1973 MG MGB V8 Roadster “Sebring” |

Sold

1973 MG MGB V8 Roadster “Sebring”

Sold Price

£15,008

Mileage~61,357 on clock
Transmission4-speed manual with O/D
Engine3.5-litre
LocationKenilworth, Warwickshire

SOLD

1973 MG MGB V8 Roadster “Sebring”

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Editor and Photographer

A well-finished take on an MG legend - it looks and sounds fantastic!

A perfect blend of building charismatic and nimble roadsters with the benefit of a vast competition history, the original MGB GT "Sebring" cars were developed and built in-house by the BMC Competition Department in Abingdon, for use in world sports car racing. Financial constraints meant that only two cars were built, but they both finished the Sebring 12-hour events into the late 1960s.

With the original car's rarity and subsequent value, the next best thing would be to obtain a carefully prepared and authentic recreation. Based on a 1973 MGB Roadster, the donor car was stripped down in 2000 and fitted with an alloy front valance and glass fibre wing Sebring Kit from MG Motorsports. A 3.5-litre Rover engine was installed, with numerous modifications to the block, cooling and electrics, which resulted in this impressive and carefully detailed example.

While this MG is an interpretation of the original “Sebring”, it benefits from a number of useful modifications and incorporates many proven parts sourced from reputable suppliers. Finished in British Racing Green with a black leather interior, it has been with our vendor for around six years and is offered complete with its factory hard top.

The car has attended numerous classic car shows and has won awards, including 'Best Modified' at the MGB 60th anniversary held at the British Motor Museum in 2022 and BMC and Leyland Show also at Gaydon in 2024 - the car comes with two keys, a history file with invoices dating back to 2019, and the advantage of being both MOT and road tax exempt.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Nigel the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

The car has evolved since its restoration ~25 years ago, and I’d been keen to find out what the next owner will add to it!

Nigel bought the MGB, looking for a V8 open-top sports car with the feel of an AC Cobra. Captivated by its thunderous personality, he has used the car and enjoyed every mile. As part of those miles, he has attended MG Owners Club events and Motor Festivals, where he has won awards.

Nigel is only selling now after six years of ownership, as he's done what he wanted with the car and fancies a change of scene.

Nigel will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Nigel

Vehicle Owner

Nigel saved £2,700* when they
sold their MG with us.

SELLING MADE EASY

We'll take the photos & create the listing.
We'll market it to our 62K buyers & online.
You'll keep your car until it's paid for.

PEACE OF MIND FOR BUYERS

They can fully review our cars online.
They can buy on our trusted platform.
They're able to buy without leaving home.

LEARN MORE

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Authentically finished with flared arches and race livery, this MGB has an impressive road presence.

Wheels and Tyres

The 15” Compomotive Motorsport 8-spoke minilite style alloys are cleanly presented; there are minor marks on the rear pair, but nothing that distracts.

The front and rear of the car are fitted with Cooper Cobra tyres, with the front showing a spec of 235/60 and 265/60 to the rear. The fronts are date-coded from 2021; the rears are older, but all have decent tread with no notable sidewall wear.

Please take a look at the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior of the MG and a closer look at the wheels and tyres to make your own assessment of their condition.

Bodywork

The exterior is presented with no panel damage or discernible corrosion. The wings are fibreglass that have been bonded to the steel body. There is a minor fracture on the windscreen scuttle where it meets the offside wing, but otherwise it is free of any unevenness.

The aluminium bonnet is a genuine MGC item and free of significant damage. The panels are flush to the body, with acceptable shut lines. The passenger door is a little stiff to open and close, the rest open and close with no obstructions. The bonnet lid has a gas strut and provides excellent access to the engine.

The underside of the MG is clean as you can see in the images.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The British Racing Green paint finish has a consistent hue and a positive lustre with just some minor swirling noted in the sunlight.

There are a few minor imperfections across the paintwork, mainly small underpaint blisters and a few minor surface marks, but it is generally free of roadwear chips. There is a paint fracture on the bonnet.

The decals can be removed by heat-application if the new owner wishes to do so.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The windscreen and side glass are in good shape with decent seals. Much of the original MG trim, including the windscreen frame, door trim and light bezels, shows minor signs of age, but you’ll need to get up close to see the pitting.

The bumpers are in good shape and well-mounted.

The grill has lost a little chunk of chrome plating.

The Supersports stainless steel mesh front grill, lockable 'Le Mans' style fuel filler cap, 'Lumax' period fog lamps and Italian style chrome door mirrors are all clean.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Furnished with leather seats, the cabin has an impressive number of bolt-ons which enhance the MG's racing feel.

Seats and Carpets

The leather seats are in good condition, with mild age-related creasing - they’re supportive, comfortable and fitted with two-point harnesses.

The carpets are all in good condition, damp-free and provide a positive plushness.

Dashboard

The dashboard is cleanly presented, with no outstanding presentation flaws. The dials, controls and switches are in line with the car's age, exceeding expectations in most cases. All but the hazard switch are said to work.

There are Smith timers and stopwatches included in the car. A dash start button and fuel pump switch has also been fitted to the centre console, but the cut-off switch is a dummy. There is an operational battery cut-off switch/isolator fitted behind the driver's seat.

The door cards and interior trim are in good shape.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The mountney steering wheel is in good condition and complemented by a wood-finished gear knob.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Its impressive V8 power, flexibility and refinement are enhanced by its soundtrack.

Engine and Gearbox

The car starts without any issues, and the side-mounted exhausts remain free of excess fumes. The engine idles smoothly, free of any rumbling, knocks or other unwanted noises. The dashboard warning lights all stayed off.

The engine presentation is positive, nicely laid out, and the bolt-on modifications have been thoroughly and authentically applied. The Ken Costello-style Rover 3528cc V8 (sourced from a Rover P5) has a high compression 10:5-1 block, SD1 valve cylinder head, 'Mogal' remote oil filter and V8 13x bar oil cooler. It has a rear-facing trumpeted Italian-made 40 DCOE Webber Carb with a four-barrel intake manifold. The car also has a MGC rear axle.

The cooling has also been modified with a V8 high-capacity radiator and twin electric radiator cooling fans. The engine electrics have been upgraded to 'Lumenition' Electronic Ignition and 'Powercor' 10mm Silicone H.T. Leads. The exhaust system is a heat-wrapped manifold with twin side exit 2 ¼" tail pipes through large Cherry Bombs.

The gearbox is a 4-speed MGC unit with overdrive and it operates without any negative feedback, engaging gears without any problems.

Nigel is happy with the performance of the clutch.

Suspension and Brakes

The ride is firm, but absorbs the road surface without any unwanted thuds or creaks. The car is fitted with polyurethane bushes, and the suspension components are in good physical shape. The car has adjustable 'Spax' Gas rear shocks, 7x leaf rear springs and up-rated front anti-roll bar.

The braking is effective, with no unwanted wobbles or pulling at speeds of up to 40 mph. We didn’t hear any squeals when in use. The braking is servo-assisted using 10” discs and braided front brake hoses.

The Drive

This well-prepared Sebring recreation offers all the traditional virtues of the MGB, with a far more striking visual presentation and carefully applied power upgrades without sacrificing its cruising and touring abilities.

The V8 engine is refined and smooth. It took a little time for the engine to get up to full song; there was little initial hesitancy when pulling, but these seemed to be resolved after a short drive. Nigel will service the car for peace of mind. There was no unwanted noise from the engine throughout our visit. The cherry bomb exhausts sound deep at idle but not intrusive when cruising at 40-50 mph.

The car tracks well, with a confident ride, cornering without any creaks or fight. Nigel demonstrated the car's impressive torque and also showed the seamless transition when the overdrive switch was flicked on, with no jumps or lurches. The steering is precise and offers a good feel with minimal play. The car reached temperature without issues, and the oil pressure remained constant at 50 PSI.

Nigel has kept on top of maintenance and has not experienced any issues with the engine.

Electrics and Other

The lightweight factory hardtop with glass inserts is believed to be a genuine MG item. It’s in good shape; the screens show minor signs of age, but have good seals. It’s straightforward to fit and remove. Please note the hardtop stand is not included in the sale.

The car also comes with a half-zipped tonneau cover. It’s in excellent condition and provides a perfect fit.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

Subject to a historic restoration, it has seen around ~6,000 miles use since then and has acquired several accolades.

First registered in March 1973, it started life as a humble B-Series roadster and was treated to a nut-and-bolt restoration between 2000 and 2004. Believed to have been obtained by the previous owner in 1996, with a V8 already installed, he fitted a Sebring body kit from MG Motorsport, which includes the glassfibre front wings and rear arches, as well as a bespoke alloy front valance. Once the body modifications were complete, the engine underwent its transformation.

Since buying the car in 2019, Nigel has spent around £1,000 on detailing, parts and maintenance. It comes with a few previous MOTS, invoices since 2019, a handbook, two keys, and evidence of classic car show entries, including 'Best Modified' at the MGB 60th anniversary held at the British Motor Museum in 2022 and BMC and Leyland Show also at Gaydon in 2024.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
30-04-2016	MOT	58,990
27-06-2015	MOT	58,675
12-06-2013	MOT	58,382
18-07-2011	MOT	57,730
06-08-2007	MOT	56,161
08-08-2006	MOT	54,916

VIEW ALL

Key Details

ModelMGB Roadster V8 'Sebring'
Transmission4-Speed Manual with O/D
Reg. Date26-03-1973
CC3528 cc
Mileage~61,357 on clock
HistorySince 2019
ColourBritish Racing Green
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #GHN5-292751G
Engine #84000871A
Restored2000-2004
Engine Rebuild2000-2004
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - All Clear
Former Keepers10
Tyre BrandCooper Cobra
Tyre Age2021
# of Keys2
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~6 years
Key FeatureSebring Recreation
Vehicle RegistrationDBP 542L
Fuel TypePetrol
Body TypeConvertible
Auction ID3200

VIEW ALL

All Images

All Videos

Vehicle Sold

Register your interest for similar cars.

This vehicle has now been sold - click 'I Want One' below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

I WANT ONE

Ask Questions

Seller : TopBloke Sale Date 02.10.2025

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

7 Comments

gjam

7 months ago

Ok thanks

gjam

7 months ago

Was the engine rebuilt before installing it in the car

TopBloke

Seller

gjam

7 months ago

Hello,
The engine is made up from different parts: the alloy block is from a Rover P5B, the cylinder head is from a Rover SD1

TopBloke

Seller

TopBloke

7 months ago

There are many different parts the intake manifold, Webber carb. Etc. So would have been rebuild at that time, hope that helps.

gjam

7 months ago

Ok thanks.

gjam

7 months ago

What is the overall width of the car and how much headroom is there with the hardtop fitted (I am 6’2″)
Thanks.

TopBloke

Seller

gjam

7 months ago

Hi, the maximum width is at the rear wheel arches which is 64 1/5″ ins 164cm, they are wider than the door mirrors.
I am 6′ 1″ and there is a couple of inches of headroom

MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

Vehicle Location

Kenilworth

Delivery Calculator

Thank You

Form Submitted

Your request has been submitted successfully and we'll keep you updated.