MGB Roadster Original Irish

There are few cars that sum up the classic British sports car quite as perfectly as an MGB Roadster. Simple, pretty, inexpensive to maintain and genuinely enjoyable to drive, there is a very good reason why the MGB has remained one of the most popular classics for more than sixty years.

This 1971 MGB Roadster is an original chrome-bumper car, finished in bright red with a black interior and sitting on a lovely set of Minilite-style alloy wheels. Being a 1971 example, it has all the classic details people associate with an MGB before the later rubber-bumper cars arrived – the lower stance, delicate chrome bumpers and grille and the wonderfully simple overall appearance.

Under the bonnet is the familiar 1.8-litre B-Series engine, breathing through twin SU carburettors with K&N air filters. It has recently benefited from money being spent on a full service and engine tune, and it shows from behind the wheel. It starts readily, pulls cleanly and drives extremely well. Perhaps most importantly, this one is fitted with the desirable four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive. The overdrive operates exactly as it should and makes a considerable difference when using an MGB on longer journeys, dropping the revs and making the car a much more relaxed cruiser.

It also benefits from an upgraded stainless-steel exhaust system, giving the little B-Series engine exactly the sort of note you want from a British roadster without being excessive. Inside, the black seats with contrasting red piping suit the exterior perfectly, while a wood-rimmed sports steering wheel is a tasteful upgrade. The dashboard retains its wonderfully period Smiths instrumentation, and there’s something refreshingly uncomplicated about the whole cabin. A new tonneau cover has also recently been fitted.

Externally, the car presents very well. The red paint has a strong shine, the chrome suits it beautifully and the Minilite-style wheels give it just enough of a sporting look without taking away from the character of the car. There’s also a useful chrome luggage rack fitted to the boot. This isn’t being presented as an over-restored museum piece.

It’s a very presentable, properly usable classic MGB – the sort of car you can actually get in, drive and enjoy without being terrified of putting a mile on it. With genuine chrome-bumper cars becoming increasingly sought after, this represents a particularly affordable way into one of Britain’s most recognisable sports cars.

1972 • 1.8-litre • 4-speed manual with overdrive • Genuine chrome-bumper Roadster • Stainless exhaust • Twin SU carburettors with K&N filters • Minilite-style alloys • New tonneau cover • Recently serviced and tuned