Rare MGB ‘SEC’ auctioned in UK
When production of the MGB finished in 1980 and the Abingdon factory closed in October of that year, a collaboration between British Leyland, The Abingdon Classic Car Company and the MG Owners Club in the UK saw the last, unsold cars remaining at Abingdon used to create what was known as the Special Edition Classic (SEC) MGB.
With the goal of producing a premium MGB, each vehicle was re-engineered and upgraded by a team that consisted almost entirely of former MG employees. Starting with a standard MGB or MGB GT, the SEC team replaced the stock interior with new luxury trim, including leather on the seats and door cards, Bedford Cord headliners, wool carpets and a leather and walnut-trimmed dashboard.
Performance was upgraded, too, with either brand-new V8 engines from the Rover SD1, or turbocharged B Series 1.8-litre four-cylinder engines fitted, matched to five-speed manual gearboxes.
As well as the interior and engine upgrades, ‘classic’ design elements were added, including lowered suspension, an earlier grille and old-style chrome bumpers in place of rubber bumpers that gave each car the look of a pre-1974 MGB.
The SEC venture was short-lived and only five cars were built. Of that total, three cars, one MGB and two MGB GTs, were fitted with the turbocharged four engine, while an MGB and MGB GT received a new V8. The car presented is one of the five, specifically the sole V8-engined MGB GT.
Significantly more expensive than the standard MGB’s approximate £5,500 list price, the SECs nonetheless found an audience, with all five sold, including the GT V8 SEC, which sold for a substantial £13,100 in 1981.
Fitted with all the SEC upgrades, including black leather trim with red piping, this car’s first owner requested several extras, including a glass sunroof, map pockets, a Moto-Lita steering wheel, limited-edition alloy wheels, a stainless-steel exhaust system and, appropriately for the Northern Hemisphere, corrosion protection.
The latter addition is probably why this particular car has survived so long and remains in such good condition. Of the five built, the MGB GT V8 is one of only two known to have survived.
“The SEC cars hold a special place in MGB history, but few people are aware of them. With such small numbers made, even less remain, which means one thing; rarity. This is a case of try to find another! It’s simply impossible, this is it,” said Tristan Judge, director, The Market.
“The level of finish and quality of this car is nothing like any other MGB. It’s more like an Aston Martin.”
Originally residing in the UK, then Sweden, the MGB GT V8 SEC has more recently spent time in Europe in the hands of its current owner before returning to the UK in 2019.
“There’s little doubt that this SEC has been cherished from the word go,” Judge added. “It is highly original with first-class provenance, including the original factory purchase details.”
Registered in the UK and offered with an extensive file, including the original sales invoice, The Market put a guiding price of £28,000 to £40,000 on the car ahead of the 21-28 May timed online auction, which proved to be accurate, as it sold for £40,000 (AU$55,500 approx.)
For further details from this auction and upcoming UK auctions hosted by The Market, go to: https://themarket.co.uk/
