1981 MGB LE Roadster |

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1981 MGB LE Roadster

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£6,250

Mileage~82,200
TransmissionManual
Engine1.8L
LocationOswestry

SOLD

1981 MGB LE Roadster

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Paul Wright

Professional Consigner

One of the final 420 Roadsters ever produced by MG makes this something of a rare vehicle.

The development of the MGB Roadster started in 1958, with the code name MG EX205. It had a unitary structure as opposed to the traditional body on frame construction used on the MGA and the MG T-type. It wasn't until 4 years later, in 1962, that the British Motor Corporation BMC started to market the MGB, and finally offered it to purchase in 1963.

They used the BMC B-series engine, which was the previous MGA’s 1600cc engine that had been bored out to 1800cc. Originally, the early cars had a three main bearing crankshaft, which was changed to five bearing in 1974, and were fuelled by twin SU carburettors. There were a few changes over the years to the MGB, including some interior upgrades and exterior trim, but the main facelift for the Roadster was in 1974. This is when the introduction of rubber bumpers came into force, to enable MG to meet the United States strict impact regulations.

This particular model we have here belongs to Tony, and is one of the last 1,000 MGB's produced. They were named the LE (last edition). Out of the 1,000 produced, just 420 of them were Roadsters making the MGB LE Roadster quite special.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Paul after meeting Tony the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

Wanting a car for the weekends, there was no better option for me than a British 2 seater roadster.

Tony has owned this 1981 MGB LE Roadster for the past 5 years, and has enjoyed every mile in it, using the MG whenever possible for days out, or even just a quick blast into town.

It’s not all been about driving the MG though. Tony is a bit of a tinkerer, and he has enjoyed working on and maintaining this 2-seater whenever he could.

Since the pandemic, the car hasn’t seen much use, and this is what has prompted Tony to part with the roadster, as well as wanting to raise some capital for a project he has in mind. He'll be happy to answer any questions you have about the car in the comments section.

Tony

Vehicle Owner

Tony saved £1,080* when they
sold their MG with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Bronze metallic paintwork and stripes running down the length of the bodywork - unique styling for the LE.

Wheels and Tyres

The wheels on the MG are another LE touch, quite similar to the Triumph Stag in style. They have been repainted at some point and look to be free from any major damage, other than some flaking of the silver and black paint.

The tyres were replaced not so long ago to a matching set of Goodyear Efficient Grip, and this also includes the spare.

Bodywork

The bodywork on the 1981 MG Roadster LE is in quite good condition for the year and mileage. There are a few small dinks and dents dotted about the body, but it looks to be good in the main.

Starting at the front, and it appears to line up straight with the edge of the bonnet. The lower spoiler, which if you didn't know is another LE addition, is in good condition with no splits or cracks. Moving up the bonnet, there is some slight blistering to the paintwork where the wings meet the scuttle panel.

Down the flanks of the little roadster are relatively straight, with just the odd car park injury. The doors look to align as well as they should. The roof was replaced in late 2017/2018, and it fits nice and is taught when closed.

As we move around to the rear, the bumper looks to be in good order with just one slight scuff to the driver's side. The boot lid sits well against the back panel, but could do with a slight adjustment to the top edge where it is sitting slightly proud.

Underneath the MG is in very nice condition, with no real surface corrosion to the sills and the jacking points. The only area that does have some surface rust is the fuel tank, but with that said, a sunny afternoon under the car painting this would have it protected for a while longer.

Please see the gallery for more detailed images.

Paint

All LE roadsters were all finished in Bronze Metallic and had the gold decals running down the body to finish them off.

This LE has had a top half respray at some point prior to Tony purchasing the car. It has been repainted down to the first line of the decals. There are a few little blisters here and there as you start to look around the car, but these would be described as superficial and don't appear to be any real areas for concern.

Please see the image gallery for more detailed shots.

Glass and Trim

The windows look to be in good condition, with no deep scratches to be seen. There are some light marks as you would expect for the age of the vehicle. The window rubbers are generally in good order, with just a small amount of perishing to the side windows.

Around the quarter light windows is the chrome trim, and that all looks to be in a nice condition with no signs of heavy pitting or tarnishing. As the roof was replaced not so long ago, the window is in brilliant condition with no blooming to the plastic, and is crease free.

The MG’s headlights are free from any cracks or chips, and the chrome surround is in good order to both lamps. The rear light lenses are also free from any splits, apart from one fog light which has some PVC tape around it, another easy fix.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Simply functional - the MGB Roadster does what it says on the tin. Get in, drop the roof down and off you go!

Seats and Carpets

The seats in the MGB were replaced a few years ago and so are in good condition. Still well sprung and comfortable, there is just some light wear of the colour to the drivers and passenger bolster. This would be quite an easy fix with some of the products available today to recolour seats.

The carpets do have some age related wear to them, and there is a small hole on the passenger side where the carpet folds over the sill. The boot has the spare wheel, jack and wheel brace present. The carpet is clean, with no obvious wear to point out.

Dashboard

The dash has no splits or damage to be seen. The instruments are all reported to be working as they should with the odometer showing a reading of ~80,200 miles.

To the centre of the dash, the heater controls have some slight wear to the bezels, but it is in keeping with the mileage and age.

Please see the interior gallery for more detailed shots.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

Sitting in the driver's seat you are faced with the large MG wheel. This is in good order, with some light wear to the grain on the outer edge.

The gear knob shows 1,2,3,4, R and the Overdrive in/out switch. There is some light wear to the paint finish on the lower part of the knob.

Please review the media pack to see all of the interior in great detail.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

This revy MGB had another cylinder head fitted at ~60,862 miles - since then it’s run like a dream.

Engine and Gearbox

The 1.8L engine fires up just as it should and comes quickly to an even idle. It was given a full service approximately ~1,500 miles ago and at 60,000 miles there was a new timing chain fitted. There are no untoward noises reported to be coming from the engine.

The MG is fitted with a 4-speed gearbox with overdrive available in 3rd and 4th. The seller reports that this works just as it should, with no noises coming from the transmission, and the car comes to a stop as it should. It's worth mentioning the MG had a new clutch fitted at ~61,000 miles and a new clutch cylinder more recently in 2019.

Suspension and Brakes

The MG has had new rear dampers and leaf springs in August 2019, which have now only covered around ~1,500 miles, so we can say these are practically new.

Around the same time, the brakes were also given an overhaul, with the front calipers stripped and cleaned, and new pads fitted, bringing the MGB back into the world of being able to stop as it should.

The Drive

Driving along in the MGB is a blast, especially with the roof down. The ride is firm and the car feels well balanced and planted as it travels down the twisty B roads. Being so low down and in such a nimble car, you don’t have to go fast to make it feel like you’re going really fast.

There are no untoward noises coming from the suspension or the transmission to mention. The overdrive works as it should, shaving off a few hundred RPM for some improved fuel economy.

Electrics and Other

Everything in the car is reported to be working just as it should. The switchgear all looks to be in good order, with no obvious wear to the buttons.

There is a Sony CD head unit fitted for the in-car entertainment.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

With invoices dating back to the early 80’s, it’s safe to say the MGB has got an excellent history.

The history folder can only be described as extensive. A true testament to Tony and the previous keepers for ensuring the history file has been kept up to date with all the work the MGB has had done through its life.

There are plenty of MOT certificates to sort through which tie up with the mileage on the invoices. The earliest is the first MOT in 1984, and they have continued from then on, with just a few missing. The current MOT is valid until 18th August 2022.

The V5 is present and shows 11 previous keepers. Included with the sale is a hard top, which is in need of a couple of easy repairs. Also, a luggage rack and tonneau cover.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and the vehicle is HPI clear.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
19.08.2021	MOT	80,057
23.04.2019	Service	78,697
17.04.2019	MOT	78,697
04.05.2018	MOT	77,440
15.03.2017	Service	Not listed
07.03.2017	MOT	75,396
25.05.2016	MOT	75,374
12.05.2015	MOT	75,207
14.04.2014	MOT	74,985
10.05.2013	MOT	74,871
09.05.2012	MOT	74821
15.05.2010	MOT	74,364
10.10.2002	Service	Not listed
25.03.2003	MOT	72,427
03.04.2001	MOT	71,488
06.04.2000	MOT	70,429
09.04.1999	MOT	69,826
19.05.1998	MOT	69,283
09.07.1997	MOT	61,900
03.07.1997	Clutch	61,900
29.03.1997	MOT	53,172
25.07.1996	MOT	54,757
14.06.1995	MOT	52,316
26.11.1990	MOT	47,764
06.12.1989	MOT	42,912
21.11.1988	MOT	37,084
02.11.1987	MOT	30,041
11.10.1986	MOT	24,662
09.09.1985	MOT	21,905
07.09.1984	MOT	17,865