1964 MG B Roadster

This vibrant looking MGB hails from 1963 with the chassis number suggesting a build date late that year. The MG was first registered in February 1964. This provenance makes our car a MK1 MGB and originally from the earliest “3 synchro / 3 bearing” models. This relates to the number of gear synchromeshes and engine main bearings originally featuring. The engine number, however, reveals this to be an “18V780F” five-bearing unit from 1974. Also, in 2003, the MG underwent a five speed gearbox conversion using a Type 9 Ford gearbox as used in the Sierra. In theory, then, this makes our car now a “5 synchro / 5 bearing” example.

To date this MGB has been enjoyed and cherished by six former keepers. The previous keeper acquired the MG in March 2012. Current and seventh keeper, Tom, acquired the car in February 2023. The accompanying MoT paperwork attests to this car’s very light use in its recent history, showing less than 5,000 miles covered since 2006.

With an earlier restoration seemingly holding up very well indeed, and well over £5,000 spent on the interior and mechanicals as recently as 2020, this represents an excellent example of the MGB breed.

With the MG T-type cars all sharing a very obvious aesthetic right back to the 1930’s, the MGB was a revelation. No badge engineered MGA, this. In design terms Don Hayter’s MGB bore no relation to its predecessor with the sleek, unitary body moving the game emphatically forward once more.

Many a purist believes the MKI cars represent the B in its purest form from a time before restrictive American Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This car showcases this design purity perfectly, especially in its vibrant Signal Red livery. The paintwork is thought to date to the car’s earlier restoration. In any event it looks great, and a nice deep shine emanates from the panels. Inevitably there are a few minor imperfections noted and photographed for your review. These include a few touched in stone chips, the odd minor dent and superficial scratches.

This MGB benefits from a couple of key differentiating features, marking it out as something a bit different. First amongst these is the “works style” body coloured hardtop. This easily removed accoutrement lends this “B” a distinctly race car aesthetic. Then there are the centrally mounted, knock-on Minilite style alloy wheels. These are 14-inch items, finished in silver grey and affixed with chromed twin eared spinners with MG embossing. A matching set of recent looking Kumho tyres are fitted in a 175/70 R14 configuration.

As well as the valuable and desirable hardtop, a black vinyl hood and tubular hood frame are also included. The former looks to be in a fine overall condition with clear, uncracked rear windows. The latter is nicely finished in black paint. A fabric tonneau cover is also included.

In 2020 the MGB was treated to a full restoration of the seats. The foam and diaphragms were replaced, and new leather seat and headrest covers were tailor made to match the originals. As such, the seats present beautifully in black box pleated form with red piping. Modern, inertia reel seat belts were also fitted at this stage. The seats fold forward to provide access to a small carpeted additional storage space. The carpets are finished in black and appear to be in fine order. The door cards are trimmed in black vinyl and complete with recognisably MG door furniture.

The dashboard fascia is formed from steel and finished in MG’s signature crackled black paint. The top roll is formed from foam and finished in black vinyl. The MKI white on black Smiths gauge set is also fitted here. This consists of a speedometer, tachometer, a small duplex gauge measuring water temperature and oil pressure and a fuel gauge. A chunky, chrome spoked, leather rimmed Mota-Lita steering wheel is fitted. The original, transmission tunnel mounted octagonal speaker and MG emblazoned radio blanking plate are nice, period touches.

The boot is trimmed in hard wearing black carpet and this also provides a home for the spare Minilite style wheel and tyre. A jack, spinner tool and mallet are all on hand and stowed in here also, together with first aid kit and Haynes manual.

The MGB utilised an enlarged version of the MGA’s erstwhile B-Series engine but now bored out to 1,798cc. Fed by twin 38mm SU carburettors the output was quoted at 95bhp and 110 Ib-ft of torque. As previously noted, this car’s engine number suggests that it is a later five-bearing example of the B-series originating from 1974. This is mated to the Ford five speed manual transmission which was fitted in the early 2000’s.

The under-bonnet presentation of this MGB sets the scene for what the copious paperwork will underscore in the next section. It looks great under here. The inner panels are clean and nicely painted with plenty of space around the B-series motor, thanks to the V4 engine originally planned for the MGB. Nice finishing touches include the polished alloy rocker cover with MG embossing, separate K&N air filters for each SU carburettor and a black and alloy MG header plate.

The underside looks equally well cared for with plenty of preservative underseal in evidence. There are also numerous recent looking components noted, including braided hoses and nylon suspension bushes.

With well over 100 images making up our document section, it is fair to say there is plenty of reassuring paperwork included with this MGB. The current V5 registration document is present in Tom’s name. This classifies the MG as an Historic Vehicle and so MoT exempt and zero rated for vehicle excise duty. Some earlier MoTs in hard copy are also present.

The remainder of the archive consists of a virtual ream of invoices. These range from high value items detailing the over £5,000 spent in 2020, other earlier big spends including the gearbox conversion and the knock-on alloys, to lots of low value parts bills. All in all, a very impressive and diligently notated archive.

The MGB was forward looking and modern enough to banish all residual memories of the marque as a serial re-releaser of tired old models. The MGB singlehandedly cemented MG’s position at the bleeding edge of British sports car manufacture. The buying public loved it... and they still do.

This is a distinctive looking example of still a relatively ubiquitous classic. That works style hard top together with the impressive knock-on alloys give this early model an impressive edge over most others. The five speed gearbox conversion certainly enhances its usability and cruising capabilities, too. With the MKI cars clearly and inevitably at a premium, this is an utterly charming example ready to relish, cherish and enjoy.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £11,000 - £14,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online 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’.