1973 MG B GT V8

Finished in Tartan Red with a retrimmed black leather interior, ‘VPK 8M’ is a 1973 MGB GT V8 with, of course, the legendary Buick V8 under the bonnet. It’s a genuine factory car too, with matching numbers and, we are told, a Heritage certificate to prove it.

Restored in 2012-13 by Entune 2000, the independent MG specialist in Manchester, it’s withstood the passage of a decade with impressive aplomb still presenting very well today.

Underpinned by the best support network in the business, this is an MGB that goes (and sounds…) every bit as well as it looks.

Originally painted in Teal, Tartan Red colour works very well with the fibreglass ST front valence, chrome bumpers, and composite Dunlop wheels to give the car a purposeful yet classic look. 

The paintwork gleams too and sets the tone for some very good bodywork that’s largely free of dents and dinks and other damage. The sills, wheelarch lips, and lower edges of the wings, which aficionados will recognize as weak points and prone to rust at the drop of a hat, are all excellent. 

As for those gorgeous composite two-piece steel and alloy Dunlop wheels, they are not only untroubled by scrapes and dinks, they’re also fitted with a matching set of new Firestone Multihawk 2 tyres. 

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The huge Tudor Webasto ‘Monte Carlo’ fabric roof gives most of the benefits of a convertible while retaining the structural rigidity of the coupé. It offers, therefore, the best of both worlds and the fact this one is free of damage and slides fore and aft as it should adds a cherry to the icing on the cake.

The badges are good too, as are the lamp lenses. Heck, even the screws holding the lenses on are bright and free of rust, and that’s almost never the case.

It’s lovely to see an Old School raised numeral numberplate on the back too, and some truly excellent chrome, the feature that defines the model from the newer rubber-bumper cars.

As for stuff you might like to sort out, there are a couple of small dents on the bonnet, and another near the lock on the driver’s door.

Annoyingly, a bird struck the ST front spoiler on the way home from the photoshoot, cracking one corner. The seller says it’s barely noticeable unless you flex it, but given most would want to replace this with a proper steel one anyway, this might be less of a problem than he first thought.

Again, while the MGB left the factory with an Autumn Leaf interior, it now sports very smart black leather trim that’s been subtly piped in red to bring a cohesive look to the cabin. The receipt for the work is in the file and it’s reassuring to hear that the old seats were refurbished and recovered rather than being completely replaced. 

Subtle and understated – the steering wheel is the original, for example, and the gearknob is a simple wooden jobbie - this is an interior that gets better and better the closer you look. 

The front seats are plump and in an excellent condition. The rear seat is, if you can believe it, even better. 

The black carpets, which are trimmed with red edging to match the seats, are in great shape, partly because they’re protected by some very nice rubber overmats. 

An electrical cut-off switch underneath the rear seat does double-duty as an anti-theft device and battery saver, while a fire extinguisher on the other side adds peace of mind.

The boot contains another Dunlop alloy wheel. This too is fitted with a new Firestone tyre and a tool roll and tools sit to one side. Peeling back the trim reveals Waxoyl underneath, which helps explain how the MGB has stayed looking this good for this long.

As for flaws, the headlining has started to sag, and while the door cards are free of damage, they too have started to slump just a little.

The glovebox lid has a few extraneous holes in it too, so you might like to think about sourcing a replacement.

The V8 engine and underbonnet area are both clean and nicely presented; say what you like about how smooth the four-cylinder 1800cc engine is, it’s a real treat to lift the bonnet and find a V8 nestled in there.

SamcoSport coolant hoses are a useful and attractive upgrade, and the carburettors were also professional rebuilt a few years ago.

It’s also nice to see a clean oil filter, period-appropriate servicing stickers, and a general air of wellbeing that’s only slightly spoiled by dirty brake and clutch master cylinders.

The seller says it “runs like a champ” and has “no issues whatsoever”.

The underside looks good and strong – no MoT tester has ever mentioned structural corrosion – thanks to a good coat of professionally applied underseal. We also see a good exhaust and Gaz dampers on the rear.

The MGB also comes with two crates of spare parts.

The MGB doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

The history file is comprehensive and includes a CD of photos of its 2013 restoration along with a summary of the work that was undertaken. 

It also contains plenty of old MoT certificates (“in six or seven different formats!”), a thick wad of old invoices and bills for parts and work over the years, the original Passport to Service booklet, a list of previous owners and the dates they owned the car, photocopies of old V5 registration documents, and an agreed valuation certificate from last summer for £20,000.

Everyone knows and loves the MGB and few models are as revered as a chrome-bumpered factory V8 - and if that’s what you’ve got your eye on then this has example to be at the very top of your shortlist.

Unfussy and wonderfully solid, it presents beautifully and looks spectacular value at between £17,000 and £22,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the seller in Helston. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.