Register - MG B
The MG B, launched in early 1962, stared off as EX214 in 1958, and right from the start it was to be a monocoque design, with bodies manufactured by Pressed Steel Company. With substantial side sills, and a high gearbox/tail shaft tunnel, the structure was immensely strong. Early on it was planned to use the 1622cc MG A engine, but sensi8bly this increased to 1789cc before production. Initially it came with a three bearing crankshaft, but soon after five bearings were used.
Right from the start of the MG B project the car was designed for the US market. There was much more leg and elbow room in the cabin that the MG A, wind up windows were provided, a heater was available, there was a fir sized boot, and the body was pressed and assembled to take left or right hand drive. Within a couple of years, the Italian design house Pininfarina was asked to designed a closed coupe version of the car. The design adopted, with its slightly higher windscreen, still looks fresh, stylish and modern today, some 40 years later. Many GT coupes were delivered in left and right hand drive.
It wasn't long before the gofaster set wanted more power than the old iron "B" series could reliably deliver, and at great development cost the old iron six cylinder "C" series engine was shoe horned in after replacing the coil spring front sus0pension with torsion bars. Performance wasn't much better, and weight distribution was front heavy, but the car was a delightful fast long distance tourer.
It took until the mid 1970's before a Buick inspired but rover developed aluminium V8 engine was fitted to the GT body, and this became an outstanding car. The alloy engine weighted slightly less than the iron 4 cylinder, so handling returned to first class, and of course performance was breathtaking for the times.
The larger and badly
managed British Leyland, which owned MG went into liquidation in the early
1980's, but MG as a subsidiary was wound up in 1980. Ironically, during the
1970's, the MG B was in record numbers and along the way got some basic safety
gear, rubber bumpers, and even worse, emission controls which depleted
performance. Many of the later cars went to California, and they continue to be
largely rust free feedstock for restorers in Australia.