1973 MGB Convertible Driver
Description
1973 MGB Convertible
For sale is a 1973 MGB convertible that has been in my family for about 20 years, purchased by my father in the mid 90s, it has been driven about 3000 miles during that time. It runs/drives well and almost everything works as intended, but it needs some cosmetic work. I have been driving this car sparsely over the years and have always wanted to get the body work done and paint it in the original British racing green, but I just have too many projects to finish. I am the current owner of the car with a clear title in my name.
Body:
It was painted white before we owned it and there is evidence of a prior red repaint as well as what looks to be original British racing green.
The passenger door has cracked body filler, the entire door should probably be re-skinned or replaced. The hood and both front fenders have slight dents, hood also has body filler in the front edge.
The paint in general is starting to show its age with chips,cracks, bubbles as seen in the photos.
The top is functional but has some seams separating, repaired areas and the windows are starting to fog up, but it is a zip out rear window. Floor panels have been replaced at some point and do not have rust holes. I made a magnetic vinyl cover for the heater air intake at the base of the windshield because water can leak into the car from there if the car gets rained on.
Engine:
Runs well with good oil pressure, about 50 psi at idle going up to 75-80 at higher rpm
Original air injection pump is removed but is included with the car.
Original SU carburetors are still on it and includes a bottle of special SU oil for the dampers. The carbs were rebuilt within the last 5 years/1000 miles.
Car sometimes blows some smoke when first started after sitting, but it subsides after a few seconds, may be attributed to valve stem seals.
Charcoal canister and anti-diesel solenoid are all there and hooked up.
Original radiator was fully rebuilt with a new OE style core last year and a new water pump with correct impeller and thermostat were installed.
SU fuel pump was replaced with original style within the last 5 years/1000 miles.
Transmission:
4 speed trans (no overdrive) shifts smooth and has never given us a problem. The clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder, and flex line were all replaced with new two years ago.
Interior:
I installed new webbing in the seats due to sagging last year and also freed up the mechanisms. Based on what I see I believe the seats are from a midget. I think MGB seats had a different upholstery design and a fold forward feature which these do not have. The seats are functional but you may want to replace them with correct MGB seats.
Dash is original and cracked in a few spots
Upholstery and carpeting all around the vertical sides appear original while the floor carpet was replaced, though it does not seem to be well done, most of the floor carpets are in the trunk.
All the lights and instruments/controls inside work including the original AM/FM Radio. The tachometer needs to be tapped sometimes to get it to work, but that is the same for all vintage MG's from what I understand. Also only one of the two horns (high tone) is working currently.
I rebuilt the heater system last year: I painted the box inside and out, had the heater core redone, put in a new cable, and reinstalled with new seals throughout, including the internal air flap.
Sun visors are new replacements from a few years ago.
The MG includes a small cover for the top frame while it is down as well as the original full tonneau cover for the whole interior with zipper down the middle and support bar. The tonneau cover has some small holes in it and seams splitting as seen in pictures.
The battery is a single 12 volt instead of the original 2 6 volts. The cables are still there if you wanted to go back to 2 6 volts and the original battery cover is still present.
All the locks work and the car comes with two of each key.
Important note: The MG has a quirk in that it runs out of gas slightly before the gauge needle gets down to E, if you end up with one of these cars do not try to stretch it too far!
Brakes/Chassis:
Front disc brake calipers were rebuilt and installed with new pads and rotors within the past 5 years/1000 miles.
Rear drum brakes were inspected and found to be in good shape
Exhaust and rest of chassis are in good condition, have not had a problem since owning car.
Tires on the MG are older but have good tread and no dry rot, they hold air (I check them once a year and rarely need to add pressure).
Extra parts:
Car comes with 2 extra matching wheels (not counting the spare in the trunk), some extra center caps, extra marker light lenses, new lug nuts, new turn signal switch, extra seat tracks, battery cover, and miscellaneous hardware/interior parts I have gathered over the years.
In summary, you can drive/enjoy this car anywhere and it will probably pass your state inspection (may require re-installation of air pump depending on your state), but it will take some work to get it really looking great again. If you are nearby you can come take it for a spin.
All photos were taken on August 7th, 2016 (the date of this listing).
I will try to help with shipping if necessary but you will have to make your own arrangements.
Thanks for looking and let me know if you have any questions.
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