1936 MG NB 4-Seater

Originally a UK-registered, right-hand drive example, ‘CYF 756’ appears to have gone to Holland in around 1968 before it returned to the United Kingdom to be reunited with its original registration number. 

The seller was originally looking for a fixed-roof, six-cylinder MG but, despite casting his net far and wide, was unable to find one. However, a contact offered him this, one of the last six-cylinder, four-seater MGs that had been spared the indignity of being converted to K3 specification, a combination he couldn’t resist. 

He started restoring it in 2015, eking the job out to 2020; he told us that he takes great pleasure in restoring vintage cars, so didn’t feel the need to rush. 

Nicely shaken down now with 1,280 miles under its wheels, it is “well known to the Vintage Sports Car Club and MG car club's triple M register” and comes with a VSCC eligibility document that shows that it still all-original bar a mildly tuned engine.

It’s an absolute beauty, isn’t it? With peerless panel alignment and impressive shutlines, it looks every inch the thoroughbred with its 18-inch wire wheels, cutaway doors, cycle wings, bonnet louvres, and huge Lucas King of the Road headlamps that come with matching door mirrors.

The red paintwork gleams and has been very well applied with no obvious flaws or effects in its application. Cracks have developed at the base of the offside front wing, but that’s it for problems relating to the respray.

And the smaller details are just as impressive: We spotted MG door handles; a solitary driving light that’s echoed by a similarly-sized Lucas horn; trafficators; extravagant door hinges; a body-coloured radiator grille with a sparkling chrome surround; and windscreen wipers plus a pair of aeroscreens for those times when you want to drive with the windscreen folded down.

Speaking of al fresco driving, its proportions are so perfect, you probably wouldn’t even think it was a four-seater until you saw it with the roof in place. 

That (new) roof also furls and unfurls smoothly, fits snugly, and tucks away neatly beneath its equally-new cover. Of course, there’s no damage or wear whatsoever, just taut panels, consistent stitching, and perfectly clear plastic windows fore and aft. New side screens too, to keep you nice and cosy no matter what’s happening outside.

Of course, being a VSCC-eligible car it also comes with a tonneau cover, which is also new; you probably wouldn’t get drummed out of the club if anyone caught you using the hood and side screens but you’ll certainly gain Brownie points for arriving in a snowstorm protected by nothing more than the tonneau; this is, after all, why Irvin invented the sheepskin flying jacket and don’t let the RAF tell you otherwise. 

The painted wire wheels are in a lovely condition with no significant blemishes or rust. They’re also fitted with a matching set of 4.50-18 Excelsior tyres. Obviously, these are new and still have excellent tread left on them.

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 chromework is good and while there is a small amount of tarnishing and pitting in places, what little there is is barely noticeable and, in our opinion, just adds a little character. 

Of course, despite only have been used for a few club events, it has accumulated a few marks. We spotted glue on the offside of the hood, a scratch on the nearside bonnet, and scuffs on the nearside front wheelarch. Also, the nearside cover pin has been glued in and the adhesive is showing. 

The red trim works beautifully with the burr walnut to produce a cockpit that’s as timeless and elegant as it would have been 90 years ago when the car was new. 

In fact, it’s almost certainly in a better condition now than it would have been when it rolled out the factory gates because the materials and overall fit ‘n’ finish are beyond reproach: Even our in-house assessor, a man feared throughout the industry for the sharpness of his eyes and pen, described it as looking “sharp”.

Take a look at the dashboard, for example, which is stuffed to the gunnels with instruments from the likes of Lucas, Jaeger, and Smiths. There are Bakelite controls too, which are as easy on the eye as they are in the hand. 

The seats, all four of ‘em, are firm and unmarked and in such a good condition that they must be new, as must the Art Deco-inspired door cards. 

They’re also a great design with the front ones being traditionally shaped with pronounced lateral support to keep you firmly in place no matter how hard you’re pushing. On the other hand, the rear seats constructed of a single piece of material, like a deck chair or a hammock but considerably more stylish. 

Not that the cabin has been ruined by being over-restored; admire the patina on the exposed gearchange, a stylistic flourish that predates the aftermarket modifications we see in many classic cars of the nineties and noughties.

The brass label for the slow-running and mixture adjustment controls behind it also shows off the car’s history, as do the sill plates. The steering wheel too retains a few light marks and wear from almost a century of being handled, something we love to see.

Restoring a car is a delicate balancing act but one the seller has juggled more successfully than most.

There are also some lovely touches such as the brass handle to lift a section of floor, and the press-studs that keep the carpet in places, both small details that no-one would notice weren’t there if the seller hadn’t bothered to fit them but which make the MG immeasurably better by their presence.

Naturally, everything we tested works as it should, although we do think the indicators are flashing faster than they should. 

As for blemishes, there are light marks on the back of the front seats and the edge of the driver’s seat plus a spot of glue between the veneer above the speedometer and the top of the dashboard.

The engine, which has been rebuilt with PB pistons to an increased capacity of 1408cc, starts and idles as it should, the perfectly balanced inline-six being very smooth indeed when revved. 

The increased power and attention to detail in refurbishing the rest of the mechanical components resulted in Our Man returning from his test drive with a huge smile on face and gibbering: “It drives great!” 

The charging has been converted to two-brush dynamo, and there’s also a remote oiling point, which’ll make the all-important lubrication schedule easier to adhere to. Toolboxes tucked away underneath the windscreen give space for tools and spares, while a bracket on the bulkhead provides somewhere to store six sparkplugs securely on the off chance you need to replace them mid-tour.

Being able to maintain your own sportscar is a large part of the vintage appeal, and this underbonnet area is beautifully laid out and curated, with everything being both clean and accessible. 

The components are also easy to understand, which makes a car like this a great choice for an enthusiast who’s keen to learn more. Of course, the fact they have such an passionate following as well as peerless support from garages and retailers does their cause no harm. 

The underside is so well-restored and clean that the only negatives we can find to mention are some rusty washers and a few cobwebs, which is truly a #firstworldproblem, eh?

A battery conditioner and a fire extinguisher are included.

The MG does not need an MoT certificate and nor does it have one. 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

We are told that it still wears its original 1930’s registration number, and it’s nice to see the black-and-silver numberplates show a little patina.

The VSCC Eligibility Document that accompanies it will not only widen your drinking circle, it could even offer the opportunity to attend shows and competitive events. 

For many the inter-war years remain the sweet spot of classic/vintage car design; lightweight and simple, cars of that era are as easy to maintain as they are rewarding to drive. 

Easy on the eye too, and we can see why so many folk are content to use them to potter to the beach or pub and sit and admire them.

And then some join clubs like the VSCC in order to hillclimb ‘em, or rally ‘em, or even just show ‘em off in an atmosphere of unrivalled conviviality.

Perhaps best of all, even the great cars, cars like this impeccably restored MG NB, remain good value: We suspect the virtual hammer will fall on this one at a point between £35,000 and £45,000, which is peanuts considering the fun you’re going to have together. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) 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’.