Barn Find: RARE 1964 Pull-Door Handle Steel-Dash Early MG MGB MkI GHN3 Roadster

1964 MG MGB Description

Ann Arbor Sportscar is pleased to offer a rare GHN3-series pull-door handle 1964 MGB MkI Roadster in unrestored conditon. This car had been sitting inside the previous owner's barn for the last 20 years. We recently rebuilt the fuel pump, cleaned the sparkplugs and both of the carburetors. This car fires right up on fresh gasoline supplied from a portable jerry jug and the electric fuel pump. Unfortunately, there is an obstruction in the fuel line from the fuel tank to the fuel pump - hence our creative work-around for the fuel supply to the SU carburetors. At some point, a previous owner replaced the original style fuel tank with a later-model MGB fuel tank.Amazingly, both the clutch and brake hydraulics are still in working order and the car shifts and stops fairly well for sitting for the last 20 years. This MGB runs and drives around our parking lot and office park - but mechanically, this car is very tired and ready for a complete mechanical overhaul and sympathetic restoration. This early pull-door handle steel-dash MGB MkI is a rare find these days in original unmolested condition. This is a car that the new owner can own and drive while restoring it to its former glory. Please do not plan on driving this car to your home.

Bodywork and Paint: This MGB began its 54-year journey to 2018 painted in the original color of Tartan Red, wich is still very evident in the interior and engine bay - and is documented on the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust cerificate (please see last photo). The present amatuer paint job is truly a "20-footer" with plenty of cosmetic blemishes. The paint finish is in overall poor condition. There are many areas where the paint is spalding and blistering off - exposing the steel and forming many small areas of surface rust. There is an area on the top of both front fenders that had some crusty surface rust. We recently ground these areas down to bare metal, prepped, primed and finished them in a red enamel to enhance cosmetics (please see two photos of these areas). We ran a small magnet all over the exterior skin of this car and located past bondo filler repairs in the typical MGB problem areas - lower front fenders and the lower rear fender dogleg areas. Suprisingly, both outer rocker panels are bondo-free. Both door skins are fairly straight and free of bondo filler, as well. We did locate a little bondo body filler in the "nose" area of RH front fender inboard of the headlamp and above the front parking lamp. Unfortunately, the bonnet on this car is not the proper original aluminum body panel - but has been replaced with a steel bonnet by some previous owner. Additionally, the original pack-away convertible top frame is also missing in action. We could not find any evicence of any significant accident damage or poorly executed body repairs. The trunk floor has surface rust.

Chromed Bumpers, Trim and Grille: Both the front and rear bumper bars and all four bumper overiders are in original condition. Both rear bumper overriders have large dents in them. The chrome plating on both front and rear bumper bars is still very shiny and has good depth and luster with only minimal pitting and many light scratches. The grille is only in fair condition and is missing the MG shield on the top. All of the other body trim is present and accounted for.

Undercarriage: Generally, the undercarriage is fairly solid considering this is a 54-year old MGB. Both main frame rails are in very good condition. There is much heavy surface rust on the underside of the car. The rear spring attachment areas are all very solid. Both floor panels are rusted through and will require replacement. Perhaps castle rails and sills will require the same.

Interior: Unfortunately, the original seats for this car have been misplaced over the years. We do not have any interior panels or carpeting. The buyer should budget in a compete interior.

Engine and Driveline: This car starts right up with a turn of the ignition key, runs nicely at idle and does not smoke. The dual-gauge works and the engine maintains 40 psi of oil pressure at hot-idle (please see close-up photo). This MGB still has the original factory early production specification 3-main bearing 1798cc engine number 18G-U-H 30226 (please see close-up photo). As previously stated, this car fires right up on the first crank of the starter, runs very well and pulls hard and impressively through all the gears as the early true 95 horsepower MGB had a reputation for. We have not performed a compression test. The transmission is the correct early 3-synchro 4-speed non-overdrive gearbox, and it has the banjo-type rear differential.

Title: We have a clear Michigan title in our name for this car. We also have a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate for this MGB issued on March 17, 1992. This original certificate will be included in the sale of this car to the new owner (please see last photo).

Shipping: Buyer must make all shipping and transportation arrangements. We will assist in anyway that we can to facilitate the process. This car rolls very freely for easy pick up. Please remind your car hauler that this is a small sportscar and therefore it has a narrower width than most contemporary vehicles so it must be moved with a flatbed trailer or a car trailer with narrow wheel rails (or the car may fall in between). If you cannot pick up this car in person, we recommend trying to locate cartage via UShip. We are glad to help out the driver at our end.

International Sales: We are happy to deal with international buyers and have successfully worked with international buyers to ship cars overseas many times in the past. If you plan to ship this car overseas, we appreciate you contacting us in advance of your purchase so we can discuss your plans and timing for moving this car. It must be moved within 30 days of purchase.

Please visit us at annarborsportscar for all your vintage British car needs!