1978 MG MGB Specifications

Specifications

1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980

Features

Engine Location :	Front
Drive Type :	Rear Wheel
Body / Chassis :	Steel unibody
Production Years for Series :	1972 - 1980
Price :	$5,650
Weight :	2340 lbs \| 1061.406 kg

Performance

0-60 mph :	14 seconds.
1/4 Mile :	19.10S @ 70.00 MPH seconds.
Top Speed :	160 km/h \| 99.44 mph

Engine & Transmission

Straight 4
Displacement :	1799 cc \| 109.8 cu in. \| 1.8 L.
Power :	85 BHP (62.56 KW) @ 5500 RPM
Torque :	105 Ft-Lbs (142 NM) @ 2500 RPM
Bore :	3.2 in \| 80 mm.
Stroke :	3.5 in \| 89 mm.
Compression :	9.00:1
Valvetrain :	8 SOHC (2.0 valves per cylinder)

Transmission:
4 Manual All-synchro

Gear Ratios

1st Gear :	3.3:1
2nd Gear :	2.21:1
3rd Gear :	1.40:1
4th Gear :	1.00:1

Production Figures

Total MG Production for 1978 :	26,656
Total 1978 MGB production :	17,271
1978 MG MGB

Handling

Recall

Component	EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Manufacturer	JAGUAR CARS
NHTSA Campaign ID	82V072000
Summary	THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABELS AND VEHICLE IDENDIFICATION NUMBER PLATES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 115, 'VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER-BASIC REQUIREMENTS'.
Remedy	VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE, IF MISSING, WILL BE INSTALLED WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; CERTIFICATION PLATES (VIN) AND LABELS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: BECAUSE THE VIN PLATE IS USED AS AN AID TO LAWENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN IDENTIFYING STOLEN VEHICLES, THE ABSENCE OF A VIN PLATECOULD MAKE THE TASK IMPOSSIBLE.

Component	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Manufacturer	JAGUAR CARS
NHTSA Campaign ID	78V164000
Summary	THE OVERDRIVE WIRING HARNESS COULD CHAFE AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy	THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE SLEEVE TO THE OVERDRIVE WIRING HARNESS AT THE BASE OF THE GEAR LEVER TO PRECLUDE CHAFING.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; WIRING HARNESS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE ANDPASSENGER INJURY.

Component	SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Manufacturer	JAGUAR CARS
NHTSA Campaign ID	85V059000
Summary	WIDESPREAD LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE OPERATION OF WEBBING SENSITIVE AND DUAL SENSITIVE SEAT BELTS HAS LEAD TO NON-USE OF BELTS BY A NUMBER OF OWNERS. SOME BELTS RETRACTORS MAY JAM, BIND OR LOCK. THIS MAY DISCOURAGE THE USE OF THE SAFETY BELTS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: NON-USE OF SEAT BELTS SUBJECTS OCCUPANTS TO RISK OF INJURY IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN BRAKING.
Remedy	INSTRUCTINS ON PROPER BELT USAGE AND SIMPLE CHECKS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE ANY MALFUNCTIONING RETRACTOR.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:TWO DOOR ROADSTERS AND COUPES PASSENGER CARS.SYSTEM: SEAT BELTS.

Component	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
Manufacturer	JAGUAR CARS
Mfr Report Date	19750601
NHTSA Campaign ID	78V089000
Summary	THE RETAINING SCREWS ON THE FUEL BOWL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO LOOSEN, ALLOWING SEEPAGE OF GASOLINE FROM THE CARBURETOR.
Remedy	THE DEALER WILL CHECK THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD/CATALYST SYSTEM AND CARBURETOR AND MAKE ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; CARBURETOR.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS WOULD CREATE A POTENTIAL RISK OF FIRE AND, IF THEVEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AN ACCIDENT.

Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated June 2024

1978 Averages

Avg. Household Income :	$17,000
Avg. Home :	$54,800
Avg. Gallon of Gas :	$0.63

1978 MG MGB FAQs (show)

Popular frequently asked questions include:

What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 1978 MG MGB?
How many 1978 MG MGB were produced?
How powerful was the 1978 MG MGB? Was the 1978 MG MGB popular? Was the 1978 MG MGB expensive? What was the fuel economy of the 1978 MG MGB?

Q: How fast is the 1978 MG MGB? A: The 1978 MG MGB has a top speed of 160 km/h.

Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 1978 MG MGB? A: The 1978 MG MGB has a wheelbase size of 91.10 inches.

Q: What is the length of the 1978 MG MGB? A: The 1978 MG MGB has a length of 158.30 inches.

Q: What is the width of the 1978 MG MGB? A: The 1978 MG MGB has a width of 59.90 inches.

Q: How much did the 1978 MG MGB cost when new?A: The 1978 MG MGB had a base price of approximately $5,650 (USD).

Q: What is the bodystyle of the 1978 MG MGB? A: The 1978 MG MGB was a Roadster.

Q: How many vehicles did MG produce in 1978? A: MG produced 26,656 automobiles in 1978.

Q: How many 1978 MGBs were produced? A: MG produced 17,271 examples of the MGB in 1978.

Q: What engine did the 1978 MG MGB have? A: The engine powering the 1978 MG MGB was a Straight 4 (1799 cc | 109.8 cu in. | 1.8 L.) with 85 BHP (62.56 KW) @ 5500 RPM and 105 Ft-Lbs (142 NM) @ 2500 RPM.

Q: What transmission did the 1978 MG MGB have? A: The 1978 MG MGB had a 4 speed Manual All-synchro gearbox.