Unique V8 MGB heads to auction

A one of a kind classic MG is expected to fetch up to £40,000 when it goes up for auction later this month.

The 1981 model is one of just five “Special Edition Classic” MGBs and the only one to be fitted with the GT V8 engine.

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The Special Edition Classic cars were a run of just five cars created in a joint project between British Leyland, MG Owner’s Club and The Abingdon Classic Car Company. Using the final unsold cars to leave MG’s Abingdon factory, a team of former MG engineers stripped them back and rebuilt them to make them more luxurious, upgrade their performance and reintroduce classic MGB design elements that had been lost over the car’s 18-year production run.

Only two SEC MGBs are known to have survived the intervening decades and the one being sold by online auction The Market is the only GT V8 model in existence.

SEC cars had performance upgrades and were more luxurious than standard MGBs (Photo: The Market)SEC cars had performance upgrades and were more luxurious than standard MGBs (Photo: The Market)
SEC cars had performance upgrades and were more luxurious than standard MGBs (Photo: The Market)

Under the bonnet is a V8 engine in updated Rover SD1 form complete with its five-speed gearbox. The interior features black leather hide and a leather and walnut veneer dashboard. Classic features that have been reintroduced include a chrome bumper in place of rubber, an earlier grill and lowered suspension to pre-1974 specifications.

Extras ordered at the time of purchase include the period glass ‘sun hatch’ roof, limited edition alloy wheels, map pockets, stainless steel exhaust system and bespoke Moto-Lita steering wheel. The original invoice reveals that this model cost £13,100 - more than twice the standard price of an MGB.

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The auction for the car is set to run from May 21 to 28, with an estimated value of £28,000 to £40,000.

Tristan Judge, director of The Market, said: “The level of finish and quality of this car is nothing like any other MGB. It’s more like an Aston Martin.

The car is the only GT V8 MGB SEC in existence (Photo: The Market)The car is the only GT V8 MGB SEC in existence (Photo: The Market)
The car is the only GT V8 MGB SEC in existence (Photo: The Market)

“The SEC cars hold a special place in MGB history but few people are aware of them. With such small numbers made even less remain, which means one thing; rarity. This is a case of try to find another - it’s simply impossible, this is it.”