1964 MG B

Now then.

Does this car seem in any way familiar to you?

If your answer is ‘yes’, then there are two likely reasons.

You might remember it from an earlier appearance on these very listings, when it was last auctioned in May 2023.

If that doesn’t ring any bells, maybe you recognise it as the star (it’s on the front cover) of the enthusiast’s go-to restoration bible and principal reference tome – ‘Original MGB with MGC and MGB GT V8:The Restorer's Guide to all Roadster and GT Models 1962-80’ by Anders Ditlev Clausager.

That’s right, this car was so superbly restored in the late 1980s that it became the benchmark, the poster-boy, the shining exemplar of the marque, the model and the restorer’s arcane skills and craft. 

We’re here to tell you that it was in absolutely first-class condition last May and that nothing has changed since then. 

When the vendor bought the car, he put it in his warm, dry garage and moved his Bentley Continental outside.

He’s only reluctantly parting company with the MGB now because he’s about to take delivery of a brand-new Aston Martin DB12 and, understandably, has decided that the newcomer should claim the garage space.

First registered in October 1964 and delivered to the Haslemere Motor Company in Guildford, this ‘Tartan Red’ MGB Roadster (which was originally Iris Blue) was supplied with a front anti-roll bar, a Smiths heater, ashtray, and wire wheels as factory-fitted options.

Restored by Derek Mayor (there is a photo album of the work in the history file), this chrome-bumpered icon has been featured in magazine articles, has graced the front cover of the Haynes MGB restoration manual, and won more cups, rosettes and medals than Real Madrid, Desert Orchid and Michael Phelps combined. 

We’re confident that if it had carried on competing for honours it would have ended up with a Knighthood and a Nobel Prize.

The car comes with a hard-top and a spare soft-top.

The vendor has covered no more than 1000 miles in it since last year, when he had the car thoroughly checked over, serviced, and replaced the core plugs and a section of brake pipe.

The condition of the bodywork is really very impressive, as you would hope and expect of a car that’s triumphed at countless Concours events, and we’ve seen no cracks, holes, creases, ripples, dinks or dents of any significance anywhere. 

The ‘Tartan Red’ paintwork is equally untroubled by use, wear or the passage of time. It has plenty of lustre and depth of shine and really pops in the sunshine. 

The shut-lines and panel gaps are as consistent and even as they would have been when it left the Abingdon factory.

The chrome work is in fine fettle throughout and the wire wheels seem blissfully unsullied by wear, age or mishap. 

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings wire wheels appear to be in excellent order, as do the matching Michelin tyres.

There is nothing more to show for this car’s 60 years of life than a few small stone chips in the usual places – the ‘nose’ of the car, the front valance, the bonnet and the forward-facing aspects of the wheel arches.

The black vinyl soft-top is following the same script in terms of quality and condition. So, too, is the tonneau cover.

The hard-top has a few scuffs and scratches in evidence here and there. 

You won’t be amazed to learn that it’s a similar story of excellence on the inside.

The black upholstery with its red piping is in fine condition and has yet to earn a meaningful crease let alone any ingrained patina.

The door cards are in equally impressive condition, as are the carpets and mats throughout.

The linings of both the hard- and soft-tops are good, save for a couple of stains that would no doubt promptly surrender if threatened with a soapy chamois.

The boot, which contains a spare wheel, some tools and a box of various spares and parts, is very good, too.

The steering wheel, gear lever, instruments, dials and original BMC radio all look to be in pretty much unimpeachable condition.

We didn’t press every button, flip every toggle or tweak every knob, but those we did press, flip and tweak did as they were instructed without misbehaving. 

The vendor tells us that, as far as he’s aware, everything works as intended.

The engine bay is spectacularly clean, shiny, dry and tidy. 

We’d give it 5 stars on a food hygiene scale, never mind a mechanic’s report, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car look to have a good deal of structural integrity and seem to us to be uncompromised by time, weather or use. 

This car comes with all manner of books, magazines, articles, photographs, correspondence, bills, receipts, invoices and old MoT certificates. 

Some of the books and magazine articles are actually about this specific car.

Remarkably, it even comes with a boxed Corgi model of an MGB. Yes, you’ve guessed it, it’s wearing the famous ‘EPE 17B’ registration plate. 

We found another ‘EPE 17B’ Corgi model for sale on Ebay – even that was £85.00.

We can’t remember seeing a car that comes with better bona fides or more impressive provenance.

Frankly, we’re surprised it was never handed a big red book by Eamonn Andrews.

This is the MGB of MGBs.

It is rightly, justly and understandably famous. 

It is recognised by those in the know. 

It is lauded and applauded wherever it goes.

Unless it passes our way again, we’re pretty sure we won’t see an MGB quite this good for many, many years to come.

EPE 17B really is a bit special. 

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £16,000 - £24,000. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. 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’.