Barn Finds reader Dave F. was kind enough to send us this triplet set of MGBs for sale in Martinsville, Virginia. The asking price is only $1,200 and they are available here on Facebook Marketplace. The MGB-GT is a 1970, while the two “roadsters” (actually convertibles or tourers) are from 1972 and 1980 (the last year of MGB production).
As you might expect for that price, all three cars need some work. The GT looks to have the worst sill rust, which in an MGB is a three-layer assembly that can be replaced (I’ve done it) through careful disassembly and welding. However, it’s not an easy job by any means. I’ve never done it on a GT, so I’m hoping the addition of a metal roof improves the rigidity of the body shell and helps alignment of the new panels (at least some of which are included in the sale!)
This is the 1972 tourer, which appears to be pretty straight apart from some sill rust that isn’t as bad as the GT. While not particularly rare, a nice MGB Tourer (as the factory called them) is a fun car to spend a sunny day in. Unlike a lot of British sports cars, the B has enough room for lanky individuals and is fairly mechanically robust — high praise from a Triumph car lover, I assure you.
Although the 1980 is arguably the least desirable of the three cars, it appears to be the most solid, even with the damaged front fender. A replacement fender should be easy to locate and bolts into place. That stainless steel trim piece is easy to find and relatively inexpensive as well.
This is the interior of the 1980, which actually isn’t bad at all apart from the driver’s seat bolster. I wonder how solid the floors are?
A new carpet kit and other parts totaling $500 are included in the purchase. If you look at it that way, the asking price is only $233 per car! Surprisingly, all three cars come with clear titles, so if you really want to, you could get all three back on the road. Perhaps one as a beater to drive, sell one for funding, and restore the third? Let us know what you’d do with this 3-for-1 deal!
I had a 70 B, they are unique with the one year only split rear bumper with the license plate lowered to ft in the gap.Having the plate lower makes the car appear to look lower also. For the most part, it was fairly reliable.
“Having the plate lower makes the car appear to look lower also.” – That and the flat tires…
Yes, but they’re only flat on the bottom
I’ve always toyed with the idea of having one, but three?
Pass.
Price is Uber CORRECT!
Kind of noteworthy, I tell about my BMW/MGB shenanigans on Todds post, and then VOILA! MGB’S!!!. Sorry, unless I had a nice one, these are pretty cashed. I’d be interested in the GT, but that looks to be the worst. Jamie should know, the floors on these are the 1st to go, followed by suspension mounts. Great for a parts stash, and priced accordingly, but MGB’s aren’t exactly rare, and you’d be foolish to sink any money into these, aside from the purchase price. It is a great find. I wonder if there’s an O/D in the bunch. Doesn’t say, but GT’s usually had them, be worth it alone.
Strictly parts cars from what I can see…and strictly in my opinion only…based on many years of MG ownership…Too many nice running ones are available for minimal investment….
Love the MGB-GT. Bought and fully restored a 1972 roadster – instead. They can be bought cheap, easy to work on – but – full restorations (which I did to mine) can end up costing 3x what the finished car is worth. Prices for parts and materials are higher today, than what I paid – and the car’s value has not followed the price of materials cost.
Would consider the GT – but, got one ‘B – not sure I really want another.
The sills on the GT look bad / rough – but the GT roof is more weather proof / and structure – so, my guess would be new outer sill, and patches on the inner parts – and the maybe the rear spring front mount – that would be the tricky part. It is a cut / fittle / weld in / paint procedure. Not fun, but do-able.
I am seeing a lot of useful mechanical parts at a very reasonable price. It’ s a shame but Ijust don’t think there is a restorable car amoungst the three.
This should be a great deal for an MG guy who wants to part them out. I had a lot of fun, got a lot of needed parts, and made some pretty good money parting out old VWs back in the 80s and 90s. They’re too valuable now and I’m getting kind of old for it but it was a lot of fun. I’m still selling parts and have lots of spares for my old Bug.
Each day as I think about getting one next year. I am learning for you guys and what to look out for and which is best to have-then I see the Triumph with the raised hood with fenders and see how much easier to work on. Yet,I like the MG,S more each day.
From experience, I’d stay with the MG. I had a wild hair a while back, thought I’d check out a Spitfire. Having put 250K on my MGB, I was disappointed with the Spitfire. Just didn’t seem to have the quality of the MG. And the tilt hood is nice for working on those, because you will. People think I’m nuts, but aside from those awful wire wheel flats, the MG really was a dependable car, never let me down, okay, maybe a few electrical bugaboos, nothing like people claim. I’d probably have it today if it didn’t rust in half. I think the best MGB to go for would be a mid to late 60’s were the best. MGC if you really have the grapes!
Picked up a ’66 MGB and rebuilt it for a daily driver a few years back. Nice and solid, made going to work more fun, sold it to my brother and he did the same with it for years. I’d consider these parts cars even though we’ve restored cars in worse condition. Howard’s comments hit home as my stepson has a Spitfire that spent as much time in my garage as it did on the road. A few interesting engineering flaws in the engine kept us pretty busy over the years.