1963 MG B Roadster

With just one previous keeper, a Dr Chapman of Abingdon who bought it on the 27th of June 1963, this wonderfully of-the-period MGB Roadster has been recently fully restored by an ex-MG engineer.

Beautifully done, the sympathetic nature of the work can be summed up by the fact that the original number plates and chassis plate have been retained. And yet, no slave to originality at the expense of usability, the owner invested in an expensive but highly effective Frontline Development’s five-speed gearbox, a shrewd move that transforms the way the car drives on longer journeys.

Now being sold freshly recommissioned by Abingdon Car Restorations and almost certainly finished to a better standard than was ever achieved in period, this is your opportunity to get your hands on a highly usable, MGB Roadster you’ve been promising yourself.

The restored bodywork, which left the factory painted white before being changed to green at a later date, has been finished in the beautiful shade of Iris Blue. Nicely finished, the panel fit is good with great shutlines and straight, dent-free panels. There are plenty of new seals too, which adds to the car’s overall fit ‘n’ finish.

The rear chrome bumper is new, and yet even its newness doesn’t stand out because the rest of the chromework is similarly good; this is definitely not a car of two halves…

Fitted with five new matching tyres, the painted 14-inch wire wheels are in great shape too. Painted too, rather than chromed, which is yet another indicator that this work was done by someone who really knew their stuff…

As do the matching tyres; 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 it does perhaps give you an insight into their attitude towards maintenance.

The black folding roof is in good shape. It fits well and appears to be weathertight but it has been repaired in some places. These might be effective but they aren’t pretty so we can see the new owner will almost certainly want to budget for a replacement.

Other faults? Well, if we’re being hyper-critical - and we do try to be as we know some of you will bid relying only on our photographs and description to avoid having to visit in person - then the boot lid could fit a little better.

There are also some blemishes in the finish, most notably on the nearside rear wing and the leading edge of the offside front wing under the headlamp: please see the photos for details.

The seats are trimmed in dark blue leatherette, piped with light blue to match the coachwork. They look stunning and, as you’ll have gathered given how recent the work is, still plump and firm and virtually unmarked.

The door cards are finished in the same attractive colour combination. They are also new and looking fabulous, as are the dark blue carpets.

And yet, for all the interior titivation, the restorer was careful to preserve the heart and soul of this early 1960’s sportscar so the original steering wheel is still there. Huge and lightly patinated, it joins the black-and-chrome gear lever and knob in creating the semi-vintage feel that is such an integral part of the whole experience.

The boot floor is, like that in the cabin, utterly solid and nicely painted. There’s what looks to be a new carpet in there plus a spare wire wheel fitted with a new tyre – and just take a look at how neatly the new braided wiring loom has been fitted. It really is the details that separate the good cars from the very good, isn’t it?

Work to do? Well, some of the hardware on the seats is a little rusty and could do with tidying up. There is also a rip on the rear of the driver’s seat.

The freshly reconditioned engine is still in need of running-in and its first 500-mile oil change/service. Fitted with electronic ignition, it’s mated to a Frontline Developments five-speed gearbox, which might be an expensive upgrade but it is one that transforms the MGB’s long-distance civility.

The vendor assures us that every single mechanical and electrical component has been either rebuilt, refurbished, or renewed. As you can see from the photos, the work has been done to an uncommonly high standard with an attention to detail we find reassuring.

Having been completed so recently, there will inevitably be the need for the odd bolt to be tightened or minor fettling to be done as part of its shakedown but the vendor tells us that he’s not aware of any faults as such.

The engine bay is very nicely finished indeed. Finely detailed, it needs nothing other than the occasional wipe over with a clean cloth.

The underside is even better. Painted rather than crusted with underseal, it is solid and very neatly fitted out. There’s plenty of evidence of recent expenditure too, which you should find reassuring.

The MGB’s MOT certificate, which expires in August 2021, was gained without a single advisory. It has a number of expired MOT certificates plus some invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it recently.

It also has a DVD cataloguing the restoration plus a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate confirming its original build specification.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork.

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.

However, if you’d rather not come to see the car in person, please give us a call and we can shoot a personal video of the car honing in on any areas you’d like us to concentrate on.

Or, even better, why not contact us with your mobile number and we can set up a WhatsApp video call? You get to direct us in real-time, giving you a virtual personal viewing experience while maintaining the lockdown. We like to call it ‘The Market’s 2020 Vision’…

The MGB is a longtime staple of the classic car world for a very good reason. Great to drive, pretty to look at and ridiculously easy to repair, service and modify, obtaining parts is almost outlandishly easy making them a joy to both own and work on.

Not that you’ll be worrying about restoring or repairing this one because someone else – an ex-MG engineer at that – has done all the hard work for you. Now only in need of its first service, this is the carefully restored, judiciously upgraded MGB Roadster you’ve always promised yourself.

Being offered with a sensible reserve, we think this one will sell for between £13,000 and £18,000 – and while that’s a fair chunk of money, we defy you to build one to this standard for anything like this little.

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’.