1979 MGB Roadster

Description

Extensively restored including new red leather interior and new hood; overdrive; Minilite alloys just serviced; vast history file; a lovely example all round

First registered in the Vale of Glamorgan in May 1979, this delightful MGB Roadster comes with a vast history file extending back to 1992 which would take many hours to digest but indicates careful upkeep throughout its life.

From 2010 – 2018 it was owned by a Mr Tovey of Bristol. Although it was already in good condition when he acquired the car, with an agreed insurance value of £6,000 – a very decent sum for a rubber bumper Roadster back then – Mr Tovey was clearly a stickler for detail and there are dozens of invoices to show how he maintained and improved the car during his 8-year ownership, replacing innumerable minor parts and a few major ones too.

To highlight just a fraction of the new parts fitted, they include: four genuine Minilite alloys shod with new Michelin tyres; stainless steel exhaust; electronic ignition; sports coil and silicon HT leads; alternator and starter motor; carbs rebuilt with richer needles and K&N filters; complete new braking system; all new clutch hydraulics; new tonneau cover etc.

Our vendor acquired the car from Mr Tovey in August 2018 and has been equally fastidious. Photos on file show that the car was stripped to a bare shell, with the engine and interior removed, before being completely re-assembled to the fine condition you see today. Much of the work was done by Cleevewood Garage of Bristol, as detailed in numerous invoices.

This included a complete interior retrim in Antique Red using a top-quality kit supplied by Mirror Trim of Toddington which cost over £2,600 for parts alone. This included new seat foams and new leather for the seat covers, centre console, armrest and gear lever. The tufted wool carpets are also new throughout, including the boot, as are the vinyl/carpet door cards.

It also got new seat belts, a new leather-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel, a new canvas hood and hood frame supplied by The Don Trimming Co Ltd of Birmingham and a new snug-fitting indoor car cover in blue with a printed MG logo in red.

All mechanical aspects were attended to as required, including a full suspension overhaul in 2020 with new king pins, leaf springs, bushes etc. The car was also fitted with new chrome bumpers and professionally repainted in Old English White to a good standard, although there are no invoices for this.

Although it no longer needs one, it has an MOT until May 2025 with no advisories recorded. In fact it has only had two advisories since 2020 for a defective exhaust mounting and an inoperative screen washer which have both been attended to. There are also dozens of old MOTs back to 1992 which show the mileage rising gradually to today’s total of 50,510.

Last serviced just a handful of miles ago in May this year, it has been starting promptly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on site, with good 60psi oil pressure. As you can see in the photos, the car now looks absolutely lovely, both above and below, and you would be hard pressed to find a better example at the sensible guide price suggested.

Please note that the private plate shown is being retained by the vendor and the car has now reverted to its original number, ATX 12T. The 444 FXS number is available by separate negotiation if desired (c.£1,500).

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com