1977 MG MGB V8 Roadster |

Closed Auction- Unsold

1977 MG MGB V8 Roadster

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Mileage~89,221
TransmissionManual
Engine3.5L
LocationBognor Regis

AUCTION CLOSED

1977 MG MGB V8 Roadster

Introduction

Alan Stuart

Professional Consigner

Blending classic British charm with V8 power, the MGB delivers a thrilling drive and timeless appeal.

The MG MGB Roadster is a thrilling blend of British charm and raw power, with an upgraded V8 engine transforming the beloved MGB into a true performance machine. As one of the most recognisable classic cars ever produced, its widespread presence sometimes overshadows the fact that MG were masters of mass-produced sports cars. During its heyday, the MGB was a wise choice for open-top motoring, thanks to its robust mechanics, pretty styling, and exceptional parts availability. The addition of the upgraded engine and gearbox elevates this example's performance, offering an improved power-to-weight ratio and an exhilarating driving experience.

The car comes to market with us after ~8 years current ownership and being the 4th MG in the keeper's motoring history. The MG is truly a lovely conversion with several key upgrades completed on it. With an engine swap to a 3.5L V8, upgraded 5-speed manual gearbox, new timing gear and chain and a new Edelbrock twin choke carburettor. Amongst several other features, the car has also benefitted from updated springs fitted to the front and back, new shockers on the rear, and sills have been cut out and replaced. Front wings have been replaced and the car has been resprayed from its previous colour of yellow in 2013.

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

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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

I love the sensation of driving this car - the raw engine notes, the connection to the road, and the way an MGB always brings a smile to those who see it.

The current owner, David, has spent several years following his MG ownership dream with this example being his 4th, "I had a 1.8 litre MGB previously, but decided that I wanted something that ticked a few more boxes for me. When I found this one with the upgraded V8 engine, I knew it would give me the additional performance I was after. This one really goes and I always look forward to being out on the road with it".

He goes on to tell us “It's such a fantastic car to drive, especially with the roof down in the summer months. This was when the car was used the most and it gives an incredible feeling of freedom. I wanted a model with a 5 speed gearbox and without a bonnet bulge - this one fits the bill perfectly”. In his ownership, David hasn't had to do any major work over and above maintenance. With the considered added upgrades, this model provides a great on the road experience. The car comes to market as David has recently purchased an MGA from us. He will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

David

Vehicle Owner

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Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Classic British styling with a sporty edge, featuring sleek lines, chrome accents, and a timeless roadster design.

Wheels and Tyres

The 14" Minator wheels, finished in silver, look great on this example and give the car a sporty appeal. During our visit, the wheels appear well looked after, with no sign of any major damage, only a few signs of age.

The wheels are fitted with Continental Conti Premium Contact tyres, and these also appear to be in great condition, with a good amount of tread remaining and no visible cracking or signs of age on the sidewalls. These are dated from 2024 and show a spec of 185/70.

Bodywork

The bodywork of this MG looks in good condition, with all the panel gaps around the car appearing to align very well visually. Both doors opened and closed without issue. During our visit, we didn't spot any obvious dings or dents around the bodywork. We did note some corrosion under the surface on the front wings and the front scuttle.

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

Paint

The "Jaguar Racing Blue" paint is in ok condition, with even coverage and decent lustre, and with swirl marks that come from age. The car was resprayed from yellow as part of the previous restoration works completed in 2013. There were some signs of micro blistering to the paint to the bonnet and a note of paint cracking to the rear boot lid, along with some stone chips to the front of the car that come with age and use.

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 glass on this MG Roadster looks great and is in line with the mileage. During our visit, we didn't notice any cracks, or discolouration, although we did note a slight chip to the rear lens light. The window seals and surrounds showed without issue and align with the overall condition of the car. Badges and emblems all looked to be in similar condition.

The chrome bumpers on show look great with only a few notes of pitting to the finish. You can see in the exterior photos that the tonneau top is in great condition with no tears or rips.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

It’s a great place to be - classic gauges provide all the essentials, free from modern distractions. Sometimes, less is more.

Seats and Carpets

Equipped with upgraded black leather seats, these are showing in great condition with only a few observations of creasing to the leather, and proved comfortable out on our journey in the MG.

The carpets show well with only some light wear in places, in keeping with the age of the car. MG branded rubber mats are overlaid on the carpets, again without concerns here. Please see the interior gallery for more detailed images.

Dashboard

The dashboard is finished nicely in black and shows five dials in front of the wheel. The drivers section shows no signs of any major damage or scuffs, and with no warning lights displayed. The odometer showed a reading of ~89,221 miles during our visit.

We've covered some more detailed shots of the interior in our hi-resolution gallery, take a look over the images where our aim is to take you through the MG's interior as if you were actually in the car.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The car is fitted with a leather bound Moto-Lita steering wheel, which is in great condition as pictured.

The black gearstick and gaiter look smart too, aligning with the condition of this car. For a closer look, check out the image gallery to see the detail.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

An engine that brings all the power you need, providing a charismatic soundtrack and driving experience - everything required for the warmer months ahead.

Engine and Gearbox

The MG has been fitted with a 3.5L V8 engine and Edelbrock 4 barrel carburettor by the previous owner, delivering ~150BHP. The upgrade to the engine gives a lovely amount of pull and makes a marked difference to the performance and torque of the car. An oil and filter change was completed in March 2024, as noted on the engine bay.

The gearbox has also been upgraded with a LT77 from a donor Rover along with an updated differential, making the gearing much smoother than originally equipped. Previously rolling road tuned and sounding and driving beautifully out on the road, David reports that the car performs well with its improved mechanical updates working without concern.

Take a look at the mechanical video to see the car starting from cold, driving around, and for a closer look underneath the MG and the engine bay.

Suspension and Brakes

On the road, the ride in the MG is nice and smooth, with no unwanted bangs coming from either corner of the vehicle. There were a few knocks noted out on the road, although possibly due to the unforgiving UK roads.

David reports that the MG comes to a stop in a straight line with no juddering through the pedal. We've showcased images of the underside of the MG in our Mechanical review section, take a look through to assess the condition for yourself and for a closer look at what's on offer.

The Drive

David, the current owner, loves how this car looks and mentions how head-turning the car is whenever he takes it out. He also loves the drive and handling this MG has to offer, mentioning, "it's responsive and fast when you want it to be".

He tells us more about his driving experience with the car, "The performance is great and when all four barrels of the carburettor open on full throttle it sounds glorious. The torque means that it pulls from 1000 rpm in top gear. It's a great fun car to drive, and the slightly under-silenced twin exhausts blow the cobwebs away".

Electrics and Other

Electrics are simple and uncomplicated. Dials, switches and lights appear in good condition. David lets us know that he has some issues with the rev counter as noted in the mechanical review video, although this soon resolved itself after the car was running for a few minutes.

We noted that the oil pressure, temperature gauge and upgraded Kenlowe fan with override switch were working without concern. David assures us everything else works as it should.

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History and Paperwork

Coming to market from ~8 year ownership, this V8 conversion MGB is a great drivers example ready to be enjoyed in the summer months ahead.

David, the current owner, tells us more about the history of the MG from his ownership and prior, "The car has been a true labour of love over its life. The previous owner completed the restoration process, stripping down the engine, gearbox, and rusted metal, along with removing the rubber bumpers. Major bodywork tasks were actioned by RG Classics, a restoration specialist. They replaced the sills, shot-blasted the chassis, and fitted new bushes and springs on the front axle. The body was then repainted and restored.

During this time, the previous owner rebuilt the engine, carrying out a complete strip-down. The engine was fitted with new main and big-end bearings, and the block was deglazed. A new timing gear and chain, oil pump, and a reground of the valves (to run on unleaded fuel) were all completed. The cam remained standard, but a lightened flywheel was added. The transmission was updated with an SDi gearbox, new clutch components, and an MGC back axle, which was restored with new brakes. The back axle was also modified with brackets to attach a rear anti-roll bar from a rubber bumper model.

In 2013, the car was resprayed in Jaguar Racing Blue, a change from its original yellow colour. Since then, several more upgrades, including fitting inertia reel seat belts with guides, mud flaps, a Mota-lita leather steering wheel, new tonneau cover and rear silencers were replaced. Other improvements include the removal of the radio and fitting of a blanking plate, replacing the cigar lighter with a 12v socket, a rolling road tune by specialist Atspeed Racing, a new Facet fuel pump, a renewed throttle cable and mounting.

In summary, the car is practically rebuilt end-to-end, with a new windscreen, new door cards, new mirror glass, and new lenses for the reversing lights. It has also had new sills, and repairs completed to the body panels. The front wings have been replaced, and new springs and shock absorbers were fitted both front and rear. Additional upgrades include a set of twin exhausts, rerouted brake lines, upgraded electrics, and an aftermarket fuel pump housed in the boot.

Only a few upgrades have been completed in its current ownership with a new alternator in October 2024, and new Continental Premium Contact 5 tyres (185x70x14) in December 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, and 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 on 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 bid/s, 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
12.12.2024	MOT	89,081
27.11.2023	MOT	88,680
09.12.2022	MOT	88,168
24.11.2021	MOT	87,577
17.12.2020	MOT	87,101
15.05.2019	MOT	86,089
10.05.2018	MOT	84,915
03.05.2017	MOT	83,738
23.05.2016	MOT	82,513
21.05.2015	MOT	82,417
01.05.2014	MOT	82,305
18.05.2011	MOT	75,875
11.05.2010	MOT	66,090
07.05.2009	MOT	57,173
08.05.2008	MOT	53,182
12.05.2007	MOT	49,788
10.05.2006	MOT	47,148

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Key Details

ModelMGB V8 Roadster
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date02.08.1977
CC3,500
Mileage~89,221
HistoryGood
Colour"Jaguar Racing Blue"
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #GHN5-434242G
Engine #21G01087
RestoredYes
Engine RebuildYes
MOTYes. Exp 16.12.2025
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes
Former Keepers8
Tyre TreadGreat
Tyre BrandContinental
Tyre Age2024
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~8 years, 3 months.
Key FeatureUpgraded V8 engine and upgraded gearbox
Auction ID2511

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Vehicle Location

Bognor Regis

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Auction Closed

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Seller : David1946

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12 Comments

LeRoiDeLaRue

3 months ago

Dave, the ride seems bumpy in the video
Do you have adjustable shocks?

David1946

Seller

LeRoiDeLaRue

3 months ago

The car has non-adjustable lever arm shock absorbers. The roads and speed bumps around here don’t help!

LeRoiDeLaRue

David1946

3 months ago

Ah I put Gaz adustables all 4 corners and parabolic springs on my current standard mgb
Slightly gentler ride and with 14 settings each shoc it took time to get right

LeRoiDeLaRue

3 months ago

Bought it in 2018 chose rubber bumper model with intention of putting v8 in Instead I’ve spent lots making it better

LeRoiDeLaRue

3 months ago

GOO

Hello David
Previous owner stripped engine etc
What is the provenance of the engine?
How many miles had it done when fitted and since ?
Thanks

David1946

Seller

LeRoiDeLaRue

3 months ago

The engine number is: 21G01087, which indicates that it was a Land Rover engine from 1983. I don’t know about its history prior to the rebuild by the previous owner. The mileage shown on the MoT in May 2014 was 82305. So it has done approximately 7000 miles on this engine since its rebuild. Since I have had the car it has been MoT each year and it has had an annual oil and filter change.

LeRoiDeLaRue

David1946

3 months ago

Thanks David. The exhaust wraps Are they for heat insulation? The sills are a tad rusty Any comments from mot re need for welding in future?

David1946

Seller

LeRoiDeLaRue

3 months ago

I wrapped the rear silencers when I fitted them as they were close to the tank. In hindsight, I think it was unnecessary.
No mention of problems with the cills or need for welding elsewhere by MoT inspection. I had the inner rear wheel arches welded in December 2022, and are probably stronger than when new.

LeRoiDeLaRue

David1946

3 months ago

Great stuff Dave

rob1

3 months ago

Thanks David

rob1

3 months ago

Hi David, have the three advisories been addressed?
Regards
Rob

David1946

Seller

rob1

3 months ago

I replaced the tyres with 4 new Continental H spec tyres in December. I think the minor oil leak is from the rocker box gaskets. I have tightened the bolts and have also put new gaskets in the boot. I have not found the exhaust leak mentioned.

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Vehicle Location

Bognor Regis

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