1973 Mercedes 350 SL Rally

It is the choice of the clubman for race or rally, a car that enjoys its own class on many HERO Challenge rallies due the popularity of the marque. A veteran of the Arrive & Drive fleet, this 1977 MG B Roadster is a regular and reliable hire. With a factory hard top and its faired light covers, the car is shod with Minilite wheels and closely resembles the works machines of the 60s which competed successfully at Le Mans and Sebring with drivers Paddy Hopkirk and Andrew Hedges. Class winning performances helped the car sell well in the USA.

Resplendent in the works red and white colours, beneath the surface is a 1.8 litre engine and drivetrain that are tuned for reliability on both endurance and shorter events, but the big selling point is that you have a very easy car to drive and a rally vehicle that can still be incredibly competitive.

Although it is a two seater sports car, the interior allows for taller occupants. There is limited space behind the seats, so the boot has to be carefully packed to allow quick access to the spare wheel and tool kit in case of a puncture.  By making better use of space, the MGB was able to offer more passenger and luggage accommodation than the earlier MGA. The suspension was also softer, giving a smoother ride, and the larger engine gave a slightly higher top speed. The Arrive Drive version has full rally specification suspension with uprated brakes. The interior is furnished with all the necessary rally instrumentation, safety harnesses and a roll over bar mounted just behind the seat behind the crew’s heads.

The four-speed gearbox is an uprated version of the type used in the MGA with an optional (electrically activated) overdrive transmission.

One of the last chrome bumper bodied vehicles, this is definitely a very popular addition to the Arrive Drive fleet and on regular hire. That is mainly due to the easy nature of the MG B which have made it the Clubman’s choice, combined with its record of success in both national and international motorsport. The fact that it is an economic rally car with limited scope for development have kept costs down.

By making better use of space, the MGB was able to offer more passenger and luggage accommodation than the earlier MGA. The suspension was also softer, giving a smoother ride, and the larger engine gave a slightly higher top speed.

This MGB Arrive Drive package is an easy choice. An uncomplicated car, it has a list of event awards to its credit. An MGB in exactly the same Clubman’s specification won the HERO Challenge Championship in 2023, whilst it should be noted that in terms of competition heritage, a works MGB won the GT category of both the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally and the 1966 Targa Florio.  The car that achieved those results in the 60s was in similar configuration to this excellent Arrive Drive MGB, so it really makes the hire decision very straight forward – just like the MGB.