It wasn't long after we acquired this car that we all agreed......we have seen this car before. Sold, by us maybe seven years ago.
And was a wonderful car years ago, far better now. As a starting point, excellent rust free body and chassis, excellent original chocolate brown exterior (possibly repainted once), virtually perfect rust free floor/chassis. Excellent engine with headers and a 32.36 DGV Weber carb, nicely detailed engine bay, excellent original wiring harness, new alloy radiator, perfect working overdrive (the most desirable factory option), wire wheels (the second mort desirable), new cloth top, all new interior with low back seats (in tan), dash and console dyed to match, wood dash, new wood steering wheel, new digital stereo, carpeted trunk, and..........
We just finished a comprehensive professional chrome bumper conversion......see, due to DOT requirements and with inadequate finances, BL met the new rules with rather ugly matte black rubber bumpers. And, at the same time added an inch to the ride height. And if that was insufficient to ruin a perfectly nice little sports car, by 1977, the EPA forced MG to replace the twin SU carbs with a single 'smogger' Stromberg carb.
It is funny, you see, as on my desk is a late 1970s MGB dealer brochure. Tells you about every possible technical detail EXCEPT the horsepower. Because while early MGBs were a dandy little car with 98hp, what the brochure DOESN'T tell you was it was now a mere 62.5hp.
Hence, this car now has a new 32/36 Weber DGV carb, essentially state of the art for this application. And a nice set of tubular headers. And now around 90hp. We did a compression test, 145-150 psi in every cylinder, zero smoke, and 75 psi oil pressure when warm. All pretty close to 'factory new.'
Of course, as a late model MGB, this car has a vast number of improvements over earlier cars.....stronger transmission and back axle (designed to take the 150hp and vast increase in torque as seen in 3 liter MGCs), thermostatically controlled electric radiator fans, electronic ignition, servo assist for the disc brakes ,more reliable gauges, and all of the DOT mandated safety equipment.
So, with the Weber, headers, chrome bumper conversion, being lowered back to pre 1975 ride height (and rebuilt front end and new springs), and every other improvement, the result is THE BEST MGB NEVER SOLD in the USA.
These later cars we far more reliable and, in a way, were aimed at a different market. While the owner's manual of a mid Sixties B would list the recommended tire pressures for competition use, these later cars were aimed at suburbanites interested in having this 'little sports car' next to their Lincoln in their garage. No longer was the owner expected to be resetting his car's ignition points in his driveway, now it was improved to always start instantly and drive perfectly. AND, I suspect many of these cars (including this car) were purchased as a second or third car, always garaged, professionally serviced, and babied since brand new.
Which certainly appears to be the case with this car. As one might say, 'has lived a charmed life.'
And now ready to be enjoyed by an older driver who is less interested in the fussy nature of a typical older British classic car.
We offer financing at competitive rates. Inquire for details.
