By the standards of the day, the MGB enjoyed an extended production run. The first cars rolled off the line in 1962, while the last left the factory in 1980. The company hit upon a formula that allowed it to build an affordable sports car that sold in healthy numbers while returning a respectable profit on each sale. This 1968 example isn’t perfect, but it wears what the seller believes to be its original paint. The MG is in excellent mechanical health and could be an affordable first project candidate for those with a passion for British sports cars. The seller has listed the MGB here on eBay in Irvine, California. They set their BIN at $7,500 with the option to make an offer.
Many traditional British sports cars feature elegantly simple engineering and construction techniques, making them ideal for enthusiasts who favor a DIY approach to restoration and ongoing maintenance. The MGB is no exception, which is why it remains popular in the classic market. This MGB left the Abingdon factory in 1968, ordered by its first owner in Mineral Blue. It was a popular shade that remained available between 1965 and 1969. The seller believes that most of the paint is original, and although it exhibits deterioration and wear-through, preserving this little beauty as a genuine survivor would be a valid choice. It has spent its life in a dry climate, helping the MG avoid rust issues. The trim is in good order for its age, and the glass is clear.
Part of the secret to the MGB’s success hides under the hood. MG dipped into BMC’s Parts Bin, equipping the car with the 1,798cc B-Series four-cylinder engine used in more mainstream vehicles, such as the Austin 1800, the Wolseley 18/85, and the later, much-maligned Morris Marina. The four’s power and torque figures of 95hp and 110 ft/lbs may not sound exciting, but with an exceptionally low curb weight, drivers willing to row the four-speed manual transmission could extract surprising performance from the MGB. The seller recently replaced this car’s battery and oil cooler and fitted a stainless exhaust. They say that it runs and drives extremely well, raising the prospect that the buyer could fly in and drive this beauty home.
Typical of British sports cars from this era, this MGB’s interior features a dash with a selection of gauges, a banjo-style wheel, and a stubby shifter for the four-speed. It is also in excellent condition, having recently received new Black leather seatcovers. The remaining upholstered surfaces are free from issues, there is no dash deterioration, and no evidence of aftermarket additions beyond the wheel wrap. The MG doesn’t feature creature comforts like a radio, although sourcing a correct AM unit shouldn’t be difficult.
It is widely acknowledged that MG was considering replacing the venerable MGB in the early 1970s, but one enormous and seemingly immovable obstacle stood in the company’s path. MG had become part of British Leyland in 1968, a corporation that promised much to the motoring world. However, British Leyland was beset by industrial unrest and inter-marque disputes and disagreements during this era, with many seemingly solid models like the Mini and the Morris Minor either returning little profit or losing money on each sale. The MGB was an exception to that rule, which is why management was reluctant to give the green light to a possible replacement. This 1968 example is a wonderful survivor that is a promising project candidate. The listing statistics suggest that potential buyers like what they see, and I won’t be surprised if someone hits the BIN button to take it home. Will you?
Buff the paint if you must but buy it and drive it-at this price it should already be GONE.
:(,,,better to have loved and lost,,,blah, blah, but some merit. Everytime a B comes up, well, let’s say, memory is a wonderful thing. You don’t own a MGB, it owns you, in a good way. You keep it up to snuff, it returns driving enjoyment unmatched today. This is a really nice one, ’67-’68 were the best years. I’m amazed at an air pump actually in place. In non-smog states, that was the 1st to go. Non O/D* and wires*( *= been there, not preferred) it still is a wonderful car. The “1bid/viewer” pretty much spells it out, just no interest. Their loss, I loved my MGB more than any of the dozens of car I had.
Owned just one, a ’66. Lots of fun, no problems, just a good looking well built sports car. Nice one here.
This is more of a driver than a project. So what if the paint is thin, if the mechanics are sorted just drive it. There is a lot of complaining about the lack of affordable classics, here is one, of many, that doesn’t have a strong enough following to command high prices, yet is well suited to take to a coffee and cars, a drive through some winding roads or just a leisurely drive on a Saturday afternoon.
The compulsion to make every car perfect does the hobby no favors. It increases the cost, often exponentially, while simultaneously dragging down the desire to drive the car.
Steve R
Amen to you Steve R as a driver! B’s are not rare and overly valuable to full restorations (my opinion). They should be driven like the were intended to without fear of losing value as collectable!!
All of the above comments are spot on. My second MGB was a ’69 in this color combination.. Best shifting car I ever owned, It’s only 2,068 miles from Irvine to Indianapolis – 30 hours drive time. The only issue is the price – I don’t have the money.
I made some bad choices…
“I made some bad choices…”
Got married ? That’s the usual reason for a guy not being able to buy a classic. Lol
Well, I did get married in 1979, and prior to or shortly after the event I did sell three old vehicles for more practical ones, so you are partly correct. But if your spouse is fairly frugal and you are as well, two can live better than one. In the following 46 years we have both purchased things that are not necessities. We both hoard though she is more organized with her hoard. Good luck with the future clean out!
We’ve had 44 years of wedded bliss, well maybe semi-bliss. She raised two successful children despite my fatherly interference, and has stayed with me this long. I don’t know if she thought marriage would change things. After all, she knew I was an a-h when she married me. (That’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it.)
I know she loves me because she arranged the financing for my 2nd Corvette, set up the rental car for us to drive 4 hours to get it, and truly enjoys riding with the top down on dates.
This is the girl other guys wish they’d married.
Wife and I got together in a ’55 Healey, a ’57 Porsche Cabriolet, and a ’59 Porsche coupe. At almost 70 plus cars now, including a ’66 MGB, we are still at it.
Nice looking car for the price but no mention of the condition of the top or even if it has one .
This car is also advertised on facebook marketplace and that ad says it does have a top, though which type isn’t specified. I think there were two types of MGB soft top when this car was built.
68 models were the first year of federalization with the padded dash, some pollution controls, changing the the knockoffs to octagon style and the full first gear synchromesh trans. They were (for me), the last of the simple B’s. This one is a true survivor and looks like it was never abused. California cars just don’t take the weathering of the Northeastern cars. This is one I would seriously consider but I prefer the BGT and I already have one of those in project… Nice car and a good color!!
Had a 1957 MGA loved that car but i totaled it in 1969 and lost my right kidney and I thank God for keeping me here. I would love to have this car but I do not think I could in or out but I could look at every day.
2 months and not one offer on my neighbors one owner 77′ MGB with 75 k miles,I guess no market for those with those big ugly black rubber looking bumpers.Down to $ 5,900
There is a 1979 with 53K miles advertised for $5990 for weeks now that is tempting to me despite it needing to be smogged.
The one here is less than 10 miles from my home. It is very tempting, but I noticed some of the same things others pointed out: no pictures of the top; the smog equipment is still attached; the seams in the rear panel are gone, leading me to believe this is not the original paint; original yellow on black license plates; wire wheels and no O/D; and the padded dash.
It’s tempting to go look at and drive since it is so close. If I have time this weekend, I will do this and report back here.
Somebody refresh my memory. When did they go to the 4 gauges for oil, water, voltage, fuel?
@JDJones. The padded dash cars (68 and up) after the 67 steel dash cars got the square individual oil gauge in the middle of the panel as opposed to the dual temp/oil gauges of the steel dash cars. There was also fuel and temperature in their own circular pods. A voltage gauge was not stock. You would need to add one if so desired. I just don’t know where on the padded dash you would put it. I am putting a 69 BGT back together as retro driver. I have stripped the cracked padding off the dash and refinished it with a stone guard pebbly finish. That leaves me more room to install other gauges. I am not a lover of the padded dash and will gladly sacrifice originality for something that looks better (in my opinion) and gives me more options. The Brits didn’t get the padded dash. Only us in the states got them because of, quote, ‘safety laws’ and federalization!