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Model history and curiosity

The MG B is a sports car produced by the MG car manufacturer (of the British Motor Corporation group, then British Leyland) from 1962 to 1980.

The MG B was a fundamental model for the Abingdon (UK) company, because it was its first sports car with a load-bearing body. The setup was classic: rear-wheel drive, longitudinal engine, rigid axle rear suspension, lever shock absorbers and 4-speed manual gearbox with overdrive on the 4th.

Mk 1 (1962-1967)
At the time of its debut, only the 2-seater spider version was available, powered by a 4-cylinder in-line twin-carburetor engine (of BMC origin) of 1798 cm³ with 94 hp and three supports; from 1964, thanks to the adoption of two more supports, the engine became more stable and acquired one hp of power, bringing it to 95 hp. The refined finishings (the seats were in leather), the spoked wheels with central wing nut, the pleasantly classic line. Originally it was supposed to have the two hoods and the doors in aluminum, but then to keep costs down it was decided to only fit the aluminum bonnet.

In 1965 the spider, now called MG B Roadster, was joined by the 2+2 coupé version with a tailgate (which Pininfarina also collaborated on the design), marketed under the name MG B GT[1]. The engine was the same as the open version. The coupé also had an aluminum bonnet.

Mk 2 (1967-1974)
In 1967, to keep production costs down, the hoods, doors and, on the coupé, the rear tailgate became in sheet steel. The interior finishings were also simplified: fake leather seats, and components from other BMC models. On the other hand, the transmission was improved (synchronizers on all gears, different ratios). All this, however, increased the empty weight of the car from 872 kg to 970 kg.

Also in 1967, a 2912 cc six-cylinder in-line engine with 145 hp was mounted; the model was called MGC (also offered in a GT version) and remained in the price list until 1969.

Also in 1969, the BMC group, of which MG was a part, was absorbed by British Leyland, thus becoming British Leyland Motor Corporation. The aesthetic changes could be seen in the change of the front grille (more recessed and without chrome), the new sportier steering wheel and the Leyland logo at the height of the front fenders.

In 1973, on the eve of the November oil crisis, the MG B GT V8 was launched, that is, an MG B GT powered by the 3537 cm³ Rover V8 with 137 hp.

While the 6-cylinder in-line (MG C) was distinguishable by a rounded protuberance on the front bonnet, the V8 underwent structural changes aimed at housing the powerful engine without modifying the bonnet which remained flat.

Mk 3 (1974-1980)
In 1974 the third series of MG B arrived, both Roadster and coupé. The changes concerned the nose (redesigned grille, elongated bonnet) and the bumpers (now black and rubber, to comply with the new US standards). The 1800 engine was adapted to the pollution parameters of the United States. The power dropped to 82 HP because it had only one carburetor instead of the previous two. The V8, however, remained unchanged, although it was eliminated from the range in 1976.

Until 1980, the year it was removed from the price list, 512,112 MG Bs were produced, between spyders and coupés. A remarkable figure for the type of car and which remained a record for several years among "open-top" cars, until the release of the Mazda MX-5 on the market.

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