1979 MGB MkIV Sebring style

1979 MGB Special with a Sebring upgrades. It is the perfect driver’s car for someone who wants an analog driving experience, regular usability and easy, low cost maintenance. A great car provides the driver lots of feedback, and this one gives it in spades. The engine revs happily and the shifting is precise and controlled. Steering is exact – you point, it goes there. It is the same steering that Carroll Shelby used for his Cobras and Daytona race cars.

This car has the highly sought-after original factory overdrive (rebuilt) and runs at highway speeds without stressing the engine. The Sebring body negates the rubber bumpers - a weight reduction of over 50 lbs. And the older body style coupled with the better suspension of the later model gives you the best of both worlds.

Where appropriate, components have been preserved rather than replaced, to keep a lovely patina (safety components being a notable exception).

This MGB is meant to be driven, to give the driver the most pleasure, and to be admired at stop lights and in the garage. It can be enjoyed as is, improved where desired, race-prepped to spec for vintage racing or whatever you want to cater the car to your driving demands. MGBs are perfect classic cars for the enthusiast who wants to have cake and eat it too.

All receipts dating back to 1998 are digitally stored and will accompany the vehicle.

I can help arrange shipping anywhere in the world. You can estimate most US destinations at $500-750.

Other highlights:

Current owner since 2001 (3rd owner since new)

Never raced, never wrecked, never mistreated, never neglected

Serviced last 8 years by former MG Dealership mechanic

Has been driven regularly, serviced regularly, sits in traffic fine, gets fantastic gas mileage

Transmission:

- 5-speed (original factory overdrive)

- Rebuilt 2007

- Shift is precise and controlled

- Handles highway speeds easily

Engine:

- Rebuilt 2007

- Idles at 900 rpm (factory idle speed)

- Never taken over 3,500 rpm, highway driving is usually 3,000 rpm

- New points added 2016

- Electric fans

- Aftermarket 10-coil oil cooler with SS braided hoses

- Never overheated

- MSD ignition, Flamethrower coil

- Upgraded fuel pump for reliability

- Choke installed, but never required

Interior:

- New interior 2016 (carpets, seats, insulation, door panels, etc.)

- Seats received new foam, new seat rails, new vinyl

- Some original interior components with good patina have been kept

- Radio delete

- Steering wheel sets square – perfect for proper hand positions and for shifting

- Original gauges

- 5-pt safety harness for driver & passenger

- Trunk has new carpeting 2016

- Bullet-style vintage racing mirror

Exterior:

- Sebring body conversion completed 2009

- (Sebring specials had front/rear valances used by the factory in endurance racing in the 1960s)

- Painted in 2009 in factory colour (car's first and only re-paint)

- New convertible top 2015

- Roundels/gumballs are stickers; they can be removed

- Front Sebring valance is designed to be removed/reinstalled for racing applications

- Factory original larger sway bar (corners better than chrome-bumper MGBs)