A few days ago, I did a write-up for a 1967 Chevelle four-door.  The article was centered around the need for inexpensive classics that are simple to work on for first-time buyers.  The comments left by readers indicate that many of you are interested in purchasing such vehicles to start your automotive journey.  While a sixties American sedan may not be everyone’s dream car, many other good options exist.  One popular choice for first-timers is an MG like this 1978 MG MGB for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  This 32,000-mile barn find is dusty but very solid and complete.  The best part is that the asking price is a very reasonable $5,000 for a running convertible that is a tune-up and a detailing away from being your new weekend cruiser.

The availability of spare parts and the immense wealth of knowledge out there for the venerable MGB make it a fantastic candidate for a beginner.  MG managed to produce over 500,000 copies of this simple sportscar at a time when the company was making self-destructive choices at every opportunity. From 1963 through 1980, MG produced very much the same car, with variations in trim, horsepower, and finishes.  During that time, nearly all of the structural changes were forced upon the company by ever-tightening safety and pollution standards in its vital United States market.  The biggest change came in 1974 when the elegant chrome bumpers were replaced with safer rubber bumpers front and rear.  To meet headlight height requirements, the perenially cash-strapped company simply raised the suspension height by one inch.  The outcry from the MG faithful can still be heard today.

Collectors used to look down on what were called the “rubber bumper MGBs” due to these inelegant solutions applied by the factory.  These cars were also hampered by horsepower-robbing emissions controls that made the car a shadow of its sixties self.  That negative attitude has softened over the years as collectors found a way to accept these later cars into the fold.  Workarounds have been found to lower the suspension and add horsepower.  While the rubber bumper styling is harder to overcome, collectors have also discovered that these cars were more rust-resistant than earlier ones, making their survival rates much higher.  They are also much cheaper to purchase than chrome bumper cars in similar condition.

The car you see here has all the appearance of being a very good example of a later MGB.  The odometer reads 32,623 miles and the condition of the car makes that figure very likely to be true.  In the ad, we are told that this is a one-owner car that was garage-kept.  We see in the pictures that the car’s exterior finish looks presentable under all of that barn find dust and the vinyl interior is also in good shape.  By this time, MGBs were delivered with few options.  One of the most desirable was an overdrive unit.  We are not told if that overdrive unit was installed on this car.  The ad says that it is an automatic transmission car despite the obvious shifter and clutch pedal.  Another claim by the ad is that the car will come with a hard top still in the original box.

Looking closely at the provided pictures reveals that some of the weatherstripping is cracked and will need replacement soon.  The stock radio has also been replaced with an aftermarket unit from the car’s heyday.  Sadly, the radio install also included some unsightly door speakers.  New door panels and a proper sound system are available to correct the problem.  You can purchase just about anything for the MGB from the aftermarket that your heart desires.  Superchargers are even available.  There are also numerous British car clubs still out there, and many more forums on the internet dedicated to caring for and enjoying your MGB.  For a beginner, you cannot ask for much more.

This MGB has a lot going for it.  The price is right, it runs, and it is in good condition for its age.  It also has that magical convertible top to enhance the driving experience even more.  British car companies used to sell a lot of cars like this to fun-seeking Americans.  There is no reason why the next generation cannot have some fun for themselves with a car like this.  The best part is that you can stop and see the famous groundhog when you pick it up!