By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse
It’s fair to say restoring a classic MG sports coupe has been a real ‘labour of love’ for Robert Warren from West Yorkshire.
Robert admits it seemed the right time to go into the classic market and he’d always had a soft spot for the Pininfarina-designed MGB GT since seeing his late father’s boss running one.
After searching for a while he bought a 1980-registered GT from an MG enthusiast in Blackpool during ‘lockdown’. It was finished in MG’s classic Pageant Blue and had the rubber bumpers (introduced to MGBs in 1974).
Robert, a busy architect, said: “I was looking for a good entry-level affordable classic which would give me a fair turn of speed and the MGB GT ticked all the boxes.
“The car had been off the road for six or seven years and I was keen to give it a new lease of life. It seemed the ideal project for me.”
Over the last five years, Robert has painstakingly restored the car with the help of local classic car restorers.
Last week, I was delighted to see the transformation for myself and hear more about Robert’s experience rebuilding this iconic British car.
The mechanics in the engine bay have been carried out by experts from the Classic Car Lab in Otley. This includes fitting an Ivor Searle B-Series engine in 2023 when the car’s old engine packed up. The rebuilt engine was sourced from MG parts specialists, MGB Hive, based in Wisbech.
The Otley ‘Car Lab’ team have also fitted many other parts including a new clutch, alternator, radiator, exhaust and starter motor as well as overhauling the car’s electrics.
The suspension system has also been rebuilt and Wainwright Bros of Silsden replaced the back suspension.
Inside the MG’s cabin, Robert renewed the trim capping on the door panels and centre armrest, whilst Classic Car Lab fitted new headlining and carpets in a biscuit finish.
Last year, he turned to Westtrim in Keighley to reupholster the seats in a plush cream Italian leather and they did a fabulous job.
Throughout the whole project Robert has shown a real passion for detail including refitting the ignition to the original steering column. It had previously been moved to the centre of the dashboard where the clock was!
Classic Lab also fitted a new radio for Robert into the original audio space on the dashboard and this gives him modern mobile connectivity.
Having gradually restored the car, Robert is now enjoying the ‘payback’ of all the hundreds of hours he’s invested.
He said: “It’s a pleasure to sit behind the wheel of this great British sports car again and enjoy the ride. All the instruments are within arms reach, the engine sounds wonderful and mechanically it’s easy to understand.”
“It’s been great working with different restorers and a special thanks to the MG Owners’ Club who have been brilliant in helping me source parts and giving invaluable advice.”
The finished car looks truly amazing and is a credit to Robert’s dedication and the craftsmanship of the everyone involved.
Hearing the story of this car I’m left with one question. Would Robert take on another classic car restoration? And I wasn’t surprised to hear he’d got the bug and was tempted by another piece of British motoring heritage – a Jaguar!
For more on specialist restorers used in Robert’s project click https://classiccarlab.com/: https://www.wainwright-bros.co.uk/: https://mgbhive.co.uk;https://www.westtrim.uk/
Lovely job Robert. Can definitely see you in a classic Jag.