Last-Known MGB Works Rally Car Going Under Auction

An extremely rare 1964 MGB which is said to be the last known genuine MG works rally car is being offered for auction, 35 years after bidding farewell to the world of motorsports.

One of two only official MGB rally cars built in 1964, the specific example made its racing debut in the Spa-Sofia-Liege rally in August 1964. It then went on to race another five times as a works entry, at the Tulip Rally, The Acropolis Rally, Geneva Rally, the Castrol Danube Rally and the RAC Rally, all in 1965.

The hardtop MGB was consigned to a garage for several years before being meticulously restored to its former glory and returning on the road for its first public appearance at the Le Mans Classic in 2008.

The organizers of the Historics at Brooklands auction on June 2 say that the British rally car is expected to fetch in offers in the region of £90,000 - £130,000, or more than 100 times greater than the price of the standard road-going MGB in 1964.

1964 MGB Roadster Ex-Works Rally Car Specs

The engine is a 4 cylinder BMC B Series with 3-bearing crankshaft fully balanced. Original Leyland Special Tuning 770 camshaft with vernier timing gear. Special Tuning AHT 100H cylinder head, gas flowed with big valves. Twin 2-inch SU carburetors fed via Filter King to accurately meter fuel flow, by twin SU pumps. In turn, the transmission is a 3 Synchro, helical close ratio box with competition overdrive. MGB Banjo axle, 3.9:1 ratio with limited slip differential.

This competitive car sports suspension with front up-rated and lowered coil springs, up-rated lever arm shock absorbers. ¾inch anti roll bar. Rear competition leaf springs, specially re-manufactured Armstrong Adjustaride lever arms and up-rated bushes throughout. The wheels are bespoke Competition 72-spoke 14 x 5½ J wire wheels from Motor Wheel Services, and are running on Dunlop 5.5 x 14L section racing tyres.

The electrical system is run off a 12-volt (single battery) system with heavy-duty dynamo. Included in the car is a hand built wiring loom to accommodate auxiliary equipment, switches and fuses, which are in the cockpit. Extra items include flexible map reading light and foot operated horn switch for navigator. Five Lucas driving lamps, two SFT 700, 7-inch (bottom mounted), two SFT 576, 5½-inch (bottom mounted) and one SFT 576, 5½-inch (back mounted) adorn the front of the car.

Link: HistoricsatBrooklands