We’re all familiar with MG’s very popular Model B (’62-’80) roadster; over half a million, in all of its variations, were produced during its nineteen model-year run. One of the erstwhile two-seaters’ drawbacks was its 1.8-liter four-cylinder prime mover – not exactly the thing that sports car dreams are made of. Well, move over and let Rover take over because that’s what Jack M. has discovered for us today, an end-of-the-run 1980 MGB with a significant underhood update. Verona, Pennsylvania, is where you’ll find this Rally Red performer, and it’s available here on craigslist for $39,000.
To be fair, MG did actually produce a limited number of V8-powered, right-hand drive GTs, the fixed roof version, in the mid-seventies, but our subject car, obviously being a roadster, is not one of them. Additionally, this B has been shorn of its ungainly U.S. spec rubber baby buggy bumpers and treated to more traditional chrome-plated pieces. The seller tells us, “Designed to honor the 1964 Monte Carlo ‘Rallye’ race car that won its class in 1964.” The two-stage modern finish has been beautifully applied, and the rare but genuine Factory Works removable hardtop adds authenticity to the look. If the exterior decals are not to your liking, they’re magnetic and can be easily removed.
The interior is a work of art with its black leather-upholstered seats highlighted by red piping. Instead of paraphrasing, I’ll quote the seller, “Custom accents include the all matching, cockpit surround, shift boot, console lid, and hand brake boot, all exclusively made by MGBClassics interior tailor. Premium sound system, polished, drilled, 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, beautiful recovered dashboard, including correct V8 tachometer.”
The big news is under the hood, where a Rover 3.5-liter V8 engine (no, not an LS!) is holding court. The engine, of unknown provenance, has been rebuilt and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Regarding the engine installation, the seller adds, “(it) sits nicely inside the absolutely detailed engine compartment, including the original MG V8 valve covers,” and that’s likely due to the fact that the original MGB V8 employed this same Rover engine. We’re told that the standard MGB rear axle/differential is still in place; I’d run with the assumption that it’s sturdy enough to handle the extra torque, but holeshots are probably not recommended. Oddly, nothing is stated regarding this car’s running and driving characteristics.
MGB Classics is responsible for this car’s restoration, and I’d say they did a bang-up job! I appreciate the tribute status this car is portraying, but I’m also thankful that the rally decals are removable – I doubt they would have universal appeal. This B’s current bearing certainly sets it apart from others, but it does come at a price. And with that thought in mind, let’s talk numbers. What do you think, at $39 large, is this one priced right or not quite?
I’m thinking that craigslist is not the best place if you
really want to sell a car like this.
Looks like a nice,well done car,but I prefer the 4 cylinder
with the SU carbs.
I tired of the 4 cylinder in my B. Now has a 2.8 litre Cologne V6. With a T5 5 speed. And Jaguar XJ6 tach and speedo.Total weight addition about 35 pounds! Mostly due to the big weight dump of the original 4 speed transmission. As for the robustness of the rear diff. I’m on the 3rd rear diff in this car. And that is with the original engine! And I’m not hard on differentials. I found that an early Datsun (Nissan?) 200 SX with rear disc brakes is a virtual bolt in and very robust. AND it is even the same wheel bolt pattern! One more thing. Removing the rubber baby buggy bumpers and replacing with the chrome ones IS NOT JUST A BOLT ON SITUATION! There is minor body work required for the front end. (Not to mention that the front signal/parking lamps are too big to fit in the holes and the only proper way to have it look is to replace the lower valance and install older model lamps.) THEN there is the rear bumpers. If you look at the pictures of the rear of the car. You will see a nice curve red body under ther rear tail lamps. On a rubber bumper car. Those are not there. It is flat under the lamps. Moss used to have a kit that used the replacement units from a n MGBGT. But those don’t fit even close. They are good for a base to build your own. But that is it. It is all custom fabrication. Don’t ask me how I know. I never claimed to be a body guy for good reason. But mine came out great! Many compliments from the British car club members. This is a very nice B. But I think over priced. You basically have a Triumph TR8 with a better transmission with sub-par TR8 handling.
Super build. Backdated bumpers too. The engine was of Buick design, reconfigured by Rover over the years. Probably good for close to 200 hp. Could not reproduce this for twice the price these days. On the other hand, its niche is small. A reference to Christmas in the ad implies it’s been for sale for a while.
The foliage in the background suggests the pictures were taken well before winter.
No matter how nice, or how much money was spent, most cars have a ceiling with regards to price. Like you said this MGB will appeal to a small niche, even smaller if you factor in those with the means and willingness to spend close to the asking price.
When you look at MGB’s that have sold on eBay over the last 90 days, the vast majority sell for $10,000 or less, a few in the mid to upper teens. Even though this has a V8 conversion, who’s its market? This car will likely be for sale for a long time, then eventually sell heavily discounted.
Steve R
Holy Sunbeam Tiger, Batman! I like everything about this car except the hard top. White and squarish, it doesn’t belong. Give me the standard MGB black soft top any day.
I believe that is a factory hardtop, or a very good copy of same.
I remember photos from the days when BMC was racing “Bs,” and the factory cars had tops that looked exactly like this.
Yes very nice and well done, but $39k?
$39k, hahaha. No way. If it was a rare model or a significant rally car I could see it but not this. Its a very nice well done car but I think this type of money is a big stretch.
Always loved the B- it was a car that felt comfortable to drive and look at. The styling may have been dated in the 80’s especially with those horrid bumpers, but the V8 version would have been a better choice than the 6 cylinder. I suppose the TR 6 was their choice to go forward rather than a V8 MGB. Then they acted like a drowning man flailing about with the Stag, TR7 and TR 8 before going down for the third time.
I agree with most of the other educated comments. Nicely done and a rare offering but 39K for a B is a bit too much…I always preferred the GT over the standard B and this work (for me) is suited better to a GT body style. There are many more GT V8 versions that can bring the bigger money! For me, it’s not about the investment, however can you drive it whenever you want to without worrying about hurting the value? Bs and GTs are driver cars, not investment cars!! The person who buys this has the extra cash lying around and just wants the car, period!!
Well said.
V8 MGB conversions are popular and sought after when done right. This one looks like it was, maybe one of the best swaps. It’s a poor man’s Sunbeam Tiger, similar performance and driving fun for a fraction of the price.
But the price… $39K seems a little rich, even for a properly done car. The seller is probably looking to get all his money back out, and for the “right buyer” (meaning someone with more money than common sense). At $25-$30k it would probably sell quickly, maybe even to me.
Just have to replace the trunk lid and get rid of the luggage rack. I could never understand why so many people choose to blight the lines of a car by sticking unsightly girders back there.
When I saw the RSS feed on this car, I was expecting an iron-block hillbilly hot rod. This is definitely *not* that. That wee V8 fits inside the engine compartment like it was factory ordered. No silly hood scoops or side pipes to let the world know what you’ve got. Must be fantastic to burble around in.
Have to disagree with your comments about the 4 cyl, Jim. Back in the day I
(my family, actually) and two friends had Bs. They were quick enough, had wonderfully predictable handling, and with overdrive would go well over 110 mph, as a friend and I did on an overnight drive from CT to Dover MD for a race. Never drove a V8, but the 95 HP or whatever the 1.8 put out was sufficient.
A bunch of years ago I had the chance to take a ride in a V8 converted ‘B, that was put together by the now defunct Brit Bits in NH. Great experience… that engine completely transformed the car (I have a stock early ’70s ‘B as my stake-in-the-ground). From the pics, this particular car looks very well done… and I love the tribute to the look of the of the Monte Carlo Rallye car, of which I have a framed print hanging in my office. For those that are questioning the price… sure, if you are a skilled mechanic/restorer you could put one of these together for much cheaper (as long as you value your time at zero)… however, today, to have competent shop put one together for you… $39K ain’t bad. Just one man’s opinion. GLWS.
I ordinarily do not like conversions, but make an exception in this case. Thank the gods they got rid of the federal nanny bumpers, and did a beautiful job too. By the pictures it appears they were highly professional in other things as well. The engine compartment looks as nearly perfect as reasonably possible. The price seems a bit high, but I wish the owner good luck.
Calling the original 4 cylinder a “drawback” is a disservice. I would run away from this one with an 8 under the hood.
Not worth it , way over priced ,it would have been better left as a 4 banger.
Sweet, nice car. For $38K you could buy a really sweet corvette.
V8 swaps in a B using the BOPR aluminum engine have been around since GM sold the engines to BMC in the sixties. The Rover engine is essentially the same engine. As Jim mentioned, the rubber bumper cars (75-80) had the engine mounts changed to accommodate that engine. This appears to be a well-done example of a swap that has been the basic “bolt in” engine for decades. The builders did a good job on paint, the interior is MGB all the way thru with stock replacement parts. The rubber bumper delete is a tedious, labor intensive modification that, to my mind, is a bit of a cheat. While it brings the earlier cars to mind, the ride height is a dead give away that this is a late car. Here’s my big question: If the builders are going to go to the trouble to do such an exacting job on the engine/transmission swap, provide a very nice paint job, swap the bumpers and even source the correct BMC hard top, why didn’t they address the ride height? Notice the photos all show the B from an angle that deceptively hides the high rubber bumper height. There are several ways to lower the car, from $3-400 of bolt on lowering springs and shackes, to drop spindles and reversed spring eyes, to early cross-member/rack swap and cutting the rear frame spacer. The attention to detail is sorely lacking in the suspension on this car, and in my opinion, leaves this car,,, unfinished.
I agree. I have a ’76 which I have detailed above woth the V6 swap. Lowering the car back to original height makes a world of difference in the handling. On my car the handling was worse that just the ride height. As mine was the only year to come without a front sway bar. (Has an upgraded one now!) Plus my car didn’t come with overdrive. 1.5 hours at 80 mph is all it took to start pumping oil into the air cleaner. I nursed it along for about 3 years after that. But the hot nodded V6 under my work bench kept calling to the MGB.
There are many other choices for the asking price ! Although its nice , i don’t see it selling for such $$$
For that kind of money, the list is long …