The MGB was the replacement for the MGA and was built by British Motor Corp. and its successor from 1962 to 1980. It began as a 2-seat roadster which later expanded to include a coupe, and its variants had all sorts of engines from inline-4s to V8s. It was perhaps the most successful of all English sports cars at more than a half million units sold. This 1979 edition is far from perfect but seems like a solid runner for the occasional weekend fun. A tip brought to us by Randy Johnson, the car is located in Volusia, Florida, this runabout is available here on craigslist for $6,500.
Eighteen years is a long run and many of the changes to the MGB addressed adjustments in emissions and safety standards in its largest market, the U.S. But all during this time the primary powerplant was an inline-4 that displaced 1.8 liters. But the U.S. DOT was the hardest to please, with the addition of bulky rubber bumpers in the mid-1970s along with raising the front suspension because the headlights were too low. An anti-roll bar was added that helped a bit with handling. As a result, earlier models are more popular with purists than later ones.
This MGB, finished in Vermillion (a kind of red), is in good shape structurally with no rust except in the doors, thanks to poor preparation for an older repaint. But it’s nothing that you should keep from taking the vehicle to Cars & Coffee at least once a month. At 74,500 miles, the car is otherwise original, and the seller indicates that it’s been well-maintained, and documents will back that up.
Newer parts include A-arm bushings, a fuse box, and a fresh lube job. The interior seems to be nice, but the seller is light on the number of photos provided and they seem focused on the driver’s side of the cockpit with the other part wearing a cover. The price sounds reasonable for what you’re getting, and the seller makes no mention of anything that is immediately needed.
I had always wondered what one of these would look like with the black nose and bumper painted body color. I did a little digging and found a few images. I dont know how well the paint would hold up, but it might. This MG looks pretty good from the photos. But of course it would be nice to see the underside.
There is a flex additive you put into the paint that greatly enhances the longevity. Not a fan of the rubber but it’s certainly an improvement.
The bumper and height restrictions ruined the ‘B’ classic low-slung sports car look, and then obviously performance suffered from emissions controls.
A guy once told me he bought an early BBBB (baby-buggy-bumper-B) “because it looks like the newer ones.”
Ok, whatever. I guess you could count me in the ‘purist’ ranks, give me an older one because it looks better and runs better.
Excellent example ready for a V-8 transplant and lowering kit.
I also like the painted bumpers.
I spotted one of these in my city yesterday sitting in a yard with the grass growing up around it and th top down kinda broke my heart to see someone treating it like that, next to it was a Mazda Miata with the windows down both had been there for some time
Looks to be a reasonable price for a decent, solid rubber bumpered ‘B… Easy and cheap to get most of the performance back by unwinding the emissions stuff… lowering it back to the original ride height for handling is also straight forward… or just drive it as is and simply have fun with it. These things are really simple and virtually all service can be done with a hardware store tool set and a minimum of mechanical aptitude. Online support is limitless.
80 year old neighbor is the original owner of a 78′.Parked in the garage,won’t start,one repaint.He wants 8k for it.