1963 MG MGB Roadster

The last line of the Background section above may seem like a bit of gratuitous titillation, but there are several documents in this car’s history file (please see below) that allude to it possibly having a rather special back story.

A letter from the MG Car Club, dated 4 November 1988, states: “The age and the current condition make this MGB one of the earliest on the MGB Register and of high interest to members, enthusiasts and historians alike.”

While a second letter, this time from the MG Owners’ Club and dated 18 November 1988, declares that, “YBR 400, chassis no; GHN3 5779 is the only car built and prepared by the Development department at Abingdon. This car has a 3.307 ratio rear axle which was specially fitted for its debut in the Le Mans 24hour race, it is also the first car to be fitted with a five bearing engine, production cars were not fitted with these for another two years.”

The above two letters allowed the then owner (Mr Bill Reeves, more on him in a moment) to apply for the registration YBR 400, which the Clerical Vehicles Branch allowed it to wear because, “of the very special place your M.G.B has in British Motor History…” Intriguing, to say the very least.

Current vendor Judith James takes up the story, “I bought it three years ago from the widow of owner Bill Reeves, who’s company restored the car. All I know is the paperwork was interesting and there was possible Le Mans history. Unfortunately, a lot of its back story was lost when he passed away and I’ve been unable to find out any more about its history.”

Reeves’ Kent-based Bill Reeves MG Centre was well known in marque circles and it carried out a comprehensive restoration back in 1988. The MGB had at some point been restored to a standard Roadster, but was rebuilt in race car form with Bill subsequently piloting it on events around Europe.

“Since owning the car, I’ve used it mainly for fun,” says Judith. “However, I now need the money!” Her decision to sell the car means that this intriguing puzzle of a car is now ready to find a new home.

There’s no doubt that it’s an evocative looking steed. Images of Paddy Hopkirk charging round Arnage, one-wheel a skipping in DRX 255C come flooding to your mind’s eye.

As such you get the full bumper less, Tartan Red and Cream colour scheme Le Mans treatment. Bill Reeves campaigned the car in many of the big boy events and it wears its patina with pride – this certainly isn’t a car for polishing, it’s one to get straight out and compete in.

There’s the odd scuff, chuff, bubble and fade on the paintwork but overall it’s a faithful facsimile of the Le Mans cars. The white hardtop unclips, so it can be used a la fresh air, hoodless Roadster if desired. The faired-in Perspex headlight covers are secured, as is the bonnet (steel, rather than an earlier alloy item) and boot lid. There are exterior electrical cut-off switches (although the scuttle mounted pull is snapped and needs replaced) as you’d expect of a race car and tow loops.

One nod to touring is the luggage rack on at the rear, which means it could be used as a thoroughly lairy road car. Animalistic European tours anyone? How about a drive it to the circuit, race it and return home beast?

Generally the paint is OK but the rear end could likely do with a bit of TLC, as it’s lifting in a few places and some surface corrosion can be seen underneath. It still wears the names of previous owners Bill and Trudy Reeves on the exterior.

As a racer it sports some non-period bits and bobs. Despite being an early car it doesn’t have pull-handle doors (in fact the doors themselves are later), or an early interior, but it’s always been thus with racers. All the main panels are steel.

The tyres have a few cracks on the sidewalls, so again it’d be sensible to replace all. It’s fitted with Minator alloy wheels, with evocative knock-off chrome spinners.

There are no surprises inside, as it’s fitted out with competition in mind. You’ll find an FIA specification roll bar (it’s believed that the car had FIA papers, but these have subsequently lapsed). A rally trip meter, driver’s torch, harnesses and other race addenda including multiple fire extinguishers (all will need replacing for competition) and co-driver’s footrest are also fitted.

The general condition again is of a car that’s seen serious action. The later seats are a touch worn in places, but look to have life left in them yet. There’s a lovely Moto-Lita steering wheel with which to dial in your inputs and it’s aided and abetted by quite possibly the meatiest looking (chrome) gear lever we’ve ever seen in an MGB.

There is a radio fitted and discreet speakers have been placed in the rear, on the floors, either side of the seats. A lot of fun has been had in here, and if the next owner uses it in the same spirit then long may that continue.

“It’s very fun and really exciting to drive,” says Judith. “A proper old-school race car, it’s nippy but physical and visceral at the same time – you really feel alive at the wheel. It is quite a workout, though! The engine feels strong and pulls wonderfully, the brakes work – it’s a proper functioning car. It’s not been used much in the last year, but after a quick checkout I’d have no hesitation driving it across Europe.”

We haven’t quite managed that, but we have spun it around the area immediate to The Market’s Abingdon headquarters and blimey, it’s a gnarly performer. You can see just why these cars were able to mix it with the big boys, and bloody many a nose. It’s a formidable, chuckable and visceral car.

It starts first time and everything functions just as it should, including overdrive. There’s a touch of run on after you cut the ignition, but a touch of fettling should rectify that.

Given the races and rallies it’s seen, the engine bay is relatively grime free. Originally delivered with a five-bearing crankshaft engine, it now has a three-bearing unit fitted. This was rebuilt to Gold Seal specification back when the car was restored in 1988 and features a Special Tuning inlet manifold and full Peco stainless steel exhaust system, which sounds glorious (check out our video, below).

We understand it also has a 3.307 ratio rear axle, which is the one that was specifically developed for the Le Mans 24hr race!

The previously mentioned letters from both MG Owners Clubs are without doubt the highlights within the MGB’s history file, and marque aficionados should quite rightly take their time poring over the fine detail contained within them. Please bear in mind there are no further parts with the car, and we have detailed the current spec as much as we, and the vendor, know. Any bidders for whom a definitive answer is important must conduct any further research on this topic themselves before bidding. 

You’ll also find a number of photographs; one shows the car in standard Roadster form, while others show the post restoration racer at a variety of events. There’s also a French newspaper clipping of the 2000 Monte Carlo Historic Rally with a photograph showing YBR 400 taking part.

There are quite a large number of previous MOT certificates – the last of these was carried out in 2019, and Judith says it passed with no advisories. There is also a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate issued on 18 September 2018. This details Chassis, Engine and Body Numbers, as well as stating that its original date of build was 25-28 January 1963; it also shows that the original exterior colour was Chelsea Grey.

Finally, there are a large number of handwritten pages detailing the comprehensive works carried out during Bill Reeves’ restoration of the car in 1988. Highlights include the use of many “Special Tuning” parts and replacement of just about every part known to man (or woman). No prices are mentioned, but it must have cost a small fortune.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car was restored to a phenomenal standard back in 1988 and has been maintained to a very high level since.

Well, well and well – this is a lovely, patina-wearing race car. That’s before we get to that intriguing history, which serves up a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. “It has that incredible paperwork,” says Judith. “But it remains a mystery, as we’ve been unable to find out any more information about the car.”

There’s talk of possible Le Mans prep, as well as prep by the Development Department at Abingdon. It’s also thought to have had a five-bearing engine fitted well before the production car received them, and it wears that 3.307 rear axle (with all its Le Mans connotations).

Prospective bidders are encouraged to do their own due diligence and see if they can dig up any further indicators. One thing is clear it’s certainly of serious interest to Abingdon locals.

Estimating this car is very difficult, and the numbers we quote below are really only there because it’s company policy (and auction practice) to include one. Let us quote the following: £15,000 and £30,000. Anywhere within that range will reflect a very fair price, and who knows there may even be further historical goodness that remains to be uncovered.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located at The Market’s Abingdon headquarters; 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’.