Project Description
MK1 MGB
MGB MK1 ‘matching numbers’ - Pull Handle model with a difference
Price
SOLDYear
1963Mls/Kms
(1)57,670 milesSold in
GermanyHistory File
Heritage Trust have confirmed that our 1963 MK1 MGB is a matching numbers car: chassis GHN3L10945 and Engine Number: 8G-U-H 11252 left the factory together on the 25th of April 1963 and are still together today. Shipped to the United States, the cars fascinating history file starts in August 1982 with a Long Beach California Registration Title. Manufactured in Old English White, the file contains a quirky valuation from December 1983 with the car now in green/tan and valued between $6450 and $6700 following a sale for just $500! Imported to Germany in June 1987 by Frau Carla Heusmann, the car is valued the following year at DM16,000 and showing a very believable (1)12,862 miles. It would change hands again in March 1989 before finding its third German owner and soul mate in April 1991, who would retain the car for a commendable 30 years before selling to Cathedral Classics in April 2021. Now showing (1)57,670 miles the car has been astonishingly well documented and also maintained by the same garage (Jann-Dirk Mengers) for the period of ownership. The car, and indeed the file are an MG enthusiast dream and a real credit to the previous owner. Probably one of the best MGB’s Cathedral Classics have ever offered to the market.
Exterior
Chassis number GHN3L10945 would leave the factory in (OEW) Old English White livery and would appear, at some stage before 1982, in the ubiquitous Brooklands green and tan interior colour combination. But it’s the cars current colour guise of silver metallic over solid black that has caused a stir. Is this the 2-tone colour scheme that MG should have offered? Shown to social media prior to advertising, the over-whelming opinion is one of a positive nature. Following a slight collision in 2008 with a horse and subsequent superficial body damage, it was decided to embark on a comprehensive restoration which culminated in the colour combination we see today. The mohair hood was also replaced and is still in perfect condition.
Interior
During the 2008 restoration it was decided to depart from the more traditional B cockpit and add a more personal touch. It must be said that the slightly stylised effect has been tastefully done. The soft green leather has been applied to the seats, door cards, gear leaver gaiter and dashboard top. A robust contrasting black carpet is still in super condition with the black effect continuing to the dashboard where gloss black paint has been beautifully applied with surprisingly good effect. But the star of the show is the black and chrome three spoke Personal steering wheel. The removable hood frame is like new and is accompanied by a new tonneau cover. All in all, a fab’ place to sit and take a drive.
Documents
Engine & Transmission
During the last owners 30 year tenure, the car has been fastidiously, mechanically maintained. There are no less than 32 engine maintenance invoices in the history file, all completed by a single British car specialists, Jann Dirk Mengers of Wiefelstede-Neuenkruge in Germany. It’s an astonishing level of care with other invoices too which all makes fascinating reading for any MGB fan. The original engine block number: 8G-U-H 11252 is still with the car and is testament to just how robust these B block engines are. The last owner has confirmed that in the last thirty years the head has never been opened but, clearly, with regular oil changes, it has never offered a problem. The car still pulls as it should and offers plenty of power with its original non-syncro (1st gear) transmission. In recent months, electronic ignition and new cables have also been fitted.
Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
The original steel wheels were replaced in 1993 by chrome wires and have been regularly maintained since by the previous owner, as recently as May 2019. Four new Falken 165/80 R14 tyres were fitted in May 2017 and have covered just 2000 miles since. A complete brake inspection was carried out in May 2019 at (1)56,336 miles.
Underneath
