1976 MGB ROADSTER - $4,500 (Solvang CA)

[Reynard]

https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/cto/d/buellton-mgb-roadster/7661021391.html

 

1976 MGB ROADSTER
GREAT CONDITION, ORIGINAL PAINT,
MECHANICALLY SOUND,
IAM THE 4 th OWNER
NEED SPACE THE THE GARAGE
NEW SUSPENSION
NEW BRAKES
WOODEN WHEEL, ORIGINAL WITH CAR
TONNEU COVER ,

(805) 697-6495

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2023 by Reynard (see edit history)

[Sal Hepatica]

Bi-annual smog needed in Calif.

-if it were a '75, smog except.

Smog pump and accouterments appear intact.

Sure looks clean.

 

[TerryB]

I like it!  Good color. typical for the era.

Edited September 1, 2023 by TerryB (see edit history)

[suchan]

Nice car, nice price.

Buy the car, celebrate at The Hitching Post (restaurant).

Now that’s a great weekend.

[1957Birdman]

Ugly "cow catcher" front bumper, the original chrome bumper and grill of the 1960s cars definitely improves the looks, in my opinion. I am not a big fan of 1970s cars due to mandated safety regulations and poor engine performance. 

Lew Bachman

1957 Thunderbird

[pmhowe]

Those are fun cars to drive. I think it is a steal at that price, and someone (other than me) should jump on it.

[Fossil]

I've noticed over the years that for some reason these older British sports cars don't seem to hold their value like other cars for the 60's and 70's. Is it because us old coots can't get into them anymore? 

 

 

[plymouthcranbrook]

13 minutes ago, Fossil said:

I've noticed over the years that for some reason these older British sports cars don't seem to hold their value like other cars for the 60's and 70's. Is it because us old coots can't get into them anymore? 

 

 

I suspect getting into them is not the real problem. Getting out however…

[Leif in Calif]

If you want a car that has good parts support and an active club, MG is right in there with Model As and Ts. 

[rocketraider]

16 hours ago, plymouthcranbrook said:

I suspect getting into them is not the real problem. Getting out however…

That's one of the few places the rubber bumper B shines. To meet Federal bumper height regs it's several inches higher off the ground than a chrome bumper job.😃

 

What has always amazed me is in the 70s the feds caved to the insurance industry's clamor for 5mph bumpers to reduce payouts, creating homely faces such as this otherwise sexy little Britcar sports.

 

Why then, 50 years later, does that industry not clamor for total prohibition of cellphone or other electronic distraction use while operating a motor vehicle?

[Gearheadengineer]

This looks like a decent B. I know a bit about these. They are fun to drive, easy to work on, and you can get any part you need. There are some pitfalls, starting with rust. The first place to look is the rocker panels and the rear panel underneath the trunk lid.
 

In the rocker (outer sill in MG speak) there should be a vertical seam at the lower edge of the front fender and another toward the rear. If these are not visible, run away. This means they’ve been filled in as part of a poor rust repair or in an attempt to hide rust. There is no such thing as “a little rust” on a B. The sills are an integral part of the structure and they rust from the inside out. This car looks to have good seams on both sides, which is a good sign. 
 

The rear panel is not as critical as the rockers. Similar situation - there should be two vertical seams. These are often filled during a repaint. Sometimes people just think it looks better that way, other times there was rust coming through that seam so they covered it over. 
 

I prefer the chrome bumper versions, preferably ‘67 and earlier. That said, this one seems like a good deal and the rubber bumper cars can be lots of fun. 

[Leif in Calif]

In 1976 all the automakers were struggling to meet the new smog regulations. MG put this rather charming clock-work box in the middle of the speedometer cable which claims to track the useful life of the catalytic converter. I don't know of any other automaker who even considered this! 

[Fossil]

My 77' Datsun Pickup had some kind of little electrical box in it that set off a warning light to return the truck to the dealer. I tracked it down when my light came on. It had a little rubber plug on it's face. I was able to pull it out and stuck a piece of wire in it and that reset it. The light never came on again. I don't recall anything being mentioned in the service manual about it. 

 

 

[Leif in Calif]

I'm not aware of a set service life on any catalytic converter!

The whole concept of a chemical catalyst is it's not consumed in the reaction. 

Maybe if it were made by Lucas....

[Fossil]

If that Do-Dad was made by Lucas it would have failed long before any warnings were needed.

[Buick35]

On 9/2/2023 at 5:54 PM, Gearheadengineer said:

This looks like a decent B. I know a bit about these. They are fun to drive, easy to work on, and you can get any part you need. There are some pitfalls, starting with rust. The first place to look is the rocker panels and the rear panel underneath the trunk lid.
 

In the rocker (outer sill in MG speak) there should be a vertical seam at the lower edge of the front fender and another toward the rear. If these are not visible, run away. This means they’ve been filled in as part of a poor rust repair or in an attempt to hide rust. There is no such thing as “a little rust” on a B. The sills are an integral part of the structure and they rust from the inside out. This car looks to have good seams on both sides, which is a good sign. 
 

The rear panel is not as critical as the rockers. Similar situation - there should be two vertical seams. These are often filled during a repaint. Sometimes people just think it looks better that way, other times there was rust coming through that seam so they covered it over. 
 

I prefer the chrome bumper versions, preferably ‘67 and earlier. That said, this one seems like a good deal and the rubber bumper cars can be lots of fun. 

Thanks for the tip.Tomorrow I'll check out the seams on my 74 B.

[JamesR]

As of now, the ad has been deleted. I'm guessing someone got a good deal on a cool old car.