1964 MG B

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 in the late 1980s (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 many concours trophies during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

It was also used as a reference car for the book 'Original MGB With MGC and MGB GT V8', widely regarded as the go-to reference book for restorers; indeed, it graces the cover of that book.

In the hands of the seller’s late husband since 2009, the couple enjoyed using it far and wide including many UK jaunts and even a run down to Italy for a classic car tour of around 2,000 miles in total.

Garaged and stored under a fabric cover when it wasn’t being used, we can’t recall seeing a better example of the ever-popular MGB Roadster for a very long time.

Sometimes, the fact a car has been restored a quarter of a century ago means nothing; after all, the passage of 25 years is going to take its toll, isn’t it?

But sometimes it means everything. Like here. Because this is an MGB that’s shrugged off the rigours of a couple of decades of light use with impressive aplomb.

Panel fit, for example, is still very impressive. The Tartan Red paint is still vibrant and glossy. And the chromework gleams and glints.

It sits well with a good stance too, and the lamp lenses, glazing and badges are all very good.

The folding black roof fits well and opens and closes as it should and it benefits from a very good hood cover, as well as a spare fabric roof.

There’s a matching hardtop too, but this will need some work to bring it up to a usable standard as the paint is scratched and the rear screen isn’t fitted. It’s a nice thing to have though as it dramatically increases the MGB’s all-season versatility.

The wire wheels, which we are pleased to report are painted rather than chromed, are in an excellent condition. They’re also shod with five matching 165R14 Michelin XAS tyres, including the wire wheel spare.

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.

There are flaws, but when we point them out (in, for example, slides #71 and #100) you’ll appreciate how minor they are but then that’s what you get when a car has been as carefully conserved as this.

If you think the exterior is nice then the cockpit is a delight - it’s even better. Discreetly trimmed in black with red piping, it’s simple and elegant and very well preserved.

The driver’s seat is very slightly relaxed, but only slightly and it’s still comfortable and supportive. No real wear, as you can see, just a gentle softening of the foam.

The passenger seat is excellent, as are the door cards and carpets. The chromework, such as the gear lever and surround, might be limited in scope but there’s no arguing with its condition.

The crackle-finish dashboard plays host to a fine set of instruments, good minor controls, and a lovely retro BMC radio.

Even the hard-to-see areas like the door jambs are presented very well. The wiring loom is braided. Even the boot is beautifully painted, absolutely solid, and exquisitely equipped.

It’s clear that whatever use the MGB has seen since its restoration, it’s been gentle and caring. That we should all be so lucky.

The engine bay is a delight – but then you’d probably guessed that by now, hadn’t you?

Its owners over the years have resisted the urge to decorate it with bling, keeping it clean and tidy and pretty much standard – and that includes the positive earth.

It goes without saying that the underside is as clean and beautifully detailed as everything else. Painted rather than undersealed, everything is open to view and the standard under there repays close inspection.

We can’t see a single thing we’d change, so you won’t be surprised to hear that it starts, runs, and drives as it should, showing good oil pressure.

Please see the video for details or, better still, make an appointment to come and see it for yourself.

The car's history file, fully illustrated in the gallery below, includes several old MOT certificates and bills. There is also a photo album covering the car's restoration and some of its subsequent shows, with a list of its impressive prize haul in the early 90s.

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…

That said, the only advisory points that have ever been raised are for a grabbing brake and slight play in a wheel bearing, so getting another on it shouldn’t be too difficult.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clean.

Oh, and a 1:18-scale Corgi model of this very car is included and if you Google the car’s registration number it shows another model car with the following caption: “Exclusive First Editions 1/76 - 11706 (part of four-piece set 99636) - MGB Roadster - British Racing Green - release date March 2002. EPE 17B is a real MGB and is currently … painted red.”

A stalwart of the classic car scene for decades, few cars are as ubiquitous as the MGB – and for good reason because they’re a great place for an enthusiast to start while still being interesting enough to hold the attention of long-timers like us.

The MGBs we see also run the gamut from heavily modified cars through to restoration projects, which means standard, well-maintained and beautifully finished examples like this tend to fade into the background a little.

Which is a shame because this one is a very well presented, ultra-solid, professionally painted, and properly fettled example that runs and drives incredibly well – and you really can’t ask for more when you’re only looking at spending between £15,000 and £25,000, can you?

Even better, it’s being sold with no reserve so will sell from the very first bid; if you’re in the market for an MGB Roadster, we don’t think you’ll do better than this.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.