BF Auction: 1976 MGB Roadster
- Seller: Clifton M
- Location: Athens, Ohio
- Mileage: 68,756 Shown
- Chassis #: GHN5UG407142G
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1.8 Liter 4-cylinder
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
The MGB doesn’t have the highest top speed or go from zero to sixty incredibly fast, but it’s about as pure a sports car experience as you can get. It’s simple, attractive, durable, and, most importantly, fun! There’s a reason that MG built over half a million MGBs: people love to drive them. The seller purchased it a little over a year ago and has enjoyed it but decided it’s time to let someone else enjoy this sports car. So, if you’d love to be its next owner, be sure to bid below.
The previous owner purchased the car from their father, who had acquired it in 2010. During its time with their family, it received a Weber carburetor, Pierce intake manifold, new top, roll bar, brakes serviced, and side trim deleted. Besides installing a new fuel pump, the seller has just enjoyed driving the car. When it’s not on the road, it’s been stored safely away in the garage. The seller notes that the tires are in good shape with lots tread left.
There are a few minor flaws, mainly inside the car. The driver’s seat has a tear, which is common for these, and the carpets are starting to show their age. Replacements are available to make it look new again. The seller also notes that while the convertible top and window are in good overall condition, a few grommets need replacing. All of the gauges are said to be working.
One of the MGB’s greatest strengths is its durability. The 1.8-liter inline-4 engine is robust and easy to work on. MG rated the engine at 95 horsepower for 1976, an improvement over a few years prior. There’s a lot of debate about whether the single downdraft Weber improves performance over the dual SUs, but it does simplify the engine tuning process. The engine is said to run well.
The seller also notes that the floors have had rust repairs done and are solid throughout. There’s visible surface corrosion on the underside. We recommend treating the underside with a rust inhibitor to ensure it stays solid. The seller has provided photos of the rockers and underside, so be sure to take a look at the photo gallery below.
We are fans of the MGB, especially the ones in British Racing Green! This one would benefit from a little work to the engine bay and interior, but the outside presents nicely and could be enjoyed as is. So, if you’d love to have a drop-top classic to enjoy this fall, be sure to bid below. And leave any questions you might have in the comment section.
Bid On This Auction
mikek307 bid $2,500.00 2024-10-10 10:59:28
RIGJ52 bid $2,400.00 2024-10-10 10:58:33- mikek307 bid $2,300.00 2024-10-10 10:57:11
- RIGJ52 bid $2,150.00 2024-10-10 10:55:34
- mikek307 bid $2,050.00 2024-10-10 10:53:57
- RIGJ52 bid $1,700.00 2024-10-10 10:53:33
- mikek307 bid $1,500.00 2024-10-10 09:02:32
g.rock bid $1,000.00 2024-10-07 13:12:51
Harold Odom bid $750.00 2024-10-05 12:48:33- g.rock bid $500.00 2024-10-04 16:55:36
Slb0151 bid $100.00 2024-10-04 16:21:42
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Comments
Bunch of rust on this one. Just throwing something on it isn’t going to make it go away. Still don’t understand why folks pull the SUs for a single carb. If you don’t care how much power you have (or don’t have) ok, but tuning either one isn’t difficult and both hold a tune for a long time. If you like good power leave the SUs or put two of the Webers on so you don’t loose power as with the single unit.
I can understand the urge to replace two fiddly things with one fiddly thing, especially if the replaced carbs have a plastic plug in the fill bowl that likes to leak onto the hot exhaust/intake manifold. This looks like a funny little ride
@Bobhess: I agree with you regarding the downdraft single Weber vs the dual SUs – but recall that by ’76, MGBs like this one had the single Zenith-Stromberg. I had a ’76 model during the 90s and did convert it back to dual SUs. There is a minor problem finding an air filter for the rear carb that will clear the brake booster. The only rubber-bumpered Bs to come with the venerable SUs were the 74-1/2 models.
While most of the guys I know who had converted from SUs to the downdraft Weber ended up converting back to the better-performing, very-easy-to-tune twin SUs, it’s probably a pretty good alternative to the single Zenith Stromberg. And the sidedraft Weber DCOE is really only suitable for modified MGB engines.
A big correction to the text above claiming that by 1976 the MGB horsepower had improved to 95. At its peak in about 1967, MGB horsepower was about 95. By 1976, concessions to US emissions regulations diminished it to 63 horsepower.
I too would be concerned about rust, but most of what we see underneath is surface rust. I would prefer it if floors had been repaired with BMH replacements, but this repair might be just fine. It does lead me to ask what lurks under the repaint on those sills. Rarely do floors rust through without damage to the sills and castle rails – not to mention rear doglegs and wheel arches.
Still, a visual inspection by a competent experienced MGB guy might reveal a fantastic bargain here. I wouldn’t rule it out. If it has good oil pressure and includes overdrive, those are good plusses.
FWIW…
Correct.
I have only had the car for a little over a year, but due to health issues have decided to sell it. I don’t claim that this is a “Concours” car but a solid driver. I took pictures of areas that are common issues with MG rust. They have been repaired nicely or never repaired. I can’t say. But there is no bubbling of paint or other indicators of hidden rust, door jambs seem solid and untouched. There is surface rust underneath but any driver car is going to have that. The battery box is solid which should indicate something. I am willing to take additional pictures to my ability if there is an area of concern.
A serious thank you, Clifton, for your direct response to my concerns. I would still say that particularly a novice MGB buyer should have an experienced MGB person along to check the car out – but I could say that about just about any MGB. And I agree that any MGB that is driven is going to show surface rust underneath. I know mine do!
I’m seriously sorry that your health precludes you from enjoying your MGB. I am reminded how lucky I am that at 84, I’m still able to enjoy these cars we love so much. It’s a day-to-day thing – who knows how long this will last, but stories like yours remind me to be damned grateful. I wish you the best, and may the next owner love your handsome car as much as you have.
By the way, I find the young girls still love the MGBs. Of course my perspective is slanted – at my age, by “young girls” I mean those under 60.
I have always liked these cars I remember riding in the back of moms 64 ford wagon being to young to drive going past the dealership on Rucker Ave in Everett Wa. I wish I was in a position to snag this one and bring it home.
Durability Nope,think mine was a 1973 an it hated girls I suppose,ran like a top until I had a girl with me then it would always break down,to bad because it was a fun little car, definitely a girl magnet,ended up getting a TR6 loved that one
I owned five B’s from the late sixties through the mid nineties. Much of the time, I was single, and I can confirm that these cars were, as you say, girl magnets. Yet nowadays I note little interest vis-a-vis sportscars by today’s young women. Indeed, it seems they’re smitten by what we used to call econo-boxes: Civics, Corollas, Golfs and the like. As for young men–men of all ages, actually–they now seem to favor pickup trucks, which weren’t a consideration back in the day except for trades people who need them for work. It’s interesting how
often one generation abandons the preferences of its predecessors.
I sold mine last spring before moving to Europe for 2 years. I miss it and the fun times with the local MG club. Not the fastest car i have owned (probably the slowest), but definitely the most fun.
Neil,
‘Think I’ve heard comments like yours about three times today alone. Hmm… a car needn’t be fast to be fun. What a GREAT idea. Good on ya. Maybe the manufacturers should be listening? Of course MG solved that problem by making their cars FEEL fast, even when they weren’t.
“Of course MG solved that problem by making their cars FEEL fast, even when they weren’t.”
Right–and Mazda followed suit with the Miata.
Old MG lover, rather have a 77 or later. I believe that MG made the front anti-sway bar an option in 76, while from 77 on, it was standard. Could be wrong on that. I owned a 72 Midget back in the day, and couldn’t imagine driving that itty bitty car in 2024 traffic, so I been looking at B’s. This is in Athens and I’m in Columbus, tempted, but there is a reserve. I looked at a 77 here in Columbus that was primer gray and solid three weeks ago Monday. The single Weber carb was strong.
I checked to see if my MGB has a anti sway bar and it doesn’t appear to, but it seems like you can purchase kits for 1963-1980 to install them starting at @$140 and I see several used ones on EBay for cheap. I haven’t noticed any problems with handling but I suppose don’t drive that fast
I believe all years of MGBs had antisway bars in front. My ’65 and ’73 ones do. But I understand they didn’t put them on the rear until 1977. It was a late attempt to compensate for the heavy rubber bumpers and raised ride height.
FWIW…