1980 MG B GT

Built as a rubber-bumper MGB GT and now converted to a classic chrome ‘n’ Sebring version with suspension to suit, ‘KFC 795W’ further benefits from being finished in Vermillion, a colour that suits its newly enhanced lines very well.

It’s been in the seller’s care since October 2021, during which he’s barely breached three-figures in it – and they’ve all been in the summer.

In need of a little fettling – a thorough service wouldn’t go amiss and the bodywork needs attention – this would make a fine winter project for someone with a decent tool kit and an aversion to TV repeats.

The front bumper is the chromed version we’re all familiar with, and very nice it looks too with no damage and only moderate tarnishing and plenty of fine scratches.

The rear is fitted with a fibreglass Sebring-style rear valance, and the bumper has been removed. The result is a clean look that suits the car’s iconic lines well and is a tribute to past racing glory.

The signature Vermillion paintwork has a good shine to it and it presents well as you walk up to it, though closer inspection reveals it’s in need of work. Localised repairs have been made, some more successfully than others. 

The bonnet is pitted, for example, and there is a large touch-up on the nearside front wing along with some bubbling to the same panel.

The passenger door is also bubbling along its lower edge, and the door mirror is missing, which should be an easy fix though. 

The nearside sill is a different shade to the rest of the car, and the nearside rear wing has a few issues including large cracks in the paint along the creaseline and around the rear light until as well as bubbling behind the wheel.

The offside rear wing has been repaired with miss matched paint and also has overspray on it. The wheel arch is also bubbling and there is an area of cracked paint. The driver’s door is bubbling along its lower edge too, and the offside front wing shows an obvious repair plus more rust bubbling up.

The attractive 15-inch Minilite-style alloy wheels are finished in Anthracite with polished rims, a colour that works well in contrasting with the red coachwork. They are still free of scuffs, scrapes and other kerbing damage, although they do show some oxidation to their chrome lips.

The tyres are quality matching 195/60R15 Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response. Made in 2012 and 2013, while all have oodles of tread left on them, they’re old and will need to be replaced. The offside rear also has Vermillion overspray on it.

The light lenses are free of cracks and damage, including the matching Unipart headlights.

As for things to note, the tailgate is miss-aligned and its paint is cracked, and the windscreen and tailgate glass are both scratched.

The black pleated leather interior has been piped in red, a colour scheme that works very well against the Vermillion.

The front seats are in a decent condition. Sure, the driver’s seat is creased and has some colour loss to its outer edge – and both front seats have sagging base cushions – but refurbishing them would be straightforward and you could save money by reusing the covers if you don’t mind a patina.

The rear seats are in a good condition with only gentle sagging and a repair to the nearside edge of the base cushion, so they could be left as they are.

The four-spoke Mountney steering wheel is a bit shiny around the rim and is held in place with mismatched and rusty screws but it is otherwise in good shape with plenty of life left in it yet, so there’s a bit more saved.

Instrumentation is comprehensive and covers road sped, engine revs, distance covered, fuel level, coolant temperature, engine oil pressure, battery voltage and amperage, and the time.

The switches and controls have decently bright markings on them still, and the gearknob features a switch for the overdrive.

The carpets are decent, albeit with wear to the driver’s heel protector and the carpet immediately behind that. The pedal rubbers are also worn, so you could add them to your shopping list.

The heater has been disconnected and bypassed. You’ll therefore need to take a look at that if you plan to use it in anything other than warm, dry weather.

The centre armrest has melted on its nearside, and while the door cards are in a decent physical condition they do have some marks and stains on them, along with the odd small tear.

Rust is evident around the base of the gearlever and on the handbrake handle, the sunvisors pivots, the edge of the ashtray, the seat frames, and several fasteners.

Though the headlining is a bit grubby it is in good order otherwise and the sun visors have gone a bit baggy.

The nearside door catch and receiver both have overspray on them, and a crude repair has been made to the bulkhead beneath the dashboard.

The boot is quite nicely trimmed, and lifting the carpets reveals a full-size spare 14-inch steel wheel and an apparently solid floor.

The otherwise-standard MGB engine has been lightly modified with the addition of an electronic ignition system. It also inhales through a Weber 32/36 DGAV/DGV carburetor and exhales via a three-into-one steel exhaust manifold.

We understand the seller has serviced the Weber carburetor and fitted a new throttle cable and fuel filter along with fettling the ignition system.

The transmission features a four-speed-plus-overdrive manual gearbox, with the Borg and Beck clutch having been replaced in 1993 and 71,400 miles. The third-to-fourth interlock on the overdrive has also been replaced, and we are told that it works as it should.

The front suspension has been significantly enhanced with competition-spec 550lb coil springs from The MGB Hive and Spax dampers. The rear also now boasts parabolic springs, lowering blocks, and Spax dampers. Polybushes have been fitted to all four corners and a rear Panhard rod is supplied but hasn’t been fitted.

The braking system had been refreshed with new calipers and a master cylinder before the seller bought the car, and the owner tells us that he de-rusted the fuel tank before painting it and reassembling it with a new sender unit.

The brakes are a bit soft, but the real issue is that it doesn’t run. It drove off the trailer okay, but the engine now refuses to start – and when we investigated, the ceramic part of the sparkplugs crumbled. Best then to factor in some new plus and a service if desired. 

As for its cosmetic condition, a black substance, perhaps underseal, has also been applied in a few places including adjacent to the bulkhead and on the engine block. Some owners may choose to remove this to tidy the appearance. 

As for the underside, it shows a mixture of old and new underseal, along with what seems to be fresh paint along the sills. This, along with the lack of a current MoT – the last expired in 2021 – means it is hard to gauge its condition, especially as there is grease and oil under here too.

The MGB comes with a few spares; please see the photos for details of what is included.

The MGB does not have an MoT certificate, and the recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

Pleasingly the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust supplied a certificate that shows it left the production line finished in Vermillion. It then went to its first owner via Henley’s of Manchester and has had eight further registered keepers.

The history file also contains a V5C Registration Certificate in the seller’s name, a V112 Declaration of exemption from MoT, the Driver’s Handbook, notes on recommended lubricants, expired MoT certificates and tax discs, two Haynes manuals, and receipts from folk such as Moss Europe, Midland Sports and Classics, and The MGB Hive.

No car has better support than the MGB and there are hundreds of folk out there willing to help, whether you’re looking for advice or parts – or both.

And spares will usually be surprisingly cheap.

And that frugality includes buying this one; we suspect the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £5,000 and £7,000 but as it is being offered with no reserve, it’ll be going to a new home as soon as the very first bid has been placed.

Spend the winter going through it, which would be no hardship with a space heater and a glass of something reviving within easy reach, and you’ll be all set to enjoy next year’s show season behind the wheel of what could be a stunning Vermillion MGB GT.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.