1976 MG B Roadster

Finished in the classic colour scheme of Old English White with a blue roof and a black leather interior, NNH 19P’s classic sportscar credentials are further bolstered by a set of Minilite-style alloy wheels, a rollbar, and a wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel.

Thus equipped it demonstrates that a 1976 MGB Roadster can be a very special thing; they might be ubiquitous but if you get one in the right colour and to the right specification, there’s still not much to touch ‘em.

Of course, this only applies if you buy the right one, which is why we’re delighted to be able to offer this lovely example, which has been in its registered keeper’s care since June 2014.

Old English White quickly became an iconic colour for a very good reason, and that reason has never been clearer than here.

This example is also in great shape with straight panels, no obvious dents or dinks, and a healthy sheen to the paintwork. Heck, it’s even missing the stone chipping to the front end we used to think was inevitable until we inspected this one.

The Minilite-style Minator alloy wheels, which are free of scrapes, scuffs or other kerbing damage, are retained by shiny MGB-logo’d nuts. They’ve got three good centre caps too, the exception being the offside rear, which has lost its badge.

They’re also fitted with a matching set of 185/70R14 Avon ZT5 tyres, the quintessential tyre for the quintessential British sportscar. They do have plenty of tread left on them but as they were made in 2015, the winning bidder should plan on replacing them sooner rather than later.

Nonetheless, experience shows that matching high-quality tyres like these are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The chromework is very tidy too, with straight fixtures and nothing more than very light tarnishing to a few items such as the door handles along with some rust on the rear numberplate lights. The rubber overriders are slightly perished but otherwise untouched.

Speaking of rubber, the door and boot seals are good. The light lenses are also in a decent condition with the exception of the offside reversing light and the offside front sidelamp, which have slight cracks in them.

The blue folding roof rises and falls as it should, seals snugly when it’s needed and tucks away neatly when it isn’t required. Its condition is also very good, including the vulnerable plastic windows and the painted black frame. It’s so good, in fact, that if you were to tell us it was new we’d have no trouble believing it.

A simple rollover hoop is also fitted, something that adds safety and style thanks to its triangulated design and ample padding.

As for issues, the join between the bonnet and radiator grille is larger on the offside than the nearside, and while your local bodyshop has its tools out you could usefully ask them to tidy up the shutlines on the doors and boot lid too.

The shape of the nearside rear quarter panel ahead of the rear wheel also looks a bit askew and it is scuffed at the rear. Also, some of the fixing screws on the lamps are rusty, there are paint runs below the front bumper, and the sill plates are worn and scratched.

Our man also suggests that a machine polish would “sharpen things up” but given his eagle-eyed, no-compromise attitude to even the most minor flaw, we suspect this is a job that could be delayed for a while.

The black leather interior is in fine fettle with no damage and a very good level of fit ‘n’ finish throughout. The seats are the star of the show, of course, being as comfortable to sit in as they are good to look at. They’re still nicely firm too, so will hold you snugly through the bends.

The wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheels adds a similar dash of elegant practicality, feeling as nice in the hand as it is easy on the eye. It too is in great shape, as is the leather-covered gearknob that fills your palm very satisfactorily.

Instrumentation covers coolant temperature, oil pressure, road speed, distance covered, fuel level, and engine revs, and the dashboard itself is in a very good condition.

Rubber MGB mats protect the carpets underneath – and the dark blue carpets are worth protecting as they’re in an excellent condition, with even the heel protectors having escaped unscathed. Plus, bonus points for having a good layer of soundproofing underneath.

The door cards are so good they must be a relatively recent addition, but then even areas like the top of the dashboard, which has been known to crack through sun-damage and age, is very good. A central armrest is also fitted, and this is also in a good condition, including the padded top.

The boot is trimmed to match the cabin, and this carpet is in an equally good condition bar what appears to be a square access hole in the offside rear. The luggage area hosts a full-size spare wheel.

The boot floor, which is painted black, looks solid but there are a few bubbles that would repay closer investigation. That said, no MoT tester has ever mentioned structural corrosion – and those records date back to 2006.

As for the cabin’s overall health, while there is no radio everything we pressed and prodded worked as it should.

Cosmetically, the seats show the very lightest of wear, but this only makes itself known by the most modest of creases. As for other issues, the gearlever has lost some of its paint, the steering wheel hub’s crackle finish is coming away in a few small places, and there are marks on the dashboard around the fan switch.

Trivial stuff then.

As you can see, it starts very well and immediately shows good oil pressure. It also revs nicely with a wonderful exhaust note from the Tourist Trophy exhaust system that tiptoes the line between appealing and raucous – and being made of stainless-steel, it should keep doing so for a good while yet.

Our man’s test drive revealed: “It drives and stops well, but it has a misfire when it’s cold. It’s fine once it’s warmed up though.”

The engine itself is clean without being so carefully detailed you’ll be afraid to use it, not that we’re damning with faint praise because you could certainly pop the bonnet in any company without embarrassment.

It’s very far from being all-show-and-n-go though because we note the presence of a Revotec electric fan and braided lines to an oil cooler, plus high-flow air filters that add equal dollops of performance and an addictive induction rasp.

As for the underside, the polished stainless-steel exhaust system gleams, even if a couple of its rubber exhaust hangers have perished and could do with being replaced.

The floor pans have a good coat of underseal, although this is flaking away in a couple of places. However, it’s done a good job over the years, which we’ll discuss in the next section. However, it is worth noting that the bottom of the offside front wing is rusty.

Despite not needing one, the MGB has an MoT that doesn’t expire until December 2026 – and the good news continues because its only advisory was for a noisy exhaust; that all our problems should be so trivial, eh?

The previous MoT might have been back in 2015 but that too was free of advisories, as were the three previous ones that stretch back to 2006.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar a marker for no tax, which is free of course thanks to the MGB’s age.

We’ve sold an awful lot of MGBs over the years and deservedly so; they may be ubiquitous, but no car better fulfills the role of affordable classic sportscar.

Because they’re reliable and easy to work on, and parts are both widely available and reasonably priced. They’re also cheap to run, hold their value, and serve as a benevolent introduction to the classic scene while continuing to deliver ample rewards as your experience and skills grow.

It’s not as if buying an MGB Roadster will bankrupt you either: Our estimate is that the hammer will fall on this one somewhere between £7,000 and £10,000, 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.

Which should leave plenty in the kitty to get the panel alignment tidied up and, perhaps, a machine polish booked in.

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’.