This 1974 MGB GT was acquired in 1991 by the current owner’s father as a shell and was subsequently built and modified for vintage racing by Bob Yarwood with a 3.9-liter Rover V8 and a rebuilt five-speed manual transmission. The body was refurbished, fitted with Sebring front and rear fascias, and refinished in white. The interior was retrimmed in gray leather with matching carpets and a roll bar with harness attachments. Additional modifications include a fuel cell, revalved dampers, aftermarket front springs, de-arced rear springs, a three-plate clutch, a lightweight flywheel, and more as detailed on an included five-page build sheet. The most recent work included installation of a new radiator, starter, fuel pump, crank-fire ignition system, and more. This left-hand drive MGB GT was previously auctioned on BaT in March 2020 and is now being offered again at no reserve by the same seller on behalf of the current owner with records since 1991, a logbook, photos of the 1990s build, and a clean Nevada title.
The donor shell was supplied by British Parts Direct in the early 1990s, and the included build sheet notes that body defects were repaired prior to a three-stage repaint in white. Exterior modifications include front and rear Sebring panels, removed side markers, a modified hood with twin power bulges, a C-pillar-mounted Triumph GT6 fuel filler, and UK-market GT badges. The lenses, body moldings, and window seals were also replaced.
The suspension was dismantled and refurbished by Mr. Yarwood, including re-valved dampers, aftermarket control arms for additional negative camber, stiffer front springs, de-arced rear leaf springs, and a front sway bar. Minilite-style 14″ wheels are mounted with Nitto tires. Braking is handled by discs with cross-drilled rotors up front and drums out back. The seller reports that the braking system was serviced several years ago.
The interior was refurbished by Mr. Yarwood, and per the provided build sheet, this included custom-made door and interior panels, factory-style carpets with jute backing, rebuilt and re-stuffed seats, a replaced upper dash pad, and installation of a roll bar with harness provisions; four-point harnesses are currently in place. A Lecarra steering wheel and a set of stainless-steel MGB GT logo sill plates are installed, and the gray leather shift gaiter was custom made. Stains are noted on the rear carpets.
A factory tachometer was rebuilt for compatibility with the installed V8, and additional instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer as well as gauges for coolant temperature oil pressure, and fuel level, the latter of which is not currently functional. Approximately 60k miles are shown on the five-digit odometer, though actual mileage is unknown.
The Bob Yarwood–rebuilt Rover V8 was reportedly enlarged from its original 3.5 liters to 3.9 liters using a sleeve and liner kit. Recent service is said to have included installation of a new fuel pump, radiator, starter, battery, and a crank-fire ignition system. The carburetor was also recently rebuilt, the fuel cell removed and cleaned, the engine oil and filter changed, and the brake and cooling systems were bled.
Mechanical modifications are detailed on the included five-page build sheet, which is viewable in the photo gallery below. Engine modifications include a raised compression ratio of 10.5:1, a ground and polished crankshaft, cylinder-head work by R.J. Max, reconditioned and lightened connecting rods, a Piper 270 HG camshaft, a 13-row oil cooler, and a Holley 390cfm carburetor with an Offenhauser intake. The radiator was relocated 8″ farther forward, and the car is fitted with dual cooling fans.
The five-speed manual transmission was rebuilt in the 1990s with Jaguar internals including a taller second gear as well as replacement synchros and bearings, a lightweight flywheel, and a three-plate clutch. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a custom-made propshaft and a limited-slip differential. The seller notes a crack in the battery box.
The seller states that the car was raced by the current owner’s father despite being too new for vintage racing, and the logbook for the car is shown in the gallery. Records are available since the current owner’s father purchased the car in 1991 along with notes on other cars he considered for this project, photos of the build in progress, and literature on the MGB GT V8.
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