1975 MG B Roadster
MG began offering the MGB GT V8 in 1973 that was powered by the aluminum block 3,528 cc Rover V8 engine, first fitted to the Rover P5B. This engine had been used in the unibody GM 19611963 A-body platform Buick Special/Skylark and Oldsmobile F-85 and 19611962 Pontiac Tempest and was the lightest mass-production V8 in the world. The Buick version had a dry, undressed weight of 318 lb. and the 1963 Skylark with optional four-barrel Rochester carburetor and 10:1 compression ratio produced 200 hp at 5,000 rpm. By the time Rover had made webbing modifications to strengthen the block, the engine was considerably heavier. Some changes were made by MG-Rover and the engine found a long-lived niche in the British motor industry.
For consignment a Buick Aluminum block V8 version of the MG B Roadster. Interestingly this car started out a 4-cylinder, but our consigner could not resist the lure of the V8 package, and the rest as they say is history. Here at Classic Auto Mall, we give you the V8 roadster and much more to talk about...stay tuned!
Exterior
Straight rust-free panels adorn this MG and are covered in Autumn Red paint. Front fenders are fiberglass, and bumpers in chrome replace the black "Sabrinas" which were original to the car. A tan convertible top is attached and is in good condition with a nice tan boot cover for when the top is retracted. A shiny luggage rack and brite-work grille, headlight bezels, window surrounds, and belt line trim are all polished and shiny. Cast wheels are on all corners of this car.
Interior
All newly padded tan colored dash with some panel work in leather replaces any wood that may have existed. Kind of a modernized version of the "Abingdon pillow" padded dash aptly named for the foam dash that had been shipping to the US since 1968. Pontiac Fiero seats, in cloth, replace the original buckets and sit comfortably. Custom floor mats cover nice condition carpet. Within the dash is a new AM/FM/CD player which is worked direct, and has an additional outlet for a GPS plug in.
Drivetrain
Buick provides the Offenhauser aluminum V8 power, stuffed under the hood. An Edelbrock 500 carb sits atop, and a T-5 close ratio transmission is attached to the rear of the V8. Has a performance clutch, pressure plate and flywheel, hydraulic throwout bearing, a Buick 300 Exhaust manifold, all recently gone over on the cylinder head front, to run on pump gas.
Undercarriage
Clean and rust free, we note a tube shock conversion on the rear, and otherwise unremarkable undercarriage, which is a good thing!
Driveability
All appeared working condition during out run-through, although we did experience some hesitation and struggling when the engine got above 3500 RPM. This would last until approx 4500 RPM at which time it would smooth out. It may be a carb adjustment, or even old fuel, but otherwise it ran and shifted smoothly.
A Multiple show award winner, plenty of extras included (car cover/tonneau cover, extra paint, and several manuals) as well as a whole litany of extras that were retained during the redo. Take on some V8 power and put it out there in this unusual restored V8 MGB Roadster.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 450 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.