By the early 1960s, British Motor Corporation knew buyers were not particularly satisfied with the MGA coupe. When customers asked for more room and weather protection, apparently, they didn’t mean to “slap a roof on it and give ’em wind-up windows,” an effort that made the MGA even more cramped than was conceivable. Still, BMC was financially strapped (nearly always), and a new roadster was a priority: the MGB drop-top was introduced in September 1962. But a coupe had to arrive sooner or later, and so it did, in 1965. As ubiquitous as MGBs are generally, the pretty Pininfarina-designed hatchback GT is the more elusive body style. Oh, to be sure, of the more than 500,000 copies of MGBs that eventually roamed the boulevards, 125,000 were GTs. Still, the coupe was exported to the US only from its launch in 1965 through 1974 – six years short of the desultory closure of the Abingdon plant in 1980. Here on eBay is a 1970 MGB GT in a no-reserve auction with bidding at $1027. This car is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Let’s figure out if this is a parts car or better.
The listing could win this month’s Brevity Award, consisting of just seven words and a phone number, revealing that our seller’s name is Joe and that his car “needs work”. That said, the engine bay shows signs of care, with nicely finished air filter housings, a freshly painted valve cover on the 1800 cc four-cylinder, a vague shine on the two SU dashpots, and a new radiator hose and cap. When it runs, this little engine makes about 95 hp; coupled with its four-speed manual, the GT takes 13 seconds to reach 60 mph – not precisely sparkling performance. But waking up the B-series motor isn’t tricky, and once you enter the zen of 1960s British manufacturing – learning to expect that many, many parts were used to make a single component – the rest of the car is simple, too.
The interior is a mess—cracked dash, peeling door caps, torn seats, threadbare carpet. But someone installed new rubber mats! Most of the gauges, switches, and trim are present – and it’s easy to find a shift knob. The plastic steering column cover is intact. The rear seat is still with the car, and the cargo area contains a few parts.
I know you wanna talk about rust. Yes, there are lots, at least on its top sides. No photos of the underside are provided, and a view of the undercarriage will be a big tell. But it’s an odd rust pattern, with reasonably clean quarters and sills, though maybe a rust hole or two through the hatchback channel. The panels fit nicely. The bumpers are straight. It’s a steel-wheel car – if it had wires, they would be crappy, and the new buyer would be into a set for about $1000. This car could be surprisingly good – or a calamity in the making. At the current price, I am almost tempted – what do you think?
Wouldn’t do anything until I contacted the seller to find out the drive train situation and the condition of the underside. Admit it’s ugly but some of that surface rust looks like it has Rustoleum primer on it. If you can get it cheap I’d go for it.
The unique 1970 only split rear bumper!
typical “salt air” ft. laud rust.i’ve hadthe same problem in daytona for 40 years.the only way to prevent rust is give it a wash with a cup of kerosene in the water once a month.when it,s dry,spray everything with straight kerosene.especially down cracks in body,hood.trunk and underside
I love MGB’s and have owned 12 of them. If this car has this much surface rust, I think the underside would be even worse.
A rusty frame in a MGB is not good.
On the positive side, it is a rare year model (split bumper) and I love GT’s they are awsome.
I think you mean subframe,as these were uni bodies.
Seller: needs work – I’m thank you captain obvious
When I lived on the barrier island in st Augustine beach my cars would rust on top from the salt air but be clean underneath could be the case here but an in person look or more photos is required
Have the front wings off and see what’s left underneath.
” This car could be surprisingly good ”
Shirley you jest.
Quit calling me Shirley
You left out CRUSH
Parts car. There are lots of MGBs and B GTs out there. Between the body and interior (I don’t need perfection, but this is pretty far from a “get it running, replace the soft parts and enjoy as is” car”) This thing need more work than most will want to do.
And the sheer cost of the resto will far outweigh any resale value. I grew up with British cars and if the top part of the body looks like this, the underside will be 10x worse.
The rear tail lamps and gas cap look OK…
Anyone who has been in the MG hobby will be happy to explain, most in graphic detail, that it’s not about the money, the resale value, the profit, but about building and driving a car that is the icon of the affordable two seat sports car from the 60’s. If you are building a B, and trying to make a living at it, you best have a significant other who has a job at the court house, because there is NO profit in it. The only folks here who are making money on this car are the folks at ebay. Sure, this old sled appears rough. It may only be good as a parts car, but hopefully someone with a desire to have it, and the skill sets to build it will take it on and return it to a driver. Or,,, strip it and sell the parts and crush the tub. I’ve got a 67 GT that became the poster child for “Strip It, Sell the Parts, Crush the Tub”. Now that I think of it, that’s the best way to show profit.
Hay the state of NC just sent me a tax bill for my 45 yr old 79 MGB for a valuation of $14900. I paid $700 last year, has extensive rust in floors and rockers primal faded blue paint & delaminated windshield. Go figure that😳😳😳😳😂. The tax office says that’s what the dealership selling them for, I laughed till I cried. Ya can’t fix STUPID or government employees!