It’s often said that if you can’t get on with a ‘B’ then perhaps the classic car life is not for you. Its an adage that for me holds water as they are such brilliant, pretty, usable and reliable classic cars!
What’s not to love?
I’ve had two previously although both were the 4 pot 1. 8L, so an original V8 is a big step up!
Only 2591 GT’s left the factory with the V8 making them increasingly rare. Total production of the standard MGB GT was over 125, 000!!!
With a monocoque chassis they were extremely modern in construction when compared to a contemporary Triumph or something from the continent, and the driving experience reflects this
Holding the road superbly well giving the driver plenty of confidence, the more you use them the more predictable they become transforming any journey into a joy. Especially on a British B road cutting through the countryside… At speed!
Most MGB GT V8’s are quite fast and great fun but this one is faster and more fun than the rest, thanks entirely to the wonderful work done by our friends at Frontline Developments
Frontline have built a reputation, fully deserved, as the best place in the world to ‘resto-mod’ a ‘B’. Their work is simply unmatched
In the case of OBW 502M they have kept to their high standards in producing a car that far exceeds that which originally left the factory
All invoices detailing the exact work completed are within the extensive history file that also keeps a fantastic record of her earlier life too - available on enquiry
Since Frontline completely rebuilt the whole drivetrain, increasing power to 265BHP!!! The car has covered a modest 7500miles
Naturally with such a significant increase in power she also had the front suspension, steering & braking entirely rebuilt and re-worked to match the increased power output
Moreover a bespoke stainless steel exhaust has been fabricated that sounds the absolute business! Very cleverly worked too becuase on the motorway it is not droney at all and settles down nicely at cruising speed
Overdrive on 3 & 4
The interior has been done bespoke too with new carpets wooden aperture to the door cards, an upgraded stereo, electronic active tyre pressure sensor etc etc
With all that being true she is still in her original colour, every pain of glass is original and the mileage on the odometer is original and backed up by the aforementioned history
To consider that this Bentley left the factory almost 20 years ago really does boggle the mind, so brilliantly well engineered in both concept and execution is she!
With only 3 former keepers she’s one that has been lucky to live a charmed and cared for life, which does show when operating her
Extremely quite at motorway speeds the soft top lined with an Alcantara headlining offering a warm feeling to the interior but also importantly helping to eradicate any road noise that might have otherwise interrupted your motoring pleasure
The original Bentley infotainment system is currently in situ and working well in all departments, perhaps this is the only feature on the car that eludes to her manufacturing date - a year before the iPhone 3 came into our lives!!!
With that said the system still works exactly as it should including the satellite navigation!
Quite happily however the most recent owner had a modern “Tesla style” iPad esque system installed in the car with all the modern connectivity features one could hope to desire. Both systems will be supplied with the car and it is at the discretion of the buyer which she is delivered with
As a Milliner Edition she comes equipped with diamond quilted leather seats featuring the embroidered Bentley logo to all four seats, leather bound overmatts again with GTC embroidery, piano black veneers (that have barely a scratch to report on), front and rear parking sensors and soft close doors including the boot, again all woking perfectly
What’s more she still has the original wind deflector & Bentey branded case, further signalling her hitherto cosseted life style as in most cases this would have been secreted away by a pesky previous owner
On the contrary the previous owners have enhanced the car, not only with the optional modern infotainment system but also with 4k quality front and rear cameras and the quilted leather interior carpet covers
In February of this year the roof was given a service which included fitting a new roof frame potentiometer so it is no wonder that the operation is so smooth and the sealing when closed is submarine tight
The most recent engine service was completed in January of this year. Only 1000 miles have been covered since
She is in every respect on the button!
Supplied with a 12month warranty included in the price there are many miles of worry free motoring to be had with this superb example
Built in the famous Sindelfingen factory reserved only for the most special Mercedes-Benz motorcars the 220SEB is certainly a special motorcar. Only 192 RHD examples were ever produced making them exceedingly rare things. AFM is perhaps one of the best examples of those 192 cars anywhere in the world. The subject of a total nut and bolt restoration completed circa 10 years ago she has since lived in the collection of a very meticulous owner. Always garaged, never driven in inclement conditions, premium petrol only sir, the finest waxes, polishes and cloths et al. All this fine care and attention does really show, not only in the photographs herein but also on closer inspection where she stands up superbly well and would no doubt be a show winner should those trilby hat & pressed chino wearing judges cast their scrutineering gaze over her on any concourse lawn in the land. Naturally there is a substantial file documenting the restoration process, complete with photographs to boot (all available upon request). The specification is suitably classic and understated, the leather is beyond supple and save for one minor scratch on the side of the drivers seat totally unmarked. The wood veneers too are in superb condition. As one would expect she drives perfectly. Supplied with a fresh engine service and MoT.
We’re very happy to have this cracker of an Aston Martin back in our midst once again
Such fantastic cars in their concept, stylish, fast, fun and all very manageable from the drivers seat too!
This time she comes back to us after having been in to see the specialists at Trinity Engineering for a very serious going over!.. More on that later
V77 GBR has been known to us for some time now, her previous owner a friend and, interestingly, a long time servant to the crown as Royal Protection for some of the more well known members of the British royal family
Therefore she has always been a well cared for car, with 9 stamps in the service book attesting to that. In addition to some other invoices for service work carried out that wasn’t stamped into the book
Two keys, factory book etc all the extras one looks for
Back to her recent visit to see the specialists at Trinity Engineering.
To list the works in their entirety would be futile (full scans of invoices on request) but needless to say that no part of the car was left untouched
The brief was to ensure the car had at least 20,000miles of worry free motoring ahead, only 2000 miles have been covered since!!
A major manufacturer 21 year service was completed as well as brakes, gearbox and the transaxle being serviced too. Steering, suspension, chassis tyres everything was seen to ensuring she is a mechanically sound example, used for several long road trips in recent times with plenty more ahead of her!!
The most recent owner has decided to part ways due to losing storage
In terms of user friendly things all new door struts were put on to the car, the A/C was serviced to make sure it pumps nice and cold, all electrical components were checked over for operation and repaired where necessary, the seats were repaired so they both have full operation etc etc
All this work has now resulted in a car that drives as one with half the milage and where everything works as it should
Presented in the ultra rare specification of Ghillies Green over Kestrel Tan interior with optional painted 7 spoke alloys she really does look the part, almost even more so because of her road wearing stone chips on the front valance and rear wheel arches.
Offered with a 12 month warranty included she’s not one to be missed