Inventory Listing

Rust-free, numerous upgrades, exceptional to drive. This is how every MGB should run!

Originally hailing from California, where it was first purchased by a student at Stanford University, it lived a pretty good life before undergoing a comprehensive restoration in 1999-2000. Even the nicest MGBs often require sheetmetal work, and this was no exception, so it went to the pros at PanelWerks in Mentor, OH who specialize in Porsche 356 restorations. Fit and finish are quite good, although the intention was not to create a show car, and the bright yellow color was chosen from a GM color palette and is called, not surprisingly, Commercial Yellow. Most of the chrome is original and in good shape, and anything that’s not to your liking is available from the aftermarket for very affordable prices. All the weather stripping throughout the car has been replaced, so it seals up better than most open British cars of the period. 

 New black leather seat covers were installed at the same time, with fresh foam underneath so they’re supportive and all-day comfortable. New carpets were also fitted, with the rear package tray slightly modified for the 4-point roll bar that was fitted for rallying (and subsequently removed but included with the car). A modern Sony AM/FM/CD stereo was fitted, although after you hear the brawny engine note, you may never use it. The trunk was painted to match the rest of the car and is completely rust-free, carrying a matching fifth wire wheel and spare tire, as well as the original MG tool kit. In addition to the black collapsible roof on the car now, it also includes an original Works hardtop in excellent condition.

 The snarky 1800 cc inline-four was extensively rebuilt by the pros at Francis Engineering and maintained since then by Rick Bennett at the Sports Car Factory. It received an .040” overbore, a Piper ¾ race camshaft, oversized valves, twin 1.75-inch SU carburetors (stock MGs run 1.5 inchers), and a long-tube exhaust header and custom exhaust system With an upgraded Borg & Beck heavy-duty clutch, gear changes are a breeze and the 4-speed shifter feels tight and well-directed, even at speed. Given enough room, it’ll run well past 100 MPH without strain and it just seems to work better and better the harder you push it. 

The engine bay is detailed with more bright yellow paint, a big Setrab stacked-plate oil cooler up front, a special oil pressure gauge up top for monitoring the engine during tune-ups, and a Crane electronic ignition system. K&N filters help the big SUs inhale, and proper MG engine enamel was used on the engine. No surprises, just solid, reliable parts and careful assembly to make one of the most entertaining roadsters you can own for under $15,000.

Underneath, the chassis has been given a light coat of rubberized undercoating for protection, and the rear suspension was enhanced with a fabricated Panhard rod to keep the rear axle located under hard cornering, but the rest of the suspension is pretty much stock MGB so it rides nicely, too. The brakes are fortified with upgraded performance friction materials, but are also stock, and they live behind a set of wire wheels that were stripped and powdercoated gloss black for a sinister look on the little yellow roadster. Recent 185/75/14 Michelin radials were fitted and they look right and ride quite well.

An extensive list of spares are included with the car, including a new convertible top, roll bar, carburetors, electrical components, and various other bits. Receipts for much of the work are available and will accompany the car. This is a fully-sorted highly energetic MGB with no stories.

 Ridiculously over-built, it has never turned a wheel in anger and has instead spent the last few summers tooling along quiet country roads at modest speeds. This MGB drives the way all enthusiasts wish their cars would run, and the bulletproof build means that it’ll always deliver on the fun that its wonderful looks promise.