VA10713 MGB Mk1 Roadster, Mineral Blue

The MGB modelled was produced on 11th July 1967, making it one of the last ‘3-synchromesh’ Mk1 MGBs. It was built with five optional extras, wire wheels, a heater, a colour-matched blue tonneau cover, a black foldaway hood and a front anti-roll bar. It spent 12th July in the rectification area of the MG factory, which was not unusual in this era of car manufacturing, before being dispatched on 17th August. 

The first owner was RAF Squadron Leader John Duncan Griffiths, who was then serving at RAF St Mawgan, Cornwall. He took delivery on 24th August 1967 and kept it until 25th August 1972. The current and third owner is Abingdon-based Graham Dix, an enthusiastic MGCC MGB Register member and volunteer. He had always wanted an MGB, having grown up in MG’s hometown, and purchased it in December 1979 while it was snowing heavily. 

Later inspection showed corrosion the inclement weather had hidden, but, as Graham says, “I bought her on sight because the shape and sound had won me over”. He used it for a couple of years before it failed its MOT, and then it stood in his parent’s garden before going into storage. He commenced a 10-year restoration in 1995, doing the welding, fabrication and machining himself. 

The finished car has appeared on the cover of the magazines ‘Classic and Sports Car’ and ‘Practical Classics’, and is now a 1:43 scale die-cast model too, so you can own a highly detailed replica.