MGB GT

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All old cars have character but some have more than most – just looking at this MGB GT immediately sparks a glow of affection and you instinctively know that it has an interesting story behind it. What a shame it has too little paperwork to tell its tale in full.

All we do know is that it has had just three owners from new in September 1967, according to the V5C, the first of whom kept it right up until 2003 when it was acquired by the Pembrokeshire Motor Museum where it was on display for the next 15 years. The rear number plate is clearly original and is a Pembrokeshire issue so it can’t have travelled far in its 52 years to date, although whether the meagre 15,630 miles on the clock is correct, who knows? It is certainly in amazingly well-preserved condition underneath and has such an authentic air to it that we can’t help feeling the mileage could well be genuine.

Entranced by the condition of the car, our vendor acquired KDE 500F from the museum in January last year thinking that he would have it back on the road in no time. However, years of inactivity had taken a toll on the mechanical aspects of the MG and the more he dug into it, the more problems he found.

One thing led to another and before he knew it our vendor, a professional mechanic with decades of experience, had chucked almost £6,500 at the car in parts alone, although he does admit that he got a bit carried away and ended up replacing things that probably didn’t need it.

To give you a flavour of the work carried out to date, the engine has been fully rebuilt with an unleaded head and the overdrive gearbox has also been reconditioned. Other new or refurbished parts include: clutch assembly; prop shaft; radiator; oil cooler; starter motor; dynamo; wiring harness; king pins; wishbones; dampers; brake discs; calipers; steering rack; exhaust; fuel pump; fuel tank – you get the picture!

Flying through its first MOT for decades in February this year with no advisories recorded, this freshly rejuvenated GT just oozes character and is barely run-in yet. We like it a lot and we feel sure that its fortunate fourth owner will get very attached to it too.