1974 MG MGB Roadster
"You can do it in an MGB. The open sports car feeling often comes over you on a hot day when you think of just zipping off, hood down, foot down, whenever the fancy takes you. You feel the wind in your face, you smell of country air, and you enjoy the great feeling of sheer freedom that only an open sports car can give. You can hear the growl of the exhaust, the potent engine throb and the fast response as you flick through the gears." From the 1974 MGB sales brochure.
For consignment, a 1974 MG MGB that, according to our consignor, has not seen rain in 40 years during the time a relative of his owned it.
Exterior
Small cars with red paint make them more visible. Fact. This one is coated in Bright Red and wears a cheeky little grin with its single headlights and vertically stacked grille, fronted by a straight chrome bumper that wraps around its flanks and lacks the overriders introduced in 1974 as part of U.S. regulations, later to be replaced with rubber bumpers. A body trim detail intersects the entire side of the car and a robust polished frame surrounds the windshield. The rear view is pure sports car with wide split vertical taillights and a twin tipped exhaust pipe, both accompanied by a contouring rear bumper that also folds into the sides. This is a diminutive car with great profile proportions, not too long in the front, not too short in the back, and the 14-inch MG wheels are right at home. Our consignor states the vinyl top is newer and it is in good condition. Overall the paint and bright work is good, with imperfections noted that include some chipped paint on lower panels and other places, running paint, spider cracks, major chipped paint and surface rust on the chin sill line, and cracking lines.
Interior
Simple patterned black vinyl in three sections cover the inner doors and look to be in good shape, with a speaker cover missing on the driver's side. Tall bucket seats with a stitched pattern throughout and weave pattern inserts are equipped with headrests and look to be in very good condition. A 3 spoke steering wheel fronts a very smart dashboard with symmetric gauges and switches on black vinyl and plastic panels. An AM/FM radio is in the center stack under some vents and a courtesy light and the wood knobbed shifter is in the center console with a vinyl boot. The entire dash and console could use a good detail to freshen things up, but it's fully intact with no broken plastic bits. Low pile black carpet covers the footwells and the small storage area behind the seats. The boot is barren, clean, and painted red.
Drivetrain
Under the bonnet is a very clean 1800cc inline 4 cylinder engine rated at 78.5 horsepower and fed petrol by a 2 SU carburetor set up. A 4-speed manual is underfoot and as a true sports car, power is sent to the rear wheels where it meets 3.909 gears. In the front, disc brakes and in the back, drums.
Undercarriage
Relatively unscathed underneath with minimal surface rust. We note some oil on the rear differential and residual oil near the yoke and the oil pan. The single exhaust runs from headers to a stock style muffler and then out the back via twin tips. Coil spring suspension is in front with leaf springs in the rear.
Drive-Ability
This car jumped the puddle once and now it's reserved for dry weather and has been for many years. As a result, it's in decent shape and the sporty little cabin is where you become one with the car. The 1800cc puts out decent power, handling is wonderful, and braking is on point. We note a grinding between 2nd and 3rd gear. All other functions in the car work as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
British sports cars were the catalyst for thousands of sports cars from dozens of countries around the world. MGB's are balanced sports cars that provide a go kart like experience when driving. And what big kid doesn't love go karts? Find this car in our indoor facility where it will keep its streak alive by not being in rain!
GHN5UE337226G
G-MG
H-BMC B-Series 1.8L
N-2 Seat Roadster
5-MKIII
U-USA Left Hand Drive
E-1974
337226G-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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