1978 MGB Roadster O/drive Fully Restored in Superb Condition New MOT &Tax Exempt

1978 MGB Roadster with O/driveFinished in rare "Inca Yellow" with black interiorFully restored in recent years.New front wings, sills & rear leaf springsHuge history file having been in one family ownership for many years.Gold Seal engine and new overdrive in 1990 with low miles sinceExcellent mechanically& drives very wellAlloy rocker cover & oil coolerNew brake/clutch master cylinder, coil etcVery clean under bonnet & bootStainless steel exhaust & Minilte alloys Fitted roll Bar. Excellent hood,  tonneau & original hood coverNew MOT August 2022 (although Tax & MOT exempt)This is very good example and an excellent investment.Inspection any time - please call 07890948758 for appointment to viewConveniently located on east side of Bristolready to drive away and enjoyModel details belowRoadster[edit]MGB roadster1974 MGBOverviewProduction1962–1980Body and chassisBody style2-door roadsterPowertrainEngine1.8 L B-Series I4Transmission4-speed manual3-speed Borg-Warner 35 automatic (UK only)DimensionsWheelbase2,312 mm (91.0 in)[14]Length3,886 mm (153.0 in)4,019 mm (158.2 in) (rubber bumper version)[15]Width1,524 mm (60.0 in)[15]Height1,219 mm (48.0 in)1,295 mm (51.0 in) (rubber bumper version)[15]Rear

The roadster was the first of the MGB range to be produced. The body was a pure two-seater; a small rear seat was a rare option at one point. By making better use of space the MGB was able to offer more passenger and luggage accommodation than the earlier MGA while being 3 in (76 mm) shorter overall. The suspension was also softer, giving a smoother ride, and the larger engine gave a slightly higher top speed. The four-speed gearbox was an uprated version of the one used in the MGA with an optional (electrically activated) overdrive transmission. Wheel diameter dropped from 15 to 14 inches (360 mm).

In late 1967, sufficient changes were introduced for the factory to define a Mark II model for the 1968 model year.[16] Changes included synchromesh on all four gears with revised ratios, an optional Borg-Warner 35 automatic gearbox (except in the US), a new rear axle, and an alternator in place of the dynamo with a change to a negative earth system. To accommodate the new gearboxes there were significant changes to the sheet metal in the floorpan, and a new flat-topped transmission tunnel.

To meet US safety regulations for the 1968 model year, the MGB received a plastic and foam rubber covered "safety" dashboard, dubbed the "Abingdon pillow", and dual circuit brakes. Other markets continued with the steel dashboard. Rubery Owen RoStyle wheels were introduced to replace the previous pressed steel versions in 1969 and reclining seats were standardised.[citation needed]

1969 also saw three windscreen wipers instead of two to sweep the required percentage of the glass (US market only), high seat backs with head restraints and side marker lamps. The next year saw a new front grille, recessed, in black aluminium. The more traditional-looking polished grille returned in 1973 with a black "honeycomb" insert. In North America, 1970 saw split rear bumpers with the number-plate in between, 1971-1974 returned to the earlier single-piece full-length style chrome bumper.[citation needed]

Further changes in 1972 were to the interior with a new fascia.

To meet impact regulations, 1974 US models had the chrome bumper over-riders replaced with oversized rubber ones, nicknamed "Sabrinas" after the British actress Sabrina. In the second half of 1974 the chrome bumpers were replaced altogether. A new, steel-reinforced black rubber bumper at the front incorporated the grille area as well, giving a major restyling to the B's nose, and a matching rear bumper completed the change.

New US headlight height regulations also meant that the headlamps were too low. Rather than redesign the front of the car, British Leyland raised the car's suspension by 1-inch (25 mm). This, in combination with the new, far heavier bumpers, resulted in significantly poorer handling. For the 1975 model year only, the front anti-roll bar was deleted as a cost-saving measure (though still available as an option). The damage done by the British Leyland response to US legislation was partially alleviated by revisions to the suspension geometry in 1977, when a rear anti-roll bar was made standard equipment on all models. US emissions regulations also reduced horsepower.

In March 1979 British Leyland started the production of black painted limited edition MGB roadsters for the US market, meant for a total of 500 examples. Due to a high demand for the limited edition model, production ended with 6,682 examples. The UK received bronze-painted roadsters and a silver GT model limited edition. The production run of homemarket limited edition MGBs was split between 421 roadsters and 579 GTs.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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