1978 MG Roadster

Our car rolled down the production line in 1978 and was delivered to its first owner on 1st August. How exciting that must have been to pick up a new MGB Roadster on new letter day. Time to enjoy the last vestiges of summer.

The observant amongst you will have noticed that the car is no longer visually challenged by the aforementioned rubber bumpers, our seller deciding that they needed to go. Not only did he fit new chrome replacements, he also lowered the ride height as per the earlier cars.

The car had 8 previous owners prior to our seller becoming the custodian way back in 2006. It had already had some well-considered modifications and this fettling has continued right up until recently.

The bespoke interior with lashings of cream leather, complements the Brooklands Green paint but there is so much more to this car which will be revealed in due course.

So, why is our long-term owner selling after enjoying the car for such a lengthy period? A dodgy left knee is the answer and so he now has at his disposal an automatic sports car for high days and holidays. So, grab the opportunity to purchase his treasured ‘B’.

If you are going to have a traditional British sportscar, then you can’t beat green. The paintwork is quite stunning, and the seller has done his best to keep it in top order. Always dry stored when not in use, a little remedial work to the front end has recently been undertaken to keep things looking fresh.

If we are being picky, the keen eye will note a small scratch above the rear bumper on the right-hand rear wing and there is a little bubbling of the paint around the driver’s side door handle.

We note some areas of degradation to the rubber seal on the windscreen, old age we guess.

The driver’s door fits perfectly, but we do note that its chrome trim doesn’t quite line up with the adjoining ones.

The seller also commissioned the stainless-steel boot rack. It is strong enough to carry the spare wheel if required, freeing up space in the boot for luggage. What a clever idea and there is a waterproof cover for the spare when rack-mounted.

The chrome is in good order, the bumpers of course being quite new. There is now a lovely mesh grille, something that most certainly suits the car and improves the front-end appearance.

The car now sports lovely ‘Minator’ wheels, though close inspection does reveal a few marks etc here and there. A brand-new set of Falken Sincera tyres has just been fitted.

The black folding hood looks to be in fine condition and there is a tonneau cover included with the car too.

The interior is a veritable delight. Instead of the dreary cloth the car would have left the factory with, lovely magnolia leather now adorns the seats. And yes, they are as comfortable as they look! They have that lived-in look that leather gets as it ages. We would be inclined to clean and feed them to help preserve their excellent condition.

Our seller had the door cards made to match and the console too has been covered in matching leather. The covering for the dash top has also been renewed.

The intention was to fully coordinate the interior and, in that regard, our seller has most definitely succeeded.

The carpets, cream in colour and with matching mats, look great though could probably do with a gentle clean to bring them back to their best.

It should be noted that much of the interior trimming was carried out by a factory trained upholsterer, a person who clearly knew their craft.

The wooden steering wheel and elm dash match nicely, the later being fitted with magnolia dials which we understand are subtly backlit in green at night.

Also of note is the wind deflector, and for anyone who has never travelled in a convertible car at speed, we cannot stress how much more comfortable they make the experience, cutting out much of the buffeting.

The intention was clearly to improve the comfort and look of the MGB’s interior and that has most certainly been done.

The car has been stored for the last five years and the seller recently undertook a thorough recommissioning programme. This involved completely renovating the hydraulic clutch along with a complete strip down of both carburettors.

The car now starts easily with little or no choke. Aiding the fine starting is the 123 electronic ignition system.

Also of note is the stainless-steel fuel tank with two fuel filters. There is also a Pro-Zone magnetic fuel saver fitted, which we are told now means that the car can run on normal unleaded petrol. There is also a spare cartridge supplied with the car.

The stainless-steel exhaust has three tubes going from the manifold to increase overall power and performance and we are told the engine has been bored out too. It goes well with enough power to keep up with modern day traffic and have some fun.

The engine compartment is clean and tidy and there are plenty of shiny new parts to see. It all points to the careful ownership that we know this car has had.

A look under the car shows that plenty of underseal has been applied over the years and we would be tempted to put the car on a ramp and perhaps apply a little more where required. Prevention is better than cure!

We note that the paint on the lower sills is not in the best condition in places, but this is a simple weekend task to put right.

And the DIY enthusiast will no doubt be delighted to learn that the car comes with not only a driver’s handbook, but also a Haynes Workshop manual and a guide on how to keep the carburettors in good order.

The car comes with a wad of MoT certificates, always nice to see and an easy way of confirming the mileage is genuine. Of course, the car is now 43 years old and is registered as an historic vehicle – no road tax or MoT now required.

Also included is one of the largest collection of invoices that we have seen in a while. Make a cup of tea and then peruse them in our picture section at your leisure.

The car has wanted for nothing during the seller’s extensive period of ownership, and he has made strenuous efforts to improve the car, without in any way detracting from its period feel.

The overdrive gearbox works well, the clutch is now smooth and light and we are told the engine performs well.

This classic British sports car is presented in great condition and is ready for summer adventures. Its bespoke interior sets it apart from its piers and is sure to attract attention.

We know the car will undoubtedly attract a lot of interest as good MGBs always easily find new homes. We estimate that the car will sell for between £8,500 and £11,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.