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, this ’79 wears black paint, a black factory hardtop, and the car’s trademark triple windshield wipers. 

Highlights 

• Finished in black paint (recently detailed, paint corrected, and ceramic coated) 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 

• Black factory hardtop and black soft top  

• The chassis number (GHN5UL479393) 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 

  • 479393 – Production number  

Features 

• Mechanical work completed in the past year ($1,000) includes: 

  • Carb gasket kit

  • Thermostat gasket

  • New expansion tank

  • New fuel sending unit

  • Replaced exhaust mount 

• 14 inch Rostyle Wheels 

• Yokohama Avid H4 175/70R14 tires 

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

• Indicator lights for beam, ignition, hazard, brakes 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint chips up front 

• Paint scraped on the lower portion of the rear passenger fender 

• Paint spots/imperfections on both front fenders 

Included 

• Spare tire 

• Jack 

Ownership History 

The consignor of this 1979 MG MGB has owned it since March 2024.