All Dressed Up: 1980 MGB Roadster Limited Edition looks good in black

Marcal Eilenstein

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It’s not often that I have the chance to literally sit next to a classic machine and just admire it, but such was my luck on Friday night. After a delicious meal at our favorite local Mexican restaurant (tacos de al pastor are delicious here), I decided to wait outside for the rest of our group and enjoy the pleasant weather. I was greeted, sitting comfortably in its spacious parking spot, by this, a black on black MGB Roadster. Take the jump to see more of this classic cabrio.

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As you all know, the 70’s and early 80’s were a tough time for car enthusiasts in the U.S. (unless you opted for something a little more substantial). Between engine restrictions and bumper sizes, cars were growing fat, slow, and soft – maybe like some of our parents back then. Sadly, the case was no different for this little machine; the oversized rubber bumpers were a U.S. federal government mandate, as was the addition of the third wiper on the windshield. Adding insult to injury, the little 1.8-liter inline-4 was detuned to meet stringent emissions regulations!

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Blinded by the light.

Ignoring the horrible lighting for a moment, you can see what good shape this MG is in, from rubber nose all way to the luggage rack. I did not get a good shot of the interior, but it was very clean and very black. What do you think of this convertible? Did MG adapt this car well to the U.S. market? Is this the perfect weekend car for cruising around the Northwest?

Oh, and yes, that’s a Dodge Challenger SRT 392 next to the MGB.

Photos copyright 2013 Hooniverse/Marcal Eilenstein

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Marcal Eilenstein

Marcal Eilenstein

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11 responses to “All Dressed Up: 1980 MGB Roadster Limited Edition looks good in black”

  1. mdharrell Avatar
    mdharrell

    "Is this the perfect weekend car for cruising around the Northwest?"
    Rubber-bumpered MGBs are indeed good for that. Even better with a trailer hitch.
    <img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4103/5072064860_40c4820cda.jpg&quot; width="450">

    Reply
  2. Bret Dodson Avatar
    Bret Dodson

    That's a handsome B! I like the addition of a windblocker, this is probably a comfy freeway car.

    Reply
    1. JayP2112 Avatar
      JayP2112

      I was thinking the same.
      Those fat tires, soft suspension make a cruiser. An overdrive and tuned Zenith would get it in the 30mpg range.

      Reply
  3. Van_Sarockin Avatar
    Van_Sarockin

    Well, black paint helps to take the focus off the abominable rubber bumper, to say nothing of the giraffed ride height. But pretty nice for the worlds most circumannuated coal cart.

    Reply
    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      Didn't they use some easily removable spacers/risers to jack up the ride height, to meet the bumper height standard? I've heard it's no big deal to get the ride height back to normal.

      Reply
      1. MVEilenstein Avatar
        MVEilenstein

        That is correct. The ride height was raised to meet US safety standards for headlight height.

        Reply
  4. BlackIce_GTS Avatar
    BlackIce_GTS

    Those wheels are a crucial component of my ideal 'B
    ('74 MGB GT, V8 converted to LHD or LHD converted to V8.)

    Reply
  5. tiberiusẅisë Avatar
    tiberiusẅisë

    Needs some yellow stripes.

    Reply
  6. SteveL Avatar
    SteveL

    By 1980 the MGB was a bit like Cher… a sad old thing trying to be sexy. DO NOT WANT.

    Reply
  7. JayP2112 Avatar
    JayP2112

    Knock the rubber bumpers all you want. The LE was a nice looking ride despite everything do to it.
    I didn't know I was supposed to hate the rubber bumper 'Bs.
    <img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/12448_212087847852_7351522_n.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
  8. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
    FuzzyPlushroom

    I adore those five-spokes for some reason. This one is local to where I used to live, and this was the first shot in my second Flickr account.
    <img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4098/4848879246_48710ef2d2_b.jpg&quot; width=600>
    I refuse to catch the British-car bug, though.

    Reply