I’ll let you in on a little secret. If you ask the people who restore, repair and own classic British sports cars what the best choice is for one that you are actually going to use and drive, especially if you will be driving it more than 250 miles a year, that choice is likely to be the MG MGB.
I say this because over the last few weeks I have taken a poll of many restorers and mechanics and always received the MGB as the answer.
The MGB offers true British sports car motoring, with the added advantages of being reliable (if properly cared for), inexpensive to repair, and amazingly usable, especially in modern traffic.
The MGB, which was built from 1962 until 1980, is the most popular British sports car ever, with an astounding total of 523,836 produced.
As time went on the car lost performance and gained big black bumpers, but it was the last classic British sports car and is fun to own and to drive. The MGB is also one of the most affordable classic sports cars you can buy.
The Pick of the Day is this 1980 MGB Limited Edition located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. The car is being advertised on ClassicCars.com by a dealer.
The 1979 and 1980 MGB Limited Edition cars were some of the very last cars built, and though it does have the rubber bumpers that many purists despise, I like it and think it is the best of those rubber bumper cars, with the styling finally well executed with the addition of the front spoiler and alloy wheels.
The fact that these Limited Edition models were only available in black also helps to give the bumpers a more integrated look.
All Limited Edition cars had a leather covered steering wheel, silver side striping, a Limited Edition plaque, rear rack, and the aforementioned alloy wheels and front spoiler.
This specific car has a very detailed description. According to the seller, the car received a repaint in 2008 that is reportedly in fair condition. When repainted the owner had the silver limited edition re-applied. The car still has its original alloy wheels.
The interior is said also to be in good condition, with new carpeting in 2008. It still has the Limited Edition leather 3-spoke steering wheel as well as the Limited Edition dash plaque.
The best bits of this car are the mechanicals. It has had been set up to UK spec, having its single smog compliant Stromberg carburetor replaced by dual SU carbs, is overdrive equipped model, and is said to start, run, and drive very well.
Owned by the same person for the last 10 years, this car has a very fair price of only $11,900.
If you have always dreamed about owning a classic sports car but were nervous about taking the plunge, look no further than this 1980 MGB LE.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Your article is correct in most all ways…and the car itself seemingly a good value. I would take the position that the MGB (especially rubber) just doesn’t have the soul of the classic roadster. A car frequently for your daughter in college (hence perhaps many of the things now stressed as benefits) are those that actually keep it from being "real".
I am interested in the 1980 MGB for sell.
Thanks
Tony
Andy, in 79 and 80, there was one more offered feature. Rare but its out there (I have one on a 1980), the Factory "Provided" but American Dealership installed AC unit. It slaved off the main engine pulley and the alternator then slaved off it. It does, when ON, pull a good amount of power from the engine….I turn the thermostat off when going up hills. As each Dealership had to HACK this into the car, every one I have ever seen is a little different than the rest. Mine is functional and cool…and maintained. I presently have 135K on the 1980 and it makes runs from GA to FL at 500 miles quite well. I do, of course stop every 100 miles at a Waffle House and check all the fluids. Nice article. Thanks.
Only about 7000 bucks to highly priced 60hp
Heavyweight
The LE BLACK was a desperate ploy to create sales.
It isnt a collector’s car
By the last 6 years in the US its wasn’t even a sports car
Interesting article. I had a 1974 (last year before the black bumpers) with beautiful wire simulated alloy wheels and overdrive. Before I had put 100 miles on it I took it to a custom upholstery shop and they replaced the vinyl convertible top with an insulated (think Volkswagen) canvas top and glass rear window. They also did custom top framing so that the top went down almost exactly the same as a modern Miata, or Mustang. I removed the air pump, plugged the appropriate holes with brass bolts (interestingly enough available from the dealer) and had a local mechanic replace the carburetor jets with those from a 1967 MGB. The exhaust manifold was replaced with a header ordered from England and a tuned exhaust was installed. I drove it twice across Canada (one failed clutch), once to Florida and eventually sold it to a collector in Toronto, who still owns, and drives, it. Great car.😎
I have a 1979 black, limited edition MGB. Has always been in garage. No rust good body, and leather. No tears, little wear, been stored approx. 25 yrs. I realize it would need work, but interested in selling for as much as possible. I see some sites are as much as $13K to $25k. Checking all sites for best deal. I have discovered that those who own or work on these cars, say the body is the important thing. I currently receive all info from Moss Motors that sell everything for these cars. My car looks just like the pictures.
I have the same car in the article/photo. The black Limited Edition, 1980. Keep it in the garage for for the past 25 years, driving it occasionally, low miles, about 12k.
It’s hard to get some mechanics to work on it consistently in Texas. If anyone is interested, I would like to exchange emails or contact information to talk about the car, its strengths and weaknesses and resale value.
Thanks,
John Hempel Brisbane Australia. I owned an American imported black MG LE 25years ago, one of my biggest regrets was selling it .They are rare cars here. I found another one on the on the other side of Australia and bought it recently.I will never sell this one ,Luckily its in really good order. John
Ted Johnson, New Hampshire —purchased a 1980 Blue MGB summer 2022 for enjoying the back country roads. No dissatisfaction at all with the mechanics or looks of this beauty. It’s enjoyable solving issues that arise and am amazed at the valuable info available for any repair. Added a marine fan into my heater box and doubled the heat output so will cruise into NE winter in comfort. Best purchase I’ve made!
Regards, Ted