The MGB turns 50
Submitted by John Versey (with photos also provided by John)

The MGB was introduced in 1962 making it 50 years old in 2012 and was a relatively modern design at the time of its introduction, utilizing a monocoque structure instead of the traditional body-on-frame construction used on both the MGA and MG T-types and the MGB's rival, the Triumph TR series.

The roadster was introduced first with the fixed roof, Pininfarina designed GT being introduced in October 1965. Initially the MGB had a 3-bearing 1798 cc B-Series engine which produced 95 hp (71 kW) at 5,400 rpm. The engine was upgraded in October 1964 to a five-bearing crankshaft in an effort to improve reliability.

The MGC was a 2912 cc, straight-6 version of the MGB sold from 1967 and produced through to August 1969 with some sales running on into 1970. It used the same engine as the Austin 3 litre. It was available in both roadster and GT form. About 9000 were made.

MG began offering the MGB GT V8 in 1973 utilising the aluminium-block 3528 cc Rover V8 engine, first fitted to the Rover P5B. Only GT versions of the V8-powered MGB were produced by the factory. Production ended in 1976 with about 2500 having been produced.

In 1974, as US air pollution emission standards became more rigorous, US-market MGBs were de-tuned for compliance. As well as a marked reduction in performance, the MGB gained an inch in ride height and the distinctive rubber bumpers which came to replace the chrome for all markets.

Factory production of the MGB ended in 1980.Combined production volume of MGB, MGC and MGB GT V8 models was 523,836 cars.

From 1988-1992 Rod Brayshaw, New Zealand’s leading restorer of MGs, made 9 MGB roadsters using new heritage body shells from the UK and all new parts (although he had to use reconditioned engine blocks and gearbox housings). The specifications were the same as the last of the chrome bumper models of 1974. The cars were sold through The New Zealand Motor Corporation who were the MG/Rover agents at the time. Customers had a list of options available including either a 1800cc 4 cylinder engine as used in other MGBs or the Rover V8 which had been used in some MGBGTs but never in production roadsters.

A very limited-production "revival" model with only 2,000 units made, called RV8 was produced by Rover in the 1990s. Despite the similarity in appearance to the roadster, the RV8 had less than 5 percent parts interchangeability with the original car.