Vehicle Description
1964 MG MGB Roadster
In light of ever increasing competition from Japanese automakers MG
ad men devised a commercial where an MGB would be dropped from a
plane at 2000 feet, parachute would open, and a stunt driver would
parachute down next to it, and upon both safely landing, the stunt
driver would get into the MG, turn the key and drive off, just in
front of oncoming Datsun, Fiat, and Porsche with ad copy saying MG
a jump ahead of the competition! It worked...
For consignment, an all original and unrestored version of the 1964
MGB roadster. While complete, it is in need of TLC on all fronts to
make it a reliable daily driver, or better yet start from scratch
and turn this into a concours show winner. It runs and drives, it
also has good looks, and is an all there car with British flair,
bloody well right!
Exterior
From its low-slung bonnet, towards the very clean MG badged grille,
and paired curved bumper with pushers, chrome bezel headlights,
belt line chromed spear, and black vinyl top we are in the heart of
British sports car motoring. The brightwork in stainless presents
well and mosty ding free and this includes the windshield surround,
side spear at each beltline as well as the cockpit and headlight
trimmings. This sporty Brit comes to us in Old English White and
shows with some scuffs, scrapes and areas of failing bodywork that
is mainly reserved for the lowers. The black top, manually
actuated, is tear free but lightly soiled and stained and presents
with a somewhat clouded plastic rear window set. Full-on wire spoke
knock off wheels in 14-inch form are complete with spinners
attached to the spindles and are wrapped in older 185/70R14
blackwall radials.
Interior
A nicely preserved red vinyl covered interior with leather buckets
in tuck and roll pattern with smooth bolsters are highlighted with
white piping and present splendidly with only minor wrinkling of
the material. The door panels are clad in this same red vinyl,
again with some white piping dress up and black padded sills. A
patined riddled but clean dash with no cracking or errors sits
behind the original banjo style steering wheel, which oddly enough
has 3 spokes on the sides and only 2 spokes on the lower ray. The
4-speed shifter is seen on the hump and is surrounded by plush but
heavily faded red carpeting. Smith's gauges abound as well as the
array of control toggles and we note a MG badged radio delete panel
in the center of the dash and a purely for show speaker grille
below.
Drivetrain
A 1800cc 4-cylinder fed by dual SU HS4 carburetors resides in the
unrestored engine bay. On the back is attached a 4-speed manual
transmission and further down the drivetrain is the 3.90 geared
axle. Patina abounds in the bay but things are looking
complete.
Undercarriage
Heavily invasive rust has taken a hold in a few areas of the
flooring and inner rockers. This invasive rust is also seen in the
unibody in numerous areas and will need to be tended to sooner
rather than later. Noted are front disc brakes and rear drum
brakes. The suspension comes in the form of an independent coil
spring set up in the front and leaf springs for the rear. A stock
style single exhaust with the factory installed header snakes its
way to the back to expel spent fossils.
Drive-Ability
I donned my driving hat, goggles, and scarf and off to the Classic
Auto Mall test track I went. My cohort always lets me wheel the
British cars as I have a soft spot for them....it takes me back to
my high school and college days, but I digress... The car started
fairly easily with the twist of the key and off I went. The wind
rushing through my hair, I felt as if I was touring the countryside
outside of East Sussex. Good acceleration, bias free braking and
wonderful handling were shown even with a somewhat rough running
engine. This MG took everything I could throw at it on my drive and
did it with British charm and manners. Now, to find a way to sneak
this car home without my wife finding out.
A classic British sports car convertible, that can be treated to
some TLC and sweat equity and be driven off for a tool with not a
care in the world, or taken to the next level and made into a show
stopper. A few safety concerns underneath, but the car is complete
and from a very desirable year. With that I'll say, "chip chip
cheerio and all that rot!".
GHN3L36968
G-MG
H-BMC B-Series 1800cc I4
N-2 Seat Roadster
3-MK1
L-Left Hand Drive
36968-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.
