MG MGB GT 1800

Introduction: , Hello and welcome to the sale of this simply stunning MG B GT. We have had lots of MGBs through the door here, and this is by far and away our favourite example we have ever had. Favourite not because it has been immaculately nut and bolt restored, but because it is the most authentic, low mileage, original survivor car and the provenance and condition are both incredibly endearing and humbling. Not only that, it is just a seriously cool looking car! , , Ownership and provenance:, RVT 887M has had just 3 registered keepers, which when delving into the large history file actually equates to just two family drivers. Supplied and registered new in July 1974 by local Stoke on Trent dealer W.T Bell (Burslem) Ltd as a company car for a Mrs Stowe of Elsby Bros Ltd, a civil engineering company still active today. It appears Mrs Stowe went on to purchase and become registered keeper just a year later in 1975. The next change of keeper was not until 1997, when it was bequeathed to her grandson Mr Hill, who has had the car ever since! The car has never left the Stoke on Trent area until now. It even still sports what is left of the original W.T Bell dealer sticker in the rear window. Although the change of registered keeper was in 1997, the gift of the car to Mr Hill actually happened as early as 1990, when it was also underwent a dateless cherished registration transfer to 137 SEH, Mr Hills initials. In a statement I have here from Mr Hill, he used the car lightly and sparingly during the 90s whilst in his 20s, which would explain it being kept in his Grandmothers name probably for insurance purposes, and there are historic insurance documents in the file which support this. Also within the history file is are the original service book, instruction manuals, passport to service, receipts and invoices, various old V5 logbooks which track the ownership story, and several old MOT certificates which support the mileage of just 30,000!, As Mr Hill became busy in life with business and children, the car then spent over 20 years correctly stored in his fathers dry, heated garage amongst a collection of other cars, until it was carefully recommissioned by him a couple of years ago. Mr Hill has obviously recently retained his registration number and the car has now once again returned to RVT 887M, and treated to a new pair of the correct yellow and white metal number plates with the raised lettering. , Exterior refresh:, Before passing the car to Mr Hill, Mrs Stowe sent the car away in 1987 to a local bodyshop to have the panelwork improved due to the usual tin worm. Thankfully none of this was structural and was limited to replacing both doors, wings, sills, boot floor and the associated paintwork, which went on to become a full glass out respray in the original rare and attractive Citron Yellow. All this came at a cost of nearly £3000- thats approx £8500 in todays money!! We know this because the bill is in the history file! All I can say is it was worth it- this bodyshop were obviously true craftsman, because 38 years later the car still looks like it was painted yesterday! The paint retains a beautifully deep shine that you could swim in, with no dry areas, crazing or runs. All the panel gaps and alignment are bang on, all the chrome trims along the sides and around the windows are in fantastic condition and perfectly fitted with no kinks or dents. There is very little break out in the paint anywhere, you may find a tiny, tiny blemish here or there if you look hard and long enough but the fact is if it was ever going to go bad and deteriorate it would have done it over the course of the last 38 years, not any when in the foreseeable future! , All 5 orginal Rostyle steel wheels were refurbished at the same time and still look decent today. The spare is a period Camac brand dated 1983, but all four road tyres have been replaced last year with appropriate modern Falken branded equivalents. As far as I can tell, all other features of the exterior remain original, including the beautiful Lucas headlights, the badging and the chrome bumpers and overriders which are in excellent condition with minimal blemishing. All the glass appears original and even retains the popular period security etching with the original registration number, and all the rubber seals are in great condition. At the time of the respray it was also waxolyed underneath, to which we can no doubt owe the car still being here today. This was definitely a preventative measure rather than a cover up, and has stood the test of time well with no signs of corrosion to the shell or running gear bar the odd bit of surface discolouration as you would expect. , Mechanicals:, Due to the downsizing of his fathers garage, Mr Hill set about the careful recommissioning of the MG ready to enjoy again for the first time in 20+ years. This included an appropriate start up procedure, and replacement of the usual suspect components including a new fuel tank, fuel pump, tyres and brakes all round, all the fluids and filters, a pair of batteries and new plugs and leads, all supported with receipts, invoices and photographs. The car is now running and driving beautifully. It starts up well with a sniff of choke when dead cold, warming to a steady idle with no smoking whatsoever. Oil pressure is great and the temperature holds steady. On the road it is a joy, with linear power delivery through the rev range, no knocking or banging from the suspension and positive brakes that pull up square. The overdrive flicks in and out on 3rd and 4th gear as it should. Other than the fresh spark plugs winking at you, the rest of under the engine bay is original, untouched, uncleaned and unsullied. To be honest I really like this approach, if you start cleaning or replacing things when they are otherwise working well, I think it would be unnecessarily disturbing things and instantly losing originality. It is by no means scruffy under there, its just as it has always been. I think I will leave it to the next custodian to do with it as they wish! Dress it up or leave it, the choice is yours, but Im leaving it!, It is at this point you notice the engine number is the original, as stated on the V5C logbook. , Interior:, The theme of originality continues indoors. The interior is clean, fresh and dry. The black cloth seats, trims, door cards and carpets are all original and in great condition with no rips or tears and minimal wear. It still sports the correct and original steering wheel. The headlining is excellent with no rips or sagging. The dashboard is beautiful with no damage or cracks. All the switchgear is lovely with nothing broken, and all the gauges are working well and light up nicely at night. One of the main features is the original dealer fitted Radiomobile radio, in working order complete with instruction manuals! , , Summary: , To sum up, this is an extremely rare and exciting opportunity to acquire a beautifully preserved, low mileage example of this iconic British sports car, in great working order with unquestionable provenance, with an extremely cool 70s look in a rare and vibrant colour combination. They dont get much better than this without total restoration and the car is priced accordingly between the £10k ok / average examples and the £30k cost of restoring a wreck that still wont be as original as this... If you want an authentic, sharp looking proven car with a wholesome back story of long term ownership then you will be thrilled with this one. Unfortunately the photos do not truly do the car justice so please come and view it yourself, drive it, read the history file and be prepared to be impressed!, , ,
This 1974 MG MGB GT 1800 Coupe is currently available for £17,995 in Westbury Wiltshire with Petrol engine and Manual gearbox. For more information or to arrange a viewing, click here to send us an email using form below.