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Topic starter
25/03/2022 11:17 am
The MGB is a two-door sports car manufactured and marketed from 1962 until 1980 by the British Motor Corporation (BMC), later the Austin-Morris division of British Leyland, as a four-cylinder, soft-top sports car. It was announced and its details first published on 19 September 1962.
Sales for the MGB, MGC and MGB GT V8 combined totaled 523,836 cars.
All MGBs from 1963 to 1974 used twin 1.5-inch (38 mm) SU carburettors. US spec cars from 1975 used a single Stromberg 1.75-inch (44 mm) carburettor mounted on a combination intake–exhaust manifold. This greatly reduced power as well as created longevity problems as the (adjacent) catalytic converter tended to crack the intake–exhaust manifold. All MGBs used an SU-built electric fuel pump.
All MGBs from 1962 to 1967 used a four-speed manual gearbox with a non-synchromesh, straight-cut first gear. Optional overdrive was available. This gearbox was based on that used in the MGA with some minor upgrades to cope with the additional output of the larger MGB engine. In 1968 the early gearbox was replaced by a full synchromesh unit based on the MGC gearbox.
I dug this out on the weekend along with the TR2.
This is a 1/43 diecast by Eagles Race of the 1962 MGA Mark II. Note that these wire wheels could also do with an upgrade but nice casting, once again.
Jack Dodds and Jack Dodds reacted
25/03/2022 12:04 pm
David, you stated MGB GT with V8. I did not think this car was offered with a V8. When/where was the V8 offered?
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
Topic starter
25/03/2022 12:39 pm
Hi Ed,
Launched in August 1973, the V8 powered MGBGT combined the popular fixed head coupe body style with a powerful three and half litre light alloy V8 engine. The Rover powerplant ran with a reduced compression ratio but an increased torque compared with the similar engines then used in the Rover saloons. The engine was a natural for the MGB, as not only was the engine bay ideally suited, but the all alloy V8 weighed virtually the same as the B series engine, so the handling was not upset in the same way that occurred with the MGC. It was powerful and efficient so the stunning performance was not at the cost of huge fuel bills.
The fuel crisis’s following the October 1973 middle east war set the scene for the demise of many big-engined cars, and this was the case for the V8, irrespective of the near 1800cc fuel economy, as in 1976 it was dropped after just 2591 were made.
This model was never exported to North America due to US emission and bumper regulations. Most went to Japan, a few to Australia, the rest to the UK.
25/03/2022 1:04 pm
My son had an MGB quite a few years ago, and here's mine. Of course, it's 1/43 scale and I haven't gotten around to assembling it yet.
David Green and David Green reacted
25/03/2022 1:13 pm
David;
Many years ago I knew very mechanically talented fellow whose hobby was to restore MGBs and replace the drive train with the aluminum 215 cu. in. V-8 from the '62 Olds f-85 or Buick Special. Most were roadsters but a few were MGB-GTs. He said he adapted an automatic trans from a 350 GM as it was more durable. He did suspension and other upgrades as well and sold many of them; I saw that they went like the wind and were fun to drive apparently; although I never got the opportunity to do so. I deeply regret not buying one because he knew what he was doing and the cars were done up right. Sadly this man was killed in one of them on a quiet Sunday afternoon on a windy secondary road; he lost control at high speed and went off road left, end for end a number of times. Ironically I was the policeman who attended, helped extract him still alive and did all the speed calculations from yaw mark evidence (83 mph in a 40 zone). I will always remember that sad day like it was yesterday; he was a talented man, a very capable driver and a really nice fellow.
25/03/2022 1:28 pm
I had a few Eagle's MGBs but there was something about the casting that didn't look quite right to me. Or maybe it was those wheels. Anyway, I have plenty by Corgi, Minichamps, Ixo, etc. And for Ed, here is the V8 MGB GT that Dinky by Matchbox made.
This post was modified 4 years ago by Harv Goranson
25/03/2022 1:31 pm
@mg-harv This MGB-GT V-8 is a nice little model for the price and yes I agree the wheels could be better. maybe it's a candidate for the upgrade wheels David mentioned?
Harv Goranson and Harv Goranson reacted