I have often been asked which type of classic is best for a buyer who wishes to be hands-on with the ownership experience. I usually respond that it is hard to ignore traditional British sports cars. They typically feature simple engineering, and their mechanical components are rarely complicated. Therefore, enthusiasts with even the most rudimentary mechanical skills should find regular maintenance relatively straightforward, while almost nothing would be beyond someone with sound mechanical knowledge. That makes this 1969 MGB worth a close look. It isn’t perfect, but it is a prime candidate for someone contemplating a DIY restoration. It runs well, features the desirable optional overdrive transmission, and the current owner has refreshed much of its interior. They have decided that after forty-four years in their care, the time has come for this British classic to find a new home. Therefore, they have listed the MG exclusively with us here at Barn Finds Classifieds in Portland, Oregon. They set their price at $8,500, making it an affordable entry point into classic car ownership.
The current owner has been this MG’s custodian since 1982. They used the car regularly before placing it into storage in 1990. It reemerged in 2003, with the owner handing the vehicle to a British sports car specialist for revival. It has spent its downtime in a dry garage, and while there is rust that will eventually require the buyer’s attention, the car remains rock-solid. The Pale Primrose Yellow paint holds a warm shine, with only relatively minor imperfections. The panels have a couple of minor bumps, although none are severe enough to justify steel replacement. Its rust is confined to the trunk floor and to some lower exterior extremities. The photos indicate that well-crafted patches should eliminate those shortcomings, making it perfect for anyone with even the most rudimentary welding skills. The wheels look excellent, while the revival included fitting a new windshield and a new soft-top.
The buyer will quickly discover that the current owner has done a wonderful job of whipping the MG’s interior into shape. They fitted new seatcovers in Black leather, along with seat and backrest cushions, new door trims, armrests, carpet, map pockets, seatbelts, visors, and a steering wheel center. The only task awaiting the buyer is addressing the minor crack in the dashpad. They could source a replacement pad from a company like Moss Motors or spend a few dollars on a cover to hide the shortcoming. With that fault addressed or hidden, the interior would look pretty slick. One welcome addition is the modern stereo, allowing the buyer to select their preferred tunes on the move.
The company’s decision to power the MGB with the 1.8-liter B-Series four was inspired. By utilizing an existing component from its Parts Bin, it reduced production costs. The B-Series is also almost indestructible, meaning that if maintained appropriately, it will run faultlessly for many decades. It isn’t the most powerful engine on the planet, delivering 95hp and 111 ft/lbs of torque. However, with the MGB tipping the scales at a mere 2,140 lbs, performance is better than those figures might suggest. This car’s cause is aided by the manual transmission with optional overdrive, giving the MG long legs on the open road. When the seller revived this beauty in 2003, they replaced the fuel tank, radiator, clutch, water pump, hoses, battery, oil and filter, adjusted the carburetor, and installed a new distributor cap, spark plugs, rotor, points, and condenser. They flushed the transmission and rear end, rebuilt the front calipers, and replaced the brakes and hoses. They say the MG runs really well and has no fluid leaks.
The MGB is probably the most easily-recognized British sports car, and rightly so. It was a major sales success, with its production spanning eighteen years. Several factors contributed to its widespread acceptance, including the car’s affordability and its robust mechanical specifications. This 1969 example isn’t perfect, but it is a prime candidate for someone seeking an affordable, straightforward restoration candidate. Interestingly, the popularity of the MGB has never waned, even in the face of more sophisticated sports cars from Japan. Therefore, if the buyer decides to part with this beauty in the future, finding a buyer shouldn’t be challenging. Combine those factors, and this little British gem makes perfect sense.
Dang, shoot, heck, I sure loved my MGB( ’71). Since I’ve pretty much eliminated any 2 wheel foolishness, once again, the MGB comes back, full circle, if you will. This is a nice one, although “B” nice to see the motor, I only hope it still retains the SUs. This one has a lot going for it. ’69 was probably the last of the “real” MGBs, not that ’70 beyond was bad, just this retains the classic dash, and O/D, well, with all I’ve said about that, you can imagine my glee seeing one with O/D. I know, steering wheel cover :0, but easily removed, and the mags, roll bar, it’s a beautiful car. Trade for a Jeep???( but then I wouldn’t have a Jeep, you can see the dilemma here) You want a MGB, it doesn’t get any better.
Agree, I love this car, it’s just too far away, like most of the good ones. I consider 1967 to be the last of the “real” MGB’s, with the transition to British Leyland in 1968, along with the non-metal dashboard and other “safety” features. Sure, some of those changes were nice, granted, but the ’67-back metal dash and switches, etc are so much more classic. That said, I like all years of MG. The last one I had was a ’77 B. Still a great car.
I agree with the ’67 sentiment. I had a 70, which I certainly enjoyed, and had the unique 1 year only split rear bumper. I was never a fan of the big old pillow dash, the older ones are indeed classic.
As a former MG owner, I will attest that the vehicle is easy to maintain and to work on (other than the twin carbs which we don’t see a picture of). There is more room than most think. Yes really long legs have a problem but I was 6′ 1″ back when I owned one and had no problems. The more difficult part as one gets older is getting down as low as it requires.
They are much more spirited with that engine that you would think and the OD is indeed the thing to have. And the fact that they flushed the rear end and transmission, that’s nice. Replacing the radiator, water pump and hoses helps avoid you having to do later. NIce car to grab if you are in the market.
A Uni-Syn and the simple carb tuning kit with the jet wrench made carb adjustments a snap. And yes, tons of legroom, I was also 6’1″ back in the day. With my back, there would be no way to get into that car with the top up! My biggest concern is the lower sheetmetal. Based on what I see I would suggest the the doos are rusted out, both the inner shell as well as the skin. The lower forward sheet metal of the quarters also look to be bad. It is also converted to a single battery instead of the twin 6 volt setup. $8500 seems reasonable, especially with the OD.
Although it isn’t a Saab, I do like an MGB with the chrome bumpers. The MGA was a bit more stylish to my eye, but I aways heard the MGB was more reliable.
I own this 69B’s twin. The pale primrose is a great, slightly more unique color that stands out. The overdrive is an incrediblae addition. In fourth gear you flip it on and the car just settles in like it’ll drive at that RPM forever. Of note are the coirrect headrests. These only came on the 69 and are VERY tough to find the frames. Covers are available but the internals are rare. I restored my 69 in 1989, rebuilt the carbs once and never fiddled with them again, and every spring it starts on the first try after sitting for four months and runs like a sewing machine. The writer is correct, the B is the perfect way to jump into the hobby. Plenty of parts, easy mechanicals to repair, and once you get your B sorted there’s very little to do to keep it on the road. Ignore all the BS about bad electricals. If something goes wrong you usually just need to clean contacts, spray on some de-oxit, and you’re fine for years. Jack it up on stands, put some B GT springs on the rear end for a slightly firmer ride, and enjoy how fun these cars are.
when I was 19, I had a nearly new 1969 1750 duetto. my best friend had an MGB-GT. the cars were nearly polar opposites, the alfa was refined and very interesting, the MGB was rough and rather basic in looks and driving. but they are so pretty. not as pretty as the pinin designed boat tail, but still a handsome car. this car is one.
I have had one MG years ago (1963) and as I remember that fills my quota. No mas para me.
This appears to be in really nice shape, though I far prefer the later black bumper models for looks.
Price seems almost reasonable, one would have to spend more to bring a lesser car up to this level – IF there is no rust on the fender doglegs, the rockers, the castlewalls, etc. A “little bit” of rust showing on these cars often hides A LOT of rust on the inside (ask me how I know). The pictures can’t reveal what may lie within so a personal inspection is mandatory. Wheels are a matter of taste, these aren’t bad but I prefer wires. If it’s as solid as claimed the surface rust in the boot is negligible and it’s a great candidate. Nothing being produced today compares to an MGB and they ain’t making any more.
It looks to be a nicely-driven-well-taken-care-of chrome bumpered B. I drove a 67 BGT as my first daily driver 50+ years ago and had a few 69 B’s along the way. I am an old-schooler as these were the models I grew up with. Some people prefer the black rubber bumpered cars and that’s OK. To me even though they used the same basic components from the early cars
( 60’s) to the later one (70’s) to 80, they are different automobiles. They don’t ride or handle the same. The older cars was more raw and the newer ones were a bit more refined ( if you want to call it that!) I have a 69 BGT which I am putting back together as an ‘old schooler’ as a tribute to my youth back then! Fun cars! They are not investment quality, however they should be driven and enjoyed…………..