MGB Roadster - 1970 chrome bumper ex-dry climate and tax exempt

MGB Roadster 1970

Unlike many MGBs in the UK this example spent most of its life in the dry climate of California in the US. it has never required any bodywork due to rust – no welding. the sills are original and recently an MG specialist commented that they are ‘like new'.   It was re-imported to the UK to Hull in 1992 where it was refurbished mechanically and repainted (no body work required).   It has been garaged by owners since and has done mainly summer miles.    I have owned the MGB since December 2007 when I bought the car in London and drove back to Cornwall and again it has been garaged since in my garage which I dehumidify to create a dry climate for the car.

I'm selling the car due to having started my own business which needs a lot of my time and I don't have the time to look after and use the MG anymore which it needs and deserves.   These cars need to be used and are great fun!

In 1992 the car was converted from left hand drive to right and US features such as the side. wing mounted indicators were removed.   As you'll notice from the photos the car has the Californian specification three windscreen wipers still which was due to legislation that required a certain swept screen area…. despite a lack of rain compared to the UK!

Since purchase in 2007 the car has covered around 13. 00 miles and I have undertaken a full suspension nut and bolt rebuild and upgrade plus a full refurb and upgrade of the brake system.   The MG has 4 pot calipers instead of the usual 2 pot units with fast road pads and MGB V8 brake discs which are ½” thick and provide greater stopping power (combined with modern tyres). The MG also comes with original optional extra (for the chrome bumper models) of a brake servo.   The suspension is in great condition and the car handles beautifully with well researched. planned period upgrades – negative camber lower wishbones. MGBGT chrome bumper front springs (slightly lower). blue polybushes all round. 25% uprated standard dampers (well worth it as they provide greater front end control without adding harshness) and a ¾” anti-roll bar to provide greater front end composure in the bends.  I also installed a brand new steering rack and of course new stub-axles. These are all period upgrades (competition components) and were chosen to improve the handling. yet without adding harshness to the ride.   The rear springs are in good condition and are original. they were removed cleaned and soaked in oil a few years ago (a well-known way to make the springs supple in action again).   Everything was repainted and at the same time as the suspension refurb I cleaned the underside extensively and repainted in black chassis paint to protect the underside from stone chips.

As important as the suspension are the tyres (and usually over-looked on cars new and old!)  A pet hate of mine. as a car enthusiast is people who spend lots and suspension and brakes but neglect the tyre condition.   Age is a killer with tyres and whilst the tyres on my MGB were barely worn when I purchased it they were decidedly old and as tyres age. they become hard and smooth…not what you want in tyres…you want supple. soft and sticky to stop!  So I have replaced the tyres several times and upgraded the tyres with high quality modern ones.   I also took the time to research and purchase suitable wheels – an increase in size from 14” wheels to 15” minilite style wheels  - a modest increase which I believe looks great but also allowed me to fit modern tyres.   I found that most tyres in 14” size were van tyres now days so a small increase to 15”. whilst maintaining the same rolling radius of the tyre I fitted slightly wider tyres with a slightly lower profile – 185 65 15s Dunlop Fast Response tyres all round. replacing the old fashioned 165 80 14s.   This transformed the handling and stopping performance of the car and is great for safety.   The current tyres were fitted in 2011 and have plenty of tread - around 6mm.

The car is given a full Dinitrol cavity wax application (far superior to Waxoyl) in every box section and nook and cranny to protect the excellent condition bodywork.   The shell of the MGB has never required any welding in all its life.   The floor pans are spotless and the sills are original (you can tell be the lip still being in place where the front wing meets the sill in the door opening.   I recently had the MG checked over by my 5 star MG Owner's Club certified garage (Tim Kelly MG Centre) who commented that the sills were ‘like new' which is quite a statement for a car that was made in November 1970.   The secret has been a combination of a dry climate in the first half of its life and then dry garage and regular and extensive cavity wax.

The paintwork is very good. not spotless as there a few stone chips and imperfections but it gleams and was a great and very thick paintjob applied in 1992.   The worst bit of the paint work is the rear passenger side lower wing which I have resprayed due to some cracking – you can't see it unless you get down on your hands and knees as it's low down (see photo).   I had this checked by Tim Kelly MG Centre and apparently this was due to an imperfection in the paintwork when it was sprayed in 1992.   When the paint was taken back to metal to respray this area it was completely solid undet the paintwork which was a relief.   I had a quote to respray this small area which was £250.   When cleaned the car gleams (see the photos!).   The chrome work is in lovely condition and again gleams.   I apply (and recommend) using a furniture polish with beeswax for the chrome as it makes it really shine and expels any water within the porous chrome and repels water.   I apply WD40 to the chrome in the winter to protect it.

Soft-top hood – it is the same vinyl hood as came with the car in 2007 and is in good condition with clear plastic windows and no leaks etc.

The engine is in great condition and I swapped it from the unit that came in the car in 2010 with a low mileage engine (54. 00 miles). it pulls very well on its HS2 carbs and I service the car annually with high quality engine oil and filter.   The engine is very torquey and really pulls well and seems much quicker than its stated BHP.   When I installed the engine I fitted a lightened and balanced flywheel with a new high quality clutch which has covered around 8. 00 miles.   The lightened flywheel allows the engine to accelerate quicker through the lower gears without having to produce power as less energy is consumed in rotating the flywheel. this also slightly decreases fuel consumption.    Ignition wise. for ease of maintenance. reliability and improved performance I fitted a Powerspark pre-programmed ignition module into the distributor which works faultlessly.   I have also fitted a brand new electronic fuel pump in 2010.   Fitted with a stainless steel exhaust a few years ago so no need to ever change the exhaust.

When I purchased the MG it had the original non-overdrive 4 speed gearbox which most US models had and it worked fine but it was always a bit noisy at motorway cruising speed and I always wanted that 5th ratio.   Therefore. when I swapped the engine I also replaced the gearbox with an excellent condition overdriven gearbox which – I my view has transformed the car into an easy car to cruise at 70-80mph when needed – with plenty of oomph still there.   I really like the overdrive option in 3rd gear which is great to overtake traffic – just a flick of the switch and you change down gear without needing to depress the clutch.

Interior – the seats are in superb condition and are still comfortable with no tears and wear to the covers.   The carpets are black with red piping and are still in good condition.   The dash was refurbed in 1992 and still looks great.

As you'd expect. everything on the car works as expected and it starts and goes very well indeed!  I've driven a fair few MGBs and this one really does handle extremely well – a worn MGB can be a pig to drive. especially handling wise but when set up correctly drive very well indeed  -which this one does.

Serious offers only.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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