MGB GT
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The fixed-roof MGB GT was introduced in October 1965 and production continued until 1980, although export to the US ceased in 1974. The GT was a concept dear to MG’s managing director John Thornley. He wanted to build a ‘poor man’s Aston Martin’. The team at MG had some difficulty in designing the coupé shape, so they commissioned Pininfarina to do the job. The design that came back was beautiful. Autocar magazine wrote ‘Perhaps one of the prettiest sports coupes ever to leave the BMC drawing boards’. The new configuration was a 2+2 design but the new rear bench seat was very small and of limited use for adults or older children, however there was more luggage space than in the roadster. The engine and gearbox were the same as those in the roadster. In fact relatively few components differed from those used for the roadster, although the MGB GT did receive different suspension springs and anti-roll bars. The MGB GT also featured a different windscreen which was more easily and inexpensively serviceable. Acceleration of the GT was slightly slower than that of the roadster due to its increased weight, though handling improved due to significantly increased chassis rigidity and perhaps slightly better weight distribution. Top speed improved by 5 mph (8 km/h) to 105 mph (170 km/h) due to better aerodynamics. |
This MG B GT was in the final batch of chrome bumpers and registered in '75. It was bought new by Anthony Kendrick and it is still owned by him - although he's now sharing it with his daughter Ann. It is currently undergoing restoration, but is having a run around this summer after being dry stored for the past 15 years.
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| Dave's MGB GT |
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I brought a chartreuse MGBGT VAB on the 1st February 1980; I was the second After a couple of months of ownership I heard about the MGOC so I decided to go to a fairly local meeting and see what was involved, little knowing twenty five years later I would still be involved with the club. For many years VAB was my every day transport, fitting in work between club runs and club events all round the country. From Jersey in the south to Harrogate in the north, I had very few weekends to myself for the first few years. The car has always (touch wood) behaved herself unlike the driver! With very few problems apart from normal wear.
In 1997 I started to rebuild the front suspension, a couple of weekends it should have been! Seven years latter I am finally back on the road thanks to Chris Rodgers who put a lot of work into an almost total rebuild. |
the car. On my way home after stopping several times to see what was
wrong I realised the cars that were flashing me were MG's, that was my
introduction to the world of MG's. 