Restoration Account of a 1978 MGB Roadster: Part 1

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12 years ago mgocni

This is the story of a Yellow MGB Roadster that started its life on the 19th June 1978 here in Northern Ireland. A chap living in Portadown at that time bought it new from Howard Abraham Motors in Lurgan. I have owned a number of M.G. Cars over the years but I bought this car in early March 1980 from a dealer in East Belfast who is still in business today. When I saw the ad in the Belfast Telegraph it listed the mileage at 1,400, I said to myself “that will be a printing error the mileage will be 14,000”.

In due course I made the appointment and went along to view the car. I expected to see a car in good condition because the price tag was £3,400, about the right price at the time for a good clean example. I had been to see a Red MGB Roadster at Kane’s of Comber with 17,000 miles on the clock and about the same age and price. When I saw the car I could and did not believe the mileage (1,400) and the condition, it was as they say just out of the box.

Restoration Account of a 1978 MGB Roadster MGOCNI 3

After a bit of the usual barter the dealer settled on £3,200 for a straight deal. I have now owned the car since then and I personally have been behind the wheel for most of the 104,000+ miles that are now on the clock. The head has never been off the engine and she runs as sweet as a nut to this day. A new clutch had to be fitted at 82,000 miles and that up to now has been the only major repair to the car.

The car is now 28 hours into a restoration project and I enclose some pictures as she stands at this time. She has been completely stripped and the condition of the under body is around 90% solid. This I am sure is down to the rust proofing it had from new. The name Endrust – Armaglaze Centre, Station Road, Moira was on the hood window. I took the car down to a farm there in Moira on the 16th November 1981 and had the car topped up again by the N.I. Agent. Mr Mawhinney was probably a farmer trying to move into other business ventures just as farmers still do today. What I can tell you it was the best £20.00 I ever spent.