MG MGB/MCB
The MGB is one of the world`s best-loved sports cars-tough and reliable,easy to work on ,stylish and fun to drive. Those who yearn for more performance can choose the six-cylinder MGC or MGB V8.
MG`s new monocoque sports car for 1962 was another home grown success for Abingdon. It boasted more power than the outgoing MGA thanks to a bigger ( 1798cc) three bearing engine, higher axle ratio for more refined cruising on Britain`s newly constructed motorways, and front disc in case of emergency. A handsome fastback coupe`, called the MB GT, was added to the range in 1965 bringing with it a five-bearing engine and a quieter axle which were adopted on the roadster in 1967.
The same year a new six-cylinder engine was squeezed under the bonnet( necessitating a compact new front suspension system with torsion bars) to produce the MGC and MGC GT.The heavy engine made the handling disappointing and it could not match the now-defunct Austin-Healey 3000 for performance ( through two works MGC racing cars showed some potential) so the C was relatively unsuccessful.
Far better was the MGB GT V8 using the lightweight all alloy Rover V8 engine. It was fast and handled tidily, but sold in lower numbers that the MGC had done. That rarity makes it a sought afterclassic today.
Black polyurethane bumpers were adopted in 1974, along with an increase in ride height to meet new North American safety requirements, but the handling suffered. Meanwhile power outputs continued to drop on export cars as emissions cotrols tightened. The MGB soldiered on , with little real development until 1980.
But that wasn`t quite the end of the road for the MGB. It was briefly revived by Rover in 1992 as the MG RV8, which remains rare and collectable.