1972 MG B Roadster Mk II

Please note the registration number of this car is XCA 955K as per the photographs, not XCA 995K as erroneously catalogued.

Introduced in 1962, the MG B Roadster enjoyed an 18-year production run. With nicely balanced handling and a good turn of speed, it merited the old MG marketing slogan 'Safety Fast'. Based around a monocoque chassis featuring independent coil-sprung front suspension and a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle, its 1,798cc B series four-cylinder engine was allied to a 4-speed manual transmission. Capable of over 100mph, the provision of front disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering greatly aided control.

First registered on 4th April 1972, towards the end of Mk II production, XCA 995K displays 84,900 recorded and credible miles and has been enjoyed by just six former keepers since 1972. It was the subject of an extensive bodywork restoration and paint in the early 2000s, with many receipts from The Welsh MG Centre and Moss Europe that document the purchase of new front wings, a new fuel tank, bumper parts and grille pieces (to name just a few items) since 2001. Finished in gleaming British Racing Green and sitting on chrome wires, the refurbishment was obviously carried to an excellent standard as the B still presents beautifully.

The car also benefits from a Kenlowe fan, electronic ignition and is fitted with overdrive. Inside, the cockpit has been freshened with an aftermarket Burr Walnut-effect dashboard trim and complementing it all is a set of cream leather MG F seats with cream door cards and matching carpets. It's supplied with the aforementioned invoices, old MOT Certificates and related MOT garage test invoices, its V5C and the normal manuals etc.

People can be a bit dismissive about MG Bs, possibly because there are so many around, but they are handsome, affordable classics that go and handle well, and with the top down on a summer's day, represent all that we love about British sports cars, particularly when they look this good.