1976 MG V8 Roadster

Commissioned at the NEC show in 1991, this MGB V8 Roadster is a one-off built by renowned MGB expert Mike Satur to fulfill one man’s dream of owning a manual, V8-powered roadster.

The donor car was a rubber-bumpered MGB GT V8, and the finished car is an absolute delight with stunning attention to detail. It is a tribute to both Mike Satur’s expertise and the owner’s vision.

The bodywork is in stunning condition, having tight, even panel gaps and a sensational finish to the red paintwork. It glistens as it catches the sun and if you didn’t know better you’d think it was weeks, rather than decades, old.

It did gain a small storage dent on the nearside front wing while garaged, which has been repaired. However, the repair, while professionally done, was now a slightly different shade to the rest of the vehicle, being slightly lighter when viewed from the right/wrong angle. Perhaps we are being too harsh as it is barely noticeable, but we’d rather be scrupulously honest in our description than risk misleading a potential bidder.

To counter this, we must point out that the MGB is completely rust-free and the overall condition is that of a car that is only a year old, rather than one marching towards the end of its third decade (since rebuild). The chromework, in particular, is as outstanding as the underside.

The MGB’s lift-off hood has never been fitted as the owner has never driven the vehicle in the rain. As a result, the car’s original hood is still in fabulous condition as it was rolled up when it was new and carefully stored in a heated garage.

The car can also be fitted with the supplied tonneau cover, which has ‘cut-outs’ for the driver, allowing genuine wind-in-the-hair motoring while the heater keeps the lower body comfortably warm no matter how cold the ambient temperature becomes.

Currently fitted with silver and black number plates, the new owner will find road-legal yellow and white replacements in the boot should they prefer.

The black leather seats, matching carpets, electric windows, wooden Moto-Lita steering wheel and high-quality walnut veneer trim lift this example way beyond the usual MGB interior. The front seats are showing only gentle creasing and are as supportive as the day they were fitted.

The car is also fitted with an immobilizer, a modern(ish) radio cassette player, and a manual override electric fan switch.

Note too that because this Roadster was converted from a GT, it actually has two small +2 seats in the rear, with lap belts too.

Faults appear to be limited to the fact that some of the ‘chromed’ plastic trim around the air vents is slightly discoloured, and the hinge on the glovebox shows some surface rust, but both are relatively trivial problems and could be remedied at little cost.

The engine is a standard Rover V8, albeit one that was fully rebuilt and mildly gas-flowed and blueprinted when the car was first built. It starts on the button and holds good oil pressure, ticking over evenly and revving without hesitation.

The car sits on 15-inch chrome MGC wire wheels complete with three-eared centre spinners, including the spare, which has never been used. The Yokohama tyres are getting old now though and have probably age-hardened, and it might be prudent to budget for a new set.

Even so, it handles beautifully and will give the new owner the flexibility to use his or her new MGB V8 as either a fast road or grand touring car, or even as an occasional track day weapon.

The MGB is in mechanically sound condition, with no known faults or problems, although the wire wheels do show some slight tarnishing.

The owner estimates that he has only driven the MGB sparingly since 1991, perhaps no more than 3,000 miles in the past 26 years a guestimate the MOT record would suggest is accurate.

Even so, he has maintained it fastidiously with regular services and inspections from his local mechanic. Sadly, there are no receipts to support this. With this in mind, potential bidders are encouraged to inspect the car themselves and then bid on condition alone.

However, to help those that may not be in a position to come and see the vehicle for themselves, we have commissioned MGB specialists Frontline Developments to give the car the once over and pop a new MOT on it.

While the traditionalists might disagree, we think the specification of this lovely little MGB V8 Roadster was perfectly judged to meet the owner’s individual needs perfectly. As a peerless grand touring car, it is nonetheless flexible enough in its execution to fulfill a number of additional roles with ease. It is also in almost unbelievably good condition having been cherished and used so little in the past 26 years.

For this reason, we can see it going to a fastidious and uncompromising owner who demands nothing but perfection from their ‘new’ MGB. For such a bidder, the guide price of £15,000 will represent extraordinary value as the car needs nothing save maybe a new set of tyres. It should be noted that a V8GT in similar condition would cost much more, and be much less fun in summer.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen here at Patina HQ in Abingdon; 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.