Just Restored and Ready to Drive! 1800cc 4-speed FUN IN THE SUN!

1980 MG MGB Roadster Description

Up for auction is my newly restored 1980 MGB. Not a show car, but an exceptionally nice daily driver with fresh paint, great interior, and a strong drive train. I finished the restoration in July and have been driving it for about a month. It's a blast, but I just bought a another project car and have limited garage space, so the MG has to go. I've restored and sold two other cars on eBay in the past 10 months and got positive feedback from both buyers.

Here's the short description:

• approximately 74500 miles (currently driven on nice days, so miles will increase slightly)

• Just restored with full respray, lower body stripes, new trim, new carpet, and Miata seats with headrest speakers

• Lots of mechanical parts replaced during the restoration, including new battery, radiator, exhaust, and suspension components (see details below)

• Original 1800 cc engine with Weber DGEV 32/36 carburetor, good compression on all 4 cylinders

• 4-speed (non-OD) transmission shifts well, no grinding, good clutch

• Matching Dunlop tires with 80% tread left, mounted on the original Rostyle wheels

Additional pictures (over 75 in total): http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/fbrock/slideshow/
Video of the engine starting and walk-around: https://youtu.be/BrzUV9p9fyU

Here are the details:

I purchased the car as a restoration project in March 2018 from a DC-area MG enthusiast who was thinning his collection. The car had (and still has) a good engine and transmission. The paint was faded, but frame, floor pans and rocker panels were completely rust-free and solid (see pre-restoration pics), and the convertible top looked like new. There was some rust on the “dog legs” panels (in front of read wheels), surface rust in one corner of the trunk, and a dented driver's side front fender. Other than the worn carpet, the interior was OK. The original dashboard has no cracks, which is pretty rare for cars of this vintage.

I spent several months restoring the car and just completed it in July. In preparation for the respray, the interior and all exterior trim were removed, the windscreen removed, the left front fender was replaced, and the dog-leg rust was repaired (see pics). The car was repainted in its original color (Snapdragon Yellow, paint code BLVT 235). It's a good single-stage paint job but not show quality; door jams and hook/trunk gutters were painted, but the engine bay and trunk interior were not resprayed. I did some touch-up of the engine bay, and painted the trunk floor with POR-15 to treat some minor surface rust.

The main change for the interior was to install the new carpet and carpet padding. The car came with a set of Miata cloth seats in very good condition. Miata seats are a common upgrade for MGBs, and are mounted to the body with a rail adapter kit from Crate Parts (see http://www.crateparts.com/mgbseatkits.html). The seats are very comfortable and have a good range of front-to-back travel and headrest speakers (you can actually hear the stereo with the top down!). The seats don't compromise the leg & head room. I'm 6' 2” and and find the seating position comfortable. The convertible top is in excellent condition – the plastic windows are clear and have no cracks/creases. The car sits on matching Dunlop P175/70 R14 tires with about 80% tread left, mounted on the original Rostyle wheels. A half-tonneau and the original jack/lug wrench are included. All the electrical components (lights, gauges, radio, wipers, windscreen washer, etc) are working with the exception of the dash clock. You can get a new clock from Moss Motors (PN 360-960, $119.99), but used clocks are available on eBay for much less.

As for the mechanical system, I've replaced the front suspension bushings, tie rod ends, and steering rack boots. The radiator is new and the engine temperature holds steady at 180 degrees on normal days, and hasn't gone over 190 degrees, even on a brutally hot day stuck in traffic. The battery and exhaust system are also brand new; the Ansa exhaust was a NOS part I purchase with the car from the previous owner. Brake calipers, pads, and rotors are all in good condition. Seals on the doors, windscreen, headlamps, etc. were replaced, as well as dozens of other bits & pieces. Most of the new parts were sourced from Moss Motors or Victoria British, and a folder of receipts will be included with the sale. Lastly, I've also done a complete service on the car, including: oil change, coolant flush, brake fluid flush, new plugs, belt, valve adjustment, timing adjustment, and a carburetor re-build (new gaskets & needles). I've put about 300 miles on the car since the restoration was completed and its given me no problems.

Issues:

Typical of a ~40 years old MG, it has a slight oil leak from the oil pan gasket; the car will leave a couple drops of oil on the garage floor overnight. I would suggest the next owner put a mat under the car, monitor the oil level, and wait until some other service is needed to replace the gasket. That (and the non-working clock) are the only problems of note – this MG is ready for the road!

Conditions of Sale:

• The winning bidder is required to make a $500 deposit via PayPal immediately at the close of the auction.

• Have your financing in order prior to bidding! The winning bidder must pay the balance due in cash or by wire transfer within 10 days of the auction close and prior to taking possession of the car.

• The winning bidder must pick up the car within 20 days of the auction close – it's stored in my home garage and I need the space! If you do not pick up the car within 20 days, I may have to store the car off-site and reserve the right to charged $30 per day for storage.

• The car is for sale "as is, where is." If you need to ship the car, I suggest you check eBay's link to uShip shipping broker. I will assist by making myself available when the car is picked up, and take pictures to verify the condition when it leaves. If you are within about 100 miles of Frederick, Maryland, I may be able to deliver the car for a nominal fee.

Disclaimer:

I have made every effort to accurately represent the condition of the car, but that said this is a nearly 40 year-old car. I am not a professional mechanic, so there may have missed something. I encourage you to come see and test drive the car and/or arrange for a pre-purchase inspection. I guarantee that I hold a clean Maryland title for the car with no lean, but other than that, there is no warranty, expressed or implied.