Classic
DREAMCARS Mount Dora, Fla. (352) 385-1945
www.classicdreamcars.com
(CLICK
ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE)
THIS WAS A
GREAT CAR ! SOLD
TO NAPLES,FLA.
1971 MG-B MKIII
ROADSTER
JUST
IN TIME FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF MGB ! OUR CAR IS A STUNNING
RESTORATION IN RALLY RED WITH BLACK LEATHER AND RED PIPING. IT
HAS THE OPTIONAL ORIGINAL RADIO (WORKS), ENGINE DRESS PACKAGE, CENTER
ARMREST AND THE SELDOM SEEN 'WORKING' OVERDRIVE. THE SOFT TOP AND TONNEAU
COVER ARE BLACK. THE CAR IS ALMOST NEW FROM THE FRAME UP. THE
ENGINE / TRANSMISSION WERE PROFESSIONALLY REBUILT AND THE PAINTWORK
PARLAYS MOST NEW MERCEDES FOR QUALITY. THIS PARTICULAR MARTIN
COUNTY FLA. RUST-FREE CAR HAS BEEN EQUIPPED WITH THE TROUBLE-FREE,
LOW MAINTENANCE MINILITE MAGS AND BLACKWALL RADIALS. THIS
WOULD BE VERY CLOSE TO THE LAST OF THE CHROME BUMPER (MOST COLLECTIBLE)
MGB'S MADE SO; IT CARRIES THE FULLY SYNCHROMESH GEARBOX AND PADDED
DASH (EARLIER MODELS STILL HAD A NON-SYNCHRO 'CRUNCHING' FIRST
GEAR & METAL DASH). THE UNDER- BONNET (HOOD) AREA IS STELLAR AND THE TRUNK
IS GORGEOUS (COMPLETE WITH JACK & BAG) SO, IT CAN BE USED
AS A SHOWCAR OR DAILY DRIVER-YOUR CHOICE. THIS CAR DRIVES OUT
LIKE NEW....OUR MOST RECENT RESEARCH SHOWS MGB'S 'AVERAGE' CONDITION
SELLING FOR $8900 RANGE UP TO $24,600 IN N.A.D.A. SINCE IT'S BEEN ON DISPLAY IN OUR MUSEUM WE HAVE NOW
PERFORMED A TOTAL TUNE-UP ( SPARK PLUGS, POINTS, WIRES, ROTOR /CONDENSER),
REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP & FUEL LINE, PURGED THE GAS TANK, CLEANED THE CARBS
AND CHARACOL FILTER PLUS, ADDED A NEW BATTERY. THIS CAR IS 'STIMULUS' PRICED AT $15,950 .
SOLD
THE STORY:
1971 was the year
the American public finally became aware, through the media, of
the plight of the American Indian. There was a new interest and
mysticism about Native America history for the First Time ever.
Dee Brown wrote, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee", a
meticulously researched and moving account of the U.S. Governments
genocidal 19th Century Campaign against the American Indian. Young
people and grown adults all over America finally came to realize
the "Cowboy's Good, Indians Bad" attitude, that had
been drummed into their heads in in countless Western Movies and
on TV for Centuries was not only inhumane but, grossly exaggerated.
Even Chief "Iron Eyes" Cody shed tears over the American
trash strewn landscape in TV Public Service Announcements. By
June 11th, a group of American Indians occupied Alcatraz Island
in San Francisco Bay. The Indians claimed the island under a provision
in a Treaty between the Indian Nations and the U.S. Government,
which gave the Indians free run of any unused Federal Land. But,
screwed again, they were arrested and forcibly removed by U.S.
Marshals after a 19-month Sit-In. Proving in 1971: nothing really changed. The Rock Group, The Raiders
recorded "Indian Reservation", while Undisputed Truth
recorded 'Smiling Faces Sometimes" and Cher "Gypsies, Tramps,
and Thieves"...all dedicated to the plight of the minorities.
Of course, today, no one knows who Vincent Fournier is?? But in
1971, if a band was known for record gate attendance, slaughtering
chickens and hanging himself, Alice Cooper would be that Top Rated
Band. Isaac Hayes was "one bad mutha" as he sang
the soundtrack to "Shaft" ("shut yo' mouth")
and set the musical tone for the next Half Decade of 'Blaxploitation'
Films. For the Hippie Faction, James Taylor's opening act: Carol
King sang hit after hit from her album "Tapestry" (It's
Too Late", "So Far Away") while James hit the charts
big with "Fire and Rain" and other great hits from his
album "Mudslide Slim". This would be the year Jim Morrison
of 'The Doors' would die from a drug crazed tour of Paris
Nightclubs, followed 3 days later, by Louie 'Sachmo" Armstrong.
By October, Duane Allman, 29, would die in a motorcycle accident
on his Harley and Bill Graham would close his Fillmore East and
Fillmore West Concert Clubs in California... after hemorrhaging
money for years. TV programming would offer up 'Flip Wilson' dressing
up in drag as 'Geraldine', cracking us up reciting: "What
you see is what you get".....and "The devil made me
do it". Both became two of the year's famous catch phrases.
For the "White breads": Carroll O'Connor portrayed the
Middle & Lower Class American Attitude as 'Archie Bunker'.
The other TV Networks countered with "Sanford and Son"
which was almost as popular as "All In The Family".
Redd Foxx did a stellar job perpetuating all the stereo types
about black people which made people laugh and forget their prejudices.
If you weren't already having a Wet Dream .....Aquatic Furniture
would give you the opportunity. Waterbeds designed by Charles
Prior Hall became a "must have". He patented a new version
of a very old concept but, redesigned it with baffles and
soon it became a National Necessity in every home. It was revealed
that the Disney Corporation was buying up all the land around
a certain proposed development to avoid Sleazy Motels attaching
themselves like leaches (aka: Anaheim and Disneyland). And, by
1971 they opened a 27,000-acre amusement park called Disney World.
In the World of Cars: the First Real Car Chase Movie ever ..."the
French Connection"(which was followed quickly by Steve McQueen
in "Bullet" ) would hit the screen and make Gene Hackman
a household word. Steve Mc Queen was already an icon.
By 1971, British Leyland Motors was already fighting an uphill
battle with American emissions and Bumper Safety Laws. Chrome
Wire Wheels were replaced with silver Rubery-Owens "Rostyle"
Wheels and the steering wheel's were made smaller with 3-drilled
spokes. The '71 MGB's carried the Michelotti-designed hood and
the Ventilation System was improved. British Leyland made some
small attempts to hold the authorities at bay with 'saffron' rubber
bumper strips and then 'gave in' to the hideous "Rubber Duck"
bumpers which became standard by 1973. Those spelled the doom
of the company in America as they turned a "cute car"
into something out of a horror movie. The good news is that the Chrome Bumper MGB's are
highly collectible because of this change and typically priced
well over the 'rubber ducks' of later years.
Though Automatic Transmissions were offered starting in 1968 they
were dropped for lack of sales in 1973. After all, it was supposed
to be a "sports car"! Production for 1971 was 22,444
total with 19,398 being sold in the U.S.A. However, finding a
"good one" can be a tribulation. Watching
really nice late "Big Healeys" hit $80-100,000 has got to make the MGB is a great buy....a
great collectible British Car.