1975 MG B GT V8

First registered on the 1st of July 1975 in Taunton, this wonderfully fettled genuine factory MGB GT V8 is one of the nicest driving and looking examples we’ve seen in a while – and that its status as a chrome-bumper conversion is the worst thing we can think to say of it tells you all you need to know about how much we adore it.

A matching numbers example, detailed digging shows that the mileage of just over 65,600 is likely to be accurate as it is supported by the evidence in the extensive history file and online MOT records.

In the care of the vendor since he purchased it in April 2015, it is showing just five previous keepers. Dry stored in his care when it isn’t being used, he describes it as being “a great car to drive and our work since buying it has focussed on getting the car into an excellent mechanical condition.”

Now fully sorted and looking terrific, it drives beautifully and rewards closer inspection. Being offered with a very reasonable reserve, this is your chance to get your hands on one of the most usable and impressive MGBs we’ve seen all year.

The MGB GT was converted from the factory rubber bumpers to the chrome ones you see here by its previous owner in 2008-09, at which time it underwent substantial bodywork and mechanical restoration. He’d owned it for a couple of years by this time and the work he’d identified as being necessary included new inner and outer front wings, a front valance and the sills plus new chromework including the bumper conversion.

The work was clearly done to a very high standard because it is still looking fabulous with decent shutlines, dent- and ripple-free panels, and a very good finish to the Glacier White paintwork.

The chromework is still good too, and the car’s original Webasto sunroof has been serviced and is now working as it should, sliding open and closed easily, and sealing tightly. It’s a lovely arrangement and one that brings the best of open-top motoring with the security and rigidity of a closed hatchback.

The MGB GT still wears its original Dunlop alloys, which are in good condition and shod with recent matching Uniroyal Rain Expert tyres.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but do give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The lights, badges and glass are all good too. In fact, the only work we can see the new owner might like to carry out is to the lower edges of some of the wheelarches, some of which are showing the very early signs of light surface corrosion. It’s not a problem just yet but will need sorting before it takes hold.

The interior is excellent with the front seats having been recovered in their original trim of Autumn Leaf fabric in June 2020. They look terrific, and the combination of a gold interior and a Glacier White exterior suits the car’s period lines to perfection.

The door cards are good too, as are the carpets and the dashboard. All-in-all, it’s a lovely place to be, sitting low with your arms stretched out to hold the tiny leather-covered Mota-Lita steering wheel.

The lining of the Webasto sunroof is clean and taut, although the leading edge of the headlining has a couple of extraneous screw holes and has a little staining here and there; if it were ours we might be tempted to treat it to a new one given how good the rest of the interior is.

Speaking of minor problems, the nearside headrest has a small black stain to one edge too, and the fabric of the rear seat/bench is a little wrinkled. But that these are the only other problems of any note speaks volumes about how good the rest of it is.

The boot is home to the spare Dunlop wheel. Lifting the carpet and trim panel shows a solid, well-painted metal floor.

There’s no radio fitted but with the V8 engine under the bonnet fitting one would be superfluous, wouldn’t it?

Beech Hill Garage has carried out quite a bit of work in the past couple of years, including sorting out an oil leak, fitting a new brake servo, and refurbishing the carburettors in the past few months. The bill came to around £1,000 and a copy of the two invoices is attached.

The same garage also serviced the MGB in April 2018. The work included new front brake calipers, wheel cylinders, a heater hose, a full ignition service and a track rod end plus a few bits of miscellaneous fettling including four new Uniroyal tyres. The final bill came to well over £1,200.

The engine and transmission was rebuilt when the bodywork was restored. The engine work was carried out by Zebedee Engineering, while Malmesbury Transmissions sorted out the gearbox, including a new overdrive.

The owner tells us that only genuine MG parts have been fitted since he’s owned it, and other significant work in his time includes a new fuel tank and heater matrix.

He admits that his attention and focus has been on getting the MGB mechanically fettled, so suggests that the engine bay could do with detailing to bring it up to the same condition as the rest of the car. We think he’s being a bit harsh, but we’ll let you be the judge of that.

All we will add is that it does drive brilliantly, so much so that it has secured a place as one of our favourite cars of the year despite only a brief test drive. The owner agrees, saying that it works just as well as a long-distance touring car as it does a backroads weapon.

The underside looks strong and solid, and while it has been well undersealed, this protective coating has rubbed away in a couple of places and could do with touching up.

Oh, and the original air filter units have been retained and will be included with the car, so it could be returned to original configuration very easily. There are also a number of other parts available that were removed at the time. Please see the photograph of the box and its contents for details.

The MGB’s MOT certificate expires in March 2021. Gained with just the one advisory for a perished fuel hose, the car also comes with a number of expired MOT certificates.

The owner also has an extensive history file covering the mileage from new to the current day, a comprehensive file that even includes the original MG passport containing the details of the first purchaser and, remarkably, the stamped service history booklet from the 1970s.

The car is also a matching numbers car; as you can see, the VIN and engine numbers are present and match the factory records.

NB. The number plate was changed in 2008 by the previous owner. This is confirmed by HPI check.

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 has been maintained and modified to a very good standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

And please be reassured, we’ve undertaken a full COVID-assessment and put into place strict control measure to enable us to safely facilitate a no-contact, socially distanced viewing that includes disinfection of the vehicle before and after your viewing.

This is a solid, well-prepared, very presentable MGB GT V8 whose condition will allow you to use it to pop to the pub or shops, free of the worry that some careless oaf might put a mark on it.

And yet, that’s not to damn with faint praise because this is a well fettled example that runs and drives beautifully; one of our favourite MGBs of the year, that sonorous V8 engine and solid underpinnings mean it almost certainly has decades of trouble-free motoring ahead of it.

With this in mind, we think this one will sell for between £15,000 and £19,000, which seems like good value to us. Plus, of course, the reserve is set at an even lower point, so you might just be able to pick up a bit of a bargain in time for the summer!

Of course, as a matching numbers, factory V8 you should always find a ready market for it when the time comes to let it go, especially if you invest the small amount of time and money that would be needed to get it back to show condition.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near 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’.