These are standard specifications for the 1978 MG MGB, not necessarily specifications for the vehicle(s) in the photo(s).
Transmission:
4 Manual All-synchro
Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated January 2023
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 valves per cylinder) |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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. |
Data updated January 2023
1978 Averages
| Avg. Household Income : | $17,000 |
| Avg. Home : | $54,800 |
| Avg. Gallon of Gas : | $0.63 |
Popular frequently asked questions include:
What are the dimension and mechanical specifications 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.