1967 MGB ROADSTER
ENGINE 1798cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 95bhp@5400rpm TORQUE 110lb ft@3000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 104mph 0-60MPH 12sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 22-29mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed man + o/d MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 5023 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
It starts easily with no choke engaged and drives really tautly – this must be what a new MGB felt like back in 1967. It goes well, the ride is quiet and well-controlled, the unservoed brakes feel pleasingly firm and the gearchange is excellent once warmed up. We weren’t able try the overdrive for ourselves because the wires were disconnected from the switch on the day, but later investigation proved that it works perfectly, as per Runnymede’s advert. Oil pressure is a very healthy 65psi at 2500rpm, rising to 70psi with more revs, and still over 40psi at warm tick-over.
BODYWORK CHECK
The car is rot-free and protected by Waxoyl underneath and in box sections, as evidenced by the plastic plugs in the door shuts. The floors are perfect and the sill joints still sharp, with clear drain holes. Cosmetically, it’s just settling in nicely, now showing only a few minor blemishes in the otherwise very attractive paint – and you have to look quite hard to spot them. A small area of paint is losing its grip around the offside tail-light, there’s a tiny area of bubbling at the top of the driver’s door and one small chip on the nose of the bonnet. The chrome is all good, as is the hood, with a clear rear window, though there is a single tape repair inside one of the seams.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
Inside, the carpets are unworn, having been protected by rubber over mats. The door trims are very good and the seat leather is just taking on a few creases – more so on the driver’s side. There’s one small blemish in the dashboard crackle finish between the heater controls and one starcrack in the top roll above the main instruments – all minor quibbles. A nice touch, though, is that the speakers are cut into the side trims behind the seats, effectively out of sight.
UNDER THE BONNET
The motor is tidy and leak-free, wearing standard air and oil filters, and still running points ignition. The coolant tank is full, and oil cleanish. The car is sold with tools including wheel hammer, plus a good history file that includes correspondence between previous owners and an album of photographs showing the restoration work that took place, we suspect, in 2009, though there are no corresponding bills to confirm.
THE CCW VIEW
This very late MkI was reshelled around ten years ago and, judging from old MoTs, has covered barely 5000 miles since. Other than the Heritage bodyshell, it’s pleasingly original, still with lever-arm dampers all round and the standard mechanical fan. The asking price has been lowered recently from £21,950 – strong money for an MGB, but warranted by its impressive overall condition.