From May of 1962 through 1974, 368,089 MGB Roadsters were produced. This was a record breaker for the British sports car industry, not even considering the rubber bumper cars that followed. This car, number 354,108, was one of the final chrome bumper MGBs to come off the factory line at Abingdon. Without doubt, this one of the very LAST OF THE BEST!

In my opinion, a later chrome bumper MGB is a treasure, because it incorporates all the changes and improvements by MG and their dedicated workers over the years. For example, in October of 1964, the 3 main bearing crankshaft was replaced by the more hardy 5 main bearing power plant. By the way, I talked to a gentleman recently that has driven his 1973 MGB with a rebuilt (5 main bearing) engine over 250,000 miles!

Then, with the advent of the Mark 11 model in November of 1967, the factory first introduced the all-synchromesh transmission which, over the years, has proved to be almost bulletproof, and a great improvement over the earlier ‘crash box.’ Finally there is, in my opinion, something very rewarding about the more solid, tight, brick-like feeling you experience when driving a later model chrome bumper car down the open road.

Included with this fine automobile are over 70 receipts and other documentation going back to 1989, totaling over $9,800. These documents also serve as an ownership history for Mr.Van Johnson of Fresno, California, from 1989 to 1998 and Mr. John Wegley III, Clovis, California, from 1998 to April 5, 2008 when I purchased the car.

When I came to see this beautiful classic, the first thing I thought was “Oh, my goodness.” This car is gorgeous! Judging from the evidence, I would agree with the previous owner that the body was well prepped, carefully primered, professionally painted, then color sanded to the mirror-like finish you see today. I believe the engine was removed prior to painting. Needless to say, the car has always been garaged and well cared for.

The paint is around 3 years old. The advantage of a seasoned finish is that nothing can be hidden. Nothing fresh from the paint shop, that may be temporarily covering up poor bodywork, or other concerns. The finish will have the smaller imperfections that you would expect from a car that has been driven and enjoyed. When you get a chance, look down the sides of the car in some of the photographs that follow. In them you will see a sports car that is AS STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW. I have been able to find no signs of cancerous rust. The FACTORY ORIGINAL FLOORS are excellent, the jack mounts solid, the boot bone dry, and there is no bubbling rust under the paint, even in the doglegs. Everywhere I’ve looked it’s the same story. It doesn’t get much better than this!

All chrome, glass, the hard to replace lower windshield to cowling rubber, lenses, insignias, completely dent-free chrome side strips, grill and more are in very good to as-new condition. Includes a set of 5 brand new, matching (including spare) P175/65R14 radials, professionally mounted and balanced on correct, beautifully restored rostyle wheels with as-new MG hub caps.

THE INTERIOR, in my opinion, looks as good in person as it does in the photographs. All carpets, seats, headrests, door panels, kick panels, door caps, gearshift boot, gearshift knob, steering column surround, gauge chrome bezels, correct steering wheel and horn button, control knobs and switches, correct day/nite rear view mirror, window winders, door openers, arm rests, console, sun visors, ash tray, air vents, glass side vents, glove box and interior, door jamb insulation, seat belts, chrome threshold plates with MG insignia removable hard top and more are all in very good to excellent condition. The as-new top, with clear back windows, fits superbly. The dash has been nicely capped and is without crack. The dash face is excellent, and is also without crack. The trunk has been nicely carpeted, a very civilized thing to do!

But the best is yet to come! The REBUILT FACTORY ORIGINAL ENGINE fires right up, runs cool and strong, does not smoke, has good oil pressure and compression, and does everything these trustworthy little power plants have been doing so well for so many years. Includes correct SU carburetors.

Receipts over the years include a new brake master cylinder, new brakes, fuel pump and lines, rebuilt carburetors, new exhaust system, alternator, clutch master and slave cylinders, aluminum valve cover, chrome dashpot covers, gulp valve, R&R intake and exhaust manifolds, throttle cable, rear springs, water pump, front end bushings, a new clutch and throw out bearing, numerous replaced external engine components, and much more. Receipts, including machine shop work, also indicate a complertely rebuilt engine IN JUNE OF 2005 with an estimated 2,000 miles or less since then. Many of the external engine components were replaced at the time of rebuild as well.

The clutch is solid, the transmission as smooth as glass, the brakes and emergency brake work well, the steering responsive, the suspension tight, and the car is a joy on the open road. My MG mechanic has made sure that all the fluids are fresh and full, and has given the car his blessing! So all you need to do is get in, turn on the key, and take off down the road! The odometer shows 21,470 miles, believed to be 121,470 miles.

WHAT WORKS? Among other things, ALL CORRECT SMITHS GAUGES, including gas, oil pressure, speedometer, odometer, tachometer, and heat gauges, headlights, including high and low beams, tail lights, including brake lights and running lights, both front and back driver and passenger side lights, front running lights, turn signals, including tail light flashers, front running light flashers and dash flashers, dash gauge illumination, interior trunk light, fan, horn, choke, license plate lights, cigarette lighter, interior and exterior door openers, interior door locks, exterior door locks, window winders, interior side vent latches, forward and back seat bottom and seat back adjustments, glove box lock, trunk lock and more. Currently the interior courtesy light is not working, but a new one has been ordered from Moss motors. The above is based on my personal observation, and is not a professional inspection or warranty, nor is it an exhaustive analysis of what is correct, or not correct for this year automobile. You can expect that some things may not work up to your mechanics standards, and that he/she will most likely find additional work that he would like to do.

Includes a removable hard top (as well as soft top) a correct rostyle spare with a brand new radial tire matching the four on the road, spare tie down, factory jack, a full tonneau (that covers the entire cockpit) in very good condition, tonneau bars, the previously mentioned new interior courtesy light, one ignition key, one glove box key, one door/trunk key, a key ring with leather MG medallion, the previously mentioned receipts, a JVC CD Receiver Instruction manual, a correct ORIGINAL OWNERS MANUAL (not a reproduction), a 1962-1980 Haynes 240pg. MGB Automotive Repair Manual, and a mint condition ORIGINAL 1974 DEALER BROCHURE that reads, in part:

Also includes good California title, still in the previous owners name. Bill of Sale will include “This car sold as is, with no guarantees or warranties expressed or implied.”