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While Roadster Salon has been Nationally recognized as the leading restorer of Italian convertibles in North America, our foray into British cars has only been in recent. We've discovered the following for Triumph and MG convertibles is strong, and the British crowd is even larger and just as enthusiastic as the Italian car devotees. Don't worry Italiani's---there's no shortage of love for pasta around here. But vintage British convertibles are certainly an alternative to Italian classics for some buyers, and have a unique appeal all their own.While a bit less sophisticated than their Italian counterparts, this is a plus for customers who choose to do their own repairs. There is clearly a hierarchy in British sports car fandom, with Aston Martin and Jaguar E types currently enjoying their position on the top wrung. Classics like the Austin Healy and Triumph TR6 are not far behind as more affordable options. Classic MG's are quite popular too, especially pre-1974 models with chrome bumpers. Later MGB's are a great value however, and can be upgraded with Roadster Salon's chrome bumper and grille packages to maintain the classic 1960's vintage look. The MGB in particular has a huge following. Although many of these lovely cars have fallen victim to rust devils, the solid chassis that remain have become more valuable than they were just a few years ago. Roadster Salon currently has about 20 MGB convertibles in stock ready for immediatel delivery or restoration with low miles from 1968-1980. Colors include BRG, Magenta, French Blue, Red, Orange and Yellow.Rare overdrive versions available too! Ask your salesperson for details History and commentary This particular example was a dry chassis in very nice condition. Paint is partly original, and reasonable for a car of this age.Initially, we were undecided how far to take this particular MGB. For example, "Avanzato" level Fiat spiders represent our mid-range price approach and start at about $40K plus the cost of the chassis. The "Avanzato" restoration is the least expensive full cosmetic and mechanical rebuild in our program. Our quandary was that many customers will be satisfied with the car as it stands--looking like a classic example of a solid "driver". The problem with the restoration of any vehicle is that the number of man hours and materials needed to do the job properly can easily exceed the value of the car. For example, even at a nominal labor rate of $100 per hour, a shop can easily spend 500-600 man hours restoring a single car. High-end projects can reach double that time, with some companies charging over $150 per hour for their services. Consequently, there is always a question of time versus return that must be considered with every project. Ambitious folks who buy cars in need of restoration with the intent on doing most of the work themselves have become our best customers. It is easy to get overwhelmed by projects where expertise and resources quickly go beyond the most dedicated enthusiasts. The model year, condition and potential of this MGB make a proper restoration easy to justify.Put simply, the better the starting point---the better the outcome. The bones are excellent, and miles extremely low. The entire sub structure is amazingly clean for a nearly 40 year old car. All considered, we decided to offer this car as is, with an option to upgrade paint and mechanical condition. As is, the price in line with other low mile examples with original overdrive. Mechanical and Driving Impressions Engine is dry with no leaks. Our service technicians checked compression, rebuilt the carbs and tuned the motor. Fuel delivery and tank were checked and cleaned. Wear components like brakes and suspension members were checked. Rear end checked for leaks and re-sealed. Cooling system also checked and freshened. Price was kept in check by limiting time with electrical system, but all gauges work and car starts without complaint or hesitation. Some electrical upgrades are available, but would be at an additional charge. The driving experience was pleasant. The character of a four-cylinder British engine is very different from an Italian twin cam. We can certainly understand the appeal. An MGB is a fun drive. Very few vintage cars can match its relative ease of upkeep. These are simple cars with huge upside if kept in top condition. During our test loop, the car was well behaved, and showed no signs of irritability. Acceleration, braking and handling exceeded our expectations. Solid Car! Cosmetic comments Interior very clean, commensurate with what you would expect from an original 30K mile car. Exterior has shine, with a few spots where the clear coat is a bit tired. Could benefit from a re-spray, but unnecessary. Really nice for the money Market Report The following data was taken from NADA classic car guide, which shows values in the $25-30K range for a top quality car that is driven and shown. This does not include premium values for 100 point show cars that are transported and not driven on the street. Trends for this model are consistently higher, with 68-74 versions showing particular strength. Our asking price is below the current market for comparable MGB models, not the higher restoration cost. Pricing $13,995 as is with inspection and basic coverage Higher levels of finish are available upon request, as well as warranty coverage. Please call and ask for details
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