Description

1963 MGB Roadster

Older restoration around a new Heritage shell;  lots of extras, from long term ownership; well spec'd and ready to use; MOT July 2022

The accompanying Heritage Certificate shows that 837 HLH left the factory in October 1963 as a UK market RHD Roadster in Iris Blue with blue trim. It had wire wheels and a heater and was sent to London for first registration which took place in February 1964.

It passed through the hands of various owners until the mid '70s, ending up with Bromsgrove MG Centre in 2000, presumably in a sorry state as the car was used as the donor vehicle for the car they built for our vendor. The original VIN plate for the car is in the file, along with its buff logbook and old style V5.

A letter on file, confirming the order to build an 'as new' MGB Roadster using 837 HLH confirmed their spec as an 'SE' model, which used a brand new Heritage bodyshell. It was also ordered with a 1,950cc engine upgrade and a Stage II polished and ported head. The work was completed later that year.

The purist may have noted the later door handles, but that's not really the point - the vendor wanted a 'new' MGB and the ready supply of brand new bodyshells allowed him to get exactly what he wanted.

Bromsgrove MG built the car from the ground up, renewing all wear items and fitting the following:

Alloy wheels, four-speed with overdrive, a mohair hood, 'classic style' leather seats, walnut dash and interior fittings. immobiliser' brake servo, stage two unleaded head, electric aerial, wood rim wheel, stainless boot rack, electronic ignition, radio/stereo, MG RV8 front suspension and a Kenlowe fan. The car was painted dark metallic blue and looked superb.

Photos on file document the build - from the bare shell to the completed car - it was to all intense and purposes a new vehicle when delivered, that has covered just 18,700 miles over the intervening 21 years.

Since build, the car has been well looked after and looks like the low mileage example it really is. MOTd until July 2022 with no advisories, it is only offered for sale through lack of use and looks most enticing at the catalogue estimate.

Contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com