This is not your father's typical OLD MGB
- 1980 MGB Roadster Mk IV
Everyone knows the 1980 Black LE - 6,682 built, 4,177 to North America, 250 to Canada. They were the farewell special.
AND This car is what they weren't building. This is the NON-LE That Shouldn't Exist !!
1-of-1 documented Preservation Class Survivor in Vermilion for final year.
* VIN GVLDJ2AG/511582 is a 1980 MGB Roadster Mk IV, Canadian-export LHD, built 30-31 January 1980 at Abingdon. BMIHT Certificate 2023/2259 confirms what the color chart doesn't: Exterior Color - Vermilion.
* Vermilion was not on the 1980 chart. It was a 1977-78 leftover color. In 1980 you could order Black, White, Brooklands Green, Flamenco Red or Harvest Gold. Vermilion shouldn't exist in 1980 - but Abingdon was using up stock in its final year.
*The numbers tell the story. Total 1980 production was 14,315 worldwide (Clausager/BMIHT) - 3,424 GTs, 6,682 Black LE Roadsters, and only 4,209 Standard non-LE Roadsters worldwide.
* The LE to Canada ratio gives us the facts. 250 Canadian LEs came from the 4,177 North American LEs, that's 5.98% = 6%. Apply that to standard: 4,209 x 6.5% = only ∼273 standard non-LE Roadsters came to Canada in 1980.
*Now add Vermilion at ∼3% of standard production as leftover stock: ∼126 Vermilion worldwide, ∼90 to the USA, and only 8-10 Canadian Vermilion non-LE cars built in 1980 total.
*This car is the only BMIHT-certified original paint survivor with intact Mk-IV decals documented. 99% original factory shiny Vermilion, no rust, original panels, 85,000km / 52,000 miles.
*Production timing is critical. First 1980 models started at 501001 in June 1979. First cars built in calendar 1980 were 507309. Mine at 511582 is #10,582 of the 14,315 1980-model-year run, and #4,274 built in calendar 1980. It was built 11,582 cars AFTER the 500,000th MGB built in January 1980 - same celebration week - and 11,419 cars before the final MGB 523001 on October 22, 1980.
*Extra value attributes: This is not just rarity. It has what was a dealer option (added 15 years ago in Florida) - a removable factory A/C system - rare for a Canadian 1980, fully reversible, and highly desirable for Florida preservation use. Preservation mods include stainless hardware replacing original fasteners to prevent corrosion - originals not retained and new Headlamps for safety, as with many preservation upgrades, but showing collector-grade care. Otherwise 99% unrestored.
*AACA South Florida judged it for Memory Lane in 2016, and it remains preserved in Boca Raton.
* The overwhelming Majority of 1980 Final Year survivors are Black LEs. This is the other story - A NON-LE car in the non-chart color, built in the same week they celebrated half a million, and preserved because it left Canada for Florida in 1980, shortly after it arrived for dry storage.
VIN: GVLDJ2AG/511582 - Built: 30-31 Jan 1980 - #10,582 of 14,315 - BMIHT: 2023/2259
Photos attached: BMIHT cert, original paint shine, Mk-IV decals, production chart based on 6.5% Canada ratio, factory provenance sheets._
NOW – the question of Super-rarity comes into play
HOW MANY of the 7-10 Canadian Vermillion survivors are there… and how many still have:
LIKELY ONLY 1
See below for THE REST OF THE STORY and Summarized on the attached….
1980 MGB Roadster Mk IV, VIN GVLDJ2AG/511582
* ORIGINAL IS ORIGINAL ONLY ONCE IN ITS LIFE.
Meticulously cleaning, maintaining and detailing... including: 1) Compounding, 2) Ceramic coating of the Original 46 year old paint and original MARK IV Striping (single stage paint). 3) Everything maintenance 4) Replacement of all worn/old parts, 5) AC (my add-on) service, 6) New Rotors, 7) New Alternator, 8) New starter, 9) New Battery, 10) New Turn signal/Horn/Light arm assembly 11) Re-Wiring and new relays in most of the car, 12) Total Cleaning of engine and compartment, 13) New tires (May 2026), 14) New headlamps and tail lights... The list goes on and on (details available to the buyer)
For the collector who wants the last of the breed, not just another black LE.
The AACA show photo proves it was recognized and The BMIHT certificate proves Vermilion is factory production.
*1980 MGB Roadster Mk IV - Final Production Canadian Export
- 1-of-1 Documented Factory Vermilion Survivor*
- VIN: GVLDJ2AG/511582 | Engine: 18V-883-AE-L/3333 | Built 30-31 Jan 1980 (500,000th MGB era) | Dispatched 22 Feb 1980 to Canada
- BMIHT Certified Copy of Factory Record 2023/2259 - Exterior: Vermilion / Black Trim / Black Top / Rostyle Wheels / Tonneau
- 85,000 km / 52,800 miles - 99% unrestored, daily driver condition
- Original factory paint - unrestored, shiny - original MK-IV decals intact
- No rust - Florida/Canada Preservation Class survivor, always garaged
- Preservation details: All hardware replaced with stainless for preservation, dealer-correct removable A/C system installed in engine bay for Florida use - fully reversible.
- Displayed: AACA South Florida Region Memory Lane 2016 Auto Show - displayed by ALLAN SHERES
- Keys: FS.916, FT.190, 7323
