1979 MGB GT - A REAL BEAUTY Russet/Magnolia Autumn Leaf Factory Build Certificate 87, 000 Miles OKH 447V This 2+2 rubber-bumper GT went down the Abingdon production line between 17-22 August 1979 and was dispatched on 13 September 1979 to Penta & Co Ltd, Reading. The dealer treated the car to Ziebart rust proofing before delivery, which probably explains why it still has all its original body panels. This early waxoyl-type process was injected into the sills and body cavities, and sprayed as a matt-black finish over the engine bay. It’s still there. The car, as supplied, had a standard black vinyl interior with very 70’s orange “deck chair” striped seats, and was shod with Rostyle wheels. It’s had a complete new Magnolia /Autumn Leaf interior fitted (in 2017) and acquired painted 5” wire wheels in 2014 – but mechanically is still to its original specification, with every instrument and system working as originally intended – something of a rarity with MGs of this age! It has a Sharp stereo/cassette player, fitted in the early 1980s and still functional. Altogether, a real ‘period’ MGB GT, complete with its original 1979 handbook and brochure. History and MOTs right back to day one. The Journey First registered in Reading on 25 January 1980 as EDP 700V, the car stayed in Berkshire in the ownership of Mr. Reid until 1985, being serviced at BL main dealers Windsor Motor Company, and then Stag Motors (also of Windsor). It has a comprehensive history file. In 1986, with just over 23,000 miles on the clock, it came to Scotland, where it would stay for 12 years – first in Fife, and then in the Carnoustie area from 1991, when, with 36,572 miles on the clock, it was bought by a well-known Master Mariner and “globetrotter”, Edward Oliver Jeggo, known as Ted, who was a chartered engineer, and who kept the MG in good order. In 1996, he took the MG with him when he moved home to Cecilstown, in County Cork, in the Republic of Ireland, with the mileage at 55,000. So the MG acquired an Irish registration (80 C 1214) before eventually returning to Scotland with the Jeggo family. In 2014 it went to Mr. Colin Dyer of Dundee at 85,000 miles. He obtained the Heritage Certificate confirming the car’s original build details, and DVLA then allocated the UK period registration OKH 447V, which it still carries. He put on the wire wheels, and eventually traded the car in to classic MG specialists Simon York Motors of Yorkshire, from whom Doug McRoberts bought it in 2017. Doug completely refurbished the interior and mechanicals to better than new, returning everything to full working order and fitting period foglights. That 1970s deck-chair orange was decidedly past its best so Doug fitted a complete new OE spec interior, with Magnolia / Autumn Leaf seats and trim, and Biscuit carpeting, from MG specialists Mirror Trim. This includes new OE spec soundproofing and new OE spec door seals from Wolstenholmes. The opportunity was taken to refurbish the instruments and wiring, indicator lights were upgraded with warm white LEDs, footwell lights added, a new MGOC OE spec exhaust and a period MGOC sports wheel fitted. The car presents better than new inside and is immaculate under the hood. MOT: to 21 August 2018. Road Tax: Will be free of Road Tax and compulsory MOT from Jan 2020. Mileage: 87,000, confirmed by MOTs and service invoices back to Jan 1981. Drive As stated the engine and drive train are wholly original, this is the BMC "B" series engine in 1.8 litre form, with twin SU HIF4 carbs and fed by an SU electric fuel pump. The cooling fan has been upgraded. Basic engineering with iron block and head benefiting from new pistons and rings at 63900 miles. Transmission is the four speed manual with overdrive in third and fourth gears. This is the rarer Laycock type LH, with a ratio of 0:82:1, controlled by a switch on top of the gear lever, this is fitted to less than 20% of all MGBs. This allows for some press on motoring for highway driving. Braking is by 11 " front discs and rear drums. Condition Pictures speak a thousand words and I have attempted to picture all the detailed areas which on older cars are disappointing and usually only seen with the naked eye. There is a great joy in the way this car moves along the road and the natural sound it makes, a classic British Sports car. Gearshifting and clutch operation are excellent. The body is totally solid and will bring no bother. The most recent owner attended many shows and it was his pride and joy replacing with another classic as he had run out of jobs to do on it. The vehicle is stunning and very much a once in a lifetime car to own. The model is currently experiencing a surge in values for the best of examples as is everything in the Classic British Sports car market. The familiar GT outline was first introduced in 1965 and was actually a groundbreaking piece of design with Pininfarina penning this sporting hatchback. They just look better and better with age. An average MGB is easily sourced from 2-5k, to make one as nice as this involves hundreds of hours and £000s of pounds on top of the purchase price of an already very sound car. The combination of low owners, correct mileage, lovely story with great history, better than new cabin and engine and rock solid body top and underside make it all a bit special. £POA