Many more pictures available on our Flickr photograph account HERE

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Priced at ***Sale agreed***.

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Chrome Bumper MGBs are proving ever-increasingly-popular, with prices back on the rise. Being both Tax and MOT exempt, owning these cars is very affordable, along with cheap insurance, excellent spares availability and a very helpful Owners Club scene – what’s not to like? They’re the perfect starter classic, or perhaps you’re looking for something that’s usable and enjoyable to add to your current fleet of classics!
 

This is a very special car that simply oozes originality – I don’t think I’ve ever had an MGB roadster in such original, unmessed with condition, and a service history that goes all the way back to new, and a car which has never needed structural restoration, with almost totally original external panelwork. Cars like this appear on the market very rarely indeed, so don’t miss out.

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We bought the car recently from a long-term previous owner with the idea of making it absolutely mint. However, on assessing the car properly, it would be a crying shame to effectively remove the originality and gentle aging that the past 50 years has given to this incredibly original example. For example, the car retains its original card wiring loom tags from the production line, original rubber floor and sill mats in excellent order (I’ve never even seen a complete set still fitted to a car!); the dashboard has never been repainted, the door cards and sills are original – the list just goes on and on! You can see from the pictures what a truly remarkable car this is.

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The comprehensive history file shows that SMY5M was originally purchased by a Mr Oliver from Stewart & Ardern in London, one of the original Morris dealers from 1911, and the foremost BMC dealer in the country in the late 60s and early 70s, eventually bought out by Henlys. The history file (two thick lever-arch files!) includes the original handbook (including the envelope it was supplied in – hen’s teeth!) along with a set of fuel rationing stamps which were given to owners of new cars in preparation for their potential introduction due to the Suez crisis. The BL ‘Passport to Service’ is also included, and fully stamped up. This is supported by various receipts spanning through the 1970s and 80s and beyond, confirming that the displayed mileage of c.67,000 is absolutely correct. It really is remarkable!

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Painted in the rare colour ‘Citron’ which was produced for only a few months on the chrome bumper cars. The car was supplied with optional Chrome Rostyle Wheels (all 5 still present!), headrests and overdrive.

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Since then, the car has clearly led a very easy life – I can’t stress enough how straight, un-messed with and genuine it is. Most MGBs have had serious restoration several times, and usually not to the best of standards – to find a car like this with all original panelwork (original sills, floors, doors, wings – and all absolutely rock solid) is practically impossible. The engine is sweet as a nut and it drives very well indeed.

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Work over in the past couple of years includes:

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• Full front suspension rebuild including track rod ends

• Four new tyres

• New clutch master cylinder

• New fuel pump

• Major service

• 12v battery conversion

• Carburettors stripped, cleaned, rebalanced and retuned

• Removal and strip of distributor to ensure correct ignition advance

• Rear brakes adjusted, all suspension points greased

• Compression test to ensure complete engine health (all compressions at around 150PSI)

• …and much more!

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Bodily, the car really is lovely, with only the most minor of age-related cosmetic issues. I can’t stress enough how original the car is. The panelwork is incredible – spot welds still visible on the rear wheelarch lips etc etc. The car had its sides repainted many years ago but I believe the paint on the bonnet, scuttle, rear deck and boot lid is all original. The colour match is good and the car presents very well indeed. Yes, of course there are a few VERY minor imperfections here and there, as to be expected from such an original vehicle – but quite frankly you’ll be hard-pressed to fault it. The doors shut with a satisfying ‘clunk’ and the panel gaps are very good indeed. I don’t think you will be disappointed if you come to view. You can see pictures of each panel in turn via the link on this page.

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The original chrome Rostyle wheels are present and in good order, and have recently been shod with new tyres of the correct size. The car sits straight and level and presents beautifully.

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As already mentioned, the car doesn’t appear to have needed any structural welding at all; nor does it need any! Chassis legs, castle sections, floors etc are all nice and solid and the car doesn’t seem to be hiding any nasty horrors, like so many of the cars on the market do. The underside is extremely clean and tidy, no thick underseal hiding nasty repairs here.

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The interior is, quite frankly, incredible. Amazingly original – the original seat covers are in perfect condition, and the original rubber floor mats are still present and in near A1 condition. These have been unobtainable forever. The dashboard has never been repainted, and the car retains its original door cards which remain in good order. A tasteful Moto Lita wood-rim steering wheel was fitted in the 1990s.

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The hood and folding frame is in good order - the vinyl roof was replaced by specialist Tim Kelly around 15 years ago.  It fits nice and taut with cloud-free windows, and has always been folded correctly. One of the quarter windows has a minor split where it meets the vinyl but this is easily replaceable – I have recently had them replaced on another car for around £50 per side. The original full and half-tonneaus are included, along with the original tool kit and spare wheel. The boot area is carpeted nicely and includes a spare wheel cover (the spare is also a chrome Rostyle).

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The engine starts readily and runs nicely, ticking over smoothly and pulling strongly. It sounds very sweet indeed! Oil pressure is excellent both cold and hot, and there are no overheating problems to report. The 4-synchro overdrive gearbox selects gears nicely, the overdrive engages without fuss and the rear axle is nice and quiet. The exhaust note is fantastic! You can see in the pictures that the engine bay is very clean and tidy and the car has no major oil or coolant leaks. The car has been fitted with a thermostatically controlled Kenlowe fan (with manual override switch), and also has Lumenition Electronic Ignition, along with a stainless steel exhaust. As mentioned earlier, the car has had the 12v battery conversion – all very sensible but easily reversible modifications to ensure ongoing reliability. The clutch was replaced back in 2010 when the engine was removed and painted.

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The car rides beautifully and stops well too – the way it’s so free from creaks and rattles, and feels so taut is very much thanks to its low mileage and the fact it’s not had structural restoration. It’s a true gem!

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The service history is simply vast, as you can see from the pictures. The car also has two full sets of keys, and of course, the car has a current matching-numbers V5 document.

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All in all, this is an absolutely charming little car that is ready to be used and enjoyed, and I’m determined to find a deserving owner who understands that its originality must be upheld and respected! No, this is not a freshly over-restored car; it’s a true time-warp car, something that can’t be replicated with restoration!

You will not find another car at this price that is as original and maintained to this standard, it is a credit to its previous owners. I travel all over the country to view these cars and I can assure you you’ll be hard pressed to find a car in such good order with such history for less money. It’s the ideal candidate to take to true concours/originality should you so wish, but at the same time it’s a truly lovely thing to use, enjoy and maintain exactly as it is.

Of course, the car is now MOT exempt but you can see from the MOT history that the car has never had any major issues, and any advisory faults always rectified immediately.

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Many more pictures available on our Flickr photograph account HERE

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£Sale Agreed

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