If you are a Barn Finds reader, you surely have learned a lot about MGBs by perusing these pages.  Even those who are not enthusiasts of the marque know that these popular sports cars have but one mortal enemy: rust.  Corrosion can turn these unibody convertibles into flexible flyers if the sills have succumbed to this sodium-fed succubus.  Over 500,000 of these cars were produced but finding a solid example at a reasonable price is still a struggle.  So, when an example like this emerges from a barn and is missing the tell-tale bubbles in the sills, MGB fans take notice.  Is it possible that this 1971 MG MGB for sale on Craigslist in Kimball, Tennessee is corrosion-free for the most part?  Is the $3,000 asking price for this non-running roadster a great deal?  Or are there clues in the photographs pointing to this MGB not being so great?

If you are looking for a classic convertible with a huge number of reproduction parts and club support that will guide you through your ownership experience, then the MGB is probably one of the best selections you can make.  There is nothing mechanical on this car that cannot be fixed by a competent amateur with a basic set of tools.  The B-Series engine can trace its lineage back to 1947.  The transmission and chassis were also well-proven units by the time the last MGB rolled off the assembly line.  Parts from a sixties MGB will usually work on a much later model and the inverse is true as well.  Only safety and emissions-mandated pieces throw a monkey wrench in that universal truth.

You can attribute the existence of a plethora of used parts for MGBs to rust.  The MGB is a unibody automobile, meaning that the body shell provides the structural support for the car instead of a full frame.  This technology hadn’t been fully developed by the time the MGB was designed and put into production.  Almost every automobile on the road today benefits from computer-aided designs that make current unibody cars extremely strong and light.  This computer-aided design also greatly aids in producing cars with few areas for moisture and dirt to accumulate and form rust.  The few hidden nooks and crannies in modern cars are bathed in rustproofing treatments and cause few problems.

The unibody for the MGB was welded together from several different panels.  This radical leap in technology was light years ahead of the construction of the beautiful but primitive MGA.  It also left a lot to be desired when it comes to the long-term health of the car.  Moisture and debris found its way into many different areas of the body.  It also didn’t help that the rustproofing was insufficient for the application.  Floor pans and the sills under the door and into the area behind the door became real issues for owners over time.  The rust damage often resulted in doors that were hard to open and shut.  Ultimately, the structural integrity of the car was compromised, and off to the junkyard it went.

By the time this happened, the car was well out of any warranty and was considered to be a run-of-the-mill used car at best.  MG wasn’t concerned about anything other than survival during the time of the MGB and the notion that these would become collectible was hardly in their thoughts.  That didn’t change the fact that legions of fans love these cute roadsters and the few handsome MGB GT coupes that were made.  A whole industry has sprung up to keep these cars on the road.  Those who want to experience MGB ownership are particularly sensitive to rust issues.  A lot of these cars were treated to rust repair that consisted of maybe cutting or grinding out the most glaring of rust holes, a slathering of Bondo in and around the hole, some judicious sanding, primer, and a fresh coat of paint.  Many an MGB buyer has discovered later that major repairs were needed.  Sometimes that damage means disassembling the car, cutting out whole panels, and welding in new ones.  Parts and labor for such a surgery often dwarfs the value of the car.

So, finding a very good car to start with is of premier importance.  Which brings us to this 1971 MGB.  The seller states that this car was a legitimate barn find and had been sitting long enough to require a new set of tires just to get it out of the barn.  From the looks of the car, it appears that this MGB’s barn was pretty weather-secure.  What it lacked was humidity control as evidenced by the mold on the vinyl seats and door panels.  Seventies vinyl was some tough stuff, so some parts may clean up OK and be salvageable.  What we don’t know is how much damage that humidity did to the metal we cannot see in the pictures.  We also don’t know the condition of the engine and transmission.  We also don’t know if it is equipped with the desirable overdrive for said transmission.

You can see rust on the front of the hood.  However, there doesn’t appear to be any evident in the sills.  We also cannot see under the car or below the carpets to determine the condition of the floor.  We can see some loose wiring under the dash and evidence that some disassembly took place.  Such sights don’t give one the warm and fuzzies given the reputation British electrical systems have earned.  Before the comments section fills with angry rebuttals, let us all admit that Lucas wiring smoke was, and is, a thing.

While the car does not have the more desirable wire wheels, the Rostyle wheels are perfectly acceptable and much more practical from an ownership standpoint.  The odometer shows a little over 57,000 miles.  This may be a correct number.  However, sitting for so long has likely negated any advantage that number may bring.  The seller says that the car would be a solid candidate for restoration.  If the previously mentioned MGB rust ailments are not there, then that may be an understatement.  It will cost a good bit to restore this car if it is solid but likely worth the effort.  A good MGB is a fine car worth having.

Do you think that this MGB is a solid car with few rust issues?  Would it be on your radar with an asking price of $3,000?  Please share your thoughts in the comments.