<MGB Mk.1>
MGB was manufactured for a long time of 18 years. Meanwhile numerous
improvements were made to it. In Britain "Mark Number" is often given to the
car in every small improvement what is called a minor change in Japan.
However, regarding MGB, manufacturer itself didn't use such number at all.
And MGB, manufactured during September 1962 when it debuted to October 1967
when its transmission was changed to a full sychronized system, was called
"Mk I".
MGB was also different from MBA in its frame, and a full mono-cock body
which doesn't have any independant chassis. As it was a Sport Tourer which
had wind up system side windows and a folding top (option at first), stickly
speaking MGB should have been called "Drop-Head Coupe" or "Convertible"
instead of "Road Ster"
Changed from MBA's boby style so called appearances of 1950s, MGB' 940kg
body was designed sleek under aerodynamics. B type engine, had been used
for MGA, was powered up to OHV1800 combined with 1 1/2 dia. twin caburetors.
And it was installed in the position which can be called the front-midship
nowadays.
Though the maximum exhaust power 94HP and the maximum torque 13.8 Kg-M is
less power compared with today's engines, thanks to its rich torque at low
speed MGB is good enough to cope with the present traffic circumstances.
At first number of main bearings to support crankshaft were three. In
October 1964 it was increased to five and at the same time the oil cooler
was also attached as a standard equipment.
As the result of that improvement, continuous high speed drive became available.
After that a lot of various improvements on measures for safty were made to
MGB. However on Wednesday October 22nd 1980 the production of MGB was
finaly discontinued at the same time when their factory that had been MGB's
home for 55 years was closed. Total production quantity including MGB, MGB,
GT and V8 came out at 251,111.
It has been a long time since the production of MGB was closed,
nevertheless, bodies and various kinds of parts have been manufactured and
supplied by "British Motor Heritage Trust." Since 1993 "MG RV8" with this
Heritage Body and 3.9 liters engine which is installed onRange Rover has
been manufactured. And with the refleshed interior and exterior limited
1500 MG RV8's have already come onto the market. Though it has already been
30 years since its birth, MGB is still loved by many piople.
MGB influenced Today's Light and Middle Weight Open Sport Cars in avarious
point such as a full mono-cock and convertible body, car size, capacity, and
equipment etc. On this point it proves clearly that Keiki Tachibana of
MAZDA who was deeply on the development of Eunos Road Star is one of owners
of MGB. Today when the fascination of MGB is revalued, MGB must increase
much more its brightness as it is a root of Sport Cars in this age.
By courtesy of "MG CAR CLUB OF JAPAN CENTER" and "KOBE MG CAR CLUB" TOKYO
BRANCH, Mr. CURKEY.O.
=====END OF QUOTE=====
Shamelessly stollen and reprinted without permission by yours truely,
Ross (still laughing) MacPherson
1947 MG-TC 3528
1966 MGB-GT
|