Extensively restored including new red leather interior and new hood; overdrive; Minilite alloys just serviced; vast history file; a lovely example all round.

 

This MGB Roadster is a factory-original right-hand-drive (RHD) model intended for the domestic market, manufactured during the 29th to 30th January 1979.
It was subsequently dispatched to the MG dealership, Kennings Limited, Walsall on the 7th February 1979.

The car was finished in Leyland White, with Orange Brown Trim and Black hood.
It came equipped with Overdrive and Rostyle wheels.

This MGB Roadster still proudly displays its original factory-issued registration plate, bearing the distinctive identifier ATX 12T. Included within the car's history file is a British Motor Museum Heritage Certificate, affirming the aforementioned details. This certificate serves as a tangible validation of the vehicle's provenance.

This delightful MGB Roadster comes with a vast history file extending back to 1992 which would take many hours to digest but indicates careful upkeep throughout its life.

From 2010 – 2018 it was owned by a Mr Tovey of Bristol. Although it was already in good condition when he acquired the car, with an agreed insurance value of £6,000 – a very decent sum for a rubber bumper Roadster back then – Mr Tovey was clearly a stickler for detail and there are dozens of invoices to show how he maintained and improved the car during his 8-year ownership, replacing innumerable minor parts and a few major ones too.

To highlight just a fraction of the new parts fitted, they include: four genuine Minilite alloys shod with new Michelin tyres; stainless steel exhaust; electronic ignition; sports coil and silicon HT leads; alternator and starter motor; carbs rebuilt with richer needles and K&N filters; complete new braking system; all new clutch hydraulics.

The last owner acquired the car from Mr Tovey in August 2018 and has been equally fastidious. Photos on file show that the car was stripped to a bare shell, with the engine and interior removed, before being completely re-assembled to the fine condition you see today. Much of the work was done by Cleevewood Garage of Bristol, as detailed in numerous invoices.

This included a complete interior retrim in Antique Red using a top-quality kit supplied by Mirror Trim of Toddington which cost over £2,600 for parts alone. This included new seat foams and new leather for the seat covers, centre console, armrest and gear lever. The tufted wool carpets are also new throughout, including the boot, as are the vinyl/carpet door cards.

It also got new seat belts, a new leather-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel, a new canvas hood and hood frame supplied by The Don Trimming Co Ltd of Birmingham.

All mechanical aspects were attended to as required, including a full suspension overhaul in 2020 with new king pins, leaf springs, bushes etc. The car was also fitted with new chrome bumpers and professionally repainted in Old English White to a good standard, although there are no invoices for this.

Although it no longer needs one, it has an MOT until May 2025 with no advisories recorded. In fact it has only had two advisories since 2020 for a defective exhaust mounting and an inoperative screen washer which have both been attended to. There are also dozens of old MOTs back to 1992 which show the mileage rising gradually to today’s total of 50,510.

Last serviced just a handful of miles ago in May this year, it has been starting promptly and running beautifully when we have driven it, with good 60psi oil pressure. As you can see in the photos, the car now looks absolutely lovely, both above and below, and you would be hard pressed to find a better example at this price point.

Please note that the private plate shown has been retained and has now reverted to its original number ATX 12T.

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Service carried out in July 2024 including :Castrol Classic XL 20W 50 engine oil, SU Carb Damper Oil, Points, Air Filters, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter and Spark Plugs.

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Viewing :

Viewing is strictly by appointment only.

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The Forge Pricing Promise :

At The Forge, we guarantee pricing that is consistently competitive and transparent, saving you money compared to other classic car dealers. We also eliminate the uncertainty that often comes with buying Classic Cars directly from individuals or at auctions.

How We Price Our Cars :
We rely on Hagerty’s industry-leading classic car Price Guide to keep our prices in line with the current market. By leveraging detailed data, auction results, dealer pricing, private sales, and insights from the UK’s most trusted classic car websites, we maintain transparency and fairness in our pricing. Our cars are regularly checked against market conditions, allowing you to enjoy a hassle-free, no-bartering experience.

Hegerty's current valuation of this car is based on year, make and model is :
Fair Condition : £3,400+

Good Condition : £7,800+

Excellent Condition : £11,700+

Concours Condition : £15,800+

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Why Buy from Us?

• All our cars are carefully selected, primarily from classic car enthusiasts, then independently inspected, MOT’d where required, and professionally detailed prior to sale.

• Every car is fully owned by The Forge; we don’t engage in commission-based sales, ensuring the integrity of each transaction.

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History Of The 1974 - 1980 MG MGB:

The MGB is a classic British roadster that was originally introduced in 1962. By 1967, changes were incorporated that lead to the designation of the MGB Mk II (officially the 1968 model year). This model continued in production until August 1971, and was then superseded by the MGB roadster Mk III in October 1971, from chassis number 258001.

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Like the Mk I and Mk II MBG, the Mk III is a two-door roadster powered by a front-mounted, rear-wheel drive 1798cc B Series engine. The Mark III benefitted from a revised interior, with centre console now utilising rocker switches and with two air vents in the middle. An arm rest was added between the front seats.

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In October 1972, from chassis number 294251, the MGB Mk III roadster was fitted with a black plastic cross-mesh grille with a wide chrome surround (now incorporating the MG badge) and vertical centre chrome bar. The steering wheel was redesigned, and padded arm rests replaced the door pull straps.

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In October 1974, from chassis number 360301, the model was given a visual redesign to meet US impact regulations. Large black urethane bumpers were added on front and rear with front indicators incorporated into the ‘rubber bumper’. The nose was redesigned, the ride height of the car increased, and overdrive became standard.

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In August 1976, from chassis number 411352, the fascia was covered in grey crackle (rather than black), the steering wheel was redesigned to include an ‘H’ pattern (replacing three spokes), the overdrive switch moved to the gear lever from the column stalk, full carpets were included, the fabric upholstery gained stripes, and suspension and steering was revised. In August 1977, door mirrors were repositioned.

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Today the MGB roadster remains one of the UK’s favourite classic cars. It is very easy to maintain, very practical, and has superb parts availability and interchangeability across model types. This meaning the cars are easy to ‘upgrade’ should the owner so wish. The MGB roadster is also still abundant, meaning the buyer had a great deal of choice.

Early ‘Chrome Bumper’ models tend to be more collectible than later ‘rubber bumper’ models, although kits to retro-fit chrome trim are available. 

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We make every effort to ensure that the details above are as accurate as possible. We cannot, however, accept liability arrising from any errors in the data provided. Please make sure that you examine the vehicle and check the accuracy of the information before purchasing any vehicle.