1979 MG MGB

1979 MG MBG Roadster Why is the MGB such a favorite with classic car hobbyists?  The answer is simple: It is good looking, fun to drive and easy to maintain.  These are the same reasons the MGB, with a few changes, was successful in the new car market for nearly two decades.  Today, good examples are easy to find, inexpensive to buy, and are backed by a fantastic network of MGB enthusiasts to provide support and share the fun of ownership.  Even among the rubber bumper cars there are some subtle distinctions.  The 1977-'80 cars are preferable to the 1975-'76 cars, since they received front and rear antiroll bars to correct handling problems and had some interior and engine compartment improvements.  Thx to Hagerty.com  For consignment, a 1979 MG MGB roadster with a title verified 48,240 actual miles, a good running car in a bright color and wearing wire wheels.  Exterior Few contrasting colors look as good as black and orange together, and we're not just saying that because we're in Flyers territory!  The black rubber bumpers of this car bookend an orange hue that is just right, not burnt and not a safety cone.  Its diminutive size means panels are low and the single headlights perch at the highest point, slightly recessed and adjacent to the body trim piece which spans the length, terminating at the tail lights which protrude from the body, while the reverse lights presents as white squares on the latch panel, flanking the gas filler.  14-inch wire wheels solidify this car's British stature and appear to be in good condition, as is the canvas black top with its plastic three window configuration.  Imperfections include paint chips on the trunk lid and down low, some pitted surface rust on panel near the bumper, various scrapes and scuffs, bubbling and flaking down low, discolored paint, and some panel gap alignment issues, particularly on the trunk lid.  Interior Simple black vinyl door panels look good and feature the stitched circle around the window crank and small speakers on the midline. The seats are high backed weave patterned black vinyl with head restraints and look great, with some compression on the driver's seat.  Step over polished sill plates to enter the car where you find a modern, (for 1979), 4 spoke steering wheel in front of you and an efficient set of gauges, symmetrically arranged around a row of idiot lights and toggles and everything is backed by texturized black plastic.  The center stack contains an AM/FM radio and simple vent controls and the center waterfalls onto the console that houses a tidy little shifter wrapped in a black boot on a flat black surface.  The vinyl armrest has some nibbles nicked into the material but is otherwise in good shape and the floor is covered in low pile carpet in good condition and also covering behind the seats.  Drivetrain Pop the hood and find a driver quality but clean 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine rated at 62.5 horsepower and fueled by a Zenith 1-barrel carburetor.  A 4-speed manual transmission rows the gears and sends power to the back wheels, as a true sports car, where it encounters 3.90 gears.  The little Brit carries power brakes with discs up front and drums out back.  The insulator pad on the hood has some loose areas and is painted orange.   Undercarriage Driver quality conditions prevail underneath with plenty of surface rust, wetness on the oil pan and transmission, and some oil sling by the rear U-joint.  The single exhaust flows back to a stock style muffler then exits with twin tips out back.  Coil spring suspension is found up front and leaf springs out back.  Drive-Ability The little 1.8 started right up and found its way to the test loop where it performed well with great handling, good tracking, and spirited but modest acceleration.  The brake lights did not illuminate but all other functions on the car worked as they should.  While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working a