1981 MG MGB LE

A last hurrah if you like, 420 metallic bronze MGB LE roadsters were produced at the very end of MG production, 200 of them sporting wire wheels.

‘This is number 418 and a very original example,’ explains the MG’s present owner Anthony. ‘It’s been meticulously cared for by an Owners’ Club member and only been used in the summer,’ he adds. He too has kept up the same level of care - and added only a few miles to its tally.

Although he hasn’t driven too far, Anthony has certainly been quite busy with the car over the past two years. ‘One of the main things I added was an unleaded head,’ he explains; ‘so no more additives at the petrol pumps.’ The car has needed no paint or bodywork renovation, but it was treated to a new soft top (in June of this year) and a very smart tonneau complete with head rest and steering wheel covers. ‘I also had a set of luxury carpets fitted.’ The refitting extends to the boot and includes a very tidy spare wheel cover. The MG also has a Cobra alarm and immobilizer.

The number plate TRE 11X remains with the car, adding, along with the vivid interior colour scheme, a certain 70s vibe...

I think it’s fair to say that this roadster’s coachwork retains all the colour and vibrancy it left the factory with - and that is quite a lot. The metallic bronze maintains a deep and consistent shine across all panels and makes a refreshing change from the de rigueur MG red or green. The stripes/Union Jag MGB decals down the flanks also retain all of their colour - no fading anywhere - and certainly no peeling. The car has obviously been garaged all its life. There are one or two small scuffs to the paintwork - a very tiny nick on the boot lid, and at the seam edge on the rear corner of the bonnet on the driver’s side. Both have been touched up.

Like the paint, the chrome is in absolutely excellent condition. There’s no hint of a blueish bloom anywhere on the brightwork, nor any pitting from absorbed moisture. Door handles, mirrors, quarterlights (which still open, remember) and headlights show no dents or scratches, and are all firmly mounted. (By the way, those headlights are Lucas H4 halogens - so brighter than on your standard MGB). For further confirmation of the car’s condition and originality, look at such items as the rubber seal under the filler cap - dense black rubber, still supple with no sign of degradation. The bumpers too retain that showroom shine and show no scuffs or cracks. Even that rather large chin spoiler has stayed fresh.

All the aforementioned bumpers fit snugly to the metalwork, and, predictably, panel fit across the car is excellent. Doors and lids shut snugly. The boot lid can look as if it stands very slightly proud, but this is an original MG production ‘feature’ rather than anything that’s happened to the car over time.

This really is a beautifully preserved example.

If you’re standing within 500 yards of the MG (make that 1000), you will notice that it’s trimmed in a rather vivid orange and brown cloth. This is marvellous for two reasons. Firstly, it’s so redolent of archetypal Seventiesness, and totally unapologetic about that. Secondly, it’s in near perfect condition; not many have made it this far in this state. There are no tears or worn patches in the cloth - certainly no fading - and it is perfectly stitched to the black vinyl surrounding it. The latter point belies the fact that the seat foam has actually been replaced on both sides. The vinyl retains a deep gloss finish both on the seats and on the door panels. Winders and handles here are firmly mounted and work smoothly.

Obviously, everyone who has ridden in this car has been sitting very correctly - there’s no wear or distortion to the central arm rest from too many elbows, nor to seat sides, and neither the gear knob or handbrake - or the steering wheel - show any scuffs from rings or nails.

Looking around the dash board (note the numbered plaque), all instruments and switches are present and correct (there is an immobiliser dock discreetly fitted in one position) and, by the way, that’s the original Pye radio too.

Looking into nooks and crannies - or under those thick new carpets - won’t bring any shocks; the door hinge areas are infeasibly clean and the metal floors appear strong.

The folding roof is new - and looks it. It was fitted over the original frame (which was in excellent condition) and is a perfect match to the car. It folds away quickly and smoothly and its cover buttons click down without fuss.

That stout-looking tonneau can act as a full cover, or be zipped half open to the leave the driver’s seat open. It’s a versatile addition to your driving options, and, like everything else around the cabin, is in excellent condition.

The underside of the MG was given a ‘Cadulac’ underseal treatment before leaving the dealer, a treatment that was refreshed in 2019 (certificate provided). Looking underneath, you can see that it retains a thick layer of the coating (albeit a little dusty), which protects the undertray and crossmembers of the body. You will also see traces of the black paste on brackets in the engine bay - don’t mistake it for some form of degradation. It has done a good job and (along with the low mileage) has made sure the underside of the car has remained strong and rust free. The edges of the rear diff and the leaf springs show a light dusting of surface rust, but all could easily be removed with a wire brush. All the suspension parts look to be in excellent shape. They, and the steering components, appear strong, free-moving, accessible and serviceable. There is a total lack of accumulated grime. Even the gaiters on the steering arms look new. The wire wheels are very clean - no bent spokes - and their chromed hubs retain an excellent shine.

The engine bay too retains the high standard set by the rest of the car. Although the car’s 27,000 miles haven’t demanded a lot of servicing, 40 years on the road/in the garage can still see a lot of dust or grease accumulate. This hasn’t been allowed to happen. The motor, its carburettors, and the ancillaries are all clean and look to be in a very good shape. The battery and its retaining box are new. All those little condition indicators - wiring connectors, hose ends (especially when they meet with jubilee clips and the like) are all neat, and crack and corrosion free. Also; notice the spare ignition key bolted onto the firewall.

Looking deeper into the engine bay, there are no signs of rust. Where you can see the Cadulac treatment on the bulkhead and sides, it hasn’t been indiscriminately splashed onto everything.

The whole compartment inspires confidence in the car’s upkeep.

With an original, low-mileage car, there isn’t going to be a lot of history to see. However, it’s well worth remembering that almost £5000 has been spent on the car in the last two years, including £900 for the unleaded head and £650 for the hood/tonneau. The MG’s mileage can be totally corroborated through its MOT history. The MG comes with almost a full year’s MOT - it passed without any advisories. The main testament to this MG’s life and upkeep is its condition; especially that of all those ‘perishable’ parts - rubber trim mountings, bushes, gaiters and the hoses. Looking at these gives you a lot of confidence in the care it has enjoyed.

Admittedly, there are a lot of MGBs out there, but not like this. This bold bronze roadster ticks more or less every box; variant desirability (roadster), condition, owner history… And it was an authentic limited edition. As we’ve said before, that colour combination - most especially the interior - mark it out as a real period piece. And the mileage, although low, isn’t prohibitive of the next owner going out and enjoying it… ‘sensibly’.

Whatever you think these latest of late-production MGs are worth, this example has to be near the very top of that scale. All of its excellent qualities considered, we think it can command a value of between £11,000 and £15,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the seller in West Yorkshire; 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 near Abingdon, 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.