1975 MG B GT V8

Finished in the wonderfully 70’s shade of Sage Green over a rich brown/tan leather interior, this V8-powered MG B GT has been fastidiously maintained, restored and cherished throughout its lifetime, and comes complete with one of the most in-depth detail-oriented histories we’ve ever seen. More on that later…

Thanks to the light-alloy construction of the 3.5-litre V8 upfront, it only weighs marginally more than the inline-four engine of the non-V8 cars, meaning the B GT V8 retains an impressively light-footed feeling on the road but benefits from that wonderfully smooth torque that is characteristic of a V8 engine.

This particular example also benefits from being one of the last batch of the chrome-bumpered models, as in 1974 Abingdon began dispatching the later rubber-bumpered models, and in 1976 the curtain was brought down on the MGB GT V8.

Having spoken to the vendor, it is immediately clear that both they and the prior owner are incredibly fastidious in their nature, which makes this GT V8 even more appealing. After all, cars are bought on their owners to a degree, and in this instance that’s a very big selling point!

During its lifetime, the engine has been rebuilt twice, power steering has been added and any necessary work has been attended to, ensuring this example remains in top condition regardless of cost.

Having been owned by the vendor for around seven years, the current owner has spent in the region of £10,000 - £11,000 on the vehicle, and has used the car regularly to ensure it does not develop any problems from sitting idle.

Now, the vendor’s sizeable car collection is being diminished, meaning this absolute peach of an MGB GT V8 is up for grabs, and could be yours!

The Sage Green paintwork is very ‘of its era’ and suits the lines of the MGB GT very well indeed, and presents in outstanding condition. While the paintwork is not original, with the vehicle having been resprayed during the restoration process, it is of a very high standard throughout.

With regards to blemishes, there is one notable scuff on the offside lower front wing, though this is about the extent of it, along with the usual minor stone chips and smattering of gravel rash which are commensurate with the age and mileage of the car. It’s fair to say this is an absolute gem of an MGB, and it is certain to turn heads wherever it goes.

The lenses on the vehicle are all free from damage, with the lower front fog lights (in period-correct yellow, naturally) benefitting from an additional layer of protection to avoid any cracked lenses from errant stones. Most importantly, the chrome work all looks to be in very good condition and retains a mirror-like finish, with only some minor age-related wear to areas such as the widow surrounds and mirrors which is particularly noticeable on the offside rear window frame.

The wheels are all in presentable condition, with the spare being near-immaculate. However, with the rest of the bodywork being in such great shape, we’d probably get the wheels refurbished to match, along with polishing up the exhaust.

Inside, the brown leather interior is in excellent shape, with no ‘damp’ smells or other issues to suggest any sort of moisture ingress. The seats themselves are in great condition and are free from rips and tears, with only minor creasing to the outer bolsters of the front seats.

The carpets are all in good nick, with the door cards and dashboard being very good indeed with no cracks or notable scuffs. The wood veneer trim retains a high gloss shine and is free from lacquer peel, while the headlining is taught throughout.

In the luggage compartment, the side carpet trims need re-fitting correctly, while the leather luggage cover has a few small stains on it. Underneath the load floor the wheel well looks to be nice and solid with no signs of any issues, while the period-correct jack is included in its leather sack.

During our short drive, we noted no issues with any of the instrument gauges, the locking choke works exactly as it should and all of the electrical systems appeared to be working correctly, including the power windows.

Looking underneath, this MG has clearly been undersealed during its history, which explains why the condition of the body is so good. The usual surface corrosion is visible on suspension components and the exhaust system, though this shouldn’t be of any particular concern.

Under the bonnet, the 3.5-litre V8 looks to be in good condition with no notable leaks or misting, with the standard air intakes upgraded to a set of performance cone filters which also amplifies the induction noise of the engine without becoming too lairy.

During our short test drive, the car performed exactly as a V8-engined sports car should, with plenty of low-end torque and a wonderful exhaust note. The car steers with no notable issues or alignment problems, with only an unusual rubbing noise noted from the plastic cowl around the steering wheel. Under braking the car didn’t appear to pull to one side, and the gearshift action and clutch felt impressively tight for a car of this vintage.

While the car is excellent, the paperwork with the vehicle is almost the most impressive part of this sale. Clearly, this MG has been cherished by the most fastidious of owners, as evidenced by the incredible level of detail and organisation within the history pack.

First of all, there’s the log books. Most owners record expenditure on their vehicle, but this is taking the process to a whole new level. Not only has part expenditure been recorded, but also fuel consumption, mileage, oil consumption and even trips have been logged and recorded into two small handbooks.

In addition to this, there are a plethora of period photographs - some still presented in slides - of the car both being used and restored. Handbooks, owners club magazines and (now obsolete) parts catalogs and CD-ROMs are also included to bolster the rich and detailed history of the vehicle.

There is also an absolute treasure trove of invoices and other documentation with the vehicle, far more than we could possibly list here. In terms of highlights, a few particular bits of paperwork stand out:

- A £4,200+ invoice for numerous serviceable items including a distributor cap, track rod ends and new radiator

- The £5,623 invoice from August 1990 pertaining to the restoration work carried out, including welding, new panels and a full bare-metal respray in the factory colour of Sage Green.

- A copy of the heritage certificate issued to the vehicle, stating the cast-alloy wheels and overdrive unit were fitted from the factory.

- An invoice from October 2015 regarding work carried out to the sills, including a respray in the correct colour below the moulding line.

- Invoices for items such as gearbox replacements and restorations in recent years.

While the above are just a few highlights, we’d certainly recommend sitting down and sifting through the invoices and documents which we’ve photographed at the foot of this listing and soak in the rich history this MGB has enjoyed.

It’s rare to find such a well-documented and mechanically excellent example of a 70’s British sports car such as this. While our test drive was only short, it is clear this example is an absolute gem and mechanically feels very ‘tight’ for its age.

In excellent condition throughout and with a history folder that would put the Encyclopaedia Britannica to shame, this MGB GT V8 would be a fantastic addition to any sports car collection, and truly is ‘on the button’ and ready to enjoy.

Given the condition and history of the vehicle, we estimate it to fetch around £23,000 to £30,000 so if you’re looking for an MGB GT V8 that’s ready to enjoy, be sure to set your alarms, notifications and whatever else and get your bids in - good luck!

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’.