LOT 25 – 1966 MGB COMPETITION ROADSTER

Finishes: 08:00 pm Friday 15th September

Black and White Competition MGB

  • Reduced Reserve
  • Ex David Griffiths successful Club Racing machine
  • Unraced in recent years
  • Very well prepared to a good specification
  • Suitable for a variety of events

As it is, this ‘B’ strikes us as a sensibly priced blank canvas which can be painted in the new owner’s style; Club racer, Le Jog or Classic Malts type historic regularity rally car, Sprint and Hill-climb machine or just a fast road and track day tool. The choice, as they say, is yours.

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ABOUT THIS CAR

“The Sports Car connoisseur will find in this latest M.G. challenger all that he has been looking for”. MGB Sales brochure, 1963.

This MGB Roadster was first registered on 8th July 1966, a quite frightening 50 plus years ago now, though its significant history has probably occurred in just the past 10 or so years. Purchased by Mr David Griffiths in 2006, this Roadster was extensively raced by him for the next five years. A comprehensive selection of Scrutineering tags and stickers accompany the car (please see the photo gallery) and attest to its entry into race meetings organised by such bodies as Classic Sports Car Club, Top Hat, BRSCC, Bentley Drivers Club and BARC. From 2007 to 2010 Mr Griffiths competed in the MGB at such circuits as Mallory Park, Anglesey Circuit, Oulton Park and Cadwell Park, initially carrying the race number 29 and latterly 39. Scammonden Hill Climb was also tackled in 2007 demonstrating the breadth of events this MG is eligible for.1496727908753-1966-MGB-Competition-Roadster_4

Sold by Mr Griffith in 2011, the MGB is in ‘as last raced’ condition, with the new owner’s plans to take to the track derailed by property acquisitions and life in general. One house move too many resulted in the car’s file being misplaced though it is hoped this will come to light in the near future. However, careful examination of the car has established that it has been built to a very high standard and specification.

The British Racing Green bodywork is in really very good order and it would not be an embarrassment as a road car, never mind a race machine. It is fitted with a ‘Works’ style hard top in fibreglass finished in Old English White, matching the accents on the front valence and race number roundels – please excuse the swear word on these! With bumpers removed, fiberglass valences vented at the front for brake and oil cooling plus ‘Sebring’ headlight covers (see our Alfa Spider description for Berlinetta’s opinion regarding these!), the ‘B’ has a fantastic stance, especially sitting on slightly lowered suspension and wider 14” Minilite style alloy wheels. Its chrome grill is neatly modified with a duct let into it to take fresh air to the engine bay and yellow tow hooks front and rear emphasis the car’s competition purpose. Perspex side windows and extensively lightened doors keep the shell’s weight down as does the aluminium bonnet, complete with cooling louvers and twin leather securing straps. Enamel Union Jacks along with period style Special Tuning and Castrol stickers complete the stylish yet functional picture. Solid underneath and with very good bodywork topside, this has all the appearance of a well prepared shell in good condition.

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All the appropriate safety cut offs and releases for the plumed in fire extinguisher (boot, cockpit and engine bay) are accessible from both inside and out. As one would expect, the interior is stripped out with a pair of Sparko Evo 1 seats fitted complete with Sabelt harness’ though they are no longer ‘in date’ for track competition use. A four point, bolted in cage with removable door bars is fitted and a Moto-Lita leather rimed steering wheel fronts a full set of modern race and original instruments, supplemented by a large oil pressure warning light. Classic white on black Dymo tape is used to identify the various switches while OMP pedal pads ensure the controls are easily utilised under the duress of racing. Unfortunately the front screen has developed a small crack as shown in the photo gallery and this may need to be replaced at some stage.

It is understood the engine is of 1950cc capacity and it is running on Castrol R ensuring the sights and sounds of the B are backed up with a full race smell too. The aforementioned air intake feeds directly to a single 48 DCOE Weber carburettor (which in itself points to a not insubstantial engine output) mounted on an Oselli inlet manifold. The large bore exhaust manifold has been enclosed in heat wrap though this could usefully be refitted or renewed. The comprehensively ungraded cooling system consists of a large capacity radiator with Kenlow fan, a supplementary radiator and an oil cooler so racing in the Far East in July should not be a problem, never mind at Cadwell Park in chilly April. An Omex rev-limiter ensures driver over-exuberance doesn’t necessarily result in an engine rebuild. Further engine protection is provided in the form of a dash mounted gadget which constantly displays the fuel mixture level – rich or lean – via a probe in the exhaust which might just save melting a piston or even help squeeze out a few more MPG.

The non-overdrive gearbox is believed to be of close ratio specification and it feeds power to a plate type limited slip differential.

 

While the suspension layout itself is fairly standard, the front end has supplementary Gas Spax telescopic dampers and the whole system looks to have been slightly lowered and stiffened, incorporating a slight degree of negative camber at the front. The bolt-on alloy wheels are shod with Yokohama Advan semi-slick A048 tyres. The rear brake drums have been selectively drilled for slightly less un-sprung weight and improved cooling.
An AH Fabrications aluminium fuel tank is mounted in the boot as far forward as is practical and it’s emptied by a Facet high pressure fuel pump which feeds a Filter King fuel filter and pressure regulator in the engine bay.
A lap timing device is included with the car along with its current V5C.
Though ‘on the button’, driving very well and seemingly pretty much ready for road use, a new owner might like to undertake some very light recommissioning by giving the MG a service and change of fluids. While a check of the regulations and a race preparation could see the car rapidly back on the circuits.

As it is, this ‘B’ strikes us as a sensibly priced blank canvas which can be painted in the new owner’s style; Club racer, Le Jog or Classic Malts type historic regularity rally car, Sprint and Hill-climb machine or just a fast road and track day tool. The choice, as they say, is yours.

Registration number: GCD 181D
Chassis Number: GHN3 93359
Engine Number: 189B U H 45777