1979 MG MGB

Description

You can't honestly say there are no more bargains in the automotive world when there are cars like this 1979 MGB running around. Two seats, a snarky 4-cylinder engine and a slick-shifting manual gear box all make it one of the biggest bangs for the buck anywhere.

1979 was the end of the line for the MGB in the US, but over the decades our appreciation for them has only grown. Cars like this clean burgundy roadster are a fantastic way to enjoy a traditional British sports car for little more than pocket change. You need one that's lived a good life like this example, which has probably never seen temperatures below about 50 degrees. What that means is ultra-straight sheetmetal, good gaps, and a shiny finish on the paint that will win admirers of all ages. For a British car, this MG is also quite well assembled, and you'll note that the doors fit well, the hood snugs down tightly, and there are no signs of botched body repairs in any of the panels. You'll also note that this one has been retrofitted with the early-style chrome bumpers, which makes a huge difference in the car's look, making it the best of old and new. The paint shines up nicely, so you'll enjoy keeping it waxed, and the diminutive size means that it won't eat an entire weekend. Everyone loves the look and this one looks like it should cost a lot more than it does. The top is not currently installed as the owner wanted more storage space behind the seats, it could easily be re-installed as all the hardware is there and included with the car.

Despite that small size, the cockpit is comfortable for most adults, and delivers the true British sports car experience. The bucket seats are wrapped in textured black vinyl that helps keep you cool on warm days and wears like iron. Door panels are simple, the floors are covered in basic carpet with rubber floor mats and the vinyl-clad dash is probably a lot easier to maintain than the old wood ones. Speaking of dashboards, the MGB also includes a full set of instruments with bold, simple faces and a traditional British look. A wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel and matching shifter knob are appropriate touches, and there's a newer Blaupunkt AM/FM/CD stereo mounted down low in the center stack. There's even a reasonably-sized trunk with a full-sized spare and jack assembly, all covered in neat black carpets.

MGs were never about brute horsepower, and instead deliver a unique driving experience by virtue of a gutsy four-cylinder engine with a lot of heart. With just 1798 cc to work with, performance is still quite good given the car's light weight, and that's entirely the point. Dual carbs and an electronic ignition system give it a fantastic powerband and easy road manners without losing any of the baritone soundtrack. Combined with the light-shifting 4-speed manual gearbox, it's a delight to run it up and down through the gears, and you can explore the limits of the car's capabilities without endangering everyone else. There's a certain visceral thrill in running this MGB hard, and it rewards with great road manners and a sporting exhaust note from the fresh exhaust system. Unique alloy wheels look great and wear relatively large 185/60/14 blackwall radials.

Fun and instantly recognizable, being an MGB owner puts you into some very distinguished company, all at a very affordable price. Call today!