Age is just a number, right? Some cars are so well-kept, you’d never know they’re upwards of half a century old. And if a vehicle happens to be a bright yellow two-seat convertible with a sport-tuned suspension and a manual transmission, the fun-factor is timeless – even at 50 years old.
The Pick of the Day is a 1974 MG MGB roadster listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Tucson, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Garaged for most of its life,” the listing says. The seller says that the car is rust-free, and the photos corroborate that statement (pictures 28 through 35 give a detailed look at the underbody). Perhaps the preservation is due to the fact that the car was protected with a corrosion inhibitor when it was new.
The original MG MGB had a production lifespan of about 18 years beginning in 1962. Assembly was carried out initially by British Motor Corporation and later by British Leyland. There were some changes applied to the design in 1974 that brought the car into compliance with United States impact regulations; one of those updates was the addition of oversized rubber bumper overriders.
The MGB was touted in manufacturer advertising as a car that exemplified “what great sports car motoring is all about.” The car was further proudly described as being “trim, taut, and agile.” Those adjectives are buzzwords that enthusiasts like to hear. After all, British roadsters weren’t known for their sheer speed, but rather for their adept handling.
Up front, power originates with a reportedly numbers-matching 1,800cc inline-four with twin SU carburetors. The engine was rebuilt in 1989 and the clutch was replaced at the same time. A four-speed manual transmission sends torque to the rear wheels, and the odometer shows 151,890 miles. The seller says that the car is well maintained and that service records are available.
MGB alleged, “The rack and pinion steering, the race-seasoned suspension, and the front disc brakes combine to give you precise, sure-footed handling and stopping – the kind of response that turns driving pressure into driving pleasure. You’ll experience it most where the roads still touch the edges of nature, and the air is scented with the sweet smells of earth.”
Are you ready to head off into sweet-smelling nature in a nimble-handling British roadster? Here you go.
The asking price is $14,500 or best offer.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, you’ll find it in the archives at Pick of the Day.
