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Nice No Reserve Driver: 1972 MGB Roadster

The original owner of this 1972 MG MGB recently passed away, and now the time has come for the car to be sold to settle his estate. The seller says that the car runs and drives really well, and the overall appearance of the car seems to be fairly positive. So, if you would like to become the proud owner of this one-owner British classic, you will find the MG located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has now reached $6,250, and if the news so far hasn’t been good enough, the car is being offered in a No Reserve auction.

The appearance of the MGB is pretty impressive. From reading the text of the listing, it would seem that the Flame Red paint that graces the panels of the car is original. It has always been garage-kept, and it is a car that is hard to find fault with. The seller describes the panels as being arrow-straight, and that’s a description that seems to be fair. He says that there is not a spot of rust underneath the car, and there also doesn’t appear to be any present in the body panels. The Black top is in excellent order, as is the external trim and chrome. It wouldn’t be an MGB without the beautiful wire wheels, and these ones appear to be in as-new condition.

It isn’t hard to see that the MG has led a pretty protected life when you look inside the car. The only flaw that the seller identifies is a single split in the driver’s seat. Otherwise, it’s all original, and all looks to be immaculate. In fact, the seat split and some minor scuffing of the carpet on the driver’s side are the only signs that anyone has ever sat in this car. There is one other fault to be addressed. That is the fact that the speedometer currently doesn’t operate. This could be something as simple as a broken cable, but it does mean that the seller is unsure about the actual mileage that the car has covered.

The engine bay of the MG is clean, but it isn’t perfect. There is some evidence of peeling paint and general deterioration, but the 1,799cc 4-cylinder engine itself presents quite well. The fact that it now wears a Weber carburetor makes me wonder whether there are any other non-original parts inside the engine. I have no doubt that the carburetor upgrade would have a pretty positive impact on engine power, and the ability to maintain engine tune. In original form, the engine would have produced 78hp, which found its way to the rear wheels via a manual transmission. The good news here is that it appears that the MGB is close to mechanically perfect. It is said to start, run, and drive beautifully. The engine sounds strong, and the brakes work really well.

From my perspective, I think that this 1972 MGB has a lot going for it. The car’s condition appears to be incredibly good, and from a styling standpoint, it was produced prior to the rubber-bumper era that had such a profound impact upon the model’s appearance. This looks like a British classic that is ready to be driven and enjoyed, and if I bought it, I wouldn’t be able to wait for the weather to turn warm once again.

Comments

  1. HoA Howard A. Member

    I’ve suspended my search for a roadster. While I’ll agree, clean ones like this are gaining steam, I’d be very reluctant to pay 5 figures for one. The bidding is much more in line for one this nice. They aren’t that rare yet. I had a ’71, put a lot of miles on it until it broke in half, quarter mil, easy. I never liked what they did on the ’72 with the plastic console (’71 had carpeted tunnel) and dash vents and the cheap glove box. Why would you need dash vents on a roadster? The other things I found out about these, no O/D, you’ll be sorry, wire wheels, you’ll REALLY be sorry, and this Weber carb baloney. I just don’t get the reasoning there. Webers are the most finicky carbs out there. I put a lot of miles on SU’s and they worked fine. Unfortunately, people, like me, find these things out after the sale, and then they’re stuck with it. Vintage MGB’s are not exactly on everyone’s wish list today.

    Like 3
    • Mark

      You are correct about everything except the year before had the Abington pillow I would rather have this dashboard

      Like 0
  2. Jay E.

    The owner clearly loved this car! Look at the shine of the inner rear fenderwells!!! A wonderful Sunday cruiser, but stay off the interstates. With the impatience of drivers riding your tail at 65+ the noise of constantly being passed ( by semi’s too) takes a lot of the pleasant convertable experience away. A very nice example ready to be enjoyed for a reasonable price.

    Like 5
    • Alan

      Why would you only do 65? I had a ’69 MGB, and it was quite capable of keeping up with the 80 mph traffic jam on the M25.

      Like 0
      • Jay E.

        They can go faster, but my experience of one without overdrive is that they become very buzzy, with a lot of wind buffet after 65. 60 seemed to be the sweet spot. I too had no problem with SU’s if you could tune them right, and my wire wheels were fine once trued and balanced. But I live where there aren’t many potholes. But to each their own.

        Like 2
  3. Little_Cars

    The owner clearly loved this car, but someone since his passing has failed to learn how to fold and stow and resecure the convertible top! Panel lines are a tad suspect on the passenger side and, oh…a Weber installed. Not a fan favorite. I don’t believe the Weber adds much in the HP department but does allow better breathing and overall monkey-proof servicing. Still, as long as this one doesn’t creep toward $10k it will make the next owner proud.

    Like 1
  4. Edward Skakie

    To Howard A: I don’t know why some folks have a problem with Webers; the great thing is that once you set them up properly, you don’t have to touch them. If you do your own work, the Weber hand book make initial setup as siimple as pie. I helped a friend install a Weber DCOE 42 on a Vauxhall Viva, after conjoining the Vauxhall intake with a Mini Cooper intake, followed the Weber handbook for initial settings, and it went like stink! Even a local import mechanic, previously employed by UK Ford performance, was amazed at the go.

    To Little_Cars: it looks, to me, like someone just partially installed the soft top for the picture taking, and it would look much better when properly secured all around.

    A good buy. Wish I had the time to go get it.

    Like 1
    • HoA Howard A. Member

      Hi Edward, because, fewer and fewer people know what they’re doing, like you. The SU’s burp once, and the sky is falling, so they buy a Weber, mostly because of the name, haphazardly install it, and it runs like crap. And like Little Cars sez, we’re not talking big horse here, the SU’s are adequate and simple. I’ve never seen a Weber equipped anything run right, except at full throttle, maybe and these just aren’t those kind of cars, not like this anyway.

      Like 1
      • Brian M Member

        I’m with you on the SUs. I set mine up on my TR3A in December 2007 and 11,500 miles later, haven’t had to touch them (other than the one time the throttle linkage decided to leave the building in a 7-eleven parking lot). Truly set ’em and ferget ’em.
        I would dearly like to have this car as I am being installed as the President of the MG Car Club, Florida in a week and do not own an MG. Of course my 61 year old Triumph outruns all the MGBs in the club that still have their original drivetrain.

        Like 2
  5. Little_Cars

    Funny, I always thought the dual SU were “set em and forget em” carbs — once you find the sweet spot. The Weber on my first MG required constant fiddling and, as Howard sez, ran best at full throttle. Never good for idle. And, IIRC, was actually pretty thirsty on gas.

    Like 1
  6. Lee

    Clearly not original paint…lots of overspray visible. Battery in the trunk indicates that the original mount underneath is corroded. Without undercarriage pics BEWARE rust is likely present. And the Weber is a cop-out to originality.

    Like 1
  7. Had Two

    It is hard to find an MGB in an unmolested state. The owner had
    this for so long and the love shows. MGB’s are good value for the money,
    once sorted out. Personally I’d get rid of the Weber, but just my opinion.
    The wire wheels are fine once balanced and trued. I do not miss the
    O/D on my ’73 because it gets used for occasional day trips down the curvy road Coast for lunch and back.
    Compare MGB sales prices with TR4’s now. The TR4’s are bringing twice
    the money I think because so many 4’s got trashed in the day. Now more rare.
    I’ve owned a TR4 and an MGB and the MGB is a superior car. Less rattles,
    more comfortable seats and legroom. And better built from new..
    Bigger battery in the trunk may mean the little 12-volt available when the 6 volt factory system was changed did not appeal to the P.O. Perhaps the seller can clarify why the 12-volt is in the trunk. Although the battery is in the trunk
    in my Healey, that way from the factory.
    I hope this one goes to a good home.

    Like 3
  8. JOHN Member

    I had a 70, the best part was the 1 year only split rear bumper with the license plate mounted between the bumper ends. I had a Uni-Syn and a small SU tuning kit that included a small wrench to adjust the jets, I never had an issue. Regarding batteries, mine had twin 6 volts mounted under a removable panel just behind the seats. Not sure when that changed, but again, never had a problem with them.

    Like 1
  9. H5mind

    MG’s are one of those cars which are often better than the sum of their parts. As always, find the one with the least rust and you’re ahead of the game. Re power, given how much emissions and the single carb SU setup had sapped HP by ’72, anything would probably be an improvement. I’m surprised more of these aren’t upgraded with the cross flow head as that modification really wakes these up.

    Like 2
  10. leiniedude leiniedude Member

    Ended:Nov 10, 2019 , 8:30PM
    Winning bid:US $7,600.00[ 30 bids ]

    Like 0

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