1964 MG MGB

1964 MG MGB Roadster In light of ever increasing competition from Japanese automakers MG ad men devised a commercial where an MGB would be dropped from a plane at 2000 feet, parachute would open, and a stunt driver would parachute down next to it, and upon both safely landing, the stunt driver would get into the MG, turn the key and drive off, just in front of oncoming Datsun, Fiat, and Porsche with ad copy saying MG a jump ahead of the competition!  It worked... For consignment, an all original and unrestored version of the 1964 MGB roadster.  While complete, it is in need of TLC on all fronts to make it a reliable daily driver, or better yet start from scratch and turn this into a concours show winner.  It runs and drives, it also has good looks, and is an all there car with British flair, bloody well right! Exterior From its low-slung bonnet, towards the very clean MG badged grille, and paired curved bumper with pushers, chrome bezel headlights, belt line chromed spear, and black vinyl top we are in the heart of British sports car motoring.  The brightwork in stainless presents well and mosty ding free and this includes the windshield surround, side spear at each beltline as well as the cockpit and headlight trimmings.  This sporty Brit comes to us in Old English White and shows with some scuffs, scrapes and areas of failing bodywork that is mainly reserved for the lowers.  The black top, manually actuated, is tear free but lightly soiled and stained and presents with a somewhat clouded plastic rear window set.  Full-on wire spoke knock off wheels in 14-inch form are complete with spinners attached to the spindles and are wrapped in older 185/70R14 blackwall radials. Interior A nicely preserved red vinyl covered interior with leather buckets in tuck and roll pattern with smooth bolsters are highlighted with white piping and present splendidly with only minor wrinkling of the material.  The door panels are clad in this same red vinyl, again with some white piping dress up and black padded sills.  A patined riddled but clean dash with no cracking or errors sits behind the original banjo style steering wheel, which oddly enough has 3 spokes on the sides and only 2 spokes on the lower ray.  The 4-speed shifter is seen on the hump and is surrounded by plush but heavily faded red carpeting.  Smith's gauges abound as well as the array of control toggles and we note a MG badged radio delete panel in the center of the dash and a purely for show speaker grille below. Drivetrain A 1800cc 4-cylinder fed by dual SU HS4 carburetors resides in the unrestored engine bay.  On the back is attached a 4-speed manual transmission and further down the drivetrain is the 3.90 geared axle.  Patina abounds in the bay but things are looking complete. Undercarriage Heavily invasive rust has taken a hold in a few areas of the flooring and inner rockers.  This invasive rust is also seen in the unibody in numerous areas and will need to be tended to sooner rather than later.  Noted are front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.  The suspension comes in the form of an independent coil spring set up in the front and leaf springs for the rear.  A stock style single exhaust with the factory installed header snakes its way to the back to expel spent fossils. Drive-Ability I donned my driving hat, goggles, and scarf and off to the Classic Auto Mall test track I went.  My cohort always lets me wheel the British cars as I have a soft spot for them....it takes me back to my high school and college days, but I digress...  The car started fairly easily with the twist of the key and off I went.  The wind rushing through my hair, I felt as if I was touring the countryside outside of East Sussex.  Good acceleration, bias free braking and wonderful handling were shown even with a somewhat rough running engine.  This MG took everything I could throw at it on my drive and did it with British charm and manners.  Now, to find