1977 MG B Roadster

‘TAL 634R’ is a 1977 ‘Triple Black’ rubber bumper MGB Roadster that benefits from being fitted with power-steering.

With just 32,000 miles on the clock, the seller’s owned it since 2012, using it only lightly in that time and always keeping it garaged.

Recently serviced it also holds an advisory-free MoT certificate, something that goes to the heart of how well she’s looked after it.

Originally white according to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust factory record that’s in the history file, the MGB received a repaint in black at some point in its life.

Whoever did it did a pukka job because there’s no obvious traces of its former colour and it still looks terrific today.

Of course, it helps that the seller’s looked after it so well in the 13 years she’s owned it; she’s always kept it garaged and told us that the only time it’s got wet in that time is when she took it to Blenheim Palace for the MGB’s 50th anniversary celebrations!

And all this is despite the fact that black being the hardest colour of them all to maintain; highlighting even the most insignificant of flaws, while we’ll talk about blemishes in a moment, the headlines are that it presents very well indeed and could still hold its head up in any company.

And that’s not just due to the condition of the paintwork because the underlying panels are largely free of damage, and they all still align well; shutlines are tight and consistent, and the MGB exudes an air of well-being.

The car’s colour also successfully disguises the size of the black rubber bumpers, although it’s also nice to see an original car rather than one that’s been ‘upgraded’ with chrome ones. Yes, the earlier bumpers are possibly more elegant than these but we think the ‘Big Bumper’s’ days have come and it wouldn’t surprise us if original cars like this started to command a premium over cars that have been converted to look like the earlier models.

The Rostyle wheels it left the factory wearing have long gone, replaced by a very smart set of Minilite-style 14-inch jobbies from JBW. Very smart indeed, they’re free of scuffs, scrapes and other damage and are fitted with a matching set of 185/70R14 Barum Brillantis 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.

The folding black roof works well with the rest of the car’s colour scheme, and it rises and falls as easily as it should. It’s also free of rips, tears, and other damage, including the plastic rear window, which is bright and clear.

Also boasting contrasting stitching, it tucks away very neatly when it isn’t needed, and the MG also comes with a very nice full tonneau cover, which could be used as a halfway house or emergency protection.

As for wear ‘n’ tear, our man subjected it to his usual close scrutiny and identified the following issues: there are a couple of cracks to the paint behind the soft top and above the boot lid, which also sits a little proud; a couple of marks and knicks in the front and rear bumpers; some chips on the edges of the doors, along with a few dents and dinks in both panels; and there are also a couple of small touch-up marks in the offside front wing.

It won’t surprise you to learn that the black coachwork also highlights the few light scratches that exist on some of the panels. However, this is largely a function of the car’s colour, and we suspect that most of these would be removed by a professional machine-polish.

The black leather seats continue the theme and suit the car’s discreet menace to perfection. Still nicely shaped and comfortable to sit in, a pair of headrests add both comfort and safety.

The seats underline the MGB’s sportiness too, something that’s further reinforced by the leather-rimmed, three-spoke Mota-Lita steering wheel that sits in front of a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for oil pressure, fuel level, coolant temperature, time, and engine revs.

These all sit in a good dashboard, including the top, which seems to be free of the usual sun-damage and subsequent cracks.

The door cards are good too, and the decent carpets are protected by a pair of black rubber mats.

A more modern Alpine headunit is fitted, along with an immobiliser and an electrical cut-out switch.

The boot is nicely carpeted and lifting that up reveals a Rostyle full-size spare wheel, wheel brace, and warning triangle. It also hosts an indoor/outdoor car cover.

As for flaws, the driver’s seat is very gently creased and softened, the gearknob/stick are patinated, and a couple of the rocker switches are faded.

Kennington Motors serviced the MGB in July 2024, during which they took the opportunity to fit new fuel hoses and a replacement exhaust bracket.

This built on previous work by Abingdon Car Restorations in April 2014, March 2015, and March 2017.

The engine bay was also painted black, and what looks like the original chassis plates have been refitted following this work.

The overall presentation is very good, and we can see that most folk would be content to leave it as it is.

We can see the power-steering conversion has been very neatly fitted, and we also spotted a Kenlowe electric fan.

Of course, as with any car there is scope for improvement if detailing is your thing but even the most fastidious would probably be happy to leave it until next winter, having enjoyed the summer months with it as it is in the meantime.

The underside looks pretty good too. An MoT tester mentioned corrosion in 2019 and 2021, but he appears to have been more fastidious than most as no-one else mentioned it either before or after.

As for faults, the only thing we are aware of is that the indicators don’t work.

We also note the fuel filler neck has been wrapped in duct tape, and if it ours we’d be tempted to investigate that given the potential for issues if it is leaking.

The MGB’s MoT certificate, which is valid until July 2025, was issued with no advisories. Despite not needing to, the seller had MoT’d it regularly to get a second independent check of her car’s condition in addition to that given by her mechanic.

Please note that this vehicle is road tax exempt.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for having had a change of colour.

The history file also contains a copy of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust factory record that shows it left the factory painted white and with an orange and brown interior. Built on the 24th and 25th of March 1977 and sold by Mann Egerton, optional extras fitted were an overdrive and a set of Rostyle wheels.

The MGB also comes with a copy of an article covering the MGB50 celebrations, and this includes a very nice photo of her car.

Finished in an unusual – and unusually attractive – colour scheme, this MGB has an awful lot going for it, not least its advisory-free Mot and recent service.

Only being sold because she isn’t using it much (she’s driven it for fewer than 500 miles in ten years) now is the time for her to reluctantly let it go to a new home, hopefully to someone who’ll have the time to enjoy it properly.

And, to help things along she’s happy to offer it with no reserve; while we think the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £4,000 and £7,000, it’s going to sell from the very first bid – and with the clocks going forward this weekend, can you think of a better way to usher in the summer?

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