1980 MG B Roadster - Unregistered

Following its replacement of the MG A in 1962, the MG B was steadily updated during its 18-year reign, however, the biggest visual change in the car's history occurred in 1974 when North American regulations forced a raised ride height and polyurethane-covered bumpers onto the pretty profile of the MG B, a redesign that was to split opinion, to say the least, amongst those who admired the earlier car's style and balance. With hindsight, and given the inflexibility of the US requirements, the federalised MG B was actually a reasonably successful styling job compared with its Italian rivals, such as the Fiat Spider and X1/9.

This remarkable example dates from the last year of production and has covered just 293 miles from new. Finished in Leyland White and trimmed in the Orange and Brown 'deckchair' fabric offered by the factory during the last few months before production ceased, it was presumably purchased in the hope of a long-term investment as its first owner never attempted to register the car for use, although he had arranged for it to be fully Ziebart rustproofed from new. He eventually parted with it in 2006 when it was purchased by our vendor.

At that point, the engine was totally cleaned and the Ziebart residue removed. The car was fully recommissioned with fresh fluids (including the brakes) and a new hood was fitted as the original one had shrunk slightly. The MG was given a brief road test, in consideration of the tiny mileage, and joined our vendor's super collection of British Classics. It's accompanied by the normal manuals etc. but there is no real history as it hasn't been anywhere. As with all the other cars from our vendor, the 'B' will be presented to our sale as you would hope.

A very rare find in this state of preservation, this 42-year old time-warp MG B is rather special, a little piece of Late Summer 1980. It's almost as though it had been collected from the dealers, driven home and placed, as you would a Dinky Toy, in your metaphorical cupboard where it would remain, in toy terms "Mint and Boxed" for 40 years. Well it's not a Dinky Toy, it's real and it's here and after it's registered, you can drive around town in what is, effectively, a brand new MG B.