1974 MG MGB

BGT Coupe

4 - Cyl.

Manual

GHD5VE350110G

Gasoline

There are always a lot of MGBs listed on eBay - what sets this one apart is that it has just been driven 1,200 miles from Portland to Reno and back without a hiccup. I bought this car last year as a part of the Sports Car Market "B" Team - our plan was to buy three affordable classic MGs and drive them to the MG National Convention in Reno. In fact, there will be a multi-page article about this trip in the September issue of Sports Car Market, with comments by SCM writers Miles Collier, John Draneas, Donald Osborne, and Thor Thorson,and my wife Wendie, about their experiences driving the cars. Of the three MGBs, this car is by far the best. It has a stack of documentation from previous owners going back many, many years. It has an upgraded leather interior. The paint is very good, not concours, but very good. It has new tires. We have taken care of all the deferred maintenance that piles up on old cars, so everything works. Dash lights, brake lights, fuel gauge, speedometer, heater fan and switches, more. Of all three cars on the 1,200 mile trip, this one was by far the most pleasant to drive, and it was the one everyone wanted to be behind the wheel of - especially on the chilly morning when we left Crater Lake Lodge and its 8 feet of snow! Before embarking on the 1,200+ mile trip, the car was extensively road-tested over a number of months by the SCM staff and Harold's Auto Service, a Portland shop that specializes in vintage British cars. Work done there includes the following: replace front brake calipers, hoses, brake pads; bleed brakes; new under-dash panel; repair lighter and fusebox; new tailgate seals, window crank, seat cushions; replace fuel sender, ignition switch assembly, heater valve; new tires (balanced); new shift knob, wipers; replace speedometer and cable The rear springs appear to be new. The front lever shocks have a very small amount of leakage, but not enough to warrant replacing them. It has brand new tires, a good spare, and jack. The CD stereo works fine and has two speaker boxes on the rear parcel shelf that are secured by an elastic cord - in other words we didn't cut into the door panels, so the new owner can do as he/she pleases. It has a nearly new modern CD player with aux-in for your iPhone . The seat belts work well. The Moto Lita steering wheel is in great shape and is a pleasure to grip. As an early 1974 model, it has two windshield wipers (not the three of the later 1974 chrome-bumper cars) and it has the small chrome over-riders. Ir comes with a BHTC verifying its build date. As you can see from the pictures of the undercarriage, there appears to be no rust anywhere underneath, and it is very straight. It's a handsome car, and at least for us, has been a reliable car. If you wanted to fly in and drive it home, I would say your chances were good that you would make it - but, after all, it is an old vintage car, so no promises or guarantees! As you can see in the photos, the car is in good cosmetic shape for a 40-plus-year-old car. I would say it presents very well from ten feet, with normal signs of age apparent upon close examination. Please scrutinize all pictures before bidding, and ask any questions. All lights, signals, wipers, gauges, etc. work correctly. The doors open easily and click shut easily. The seats are firm and comfortable and in generally good condition. There is a small tear in the driver’s bolster and on the dash, both inoffensive and covered with tape right now. Door panels and carpets are in good shape. All interior plastic components are in good condition. The gearbox shifts easily, and the clutch works properly. I’ve done the best I can to describe and document the car here, but can’t guarantee that there isn’t something I have overlooked, or that some part that has been functioning perfectly for us won't suddenly decide to misbehave. That's the way it is with old cars, and if you are bidding on this car, I assume you are already aware of just what an unpredictable adventure these cars can be. Your own inspection is the best guarantee. If you would like to talk to the shop that did all the work on the cars, please call Chris at Harold's Auto Repair in Portland, OR at 503.232.8304 and mention this listing. Car has a clear Oregon title and current tags. Good luck and happy bidding – Keith Martin, Publisher, Sports Car Market magazine The Fine Print Please don't bid if you have less than ten feedbacks, without contacting me first. If you are the winning bidder, a $1000 deposit must be made within 48 hours of the end of the sale or the sale will be cancelled. The balance is due within seven days. The vehicle cannot be picked up until funds have cleared. I can assist with shipping, but that will have to be ordered and paid for by the winning bidder. If you have any questions, please e-mail me before bidding and I will do everything I can to answer your questions. Thanks and good luck. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE BIDDING: All items are sold as is. You are welcome to have the car inspected before the auction ends. However, if you are the winning bidder, you are the owner. Placing your bid on this car acknowledges that.