The British-built MGB was the big brother to the MG Midget and was in production from 1962 to 1980. This example of the sports car is from the last year they were imported, and it looks solid overall with a few glitches. It doesn’t get used enough these days, so it’s time for it to move on from its current domain in Browns Mills, New Jersey. The asking price is $8,000 here on craigslist but the seller would consider reasonable offers. Hats off to Mitchell G. for another great find!
Over a nearly 20-year period, more than a half million copies of the MGB and its variants were produced, with many of them finding their way to the U.S. The roadster was the first to be marketed, followed by a hardtop and even a V8. Interior space in the MGB was a huge improvement of its predecessor, the MGA (and also the tiny Midget). Changes in appearance would occur gradually, such as the addition of big black rubber bumpers in the mid-1970s to meet the growing safety standards in America. A 1.8-liter inline-4 with dual carburetors could be found under the hood.
The seller appears to be only the second owner of this 1980 yellow MGB. Only 44,500 miles have been covered, so plenty of life should be left. It’s lived in a garage much of the time, explaining the overall good condition of the body and paint (there is one bit of rust by one of the rocker panels). Also, the trunk lid doesn’t seem to close right on one corner (possibly a little bent?).
Due to it being used infrequently, the seller has flushed the fuel system and it’s said to be a good performer now. A wood steering wheel has been added but the seller has the original. CoCo floor mats come with the deal along with a car cover. The convertible top is going to need repair as the side windows have come undone. Also, the buyer should order a new carpet set. All-in-all, it shouldn’t need much before next Spring’s riding season!
Dual carbs were not standard in 1980………
The last series MGB’s were loaded down with smog junk and a single carb as Pat states. To add insult to injury, it was a Solex. I think it produced around 82HP. Looks like the owner took prudent steps to bring the HP back to about
100. It’s old enough to scrap the smog equipment and re-jet the carbs.
Listed HP for the single carb Zenith-Stromberg 175CD was 62. Only the pre-67 MGBs had anything close to 100HP. Just removing the air pump and retrofitting SU dual carbs, probably get you about 75-80. Those are HS4 carbs, so probably the best choice for performance. To get any more, you’d need to swap out the distributor and probably the camshaft.
This one looks pretty good. It is nice to see pictures of the under carriage. Price is probably optimistic.
Given that the auction 1980 MG featured yesterday ( which appears to be in even better condition) is sitting at $4400.00, I think this one might be priced too high. Of course the auction isn’t over yet.
Nice car to far away the weather has turned a bit to cold to say buy it and drive it the 2600 miles home. Uship might get a deal on shipping
Nice car, but over priced ,for the condition, new carpets, new top/repair, rocker sills that could be close to $2000, i would come in at about $5000 if it was closer.
No the single carb was not a Solex, but a Zenith-Stromberg. The replacement twin SU HS4s are a return to the traditional MGB set-up, offering a substantial improvement in performance. However there is a small problem in that the intrusion by the brake booster introduced along with the single ZS carb in ’75 does not allow space for the traditional rear carb air filter. I don’t think these pancake filters are the best solution. Do they allow room for the original short ram base plates that these carbs require for optimum performance? Furthermore, I think a greater filter area would allow improved air intake.
I did this conversion on a ’76 model with the same problem. The solution was a pair of dome-shaped foam air filters. Perhaps the K&N tapered 2” filters would be even better. Or maybe even the Moss cold air intake?
It appears that some owner did go to the extra expense of an undercoating treatment inside the sills. Regrettably, it was not entirely successful. Sill and dogleg panels on an MGB are structural – requiring welded metal repairs. Fibreglass and/or Bondo will not make a safe repair.
I do have to ask what has happened inside the boot!
I also see that the boot lid is sprung in the usual place where the lid-stay attaches. Somebody, thinking the stay would release simply by lifting on it, tried to force it shut against the unreleased stay, causing the lid to spring up while the bottom attachment of the stay forces the deck panel down – into the gap shown in image 7.
Even with some problems, I can’t say the car is overpriced at $8000. The seller is willing to consider reasonable offers. I might suggest negotiating at least enough for a new top, but watching other auctions, I see cars without these issues selling in the $10-12,000 range. Late model MGBs are not “cheap” any more. Yes I could wish for overdrive, but that can be added later, if desired.
Yup, Stromberg (senior moment).
The ram plates wouldn’t fit in the pancake filters. They won’t fit in the K&N tapered filter either. Normal stubby ram horns are also too tall. But there are very small stacks, that are only 1/4 or 3/8 tall that work well, and fit in all of these.
K&N tapered filters are no longer available new. When I replaced my worn out HIFs with a Weber. I sold the K&Ns for good money.
I missed the sill picture first time through. $5000 is more likely. A RBB for $10-12k, had better be perfect.
Hi Paul,
Speaking for myself, I agree with your comment about RBB value, but LEs have crossed the block recently as high as $15K. And yes, they were just about perfect. On 2nd thought, one could not turn this car into one of those for an additional investment of just $7,000. Of course any of us who have restored an MGB know what going upside-down is all about. We do not live within that fear.