1969 MG MGB

1969 MG MGB Mk II Roadster

Who needs a Mazda Miata when you can have a classic MG Roadster?

Made in Abingdon, England, this example is one of 14,480 Mk II roadsters exported to North America in 1969.

Dressed in red with black racing stripes, this roadster has been slightly modified since it left Jolly Ol' England. On the outside, the convertible sports a front air dam with LED fog lights and modern headlights, some bodyside ground effect elements, a lip spoiler on the trunk lid, roll bars for the driver and passenger and a honkin' rear wing.

Here is a description of the MGB in the owners words:
Complete frame on restoration (2024, Mechanical) added Sebring ground affects kit with spoilers. Restoration Includes: Top end engine rebuild including cylinder head and cam, new fuel tank and pump, electronic ignition, new cap, rotor, wires and plugs, all new hoses includes silicone radiator hoses, aluminum intake and weber carburetor, 100 amp alternator, all new ligating,, projection headlights, LED driving lights, complete interior refurbishment, custom rollbar and seatbelts, new top and frame, new tires and powdercoated wire wheels and knock offs, new exhaust system, new front brake pads, rebuilt calipers, new rear brakes, wheel cylinders, new master cylinder, new clutch master cylinder and salve cylinder, AM FM CD player and speakers. Looks good overall but there are minor flaws and marks under the new paint. Items that still need attention: Brake lights, wipers, tach, temp and fuel gage are inop.

To meet US safety regulations for the 1968 model year, the MGB received dual circuit brakes. Nineteen sixty-nine also saw three windscreen wipers instead of two to sweep the required percentage of the glass for the US market, high seat backs with head restraints and side marker lamps.

This two-seater rolls on all-season radials, size 155/80R14 with black wire wheels at each corner. There're a spare tire and wheel in the car's trunk. All MGBs were fitted with 11-inch, solid (non-ventilated) disc brakes on the front with drum brakes on the rear. The front brake calipers were manufactured by Lockheed and used two pistons per caliper. The brake system on the MGB GT was the same as the roadster with the exception of slightly larger rear brake cylinders. A single-circuit hydraulic system was used before 1968 when dual-circuit (separate front and rear systems) were installed on all MGBs to comply with US regulations.

Under the hood is a 1.8L (B-series) four-cylinder engine. All MGBs from 1963 to 1974 used twin 1.5-inch SU carburetors. Backing the motor is a four-speed manual transmission. Changes during this time included new gearboxes with revised ratios and synchromesh on all four gears, a new rear axle and an alternator in place of the dynamo with a change to a negative earth system. The Mk II's new gearboxes required significantly altered floorpan sheet metal with a new, flat-topped transmission tunnel. MGB GTs first began using a tube-type rear axle in 1967.

The body was a pure two-seater; a small rear seat was a rare option at one point. The MGB offered better space use to passengers and luggage than the preceding MGA, despite being both three inches shorter in wheelbase and overall length and two inches lower. Growing in width by the same, gave the MGB a distinctly lower and squatter stance than its forebear. The suspension was softer, giving a smoother ride and the larger engine gave a slightly higher top speed. The four-speed gearbox was an uprated version of the one used in the MGA with an optional (electrically activated) overdrive transmission. Wheel diameter dropped from 15 to 14 inches.

The MGB initially had an extremely simple electrical system. Dash-mounted toggle switches controlled the lights, ventilation fan and wipers with only the direction indicators being mounted on a stalk on the steering column. The ignition switch was also mounted on the dash. Like the MGA, the MGB used two six-volt batteries wired in series to give a 12-volt positive earth configuration. The batteries were placed under a scuttle panel behind the seats making access difficult; the location gave excellent weight distribution and thus improved handling. The charging system used a Lucas dynamo.

Key details
VIN / chassis: GHN4U178790G

Offered by MotoeXotica Classic Cars, 2340 Cassens Dr, St. Louis, MO 63026. Taxes, title and fees not included.

Photos courtesy of MotoeXotica Classic Cars.