1974 MG B GT V8

Every classic car and motorcycle enthusiast develops shortcuts to help them sort the wheat from the chaff: matching tyres is always a good one, as are advisory-free MoTs, especially when the car doesn’t need one.

Membership of the owner’s club is rarely a bad sign either and nor is a hefty wedge of paperwork. 

But the King of ‘em all is provenance – and you know you’re onto a good thing when you find a 50-year-old car that’s had only one owner from new.

So much so that you could skip the rest of this advert: The guide price is between £15,000 and £20,000, so if your budget will accommodate it, just click and bid as it’s going to sell no matter what. 

For the more cautious among you – and because if I don’t get paid if I don’t write – ‘GTA 313N’ is a 1974 MGB GT V8 that’s finished in Blaze Red and a cloth ‘n’ vinyl interior.

Self-maintained over the years by its mechanic-owner, it comes to market freshly serviced by an independent specialist and boasting an advisory-free MoT – and with paperwork so extensive it faithfully records every single tank of fuel that’s been put through it. 

Cars like this remind us what a neat design the MGB GT is; quintessentially British and harks back to a time when fun could be had at sensible speeds, when a family sportscar made the effort to look like one, and even small components like the door handles operated with a satisfying precision.

This one is very well preserved too courtesy of that 50-year love affair during which it was always kept garaged. It’s clearly had some work over the years as the offside is a slightly different colour but the shutlines are still nice and sharp, and the Blaze Red paintwork, which is more of an orange in the flesh, still gleams; it is very presentable overall and brings nothing but a smile. 

The 14-inch Dunlop alloy wheels are similarly well-maintained and free of kerbing marks and other damage. As for the tyres they’re fitted with, the MGB has matching Avon Turbosport CR22 tyres on the front axle and offside rear, with a solitary Firestone F-580 on the nearside rear.

The MGB sports plenty of chromework, and this is generally very good being free of pitting, rust, and tarnishing. 

Front mudflaps protect the sills from road debris, while nicely preserved badges let the rest of the world know they’re in the presence of V8-powered greatness. 

The lamp lenses are also free of cracks, fading, and other maladies, with even the mounting screws being bright and free of rust.

As for flaws, while the chromework is generally excellent a small patch has flaked off on the nearside rear corner of the bumper. There is also a patch of discolouration to the lower trailing edge of the driver’s door. 

The interior is still largely as it was when it rolled off the production line fifty years ago, which means the steering wheel is the three-spoke, leather-trimmed one MG fitted and the space for the radio is still blanked off; no wood-rimmed Moto Lota wooden jobbie or modern headunit spoil the vibe in this cabin.

In fact, the only alterations we can see are a pair of Kangol Reflex seatbelts in the rear, which are both period-appropriate and a sensible upgrade. 

The headlining is clean, taut, and undamaged, and the dashboard top is free of the sort of damage half-a-century’s exposure to sunlight often causes. Even the interior light above the transmission tunnel works as it should, another useful heuristic. 

It’s also practical thanks to a folding rear seat that turns it into a mini-estate car. That boot is wide and deep too, and if it is a bit shallow then that’s due to the presence of a full-size spare wheel under the false floor. 

The hatchback door also gives excellent access, and the carpets in the luggage space are in fine fettle being free of rips, holes, and other damage. 

The base of the driver’s seat is a little soft. However, because the seat covers are all in an excellent condition with no damage and very little wear you should get away with just new foam – although you could ask your trimmer to see if they can tighten up the fabric on the rear seat while they’ve got it in their workshop.

The vinyl door cards are loose and wrinkly, so you might like to pop a couple of new ones in your virtual basket while you’re at it, and possibly a new set of carpets.

Self-serviced throughout its life, the owner’s partner put the MGB into her name in 2021 when he had passed away. 

She hasn’t used it since and, keen to maintain its fastidious maintenance regimen, she commissioned Kars and Klassics to go through it in June 2025 to get it fighting fit once again.

K&K ran up a bill for £1,765 – but then the work that was carried out was comprehensive:

• Carry out a full service including an engine flush followed by new oil and filter, a new air filter and sparkplugs, and oil in the carburettors
• Renew the rear differential oil
• Remove, clean, and refit the overdrive filter
• Flush the coolant and refill the system including a new thermostat gasket
• Check and adjust the ignition timing
• Strip and free off the front brake sliders, strip the rear brakes and fit new wheel cylinders, and clean off the handbrake adjusters and grease
• Fit a new clutch slave cylinder and batteries
• Clean the entire screenwash system

Unsurprisingly, the V8 now starts instantly and has very good oil pressure. It revs with a satisfyingly throaty burble too.

The engine bay has a pleasing patina to it, but if that offends you then we suspect a good valet followed by painting the air filter housings and fitting new underbonnet soundproofing would bring it up to a standard most would be happy with. 

The underside looks to be well protected by underseal, something we are told the owner kept on top of; he might have used this as his everyday car but he appears to have been as meticulous in protecting it as he was in servicing it.

There was a mention of corrosion to the offside rear suspension front hanger mounting point during an MoT back in 2017. We are told this was repaired and there is no mention of anything similar either before or since, which is remarkable. 

Despite not needing one by virtue of its age, the seller has put an MoT on her beloved MGB. Valid until May 2026, it was also issued without any advisories, something that further demonstrates how well it’s been maintained over the years.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file includes the MGB wallet and book pack, a well-worn factory workshop manual, and so much paperwork we’ve had to be content with photographing the large box it’s stored in.

But, we couldn’t’ resist photographing some of the many sheets that document the MGB GT’s life in such detail that every single tank of petrol that’s ever been put into it has been dutifully recorded; when you next see a car advertised with as having a ‘comprehensive’ history, you can shake your head and mutter to yourself:” “No, I’ve seen a comprehensive history and that ain’t it.”

The world is full of MGBs. Slightly fewer MGB GT V8s, it has to be said, especially UK-spec cars that are still in factory-spec, but even they are about in decent numbers if you know where to look.

But cars like this, that have effectively had one owner from new are as rare as hen’s teeth – and ones that have an owner as meticulous as this are a once-in-a-decade find.

It’s fitting too that it’s being sold in its 50th year following a light recommissioning that led to (another) advisory-free MoT.

And all this could be yours for somewhere between £15,000 and £20,000 – but as it is being offered with no reserve, it’s going to sell from the very first bid, no matter how derisory that might be. 

It could almost be Christmas, eh?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET, HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays 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’.