1951 MG YB Sports Saloon

The Beaulieu Sale: Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia|2 September 2023, 14:30 BST|Beaulieu, National Motor Museum

1951 MG YB Sports Saloon
Registration no. OOP 672
Chassis no. XPAG/8C2/17022

MG's first post-war saloon, the Y-Type employed the advanced features of coil-spring independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, and shared the contemporary TC sports car's 1,250cc four-cylinder XPAG engine, albeit in single-carburettor form. Introduced for 1952, the YB incorporated a number of improvements including Lockheed twin-leading-shoe brakes, a stronger clutch, 15" wheels, and a hypoid bevel rear axle. YB production ceased at the end of 1953, by which time only 1,301 examples of this charming small sports saloon had been made.

This MG YB has had 11 owners from new. In 1978 the MG was bought by a Mr Haydon Frost and a body-off restoration was started in 1980: engine rebuilt, body resprayed, etc. The car was reassembled but then Mr Frost fell ill and it was bought by a Mr Harry Griffiths in 2014. Mr Griffiths continued to restore the car but he too fell ill, and our vendor bought the car from him in January 2023. Now the vendor has developed a frozen shoulder plus arthritis so he is passing the car on. He advises us that the rewiring needs to be finished plus some wing piping to be fixed. The substantial history file contains a quantity of photographs and bills, etc relating to the rebuild. Described by the vendor as in generally good condition albeit in need of finishing, the car comes with a starting handle, photocopy workshop manual, and wiring diagrams.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the hammer price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% + VAT of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- Automobilia
- Cars