1971 MG MGB

GT Hatchback

4 - Cyl.

Manual

GHD5UB250306G

Gasoline

...it absolutely BREAKS MY HEART to sell this car!!!!!! To say that I've got HUNDREDS of GREAT memories with this car is an understatement...but unfortunately, I'm too busy ( and old!) for the project...MOSTLY busy! Anyway, get comfortable, because it's a LONG story! I've owned this car for at least 20 years. I bought it used at a YARD SALE, when it had approx. 50,000 miles on it. The car was completely original, down to the original British Racing Green paint....AND...it was the ONLY MGB GT I'd EVER seen with a factory sunroof! I was in love instantly! So...I bought the car...I had some body work done professionaly on the rocker panels under the doors...it was the ONLY thing that it needed. Then it was painted, again British Racing Green. As far as the mechanicals, the car ran great right from the start...NO issues whatsoever. While I had the car, I ONLY drove it summers, and it was garaged in an unheated barn winters. Oh, the trips I took with this car!!!!! I added a Thule roof rack (which was SO great!! I had the advantage of a hardtop so I COULD carry stuff, but ALSO, the SUNROOF for that convertible feeling)...it was the PERFECT combination. Bikes and surfboards for numerous trips out to the Cape and Provincetown....bikes and kayaks for MANY MANY trips up to Acadia National Park in Maine (my girlfriend at the time was a Park Ranger there, and we kept a 33' Bristol sailboat in Northeast Harbor...it was pure bliss!) Anyway, to say that I enjoyed this car is, again, the understatement of the century! PLUS ( and I STILL cannot believe this!), the car was absolutely trustworthy....NEVER a problem...not the mechanicals, not the steering, brakes...hell, even the Lucas ELECTRICAL system NEVER failed!! (THIS car MUST have been the exception to the rule!) Anyway, about 6 years ago, in the late spring, I had JUST taken the car out of winter storage, and it was parked in my backyard...and we had an INCREDIBLE monsoon-like rainstorm. There is a big culvert that goes underneath the road, and drains out towards my backyard...NEVER a problem in the 25 years I've been here...but not THAT day! The backyard flooded, AS DID THE CAR! FRESH water, IN (and around) the car, right up to the bottom of the dashboard! Now, the water only remained about an hour after the storm...and IMMEDIATELY, I went out, drained the crankcase, FILLED it with Marvel Mystery Oil, drained THAT, filled it yet AGAIN with Marvel, drained THAT, and then refilled the crankcase with regular 10-30 motor oil. Of course, ALL of the wiring from the bottom-of-the-dashboard-level DOWN got wet...as did the starter...After the car had completely dried out, I attempted to start the car (first just turning the motor over by hand)...but the starter was toasted. I went on Ebay, and bought a pair of used starters (they came as a pair...otherwise I would have bought only one...go figure...) Anyway, I still have the starters...but I NEVER installed either starter, NOR did I EVER do ANYTHING else to the car. Unfortunately, my professional life got extremely busy, and my interest in the car fell by the wayside...So, here's where the SAD story begins...the car has been sitting, OUTSIDE, since then...it HAS been tarped, but still, NOT being in the barn has NOT done it any favors...and, though I had intended to someday bring it to a restorer and have the car redone, I have since moved on to other vehicles. It pains me to see the car sit...it deserves MUCH better than I've given her the past years...and so...if you have the fortitude...know-how....finances to give her a second life, PLEASE PLEASE do that!! I would LOVE to know that this car hasn't seen the last of good times...as I said, she deserves to be lavished some attention. As to the particulars, hopefully the pictures tell most of the story. The MOTOR ran fine BEFORE the flood...but obviously, she'd have to be taken out and redone. Transmission also worked great (it's a four speed standard) before the flood. Rocker panels and fender edges are now rusted, as you can see...they need to be redone. Floors are still much better than many I've seen, but will need some attention. Trunk has a few spots of rust through (again, see pictures), but not terrible. Door panels are NOT the originals, but they are in fine shape. Back seat and back seat rest are fine, as is the passengers seat...Drivers seat has 2 tears in the bottom. Headrests are both fine. Headliner needs to be redone. Dash has ONE crack, passengers side (again, see photo). Guages ALL worked BTF (before the flood), as did the tape deck. Lights ALL worked, as did ALL the electricals. Rugs obviously need to be redone. Soft top still functions, but again, really needs replacement. Comes with a wire rimmed BRAND NEW never used spare tire, and the tool kit for the hubs... Anyway, I could go on and on (or have I DONE that already?)...Peruse the pictures, ask ANY intelligent questions I might be able to answer, check my stellar feedback, and PLEASE don't make me part this great old friend out!! SOMEONE give it a new life!! There's a ridiculously low starting bid, a very reasonable Buy-It-Now, and NO RESERVE!!...also, PLEASE FIGURE YOUR OWN SHIPPING (from zip 13750) if that's your inclination...Thanks!On Mar-24-12 at 06:19:58 PDT, seller added the following information: UPDATE! As per requests, I have added a picture of the engine compartment..Ebay only allowed me to add one more picture, and I could NOT figure out how to delete existing pictures to add more...anyway, hope that photo helps. I've also been asked if the motor can still be turned over by hand...it cannot...however, I have NOT added any penetrant to the cylinders (Marvel, WD or the like)...it DID turn over by hand years ago...but it HAS sat for a time...again, PLEASE figure that the motor will need a complete rebuild...this is NOT a project for the faint-of-heart, so please bid accordingly...I want whoever buys the car to be satisfied, and I want the CAR to go to someone with the resources to give her a new life....Thanks...