1979 MG MGB

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The MG MGB is the quintessential British sports car of its era and was made 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.” Plenty of enthusiasts heeded the call. In 1979, the model year of the MGB on offer, a total of 25,144 roadsters were sold, many of those to Americans. Powered by a 1.8-liter inline-four engine that’s mated to a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive, this ’79 wears yellow paint, a black fold-down top, and triple windshield wipers.

Highlights 

• Finished in yellow paint over black interior with vinyl upholstery 

• Powered by a 1.8-liter OHV inline four-cylinder engine rated at 63 horsepower 

• Four-speed manual transmission with optional electric overdrive 

• Black fold-down convertible top 

• New Hankook Kinergy 185/70R14 tires

• The chassis number (GHN5UL499362) decodes as: 

  • G – MG 

  • H – BMC B-Series 1.8-liter engine 

  • N – Two-seat roadster 

  • 5 – Mk3 

  • U – U.S. left-hand drive  

  • L – 1979 model year 

  • 499362 – Production number  

Features 

• Front disc brakes (with less than 500 miles of use) 

• Front independent suspension with coil springs 

• Rear tube-axle with semi-elliptic springs 

• 14-inch MG wheels with chrome rings 

• Dash instrumentation: 120 mph speedometer with odometer, tachometer, fuel level, and water temperature 

• Indicator lights for beam, ignition, hazard, brakes 

• Analog clock 

 Known Imperfections 

• Paint chips up front 

• Chips in front and rear rubber bumpers 

• Scratches/scuffs on top and bottom of windshield trim 

• Paint scraped on driver’s side rear fender near taillight 

• Passenger side rear license plate light has been repaired/resealed 

• Paint chipped on rear MG badge 

• Some pitting on chrome 

• Several snaps on canvas top are broken 

• Leather on center console/armrest is worn and cracked 

• Buzzer goes off intermittently and needs to be diagnosed and fixed; consignor believes it is the seatbelt warning 

Included 

• Spare tire 

• Jack 

• Original driver’s handbook as well as some  

• Paperwork from the previous owner 

Ownership History

The consignor of this 1979 MG MGB has owned it since 2018.