1978 MG B GT

This is a one-owner-from-new car.

Yes, you read that right.

One owner from new in 1978.

It is being sold by a friend of its one and only owner.

As you might expect of a car that has been cherished for nearly 50 years, its fabulous condition entirely reflects the attention lavished on it and the esteem in which it was held.

Every aspect of its history is recorded and annotated in a box of paperwork so weighty that we had to use a block and tackle to get it up the stairs.

According to an RAC HPI report, the vehicle was declared a Cat D in 2010 – and, as you know, Cat D or N status denotes ‘minor damage that is repairable but the insurer declined to do so. Can be repaired for road use’.

The seller is as certain as he can be that this car has never been in any kind of crash – and he’s known the car since 1978.

Throughout this car’s long life most of the servicing, maintenance and repair work was carried out by Brown & Gammons, including the fitting of a warrantied Ivor Searle engine with an unleaded cylinder head.

Over the years, Messrs. Brown & Gammons have been the recipients of many, many thousands of pounds sterling in recompense for their countless days of labour on this fine vehicle.

The current mileage of 88,000 is believed to be wholly genuine.

The car has a manual gearbox with overdrive on 3rd and 4th gears.

It drives as well as any MG B GT we’ve ever driven and is, in all respects that we’re aware of, a prime example of both the marque and the model.

The condition of the bodywork is really very good indeed.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are exemplary and all doors close with plenty of heft and precision.

There are no dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds to the metal anywhere that we can see.

The ‘Vermillion’ paintwork is vibrant and bright.

The chrome work is free of any foxing, pitting or tarnishing, and the wheels are in very fine fettle.

The tyres appear to have plenty of life left in them.

There is a little bubbling to the nearside of the sunroof, signs of a previous touch-up between the windscreen and the bonnet, a few stone chips on the bonnet and front wings, and some scuffs around the front valance.

The car’s lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are as impressive as the rest of it.

Some of the external rubber trim around the windows is perishing.

Basically, though, it’s all very good indeed.

The inside is every bit as well-preserved and expertly curated as its exterior counterpart.

The original ‘deck chair’ upholstery is untroubled by any signs or use or abuse that we can see.

The black carpets and mats are good, as is the roof lining, aside from a small strip of exposed glue above the ‘B’ pillar on the nearside.

The dashboard is devoid of any cracks or fading and all instruments and dials are in excellent, working order – as far as we can tell.

We didn’t press every button, flip every toggle or tweak every knob, but those we did press, flip and tweak did as they were told without any reluctance or disobedience.

There is a little creasing to the vinyl on the driver’s door card and the sun visors have turned rather ‘crispy’.

The luggage area is in very good order.

The engine bay and engine are clean and dry and everything appears to be in its right and proper place. 

The undersides of the car appear to have plenty of structural integrity, from what we can see. 

This car comes with more history than the Parthenon. 

The paperwork covers every aspect of its life in forensic detail.

It has full sets of keys, a V5C, and various manuals.

A beautifully maintained and preserved 1978 MG B GT with one owner and a full and comprehensive history?

We think that makes this car as rare as teeth on a particularly endangered breed of hen.

We’re confident to offer this fine vehicle for auction with an estimate of £7,000 - £11,000. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.