342 Stroker! 1980 MG MGB LE

The 1980 MG MGB LE enjoys a well-earned reputation as a relaxed cruiser, at home on winding country lanes. With modest power, it isn’t what many people would consider to be a barn-stormer. However, this MG is an exception to that rule. It doesn’t just present superbly, because its engine bay houses a Ford Stroker V8, effectively increasing the available power sixfold. That makes it a genuine animal, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the MGB listed here on Craigslist in East Olympia, Washington. The seller set their price for this classic at $39,995 OBO.

Introduced in 1963, the production life of the venerable MGB was reaching its end by the time our feature car rolled off the line in 1980. Unique to the North American market was the Black-painted LE derivative. The company originally planned to produce 500 of these vehicles, but overwhelming buyer demand pushed that figure to 6,682. The home country also received the LE, but in different paint shades. The history of our featured car is unclear, but faulting its presentation is pretty challenging. The paint shines like a mirror, with no significant chips or marks. This shade is excellent for exposing panel imperfections, but this British gem is laser-straight. There are no rust issues to spoil the ownership experience, and the stripes look crisp. The vehicle rolls on Panasport 16×7 wheels, which do a pretty passable impression of the iconic Minilites. However, the hood bulge and additional badges on the front fenders hint that this MG packs an almighty surprise.

The recipe for the traditional British Sports Car was pretty basic, with companies typically digging into their Parts Bins to utilize existing mechanical components. MG was no different, sourcing the 1,799cc B-Series four that saw service in other vehicles, including the dreaded (and dreadful) Morris Marina. The four was no fireball, placing 62hp and 88 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal when this MGB LE rolled off the line. However, the seller rolled up their sleeves, consigned the original mechanical components to a dusty corner of their workshop, and engineered the car to accept a V8. They didn’t pull any punches, utilizing a 302ci Boss block as the starting point to create a 342ci Stroker motor. They filled it with a long list of high-performance parts to maximize its potential. The result? This motor produces an eye-watering 400hp and 390 ft/lbs of torque. Those ponies feed to a Ford 9″ Limited Slip rear end with 3.55 gears via a Ford Racing Super Duty T-5 five-speed manual transmission. This MG isn’t merely fast in a straight line, because it features an enormous list of suspension and braking upgrades as the seller worked to create a “total” package. It is worth noting that with a curb weight of around 2,380 lbs, the MGB represented a very light starting point for this build. The upgraded mechanical components will have added weight, but with so much power and torque on tap, this classic will be a jet in a straight line. However, because of its relatively short wheelbase, it could be lively in the corners if the driver is too enthusiastic. The seller states that the car is fun to drive and is extremely fast. I have no problem believing either claim for this turnkey classic.

The MGB’s interior looks surprisingly stock, except for the aftermarket gauges and the modern stereo. It features the traditional chunky leather-wrapped wheel, with the seats trimmed in the same material. As with the rest of the car, nothing inside this classic warrants criticism. The body-hugging seats are free from wear, the carpet is spotless, and the dash is excellent. Overall, there is nothing embarrassing about this interior, and it would be an extremely pleasant place to sit as the driver unleashes the fury hiding beneath the hood.

Considering the curb weight of the donor vehicle it is based on, this 1980 MG MGB LE would be a genuinely fast car that would scare ten years off the life expectancy of any person who placed their ambitions ahead of their abilities. It could be a fairly twitchy beast, especially on loose or damp surfaces. However, if treated respectfully, it could be an enormously entertaining vehicle. The first thing that I would do if I took it home would be to remove any badges hinting at what hides in the engine bay. The hood bulge, which is there by necessity, would have to stay. However, without the badges, it would be a bit of a sleeper. Would you do the same, or would you leave this brutal MGB as-is?