- Seller: Don L (Contact)
- Location: Junction City, Kansas
- Mileage: 76,994 Shown
- Chassis #: GHN5UL471895G
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1.8-Liter Inline-4
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual with Overdrive
Now that summer is officially started, it’s the perfect time of year to hit the road in a convertible! While there are lots of great options out there, this MGB Roadster might be the one for you! Rubber bumper B’s don’t receive the same level of attention as earlier examples, but these cars are great. They handle well, are easy to work on, and were offered in some great high-intensity colors! This example wears what appears to be Vermillion Orange paint and it goes well with the black rubber bumpers. It’s being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction, so be sure to take a look and cast your bids below.
When MG updated the B to meet American safety standards in 1974, it made numerous changes to the car. The rubber bumpers aren’t for everyone, but they didn’t seem to hurt sales or driveability. What did hurt the B was the change to the front suspension. MG increased the ride height and eliminated the anti-roll bars. The change to ride height actually isn’t all that bad, it makes getting in and out of the car easier, plus it reduces the chances of bottoming out. Thankfully, in ’77, they made the front anti-roll bars standard again. For those who prefer the original rubber bumpers and ride height, kits are available to restore the pre-’74 appearance.
This example’s interior presents nicely. We would guess that the car was restored at some point in its past, but it appears to be done to original specifications (other than the modern stereo and cup holder). It features seats that are in good condition, gauges that aren’t discolored, and plastic that isn’t cracked. It appears to have a dash cap cover installed. These cars are notorious for developing cracks on the top of the dash and a cover like this is a reasonable fix. The stereo and cup holders are upgrades that most of us will enjoy, but both could be undone if you want to put it back to original. Overall, the interior looks great and is definitely ready to enjoy as is.
MG’s 1.8-liter inline-4 is a fantastic engine that is known for its durability and simplicity. These later engines are very easy to keep on the road, as they have a single carb, so you don’t have to worry about syncing dual carbs. This example has received the ever-popular Weber DGV carb swap, which some claim improves performance. The engine bay is tidy and clean. The seller states that it runs well and has just undergone a tune-up. They also state that the overdrive unit functions as it should, making for a very nice driving experience around town and on longer drives.
This MGB is ready for top-down summer evening drives; it just needs a new home where it will be enjoyed. If you’ve never experienced a late MGB, they are honestly great cars that offer British charm, impressive parts supply, and wonderful handling. Other than a few flaws, this B presents nicely throughout and should prove to be a fun driver! Leave any questions you have in the comment section below. And high-resolution photos can be viewed here.
Bid On This Auction
Lenny Gray bid $2,000.00 2025-06-30 18:59:44
JB Antley bid $1,300.00 2025-06-29 12:32:36
moparmike65 bid $1,200.00 2025-06-27 19:43:19
jpfrazier bid $1,100.00 2025-06-26 15:53:07
Ken bid $1,000.00 2025-06-25 09:11:21
Never driven one, always wanted to. Assuming they are featherweight 🪶 look likes fun.
They are fun, I have owned several. Not fast, but sound great.
I had a 79 with overdrive. I do not see the button on the shifter knob to engage it.
I also have a ‘79 and wish it had overdrive. I do see an aftermarket rocker switch where the ashtray should be. If the car was converted to overdrive, perhaps that switch actuates it.
the overdrive switch is located on the console right behind shifter < it works well
Personally, I think MG did a fine job integrating those 5 mph bumpers. And if the ride height is greater than stock, all the better for us old farts to get in and out.
A nice 20 footer but why would someone use the back bumper for a step ladder (note boot print)? Also, there is no mention of weather the remaining roll of duct tape is included to secure the side trim.
the overdrive works well , its the switch behind the shifter on the console
Had a rubber bumpered GT for many years. Lowering the height improves the handling greatly. Overdrive makes highway travel easier and reduces wear and tear on the engine. It’s true that they’re not fast but they can keep up. The biggest problem is being seen around the huge cars on the road today.
Rubber bumpers aren’t much heavier than the early ’74 “thick” bumpers and the ’72 and earlier (don’t know about ’73) are considerably lighter (and flimsier) than the earlier ’74 chrome bumpers. Not a swap (rubber to chrome) I would consider doing again. (Body work involved, particularly on the rear) If you don’t like the rubber bumpers like me. Remove the rubber bumpers and install a Sebring kit. (Very cool)
Some overdrive switches are on the right side of the column.
In my opinion, all rubber bumper cars should have overdrive. They were built when the 55mph was in force. And geared appropriately. So current highways speeds accelerant engine wear. (Ask me how I know)
In my opinion, a rubber bumper car without sway bars handle like crap. Not a sports car. Lowering the car to “designed” height make a big difference. A front sway bar really helps. And if you are an autocrosser, a heavy front bar is great! Rear bar really only needed if you are using race tires.
This year would have come from the factory with front and rear sway bars. They made a world of difference over the first rubber bumpers.
Easy to work on once the pollution crap is removed. (Mostly the catalytic converter that lives under the intake and exhaust manifolds. I have seen converters partially plug, overheat and literly melt the exhaust manifold and warp the intake to the point of being able to see into the center intake port over the top of the intake!
Change over the points and condenser to a Pertronixs system. (Cheap and easy) And then you will have a reliable car.
I’m seeing what appears to be some unconventional rust repair. The black paint at the sill bottoms is confusing, but while correct proper sills, castle rails etc are readily available, these repairs look like they’ve been made up with fabricated pieces. They may be good pieces, but for interested bidders, have an in-person close-up look first. And if you’re not familiar with how MGBs were put together, make sure to have a knowledgeable MGB guy with you. There is also the “crack of doom on the driver’s door that may have been repaired simply with filler – which is now cracking out. In the several pictures of the front of the car, the bonnet is crooked and ill-fitting in all of them. ‘Leaves me wondering…
Perfect MGBs – concours cars – do exist and occasionally come up in the market, commanding high prices. For the rest of us there are flawed cars. There is no “flaw” on an MGB that cannot be properly repaired. If you want a reliabe driver that isn’t so perfect you’re afraid to park it at the mall or supermarket, there are quite a few to choose from. Sooner or later they will all need repairs. If you have the skills, and love the work, this is your chance to build some “sweat equity”, and add some personal pride, while bonding with the car.
The trick is to avoid paying too much for the car.
I’ve always liked these even with the big black bumber, I was to young to drive in 79 but I can remember the dealership on the corner of Hewitt and Rucker ave in downtown Everett Washington. I remember thinking when I turned 16 I was going to try and get one for my first car, when age 16 rolled around the dealer was gone and I was into trucks so I never did get one.
I’ve been driving British Sports cars since the early 70’s and MGB’s since the mid 90’s and the rubber bumper cars (74.5-80) always seemed to me to be a great entry level car for the vintage-sports car hobby. While my personal cars are Mk1 (63-67) I’ve bought and sold many rubber bumper B’s over the last 25 years. For me (here is the opinion disclaimer) the best way to use a RB as a driver is to first, drop the ride height about an inch. There are several ways to go about it, my favorite being dropped spindles in the front (keeps the geometry correct) and lowering blocks in the rear (a trade off at best). Then, de-smog the engine compartment, removing the entire system and replacing the distributor with a recurved early Lucas 25D and the intake/exhaust with the earlier MOWOG cast iron exhaust manifold and downpipe. This allows the use of the dual SU carburetters. Now understand, I’m an SU rebuilder and offer these for sale, so I have a dog in the fight, but even with the weber folks claiming performance enhancement, the carbs are only a fuel mixing device, and the only performance is noticed in the “seat of the pants” as the dual carburetters are much more responsive, and are no where near as labor intensive as some folks like to claim. The late cars also suffered from a single row timing chain/gear that retards the cam timing, moving the torque range down to make up for the 20+ less horsepower.
There are lots of ways to make a RB B perform and handle like the earlier cars, and there are buckets full of mis-information about how to get there, some even in the posts on this thread. The car shown in this auction appears to be a “good” condition rubber bumper B, and in my opinion can make a great hobby car/part time driver for someone who isn’t trying to build a street rod/racer. Leave the bumpers alone! There are lots of other ways to improve the car before you go to the major surgery of modifying them.
Bravo Rufus!
I bought my first MGB in 1984. It was a six-year-old ’78 rubber-bumper car that led me into a lifetime love-affair with MGs. I’ve bought and sold a lot of MGBs, losing track of how many after #42. Many of these were parts cars; some were bargains that I could easily improve and flip; some, like my Sandglow ’76 that I drove 66,000 miles over 11 years, were trusted daily drivers that I relied on.
I found myself nodding in enthusiastic agreement with every point you made, only I would add that if a guy wants to convert to the (factory) 215 V8, these rubber-bumper MGBs are THE WAY to go! Get an LT77 BL five-speed gearbox for it and simply bolt it all together. No cutting, no “bumping”, no welding – it’s a done deal. The boys at Abingdon did all the hard work for us.
Currently, it so happens that I don’t own a rubber-bumper B. I have a ’57 ZBV Magnette saloon, a ’65 pull-handle tourer, a ’69 C/GT, and a ’73 B/GT. I’ve had all of them for over 20 years; the ’73 B/GT has been my constant companion for 39 years. At my age of 85 years young, I don’t notice any driving limitations due to age, but recognizing that my peripheral vision and reflexes may not be what they once were, I comfortably drive within the limits of a rubber-bumper car, and that extra 1.5” of ride height wouldn’t hurt egress any. So, an LE V8 could still be in my future. The problem would be that, due to the fine print in my marital contract, I would have to sell something I already have. ‘Can’t bear the thought!
Please, Rufus, keep spreading your practical MGB advice. It’s so refreshing to hear. Back in ’74.5, MG were strongly commended for their outstanding compliance with the new US regulations.
The rubber bumpers did substantially change the appearance of the MGB. But I beg the critics: given the new criteria, and given the limited resources on hand for Abingdon, how could MG possibly do better? Quit comparing it with the beloved chrome-bumpdered cars, and view it on its own. It is not a bad looking car at all. It looks heavier (which it is), but in different terms, we could alternatively observe that it looks more “substantial”. When I drove rubber-bumper Bs, people would ask me “Is that a Mercedes?”
At this moment, the current bid is nowhere near my admonition against “paying too much”. I still think this particular example needs some serious educated examination before committing.
I may have been critical of this car, but OMG, it’s worth more than $1300! The overdrive alone is worth more than that. Hey bidders, here’s a bargain worth investigating – but time is short. ‘Hope the seller has a reserve!
My sister’s husband drove a MGB from Toledo, OH to Tampa, Florida (and back) to propose to her. The guy is 6’6″ and said he loved it.
If I weren’t so far away, I’d grab this little rascal just for Sunday cruises.