Launched way back in 1962 the MGB was one of the most successful and long-lived British sports cars of all time. So fundamentally right was the original design that it changed remarkably little over its 18-year production life. The main change was the adoption of rubber bumpers in 1974 and some tweaks were also made to the suspension, the engine, the gearbox and the interior trim as time went on.
The last 1,000 MGBs were produced and completed in October 1980 and designated the Limited Edition. The LEs were fitted with front chin spoilers and the distinctive Stag-type alloy wheels. Wire wheels were an option on the roadster version and the car was finished in bronze metallic paint with gold LE stripes running the length of the car bodywork. The interior was upholstered in orange and brown striped cloth trim and this last of the line MGB carried a price tag of £6,445. A total of 420 Roadsters and 580 GTs were made before the closure of Abingdon and the last of each model now resides with the Heritage Trust alongside their famous collection of historic vehicles at the Heritage Centre, Gaydon.
This particular LE Roadster is truly remarkable in that it has only covered 2,020 miles from new. It was originally bought by John Hart of Hart Racing Services and was intended as a gift for his son if he passed his exams. Sadly, he didn’t, and the car was to remain unused and in dry storage for the next 22 years.
In fact the car has only had two registered keepers to date – Hart never registered it but there is a letter confirming his ownership in the history file and also the original purchase invoice from Lex Mead of Stourbridge to Hart Racing Services when the car cost £6,105.98. It was not finally used on the road until February 2002 when it was fully recommissioned with all fluids changed and a new exhaust fitted. Since then the car has only covered a minimal mileage each year with every previous MOT to verify the current total of 1,900 miles.
The car comes with a Heritage Certificate confirming its origins, the aforementioned history and MOTs, the original handbook and workshop manual, a hood and hood bag plus a full and half tonneau cover. With a current MOT and in superb condition throughout, this is one for the serious MG collector.
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