Estimate: £5,800 - £6,800
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'The MGB series - Britain's best selling medium sized sports car of all time'.
The MGB was first introduced in 1962 at the Earls Court Motor Show and it was an instant hit. Brought in to replace the already successful MGA, this all new unitary construction 2-seater was powered by a 1798cc version of the BMC B series engine, which went on to power MGB & MGB GT models virtually unchanged for another 18 years (except for a 5 bearing crankshaft instead of 3 from 1964). This engine was coupled to a 4-speed manual gearbox with optional overdrive.
1965 saw the launch of the Pininfarina styled MGB GT fixed head coupe and with its sleeker lines, fold down occasional rear seats and opening tailgate this was an overnight success. In time more powerful variants were introduced including the 3 litre / 6 cylinder MGC in October 1967 which also appeared in GT style. Later in August 1973 the MGB GT V8 was launched but sadly never saw the light of day in roadster form and represented a low volume production of only 2591 cars.
The MGB was one of the first mass production cars to benefit from relatively newly developed computer aided design techniques, and with its unitary body and chassis structure in many ways it represented a completely new car from the British manufacturer. The GT continued the theme of innovation with its ground-breaking greenhouse design, which can lay claim to first introducing the concept of the sporty 'hatchback' on the UK.
The monocoque construction allowed engineers more scope with the design and layout of the passenger compartment, which particularly benefitted from the absence of intrusive cross members. The MGB was one of the first cars to feature controlled crumple zones designed to protect the driver and passenger in a 30 mph impact. The GT version gave considerably more accommodation than the Roadster with its occasional rear seat and very usable luggage platform. Weighing in at 251lbs heavier than the Roadster, the GT was slightly slower to 60mph but superior aerodynamics resulted in a top speed of over 100 mph - 5mph more than the Roadster.
Many Roadster components are common to the GT, although it carried some that were unique, such as the doors, wings and (perhaps obviously) the roof. Mechanically it was virtually identical to the Roadster with the exception of the fitment of a Salisbury type tube axle and different spring ratings. The new five bearing engine introduced on the Roadster in 1964 was fitted on the GT from inception.
In its 15 year production run the GT was to prove a very popular and adaptable car, with 125,282 examples built before production ended in 1980.
Brief technical specifications:
Registration Number: OLE 607F
Engine Number: 69674
Chassis Number: GHD 3120221
This is arguably the quintessential example of a proper MGB GT - in terms of being 'the one to have', this example is the right colour, the right era and the right specification.
First registered in 1967, this car has a good history and many receipts on fie for work carried out dating back as far as 1992. The previous owner has loved and cherished this car for the past 12 years and overall OLE 607F is in excellent order both structurally and cosmetically.
The car starts on the first turn of the key and runs and drives very strongly, holding both oil pressure and water temperature to the correct levels. The gearbox operates smoothly both up and down the ratios and the overdrive works just as it should on both 3rd & 4th gears - kicking in with immediate response. The brakes, discs at the front and drums at the rear, do a fine job of hauling the car back to legal speeds should the right foot get a little heavy, and they pull the car up straight and true, offering the driver total confidence.
Driving this GT is therefore pretty much as good as it gets, with the experience being further enhanced by the delicious exhaust note provided by the boffins at Janspeed, an example of their finest work having been recently fitted.
Visually the lines of the whole car, panel gaps and door shuts are all straight and true, as evidenced in our photographs. Bonnet, boot and and doors all open and close perfectly and the chrome strip that runs along both sides of the car meets up exactly as it should.
Inside, the car retains all the nice Mk 1 period touches such as the larger chrome based window winders, long arm door handles and slightly longer chrome quarterlight locks. All the dials and electrics work as they should, there is no damage to any of the light lenses and all the glasswear is free of scratches or chips.
The previous owner has added a lovely set of period Lucas spotlamps along with a battery cut off switch, both designed to offer more practicality to the daily driver, but both of course relatively easily removed for the absolute purist.
Overall this is a superb example of the MK1 MGB GT - finished in the best colour and retaining a strong sense of originality - especially inside - coupled with faultless mechanicals and gleaming bodywork.
Tax Exempt & M.O.T'd with no advisories until April 2017.
