MGB GT LE

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In September 1979 BL announced that their Abingdon factory, which had been turning out MGs since 1929, was due to close down at the end of the following year.

As a final swansong for the venerable MGB GT, now in its 14th year of production, a run out model called the LE (Limited Edition) was to be sold in small numbers. The first LE models rolled off the production lines in August 1980, differentiated by Pewter metallic paintwork, special alloy wheels and a front spoiler. By October it was all over for MG at Abingdon and the last two cars left Assembly Line A bound for the Gaydon Museum. Only 580 GT LE models were made in total

This particular LE was not registered until March 1981, most MG dealers taking considerable numbers of cars into stock to keep them busy while they waited for a replacement, although this wasn’t to arrive until 1995 in the form of the TF. The chassis number on this car confirms that it was made within the last few months of production.

The original Passport to Service book shows that it was first owned by a Mr IW Geering of Farnham who bought it from his local dealer, Tourist Trophy Garage, famously owned by Leslie Hawthorn, father of F1 champion Mike Hawthorn. Geering kept the MG for nearly 30 years and it has only had three more keepers since.

There are nine stamps in the service book up to 39,287 miles in 1987, the odometer now showing some 73,900 miles. Apparently Ziebart treated from new, the MG is now showing some signs of age but you can see that there is a good car in there somewhere and it shouldn’t take too much work to restore this rare GT to its former glory.

On offer here from a deceased estate, there are bills for a tune up and a service in September 2016 since when it has covered less than 100 miles, the last MOT having expired in September 2017. It also comes with an original owner's handbook.