This 1964 MGB chassis number G-HN3-L/20210, and engine number 18G-U-H/21262, was purchased by LBI because of its condition, originality and sole ownership history. According to the Heritage Certificate it was built in September of 1963, and fitted with wire wheels, heater, red tonneau cover, ashtray, MPH speedometer and packaway hood. In March of 1964 Al Filipone Imported Cars sold the Chelsea Grey roadster to Harry Lees of Glenn Riddle PA. It spent its life with Mr. Lees, as his Sunday driver. He cherished the car, and it spent most days covered in the garage. When he passed away a few years ago, LBI Limited was able to acquire it from his niece. She fondly remembers sitting on the battery shelf going for drives, with her mother and uncle in the front seats. The car was special to everyone in the family.
The car is almost entirely original. It still has a set of keys on the vin tag, the chaulk mark under the hood, and many other rare original gems. We did clean up a few issues but made sure to keep as much of the car original paint as possible. You will see some blemishes, scratches and imperfections but they are on what we believe is original paint. We had to repair and paint a tiny section of the hood, after removing a small American flag Mr. Lees had screwed to the aluminum bonnet. The pinch welds and wheels we also had painted, as he had painted them red. We decided to have the wheels painted black to complete a period correct racer look. The black wire wheels with the side view mirrors on the fenders, and the Nardi steering wheel, give the usually demure B, an almost menacing look.
Most MGBs around today, even the ones from the late 70s, have been restored or heavily touched. This car is almost entirely untouched. It feels, smells, and looks incredible. The patina on the red leather seats is perfect, and the metal bright work on the dash looks and feels from an era of tactical artistry. The motor revs easily, and makes a wonderful sound. The steering is delightful, and the shifting is a mechanical celebration. It has that rifle bolt action they are famous for.
The little Brit has new Vredestein tires, new front brakes, brake hoses, fresh fluids, hoses, and carb adjustment. It starts quickly and goes down the road well. CR Cars of Philadelphia handled the aesthetic cleaning up of the car (hood repair, painting the wheels etc.), and did a thorough mechanical evaluation. They did not find anything in need of attention after repairing the few items already mentioned. It comes with the original books from Al Filippone imported cars, including the driver’s handbook, factory service booklet (with some completed servicing), most of the registration cards from 1964 to 1984, some service history invoices, the invoices from the servicing LBI Limited had completed, and the BMIHT Certificate. I find myself wanting to get every enthusiast I know to take it for a drive so they know what a proper sports car feels like.
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