1974 MG MGB

Very clean early rubber bumper MGB. Beautiful color combination, runs and drives great. Older repaint, clean and solid throughout, fresh out of long-term ownership. Top, boot, and tonneau included. Still the most affordable way to own a traditional British sports car!

Somehow the MGB remains eminently affordable, despite its handsome good looks, wonderful road manners, and plentiful parts supply. If you want to get into the British car hobby, there s no better way to dip your toes in the water than an MGB like this handsome bright blue example. This car was built before the Feds mandated the taller ride height, so it has the right look even with the rubber bumpers: clean and uncluttered. The shape is probably familiar, and it has aged rather well--for being more than five decades old, the B still looks remarkably contemporary. With straight bodywork, this one shows quite well overall. It isn t perfect, of course, but the gaps are nice, there s no evidence of the dreaded tin worm, and while the paint shows its age with some checking and modest signs of use, it looks great rolling down the road. You ll also note good glass, bright lenses, and a traditional look that makes the MGB unmistakably British. An accessory trunk rack out back even makes this MGB a little practical for a weekend getaway.

The interior is in great condition, a combination of new and original components that give it a consistent look. The bucket seats are supportive for spirited driving and comfortable enough for road trips if that s your thing. The tan upholstery looks great in the low-slung sports car, and the black carpets work nicely with the black dash and hardware. Big, easy-to-read Smiths gauges monitor the engine, and they re all operational. There s also an AM/FM radio in the dash, although we re of the opinion that if you get into a car like this and reach for the radio, you ve bought the wrong car. The exhaust note is just fantastic! Overhead there s a black convertible top that s in excellent condition, and this car includes both a top boot and a full cockpit tonneau that gives it a racy feel if you re driving alone. There s also a good-sized trunk that is finished with blue carpets and a full-sized spare tire assembly.

The engine is MG s familiar 1798 cc inline-4, whose reliability has been proven many times over by now. The hardware is basic, but that s all part of the MG s appeal--simplicity is sometimes better. A pair of side-draft carburetors feed the torquey little four cylinder, while a 4-2-1 exhaust manifold handles the spent gasses, dumping into a burly-sounding exhaust system with a proper resonator. A recent radiator up front help keep the engine cool and there s an alternator to power everything without issues. It has been recently tuned, so it starts quickly, idles nicely, and pulls through the gears with enthusiasm. You ll note this MGB is equipped with front disc brakes, a nice find on any vintage sports car, but the modest curb weight means that power steering is completely unnecessary. The floors and unit-body structure are in excellent condition with no signs of structural issues and 3.90 gears out back mean that it feels energetic around town. It isn t detailed underneath, but the undercoating isn t hiding any scary rust issues and probably helps with noise and heat in the cockpit. Handsome factory wheels give it a sporty attitude and carry 175/70/14 Michelin radials with lots of life left in them.

There s still nothing else quite like a vintage British sports car. There are faster cars, yes, but the way the MGB goes about its business is pure joy and you ll quickly discover why the old adage It s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow makes a lot of sense. Add in the appealing look, the open-air experience, the reasonable price, and great parts support, and you get a car that s a whole lot more than its price would suggest. Call today!

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