1964 Works MGB Alloy BRX 854B

1964 MGB Alloy BRX 854B – The Works Marathon de la Route car

Whilst any MG B roadster possesses a wonderful charm and analogue driving experience that few others of the period could match, this is certainly no ordinary MG B Roadster.

First registered on 13 August 1964 following the hard work and determination of Den Green and Knobby Hall of the MG ‘Comps shop’ this works-competition example features an experimental four-cylinder BMC B-Series block, with a fully-balanced, three-bearing crankshaft, AHT 100H cylinder head which has been gas-flowed and fitted with big valves, twin 2" SU carburettors with filter king setup in conjunction with two SU fuel pumps, and a three-synchro, helical close-ratio transmission with competition overdrive, which sends power rearwards to an MG B Banjo 3.9:1 ratio axle, fitted with a limited-slip differential. Of course, the suspension also had to be fit for purpose and a set of uprated and lowered coil springs were fitted, with competition lever-arm shock absorbers, a 0.75” anti-roll bar, rear competition leaf springs, re-manufactured Armstrong ‘Adjustaride’ rear lever-arms and uprated bushings throughout.

Electrics for this Works-raced MG B are run off a single 12-volt battery with a heavy-duty dynamo, and the wiring loom for the car was hand-made during the restoration, supplying power to all the standard systems, along with numerous auxiliary gauges, cabin lights, and five Lucas driving lamps adorning the front end.

Fresh from its build, BRX 854B competed in the August 1964 Spa-Sofia-Liège rally, under the guise of ‘Works Entry No.81’ with Davis Hiam and Julian Vernaeve at the wheel. Unfortunately, the car was retired with ‘mechanical difficulties’ during the race. BRX was once again entered into competition by the MG Works team on the 1965 RAC rally, but was once again forced to retire, this time with head gasket failure. It was then transferred into private ownership during 1965, competing on four further occasions in the Tulip Rally, the Acropolis Rally, the Geneva Rally and finally on the Castol Danube Rally in September 1965, where it posted an impressive result of third in its class, and 13th overall, with Ken Tubman and George Stefanoff crewing the car.

Following its competition days, BRX 854B then made use of its long-range fuel tank for touring Europe whilst in private hands, but unfortunately broke down during one particular journey to Scotland, which forced the car off the road, eventually ending up being stored in a garage for 32 years. Having languished unseen and unheard of for numerous years, the car was found/known of by the late Barry Sidery Smith. BRX was then sympathetically restored to an exacting, period-correct standard by MG B enthusiast, Mark Tipping, during 2007.

The original steel monocoque was retained, along with the alloy wings (with the exception of the offside rear, which was replaced with a steel item during its factory competition days) door skins, front and rear valences, bonnet, boot and hard-top, along with the matching numbers experimental B-series engine and gearbox which had remained with the car throughout its competition days, thereby keeping the car wonderfully original throughout and to the exact specification it rolled out of Abingdon. Wherever possible, original parts were retained and refurbished, though where this proved difficult, period and new/old stock parts were sourced regardless of cost, ensuring that the restoration was completed with an empathetic attention to detail and historical accuracy.

Evidently, this attention-to-detail paid off, with renowned MG enthusiast and historian, John Hewitt, commenting on the car, stating that the extent of its current originality is astounding, and that he was 'amazed at the condition of the underside, and the presence of the original ‘Works’ preparation, retaining the large-capacity aluminium fuel tank, and the mountings for the sump guard, with the car looking as if it left the factory six months ago, rather than 57 years ago'. On the inside, the cabin was professionally restored, with all systems correct to the original 1964 ex-Works specification, down to small touches such as the map pocket in the passenger door, quilted finish to the transmission tunnel, and BMC Competition Department rear roll hoop.
Of course, the British Motor Industry Heritage Certificate is included with the vehicle, dated from April 2008 and confirming that BRX 854B - chassis number G-HN3/45748 - was allocated to the competition department of Abingdon in August 1964. The car is also correctly eligible for prestigious events such as the Le Mans Classic, Goodwood Revival, Monaco Classic and other pre-1965 races, offering the next owner a wonderful opportunity to attend and compete at these events.

Purchased by the current owner - our vendor - during 2010, BRX has made notable appearances at Goodwood events and other car shows. Mechanically, BRX has always been maintained to the highest standard by our vendor’s motorsports outfit, regardless of time or cost implications, thanks to its historic significance. Not only has BRX been maintained mechanically regardless of cost, but it has also been kept in pristine condition by our vendor, stating that this is as close as you’d get to buying a 'brand-new Works Abingdon car' in today’s world.

In terms of paperwork, the car retains its British Motor Trust Heritage Certificate, MSA papers, FIA HTP valid to 2032, confirmation from the Abingdon Experimental Register that the car was prepared for the 1964 Liege Rally, and numerous historic documents, original handbooks, invoices, media clippings and photographs of the restoration. Finally, according to renowned and respected MG Historian John Baggott, BRX 854B is believed to be the final genuine Works B in existence, making this a hugely significant milestone in both MG and British motor car history, furthermore this evidence has been compiled by John and is found in the history file.

More recently an invite to the 2022 Goodwood Revival Lavant Trophy Race for the vendor and BRX saw the car perform well in the 30 MG B only race. Still set up as a circuit racer with a full Appendix K cage, 800lb front springs, 3/4 roll bar, three-bearing engine, 4-speed (no-overdrive) gearbox and a 3.9 differential. Importantly the original Works engine, gearbox, bumpers, seats and rollcage accompany the car and could be converted back to its original rally specification should the new owner wish to.
Offered in excellent condition throughout from a motorsports-connected private owner, this is an exceedingly rare opportunity to obtain an historically significant ex-Works MG B Roadster with excellent provenance and a recent sympathetic restoration to the highest level. It would not only make a fine item for any collector, but also offer the opportunity to compete at the upper echelons of classic motorsports.