In 1975 British Leyland announced that the 50th anniversary of MG cars was to be celebrated by the production of a limited edition of 750 ‘Jubilee’ models. Many would argue that the first real MG had been produced in 1924 but they had missed that milestone and stuck to their story. Unfortunately, 1975 was not a good year for British Leyland. Petrol shortages had caused sales of the V8 model to falter particularly in the US and they had introduced major revisions to all of the MG sports cars to comply with the proposed American legislation on protection from low speed impact. Body shell strengthening and the famous rubber bumpers alter the look of the car dramatically and increased its weight by over 10%. The increased ride height that brought the bumpers up to the specified level also contributed to poor handling. The cars were not selling well, not a particularly auspicious start for a special edition.

Jubliee BGT in New Racing Green with special gold stripes and V8 alloy/steel wheels

Rubber bumpers blended well with the dark New Racing Green colour scheme

In order to make the car stand out they used a colour scheme of British Racing Green (a slightly darker pre-war version of this colour) with special gold stripes incorporating the Jubilee logo. Other badges on the car were gold rather than silver, and the wheels had gold detailing. The story goes that as the V8 model was not selling very well they had a surplus of V8 alloy wheels in the factory and it was decided that they could use 750 sets of these on the special model! Internally the car had carpets instead of rubber mats, black cloth seats with headrests and tinted glass. At the time these features were optional extras although they did become standard on later versions of GT. The steering wheel is the larger three spoke V8 type, allegedly this was because the wider V8 wheels on a heavier car were almost impossible to turn while parking with a standard steering wheel. Another rather special internal feature not seen on any other MGB GT is the presence of a brass plate on the glove compartment door detailing the number of the car out of the 750 and in many cases the name of the original owner. Not all ‘Jubilees’ have this as some purchasers did not wish it, or the plate never made it to the dealer.

Original engine bay although the alloy rocker cover and the K&N air-filters are later modifications

To emphasise the gold side stripes the chrome trim was not removed but sprayed over in body colour

Mechanically the car was identical to the standard offering of the time with the 1798cc engine. The gearbox was fitted with overdrive, again an optional extra that was to become standard later on. The original idea was to build 750 cars but one was severely damaged while making an advertisement, so a replacement was produced. There was one Jubilee roadster built, the 1,000,000th car produced at the Abingdon works. This was then given away as a prize in a rally in the United States and it still exists in a collection.

Gold MG badges featured front and rear

My Jubilee MGB GT registration KSR 12P was first registered in Scotland in November 1975. I do not know anything of its early history but at some point it was acquired by an owner in Northern Ireland. According to one of its previous owners it was then bought by an Irishman who had an interest in old American cars and who wanted to start collecting British Classics. He had the car completely rebuilt by a specialist MG dealer in Belfast. The state of the car at the time can be guessed from the fact that both front wings, the bonnet, most of the sills and one door skin are listed as replacement parts on the invoices, as well as a complete respray and new transfers. Dates on the invoices suggested that this work took nearly six months throughout the winter of 1988-89. The car then spent some time in a museum in Ireland surrounded by Cadillacs. Due to the amount spent on the cars or to other factors the story goes that the Irish car enthusiast went bankrupt. KSR 12P then passed into the ownership of a Sheffield Solicitor who bought it for his wife. It was then bought in 1992 by Bob Knight who finished off the restoration bringing it up to prize-winning standard. As the wheels were sprayed black and in poor condition, he managed to find a brand-new set. These had gone from Abingdon to Worksop to Southampton to America and back to Worksop without being unpacked from their original boxes! Bob had the car for over five years collecting an impressive set of trophies from various local and national competitions. He continued to use the car regularly even in the winter and added 25,000 miles bringing it over the 100,000 mile mark. Bob then sold it to a dealer in part exchange for a Triumph TR6 which he then fully restored. Six months later the car was spotted by a friend of mine who restores Morris Minors looking slightly unkempt but obviously in superb condition. He purchased it as part of a deal that included most of an MGC in pieces. When he mentioned over a few beers that he didn’t think he could afford to keep it, I jokingly said that I would buy it off him. I had owned a red MGB GT while a junior doctor and always fancied having another “B” at some point. Having thought about it I could not let the opportunity go.

Rubber bumpers blended well with the colour scheme

V8 style alloy wheels, finished in gold and black

Apart from some minor welding to the underside and annual services the car has only cost me petrol and oil. This year I have reluctantly had it converted to unleaded as I ran out of petrol last year having been unable to find a garage with lead replacement petrol. Garaged over winter, it does less than 3000 miles a year but wherever I go I get admiring glances because of the unusual colour scheme of this special classic. Of the 750 originally built it is thought that there is less than 225 left. This year is the 30th birthday of these cars yet another milestone that should be celebrated.

Trefor Roscoe