1977 MG MGB Roadster

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The MG MGB is the quintessential British sports car of its era and was available in several different versions, ranging from an open roadster to a three-door 2+2 coupe, along with a variety of engine sizes.   

After the MGB’s initial introduction in September 1962, numerous incremental improvements and upgrades were made until the final roadster rolled off the production line in 1980. Due to federal safety mandates, molded polyurethane bumpers — designed to handle a 5-mph crash without deforming — began to appear in 1975.   

MG advertised its MGB as “a wide-open invitation to adventure” and emphasized the driving experience: “The wind in your hair, the road winding out before you ... Drive it and discover this rare, sensuous feeling” — and plenty of enthusiasts heeded the call. In 1977, the model year of the MGB on offer, a total of 29,995 roadsters were sold, many of those to Americans. Powered by a 1.8-liter inline-four engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission, this ’77 wears Damask Red paint and sports the car’s trademark triple windshield wipers. 

Highlights 

• Finished in Damask Red paint with black canvas top over black vinyl interior 

• Powered by a 1.8-liter OHV inline four-cylinder engine (Weber carb and header) rated at 95 horsepower  

• Four-speed manual transmission 

• Upgrades under current ownership include: 

  • New lifters 

  • New fuel pump 

  • New electronic distributor 

  • New water pump 

  • New oil cooler 

  • Cylinder head decoked  

  • Electrical system sorted, and all grounds were repaired, cleaned, and tightened 

  • Battery is in a box, not open like stock 

  • Differential shims and bushings replaced 

  • New rear brake shoes and fittings  

• The chassis number (GHN5UH432169G) decodes as: 

  • G – MG  

  • H – BMC B-Series 1.8-liter engine  

  • N – Two-seat roadster  

  • 5 – Mk3  

  • U – U.S. left-hand drive   

  • H – 1977 model year  

  • 432169 – Production number 

  • G – Abingdon, UK, assembly plant 

Features 

• Sony AM/FM/CD stereo with Scosche speakers 

• Dash instrumentation: 120 mph speedometer and odometer, 7000 rpm tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature 

• 14-inch wire wheels 

• Falken Sincera SN828 185/65R14 86T tires 

• Luggage rack 

Known Imperfections 

• Multiple paint chips, spider cracks, scratches, and peeling on the original paint, commensurate with the age of the vehicle 

• Corrosion on the rocker panels 

• Small cracks on the dashboard and paint chipped on speedometer bezel 

• Steering wheel has a crack and is wrapped in tape 

Included 

• Spare tire 

• Jack 

• Hub wrench 

• Tool kit 

• The Complete Official MGB 1975-1980 workshop manual 

• The MGA, MGB, MGC book 

Ownership History 

The Washington state consignor of this 1977 MG MGB Roadster has owned it since August 2021. “This is a driver car not a show car. The top is tight and nice, and the windows are clear and crack free.”