1980 MG MGB

Description

If you've been searching for the right MGB, this is the one you want. From the final year of production, it's a 1-owner survivor with just 50,988 original miles, and it features overdrive, both tops, a tonneau cover, and tons of documentation. It costs a little more than your average MGB, but then again, this isn't your average MGB.

That's original Vermillion paint, sprayed by the English workers back in the closing days of the 2-seat British roadster. But thanks to expert care over the years, not to mention minimal use, it still looks fantastic with a great gloss and vivid color that hasn't been faded by the sun. Obviously it has never been subjected to inclement winter weather and the all-original sheetmetal fits together better than you'd expect simply because you're probably used to seeing all the cheap, half-hearted restorations out there. The gold stripes are pure 1970s glam but they're part of the car's heritage so they belong there, and even the black rubber bumpers that were so maligned by the motoring press look pretty darned good against the bright orange paint. Other items like the chrome trunk rack, distinctive taillight lenses, and oversized marker lights all remain in first-class condition worthy of a high-end survivor like this.

Black vinyl was standard issue in the MGB, and as this car so ably demonstrates, the stuff wears like granite and looks quite stylish. The drivers' seat shows moderate signs of use, but the upholstery is not torn or split and the carpets are excellent. The dash will look familiar to anyone who has driven a British car of the period, with crisp white-on-black instrumentation and heavy switches for the secondary controls. It's all quite original and very nicely presented, with nothing standing between you and your favorite country road; just get in and go! That's probably a later AM/FM/cassette stereo, but it suits the 1980 MG quite well and for that reason, I wouldn't think of updating it. For all-weather comfort, there's a color-matched removable hardtop, which in and of itself is a rather rare option, along with the more portable folding version. This car also includes a full tonneau cover for the passenger compartment and there's a full-sized spare and tool kit in the trunk for emergencies.

Not much changed for MG in 1980, but the burly 1.8 liter inline-four makes the right sounds and belts out decent torque, so it's a lot of fun to drive at, say, 8/10ths. The engine compartment looks as if someone cared about keeping it in top-top condition, with service items in good order and all the factory equipment intact. The inner fenders and firewall show off more of that original Vermillion paint and no signs of the dreaded tin worm, and most of the factory markings and decals are in place. The 4-speed manual gearbox is reasonably precise, and with an optional factory overdrive unit, this is one of the best-driving Bs you can buy, comfortable in the city or on the highway. The suspension is supple enough on rough pavement but agile enough to chase much faster cars through the twisties, and the brakes are plenty big enough for its modest curb weight. Original styled steel wheels with trim rings look sporty and wear right-sized 185/70/14 Yokohama radials.

MGBs just don't get better than this. With a pedigree that includes a ton of maintenance receipts, it's a no-stories sports car which, even at the top of the market, remains a heck of a big bang for the buck. Call today!