RARE, VERY EARLY 1963 MGB ROADSTER with OVERDRIVE ........ REASONABLE RESERVE

Description

**FOLLOWING THE INFORMATION BELOW ARE OVER 60 DETAILED PHOTOGRAPHS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

VANISHING BREED!

CONTINUING THE SALE OF SOME OF MY COLLECTION, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, IS AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS 1963 MGB MK1 FIRST GENERATION ROADSTER

*Very EARLY PRODUCTION AUTOMOBILE

COLLECTORS DREAM

Pull Door Handles

Wire wheels

Overdrive

Rare California Classic

THIS ONE HAS IT ALL!

CAR NUMBER: GHN3L/4905

COLOR: Tartan Red (original color)

Want a RARE automobile? Interested in a first generation, MK1 pull door handle classic, the one most coveted by MGB collectors around the world? How about a very EARLY CAR IN THAT CLASS ALONE, one that few could hope to own? Then consider this gorgeous sports car, guaranteed to stand out for its uniqueness in production history alone, in every car show, and with those in the know.

*EARLY PRODUCTION

The TOTAL PRODUCTION of MGB Roadsters, from 1962 through 1980, after which Abingdon closed its doors, was 386,951. That high production figure alone made European sports car history. Out of all of those cars, this beautiful, very EARLY production automobile, in its ORIGINAL COLOR was the 4,805thROADSTER TO COME OFF THE FACTORY LINE. That makes this MGB among the FIRST 1.24% PRODUCED, a VERY EARLY car indeed. It was the 287thMGB Roadster to come from Abingdon in 1963. And who knows how many of these fine examples of early MGB history and artistry are still in existence today? A very fortunate few, indeed.

CALIFORNIA HISTORY

I discovered this fine automobile in Davis, California, just west of Sacramento. Receipts and other documentation show a history of California ownership for the past 15 years. As evidenced by the dry condition of the car, it would seem reasonable to assume that it has spent most, if not all its time in the Golden State.

COSMETICS

When I arrived at the previous owner's home to see this little gem, the first thing that attracted my attention was the paint. I thought, “Oh, my goodness, what a beautiful car!” I would estimate the finish to be around 2-3 years old.

I have been able to find no signs of cancerous rust in the floors, the jackmounts, under the doors, in the doglegs, the trunk, under the paint, or anywhere else, for that matter.

All exterior chrome, rubber, lenses, insignias, side strips, and more are in very good, to as-new condition. The windshield has one very small chip, about 1/8thof an inch, in the passenger side upper right-hand corner, right next to the frame, almost invisible. Most would never notice it. Otherwise, the windshield is in very good condition. Includes 5 matching Spectrum P185/70R14 whitewall radial tires, including the spare, in good condition.

By the way, most people don't realize that MGBs, particularly these early cars, were basically hand made. Those body parts, for example got put together BY HAND, by factory workers that were craftsmen in their own right. Furthermore, these skilled workers were not constructing an MGB on a frame, but rather using what's known as unibody construction. That meant that the strength of the body was determined NOT by a frame, but by solid floors! Bad/rusty floors meant a flexible car. Scary! You go down a driveway at an angle and you can feel the whole car FLEX. Bottom line, THIS CAR DOES NOT FLEX, IT IS SOLID!

THE INTERIOR, in my opinion, looks as good in person as it does in the photographs. All carpets are as-new. New brake, clutch and accelerator pedal rubber pads. The seats, with correct red piping to match the exterior color of the car, are in very good condition. When I purchased this MG, it came without a top, so I located a correct, early stow-away top frame, restored it, and had a new top professionally installed. When you get a chance, take a look at the fit of this top in some of the photographs that follow. In my humble opinion, near perfection! The gentleman that installed the top is a friend of mine, and a retired policeman, doing much safer work than his previous career!

Includes a carpeted trunk, a very civilized thing to do! Then there's that nice wood steering wheel with MG horn button. The rear-view mirror is correct, and as-new. Excellent, as-new seat belts. The dash could use some further cosmetic restoration to be up to the standards of the rest of the interior.

MECHANICS

But the best is yet to come! The engine starts right up, runs cool and strong, does not smoke, has excellent oil pressure, and does everything these trusty little power plants have been doing so well for so many years. The clutch is solid, the brakes work well, the steering responsive and the suspension is tight.

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. You may know that early MGBs came with a rather infamous 3 main bearing engine that was prone to blow-up and other disasters. In fact, the first thing my mechanic said when he saw the car was “Oh no, does it have a 3 main bearing engine?” My answer was “No”, which was good news. Here we have THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, because it is a remarkably early car, blessed with a healthy, later MGB 5 main bearing engine, with full synchromesh transmission and OVERDRIVE! The engine number is: 18V837Z-L461S

Safe in the hands of a British Mechanic and MG specialist that I have known for years, the following was recently done:

Lube, oil and filter, all fluid levels checked.

New steering boots

Both rear hubs replaced

New rear brakes

New brake master cylinder

New radiator top hose, PCV hose, and other hoses/lines in the engine compartment.

New gearshift lever lower bushing

Carburetors fine-tuned, and more

By the way, Dennis, the mechanic that did the above work, learned his trade in England when he was 18, and now, many years later, has retired. I've known him personally for at least 30 years. So he said “Come on over” and I had the privilege of leaving this MG at his home near San Diego, so he could work on it there.

RECEIPTS that came with the car document, among other things, a new distributor, new exhaust system, front suspension, steering rack assembly, A-arm bushings, reupholstery seat kit, carpet set, seat belts, water pump, and more.

WHAT WORKS? Among other things, All Smiths gauges including gas, spedometer, tachometer, oil pressure and temperature gauges, headlights, tail lights, license plate lights, front running lights, turn signals, including turn signal switch, right and left dash flashers, all running light and tail light blinkers, windshield wipers, dash choke, interior door openers, window winders, driver interior door lock switch, interior side vent flanges, glove box lock, trunk lock, exterior door handles and more.

Currently, the dash gauge illumination, interior fan, interior courtesy light, passenger and driver exterior door locks and horn are not working. A passenger side interior door lock switch could be located and installed. The overdrive transmission switch/electrical connection is not working. Dennis also mentioned that the car would benefit from a new set of leaf springs. Mileage on the odometer of 29,272 assumed to be 129,272.

The above is based on my personal observation, and is not a professional inspection or warranty, nor is it an exhaustive analysis of what is correct, or not correct for this year automobile. You can expect that some things might not work up to your mechanic's standards, and that he/she will most likely find additional work that he would like to do.

INCLUDED

• Wire wheel spare with new P185 70R14 tire matching those on the road, correct spare tie down

• Factory jack

• The previously mentioned receipts

• Australian licence plate “MGB 63” (did not originally come with this car, but from a cousin “down under”)

• Tonneau/top cover

• 1 Ignition key, 1 glove box/trunk key

• ORIGINALMGBDriver's Handbook, stamped 3 July 1963

• Road and Track magazine, dated November, 1962, featuring “The New MGB” on the front, and corresponding article inside.

• Pamphlet entitled History of the MG

• As-new 155 page hard back book entitled “Original MGB” by Anders Ditlev Clausager. You will notice, it has an early car on the front, in the same color!

Also Includes an MGBDealer Brochuredated 6/62 that reads in part:

“Its value is unquestionable. The 'MGB' sets a new pace in sports car design. Its forerunner – the universally acclaimed 'MGA 1600” - created a record unique in sports car history, being the first to reach a production figure of over 100,000. The 'MGB' transcends its well-proven predecessor in every way. It is designed to do so. It has more power; more vivid acceleration; more brisk performance through the gears ... these pace-setting advances over the 'MGA' are an impressive indication of the unqualified value in the 'MGB'.”

CONSIDERING A PURCHASE FROM OVERSEAS? No problem! Just contact me for details.

Includes GOOD CALIFORNIA TITLE, in my name. Bill of Sale will include “This car sold as is, with no guarantees or warranties expressed or implied.”

PAYMENT TERMS: $1,000. deposit via PayPal or bank wire transfer of funds on or before 24 hours from close of auction. Balance due on or before 7 days from close of auction via cash in person, or bank wire transfer of funds, please. Nothing personal, but non-paying buyers will be reported to eBay.

ANY QUESTIONS? Feel free to email or phone any time at (909) 838-9160

All the eBest,

Craig

THE FOLLOWING ARE OVER 60 PHOTOGRAPHS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. IF, FOR ANY REASON, THEY DON'T ALL SHOW UP IN THIS LISTING, PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL MAKE SURE YOU ARE ABLE TO VIEW THEM ALL.