Description

1975 MGB Roadster V8

Rebuilt into a 3.5 V8 with Weber 500 carb, 5-speed LT77 'box, insulated hood, red leather, Android screen with reverse camera; well-executed build with disc brakes all round and Hoyle suspension

Dating from August 1975, this smart MGB Roadster is not quite the Flamenco red 1.8 rubber bumper B it was when it left the factory gates – it’s much more!

Converted through 2001/2002 by an ex-Austin-Rover engineer and some good engineering firms supplying quality parts, the car has been transformed into this smart Snowberry White V8 ‘B you see here.

The engine is a fully rebuilt Rover 3.5 V8 supplied by Abbey Sports cars at a cost of £2,395 with standard cam and Webber-Edelbrock 500 manifold and Offenhauser inlet. The full spec sheet is 2 pages long and contained within the ample history file.

The bodywork (transmission tunnel) was modified to accept the much-improved Lt-77 5-speed gearbox, the car converted to chrome bumper spec with new grill, front wings and rear wing inserts, and then subsequently de-bumpered for the cleaner, more sporting Sebring style look with new front and rear valences. The rest of the bodyshell was deemed in very good order and is original.

A new burgundy hood was fitted with extra sound deadening and insulation with additional short and full tonneaus in matching colour. A brand-new red leather interior was then fitted with matching carpets, electric windows installed and the boot re-carpeted. The car now rides on a set of 15inch Minilites with matching spare.

Underneath, and to help it handle and go like it should, all new Hoyle suspension has been fitted (£3k alone) giving independent front and rear and to help it stop, the front discs and callipers are original MGB V8 items and the rear has seen a disc conversion from a Ford Granada with bespoke prop shaft and Sierra 3.14 diff.

The exhaust is stainless and comes from Long-Life and there is an immobiliser fitted which also operates the door locks remotely. Inside, you may have noticed an Android touch screen unit with sat nav connected to a high-quality sound system with Apple car play and Android auto. A reversing camera has also been connected to the screen and there’ a small subwoofer under the passenger seat.

This mega looking B has covered only c.15,000 miles since its conversion, our vendor enjoying it only in the clement weather.

The history file includes the V5C showing 10 former keepers to our current, the vendor, 2--handbooks, an impressive 23 old MOTs dating back to 1982 at 52,008 miles (the car now showing 19,207, thus 119,207 – although largely irrelevant given its multitude of changes and rebuild) and various files of invoices for conversion works separated into various elements of the rebuild, the costs and details of which are quite interesting and astounding. Another file includes history pre conversion dating back to the early mid-90s. The vendor has also provided us with a host of images of the re-build which will be made available to the buyer via We-Transfer.

A mega build at HUGE cost with no holding back on spend, the car looks and sounds the part. It hasn’t seen much recent use given the lockdowns and isolation of the owner and as such would likely benefit from a service, check over and tune-up. MOT exempt, the car looks ready to be enjoyed, hood down, or hood up given its now insulated giving opportunity to enjoy this potent all-year round. It looks hugely appealing at the enticing estimate pitched.

For more information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com