and sump gaskets to address a small oil leak.

The early D-type overdrive unit still has its vacuum operated relay which, once the instrument panel switch is enabled, makes the use of the overdrive a little more straightforward by ensuring that it is only engaged when there are sufficient revs to benefit from it. Not just more convenient it also prevents abuse and longer term damage.

Another atypical fitting in this car is the fuel pump. Whilst most Bs have theirs sited under the rear fuel tank, exposed to the road dirt and grime, this GT has one from a Series Land Rover fitted in the engine bay. This tiny pump reportedly works much more reliably and efficiently.

The car comes with a handful of tax discs and a period driver’s handbook containing hand-written notes on the car from a previous enthusiast owner.

Always owned by people who knew what they were doing, this MGB GT reportedly stops, starts and handles very well and despite the lack of documentation has clearly been well maintained mechanically. There are no reported issues or vices with the engine (“strong and holds oil pressure well”), gearbox or overdrive.

Of the huge variety of cars that come through The Market, a high proportion are MGBs which is a testament to their popularity and desirability.

Although this honest, mechanically-sound Mk1 would benefit from a little cosmetic attention, it won’t be easy to find another that has its original body panels and hasn’t been restored. Because of that we think you’ll need to bid somewhere between £8,000 and £10,000 to become its new owner.

Don’t dismiss the MGB because of its ubiquity, there are good reasons why there are so many still around in use. Parts availability and club support are two and the other is that they are huge fun to drive!

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Holywood near Belfast; 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’.

This vehicle is not with us at The Market’s HQ, which means we have had to rely on the owner’s description of it, in conjunction with the photographs you see here, to compile the listing.

With this in mind, we would encourage potential bidders to contact the owner themselves and arrange to view the car in person, or to arrange a dedicated video call in which they can view the car virtually and ask questions.