MGB – To B or not to B?

Chapter 11

The MG Marque Lives On

During the early nineties, MG made a comeback with the launch of another two-seater drop-top The MGR V8, it was built in limited numbers and was fitted with a 3.9 V8 engine.

In 1992 the MG RV8 was unveiled, and deliveries began in 1993, however of the 2000 cars built, the vast majority were destined for Japan, they had 1582 vehicles in total, although many found their way back to the UK over the years.

The cars sent to Japan all had air conditioning installed; sadly, the UK cars were never offered this as an option. You could still recognise the MGB shape through the wider wheel arches, and moulded bumpers, the proportions were the same. Yet, the car was made to look more muscular with a more aggressive stance, and a large bonnet bulge; these changes were letting you know, this was no ordinary MG.

The MGR V8 was a very different car to the original MGB; this was a bold attempt to bring it up to more modern-day technology and higher standards, it was fitted with a fuel-injected five-speed gearbox, and they also upgraded the brakes and suspension.

Unfortunately, the steering was still very MGB; it was a heavy car to steer at slow speeds due to the wider tyres and lack of power steering. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable car with a useful 190bhp, it filled a small void, but the price tag of £26,000 was too steep at the time when compared to its rivals,which had a higher specification and more prestigious badges.

The interior was suitably updated and offered a luxurious feel, which suited the car nicely; although it was all based on the MGB body shell dimensions the interior did feel special even though you still had to wind your windows up manually.

Today the prices of the MGR V8 have remained relatively consistent over the years and are slowly edging up, as they become more of a collector’s item as the number of cars remaining slowly declines.

The MGB Still Going Strong

The MGB’s popularity shows no signs of dwindling and is still used as the basis for many enthusiasts to upgrade and improve upon; there is a buoyant industry that lives on, improving, restoring and keeping the icon alive today.
The beauty of this machine is that they can be used as a daily driver, with the standard 1800cc or fitted with uprated engines, and even a supercharger for increased fun, going all the way to V8 territory which really does make them more exciting to drive, they can also be scary if the brakes and suspension aren’t improved to cope with the vast power increases that people build into them.
This was so different from when the MGR V8 was initially designed and constructed, after all, if you add a substantial power increase to the car, everything else around it needs upgrading to cope with and maintain a degree of safety.
There is now so much on offer to keep the MGB up to date with a host of brake upgrades and suspension improvements.

These all make driving more comfortable or sharpen up the handling for high-speed cornering and stopping.
The MGB is open to all manner of enhancements that goes to show the following the car still has today. So many years after its initial launch, a new generation of buyers want their own piece of British sports car fun, this time with a dash of modern reliability and comfort.

I have been lucky enough to drive many updated MGBs, some with power steering others with heated seats and electric windows and some with far too much power for the MGB to handle; nearly all of them were fun to drive. Some might believe that they are not true to MGB anymore or are too far removed from the original specification. However, the other argument would suggest that a new audience, who still love the look and the sheer elegance of the MGB but wanting to use them regularly as a modern car, still keeping the classic car look and feel, is using them. Either way, you look at it, they are being kept alive on the roads for us all to have pleasure from. Add the fact that the popularity of the car is still so strong, is why so many companies are manufacturing more and more new parts for them. This, alongside the continuous development of new products and various other ways that keep the standard cars working alongside the re-engineered and modernised MGBs.

Just 1 of the many CCHL MGB V8 engines available for our clients needs.

Supercharged CCHL MGB 1800.

The MGB can be completely rebuilt using almost all new parts with only a few items not re- manufactured; these can still be repaired and overhauled. From wide arch conversions to the more minimalist reworking of the body, so much can be achieved with the overall look of the car to suit most people’s tastes. The original design of the car was stunning with correct proportions and an elegant silhouette; not much fettling needs to be done to change the appearance of the MGB. That doesn’t stop it from appearing with some differing results, from very pretty to other somewhat over- the-top body kits.

The MGC paved the way showing that power increases, and improving the suspension and braking system were possible; this led to the V8 engine. There is something for having a much-loved classic car that looks very unassuming and mild- mannered but with a thumping great engine hidden under the bonnet. It doesn’t need to shout about it or have big bonnet scoops and badging all over, but this is a proper wolf in sheep’s clothing.

As we now know the V8 slotted into the showroom line-up briefly and this particular engine finds its way into the MGB frequently and for a good reason. It is an efficient and useful option that is as happy trundling about town as being thrown around a country road when the opportunity arises. The 3,500cc V8 engine is genuinely great; it suits the MGB characteristics very well, it can be increased to 4,000cc, and even 4,600cc, though it does make the car a handful and a real white-knuckle ride. I have driven most V8 options for the MGB, all are great fun, it’s not necessarily the power that seduces you but the superb sound which is something modern electric cars don’t offer.
Electric versions of the MGB have been built with some positive reviews; however, the sound and the smell of a classic car is what it’s all about in my opinion. More technology is something we all need to embrace to a certain degree; personally, I believe that is best left to modern cars and keep the classic machines just as they are classic.

CCHL MGB V8 engine in the car.

A very small selection of CCHL V8 MGB’s.

CCHL 5 Speed gearbox for MGB

CCHL 5 Speed gearbox for MGB

MGB Suspension upgrades

This is an area that does benefit from a modern twist; the original lever arm shock absorbers were very effective and comfortable for the era they were produced. For many years the suspension has been an area where a lot of development has occurred. Wide choices of suspension upgrades are available, most using gas-filled shock absorbers and an improved design for the mountings and wishbone arms. Some of these kits are also adjustable to allow the owner to alter the settings to suit the style of driving. A well-set-up well set up MGB front suspension with modern polyurethane bushes does improve the feel and ride of the car, after all when the engine is producing a lot more BHP than a standard vehicle, these improvements make it go around corners more sure-footed which is always a good idea.

The rear suspension also benefits significantly from changing the rear shock absorbers to the gas-filled items unit, and again fitting polyurethane suspension bushes makes a noticeable difference to the feel and handling of the car.

Other enhancements available include parabolic rear springs which are designed to improve the ride comfort and enhanced handling, but these are only advised on standard or very mildly tuned engines. Fitting a rear Panhard rod is an excellent option to restrict movement in the back axle; it helps reduce any lateral movement during heavy cornering and does the job well.

The most up-to-date version available for the rear suspension which aims to bring the MG close to today’s standards for handling is the five-link conversion which eliminates the leaf springs altogether, it uses a much more modern setup which really does sharpen up the handling.

Air conditioning and Heating

Another option becoming more popular these days is air conditioning. We are all used to having this in our modern cars and somewhat take it for granted, people are now looking at how to make the MGB more appealing to use on a hot summer day.
The GT is the right candidate for this, although even Roadster buyers have had this fitted for when the heat from above is too much, the roof goes on, and the air-conditioning is turned on. Again it is another idea that would seem ludicrous when the cars were initially built but the modern world we are living in is starting to demand more.
Many vehicles in the US have had retro air- conditioning kits installed for some time; different manufacturers offer many options on the theme, the nicest is usually the most hidden type that doesn’t take up too much space and looks like they are meant to be there initially.

Uprated heater.

The use of veneered dashboards and door capping’s along with matching veneered centre consoles and even carbon fibre options for a more modern look if you so prefer are available.

More straightforward alterations include updating the steering wheel to leather or wooden and replacing the instruments which does transform the look of the dashboard, using optional cream dials gauges to add a sportier, modern feel to things thus giving a totally different look to the standard dashboard.

Lots of different styles of seats have been fitted to the MGB; even the modern MGF seats can be adapted and installed.

Still, classic shape seats always seem to look right in my humble opinion, but we are all different, and that is what makes it all so interesting.

Even changing the seat foams on the original seats keeps the look and the shape close to the original but does make them more comfortable with added support.

Several styles and colours of seats.

MG Gets Competitive

The aftermarket accessories for the MGB continue to grow. As long as there is a demand, then new options will be continually added. Who would have thought back in the ’60s and ’70s that electric window, remote central locking, power steering, heated seats and more chrome add-ons that you can imagine would be available to spruce up your MGB? It all goes to prove that the vast following this car has, shows no signs of slowing down and hopefully, it never will.

CCHL Sebring conversion to race specification.

MG’s are still popular today for race events, and the MGB is a strong contender on many track days. The more modern MGF and MGZR models are also popular on the race circuit with their reasonable costs to purchase and compete in, without the backing of the manufacturer and major sponsors.

Since the original M-type Midget, one of the great draws of MG sports cars has been the fact that it took only a little tuning and a small amount of engineering to make them competitive for racing purposes. As you can imagine only a small handful of owners actually did this, but with the knowledge, that if they ever wanted to tinker with the car and boost performance and handling it was an option open to them.

It didn’t take long for MG to issue a rather lengthy list of competition parts for the MGB, including stiffer springs, anti-roll bars (not standard on roadsters until late 1966), and different ratios for both the gearbox and differential.

The factory had very little involvement with racing, and its association with competition racing had been on and off since the middle of the 1930s. Leonard Lord had decided to cancel MG’s racing program in 1935, but in 1948, MG managing director S.V. Smith authorised some factory support and help for record-setting attempts. BMC did manage to organise a Competitions Department in the early fifties. Still, MG’s racing activities were abruptly slowed down in 1955 following the tragic Mercedes-Benz crash at Le Mans where several spectators were killed; this overshadowed the debut of the prototype MGA.

In 1963, the Competitions Department did manage to put together two modified MGBs for the 12 Hours of Sebring; one of these cars was driven by Christabel Carlisle and Denise McCluggage, and the other by Jack Flaherty and Jim Parkinson. Unfortunately, this was not a great debut for the cars as neither of them finished the race and was halted by engine failure.

Paddy Hopkirk and Alan Hutcherson did manage to improve on the previous attempt and in June of 1963 drove an MGB to a class victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours reaching a very respectable 12th overall. The following year, Hopkirk and his co- driver Andy Hedges managed 19th place at the Le Mans. Don and Erle Morley achieved a boost with a win in the GT class at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally that was viewed as a considerable achievement.

BMC’s Competitions Department finally closed in 1970 however, privately owned MGBs still compete today.

Many well-organized events take place all over the world from track days to hill climbs and time trial events, with the MGB still proving itself to be a worthy competitor today after decades on the scene.

MG did start up competitive teams again, in 2001 when they entered the 24-hour Le Mans, the British Touring car championship, and the world rally championship, however not much success came from any of these.

MG Rover’s liquidation in 2005 put an end to nearly all the competitive teams. The MG ZS was used by a private organization and ended up being called Team RAC.

MG Motor UK Limited as it is now called used the 2012 British Touring car championship to start again through the MG KX Momentum team driving the MG6; it did very well with a manufacturer win for MG in 2014.

This much-loved marque has been around for so many years, from many changes of owners to a continually changing world around us it has overcome many hurdles and given so much to so many people. From the ones who love to tinker with their pride and joy, to those who will always remember their first MG with fond memories.

To the motorsport enthusiast or the car that drove them to their wedding, the MGB is a landmark in automotive design and engineering that will always be loved by so many; hopefully, this will never change.

Hundreds of images here to browse through. https://www.cchl.co.uk/gallery.html

1. MG gets Competitive – full production run.

2. MGB Roadster pull handle model production numbers