Vehicle Description
There are not many better ways to enjoy a warm summer day and a
twisting country road than from behind the wheel of a traditional
British sports car. This 1977 MGB represents the last of the breed,
a wonderful foray into a time when the cars were elemental and
pure, and the driving experience wasn't measured on a clock, but by
the size of the grin on your face. And with just 39,642 original
miles, it's an awesome survivor that's easy to love.
The MGB is one of those cars that everyone loves, and one look at
this handsome burgundy specimen will tell you all you need to know.
Its compact proportions are ideally suited to carrying two
passengers, there's no extra fat to steal performance. The taut
bodywork is an evolutionary design that by 1977 had grown the large
rubber front bumper/grille assembly, giving it a more aggressive
look that was pure 1970s cool. The burgundy paint on this roadster
still looks pretty good overall and makes the little roadster look
substantial despite its affordable price tag. The fit and finish is
arguably better than new thanks to years of hobbyists tweaking and
fixing the little stuff over the past four decades. The chrome
trunk rack is something you'll undoubtedly find useful on your next
road trip and the traditional 3-element taillight lenses remain in
excellent condition. The only notable demerits might be some
scuffing on the front bumper, but on an original car, that's
probably OK.
The black interior is in beautiful condition, showing no major wear
on any of the soft components. Even the driver's seat is firm and
supportive, with wear commensurate with its mileage. Black carpets
are protected by MG-logo floor mats and the door panels remain
taut, not saggy. All the gauges appear original and in good working
order, and the radio has been upgraded to a Kenwood AM/FM/CD head
unit with upgraded speakers in the doors. The black convertible top
looks recent and offers a clear rear window (three of them,
actually), and it can be thrown open in a matter of moments, so
it's easy to take advantage of open-air motoring any time the mood
strikes you. The trunk is fully carpeted and includes a full-sized
spare, yet there's still room for your gear. Nice!
The thrill of a British sports car is not in its sheer power and
speed, but in one's ability to use most of the car's performance
envelope without worry. The MG's 1.8 liter inline-four makes
reasonable power, but plenty of torque and the most wonderful
sound, aggressive at idle and a fantastic tenor bellow at full
throttle. The original carburetor still gives it crisp throttle
response and yes, the full California emissions system is still
intact and functional, with this car passing the tough CA smog test
as recently as 2012. A standard cast iron exhaust manifold feeds
what might just be the original exhaust system and handling is
light thanks to a well-sorted suspension and a modest curb weight.
It's not detailed underneath but there's no question this is a
clean California car that has never been used in inclement weather.
Four 185/60/14 radials have been fitted to the original styled
steel wheels for a timeless look.
MGB fans know how wonderful these are, and how difficult good ones
are to find. This one is ready to have fun for not a lot of money.
Call today!