Owner: Nigel & Janine Pratt
Make/model: MGB Roadster Mk1
Month/year of manufacture: 4th & 5th October 1967
Colour: Tartan Red (from 1982) - originally Old English White
Engine size/type: 1800cc
BHP: 90
Top speed: Unknown. Never gone much over 90mph
Gearbox type: 4-speed manual with Laycock ‘D’ overdrive
Area: Originally registered by University Motors in London & has always lived in Hampshire & Surrey
Date purchased: 23rd November 1997
Pet name of car: "Bella"

History: Unfortunately we have no history of Bella from 1967 to 1982. All we know is that she was painted in Tartan Red and given a reconditioned 1972 engine around that time and was kept in Southampton near the docks. The previous owner, Mr Brian Goodwin, acquired the car in 1991. He lived in Liphook, Hants, and gave the car a further body restoration over 3 years and used the car infrequently. He only just managed to complete the work as, unfortunately, his eyesight deteriorated significantly and he could no longer see what he was doing (this may explain the poor panel gaps!).

We acquired the car in 1997 from Mr Goodwin and brought her home to Fleet, Hants where we used her for weekends and, for a time, my everyday car until the winter of 1998 when Nigel decided to remove the smoky engine and box and rebuild from the bottom up in the garage at home. Since then Bella has taken us all over the place – to Italy and back on a 3000 mile trip, to Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Holland. She’s also starred on TV in a series called ‘Dream Machine’ and has won various trophies as an autotest car.

Bella has recently been joined in the household by an MGCGT and a Midget, but she'll always be our favourite MG!

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