A time-capsule 1981 MGB Roadster that’s been driven a mere 77 miles in four decades is being offered in a live auction taking place now, with a guide price of £30,000.
The British classic car has an LE version, which stands to represent Limited Edition. Only 42 were produced in celebration of the British marque’s past.
It was the last MGB. The MGB had a successful 18-year production run with half a million drop-top engines built during that time.
Car & Classic, the online motor auction specialist selling the vehicle to the highest bidder, says it cannot have been driven for more than a few hours since it was bought 40 years ago and has ‘clearly been stored in a way that has preserved it perfectly’.
The 40-year-old virgin: This 1981 MGB Roadster LE has only covered 77 miles during its entire existence. It is certainly one of the most well-preserved examples of the popular convertible today.
The auction is currently open online and will close on Wednesday, 27 October.
Bidding is currently at £10,000 (at the time of publishing), though the reserve has not been met.
A winning bid must be in the range of the guide price, which will be three times more than the current top offer.
The MG was ordered originally as a pair by Becon Tyre Group in Hereford. It was delivered in 1981, probably a year or so after it was off the production line.
Every subsequent owner (though Car & Classic fail to say how many) has meticulously stored it and barely driven the MGB on the road, with the car averaging just 3.85 miles for every year since it left the factory.
The bronze metallic roadster was the LE version. It was produced in 1979 to commemorate 50 years of MG at Abingdon, before the plant closed down in 1980.
It is being sold via an online-only auction hosted by Car & Classic. It is currently running and will close on Wednesday, 27 October. The guide price is £30,000
The MGB Roadster LE, which stands for Limited Edition, was distinguished by having a bronze metallic paint finish, a chin spoiler and Triumph Stag-type alloy wheels. It also featured a unique livery.
Each subsequent owner has maintained it meticulously and only driven the MGB a total of 77 miles. It means that the car averaged 3.85 miles each year since it left the factory.
These cars stood out thanks to their bronze metallic paint, chin spoiler and Triumph Stag-type alloy tires. They also had a unique livery that was only available for a limited number of LE models.
‘Recognising its historic importance, every effort has been made to keep the Roadster intact as the ultimate example of the last-of-breed,’ says Car & Classic.
It comes with very minimal paperwork. This is due to the fact that the car has only been driven a very small number of times.
There are very few invoices and no stamps in the original service manual. This is explained by the Roadster never needing a service and only the occasional fluid change performed by its keepers.
The seats are made of period orange and brown leather.
The new 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine produced a respectable 95 bhp.
The engine should be in top running condition. The 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine produced a respectable 99 hp when new.
In terms of performance, MG quoted at the time of production a 0-to-60mph acceleration time of 14 seconds and a top speed of 105mph for the LE.
These documents are as unique as the car: the original owners’ manual, a supercover registration card, handbook, and a limited edition certificate listing chassis numbers and engine numbers were kept along with spare keys and an envelope containing a radio-mounting kit.
Original equipment includes a spare wheel, a jack and tools still in their original packaging, and a full-length tonneau cover, which probably has never seen daylight due to the car’s limited use outside.
MG at the time quoted a 0-to-60mph time of 14 seconds and a top speed limit of 105mph.
Only 420 LE versions were ever made of the MGB Roadster. It was built in 1979 to celebrate 50 years MG at Abingdon.
Car & Classic head of editorial, Chris Pollitt, said this particular version stands out for its characteristic 1970s looks and Metallic Bronze paint that’s without blemish.
The original orange and brown period cloth seats look as good as new, along with the unfaded black bumpers.
Its Uniroyal tyres are most likely the ones the MG left with.
Pollitt stated that a car with 77 miles cannot have been driven more than a few hours from the time it was purchased in 1981. However, it is clear that it has been stored in a manner that has preserved it perfectly.
“Mechanically, there has been no modification to the car, as you can see if you lift the bonnet. The engine bay is in perfect condition. This car is a great collector car, especially since there are only a few Limited Edition Roadsters left in circulation.
This preserved piece of British motoring heritage is your only chance to grab it.
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