MGB FIA Roadster (1965)

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As the book recounts the little MGB had a stellar result amongst the heavyweights on the grid  

One of the Earliest MGB Racers with a Rich Competition History

United KingdomLocation: United Kingdom
Odometer:
Unavailable
Transmission:
Manual
Drive Side:
RHD

As reported in Motorsport and Octane Magazines the MGB has always been a useful track tool. The monocoque as opposed to separate chassis body design was revolutionary in 1962 and is still only just being adopted by other manufacturers. Most importantly an MGB is one of the best and easiest ways into Historic motorsport being relatively low value, easy and cost effective to run but also consistently competitive in their class. Many famous faces have used an MGB as their route into motorsport such as in recent times touring car driver Rob Huff, and British GT driver Oliver Bryant to name but a few. A perfect car to learn race craft, car control and the art of extracting the maximum potential from what is a relatively under powered vehicle.

This famous car which still bears the registration "HGT 576C" is one of very few FIA MGBs racing today to have significant period race history. The car was ordered new by Privateer Andrew Longden who campaigned the car through the mid to late 1960s with podiums and success in a number of club events, Hill Climbs and Sprints, however as John Baggot writes in his book on important MGBs "A long-distance race had always appealed, so having asked Jeremy [Delmar-Morgan] and Mike [Walton] to drive for him, Andrew was successful in obtaining an entry for the 1966 Ilford Films 500 at Brands Hatch". This was a significant International Sports Car race and the grid featured 7 litre Cobras and GT40s alongside Jaguar E-Types, Lotus Elans and even a Ferrari 250 LM to be driven by Mike Salmon! As the book recounts the little MGB had a stellar result amongst the heavyweights on the grid: "Andrew ran the team with Ron Parkes as mechanic, and after six hours (153 laps), most of it in the pouring rain, his two drivers brought the car home ninth overall and fifth in class!" He continues that after the big race "although Andrew did one or two other Brands races, the car reverted mainly to sprint and hill-climb use, before he sold it in 1968".

By the 1970s the car had been sold and was innocently living life as a road car, however the knowledge of the cars illustrious past was not forgotten and since a rebuild into full FIA specifications this MGB has been a regular for the last decade at some of the most prestigious events for which an MGB is eligible. Between 2006 and 2014 the car was campaigned by well-known historic racer Stephen Radcliffe and visited circuits such as Le Mans and Spa on numerous occasions. In 2014 the car was sold by DK to an esteemed collector who oversaw a race programme in 2015 with DK's Acquisition Consultant Harvey Stanley. This very successful season of racing included appearances at Silverstone Classic, MG Live and at the Algarve Classic Festival in Portimao, Portugal. Ran by the very experienced David Gardner of Autorevive the car did not fail to finish a single race proving to be both competitive and reliable. Rebuilt again for 2016 the car contested three races, a class win at Snetterton with the CSCC, the Masters 3 Hours at Donington and the famous and formidable Spa 6 Hours. At Spa the car went extremely well picking up no less than 44 places during the race finishing a remarkable 40th in 107 strong grid of GT40s Cobras and E-Types. The car was the 3rd home with at least 13 other MGB starters. Since 2016 the Spa 6 Hours the car has received a further going through and refresh to ensure this car is again ready to compete in 2018. This historic MGB is offered with 2016 issued FIA papers and an expansive spares package including wheels and lights essential for another attempt at the Spa 6 Hours.

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  • MGB FIA Roadster
  • £POA
  • DK Database ID: #873

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