1971 MGB GT
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This matching numbers car has been owned by the same husband and wife from new. One turn of the key produces an instant start and the B-series warms up quickly, maintaining a healthy oil pressure. The clutch is light, biting at just over half travel, while the brakes are strong and the pedal free from any sponginess. The overdrive works as intended on third and fourth, and there are no worrying knocks or rattles from the suspension.
BODYWORK CHECK
BL offered the unusual ‘Bedouin’ colour for just one year (1971) and close inspection suggests that the car was resprayed at least a decade ago. It’s not perfect but requires no work – the body is rust-free with just age-related blemishes. There’s a slight crack to the tailgate’s finish and while the offside rear quarter panel has two tiny dents in it, the paint hasn’t cracked. Silicone spots are visible at several points on the body under close scrutiny, but the chrome has aged well. The sills and jacking points are excellent and the underside looks well protected, free from patched sections and repairs.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
An MGB with its factory rubber flooring still fitted is very rare nowadays – most have been replaced by carpets. Lifting these reveals solid, original floor pans. The Autumn Leaf factory seat covers have no rips or damage and the interior still features several unique additions – including a cork fitted over the glove box key – made by the Isle of Wight couple who enjoyed this car for decades. All the dials and gauges work correctly, although the Radiomobile MW/LW radio doesn’t appear to be able to locate a station. The driver’s door capping vinyl cover needs to be re-glued back into position, but a shampoo would bring the carpet over the transmission tunnel and boot area up to show standard.
UNDER THE BONNET
The engine bay is clean and the original engine looks to be in great order with no signs of leaks. Show plaques decorate the slam panel and the extensive history file reveals that it was purchased from the BL dealer in Shanklin for the August (K-suffi x) registration. The original ‘Passport to Service’ contains dealer stamps to 28k miles in the 1980s and MoT certificates trace the mileage back to 1984.
THE CCW VIEW
This MGB has plenty of unique features, but its front to back originality is its main virtue. It has retained all of the previous owners’ additions, including the magnetic ally-fixed mini-bin in the footwell. The decades of enjoyment and care are reflected in every aspect of this car. This rare colour is a further plus point, so prospective buyers beware of altering the sGpreacnifit Fcoatridon!