Lot Ended
Description
1979 MGB Lenham GT
Extremely rare to find
Lenham GT (believed 1 of just 19); converted from a GT into a 2+2 Roadster with
standard B-series engine
This unusual MGB isn’t
actually an MGB in the ‘normal’ sense, but is actually one of just 19 BGT’s that
the Lenham Motor Car Company, more commonly known for their Sprite and Midget
based Le Mans Coupes rebuilt into drop-head Coupes.
Considered a surprisingly effective conversion for those that
wanted a 2+2 MGB convertible yielding slightly more space for the driver and
passenger and perhaps room for some unfortunate soul in the tiny BGT back
seat. The boot retained the BGT
load deck with spare underneath too.
This
August 1979 example, unlike some of the other Lenham GT’s retained its original
1800 BMC B-series engine where-as its believed some of the other 18 had the V8
option. The car has remained registered as an MG BGT however and has had the
rubber bumpers removed and replaced with chromes.
The car presents well enough, although the paint finish is unlikely
to win any awards it’s a usable car that was driven to the sale. The bodywork looks to have been
re-painted, with some areas of red primer shining through the current finish as
pictured. The vendor believes the
car was repainted in Porsche Coral colour, and sits upon a set of Wolfrace
polished wheels.
Inside, we find black
leatherette seats, walnut dash and timbered steering wheel, manual transmission
with O/D atop the gear knob and period radio.
The car shows 88,443 miles which have been covered by our vendor
and owner of the car for three years and some 13 previous owners. There are signs of age and use as
mentioned with the paintwork and the hood looks a little tired with some
staining to the inside (as pictured) but started promptly and appeared to run
well as we moved it around.
The history file
includes the V5C, 11 old MOTs, photos of the car from when it was originally
Russett brown, with rubber bumpers, Rostyle wheels and orange deckchair seats
dated July 1993 along with an MG Insurance Services valuation from the same
time.
In addition, the file includes a
selection of old bills including for a replacement lead free cylinder head in
December 1994, stocklist from Lenham with this car detailed and subsequent
purchase receipt dated May 1995 at 77,385 miles for £5926.
The car although MOT exempt, has a current MOT valid until July
2023 recording three minor advisories.
Ready to be enjoyed, use as is or use and improve – whichever you opt for
it’s a very rare car that offers something different and most definitely a
conversation starter at any classic car event.
For more information
contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT