Vehicle Description
1973 MG MGB Roadster
The MGB is built to a simple, sensible formula and with simple,
sensible technology, even for its time: The two-seater body,
designed from the ground up as a no-roof roadster, (not
chopped-down from a contemporary sedan, such as the Morris Minor
convertible), features quite deep and wide sills for good
length-ways and twisting stiffness and during design, there was
attention paid to the 1960s' emerging technology of crash safety
too, with an energy absorbing crush zones designed into the nose of
the car.
Offered for consignment, this fully restored from the ground up 73
MGB roadster that was recently stateinspected has always been well
maintained with lots of recent upgrades and is the final year for
the chrome bumpers on an MG. A laundry list of work completed
including a rebuilt by Acme Speed Shop engine,a Datsun 5-speed
manual transmission, rebuilt front suspension, a redoneinterior,
new chrome, heat shielding under the carpeting and all new wiring
just to name a few items. This rag topped sports car is appearing
as close to the 1973 car that sat in the British Leyland showroom,
with careful attention to the paint and period correctness.
Exterior
With gaps well minded and steel straight with no rust we see the
exterior bathed in a respray of British Racing Green, the paint is
nicely done. A few faults can be noted throughout the finish,but
they are mostly small inclusions and a few chip offs from normal
driving. The new chrome is mirror like and shows no pitting,
badging is all buttoned up, and the glass, with its federally
mandated triple wiper set, is crystal clear. A new Prestige vinyl
convertible top from Moss Motors shows in tan and moves up and down
manually with ease and has a clear but slightly wrinkled trio of
windows in back. Our consignor notes that a full tonneau cover is
included with your purchase along with a full car cover. Newer
195/60R15 blackwall tires wrap 15-inch Minilite VTO alloy wheels
and give the car a niceracy demeanor. A shout out to the black
carpet lined trunk with its full size covered spare, factory tools
and a remote mounted CD changer.
Interior
A fully restored tan leather interior can be seen even better with
the top down. Tuck and roll leather inserts are surrounded by clean
mar free smooth tan bolsters covering the dual buckets. These are
courtesy of Moss Motors and are from the Prestige series. The
console covered hump races through these seats and sports a wood
turned gear shift knob atop the leather wrapped shifter boot within
a field of burl and there is a nice black padded armrest for your
arms to rest upon. Black padded vinyl in excellent condition forms
an elongated oval in front of the steering wheel and houses the
gauge cluster right in the driver's sight line. More new wood
surrounds the full gamut of decidedly British Smiths gauges and a
like new Moto-Lita 3 spoke wood rimmed steering wheel fronts the
dash and is of original form. An aftermarket AM/FM/MP3 player is
fittedhere also as well as a line up of toggles and rocker
switches. Nice British Racing Green piped tan carpet floods the
floors and a peek under the passenger's side of the dash gives us a
view of the reworked fuses and relays.
Drivetrain
A pop of the bonnet and you'll be amazed at how great everything is
buttoned up and visually appealing. The 1798cc 4 banger has been
completely restored and rebuilt, and has a black engine block and
gas flowed big valve cylinder head with hardened valve seats. A
black valve cover is on and we note the open air cleaner elements
which provided air toto the dual 1-barrel carbs in the form of
rebuilt SU HS4's. This engine was rebuilt by Acme Speed Shop in
Taylor, SC and includes upgrades such as ARP fasteners, a vernier
timing gear, press fit connecting rods, Country pistons, and a D9
camshaft with a power tuning gear. A close ratio 5-speed manual
transmission courtesy of a Datsun 280zx is bolted to the back of
the mini mill and has an aluminum flywheel and new clutch master
and slave cylinders. This small but potent combination sends power
to a 3.90 cogged rear axle. Careful attention has been paid to all
details and we note a new radiator, auxiliary cooling fan, oil
cooler, and alternator.
Undercarriage
Very clean and structurally sound it's simply a lot of nicely
painted black surfaces. We note new floor pans and independent coil
springs up front and leaf springs are on the rear to provide the
handling ride with the front suspension being rebuilt. Disc brakes
are on front, and drums on the rear and a factory heads snakes down
from the mill and winds rearward passing through a Moss Motors
replacement single exhaust system.
Drive-Ability
Climbing into the near showroom interior it started right up and
idled smoothly. After a brief warm up I left the clutch out and
enjoyed my cruise around the Classic Auto Mall Test track, (a
well-kept secret as to its actual location). It ran great, handled
nicely, and had an upscale feel with the padding, and all being
just right.
The goal was to bring this car up to award winning snuff, and I'd
say accomplished. A fully working example ready to be scooped up
and driven immediately, we are all spit spot. I say old chap, let's
take a tool through the Dandenongs mate!
GHN5UD304047G
G-MG
H-BMC B-Series 1.8 Liter
N-2 Seat Roadster
5-MK3
U-USA Left Hand Drive
D-1973
304047G-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
