1980 MG MGB Roadster Five-Speed

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The MG MGB is the quintessential British sports car of its era and was made available in several different versions from its UK manufacturer, 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, and these late-model MGs are still among the more popular classic sports cars out there.

"The greatest pleasure in owning a classic like the MGB is driving it — the wind in your hair, the road winding out before you ... Drive it and discover this rare, sensuous feeling," the 1980 MGB sales brochure suggested. Nearly 17,000 buyers of the 1980 roadster did exactly that.

Highlights 

• Final year of the classic British sports car  

• Finished in Leyland White paint over black (and tan) vinyl interior 

• Powered by a 1.8-liter OHV inline four-cylinder engine rated at 95 horsepower  

• Tan fold-down convertible top  

• Upgrades include:  

  • Original four-speed manual transmission was swapped for a Datsun five-speed 

  • Electronic ignition replaced points 

  • High torque starter 

  • Weber carburetor replaced SU carbs 

  • Replaced driver’s seat foam and installed new Autumn Leaf vinyl upholstery (also on passenger seat headrest) 

• The chassis number (GVVDJ2AG511280) decodes as:  

  • G – MG  

  • V – MGB   

  • V – Convertible  

  • D – 1.8-liter inline-four  

  • J – Manual seat belts 

  • 2 – Check digit 

  • A – 1980 model year  

  • G – Abingdon, Great Britain, assembly plant  

  • 511280 – Production number 

Features 

• Front air dam spoiler 

• Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo 

• 14-inch mag-style wheels  

• General Altimax HP 185/70R14 tires 

 Known Imperfections 

• A previous owner painted the car himself, and paint now shows numerous imperfections, including chips, cracks, scuffs, bubbling, and light corrosion 

• Front fiberglass air dam is cracked but salvageable 

• Pitting on the chrome headlight bezels (and other chrome trim pieces), and outer bezel ring on driver’s side is missing 

• Surface corrosion on underside, commensurate with the age of the vehicle 

• Engine leaks oil 

• When fuel tank is filled to top, circular closure cap (about two-thirds of the way up) begins to seep fuel 

• Steering wheel is worn and center MG badge is missing 

• Passenger seat is torn, and seat colors do not match 

Included 

• Spare tire 

• Jack 

• New set of rat drum shoes 

• New serpentine belt 

• Battery tender 

• Complete kit to reupholster passenger seat 

Ownership History

The consignor of this 1980 MG MGB has owned it since May 2022.