"Kai M. Radicke" wrote:
>
> > A little known anecdote to history is that in 1981-82 Aston-Martin
> > built two prototype MGs, supposedly to use as examples of just
> > how great it would be for all concerned if BMC/British Leyland
> > would allow Aston-Martin to continue to build the still very popular
> > MG sports cars. Saddly it was not to be, and the two prototypes
> > were then distroyed, I believe, unless someone knows
> > differently.
> > Albert Escalante 1978 MGB
>
> Not so.
>
> One prototype was produced, rather hastily, and the car still exists. It
> didn't even have a functional fuel filler cap until a few years ago. It
> exchanged hands twice about three years ago in the UK for a pretty
> reasonable about of money. It's best described as metallic russet brown,
> with white alloy wheels, and a MGB GT windscreen grafted on. A custom hood
> was frame were created also, to allow for use with the taller windscreen. I
> believe the car had an O series engine as well.
>
> David Knowles' books contain information on the car, it's appeared in all of
> the major MG magazines and formerly on my website... archived copy of the
> webpage is available at:
I just reading that book now. Very interesting stuff. What
happened was
that A-M wanted to buy MG from BL, but BL wouldn't sell the name.
They
were interested in selling the rights to build the cars though. A
deal
was struck and things looked pretty good. However, some major
finaciers
backed out/never materialized, and then A-M scrambled to get
other backers,
notably in Japan. But time ran out (an arbitrary line drawn in
the sand
by BL, who cooked the books saying they were losing a lot of
money on each
car built).
Interestingly, the first TC imported and the last MGB imported
were sold
to a Ford. Both are found at the Museum in Deerborn. I wonder if
Ford will
buy the first X80, ZT or MGTF that comes over? He'll probably
have to lay
someone off to buy it...
It's a great book for a B centric person. I'm enjoying it very
much, but
I wish it had a little more history or MG. But then it's a book
about the
'B not the whole company.
--
Paul T. Root E/Mail: proot@iaces.com
600 Stinson Blvd, Fl 1S PAG: +1 (877) 693-7155
Minneapolis, MN 55413 WRK: +1 (612) 664-3385
NIC: PTR FAX: +1 (612) 664-4779
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