Today's videos is sponsored by Adrian Flux
Today's drive is a gorgeous MGB Roadster from 1971 belonging to the IDAC regular guest, Kevin Hirst.
For those hard of hearing, you can follow with the text below!
The MGB is instantly recognisable as one of those cars people call a ‘proper classic’. It was made between 1962 and 1980, although it was only available as a roadster until 1965 when the MGB GT was released.
The MGB was the replacement for the MGA and interestingly it was designed largely by Don Hayter as a car to fit a growing market: the affordable sports car.
The MGB was originally sold with chrome bumpers, but like many cars of the 50s and 60s, it was modified to meet the legal requirements of the American market, hence the changeover to rubber bumpers.
For those of you interested in cars changing over to meet American regulations, another good example is the Morris Minor switching from lowlight to highlight to meet criteria at the time.
The bumpers weren’t the only thing changed for US market, as the heightened suspension raised the headlight height to ensure it met those guidelines too.
At launch, the MGB was fitted with the BMC B-Series engine, which we’ve talked about in previous videos like the Morris Minor and Austin Cambridge videos. It was a popular engine for the time and for those not familiar, it’s a straight 4 engine producing 95bhp with an estimated fuel consumption of 25mpg.
However in 1967, MG introduced the MGC. This was available in roadster and GT configuration and featured the larger 2.9l C series 6 cylinder which was capable of 0-60 in 10 seconds and a top speed of 120mph.
Following on from this, in 1973, the MGB was available with 3.5l Rover V8 and this was available until 1976 - although you did lose fuel economy and this only generated a rather low 20mpg.
Transmission on these between 62 and 67 was a 4 speed manual box with a straight cut, non synchro first gear. Overdrive was an optional extra. This was carried over from the MGA but with some upgrades and changes to cope with the additional output of the B series engine. In 68, the box became fully synchro - based on the MGC. A three speed auto was offered, but wasn’t a popular choice.
Different grilles were used throughout the lifespan of the MGB, from the chrome slatted grille featuring the MG octagon, to the less desirable fish mouth recessed grille to the honeycomb grille. All the cars between 1962 and 1974 can be changed about - but anything post 74 rubber bumper era will not fit the earlier grilles on a straight swap.
Wheels on these, again, changed throughout production. Earlier cars had either wire wheels or hub capped and later MGBs sported British Leyland Rostyle wheels which were fitted until end of production in 1980.
And finally if you pick an MGB, you’ll be in the company of many celebs who picked one too including Sting, Richard Hammond, Prince Charles who had an MGC which he has given to Prince William, Bill Wyman, George Best and one of my favourite actresses, the fabulous Joanna Lumley.
Now I’m going to hand over to my friend Kev who will tell you a little about his MGB. If you watch IDRIVEACLASSIC regularly, it won’t be a new face!
15 авг 2024
